Romeo & Juliet In Mind by Michael Druce
ACT ONE
PRE-SHOW: If the play is performed without a curtain, the set should
be kept as dark as possible. As the house lights fade, whatever
pre-show music has been playing should fade until it is barely
audible. In the dark we hear the suggestion of voices after a
rehearsal: "Congratulations! Great job! See you tomorrow! Study
those lines! Last ones out lock up!" Or whatever else seems
appropriate.
Act I, Scene 1 A stage
AT RISE: A single, soft light slowly fades up on Laurie, a student
actress. She is seated right of center, reading a bound manuscript.
Around her is the set for a production of Romeo and Juliet, but as
yet, we are still not given a clear glimpse of it. Laurie reads the
manuscript thoughtfully. Throughout this scene, the single pool of
light remains.
TINA: (Offstage.) Laurie, Laurie?
LAURIE: Here, Tina. I'm on stage.
TINA: (Enters left.) Everyone is leaving.
LAURIE: (Closing the manuscript.) I forgot something.
TINA: Brian is looking for you.
ROBERT: (Offstage.) She's here, Brian. (Robert enters left, followed
by Brian and
Jill. They join Tina and Laurie.)
BRIAN: (To Laurie.) Can we leave? We could have been out of here
twenty minutes ago.
LAURIE: (Making an excuse.) I'm sorry, I forgot something.
BRIAN: That figures.
LAURIE: Jill, I thought you and Robert did a really nice job tonight.
ROBERT: Thanks. (Shoots a glance at Jill.)
JILL. Oh—thanks. You did a nice job too.
LAURIE: Rosaline doesn't have any lines.
JILL: Still, you did a nice job. (To Robert.) Are we ready?
The manuscript slips off Laurie's lap. Robert stoops to pick it up.
ROBERT: What's this? (Flipping through a couple of pages.) Is this
something you wrote?
BRIAN: (Sarcastically.) It's her fantasy version of Romeo and
Juliet.
JILL: You mean like the Romeo and Juliet we're doing? (Laurie nods.)
You can't do
that.
LAURIE: Why not?
JILL: Because it's one of the most famous plays in the world. You
can't take Romeo and Juliet and turn it into something new.
LAURIE: Shakespeare did.
JILL: He did not.
TINA: He did?
LAURIE: Almost everything Shakespeare wrote he borrowed from legend or
another writer. He changed stories, what can't I?
BRIAN: Because he was Shakespeare, you're not. Can we go now?
LAURIE: (To Jill.) Don't you wonder what might have been? What if
things had turned out differently? Every night when I watch you and
Robert die in the last act, I always feel so sad.
JILL: Why? It's just a play.
LAURIE: Doesn't playing Juliet make you wonder, what if?
JILL: All I know is people die in tragedies. If me and Robert don't
die, it's not a tragedy. It's a comedy. (To Robert.) Can we go?
LAURIE: What's wrong with re-imagining it?
BRIAN: You can't make a better play.
LAURIE: I'm not trying to make a better play. I just think it would
be interesting to look at it another way. A play is a work of imagination.
BRIAN: Well, I'm imagining me going home by myself. Are you coming
or not? You spend more time with that stupid play than you do with me anyway.
TINA: You're jealous of a play?
BRIAN: Tina, butt out.
ROBERT: (Still interested in the play.) It says here it takes place
in a future past.
JILL: You mean like in a galaxy a long, long time ago?
LAURIE: No. The setting is a place that combines the past, the
present, and the future.
JILL: Why?
LAURIE: That way it can be anything you want.
BRIAN: I'm out of here. (Exiting left.)
JILL: (To Robert.) I'm going too.
ROBERT: (To Laurie.) It seems like an interesting idea. Maybe I could
read it sometime. (Jill rolls her eyes.)
LAURIE: (Flattered.) Okay. (Laurie and Robert stare at each other for
a moment. Jill pulls Robert away. They exit.)
TINA: A future past? Laurie Hope, you've got a screw loose.
LAURIE: It's all imagination. Why doesn't anyone understand that?
Why can't you?
TINA: I guess I don't think about things the way you do. C'mon,
I've got to get home.
LAURIE: Wait. Just a few minutes. Imagine this a public square. A
candidates' forum. Two mortal enemies running for the same office.
See. Here they come.
TINA: Who?
LAURIE: Capulet and Montague.
TINA: (Looking left.) All I see is Robert! (Robert re-enters.)
ROBERT: (Crossing to Laurie and Tina.) I didn't want to have to
wait to read it.
LAURIE: What about Jill?
ROBERT: I let her take my car.
TINA: I think I'm going to go now.
ROBERT: You don't have to leave.
