hi everyone ;) this entry is my work for the Secret OQ Admirer - Valentine's Day Edition 2017, written for one of my absolute faves (i was so lucky to get her!), my dear Emma!
it's a bit... different, but i hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless! XXx
happy Valentine's Day!


There's Something There (That I Simply Didn't See)

A Play in Two Acts – Where Love Overcomes Hate, and Two Lonely Souls Find Each Other

Act I
Scene I

A classroom, early evening, mid-December. A bunch of almost-frozen students. Two teachers. The first one, Professor Regina Mills (standing) is about to explain the next stage production of the school. The second one, Professor Robin Locksley, is sitting on the teacher's desk and grinning smugly.

REGINA This year the board wants your group to play something new. That's why we have a list for you to choose from. No Shakespeare, this time – so, Miss Swan, I know you were already pining to play your doe-eyed version of Juliet and to kiss the hell out of Mr Jones, but you won't have such luck, I'm sorry.

ROBIN And consider yourself lucky. Because they wanted you to play The Importance of Being Earnest, and I suddenly felt sick.

REGINA (throwing him a look) That's because you're unprofessional, Locksley.

ROBIN Yes, as you say. Now, let's see your choices. (he unrolls a list, like a parchment). First one, Chicago. Second one…

EMMA (interrupting) A musical? You want us to do a musical?

ROBIN (continues, totally unfazed) Second one, Mamma Mia. Third one, Wicked. Cats, Grease, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera… do I need to go on?

KILLIAN (snorting) Man, this is insane! My vocal talents are far too perfectly tuned to waste them in a musical –

REGINA – and that is precisely why I've suggested you to be the stage tree, Mr Jones.

The students have different reactions: some are smiling and seem to be interested, some are rolling their eyes.

REGINA You are welcome to leave a vote on this paper, as you leave the room. If you don't care enough to choose, you can always stick with our choice.

The students exit slowly, most of them leaving a mark on the paper. The classroom is now empty except for the teachers.

ROBIN Well that was a low blow.

REGINA (turning to collect papers from the desk, hiding the hurt in her voice) You know you're the popular one between you and me.

ROBIN (lowering his voice) I wonder why…

END OF SCENE.

Act I

Scene II

Above the theatre's stage, there are many students going around and busying themselves with stage props. All around, some Christmas decorations and a Christmas tree in a corner. Next to the tree, a piano.

NARRATOR You're probably wondering how we got in this situation. And I think you wish to know a bit more about our characters. Well, long story short, Regina Mills, that teacher you saw before, was a pianist. And a very good one, if I have to be honest. Like, she went around Europe and America and Asia to perform. Damn she was good. I went to listen to her myself. But one day, alas, she had a nasty accident that kept her from playing at those levels again. So she ended up in this school, where she teaches music.

Robin Locksley teaches English literature and has a kink for theatre. The school board paired them up because this year Miss Blue, the Dean, wants a musical.

Oh, wait. Did I mention they hate each other?

She bows and exits. The focus returns to the characters.

REGINA What do you mean you forgot the new draft of the script home?

ROBIN (frustrated) Precisely what I said, Miss Perfection. It happens.

REGINA (muttering) It happens to morons.

Robin opens his mouth to answer, but before he can say anything, Emma calls from near the piano.

EMMA Miss Mills! Can we try my song again?

REGINA Miss Swan, as delighted I would be to try that song for the fourth time in a row, I think our ears deserve a little break.

EMMA But Killian said I have trouble on the high notes.

REGINA (opening a leaflet and pretending to read as if the conversation is over) And that is precisely why he sings the male parts. Because he knows he has to leave the high notes to someone who is actually an expert.

Emma crosses her arms, turning to face Killian with a frown. Scene on the two teachers again.

ROBIN I think you should be less strict with the kids. This is supposed to be fun.

REGINA Your so-called kids have a driving license already, you can stop cuddling them.

ROBIN I'm not cuddling them. You can stop being heartless.

REGINA (slams the leaflet she was reading close and glares at him in rage) You think I'm heartless? Well, fine! Goddammit, Locksley, it's impossible working with you, I swear!

ROBIN Yes, because working with you is a walk in the park.

REGINA Let's say that between us I'm the only one competent enough!

ROBIN And I'm the only one who gives a damn about this play!

REGINA (raising her voice) By forgetting the script home? Yes, you clearly care so much –

ROBIN It was a mistake!

