IRO and ANNIKA are on stage. They are outside of a dark and dangerous cave; the Cave of Peril.

Transcription

1 3. ACT ONE: THE QUEST Act One is through the eyes and ears of ST. CLOUD, the heroine of this story. She is fanciful, full of imagination, and her grip on reality is less secure than other children her age. This should be reflected in the costume, set, and light design. SCENE ONE and are on stage. They are outside of a dark and dangerous cave; the Cave of Peril. You remember the plan, yes? If I am injured you must take the crystal and get back to the Museum- They will be waiting for you. It is the Cave of Peril! You cannot hope to get out of there with your life! The Draiochta Crystal is in there, I can feel it. From here I see at least ten different booby traps! That crystal is our only chance to save the villagers! I have no choice. It is too dangerous! Do not fear, I am not Iro St. Cloud the World s Greatest Hero, for nothing.

2 4. As moves to enter the cave we hear bells. The stage becomes s bedroom. Awe... Time for bed. (CONTINUED) Maybe no one will notice if we keep playing. No. We should not risk it... Time for a story! (Jumps into bed) I AM READY! Child, your mother told you that you must be more quiet. I AM READY! READ! (Whisper-yell) And where are your manners? READ PLEASE! (Whisper-yell) Since you asked so nicely... (Goes to the bookshelf) What shall we read tonight? The Secret Garden?... Pippi Longstocking? That s one of my favorites. Pegasus! Again? There are more stories in the world, we don t have to read the same- PEGASUS! (Whisper-yell)

3 5. Okay, okay. I see I am on the losing side of this battle. (Gets the book off the shelf and sits next to ) Many years ago, in a land far away, there lived a winged horse- MOTHER bursts in the room. MOTHER PIRATES! PIRATES HAVE INVADED! MOTHER lays over, shielding from danger. FATHER enters with PIRATE, they both have swords and are fighting. FATHER Back! Back you devil! I will not let you hurt my family! PIRATE Yer whole lot will be swimmin with the fishes if I had my way! PIRATE stabs FATHER with her sword. I am slain! FATHER! FATHER FATHER slumps to the floor. PIRATE laughs.... SAVE...! FATHER (Each word causes great pain) FATHER dies. NO!!!!!!!!!! AND MOTHER

4 6. PIRATE takes the sword out of FATHER s body. Yar! You two be next! PIRATE PIRATE comes after MOTHER and. MOTHER (Picking up FATHER s dropped sword) You will not have my daughter! PIRATE and MOTHER sword fight. holds. Be careful Mother! PIRATE and MOTHER lunge their swords at the same time, they are both struck fatal blows. PIRATE Shiver me timbers! Never thought a wench would deal me fatal blow! PIRATE falls dead. MOTHER, in tremendous pain also falls to the floor. runs to her. Shall I call for help? MOTHER No time my dear. I am done for. No! You cannot leave me. MOTHER You are a great hero, be brave for me! MOTHER dies.

5 7. NOOOOOOOOOO! (Starting to sob) leads back to the bed and opens the book. Many years ago, in a land far away, there lived a winged horse. This winged horse was wild and beautiful. He inspired all that laid eyes on him. His name was Pegasus. End of scene. SCENE TWO The same room, there are now 2 additional beds in the room. is seated on the edge of s bed, sleeps in bed. (In a dream) NO! MOTHER! I NEED YOU! MOTHER! PLEASE! It s okay, you re safe now. It was a pirate this time... What day is it? Wednesday. Has the mail come? I m not sure.

6 8. I m expecting a letter. I am well aware. It should have come days ago. It has a very, very long way to go. That s no excuse for lateness.... Do you want a story? Yes, Pegasus! (Brightening) How many times do we have to read- Please? Okay, if you insist. (Finds book and opens book) Many years ago, in a land far away, there lived a winged horse. Talking to yourself again Iro? and enter, carries a present, carries a letter. I m reading. (Taking the book from )

7 9. I ll bet you she was talking with her little friend again. and laugh. How could I forgot about your little friend? Ignore them, Iro. I think you are far too old for those types of friends. Mama says only crazy- I am not crazy. They are trying to get you angry. Of course you re crazy. You are your mother s daughter after all. I am not crazy, and neither was she. Are you sure? Are you positive? tries to coax back to the bed. Come and hear the rest of the story. I AM NOT CRAZY! Wow, Iro, relax. You don t want Mama hearing you do you? You know how she feels about your little outbursts.

8 10. We weren t trying to upset you, honest. A letter came for you. A letter? (Flashing the letter) All the way from Greece. That s from my Uncle! Give it! Don t be so grabby, Iro, it s not polite. Especially since we have a present for you. Yeah, a birthday present. Birthday? Did you forget your own birthday?... (Handing present to ) Well, we remembered. I just want my letter. Open your present, then we ll give you the letter.

9 11. Don t do it. It s against the law to withhold someone s mail. We re trying to make amends. You want a fresh start, don t you? Then we could all be friends. No, then she ll be like our sister. They re lying. (Motioning to the present) It took us over a month to find. Come on, Sis. opens the present, it s a newspaper. looks at the headline and drops the paper. From when your folks made the front page. and laugh. picks up the paper. Relax Sis! (Still laughing)

10 12. I don t need you, my Uncle is coming for me! He s going to take me someplace amazing! Lots of places! Places you ll NEVER go! tosses the letter to, it has already been opened. No, he s not. Don t you get it? No one wants you. shoves. falls. You shouldn t have done that. (Yelling) MAMA! SHE S HURTING US AGAIN! MAMA! COME QUICK! Oh, Iro... MAMA enters. and rush over and cling to her. It was terrible Mama! She shoved me! I skidded on the floor! We just came in here to see if she wanted to play with us! And then she got terribly mad. Sometimes I get an awful fright while I sleep, thinking of what she might do to me. MAMA kisses s head.