Zami's Opera -- 10/21/98

[Patrick Littell <pwl206@is9.nyu.edu>]

Cesare nods congenially, "I do hope you're faring well this evening,
Lady Ivanova."

Ivanova raises from her curtsy with what can not be mistaken as a weak
smile, "I am faring well Count. And you?"

Cesare gives a great smile, "I am doing splendidly, Madame. I trust
Valeri is getting along well?"

Nils walks in slowly, nodding to Count Moritani and the Lady Rastanyev.
"Hello, Moritani. It turned out that the urgent business I mentioned
earlier turned out to be of little consequence."

Ivanova takes in a small breath and then turns her head. In a sudden
change of topics, "Would you happen to know what opera they are playing
this eve?"

Cesare returns the nod to the Viscount. "Splendid! I am so glad you
decided to attend. I am uncertain what is going to be performed tonight,
but I am certain it will be in excellent taste and execution. How I love
opera and theatrical arts of all kinds! There is very little in the way
of theatrical entertainment on Arrakis."

Boris bustles into the room, nodding and greeting the people he
recognizes in the crowd. He spots Cesare and waves happily. "Good
evening, my friend! How are you?"

Ivanova nods her head from her position before Cesare, "Indeed." She
turns to greet those that now join them with another formal curtsy in
their directions.

Cesare walks over and warmly pumps Boris's hand. "So good to see you,
Boris! Truly this is a fine event through which to publicly return to
Kaitain!"

Ivanova steps off to one side as Cesare passes her and moves towards
Boris. She takes this opportunity to pull at her skirt, thus
straightening it a bit.

Boris returns the shake with a bear hug. "A grand entrance indeed. Good
to have you among us, eh?" He then turns to the Lady Rastanyev. He bows
low over Ivanova's hand with a chuckle.

Cesare raises an eyebrow at the unseemly activities of the Lady Ivanova.


Nils walks over to Boris. "Baron! I think you might be interested to
hear that Cesare and I have straightened out that little...disagreement
we had had. As of this afternoon, everything is back to the way it used
to be."

Cesare grins widely. "Yes, we have reconciled our differences. It is
truly a testament to the fortitude and
grace of House Alvstad that they were so willing to compromise."

Boris makes a face as if disappointed. "Oh, how boring. All happy
cousines again, eh?" he laughs uproariously and elbows Nils' ribs in a
comradely way. "You two could at least have entertained us with a little
strife!"

Ivanova smiles politely towards Boris and remains apart from the other
men, silent in the midst of the current conversation.

Nils chuckles. "Well, we were going to duel tonight, but I have a
half-century of advantage over the Count here! How could a young,
healthy man like Cesare ever stand up to a sick old man like myself!" He
laughs heartily, but it quickly becomes a violent cough.

Cesare looks worriedly at the Viscount and hands him a silk kerchief.
"Are you quite alright, Nils?"

Boris nods, chuckling amiably, even as Nils coughs and hacks.

Nils pushes away Cesare's kerchief and uses his own. "Hhukk!"

Cesare hands the kerchief to a waiting attendant, after which he wipes
his hand on a fresh one.

Nils finishes his coughing spasm and looks up, his eyes filled with
tears. "Thank...thank you Cesare. That has been happening all too often
lately."

Cesare furrows his brow as he peers at Nils, searching for something in
his countenance, "I do hope you regain your health, cousine."

An attendant in blue approaches the Viscount. "Shall I summon Dr.
Schadenfreude, milord?"

Nils shakes his head, and waves the attendant away. He turns to Cesare.
"Two years of this and it hasn't killed me yet." He attempts a weak
smile.

Cesare stretches his lips into a slight smile, "And we shall continue to
pray that it never does so."

Boris says, "What you need's a drink, Viscount! Come!"

Boris gestures to a nearby servant. "You there! Wine, and keep it
coming, eh?"

