The magic touch – MANUS

Part I – Germany

I-1 

In the morning in Cleo’s room, bed, wardrobe, desk, one wall with a window inside (to one side of the wall we see Cleo’s room (most of the stage), to the other side we see some back yard (small part)

Curtain opens, we see C half stuck in her wardrobe – searching for clothes, throwing them out. 

C: Oh no, today there is another feast with one of the boaring lords – how terrible, how boring! Which dress shall I wear? I hate those elegant, fancy, princess-like gowns.... I’d rather wear my baggy pants – they are more comfortable, and I’d rather skate with my friends in the park. 

Em comes in, holding her skateboard in her hands. 

E: Hey, Cleo – what are you up to today? We can go skating, cant we? We haven’t done that for ages! It will be fun; I’m sure! So see you outside in a few minutes?

C makes a face

C:Yes, sure ,that would be fun! But I have an *important* (makes another face) brunch with some boaring Lord and my boring parents in boring dresses talking about boring stuff (makes another face and gestures). I ....hate....this (shouts)

E:What a pity. It would have been so cool....

C (thinks aloud – soliloquy-like)

Maybe...maybe .... there is another way to.... well, let’s think about this....

 E maybe what?..... Well, I have to go.... see you later....maybe.....

E off

C continues searching for clothes, murmels

OK, see you Em (shouts after her) Will you fetch my skateboard over for me?

I-2

Cleo searches her wardrobe for some seconds, throws fancy princessdresses away with a grunch:

Away with that awful stuff. I hate these fancy dresses. Where are my…..? Who is ever going to wear this? …Oh, yes, there it is, my favourite pair of trousers.

Takes it, runs off to the door (side) – door opens, father comes in

King (nerved): Your Royal Highness, Princess Cleopatra Amelia Elizabeth Charlotta,  - what a mess it is over here. Can’t you clean your room at least once a week? It’s enough to drive your maid to despair....!

C makes a face: (aside) Bla, bla, bla....(to her dad) Come on, Dad, calm down. It is my room, you know that. I can do what I want (stamps one foot)

K gets more and more angry, shouts:

Young lady! Do not talk to your father like that! Would you like to taste the dungeon over here for some time?.... and what is that (points to a spray can)....What are you doing with such a thing? You are a princess, do not forget that, young lady!.... and those trousers.... once again (emphasises every word, keeps her face between his fingers): You... are...a ...princes...! Do not forget that!

Goes off: Lord Belfort is waiting. I have to go. I want you to join us in your fancy princess dress and with best manners as soon as possible. Be polite to him. He might be a future politician, an important man to deal with once you are our Queen!

King: off

C makes faces behind his back, shows a finger 

C changes her dress, wears baggy pants and skate-clothes. 

Monologue???

I-3/4

Climbs out of the window... Em waits there holding two skateboards, gives one to C. Both wear t-shirt and baggy pants, casual shoes, basecap

E loud : Hey, there you are.

Cleo whispers:

„Sh...sh....quite, Em! And Quick, quick, we have to hurry up before my parents realize that I am gone!

E: Oh, yes, We have to hurry up! Mum and Dad are busy in the castle’s kitchen at the moment, but they might finish cooking in some moments. They think I am at school. And it can be crowded soon – you know, some families have moved in next to the park. Maybe they play truent as well.....Some of the boys are skating too..... wow, there is one...(thinks, smiles). I saw him .... he is just georgious! (rolls her eyes). 

C: o.k., So now what are waitinig for? Let’s hurry up!

Both take their boards, skate off from stage to the park (park sign showing the way).

I-5

Skatepark, one ramp/half pipe, some graffiti on the walls, some cans/bottles lying around, a bench, some waste.... 

C and E skate in on stage

C: This is the new ramp you talked about yesterday? Wow, it is marvellous!

E: Isn’t it? Yes, it is! It is so cool!

C: Shall we try out some jumps? I saw one the other day in the telly.... awefull! Come on, let’s try it out.

E: Yes, there’s nobody around. It all ours! Hey, that’s better than school or working in the castle’s kitchen, isn’t it?

C: joining in or having some boring lunch with some boring Lord Belford and talking about some boring politics  (making faces, exaggerating, pretending to drink some tea): Oh, yes, my dearest Lord Belfort. How do you value and trade credit risks of our partner countries in Europe? 

Both laugh

I-6

Em tries out the ramp, Cleo tries out, first very carefully, starting to get more daring from time to time....

From the off... a boy comes in, stands in the back but is seen by the audience... has a look at Cleo, watches her...

C is getting more and more frightened. Wow, this ramp is quite high. It seems to be difficult, not to say dangerous for me. You say, some boys have tried it already? Wow, respect!

But.... (loud) I am Princess Cleo! Anything they can do, I can do better!

Takes her skateboard and climbs up to the top of the ramp

Starts... half way down she stumbles, fails, the boy jumps to the ramp, saves her from falling down

Em: shouts, cries out loud: Cleo runs to her.

I-7

Boy keeps C in his arms, C groans with pain, opens her eyes, sees the boy... looks irritated, than smiles

Both: Hi!

C giggles

Some frozen seconds.... love is in the air....

Where is Em than????

I-8

Stamping, King and Queen arrive on stage in robes.

K (angry): Princess Cleopatra, what are you doing here?

