***Author's Note: After a few weeks of more researching I found out that
there were actually several versions of The Nutcracker, the original being
which written by E.T.A. Hoffman. However the usual popular version that's
been performed on stage is quite different from the original story. So to
clear things up, I borrowed Nutcracker with pictures by Maurice Sendak from
my local library. If some fans of Nutcracker might remember, he is also the
set designer of the 1986-released movie Nutcracker: The Motion Picture
(1983), which is the one that I saw on TV. His drawings from the book
mirrored the ones he designed for the movie. If curious fans (of the
Pretender or Nutcracker) want to check this book, the title is Nutcracker
by E.T.A. Hoffman, translated by Ralph Manheim, pictures by Maurice Sendak,
and the publisher's name is Crown Publishers, Inc., New York. (Btw, I am
not sure if the book is still in print since the publishing date was in
1984, but check out your local library for a copy, it's a enjoyable read!)
As a result of the numerous versions, I decided to combine several elements
from Hoffman's, Sendak's, and the popular ballet to my story for the sake
that I have to apply it to the Pretender cast. It's ironic that I will be
contributing to yet another version to the famous Nutcracker. I hope that I
didn't offend anybody by doing this, because it's such a wonderful story
and I hope everyone will enjoy it. Thank you!
P.S. Words in asterisks * are Miss Parker's thoughts. Also whenever a row of these colons :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: indicate the curtain rise/fall in each scene. I put them whenever it was necessary so it can be seen as a play.
~ ACT I ~
A soft wind blew in from the opened window next to the large pink canopy bed. The cold breeze sent a shiver down Miss Parker's spine waking her up from her deep sleep.
"What?!" Sitting upright facing the opened window Miss Parker could see her reflection on the glass once she woke up.
Goosebumps spread all over her exposed arms and while her thin silk nightgown could barely protect her from the cold. However this was the least of her worries, a young girl of twelve-year-old with large cobalt eyes stared back at her. Slowly Miss Parker got out of bed and trudged closer to the window's reflection. When she touched her own cheek, the girl in the reflection did the same. When she smoothed down her unkempt hair, the girl in the reflection did the exact movement. A loud gasp escaped her at the realization.
"I am in the body of my prepubescent self!" Miss Parker exclaimed in surprise, "Shit! What the hell is going on?!"
"Well at least I have the mind of my old self. If you can call it that." She retorted at her curse earlier.
With a quick glance over in the current bedroom she was in, Miss Parker couldn't remember in the back of her mind where she seen this familiar setting. The moment she recognized the room, a motherly voice carried up the stairway.
"Carla! Carla?!" Mrs. Stahlbaum called out towards the girl's bedroom.
Turning around to see the older woman, Miss Parker recognized her as the only woman she ever truly appreciated and loved in her life.
*MAMA?!?!* Catherine Parker, as young and as graceful since the day she died, was alive and well before the young Miss Parker's very eyes.
"Mama is that really you?!" Miss Parker asked in awe in spite of her earlier contempt at being trapped in this indeterminate state.
"Of course I am! Carla what are you talking about?" Mrs. Stahlbaum answered incredulously. "I have been your mama for twelve years going on thirteen of your life darling. Why are you asking that weird question?"
"Never mind." Miss Parker numbly responded to Catherine's offhanded remark.
First the appearance of herself as a young teenager now with her own mother alive in front of her bewildered eyes! Everything was too much to comprehend. Miss Parker tried to shut her eyes tight and willed herself to wake up from this bizarre dream.
"Carla? Child, you must be freezing. You know you wouldn't want be sick when Godfather Drosselmeier visits us tonight during the Christmas party." Mrs. Stahlbaum chided the young Miss Parker while putting on a pale blue cloak over her small body.
Miss Parker's eyes stared into the woman's face wondering if this is all a joke or a nightmare or both. She couldn't understand why she could be in Carla's bedroom and in an odd reaction Miss Parker felt that she somehow did belong in this fantastical reality. Besides with her mother by her side, Miss Parker finally felt comfort and warmth throughout these lonely years. Snapping back to the state of affairs at hand she decided to remain as true to Carla's "character" as possible. She will figure out what's going soon enough, but she will bide her time. There was no harm in pretending to play a character, if Jarod could do such thing, so can she! Besides it isn't really hard to reenact a character she had played before.
"Yes, mother." She replied solemnly with more emotion than ever before. This is truly her own mother before her.
"Now hurry up and dress into your dinner outfit and come downstairs, everyone is waiting for you!" Catherine or rather Mrs. Stahlbaum harried the young Miss Parker into action.
