More Than Clandestine

More Than Clandestine

A One-Act Play by Mary Josefa M. Alolor

 

Characters:

Princess Isabela

Princess Sophia

Princess Margaret

Lady Elizabeth Carey Maxwell

Lord Alwyn Smith Arvel

 

Time: A night in the 1800s

Place: Secluded garden outside the castle

 

~START~

 

(White front light. Princesses Isabela, Sophia, and Margaret enter the stage through the LW and approach Lady Elizabeth in the CS. Lady Elizabeth swirls her glass of wine alone while looking from the farthest of the audience.)

Princess Isabela: Good evening, Lady Elizabeth!

(Elizabeth turns in the direction of the three princesses. She curtsies and flashes a smile while looking at them.)

Lady Elizabeth: Good evening as well, Your Highnesses. I wish a happy birthday to Princess Isabela (Princess Isabela curtsies), Princess Sophia (Princess Sophia curtsies), and Princess Margaret (Princess Margaret curtsies). His Majesty did a great job for the party of Your Highnesses' 18th birthday. He loves his daughters too much.

(Princess Sophia covers her mouth as she laughs.)

Princess Sophia: I believe that is a compliment. But what is our fine lady doing over here near the secluded garden? What are you looking at?

(Princess Sophia looks at the farthest of the audience. She smiles and looks back at Lady Elizabeth.)

Princess Sophia: Oh, I see! It's the full moon tonight!

Princess Margaret: By the way, Lady Elizabeth, you look stunning tonight! What a simple but intimidating gown, a red gown with gold highlights! You look so elegant! It looks great with your hair. It also fits your personality.

Lady Elizabeth: (Chuckles) You're exaggerating it, Your Highness.

Princess Margaret: I'm not!

Princess Isabela: Oh, by the way, I saw Lord Alwyn a while ago.

(Princess Sophia covers her mouth as she gasps and looks at Lady Elizabeth.)

Princess Margaret: Talking with the ladies!

(Lady Elizabeth's face darkens.)

Princess Sophia: Such a playboy! Lady Elizabeth, you should be wary of him. (Grabs Lady Elizabeth's free hand and rubs it) You're too pretty today, don't let his dulcified words get you.

Princess Isabela: What do you mean? Their families have been clashing for two generations. That man does not deserve a lovely lady such as Lady Elizabeth!

(Princess Sophia lets go of Lady Elizabeth's hand, looks at her, and winks.)

Princess Margaret: So, if you see each other today Lady Elizabeth, remember, forbearance, my dear, forbearance.

Lady Elizabeth: (Smiles softly and nods) Well, I'll keep that in mind, Your Highnesses. (Looks at the three princesses) But, excuse me for a while, I'd like to take a fresh breath of air.

(The four exchanged curtsies. Lady Elizabeth exits the stage through the RW. The front lights are off, but there's a spotlight on the three princesses. Lord Alwyn enters the stage from the LW with a glass of wine in hand. Spotlight on Lord Alwyn as he walks to the CSL.)

Lord Alwyn: Oh, greetings, Your Highnesses! (Bows while the three princesses curtsies.)

Princess Isabel: I apologize, Lord Alwyn. We cannot entertain you any longer. It's almost midnight, and we have to go back to the banquet hall.

(The three curtsies once again and exits through the RW. Lord Alwyn's gaze follows the three. Princess Sophia goes back to the stage once again, still in the spotlight.)

Princess Sophia: (Shouts) Brother Alwyn, you seem drunk! You can go to the secluded garden for a breath of fresh air! Good luck! (Waves her hand and exits once again)

(Still, with the front lights off, Lady Elizabeth enters the stage from the RW and into the DSR quietly. Lady Elizabeth sits on the garden bench and faces the audience.)

Lord Alwyn: (Confused face) Good luck to me?

(Downlights on Lord Alwyn and Lady Elizabeth. Lord Alwyn sips his wine and walks towards the DSC with his head down. He stops in the DSC and slowly raises his head in the direction of the DSR. He stares at Lady Elizabeth for 5 seconds, then snaps back to reality. He clears his throat. The downlights turn off, replace with front lights. Lady Elizabeth gets startled and turns her head to the DCS.)

Lord Alwyn: (Walks closer to Lady Elizabeth) Well, well, well, look whom we have here! If it isn't the great Lady Elizabeth Carey Maxwell. (Smirks and chugs down the remaining wine in the glass. He puts the empty glass on the garden bench)

Lady Elizabeth: Lord Alwyn Smith Arvel? (Stands up abruptly and rolls eyes) Are you following me?

