This club play was written as a group collaboration between the participants and the group leader.
December 18, 2010
THE BEAST
Starring:
The Half-Cat Scientist (Solly)
The School Teacher (Anna)
Dance Mistress (Emma)
The Judge (Emily)
The General (Josh)
The Life Coach (Josh)
Synopsis:
I. The Half-Cat Scientist is in his laboratory obsessing over the idea of creating a companion to help him "...keep it together." Through much trial and error we finally are witness to the conception of The Beast. At first The Beast is sweet and cuddly like a puppy, but it quickly rebels against it masters wishes for it and freely wills itself around without regard for others. The Half-Cat Scientist certainly was not expecting such a lack of compliance and decides to send The Beast to school.
II. Once at school The Beast is unruly and determined to eat all the books in the class. He plays with his writing utensils as if they were drum sticks and slowly eats away at The School Teacher's tolerance. "That's enough!" Once The Half-Cat Scientist arrives to pick up The Beast from school, the teacher asks to have a word with him. The Beast terrorizes the school children as the The School Teacher itemizes each of his offenses throughout the day. "My conclusion, Sir, is that The Beast has TOO MUCH PHYSICAL ENERGY and should be sent to dance class!"
III. And so The Half-Cast Scientist drags The Beast across town to Mistress Manèges
School of Dance. The poised and strict dance teacher is certain she can being some elegance and finesse to the life of The Beast. She praises him for bringing the proper footwear. During class, The Beast simply will not adhere to her techniques. He keeps dancing a low, hip-circulating dance that makes the ballerinas' blush. "Cover your eyes, girls!" Directs Mistress Manèges strongly. Things only worsen as The Beast takes off his ballet slippers and proceeds to eat them. When the Mistress reprimands him, he throws the slippers at her in front of her whole class. Once The Half-Cat Scientist arrives to pick up The Beast from dance, the mistress asks to have a word with him. The Beast terrorizes the ballerinas' as Mistress Manèges itemizes each of his offenses throughout the day. "My conclusion, Sir, is that The Beast has TOO LITTLE DISCIPLINE and should be sent to the military!"
IV. And so The Half-Cast Scientist drags The Beast across town to enlist him in Discipline Training. The powerful and rigid General is certain he can bring a sense of order and discipline to the life of The Beast. They have barely marched together for 50 steps before The General begins to doubt his effectiveness and ability to control The Beast. After many painstaking drills, it is clear that he simply cannot keep The Beast in line. Once The Half-Cat Scientist arrives for his first meeting with The General, it is clear to him that the man is struggling. The Beast breaks the ranks and distracts the soldiers as The General itemizes each of his offenses throughout his training. "My conclusion, Sir, is that The Beast IS A MENACE TO SOCIETY DUE TO HIS UNPREDICTABLE INDIVIDUALISM. There is no other option but to let the justice system deal with the likes of him!"
V. At the trial of The Beast, The School Teacher, Mistress Manèges and The General all testify to his lack of civility and purpose. The School Teacher concludes, "...he must have ADHD..." Mistress Manèges attests, "...he has no self-control..." and The General asserts, "He needs structure!" Based on these testimonies The Judge deduces that The Beast does not have sound judgment and must be locked away. The Half-Cat Scientist weeps. That evening The Beast makes a racket in the cells and disturbs all the inmates. Even the guest in the Fanta-Suite Prison Cell gets his knickers in a pucker and complains to the front desk that he wants his money back. This is the last straw for The Judge. He call upon The Life Coach. The Life Coach meets with The Beast and quickly realizes that isolation is not the answer to taming the beast. Locking The Beast up was only making his craziness grow, since it was all pent up. The Life Coach tries to reason with The Judge that the beast must be free, if he is to be safe in society. The Judge cannot stand to hear this, let alone believe it. He is so disturbed that he has The Beast placed in solitary confinement. The Life Coach warns this is a grave mistake, but The Judge would not listen. That night the pent up energies in The Beast were growing and growing. Finally, he BURST through the walls of the prison leaving a gaping hole for all the prisoners to escape. The Beast was free.