Just as quickly as she had arrived, Mrs. Stahlbaum skip danced her way out of Carla's bedroom. A low musical hum from her lips could be heard as she descended the winding stairs.
After a moment of bliss and a small smile catching at her lips at seeing her mother, Miss Parker snapped back to reality or whatever this place is called.
*Well! Hell am I going to dress myself if I don't know where my clothes are?" Miss Parker huffed in frustration.
Out of the blue Miss Parker felt a warm soft pink glow around her. Magically her supposed dinner outfit materialized on her body. In replace of her silk gown, a baby blue empire dress with a long navy bow tied under her chest and trailed behind her dress. There's even another navy bow tied to her neck. Black patent leather dancing shoes formed on her bare feet. Even her shoulder length hair was curled at the edges to give a nice bounce when she walked and danced.
*Wicked cool!* Even her adult mind couldn't contain her youthful excitement.
Humming in tune with the orchestra music that's playing from who knows where, Miss Parker skipped and hopped downstairs in anticipation of the dinner party.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
There was a loud group of gentlemen at the door of the huge parlor while a group of boys of six to ten ran around in dizzying circles of the adults playing a game of tag and roughhousing with each other. On the other hand, the mothers and ladies danced in group circles with the Christmas music while the little girls clutch their dolls and gazed admirably at their own mothers dancing beautifully. A large antique grandfather clock dominated in one corner of the parlor, an oak wood book shelf stood next to it while long hanging Chinese paintings covered along the walls, and the center piece of them all towered in the opposite corner of the clock. The Christmas tree was comparatively large with the clock but its height was elevated further due to the glass pedestal it was on. Decorated full by flashy ornaments and underneath the tree were the colorful presents sitting flamboyantly in front of the children's envious eyes. Hidden amongst the presents was an unknown toy dressed in a red stiff military outfit and a matching flowing cape with messy dark hair, large brown eyes and an eerie wide smile.
*I must be in Christmas heaven!* Miss Parker shouted in her mind. The scene was too much to bear for her. Such wonderful things happening at once was enough to topple her. There was even a tangy sweet gingerbread and eggnog smell from the festivities.
Jumping up and down in excitement she hopped from the last step and glided towards the middle of the party.
*Glide? I can't glide? Piourettes? Turns? Oh my lord I am dancing! Ballet dancing! I haven't done this in years! How could I just do them now? My legs have a mind of their own! This is too much fun!* Miss Parker half pondered and half leaped towards her or in this case, Carla's parents.
Turning around from a conversation Mrs. Stahlbaum kissed Miss Parker affectionately on the forehead without a word.
*Oh mama, I haven't been kissed like this for so long.* Miss Parker thought in sad wonder.
Looking to see the back of Dr. Stahlbaum's coat, Miss Parker deliberated who might be Carla's father. Perhaps it might be her own father!
"Daddy?" A timid whisper escaped her lips.
A man not much older than Catherine's age turned to see the young Miss Parker in shock.
*Sydney?!*
"But you are so young!?" Miss Parker unexpectedly exclaimed her initial reaction.
"Well I do take good care of myself, little one. Now look at you! Are you having too much fun? Come on and give a Christmas kiss for me." Giving a slight chuckle Dr. Stahlbaum bent down to allow Miss Parker to kiss him on the cheek. Hesitantly Miss Parker inched forward to give him a small kiss. Embracing her in a tight warm hug, Dr. Stahlbaum turned toward his colleagues once again.
In a state of shock, Miss Parker looked up in time to see her mother walking away to the group of women on the other side of the parlor laughing and drinking eggnog.
"Why?" Miss Parker questioned softly. However she couldn't stew her thoughts any longer because Fritz came along and punch her on the arm.
"Ouch! You brat!" Miss Parker shouted amidst the noise. Glancing to see that a younger boy of ten clad in a white ruffled shirt with light red dress pants and a matching sash which held a toy sword stared menacingly at her. His dark brown hair in a mad tousle and his eyes turned a shade darker. Although Miss Parker hardly saw any pictures of the man when he was young, but she instinctively knew who this young boy is.
"Lyle!" Miss Parker hissed out.
"What did you just said to me? I didn't do anything to you!" Carla's younger brother retorted.
"Sorry mates she's usually not like this at all. A little under the weather I suppose." Laughing together were his partners in crime of several little boys.
Giving her the face he quickly turned and ran off before Miss Parker could do anything.
*Great, this is perfect! Lyle as Fritz! This is one bad nightmare!*
Miss Parker was on the verge of a temper tantrum when a loud bell sounded near the doorway.
A sudden hush came over the crowd. Trying to peer behind the backing adults and children. She could barely see the wild silver white hair of a man emerging in front of the Christmas tree in the parlor.
