Rose Tyler
It was a beautiful day in the village as Rose Tyler, daughter of Pete Tyler, the inventor, got up to go to the bookstore. Rose was not like the other girls in the village. She was more beautiful, even in her flowing but simple gowns. And unlike the other girls, who would go to parties, flirt with the handsome men and act silly, Rose preferred to read and dream about traveling beyond the village.
Her mother had died when she was very young and she lived alone with her father. Her father was her closest friend in the world as she didn't have any real friends in the village. He shared her love of books and encouraged her to read, saying she was destined for something greater than just life in the village.
Rose had a few extra coins with her and planned to buy a few treats before her father left for the fair later that evening. Since Rose was old enough to be left on her own, she could stay at the house until he returned. Softly, she began to sign.
Rose: Townsfolk:
Little town
It's a quiet village
Every day
Like the
one before
Little town
Full of little people
Waking up to
say:
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello!
Hello! Rose: Baker: Rose: Baker: Rose: Baker: That's nice. Marie! The baguettes!
There goes the baker with his tray, like always
The same old
bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Since the
morning that we came
To this poor provincial town
Good morning, Rose!
Good morning, sir.
And where are you off to?
The bookshop. I just
finished the most wonderful story
About a traveler and his lover
and—
Hurry up!
Rose rolled her eyes and went back on her way. Sometimes she didn't know why she tried. No one in the village seemed to understand her. They all thought she was strange. They gossiped about her all the time when they thought she wasn't listening, but she didn't let it get to her and continued on her errands. She brought some groceries and hitched a ride to the bookshop.
Townsfolk: Woman: Man: Townsfolk: Man I: Woman I: Man
I: Woman 2: Man 2: Woman 2: Woman 3: Man 3: Rose:
Look there she goes that girl is strange, no question
Dazed
and distracted, can't you tell?
Never part of any
crowd
'Cause her head's up on some
cloud
No denying she's a funny girl that
Rose
Hello!
Good day!
How is your family?
Hello!
Good day!
How is your wife?
I need six eggs!
That's too expensive!
There must be more than this provincial life!
Seeing the bookshop, Rose got off. She thanked her ride and headed inside. The bell of the bookshop rung loudly as she entered the shop to greet the elderly Mr. Smith, of whom she was rather fond of and looked at as a grandfather.
"Ah, if it isn't my favorite customer," said Mr. Smith, getting up from his seat and hugging her. "So, what can I do for you today? Finished the book already?"
"I couldn't put it down. Is there anything new?"
"Not since yesterday, I'm afraid," said Mr. Smith, looking amused.
"Ah, well, that's okay. I'll borrow this one," said Rose, picking one of her favorites, Beauty and the Beast.
"That one? But you've read it twice!"
"Can't help it. I love it. Far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise! It's wonderful."
"Well, then, if you like it so much, then you can keep it. Don't be protesting, Rose, I insist you take it."
Rose was startled this act of generosity, but pleased nonetheless. "Thank you. Thank you, very much!"
She hugged him and left him a treat before waving good-bye and rereading the book as she left the shop.
Townsfolk: Rose: Woman: Shopkeeper: 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 Rose
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!
Now
it's no wonder her name is "Rose"
Her looks have got no
parallel
But behind that fair facade
I'm
afraid she's rather odd
Very different from the rest of
us
She's nothing like the rest of us
Yes,
different from the rest of us is Rose!
Meanwhile, Jimmy Stone, the most handsome man in the village and one of the best hunters was shooting the geese that were flying south for the winter. Jimmy caught the eye of all the other village girls except for Rose and had a little lackey named LeFou. He was also quite arrogant, selfish and a spoiled pig. After another successful shooting, LeFou bagged the catch.
LeFou:
Wow! You didn't miss a shot, Jimmy! Jimmy: LeFou: Jimmy: LeFou: Jimmy: LeFou: Jimmy: LeFou: Jimmy: LeFou: Jimmy: Minor village
beauties: Woman 1:
You're the greatest hunter in
the whole world!
I know.
No beast
alive stands a chance against you.