Regina nears him, fuming, her hands on her hips. She points a finger to his chest and hisses – very, very angry.

REGINA Listen to me, Mister Heart of Gold. You get a grip and start working with me, and not against me, or you can find yourself a new music teacher, do I make myself clear?

She storms out, leaving Robin there, staring at her with an equally angry frown – the students around continue working, pretending they didn't hear a thing. Killian smirks, Emma gives him a nudge.

END OF SCENE.

Act I

Scene III

Again, the set. No Christmas decoration, but instead, an enormous bundle of flowers on a desk (center of the stage). Students busy around, as always. Regina walks in, sees the flowers and looks puzzled. She nears a student.

REGINA Mary Margaret, whose flowers are these?

M.M. I don't know, Miss Mills, they were there when I arrived. I think there should be a card, but I didn't check in case…

REGINA In case?

M.M. In case, you know, they were… you know… for you.

Regina laughs and shakes her head, going to check for a card. We see her find it and open it, reading quickly and trying to hide a smile. She turns to Mary Margaret, who is looking at her, curious.

REGINA (assuming her normal frown again) No name. Don't worry, I'll make sure they reach their owner. Now, shall we try your song? Which one?

M.M. I'm going with Dancing Queen, if that's okay…

REGINA Yes, of course. If you can call your partners in crime, please…

Ruby and Belle enter on stage. Regina goes to sit at the piano, trying out some notes. She flips the pages of the musical score. She waits for the girls to get the microphones ready.

RUBY (singing) Friday night and the lights are low, looking out for a place to go, where they play the right music, getting in the swing, you come to look for a king –

BELLE (singing) Anybody could be that guy, night is young and the music's high, with a bit of rock music, everything is fine, you're in the mood for a dance –

M.M. (singing) And when you get the chance, you are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen…

Focus on Robin, walking in from the other side of the stage. He watches as the girls sing, and as Regina plays. He looks at them, then shakes his head, his shoulders lowering, and exits.

END OF SCENE.

Act I

Scene IV

Stage. Regina sitting at the piano, alone, all the students are gone. She tries a few notes of Dancing Queen again. Then, she switches to Lay All Your Love On Me. At first, she hums. Then, she sings, not so loud, almost as if she is talking to herself.

REGINA (singing) It was like shooting a sitting duck – a little small talk, a smile and baby, I was stuck – I still don't know what you've done with me – a grown-up woman should never fall so easily… I feel a kind of fear, when I don't have you near – unsatisfied, I skip my pride, I beg you dear…

The music fades to a background, wordless tune.

NARRATOR (enters slowly, Regina still sitting and playing the piano) You're probably wondering who sent the flowers. Yeah, I am too. Let's just say, because I know Miss Mills will never admit it, that I'm stealing the card and we can discover it, okay?

The narrator takes the card from the table and clears her throat solemnly.

NARRATOR (reads) Even if I'm late, Merry Christmas. But then, I'm always late, aren't I? These flowers come to you as an offer of peace. And perhaps, a coffee together, if you want. Up to you, now.

The narrator folds the card with care, replaces it on the table, smiles at the public and exits.

END OF SCENE.

END OF THE ACT.

– § –

Act II

Scene I

Stage. Killian and Emma sitting together on the floor, Emma with her legs crossed and holding a microphone as if she doesn't know what to do with it. They hold their scripts, they're supposed to revise, but they're arguing.

KILLIAN I think it's our business. I told you.

EMMA It's not our business! It's their private life!

KILLIAN What's privacy, Swan, if not a mere invention of men?

EMMA You won't fool me with your philosophic tricks.

KILLIAN I'm just saying, a little bit of investigation can't harm anyone.

EMMA If you get in trouble, and consequently I don't have a singing partner anymore, I'm going to murder you, Killian Jones. Then I'll come to Hell to resurrect you, and kill you again.

KILLIAN Always so charming, my dear Sophie Sheridan.

Robin enters. Emma catches sight of him and gulps noticeably, with a guilty face. Killian plays it cool. Robin doesn't catch their reaction, he has a worried frown.

ROBIN You two, have you seen Miss Mills today?

EMMA (who has schooled her features and wears now an angelic face) She called this morning and they told us she's ill. She didn't show up.

KILLIAN (pretending to be completely innocent and to ask out of curiosity) Why, has something happened, Sir?

ROBIN I'm not completely sure.

