Romeo and Juliet: The Story Behind the Story

Plotting with Death

Capulet and Montague, no two men could be more stubborn and hating towards each other than this disgraceful pair. Every other day they or their kin have some sort of fight, with casualties to both sides no one really wins. The real winners are people like me, people who want the..... pleasures that this world has to offer. Many from both side come to me to be pleasured after a long hard fight, leaving me victorious in a battle where I need not fight.

Earlier this day, after a fight broke out between the two imbecile's servants. Death was close to a few of the men, but He took no soul. To my sorrow. Death brings me business from my favorite customers, some may still come. If only Capulet invited me to his party, I could drum up business or call on some frequents. Now I have time to dream about Paris.

Perfect. His body is ripe, the perfect apple on the tree. But to pick him, I'd need the utmost skill. One of the few not to come to me, he has not yet felt the high physical urges that most do at his age. How I would love for him to feel towards me, to want me to-

"That idiot uncle of mine," growled a frustrated Tybalt, interrupting my thoughts. "He just allows Montague's to crash his parties, not even caring that one is making a move on his precious Juliet." He plops his tall body next to mine, the bed groaning by the increased weight. "I want that boy dead. All of them should be dead.

Stroking his chest I roll over and lie almost on top of him. I say in a whisper, "Why are you angry? Maybe your idiot of an uncle finally  decided to put that stupid feud behind him."

Tybalt sat up and hissed, "I want him dead!" His dark green eyes maliciously eyed the knives on my side table. "I want him to die by my hand. Tonight."

Grabbing the young man's wrist, I say, "You don't want to kill your uncle tonight, you want to be with me all night."

Whipping his head towards me, Tybalt said, "Romeo. That boy, he is trying to force himself into the family with Juliet. I alone realize his true reasons."

"And what are those?" I purred rubbing his back. Finally he lied down on his stomach and let me help him relax.

"He wants to kill all of us," mumbled Tybalt into the pillow. "Montague... He plots all of our deaths! Including yours I bet my dear Larence! I fear for all of our lives."

If it is not obvious, my young companion is overly paranoid. Every day someone new is plotting to kill him, his bratty cousin, her father, or myself. Is he crazy? Maybe.

"I am sure that we will be safe with you to protect us all." Drawing circles on Tybalt's back, I hum a church tune in hopes of beginning the calming process. "Perhaps you will be rewarded by the prince if you save us," I tease.

Serenity was not on Tybalt's mind. "That blasted Paris has me on the edge of my seat as well."

Hearing the beautiful boy's name, I become highly alert. "And for what reason is he blasted? Paris is such a uh... delightful young man."

"Romeo isn't the only one after Juliet. Paris the Perfect is courting her, though my uncle is hesitant to marry her off."

My stomach is hit with pangs of distress. The little brat is in my way, she has to go! It can't be hard to get rid of a girl who is barely above a toddler. She may not even end up being a problem: her father only wishes to please her, if she does not love Paris he will not allow a marriage.

Letting a small grin creep on my face I ask, "And what is Juliet's opinion on the matters of courtship? Has either Romeo or Paris caught her fancy?"

"My cousin isn't the brightest girl in the world, she is making some of the biggest mistakes of her life. Not even a full day ago she told my aunt that she would look at Paris, but would barely love him even if she finds him a god's look alike. Bah, the girl is as stubborn as her father, if not more."

"So neither have the honor of being the apple of her eye?"

With an exasperated sigh Tybalt roles on his side. "I did not say that. Her eye is not trained on Paris. She barely glanced his way, except when he asked her to dance. Not only her eyes where on that devilish Montague! Sneaking off, did my idiot of a cousin not think that someone would be watching her?"

I glance away, trying to hide my smile. With a gentle laugh I say, "So Juliet has... uh... fallen over backwards with the young man? Only a matter of time before she did the deed!" For Tybalt's sake I add, "Too bad her first time was with Romeo."

"No! You mistook my meaning," cried a red faced Tybalt. "It 'twas not that. If he had stolen her gift of chastity, he would be lying in his family tomb. Only kisses did he steal from Juliet! So many kisses, so much touching. Romeo does not truly love her, he just wishes to get close to the Capulets so he may kill us all!"

Blushing from my mistake, I ask one more time for clarity, "So Juliet has no intention of having Paris court her?"

"As long as the sun rises each morning, Juliet will stay with her decision and not agree to a marriage to Paris."

Oh what a day! Thanks to Juliet's stupidity and stubbornness, she has given me a chance to get my highly desired prize. I am sure you think I am quite mad, how does Paris's love for a young girl help me? Surely this must complicate things. Far from that! She will speed up my capture of Paris, and further more I have developed a more efficient plan around her. Dearest reader, you will understand soon enough.

"Tybalt, I am sorry but I need my sleep tonight. You must go." Tybalt looks at me with pained eyes. "Do not worry, sleep will help you sort things out as well."

"But I..... fine. I will go, but I will be dreaming about what this night would've led to if I had stayed." Tybalt rises and heads to the door.

I call out, "Tybalt wait a moment." He turns to face me, hand on the doorknob. "I suggest you watch the your cousin and the Montague. You can tell your findings to me, I will find them mightily interesting I'm sure."

"Of course. I love you Lawrence." Tybalt's face scrunches up for a moment. "I'm sorry, Friar Lawrence." He exits my room and heads to who knows where, probably a tavern.

Romeo and Juliet will not live pass the end of this week with Tybalt as my eyes and ears.