ACT I
Scene two
In the main room of the tree house stands Summerlee and Count Horance Fantain, who is dressed in a most ridiculous manner, wearing every type of fine item that seems to exist, making himself up like the king or almost queen of England herself.
"Montague is bound as well as I, in penalty alike; and it is not hard, I think, for men so old as we to keep the peace." Says Summerlee somewhat cheerfully trying to lighten the mood of his present conversation with the count.
"Of honorable reputation are you both and it is a pity that you've lived at odds so long. But now, my dear Professor, what say you to my suit?"
"I'm saying over what I have said before my child is yet a stranger in the world; She has not seen the change of eighteen years, let two more summers wither in their pride, before we may think her ripe to be a bride." He says almost imploring him to understand, but with stern tone. His dear daughter what would she think if she knew what they were speaking of? Or rather what would she do! He chuckled at the thought.
"Younger than she are happy mothers made," the Count tried to reason, having become very taken with the Professor's raven-haired daughter after only seeing her from afar.
Summerlee grew serious and stern thinking of his dear departed wife and the future of his fair daughter.
"And too soon married are those so early made.
The earth has swallowed all my hopes but my daughter, she is the hopeful lady
of my earth:
But woo her, gentle Horance, get her heart, my will to her consent is but a
part. If she chooses you above all others there lies my consent and fair
according voice to the deed." He finished closing the matter. Then he spoke
again his voice again cheerful and much less stern "Tonight I hold an old
accustomed feast, where I have invited many guests, all people whom love; and
you I pray to be among them to make one more, most welcome, makes my number
more." He chuckled at the Count's enthused nod and smile. "At my poor house you
will see this night earth-treading stars that make dark heaven light. Such
comforts as do lusty young men feel when well-appareled April on the heel of
limping winter treads, even such delight. Among fresh female maidens shall you
this night be in the company of at my house; hear all, all see, And like her
most whose merit most shall be: Which on more view, of many mine being one May
stand in number, though in reckoning none, come, go with me." He laughs.
"I could think of nothing else I would rather find myself doing this eve," he said shaking his hand grateful for the invitation.
"Good!" Summerlee laughed smiling gesturing for the servant boy to come to him. He gives the young boy a piece of paper.
"Go, page, trudge about through fair Zanga, find those persons out whose names are written there, and to them say, My house and welcome on their pleasure stay."
The young servant stares a little terrified at the piece of paper and then more terrified at the puzzled glance his master is giving him. He can't be more the thirteen.
"Boy, are you alright?" asked the Professor concerned
"N-Yes-er of course- sir, I am fine, I-I will do this-er-immediately," he stutters staring at the paper turning back and forth a bit and smiles nervously at his master.
"Alright then, go and do as I said, be off with you" he said pleasantly still puzzled at the boys anxiety.
"How jumpy he was," commented Fantain after the boy's exit.
"Yes-perhaps I yelled at him at some point of late, but alas my poor old brain cannot remember, I do hope he is alright," he said scratching the back of his head looking at the Count who just shrugged.
----
The boy stepped off the elevator still staring at the paper bewildered,
"Are they kidding!! Find them out whose names are
written here? Oy!!" he says slapping his head "I think- it is written somewhere
that-that the shoemaker should meddle with his
yard? And the tailor with his last, the fisher with his pencil, and the painter
with his nets? No that isn't right! But what does it matter now!" he said
slapping the paper with one of his hands, slumping himself on a large rock, " I
am sent to find the people whose names are here written! I can never find what
names the writing person has written here! It would have been more intelligent
go give this task to a person who is so. I am not made for this!! I must go to
the learned quickly!! To complete the task at hand in a timely manner-" he said
jumping up "Although I do say it would have saved more time to give this list
and this job to someone who can read!!!" he stresses one last time and then
takes off in the direction of the village.
On his way he grips the parchment tightly and looks back toward the house that is now quite off sight and runs full speed into Roxton and Malone who had been walking up the rode, Malone trying to cheer up his somber friend. The force of impact on the two seemingly 'made of steel bodies' sent the boy flying back onto his butt, his eyes wide in shock and fear of whom he had so shamefully run into.