He pulls out the phone of his pocket. Walks away from Killian and Emma, in a corner (separate space). Emma continues to sit on the floor as Killian pulls up and follows him without being noticed. Robin waits at the phone.

ROBIN (whispering) … you okay? (he listens intently for about half a minute) Oh. Oh, okay, I see. I thought… I don't know, I may be silly, I thought it had to do with me. (listens, for longer this time.) Yes… well that's a relief. And, Regina… (lowers his voice) …I had a good time too. Get well. Yes, see you. Yes.

He ends the call and exits, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Killian grins and returns to Emma, going to sit next to her.

KILLIAN They are more than okay. They just need a little push, now.

EMMA (groaning – covers her face with a hand) Oh dear god.

END OF SCENE.

Act II

Scene II

Blue light, stars flashing in the background. No one on stage. A piano version of some jazz song plays in the background. After a while, the narrator enters.

NARRATOR I know, I know, they are exhausting. Thing is, the date went well. Quite well. No kissing, in case you were wondering. They spoke of school for a while, then of their favorite travel destination, of music and of cats. Unbelievable. But at some point, Regina has had some kind of revelation. I'm willing to bet some money on her being scared as hell about this.

Let's be reasonable. He's her colleague, and she spent months believing she hated him, and then she has discovered she doesn't. She likes these evenings when they stay inside the theater until late, and he fixes her a cup of coffee as they go through their adapted version of Mamma Mia.

She likes when he offers to walk her home, and she likes that even if she always refuses, he keeps asking, because he says he worries.

She has liked when he has taken her hand, during their date.

She wasn't really really sick, but she needed some time to think. Classic.

The narrator shakes her head and smiles, then exits.

END OF SCENE.

Act II

Scene III

Regina and Robin sitting at the piano – her with her back to the public, him facing the public. They talk in hushed voices, standing closer than needed. Regina smiles.
The students are gathered on the other side of the room (Killian, Emma, Mary Margaret, Ruby, David), and they're speaking all together, until Killian raises his hands and requests for their attention.

KILLIAN Alright, alright. It's clear you guys don't have a clue on how to do this. Luckily for you, I do – and I also happen to have a very great idea. Dave, mate, you ready?

DAVID (confused) Ready for what?

KILLIAN (ignores him, but turns to face his teachers) Mr Locksley! Can you come here for a sec?

EMMA (whispering angrily) What are you doing? We're supposed to let them be, idiot!

KILLIAN Shut it, Swan, I know what I'm doing.

Robin mutters something to Regina, who smiles and nods, while he gets up to go towards the students.

ROBIN What's wrong?

KILLIAN Okay, so, David here – (he gives him a nudge) – has some bit of a problem with a song… don't you, man?

DAVID (looking puzzled, then nodding) Oh, yes, that! Sure… I was wondering if you could help in some way…

KILLIAN …for example, if you could… play the scene? So David could actually see how it should be done?

ROBIN Well, I guess… which scene?

KILLIAN (smirking – he takes the script and pretends to flip through the pages.) Mmm… this one, when Sam has to ask…

ROBIN (reading) This one? But you could do it splendidly last time, David…

DAVID (panicking, then settling for an excuse) Yeah… but I'm not sure I'll get the right… vibe, today, you know? Thing is, I – hmm – I've argued with Mary Margaret, today… right?

M.M. (holding back a laugh and then putting up a fake angry frown) Oh yes, we have!

DAVID So can you do it, sir?

ROBIN (totally not convinced about the fight, he sighs) Well, okay then. (starts reading) Hang on. Why waste a good wedding?

KILLIAN (interrupts him) No, wait, wait. It has to be real, or else David won't get any help. I wonder, how… (he pretends to look around and think) Yes! Why don't you do it with Miss Mills?

REGINA (was busy reading a musical score, suddenly turns at the sound of her name) What?

KILLIAN (growing excited) Yes, it's perfect! (he nears the piano, takes another script and gives it to her) Miss Mills, can you do us a favor and play Donna in this scene?

REGINA (reads quickly, raising her eyebrows) I'm not sure –

M.M. Oh, please, Miss Mills, just once!

REGINA (looks at Robin, who is waiting for her answer, then at the students, and sighs) Alright. (gets up from the piano, motions at Robin) When you're ready…

ROBIN (looks at her, then starts reading) Hang on. Why waste a good wedding? How about it, Sheridan? You're going to need someone to boss around on this island of yours.

