A fellowship of baccalaurds

A Fellowship of Baccalaurds

An Adventure

by

The Reduced IB1 Company

CHARACTER NAME BRIEF DESCRIPTION AGE GENDER

Frodo Baggins The bearer of the Extended Essay. 33 Male

His need to submit the EE triggers

one of the two subdivisions of the

play.

Samwise Gamgee Loyal friend to Frodo. He is bound 32 Male

(nickname: Sam) to accompany Frodo on his quest.

Gollum The antagonist to Frodo Baggins. 500 N/A

He has a Dissociative identity

disorder which has been caused by

too much exposure to the IB.

Gandalf the Black An old and wise wizard who calls Immortal Male

all the characters in and is responsible

for setting the exposition.

Saruman the White The main antagonist of the play. He Very Old Male

is the closest to the IBO that the

heroes can get.

Aragorn Mighty warrior and King of Gondor, 87 Male

(nickname: Strider) the land of men (humans). He is

in love with Erwen, an elf.

Legolas Long-haired elf archer. His affection to >150 Male

Erwen triggers the action for the other

one of the subdivisions of the play.

Gimli A stubborn dwarf who likes to hit 139 Male

stuff with his huge axe. He has a

bromance with Legolas. (No homo)

Boromir A selfish warrior who says a

catchphrase and then leaves the play 85 Male

Erwen The elf who is being contested by Immortal Female

Legolas and Aragorn.

A Fellowship of Baccalaurds

ii

SCENE 11 1( Gi ml i , Bor omi r , Ga nda l f , Fr odo, Le gol a s , Sa mwi s e , Ar a gor n, Ar we n)

FADE UP: THE

CONFERENCE

ROOM

Gimli is telling a story to Samwise, Boromir,

Frodo and Legolas. On the other side of the

stage, Aragorn is talking to Arwen. (Legolas

looks suspiciously at Aragorn)

GIMLI

...and then, they threw the ring into the fires of Mt. Doom and they all lived happily ever

after.

BOROMIR

(disdaining)

We have heard this story a hundred times. Anyone have a better one?

(Enter GANDALF)

Everyone except Aragorn and Arwen turn to

greet Gandalf.

GANDALF

I have one for you. Hear me out.

FRODO

Gandalf!

GIMLI

It was about time...

GANDALF

Be patient, Gimli. Time is something that should not be trifled with. A wizard is never

late; neither is he early; he arrives exactly when he means to.

BOROMIR

This is all very nice Gandalf but we are not all immortal, so we are a bit pressed for time.

LEGOLAS

What is the reason of this summoning?

1

GIMLI

You better be fast, I have to go back to my homework.

GANDALF

Right, right.

(He coughs lightly to attract the attention

of Aragorn and Arwen)

As you might all be aware, the people of IB Earth are decimated by the day. Hails of

assignments descend upon them like torrential rain that never stops. As if that is not

enough, they have to face a beast forged and hammered out of their darkest nightmares.

(There is sudden unrest. Frodo and Sam

look at each other frightened.)

SAMWISE

The... E.E.?

GANDALF

Yes, Sam. The Extended Essay lurks behind every corner. Four thousand men cannot take

it down. There is only one way to escape it. We need to submit to its demands.

ARAGORN

No! This suffering must stop. We must fight back.

FRODO

There is nothing we can do about it!

BOROMIR

Nothing a Hobbit can do.

FRODO

Well the Hobbit finished his Extended Essay and he will submit it. There is no reason to

fight against such a powerful force.

ARAGORN

We will fight for the future generations of IB students. You can just get away from it by

submitting your Extended Essay. Let the fighters do the fighting.

(Frodo faces the ground in shame.)

LEGOLAS

Aragorn is right. The IBO has proved itself unworthy of ruling this land. They may take

away our sleep, but they will never take away our...

GANDALF

Enough! You believe that there is hope to defeat this evil?

A Fellowship of Baccalaurds | Scene 1

2

GIMLI

Yes. Strider, you have my axe.

LEGOLAS

And my bow.

ARAGORN

Sam?

SAMWISE

(nods negatively)

BOROMIR

I told you the Hobbits didn’t have the guts.

ARWEN

Boromir, stop! It is their choice after all.

GANDALF

Thank you, Arwen. The task you have chosen to undertake is far from safe Strider. I

deem it appropriate to nevertheless join you on your quest. I name this group the

Fellowship of Baccalaurds. (To Frodo and Sam) Now; as for you two...

FRODO

I will submit my Extended Essay, even though I don’t know how.

SAMWISE

I’ll come with you Frodo. We will have to submit it through Moodle. It’s the only way.