Lord Alwyn: Following? I've followed you all my life, baby. (Caresses her face with the back of his hand)

Lady Elizabeth: (Annoyed face, moves her face away and looks away) Baby? What right do you have to call me that? (Sharp eyes looking at Lord Alwyn) 

Lord Alwyn: (Leans his face closer to her) You look ethereal, fetching, (Looks at her eyes) a head-turner, I must say.

Lady Elizabeth: I know, my Lord. I am aware of my pulchritude and muliebrity. How's business going in your family?

Lord Alwyn: Same old thing? Still none of your business, I guess? (Leans back)

Lady Elizabeth: Are you drunk? (Sigh) Look here, my Lord, please leave. I came here first. I don't want anyone seeing us. Our families are rivals, and so are we. So please... (Pause) Stay away from me.

Lord Alwyn: My Lady, (Pause) Are you perhaps avoiding me?

Lady Elizabeth: I am not. I just have many things on my plate at the moment.

Lord Alwyn: I waited for you in the--

Lady Elizabeth: I don't think we have anything else left to talk about. If you don't leave, I will. If you excuse me, my Lord. I shall go back to the hall.

(Front lights off. Soft red backlight. Cool white spotlight on Lady Elizabeth and Lord Alwyn. Lady Elizabeth walks past Lord Alwyn. He grabs her wrist and pulls her in for a hug. Lady Elizabeth's grip on the glass of wine tightens.)

Lady Elizabeth: What--

Lord Alwyn: I don't excuse you. Let's stay like this (Pause) for a while. What is it are you trying to avoid?

Lady Elizabeth: What are you doing?

Lord Alwyn: I missed this. You haven't come to me for two weeks. I miss you.

Lady Elizabeth: Why are you doing this, my Lord?

Lord Alwyn: Then why are you making me feel this way, my Lady?

Lady Elizabeth: Like what?

Lord Alwyn: Like I can't live without you.

Lady Elizabeth: (Pushes him away. The cold and fierce demeanor breaks down.) Stop it! People will see us. They would think differently--

Lord Alwyn: (Loud voice) People rarely come in here, and I have no concern about what they think!

Lady Elizabeth: But I do!

Lord Alwyn: Why are you avoiding me then?

Lady Elizabeth: Why do you talk with those women then?

Lord Alwyn: Are you jealous? Why? What am I to you then?

Lady Elizabeth: (Pause) A rival. 

Lord Alwyn: A rival, you say? You make me hate you, then make me love you next. We argue in front of people but kiss behind closed doors. You put me down but give me wings the next. You roll your eyes at me in public but stare at my face and caress it in the morning while lying on the warmest bed we've ever known. What are your lies? Which is your truth?

Lady Elizabeth: Wasn't that the same case for both of us, just a dalliance? My moments with you are the greatest prison breaks, the best of times, and the worst of crimes. We drive but never too far. We don't think, we just drink, and escape. Our so-called truth is an evanescent realm you know we are not capable of keeping for the rest of our lifetimes! This family, this title, this life, this is our fate. It is inescapable!

Lord Alwyn: I tried my best not to get emotionally attached to you ever since you got in my carriage four years ago, telling me to take you away. But, instead of returning you to your family whom my family hates, I let you in my carriage and spent a week in the suburbs with you. Your engagement four years ago was supposed to be a good thing for my family. But what did I do? I forced you to break it off. An escape, you say? Well, it wasn't for me! Because it was serendipity along with the escape. And I knew I loved you the first time I laid my eyes on you. (Pause, heavy breathing) So tell me, in which universe? In what realm does this kind of relationship or dalliance in your vocabulary exist? A rutilant roundelay of an illicit affair. What starts in beautiful rooms ends in our secret private rooms. A rollercoaster ride in heaven and hell for four years. For four years! Is it not enough of a game of run and tag for us? We're adults for Pete's sake! Not the children who used to wait by the door. (Ragged breathing) What a great excuse for a rival.

(Lady Elizabeth looks away. Lord Alwyn grabs the wine in her hand, drinks the remaining wine on the glass, then places it on the garden bench.)

Lady Elizabeth: You're drunk, I shall lead you--

Lord Alwyn: I'm not.

