Red Death - Act III

Act III Scene I The Private Garden at Avonsleigh Castle

Constance moved from flower to flower, delighting in each one’s scent. There was jasmine, rose and carnations. She loved the garden. It was the only place in the whole castle where she could forget for a little while and in the garden everyone was her friend, the birds, the beetles, and even the fish in the pond. Constance had a favourite spot under the rose bush, where she took off her veil. She lay on the grass humming her favourite tune The Kiss of a Sweet Maiden.
“la la la, oh how it is sweet to be loved....”
“Oh dear, I’ve forgotten to feed Chester” she said out loud.
She got up hurriedly but was shocked to find a man hiding in the tree next to her.
“Please don’t be afraid” he said. “My name is William”.
“Why are you here?” asked the girl.
“What is your name princess?” he asked.
“Constance”, she replied. A strange feeling came over her.
“ I need your help Constance. The prince has put a price on my head.”
“But why?”
“Because I know who he really is”.
Constance found herself telling the man about the horror in her life, how her father had killed her mother and then watched as she was burning. In the seconds following she screamed, for she realised that she did not have her veil on. William grabbed her and told her that she had been so brave and that one day she would find the peace that she was searching for. The two talked for hours and discussed their plans....

Act III Scene II The Masquerade Ball at Avonsleigh Castle

Victoria bathed and dressed. She wanted to look exceptionally elegant for her last night as Avonsleigh. Her plan was in motion. She had organised for Edwina, her maid, to seduce the guard at the secret chamber and salvage her mother’s jewels.
She descended the staircase. Everyone was masked but she could spot the prince a mile away. He always wore his favourite boots, even to bed. She noticed that his attire however was less than desirable.
‘He’s up to another one of his tricks’ she thought. ‘He’s hiding from someone but who?’


The music played...


William was masked and Constance was at his side. She had to wear heeled shoes to gain the height she needed to appear as an adult. They strolled leisurely through the crowd. The prince organised for his men to seek William out and despite William’s effort to disguise himself, the guards located his position on the dance floor. A chalice of the finest wine was offered to him as the prince waited eagerly for William to drink the poison. William put the chalice to his lips but did not drink. As he placed it on the table Constance discreetly swapped it with another chalice.
‘Your fate is sealed’ thought Prince Prospero and he began to relax.
Constance quickly moved to the powder room and changed her mask. She kept the chalice close to her for she did not want to lose it, or everything would be ruined. She spotted the prince telling a joke and offered him the chalice.
“Fancy a drink?”
“Don’t mind if I do. I have much to celebrate” he wailed and drank the liquid eagerly.
‘So do I’ thought Constance.
After a minute Prospero began to feel awkward.
“Are you in good health?” she asked.
He stumbled onto the floor and began screaming.
“Fetch a physician!” she yelled.
Then she bent down and whispered in his ear
“No one can help you now father. You are headed straight to hell”.

Victoria heard the screaming and could not believe her eyes for there was Prospero dying on the floor, dying a very painful death. In the confusion that followed she rushed to fetch her maid but when she got there Edwina was extremely confused.
“There are no jewels, my lady. I don’t understand”.
“Never mind, they brought bad luck to who ever touched them. Wherever they are, they can stay”.

Act III Scene III The Private Garden at Avonsleigh Castle

Constance lured William and then Victoria to the garden. It had been ten years since they clapped eyes on each other. Neither could speak for they were in shock. Their eyes told their sorrows and there was unspoken forgiveness between them. They embraced.

Red Death - Act II

Act II Scene I Scarborough Fair Market In The Heart Of Normanby

“You’re a long way from home my son”, said the priest.
The man looked up from under this hat.
“I am just visiting some distant relatives” he replied.
“God bless you”.
William watched as the priest turned the corner and headed for the monastery. With a flash William realised that the man was not a priest at all, for he was not carrying his rosary beads. He followed the man, who entered a building on the outskirts of town. He positioned himself by a crate near the window. As he listened the story unfolded.
“Prince Prospero’s instructions are clear” said George. “ He will pay any price for William’s head”.
It was at that point that William decided to put his second plan into action. He hid in a secret tunnel under the school, a place nobody knew about because he had carved it himself as a dare when he and Victoria were children.

Act II Scene II Prince Prospero’s Private Quarters at Avonsleigh Castle

Victoria tried hard not to make a sound, as she stood outside the window. It was bitterly cold but she had to listen to find out where Prospero was hiding her mother’s jewels. She made a solemn vow that just as soon as she had them, she would leave Avonsleigh for good.
“I’m afraid another guard has died in his sleep, my prince” said George.
“Yes, it’s the seventh one this year” said Prospero. “I can’t understand it, it’s not like I’m asking them to polish my jewels, just keep them safe for me. They must be protected at all cost for they will be just reward for the one who brings me William’s head. At least that is what I will let them think”.
The prince’s laugh echoed throughout the castle.
“Now go down to the secret chamber and replace the guard!” he yelled.
Victoria heard every word. She slid past the balcony and followed George.
“Your web of lies will soon unravel my prince” she whispered.

Two months later...

