Safety For The Child
(III of XXX)
Scene opens with the back of Hawkins applying makeup, looking into a mirror attached to a tree. A voice calls out from offstage.
Jean:
Hawkins, hurry!
Hawkins:
I'm putting the last touches on, right now.
Jean:
Don't just stand there, man! Make haste!
Hawkins:
There. (He turns to see Jean)
Jean:
Why do you stare?
Hawkins:
I... Beg pardon, captain, but, I'm... I'm sorry, captain, but I
didn't mean to stare. Each time I see you as a woman, sir, I mean
with your flowing hair...
Jean:
Conceal the child! Quickly!
Hawkins:
Yes, captain.
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The child is carried to the wine cart and hidden in a cask. Jean and Hawkins climb to the coachman's seat and they head out of the forest as The Black Fox's men scramble behind them. They are not long on the road before they are run-upon by the King's patrol, searching for The Black Fox.
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Jean:
The king's men. you know what to do, Hawkins.
Hawkins:
Yes, captain. I'll try. (coughs)
Guard Captain:
Ho there! Hold I say! Come down old man, we would talk to you.
You too, wench.
Hawkins:
What's that?
Guard Captain:
Hurry along, this is king's business!
Hawkins:
What's the meaning of this?
Guard Captain:
Come on!
Hawkins:
W...what's the meaning of this? What do you want of us?
Guard Captain:
Where go you, ancient one? Who are you?
Hawkins:
What's that?
Guard Captain:
Who are you?
Hawkins:
What's... what's that?
Guard Captain (shouts louder):
Who ARE YOU?
Hawkins: Fine, thank you.
Guard Captain: No! No, no. WHO?
Hawkins:
Who! Who, who. Who. (cough, cough) who. (Cough) I am Foltzingdale
uh the wine merchant (cough), and this is my little
granddaughter. Uh poor child, she's a mute, uh she neither speaks
nor hears except through my fingers. (Fingers to her mouth)
Child, the... No, no, here (her fingers to his mouth) child,
(cough) these (cough) these are the king's men. Men of the king!
Jean: (Signs for a while)
Hawkins:
Eh she says long live the king and down with his (bad coughing
spell, she pounds his back) long live the kind and down with his
(choke, cough) long (coughing) little harder, dear (coughing)
long live the king and down with his (coughing) not quite so
hard... (Wheeze) long live the king and down with his enemies.
Guard Captain:
Enough! Have you seen a group in the forest with a child?
Hawkins:
Uh what's that? What? What?
Guard Captain:
A child! A child!
Hawkins:
A child. Child. Oh! Lovely child, pretty little creature, isn't
it? (Scolding) but you stay away from her!
Guard Captain:
No, no no no, a child! (Gestures) So big! Uh with a little mark
on...
Hawkins (shouted interruption):
You do and I'll break every bone in your body! (coughing)
Guard Captain: (Sighs) Ask the... Ask the girl if she's seen a group in the forest.
Hawkins:
Uh what's that? what?
Guard Captain:
Ask the girl if she's seen a group in the forest.
Hawkins:
Eh why didn't I what?
Guard Captain (shouting):
Ask THE GIRL IF SHE'S SEEN A GROUP IN THE FOREST!
Hawkins:
No need to holler, sir, I hear very well indeed!
Guard Captain:
Well ASK HER!
Hawkins:
Ask her what?
Guard Captain:
If SHE'S SEEN A GROUP IN THE FOREST?
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Hawkins:
Uh y-yes... (Her fingers to his lips) child, have you seen a
group in the forest?
Jean:
(Signs for a while)
Hawkins:
Eh she says no.
Guard Captain:
What took her so long?
Hawkins:
Stutters.
Guard Captain:
Bah, we waste time with these dolts. Off with you!
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(Jean climbs aboard the wine cart and Hawkins deftly jumps onto the seat, almost giving himself away as not being an old man. With another grumbling cough, the reins are shaken and the cart is again on its way)
Hawkins (checking baby):
Oh, he's quite all right.
Jean:
You were excellent, Hawkins
Hawkins:
You too, captain. We played our parts extremely well, I thought.
You know, we should spend a lot more time together. Uh, for
rehearsal, I mean.
Jean (looks up after thunderclap):
There's a storm brewing. We'll spend the night in the woodman's
hut.
Hawkins:
Yes, captain.
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