As she shoved her way towards the front Miss Parker gave a loud utterance.
"Godfather Drosselmeier!" The minute those words left her mouth the old man looked up to see his favorite goddaughter in a beautiful dress.
Besides the wild hair that sat above his head, Drosselmeier's nose was long and sharp while there was a black eye patch on his one eye!
*This can't be right! Why's daddy Drosselmeier while Sydney is Dr. Stahlbaum with mama as Mrs. Stahlbaum?!"*
Grinning in his eccentric way Drosselmeier crooked his index finger to beckon Miss Parker forward. A mixed feeling of dread, surprise, and adoration overwhelmed the young Miss Parker at seeing her father as this peculiar clock and toy maker.
Slowly she came forward. Revealing behind him was a large box covered in a thick claret velvet cloth. In one swift motion Drosselmeier lifted the covering and exposed the giant music box underneath.
"I made it just for you." Drosselmeier whispered excitingly to Miss Parker as he gave her a brass key to turn on from the side.
Once she gave the key a turn, the music box unfolded itself and parts of a mansion extended upwards. In each room a different dancer in a totally different costume danced to a musical tune. Peeking through the first small window Miss Parker could a ballet dancer leaping and jumping to a routine different from the second room in which a Russian man did the jig. The people seemed so real, too real in fact that it frightened her into thinking maybe those are real people trapped inside the music box, like prisoners of the Centre. Her childish imagination got the best of her while her adult reasoning couldn't keep up with the plausible explanations.
"Th.ank..you.." Miss Parker stammered. She tried to back away from Drosselmeier as far away as possible.
"You don't like it?!" A crazed exclamation by Drosselmeier startled the crowd.
"No! I love it! I am just afraid I might break it! It's too delicate for me! And so large and extravagant!" Miss Parker tried desperately to find an excuse to fit her reaction.
"Hehehehehe!" A pleased squeaking laugh came from Drosselmeier.
"It's alright I will keep it in my shop while you can visit it whenever you want!" Drosselmeier declared.
"Oo....okk...." Miss Parker replied nervously.
Glancing around frantically she spied upon the half hidden Nutcracker from under the tree. She grabbed the doll up to her godfather's face and smiled in show of gratitude.
"My what a lovely Nutcracker! Thank you Godfather Drosselmeier for this extra gift you brought along! It's my favorite of them all!" Miss Parker beamed in pride.
"But I.....didn't..." Drosselmeier started when he was cut off by the kiss that Miss Parker gave to him.
In one smooth movement she turned toward her pals and danced toward the middle of the parlor in a circle with the Nutcracker tightly grasped in her arm.
Grinning sheepishly Drosselmeier and the crowd enjoyed the entertainment of the little girls' performance.
Fritz couldn't stand any longer that her sister was getting all the attention that in an act of jealousy he snatched the Nutcracker out of her hands and cracked the jaw with his fist.
"NO!!!" Miss Parker cried at his terrible act!
The whole audience gasped in astonishment. Reprimanding Fritz Dr. Stahlbaum took him away while Mrs. Stahlbaum tried to console the saddened Miss Parker.
Appearing from behind her, Drosselmeier picked up the Nutcracker gently and took out a handkerchief to tie its jaw together.
Returning it to Miss Parker he sadly looked at her tear streaked face.
Feeling that there's not much for him to do now that the party is ruined Drosselmeier quickly left the party.
"Don't be sad. It will be all right. Goodbye my sweet. Toodle loo!" Godfather Drosselmeier waved forlornly and wheeled the music box out of the parlor.
The sudden chime of the grandfather clock at nine signaled the end of the party. Disappointedly the party goers started to trail out the front doors while Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum bid everyone good night.
Taking the broken doll with her, all Miss Parker could do was place it in the glass cabinet with all the other toy soldiers and leave quietly upstairs to her bedroom.
A sudden noise had woken Miss Parker from her sleep.
*Please let me be back in own room!* She hoped as she sat up on her bed.
Obviously from the pale pink canopy bed it was not to be the end of this odd dream. The only difference was that she was in her pink nightgown again and that on her feet was a pair of supple pink slippers.
Groaning inwardly at this hopeless situation, she got up and tiptoed downstairs to see if the transformation of the setting would be taking shape as well. Sure enough the instant Miss Parker touched the parlor floor the whole wall seemed to shake.
The Christmas tree was gone, the paintings were hidden in shadows, and the grandfather clock took on an eerie look.
BOOM!
The loud sound of the cannon startled her frazzled mind.
