### Act 3, Scene 3: Let There be Cake

- Setting: Banquet Hall at the Queen's Palace. The walls are richly decorated with wooden paneling, golden Ornaments. Crystal chandeliers are hanging from the ceiling. On the second level, Ortha's Cage is positioned in the center of the stage, covered with an expensive looking drape with golden tufts and stuff. On the first level, also centered, there is a banquet table with bottles, wine decanters, champagne and lots of glasses. The banquet table is flanked by two large chairs, one of which is for the Queen [2-3], the other for Mr. Welsh [5-6].
- Stage setup: Remove the backlight filter again
- Backdrop: Queen's palace banquet hall
- Big scene elements (2nd rail):
  - middle: Ortha's cage covered with drape (Zefiro)
  - sides: two large chairs
  - cake cart (Kayjay)
- On playrail: banquet table
- Props:
  - (see table)
  - two royal guard rifles
  - large cake knife (Haku)
- Special effects:
  - removal of the tablecloth (Haku)
  - glasses on royal guests' hands
- PreRec: Guests (?, ?, ?)
- Puppets:
  - second level: Florence (Pan, Liam), Cal (Eisfuchs, Tigerseye), Ortha (Tani, o'wolf, Estragon, Lee Taiger, Lynard)
  - between first and second level: Eva Harrington (<Reesa?>, Shishi, Haku, "Eva"), Mr. Welsh (Jyanon, Curry), Queen (<Tani>, Runo, Mesuri, "Vesonia"), Guest 1 (Nex, "Eldercrown"), Guest 2 (Black Wulf, "Savannah"), Guest 3 (Luno, "Whisperwind")

##### TECH PREROLL

LX 0099 - Work Light OFF (Static Playbacks)

LX 3300 - STANDBY for GO: DBO with dim blue reading light (link to LX 0002)

Check Levels
Unmute Desk

Jyanon: ON
Telepathic FX: ON

Pan: OFF
Eisfuchs: OFF
Tani: OFF

##### INTRO

Abe (softly): "Eva … hey … come on … wake up!"

Eva: "Hrmblbrmglbmlml"

Abe: "I've got great news!"

Eva (sleepy): "*yaaaawn* What? What is it?"

Abe: "Florence just called!"

Eva sits up

Eva (suddenly wide awake): "Really? Where is she? How is she doing?"

Abe: "She's in St. Eliza, she's free, and she's doing fine!"

Eva lets out a big sigh of relief

Eva (relieved): "Oh, thank god … is she still on the line? Can I talk to her?"

Abe: "Sorry, she called about an hour ago."

Eva (slightly cranky): "Why didn't you wake me up right away!"

Abe: "You lay awake the whole night. I didn't have the heart to wake you up. Besides she was calling from the post office and she had a long line behind her. I've got the motorbike fixed up, and I'm going to pick her up in St. Eliza in about an hour. She'll soon be here and you'll be able to talk to her in person. She's got one hell of a story to tell."

Eva: "Did she tell you what happened?"

Abe: "Only the essentials. She escaped, she's fine, she knows everything about the conspiracy against you, and she needs our help to end it!"

Eva: "Wait, what?"

Abe: "You heard me right. She has a plan, and she insists we play along."

Eva: "We'll see about that."

Abe: "She wants us to get her and a friend into the palace. They'd still let you in, wouldn't they?"

Eva: "Only when I'm making a delivery. But my kitchen was in my house and my house went up in flames. I won't be making deliveries for a while."

Abe: "But if you could, you could get us in?"

Eva: "Maybe."

Abe: "Hah! Excellent. I once fixed a friend's car for free, and now he owes me a favor. His sister owns Cantrell's Bakery in Herringstown, and she has everything we need. She expects you to be there at noon."

Eva: "Abe, I'm not even fully awake yet …"

Abe: "Oh, and since you won't be able to do it alone, I've also sent the neighbor's boy to wake up all of your employees and send them to Herringstown right now."

Eva: "Be honest, Abe, the only reason you didn't wake me up was that you were afraid I'd stop you. This is crazy, even by Florence's standards!"

Abe: "Do you think she'd have accepted no as an answer? She's Peter's girl after all!"

Eva: "You didn't even tell me what the plan is!"

Abe: "I can't, because if I did, you'd stop me. Now, if you will please excuse me …"

Eva: "Abe, for heaven's sake! Where are you going?"

Abe: "To St. Eliza. Picking up Florence and Cal."

Eva: "Cal? As in Cal Davis?"

Abe: "Oh, didn't I mention he's on our side now?"

Eva (groaning): "I need a cup of coffee."

Abe: "On the kitchen table!"

Eva: "I … uh … erm …"

Abe: "What are you waiting for? Time to get ready!"

Eva: "FOR WHAT?"