C, E and boy are startled at the sound of his voice

K continues: For a thousand times we have told you not to go to this inappropriate place. I was looking for you when you did not turn up for brunch!

Q joins in: And you, Emily, I would have expected more reason from you! Today is school day and you are both supposed to be there and work for your future!

C and E nod, stand up, clean their clothes, 

Boy withdraws quietly from stage

Q: You, Cleopatra, will be Queen some day! You will definitely NOT (points to her) – N – O – T be some skating Queen, but Queen of our beloved country! Do you understand me, my dear?

Turns to Emily.

And you, young lady: your father is the best cook who ever worked in our castle’s kitchen. And you mother is a very trustworthy housemaid. So your family has got all the required qualifications. You will be Cleo’s major housemaid one day... A very responsible job. And you will definitely NOT (points to her) N-O-T support her in doing some rubbish, lousy, crunchy activity (points to the ramp/equipment/environment). 

Queen takes C, drags her away from stage, King follows, Em nods her head, C looks back, searching for the boy

All off

Part II – Lithuania

II-1

Setting: castle hall. The king is nervous, keeps walking to and from, Cleo, Emili and the queen are standing next to him.

The King: It is... Horrible... Outrageous... how could you? Me and your mother were worried about you!

Cleo: But Dad...

The King: No „buts“! I can‘t believe that you‘ve done this! What were you thinking? (The King is walking – holding his head in his hands). I will ban, ban, ban all skateboards and roller-skates!

Cleo: Dad, be kind...

The King: Shhh... That‘s it, from now on you will not see Emili any more, you won‘t ride your skateboards and start learning how to be a real princess. 

The queen: And you, Emili, are punished to do all the dirtiest tasks in the kichen. 

Cleo: But Mum...

The king: No „buts“! Cleopatra, proceed to your room!

The queen: Emili, let‘s go to the kitchen!

Emili: Yes, your Majesty.

Cleo: (sarcastic, anrily) Yes, your Majesty.

Emili and Cleo go to different directions. 

II-2

In the background, on the screen there are views of day, night, morning changing. Cleopatra‘s room, morning. There is a bang as the queen and Coco Pedro come in, Cleopatra is still in her bed. 

The queen: My dearest Cleopatra, rise and shine! You have a guest. Here – meet your new teacher – Coco Pedro. 

Coco Pedro: Hello, Mademoiselle! I am very pleased to meet you (kisses Cleopatra’s hand). I am Coco Pedro. Anything to oblige!

The queen: Coco Pedro is a master of art, dance and style. He will help you to become a real princess. 

Cleopatra: I don’t want to be a real princess, leave me alone.

The queen: Daughter, please don’t argue. Coco, I’m leaving you, you may start. 

The queen leaves. 

Coco Pedro scrutinizes Cleopatra: he measures her, touches and lifts her hair. 

 

Coco Pedro: Oh, mon Dieu! My dear Cleopatra, we have so much work to do! The hairstyle – non perfetto! The clothes – non la mode! The posture – terribile! The make-up – non bellissimo! But don‘t worry, Coco Pedro will fix it in uno momento!

Coco Pedro claps his hands. The stage darkens. Cleopatra is in the middle of the stage, only silhuettes of Cleopatra and Coco Pedro are seen. 

II-3

On the screen there is a clock ticking. Cleopatra is standing. Coco Pedro and his assistants stylists are running around her, there are also maids with salvers, but Cleopatra shows no signs of attention. The video ends as the door bangs. 

Cleopatra runs into the wings, Coco Pedro follows her, Cleopatra starts throwing various things out of the wings. 

Cleopatra: No, no, no...

Coco Pedro: Oh, mon Dieu! My dear Cleopatra, what are you doing (tries to escape the things Cleopatra is throwing). Non bellissimo! (Coco Pedro is picking things from the floor).

Cleopatra: Leave me alone! (keeps throwing things out of the wings).

Coco Pedro: Terribile, Cleopatra, terribile... (runs out of the stage).  

II-4

The queen comes in, a thing that Cleopatra has just thrown almost hits her. 

The queen: Cleopatra, please, don‘t do this...

Cleopatra: Leave me alone. I don‘t want to see anybody. I won‘t go anywhere if do not allow me to be the way I want to. 

The queen: Cleopatra, me and your father wish all the best, please, be sensible. You are the only heiress, we want you to understand this. 

Cleopatra: I told you, I won‘t go anywhere. I won‘t eat, I won‘t let anybody in, I will do everything contrarily.

  

The queen is nervous, walks to and fro on the stage. Emili passes by, carrying a basket.

Emili: Good day. Your Majesty, has anything happened?

The queen: It‘s all about Cleopatra. She is rebelling in her room. I am so worried about her, she threatens she‘ll stop eating and won‘t let anyone in. I am afraid she might go mad. 

Emili: Well, I could make her a pie, we are still friends, I‘m sure she‘ll be glad and maybe calm down. 

The queen: Deal. Go into the kitchen and start cooking. 

Emili: Yes, your Majesty. 

II-5

Emili runs into the kitchen. On the screen there is the scenery of a kitchen. A scene of pie baking a cake. Emili shows up on the stage with a cake in her hands.  