TINA: (Looking from Laurie to Robert.) Yeah, I do,
LAURIE: But you haven't read it.
TINA: I will, I promise.
LAURIE: Okay. See you tomorrow?
TINA: Bye (She exits.)
LAURIE: You don't have to read it now. You can take it with you.
ROBERT: What you said about imagination, I like that. (He sits beside
Laurie.)
LAURIE: See. (Opening the manuscript.) Scene one. Imagine a piazza in
Verona.
Morning. At rise a political rally is underway. Signs and banners
herald the names of the opposing candidates: Montague and Capulet.
Citizens are gathered around, talking and applauding enthusiastically.
As the lights fade up, the stage fills with the citizens of Verona.
Laurie and Robert disappear through the crowd and exit.
ACT ONE Scene 2 - A piazza in Verona - morning
At rise a political rally is underway. Signs and banners herald the
names of the opposing candidates: Montague and Capulet. Citizens are gathered
around, talking and applauding enthusiastically.
MODERATOR (To the citizens.) Thank you. (To the candidates.) And
thank you, gentlemen. (To the citizens, again.) Now that you have
heard from both challengers for the office of commissioner, the rules
of this debate allow for a few brief questions and then a closing
statement from both candidates. (To Capulet.) The incumbent,
Commissioner Escalus, says the only difference between the two of you
is name. Lord Capulet, how do you answer him?
CAPULET: Montague and I have our differences.
MONTAGUE: Many, Lord Capulet.
MODERATOR: The commissioner says that neither of you has the
experience or the temperament to lead Verona, that your personal animosity toward
each other is harmful to the peace.
CAPULET: The commissioner is desperate. He is trying to scare the voters.
MODERATOR: But isn't it true this is the first time you have spoken
to each other in sixteen years?
MONTAGUE: No, we've had words previously.
MODERATOR: Does this mean that your feud is behind you?
CAPULET: What feud? (Laughter from the crowd.)
MODERATOR: Lord Montague?
MONTAGUE: This is old news.
MODERATOR: In the past few months there have been several fights
between family members and employees of both your houses. Lord Capulet, your
nephew Tybalt has been arrested three times for fighting in public. As
a candidate for public office, don't you think the citizens have the
right—
CAPULET: (Irritated.) Tybalt was defending the honor of my family.
MODERATOR: Against the Montagues?
CAPULET: Against insults.
MODERATOR: But isn't this feud—
CAPULET: This is one of the few times that I agree with my opponent.
It is time to look ahead.
MODERATOR: Given the long-standing nature of your-rivalry-if one
of you is elected to succeed Escalus, wouldn't you be in the
position to use your office to the disadvantage of the other? (Both
men look at each other.) Lord Montague?
MONTAGUE: No comment.
MODERATOR: Lord Capulet?
CAPULET: I also have no comment.
MODERATOR: In that case, each candidate may make a brief closing
statement. Lord Capulet.
CAPULET: I am not a man to make promises I cannot keep. Therefore I
promise nothing. What I can tell you is with your hard work and cooperation, I
will do my best to make Verona a better and safer place to live. That is all I
can do. That is what we must all do. (Citizens applaud.)
MODERATOR Lord Montague.
MONTAGUE: Perhaps Capulet is uncomfortable making promises, but I
assure you, I am not. This is my promise: if I am elected commissioner, I will make
Verona the kind of city we all deserve. (More applause. Montague and Capulet exit
with the dispersing crowd. Tybalt remains on stage.
Mercutio and Benvolio enter.
MERCUTIO: Benvolio, do you have the letter?
BENVOLIO: (Taps his jacket.) Right here, my friend.
MERCUTIO: Let me have it.
BENVOLIO: What?
MERCUTIO: Let me have it.
BENVOLIO: I was instructed by Lord Montague to personally give this
letter to Tybalt.
MERCUTIO: I've changed his mind, I'll do it.
BENVOLIO: Mercutio—
MERCUTIO: (Snaps his fingers).
BENVOLIO: (Hands Mercutio the letter.)
MERCUTIO: Tell Tybalt I would like a word with him.
This scene should be played humorously with Benvolio as the much put
upon pawn going back and forth between Mercutio and Tybalt.
BENVOLIO: (Approaching Tybalt.) Tybalt, Mercutio would like a minute
of your time.
TYBALT: Tell Mercutio he can't afford to purchase a minute of my time.
BENVOLIO: (Back to Mercutio.) Tybalt says you can't afford to
purchase a minute of his time.
MERCUTIO: Purchase suggests value, and Tybalt has nothing of value I
wish to purchase.
BENVOLIO: (Returning reluctantly.) Mercutio says you have nothing of
value he wishes to purchase.