BOROMIR

One does not simply log into Moodle.

GANDALF

They have chosen their path, Boromir. Frodo, Sam, your quest is equally perilous. Your

trip is coming to an end, yet this can only mean that your adventures have found a new

beginning. Now hurry, the deadline is in one week. Meet us back here when you have

submitted it.

(Frodo and Samwise exit SL)

Gimli, Boromir; our fellowship is strong, but we cannot win this war without the support

of the people. I need you to go to every major city, to every little town, from door to

door, and awake the people. Make them stand for their rights like we will.

(Gimli and Boromir exit downstage)

Aragorn, Legolas, we leave at dawn. We shall go pay Saruman a visit in Isengard .

(Optional: Arwen, just go back to the kitchen.)


3

ARAGORN

For the people!

LEGOLAS

For our children!

GANDALF

To Isengard!

BLACKOUT.

End of Scene 1

SCENE 22 2(GOLLUM, SAMWISE, FRODO)

FADE UP: A FOREST

Gollum is talking to himself DSL

GOLLUM

Hm, hm, hm... Oh mother, why did you let me go to the IB? It has been two years of

constant pain. My hair is increasingly less from stress, I barely ever go to sleep and now

I have to write this... Extended Essay. Curse you IBO! If I had known that around here

the good students are allowed to make fun of the worse ones, I would have never joined!

Pain and torture, pain and torture, pain and... steps! (He hides behind a rock)

(Enter Frodo and Sam SR)

SAMWISE

(out of breath)

Mr. Frodo, can we rest for a while? My feet are killing me.

FRODO

You’re right Sam. It’s getting dark anyway.

(They sit. Gollum appears to be

eavesdropping.)

SAMWISE

Mr. Frodo, I think we are lost. With no one to guide us towards Moodle, there is no way

we can reach it until the deadline.

FRODO

Have faith, Sam. Gandalf showed us the way to Moodle. We will have to log in and then

submit the Extended Essay. Here it is. I printed it just as we were leaving.


4

SAMWISE

You did? I thought the printer was jammed again. It happens when everyone wants to

print his lab report on the day of submission.

FRODO

It is pure chaos on such days my friend. It is too bad that all this is slowly ending for us.

I wish I could go back one year and relive all these memories...

SAMWISE

Never say that again Mr. Frodo! I am still getting over the midterms, and that was a

couple of months ago! I have kept contact with a friend outside these lands who said that

the work we had to do for each week was usually their work of months!

FRODO

Come on, Sam! You’re forgetting all the good parts! How did such an open-minded

educational system make such a pessimist out of Sammy?

SAMWISE

I suppose that says something.

FRODO

Alright. Remember that time last year, when we all dressed up and strolled around in our

fancy suits and named it...

SAMWISE

...awesomeness day, out of that silly sitcom!

FRODO

Remember when we went rafting? That was a trip I swore to myself I would never forget,

for that is when I really met the people around the IB. It is for such events that I think

my stay has been worthwhile.

SAMWISE

I wish I could view it this way. I suppose I am glad it’s finally over.

FRODO

That is a sad thing to say, Sam. Think of all the people you have met, they are all off to

different places. We will slowly become the strangers we used to be, before coming to

this land.

SAMWISE

That is unthinkable.


5

FRODOProve me wrong, Sam.

SAMWISE

I will. Anyway, we need to sleep soon Mr. Frodo.

FRODOYou’re right. Rest now Sam.

SAMWISEGoodnight Mr. Frodo.

FRODOGoodnight.

(They sleep. Gollum springs out of his

hiding place.)

GOLLUMWhat have our ears heard? This Hobbit has printed his Extended Essay? Mine isn’t even

started yet. If only I could have a... 4000 word head start... Would you be as kind as to

let me give a look? (Pauses for an answer) I will take that as a yes. (Reaches for the

Extended Essay waking up Frodo)

Frodo is awake and the two fight over the EE,

waking up Sam. Gollum tries to reach for it

while Frodo defends himself and Sam tries to

contain Gollum. As this happens, Gollum turns

his attention towards Sam and Frodo takes the

chance to draw his sword and point it at

Gollum.

FRODO

We know who you are, Gollum. The worst of all students around here but a real

computer guy. Why are you trying to steal my Extended Essay?

GOLLUM

Not steal it; more like, borrow it. I wanted to read it in order to be... inspired.

FRODO

Have you not submitted yours?

GOLLUM

Not yet, no.


6

SAMWISE

Frodo, stop chatting with him and tie him up. We don’t want this scum stealing and

plagiarizing your EE.

GOLLUM

Wait, that is not how you are supposed to treat your fellow students!