Abe: "To bake a cake. FOR THE QUEEN!"

##### DIALOG

Curtain - open

LX 3310 - Lights on

AMB-1101 - Banquet Noisy
MUS-1101 - Cue 01

Guests are sitting at the table, chatting to each other, drinking. (Lord Eldercrown (Guest1), Lord Whisperwind (Guest2), Lady Goldeneyes (Guest3))

Florence [5] and Cal [3] are standing next to the cage, disguised as guards, carrying long rifles with bayonets on them.

Welsh is sitting in his chair

The queen is sitting in her chair

PRE-1101 -Guest1 (bored) : "*yaaaawn* Oh, I hate ceremonial occasions. Always the same people, always the same endless smalltalk. Such a waste of time."

Welsh: "Well, this one is going to be different, let me promise you that!"

PRE-1102 - Guest1: "Really? Well, we'll see. The best thing about these receptions is usually the cake."

PRE-1102 (cont.) - Guest2: "Didn't you hear? Eva Harrington's shop burned down!"

PRE-1102 (cont.) - Guest1: "What? No cake at all? All right, that's it. I'm leaving …"

Welsh stands up, hitting his glass with a spoon.

SND-1101 - DING DING DING DING!
MUS-1102 - Cue 02 (ladies and gentlemen)
AMB-1102 - Banquet Quiet
AMB-1101 FADE

Welsh: "Ladies and Gentlemen, let's raise our glasses to Irdis the First, by the Grace of God, Queen of the Kingdom of Great Astar, Defender of the Faith!"

Everybody stands up and toasts to the queen, then applauds briefly.

SND-1102 - Everybody: "The Queen!"

SND-1102 (cont.) - Everybody applades

Everybody sits down again

MUS-1103 - Cue 03
PRE-1103 - Queen: "My Lords and friends of the Royal Family. The people of Great Astar are diligent and fertile. But we do not know for how long the land that our thriving industry is built upon will be able support it. We have reached a point where our borders are no longer restricted by opposing territories, but by the mere coastline of our continent. To conquer new lands we must now go, where no one has gone before. In this matter, I have invited the esteemed Mr. Welsh who is going to talk about his latest discoveries."

The Queen gestures to Welsh to take over.

Welsh stands up

The audience applauds (in a very lackluster way)

SND-1103 - Faint Applause
AMB-1103 - Banquet Noisy
AMB-1102 FADE

Welsh bows

Welsh: "Thank you, thank you, thank you. A few weeks ago, we have returned from our Trans Oceanic Expedition and …"

SND-1104 - Door opens, squeaky wheels!
MUS-1104 - Cue 04

Everybody turns around to see who is coming in, and mumbles

SND-1104 (cont) - Audience reaction!

Welsh peeks around his chair

Eva Harrington comes in from [7], pushing a service cart along in front of her. On the cart is the most magnificent, mouth-watering cake ever to be shown in a pawpet show. The cart itself is covered by a white tablecloth.

Welsh: "Who in God's name is … EVA HARRINGTON!"

SND-1105 - Applause!
PRE-1104 - Guest1 (relieved): "And she brought the cake!"

PRE-1104 (cont.) - Guest2 (starry eyed): "It's so beautiful!"

The audience applauds (twice as loud as for Welsh, in the prospect of getting cake)

PRE-1104 (cont.) - Eva: "I'm so sorry Mr. Welsh, I didn't mean to interrupt you! Please, go on!"

Welsh walks up to the cake

Welsh: "Alright, what kind of game is being played here?"

PRE-1105 - Eva (surprised): "I beg your pardon, sir? I'm delivering the cake you ordered!"

Welsh: "How is this even possible?"

Welsh starts examining the cake and the cart

PRE-1106 - Eva: "By the skilled work of artisan pastry chefs!"

Welsh: "This is a trap, right?"

PRE-1107 - Eva: "No … It's a family recipe!"

Welsh: "Well then, thank you for the cake, Mrs. Harringon. YOU MAY NOW LEAVE."

Eva salutes.

PRE-1108 - Eva: "God save the Queen!"

Eva turns and leaves to [7].

SND-1105B - Door close
MUS-1105 - Cue 05

Welsh picks up a large knife that came with the cake.

Welsh: "Now look at this work of art! So much CHOCOLATE (stabs the cake)! And CHERRIES (stabs the cake again) on top!"

The audience gasps and stares at Welsh with disbelief

Welsh: "Hmmm… fine! But I bet you didn't expect that I could do THIS!"

Welsh pulls the tablecloth that covers the service cart away from under the cake with his left hand. There is nothing under the cart.

Welsh: "HAH!"

Welsh stabstabstabstabs the empty space under the top of the cart.

Welsh: "Uhhhhh…."

Welsh holds up the tablecloth, looking at the guests

Welsh: "Nice trick, huh? My father used to be a magician!"

