Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 217

PROLOGUE.

[_The curtain rises on a plain drop curtain. The Maker of Sounds enters with his arms full of instruments, crosses the scene and sits with his back against one side of the proscenium, outside the curtain line. He tries out all his instruments, wind, string, percussion and "traps." He yawns. He becomes impatient and raps on the stage._]

Cymbal Crash The lights go out The drop is lifted in the darkness

Cymbal Crash The lights are turned on

SCENE I.

 

[_The Wazir's garden. Discovered left to right, the Nubian, standing with folded arms, the Vizier, seated at the chess table, playing with the Wazir. At the other side of the stage, the Princess, her attendant, her two slaves. All stand motionless until set in action by the Maker of Sounds._]

_The Music_ _The Pantomime, etc._

Tap--on Chinese wood _Nubian_ unfolds his arms block

Tap He salaams

Tap Resumes original pose

Tap _Vizier_ moves a chessman

Tap _Wazir_ moves a chessman

Tap _Vizier_ moves a chessman

Tap _Wazir_ picks up snuff-box

Tap Opens it

Tap Offers Vizier snuff

Tap _Vizier_ takes a pinch

Sand blocks Sniffs it

Drum crash _Vizier_ sneezes

Drum crash Sneezes again

No sound Sneezes again _Nubian_ sneezes synchronously with Vizier's paroxysms

Tap _Vizier_ returns snuff-box

Tap _Wazir_ puts it away

Bell _Princess_ yawns

Tap Signals her attendant

Tap _Attendant_ picks up telescope

Tap Hands it to Princess

Wind instrument _Princess_ uses telescope [The middle portion of the back drop is lifted to show the "Distance" in which the _Shepherd_ is discovered piping for the _Goat's_ dancing.]

Stringed instrument _The Shepherd_ sees the Princess, stops piping, and declares his adoration across the distance. He beckons her to join him.

_Princess_ promises to do so.

[The lifted portion of the drop is lowered again. The "Distance"

vanishes.]

Tap _Princess_ signals to her retinue

Tap _Attendant_ relays the signal

Tap _Slaves_ stoop.

Tap Lift the hope chests to their shoulders

Ba.s.s chord on _Princess and retinue_ take one step stringed instrument downstage

Treble chord All lean forward, watching Wazir

Drum crash _Wazir_ and _Vizier_ stand up

Drum crash They glare at Princess

Tap on wood block They sit

Ba.s.s chord _Vizier_ yawns

Ba.s.s chord _Wazir_ yawns

Ba.s.s chord _Nubian_ yawns

Ba.s.s chord _Vizier_ nods

Ba.s.s chord _Wazir_ nods

Ba.s.s chord _Nubian_ drops on one knee

Treble chord _Princess and retinue_ lean forward

Ba.s.s chord They take one step [A continuation of this business takes them off at the left]

The lights go out

Cymbal crash [In the darkness. _Princess and retinue_ cross to right of stage, ready for Scene II]