Lady Elizabeth: I will forget whatever you have said tonight. It's the alcohol talking--

Lord Alwyn: If it's the alcohol talking, then it's the sober truth. My hands shake, my heart aches with all this silence, patience, anticipating, and desperately waiting, (Pause) just to hold me back from you. If it's the alcohol, I guess I have this liquid courage to thank. Because I could say, I love you, Carey. (Grabs Lady Elizabeth's hands and kisses them) I love you the most.

(Soft blue backlight. Side and high side lighting on Lady Elizabeth and Lord Alwyn. The three princesses quietly enter the stage while crouching through the RW and hiding behind the bush.)

Lady Elizabeth: (With tears on her face, looks down on the floor) Please stop calling me baby or darling or whatever endearment you use. Don't say my name or tell me you love me with that voice. I can't. Wanting was enough, dreaming was enough, hoping was enough, stolen moments were enough. For me, it was enough. (Lifts her head and looks at Lord Alwyn) And our families... They will be against this relationship. The wounds between our families are too deep. Moreover, how your older brother and my younger sister eloped and ran away to some dell or bucolic bungalow worsened the wrath of our parents.

Lord Alwyn: (Wipes the tear off her face) If you can't be strong, then I will be for the both of us. If you want to keep our love a secret, I'm willing to. If you want to run away, I'll run away with you as far as we can. I'm tired of this rivalry, this push and pull. I just want to be yours. Just say the word--

Lady Elizabeth: No. (Shakes her head and steps back from Lord Alwyn)

Lord Alwyn: Why? Is my love not enough?

Lady Elizabeth: I... I don't deserve you. I don't want to hurt us further and chase false hope. I am not as brave as you think I am, and you deserve better. 

Lord Alwyn: (Takes a step forward towards Lady Elizabeth) You're the only one who makes me feel this way. I tried talking and meeting the girls my father set me up with. But, Carey, no one has left an indentation on me as much as you do. Your touch brings forth a different kind of glow. Like a church choir, your voice lingers in my ear. My eyes are as blue as the ocean, but it's your eyes that entice me to dive into you. 

Lady Elizabeth: No, you deserve someone who can call you "Smith" without caring about other people instead of just "My Lord." You deserve someone who can tell you the words of love and affirmation right in front of your face and to the whole world.

(Still soft blue backlight. Slowly transition the side and high side lighting into a soft spotlight on Lady Elizabeth and Lord Alwyn.)

Lord Alwyn: (Holds her face and kisses her forehead )Is that why you avoided me for two weeks? Because you think you don't deserve me? Or is it because you realized how strong your feelings for me were? And what did it get you?

Lady Elizabeth: (Wipes her tears and removes Lord Alwyn's hand on her face) I became crestfallen more than I thought I would be because I realized how I hate everything in this world except you. So I ran away from you and avoided you. But the more I tried to forget you, the more I longed to be with you. (Looks at Alwyn's face) But you do not deserve to be a kept man.

Lord Alwyn: Then don't make me. 

Lady Elizabeth: It's not that easy.

Lord Alwyn: You taught me a secret language I'm unable to communicate with anyone else. You left a golden tattoo on me I could not stop thinking about. Look at me! Look at this godforsaken mess that you made me. Look at this idiotic fool that you made me. You know that for you, I would ruin myself a million little times.

Lady Elizabeth: What we have between us is surreptitious. How can I possibly love you in the open when we are the cynosure of all eyes. Isn't that why we have our secret moments in crowded rooms that no one knows, clandestine meetings, and stolen longing stares?

Lord Alwyn: You... you love me too?

(Turn on the smoke machine in low intensity. Transition to soft yellow backlight. Slowly transition the soft spotlight into the side and high side lighting.)

Lady Elizabeth: I... I see us lost in memory like a glass of ephemeral champagne that sips away in a moment in time. 

Lord Alywn: You repine our times and wish for more.

Lady Elizabeth: One single glance, and you make me want to run to you.

Lord Alywn: You want to be with me.

Lady Elizabeth: In the night, you're the candlelight of freedom on my face.

Lord Alywn: Then run to me!

Lady Elizabeth: And what if we get burned?

Lord Alywn: At least we were electrified.

Lady Elizabeth: Here I go again. (Pause) Why do I have to break what I love so much? It's on your face, and I'm to blame. You were not mine to lose. (Deep breath) Because you were never mine in the first place.

Lord Alywn: I'd live and die for the moments we stole on begged and borrowed time.

Lady Elizabeth: But I don't want to kiss you only when the lights are off. I don't want to hold you only when the curtains are down. I don't want to dance with our hands tied. I don't want to do this to you. I... I don't want to make you my dark little paradise... Because you deserve more than that, Smith. You are a wonderful man, and you deserve the world.