And no girl for that
matter
It's true, LeFou. And I've got
my sight
set on that one.
The inventor's daughter?
She's the one— the lucky girl
I'm going to marry.
But she—
The most beautiful girl in
town.
I know, but—
That makes
her the best. And don't
I deserve the best?
But
of course! I mean, you do! But I -
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 Rose
Look there he goes
Isn't he dreamy?
Mister
Jimmy
Oh he's so cute!
Be still my heart
I'm hardly
breathing
He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome
brute!
Hello!
Rose: Woman 2: Woman 3: Woman 4: Man 1: Woman 5: Man 1: Jimmy: Cheese merchant: Woman 6: Woman 7: Woman 6: Woman 7: Men: Women: Townsfolk: Rose: Jimmy: Townsfolk: Townsfolk: Townsfolk:
Jimmy:
Pardon
Good day
Mais
oui!
You call this bacon?
What
lovely grapes!
Some cheese
Ten
yards!
One pound
'Scuse me!
Please let me through!
I'll get the
knife
This bread—
Those
fish—
It's stale!
they
smell!
Madame's mistaken.
Well,
maybe so
Good morning! Oh, good morning!
There must be more than this provincial life!
Just
watch, I'm going to make Rose my wife!
Look
there she goes
The girl is strange but special
A most peculiar
young lady!
It's a pity and a sin
She
doesn't quite fit in
'Cause she really is a
funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny
girl
That Rose!
Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello!
Rose was already halfway through the book when Jimmy suddenly jumped in front of her.
"Morning, Rose," he said.
"Morning Jimmy," said Rose, not really paying attention until he took her book. "Jimmy, give me my book back!"
"Honestly, Rose, when are you going to get your head out of these boring books and focus on more important things?"
He threw the book and it nearly fell into the mud before Rose caught it and quickly placed it in the safety of her basket.
"Important things?" she repeated. "Such as?"
"Me," said Jimmy, smugly.
Rose rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Jimmy, you're more egotistical than any other man I've ever met in my entire life."
"Thanks, Rose," said Jimmy, not having a clue what she meant. "How would you like to join me at the hunting lodge? We can look at my trophies and I can tell you of my latest catch."
Rose tried not to gag as she smelled Jimmy's cologne and stepped away from him. "I can't. I have to go home and make dinner and help my father."
"That crazy old loon?" said LeFou, laughing. "He needs all the help he can get!"
Jimmy also joined in the laughter. "He's a right old crackpot!"
Rose glared at them both. "Don't talk about my dad that way! He's not crazy! He's a genius!" Without waiting for a reply, Rose stormed back to the house and went to the cellar where her father was working.
"Dad?" she called.
"Over here, Rose!" said Pete, waving a hand. He was underneath his wood chopper, trying to fix the remaining kinks in the machine. "So, did you have a good time in town today?"
"I got a new book." Rose sighed. "Dad, do you think I'm strange?"
"My daughter? Strange? Rubbish! Where'd you get that idea?"
"The people in the village gossip and…" Rose's voice wandered off. "I don't know, Dad. I don't really have any friends apart from Mr. Smith. Is there's really anyone for me here? I mean, I've got you and Mr. Smith, but…"
"You want that special someone," he finished. He came out and held her. "Rose, I know it's not easy being different, but that just makes you special. You don't entirely fit in, so what? That just means you're destined for something greater. Your special someone is out there, beyond the village. When you find him, you'll know. Like when I met your mum, she was my special someone. Don't give up hope yet, darling."
Rose hugged her father tight. "Thanks, Dad," she said, smiling. "So, is the machine ready for the fair?"
"I don't know yet. I'm hoping the kink will be fixed now, but cross your fingers."
He flicked the switch and immediately, the machine worked and within five minutes, chopped a week's worth of wood. The two cheered happily before going to enjoy a rich dinner before Pete set off to the fair. Rose helped hitch the horse and fasten Pete's cloak.
"I love you, Dad. Good luck. Travel safely," she said.
Pete kissed her forehead. "You be good and look after things while I'm gone, Rose. Love you."
Rose waved good-bye until her father was out of sight before going back inside.