"Oh! Damn it! What else could go wrong!" Miss Parker shouted at the noise erupting from the earlier quite room.
Chaos was everywhere! Toy soldiers marched from their places in the cabinet while the mice soldiers scurried from the holes in the walls to do battle. The entire parlor had turned into a battle ground. Searching wildly for her beloved Nutcracker Miss Parker could just make out the red uniform in the conflict. Everything had changed. The soldiers on both sides were just as tall as her and each shot of the cannon grew deafening loud.
*Am I shrinking or are they growing taller!?* Miss Parker couldn't concentrate on the thought longer because one particular mouse was advancing toward her in a fast speed. As the mouse grow closer it got uglier and increasingly huge. It must be at least ten feet tall! Its dark gray mouse face took a frightening new shape.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Miss Parker stared in disbelief at this hideous monster.
"Raines is the Mouse King! Then I must be the Sugar Plum Fairy!" Miss Parker shouted sarcastically at the creature in front of her now. Leering at her the Mouse King was about to take a swipe at her face with his claws when she was pushed aside by another form behind her.
"Arrgghhhhhhh!" Miss Parker cried out in anger and frustration. She looked up to see the Nutcracker in his human form.
Giving an exasperated sigh. She looked up to see the young handsome cavalier grinning widely down on her. She knew his face from her memories of long time ago.
"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Miss Parker asked the Nutcracker.
"You must be behind this mess of a dream, Jarod! Get me out!" She screamed at his smirking face.
"Fine don't say a word just get us out of this battle field now!" Her demands seemed to make the silent Nutcracker grinned wider. Turning abruptly towards the Raines look-alike mouse king battled relentlessly to trap it in a corner. But the fight appeared to drain Jarod of his energy. Remembering her role as Carla in defeating the mouse king. Miss Parker took off her dance shoe and threw it in the direction of the mouse king. In mid-air the shoe took on an unearthly glow and it hit the mouse king directly in the chest. An explosion took place and the mouse king shriveled to nothingness with yellow-green smoke pouring out the coat and every mice soldier scrambled back to their holes.
Turning toward Jarod Miss Parker was about to demand him to end this bad dream when she saw that he wasn't beside her. Instead the young Jarod crept in the direction of the giant mass of gray clothing lying on the floor there was still steam pouring out of the sleeves.
"Hey don't go in there! I am not going to follow you! Oh god! Why am I always doing this?!" Miss Parker reluctantly followed Jarod into one of the giant sleeves.
The inside of the sleeve seemed to magnify and the walls were made of rock and crystal and glass. Looking around she saw a glimpse of her reflection. A low surprised gasp escaped her throat.
She had been somehow transformed into the young woman she is. A beautiful baby pink tutu replaced her gown while upon her head was a tiny diamond tiara. Her pink slippers had become a pair of pink ballet toe shoes with the ribbons wrapping around her slender ankles.
Walking almost through the entire length of the sleeve, she looked up to see beyond the swirling mists the face of a much older Jarod.
His red coat was decorated with gold buttons and the bottom part of his costume made Miss Parker laughed in spite of her self-control.
Instead of uniform pants Jarod was wearing a pair of thick white tights that stretched over his legs and thighs while his shoes where of similar color.
Giving Miss Parker an unwavering smile he stepped towards her.
Without warning Jarod swept Miss Parker into his arms and danced to a piece of music that seemed to pour out from the walls around them. In a swift transition he lifted her whole body up while her body knowingly stretched into an arc to match the music's tempo. Even though Miss Parker hasn't done this ballet for a very long time, her body knew each beat, step, and expression like it was yesterday that she was still in the Nutcracker concert.
She couldn't think of a harsh word to say to Jarod. Her body was beyond her control while her mind was still reeling from the recent events. All she could do right now was enjoy this moment dancing with a man she knew she will never forget. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
END OF ACT I ~ INTERMISSION (So go get yourself a beverage/snack and relax! Stay tuned for ACT II!!!)
^*^Has anyone sorted out the character impersonations of the characters from the Nutcracker yet? Well here's the recap in case you missed it. [In order of appearance.]
Carla: Miss Parker (duh)/Mrs. Stahlbaum: Catherine Parker/Dr. Stahlbaum: Sydney or Sydney's twin brother (I'll let you guys think about the possibilities.)/Fritz: Lyle (definitely the reasons are obviously there)/Godfather Drosselmeier: Mr. Parker aka Daddy Parker (I wanted to utilize the strange relationship between Miss P and her father with Carla and Drosselmeier.)/Mouse King: William Raines (aka creepy raspy bald headed guy as the creepy ugly mouse king)/The Nutcracker: Jarod (well because he have to be!)/Soldiers of the Nutcracker's Army: Broots, Sam, and all of Jarod's friends/allies he made when he was helping the poor and the abused (Except for Zoe or Thomas 'cause it gets too complicated w/ their "emotional" involvement and I don't like those characters anyways. Sorry!)/Soldier Mice of the Mouse King's Army: Willie, Gar, Mr. White, and anyone of Raines' creepy goons.
