Elizabeth - a play

Act I - Part XV

Two weeks later

(Catherine, James and ELiza are eating pastries around a table when there is a scuffling sound coming from the gap in the wings)

James: Ahhhh she's found us! This is it! We are all going to die!

(Grabs his sword and steps in front of Catherine)

ELiza: Shush! Now you really have given us away. We are going to have to check out what's making this noise

(Eliza and James edge closer to the gap in the wings, meanwhile Catherine has taken up a bowl as her arms)
Eliza: Who's there! Come out!

(Nellie tumbles onto stage)

ELiza: Nellie?! WHat are you doing here?

Catherine: How did she get in?

James: You know this girl?

Eliza: Yes! Nellie come on, get up. Thank goodness you are here alive and safe. I was so worried!

(James and ELiza haul Nellie to her feet)

Nellie: Eliza! What a relief!

ELiza: Wait a minute, where's Nina?

Nellie: About that... Lady P put Nina in her dungeons

Eliza: No! Not Nina! She could be dead by now! How did this happen?

Nellie: I should start from the beginning. After your escape, Lady P went crazy. She ordered us all around and made us follow her all day so we didn't have any chance to escape like you. What with her new power she's become even more controlling than before. It's a disaster! I tell she's gone mental. She speaks of nothing but the siege and locating you, James and the queen.

(She bows quickly to Catherine)

Nellie: She's been constantly interrogating us on your whereabouts, thank goodness we had no idea. Anyway, as we both know, Nina doesn't take kindly to being treated like a slave. A few days ago she snapped and slapped Lady P. She had her guards seize Nina and take her to the dungeons. I haven't seen her since then. She made me promise I would find you again, so that night I found my way out of the castle and ran here. I desperately need your help saving Nina. I couldn't bear to lose her!

ELiza: Neither could I! We are like sisters. Well, we must go and help her right away. Nina and her temper...

Catherine: I'm not so sure that's a good idea. Lady Prescott's men are constantly patrolling. She has taken over the whole royal palace, and no doubt her castle will be crawling with them too. A rescue mission could endanger you, and at this point, you're the last hope England has

James: Besides, I am not leaving my mother! Anything could happen

Nellie: Did we ever ask for you to come?

Eliza: Nellie! That's not at all like you

Nellie: No, you're right, I'm sorry prince, it's just I was thinking about what Nina would say

James: You lot never show me respect

Nellie: You lot? You mean there were more of us?

Eliza: Yes, Elina and Peggy. But they sacrificed themselves for us

Nellie: Oh no! Surely Lady P wouldn't hurt her daughter

Catherine: I wouldn't put it past her. Are we agreed we will have to wait to rescue this Nina girl? It is far to dangerous at the current moment

Nellie and Eliza: Yes (reluctantly)