SCENE III: A Friendly Game
(We arrive in the courtyard of the QUEEN OF HEARTS' Castle. We see a series of Rose's. All of which, are in fact red. There is a sign ahead that says, DON'T PAINT THE ROSES! There at the very top of a flight of steps is the queen sitting on her thrown. Being serenaded by Mr. CATERPILLAR in his new Butterfly form. Smoking his pipe.)
MR. CATERPILLAR:
U, E, I, O, A. U, E, I, A. A, E, I, O, U
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
That was wonderful! Sing me another!
(MR. CATERPILLAR PUFFS ON HIS PIPE, AND BEGINS TO SING ANOTHER TUNE WHEN HE IS INTERRUPTED BY THE QUEEN'S DECK OF CARDS)
THE JACK OF CLUBS
Your Majesty! Your Majesty!
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
This had better be important!
THE JACK OF CLUBS:
I assure you, your grace. This is worth your time!
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Very well. THEN GET ON WITH IT!
JACK CARD:
Bring them here!
(The TEN and NINE OF CLUBS come forward, carrying ALICE, and THOMAS over their shoulders. As they come closer, THE QUEEN OF HEARTS' face turns bright red, creating a very evil smile on her face.)
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Why Alice! Isn't this nice.
ALICE:
Oh, Mr. Caterpillar! It's you!
(MR. CATERPILLAR puffs his pipe again and blows smoke in her face.)
MR. CATERPILLAR:
Who are you?
(The smoke rings form into letters. The letter O is created from Who, The letter R is created from Are, and the letter U is created from You)
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
No one of importance! Now, OFF WITH HER HEAD!
THOMAS:
Wait, please! You can't!
QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Why who is this?
THOMAS:
My name is Thomas. Alice is my cousin!
(The QUEEN OF HEARTS gets out of her thrown and starts making her way towards THOMAS and begins pacing around him to critique his appearance.)
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Hmmm. Scrawny shoulders. Hair mangled, and your clothes, challenged.
THOMAS:
But I-
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Stand up straight! Tuck in your shirt! Now bow. Only speak when you are spoken to! And always answer with "Yes your Majesty!" Do I make myself clear?
THOMAS:
Yes, your majesty.
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Good lad.
THOMAS:
Your majesty, I want to ask if you will spare my cousins life?
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Well, we'll just leave that to fate. You will play against me in a game of croquet. If I win, it's off with her head!
THOMAS:
And if I win?
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
The dreadful brat will live!
(Thomas looks over his shoulder to ALICE. She is shaking her head and whispering "No! No!" While folding her hands begging him.)
THOMAS:
I've never played croquet before, your majesty.
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
Well, well! Then today is your lucky day!
THOMAS:
Is there no other way?
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS:
(She snickers) My boy, you will learn. (She motions him to come closer.) Come here. (He walks closer to THE QUEEN) A little further. (He moves a little closer. She puts her hands over his ear, to tell him a secret.) ALL WAYS HERE ARE-
YOU ARE READING
Alice's Return to Wonderland
Fantasyfor a woman who gives herself good advice, she never follows it. This time, in her Returning trip to Wonderland, she finds herself caught in the middle of something more mad than she could possibly imagine. The Mad Hatter and March Hare are pending...