^By the way, a little side note: in the story the main character's is Marie, however due to reasons I don't know, for the ballet it was changed to Carla. I have decided to use Carla instead............but Marie seems to fit with Miss Parker's initial first name!
P.S. Words in asterisks * are Miss Parker's thoughts. Also whenever a row of these colons :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: indicate the curtain rise/fall in each scene. I put them whenever it was necessary so it can be seen as a play.
~ ACT I ~
A soft wind blew in from the opened window next to the large pink canopy bed. The cold breeze sent a shiver down Miss Parker's spine waking her up from her deep sleep.
"What?!" Sitting upright facing the opened window Miss Parker could see her reflection on the glass once she woke up.
Goosebumps spread all over her exposed arms and while her thin silk nightgown could barely protect her from the cold. However this was the least of her worries, a young girl of twelve-year-old with large cobalt eyes stared back at her. Slowly Miss Parker got out of bed and trudged closer to the window's reflection. When she touched her own cheek, the girl in the reflection did the same. When she smoothed down her unkempt hair, the girl in the reflection did the exact movement. A loud gasp escaped her at the realization.
"I am in the body of my prepubescent self!" Miss Parker exclaimed in surprise, "Shit! What the hell is going on?!"
"Well at least I have the mind of my old self. If you can call it that." She retorted at her curse earlier.
With a quick glance over in the current bedroom she was in, Miss Parker couldn't remember in the back of her mind where she seen this familiar setting. The moment she recognized the room, a motherly voice carried up the stairway.
"Carla! Carla?!" Mrs. Stahlbaum called out towards the girl's bedroom.
Turning around to see the older woman, Miss Parker recognized her as the only woman she ever truly appreciated and loved in her life.
*MAMA?!?!* Catherine Parker, as young and as graceful since the day she died, was alive and well before the young Miss Parker's very eyes.
"Mama is that really you?!" Miss Parker asked in awe in spite of her earlier contempt at being trapped in this indeterminate state.
"Of course I am! Carla what are you talking about?" Mrs. Stahlbaum answered incredulously. "I have been your mama for twelve years going on thirteen of your life darling. Why are you asking that weird question?"
"Never mind." Miss Parker numbly responded to Catherine's offhanded remark.
First the appearance of herself as a young teenager now with her own mother alive in front of her bewildered eyes! Everything was too much to comprehend. Miss Parker tried to shut her eyes tight and willed herself to wake up from this bizarre dream.
"Carla? Child, you must be freezing. You know you wouldn't want be sick when Godfather Drosselmeier visits us tonight during the Christmas party." Mrs. Stahlbaum chided the young Miss Parker while putting on a pale blue cloak over her small body.
Miss Parker's eyes stared into the woman's face wondering if this is all a joke or a nightmare or both. She couldn't understand why she could be in Carla's bedroom and in an odd reaction Miss Parker felt that she somehow did belong in this fantastical reality. Besides with her mother by her side, Miss Parker finally felt comfort and warmth throughout these lonely years. Snapping back to the state of affairs at hand she decided to remain as true to Carla's "character" as possible. She will figure out what's going soon enough, but she will bide her time. There was no harm in pretending to play a character, if Jarod could do such thing, so can she! Besides it isn't really hard to reenact a character she had played before.
"Yes, mother." She replied solemnly with more emotion than ever before. This is truly her own mother before her.
"Now hurry up and dress into your dinner outfit and come downstairs, everyone is waiting for you!" Catherine or rather Mrs. Stahlbaum harried the young Miss Parker into action.
Just as quickly as she had arrived, Mrs. Stahlbaum skip danced her way out of Carla's bedroom. A low musical hum from her lips could be heard as she descended the winding stairs.
After a moment of bliss and a small smile catching at her lips at seeing her mother, Miss Parker snapped back to reality or whatever this place is called.
*Well! Hell am I going to dress myself if I don't know where my clothes are?" Miss Parker huffed in frustration.
Out of the blue Miss Parker felt a warm soft pink glow around her. Magically her supposed dinner outfit materialized on her body. In replace of her silk gown, a baby blue empire dress with a long navy bow tied under her chest and trailed behind her dress. There's even another navy bow tied to her neck. Black patent leather dancing shoes formed on her bare feet. Even her shoulder length hair was curled at the edges to give a nice bounce when she walked and danced.