REGINA (reads) Are you nuts? I am not a bigamist.

ROBIN (reads) Neither am I. (then puts the script aside, continuing by heart) I'm a divorced man who's loved you for twenty-one years. And ever since the day I set foot on this island, I've been trying to tell you how much I love you.

It suddenly feels very real – Robin stops, looking at her. Her lips have parted, she has lowered the hand that holds the script, and she's astounded.

ROBIN (he shakes his head, clears his throat, then gets down on one knee) Come on, Donna. It's only the rest of your life. (starts singing – Regina is frozen on the spot, because it looks like he's serious, like he's speaking the truth) I can't conceal it – don't you see? Can't you feel it?

EMMA, M.M., RUBY (singing out of the blue) Say I do – I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.

ROBIN (singing) Donna, please show it, you love me, and you know it –

EMMA, M.M, RUBY (singing) Say I do – I do, I do, I do, I do, I do.

Pause. The girls stop singing while Robin gets up on his feet, slowly. Everybody looking at Regina, waiting.

REGINA I do. (takes two steps ahead, grabs Robin's jacket by its lapels and draws him towards her – crashes her lips onto his, humming, he places a hand between her hair and the other one circles her waist as they kiss. Then, they part, breathing heavily. They start smiling.) I do, I do, I do.

Again, they kiss, oblivious of the students cheering next to them – Killian high-fives David while Emma and the girls laugh. Curtain.

END OF SCENE.

Act II

Scene IV

Opening night of the show. Everyone is busy on stage, mirrors, the girls fixing hair and make-up, the guys carrying props, (Killian fixing his guy-liner, obviously). Mary Margaret nervously rereading her part. Regina is at the piano, wears a long black dress and shining earrings. She tries out some notes and sighs loudly.

ROBIN (gets closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder – a hand which she covers with her own) What's wrong, babe?

REGINA (smiles weakly) Nothing. I'm just nervous.

ROBIN You'll do great. I believe in you.

REGINA (looking up at him, smiles) You're awfully confident.

ROBIN One of us has to play the optimist, right? (he bows his head, leaning on to kiss the top of her head) Good luck, love.

Regina smiles again, and watches as he leaves the stage. The students have slowly started clearing the stage, leaving Emma alone in the middle. First notes of I Have a Dream start playing.

EMMA (sings) I have a dream – a song to sing, to help me cope – with anything. If you see the wonder of a fairy tale, you can take the future, even if you fail… I believe in angels, something good in everything I see – I believe in angels, when I know the time is right for me – I'll cross the stream, I have a dream…

END OF SCENE.

Act II

Scene V

Students gathered on the center of the stage, cheering after the end of the play. David pops a bottle open, general atmosphere of happiness and accomplishment. Probably, pop music playing. Robin exits from a side of the stage, greeted by more cheers. He stops in the middle of the crowd, talking to some students, then notices Regina on a corner. She's collecting her musical scores, trying to ignore the students. He approaches her.

ROBIN What's wrong? Why are you not busy partying?

REGINA (doesn't stop with her papers) I… think I'll go home, I'm tired.

ROBIN (stern don't-lie-to-me tone) Regina. What is it?

REGINA (clutching the papers to her chest, replaces a lock of hair behind her ear) It's just… I don't like… (sighs) never mind.

ROBIN You don't like… what?

REGINA (motions to the students) They don't like me. They'll be better off without me.

Before Robin can reply, Mary Margaret and Emma come closer to the piano, followed by other students. They're carrying a bundle of flowers.

EMMA (offering the flowers) For the pianist, from all of us!

REGINA (in complete disbelief) For me?

EMMA Why yes, ma'am, Dave has been given the heroic task to retrieve them.

Robin circles her waist as she takes the flowers, not bothering to hide his smile. She smiles too, blushing, but manages to utter a thank you to the students.

KILLIAN (shouting) Now who wants to go to the club?

Every single student cheers and they move towards the exit, in a chaotic mess – just as Regina turns to look at Robin.

REGINA Come with me, you.

ROBIN (leans down to kiss her, humming in appreciation) And where do you want to go?

Regina nears her lips to his ear, talking in secret, and a smile creeps up on his lips. He turns to kiss her again, then she parts, smiling, and takes him by the tie, leading him off the stage, as they laugh.

END OF SCENE.

END OF THE ACT.

Fin –