MADIANNA - Thanks for your lovely review! Much appreciated. As you can see, no, this is not a one-shot, but I believe it'll be about four or five chapters long.
DISCLAIMER - R&J's not mine. "Full House" is also not mine.
This intro is probably longer than the chapter, so I'll shut up. Enjoy!
(SCENE: A plaza in Verona, shortly after night has fallen and the feasts have begun. The street is aglow with torchlight with different music in every window; BENVOLIO pretends he is following some chattering others dressed formally. Just as he steps out of the plaza's lights, cold hands grab either side of him).
BENVOLIIO (jumps). OW! Zounds!
MERCUTIO. Hush, no time. Now come hither. (pulls BENVOLIO against a wall, where they were alone). We must make this plaza our base. 'Tis the perfect distance from either side of Verona; behind us is the home of my cousin, the Prince, whose ball I have sworn to come to some to-night; (points where the people are heading) that is the house of Signor Placentio, where we shall go now.
BENVOLIO. Signor Placentio is among the strictest allies of the Capulets.
MERCUTIO. Ay, and where better to find Tybalt? (moves toward Placentio's house).
BENVOLIO (pushes MERCUTIO roughly back against the wall). 'Twould be better to do it after to-night is over. I wish not to disrupt everyone's night!
MERCUTIO. But thou art with me. That does not conern me. Now, mark me - (holds up the sack he carries) - in this, I've put any thing we might be in need of to get to Tybalt and prove wrong thy father.
BENVOLIO. What's in't?
MERCUTIO (smiles mischeviously). I shall tell thee soon yet. Trust me. (starts toward the house, BENVOLIO following.)
BENVOLIO. Come, Mercutio, tell me.
MERCUTIO. Trust me!
BENVOLIO. Why willst thou not tell me?
MERCUTIO. If I tell thee, thou shalt not want to.
BENVOLIO (stops for a second). I think I don't like this...
. . .
(Half an hour later, the party at the home of Signor Placentio has begun, and people eat, drink and mingle before the dance begins. Dressed in his finest, TYBALT of the Capulet house stands with LIVIA, whom he is courting. Two 'ladies' are greeted and welcomed in; one is tall and thin, with light, wavy brown hair and a pearl necklace, and the other is short and more muscular, with very red lips and long eyelashes. Lips pursed and anxiously looking around, they enter arm in arm, noticed by no one).
BENVOLIO (under his breath). You...are...mad.
To Be Continued.