In the Court of the Crimson King
by T. B. Johnson
ACT I
PROLOGUE.
CHORUS
From darkness comes a tale of pain, heartache,
and bloodshed. Look upon it and despair.
Thou now bear witness to the Crimson King’s
fell court. O, hark, and well! Its dark red mon-
arch lacks not respect nor love from his pe-
ople. Yet thou shalt see all his glory tak-
en from him. Everything. His rule, his wife,
his soul. Thou shalt soon know that power not
oft lies in them that seem to carry it.
SCENE ONE.
Court Nobles party, drink, and mingle. Iocus the Fool, dressed as a harlequin, performs with marionettes.
IOCUS
You! Bring all your eyes over here!
When our lovers meet, cavalier,
they find a dark place.
And, lacking good grace,
the pair get their forms to cohere!
The Court laughs and whistles while Iocus pantomimes the puppets flirting and fornicating.
IOCUS
But woe! A disaster, dire, strikes!
You see, some are careless with pikes.
He goes a bit fast,
She feels it—his blast—
And months later, both exclaim, “Yikes!”
Iocus drops a bit of meat between the female puppet's legs and makes them care for it.
IOCUS
Years pass, and love spoils. Now our mates,
Perturbed by it all, rue their fates!
One night, she cooks with bane.
He slices her in twain.
Together, they meet Hell’s hot gates!
Iocus makes the puppets fight and fall dead. The Court erupts into applause. Iocus takes a bow and exits. The Duke & Duchess Onkled step center stage.
DUKE ONKLED
Impressive act, that gay Iocus. He
is surely the best man at this sad ball.
DUCHESS ONKLED
You say but nothing. Most men here lack strength.
And will. And grit! Like babes they trot about.
And seeing their manhoods, one suspects they
are such!
DUKE ONKLED
How wouldst thou know as much?
The Duchess laughs.
DUCHESS ONKLED
Forsooth, present company writhes in poise
pathetic. I just wish the king and queen
would grace us. Their nobility is matched
not but by their beauty.
DUKE ONKLED
‘Tis true the sovereign and his fair queen
both stand superb above all. Yet theirs too
is not a cloudless gemstone. I have heard
tell that the maiden’s heart now fades away.
Love for her king was forged not in a bout
of ecstasy. It is her duty to
be queen.
DUCHESS ONKLED
Pity. Young hearts can wander quick. Perhaps
her eye may fall on some suave bachelor!
A Nobleman walks past. Her eyes devour him.
DUKE ONKLED
Curse ye, thou wench! Not all, as thee, do fall
with ease. Her soul holds pure. If her sad heart
is not filled by the king, it will be filled
by her small babe, the newly born heir to
the throne.
DUCHESS ONKLED
I spoke foolishly. Within her I placed
my own weak heart. O, how it trembles!
Another Nobleman walks past. He and the Duchess lock eyes.
DUKE ONKLED
(to Duchess, enraged)
Ye harpy, ye-!
The Queen and Wet Nurse, the latter holding the baby prince, both enter.
DUKE ONKLED
(seeing the Queen)
My liege!
DUCHESS ONKLED
Your excellence.
The Duke and the Duchess bow.
QUEEN
Arise, Duke Onkled. Duchess. How find you
the night’s celebration?
DUKE ONKLED
A finer banquet never have I seen.
DUCHESS ONKLED
A grand way to honor our victory
against the foreign horde.
QUEEN
And our beloved allies who aided us,
have they yet come?
DUKE ONKLED
Not yet, my Queen. But soon.
NURSE
(aside, to Queen)
It is unwise to ask that.
QUEEN
(aside, to Nurse)
I must. I can’t see him. I feel so much.
NURSE
(aside, to Queen)
Then, best we flee before they-
Enter the Procession: a row of uniformed officials with trumpets.
DUCHESS ONKLED
Behold!
QUEEN
(aside)
Too late!
The Procession blows its trumpets. One of them stands apart and reads from a scroll.
PROCESSION
The son of King Rebus! A hero to
two mighty kingdoms! Presenting! The good,
the brave, Prince Cerebellum!
He moves back into place. The Procession plays again. Enter Prince Cerebellum. The Court claps for him.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I thank thee, friends and comrades. I am left
in awe at the great beauty thy land holds.
More cheering. The Procession exits. The Court quiets down and watches the Prince approach the Queen.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
My lady.
He kneels. She holds out her hand. He kisses it.