Epilogue. Five years pass and we see The School Teacher, Mistress Manèges, The General and The Judge all going through the motions of their day. Their movements are robotic and repetitive. The Life Coach and Half-Cat Scientist stand aside, juxtaposing the lifelessness. Suddenly The Beast comes strolling onto the scene looking quite dapper. He says to his creator, "I've just returned from Harvard with a degree in Laser Engineering." Upon hearing this his adversaries are translated into seething, twitching, hyper, unruly beasts.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Play: THE NEELA DE LORENA
This club play was written as a group collaboration between the participants and the group leader.
December 11, 2010
THE NEELA DE LORENA
Starring:
Magee Cal the Magical, an alchemist (Jack)
Neela de Lorena, a statue (Molly)
Omarto, the apprentice (Finn)
Biano, a sculptor (Evan)
Crew:
Ryan
I. The alchemist sits in his favorite chair talking to his "pets", (a green felt hand puppet and a golden duck on the top of a wooden cane). He discusses his new procedure for bringing life to still images. His apprentice Omarto brings him some milk and with the first sip Magee Cal surmises his spell is ready. He first brings consciousness to a portrait of a man, wife and child. The man states flatly "I love my family." The child cries "Wahhhhh!" and the wife says tersely, "I have to pee, let me out of here." Silencing them, the alchemist nary takes time to relish in the triumph of a successful experiment. Instead, his mind begins to run in circles... he turns to Omarto with an inspired look on his face. "Omarto! What if I could use this magic on a statue?! Yes! Omarto! Fetch Bianco the sculptor at once!" Omarto leaves and Magee Cal stops a second portrait. His aunt asks, "Magee Cal, do you want Monkey Jamees for Christmas this year?"
II. Omarto returns accompanied by Bianco. Magee Cal does not divulge his intentions for the statue, he merely offers a handsome commission to Bianco to make him a human likeness. Bianco does not need much direction... "I already have her in my minds eye. The Neela de Lorena!" He paces, "In order to make her, I will need a sword made from the hardest material in the world." Magee Cal, being very skilled in metallurgy honors this request as a fair trade. He immediately sets to work on conditioning the blade. Within minutes he presents the sword to Bianco with a formal ritual. Bianco is so eager to try his new tool that he requests to begin work immediately. Omarto brings forth a cart carrying a hunk of raw marble. Bianco wields the sword in a whirling motion, like a dance, slicing off pieces of stone as if it were soft as butter. When the dance is done we are left in awe of the revealed form of The Neela De Lorena. Biano, Magee Cal and Omarto are stunned by her beauty. "I will be back in two weeks time to put on the finishing touches. I must contemplate her perfection,..." Bianco mutters as he is leaving.
III. Magee Cal launches straight into the application of his magic. "She will come to life every evening between 8:07-9:39 pm, Omarto. What for? Hmmm... She will help you clean up the work room!" The procedure is quick and effective. "She lives!" Exclaims Omarto. At first, Neela experiments with movement. She then begins to silently move about the room, her eyes darting every which way. "Another success," sighs Magee Cal tiredly. "Well, Omarto, I am done working for the day. Please tend to the statue and teach her how to clean." Omarto is honored by the responsibility of being the statue's keeper. And so, night after night, Omarto and Neela cleaned the work room together as Omarto schooled the statue on the nature of living. Most unfortunately, it seemed as though Neela would always turn back into stone just as the conversation was deepening. The next day it was always as if the moment was lost. Omarto was growing frustrated by the limitations of their friendship.
IV. After 2 weeks had passed, Bianco returned to put the finishing touches on The Neela De Lorena. After asking to be alone with the statue, Bianco was horrified to find that Neela was standing in a different position than he had sculpted her. Confused, he decided not to alter the statue, but to come back that evening to watch her, to understand what could possibly change what was set in stone. Pretending as though he needed more time, he told Omarto he would be back in a few days. That evening he returned to watch the statue through the window. He was beside himself when at 8:07 pm she became a living woman. Omarto was furious that Magee Cal was tampering with the integrity of his art form. He stomped away, configuring his plan for confronting Magee Cal.
