Once upon a time in a faraway land a young man lived in a shining castle in the woods bordering the kingdoms of Lima and Westerville. He was spoiled selfish and unkind although given all he desired, until one night an old beggar man came to the castle and offered him a single rose in exchange for shelter. Repulsed the young man turned him away, and as punishment he transformed him into a vampire and placed a powerful curse on the castle and all who lived there. Although forever young and beautiful his bloodlust would make his inner monster shine through. If he could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell he would become mortal again. But as the centuries past he began to despair and lose all hope. For who could ever love a monster?
A young woman steps out of the house on the outskirts of Lima. Her blue dress catching the wind as she walked, her hair neatly tied in a blue ribbon. On her way to town she begins to sing.
Little town it's a quiet village
Every day
Like the one before
Little town
Full of little people
Waking up to say:"
As she walks down the street the town begins to wake, everyone greeting one another
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
"Hello!"
There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning so forlorn
Since the morning I was born
In this poor provincial town
The town baker walks past her with a tiny smile. "Good Morning, Rachel!"
"Good morning, Sir."
"And where are you off to, today?" he asks handing her a sweet roll.
"The bookshop. I just finished the most wonderful story. About a beanstalk and an ogre and a –"
"That's nice. Marie! The baguettes! Hurry up!"
Rachel continues on her way with a shrug ignoring the usual gossip.
Look there she goes that girl is strange, no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?
WOMAN
Never part of any crowd
MAN
'Cause her head's up on some cloud
TOWNSFOLK
No denying she's a funny girl that Rachel
MAN I
Hello!
WOMAN I
Good day!
MAN I
How is your family?
WOMAN 2
Hello!
MAN 2
Good day!
WOMAN 2
How is your wife?
WOMAN 3
I need six eggs!
WOMAN 4
That's too expensive!
RACHEL
There must be more than this provincial life!
Rachel finally reaches the bookshop. When she opens it she is greeted by a smiling old man, the bookkeeper. The door dings as she enters.
"Ah, Rachel."
"Good morning, sir. I've come to return the book I borrowed." She hands him the thick leather bound book.
"Finished already?" he laughs
"Oh, I couldn't put it down. Have you got anything new?" Rachel fervently searches the shelves
"Not since yesterday." He laughs again.
"That's all right. I'll borrow . . . . . this one!" she hands him another thick book. This one bound in blue.
He gives her a surprised look "That one? But you've read it twice!"
Her eyes grow dreamy as she explains. "Well, it's my favorite! Far off places, daring swordfights, magic spells, a prince in disguise –"
He begins to shoo her out of the store, handing her the book. "If you like it all that much, it's yours!"
She gasps "But sir!"
"I insist."
"Thank you Thank you very much!" She goes on her way once again ignoring the gossip
TOWNSFOLK
Look there she goes that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well
With a dreamy, far-off look
And her nose stuck in a book
What a puzzle to the rest of us is Rachel
RACHEL
Oh, isn't this amazing?
It's my favorite part because - you'll see
Here's where she meets Prince Charming
But she won't discover that it's him 'til chapter three!
WOMAN
Now it's no wonder that her name means "Beauty"
Her looks have got no parallel
SHOPKEEPER
But behind that fair facade
I'm afraid she's rather odd
MAN
Very different from the rest of us
TOWNSFOLK
She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes, different from the rest of us is Rachel!
A shot rings out and a woman with brown hair runs to catch the kill. "I got it Jesse! Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Jesse! You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!"
The young man in green hunters garb smirks "I know.
"No beast alive stands a chance against you. -And no girl, for that matter."
"It's true, Shelby. And I've got my sights set on that one."
"The inventor's daughter?"
She's the one - the lucky girl I'm going to marry.
"But she's –"
"The most beautiful girl in town."
"I know, but –"
"That makes her the best. And don't I deserve the best?" Jesse demands with a glare
"Of course you do!"
JESSE
Right from the moment when I met her, saw her
I said she's gorgeous and I fell
Here in town there's only she
Who is beautiful as me
So I'm making plans to woo and marry Rachel
BIMBETTES
Look there he goes Isn't he dreamy?
