Beauty and the Werewolf

Part One

Narrator: Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince named Happy lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, Happy was the opposite of sweet, selfless, and very kind (and surprisingly, happy). But then, one winter’s night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, Happy had no choice but to sneer at the gift and turn the old woman away, but she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman’s ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. Happy tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart, and as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous werewolf, and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous form, Happy concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his 21st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to remain a werewolf for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair, and lost all hope, for who could ever learn to love a beast?
(We have seen a progression of stained glass windows illustrating the narration, as well as Happy shredding his portrait. The camera slowly zooms out from the castle and we see the title.)
(Fade up on the home of Megan. She exits the front door and begins her walk into town.)
Megan: 🎵Little town, it’s a quiet village. Every day, like the one before. Little town, full of little people Waking up to say…🎵
Townsfolk 1: Bonjour! 

Townsfolk 2: Bonjour! 

Townsfolk 3: Bonjour!

Townsfolk 4: Bonjour! 

Townsfolk 5: Bonjour!

Megan: 🎵There goes the baker with his tray like always. The same old bread and rolls to sell. Every morning just the same. Since the morning that we came to this poor provincial town.🎵
Baker: Good morning, Megan!
(Megan jumps over to the bakery)
Megan: Morning, monsieur!

Baker: Where are you off to?

Megan: The bookshop! I just finished the most wonderful story, about a beanstalk and an ogre and…
Baker: (ignoring her) That’s nice… Marie, the baguettes! Hurry up!!

Townsfolk: 🎵Look there she goes, that girl is strange no question. Dazed and distracted, can’t you tell?🎵
Woman 1: 🎵Never part of any crowd.🎵

Barber: 🎵Cause her head’s up on some cloud.🎵

Townsfolk: 🎵No denying she’s a funny girl, that Megan!🎵
(Megan jumps on the back of the wagon and rides through town)
Driver: 🎵Bonjour!🎵

Woman 2: 🎵Good day!🎵

Driver: 🎵How is your family?🎵

Woman 3: 🎵Bonjour!🎵

Merchant: 🎵Good day!🎵

Woman 3: 🎵How is your wife?🎵

Woman 4: 🎵I need six eggs!🎵

Man 1: 🎵That’s too expensive!🎵

Megan: 🎵There must be more than this provincial life!🎵
(Megan enters the bookshop)
Bookseller: Ah, Megan!

Megan: Good morning. I’ve come to return the book I borrowed.

Bookseller: (putting the book back on the shelf) Finished already?

Megan: Oh, I couldn’t put it down! Have you got anything new?

Bookseller: (laughing) Not since yesterday.