Act I Scene 1. [Apple Auntie waves her stick, unnoticed. Lights change to rainbow]
Dame; What’s happened?
AA; We’re in the end of a rainbow.
Jack; We can’t be. It’s scientifically impossible.
AA; Rainbows is magic, no science. Ye canny be in yer ain rainbow, no, but ye can be in somebody else’s.
Jill; I suppose a rainbow has to come down somewhere.
Jack; That’s crazy. It can’t be true.
Dame; Well, dear, it’s happening, so it must be. Pretty, isn’t it?
AA; Weel, whit are ye goin’ tae wish for?
Jack; Wish? You mean we get three wishes just for being in a rainbow?
AA; Dinna be greedy, Jack. One wish each. An’ it canna be for yersel’, mind. Wishes for yersel’ never come true.
Dame; I wish Jack could marry his millionairess.
Jill; You should get married too.
Dame; Oh, yes! But it would take a saint to put up with me!
Jill; Okay, mum, I’ll wish for a saint to come and marry you!
Jack; And I’ll wish for Prince Adrian to fall madly in love with Jill and marry her instead. That’s us all settled.
Jill; Oh, Apple Auntie, none of us thought to wish for you!
AA; Ach, I’ve got a’ I need. But I’ll wish for ye tae find a way tae keep yer fire in, so’s a body can aye get a drap tea when she visits!
Jill; That’s cheating! It’s a way of wishing for yourself!
AA; It’s nothin’ o the no such which! Aye, there’s it goin’ noo. Rainbows never hings aboot. [rainbow effect fades] Nor I can’t, neither. I’ll away back tae my shop. Bye-bye!
Act II Scene 3
Jasper; [peers at Prince Adrian’s face] You’re not the prince, even if you do look a bit like him! You can’t fight both of us alone.
Jack; Who says he’s alone? [PA, Jack face Lurk & Jasper, backs to I got in while he kept you busy, Uncle Jasper. Where’s Alexis?
Jasper; Alexis? Oh, her! The lady who is to be my wife? [Lavvy takes Blunderbuss from wall, behind PA, Jack]
Jack; Over my dead body!
Jasper; That can be arranged! Tell me, what would you do if I said there was somebody behind you?
Jack; Laugh – that’s an old one!
Jasper; So laugh. Lavvy, please…[Lav threatens Jack, PA; Jack & PA shoved down secret panel to dungeon] Well done, guards!
Lav; Do we get a bonus?
Jasper; Not that splendid! [Doorbell] More of Jack’s friends? Deal with them, Lavvy. [She rubs fingers] Oh, very well. [gives money]
Lav; [pockets money] And Lurk’s, sir.
Jasper; What? [doorbell] Oh, very well. This is blackmail! [gives money]
Lav; It’s the example we get. Thank you, sir. [pockets money]
Jasper; I thought that was Lurk’s!
Lav; I’m his manager.
[Exit Lav. Lurk returns behind screen, starts another bottle]
Jasper; Ready for them, Lurk?
Lurk; Hic!
Jasper; Sh! [goes to light candles where papers are hidden, but - Enter St G, Dame.]
Jasper; Ah, good evening, Jessica. What a pleasant surprise to see you and – er –
Dame; Jasper, this is the dragon man.
Jasper; David Attenborough?
St G; Saint George am I, I’ve come to see The head o’ the Paper family.
I’ve come to ask for your permission To wed your sister-in-law.
Jasper; Perdition!
Dame; [to St G] Go on, dear George, you’re doing fine. Of darling Jack I see no sign, but –
Jasper; Let me check I’ve got this right. You are Saint George, a noble knight.
You want to marry Jessica.
St G; I do.
Jasper; Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Why am I talking in rhyme?
Dame; Catching, isn’t it? |