Scene Two

[The lights slowly come on to a dark forest. OLIVIA and ABIGAIL run on stage. They are both out of breath and in the same outfits as the scene before.]

OLIVIA

            I think we lost them.

ABIGAIL

            How do I know you aren’t one of them?

OLIVIA

            I helped you get away.

[ABIGAIL leans the painting against the tree and sits down on the ground. The painting looks like a painting of ABIGAIL but older.]

ABIGAIL

            Why did you help me anyway?

OLIVIA

            I would have felt guilty.

            [She sits down next to ABIGAIL.]

ABIGAIL

            You would have felt guilty if you didn’t help me break the law?

OLIVIA

            If I didn’t help, then they would have caught you.

ABIGAIL

            So?

OLIVIA

            They would have killed you.

ABIGAIL

            I doubt that.

            [Pause.]

            What’s your name?

OLIVIA

            Olivia…

            [She removes her mask.]

What’s yours?

ABIGAIL

            Its probably better if you don’t know. I’m a thief remember?

OLIVIA

            That’s kind of unfair.

ABIGAIL

            [Laughing.] Fine, call me A.

OLIVIA

            Is A short for something?

ABIGAIL

            Probably.

[OLIVIA playfully punches ABIGAIL in the arm.]

ABIGAIL

[Laughing.] Ow, ow, okay fine. Just ask me anything else. I really don’t want you getting in trouble. That wouldn’t be very chivalrous of me.

OLIVIA

            Wow my prince charming…

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

            [Pause.]

            I can ask anything else?

ABIGAIL

            Well, we’ll be here for a while. We might as well get to know each other.

OLIVIA

Why did you risk your life for a painting of some woman?

ABIGAIL

            That’s my Mother. The last painting of her.

OLIVIA

            Oh.

            [Pause.]

            [Looking at the painting.] She is very beautiful.

ABIGAIL

            I think so too.

            [Pause.]

            This is the first time that I’ve seen her… That I can remember.

OLIVIA

[Joking.] Did the king outlaw her paintings because she was a powerful which or something?

ABIGAIL

            Something like that.

OLIVIA

            Go on…? Like you said, we have a while.

ABIGAIL

            My mother once tried to escape the prince and it costed her life.

OLIVIA

            [Puts her head on ABIGAIL’S shoulder and grabs her hand.]

            I’m sorry that happened to you.

ABIGAIL

Everyone always says they are sorry. Sorry the royals did this. Sorry they did that. Sorry your family died of pneumonia while the king lives it up at the top of the castle while his servants wait on his hand and foot.

OLIVIA

            I know.

ABIGAIL

Sorry doesn’t bring my mother back! Sorry doesn’t get rid of the old corrupt government. Sorry doesn’t cut it for me!

OLIVIA

            You sound just like my mother. [Laughs.]

ABIGAIL

            I’m serious!

            [Stands.]

            Sometimes I just want to reach over and-

            [She mimics chocking someone.]

OLIVIA

            Like they would every let anyone like us that close to the king!

ABIGAIL

            Like us?

            [Looks down at herself then at OLIVIA before sitting down again.]

            I guess you’re right.

            [Pause.]

            I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone what I told you.

OLIVIA

            You don’t have to be embarrassed. Mother goes on and on about the same stuff all day.

ABIGAIL

            That’s not really what I was worried about.

OLIVIA

            What? [Playfully pushes ABIGAIL.] Afraid I’m going to turn you in?

ABIGAIL

            I’m more afraid you’ll run away screaming.

OLIVIA

            Why would I do that to the first boy I’ve ever met that can speak his mind?

ABIGAIL

            Boy?

OLIVIA

            [Sarcastically.] I’m sorry, do you prefer man? Or prince charming?

ABIGAIL

            I don’t think I really fit any of those.

OLIVIA

            Anyone willing to help the people is a prince charming in my book.

ABIGAIL

            I doubt I could come close to those definitions.

OLIVIA

            Don’t put yourself down because you stole one painting. Honestly, it was justified.

[Pause.]

ABIGAIL

Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but we should both be heading home so we won’t get caught.

OLIVIA

            What’s wrong? I thought we were having a nice night?

ABIGAIL

            We are! We are. It’s just…

OLIVIA

            [Touches ABIGAIL’S cheek over her face covering.]

            [ABIGAIL holds OLIVIA’S hand to her cheek.]

            Can I at least see you again? Like really see you?

            [Laughs.]

            In the daylight, face to face?

ABIGAIL

            I would really like that… but… you need to know now in not your prince charming.

OLIVIA

            It doesn’t matter what you look like.

ABIGAIL

            You say that now, but-

OLIVIA

            No, really. You could look like a troll!

ABIGAIL

            I’ll take your word on that.

            [She picks up the painting.]

            I hope to see you soon.

OLIVIA

            [Quickly kisses ABIGAIL on the cheek.]

            Have a nice night.

            [She exits stage right.]

ABIGAIL

            [Stands silently with her hand on her cheek.]

            Wow…

            [Slowly exit stage left.]