Wisdom's Kiss (61 page)

You can also read the
entire first act
of
Queen of All the Heavens,
including seven scenes not published in
Wisdom's Kiss,
as well as my
commentary
on all of Act 1's turgid glory.

More Author Commentary
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The First, Awful Stab at
QUEEN OF ALL THE HEAVENS
>

I studied screenwriting for eight years before trying my hand at novels, and so of course a screenplay was my first choice when I decided that Roger's proposal to Dizzy needed powerful visuals and volleying dialogue. What better way to communicate this than in a movie script?
>

Below is the result. (Several character names have been updated to match the final version of
Wisdom's Kiss.)
When I sent this to my agent, she replied—correctly—that the screenplay seemed awfully anachronistic. It was also, as I read it now, at least twice as long as it should have been, and except for the final proposal,
rather pointless
. Hence its replacement by a
play
. But if nothing else, this screenplay illustrates why in eight years I never came close to selling a script.

CHATEAU DE MONTAGNE - EXTERIOR - LATE AFTERNOON

The castle, standing tall atop a mighty cliff, glows against the autumn mountains, the Great River streaming down in a thin ribbon—for the historic spring flooding is still six months hence. A wide stone terrace flanks the cliff; upon it dance courtiers and aristocrats in polychrome finery while musicians strum a merry tune and footmen proffer treats.

A couple strolls near the terrace balustrade:
TEMPERANCE, the young queen of Montagne, and ROGER, Duke of Farina, Duke of Höchsteland and Count of Paindecampagne. Temperance wears a heavy black lace veil beneath her crown, and a gown of plain gray. Roger, in contrast, sports a slashed velvet doublet and hose of amethyst and violet, striped stockings of mustard and jade, an embroidered cape lined in scarlet, and a magnificent salt-and-pepper toque with an iridescent quill: a handsome peacock in full plumage.

The two walk in silence.

ROGER

So ... the season is most lovely, is it not? I always enjoy the turning of the leaves, regardless of the chill to come.

TEMPERANCE

Yes ... Providence loved this time of year.

She sighs heavily and strokes a cameo brooch engraved with the profile of a woman.

ROGER

Again, I am so very, very sorry ... Ah, this terrace ... I have heard tell of its marvels. Is it true that when not employed as dance floor it hosts a tropical forest?

TEMPERANCE
(
brightening
)

Why, yes. 'Tis a joy indeed to see the
Cocos nucifera
wheeled outside in their great pots once warmth has returned each spring. We have harvested our first cocoanut! And the
Ficus carica
are quite remarkable, self-fertilizing and ... Figs were my mother's favorite fruit, you know. I used to pick them for her every morning...

Once again, funereal silence cloaks the pair. The music slows.

A nobleman in exuberant garb approaches and bows low.

NOBLEMAN

Forgive my interruption, your Grace, but I should cherish dearly a pass with her Royal Majesty.

ROGER

As do we all, my fine Lord. But I fear that her lovely hand is not mine to offer. Surely there is no more appropriate land in all this empire than Montagne, and no more appropriate lass in all Montagne than the queen, to determine her own fate. Your Majesty?

Both men wait expectantly.

TEMPERANCE

What? Oh yes, I suppose I should dance

She takes the nobleman's hand with a sigh.

NOBLEMAN

My dear Temperance, 'tis a waltz we near, not the gallows! Ah, there is a hint of a smile. I shall coax one yet from your lips...

They wander away. Roger, alone, permits himself a sigh and a roll of the eyes as he pats his face with a monogrammed kerchief.

He starts at the footsteps of a young woman. WISDOM, too, sports a black veil beneath her modest circlet, but her gown of blue suits her, and the occasion, far more than gray did Temperance. Her smile helps as well.

ROGER

Your Highness—your Royal Highness—I did not hear you approach—

WISDOM

Did you not realize, your Grace, that this afternoon fete would require as much exertion as battle of war?