FRODO

Silence, beast! Say, Sam, I think I might have a use for this little fellow.

SAMWISE

What could he do for us?

FRODO

He could help us log into Moodle. He could lead the way.

SAMWISE

Hm... Deal. Tie him up and we will continue walking in the morning. And put a cloth

around his mouth, the damned thing is making too much noise.

(Gollum struggles in the beginning but

then the two go to sleep and he stops

whining.)

FADE OUT

End of Scene 2

SCENE 33 3(ARAGORN, GANDALF, LEGOLAS)

AT RISE:

Legolas, Aragorn and Gandalf enter SL in this

order. Legolas runs forward to look towards the

horizon, Aragorn sits to rest and Gandalf, being

out of breath, joins him too.

ARAGORN

I’ve never seen a tired wizard before...

GANDALF

There’s a first time for everything.


7

ARAGORNAwkward.

GANDALFLegolas, are we there yet?

LEGOLASWe have a couple more hours’ worth of walking. We can only rest for a while. This is a

dangerous place to camp with Saruman still undefeated.

GANDALFI wouldn’t argue. Saruman is a powerful enemy and we should move out at once. On the

other hand, these rocks are surprisingly comfortable.

LEGOLAS(Sits down)

Alright, but it would be best that we move out soon.

ARAGORNThe elf is right. We don’t know if we’re being followed.

LEGOLASGandalf, why don’t you place some protective spells in the perimeter?

GANDALFNah, I’m good here.

LEGOLASIt’s ok, I’ll keep an eye out for enemies.

ARAGORNRelax, relax. We’ll be out of here in no time.

(Gandalf falls asleep snoring)Right Gandalf? Gandalf?

GANDALF (A SILENCE)...

ARAGORNShould I wake him up?

LEGOLASLet the old man sleep.


8

GANDALFI heard that.

(After a pause)

LEGOLASSo, how’s it going with... Arwen?

ARAGORNWhat do you mean?

LEGOLASOh come on! As if no one has seen you two in the corridors.

ARAGORNIt’s really none of their business.

LEGOLASWell...

ARAGORNWhat’s all the sudden interest about?

LEGOLASIt’s not usual for an elf to be with a human, that’s all. But elves always enjoy the

competition.

ARAGORNI suppose you have someone better in mind.

LEGOLASAs a matter of fact I do.

GANDALF (ASLEEP)What do you mean I’m too old for her?

ARAGORNI don’t understand what the problem is.

LEGOLASIt’s a matter of principle

ARAGORNPrinciple? This is the Third Era. Please don’t tell me you would try to stop what is going

on between me and Arwen.


9

LEGOLASOnly if I have to. She deserves better.

ARAGORNOh really? And an elf is so much better.

LEGOLASIndeed he would be.

ARAGORNYou look more like a girl than she does.

LEGOLASThat’s enough, Aragorn. I will continue this trip alone. Meet you in Isengard.

ARAGORNThat’s mature.

LEGOLASA human talking about maturity. How ironic.

(He starts to run off)

GANDALF(Suddenly waking up)

YOU SHALL NOT PASS! What are you two looking at?

ARAGORN(Legolas turn around and leaves SR)

Come, we need to catch up.

GANDALFWhat’s wrong with him?

ARAGORN

Nothing I would know of.(They exit SR)

FADE OUTEnd of Scene 3

SCENE 44 4(SMEAGOL, GOLLUM, SAMWISE, FRODO)

FADE UP: NIGHT IN

A FOREST


10

Frodo and Sam are sleeping where they were left

in scene 2. Gollum monologues.

SMEAGOLWe needs to steal the Extended Essay.

GOLLUMThe Hobbit has done great work on it.

SMEAGOLThe one is naive and trusts Gollum -smeagol- the other is our enemy.

GOLLUMIt’s not fair... The one who trusts us will be disqualified.

SMEAGOL

(Ironically)

Won’t that be a shame? Do you prefer that we are disqualified?

GOLLUM

Gollum does not wish to harm a fellow student.

SMEAGOL

Look at us, you worthless creature! Tied up by those little Hobbitses.

GOLLUM

We can’t, we can’t, it’s not ethical.

SMEAGOL

Steal the Extended Essay! I am the reason why we survived all this, now do as I say!

GOLLUM

We don’t need you, the Hobbits will help us!

SMEAGOL

There is no other way, Gollum. They will not help you

GOLLUM

I am left with no choice then.

(He reaches for and steals the EE and

walks away SL.)

LIGHTS: MORNING


11

SAMWISE(Wakes up after a pause)

Mr. Frodo, wake up! It’s dawn and we need to get going.

