Part VIII.
"What's this?" Nei asked in sudden wonder, forgetting the poison for the moment. "Why, 'tis the letter from Friar Lawrence that never reached my love! No--no! It is a letter from Romeo to me! My sweet says...his letter says, he has fallen in love with another. My love intended to leave me all along! Why, 'tis for the fair Rosalind he gives his heart."
Nei looked up and cast a look to the hidden audience.
"If this is how it must be, then, my Romeo...awaken from your sleeping potion and greet your true love. I can not live to shame my family name, but I forgive you for all. As long as you are happy with...Rosalind...I can rest in peace." As planned, Juliet drew a dagger and pierced her own heart.
The audience gasped at the surprise ending.
Rody stepped gracefully from the wings and knelt down next to Percival. "Oh, Romeo!" he sighed. "Please awaken from your slumber. Parris is slain, and Juliet is no more. Rise, so that you may receive full pardon and marry me!" With that, the small magician bent over on his knees and kissed Percival's mouth, as tenderly as just a moment ago. The auditorium was dead silent; the audience was on the edge of their chairs...
And then Romeo woke up. Romeo woke up and pulled Rod--er, Rosalind--into his arms with a kiss that melted the hearts of all who were present.
The curtains fell, only to reopen a few moments later with the entire cast and crew onstage for their final bow.
The crowd applauded louder than ever, and bouquets fell as from the sky, as whistles and cheers fell upon the ears of the gracious actors.
Before Percival pulled Rody into his arms for another crowd-pleasing smooch, he mouthed a grateful 'thank you' to Nei. She nodded with a smile, then clapped with everyone else as Percival wrapped his arms around his true love.
The End
"What's this?" Nei asked in sudden wonder, forgetting the poison for the moment. "Why, 'tis the letter from Friar Lawrence that never reached my love! No--no! It is a letter from Romeo to me! My sweet says...his letter says, he has fallen in love with another. My love intended to leave me all along! Why, 'tis for the fair Rosalind he gives his heart."
Nei looked up and cast a look to the hidden audience.
"If this is how it must be, then, my Romeo...awaken from your sleeping potion and greet your true love. I can not live to shame my family name, but I forgive you for all. As long as you are happy with...Rosalind...I can rest in peace." As planned, Juliet drew a dagger and pierced her own heart.
The audience gasped at the surprise ending.
Rody stepped gracefully from the wings and knelt down next to Percival. "Oh, Romeo!" he sighed. "Please awaken from your slumber. Parris is slain, and Juliet is no more. Rise, so that you may receive full pardon and marry me!" With that, the small magician bent over on his knees and kissed Percival's mouth, as tenderly as just a moment ago. The auditorium was dead silent; the audience was on the edge of their chairs...
And then Romeo woke up. Romeo woke up and pulled Rod--er, Rosalind--into his arms with a kiss that melted the hearts of all who were present.
The curtains fell, only to reopen a few moments later with the entire cast and crew onstage for their final bow.
The crowd applauded louder than ever, and bouquets fell as from the sky, as whistles and cheers fell upon the ears of the gracious actors.
Before Percival pulled Rody into his arms for another crowd-pleasing smooch, he mouthed a grateful 'thank you' to Nei. She nodded with a smile, then clapped with everyone else as Percival wrapped his arms around his true love.
The End