ROGER

Or more. Truly, Princess, I must say that your sister mourns the acquisition of a crown as most men would mourn its loss.

WISDOM

It is not the crown she mourns. Your Grace.

ROGER

Yes, of course—forgive me, how terrible of me—I did not—

WISDOM

Please, think not another moment of it. You of all people should know the pain of losing a family member.

ROGER

That I do, Princess. That I do...

They stroll, though Roger takes pains to keep his distance from the terrace edge. Wisdom, on the other hand, leans far over the balustrade, oblivious to his blanching.

WISDOM

I used to dance on this, you know. When I was young.

ROGER

You did not!

WISDOM

It gave Teddy fits, so of course I had to.

She hoists herself up to sit on the rail. ROGER gasps and shields his eyes.

ROGER

You are made of stronger stock than I, Princess Wisdom. I could not imagine...

WISDOM

Please, call me Dizzy. Everyone does. It suits me, really, far more than Wisdom. Never was a child less aptly named...

ROGER

I'm sure you're wise.

WISDOM

I'm sure I'm not. I'll tell you what I am: I am bored.

She leaps off the rail and takes Roger's arm. They resume their stroll.

ROGER

My company offers so little? "The Duke of Tedium" you must call me behind my back...

WISDOM

You know I do not. This fete has been the highlight of the season for me. Truly.

ROGER

Good heavens, I did not realize ...

WISDOM

I have never once left the borders of Montagne! Is that not shocking? I yearn to see the world, and all I see is this. It is so mind-numbingly, wearingly dull.

ROGER

Perhaps you should recommence dancing on the balustrade. 'Twould take your mind from your pain, I am sure.

WISDOM

I would in a heartbeat, you may be certain, were I not convinced they would strangle me forthwith.

She gestures to the circle of crowned adults at the far side of the terrace. Even now several women surreptitiously observe them.

Roger, however, has eyes only for Wisdom. As the setting sun highlights her fair features, he studies her with unprecedented interest. A smile plays at his lips.

ROGER

I fancy you'd attempt it for a wager.

Wisdom turns to him, laughing.

WISDOM

A wager? Of what? One of those bits of land you're forever accumulating for your family? Oh, behold, we are blessed! The terrace was built for this very moment!

ROGER

So that you and I might converse so intimately?

WISDOM

Your flirtation is more craft than art, my dear Grace. No, I speak of the sunset. Here we stand at the sole location in the chateau whence it may be observed. My wise great great aunt Sophia—in whose honor I was so unsuccessfully named—erected the terrace for this very purpose. Though it was not finished until many years after her passing, I fear.

ROGER

Oh. How nice ... But I should like to return to our wager.

WISDOM

Really, Farina, I cannot—much as I desire to do so—dance upon this rail. I should give my dear grandmama apoplexy.

ROGER

Even for my hand in marriage?

Wisdom stiffens. The man appears dead serious. She swallows.

WISDOM

What have I to offer you, my Grace? I have no throne, no land ... You have far too much ambition to wed a title.

ROGER

I do not choose to wed a title, Princess. I choose to wed a brave and witty and pretty young woman. Not a family in the world would not benefit from that triad.

WISDOM

I ... I see...

ROGER

I cannot offer you a kingdom, nor a castle such as this. But I promise you a life of travel, in my lands and throughout the empire. And I swear it will not be dull.

He sinks to one knee and takes her hand.

ROGER
(cont'd)

I vow on my name and my honor, Princess Wisdom of Montagne, to provide you—in its myriad and splendid forms—the blessing of excitement.

Wisdom, bathed in the golden sunset, studies him and slowly sinks to her knees as well.

A P
LAY IN
T
HREE
A
CTS

PENNED BY ANONYMOUS

The First Act

—unabridged and entire—

featuring a Cast of Characters,

as well as futuristic connections to learned
commentary
by persons of interest

and discussion of the play's most mysterious and cunning
origins

***

CAST OF CHARACTERS, IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

Cuthbert, Prince Consort of Montagne
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