Emili: Hi, Cleopatra. Your mother asked me to make a cake, so I did it. Be  kind, eat it, it is your favourite one, it will help you. Midnight is waiting for us, Cleopatra...

Cleo: (taking the cake, starts eating it) I wonder what Emili had in mind saying that midnight was waiting for us (the princess keeps eating the cake, suddenly she finds a key). Now it‘s clear, Emili, you‘re a genius!

II-6 

The light darkens on the stage. On the screen there is a clock with its finger running, the clock starts tolling 12 o‘clock. Cleopatra unlocks the door, she flees. On the screen there is scenery changing. 

II-7

Behind the castle walls. Emili is hiding, waiting for her friend. Cleopatra shows up. 

Emili: Hi!

Cleopatra: Hi (breathless).

Emili: I thought you won‘t dare to do this.

Cleopatra: You are unaware of a lot of things about me (laughing). So, tell me what has happened till I was out.

Emili: Do you remember that the king has banned all skateboards and all ramps?

Cleopatra: Yes.

Emili: Teenagers got outrageous and decided to unthrone the king. 

Cleopatra: I know that my father made a wrong decision, but I would not like him to lose his reign.

Emili. That‘s not all. 

Cleopatra: What else?

Emili: Their leader is the boy who saved you on the ramp.

Cleopatra: What are we going to to now?

Emili: I know one person who could help us. He is a hermit and lives in catacombs in the outskirts of the city.

Cleopatra: So what are we waiting for? Let‘s go.  

II-8

Setting: Catacombs. The Hermit keeps walking, there is a lit candle, the Hermit is counting something, suddenly he hears a scratch and sees Cloepatra and Emily. 

The Hermit: Don‘t you have anything more important to do, why are you loitering away?

Emili: We are sorry, but we need your help.

The Hermit: What do you want?

Cleopatra: Some advice.

Emili: We wanted to talk to you about the king.

The Hermit: The King? You must be his daughter?

Emili: No.

Cleopatra: I‘m his daughter. 

The Hermit: So what advice do you want?

Cleopatra: The king has banned all rollerskates and ramps, so teenagers want to unthrone him.

The Hermit: Oh, what bad news (pretends to be sad but is actually happy).

Cleopatra: So what should we do?

The Hermit: You‘ll have to fullfill three tasks that will help you to save the kingdom.

Part III – Turkey

III-1

Setting: Catacombs. 

The Hermit: (in a silhouette) All right cuties.Your first task is to search for a mask and that will lead you to the second and third task.

The one I’d like is with a sign of rainbow

Whoever sees it comes close and bow.

Cleopatra:  (despisingly) I can find it, of course!

thats so simple like i play with toys.

(on the screen it writes “BUT it wasn‘T”)

(Emily quickly takes out her laptop, googles for it disappointedly and gives it to Cle,o so that she could try to find for a mask and the screen of the laptop is displayed at the background projection, they search for it in panic)

Cleopatra: (disappointed and worried) the mask you wanted to get in a way
is not easy to find even on the eBay,

The Hermit: I do really mind 

If you cannot find

Don’t you think you know anybody

that could make a mask in the country?

(Cleo and Emily silent and thoughtful for while)

Emily: (excitedly to Cleo) Eureka!

Do you remember Coco Pedro the stylist 

who has had a “mask design list”? 

Cleopatra: Yes, you are right, honey!

We can get it from him paying some money.

(Cleo giving out a bunch of money and credit card to Em)

Go and get that thing which is so hard

And also, If needed, use that credit card

(Em leaves the stage; light fades out in the catacombs)

(A big clock ticking away for a while on the screen background till Emily is back with the mask and the light is on)

III-2

 (The same previous setting)

The hermit: (putting on and adjusting the mask on his face)All right this is suitable although not so comfortable.

(showing the screen billboards with the other tasks)

So since I have the mask

Here is your second and third task;

Second ‘’ Find the coordinator squirrel! ‘’
Third    ‘’Talk to him and make a deal! ‘’

Cleo and Em: (in chorus in wonder) What are those for??

You have to explain us before.

The hermit: The squirrel you find will gather all his mates
To bring all the walnuts to the castle gates.

So that the skaters will slip and fall down
while they attack the king’s crown.

                   

Cleo: (astonished) How clever you are!

Emily: (looking at Cleo)All sound reasonable so far.

Cleo: (cheerfully) Now, We know how.  

Emily: (excitedly)  Wow, Let’s get going now.

Cleo and Em: CİAO !

(they leave the stage) 

III-3

(Slyly, the hermit reveals and speaks to himself as the lighting fades out slowly with his ambitious laugh)

The hermit: Now it’s pay back time my half-brother the king.

Only I know, the walnut is the only thing 

you cannot bear.

And the best is; nobody is aware 

From childhood I remember you had such an allergy
that could make you lose all your energy. 

Smelling them will be enough to kill the king. (greedily with a raising voice)
Do not even mention tasting or eating. hahaha..(echoes loudly in darkness)

III-4

Setting is the country 

(Cleo and Em out walking, passing trees on the screen)

Cleo: I got so bored with that gloomy and poetic atmosphere in there Em.

Em: Me, too. But we’ve found out many things to help us.

Cleo: (speaks fast) Right! Thanks to the hermit, yes..First we need to find the coordinator squirrel though and then.. oh but I know nothing about the squirrels. Do you have any suggestions where they could be..

