New York City. Once upon a time.
In an alley next to a bar, a woman and a man walk up to a dumpster carrying bags of trash.
The woman has light brown skin, brown eyes, and long black hair with braided bangs. She is wearing a white button-up shirt, black pants, a red apron, and black converse shoes.
The man has white fair skin, dark blue eyes, and short brown hair. He is wearing a white long sleeve shirt, a black vest, black khakis, and black sneakers.
-Woman: Just another glamorous New York Saturday night of hauling trash to a dumpster.
-Man: It could be worse. There could be…
The man sees rats in the dumpster.
-Man: Rats! Ellidy, help!
-Ellidy: Don't tell me you're afraid of this little cute little mouse family. They're trying to get by just like us.
Just then, the manager of the bar bursts into the alley.
-Manager: Ellidy, Daniel! Quit slacking off!
-Ellidy: You told us to take out the garbage.
-Manager: Now I'm telling you to take care of the bachelor party that just rolled in. Chop chop!
Ellidy and Daniel walk into the bar where three men are standing at the host podium.
The first man has light brown skin, dark brown eyes, and black slicked back hair. He is wearing a black business suit with black loafers.
The second man has Caucasian skin, dark brown eyes, and short brown hair. He is wearing a white shirt, a slightly opened jean jacket, dark blue jeans, and brown shoes.
The third man has Caucasian skin, hazel eyes, and brown spiky hair. He is wearing a black long sleeve shirt, dark blue jeans, and brown shoes.
-Man 1: Waitress, there you are. We need your best table!
-Man 2: Forget the table. Just bring us whiskey and lots of it.
-Manager: Right this way.
As the manager leads the group to a booth, Daniel pulls Ellidy aside.
-Daniel: Ellidy, please take this one. I've got a date tonight, and I'll never make it out of here in time.
-Ellidy: Dude, seriously?
-Daniel: I'll cover your next night shift. Just, please?
-Ellidy: Next two night shifts.
-Daniel: Deal.
-Ellidy: Okay, fine.
-Daniel: Thanks. You're the best!
-Manager: Are you two still talking? I've seated them already. Now get over there before I dock your pay.
Ellidy walks over to the booth where the group sits, talking.
-Ellidy: Hello, gentlemen. My name's Ellidy, and I'll be taking care of you tonight.
-Man 3: Ellidy, steaks for the table.
-Man 1: How about some filet mignon, medium rare and prepared with a bearnaise sauce?
-Ellidy: The closest thing we have to filet mignon is our deluxe burger.
-Man 1: Dare I ask for your wine list?
-Ellidy: We've got an excellent vintage house red…
-Man 1: House red?
-Ellidy: It also comes in white.
-Man 2: We'll be fine with a bottle of whiskey… and four deluxe burgers.
-Ellidy: Four?
The man nods behind Ellidy, and she turns around to see the fourth member of the group.
He has white tanned skin, dark green eyes, and wavy dirty blonde hair. He is wearing a black suit with black loafers.
-Man 4: Sorry I'm late. Thank very much for your patience, Miss…
-Ellidy: Ellidy.
-Man 4: I'm Liam. Charmed to make your acquaintance, Ellidy.
-Ellidy: The pleasure's all mine. It's nice to meet you. I'll go get your order in, and be right back.
Later that evening, a little after the bar has closed, Ellidy's finishing up when someone taps on her shoulder.
-Liam: My friends and I are about ready to head out. I just wanted to thank you… and apologize.
-Ellidy: For what?
-Liam: I know we kept you late, and my friends can be… demanding.
-Ellidy: Meh, it was nothing I couldn't handle.
-Liam: I got the impression that you could take care of yourself. If you don't have any other plans tonight, maybe I can make it up to you by buying you a drink. We're about to go to a club.
-Ellidy: Which one?
-Liam: We were hoping you might have some advice about that. We're not from around here.
-Ellidy: Well, I'd recommend going to the hottest club in town, Kismet.
-Liam: That sounds great. I know the guys want to go crazy tonight. Would you mind leading the way?
-Ellidy: Sure, I can take you there. I'll just finish up here, and I'll meet you outside.
Liam nods and goes out the door while Ellidy goes to the break room to change clothes. Meanwhile outside the bar.
-Man 1: You really invited the waitress to join us?
-Liam: Her name is Ellidy, and I invited her to make up for keeping her so late. She's even going to direct us to a local club.
-Man 2: So she's our tour guide now?
-Ellidy: I heard that.
Ellidy locks the door. She is now wearing a burgundy blouse, an open leather jacket, and black jeans.
-Ellidy: Are we still going clubbing or what?
-Liam: She was kind enough to agree to show us around, so be nice.
-Man 2: Fine.
The group follows Ellidy to Kismet. A short time later, they enter the club.
-Ellidy: Ta-da. Enjoy the hell out of it, boys.
-Man 3: Alright, party time!
-Man 2: No one wants to see your running man, Maxwell.
-Man 1: You there! Who do we talk to for bottle service?
Liam and Ellidy find a booth while the others head to the dance floor.