SND-1106 - Slow Clap

The audience awkwardly slow-claps

PRE-1109 - Queen: "Mr. Welsh, your behavior is most peculiar. Is everything all right with you?"

Welsh (very nervous and timid): "Oh, yes, of course, your Highness, of course. I am so sorry, I think the workload is getting to me. Anyways, let's go on with the presentation."

MUS-1106 - Cue 06

Welsh walks back to the cage. His tone has changed. He is scared for his life, and fails to overplay it.

Welsh: "Where was I …"

Welsh sticks the knife into the bread on the table *SCHACK*

MUS-1107 - Cue 07 (whom we prevailed)

Welsh (totally forgetting his prepared speech, improvising): "Ah yes, the ex-oceanic transpedition… I mean, the Trans Oceanic Expedition. Eh … at the perils of our lives, my men and I have found a new continent, that shall from now on be known as Irdisia, in honor of … uhm … her Majesty the Queen of Great Astar! It's a land … rich of … many riches. Trees … mountains … rivers. The coast is guarded by flying beasts, against whom we prevailed, and one of which I hereby present to you, your Majesty, as a gift and sign of loyalty! Behold, THE BEAST!"

Pan: ON
Eisfuchs: ON
Tani: ON
(Telepathic FX: ON)

Florence swiftly pulls the drapes away from the cage

LX 3311 - Ortha Spot ON

SND-1107 - Oooh, Aaah, Applause

Ortha hisses angrily!

Welsh: "As you can see … it is very … dangerous!"

Florence reaches into the cage, and touches Ortha

Ortha: "IT'S WELSH! RIGHT THERE! Open the cage! Now!"

Florence (thinking): "Ignore Welsh, Ortha. Remember our plan? Go for the Queen! The rest will sort itself out!"

Ortha: "OH I HATE HIM SO MUCH! I'M GOING TO KILL HIM! KILL! KILL! KILL!"

Ortha begins to thrash around in her cage, baring her teeth, growling and hissing

Florence jumps back, breaking contact

Cal: "Florence! Now?"

Florence: "NO! Don't open the cage! Something's seriously wrong with her!"

MUS-1108 - Cue 08

Cal: "But we can't wait any longer! It's now or never!"

Cal opens the cage

Open the Cage!

SND-1108 - Cage Opens & Panic
AMB-1104 - Banquet Quiet
AMB-1103 - FADE

Ortha roars!

The Guests panic and scream and run away!

Cal raises his weapon, and aims at the Queen

Cal: "DON'T CALL THE GUARDS OR YOU'RE GOING TO REGRET IT!"

PRE-1110 - Queen: "WHAT?!"

Florence: "NO!"

Ortha immediately throws herself at Welsh

Welsh: "AAH!"

Ortha grabs Welsh with her jaws, lifts him up, shakes him violently

Florence: "Ortha, what are you doing?!"

Ortha throws Welsh towards [7].

Welsh: "AAH!"

Ortha lets out a battle cry, and half-flies-half-runs after Welsh

Florence jumps in her way, but Ortha just jumps over her.

Ortha turns around

Florence tries to block off Ortha with her weapon

Welsh appears and hides under the service cart with the cake on it.

Ortha bites into the weapon, looking Florence in the eyes.

Florence: "Quick, get inside the cage … it's the only place you'll be safe!"

Welsh propels himself forward with the cart, like a scooter, clambers into the cage, closes it.

SND-1109 - Squeaky Wheels

SND-1109B - Close Cage

The cart rolls silently off stage towards [1]

Florence makes contact with her paw

MUS-1109 - Cue 09

Ortha: "What now Florence? Are you going to shoot me?"

Florence: "No!"

Ortha: "THEN … GET … OUT … OF … MY … WAY!"

MUS-1109 - Cue 10

Florence: "No!"

Ortha pushes Florence away with a flick of her neck.

Florence: "ARGH!"

Ortha attacks the cage

Welsh cries and whimpers …

Welsh: "Help me! I don't want to die! Heeeeelp!"

Cal: "What the hell is Ortha doing?"

Florence: "Her hate for Welsh is so strong, it almost knocked me off my feet! She's out of control!"

Cal: "You have to get her back to her senses!"

Florence: "You can talk!"

Cal: "We're going to die. Does she want us to die? ASK HER THAT!"

MUS-1111 - Cue 11

Florence: "No, I have a better idea."

Florence takes the knife from the bread

Florence: "Hey, Welsh! Here, take the knife! You need something to defend yourself with!"

Florence holds the knife far enough that Welsh has to reach through the bars of the cage to get it

Welsh: "Why are you doing this?"

Florence: "JUST TAKE THE GODDAMN KNIFE!"

Welsh reaches for the knife.