The servant returns with two glasses of beaujolais. Nils takes one,
sniffs it, and takes a small sip. "Ahhh, grapes! How quaint."

Cesare declines a glass of wine offered to him by another servant.

Alethia climbs up the Marble Steps.
Alethia has arrived.

Mintor climbs up the Marble Steps.
Mintor has arrived.

Mintor hands his cloak to an attendant.

Boris seizes up a glass of wine with relish and slurps it down.

Alethia steps through the door and turns to watch Mintor enter and
smiles to him and puts her arm on his, her tone pitched quiet, "Thank
you."

Mintor says softly to her "Would you care for some refreshment?"

Boris says, "Hawks about, I can sense them." Spying the Atreides
contingent, he chuckles. "I knew it!"

Alethia glances about the Lobby taking those about and tilts her head to
listen to Mintor's question, "That would be lovely." Alethia nods.

The attendants hurry off in search of more beaujolais.

Cesare smiles at the sight of the Atreides delegation. "Honoured Lady
Alethia! A pleasure to see you!" He then walks briskly over to her,
takes her hand, and kisses it gently. The Count bows slightly to the
na-Duke as he rises, "And a privilege to see you again as well, na-Duke
Mintor!"

Boris says, "You there, get Lady Ivanova a glass, and be quick, eh?"

Boris speaks to a servant, giving him a warning cuff on the back of his
head.

Ivanova smiles at the Baron and raises her hand, "It is alright Baron. I
have no need of refreshments at this time." She looks longingly at the
closed doors and sighs.

Mintor bows to the Count "A pleasure once again, Count Moritani." He
turns to Baron Harkonnen and smiles "Baron."

Alethia inclines her head to Cesare as she bobs to a curtsy, "Count
Moritani!" Alethia smiles brightly, "You honour me M'Lord. How does this
evening find you?"

Nils walks over and stands next to Cesare. He greets the Atreides
silently, bowing and smiling warmly.

Cesare grins widely, "I am all the more joyful now that you have graced
us with your presence, Lady Alethia."

Mintor bows "Viscount Alvstad, I believe, I have not yet had the
pleasure."

Suddenly, a gentleman opens the large black doors from within. He pushes
them outward and latches them into place so the passage is now clear
between the two areas. Up above in the balcony, another attendant seems
to follow the same movements. The gentleman downstairs suddenly
announces, "If I may have your attention folks." He pauses until he has
everyone's attentions.

Alethia chuckles softly, "Count Moritani, you jest." She pats his arm in
a playful manner, lavishing her attention upon the Siridar-Count, thus
giving her an excuse to ignore anyone else, "With all the bright jewels
here, you must be teasing me."

Cesare shakes his head in reply, "I never jest when it comes to the
legendary beauty of the Atreides women!"

Cesare scowls at the gentleman, "Get on with it, man!"

Ivanova turns her gaze from the door to the gentleman and listens
silently.

Mintor smiles at the Count "My brother is truly a lucky man."

Boris rolls his eyes at the Count's shameless flattery, and chuckles.

Alethia gasps, "Now I know your teasing me, sir." Alethia turns her
attention to the man who has arrived quieting her tone.

Cesare nods earnestly to the na-Duke, "He truly is, for he possesses the
Helena of Troy of the Known Universe!"

The gentleman bows towards the Siridar, "Of course. Please allow me to
welcome you to Kaitain's Imperial Theatre. Tonight's play is entitled
'Cecil's Trail.' I invite you all to come within. The opera will be
starting shortly.

Cesare dismisses the gentleman as no more than a mere distraction and
returns to the conversation.

Mintor chuckles softly "An ancient family tradition, Count Moritani."

Nils turns toward the door. He looks for a moment at the wine goblets in
his hands, shrugs, and takes them in with him.

You walk through the Several Doorways.

Boris walks in from Lobby through the Several Doorways.
Boris has arrived.

Ivanova walks in from Lobby through the Several Doorways.
Ivanova has arrived.