TYBALT: Careful.
BENVOLIO: (Back to Mercutio.) Careful.
MERCUTIO: A threat? Is he making a threat?
BENVOLIO: (Returning once again to Tybalt.) Are you making a threat?
TYBALT: I don't make threats.
BENVOLIO: Tybalt doesn't make threats.
MERCUTIO: Oh, that's right, I forgot. When Tybalt says he's going to
do something, beware, because he's serious. Boom! He goes off like a
firecracker. Short fuse, no warning, boom! (Holds his hands in front
of him.) I believe this is where I am supposed to start shaking. (His
hands are rock steady.) Sorry, I must needs work on my fear. (Benvolio
unsure of what to do.) Tell him.
BENVOLIO: I can't tell him that.
MERCUTIO: Why not?
BENVOLIO: Because I can't remember what you said.
TYBALT: (Approaches Mercutio and pushes Benvolio aside.) You are
trying my patience.
MERCUTIO: Trust me, I have no desire to try your patience.
TYBALT: What is it you want, Mercutio?
MERCUTIO: Well, oh ye of the steely-eyed looks, Montague wants to
reschedule the next debate. There's a conflict. It's all here. (He hands Tybalt the
piece of paper.)
TYBALT: What is this?
MERCUTIO: This would be a piece of paper.
BENVOLIO: (Warily.) Mercutio!
MERCUTIO: What's written on it is Montague's explanation. Would you be
a good little nephew and see that your uncle gets it?
TYBALT: Would you see that Montague gets this.
(Tybalt spits in Mercutio's face.)
MERCUTIO: Oh, I can do much better than that.
BENVOLIO: Don't!
It is too late. Mercutio returns the insult. Music plays. Benvolio
gets on his hands and knees behind Tybalt. Mercutio pushes Tybalt
back, causing him to fall over Benvolio. No weapons are brandished.
The fight is more comical than serious. Tybalt chases Mercutio and
Benvolio off left. A moment later all three re-enter, Tybalt being
chased by Mercutio and Benvolio. Off stage we hear police whistles.
All three rush off right as the lights cross fade to Scene 3.
Act I, Scene 3 - Montague garden - afternoon.
Angeline, Romeo's cousin, enters down right and sits on the bench,
tending flowers. She carries on a small basket and a couple of hand
tools. Miranda, servant to Lady Montague enters down right. She is
obviously very interested in Romeo.
MIRANDA: Angeline.
ANGELINE: Hello, Miranda.
MIRANDA: Is Romeo about?
ANGELINE: Who wants to know?
MIRANDA: Your aunt.
ANGELINE: I've hardly seen Romeo all week. If you ask me, he might
as well be back at school.
MIRANDA: Your uncle is very disappointed that Romeo wasn't at the
candidates' forum this morning.
ANGELINE: It's just as well. There was a fight after.
MIRANDA: Again?
ANGELINE: Benvolio told me. But don't say anything.
MIRANDA: I won't. Who started it this time? Mercutio or Tybalt?
ANGELINE: Benvolio wouldn't say.
BOTH: Mercutio!
MIRANDA: In that case, I am glad Romeo wasn't there.
ANGELINE: Oh?
MIRANDA: I mean for the sake of my mistress. Do you know where I might
find him?
ANGELINE: Try the sycamore grove.
MIRANDA: What is he doing there?
ANGELINE: Probably weeping.
MIRANDA: Why? Is Romeo all right?
ANGELINE: Romeo is fine. It's his heart.
MIRANDA: His heart? Is he sick?
ANGELINE: Sick at heart.
LADY MONTAGUE: (Entering up right and having overheard.) Ah ha! Just
as I thought, there is someone!
ANGELINE: Someone.
MIRANDA: (Quickly.) Who is it? (Realizing she is out of place. To Lady
Montague.) Sorry, Ma'am.
LADY MONTAGUE: Well? Who is it? Who is responsible for this dark
cloud hanging above Romeo's head?
ANGELINE: I'm sworn to secrecy. Romeo would kill me if he knew I had
told.
LADY MONTAGUE: Why must it be a secret?
ANGELINE: Because Romeo is Romeo: Pyramus, poet, romantic, and fool.
LADY MONTAGUE: Shame on you. Your cousin is passionate. His emotions
are—
ANGELINE: On his sleeve!
LADY MONTAGUE: They are deeply felt. Come along, walk with me. I want
to know who this special person is.
ANGELINE: I told you, Auntie, I'm sworn to secrecy. Ask Mercutio,
he loves to tell secrets. (Both exit.)
MIRANDA: (Alone on stage, she sighs mightily and exits.)
[end of extract]