The Adventures of Marcus and Nelson: At the Panto!

Marcus was buzzing with excitement. Tonight was his first ever pantomime — Peter Pan! He wore his pirate hat, naturally, and even let Nelson peek out proudly from his eye socket. “It’s your kind of show,” he whispered. “Pirates, flying, and shouting!”

The lights dimmed. Music blared. Captain Hook strutted on stage. “BOOOO!” yelled the audience.

“Oh yes, he’s terrifying,” Nelson blinked sarcastically.

Halfway through, a flying fairy zipped past and startled Marcus. He gasped, and POP! — Nelson shot out like a marble and bounced right onto the stage.

TAP TAP TAP — he rolled to a stop at Captain Hook’s boot.

“Oy!” shouted Hook, picking him up. “What’s this? Some kind of spyglass?”

“It’s an eye!” someone screamed. “IT’S MOVING!”

Nelson blinked dramatically and wiggled like he was alive. The whole theatre erupted with laughter.

“Looks like we’ve got a new cast member!” Hook declared. “Give it up for… the Eye of Neverland!”

Nelson soaked in the applause like a hammy actor at curtain call.

Marcus buried his face in his hands. “He’s not even in costume…”

After the show, the cast returned Nelson — with a tiny pirate hat on his head and a programme signed To the bravest eye in Neverland.

As they left the theatre, Lucy and Iris ran over. “We saw everything!” Lucy giggled. “Iris wants to try panto now too!”

Nelson spun in delight.

Marcus sighed. “Next time, we’re seeing a quiet nature documentary. No pirates. No stage. No flying eyes.”

Nelson blinked.
“Oh yes you will!”

Marcus groaned. “OH NO I WON’T.”

By Mark “Hawkey” Harris