Cinderella play, Act 4

 Act 4

Scene 1

The ball room, servants are taking down the peacock decorations. King and Queen are sitting in their thrones. John, Jerome and Elise, still wearing their ball clothes, are standing to the side. Master Won is standing in front of the thrones, turned slightly towards the audience. He is holding a pillow with the shoe on it.

Master Won: Your majesties.

King: (Under his breath) What rottenness is he going to suggest now?

Queen: (To King) Hush dear! (To Master Won) Pray continue.

Master Won: This elegant specimen of a slipper is made of pure glass. The mysterious princess who wore it, is obviously magical.

John: (Coughs) Actually-

Elise: (Sighs) How beautiful!

Jerome: It's an ugly shoe!

Master Won: (Frowns at Jerome) As I was saying this slipper is obviously magical. (To John) Have you inspected it?

John: Yes. While I was running after the Lady.

Queen: (Frowning) John, this is a serious moment.

Jerome: Why?

King: (To Master Won) Just finish the story.

Master Won: Well, the lines are perfect. Flawless. Sublime.

Elise: He must have been a really good shoemaker.

Jerome: Glassblower!

Elise: What?

Jerome: Shoemakers don't make glass.

Elise: What has that got to do with anything?

John: The shoe is made of glass.

Elise: What has that got to do with anything?

King: Hush up you three!

Elise: Yes father.

Master Won: As I was saying-

King: Get on with it!

Queen: Dear?

King: Sorry.

Master Won: This shoe is perfectly molded to fit one foot.

John: (Smacks his forehead) Oh no!

Jerome: So everyone has to try it on?

Elise: How romantic!

John: (Clasps his hands) Please no!

Master Won: With your permission, your majesties, I will put together a search. The maiden who fits the slipper will become the prince's bride.

John: (Groans) I knew it!

Elise: (Claps her hands) How exciting.

Queen: What an excellent plan.

King: (Sarcastically) Really?

Elise: Mother, isn't it romantic?

Queen: (Smiling) Yes darling.

Jerome: (Shouts) No it's not!

Queen: (Frowns) Jerome, we don't shout!

John: This is so stupid! Just look at her face. Can't you tell from her face whether it's the right girl or not?

King: Where's the fun in that?

Queen: (To the King) Dear, please. (Pats his hand. Turns to John) John, dear, this is for your own good.

John: (Groaning) Yes mother.

Queen: I need to talk to you alone.

King: Nothing simpler. (Gets up and runs towards the door) I think I'm going to go kill a few pirates.

Queen: Dear?

King: Nothing. (Exits)

Master Won: (Pats shoe) I believe I shall go and make a few plans.

John: Don't rush with them.

Master Won: Don't worry, I will be done by tomorrow. (John Groans. Master Won bows and exits.)

Jerome: (Moves closer to the throne) What do you want?

Queen: (Frowns) Go help your father.

Jerome: (Pouts) Alright. (Stomps from the room)

Elise: Can I stay?

John: No!

Elise: Mother?

Queen: Elise.

Elise: Yes mother. (Leaves the room)

Queen: (To John) You will be the next king.

John: But Jadan is the oldest.

Queen: Jadan's father-in-law made him his heir. He told your father he didn't want two kingdoms.

John: What about Justin?

Queen: (Sighs) His father-in-law made him his heir too.

John: What really? What about James? He didn't marry a princess.

Queen: (Crosses arms) He and Belle have expressed the wish of remaining at your grandfather's old summer palace.

John: That's cheating. But what about Joseph?

Queen: (Glares) We don't talk about him! That boy is not mentioned here!

John: (Protesting) But he is my twin brother!

Queen: Hush!

John: (Sighs) I suppose that leaves me.

Queen: Of course!

John: What if I resign in favor of Jerome!

Queen: Don't you dare!

John: Alright. (Master Won comes back in)

Master Won: Your majesty. I am all prepared to leave.

John: Uh oh!

Queen: Excellent! You may begin your quest tomorrow. (Elise comes back in)

Elise: (to John) Jerome and I are going to follow him.

John: I'm with you!

Elise: Alright.

Scene 2

In front of the closed curtains. Various girls, and a few boys are sitting or working. Some carry buckets. Others carry shovels or hoes. Some girls are standing in the corner tittering behind fans. There is a trumpet blast. Every turns towards the sound. The procession enters. A man with a banner enters, with someone carrying a trumpet alongside him. A with a spear come next. Then two servants carrying a litter with the shoe on it. Then another guard. Then master Won carrying a scroll, then another guard. The girls curtsy and the boys bow.

