[Script] Ezmerelda

[Amelia Cane]

((OOC: I thought it would be nice for those of you unable to attend the plays to be able to see the scripts.  To that end I spent ages... yes ages!  transcribing the recent play Ezmerelda into notebook.  Here's the result, enjoy!))

Ezmerelda

Written and Directed by Zoie Hayden

Players:
Flina Trix as Lady Ezmerelda
Desmond Krieger as Lord Matthews
Ileana Leontine as Typhoid Mary
Mercy as Jewel the Maid
Amelia Cane as The Vendor


Act I

Scene I - Mid-day

[Lady Ezmerelda and her husband, Lord Matthews sit in reading chairs in a posh, yet cozy great room in their home.]

Ezmerelda:
*Looks up from her book*
Dear, you know I just realised...

Matthews:
*Stays focused on his book*
Hmmm?

Ezmerelda:
Our 12th wedding anniversary is on Sunday isn't it?

Matthews:
*Looks up, then looks at the calendar on the wall*
Ah! You're absolutely right!  We shall have to celebrate in our usual way.

Ezmerelda:
Wonderful!
*Closes her book and jumps out of the chair*
I'll of pick up the food and drink from the market.  You start going around and invite the guests!

Matthews:
*Gets up and heads for the door*
Sounds good! I'll be back in a few hours then.

Ezmerelda:
As Will I!

Matthews:
*Leaves stage right*

Ezmerelda:
*Shouts*
Jewel! I need you please!

Jewel:
*Shuffles in from mid-stage, smiling*
Yes Ma'am?

Ezmerelda:
Stop calling me 'Ma'am'.  It's an odd thing to do to your best friend, you know.

Jewel:
Sorry Ezzy, rules of the trade.
*Pauses*
Ma'am
*Grins*

Ezmerelda:
*Narrows her eyes and smiles*
Anyway, my husband and I will be out all afternoon preparing for our anniversary dinner on Sunday. 

I'd have you go in my stead, but I need you to prune the roses on the walk, ok?

Jewel:
You got it.  Where are you going?

Ezmerelda:
Just up to the market.

Jewel:
*Frowns slightly*
Be careful.  There's a lot of unsavoury types there that'll pick up on your being a Countess.

Ezmerelda:
Bah, nonsense.  I'll wear a dirty scarf around my head, see?
*Wraps a scarf around her head like a bandana*

Jewell:
*Looks concerned*

Ezmerelda:
I'm off then!  Don't worry about me!
[Exits stage right]

Jewel:
[Exits mid stage]


Scene II - Marketplace, early evening.

Ezmerelda:
[Enters stage left to a hustling, bustling, crowded marketplace, with various stalls including one with fruits and vegetables on it, manned by a hunched sinister looking woman.]

Vendor:
*Eyes Ezmerelda and says in a raspy, shrill voice*
You tha'! Git yer fruit and veg hea', freshest ye'll find in this 'ere market!

Ezmerelda:
*Smiles*
Ah! They do look nice indeed!  I could use some turnips and a rhubarb actually.

Vendor:
Goo' choice!
*Eyes Ezmerelda's jewelry as she puts the

vegetables in a bag*
'Ere ya go!  5 Crowns please.
*Hands the bag over*

Ezmerelda:
Thank you kindly!
[Takes the bag and hands some crowns to the vendor*
[Exits stage right]

Vendor
Ta!
*Watches Ezmerelda walk away*
I could retia' wit' those rings tha' strumpet 'ad on 'er...
*Hangs a 'closed' sign on the stall*
[Slinks off stage right]

___________________________________________________

ACT II

Scene I - Evening

[Just after dusk, Ezmerelda walks along a lonely, dark road on the edge of a graveyard]

Ezmerelda:
*Enters stage right and wraps her coat around herself*
Damn, it's getting cold now as well as dark, I shouldn't have spent so much time at that porcelain stall...

Vendor:
[Suddenly jumps out of mid-stage, disguised]
*Holds a knife to Ezmerelda's body*
Right! Give me yer jewels and anting else ya got!

Ezmerelda:
*Scared with voice trembling*
Of course!  Don't hurt me please!
*Begins removing her valuables*
My husband is Lord Matthews you know, you'll never get away with robbing a Countess.

Vendor:
Is that Right?
*Sneers*
Well, if I'm to be caught anyway, perhaps It'd be a Bette' id ear if I killed ya to make sure I git me money's worth.
*Slides the knife along Ezmerelda's cheek.