QUEEN
Thy deeds precede thee. Without them, our foes
might have dethroned my King.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I only do that which I must to serve
my kingdom and allies.
A pause.
THE COURT
(hushed)
The King! The King! The King!
Enter the King, followed by his two advisers, General Sun Tsu and Midas. The Court kneels for him. The King approaches Cerebellum, who bows.
KING
You need not bow to me, my friend. Thy feats
out there on the front line do honor me
enough.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
My feats were in service of an ally
that I hold dear. To see your kingdom safe
and sound.
KING
As humble as thou may be, I, before
the court, shall now bestow upon you two
trophies commemorating thy success.
Step forward, General Sun Tsu!
GENERAL SUN TSU
My King.
Tsu steps forward. He holds a medal of honor.
KING
The general presents to you his Prime
Medallion. May it bring you victory
in battles yet to come.
Tsu drapes the medal over the Prince’s neck.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I do accept and wear it proudly.
KING
Now, Midas next!
MIDAS
My King.
Midas steps forward. He holds a silver ring.
KING
The master of my treasury presents
to you his ring of silver. May it bring
you fortune fair.
Midas slips the ring onto the Prince’s finger.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I do accept and wear it proudly.
The Prince presents his tokens to the audience. The Court cheers. The King raises his hand. The applause dies down.
KING
And now, a challenge. In this season, our
set custom is to hold a tournament.
Can you indulge this small tradition?
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
It would be both an honor and a joy!
More cheering.
KING
We shall now feast! Come, prince, that we may talk
of your exploits in war.
Exeunt.
SCENE TWO.
Iocus enters, crying.
IOCUS
O woe, O, Iocus feels poor.
The feast, a fair beast, but a bore!
I wish I had marbles,
they do hang like yarbles,
if I find them, then I shan't be sore!
Singing can be heard. Iocus snaps out of his mood.
IOCUS
No more on my own do I stay.
I hear a man with a tune gay.
It must be riffraff.
“Give your autograph!”
Annoying sort! I must hide away!
Iocus hides behind curtains. Enter the Prince, singing to the tune of Greensleeves.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I wish for not but love in life,
yet it so often tortures me.
For love comes quick as it doth fade,
its light shining onto elsewhere.
Ah, love is my delight.
Love of beauty so pure.
Ah, love, my heart shall sing!
Though for whom so oft hath changed.
Ah, love. Ah, love. The love of a pretty
maiden is the greatest of all joys. Some
men fall easy for the love of only
one. How? I know not. Love extends too far
and wide; its reach too vast for one to hold.
This life—roaming around—it suits me well.
For love once fresh can spoil fast. Ah! Here comes
a love of mine.
Enter Queen.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
My queen. My love. Thy beauty stays in grace.
He takes her hands in his. She pulls away.
QUEEN
Thou sayst thou love me, and yet still
thou risk thy life and limb in the
madness of war. I fear for thee always.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
(laughing)
Tis silly, this fear. Not one can match
me in combat.
QUEEN
I wish I were as sure as thee. I wish.
The Prince embraces the Queen from behind.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Forget thy sweat. Come with me; let us hide
in a place, quiet, and enjoy our time
together once again.
IOCUS
(aside, shocked)
The Queen! She’s in love with the Prince!
I trust it not, though eyes evince.
She seemed pure, a nun,
yet she, too, likes fun.
The thought nearly brings me to wince!
The Queen pulls away again.
QUEEN
It cannot be. I love thee, but the king
is my husband. I have, with him, a bond.
He and his child.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
His child. Ever have you considered the boy
could have come from my germ?
QUEEN
Absurd, such a notion! My belly was
already thick when we began this lewd
tryst. Nay, the babe is not yours.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
(laughing)
A mere daft joke. I wished to cheer thy mood.
QUEEN
Jest not about my newborn. He is my
greatest pride and triumph.
IOCUS
(aside)
Oh, curse these old drapes! Dust, mildew!
It covers them whole. Wish I knew!
If I stay in this spot,
My nose will fill with snot.
I will sniffle and- a- ah CHOO!
Iocus sneezes. The Prince and the Queen hear him. The Prince unsheathes a knife.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
How now! Who goes there? Cur! Reveal thyself!
Iocus steps out of his hiding spot. The Prince takes him by the collar and presses the knife up against his neck.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Lecherous fool! I will make thee pay for
thy base vulgarity!
