SCENE VIII
Curtain rises on the interior of a magnificent palace. The lighting should suggest a very ‘otherworldly’ atmosphere. The stage is clear, reminiscent of a grand ballroom. Music is playing in the background and the Three Princes are dancing with the three Princesses, each with corresponding colors. Prince Antraing is there as well, dancing around behind/with each of the couples. None of the other actors see or acknowledge his presence.
PRINCE #1: Are you hungry, my lady?
ALUSAIR: I suppose I am, a bit. The walk through the woods does tend to make one so.
PRINCE #1: Then I’ll summon you something to eat at once.
The Prince pauses in his dancing and claps his hands three times. Servants appear, all dressed identically.
PRINCE #1: Bring food and drink for the ladies.
Aurora and her Prince dance closer.
AURORA: Thank you. I was feeling a bit parched from the long walk.
In the background the servants scurry about, carrying on a table and dressings for it, food and drink, including several very fine goblets for wine. Anastasia and her Prince move over to the table, which has been place fairly center stage, convenient for the individual blocking needs of the show.
PRINCE #3: May I pour you some wine?
ANASTASIA: Oh yes please! That last dance was wonderfully fast!
PRINCE #3: (pours her some wine) You are a wonderful dancer. It’s as simple as that.
He hands the goblet of wine to Anastasia. She accepts and is about to drink when
ALUSAIR: Anastasia!
ANASTASIA: Yes?
She puts the goblet down and turns to walk over to Alusair. As soon as she sets the goblet down, Prince Antraing picks it up and downs the whole thing. He quickly sets it back down as soon as he finished.
ALUSAIR: Oh, nevermind dear, I got it. (she finishes fixing her hair)
Anastasia turns back to her goblet and picks it up. She attempts to drink from it, but fails. She examines the goblet in puzzlement, then simply reaches over and refills it.
PRINCE #3: More wine already? Are you sure you want to do that? Too much wine and too much dancing could leave you lightheaded.
ANASTASIA: Just being around you leaves me lightheaded.
Prince Antranig stands behind them and makes vomiting faces at the tone of the exchange. The Princes pull their Princesses out onto the dance floor again and they dance some more while Prince Antranig eats the food, drinks the wine, and plays tricks on the servants who come and go bringing food and wine.
PRINCE #2: Come love, let us dance some more.
They dance for a bit, and then a huge clock is heard tolling three. At this the Princesses end their dance and laugh breathlessly.
ALUSIAR: (examining her soles) There goes another pair of shoes. The soles are completely worn through.
AURORA: (giggling) Father will simply DIE when he finds out. More new shoes!
ANASTASIA: You’d think that by now he’d be used to it!
PRINCE #1: (kissing Alusair’s hand) Shall we row you back across the lake then?
ALUSAIR: Yes. I’m feeling a bit tired, and I’m sure Aurora and Anastasia are as well.
AURORA: I am feeling a bit tired, yes.
ANASTASIA: But we’ll return tomorrow might!
PRINCE #3: (laughing) Of course you will!
AURORA: I wish you could come with us!
PRINCE #2: Soon love, soon we will be free of the curse which binds we three to this underground palace.
The Princes each offer their arms to their respective Princesses and trail offstage. Prince Antranig looks about as they go, begins to leave, snaps his fingers, runs back and grabs a goblet, and them rushes offstage following the Princesses.
Curtain falls.
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