Ezmerelda:
*Panics, then screams out*
NO!
*Turns to run*

Vendor:
*Smashes her on the head with the butt of her knife*

Ezmerelda:
*Collapses*

[Stage lights dim, time passes]

Ezmerelda:
*Wakes up and stumbles about*
Urge..
*Feels her head*
I've got to get home...
[Runs off stage left]


Scene II - Ezmerelda's home - evening.

[A fire burns in the fireplace and Lord Matthews is seated at the kitchen table, looking absently into a bottle.]

Ezmerelda:
[Enters stage right running]
Darling!

Matthews:
*Says depressedly into the bottle*
My Love...

Ezmerelda:
*Throws her arms around him*

Matthews:
*Remains still, looking away*

Ezmerelda:
I was attacked by some kind of bandit on the way home!  She stole all my jewelry and even hit me on the head!
*Weeps*

Matthews:
*Says in a low voice to the bottle*
Attacked... for what?
Some Jewels?
Something irreplaceable had to be taken to claim some gems?

Ezmerelda:
*Sobs*
I'll be ok in time, honey...

Matthews:
*Suddenly stands up and slams the table*
I'll find whatever mad did this and make sure he pays!
[Storms off stage left leaving Ezmerelda knelt on the floor]
*Slams door*

Ezmerelda:
Darling?
[Runs to stage left]
*Tries to open the door, but it's locked*
Darling?!  Don't leave me out here alone!
*Pounds on the door sobbing uncontrollably*
*Slumps down to the floor, sobbing*
[Walks to centre stage]
*Lies down in front of the fire*
So cold...


___________________________________________________

ACT III

Scene I - Marketplace, mid-morning

[Bustling crowds and stalls, with a strange elderly woman standing to stage right]

Ezmerelda:
[Enters stage left]
*Wraps her cloak around herself tightly and shivers*
*Walks up to a stall*
Hello there! I wonder if you've seen my husband, Lord Ma..

Vendor:
*Shouts over Ezmerelda*
Git yer fruit 'ere!

Ezmerelda:
*Sighs*
[Walks a few steps further]

Mary:
[Walks over to Ezmerelda]
*Places her hand on her shoulder*
Hello lass, you look a little lost and confused.  Can I help?

Ezmerelda:
*Starts*
Oh, hello.  I doubt it unless you've seen my husband about?  He left the house without a word and has been acting strangely toward me.

Mary:
Ah. I'm afraid I haven't seen him but I think I can help explain some things...

Ezmerelda:
Oh?  Like what?

Mary:
Why don't you show me your home?  I am old you see, and my feet are very tired...

Ezmerelda:
Yes, of course, this way.
[Leads Mary to stage left]

Mary:
What's your name love?

Ezmerelda:
Ezmerelda...


Scene II - Ezmerelda's House.

[Jewel is dusting stage left.  Ezmerelda and Mary enter stage right]

Ezmerelda:
Here we are.
*Shows Mary in*

Mary:
It is very nice indeed.

Jewel:
*Looks toward the door*
Hello!  May I help you miss?

Ezmerelda:
Jewel, this is my guest.  She is called Mary, see to it sh...

Jewel:
Well?  Are you in the habit of wandering into private homes or something?

Ezmerelda:
*Says confusedly*
Jewel, I just told you, she's my guest...

Mary:
Do not be alarmed child.  Ezmerelda is here with me.

Jewel:
*Gasps*
What?!

Ezmerelda:
Of course I am!  Can't you see me standing right here Jewel?

Mary:
*Puts her hand on Ezmerelda's arm*
Ezmerelda, you are no longer a part of this world.  You are... dead...

Ezmerelda:
What?!  How can that be?  I'm still here, I can see you, and you see me!

Mary:
I can only see you because it is my gift to do so.  You see, you died that night you were attacked, but your soul was not allowed to move on.

Ezmerelda:
Not allowed?
*Looks horrified*

Jewel:
She's really there next to you?  Oh Ma'am I miss you and the Lord is devastated!

Ezmerelda:
*Begins sobbing*
Why am I stuck here than if I am dead?!

Mary:
Because your death was a senseless act of violence, you are doomed to wander the world as a spirit.   You must find a way to take revenge on the one who killed you.  Only then can you be free of the violence and allowed to ascend to the next world.

Ezmerelda:
How can I possibly do that in this state?!
*Sobs*

Mary:
I will teach you!
*Grins*

[Mary and Ezmerelda exit stage right]


~FIN~

[Zoie Hayden]

Thanks a lot for this Amelia! It's brilliant!