Scene Five

[Open to a dark stage and only MOTHER’S voice can be heard.]

MOTHER

It was the day of the Moonlight Ball. I had spent hours beforehand making sure

everything was perfect. My dress, my makeup, my shoes, the ring. Well, you get it. This was a once in a life time dance.

[Lights brighten up the stage and we can see all the characters dressed in ball gowns and

tuxedos. The room is a huge ballroom with no roof. A huge full moon shines down on the

characters. ARABELLA and YOUNG MOTHER are closer to the corner away from everyone else. KING AURTHER I is standing on a small stage with his arm around an uncomfortable

looking PRINCE AURTHER II. Everyone looks to be mingling.]

ARABELLA

[Sigh.] I’ve never understood this dance. Why throw a party for a bunch of kids? They

will forget about us tomorrow anyway.

YOUNG MOTHER

[Visibly nervous and fidgeting.] Come on Ara. Its just a celebration. Be happy.

ARABELLA

[Grabs YOUNG MOTHER’S hand.] I’m not totally bummed about being here.

YOUNG MOTHER

[Blushing.] Not in public!

ARABELLA

[Crossing her arms.] Well, they won’t completely forget.

[Pause.]

One slip up and its straight to the dungeons.

YOUNG MOTHER

Don’t say that. After today we can work. Then we can save for a farm. When we move away from the city, we can live however we want.

ARABELLA

I wish we didn’t have to pretend.

MOTHER

I wasn’t the only one setting the stage for the rest of my life. Each and every person there

had plans for the future they wanted.

KING AURTHER I

[Addressing everyone.] Good evening everyone. Its my pleasure to host the Moonlight

Ball every year for the graduating class. But this year is special. This year [Pauses so he

can pull a shy PRINCE AURTHER II on stage and put his arm around him.] I am

personally involved. My brilliant son has graduated at the top of his class. Tonight, he

will pick the woman that will rule by his side. I have no doubt that he will pick the most

beautiful and accommodating woman here. [Pause for effect.] Now, eat! Drink! Dance!

[Partygoers cheer.]

[KING AURTHER I and PRINCE AURTHER II exit the small stage. KING AURTHER

I pulls PRINCE AURTHER II to a private corner.]

KING AURTHER I

I meant what I said.

PRINCE AURTHER II

I know father. You’ve been drilling me on it for the past few weeks.

KING AURTHER I

You don’t speak to your father like that. I don’t care how many times I repeat something.

Your answer is always ‘Yes, Father.’

PRINCE AURTHER II

Yes, Father.

KING AURTHER I

Good.

[Looking around the crowd.]

Now which one of these girls will be my new daughter in law?

PRINCE AURTHER II

Arabella was the most beautiful lady in my class, but she hasn’t dated anyone. She turns

everyone down.

KING AURTHER I

That won’t be a problem. No one says no to me.

[KING AURTHER I and PRINCE AURTHER II make their way to ARABELLA and YOUNG MOTHER.]

ARABELLA and YOUNG MOTHER

[Curtsying.]

My king.

KING AURTHER I

[Grabs both their hands and kisses them lightly. Then studies ARABELLA and slightly

licks his lips hungerly.]

You must be Arabella. My son told me you were beautiful, but he neglected to mention

that you are also charming.

ARABELLA

Thank you, my king. For what do we owe the pleasure?

[KING AURTHER I pushes PRINCE AURTHER II toward ARABELLA.]

KING AURTHER I

I assume you heard my speech? I do intend to have the best woman for my boy. [Pause

as he looks over ARABELLA again.] You’ll have to do.

ARABELLA

[She scowls.]

What do you mean?

KING AURTHER I

I wouldn’t have you marrying any of these other men when I could have your beauty for

my own. [Clears his throat.] That is to say, for my son.

ARABELLA

Who are you to tell me who to marry?

KING AURTHER I

[Angerly.] Your king.

[Voice back to normal.] Now how about we go make arrangements? Come along.

YOUNG MOTHER

[Grabbing ARABELLA’S hand.] Arabella, wait.

ARABELLA

[Faking a smile.] It’ll be okay.

KING AURTHER I

Hurry up, I have a wedding to plan.

YOUNG MOTHER

That’s not it. Mostly. [Timidly.] I have something to ask you.

KING AURTHER I

I don’t have time for this. [Grabbing ARABELLA and PRINCE AURTHER II.] Come

along.

[KING AURTHER I, PRINCE AURTHER II, and ARABELLA exit.]

[Lights fade to black.]

MOTHER

No matter how many plans you have for the future, you can never be prepared for the

selfishness of others. I didn’t speak to Arabella until almost a year later. She sent me a

secret letter asking to meet at midnight in the ballroom. Even now, I wouldn’t trade that

night for the world.

[The lights turn on to dimly light the stage, almost like early morning.]

ARABELLA and YOUNG MOTHER

[Run on stage from opposite sides and embrace.]

YOUNG MOTHER

I missed you so much. I thought you forgot about me.

ARABELLA

[Whipping away tears.] I would never.

[The two women stand in embrace for a few moments longer. ARABELLA is the first to

break away.]

YOUNG MOTHER

I’ve been working at the bank. In a few months I’ll have enough saved to apply for a

loan. It’ll be just enough for a small plot of land about a mile from the outskirts of the

city.

ARABELLA

We don’t have much time-

YOUNG MOTHER

[Talking over ARABELLA. Getting louder when ARABELLA tries to speak.]

That’s okay. You can still come live with me.

ARABELLA

No, listen-

YOUNG MOTHER

It will be far enough away for you to hide while they look for you, then when they give

up-

ARABELLA

I can’t-

YOUNG MOTHER

[Almost yelling.] Then we can live like we dreamed. Just you, me, and-

ARABELLA

[Covering YOUNG MOTHER’S mouth.] Hush! Do you want us to get caught?

YOUNG MOTHER

[Pulling ARABELLA’S hand away and speaking quietly again.] Sorry. I’ve just missed

you so much. I’ve been waiting for you to come back to me.

ARABELLA

I don’t think you understand-

YOUNG MOTHER

What’s there to understand? I finally get you back.

ARABELLA

I actually wanted to bring you here to give you a proper goodbye.

YOUNG MOTHER

[Pause.]

[Takes a step toward ARABELLA and cups her cheek.]

[Softly.] I think I knew that.

[Pause.]

You know, that night, the night of the dance? I was going to propose to you.

ARABELLA

I think I knew that. [Forced laugh.]

YOUNG MOTHER

Okay. I’ll leave.

[Pause.]

Just tell me one thing, what changed?

ARABELLA

[Moves YOUNG MOTHER’S hand from her face to her lower stomach.]

YOUNG MOTHER

[Looks from her hand to ARABELLA’S face. A few tears fall and her voice trembles.]

I’m sorry, Ara. I love you.

ARABELLA

[Trying to remain poised.] I love you too.

[They embrace again this time in a kiss.]

[Fade to dark.]

MOTHER

I should have pleaded for her to come with me. I should have pushed harder. I should

have known that something was wrong. Then maybe she would still be here. They said

her body was mangled beyond recognition, almost like she fought off a pack of lions. The

official cause? Childbirth. Its “why her daughter was so sickly” they’d say. My only

comfort is knowing she gave them hell until the very end. Don’t sit by and watch as you

loose Abigail. Do what I didn’t have the guts to do. Go out there and fight for the person

you love. Together you can make a difference.