Boris walks to the west and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Boris has left.

Ivanova walks to the west and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Ivanova has left.

You walk through the Multiple Doors.

Ivanova moves forward until she finds her way down towards the first
section of seating.

Ivanova moves into Section 2 seating.

Nils makes his way to the third section and sits down, still nursing his
wine.

You move into a seat in Section 3.

Boris moves into Section 1 seating.

From Stage, The lights in the whole theatre begin to blink and then
slowly dim into darkness.

Boris sits right up front. His servants bring a small folding table
piled high with roast hens, yakitori, and other nibblies. And of course,
plenty of wine.

Boris turns in his seat and offers a hen to Ivanova, sitting behind him.

Yheffen walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Yheffen has arrived.

Yheffen is followed by two guards in Rastanyev uniform.

Ivanova shifts in her seat slightly and directs her eyes towards the
stage. She looks at the offer and smiles, taking it delicately between
two fingers and holding it as if uncertain at first what she should
think of it.

Yheffen nods to his guards who hang back with the legions of other
servants just outside the doors.

Yheffen moves into Section 2 seating.

From Stage, The curtain begins to rise slowly.

A Harkonnen servant offers the Lady a china plate and some fine
silverware.

Alethia walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Alethia has arrived.

Boris laughs as the curtain rises.

Ivanova receives the plate and silverware and offers the servant a smile
of thanks. She places the meat upon the plate and then places that
collection at her side.

Alethia moves into Section 4 seating.

Mintor walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Mintor has arrived.

Mintor moves into Section 4 seating.

Nils finishes his first glass of wine, looks around, and hides the empty
goblet under his chair.

From Stage, The stage is dark at first. With a sudden burst of white
light, three forms can be clearly seen. The three are men of varying
ages. The oldest is dressed in a conservative grey coat and slacks. The
two remaining, youngest boys both have on formal military uniforms, one
distinguishing on officer-in-training and the other a simple lieutenant.

Maia walks in from Main Hallwayy through the Multiple Doors.
Maia has arrived.

Iohannes walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Iohannes has arrived.

Iohannes moves into Section 3 seating.

From Stage, Fabian yells over to his fellow officer in a boastful
manner, "Surely I can beat you in normal duel." He perries an imaginary
foil at Albert's direction.

Maia stands with Iohannes by the doorway for a moment. With murmured
apologies to people she walks in front of, she makes her way to sit near
Nils.

Maia moves into Section 3 seating.

From Stage, Albert lets out a playful laugh and mirrors Fabian's foil
with one of his own, "Ha! Does my friend have a death wish today?"

Iason walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Iason has arrived.

Iason moves into Section 4 seating.

Iohannes, working his way through the seating, bows swiftly to the
Viscount before seating himself.

Sumter walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Sumter has arrived.

From Stage, "We'll see about that," Fabian manages to let out before
plunging forward to strike. Air meets air as the imaginary foils fly.

Sumter moves into Section 3 seating.

From Stage, "BOYS!" the eldest, Meriko shouts above their laughter.
"Father
needs us to tend to the affair with House Driere immediately."

From Stage, "Ah.." Albert whines, "Must we? Those functions are so
boring."

Boris murmurs, "House Dreary? How dreadful..." He starts in on another
yakitori stick.

From Stage, Cecil walks onto the stage. A second intense spotlight
immediately finds her and begins to trail her movement as she walks
towards the other three, "Ah... there you are brother. They are about to
begin. Her eyes scan from one man to another, resting a moment to give
Fabian a gentle smile before looking finally at Meriko.

Kirc walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Kirc has arrived.

From Stage, "Good. The soon this is over the better," Albert pipes up.

From Stage, Meriko nods and heads off stage in the direction Cecil came
from.

From Stage, Fabian timidly approaches Cecil and presents her with a
floral bow. "Lady Cecil," followed by his taking of her hand and kissing
it ever so lightly.

