(Scene fades to the tower room practically covered in straw from top to bottom. Ida is seen sitting at the spinning wheel with the little man in front of her)
Ida: WHAT?!
Little man: It's true, dearie. Soranus wants to take the kingdom for himself, I saw and heard everything. The Queen's death was his doing and he plans on doing the same to the King and the Prince and he'll even get rid of you to accomplish his goals.
Ida: …So Soranus is the greedy one. That's why he's been collecting taxes so often! My Gods, it all makes sense now! The King has to know about this! (stands up, but the little man places his hands on her shoulders to stop her)
Little man: In time, my dear. In time. But for now, you and I have to deal with… the other engrossing matter at hand. (refers to the straw surrounding them)
Ida: Oh yeah.
Little man: So let's cut to the chase. What will you give me this time?
Ida: I… I have nothing left.
Little man: …Nothing? (raises an eyebrow)
Ida: I'm sorry, but all I have now are the clothes on my back. I already gave you the only valuables I had.
Little man: You're sure you have nothing?
Ida: Positive. Nothing at all.
Little man: (scowls) Well, this won't do. There must be something you can give me.
Ida: I'm sorry, but I don't.
Little man: (scoffs) Fine. If you really have nothing to offer me, then maybe I should just go. Have fun with the executioner at the chopping block. (turns away with his back facing her with the intent of walking away)
Ida: No, please! You can't leave now! (grabs his hand) You have to help me one more time! Please, I need you. If you don't help me, then my family and I will all die, Soranus will get his way, and the worst part of it all… is that I'll never see Gallus again. (slumps down onto the stool near the spinning wheel in defeat)
Little man: You mean… the Prince? (pulls his hand away and turns to face her) The boy you will marry if all this straw is spun into gold?
Ida: …Yes.
Little man: (pauses, then perks up as he gets a wicked idea) You know, I just had an interesting idea.
Ida: (lifts her head up to look at the little man) Yeah?
Little man: No, no. It wouldn't work. (looks away with a sly expression)
Ida: What? What wouldn't work?
Little man: No, forget it. Trust me, it's an awful idea. Besides, I don't think you can handle it. (starts walking away)
Ida: What?! (stands up, grabs his wrist, and turns him around to stop him) No, wait! What makes you think I can't? Whatever it is you have in mind, I can handle it! I'll do anything!
Little man: Anything?
Ida: Anything at all! Just help me this one last time, PLEASE! (starts tearing up)
Little man: (smirks) …Well if I do and you can indeed shoulder the consequences, then you'll owe me a favor.
Ida: Name it! What do you want?
Little man: Something… precious.
Ida: (sighs) I already told you, I have NOTHING.
Little man: But you will. If I spin this straw for you this one last time and you do indeed marry the Prince, then you'll become a Princess and eventually a Queen. And you'll have riches and luxuries beyond your wildest dreams.
Ida: I don't care about luxuries or riches! Just spin the straw! I'll give you anything you want!
Little man: Now we're talking.
Ida: What should I do?
Little man: Fear not, my dear. My needs are small and all you have to do… (takes out a scroll and pen from behind his back) …is sign on the dotted line. (unfurls the scroll and offers Ida the pen. He gives her a wicked smile) What do you say? Deal?
Ida: Well…
(singing) Sure, you're smart
A stand-up bro
I'll think about your offer
Let you know
But I prefer my chances down below
Little man: What?
Ida (singing): Being young and female doesn't mean that I'm an easy mark
I've been swimming with piranhas
I don't need a shark
Yes, life's a muck
But not that much
Be a doll and explain this further
Little man (singing): This deal I offer is like no other
Ida (singing): But is it any good?
Little man (singing): You know it
Trust me, dearie
Ida (singing): Please don't blow it
Really it's a flattering offer
Little man (singing): I know you don't you wanna suffer
Ida (singing): I think I'd rather just jump off
I may be desperate
But be real, it's not as if I've lost my mind
Little man (singing): Hold up, hold up, girl, I'm your pal
If you don't accept, it will not end well
I know, I went a little hard on my sell
But you and I can be friends forever
Ida: Ugh, stop! (shoves the little man out the tower window and he screams. She gasps in terror and looks out the window, but no one is in sight) Uh oh.
Little man: (clears his throat and taps Ida's shoulder from behind. She yelps and turns around to see him unharmed. He snickers) Made you look.
Ida: Not funny!
Little man: Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention. Look, I'm giving you a chance to save your skin. (shows her his contract) This is an offer I don't grant to many, and it would be wise for you to take it.
Ida: Well how do I know you're not just going to kill me and steal my soul the first chance you get?
Little man: Because I'm a man of my word. And when I do give someone my word, I NEVER go back on it. You honestly believe I want your soul as payment? (scoffs) Oh please. That is Hades' territory, not mine. (turns around with his back facing Ida) My will is not so boorish, you'll understand soon. Tick tock, Ida dear. I'm afraid you won't have much time left.
Ida: I… I just… (looks at all the straw in the room, then at the spinning wheel, then at the little man. She yells in exasperation) Fine!
Little man: (glances in her direction) So… you accept?
Ida: Yes, yes! I'll give you whatever prize you want!
Little man: I knew you'd come around. (offers the scroll and pen to Ida. She takes them both and quickly signs her name at the bottom of the contract. Her signature glows orange on the paper and he quickly takes the scroll back as the pen disappears. He smiles and rolls the scroll back up) Out of my way. (sits at the spinning wheel as he stuffs the scroll into his shirt. He starts spinning handful after handful of straw into gold at lightning speed as Ida watches)
Ida: Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! I—
Little man: Never mind that. Don't just stand there! Hand me more straw!
Ida: Oh, right! (picks up a few handfuls of straw and gives them to the little man, who promptly takes the straw and spins it into gold) But what exactly is the prize you want this time?
Little man: You'll find out later. Less talk, more work. (grabs more straw. Ida continues to hand him more straw as spun gold practically shoots out of the spinning wheel. She doesn't notice the little man's flash orange as he looks away from her; he smiles a wicked smirk)
(singing under his breath) You'll soon see, my dear
Don't pretend, be wise
When the time is here
I will have my prize…