Scene I
A sunny place - grass, flowers, blue sky.
Enter Malcolm
Malcolm
Oh, grass of the outdoors
Valient, shining blades of green
Shine bright such as the blade of my sword
Drenched in the blood of mine enemy
(He pauses)
Swords… blood… doth I not heareth myself speak?
Macbeth, that traitor, hath corrupted mine mind
To compare the beauty of nature
To these terrible acts of violence!
Enter Macduff
Malcolm
Friend! Anon.
Macduff
Good morrow, friend.
May I ask
What thou art doing
Alone in the heart of nature?
Your court lies empty;
Your subjects would most appreciate
Thou's royal presence
Malcolm
The day I gave death
To that unbecoming traitor
Macbeth
Was the same day
Mine state of mind
Began to falter
Macduff
Indeed, I am saddened by this news,
But, your majesty,
Who will thou point your finger at?
Overcome this obstacle, friend,
It is the office of a king
To surpass even the most difficult of barriers,
Either in the world or in the mind
Malcolm
You speak truthfully,
And your point is sound
I will take into account
Your most heartfelt advice
Exeunt both
Scene II
A thick forest. Trees, brush, and a narrow, winding dirt path.
Enter Malcolm
Malcolm
I am a king!
A monarch of my stature
Will not allow
Petty, uncivil thoughts
To get the better of me;
Macduff speaks true!
A walk in the woods
Is all I require
Enter Witches from behind trees, creeping behind Malcolm
Witch 1
The king walks before us!
Witch 2
Indeed he does.
Shall we make our move, sisters?
Witch 3
We shalt.
Weird sisters approach behind Malcolm. He turns around.
Malcolm
Good God!
Witch 2
Malcolm,
King of Scotland
And killer of Macbeth.
Witch 1
We greet you,
Most noble highness
To bring news!
Witch 3
News of a property
That has been
Left unfulfilled
Malcolm
What is this, prophecy, you speak of?
Witch 3
Banquo was slain
On the order of Macbeth
Witch 2
However, his son, young Fleance,
Continues to breathe.
Witch 1
It is written;
Fleance shall one day be king!
Malcolm
Impossible.
I am the king,
You must be mistaken.
Witch 1
Mistakes, we do not make
Witch 2
We are a source you can trust
Witch 3
When the time comes, noble Malcolm, your unbelieving self will be thrust!
Exeunt Witches
Stage fades to black
Scene III
Malcolm's Castle
Enter Malcolm, alone
Malcolm
The witches
Know not what they say.
My wellbeing is secure
I am sure of it!
Enter phantom of Macbeth
Malcom
By God!
It is you again!
Macbeth (laughing)
Yes it is!
Did the weird sisters find you well?
Malcolm swipes at Macbeth, but is unable to touch him.
Malcolm
What is this? A joke!
Behind Malcolm, young Fleance enters holding a sword. Slowly and quietly, he walks up behind Malcolm.
Macbeth
A smart man
Would find nothing funny
With this situation.
Malcolm, you killed me
Most men in my situation
Would try exacting revenge on you
I, however, am beyond that
I come to you not to bring ill tidings
But, rather, a warning!
Fair Malcolm,
Young Fleance wishes to take your head,
And, with it,
Your throne!
Fleance is now only mere feet away from Malcolm.
Malcolm
Nonsense!
Even from the grave, Macbeth,
You continue to spew mistidings
Begone!
Macbeth
I hath tried
To warn you.
The events that follow
Can not be blamed on me.
Malcolm
What events do you speak of?
Fleance is now right behind Malcolm. As he raises his sword to strike, the stage fades to black.
Scene IV
Fleance's Castle; Fleance is on his throne. He is now taller and has a mustache, suggesting some years have passed since the events of the previous scene.
Fleance (Aside)
There are no more barriers left to cross.
I sit on the throne of a kingdom, yes,
But thanks to Macbeth, and later, me,
It is a kingdom of corpses.
(He pauses)
No matter.
The food is good, and my land is copious.
I,
Well,
I am happy.
What else matters?
Stages goes black. Curtains close.