-Liam: Thank you for bringing us here. Looks like the guys are having fun already.
-Ellidy: I bet you're used putting everyone else first.
-Liam: And why would you say that?
-Ellidy: I'm pretty good at reading people. Now, forget about your friends. What about you? Do you like it here?
-Liam: What I'm enjoying most is the company. Now, I believe I owe you a drink. What will the lady have?
-Ellidy: Hmm… cherry Italian soda.
Liam goes to the bar and picks up the drinks.
-Liam: I haven't had one of these since I was a kid.
-Ellidy: Clearly you've been missing out.
-Liam: Then it's a good thing I ran into you.
-Ellidy: Thanks. Guess that makes us even.
-Liam: You're right. Now I'll have to come up with an excuse to get you to stay.
-Ellidy: You don't need an excuse. Turns out I'm having fun.
-Liam: I'm happy to hear that. Honestly, hanging out with you is the most fun I've had this entire vacation.
-Ellidy: That's sweet. Guess that means you haven't been enjoying yourself very much.
-Liam: It's been wonderful, but there's something missing. I really wanted to do one thing in particular while I was here.
-Ellidy: What's that?
-Liam: You'll… probably think this is silly, but I've always wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. It wasn't really in the guys' plans, so we never got around to it. And now it's my last day here. I don't mean to sound ungrateful. It was thoughtful of Maxwell, Drake, and Tariq to throw this party for me and they've done their best, but I'm not the mood to celebrate.
-Ellidy: This is your bachelor party? Congratulations!
-Liam: If you knew the whole story, you might not congratulate me so quickly.
-Ellidy: Why wouldn't I?
-Liam: I don't actually know who I'm going to marry yet. Only that I need to pick my fiancée by the end of the year.
-Ellidy: I'm… I'm sorry. Pick your fiancée? What's that even mean.
-Liam: Ellidy… the truth is… I'm the crown prince of Cordonia.
-Ellidy: WHAT?!
Liam covers her mouth and moves her to a nearby corner.
-Ellidy: You're a prince?
Liam nods "yes".
-Ellidy: Why didn't you say something?
-Liam: Perhaps I should've been more upfront with you. I'm not normally allowed to go around without the royal guard, and I was only allowed out on the condition that I kept my identity a secret. I thought this could be the one night where wouldn't be treated as someone special.
-Ellidy: And you just wanted to have fun with your friends.
-Liam: I'm sorry for withholding the truth from you, Ellidy. I won't blame you if you told your closest friends about tonight. I won't stop you.
-Ellidy: Dude, if I told anyone that I was at a bachelor party in the hottest club New York City with a prince, they'd just laugh in my face and I would never hear the end of it.
-Liam: Really?
-Ellidy: Look, I don't really care about your title. You're still the same caring and thoughtful guy that I met earlier. I mean, I've seen a lot of customers come and go, but no one's ever taken time out of their own bachelor party to be concerned whether or not a waitress is having a good night. Plus, as far as I'm concerned, all celebrities eat and sleep like everyone else.
-Liam: You don't know how rare it is to hear someone say that. In fact, you're the first one. It's interesting, Ellidy. The more I talk to you, the more I like you. I've known my whole life that I have to take up the duties of the monarchy. I've always wondered how that has shaped me, what I might've been without the crown. You can be anything, do anything. Ellidy, what is it that drives you.
-Ellidy: What I really want is to see the world. I'm saving up, and one day, I'm going to see everything. The northern lights, the Eiffel Tower, Machu Picchu.
-Liam: That's beautiful, Ellidy.
Looking around, Ellidy sees the guys on the dance floor mingling with other club-goers.
-Maxwell: Come on, Drake. Show those moves.
-Tariq: Another bottle of champagne! Who knew we'd find a decent vintage here?
-Ellidy: Looks like your friends are having fun.
-Liam: Good. I'm happy for them. They deserve to have fun. Tomorrow, it's back Cordonia for the start of the social season.
-Ellidy: But it's not tomorrow yet.
-Liam: What are you suggesting?
-Ellidy: You said you wanted to see the Statue of Liberty, so let's do it! I know a place where we can catch a boat tour. Best in town.
-Liam: Right now? But it's way past midnight. Won't all the tours be closed?
-Ellidy: Oh… right. I forgot how late it's gotten. But you're lucky I can call in a favor.
-Liam: (chuckles) A favor? Just like that, you can get us on a boat tour after midnight to see the statue?
-Ellidy: Well, maybe a few favors, actually, but I have some friends who owe me. It won't be easy, but I know how important this is for you, so… let's go!
-Liam: Right now?
-Ellidy: Yes, now. It's only gonna get later every minute we wait. Besides, it looks like the guys are busy enough. I bet they won't even notice you're gone.
-Liam: You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?
-Ellidy: No. No, I'm not.
-Liam: Then I happily surrender to your demands.
Liam and Ellidy leave the club without the guys noticing. A short while later, they are at the docks overlooking the city skyline.
-Ellidy: And here we wait.
-Liam: For?
-Ellidy: A magical boat I've summoned just for you.