Lord Alywn: But you are my world!

Lady Elizabeth: Oh god, (Facepalm) we'll just keep running in circles with this conversation if we keep going.

Lord Alywn: Be honest. Do you want to run away?

Lady Elizabeth: (Looks at his eyes) I'm tired of running away.

Lord Alywn: Do you want me?

Lady Elizabeth: Yes.

Lord Alywn: Do you like me?

Lady Elizabeth: Like is an understatement, Smith.

Lord Alywn: Then I'll find a way.

Lady Elizabeth: What way?

Lord Alywn: Just drop the bomb and say the word right in front of my face, Carey.

Lady Elizabeth: What--

Lord Alywn: Tell me those three words! Just three words! Forget your pride or our family's matter at this moment. Just think about us at this moment. (Holds her hands) Carey, I don't want to lose this with you.

Lady Elizabeth: No matter what happens, you'll still be mine, right? We'll be just fine, right? 

Lord Alywn: Say the word, and I'm yours. Sempiternal, Carey, sempiternal. (Kisses her hand)

Lady Elizabeth: (Hugs him) I'm sorry. (Cries) I'm the one who burns us down even when I don't mean it. I'm sorry you have to get hurt. I'm sorry for avoiding you. I love you, Smith. And I, too, do not want to lose this with you.

Lord Alywn: (Hugs her back and caresses her head) I love you too, Carey. Trust me. We'll get through this just fine.

Lady Elizabeth: (Pulls away) Do you have a plan?

Lord Alywn: Do you think I came here without anything?

Lady Elizabeth: What do you mean?

Lord Alywn: I'll take over my family's business formally. I would be powerful enough to deserve a fine lady such as yourself. Then, I'll court you once again. (Kisses her forehead)

Lady Elizabeth: And if my father forbids?

Lord Alywn: Then, we don't need the blessings of our families, we just need His Majesty's. 

Lady Elizabeth: His Majesty?

Lord Alywn: (Shouts) Come out! I know you're hiding!

(Princess Isabel, Sophia, and Margaret slowly stand up from the bush, averting their gaze from the couple. Turn off the smoke machine.)

Princess Sophia: (Touches the bush) Oh, it's grass! (Looks down and scratches her neck) Hehe...

Princess Isabel: (Looks up to the sky) Wow, what a beautiful night!

Princess Margaret: Oh, pardon, I didn't see you there. (Waves her hand)

Lady Elizabeth: What are you three doing here?

(The three hurriedly walk toward the CS and kneels.)

Lady Elizabeth: What-

Princess Isabel: We apologize, Sister Elizabeth. We found out about your relationship a month ago and couldn't stand you hurting like this.

Princess Margaret: So we reached out to Brother Alwyn. The two of you took care of us well until now. We ought to return the favor. We apologize for this is the least we can do for the two of you.

Princess Sophia: The rest will be up to you. We will convince our father of your marriage. We'll do our best. So we shall take our leave now.

(The three princesses stand up and curtsies. They run towards the RW to exit the stage. Lord Alwyn and Lady Elizabeth's gaze follows them.)

Lord Alywn: (Laughs) Mischievous princesses.

Lady Elizabeth: (Laughs) They grew up well. Although, yes, they're quite temerarious and playful for royalties.

Lord Alywn: (Looks back at Lady Elizabeth) Could you perhaps say that again?

Lady Elizabeth: What?

Lord Alywn: You know, those words?

Lady Elizabeth: Ah, (Looks at his eyes) I love you, Smith.

Lord Alwyn: I love you too.

Lady Elizabeth: And what was that marriage the princess was talking about?

Lord Alwyn: Ah (Scratches his neck) that...

(The midnight bell rings. They both look up.)

Lady Elizabeth: I'll think about it. In the meantime, I have to get back to the hall. (Walks past Lord Alwyn)

Lord Alwyn: (Grabs her hand once again and kisses it) I love you, Carey.

Lady Elizabeth: (Smiles and kisses his cheek) I love you too, Smith. See you tomorrow, my Lord.

Lord Alwyn: See you, my beautiful Lady. (Smiles)

(Transition the side and high side lighting into the white front lights. Lady Elizabeth exits the stage through RW. Lord Alwyn picks up the two glasses of wine and clinks them together. He exits the stage through the RW after too while smiling.)

 

~END~