Malone and Roxton look at each other, Malone chortling, "Are you alright?- young sir," he added with a final chuckle picking the lad up by his collar standing him on his feet.
"I-I-I-" he slaps his chest "I am so sorry sirs!! I didn't mean to, I am so sorry!! Please forgive me!!" he said dropping to his knees.
Roxton actually smiled at the boy's innocence. "It is truly alright no one was harmed,"
"Aside from my as-," the boy started to mumble but looked up remembering where he was and what he was doing. "Yes- I thank you for your forgiveness of my blunder . . . may I ask you a question, sir?" he said almost slyly eyeing the paper still clasped in his hands.
"Yes I believe an answer to a question would be adequate for us somewhat being the cause of you falling to the ground so harshly," responded Malone pleasantly, putting his knuckles on his hips leaning back stretching a bit.
"I pray, sir, can you read?" he asked politely.
Malone cocked an eyebrow at Roxton with a half grin,
"Ay, mine own fortune in my misery," Roxton replied halfheartedly.
The little boy thought a minute clasping the parchment tightly; "Perhaps you haven't learned it without a book. But, I pray, can you read anything you see?"
"Yes if I know the letters and the language." He said thinking this boy a bit odd to ask such suspicious questions.
"Honestly sir, tell me truth I have no time for those who won't-" he said a bit boldly.
Malone chuckled a bit seeing the mature turn in the child.
"Stay young fellow: I can read," Roxton sighed.
The boy hesitantly hands him the letter and Roxton reads it aloud,
"'Signior Martino and his wife and daughters;
County Anselme and his beauteous sisters; the ladywidow of Vitravio; Signior
Placentio and his lovely nieces; Robert and his brother Valentine; mine uncle
Summerlee, his wife and daughters; my fair nieces Rosaline (the woman who dumped
Roxton); Livia; Signior Valentio and his cousin Deanna, Lucio and the lively
Helena.' " He said finishing the note.
"A fair assembly. Where are they to go?" he asked curious.
"Up," said the young boy courteously taking back the paper.
"Where? To supper?" Roxton questioned the boy.
"To our house," the boy replied in the same tone not revealing any real information and enjoying it.
"Whose house would that be?" Roxton continued.
"My master's," the boy replied continuing to play his little game.
"Indeed I should have asked that before," he commented looking back to Malone who was enjoying the sight.
This was getting tedious.
The boy smiled at the man's self control.
"Now I'll tell you without asking. My master is the great rich and wise Professor Arthur Summerlee; and if you be not of the house of Challenger, I pray come and crush a cup of wine. But it is getting late and I must be off to these persons who you so kindly read off to me, in a timely manner. Rest you happy I pray, kind sirs, again I thank you for your forgiveness, good eve to you both!" he called beginning to run but at a much slower pace then before, with his eyes set on the path in front of him.
Malone turns to Roxton an idea arising in his mind. Roxton looks back at him suspiciously.
"At this same ancient feast of the Summerlee's sups the fair Rosaline whom you so love, there she will be along with all the admired beauties of Zanga. So go there and with unattainted eye, compare her face with some that I will show you, and I will make you think your dear swan Rosaline, a crow." He finished very pleased with himself and confident in his plan.
"One fairer than my love! The all-seeing sun never saw her match since first the world begun." Roxton responded almost whimsically.
Malone contorted his face a bit disturbed by his fanciful nature.
"Tut!! You saw her fair, only with no one else being by, herself poised with herself in either eye: But in your eyes let there be weighed your lady's love against some other maid that I will show you shining at this feast, and she shall scarcely show well that who now shows best." Malone explained.
"I'll go along, not to see such your sight to be shown, but to rejoice in splendor of mine own," he replied confidently and they shook hands as if making a bet.
End of Scene II
Now you've tasted just a bit,
Of the now ever curving wit.
These words of Shakespeare and Evil alike,
Cause thee now to nobly strike.
Upon yonder button you will click,
And so motivated by this Evil trick,
You with then see,
What I have planned for Scene THREE . . .