Florence drops the knife, and grabs Welsh's arm, pulling him against the bars of the cage.

Welsh: "Hey! What are you doing? Let go of my hand!"

Florence: "This is going to be painful, but it's for your own good."

Florence touches Ortha with her other paw.

SND-1110 - Woosh!
MUS-1112 - Cue 12

TIME STOPS

LX 3312 - Ortha telepathic

Welsh: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?"

Ortha (cold): "You killed my neighbors. You killed my friends. And you killed my brother. This is how it feels, Welsh! THIS IS HOW IT FEELS!"

Welsh: AAAAAAAAAH!

AMB-1105 - Sea Shore
AMB-1104 FADE
SND-1111 - Sound of wind, motors, and large automatic guns being fired
SND-1110 FADE
MUS-1113 - Cue 13
PRE-1111 - Sitho: "Sister, what is going on?"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "Sitho! The flying machines are shooting at us!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Sitho: "What? From this distance?"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "I don't know what is is … but it's much faster, and much deadlier than arrows! They killed Urnith and Thorna … and we'll be next if we don't retreat!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Sitho: "But we have to defend ourselves!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "Brother, please! Turn back!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Sitho: "NEVER!"

SND-1111 (cont.) - Sound of an airplane attacking

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Sitho: "AAARGH!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "SITHOOOO! SITHOOO! NO!"

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha cries

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "I'M GOING TO MAKE THEM PAY FOR THIS! I SWEAR BY MY LIFE, THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!"

SND-1111 (cont.) - Sound of an airplane attacking again

PRE-1111 (cont.) - Ortha: "AAAAH! HELP! HEEELP! IT HURTS …. I'M FALLING! AAAAAARGH!"

SND-1111 (cont.) - Splashing Water, Bubbles.

—- TIME CONTINUES —-

SND-1111 (cont.) - Woosh!
AMB-1105 (cont.) - Banquet Silent

LX 3320 - Light back to normal

Florence gasps, overwhelmed by all the memories

Welsh sobs and cries, also overwhelmed by Ortha's feelings, and his own guilt.

Welsh: "Oh my god … oh my god … so much … pain … so much … hate …"

Ortha calms down

Ortha: "What … what have I done?"

Florence: "You made sure his mind will never be at peace again for the rest of his life."

Ortha: "I nearly killed him … He's in pain! … Oh my god, I must have broken every bone in him … I … I didn't mean to do this! I'm so sorry!"

Florence stands in front of Ortha, and gently touches her snout.

Florence: "I never realized how much grief and hate you were carrying around with you."

Ortha: "I hid it from you."

Florence: "Why?"

Ortha: "I didn't want to burden you with it. And … I was ashamed. I didn't want you to ever see me like that."

Jyanon: OFF

Florence hugs Ortha

Cal: "Sorry to interrupt your intimate moment, but you do realize we're going to die soon, don't you?"

MUS-1114 - Cue 14
PRE-1112 - Queen: "Can someone explain to me what on earth is going on here? I've seen you before. You used to work for Welsh. And you're Eva Harrington's daughter, right? "

Florence: "And this is Ortha. Ortha, bow before your Queen."

Ortha bows before the Queen

MUS-1115 - Cue 15

PRE-1113 - Queen: "She does tricks? What is she? Some kind of pet?"

Florence: "She is a person, and no more an animal than we are. Welsh did terrible things to her and her people."

PRE-1114 - Queen: "If it is like you say, why doesn't she talk to us?"

Florence: "Oh, she'd love to. All you have to do is touch my paw."

PRE-1115 - Queen: "I beg your pardon?"

Florence walks closer to the Queen.

Ortha follows.

Florence stretches our her arm.

Florence: "Look, I'm not armed. And Cal is going to drop his gun, too."

Cal: "Am I?"

Florence: "Absolutely."

Cal reluctantly lowers his gun, then drops it.

MUS-1116 - Cue 16 (However)

Florence: "This is not a revolt. You are my Queen, and I do not have the right to force this upon you. However, I know that you are a good person."

Cal: "What separates a good person from a bad person is, that a good person can change, and they will always find new ways."

Florence: "Decide to end our lives now, and everything will stay the same, and ignorance will prevail. Choose to trust me, and you will learn things that are of utmost importance for you and the entirety of your kingdom, and many new ways will open up for you to take. The choice is yours, my Queen."

MUS-1117 - Cue 17

Florence bows her head, but keeps her paw outstretched.

The Queen hesitates.

The Queen reaches out, then pulls back … then reaches out again.

The Queen touches Florence's paw.

SND-1112 - Wooosh
AMB-1105 FADE

LX 3399 - Lights out

Fade Ambience, SFX and Music with LX 3399

Curtain - close

Mute all but Video

LX 0099 - Work Light ON (Static Playbacks)