IOCUS
That's good! Poor Iocus gets peace!
The snivel that plagues him shall cease!
Cut well, noble knight, slice!
For life’s not so nice,
With nose, like a rose, of cerise!
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
(stunned)
Thou wish to die because of a sniffle?
QUEEN
Peace, prince! Lower thy blade! Iocus is
no threat to our secret. Madness doth cloud
his sense. He knows not left from right.
Pause. The Prince pushes Iocus away and sheaths his blade.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Go! Leave this place! Mad fool.
IOCUS
If you wish not for a fun show,
he shall grant your wish to forgo.
No profit is there
to play for the scared.
How soldiers do so, I don’t know!
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Away! Away with you!
Iocus stumbles out.
QUEEN
‘Twas foolish, meeting in this court. If one
other than him should have seen us...
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Worry not. Let us come to a private
spot, far from prying eyes.
Prince and Queen exit.
ACT II
SCENE ONE.
The court is full of nobles. The King sits on his throne at the center. General Sun Tsu and Midas stand at his sides.
KING
Enter and speak thy request.
A Guard leads two Peasant Women in, together holding a baby.
GUARD
Master, we present you a quandary.
It is a mystery from whom this child
was birthed. These two peasants both claim
it is alone their own. One comes of a
household most foul. The other, upstanding
and fair.
BEAUTIFUL PEASANT WOMAN
That creature only knows how to lie! The
girl's mine!
UGLY PEASANT WOMAN
Nay! It is mine! My family may not
be virtuous, but their sins are not my
own! The girl is verily mine!
KING
Silence! I take counsel.
(aside, to advisers)
Tsu, what sayest thou?
GENERAL SUN TSU
(aside, to King)
Not yet have I met a dilemma that
a sword could not solve readily. Cut the
babe in two, and allow them both a half.
KING
(Aside, to advisers)
And Midas, your judgment?
MIDAS
(aside, to King)
I do concur. In matters such as this,
a splitting of assets is the proper
path.
KING
(aside, to advisers)
So shall it be.
(to court)
The infant is to be
divided even. Prepare an ax!
BEAUTIFUL PEASANT WOMAN
No, please!
UGLY PEASANT WOMAN
Yes, slice!
COURT NOBLE
One cries, the other cheers!
COURT NOBLE
It is now clear who the true mother is!
COURT NOBLE
Praise to the King! His wisdom knows no end!
The Court cheers. The Guard pulls the Ugly Peasant Woman away and arrests her. They exit, followed by the Beautiful Peasant Woman. The King raises his crook. The Court quiets down.
KING
This judicature is concluded. Clear
the court.
GUARDS
Clear out! Clear out!
The Court nobles and the Guards exit.
KING
(to advisers)
Summon to me the Queen.
MIDAS
Yes, King.
GENERAL SUN TSU
Yes, King.
Midas and General Sun Tsu bow and exit.
KING
Leadership is a troublesome burden.
I thank God for the good fortune He hath
bestowed upon me and my rule. Without,
I surely would perish.
The Queen enters, the Wet Nurse behind her. The Nurse carries the baby prince.
QUEEN
Didst thou summon me here?
KING
Indeed. I wish to gaze upon the babe
whose seat I keep in good favor.
The Nurse brings his son to him.
NURSE
He’s in fine health.
The King takes the babe from her and holds it up.
KING
My son. My heir. May your rule be superb.
The King hands back the baby to the Nurse.
KING
(to Queen)
The joys of fatherhood are met only
by those of glad maternity. Would you
agree?
QUEEN
I do not know the depth of your joys. But
the love of my son is, as you say, strong.
KING
I’m joyed not solely by the sight of my
lad, but by his fair mother whom out of
he leapt. Childbirth has not abolished thy
beauty.
The King comes close to the Queen. He kisses her. She returns it, but expressionlessly. A pause.
QUEEN
Am I free to return to the care of
our son?
A pause.
KING
Yes, my one wish was to see thee. Thee, and
the Prince.
The Queen bows and exits with the Nurse.
KING
Our love was never one of passion, but
I feel she grows apart from me. I sense
her ardor may have moved to hold the child.
This is no crime, but still, I feel forlorn.
SCENE TWO.
The Prince enters, humming his previous tune.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
La la, la la, la la la, la la...
(aside)
O, strange fate. Came I seeking my love, and
who find I but her spouse, the King. I shall
greet him.
(to King)
How goes thee, sire?
