Scene Three

[ABIGAIL walks on wearing her outfit from the previous scene. It’s a dimly lit room in the basement of the castle. This is ABIGAIL’S room. She hangs up the painting, then takes off her head piece and shakes out her hair reviling she is a woman. She sits in a chair looking at her painting with her hand on her cheek where OLIVIA kissed. There are footsteps from off stage that she doesn’t seem to register and KING AURTHER I and PRINCE AURTHER II enter.]

KING AURTHER I

            See, I told you it was her!

PRINCE AURTHER II

            You little rat. That is my painting!

[ABIGAIL seems to slowly register what is going on and turns to face the two men with a hand still on her face.]

KING AURTHER I

            [Whispers to himself.] Mostly your painting… I use it from time to time.

ABIGAIL

            You left it just hanging there…

PRINCE AURTHER II

            In my room behind locked doors… and guards!

[PRINCE AURTHER III runs on stage out of breath.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Grandfather! Father! It wasn’t her fault!

ABIGAIL

            It’s okay Art, they caught me red handed.

KING AURTHER I

            So, you admit to stealing the painting?

ABIGAIL

            [She sighs then stands up.]

            How else would I have it?

PRINCE AURTHER II

            Do you think its okay to talk to your grandfather like that?

            [Walking closer to ABIGAIL.]

            You never give us any respect!

            [Grabbing ABIGAIL by the arm.]

            Do you even know what respect is?

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Father, leave her alone.

KING AURTHER I

            [Putting his hand on PRINCE AURTHER II’S shoulder.]

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

            Let’s go Aurther, I think you proved long ago that you weren’t capable of the self-

restraint needed to discipline a woman. I don’t think you want your son watching another

one of your failures.

[PRINCE AURTHER II let’s go of ABIGAIL but stays close by.]

PRINCE AURTHER II

            Tell us who your accomplice was.

ABIGAIL

            Who?

KING AURTHER I

            Just tell us the truth and this will be a lot faster.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Its no big deal, she just stole a painting of some lady. I don’t even know why you have

that painting anyway.

PRINCE AURTHER II

            No big deal? She made a fool out of the entire royal family in front of the whole

kingdom.

KING AURTHER I

            That includes you, Arty.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            So? We’ll just say we caught the thief and ground her for like a month. That’s fair.

KING AURTHER I

            This is more serious than that.

ABIGAIL

            If its so important to you, why don’t you try to find my -so called- accomplice yourself?

PRINCE AURTHER II

            We just might, even if we have to visit every house personally.

KING AURTHER I

            I think we will do that… Arty, you’ll be coming with us. Aiding in the theft of royal

property is a very serious offence. Very serious indeed.

PRINCE AURTHER II

And I’ll be taking that back.

[Walks over and takes the painting from the wall.]

[KING AURTHER I and PRINCE AURTHER II exit.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            What’s with you? You’re normally all over them.

ABIGAIL

            Thanks Arty, they always go easier on me when you’re here.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            You’re dodging the question. [Crosses arms.]

ABIGAIL

            [Almost like a child on Christmas.] I met someone.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Outside of the castle? Who?

ABIGAIL

            The beautiful lady that stopped the guards.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            That was a girl?

ABIGAIL

            Yeah… [Crossing arms and giving ‘a look’.]

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Its just… the laws… You know?

ABIGAIL

So? In the words of grandperv, [Making her voice deeper.] “I’m royalty, I’m above the law.”

[PRINCE AURTHER III puts one hand on ABIGAIL’S shoulder and gives a worried expression.]

It will be fine; besides, you’re next in line for king and I trust you with my life.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Ignoring the fact that I’m not king yet, how do you know that she even likes you? I

mean… did you like… kiss… or something?

ABIGAIL

            [Playfully shoving PRINCE AURTHER III.]

            Grooosss! Don’t ask about that! Brothers aren’t supposed to care!

PRINCE AURTHER III

            [Embarrassed.] I’m just asking because I don’t want any guy... or gal to break your heart.

ABIGAIL

            It’s not your job to protect me.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            No one else is here to do it. You need someone you can count on.

ABIGAIL

            Fine, I guess I can tell you.

[Pause.]

[Quickly.] She doesn’t know I’m a girl.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            What?

ABIGAIL

            [Sigh.] She doesn’t know I’m a girl.

PRINCE AURTHER III

Yeah, yeah, that’s what I thought you said.

[Deep breath.]

Are you insane! What are you going to do when she finds out? What are you going to do

when Father and Grandfather find out?

ABIGAIL

            She was masked. And they have no idea that I like her.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            We are going to every single house tomorrow. They are going to find out.

ABIGAIL

            That’s where you come in. Since you are going, make sure they don’t suspect her.

PRINCE AURTHER III

            Lying to our father and grandfather? Abigail you are bound to be the death of me.

[Fade to dark.]