Em: Wait wait wait, we can do nothing before we have some things to eat, Cleo, I’m starving, aren’t you?

Cleo: Yes, I am. Let’s have some snacks.

Em: (upset) We can’t ! We are broke since we paid all our money to Coco Pedro for the mask.

(After a few seconds in despair)

Em: I’ve got an idea. My father is responsible for two kitchens; the first one is the beloved King’s and the second is Burger King’s, it’s just over that corner of the trees.

Cleo: (happily) Perfect, let’s pay a visit to him then.

III-5

(After a short walk, they see the signboard of the burger king projected on the screen and a table, a few chairs set in front before the light comes on that half)

(The father carries a plate of pie just taken out of the oven)

Cleo: I thought I smelt something wonderful! I did, I did.

Em: I did, either

(Both amazed and attracted)

The father: Yes you are right dear little ladies; it’s the smell of walnut pie I’ve just made.

Cleo: Why don’t you bake this sort of pie in our castle too? 

The father: Oh my dear princess, don’t you know his majesty the king is allergic to walnuts. 

Cleo and Em: (in chorus, shocked and confused, looking at each other)Allergic!

PART IV- ITALY

I, 1

In the forest

(The forest can be built with coloured strips of green cloth from ceiling or with a photo-video on the back and with actors masked like threes and like squirrels on stage and also among seats)

( There  are the voices  of the forest: noise, wind,  cries of animals; the squirrels also call each other )

Squirrel  ( to other squirrels):   See, see the princess Cleo, come, come and you, trees of  forest, see with us!!!

(from the left Cleo and Emily get into stage;  they  walk and look at the landscape;  they  stop and sit down in the middle of stage).

C: ( crying with hands in the hair)

What we have to do, Emily, I really don’t know. It’s difficult for me; I am a girl not a queen! I don’t trust the Hermit! His words aren’t clear; have you see him? His look scares!  

I think that your father is a good and a loyal servant of my parents and I believe in him. But…   What must I do ?!?

E: (calm and encouraging )

Cleo, don’t worry,   I will be with you  for ever.

 C:  (arrogant)

You are with me…..But you aren’t me , you aren’t a princess… I am a princess.

This is not my life! The skate is far now, the ramp, the boy is far;  the political affairs aren’t mine! I am not right to do something for my country….. not yet, I think|

E : (calm and encouraging, )

You are a princess, don’t say these words, you don’t know now it, but you will know what to have to do. 

C: (doubtful and worried)

Emily. What do you say?!?

E: (hard)

This is an important moment for the country, you know, our country: the unrest could become  a terrible thing; we , you must do something 

C: (talking up)

Emily you are scaring me! You don’t understand , you can’t, you are  daughter of servants

E: (  suffering and  beginning to cry)

Why do you say this? Are you my best friend , or not?

(Cleo gets up and walks  on stage nervously) 

C: …yes, but…. you and I …aren’t the same thing

E: ( hurting and scaring Cleo)

I am not a princess but I think that the unrest will bring blood…..Blood will flow on the streets and my and your life will be very different …..

C: It ‘s true…

E:  A terrible thing, a  battle, you know,  will come,  a without end  war for all of us;    

C: OK I see, but I don’t know, I don’t know…..

E: (satisfied)

You don’t know, but I do. I’ll go to the chief of the unrest and I’ll convince him to talk to you to reach an agreement. Farewell

II, 1

In the throne room

(In the middle of stage a chair with a golden  cloth; on the left a little table with chairs)

(A group of musicians are playing before the dialogue on stage) 

(Cleo, the King and the Queen  hugging and crying  in the middle of stage)

C: I’m sorry, daddy, I have made a mistake, I had not understood  what I was doing;

King: Cleo, why have you run away? 

Queen: Oh Cleo, I and your father were desperate!

C: I apologize to you, dear dear daddy; I am making a lot of mistakes; I haven’t understood anything; the Kingdom is in danger; I was a little girl, a spoiled child; I was also arrogant with Emily!

King and Queen : Emily?

C: Yes, I have been very arrogant with her and she…now is with the chief of the unrest saving the Kingdom!  she has a very strong heart, she is not afraid  and is leading a very important mission for all us.

 ( a voice off says : Miss Emily and Sir Robin with his servant)

II, 2

C: Oh daddy, she is here!! 

(Emily, Robin and a man with a long, dark cloak get into stage from stalls; when they are on the stage they curtsey each other; they sit down, first the King, after the Queen and then the others)

E: Cleo this is Robin, the chief

R:  Princess, you are beautiful! I remember you, at the Ramp… I had believed that we would  be friends…

C: (candid,  hopefully)

 I remember it too…I believed the same…

 But… now… which are the news?

R: You have to know that I’m not an enemy; I don’t hate the Kingdom and the King.

King: …and the unrest? You said that this country must be destroyed, that another kingdom has to be built…and now…I don’t understand your words!

R: We have been forced … but now I think that a deal can be found 

King: A deal?

Queen: Cleo, Emily: A deal?

R: Yes , a deal

Queen: What is a deal?... 

Maybe it’s necessary something to think better…the tea can be served!