KING
Ah, Prince. Forgive me, I did not hear thy
approach.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Fret not; thou seemed in deep and quarrelsome thought.
Do I disturb a grave meditation?
KING
Not grave, but simply... curious. Perhaps
thou canst advise me on the matter.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Of course. My father looked oft to me for
suggestions on his kingly musings. I
am gifted in court politics.
KING
My plight is not so great as that. A small
domestic trouble. Maritus.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
(aside)
Familial? Doubtlessly concerning
the Queen. My chance to steer him from her grace.
(to King)
Go on.
KING
You have esteem not only as a knight
most brave, but as one talented with maid-
ens, too.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I am, now and then, known to charm.
KING
Thou still keep humble. Yet the legends ring
true. I was blessed with no such skill. The ways
of women all elude me. My wife ne’er
was smitten with me so. But lately I
can feel her growing more distant. She once
gave rise to comfort. Now my gaze brings cold-
ness. I’m afraid I may have wronged her in
some way. I know not how.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
‘Twas surely not a fault of yours that wrought
this strange deviance. Women are not beasts
of reason and of logic as I or
Thee. Nay, they are... intemperate. Unsound.
KING
If so, what sense am I to glean from her
manner?
A pause.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Mayhaps you pay her too much heed. Not much
is there that women loathe more than for men
to notice them. Avert your gaze and snub
her. You’ll get her to race to your embrace.
A pause.
KING
I will not lie. Your words appear absurd.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
“Absurd” defines the ways of women. Trust
me; I do know these things.
KING
Thy wisdom in such matters easily
outweighs my own. I will do as you say.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
It will take time. But if you hold fast, her
collapse is sure.
The King embraces the Prince.
KING
I thank thee, knight. And wish thee luck in the
competition.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
No need for luck have I. My skill shall bring
my win. I must be off. To ready.
The Prince bows and exits.
KING
It could be true I dote too much. That her
bad mood was born of irritation. Ne-
ver did I see myself as a solic-
itous type man. However, he is pri-
vy to the fairer sex. It is, perhaps,
a good idea for me to take his
advice.
SCENE THREE.
Iocus enters and sees the King.
IOCUS
(aside)
Once more I come seeking my mind,
and trace not but some of mankind.
The King seems deep in thought.
Assist him, I ought.
(to King)
How now, lord? What leaves thee declined?
KING
Iocus! Fair luck that thou should arrive.
Thou art my oldest friend, though age corrupts
thee not. Even as a boy, thou amused
me, yet now many assume thou be my
junior.
IOCUS
Time flies, having fun. It went so
fast that I forgot how to grow.
But I sense torment.
Something has you bent.
I'm right, correct? I am a pro.
KING
Thou seest right through me. ‘Tis so, troubles plague
my restless wits.
IOCUS
Iocus sees all. I predict
to readily know your conflict.
It comes from the queen.
Does your wife careen?
I know that I'm right. It just clicked.
KING
How keen! Thou seem more seer than jester! Yes,
my mind torments me with questions about
the queen. I fear she scorns me, but I know
not what for. The visiting Prince, well versed
in traits of Aphrodite, has advised
me that women are manic. They disdain
attention, praise. I do not know if his
words speak of folly or fact. Iocus,
you are my most beloved aide. Your advice
is freed from fear or greed. Your word I trust
above all others. What insight into
this matter canst thou give?
IOCUS
(aside)
At last! Now's my chance for some fun.
I was with this place almost done.
Let's end on a bang.
I'll ruin this gang.
Of my secrets I'll reveal one.
KING
Ponder as long as thou require.
Iocus bursts into a fit of emotion.
IOCUS
O, woe! O, Iocus has woe!
I fear for my hide, you should know.
That brute of a prince—
his ways make me wince—
he said if I told you, no show!
KING
How, how! What bade thee speak these curses at
our land’s ally, Cerebellum? For what
confession didst he threaten your welfare?
IOCUS
My lord, if you dare face that fiend,
I'll say how your queen has careened.
He's good with gals, aye,
That Prince of the fly.
He took her himself, so I've gleaned!
KING
What! Fie! That deviant! His words now ring
clear!
IOCUS
A more horrid sight, never he gazed!
Iocus saw them fully crazed!
They kissed in this court,
where you now contort!
I could barely watch. Quite depraved.