FRODOGood morning Sam.

(They get up and Frodo notices Gollum

has escaped.)Wait, Gollum has escaped!

SAMWISE(Sees Gollum across the stage)

Hey! Come back!

GOLLUMGollum didn’t mean to escape the kind Hobbits. Please don’t be mad.

SAMWISECome here at once!

GOLLUM(Ignoring Sam)

Moodle is just up the hill. Follow me!

FRODOWe’ll be right there.

SAMWISEWait a minute Mr. Frodo. Are sure we can trust him?

FRODOOf course I’m sure. He is leading us to Mt. Moodle, isn’t he?

SAMWISEWhat if he still wants the Extended Essay for himself Mr. Frodo?

FRODODon’t be silly Sam. We can do what whatever we want with him now.

SAMWISEFair enough.

FRODOSay, I had this strange dream. I was making so much money and suddenly a dragon sprang

our and...


12

SAMWISEThat’s a great story Mr. Frodo but I think it’s time to take the E.E. out . I can see Mt.

Moodle ahead.

FRODO(looks for it and finally gives up)

I must have dropped it back there. Can you go look?

SAMWISESure thing Mr. Frodo.

As Sam goes back to look for the Extended

Essay, Frodo sees Gollum looking at it.

FRODO

Sam, look! Gollum stole the E.E.!

SAMWISE

You little thief! I’m gonna get you!

A chase breaks out and the three exit SL

DIM LIGHTS FOR

SCENE CHANGE

FRODO (OFF STAGE)

Hey, you! Stop running!

SAMWISE (OFF STAGE)

Yeah, come back here!

GOLLUM (OFF STAGE)

Never! I win this time!

FRODO (OFF STAGE)

We’re catching up, Gollum

GOLLUM (OFF STAGE)

You’ll never get me!

SAMWISE (OFF STAGE)

Run faster Mr. Frodo, he’s getting close to the Mountain.


13

LIGHTS:

MOUNTAIN

MOODLE

Gollum enters SR being chased and approaches

the Mountain. Frodo and Sam follow.

SAMWISE (cont’d)We’re here Mr. Frodo! It’s Mountain Moodle!

FRODOThis is beautiful.

SAMWISEThere’s no time for that Mr. Frodo, Gollum is about to submit your Extended Essay as

his own!

FRODOWe need to stop him before he does that. Try to get it back. I will go up to the mountain

so you can throw it to me.

SAMWISERight.

Sam runs for Gollum and without much struggle

takes the EE from him.

SAMWISE (cont’d)Frodo I got it! Catch!

Frodo submits the Extended Essay as Gollum

follows him up the mountain

BLACKOUT.End of Scene 4

SCENE 55 5(ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, GANDALF, SARUMAN)

AT RISE:

Legolas enters SL hastily. Aragorn has caught

up with him. Gandalf has barely caught up.


14

ARAGORNLegolas, wait!

LEGOLASWait for what? We are here: Isengard.

GANDALFThank God.

ARAGORNDamn, that’s one big tower. I suppose we have to find Saruman now.

GANDALFIf we go in, I’m taking the elevator.

LEGOLASWe’re not going in there. We need to get Saruman out here.

(To the tower)Hey! Saruman! Come out here!

ARAGORNYeah! What kind of...

GANDALFWizard.

ARAGORN...wizard are you? This is not working.

GANDALF(”Chill, I got this”)

Rapunzel! Let down your hair!

SARUMAN

(Enters SL, behind the heroes)How dare you!

GANDALFSaruman!

LEGOLASWe have been outflanked!

GANDALFNo worries, Legolas. There are three of us and he’s alone.


15

SARUMANEven like this you can’t beat me, Gandalf. I am a more powerful wizard than you will

ever be.

GANDALF(Oh no you didn’t)

Attack!

ARAGORNWait. Don’t we need a plan first?

LEGOLASOkay, here’s the plan: I’ll kill him while you guys watch.

ARAGORNThat’s not gonna happen, hotshot. You can watch while I chop him into pieces.

LEGOLASYou’ll never get close enough.

ARAGORNYour arrows are too weak for his power.

SARUMANThat’s right. I am a powerful wizard and I will crush you. Whenever you guys are ready.

GANDALFSaruman, give us a minute.

(To Legolas and Aragorn)

Boys, we cannot let such minor issues tear our team apart. I have seen the looks you give

Arwen and Aragorn, Legolas, but it is time to give up now. They are together and she

cares about him just as much as he cares about her. We need to stand resolute, united.

Only this way we can beat Saruman

ARAGORNYou can be quite inspiring when you’re not snoring, Gandalf.

