Scene One

[Curtains open to a ballroom with KING AURTHER I, PRINCE AURTHER II, PRINCE AURTHER III, and OLIVIA are dressed in ball attire along with other ball goers. A huge full moon shines down on the characters. OLIVIA is closer to the audience than the others. Everyone is wearing a mask.]

PRINCE AURTHER II

I want to welcome everyone to Moonlight Ball. It was my son’s wonderful idea to host a masked ball this year! [Pause for applause as he claps PRINCE AURTHER III on the back. PRINCE AURTHER III smiles shyly.] I want to officially apologize for Princess Abigail’s absence. Ever since her mother was in that horrible accident, Abigail has been quite sickly. My son, who is now officially of age, will be taking her place on the throne. So, tonight we will not only celebrate a class moving on to adulthood, but my son earning his rightful place in our family’s lineage! [Applause.]

[The three men disperse and start to move around the party speaking to different partygoers.]

[OLIVIA starts spinning and dancing to the music by herself. PRINCE AURTHER III catches sight of her and walks over to her.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            [Amused.] May I have this dance?

OLIVIA

[Keeps dancing, but hugs herself. She doesn’t notice who asks.] I would, but I have a partner already.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            [Faking disappointment, but still amused.] That’s disappointing.

OLIVIA

            Why?

            [She comes to a slow stop to get a better look at PRINCE AURTHER III.]

            Oh crap, sorry. You can have this dance.

            [She bows in a clumsy curtsy, still dizzy from the dancing.]

            Your majesty?

PRINCE AURTHER III

            You don’t have to dance with me just because I’m the prince.

OLIVIA

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You think I would tell any of the royals no on purpose? [Moving her hand to her throat.] I’d like to keep my head, thanks.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            You think we would kill you for declining to dance with me?

OLIVIA

            Think?

            [Pause.]

            I know you will.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            [Concerned.] Why would you think that?

OLIVIA

            You pretend like you don’t know anything.

            [Pause.]

            Did you want that dance or not?

PRINCE AURTHER III

            [Joking.] I guess since you asked this time.

[PRINCE AURTHER III and OLIVIA start to dance together.]

            What did you mean though?

OLIVIA

            [Stops dancing.]

            What are you doing?

PRINCE AURTHER III

            What do you mean? I just-

OLIVIA

            Can we just get this dance over with?

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Okay.

            [Pause.]

            [They start dancing again.]

            Look, I’m sorry for whatever I did to offend you.

[OLIVIA nods quietly.]

[KING AURTHER I and PRINCE AURTHER II walk up and interrupt PRINCE AURTHER III. OLIVIA notices and curtsies again this time she is not dizzy.]

PRINCE AURTHER II

            [Obviously drunk.] Arty! You didn’t tell you had a girlfriend!

KING AURTHER I

[Looking over OLIVIA and laughing loudly. Also drunk.] Although, your father had better taste.

[PRINCE AURTHER II and KING AURTHER I burst into laughter.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            She’s not my girlfriend, I-

KING AURTHER I

Well why didn’t you say anything? [Grabbing PRINCE AURTHER III on the shoulder and spinning him around.] Come on over here, there is a girl I want to introduce you to over here.

PRINCE AURTHER II

            Father, the most impressive thing about her is her décolletage.

KING AURTHER I

            Exactly! What more could you want?

[OLIVIA watches them move back to the other party goers before dancing by herself again.]

[There is a sound of running and yelling from off stage.]

[ABIGAIL enters the stage wearing all black including a face and hair covering. She is carrying a painting and running from a few out of breath guards.]

[Pause.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            RUN!

[ABIGAIL takes off for the opposite side of the stage.]

[The guards begin to run after her.]

[OLIVIA looks indecisive for a moment then flips the buffet table in front of the guards splashing them with food and things (NOTE: This can be different like candle polls that start a fire or something easier that gives the girls a chance to get away.).]

[Pause.]

PRINCE AURTHER II

            What are you waiting for?! GET THEM!

[The guards start to climb over the mess and OLIVIA takes off in the same direction as ABIGAIL.]

[Lights out when the guards exit.]