Monsieur Jesse
Oh he's so cute!
Be still my heart I'm hardly breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute!
WOMAN 1
Hello!
JESSE
Pardon
RACHEL
Good day
WOMAN 2
Mais oui!
WOMAN 3
You call this bacon?
WOMAN 4
What lovely grapes!
MAN 1
Some cheese
WOMAN 5
Ten yards!
MAN 1
One pound
JESSE
'Scuse me!
CHEESE MERCHANT
I'll get the knife
JESSE
Please let me through!
WOMAN 6
This bread -
WOMAN 7
Those fish -
WOMAN 6
It's stale!
WOMAN 7
They smell!
MEN
Madame's mistaken.
WOMEN
Well, maybe so
TOWNSFOLK
Good morning!
Oh, good morning!
RACHEL
There must be more than this provincial life!
JESSE
Just watch,
I'm going to make Rachel my wife!
TOWNSFOLK
Look there she goes
The girl is strange but special
A most peculiar mad'moiselle!
WOMEN
It's a pity and a sin
MEN
She doesn't quite fit in
TOWNSFOLK
'Cause she really is a funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny girl
That Rachel!
Jesse finally catches up with Rachel and she greets him politely. Trying to go past him she is blocked at every turn.
"Rachel this is the day your dreams come true." He forces her to sit on a rock.
She stares at him. "What do you know about my dreams Jesse?"
"Plenty."
Jesse:
You've been dreaming, just one dream
Nearly all your life
Hoping, scheming, just one theme:
Will you be a wife?
Will you be some he-man's property?
Good news! That he-man's me!
Rachel fights the urge to roll her eyes as his demented proposal continues.
This equation, girl plus man
Doesn't help just you
On occasion, women can
Have their uses too
Mainly to extend the family tree
Pumpkin, extend with me!
Jesse:
We'll be raising sons galore
Rachel:
Inconceivable!
Jesse:
Each built six foot four!
Rachel:
Unbelievable!
Jesse:
Each stuffed with every Jesse gene!
Rachel:
I'm not hearing this!
Jesse:
You'll be keeping house with pride!
Rachel:
Just incredible!
Jesse:
Oh so gratified
Rachel:
So unweddable!
Jesse:
That you are a part of this idyllic scene.
Jesse:
Picture this: A rustic hunting lodge,
My latest kill roasting over the fire,
My little wife massaging my feet, while
The little ones play on the floor with the dogs.
We'll have six or seven!
Rachel:
Dogs?
Jesse:
No, Rachel! Strapping boys...like me!
Rachel:
Imagine that!
Jesse:
I can see that we will share
All that love implies
We shall be a perfect pair
Rather like my thighs
You are face to face with destiny!
All roads lead to...
The best things in life are...
All's well that ends with me!
Escape me? There's no way
Certain as "Do, Re,"
Rachel, when you marry...
Jesse:
So Rachel, what would it be?
Is it "yes", or is it "oh, yes"?
Rachel:
I...I just don't deserve you!
Jesse:
Who does?
ME!
"Well thanks for asking." Rachel stands and rushes into the woods. She somehow knew he wouldn't take no for an answer. Hopefully she could lose him in the woods.
Within hours she is tired of running but Jesse is hot on her heels ready to drag her to the church if nessicary. That is if he can find the way. Trees grab her clothing at every turn leaving her only dress in tatters. Rocks find ways into her worn shoes, and her lungs pant for air.
"Leave me alone Jesse, please." She begs as he grips her waist.
Ignoring her pleas and giving a malicious laugh he begins to drag her back, until a high cold voice speaks from behind her.
"I believe the lady has requested you to let go."
When Jesse looks at the source he shrinks back at the sight. Red eyes, fangs, claws, a true monster.
She feels heat as the onlooker comes to hold her waist as Jesse let's go.
"Don't ever come into my forest again hunter, the young lady will stay with me from now on."
Rachel turns and gasps at what she sees but smiles. "Thank you sir. I do not know what he would have done." She looks more carefully at the creature as it's gaze turns icy blue but the fangs and claws stay put.
The thing smiles back fixing it's hair. "Come let us get you out of these torn things, my home is only a few minutes away."