*Wicked cool!* Even her adult mind couldn't contain her youthful excitement.
Humming in tune with the orchestra music that's playing from who knows where, Miss Parker skipped and hopped downstairs in anticipation of the dinner party.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
There was a loud group of gentlemen at the door of the huge parlor while a group of boys of six to ten ran around in dizzying circles of the adults playing a game of tag and roughhousing with each other. On the other hand, the mothers and ladies danced in group circles with the Christmas music while the little girls clutch their dolls and gazed admirably at their own mothers dancing beautifully. A large antique grandfather clock dominated in one corner of the parlor, an oak wood book shelf stood next to it while long hanging Chinese paintings covered along the walls, and the center piece of them all towered in the opposite corner of the clock. The Christmas tree was comparatively large with the clock but its height was elevated further due to the glass pedestal it was on. Decorated full by flashy ornaments and underneath the tree were the colorful presents sitting flamboyantly in front of the children's envious eyes. Hidden amongst the presents was an unknown toy dressed in a red stiff military outfit and a matching flowing cape with messy dark hair, large brown eyes and an eerie wide smile.
*I must be in Christmas heaven!* Miss Parker shouted in her mind. The scene was too much to bear for her. Such wonderful things happening at once was enough to topple her. There was even a tangy sweet gingerbread and eggnog smell from the festivities.
Jumping up and down in excitement she hopped from the last step and glided towards the middle of the party.
*Glide? I can't glide? Piourettes? Turns? Oh my lord I am dancing! Ballet dancing! I haven't done this in years! How could I just do them now? My legs have a mind of their own! This is too much fun!* Miss Parker half pondered and half leaped towards her or in this case, Carla's parents.
Turning around from a conversation Mrs. Stahlbaum kissed Miss Parker affectionately on the forehead without a word.
*Oh mama, I haven't been kissed like this for so long.* Miss Parker thought in sad wonder.
Looking to see the back of Dr. Stahlbaum's coat, Miss Parker deliberated who might be Carla's father. Perhaps it might be her own father!
"Daddy?" A timid whisper escaped her lips.
A man not much older than Catherine's age turned to see the young Miss Parker in shock.
*Sydney?!*
"But you are so young!?" Miss Parker unexpectedly exclaimed her initial reaction.
"Well I do take good care of myself, little one. Now look at you! Are you having too much fun? Come on and give a Christmas kiss for me." Giving a slight chuckle Dr. Stahlbaum bent down to allow Miss Parker to kiss him on the cheek. Hesitantly Miss Parker inched forward to give him a small kiss. Embracing her in a tight warm hug, Dr. Stahlbaum turned toward his colleagues once again.
In a state of shock, Miss Parker looked up in time to see her mother walking away to the group of women on the other side of the parlor laughing and drinking eggnog.
"Why?" Miss Parker questioned softly. However she couldn't stew her thoughts any longer because Fritz came along and punch her on the arm.
"Ouch! You brat!" Miss Parker shouted amidst the noise. Glancing to see that a younger boy of ten clad in a white ruffled shirt with light red dress pants and a matching sash which held a toy sword stared menacingly at her. His dark brown hair in a mad tousle and his eyes turned a shade darker. Although Miss Parker hardly saw any pictures of the man when he was young, but she instinctively knew who this young boy is.
"Lyle!" Miss Parker hissed out.
"What did you just said to me? I didn't do anything to you!" Carla's younger brother retorted.
"Sorry mates she's usually not like this at all. A little under the weather I suppose." Laughing together were his partners in crime of several little boys.
Giving her the face he quickly turned and ran off before Miss Parker could do anything.
*Great, this is perfect! Lyle as Fritz! This is one bad nightmare!*
Miss Parker was on the verge of a temper tantrum when a loud bell sounded near the doorway.
A sudden hush came over the crowd. Trying to peer behind the backing adults and children. She could barely see the wild silver white hair of a man emerging in front of the Christmas tree in the parlor.
As she shoved her way towards the front Miss Parker gave a loud utterance.
"Godfather Drosselmeier!" The minute those words left her mouth the old man looked up to see his favorite goddaughter in a beautiful dress.
Besides the wild hair that sat above his head, Drosselmeier's nose was long and sharp while there was a black eye patch on his one eye!
*This can't be right! Why's daddy Drosselmeier while Sydney is Dr. Stahlbaum with mama as Mrs. Stahlbaum?!"*
Grinning in his eccentric way Drosselmeier crooked his index finger to beckon Miss Parker forward. A mixed feeling of dread, surprise, and adoration overwhelmed the young Miss Parker at seeing her father as this peculiar clock and toy maker.
