SCENE III
The three Storytellers enter in front of the curtain. As always, they speak smoothly, one line flowing into the next, a continuous narration. The ellipses are not pauses!
STORYTELLER #1: Time passed…
STORYTELLER #2: Word of the King’s proclamation spread.
STORYTELLER #3: Far and wide, and from every corner of the kingdom…
STORYTELLER #1: even from beyond the kingdom…
STORYTELLER #2: Brave men came…
STORYTELLER #3: To try and solve the riddle of…
STORYTELLERS (all): The worn-out dancing shoes!
The curtains part to reveal a finely dressed man kneeling before the King. He pantomimes pleading, begging the King. The King’s face remains stony, and he shakes his head gravely, gesturing to one of his Knights (two onstage, the third doubling as the man before the King) to have the man removed.
STORYTELLER #1: One after another brave men came…
STORYTELLER #2: To try and solve the riddle of the worn-out dancing shoes…
STORYTELLER #3: But to no avail. They all failed.
STORYTELLERS (all): They all died.
The Knights drag the struggling man away from the King, who looks grave. Curtain.
STORYTELLER #1: But the Princesses continued to dance,
STORYTELLER #2: And the men continued to try and uncover their secret…
STORYTELLER #3: And so it went, until one day…
Spot to central aisle to focus on Prince Antrainig. He carries a piece of parchment in one hand and is staring at it intently, reading aloud to himself.
PRINCE: …And so let it be known throughout the land that whosoever solves the Riddle of the Worn-Out Dancing Shoes may marry whichever of the Princesses he so desires and in so doing be named heir to the Throne. Sounds like a perfect opportunity to make my fortune… Although there is the slight drawback that if I fail, my head is forfeit. Three days… Perhaps it is better not to risk it…
The Prince makes his way up the aisle. As he does so, an old woman steps out from the crowd. She is being harassed by two young punks (Knights doubling on parts again). They jeer and shove her. She slips and falls, loosing her walking stick in the process. The Prince rushes to her aid, drawing his sword and beating the punks with the flat of it, driving them off. He helps the old woman to her feet.
PRINCE: Are you alright?
OLD WOMAN: A bit of a bruise but nothing that won’t heal, given a little time. Thank you young man.
PRINCE: Think nothing of it madam. It was a pleasure to be able to help.
OLD WOMAN: What is such a finely dressed young man such as yourself doing out here on the road today?
PRINCE: My father demanded that I go out into the world and make my way in it alone, before returning to him. He wishes me to prove my worthiness before he will allow me my inheritance.
OLD WOMAN: Well, I’m glad he did. Who knows what those rapscallions would have done if you hadn’t been walking by. Is there anything I can do to repay you?
From the stage the Storytellers speak. The Prince and the Old Woman freeze as the Storytellers say their piece.
STORYTELLER #1: Unbeknownst to the Prince…
STORYTELLER #2: The Old Woman was actually…
STORYTELLER #3: A good fairy in disguise.
STORYTELLERS (all): In reward for his kindness…
STORYTELLER #1: She decided to help the poor Prince…
STORYTELLER #2: Which only goes to show…
STORYTELLER #3: You should always help someone in need…
STORYTELLER #1: Not only is it the right things to do…
STORYTELLER #2: But you never know when a fairy might be lurking about…
STORYTELLER #3: Watching you to see if…
STORYTELLERS (all): You do the right thing.
The Prince and the Old Woman reanimate, as if nothing at all has occurred and no time at all has passed.
PRINCE: (jokingly) I don’t suppose you could tell me how to find out where the king’s daughters go dancing and where they wear out their shoes so I could become king. (he laughs) But in all seriousness madam, no thanks are necessary. It was my pleasure to help.
OLD WOMAN: Oh come now! I insist! If you really want to find out the Princesses’ secret, it is not so difficult! Just don’t drink the wine that’s brought to you in the evening, and then pretend that you’ve fallen asleep.
The Old Woman then pulls a large black cloak form somewhere on her person and hands it to the Prince.
OLD WOMAN: Here take this cloak. It’s a magical Cloak of Invisibility. When you put it on and speak the words, nunc me videre potestis, nunc me non videre potestis. You’ll be invisible, and you’ll be able to follow them if you’re careful.
The Prince looks astounded, but accepts the gift. He looks about to see if anyone is watching, the swirls the cloak about himself and speaks the magic words.
PRINCE: Nunc me videre potestis, nunc me non videre potestis.
The Spotlight on the Prince should go off at this point, leaving him only a slightly darker shadow in the darkness of the theatre. The Prince moves around the circle of light still on the old woman to her other side (if possible given the theatre in question, if not, the Prince may stand in one place). The prince throws off the cloak and the light returns at the same moment. The Old Woman ignores his presence/movement.
PRINCE: Amazing! How can I ever repay you! (his jaw dropped in amazement).
OLD WOMAN: Come now! This is my thanks to you! No need to thank me for thanking you! What are you waiting for? Don’t just stand around! There are Princesses waiting! And close your mouth, you look like a halibut!
The Old Woman turns and hobbles off, leaving the lighted area and disappearing into the darkness. The prince looks after her for a moment, then turns and continues down the aisle where he disappears from view, leaving the light before he needs to find his entrance to backstage.
STORYTELLER #!: After receiving such good advice…
STORYTELLER #2: The Prince resolved to present himself before the King as a serious suitor…
STORYTELLER #3: Regardless of the consequences…
Curtain.
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