(While they are talking servants get into the stage with tea and stay behind the table; Cleo,  Robin, the King and the Queen  begin  drinking  tea)

( suddenly, secretly,  Emily gets up, goes near a servant and puts furtively powdered nuts in the pastries)

(All drink tea and eat pastries)

( The King begins to touch his forehead and  his stomach)

King: ( falls to the floor)

I can’t see anything, I have a  lot of cramps, I am poisoned, I am poisoned!!!!

( Cleo is near his father, she is trying to save him and the Queen is fainting) 

(Emily and Robin get up, hug each  others and smile and in the same time Robin’s servant strips off his cloak )

Hermit: ( opens his arms)

Come near me, my dear sons…the Kingdom is ours at last. Robin, my dear, and you, beautiful Emily, look at your Kingdom!

( to servants)

I, the new King, order that the King, the Queen and Cleo go to the prison! Go!

( The servants drag the King and the Queen and Cleo follows)

E :( to Cleo, smiling with sarcasm)

At last you are learning what to be put down means!!!

III

The jail

(In the back a photo video of  jail or a picture of window with bars; on the stage a little chair)

(The King is on the floor, the Queen is crying and Cleo walks on the stage)

Queen: (desperate)

Cleo, look at your Daddy, he is just breathing

Cleo: (calm )

Mom, don’t worry, I will be a Princess. I have been a little, silly girl; I will find the way of our freedom 

( Cleo sits down, gets up, takes her head with her hands)

But now  I don’t know which is. 

(music,  green and red light from the left, smoke; Coco  Pedro gets into the stage )

Coco Pedro: ( his suit covered by golden beads)

Don’t cry, little Cleo. I am here

Cleo: ( open mouthed)

Coco Pedro !?!

Coco Pedro: Yes, it’s me

Cleo: (surprised)

 But.. but… 

Coco Pedro: 

I have listened to your words, now you are a true princess, you have understood  what is a princess. Don’t worry. Listen to me: don’t you know I am a wizard, no…!?!, I am “The” wizard,  the biggest one!

 I tell you this:  there is only one way to save the King from death: finding in seven days three ingredients for an antidote to save him: one voluntarily given, one secretly stolen and one sacrificed

C:   How can I find the three elements? I am here !

Coco : See (Coco lifts up the chair and suddenly he shows her a way to go out and  takes out Cleo’s skate that is in his bag  )

See, little Cleo, now on your skate you will fly to take what you have to find!  Go!

(Black)

Curtain

Part 5 - The Aland Islands

I.
In one of the chambers of the castle. Hermit on stage, vicious. Robin enters.

Hermit: Why do you look so distracted? You should be happy and pleased!

Laughing viciously

Hermit: The castle is ours, the king is imprisoned and poisoned and will eventually die if nobody helps him.

Robin turns away so that the hermit won’t hear

Robin: This is wrong! It has gone too far. I didn’t mean it to end like this. The only thing I wanted with the uproar was more skateboard parks in the country. I didn’t want to hurt anybody. What can I do? I’ll have to sneak down to the dungeon and offer my help.

II.
Beside a big tree. Squirrels chatting and having fun. 

Squirrel 1: Have you heard?

Everyone: What?

Squirrel 1: They are about to chop down the whole forest and build skateboard parks here instead!

All squirrels become silent and look shocked at each other.

Squirrel 2: What shall we do?

Squirrel 1: We have to tell our king!

The King of the Squirrels comes and looks at them.

The Squirrel King: What do you want to tell me?

All the squirrels talk at the same time.

The Squirrel King: Quiet! What has happened?

Squirrel 1: They are going to chop down the whole forest!

The Squirrel King: Who?

Squirrel 1: The King’s Brother! The rumor is that he has poisoned his brother and imprisoned his family to take the throne. They also say that Cleopatra, the princess has escaped to find three ingredients so that they can cure the king.

Everyone becomes quiet as the king thinks.

The Squirrel King: Fixer!

Fixer Squirrel appears

The Squirrel King: Go at once and find the Princess and tell her that we can offer her the first ingredient to the antidote if she helps us to save the forest. 

Fixer Squirrel runs off and exits the stage.

Squirrel 2: What do we have to help the king?

The Squirrel King: We have our golden nut, let’s go and fetch it! 

III.
Outside the castle. Cleo sits on her skateboard thinking. Fixer squirrel comes and looks at her.

Fixer: Are you Cleopatra?

Cleo: Yes.
Fixer: We have the first ingredient to the cure, if you help us to save the forest, you can have it.

He looks at Cleo and waits for her reply. Cleo jumps up. 

Cleo: I’ll do anything! Where are we going?

Fixer: To my king.

The squirrel exits the stage the same way he came, Cleo jumps on her skateboard, 

Cleo: Swoosh!

IV.
In the forest by the tree. All the squirrels stand behind the king who is holding the golden nut. Cleo and Fixer come.

The Squirrel King: This golden nut is magical! It is yours if you promise to help us saving the forest.

Cleo: Of course! I grew up in this forest, even I love it!

Cleo gets the nut and smiles

Cleo: Thank you, thank you so much!

She runs over to her skateboard

Cleo: Swoosh!

V.1
Inside the prison. Cleo comes.

Coco Pedro: I see that you have got the first ingredient for the antidote

He takes it from Cleo

Coco Pedro: You will find the next ingredient if you solve a riddle. It goes like this: Behind something big and grey you will find something small and shiny.