From Stage, Cecil turns her face to the side and downward, blushing ever
so slightly.

Kirc moves into Section 3 seating.

From Stage, Albert, having already begun to run in the direction of
Meriko, turns just long enough to yell back, "Come on Fabian. I'm your
superior officer... not my sister." He turns and runs off stage.

From Stage, Fabian makes a small falter step back, smiles, bows and then
runs off after Albert.

From Stage, Cecil turns to watch them both run away. She smiles to
herself and lets out a sigh before stepping forward towards the edge of
the stage. She looks upwards and begins to sing, "Perhaps... someday...

From Stage, To love to gaze into his eyes...

From Stage, To know his arms about me...

From Stage, Perhaps... someday...

From Stage, To hold him nearest to my heart...

From Stage, To hold him dearest against no other...

From Stage, Perhaps... someday.

From Section 3, Nils hums along, off key.

From Stage, As Cecil's voice dies down, you hear offstage loud laughter
drawing closer.

From Stage, "Good good! The profitability of our alliance will be
outstanding." The voices can be heard before the speakers.

From Stage, Soon the spotlights find its target on two men nearly 60-70
years of age.

From Stage, The primary speaker waves his hand forward as he notices
Cecil, "Ah... have you meet my daughter Lord Driere?" He ushers the
other man closer to his daughter.

From Stage, Loendo moves as he is directed and smiles, nearing Cecil. "I
do not believe I have... such a fine jewel of a daughter." He bows down
to take her hand and place a kiss on her hand. Then he holds her hand up
and begins to walk about her, eyeing her like one would eye a stock
animal.

From Stage, Cecil whips her head about so that she can follow Loendo's
movement. She makes the weakest of smiles as she says in a low voice,
"Thank you Lord Driere."

Boris chuckles. "She'd fetch a good price on Giedi, I can tell you.."

Ivanova looks towards Boris and frowns slightly.

From Stage, Norris lets out another loud laugh, "I believe you've
bestowed too great an honor on our simple Cecil here."

From Stage, Loendo shakes his head and smiles, "Hardly the case my good
man..."

The music begins, "What is but a girl... but a woman that is to be?"

From Stage, What is a woman but a love that can be... that will be.

From Stage, She'll make a wife one day I swear... a lucky man a wife to
be sure...

From Stage, Norris chimes in, "Ah yes... a wife that is to be for such a
lucky man is he... "

From Stage, A wife... for such a lucky woman she has become.

From Stage, The whole while, Cecil turns about and about as the men
circle her.  Finally... as the music dies she bows, "Um... excuse me. I
should make sure dinner is ready." And then quickly runs off the stage,
pausing only to look back every couple of seconds to make a concerned
look at the two men.

From Stage, When Cecil is completely off the stage, Loendo begins again,
"Such a lucky wife... such a lucky man... as me."

Iohannes drinks surreptitiously from a hip flask...

From Stage, The two men walk off the stage, discussing something quietly
to one another. The stage then goes dark again.

Boris refills his own wineglass and passes a few bottles to the
Rastanyevs in the next row.

From Stage, "Trevor" a voice from off stage calls again, "Come now...
stop. Good dog. Now STAY." Cecil comes walking out onto the stage, she
looks offwing and directs her command as she tosses something in that
direction, "Now...FETCH!"

Ivanova looks towards Yheffan and waves a hand between the bottle and
himself.  She then lightly shrugs her shoulders.

From Stage, Fabian walks in from another side and stops as he spots
Cecil. He smiles and then begins to move towards her, catching her by
surprise from behind.

A glass shatters as it hits the floor. In Section 3, the Viscount
Alvstad can be seen sleeping happily.

From Stage, "Boo!" Fabian chimes in.

From Stage, "Fabian!" Cecil jumps from the sudden reaction and finds
herself in his arms. Again the music... "To hold him close... to hold
him in my heart...."