Slowly she came forward. Revealing behind him was a large box covered in a thick claret velvet cloth. In one swift motion Drosselmeier lifted the covering and exposed the giant music box underneath.
"I made it just for you." Drosselmeier whispered excitingly to Miss Parker as he gave her a brass key to turn on from the side.
Once she gave the key a turn, the music box unfolded itself and parts of a mansion extended upwards. In each room a different dancer in a totally different costume danced to a musical tune. Peeking through the first small window Miss Parker could a ballet dancer leaping and jumping to a routine different from the second room in which a Russian man did the jig. The people seemed so real, too real in fact that it frightened her into thinking maybe those are real people trapped inside the music box, like prisoners of the Centre. Her childish imagination got the best of her while her adult reasoning couldn't keep up with the plausible explanations.
"Th.ank..you.." Miss Parker stammered. She tried to back away from Drosselmeier as far away as possible.
"You don't like it?!" A crazed exclamation by Drosselmeier startled the crowd.
"No! I love it! I am just afraid I might break it! It's too delicate for me! And so large and extravagant!" Miss Parker tried desperately to find an excuse to fit her reaction.
"Hehehehehe!" A pleased squeaking laugh came from Drosselmeier.
"It's alright I will keep it in my shop while you can visit it whenever you want!" Drosselmeier declared.
"Oo....okk...." Miss Parker replied nervously.
Glancing around frantically she spied upon the half hidden Nutcracker from under the tree. She grabbed the doll up to her godfather's face and smiled in show of gratitude.
"My what a lovely Nutcracker! Thank you Godfather Drosselmeier for this extra gift you brought along! It's my favorite of them all!" Miss Parker beamed in pride.
"But I.....didn't..." Drosselmeier started when he was cut off by the kiss that Miss Parker gave to him.
In one smooth movement she turned toward her pals and danced toward the middle of the parlor in a circle with the Nutcracker tightly grasped in her arm.
Grinning sheepishly Drosselmeier and the crowd enjoyed the entertainment of the little girls' performance.
Fritz couldn't stand any longer that her sister was getting all the attention that in an act of jealousy he snatched the Nutcracker out of her hands and cracked the jaw with his fist.
"NO!!!" Miss Parker cried at his terrible act!
The whole audience gasped in astonishment. Reprimanding Fritz Dr. Stahlbaum took him away while Mrs. Stahlbaum tried to console the saddened Miss Parker.
Appearing from behind her, Drosselmeier picked up the Nutcracker gently and took out a handkerchief to tie its jaw together.
Returning it to Miss Parker he sadly looked at her tear streaked face.
Feeling that there's not much for him to do now that the party is ruined Drosselmeier quickly left the party.
"Don't be sad. It will be all right. Goodbye my sweet. Toodle loo!" Godfather Drosselmeier waved forlornly and wheeled the music box out of the parlor.
The sudden chime of the grandfather clock at nine signaled the end of the party. Disappointedly the party goers started to trail out the front doors while Dr. and Mrs. Stahlbaum bid everyone good night.
Taking the broken doll with her, all Miss Parker could do was place it in the glass cabinet with all the other toy soldiers and leave quietly upstairs to her bedroom.
A sudden noise had woken Miss Parker from her sleep.
*Please let me be back in own room!* She hoped as she sat up on her bed.
Obviously from the pale pink canopy bed it was not to be the end of this odd dream. The only difference was that she was in her pink nightgown again and that on her feet was a pair of supple pink slippers.
Groaning inwardly at this hopeless situation, she got up and tiptoed downstairs to see if the transformation of the setting would be taking shape as well. Sure enough the instant Miss Parker touched the parlor floor the whole wall seemed to shake.
The Christmas tree was gone, the paintings were hidden in shadows, and the grandfather clock took on an eerie look.
BOOM!
The loud sound of the cannon startled her frazzled mind.
"Oh! Damn it! What else could go wrong!" Miss Parker shouted at the noise erupting from the earlier quite room.
Chaos was everywhere! Toy soldiers marched from their places in the cabinet while the mice soldiers scurried from the holes in the walls to do battle. The entire parlor had turned into a battle ground. Searching wildly for her beloved Nutcracker Miss Parker could just make out the red uniform in the conflict. Everything had changed. The soldiers on both sides were just as tall as her and each shot of the cannon grew deafening loud.
*Am I shrinking or are they growing taller!?* Miss Parker couldn't concentrate on the thought longer because one particular mouse was advancing toward her in a fast speed. As the mouse grow closer it got uglier and increasingly huge. It must be at least ten feet tall! Its dark gray mouse face took a frightening new shape.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Miss Parker stared in disbelief at this hideous monster.