KING
Ah! Spare me the portrait! I greeted that
knave like he was my kin, and now he all
but cuts me down! Iocus, what riposte
canst I perform? How may I rid my court
of the cad and his harlot? The stink of
their coitus still pervades the air!
IOCUS
It seems, to me, clear. He should die.
A vex for the King means goodbye.
You must execute,
I am resolute,
or else your shame may calcify.
A pause.
KING
Yes. Yes, you are correct. I’ll suffer not
this worm to live. Iocus! Fetch me from
the arsenal a blade.
Iocus exits, skipping.
KING
A public kill would bring down from Rebus
a king’s rancor. I must be shrewd in this
matter.
Iocus reenters with a mighty greatsword.
IOCUS
This blade will do! Shall I call him?
Don't say it was merely a whim.
I’m sure you’ll kill swift,
And you’ll close this rift.
Now, tear the pig limb from cursed limb!
KING
I thank thee for thy confidence. I wish
I could gut him with mine own hand. Sadly,
we must be sly. I shall poison the sword,
and lay it in the hands of my finest
duelist.
He takes a vial out of his robes.
KING
This flask contains monkshood. Ne’er hath hell
produced a toxin so refined. But one
wee drop can fell a mighty beast. It needs
not but a single cut to slay the Prince.
He pours a bit of the poison onto the blade.
IOCUS
A strong, harsh venom. But tell me;
why does the King keep it, like tea?
It’s more fit for witches,
those keeping pet liches.
You could just do a killing spree.
KING
Yes, true; this broth is not wholesome. I hide
it in great shame. But for the good, evil
must sometimes be endured. I keep it so
I might end my life should I be seized by
the enemy. A King taken by his
adversary cannot expect the cure
of death. Not but by his own hand. Such is
the burden of rule. Come, let us talk not
of such grim tales. Let us await the joy
of seeing the evil Prince die.
Exeunt.
ACT III
SCENE ONE.
The King and Queen sit on their thrones. Iocus lurks behind them. In front of them is clear to make way for the tournament duel. The Court Nobles chatter until the King raises a hand.
KING
Combatants! Come forward.
The Prince enters. His Squire follows hold his rapier. A hulking Warrior also enters. His Squire behind him holds the poisoned great-sword.
KING
Brave knights. You have been chosen for your strength
and skill. Today we will identify
the better. Fight clean, but show no mercy.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Before we start, I would thank thee, King, for
selecting an opponent so fearsome
and large. This will make for a good contest.
KING
Indeed. I’m sure it will be close. Begin!
The combatants duel. The Prince dodges each swing from the greatsword.
COURT NOBLE
Remarkable! The knight cannot touch him!
COURT NOBLE
The Prince eludes his blade with ease!
KING
(aside)
Impossible!
The Prince gets in a few hits with his rapier. The Warrior surrenders, defeated.
WARRIOR
I yield! I cannot best ye!
COURT NOBLE
The Prince is the winner!
The Court cheers.
KING
Congratulations, Prince. Your skill is... great.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
Thank you, my King.
(to Warrior)
No shame in your defeat,
my friend. You faced the best.
The Prince offers the Warrior a hand, helps him up, and leads him to a seat.
KING
Iocus! Come!
The King confers with Iocus.
KING
(to Iocus)
How could this be? No cut, no scratch, not so
much as a scrape!
IOCUS
As deft as a snake, that base crook.
There’s need for action to be took.
Go for it, strike him,
he’ll sure lose a limb.
Then we’ll discard him in a brook.
KING
No! I can bear no more conspiring.
‘Twas doubtlessly a sign from God that this
assault affronts Him. We must spare the Prince.
I’ll hold my shame in silence and secret.
IOCUS
(aside)
Fie! What disappointment! Uncool!
The King's a tad wise for this fool.
Perhaps if I lie,
his rage will boil high.
Fly well, fib, and make him get cruel!
KING
My mind is made. The Prince shall live.
IOCUS
(anxious)
I feared to tell you, but I must!
There’s more to the tale than mere lust.
Iocus (me) learned—
the two had confirmed—
her child is his, countering trust!
A pause.
KING
(horrified)
My Prince... My boy...
(enraged)
I’ll make them pay. They’ll die.
(outward)
Men! Guards! Arrest the Prince and Queen! Their crime
is treason, and it carries death!
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
How! What madness has taken thee?
QUEEN
(aside)
He has discovered our affair!
(to King)
Husband,
Please! Show pity!