V. The next morning Bianco came calling. He let himself into Magee Cal's workroom. "What gives you the right to alter my master work?" Yelled Bianco. Magee Cal was stunned. "I gave you the blade in exchange for the statue. She is mine." Bianco was unflappable, "She is my art for you to look at, to admire, but not to tamper with!" Magee Cal calmly cleared his throat, raised his wand and said, "My magic is far more powerful than your 'art'." And with that he beamed magic from the wand at Bianco. Bianco blocked the spell with his hardened blade and the two began warring. Omarto came running down into the work room trying to get the men to stop, but the fighting was so intense that the room was a fog of lightning bolts, piercing light orbs, flying blades and plaster of paris. Because they could no longer see, the men stopped. When the dust cleared The Neela de Lorena was completely obliterated. Her stone had crumbled to pieces. "You have destroyed my art." Bianco quibbled. "You have ruined my magic." Magee Cal squabbled. Omarto stepped forward, "Both of you have ended the life of my friend." Omarto wept. Bianco and Magee Cal were struck with deep remorse. Magee Cal sighed, "There is only one thing that can be done."
Epilogue. Months later Bianco sits in the work room smoking a cigar. Magee Cal is attending to the cleaning. Neela and Omarto enter the work room, she will parasol in hand. "We've just returned from the beach!" Exclaimed Neela. Omarto appeared full of gratitude, "Yes, I showed Neela what seashells are."
December 11, 2010
THE NEELA DE LORENA
Starring:
Magee Cal the Magical, an alchemist (Jack)
Neela de Lorena, a statue (Molly)
Omarto, the apprentice (Finn)
Biano, a sculptor (Evan)
Crew:
Ryan
I. The alchemist sits in his favorite chair talking to his "pets", (a green felt hand puppet and a golden duck on the top of a wooden cane). He discusses his new procedure for bringing life to still images. His apprentice Omarto brings him some milk and with the first sip Magee Cal surmises his spell is ready. He first brings consciousness to a portrait of a man, wife and child. The man states flatly "I love my family." The child cries "Wahhhhh!" and the wife says tersely, "I have to pee, let me out of here." Silencing them, the alchemist nary takes time to relish in the triumph of a successful experiment. Instead, his mind begins to run in circles... he turns to Omarto with an inspired look on his face. "Omarto! What if I could use this magic on a statue?! Yes! Omarto! Fetch Bianco the sculptor at once!" Omarto leaves and Magee Cal stops a second portrait. His aunt asks, "Magee Cal, do you want Monkey Jamees for Christmas this year?"
II. Omarto returns accompanied by Bianco. Magee Cal does not divulge his intentions for the statue, he merely offers a handsome commission to Bianco to make him a human likeness. Bianco does not need much direction... "I already have her in my minds eye. The Neela de Lorena!" He paces, "In order to make her, I will need a sword made from the hardest material in the world." Magee Cal, being very skilled in metallurgy honors this request as a fair trade. He immediately sets to work on conditioning the blade. Within minutes he presents the sword to Bianco with a formal ritual. Bianco is so eager to try his new tool that he requests to begin work immediately. Omarto brings forth a cart carrying a hunk of raw marble. Bianco wields the sword in a whirling motion, like a dance, slicing off pieces of stone as if it were soft as butter. When the dance is done we are left in awe of the revealed form of The Neela De Lorena. Biano, Magee Cal and Omarto are stunned by her beauty. "I will be back in two weeks time to put on the finishing touches. I must contemplate her perfection,..." Bianco mutters as he is leaving.
III. Magee Cal launches straight into the application of his magic. "She will come to life every evening between 8:07-9:39 pm, Omarto. What for? Hmmm... She will help you clean up the work room!" The procedure is quick and effective. "She lives!" Exclaims Omarto. At first, Neela experiments with movement. She then begins to silently move about the room, her eyes darting every which way. "Another success," sighs Magee Cal tiredly. "Well, Omarto, I am done working for the day. Please tend to the statue and teach her how to clean." Omarto is honored by the responsibility of being the statue's keeper. And so, night after night, Omarto and Neela cleaned the work room together as Omarto schooled the statue on the nature of living. Most unfortunately, it seemed as though Neela would always turn back into stone just as the conversation was deepening. The next day it was always as if the moment was lost. Omarto was growing frustrated by the limitations of their friendship.