GANDALFWait, what?

LEGOLASYou are right, old man. I’m taking a step back and in honor of our alliance.

ARAGORNSo I can go first?


16

LEGOLASSure you can.

(Aragorn runs in and is instantly knocked

out by Saruman’s magic)

GANDALFPerfect. I guess it’s the two of us now.

SARUMANNow that the human is down, I will finish you two as well. Give me your best shot!

GANDALFYou have tortured us for long enough, IBO. Now it is time for you to be gone forever! I

banish you, Saruman, from this land, for we do not wish your presence any longer.

SARUMANI cannot be defeated so easily! It is impossible!

Legolas and Gandalf prepare for battle and so

does Saruman. Music climax.

BLACKOUT.End of Scene 5

SCENE 66 6(FRODO, ARWEN, SAMWISE, BOROMIR, GIMLI, GANDALF, LEGOLAS, ARAGORN)

FADE UP: THE

CONFERENCE HALL

Frodo, Samwise, Boromir and Gimli are

patiently waiting for the others to arrive. They

are silent. After a pause, Arwen enters SR.

FRODOAny sign of Gandalf?

ARWEN

(nods negatively)

FRODOIt can’t be...

(Arwen exits SR again)


17

SAMWISEThey will be here shortly Mr. Frodo. I am sure of it

FRODOHow can you know Sam? Haven’t you learnt anything from Theory of Knowledge?

SAMWISEI never went to that class.

BOROMIR

Will you two be quiet? Gimli, tell those two a story so they can shut up.

GIMLI

(mildly annoyed)

Alright... Once upon a time, there was Bilbo. Bilbo was a Hobbit , just like yourselves,

and he led a journey to a faraway land.

(Enter Gandalf, Arwen and Legolas SR)

GANDALF

May we interrupt?

They all, at their own pace, go and greet Gandalf

and Legolas who have just arrived.

BOROMIR

Always making an entrance Gandalf. Legolas, nice to see you again friend.

LEGOLAS

It’s good to be back. We come victorious.

FRODO

Does this mean that the IBO is now defeated?

GANDALF

Yes, Frodo. We are doing the future generations a great good. This evil had to be stopped

and our efforts have entitled us free from its shackles.

There is some cheering until Sam interrupts.

SAMWISE

Wait. Where is Aragorn?

GANDALF

He... fell behind.


18

LEGOLAS

He fought bravely. He died for something worth dying for.

FRODO

Who’s to say what’s worth dying for?

GANDALF

Frodo, all this will not bring him back.

FRODO

How could you leave him behind? How could you let him die?

ARAGORN

(Enters SR limping)

The Hobbit is right, you know.

ARWEN

Strider!

(Embraces Aragorn)

Legolas takes a step towards him but then, with

a look from Gandalf he realizes that there is no

use fighting for her anymore. Arwen and

Aragorn sit down with the others.

GANDALF

(After everyone is seated)

Now that everyone is here, I can announce that our adventures are now and forever over.

Saruman and his army have fallen. However, the real enemy to our alliance came from the

inside. Our force was about to be split into two just before facing our greatest enemy.

Legolas, I am proud of your decision. You proved that you value the greater good over

your own. You proved that you were willing to take a step back when you saw that it is

no use fighting for something that cannot be yours. Now that his is settled, Frodo, Sam, I

suppose you have a story to tell.

FRODO

We are have accomplished our goal too, Gandalf. The Extended Essay has been

submitted.

SAMWISE

On the way, however, we were attacked vile by Gollum. He tried to trick us, he tried to

plagiarize Frodo’s Extended Essay.


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GANDALFYou encountered weaker student? How did you treat him?

FRODOWe... we treated him the way he deserved to be treated.

BOROMIRWhat do you mean?

SAMWISEWe put him on a leash. We took advantage of his talents.

BOROMIRNo one deserves to be treated like this, Sam. You are supposed to help the weaker

students, not use them for your own interests.

FRODO

Well... we have won, haven’t we Gandalf?

GIMLINot this way, Frodo, not this way. Remember that the weaker students have enough

problems already. Try not to make their lives even more difficult.

GANDALFIn any case, both our teams are victorious and they have stories worth telling. Now, it is

time to say our final goodbye. What has happened in the IB, stays in the IB. Friends, it’s

the end of the line. In a few months at the latest, we will all be spread around the edges of

the world. This is one of the very last times that some of you see each other. A wise man

once said that every goodbye should be said as if it was the last. Sometime soon, you will

know what that feels like without having to fake it. Farewell, Fellowship of Baccalaurds.

Farewell IB.

BLACKOUT.The End


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A fellowship of baccalaurds

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