Scene 8 : Back at the Theater – The Brothers Search for Baxter

(Lights up on the dusty backstage of the old Broadway theater. The golden glow that swallowed Baxter has faded. The room is eerily quiet. The only thing left behind is the faint hum of the mystical Marquee B.)

(Standing around the now-dim letter B are Waffles, Barry, Reuben, and Fish. They are frozen in shock. Their brother—the leader, the dreamer, the one wiff the biggest Broadway dreams— has vanished.)

Waffles (adjusting his bowtie, panicked):
“O-Okay, okay, let’s not freak out—Baxter is probably just—uh—hiding? Maybe he got stage fright? Maybe he got kidnapped!”

Barry (arms crossed, skeptical):
“Baxter? Stage fright? That rat would tap dance on the moon if you gave him the right spotlight.”

Reuben (frowning, rubbing his temples):
“Great. Just great. One second he’s whining about falling, the next he’s—poof—he’s gone? Fantastic. Yeah, totally normal.”

Fish (pacing, grumbling):
“I knew this was a bad idea. One minute we’re talking about our show, next minute our brother dissappears? This is exactly why I don’t trust theater magic!”

(He huffs, adjusting the tiny cheese-shaped notebook slung over his back.)

Fish Loses Patience

(The others continue debating, but Fish is done. He shakes his head, his tiny tail flicking in frustration.)

Fish:
“You know what? You three can stand here talking in circles, but I’ve got important work to do.“

(He turns, heading toward the door.)

Waffles (blinking, worried):
“Wait—Fish—where are you going?!”

(Fish stops in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder.)

Fish:
“Where do you fink? I got a cheese map to finish. You fink the city’s artisanal brie crisis is gonna solbe itself?”

(He gestures vaguely to the glowing marquee B.)

“Besides, I’m not messing wiff Broadway magic. That’s Baxter’s fing. You wanna find him? Fine. But I got cheese bizness. Call me when he’s back.”

(Wiff that, Fish exits, slamming the door behind him.)

The Remaining Brothers Look at Each Other

(There’s a long pause. Waffles adjusts his bowtie again. Barry rubs his arm awkwardly. Reuben sighs and looks back at the marquee B, still glowing faintly.)

Reuben (grumbling):
“I mean… he’s got a point. We are talking in circles.”

Waffles (softly, staring at the B):
“Yeah, but… what if this is real? What if Baxter is—somewhere out there? On a Broadway adbenture?”

(A beat. The marquee flickers. The golden glow pulses, as if whispering secrets. The brothers exchange a look. The mystery is just beginning…)

Scene Fades to Black.

(Meanwhile—where is Baxter now?)

END ACT ONE.