IV. After 2 weeks had passed, Bianco returned to put the finishing touches on The Neela De Lorena. After asking to be alone with the statue, Bianco was horrified to find that Neela was standing in a different position than he had sculpted her. Confused, he decided not to alter the statue, but to come back that evening to watch her, to understand what could possibly change what was set in stone. Pretending as though he needed more time, he told Omarto he would be back in a few days. That evening he returned to watch the statue through the window. He was beside himself when at 8:07 pm she became a living woman. Omarto was furious that Magee Cal was tampering with the integrity of his art form. He stomped away, configuring his plan for confronting Magee Cal.
V. The next morning Bianco came calling. He let himself into Magee Cal's workroom. "What gives you the right to alter my master work?" Yelled Bianco. Magee Cal was stunned. "I gave you the blade in exchange for the statue. She is mine." Bianco was unflappable, "She is my art for you to look at, to admire, but not to tamper with!" Magee Cal calmly cleared his throat, raised his wand and said, "My magic is far more powerful than your 'art'." And with that he beamed magic from the wand at Bianco. Bianco blocked the spell with his hardened blade and the two began warring. Omarto came running down into the work room trying to get the men to stop, but the fighting was so intense that the room was a fog of lightning bolts, piercing light orbs, flying blades and plaster of paris. Because they could no longer see, the men stopped. When the dust cleared The Neela de Lorena was completely obliterated. Her stone had crumbled to pieces. "You have destroyed my art." Bianco quibbled. "You have ruined my magic." Magee Cal squabbled. Omarto stepped forward, "Both of you have ended the life of my friend." Omarto wept. Bianco and Magee Cal were struck with deep remorse. Magee Cal sighed, "There is only one thing that can be done."
Epilogue. Months later Bianco sits in the work room smoking a cigar. Magee Cal is attending to the cleaning. Neela and Omarto enter the work room, she will parasol in hand. "We've just returned from the beach!" Exclaimed Neela. Omarto appeared full of gratitude, "Yes, I showed Neela what seashells are."
Friday, December 10, 2010
Play: THE WATER OF LIFE (an adaptation)
This week the club play was an adaptation of a fairy tale brought by our special guest artist, Genese Grill. The adaptation was created by the group leader and the actors.
December 4, 2010
THE WATER OF LIFE
Starring:
Sick King (Atticus)
Oldest Son (Locke)
King's Daughter (Abigal)
Youngest Son (Solly)
Honky Dwarf (Finn)
Tonky Dwarf (Sylvan)
Wise Woman (Anna)
Princess (Ariel)
Lions (Wren, Locke)
Vassals/Chorus (Ariel, Wren, Anna)
Art:
Isabelle
Genese
Crew:
Emma
Ryan
I. In the great castle we see that The King is sick. His children are grown and their worry appears to run deep. The King's Daughter runs from the throne room in a commotion of dramatic weeping. Not wanting to be upstaged, The Oldest Son follows suit and flees from the room sobbing uncontrollably. The Youngest Son touches his father's shoulder tenderly and sheds a single tear. He spares his father his worry until he reaches the garden. In the garden, the 3 weep. The Wise Woman is nested within the foliage of the garden. She listens to a skull. "Yes, it is true, death is near." The weeping ascends crescendo. "But!" Everyone stops crying abruptly -- "There is hope. It is very difficult to come upon, but The Water of Life will heal your father." The Oldest Son is seized by his opportunistic spirit. He thinks, "If I were to find the water first and bring it to my father, then I will be most deserving of inheriting the throne... hmmm."
"I will fetch the water! Just tell me what to do!" He asserts to The Wise Woman. He does not heed the warnings of the Wise Woman and sets right off.