From Stage, In a seemingly counter tempo Fabian begins, "I only want to
love you... it is all I ever wanted to do...."

From Stage, They clasp their hands together and sing into one another,
"One love... one life... forever."

Yheffen examines one of the bottles that comes his way. He sniffs the
bouquet of the open bottle, suppresses a staged grimace and turns and
winks towards the Harkonnen seats. He fills his glass about half-full,
and raises his glass to the Harkonnen box before taking a sip.

From Stage, The two begin to move close to one another, ready to kiss
when suddenly, the father is heard walking onto the stage, "AH good!
Cecil my beautiful daughter! I have the most splendid news!"

From Stage, Fabian looks towards Cecil and then whispers, "another
time..." He then runs off the stage.

From Stage, Norris continues, "It seems that you have impressed House
Driere my dear... he has asked for your hand in marriage and I have
accepted it for you. A match that will make our House richer beyond its
dreams."

From Stage, Cecil looks towards her father, reluctant at first from
taking her eyes off of Fabian. But Norris's words demand her attention,
"Mar...m...marriage?" she manages to stutter out.

Boris pulls out a handkerchief and blows his nose into it.

Ivanova shakes her hand lightly at the servant, again refusing to drink
any.

From Stage, Norris nods, "Yes... You make me so proud my daughter!" He
grins happily at Cecil as she approaches him.

From Stage, Cecil shakes her head, "But what if I ... love another
father. Oh please. You can't ask me to marry that... old man?!" Her face
contorts into one of disguise.

From Stage, Norris barks, "WHAT! Old man? Lord Driere is but my age.
That is hardly old ... YOUNG LADY." Norris's brows furrow deeply.

From Stage, "But... father... have you never loved." Cecil clenches her
hands close into her chest and pleads, "I... oh please don't ask this of
me father."

From Stage, Norris barks again, the smile clearly gone from his face,
"You will DO as you're TOLD. This is for your House... not your foolish
emotions." He looks over Cecil as if looking over a stranger and then
concludes, "You will marry him in a fortnight. Now no more discussions."
With that Norris marches off.

Iohannes winks slyly at Cecil...

From Stage, Cecil lowers her head and in a low... sad tone, "One life...
one love... "

Boris says, "Silly girl..."

From Stage, Fabian emerges from behind the tree. His voice lifts above
that of Cecil's, "... Forever." The music dies and he speaks in a
hurried breath, "I heard... do you?" His brows go up... his voice like a
little boy about to receive a present.

From Stage, Cecil looks up into Fabian's eyes, searching his face,
"Yes!" She barely breathes.

From Stage, Fabian grabs her hands and holds them to her heart, "Then...
tonight. Come back here... we will be wed in the proper fashion. We will
be man and wife and NO ONE can stop us then."

Kirc gestures to Iohannes, indicating the flask.

From Stage, Cecil trembles with excitement and then kisses Fabian. The
stage again goes dark.

Boris gives an appreciative belch in the sudden darkness and silence.

From Stage, The stage is completely lit now. You see Fabian and Cecil
holding hands and walking away from the tree. The pause and are about to
kiss again when Albert runs onto the scene, "Fabian... Fabian... did you
hear?" He stops before the two, a questioning look on his face.

Nils murmurs contentedly in his sleep. "...deductions...interest
rates...mmm....loopholes...."

From Stage, Fabian releases Cecil's hand, "No what Albert?"

Sumter's expression begins to look much more glazed as he watches the
opera. His mouth opens very slightly, and he begins to recite under his
breath odd phrases involving 'trachea' 'slice' and 'riposte.'

From Stage, Albert pauses, looks between the two, and then begins again,
looking only at Fabian, "War has broken out... we've been called to
duty. Come on! We'll finally see some action."

Iohannes passes the flask, with a grin...

From Stage, Albert seems to literally drag Fabian away from Cecil.
Fabian only manages to yell back, "I will return my love... my wife."