Act II Scene III The Prince’s Chamber

“It is nearly spring. I cannot wait any longer. Each day that passes is a curse of my life when William is still alive”.
“What do you suggest my prince?” asked George.
“ Mmm...perhaps a ball, yes, a masquerade ball. He’ll be stupid enough to come but I’ll be ready for him. We will serve him the finest wine in the province. Yes, it shall be his finest hour yet”.

Red Death - Act I

Act I Scene I The Ball Room at Avonsleigh Castle

Victoria gazed at the ballroom. There was a sea of dancers in the most resplendent attire. Their bodies swayed to the music. One couple stood out above all however. The girl, barely seventeen, was dressed in a golden gown and the gentleman was incredibly handsome in his military suit. It was obvious that they were in love.
“When is my torment to end?” she whispered, grief stricken.
Victoria could not bare to watch any more, for she had once been that carefree girl and madly in love. Although the years had been kind to Victoria, her inner world was a battlefield. She struggled daily with the guilt of having left William. She pleaded with her god to see him once more and maybe then she could tell him that she was sorry.
Wiping her tears she caught the prince’s glance. He motioned for her to take her place by his side. Victoria made her way past the musicians and onto her chair. He reached for her hand but she pulled away. She felt nothing but hate for him now. He had lied to her from the beginning. He had promised her a chance to get her mother’s jewels back but he never gave them back.

Act I Scene II Prince Prospero’s Private Quarters at Avonsleigh Castle

“I must have a word with you my prince. It is of great importance to you” whispered George.
‘It had better be good”, replied the prince.
“Trust me, you will wish to hear this”.

A Pause

“William is here, here in Normanby. One of my men saw him as he was making his way to the market. He was alone”.
The prince thought for a moment. He reached into his front pocket and pulled out a gold coin. He beckoned George to get it. George put out his hand but the prince pulled him close and said “Before the week’s end I want his head on my table” and with that he put the coin in George’s hand.
“Do not fail me or I shall have to find myself and new first commander”.

Act I Scene III The Sleeping Quarters at Avonsleigh Castle

Constance sneaked out of her room and hid behind the drapes. She knew that no one would see her because she got a lot of practice sneaking to the kitchen every night. She pulled back her red veil. and looked around the room. There were the usual faces. She spotted Prince Prospero at his throne.
“Drink well and be merry my father for it shall be one of your last” she whispered. “Mother’s death will be avenged”.
With that she returned to her room. She ripped off her veil and pulled out her secret journal, which she kept in a place, that nobody would ever think to look, in a panel behind the bed. She had carved it herself. She began writing:

I went out onto the balcony and heard them talking:
“Did you hear about the girl with the red veil? They say that her scars are so horrendous that the very sight of them is enough to repulse even the strongest man. That’s why they call her Red Death.”

Pretty soon water started to appear on the pages of her journal. At first it was a little, then a lot. She began to sob uncontrollably. Footsteps could be heard outside her door but she didn’t care who heard her. When she had cried her heart out she just lay like a corpse. Time passed. It seemed like an eternity. She glanced at her mother’s image on the mantle piece and the thoughts of that terrible night almost two years ago filled her troubled head. She remembered:

She had been hiding from Chester, her dog, just under the table, when her mother and father began to argue. The castle was quiet for most of the servants had already gone to bed.
“I’m leaving”. Her mother’s voice was clear.
Prince Prospero turned to look at his wife.
“I’ve packed my things and Constance too”, she added.
“It seems Henrietta’s been putting too much sugar in your tea my dear”.
“Don’t you dare make me out to be the insane one. I’ve had enough”.
The prince grabbed her by the neck.
“The only way you will be leaving my love is in a box”.
“Let go of me” she screamed.
He pushed her onto the bed and pinned her down. She was hysterical but Constance could do little to help, she was frozen with fear. Prospero tore her mother’s undergarments. She fought hard but he was too strong for her. She reached for something, anything to hit him with. Then she realised that she had put a dagger in her pillowslip. She reached for it but it caught on the trimming. Desperate, she pulled again and it came free but his hand grabbed her grip. He manoeuvred it and plunged it deep into her chest. She let out a horrific scream and then silence.
“Mamma, mamma!” screamed Constance.
Prospero jumped to his feet. He had no idea that Constance was in the room. She ran toward the bed but grabbed a hold of her.
“Constance, your mother has had an accident, my dear. We will fetch the physician immediately”.
“No! You hurt my mummy!”.
She kicked and screamed so hard that she could not breathe. In the midst of their struggle, a candle on the nightstand was knocked over and began to lick the tips of her nightgown. In a matter of seconds she was alight.
Prospero pondered his next move.
‘A girl child can never be my true heir. She’s useless alive’ he thought. With that he stood back and watched as the little girl’s hair caught fire.
But it was Constance’s saving grace for Melba, the kitchen maid, had heard her screams and rushed in. Together with Prospero they quickly submersed the girl in water.
In the weeks following, Prospero explained the events of that night quite well. “It was a case of suicide witnessed by the girl who in her grief set fire to herself’ he said. The court did not question him.