Script 7 from Cyprus

VII.

I.

Dungeon

Hermit: Get me out of here! Curse you! Robin! You filthy traitor..! (guard enters dragging his feet silently, looking very serious. Hermit looks up in hope, then appears to be disappointed, muttering) Not here to help me, huh? Never mind, I don’t need your help anyway. (Grunts)

Guard: (slowly moves in front of jail cell, looking solemn and using a very official tone in his voice) Silence! You are aware, I assume, of your situation, for you are in the Royal Dungeons. I have been sent by the King to inform you that you have two options: You shall willingly apologise publicly; or be exiled. 

(Long silence)

Hermit: Ha, as if! (Self satisfied, sarcastic smile)

Guard: …So be it, then! (Drags feet gravely, leaves)

Hermit: I almost considered apologising, in my most desperate of moments. I don’t see how I could ever – EVER – consider this! I was out of my mind last night!!

  

VII

II.

Palace

Cleo: (gazing out of the window) It’s all too much for me... I wish I knew what Emily is up to now… (thoughtful) Was she not a true friend after all? How could she do this to me? What made her turn against my father and the kingdom? I feel so alone…no one cares…apart from Robin. I still feel the warmth of his loving eyes… oh, come on, Cleo, stop being so foolish! Robin’s just Robin and he’s your cousin! (Looks troubled)

(Clock strikes)(Announcement in background: The royal meeting will be held now in the meeting hall, Cleo exits stage. No one is on the stage now. Someone holding a giant clock enters, turns the needles of the clock and shows that three hours have passed, exits, Herald goes on stage) (Royal trumpet sounds)

Herald: (officially) His royal Majesty wishes to announce the decisions taken in the meeting held under his highness’ authority. From this day onwards skating which was previously banned will now be allowed in the kingdom. The forest will now be under the protection of his highness, and as for the Hermit, he is now exiled and shall be of no problem to the kingdom ever again.

(Herald exits stage, Cleo and Coco Pedro enter, look and smile at each other conspiracionally)

Cleo: (beams with excitement) Ah, I feel so much better now that everything is sorted out! Thanks to you, Coco! You’ve helped me so much with your genius ideas- it worked like magic!

(Coco looks pleased- they both reach out and hug each other. Triumphant music. Magically Coco Pedro transforms and his appearance changes completely. Style changes: Wears baggy clothes, and has no longer a queer style. Is now wearing the royal emblem)

Cleo: Who are you?! Guards!! (Looks around for guards)

Coco Pedro: Cleo… It’s me! Please listen…

Cleo: Guards!! Help! Where is Coco Pedro..? What did you do to him?

Coco Pedro: Please, Cleopatra, listen; look at me, I’m wearing the royal emblem. I am your brother, your blood, believe me. Look at the resemblance… Can’t you see?

(Cleo hesitantly compares their necklaces, looking unsure)

Coco Pedro: It all started when I was three. I was abducted by the Hermit, who didn’t want me to inherit the Kingdom one day. I was forced to live with him for many years in the city catacombs.

Cleo: So when did you escape? How come you’re here now?

Coco Pedro: I was only twelve when I managed to flee abroad, hidden in a boat, as a castaway. When the Hermit realised I was gone, he cursed me to be unrecognisable to my family and friends. Then I made a friend abroad who helped me all the way through. A couple of months ago I found the courage to come back home. I had heard our mother was looking for a stylist for you; so I came back as a stylist, using my transformation to get a job in the palace. You know the rest of the story…

Cleo: So how did this happen now? What triggered your change of appearance?

Coco Pedro: In order for my true appearance to be restored, I had to be trusted by you, my sister. Once you believed in me, it all turned out well because the touch of siblings is magic.

(Cleo looks startled at Coco Pedro)

Coco Pedro: Please say something…

Cleo: All these years I thought I’d never meet you; and now here you are! I couldn’t have hoped for anything better! Now come with me. Let’s go find our parents! Their son is back!

