Poppyladdin

Branch's Desire

(The palace chambers)

(The door bursts open, and Princess Claire storms in, missing the rear end of her dress)

Claire: Like, I've never been so insulted!

Rosiepuff: Oh, Princess Claire. You're not leaving so soon, are you?

Claire: Good luck marrying him off!

Rosiepuff: Oh, Branch. Branch! Branch! (Rosiepuff goes off into the garden looking for her grandson. She finds him, but is interrupted by Nala, Branch's pet lioness, who blocks her. Nala has a piece of Princess Claire's underwear in her mouth. Rosiepuff grabs the cloth and yanks it out of Nala's mouth.) Confound it, Nala! So, this is why Princess Claire stormed out!

Branch: Oh, Grandma. Nala was just playing with her, weren't you Nala? (Nala comes over and allows Branch to pet and hug her) You were just playing with that overdressed, self-absorbed Princess Claire, weren't you? (She cuddles with Nala, enjoying the moment, until he looks up at his angry grandmother) Ahem.

Rosiepuff: Dearest, you've got to stop rejecting every suitress that comes to call. The law says you...

Both: ...must be married to a princess.

(They walk over to a dove cage)

Rosiepuff: By your next birthday.

Branch: The law is wrong.

Rosiepuff: You've only got three more days!

Branch: Grandma, I hate being forced into this. (He takes a dove out of the cage and pets it) If I do marry, I want it to be for love.

Rosiepuff: Branch, it's not only this law. I took you in when you were young after your parents died. (He hands her the dove, and she puts it back in the cage) I'm not going to be around forever, and I just want to make sure you're taken care of, provided for.

Branch: Please try to understand. I've never done a thing on my own. (He swirls his finger in the water of the pond, petting the fish.) I've never had any real friends. (Nala looks up at him and growls) Except you, Nala. (Satisfied, she goes back to sleep) I've never even been outside the palace walls.

Rosiepuff: But Sweetie, you're a prince.

Branch: Then maybe I don't wanna be a prince anymore. (He splashes the water)

Rosiepuff: Oooohhh! Allah forbid you should have any sons!

(Nala looks up questioningly. Branch goes to the dove cage and yanks open the door. The birds fly off into freedom. He watches them go)

(Inside)

Rosiepuff: I don't know where he gets it from. His grandfather wasn't nearly so picky and neither was my son. (A shadow falls over her. She looks up startled and sees Chelsea.) Ooh, oh. Ah, Chelsea-my most trusted advisor. I am in desperate need of your wisdom.

Chelsea: My life is but to serve you, my lady. (She curtsies)

Rosiepuff: It's this suitress business. Branch refuses to choose a wife. I'm at my wit's-end.

Meowth: Meowth.

Rosiepuff: Oh, ha ha. Have a treat, pretty kitty! (She pulls a cat treat out from her pocket. Meowth looks terrified. Then Rosiepuff stuffs it in Meowth's mouth. Meowth grimaces as he tries to eat it. Chelsea and Rosiepuff both laugh)

Chelsea: Your majesty certainly has a way with dumb animals. (Meowth glares at her) Now then, perhaps I can divine a solution to this thorny problem.

Rosiepuff: If anyone can help, it's you.

Chelsea: Ah, but it would require the use of the mystic blue diamond.

Rosiepuff: Uh, my ring? But it's been in the family for years.

Chelsea: It is necessary to find the prince a suitress. (He turns his staff with a cobra head towards Rosiepuff. The eyes of the staff begin to glow. The room darkens, Chelsea's voice slows down and deepens. Rosiepuff's eyes get a hypnotized look) Don't worry. Everything will be fine.

Rosiepuff: Everything...will be...fine.

Chelsea: The diamond.

Rosiepuff: Here, Chelsea. Whatever you need will be fine.

(Rosiepuff removes her ring and hands it to Chelsea. The room returns to normal as Chelsea pulls back the staff)

Chelsea: You are most gracious, my lady. Now run along and play with your little toys.

Rosiepuff: (Still hypnotized) Yes...that'll be...pretty good.

(Chelsea and Meowth exit. When they're out of the room, Meowth spits out the treat)

Meowth: I can't take it anymore! If I gotta choke down on one more of those moldy, disgusting cat treats ...bam! Whack!

(Chelsea pulls a rope, which reveals a hidden entrance to her chambers)

Chelsea: Calm yourself, Meowth.

Meowth: Then I'd grab her around the head. Whack! Whack!

Chelsea: (Speaking over Meowth) Soon, I will be queen, not that addlepated ninny.

Meowth: And then I stuff the cat treats down her throat! Ha ha!

(The pair pass through a door and slam it shut)

  (Gardens at night. A shadowy figure walks through.  It is Branch in disguise. He reaches the palace wall, then begins to climb it. He is tugged from behind by Nala)

Branch: Oh, I'm sorry, Nala. But I can't stay here and have my life lived for me. I'll miss you. (He hugs her and begins to climb again, and is helped up by Nala, who begins to whine and whimper) Good bye! (Disappears over the wall)

End of part three