From Stage, Cecil blows the two men a kiss and then moves off in the
other direction.

From Stage, Meriko stands up from his position behind the tree. He
shakes his head, "I can't believe that..." Another man stands up next to
him, it is Norris, "MY DAUGHTER! Married to a .... commoner like that?"

From Stage, Norris turns towards his son, "You must make sure that
this... this... Fabian does not return. EVER!"

From Stage, Meriko bows his head towards his father, "It shall be done
father."
He then moves off.

From Stage, Norris moves forward to the edge of the stage and speaks to
the audience, "I'll not let some foolish emotion ruin my House!" He then
turns defiantly and moves off stage.

Cesare walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Cesare has arrived.

From Stage, The lights on the stage go dark again. The curtain then
closes and the lights in the auditorium are raised ever so slightly.

Boris calls out to Norris, "You stiff-necked old coot!"

Cesare enters and quickly seats himself next to Boris.

Cesare moves into Section 1 seating.

Ivanova lets out a low breath as the curtain closes. She lightly runs
one of her fingers along her cheek.

Boris fills his own glass and clinks it against Cesare's.

Cesare shows Boris that he already has some champagne, the flute of
which has the seal of the Corrinos embossed in gold. "I got it from the
Imperial Box."

Nils murmurs to himself, quietly. ""...mmmm...macroeconomics...

Mintor leaves the Section 4 seating.

Iohannes sways absently in his seat, a silly grin on his face...

Cesare leans over and spills champagne on Nils. "Oops! Did I do that?"

Mintor walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Mintor has left.

Kirc tilts the flask to his lips, drinking deeply before returning it.

Boris frowns, chuckling. "That's Corrino dishwater, lad. Have some real
champagne."

Yheffen cups a hand around his mouth and loudly whispers towards Nils,
"Audit!"

Cesare winks and takes the champagne from Boris.

Iason rises, following Mintor silently.

Nils shifts absently in his sleep as the champagne hits him.

Iason leaves the Section 4 seating.

Iason walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Iason has left.

Iohannes looks over at Cesare and Yheffen, but looks too inebriated to
protest...

Sumter straightens out of his chair, his head snapping towards Nils as
someone appears to spill something on him. Bowing to Cesare from his
chair, he eyes Nils quietly, then thinks better of saying anything, and
relaxes back into his chair.

Ivanova watches the Baron and chuckles lightly under her breath at his
words. She neatly hides the chuckle with a sudden uplifted hand.

From Stage, The lights in the auditorium blink and again dim into
darkness.

Maia keeps a steady gaze on Cesare from her seat a few rows behind Nils,
a faint smirk twisting her lips.

Cesare turns and grins widely to Maia, bowing in his seat as far as
decency and comfort will allow.

From Stage, The curtain rises slowly again. On the stage already is
Meriko, Norris, and Cecil.

From Stage, Cecil begins, a slight whine in her voice, "I beg of you
father... please do not make me marry Lord Driere."

Maia bows back to Cesare as the lights dim back down.

From Stage, Norris looks away from his daughter, "I've heard enough. You
will belay these silly emotions. You WILL marry... you will do it NOW."

From Stage, Meriko shakes his head towards his sister as if to tell her
not to speak any further.

From Stage, Cecil looks towards Meriko and then walks up to her father,
"But... see here. I AM married already." She straightens her head
defiantly towards her father.

From Stage, Norris dismisses his daughter with a wave of his hand and
then speaks over his shoulder, "Show her Meriko." His voice hardly
masking the anger in there.

Boris says, "That girl's trouble! Reminds me of mine..."

Cesare laughs! "No, if she were Ulricke she'd have wipped out a knife
and made that man less-than-whole by now!"

From Stage, Meriko pulls out from an inner pocket in his suit an chain
with a couple of tags on it. He holds them before himself and presents
them towards Cecil.

