This story is dedicated to Erica (aka Talkstoangels77). Loyal friend and associate, helpful and attentive. Thanks for the inspiration.
SCENE I. The Royal Orchard
Enter Zuko and Mai right
ZUKO
What blackened storm does reach your humble home?
MAI
None, sir.
ZUKO
Come, lets not keep it secret.
MAI
Your temperament seems bolder as of late. Have you your lowly uncle's ancient bones bore to mind? Methinks you have neglect him of late. Perhaps you keep your foul deeds hidden in your actions; to off him when in such the morbid state he lies?
ZUKO
My uncle's bones are stronger still, than sharpest sword of hampered steel. But dare I interlope in wife's affair, than cut's me with her dagger stare.
MAI
Quite the poet make you, sir. This and other talents you posses, but your words do not flatter me nor your wiser uncle.
ZUKO
I did not come to tarry all the blessed day, my wife. My servant young has told me in your leisure hour that you are a chance perturbed by maters of this latest hour. What mean you then of this? Abusing all your servants in manner most unruly and other stories such as those. Why just as I have heard it said, you went this day to see the chef, and poured his morning fast into the dump. Such behavior is not fitting to yourself much less your mighty nation.
MAI
I confess it then, dear husband; caught me in your discernment. I say I am the most miserable person who ever strove to live! Everyday an endless toil, nothing, nothing, but foulest labor which makes my fingers hard and brittle.
ZUKO
But all you do is lounge around here and there! What infirmity have you then? Lazy bones! Ill-conceived in royalty bred, what foulest sluggard of wife have I?
MAI
Understand you my daily rites? Oh to Gods I pray you listen! Everyday at 10 o'clock I am woken from my slumber and told to dress. What knave! Is it not enough for me to sleep a few more of morning hours in the day? Three would suit me better.
ZUKO
(aside) Maybe she would like a bigger bed as well?
MAI
But that is not the worst offense! Then there are those dreary pedicures! The massagist's hands are far too firm for so fair a skin as mine. Do you love me Zuko? Or is this one sick torture you have devised in your spare time?
ZUKO
Not at all! If I truly wanted to torture your fair hide, I could slay your horse and feed it raw.
MAI
Enough of your sarcastic wit! I have enough to bear on other matters than your own.
ZUKO
(aside) Look who calls the kettle black! Sarcastic wit indeed! (to Mai) You did in briefest moment hence, mention uncle who lies in morbid state; what know you of his condition?
MAI
I know not but what the maid shall speak. He lies with many aches and groans upon his timely mattress springs, with sweat protruding all the day. He coughs and wheezes in a sickly air and talks on death in that depressive state which bears his olden years.
ZUKO
Tis' quite unnatural that my uncle say as thus. Not often to his sadness surrenders he. Perhaps I shall in this later evening go to visit uncle sickly to cheer his disposition.
MAI
If e'er there was a kinder man, I would not chance to know him. Zuko! What small contrivance do you bear? It is one that speaks of love, deep within thine sulky bosom, which cries thy uncle thus attend.
ZUKO
Aye, his welfare oft' concern me much.
MAI
As any man of honor should.
ZUKO
Honor is a word I abused in youth, to seek the fairer of love so true. It is the finest razor blade of truth for honor and loves attention both, give men to equal animosity.
MAI
Dear husband, nothing base and heinous came to men who sought their father's love in right. Your father did abuse you much. Throw away your precious guilt and see your uncle at his bed.
ZUKO
And here you were not a minute hence, when you did groan but for your servants hands too tough. And now another's welfare begs your fairest eye, you devise a harsh rebuke. All the while, I will attend to him anon. I shall speak to you at a later date, my fairest wife, when I have my noble plan enacted. So leave me here to attend my business and help you then the chef prepare to sup; to amend your insult to his cooking. And when arrive you there at present, send a boy or two to me.
MAI
As my lord commands, so I go.
Exit MAI right
ZUKO
If ever a man did love me more, it was my uncle who that burden bore. Attested in his strength in battle, if e'er there was a man to saddle; my uncle would I have at right, than all those men who take to flight. If fate was kinder than it's harsh respite, it would bestow my uncle's plight, bend the knee and have the crown, atop is old and wisest brow. Whatever did I do as much, to earn such love and nobly such? Thus to my fair uncle I do attend, and with honor keen my knee shall bend, to soothe him in his lonely hour, and restore him to his mighty tow'r.
Enter HARUKI, the family's goldsmith's apprentice
HARUKI
Call me hither, sire?
ZUKO
Boy, have you an paper on you?
HARUKI
None sir, but my memory's good, if that's the task at hand.
ZUKO
Then listen, I need you to go forth and earnestly procure me 6 leaves of finest tea; picked from my garden, several roots of sage and strawberry leaves; a pinch of Eucalyptus root, and several jugs of wine.
HARUKI
Does it matter the color of the distillation?
ZUKO
Red as amber shinning bright, fetch the wine that gleams that way.
HARUKI
I know my master has a few beneath the rafter in a secluded spot in the shadows on the farthest end, where he hides them from our view.
ZUKO
Petition him then, in the name of the King, to requite his vestal winery. Tell him that he shall be recompensed.
HARUKI
Yes sir, that I will.
ZUKO
Good then, off with you, not time to tarry presently.
Exit HARUKI
(aside) We can see then what I can produce with many herbal recipes, to dull his senses to his pain, and keep his spirits happy. For aches the sorrow on his heart, it does on mine as well. Aideu.
Exit Zuko