Cleo starts to think about what it could be. Suddenly something crosses her mind.

Cleo: I’ve got it! It’s the troll who lives in the mountains up in the north. It’s said that he guards a magical shining moss.

Coco Pedro: It’s worth a try to go there!

Cleo turns to the skateboard and speaks to it

Cleo: I want you to take me to the cave where the troll lives. Shwoosh!

Cleo leaves on her skateboard

V.2
The same place. Robin comes into the dungeon and looks around.

Robin: What is it? What has happened?

Coco Pedro: The King is very sick. He has been poisoned.

Robin: What can I do to help him?

Coco: Cleo’s skateboard has got magic powers so it can help Cleo to find
the three ingredients, which she needs to save the king from his allergy shock.
Robin: I’m sure she can’t do it by herself!  It can be dangerous, she could get hurt! Where is she?

Coco:  She left a while ago.

Robin: Which way did she go?

Coco points in the direction she left

Robin: Okay I’ll follow her. I’ll help her.

Robin follows the tracks and leaves the stage.

VI.
Outside the entrance of a cave. The Troll looks angry and growls. Cleo and Robin look at each other.

Cleo: We have to get the moss, but first we have to get rid of the troll.

Robin: Yeah, but do you have any idea how?

Cleo looks in her pocket and takes out a golden spray can. She holds it up.

Cleo: I think so. I had this when I last painted graffiti.

Cleo picks up a stone and throws it to Robin.

Robin: Now I know what you mean. Good idea! You want me spray this stone golden!

Robin sprays the stone. The troll is staring at the golden stone.

Cleo: And now throw it away as far as you can! 

Robin throws away the stone as far as he can. The troll runs after the stone.

Troll: Moss!!!!!!!!!

Robin: Well done! Hurry up!

Cleo and Robin sneak into the cave and come out with the moss.

Cleo: Finally we have the moss. I’m sure this is the second ingredient!

Cleo and Robin sigh and look lovingly at each other. They smile at each other. 

Robin: Now we must hurry up back to the dungeon in time.

Robin & Cleo: (jump up on the skateboard and says the magic word) Swoosh!

VII.
In the dungeon. The sun rises and sets again. When the sun rises the second time are there.

Cleo: Nooooo! Now the seven days have passed! I would do anything to save my dad. I would even become the nice, well-dressed and non-skateboarding princess that mum and dad want me to be.

Cleo starts to cry and in the background a movie starts where you see that the tears fall on the nut. Big tears run down Cleo’s cheeks, she sobs. The tears drip on the nut and the moss.

Coco Pedro: Your tears make the nut to open, and the moss to shine – the tears were the scarificed ingredient because they came from your heart.

Cleo: (sobbing) There is something in the nut.

Robin: It looks like you. It is a picture of a princess on a skateboard.

Coco Pedro: Now it transformed into a smoking cauldron. This we have to take to the king. Quickly!

Part VI -  Poland 

I . 

In dungeons

Coco Pedro mixes ingredients, during a  magic there are red and yellow lights  and a smoke. Cleo looks frightened. Robin walks to her and puts  his hand on her shoulder. She is glad, she hugs him. The Queen sits near The King  on the floor, she strokes his hair. )

Coco: (mysteriously )  Whazzaka zaka! BOOOM !

 Now, the elixir is ready. 

Cleo, quickly ! We haven’t got time ! Give it to The King !

C: Ohh! You’re right !
Every second is approaching him to death ! 

( Cleo comes to The King. Carefully gives him the elixir)

Q: Oh! Look at the king ! He is alive , he is alive! 

Oh God, I can’t believe it ! 

My darling, you have no idea how much I missed you. (I love you!)
(The King is weak, he slowly opens  his eyes)

K:  Where I am ! I feel dizzy. What’s going on?!

Q:Ohhh, you don’t know what happened!  

Events  are happening  like in a nightmare !

Did you know that Cleo saved you? She was very brave! 

She made a special antidote which saved your life. She had to demonstrate a wisdom, when solving a difficult riddle, her life was in danger, and she would do anything to save your life. She showed how great the power of love is. 

You know, we have got an  amazing daughter! You should be proud of her.
(The king is feeling better,  tears are  running down his cheek.)

C: (Cleo cries  and suddenly, impulsively  runs and   hugs  the king) My beloved Daddy ! 

You cannot imagine how scared I was at the thought of losing you!
I’m sorry!! Everything was my fault!

You would’ve nearly died because of me, but I never wanted to do something wrong. I only wanted to skate. 

I am really sorry for everything ! Dad, please forgive me.
(The king stands  up with the help of the Queen, he is smiling and looking at Cleo)

K: No Dear, it is not your fault.

I also have made a lot of mistakes. I have never listened to you carefully and I have not cared about your wishes. I haven’t trusted you enough.

But now, I can understand that you are a very brave and good daughter and also a  magnificient  princess. You behaved very bravely and saved my life. I am proud of you, my dear.
(They are hugging and the king is kissing Cleo in the forehead.)

Coco: Take this. This is a magical pill to recover.

 ( yellow lights flash/

K: WOOW! I feel like a newborn! 

But my kingdom isn’t in good condition! 

The hermit brought only badness, sadness and darkness to the kingdom, so we must change it!