Master Won: (Steps forward and waves the scroll) Here ye, here ye. (John, Jerome and Elise tiptoe on stage and crouch in one of the isles) Good people of this little filthy town, come and bring your maidens. Quickly now. The glass slipper had arrived. The damsel who fits yon slipper shall be the next queen of our sweet kingdom.

John: Ouch!

Elise: Sh! (Jerome starts grinning)

John: No one is going to answer that! It's degrading!

Elise: Just way.

Girl #1: Outta my way! (Charges at the slipper)

John: What? NO!

Girl #2: (Grabs girl #1 and shoves her aside) Me first! (Pulls off shoe and wiggles toes in Master Won's face)

Master Won: (Weakly) the shoe. (Turns away and starts fanning himself)

John: Oh no!

Jerome: HAHA

Elise: Sh! (Servant hands girl #2 the shoe. She snatches it and tries to cram it on her feet)

Girl #2: I got this!

John: No! Please No!

Jerome: (Doubles over) HAHA

John: QUIET!

Jerome: I can't help it! HAHA

Elise: (Jabs him in the ribs) Sh!

Girl #1: (Shoe from girl one and kicks her away) Mine! (Girl #3 runs forward and forcefully tries to take the shoe from girl one) OH no you don't!

Girl #3: Give me that! (Jerome takes a banana out of his pocket and starts eating)

Elise: I place bets on the first girl.

John: What? No we aren't betting on this.

Elise: We aren't?

Jerome: I bet on the third girl!

Girl #4: (Runs forward and grabs the shoe from girls 3 and 1) Stop quarreling you two!

John: Finally someone with sense.

Girl #4: This slipper is mine! I am the mystery princess!

John: What? No!

Elise: I'm betting on her now! (Jerome keeps eating banana)

John: Stop betting! This is serious! What if one of them fits the shoe?

Elise: That will be your problem!

John: No! That will be bad for the kingdom!

Elise: Oh, right.

Jerome: Oh look! (He points towards the side isle. Hazel is swaggering up it)

John: NO!

Elise: I'm betting on her!

Jerome: You already bet on three people!

Elise: No I didn't! I only bet on two!

John: Be quiet! (Hazel spots John and run towards him)

Hazel: Your highness! (John scrambles to his feet)

Girl #1: I saw him first. (Tries to shove Hazel away. Hazel does a side fist and girl one falls over)

Master Won: Your highness. (Bows) So glad you could join us.

John: (Growls) The pleasure is mine!

Hazel: Where is the shoe princey?

John: Over there! (Gestures towards the horizon)

Girl #4: I have it! (Snatches if from girl three)

Hazel: Ah ha! (barges to the front of the line and grabs the slipper)

Girl #4: (Whines) I didn't try it on!

Hazel: Tough nuggets! (Crams the slipper on her foot)

Elise: (To John) Tell her to go away! (Master Won taps his fingers together and pinches his lips tightly in disapproval)

John: (To Elise) Sh!

Jerome: I finished my banana!

John: (To Jerome) Sh!

Hazel: I can fit it! (Falls over and begins to huff and puff. The shoe will not slide onto her foot. She begin to roll around)

Master Won: My dear lady, you are getting all muddy!

Hazel: It fit me yesterday at the ball!

Girl #3: That was me you fool!

John: But neither of you look anything like Lady Cinderella!

Hazel: (Sits up) Her name was Cinderella?

Elise: I thought you said she was you?

Jerome: Liar dress on fire!

Hazel: I do fit this slipper! (Begins puffing again)

John: (To Master Won) Get rid of her!

Master Won: (To the guards) Gentlemen! (Two guards grab Hazel and forcefully take the shoe from her)

Hazel: It's mine! Give it back!”

John: (Angrily) No!

Hazel: (Sniffing) But you danced with me at the ball!

John: Yes, and it was a nightmare! (Guards start to escort Hazel away) When you greet your mother for me, be sure to tell her to get a cat! Mice in the kitchen are truly horrific! Also take a lesson in the proper way to treat guests.

Hazel: (Screams) You aren't very charming! (She is escorted off stage)

Elise: What was that about?

John: A private grudge!

Girl #4: Your highness?

John: It's going to be a long day!

Elise: Can we stay?

John: (Stares at her, then grabs Jerome's arm) No, we need to go home, right now!

Elise: What? Why?

Jerome: But I was having so much fun!

