Reader's Theaters for Mira, Mirror

#1

Amanda: Good morning.

Mira: My name is Mira. I'm the new apprentice. What are you doing?

Amanda: (turns a spit) Taking the magic of its life.

Mira: A bird?

Amanda: From whatever is at hand.

Mira: How do you do it?

Amanda: If you are near a creature when it dies, you can take its magic for your own. But if you want true power, you must take a vibrant life and all its pain. Magic is born in life, but it must be taken by death. So it is and so it will always be. (dusts off her hands, finished)

Amanda: I could show you how to use magic to change whatever you wish.

Mira: Could I have black hair?

Amanda: If you wish.

Mira: And could you make me smaller, more graceful.

Amanda: (sighs) You have your own beauty. I would not have you imitate anyone else's. Who was it? Mother? Father? Brother? Who hurt you so?

Mira: I never had a siter.

Amanda: But the others?

Mira: (hangs head)

Amanda: No. (lifts chin) Do not do to yourself what they have always done to you. Here you are free to become whatever you will. You only need magic. And if you work with me, I will give you that.

Mira: I--work with you? How?

Amanda: Before you kill a fish to eat for dinner, bring it to me. I will make sure its life is not wasted. If you have a need to kill something larger-- I will help you. Do you understand?

Mira: Yes, of course.

Amanda: Good. Then we will be sisters, you and I.

Mira: Sisters?

Amanda: I will be the older, wiser sister. You will be the younder sister, eager to assist me, eager to learn and to grow.

Mira: Thank you, oh, thank you!

#2

Duke Fensky: (speaking with back turned to audience and other cast members)

Good evening, Merchant Minitz. Miss Ivana. I trust the cider I sent was suitable.

Talia: It was very good.

Merchant Minitz: Yes, very fine.

Ivana: I like cider with an edge of sour.

Duke Fensky: Just so. I must show you my orchard. Tomorrow, perhaps. I have many apples there, but there is one particular tree that is my favorite, for no other has apples as crisp or with the same sweet-sour flavor. Sit, sit.

Merchant Minitz: But--

Duke Fensky: Is there something wrong?

Merchant Minitz: Your hood. Is it not time to take it off? To show us all your true face? We are friends here, after all. We have given you no reason to be wary of us.

Duke Fensky: If you have given me no reason, others have. I mean no disrespect, but I will reveal myself in good time, in the place and manner which I choose. Now, shall we enjoy our dinner?

Duke Fensky: Are you cold? Shall I hve the firestoked for you?

Ivana: No, no.

Merchant Minitz: (raising a glass) To my daughter's marriage. May it be as happy as mine, and much longer.

Duke Fensky: Wait! (Starts to turn)

Ivana: You don't have to.

Duke Fensky: Do you not wish it?

Ivana: No, that's not what I meant. If you wish to show your face, show me. But let it be your choice. As you said.

Duke Fensky: No, I will not be a coward before you of all people. If we are to be married, there must be honesty between us from the begnning. Only then can trust grow, as I hope it will.

Duke Fensky turns around.

Merchant Minitz draws back in horror.

Ivana goes still.

[could end reader's theater here, if time is short]

Duke Fensky: You will think I have deceived you. I must apologize for that, and beg your forgiveness, if you think you have any left to offer me.

Merchant Minitz: But why?

Duke Fensky: Look into your daughter's face. Look into your own face, for that matter. There needs to be no more answer than that. I told you before I Had reason to be wawy. You do not know how many young ladies I have invited to my home, shown myself to, and then watched recoil in horror. I had learned not to hope until I met you and heard you speak of your daughter's forthrightness, yet innate goodness. I knew that I could trust her to tell me the truth immediately, without any mincing. And I thought that with all that, it might have been possible. Ha! I was a fool again. (Turns back around). You need not say anything. I know already what you are thinking. Your whole body speaks for you.

Ivana: And what does it say?

Duke Fensky: What?

Merchant Minitz: I thought this was a good match. But of course I did not know. What father would wish his daughter to marry a man like this?

Ivana: What does my body say? When it speaks so obviously to you?

Duke Fensky: That I am repellant to you.

Ivana: Well, I hope that I have read your letters better than you have read me. Or were they lies? Did you make up the man the letters showed inside you? Was he not real after all?

Duke Fensky: Of course the letters were real. But--

Ivana: You think your face matter to me? When it can change in a single day? It is what is past the face that I must see. I thought your letters showed me that.

Duke Fensky: Wait! Tell me what I must say to you to gain another chance.

Ivana: I need no magic words.