II. The Oldest Son is hacking his way through the forest. Two Honky Tonk Dwarves greet him. The Oldest Son does not want his quest to be interrupted by such minimal beings. He insults The Dwarves for even attempting approach. Offended, The Dwarves chant "Higgly Piggly Wiggly Wap, put this man into our trap!" Suddenly the Oldest Son is jailed in a crevice in the side of the mountain. Not far behind him, The King's Daughter also seeks The Water of Life in competition with her brother. She is a haughty woman who will not lose the chance to secure her father's love for herself alone. Crossing the path of The Honky Tonk Dwarves, she doesn't even take the time to insult them, she simply pushes the two out of her way with her parasol. The Dwarves cannot believe how many rude visitors they have had this morning. Again, "Higgly Piggly Wiggly Wap, put this girl into our trap." The King's Daughter finds herself jailed with her older brother. Seeking The Water of Life, as well as the whereabouts and safety of his brother and sister, The Youngest Son enters the forest. He comes across The Dwarves and greets them warmly. The Dwarves are charmed by his friendliness. "I am seeking the Water of Life my two tiny friends. Do you know where I might find it?" The Dwarves nod and reveal a scroll. The scroll states, "The Water of Life springs from a fountain in the dining hall of an enchanted castle to the West. You can enter if you have the iron wand and 2 small loaves of bread with you. When you reach the iron door of the castle, strike the iron wand 3 times on the door. When it opens you will been met by 2 hungry lions. Throwest the bread into the lions gaping jaws to pass. You must be quick to fetch The Water of Life before midnight or the iron door will close and you will be imprisoned there for eternity." The Dwarves presented to iron wand and bread to The Youngest Son. With much gratitude, he took the items and thanked The Dwarves for their guidance. He set of in the direction of the castle.
III. The Youngest Son found the enchanted castle just as The Dwarves had said. He tapped the iron wand on the door 3 times and it sprung open. Entering into the immense front hall, he anticipated when the 2 lions were to pounce. Throwing the 2 small loaves of bread to the beasts they were instantly pacified. Seeking the dining hall the young man began to get lost in the halls and halls of endless doors. One thing The Dwarves had not told him is that within a small room awaited an entrancing Princess. She was divine. "I've been waiting for you! What is it that you seek?" The Youngest Son was unflappable. "I've come for the Water of Life. Can you tell me where it is?" The Princess seemed trustworthy enough. "Yes, you must walk down the hall with the golden carpet. In the Dining Hall is a fountain that will give you what you seek. Now I tell you what I seek. Come back to me in a year and we will marry." The Youngest Son bowed to her honor and set off to the Dining Hall. Once he entered the hall, the journey's weariness began to overtake him. Coming across a large overstuffed chair, he decided to sit just for a moment.... hours later he awoke with a start. The ominous hands of the clock read 4 minutes before midnight. Desperately he ran to the fountain and filled his chalice, then sprinted for the door. The door slammed shut promptly at midnight so fiercely that it took off a part of the heel of his shoe.
IV. The Youngest Son journeyed back through the forest and was met again by The Dwarves. "Tiny friends, thank you ever so much for your help finding the Water of Life. Now, I'm wondering if you have seen my older brother and sister?" The Dwarves exchanged a knowing look. "Yes, we have imprisoned your brother and sister in the side of the mountain for their bad hearts." The Youngest Son was shocked by this. "They are not bad. They love my father and I. Please release them!" The Dwarves warned The Youngest Son, "We will free them because of your kind heart. But please, beware. Their hearts are bad." Poof! Suddenly The Oldest Son and The King's Daughter were standing where The Dwarves had been. The Dwarves had disappeared. "Brother! Sister! I appealed to The Dwarves for your freedom. What a misunderstanding. I am so glad you are safe." His brother and sister exchanged a plotting glance. "Brother! Do you have the Water of Life?" They asked. "Yes! Let's make haste so that father will be well," Said the young one. "No, no, brother. You are tired. Here. Let us rest for a while and then we will finish the journey home." Very tired and in need of rest, the young brother agreed and slipped into a deep sleep. His brother and sister schemed to win their father's favor instead. Taking the chalice from his hands, they filled a secret vessel with The Water of Life and filled the chalice with salt water from the sea. When the young one awoke,they made the journey home together discussing his adventures.
V. Upon reaching the great castle of their father, The Youngest Son rushed in to the throne room declaring that he was indeed in possession of The Water of Life. He bowed at his father's feet offering the chalice. His father drank of it and immediately fell more ill. Minutes later, his Oldest Son and Daughter rushed into the room. "Father! Tell us you have not drunk of the poisonous waters our brother brought to you. You have been tricked! Our brother lied to you! It is us who truly have possession of The Water of Life..." In a weakened state the King drank from the chalice offered to him. Immediately WELLNESS claimed his body. He sprang to his feet, shouting "I feel like a young man again!" Then a grave look came across his face. "Son! Why did you try to poison me? How could you do this?" The Youngest Son tried to explain the perils he had endured to get the water and that he believed it to truly be The Water of Life... but his father would not listen. "I banish you from my kingdom unless you can prove to me that my life you did not intend to take." The Youngest Son was ousted from the castle.