(Cleo and Coco exit the stage, curtain closes, re opens and we see the king and queen in the palace. Cleo and Coco enter the stage.)

Cleo: Mom, dad… I have something to tell you- well actually someone to introduce you to- someone you already know… we lost him a few years ago…

Queen: (looks puzzled, observes Coco thoughtfully, suddenly smiles and has an epiphany) Could that be….?!

(Coco smirks, queen runs towards him and hugs him)

Coco: I missed you too, mum. (said while hugging each other)

King: Errr- would you mind explaining? (smiles but doesn’t really look like he understands, is awkward)

Cleo: It’s your son! Aren’t you going to hug him?

King: (hesitates) It can’t be! Coco, is that really you?

Coco: Yes, father. (hug each other, queen sheds tears of joy)

(all smile, stand together and look happy) It was the hermit. (pause)He cast a spell on me and now I’m here thanks to Cleo, whose trust has brought me back to my real appearance- but most importantly, back to my family.

King: (looks at Cleo with pride, and smiles encouragingly) Ah, yes. Cleo...

Cleo, who we never trusted enough but proved to be so much! We are very proud of you, (places his hand on her shoulder encouragingly)

(pause) Only now do we realise just how strong you are and how reliable you can be! Now that this is clear to us, your mother and I have agreed that you are able to attend an ordinary high school just like everybody else!

 (Royal guard enters the room, bringing in Emily with him. Emily is blushing)

Royal Guard: Your Majesty, this girl asked to see you (pause) and she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Emily: (starts to sob, with regret) Cleo, (pause while sobbing) I, (pause) it was just, (pause) (inhales decisively) I am so sorry for doing these things to you, (looks down, ashamed of herself) I never meant to betray our friendship or the king and queen…I know that things will never be the same, and I respect that. I hope that you can forgive me…

Cleo: (smiles understandingly ) I forgive you, it will be ok.

Emily: (looks up, hopefully) No hard feelings?

Cleo: (smiles frankly) No, no hard feelings.

(They hesitate at first, but finally hug each other)

Emily: So, see you at school then?

Cleo: Yeah, see you there. (Cleo looks satisfied and pleased)

(Emily exits)

Cleo: Now, if you would excuse me, mum, dad I think I need some fresh air-I’d like to go for a walk in the garden.

VII.

III.

Garden.

(Arriving at the garden, Cleo meets Robin)

Robin: (smiling) Hi…

Cleo: Hey (can’t really hide her joy that she’s with him, also feels awkward)

Robin: Want to take a walk?

Cleo: Yeah, sure.

(While walking)

Robin: (Confident and excited) I’m glad it all turned out well, with you and the kingdom, I mean.

Cleo: I know and thank you for helping me. I could never have done it without you… (blushes) By the way I have great news. My parents agreed that I don’t need to go to the princess academy they had me enrolled in and instead I can attend our local  high school. Guess which high school I chose…

Robin: I don’t believe you! That’s great!

Cleo: You know I’d do anything for my cousin. (Smiling)

Robin: Cleo, I’ve been meaning to tell you all along… It’s just something you need to know.

Cleo: (with curiosity) What is it, I’m starting to worry.

Robin: (hesitates and casts a warm look deep into her eyes) You know, life sometimes brings it in a way and there are just some things that are meant to be.

Cleo: (Cleo looks confused) Go on…

Robin: The hermit adopted me when I was little to fulfil his evil plans. Fortunately this led to me meeting you now as – it turns out we are not cousins – so overall, this is a good outcome to a bad situation, don’t you think?

Cleo:  (blushes, smiles hopefully) It couldn’t have been any better...

(they exchange a warm, loving look, smile and slowly link their hands. Robin turns his head and looks towards the audience)

Cleo: What’s wrong? What are you looking at? (slightly worried)

Robin: (smirks) The future.

THE END