Scene 3

A parlor in Cinderella's house. Off to the side is a small room with a stool. There is some kind of door blocking it from the rest of the room. Cinderella is scrubbing the floor in the parlor. Lady Miranda is eating cookies on a chair, her feet rest on a table. Blanche is staring out the window.

Blanche: (Yawns) Mama, do you think perhaps I could fit the slipper? (Cinderella looks up. Then she puts one hand in her apron pocket and half pulls out the other slipper)

Lady Miranda: (Chewing) Of course darling! That nice man said he would make sure one of you fit the slipper.

Cinderella: Excuse me?

Lady Miranda: Silence you!

Cinderella: Yes ma'am! (Glowers)

Blanche: Poor Cinders, she missed all three balls! (Hazels bursts into the room)

Hazel: Mama! I have been grossly insulted!

Blanche: Oh you poor dove!

Lady Miranda: (Sits up) By whom my sweet?

Hazel: The prince!

Lady Miranda, Blanche, Cinderella: The prince?

Hazel: (To Lady Miranda) He said to tell you that you need to get a cat, because mice in the kitchen are horrific and you need to take lessons on how to treat guests!

Lady Miranda: (Gasps) He said that? (Cinderella smiles)

Blanche: (Smugly) He must be fond of me, not you then!

Hazel: (Sticks her tongue out at Blanche) I detest him!

Cinderella: So you don't want to marry him any more?

Hazel: Mind your own business, Cinders! (Gasps) Oh mama!

Lady Miranda: (Angrily) What now?

Hazel: He said the name of the mystery princess is Cinderella. (Everyone turns and looks at Cinderella)

Lady Miranda: So, you are the wretched-

Cinderella: Wretched?

Blanche: (Squeals) The slipper is here! (Begins to bounce up and down)

Hazel: Don't let Cinderella try the slipper on!

Cinderella: You cannot stop me!

Lady Miranda: Oh yes we can! (She grabs Cinderella's arm and grabs her off stage. Around the backdrops to the side door, where she shoves her through the door)

Cinderella: No please, Stepmother.

Lady Miranda: Here you will stay until they have left. (She locks the door and pockets the key. Cinderella bangs on the door, then sits down and starts sobbing. Lady Miranda goes back to the parlor. Master Won's procession process down the isle. John, Elise and Jerome are gone)

Master Won: Open up for the glass slipper in the name of his Majesty, the king.

Lady Miranda: Girls this is your big moment! (Glides to the door and opens it) Gentlemen! (Curtsies. Master Won bows) Won't you please come in?

Master Won: (Kisses her hand) It would be the pleasure. (He singles to a guard) You stay here. The rest of you come in. (They all enter the parlor, where Lady Miranda offers them cookies. Blanche and Hazel smile and wave fans. A hooded and cloaked figure slips on stage. The guard bars his way. John pushes back his hood. The guard starts bowing. John rushes past him and into the house. He crouches behind a couch)

Lady Miranda: Shall we get to work?

Master Won: Of course, my lady. These are all your daughters?

Lady Miranda: Of course! (Glances at Blanche and Hazel)

Hazel: Me first! (Snatches the shoe from the servants)

John: Not again! (Once more she huffs and puff. Lady Miranda sits down and smiles at Master Won, then frowns at Hazel)

Hazel: I got this! (Blanche kicks her)

Blanche: No you don't! Your feet are to fat!

Hazel: I'm the mystery princess!

Blanche: I know you are lying because I am her! (Hazel whacks her with the shoe. John crawls behind the sofa, slips behind a table and crawls towards the back door) MAMA! She hit me!

Hazel: She started it!

Lady Miranda: (Clapping her hands) Girls, girls!

Master Won: (Smiles) What delightful young ladies.

Lady Miranda: (Forces a smile) Why thank you! (Guards start snickering. Master Won scowls at them. They shut up. John army crawls past Hazel, is rolling on the floor again and creeps behind Lady Miranda's chair)

Blanche: Mama, tell her it is my turn now!

Lady Miranda: Blanche sweetheart, show your excellent patience! (John reaches the back door and slides out. People on stage start talking in muted voices. Hazel rolls into a table and knocks it down. John gets up and runs to the door. He stops look both ways. Peers under a table then knocks on the door)

John: Ella? (No answer) I guess I will check the cellar. (He turns to go)

Cinderella: (From other side of the door) John? John is that you?

John: (Confused) Um- are you Ella Marie or Cinderella? (To himself) I can't tell.

Cinderella: John, get out of here, my stepmother is plotting something with that evil Master Won.

John: (Tries the door) It's locked.

Cinderella: Get out of here.