From Stage, Cecil quickly snatches up the tags presented to her and then
stares at them wide-eyed, "He's... he's...."

From Stage, Norris fills it in, "Dead." He turns to face Cecil, "Now. I
will call in Lord Driere and you will be wed to him immediately! You
will NOT mention this Fabian ever again! Understood!"

From Stage, Cecil lowers her head and nods ever so slightly, her form
conveying her defeat.

Boris laughs when Norris announces his death. He slaps his knee as he
laughs.

From Stage, Meriko moves off to one side of the stage and then returns,
followed now by Loendo. Loendo carries a wide grin as he approaches
Norris. His eyes stare hungrily at Cecil, "Ah... my soon to be
father-in-law. I'm afraid I'll be ill suited to call you that though as
you shall always be my friend."

Mintor walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Mintor has arrived.

Mintor moves into Section 4 seating.

From Stage, Norris's expression softens as speaks with Loendo, "Lord
Driere... if I should only be known as your friend the rest of my life,
it would bring me great pleasure."

From Stage, Norris places a hand behind Cecil's back and pushes her
forward so that she now stands at Loendo's side.

From Stage, Loendo claps his hands together, "Good. Shall we sign the
papers then?" His expression growing more like a hungry animal as he
looks between the daughter and father.

From Stage, Norris waves towards a table. The two men make a show of
signing the paper and then the music starts again, "A lucky man ... to
have such a wife..... (his words repeat the same as they did before)"

From Stage, Loendo continues his singing and then Norris chimes it over
it with his own words and wishes, "The union is sealed... the alliance
is forged. My
House will grow rich..."

Iason walks in from Main Hallway through the Multiple Doors.
Iason has arrived.

From Stage, Cecil's voice is the final one to join the group, she sings
the same song again... "One love... one life... to hold him in my
arm...."

Iason moves into Section 4 seating.

Iason silently slips back in, heading back into his seat.

From Stage, The light on the stage fades to focus only on Cecil. The
other voices die down as does the music. Only her voice holds the tune
as she ends it with, "One love... one life.... Never more."

From Stage, The stage goes dark.

Cesare stands and applauds.

From Stage, The scene reopens again, Cecil is seated next to a crib. She
is dressed in an outfit that makes her look older.

Cesare sits down again.

Ivanova looks towards the Siridar and chuckles.

Boris says, "Ah, the girl has spawned.."

Cesare lets a chuckle slip.

From Stage, Fabian walks onto the stage. He stops when he first steps
out, a shocked look upon his face. Then he calls out, "Cecil?"

From Stage, Cecil lifts her eyes and then shakes her head, "F...
Fabian?"

From Stage, Fabian comes rushing over towards her and knees down before
her, "Yes. It is I. I am alive... "

From Stage, Cecil pulls back in her chair and shakes her head, "No...
No... you're dead." She then reaches into a fold of her dress and pulls
out the tags.

Cesare booms, "You bloody fool! You're dead!"

From Stage, Fabian lifts his hands to let the tags play over his
fingers, "Ah... those. I was injured and someone stole those from me
when I laid in bed."

Boris looks almost disappointed that Fabian is still alive, having
visualized a particularly bloody death at the hands of Cecil's father.

From Stage, In a sudden show of emotions, Cecil reaches down at hugs
Fabian deeply. He accepts the hug, returning one of his own.

Nils wakes up at Cesare's shout. "Hh? Muh?"

From Stage, The sound of a baby crying can suddenly be heard.

Nils looks around confusedly, and then down at the still-wet champagne
stain on his uniform.

From Stage, Cecil pulls away and moves to look into the crib. Fabian
looks, a silly smile upon his face, between Cecil and the crib, "What do
we have here."

Cesare starts complaining to an attendant about wanting to see the
manager of the theatre.

Ivanova looks towards Cesare and furrows her brow slightly.