Does anyone have any idea how we can do that?

(silence …..) 

C: EURECA ! !!

 Mum, quickly, give me your hairpin ! 

( she take a hairpin and opens the grating) 

Q:  Ohh, what a surprise ! You never know, what  is useful in life ! 

Once you must show me, how to  do it !! 

(Cleo hugs  mum)

C:  Sure ! But now it is time to end up with Hermit !

( characters carefully leave the jail. Robin leads the others, going first and checks around, while they are walking.)

II. 

Garden
(Hermit is alone in the garden of the castle.)

H: HAHAHAHAHA the kingdom is mine!

I am the best!

Today I rule  the kingdom, tomorrow I will rule the world! Hahahahaha!
Whaaat… who is this !?

It’s my brother? (He is rubbing his eyes, he is very shocked) 

I can’t believe it! It’s impossible ! 

(He can see Robin near The King)
Robin, here you are! Quickly, catch the prisoner!
(Robin doesn’t do anything)
(Hermit  opens his mouth in surprise, later frowns)
(Hermit says  with a  devilish smile )

H: You have been the king of this country for a long time, but you have never been a good king for your people, and never a good father for your daughter. Your own daughter helped me to  kill you.
(The king is smiling, he is calm)

K: You are wrong again as usual. You have a bad heart and heartless people should  not rule the world.

Look around you.

Who has already lost and who is alone?

Bad people are always alone! !!They never have a family and real friends.

( squirrels appear . They’re holding nuts)

K: It’s your end ! 

(squirrels throw nuts)

H: OHHH NOOO! 

Maybe you won the battle, but you will lose the war! 

HAHAHAHAHAHA
(Hermit is running; squirrels are standing in front of him, they frown,they  are very confident and angry. They are holding  lots of nuts)
(squirrels are throwing nuts  at Hermit )

H: OH no ! no! no! Ughh! 

Stop, please, stop!

It hurts!

H: Please, help me! I feel badly  and dizzy!
(Hermit faints, Robin and  the king bring him to the dungeon)

III.

Dungeon

(Hermit is alone)

H: Let me out ! It’s terrible in here! It’s so cold and dark! I’m scared!
Can anyone hear me?
(Hermit  can hear  a  squeak)
WHHHAT? Whaaat is this? 

It’s a monster!!!

Oh Gosh! No! It’s a mouse! I hate it!!
Let me out! I do not want to die here! !!
(He sits with  crossed legs and  cries)
H: Oh what a terrible feeling!

Nobody is here. I’m alone and poor.

What a bad luck! !

Before I had everything, now I have nothing, nothing. 

I’m a bad man!  

Maybe I should  change my behavior .
( to the audience) 

H: Maybe I should apologize ? 

( he lowers his  head and falls asleep) 

Part VII - Cyprus

I. 

Dungeon

Hermit: Get me out of here! Curse you! Robin! You filthy traitor..! (guard enters dragging his feet silently, looking very serious. Hermit looks up in hope, then appears to be disappointed, muttering) Not here to help me, huh? Never mind, I don’t need your help anyway. (Grunts)

Guard: (slowly moves in front of jail cell, looking solemn and using a very official tone in his voice) Silence! You are aware, I assume, of your situation, for you are in the Royal Dungeons. I have been sent by the King to inform you that you have two options: You shall willingly apologise publicly; or be exiled.  

(Long silence)

Hermit: Ha, as if! (Self satisfied, sarcastic smile)

Guard: …So be it, then! (Drags feet gravely, leaves)

Hermit: I almost considered apologising, in my most desperate of moments. I don’t see how I could ever – EVER – consider this! I was out of my mind last night!!

  

VII

II.

Palace

Cleo: (gazing out of the window) It’s all too much for me... I wish I knew what Emily is up to now… (thoughtful) Was she not a true friend after all? How could she do this to me? What made her turn against my father and the kingdom? I feel so alone…no one cares…apart from Robin. I still feel the warmth of his loving eyes… oh, come on, Cleo, stop being so foolish! Robin’s just Robin and he’s your cousin! (Looks troubled)

(Clock strikes)(Announcement in background: The royal meeting will be held now in the meeting hall, Cleo exits stage. No one is on the stage now. Someone holding a giant clock enters, turns the needles of the clock and shows that three hours have passed, exits, Herald goes on stage) (Royal trumpet sounds)

Herald: (officially) His royal Majesty wishes to announce the decisions taken in the meeting held under his highness’ authority. From this day onwards skating which was previously banned will now be allowed in the kingdom. The forest will now be under the protection of his highness, and as for the Hermit, he is now exiled and shall be of no problem to the kingdom ever again. 

(Herald exits stage, Cleo and Coco Pedro enter, look and smile at each other conspiracionally)

Cleo: (beams with excitement) Ah, I feel so much better now that everything is sorted out! Thanks to you, Coco! You’ve helped me so much with your genius ideas- it worked like magic! 

(Coco looks pleased- they both reach out and hug each other. Triumphant music. Magically Coco Pedro transforms and his appearance changes completely. Style changes: Wears baggy clothes, and has no longer a queer style. Is now wearing the royal emblem)

Cleo: Who are you?! Guards!! (Looks around for guards)

Coco Pedro: Cleo… It’s me! Please listen…

Cleo: Guards!! Help! Where is Coco Pedro..? What did you do to him?

