Frog Alley Whispers (The Trickster’s Game)

Mise-en-scène: The boat scrapes against a slimy dock. The air is thick with salt and decay. Eyes—cold, fishlike—watch from the shadows.

Mise-en-scène: The alley reeks—like fish left to rot.

Protagonist: "The alley reeks—Salt, scales—And something rotting."

Companion (uneasy): "Why are they watching?"

Mise-en-scène: A shuffle—too many feet, too slick.

Protagonist: "Because we don’t belong."

(No response—just a door creaking open.)

Mise-en-scène: A room—warm, with a snapping fire. But something is wrong. Something is waiting.

Trickster (amused, from the shadows): "Lost, are you? Or are you… Hunting?"

Mise-en-scène: The Protagonist tenses, voice sharp.

Protagonist: "Who are you?"

Trickster (mocking): "Oh, not who, But why. And why is—It."

Mise-en-scène: The Companion’s voice cuts through.

Companion: "It what?"

Trickster (grinning wider): "Teeth. A tide with hunger. A mouth—So wide, You’ll see stars inside."

Mise-en-scène: The Protagonist’s voice hardens, understanding.

Protagonist: "You mean—The Whale."

Trickster (delighted, clapping hands): "Oh, they know! And such fine prey you’d make—All bright and bold. I’d hate to see you swallowed…"

Mise-en-scène: The Companion, sharp and defiant.

Companion: "Then we won’t be."

Trickster (smirking): "No? Then you’ll be wanting a boat."

Mise-en-scène: The Trickster leans in, whispering, pointing.

Trickster (low, teasing): "Through the Alley—Where the boards bend and the stars blink. But hurry—The water waits for no one."

Mise-en-scène: (With a flash of teeth, the Trickster is gone. The fish-eyed stares press in.)

Companion: "The boat."

Protagonist (steady, determined): "We find it. We take it. And we hunt the hunter."