From Stage, Cecil lifts the baby from the crib and then looks towards
Fabian. She lets out a light sigh and stands to move away from Fabian.
"You must go... "

From Stage, Fabian stands as well, "What????"

Maia very carefully doesn't look at Nils, keeping her eyes on the stage.

From Stage, Cecil keeps her back to Fabian and craddle the child to her
chest, "You must leave... I am no more for you."

Cesare scowls and shakes his head, "Nothing, Boris. I just hate, loathe,
and despise bad performances."

Sumter coughs quietly, indicating Cesare with a slight motion of his
head, then goes back to be enraptured by the action.

From Stage, Fabian reaches out a hand, "But... our love? Our
proclamation?... our...."

Boris chuckles. "We'll invite the actors round later and poison them,
eh?"

From Stage, Cecil closes her eyes and nearly screams, "Be GONE!"

Cesare grins to Boris. "Better yet, let's see how well they
perform....once they are set aflame!"

From Stage, The yelling brings in Loendo, "You called my love?" He peers
onto the stage and then steps into full view. His eyes quickly pass over
the two standing there. "And who is this my love?"

Cesare snaps, "Yes, listen to the man and be gone, you blasted
amateurs!"

From Stage, Fabian steps forward towards Loendo and bows, "Lord...
Fabian Rhethmire." He presents himself.

Cesare makes an insulting hand gesture, "And shove it up your Driere!"

From Stage, Loendo approaches the side of Cecil and speaks, "Ah... and
what is your business?"

Boris sets a hand on Cesare's shoulder, grinning in spite of himself.
One of the Harkonnen retainers nearby passes Cesare a plate loaded with
shish kebabs.

From Stage, Fabian looks between the two as Loenndo places a hand on
Cecil's shoulder, "I... was merely lost... forgive me." With that Fabian
turns and is about to leave the stage. He pauses before exiting,
"Goodbye."

From Stage, Loendo uses his hands at Cecil's shoulders to turn her about
so that she faces him, "And what was that about my love?"

Cesare ravenously devours the shish kabob and then begins every so often
to make brandishing gestures at the actors with the prong.

From Stage, Cecil smiles upon Loendo "Nothing... my love." Cecil begins
to sing lightly, "For you are the only one... my dreams, my hopes... my
life."

From Stage, The two face the audience and continues to sing, "We are
one... Cesare shouts, "My sanity!"

Nils notices the shattered glass beneath his feet, and, looking around
guiltily, sweeps it under his chair.

From Stage, One life... One destiny... Forever.

From Stage, The curtain then is slowly lowered as the two stand there,
embraced and facing the crowd.

Mintor applauds the performance.

From Stage, The light in the auditorium comes up to full volume.

Yheffen provides cool, polite applause.

Maia squints against the house lights, muttering under her breath.

Ivanova begins to stand, looking about her. When she hears those about
her clapping, she reseats herself and also claps, but only
half-heartedly.

Boris rises from his seat and applauds happily. "Bravo! Bravo!"

Sumter claps methodically, surveying the stage.

Cesare stands and applauds, "Bravo, bravo! Thank God that travesty is
over! Hang those actors from the nearest gallows!"

Ivanova stands up quickly when she has completed her polite gesture of
approval. She moves quickly through the row she sits in and out to the
aisle. "Excuse me... sorry... excuse me." She repeats to those she must
squeeze back.

Boris gestures to a servant, who opens a small case and begins throwing
bouquets of bitterblooms at the stage.

Mintor leaves the Section 4 seating.

Cesare leaves the Section 1 seating.

Nils glances around at the clapping audience. He shrugs and joins in.

Boris leaves the Section 1 seating.

Mintor walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Mintor has left.

Ivanova leaves the Section 2 seating.

Cesare mutters about the incredible lack of Kaitain these days as he
walks out the door.

Ivanova walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Ivanova has left.

Cesare walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Cesare has left.

Boris walks to the east and passes through the Multiple Doors.
Boris has left.