-Liam: Nor a bad view.
-Ellidy: Okay, I'm dying to know why you're so eager to see the Statue of Liberty.
-Liam: Can't you guess?
-Ellidy: Because… she's a symbol of freedom.
-Liam: Freedom is something I've always wanted. I've always known that my role would require me to give up much of what I desire.
-Ellidy: But you're a prince. Can't you do whatever you want, at least most of the time?
-Liam: As a member of the royal family, my actions reflect on my house as well as all of Cordonia. It's something I've never been allowed to forget. No matter how badly I might want to.
Just then, Ellidy and Liam hear the blast of a horn. Looking out across the water, they spot a tour boat pulling up.
-Ellidy: There's our ride.
A short while later, Ellidy and Liam are on their own private boat headed to the Statue of Liberty.
-Liam: Part of me didn't think you'd pull this off.
-Ellidy: You just don't know me very well.
-Liam: I'd like to change that. You're very fascinating, Ellidy. Why are you doing this for me?
-Ellidy: You seemed like you needed it.
-Liam: That's… very sweet of you. To be honest, no one has ever done this for me before.
-Ellidy: Oh come on. You're a prince. I bet people do stuff like this for you all the time.
-Liam: I do get all the perks that come with being royalty, but no one's ever seen me as just... me. No one's ever listened to me the way you do. no one's ever come up with a spur-of-the-moment plan to make my dreams come true.
-Ellidy: Well, I'm glad I could help.
-Liam: You are truly amazing.
Suddenly, the boat slows down and the mists of the harbor part. In the distance, Ellidy and Liam see the Statue of Liberty appear.
-Ellidy: So? What do you think?
-Liam: Magnificent. I've heard that art has meaning because of what it makes the viewer feel. Whether it's ink on a canvas of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, it only matters if it moves you.
-Ellidy: And?
-Liam: And right now, looking at this with you, I feel like anything is possible. Thank you for this moment, Ellidy. This feeling... this means more to me than you could ever know. I want you to know that I admire you. Your adventurous spirit, the way you follow your heart.
-Ellidy: Yo know, you can live that way too.
-Liam: If only. My whole life, I've prepared myself to do what's best for Cordonia.
-Ellidy: Well, we're not in Cordonia now.
Ellidy pulls Liam n for a kiss.
-Liam: (chuckles) You're just full surprises, aren't you?
-Ellidy: I try.
-Liam: I'm glad to have met you, Ellidy. I'll never forget this night.
-Ellidy: Me neither.
The next morning. Ellidy wakes up and gets ready for the day.
-Ellidy: (sigh) Last night was fun... but it's time to face the real world.
Ellidy walks up to the doors of the bar when she hears a familiar voice.
-Ellidy! Glad I caught you.
She turns around and sees Maxwell.
-Maxwell: We're heading back to Cordonia so Liam can find someone to marry and all that jazz.
-Ellidy: Great. That's Great. Tell Liam that I wish him the best in his engagement.
-Maxwell: But before I go, I wanted to officially extend to you an invitation to join us for the festivities in Cordonia.
-Ellidy: Come again?
-Maxwell: You wouldn't usually be allowed to join... but I want to sponsor you.
-Ellidy: Sponsor me? For what?
-Maxwell: I'm from a noble house, but I don't have any sisters, so we don't have anyone in contention to marry the prince. Instead, we can sponsor any girl we choose. And, guess what, you're my pick.
-Ellidy: Why me? I mean, a waitress trying to marry a prince? That sounds like something that only happens in fairy tales.
-Maxwell: I'm not just doing this for you. I saw how Liam looked at you last night. I've never seen him so happy. Honestly, I don't want him to lose that. We're kinda crunched for time, though. I've got a plane leaving within the hour.
-Ellidy: Whoa, you're moving a little fast, don't you think?
-Maxwell: No time to waste. The opening masquerade is tonight! It's the start of the... uh, I guess you could say the competition.
-Ellidy: What do you mean?
-Maxwell: There's a whole horde of Gorgeous, rich, noble women vying to become Cordonia's next queen. And it's not just about winning Liam's hand. You've also gotta prove to the council that you can rule Cordonia with him. But I think you got what it takes because you're witty and charming.
-Ellidy: Thanks. So, what else am I getting myself into?
-Maxwell: Fun stuff, I promise. You'll get to go yachting in the Mediterranean, skiing in the Alps, and dancing in the royal palace. Or, you know, you can stay here and go back to you waitressing gig with your crappy boss. That's probably just as good.
For a moment, Ellidy thinks about everything that happened last night... and she slowly starts to smile.
-Ellidy: I'll be right back.
Ellidy walks into the bar and goes straight to the manager.
-Manager: About you showed up, Ellidy. Since you're late, I'm gonna take this out of...
Ellidy slaps him in his face and grabs his shirt.
-Ellidy: I quit.
She then pushes him to the ground and walks out the door with her head held high.
-Ellidy: I'm in.
-Maxwell: Perfect! Go pack your bags. You're in for the adventure of a lifetime!
The end