Coco Pedro: Please, Cleopatra, listen; look at me, I’m wearing the royal emblem. I am your brother, your blood, believe me. Look at the resemblance… Can’t you see?

(Cleo hesitantly compares their necklaces, looking unsure)

Coco Pedro: It all started when I was three. I was abducted by the Hermit, who didn’t want me to inherit the Kingdom one day. I was forced to live with him for many years in the city catacombs. 

Cleo: So when did you escape? How come you’re here now?

Coco Pedro: I was only twelve when I managed to flee abroad, hidden in a boat, as a castaway. When the Hermit realised I was gone, he cursed me to be unrecognisable to my family and friends. Then I made a friend abroad who helped me all the way through. A couple of months ago I found the courage to come back home. I had heard our mother was looking for a stylist for you; so I came back as a stylist, using my transformation to get a job in the palace. You know the rest of the story… 

Cleo: So how did this happen now? What triggered your change of appearance?

Coco Pedro: In order for my true appearance to be restored, I had to be trusted by you, my sister. Once you believed in me, it all turned out well because the touch of siblings is magic. 

(Cleo looks startled at Coco Pedro)

Coco Pedro: Please say something…

Cleo: All these years I thought I’d never meet you; and now here you are! I couldn’t have hoped for anything better! Now come with me. Let’s go find our parents! Their son is back! 

(Cleo and Coco exit the stage, curtain closes, re opens and we see the king and queen in the palace. Cleo and Coco enter the stage.)

Cleo: Mom, dad… I have something to tell you- well actually someone to introduce you to- someone you already know… we lost him a few years ago… 

Queen: (looks puzzled, observes Coco thoughtfully, suddenly smiles and has an epiphany) Could that be….?!

(Coco smirks, queen runs towards him and hugs him)

Coco: I missed you too, mum. (said while hugging each other) 

King: Errr- would you mind explaining? (smiles but doesn’t really look like he understands, is awkward)

Cleo: It’s your son! Aren’t you going to hug him? 

King: (hesitates) It can’t be! Coco, is that really you?

Coco: Yes, father. (hug each other, queen sheds tears of joy)

(all smile, stand together and look happy) It was the hermit. (pause)He cast a spell on me and now I’m here thanks to Cleo, whose trust has brought me back to my real appearance- but most importantly, back to my family.

King: (looks at Cleo with pride, and smiles encouragingly) Ah, yes. Cleo... 

Cleo, who we never trusted enough but proved to be so much! We are very proud of you, (places his hand on her shoulder encouragingly)

(pause) Only now do we realise just how strong you are and how reliable you can be! Now that this is clear to us, your mother and I have agreed that you are able to attend an ordinary high school just like everybody else!

 (Royal guard enters the room, bringing in Emily with him. Emily is blushing)

Royal Guard: Your Majesty, this girl asked to see you (pause) and she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Emily: (starts to sob, with regret) Cleo, (pause while sobbing) I, (pause) it was just, (pause) (inhales decisively) I am so sorry for doing these things to you, (looks down, ashamed of herself) I never meant to betray our friendship or the king and queen…I know that things will never be the same, and I respect that. I hope that you can forgive me…

Cleo: (smiles understandingly ) I forgive you, it will be ok.

Emily: (looks up, hopefully) No hard feelings? 

Cleo: (smiles frankly) No, no hard feelings. 

(They hesitate at first, but finally hug each other)

Emily: So, see you at school then?

Cleo: Yeah, see you there. (Cleo looks satisfied and pleased)

(Emily exits)

Cleo: Now, if you would excuse me, mum, dad I think I need some fresh air-I’d like to go for a walk in the garden. 

VII.

III.

Garden. 

(Arriving at the garden, Cleo meets Robin)

Robin: (smiling) Hi…

Cleo: Hey (can’t really hide her joy that she’s with him, also feels awkward)

Robin: Want to take a walk?

Cleo: Yeah, sure.

(While walking)

Robin: (Confident and excited) I’m glad it all turned out well, with you and the kingdom, I mean. 

Cleo: I know and thank you for helping me. I could never have done it without you… (blushes) By the way I have great news. My parents agreed that I don’t need to go to the princess academy they had me enrolled in and instead I can attend our local  high school. Guess which high school I chose… 

Robin: I don’t believe you! That’s great!

Cleo: You know I’d do anything for my cousin. (Smiling)

Robin: Cleo, I’ve been meaning to tell you all along… It’s just something you need to know.

Cleo: (with curiosity) What is it, I’m starting to worry.

Robin: (hesitates and casts a warm look deep into her eyes) You know, life sometimes brings it in a way and there are just some things that are meant to be. 

Cleo: (Cleo looks confused) Go on…

Robin: The hermit adopted me when I was little to fulfil his evil plans. Fortunately this led to me meeting you now as – it turns out we are not cousins – so overall, this is a good outcome to a bad situation, don’t you think?

Cleo:  (blushes, smiles hopefully) It couldn’t have been any better... 

(they exchange a warm, loving look, smile and slowly link their hands. Robin turns his head and looks towards the audience)

Cleo: What’s wrong? What are you looking at? (slightly worried)

Robin: (smirks) The future.

THE END