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the-erickson-labrynthian · 6 years

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The Cobalt Prince: Act I, Scene IV

(The next part in my old screenplay, The Cobalt Prince, by Antoine Defairre. A story about love, obsession, power, and betrayal. Be sure to tell me what you think of it! I always enjoy hearing feedback on my writing! Here you go:)

Scene IV:

[Daybreak. The stage lights up to Ravel and King Leon. They are escorted through the bustling market of people by four guards.]

Leon: What a day. Right, my son? I see that everyone in this town is quite exceptionally upbeat.

Ravel: I see that everyone is in fear of our arrival, Father. We are quite a name, after all.

Leon: A city with the castle next door cannot handle when their king steps outside for a uplifting chat? Bothersome people. They cause a rhapsody of ruckus out of nothing. Do they fear my iron fist? As they should. And I hope, one day, they come to fear you, Ravel.

Ravel: Father, the day they fear me is the day you go to the ground. I fear for such a day. I cannot run this kingdom as of yet.

Leon: You are only twelve, dear child, you can grow. You will grow. You will become a fierce king who rules with might! (Clenches fist) You will not let the people push over you like some noble of Rosa. No one wins if those in the city like them. Only if they fear, and respect, them.

Ravel: You will need to teach me how to hate, Father. I hold no grudge in my life. Not to people. Not to Rosa’s people. I am not very assured I can become as mighty as you.

[Leon holds out his hand to order the guards to stop moving. They move into a lie to his left and salute as he kneels down to his child.]

Leon: You dare think this? If so, than you will never be considered my son. I do not have a child who will take the family name and give it to the pixies. We will not be known as Matilia, the land of dancers and prancers. Hold onto yourself. Look into the eye of evil, and learn. I don’t have time to waste on making you a man. This is only ever your job. Either you succeed, and I never get to know, or you disappoint me, and as a spirit I will curse you and all of your kin to the pit of Tartarus.

Ravel: (Looking ashamed) Yes, Father.

Leon: Good. Now, let us be off. We have to make haste to the military hall. Our next attack will need to be quick, before Ragnarok gets the idea to counter!

Ravel: Yes, Father.

[Two men from the crowd of the town get into a fight nearby. People behind food carts watch as citizens run to clear space. Three guards and Leon go to the scene while Ravel watches.]

Man: I hold no issue with you, Trulip, but if you step forward at me again I’ll knock your block off!

Trulip: Do not quarrel against me, fool! I hold magic beyond everything you can comprehend!

Man: Why do you hesitate, then?

[The man shoves Trulip. Trulip lifts his hand as if to cast some sort of spell, but does nothing.]

Man: What’s the hold up, yo? I want to see it rain fire from the earth!

Tru: (Looking all around the stage, thinking of an excuse) Obviously… any normal fool wouldn’t be able to comprehend that… magic… can only be cast when the person is happy with life!

Man: You are sad? (He mocks) What is so wrong?

Tru: (Melodramatic) Life is a depressing thing. I am not content with my… existence. You mortals could never understand why infinite power makes me weep so!

Man: (Astonished) Well, I guess you deserve to- hey! Wait a minute! You were laughing just a minute ago!

Tru: (Continues hyperbolically) Simply fake laughter to allow the people the feel better. How would they feel knowing the person they adore is in tears every night? Oh the agony! The poor life I lead as an all powerful being! Everyone must have pity for the poor weeping me.

Leon: (Interrupting the two) All powerful, eh? You say you hold magic?

Tru: I do or do not. Oh isn’t this heat dreadful! Let me go cool off

Man: Yes! He’s a wizard! Magic is his game, but he cannot use any right now.

Leon: Why so? Is it too powerful?

Man: (Shakes head) No. Tru: (Raises head) YES!

Leon: What is the reason, wizard? Tell me and not have this trickery no longer.

Man: He is too sad. Wizards cannot cast magic while they are sad.

Leon: I have never heard this before, but be I not a wizard, how could I have known? Is this the truth wizard? Do you shed a tear?

[Trulip looks to the audience, then shrugs. He begins to whine and shed crocodile tears]

Tru: Oh yes, fair king! I weep! I cry! I have never found the things I have wanted in life, aside from being all powerful and devilishly handsome. I need things in my life… gold things! Then I could become a powerful wizard once again!

Leon: Yes! You could turn the tide in Ragnarok! And after they? All that surround Matilia will fall! Ramses will never see this coming! We must act quick though, for he may have a wizard of his own! Guards!

[They fumble around and salute behind him]

Guards: Yes! King Leon!

Leon: Take this man to the castle! Feed him! Give him a thousand coins a day! He may have a lady so he desire! Or, others? I would not judge a wizard for his taste! Hurry! I must speak with him at night. After I plan with the generals, we will talk together and find out how to get you out of this wild and emotional stage in your life. Allow us to escort you, fair wizard.

Tru: (Still weeping) Yes, King Leon. Yes! I will aid this kingdom and we will become the mightiest in the land, or so I hope. OH! How I hope so much! I may create a flood with my tears at this moment. Escort me now, gentle knights.

[Trulip looks to the audience and gives two thumbs-up. He exits with Leon and the three guards stage left as Matron enters the same way. After passing Trulip, he pauses, and another man goes over to him.]

Man 2: Yep, the ‘Wizard of Matilia’ scheme actually worked for good ol’ Trulip. I think he may actually get his treasure.

Matron: He fooled the king? I looked to the king and thought I saw a terrifying man, not a royal flying by the seam of his pants. He is truly desperate.

Man 2: Our raid upon Ragnarok was a true failure. We may end up losing some of our own territory if we lose like that again.

Matron: And this, ‘wizard’ will fix it? Yeah, and I can call Hercules and have him come help us too! Perhaps I could ride in with an army of giant bears!

Man 2: As long as I can sell my milk to the people of Ragnarok, I couldn’t care less who’s king.

Matron: I understand. All I know, is that I will never get what I want, Matilia or Ragnarok. And I will still go hungry no matter who names the land I starve on. I have no idea why I would ever care enough to serve any royalty. I don’t serve anyone anymore, other than myself.

Man 2: All anyone can do nowadays. You want the first milk bottle of the day? On the house, loyal thief.

Matron: Thank you, Randall, I am in your debt, even if the title of thief scars me so, these days. If anyone in the circle needs me, though I know they don’t, I will be over by the castle gardens.

Ran: One day you’ll get caught. You might want to be more hesitant in visiting all the time.

Matron: Goodbye, Randall.

Ran: So long.

[Matron crosses, closing his eyes and taking a swig of his milk as he exits stage right. The spotlight goes back to Ravel and the last guard on the other side of the stage.]

Ravel: I cannot believe my father fell so easily for a fool. While I never wanted to fight Ragnarok, we will certainly fall if we put a wizard in the front lines. Really?! A wizard?! He is as mad as the man he called one! A jabbering jack that man was! I need some time alone, Sir Romu your name was?

Romu: Yes, prince.

Ravel: I will be going to the gardens. Please do not tell my father. If asked, I walked home to see the ‘wizard’ for myself. I will return shortly, I promise. Do keep this quiet. Will you?

Romu: Of course, my prince.

Ravel: Thank you. I will reward you greatly for being faithful to all members of the royal family, and not just I. My mother and father often take what they have for granted, but not I.

[Ravel exits the scene stage right as the stage goes dark.]

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