KING
Look not to me for goodwill; you have drained
it all! Your treachery burns me! Seize them!
Guards grab the Queen. Others move in to take the Prince.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I did no wrong! I’ll not go quietly!
The Prince takes up his rapier. Behind him, the Warrior strikes his head, knocking him out. The Guards carry him off, along with the Queen.
KING
(to Court)
The trial shall commence at nightfall. Their
foul crimes shall thence be presented. And venge-
ance shall be carried swiftly.
SCENE TWO.
The King sits on his throne. A group of nobles sit together to serve as a Jury. Across from them sits a chopping block. An Executioner wielding an ax stands over it.
KING
Good men, we are, today, gathered to see
the law laid down. This court has been besmirched
by great sin and deceit. Our duty is
to see it cleansed. It shall be washed in blood;
the blood of evil.
JURY
Here, here! Here, here!
KING
May justice commence. Bring out the accused.
Guards bring out the Queen, the Prince, and the Nurse carrying the baby prince.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
You have no right! You cannot harm me! My
dad will hear tell of this! It’s an act of
war! A war you won’t win!
KING
Be quiet!
The Guard strikes Cerebellum.
QUEEN
Husband... see reason... he speaks truth. You must
be merciful.
KING
Be quiet! Be quiet! I’ll hear no more from you,
wench! Men! Bring out the first accused. The bas-
tard child.
QUEEN
The child? No! For what stands he charged?
KING
High treason! Nothing less! This horrid imp
was born of your sin!
QUEEN
Nay! It’s not true! The boy is yours! He’s yours!
KING
Your lies won’t save him. Knight! Advance!
GUARD
Aye, Lord.
A Guard pushes the Nurse center stage.
KING
What say you in defense of it?
NURSE
Milord, I beg ye... He’s not but a babe.
KING
This babe stands trial. Jury. Reach your verdict.
The Jury briefly confers. Then one stands.
JURYMAN
It’s guilty.
KING
Guilty! As King, I hereby sentence him
to death. Take him!
GUARD
Aye, Lord.
A Guard pulls the baby from the Nurse’s hands.
NURSE
Milord!
QUEEN
Your grace, I urge thee! Do what thou willst to
me, but not him! He is guiltless! Sinless!
Please! Please!
The King approaches the Guard holding the baby. He unsheathes a knife and stabs the baby.
KING
Justice has thence been served.
NURSE
What have ye done? What have ye done?
A Guard takes the body of the child away with the Nurse.
KING
Next, the satyr.
GUARD
Aye, Lord.
A Guard pushes forward the Prince.
KING
Have thou any frail plea in thy defense?
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
My lord... I can give thee great wealth. Control.
All that you wish. You need but to show mer-
cy.
KING
These words mean nothing. Jurymen. Your ver-
dict.
The Jury again confers. One rises.
JURYMAN
He’s guilty.
KING
Then, with the power given to me from
God in heaven, I sentence thee to die.
The Guards lay him down on the chopping block.
PRINCE CEREBELLUM
I do not wish to die! Not like this! No!
God save me! Save-!
The Executioner brings down his axe, silencing the Prince forever.
KING
Justice has thence been served. Take him.
GUARD
Aye, Lord.
The Prince’s corpse is carried off by the Guards.
KING
It deeply saddens me to see the next
of the accused. Her sin stings most. In her
I placed my trust. She broke it with brazen
animosity.
(to Jury)
Men, I hope you will
bring me my retribution.
(to Queen)
State, if thou
possess it, thy defense.
A pause.
QUEEN
There’s nought I can say that will save me. Thou
hast me condemned.
KING
Indeed. Jurymen, your verdict.
The Jury confers for a final time. One stands.
JURYMAN
She’s guilty of all those misdeeds.
KING
Then I sentence thee.
A Guard brings her to the chopping block. She kneels.
QUEEN
(to King)
May God punish thee.
She lowers her head. The Executioner brings down the axe. They carry her off.
COURT
Praise be to Justice! Praise the King!
KING
My noble jury, we, this day, have done
good, faithful acts. The words of the late Prince
spoke true. There is a war coming. It shall
be harsh. But God is on our side. He will
deliver us a holy victory. Of this
I am assured.
COURT
Hoo-rah! Hoo-rah!
SCENE THREE.
Blood splatters the floor. Around the King, bandaged Guards lie still, having bled to death.
KING
My men lay dead. My castle has become
a sepulcher. These halls, once filled with light
and laughter, hold not but the cries of the
doomed trapped in darkness. War is an old hell.