John: Not without you! (Rams against the door with his shoulder)

Master Won: What was that?

Lady Miranda: I heard nothing. (Looks at her daughters) Right, girls?

Hazel: We distinctively did not hear that thump!

Blanche: Honest and cross my heart. I heard everything except that thump!

Lady Miranda: (Glowers) So glad to know that.

Master Won: If you aren't concerned I- (John bangs against the door again) Alright, shouldn't you be concerned?

Lady Miranda: (Nervously) Alright, I have a confession to make.

Blanche: Huh?

Hazel: Don't tell!

Master Won: Tell me what?

Lady Miranda: We were giving the dog a bath when you got here. We hid her in the hall closet.

Hazel: (To Blanche) We have a dog?

Blanche: Shh!

Master Won: In that case we should- (John bangs against the door again) finish up here!

Blanche: Yes! (Grabs the shoe from Hazel)

Hazel: I wasn't done yet! (Blanche crams the shoe on her foot. John finally breaks the door open and goes flying into Cinderella's prison)
Cinderella: Are you alright? (John scrambles to his feet)

John: Ella?

Cinderella: And Cinderella.

John: I'm confused.

Cinderella: My Fairy Godmother made me unrecognizable at the ball.

John: My family is always getting in trouble with Fairies!

Cinderella: You have to leave!

John: Not until you put your blasted slipper on!

Cinderella: What? (John grabs her hand and pulls her down the hall)

Master Won: It is to bad about your daughters. But trust me, I know how to arrange everything so that one of them can fit the slipper.

Lady Miranda: Excellent!

Master Won: And when we find the real girl, we will dispose of her quickly.

Hazel: But-

Blanche: Hush!

Lady Miranda: Of course.

Hazel: But-

Blanche: (Pokes her) Keep quiet! (John pushes Cinderella into the room, but hesitates himself)

Cinderella: I would like to try on the slipper.

Master Won: But- What?

Guards: It's her! I would know that face anywhere. Why is she in rags? Well, I'm glad this is over.

“Hazel: Cinders cannot do it! Mama, make her go away! (To Cinderella) Keep your ashy cinders off this slipper! (Hazel snatches the slipper from Blanche and hugs it to her chest)

Lady Miranda: (Honey sweet tone) You try on a slipper? I suppose this particular slipper belongs to you?

Cinderella: No! Of course not!

Blanche: We are all glad to know you have a streak of honesty in you.

Cinderella: May I try on the slipper?

“Master Won: What slipper?” (Throws the shoe across the room and off stage. There is a sound of shattering glass Oopsies! (Snickers. Guards gasp)

Cinderella: That was my fairy Godmother's slipper! (John draws his sword)

Master Won: Guards, remove this girl from the premise!

Guards: But- Sir? This girl? She is the-

Master Won: (Shouts) Do as your are told! (Guards grab Cinderella)

Cinderella: Let me go! (Starts to struggle. John runs in. Everyone freezes)

Master Won: Unfortunately the priceless slipper was destroyed so I am afraid we must send this maiden away.

John: You broke the slipper?

Master Won: The young maidens grew violent in their enthusiasm!

Cinderella: This might help. (She pulled another shoe out of her pocket)

Lady Miranda: (Gasps) What? No! Give that to me! (she tries to grab the shoe. John slid between her and Cinderella)

Hazel: (Squeals) It is mine! MINE!

Blanche: Not it's not! (Both lunge at Cinderella. John points his sword at them. They draw back shrieking. Hazel snatches up a stool and hurled it at John. He ducks. Cinderella catches the shoe. Hazel tries to grab John's throat)

Blanche: (Screams) Hazel, stop it! (John spins away from her. Master Won draws his own sword and blocks John's way)

John: (Yells) Ella, put on the shoe! (Glares at Master Won) You are so going to be banished. (Glances at Lady Miranda) You too! (Lady Miranda pulls a dagger out of her skirt)

Lady Miranda: Not it I have something to say about it!

Blanche: Mother?

Cinderella: John get Won, I will take care of Madame! (She kicks Hazel's stool into Lady Miranda, knocking the woman over. Won attacks John. John parries the blow, and does a follow up attack. Won dances out of reach, then jabs backwards. John sways to the side, and leaps forward. Won jerks around and does a side thrust. John kicks at his hand.)