VI. Of course a year had not passed since the Youngest Son was to fetch his bride in the enchanted castle, but he knew he had to go to her. Only the Princess could help him out of this. Once he had explained his position to The Dwarves they were determined to help him set the record straight. The Dwarves helped the Youngest Son to find his way back to the Princess. Upon hearing about the conspiracy, the Princess consulted her magic mirror for truth. It was revealed that his brother and sister had switched the Water of Life for salt sea water. The Princess agreed to return to the castle with the Young Son and Two Dwarves to free his name. They were just in time to save the king from willing the kingdom to his Oldest Son. The Princess showed the scene in the mirror to the king and he was filled with remorse for the banishment of his son. He decreed that his Oldest Son and Daughter were to be imprisoned in the enchanted castle with only the lions to keep them company. As for The Youngest Son, he would take his position as King as soon as the princess was ready to marry.
December 4, 2010
THE WATER OF LIFE
Starring:
Sick King (Atticus)
Oldest Son (Locke)
King's Daughter (Abigal)
Youngest Son (Solly)
Honky Dwarf (Finn)
Tonky Dwarf (Sylvan)
Wise Woman (Anna)
Princess (Ariel)
Lions (Wren, Locke)
Vassals/Chorus (Ariel, Wren, Anna)
Art:
Isabelle
Genese
Crew:
Emma
Ryan
I. In the great castle we see that The King is sick. His children are grown and their worry appears to run deep. The King's Daughter runs from the throne room in a commotion of dramatic weeping. Not wanting to be upstaged, The Oldest Son follows suit and flees from the room sobbing uncontrollably. The Youngest Son touches his father's shoulder tenderly and sheds a single tear. He spares his father his worry until he reaches the garden. In the garden, the 3 weep. The Wise Woman is nested within the foliage of the garden. She listens to a skull. "Yes, it is true, death is near." The weeping ascends crescendo. "But!" Everyone stops crying abruptly -- "There is hope. It is very difficult to come upon, but The Water of Life will heal your father." The Oldest Son is seized by his opportunistic spirit. He thinks, "If I were to find the water first and bring it to my father, then I will be most deserving of inheriting the throne... hmmm."
"I will fetch the water! Just tell me what to do!" He asserts to The Wise Woman. He does not heed the warnings of the Wise Woman and sets right off.
II. The Oldest Son is hacking his way through the forest. Two Honky Tonk Dwarves greet him. The Oldest Son does not want his quest to be interrupted by such minimal beings. He insults The Dwarves for even attempting approach. Offended, The Dwarves chant "Higgly Piggly Wiggly Wap, put this man into our trap!" Suddenly the Oldest Son is jailed in a crevice in the side of the mountain. Not far behind him, The King's Daughter also seeks The Water of Life in competition with her brother. She is a haughty woman who will not lose the chance to secure her father's love for herself alone. Crossing the path of The Honky Tonk Dwarves, she doesn't even take the time to insult them, she simply pushes the two out of her way with her parasol. The Dwarves cannot believe how many rude visitors they have had this morning. Again, "Higgly Piggly Wiggly Wap, put this girl into our trap." The King's Daughter finds herself jailed with her older brother. Seeking The Water of Life, as well as the whereabouts and safety of his brother and sister, The Youngest Son enters the forest. He comes across The Dwarves and greets them warmly. The Dwarves are charmed by his friendliness. "I am seeking the Water of Life my two tiny friends. Do you know where I might find it?" The Dwarves nod and reveal a scroll. The scroll states, "The Water of Life springs from a fountain in the dining hall of an enchanted castle to the West. You can enter if you have the iron wand and 2 small loaves of bread with you. When you reach the iron door of the castle, strike the iron wand 3 times on the door. When it opens you will been met by 2 hungry lions. Throwest the bread into the lions gaping jaws to pass. You must be quick to fetch The Water of Life before midnight or the iron door will close and you will be imprisoned there for eternity." The Dwarves presented to iron wand and bread to The Youngest Son. With much gratitude, he took the items and thanked The Dwarves for their guidance. He set of in the direction of the castle.