And there is no hell like an old hell.
(hears footsteps)
An
approach. Someone draws near. Not one of mine;
the knights have perished. Doubtless, one of the
enemy, come to loot my gold and rape
the women who remain. What Savages!
I’ll not fall down with ease!
(takes up a sword)
I am prepared!
Fill me, O Mars! Take me, Valhalla! Come!
The footsteps grow louder. Unnoticed, Iocus enters, in good spirits.
IOCUS
(aside)
What luck, to retain this young face.
They don’t hit kids with sword or mace.
Oh, here’s my great king,
Whose rule hangs by string.
(to King)
Milord! Nice to see you in place.
KING
Iocus! 'Tis but you. I feared some rogue
of Rebus come to claim me. Friend, how did
you manage to escape their vile clutches?
IOCUS
Not with any ease, my good lord.
I watched them slay man, woman, ward.
Iocus hid me.
He saved only me.
To kill is the goal of this horde.
KING
I do not scorn thee for thy cowardice.
The brutes tormenting us are beasts of blood
and chaos. There’s no guilt in their spirits.
IOCUS
If what you say’s true, there’s no doubt.
I fear you must use your way out.
Look through this dark lens:
they'll steal you like gems.
To torture a king brings some clout.
KING
I wish it weren’t as you now say. Yet your
words ring true. There’s no freedom for a king
deposed. Iocus, fly from here posthaste.
Thou art no warrior. No need for thee
to die.
Iocus starts to exit. He turns back. He raises his arms.
IOCUS
The land of my sire was so grand!
The light of his rule could melt sand!
It might end right here,
but I'll keep it near.
Your tale will always grace this land!
Iocus exits.
KING
A comfort, knowing though I crumble to
oblivion, my memory shan’t fade.
(hears drums)
My end doth now approach.
(retrieves the vial)
Strike true, lethal
Dose. Escort out the King of Crimson.
(drinks the vial)
Ah... Ah! Inferno, how it burns! Like a-
cid, rending my innards to pulp! Come quick,
bandits! Release me from this brutal sting!
The sword is mercy! I now long for its
sweet kiss!
The King slumps over, dead. A pause. Enter the King Rebus, shadowed by his Soldiers, including his Earl Marshal.
REBUS
Where hides the evil King? Scout every nook!
I’ll not permit that dog's escape!
MARSHAL
Such a hunt may not be necessary.
Lies there not the monarch? Already dead,
it would so seem.
The King Rebus sheathes his sword, as do his men.
REBUS
Forsooth. Quite dead. Blimey! The people cheer
our march, most knights surrender, and when we
arrive, our goal lies slain. This might be the
most calm campaign I’ve ever had. A part
of me is crestfallen.
MARSHAL
I see no cut nor blood. Who claimed the man?
The King Rebus inspects the corpse. He finds the vial. He dabs his finger, tastes it, and spits it out.
REBUS
‘Tis aconite. A foul demise! I’ve heard
the pain torments the very soul. Mad fool!
What was his fear? His death at my broadsword
would’ve been quick. And now he’s doomed to burn
eternally.
MARSHAL
Some devil had entered him. A vile
demon of chaos and bloodshed.
Iocus jumps in, holding his puppets. All turn to watch him.
IOCUS
You! Bring all your eyes over here!
When our lovers meet, cavalier,
They find a dark place.
And, lacking good grace,
the pair get their forms to cohere!
Iocus performs his previous show as the Soldiers and King shake with laughter.
IOCUS
But woe! A disaster, dire, strikes!
You see, some are careless with pikes.
He goes a bit fast,
she feels it—his blast—
and months later, both exclaim, “Yikes!”
Years pass, and love spoils. Now our mates,
perturbed by it all, rue their fates!
One night, she cooks with bane.
He slices her in twain.
Together, they meet Hell’s hot gates!
Once he finishes, the King Rebus comes and pats Iocus on the back, still laughing.
KING
Ne’er hath I seen so droll a show! Tell me
thy name, thou so clever jester.
IOCUS
Iocus, they call him, which means “joke.”
A real talent, you did here uncloak.
He’s a powerful wit,
Into thy court he’ll fit.
He’ll make it the finest baroque!
KING
Ah, fine indeed! You’ll join us on our ride
To home. I can already tell we shall
Make glorious companions. Come!
Exeunt.
THE END.
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