Master Won: Ouch! (Drops his sword) You will pay for that! (John rushes forward. Won draws a dagger and stabs John in the stomach. John staggers backwards, clutching at a bleeding hole in in stomach)

John: Ouch! ( Looks down at the knife, that was protruding from his stomach) What a rotten way to die! (Groans)

Master Won: (Stands up) Yes now you die! (John falls to his knees)

Lady Miranda: (Screams) Do not drip on the carpet! I just paid good money to get that cleaned. (Cinderella throws her glass slipper at Master Won's face. It hits him then falls to the floor. There is the sound of shattering glass)

Master Won: What on Royaume? (Stumbles backwards. John pulls the knife out of his stomach and stands up)

John: (Weakly) Come and fight me like a man? (he clutches at his wound)

Master Won: (Stands up and shakes his head) Woah! (Hazel grabs John from behind)

Cinderella: Oh no you don't! (She grabbed Hazel by the collar and spins her around)

Blanche: Let her go, Cinders! (Grabs Cinderella's hair)

Cinderella: Ouch!

Hazel: Let me go! (Won jumps at John. John blocks the blow)

Master Won: Stop blocking me you monster! (He does a series of attacks on John, forcing the prince to back into a corner)

John: (Gasps) I won't let you win!

Master Won: I'm not giving you a choice!

Lady Miranda: (Stands up) If any of you get blood on the carpet, I will slice you into mincemeat! (John jumps backwards, and slams into the wall. Hazel hits Blanche over the head with a tea tray, knocking her out)

Master Won: (Laughs) Got you! (John leans against the wall and kicks Won in the ribs)

John: Your counting your gold a bit early!

Master Won: Wha-? (Goes flying backwards. He falls over and does a back roll, coming up on his feet, his sword still in his hands. Won kicks a table at John. John ducks to the side. Won throws a knife at John. John catches the knife and shoves it in his belt. Master Won turns, shoves Hazel aside and grabs Ella. He pokes his knife against her neck. Hazel trips over Blanche, hits her head on the stool and falls to the floor unconscious. Lady Miranda jumps up onto a chair)

Master Won: You know what happens next? (John lowers his knife)

John: Yes sir.

Master Won: Excellent! (He starts to move towards John, dragging the struggling Ella. John suddenly moves forward and kicks part of the broken slipper at Won and Ella. Won sways to the side, just as Ella does a pull up on Won's arm. To stop himself from falling, Won lets go of Ella. She falls flat on her face. John leaps over her, and slams his shoulder into Won, who falls over. John puts one foot on Won and pulls Ellaher to her feet.)

John: I guess you are saved.

Cinderella: I think you might be right. (Then she starts crying. John puts one arm around her. Guards cheer. Curtains close)

Epilogue

In front of the closed curtains. Two servants bring out the thrones. King and Queen come and sit in them. Jerome and Elise come in.

Jerome: Where is John?

Queen: (Sighs) I am worried about that boy.

King: (Pats her hand) Don't worry, you said everything will be alright.

Elise: (Points off stage) Oh look, here he comes now. (John and Ella process in holding hands. The guards come in escorting Lady Miranda and Master Won, who are tied up. The two servants are helping the giddy Blanche and Hazel stumble along. The last person in the group is trailing the shoe banner)

King: What is this interesting scene?

John: Public enemies one and two (Points to Master Won and Lady Miranda) were plotting against the kingdom.

King: Won, I demote you to simple soldier.

Queen: Just banish him!

King: But this way, he has to go fight the pirates.

Master Won: (Sullenly) But I'm not a soldier!

King: You are now!

Queen: (To Cinderella) What happened to you?

Cinderella: I've decided to leave home!

Queen: What? (Fairy Waltz in)

Fairy: And then John married Ella and everyone lived happily ever after....I think. But there was a big mess to clean up first. John has grudge against me because I thought it would be funny if he didn't recognize Ella at the ball. I still think it's wildly hilarious! Don't you? The king banished Lady Miranda and sent Master Won to sea to fight pirates. Blanche and Hazel were allowed to stay, provided they got married quickly and moved far away from both John and Ella. Hazel moved several kingdoms away, where she is currently in the process of trying to turn a frog into a prince. The poor old toad. Blanche did much better and married a nice man and had a nice family. Jerome, well, he decided to be a blacksmith, and got stuck protecting a strange girl from her evil stepmother. To bad the girl likes apples so much.

(End song places. Extras come forward and bow. Then the King and Queen come forward. Then Elise and Jerome. Then Hazel and Blanche. Then the Fairy Godmother. Then Lady Miranda and Master Won. Then Prince John and Cinderella. Then King, Queen, John, Jerome and Elise come forward for another bow. Then Lady Miranda, Hazel, Blanche and Cinderella come forward)