Seti - Pharoah
Nefertiri - Pharoah's daughter
Imhotep - High priest of Thebes
Anck-Su-Namun - Mistress
Servant
Act One, Scene II
[As the sun rises, so do the inhabitants of the Pharoah's palace. The servants prepare the breakfast of figs, cakes, and breads. The Pharoah, his family, and his guests, dress, then procede to the dining hall.]
[Enter Anck-Su-Namun and Nefertiri]
Anck-Su-Namun: "Should we sit near each other?"
Nefertiri: [Hesitates] "Yes, we should sit near to each other."
[They both pull the dining chairs out and Anck-Su-Namun sits.]
Anck-Su-Namun: "You should have no fear. The man whom loves you, is not a threat. [Pauses] He could be a worse kind." [Sits]
Nefertiri: "How so? He is a threat to our love. And what kind could be worse? He is a man, is he not!"
Anck-Su-Namun: "Our love... If only... [Stares in Nefertiri's eyes and places her hand upon her heart] Our love has no end."
[Enter Seti and Imhotep]
Seti: "My dears! My dears! Nefertiri, do come and greet Imhotep! [Leans toward Nefertiri and whispers] After all, he shall be your life partner soon!"
Nefertiri: [Bows to Seti and then to Imhotep] Good morning, Father. Good morning, Imhotep."
[Imhotep takes Nefertiri's hand and kisses it gently before releasing.]
Nefertiri: "It is a fine day."
[Seti walks toward Anck-Su-Namun, leaving Imhotep and Nefertiri alone.]
Imhotep: "Only the sight of you makes it fine."
Nefertiri: [Blushes] "We must converse alone. Soon."
Imhotep: "As you wish, my love. [Smiles] After breakfast, I will ask permission from your father."
[Imhotep and Nefertiri continue conversing. Seti approaches Anck-Su-Namun.]
Anck-Su-Namun: "Lord." [Bows]
Seti: "Do you prefer solitude?" [Raises left eyebrow]
Anck-Su-Namun: "Why, no of couse not. Why do you ask Lord?"
Seti: "You are not married."
Anck-Su-Namun: "Well, [Looks down] I do not consider myself alone."
Seti: "You have no man. You are alone. [Pulls back chair and sits] Sit down."
Anck-Su-Namun: "Yes, Lord."
Seti: "If you are waiting for the love of a perfect man, you shouldn't. For he does not exist. You should marry for security..."
Anck-Su-Namun: "Marriage is a life partnership..."
Seti: "You should marry for status..."
Anck-Su-Namun: "Marriage is difficult. I feel I am not ready."
Seti: "You should marry someone that has love for you..."
Anck-Su-Namun: "No one has love for me."
Seti: "Not true, my dear. I have love for you. Only you."
[Seti takes Anck-Su-Namun's hand and places it upon his heart.]
Anck-Su-Namun: [Studders] "I... I... I don't know what to say, Lord." [Glances towards Nefertiri]
Seti: [Breathes heavily] "Beautiful Anck-Su-Namun, courageous warrior Anck-Su-Namun, jewel of the empire Anck-Su-Namun, will you marry me?"
[Seti's eyes begin to fill with tears. Anck-Su-Namun wipes away his tears.]
Anck-Su-Namun: [Glances at Imhotep and Nefertiri] Yes... Yes, I will marry you."
[Imhotep and Nefertiri lock arms. Imhotep leads Nefertiri to a seat opposite Anck-Su-Namun and beside himself. Anck-Su-Namun looks both surprised and hurt.]
Seti: [Shouts] "Imhotep! Nefertiri! Anck-Su-Namun and I are betrothed!"
[Nefertiri looks toward Anck-Su-Namun with a surprised look upon her face, then to Seti. Nefertiri begins to cry heavily.]
Seti: "Nefertiri, why are you crying?"
Anck-Su-Namun: "Nefertiri is overwhelmed. Our union is her desire."
[Anck-Su-Namun grabs Seti's hand and leads him away from the dining hall.]
Anck-Su-Namun: [To servant] "We will dine in private."
Servant: "Yes, my lady." [Bows]
[Exit Anck-Su-Namun and Seti]
[Imhotep and Nefertiri sit at the dining table and have breakfast.]
Imhotep: "The gods have blessed us!"
[Imhotep places a fig upon his plate and begins to eat.]
Nefertiri: "Yes, it is hard to believe one group can be so blessed." [Continues to cry]
[Silence fills the room as they continue to breakfast.]
Imhotep: "There is no reason for tears." [Wipes Nefertiri's tears] "This time seems proper for our conversation. What is it that you must tell me?"
Nefertiri: [Smiles] "Nothing... Nothing dear."
[Both Imhotep and Nefertiri rise from the table.]
Servant: "Would you care for anything more, my lady, sir?"
[Imhotep gesticulates the servant's departure.]
Imhotep: "If there is anything... [Pauses] Well, I must return to my work. We can speak later."
Nefertiri: "Yes, we can."
[Imhotep leans towards Nefertiri and kisses her upon the lips softly.]
Nefertiri: "Oh. [Gasps] My."
Imhotep: "Forgive me."
[Nefertiri turns her back to Imhotep and walks away. Imhotep watches her until she disappears from the room.]
[Exit Nefertiri]
Imhotep: [Whispers] "Forgive me." [Smiles]
[Exit Imhotep]
End of Scene II