"Raines is the Mouse King! Then I must be the Sugar Plum Fairy!" Miss Parker shouted sarcastically at the creature in front of her now. Leering at her the Mouse King was about to take a swipe at her face with his claws when she was pushed aside by another form behind her.
"Arrgghhhhhhh!" Miss Parker cried out in anger and frustration. She looked up to see the Nutcracker in his human form.
Giving an exasperated sigh. She looked up to see the young handsome cavalier grinning widely down on her. She knew his face from her memories of long time ago.
"Why am I not surprised to see you here?" Miss Parker asked the Nutcracker.
"You must be behind this mess of a dream, Jarod! Get me out!" She screamed at his smirking face.
"Fine don't say a word just get us out of this battle field now!" Her demands seemed to make the silent Nutcracker grinned wider. Turning abruptly towards the Raines look-alike mouse king battled relentlessly to trap it in a corner. But the fight appeared to drain Jarod of his energy. Remembering her role as Carla in defeating the mouse king. Miss Parker took off her dance shoe and threw it in the direction of the mouse king. In mid-air the shoe took on an unearthly glow and it hit the mouse king directly in the chest. An explosion took place and the mouse king shriveled to nothingness with yellow-green smoke pouring out the coat and every mice soldier scrambled back to their holes.
Turning toward Jarod Miss Parker was about to demand him to end this bad dream when she saw that he wasn't beside her. Instead the young Jarod crept in the direction of the giant mass of gray clothing lying on the floor there was still steam pouring out of the sleeves.
"Hey don't go in there! I am not going to follow you! Oh god! Why am I always doing this?!" Miss Parker reluctantly followed Jarod into one of the giant sleeves.
The inside of the sleeve seemed to magnify and the walls were made of rock and crystal and glass. Looking around she saw a glimpse of her reflection. A low surprised gasp escaped her throat.
She had been somehow transformed into the young woman she is. A beautiful baby pink tutu replaced her gown while upon her head was a tiny diamond tiara. Her pink slippers had become a pair of pink ballet toe shoes with the ribbons wrapping around her slender ankles.
Walking almost through the entire length of the sleeve, she looked up to see beyond the swirling mists the face of a much older Jarod.
His red coat was decorated with gold buttons and the bottom part of his costume made Miss Parker laughed in spite of her self-control.
Instead of uniform pants Jarod was wearing a pair of thick white tights that stretched over his legs and thighs while his shoes where of similar color.
Giving Miss Parker an unwavering smile he stepped towards her.
Without warning Jarod swept Miss Parker into his arms and danced to a piece of music that seemed to pour out from the walls around them. In a swift transition he lifted her whole body up while her body knowingly stretched into an arc to match the music's tempo. Even though Miss Parker hasn't done this ballet for a very long time, her body knew each beat, step, and expression like it was yesterday that she was still in the Nutcracker concert.
She couldn't think of a harsh word to say to Jarod. Her body was beyond her control while her mind was still reeling from the recent events. All she could do right now was enjoy this moment dancing with a man she knew she will never forget. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
END OF ACT I ~ INTERMISSION (So go get yourself a beverage/snack and relax! Stay tuned for ACT II!!!)
^*^Has anyone sorted out the character impersonations of the characters from the Nutcracker yet? Well here's the recap in case you missed it. [In order of appearance.]
Carla: Miss Parker (duh)/Mrs. Stahlbaum: Catherine Parker/Dr. Stahlbaum: Sydney or Sydney's twin brother (I'll let you guys think about the possibilities.)/Fritz: Lyle (definitely the reasons are obviously there)/Godfather Drosselmeier: Mr. Parker aka Daddy Parker (I wanted to utilize the strange relationship between Miss P and her father with Carla and Drosselmeier.)/Mouse King: William Raines (aka creepy raspy bald headed guy as the creepy ugly mouse king)/The Nutcracker: Jarod (well because he have to be!)/Soldiers of the Nutcracker's Army: Broots, Sam, and all of Jarod's friends/allies he made when he was helping the poor and the abused (Except for Zoe or Thomas 'cause it gets too complicated w/ their "emotional" involvement and I don't like those characters anyways. Sorry!)/Soldier Mice of the Mouse King's Army: Willie, Gar, Mr. White, and anyone of Raines' creepy goons.
^By the way, a little side note: in the story the main character's is Marie, however due to reasons I don't know, for the ballet it was changed to Carla. I have decided to use Carla instead............but Marie seems to fit with Miss Parker's initial first name!