Roman Play ~ Part 2

Missed Part 1?  See it Heeeeerrrreee!!!

 Characters: 

Madelyna – Nobleman Trilogy’s daughter

Peter – Nobleman Citrus' slave

Marcus – Madelyna's betrothed, a soldier

Proconsul Pompous – Government leader of the city

Army Commander

Harmony - Nobleman Citrus' slave girl

 

Scene 4:

Nobleman Citrus' kitchen. Harmony and Peter side-by-side washing dishes

Harmony: [To Peter] You just missed a beating this afternoon. Why on earth did you stay out that late?

Peter: [Handing her a clean dish to dry] I told you, I was just delayed at the market. Nothing more.

Harmony: [Laughs] Sure, sure. Just try to be a little more careful next time. Master was super mad when he had to have someone else serve his wine. The guest was a man all the way from Rome!

Peter: Yes, yes, I know I'm on thin ice. Just stop talking about it, okay?

Harmony: [Light-heartedly] Fair enough. Now you get outta 'ere. I'm sure you got places you'd rather be. I'll finish up.

Peter: You don't have to do that. I'll help you finish up.

Harmony: [Playfully pushes Peter towards door] Get! There isn't much left anyway.

Peter: [Grinning; scurries out of kitchen] Thanks!

Harmony: [Chuckling to self] That crazy, un-tameable boy.

[Peter jogs out into the street to Trilogy's home]

Peter: [To self] Oh, I hope her sign is out! Please...please...Oh! Window empty again. Where is she? She promised she'd see me! I have to find out.

[Rushes around to Trilogy's kitchen; slips in door]

Trilogy's cook: What you be needing, boy? I'm not in the mood for gossip, and whatever business your master has, do it quick.

Peter: I have a message for the Nobleman's daughter.

Trilogy's cook: [Sarcastically] Yah, and I'm her father. You had any message of sorts it would be delivered at a respectable time by someone a little higher rank than you and I. We'll have none to do with you; out, now. No excuse, lad.

[Peter goes out and waits in an ally. Trilogy’s cook's voice heard through a window]

Trilogy’s cook: [To servant] Don't forget to lock 'er up now, ya hear. Thrice this week I've come morn to the door unlatched. Once more and I'll report you to Master, ya' hear?

Servant: You can trust me, Cook.

Trilogy's Cook: [Snorts] That I know isn't true. But you're still better than me sticking around all night.

Peter: [Quietly to self] Ha, let's just see how much of the all-night shift is being attended to.

Trilogy's Cook: I'm off. Keep your head on your shoulders, boy.

Servant: [Under his breath] Whatever, old man.

[Cook leaves; minutes later servant leaves also. Peter jumps up and sneaks through unlatched kitchen door]

Peter: I just need to find the opening to the hall...wall...wall...

pans!

[Clatter and pots crashing. Peter freezes]

Peter: Whoo, still quiet... Ah, there is the opening! Now just to get down this hall without being detected...

[Finally, Peter reaches a door. He reaches up and quietly knocks.]

Peter: [whispering] Madelyna! It's me, open up.

[The door cracked slightly]

Madelyna: Peter, what are you doing here? We could be caught!

Peter: I don't care, I had to see you! Just let me in.

Madelyna: Alright, but we have to be careful; my father might find out.

Peter: Thank you.

[Once inside the room...]

Peter: Why has your sign not been out these last days? I've checked every night and seen nothing.

Madelyna: I'm sorry, my father has been forcing me to attend dinners every night.

Peter: [with disgust] With Marcus?

Madelyna: Yes. He mentioned tonight that he wants me to move to a villa in the country with him.

Peter: And your father sounded okay with all this?

Madelyna: Positively thrilled. He says our family is honored to be giving me away to a man with such high standing.

Peter: [bitterly] High standing. It's all anyone cares about anymore.

[Madelyna comes and sits beside Peter. She lays her head on his shoulder]

Madelyna: I care nothing about high standing. I'd rather have you than Caesar himself.

Peter: And I would be more honored than Caesar himself to have you, my love.

[End Scene]

Scene 5:

Nobleman Citrus' study

Nobleman Citrus: Here, slave, go and fetch my ink and pen. I want to transcribe a letter to the Capital, and you will deliver it when I'm done.

Peter: Yes, m'lord. [Exits, then returns]

Your pen and paper, m'lord.

Nobleman Citrus: Leave me until I call.

Peter: As you wish. [Bows, and exits]