Reader's Theaters for The Princess and the Hound

#1

King Davit: Shall I tell you of my first judgment?

George: Yes, Father

King Davit: My father had it planned. It was designed to test me, the players all given their parts, even the words that they would say to me. And when I got it wrong, he told me what I had missed, before all gathered there. I promise you this. I shall make sure that the case you are given is at true one. And whatever judgment you give, yours shall be the last word on the matter. You shall learn to trust yourself as I never did.

George; But--

King Davit: A king cannot show his doubts before others, however much he feels them. If he does wrong, he must live with it. Do you understand?

George: Yes, Father. Pause as other three men come forward.

George: Speak your piece.

Farmer with missing teeth: All year long we work our fields, feed our beasts. Two years ago there was a terrible plague of locusts that ate everything they could. But his fields were left alone, and he had a full crop come harvesttime. Last year half our animals died from some diseas, but his did not. This year we watched him. He goes to the animals at night, speaks to them. They speak back. He has it: the animal magic.

George: And you, speak your piece.

Man with animal magic: (Spits). That's all the witness you'll get me to speak against my own self.

Other farmer: They'll rally the animals against us all.

Man with animal magic: I don't care what you say. You're no king of mine, nor prince either. Not if you've no magic to your name.

Farmer with missing teeth: Burn him. That's the only way to deal with animal magic, the only way to make sure it does not spread.

George: (after a pause) Go your way, all of you. Make your peace with one another. As king of Kendel, I claim authority over land and animals, water, and even family. But I claim no authority over magic.

King Davit: Unbind him.

#2

Lady Dulen: (as if raising a glass) May they make beautiful hounds together!

Long pause

Lady Dulen: It was a joke, Beatrice. You must learn someday to take a joke.

King Helm: It was just a joke, my dear. Laugh. {Raising a glass) May they make beautiful hounds together! (Laughing)

George: Hounds are loyal, at least.

Pause

George: (Putting down a napkin) Excuse me. I think I am quite finished eating. King Helm, might I interest you in a game of kings?

King Helm: You play the game of kings? Certainly. Certainly. I shall have my board brought in here, and we can play as entertainment for all of them. Shall I allow you the first few moves alone? I should not wish to humiliate you.

George: I'm sure there's no worry of that. Your daughter has taught me much of the game already. I think that after having lost to her, I will do very well against you.

King Helm: My daughter? Beatrice?

George: Indeed. She beat me in a whole room of your soldiers in the drinking hall yesterday. If you doubt it, you can ask any one of them.

King Helm: Well, well. I am intrigued. I rarely have an opponent I can truly unleash myself upon.

George: Unleash yourself freely.

Pause. George and King Helm pretend to move pieces on a chessboard.

King Helm: I shall have to think this over. Perhaps you will permit me to play with you again sometime.

George: Yes, of course. Sometime. But for now I should like to rest.

Lady Dulen: You--you think you are a princess? You are nothing more than an animal. You do not belong in a palace. You belong in the woods. (spits)

Beatrice stands tall, silent.

Lady Dulen: An animal!

Beatrice: An animal is always dangerous to confront. Remember that.

Lady Dulen: And that is what you will marry?

George: That is what I shall marry. And I would marry her a hundred times before ever I would deign to sit in the same room with you and sip soup.