III. The Youngest Son found the enchanted castle just as The Dwarves had said. He tapped the iron wand on the door 3 times and it sprung open. Entering into the immense front hall, he anticipated when the 2 lions were to pounce. Throwing the 2 small loaves of bread to the beasts they were instantly pacified. Seeking the dining hall the young man began to get lost in the halls and halls of endless doors. One thing The Dwarves had not told him is that within a small room awaited an entrancing Princess. She was divine. "I've been waiting for you! What is it that you seek?" The Youngest Son was unflappable. "I've come for the Water of Life. Can you tell me where it is?" The Princess seemed trustworthy enough. "Yes, you must walk down the hall with the golden carpet. In the Dining Hall is a fountain that will give you what you seek. Now I tell you what I seek. Come back to me in a year and we will marry." The Youngest Son bowed to her honor and set off to the Dining Hall. Once he entered the hall, the journey's weariness began to overtake him. Coming across a large overstuffed chair, he decided to sit just for a moment.... hours later he awoke with a start. The ominous hands of the clock read 4 minutes before midnight. Desperately he ran to the fountain and filled his chalice, then sprinted for the door. The door slammed shut promptly at midnight so fiercely that it took off a part of the heel of his shoe.
IV. The Youngest Son journeyed back through the forest and was met again by The Dwarves. "Tiny friends, thank you ever so much for your help finding the Water of Life. Now, I'm wondering if you have seen my older brother and sister?" The Dwarves exchanged a knowing look. "Yes, we have imprisoned your brother and sister in the side of the mountain for their bad hearts." The Youngest Son was shocked by this. "They are not bad. They love my father and I. Please release them!" The Dwarves warned The Youngest Son, "We will free them because of your kind heart. But please, beware. Their hearts are bad." Poof! Suddenly The Oldest Son and The King's Daughter were standing where The Dwarves had been. The Dwarves had disappeared. "Brother! Sister! I appealed to The Dwarves for your freedom. What a misunderstanding. I am so glad you are safe." His brother and sister exchanged a plotting glance. "Brother! Do you have the Water of Life?" They asked. "Yes! Let's make haste so that father will be well," Said the young one. "No, no, brother. You are tired. Here. Let us rest for a while and then we will finish the journey home." Very tired and in need of rest, the young brother agreed and slipped into a deep sleep. His brother and sister schemed to win their father's favor instead. Taking the chalice from his hands, they filled a secret vessel with The Water of Life and filled the chalice with salt water from the sea. When the young one awoke,they made the journey home together discussing his adventures.
V. Upon reaching the great castle of their father, The Youngest Son rushed in to the throne room declaring that he was indeed in possession of The Water of Life. He bowed at his father's feet offering the chalice. His father drank of it and immediately fell more ill. Minutes later, his Oldest Son and Daughter rushed into the room. "Father! Tell us you have not drunk of the poisonous waters our brother brought to you. You have been tricked! Our brother lied to you! It is us who truly have possession of The Water of Life..." In a weakened state the King drank from the chalice offered to him. Immediately WELLNESS claimed his body. He sprang to his feet, shouting "I feel like a young man again!" Then a grave look came across his face. "Son! Why did you try to poison me? How could you do this?" The Youngest Son tried to explain the perils he had endured to get the water and that he believed it to truly be The Water of Life... but his father would not listen. "I banish you from my kingdom unless you can prove to me that my life you did not intend to take." The Youngest Son was ousted from the castle.
VI. Of course a year had not passed since the Youngest Son was to fetch his bride in the enchanted castle, but he knew he had to go to her. Only the Princess could help him out of this. Once he had explained his position to The Dwarves they were determined to help him set the record straight. The Dwarves helped the Youngest Son to find his way back to the Princess. Upon hearing about the conspiracy, the Princess consulted her magic mirror for truth. It was revealed that his brother and sister had switched the Water of Life for salt sea water. The Princess agreed to return to the castle with the Young Son and Two Dwarves to free his name. They were just in time to save the king from willing the kingdom to his Oldest Son. The Princess showed the scene in the mirror to the king and he was filled with remorse for the banishment of his son. He decreed that his Oldest Son and Daughter were to be imprisoned in the enchanted castle with only the lions to keep them company. As for The Youngest Son, he would take his position as King as soon as the princess was ready to marry.
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