Esno White by Carlos Manuel

This Play is the copyright of the Author and may not be performed, copied or sold without the Author's prior consent

In front of the curtain, a girl (8 years old) runs in. She's wearing pajamas.

Right behind her, a 30 year old man appears.

He is the child's father. He's still wearing his casual clothes. The
little girl runs around, her father watches her for a short while then:

FATHER: Okay, Ayana. ¿Lista para el cuento? (Are you ready for the
new story?)

AYANA: Yes, daddy.

FATHER: Well, what's the title of the new story?

AYANA (Reading the title from the book she's holding in one of her
hands.): "Esno White.

FATHER: Really?

AYANA: Sí, papá. (Reading again) "Esno White. A new twist to
the old children's classic by Carlos Manuel.

FATHER (Gesturing to Ayana to give him the book, which she does.):
Well, ¿Lista? Are you ready?

AYANA: I am.

FATHER: Here we go. (He reads from the book) "Once upon a time, en
una tierra muy lejana (In a far away land)

AYANA: Daddy?

FATHER: Yes?

AYANA: Why do all stories start with "once upon a time and they
always take place in a "land far, far away?

FATHER: No lo sé. (I don't know) They just do.

AYANA: Why?

FATHER: Mija, am I going to read the story or not?

AYANA: Sí. Please.

FATHER: Then allow me to continue.

AYANA: I'm sorry. Go on.

As the father reads the story, the curtain rises, for we are about to
see the story he reads to the child.

FATHER: Good. "Once upon a time en una tierra muy, muy lejana,
beyond Blue Mountain, beyond the Dark Forest, just to the right of the
lake and between the Roman Tree and the sword in the stone, there was
a narrow trail that led any of its travelers to a beautiful meadow
where a small house stood still. En esta casa pequeña (In this small
house) there lived seven little people who were brothers. Actually,
they were so short that they were "half-brothers. They all worked
in the not-so-distant diamond mines. The names of the seven
"half-brothers are not important for anyone who had heard about
them, knew them as "los siete enanos ("the seven dwarfs.)

As father continues reading, action switches to the main acting area.
One by one the seven dwarfs enter in front of the curtain or
proscenium; each of them carries his working tool. They stand next to
each other, in a single file, facing the audience. The last one to
enter is Doc.

DOC: Okay, are we ready?

ALL BUT GRUMPY: Sí!

DOC: Good! Y uno, y dos, and a one, two, three.

They start singing the infamous, and already well known, "Hi-Ho
song, which is easily identified as the "seven dwarfs song. But
before they get into it, Grumpy interrupts.

GRUMPY: O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and
resolve itself into a dew! O, God! O, God! How weary, stale, flat,
and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of these words. For thy love
and the love to thy half brother, hold thy tongue and speak no more.

The other six dwarfs look at each other without saying a word.

DOC: Okay. We'll stop singing.

GRUMPY: Really? Is this a true my ears are hearing now?

DOC: Si.

GRUMPY: Really? No lies? No jokes? No

HAPPY: Nope!

GRUMPY: Well, uh I do not know what to say. Your words have been
the honey for the birds. And now at my request you will suffice?

SNEEZY: Yes.

GRUMPY: It seems too easy, too

BASHFUL: We only sang because no one ever told us to stop before.

SLEEPY: And now that you don't want us to sing, we'll stop.

GRUMPY: Well

At this moment, Dopey, who only says "yes and no all the time,
eagerly tries to get Doc's attention.

DOC: Yes, Dopey? (Dopey uses his hands to let Doc, and the others,
know that he would like to sing.) ¿Cantar? You would like to sing?
(Dopey nods his head.) But Dopey, you can't sing. You can hardly
talk. (Dopey makes gestures letting everyone know that all should
sing.)

HAPPY: I think he wants everyone to sing. ¿Verdad Dopey? (Right
Dopey?)

Dopey nods his head.

GRUMPY: Oh for Hecuba!

DOC: Okay, Tengo una idea. (I have an idea.) Since Grumpy doesn't
like us to sing and Dopey wants us to sing. How about if we sing a
different song?

All but Grumpy agree and cheer at the suggestion.

DOC (Cont'): Well, in that case, let's decide on a song.

All but Grumpy gather, whispers, mumbles and the sort are heard. Then
they all break the huddle, go back to their original places and start
to sing a "new song. But to Grumpy's unfortunate luck, although
the song has different words, the tune is the same.

TO WORK! TO WORK! TO WORK! ALL DAY WE GO! LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA,
TO WORK! TO WORK! TO WORK! TO WORK!

As they start singing, they all follow Doc single file and exit. They
all are on their way to work, Grumpy, quietly and mad, follows after
all of them.

Interruption # 1

FATHER: As the seven "half-brothers go off to work, far and away
from their home a big celebration was about to start in a land known
as Kingdom Alegría. En este reino (In this kingdom) there lived King
Karma, Queen Mago, and their son Prince Solrac. This particular day,
Kingdom Alegría was celebrating the Prince's birthday, and from all
over people gather for the festivities. People came by foot, by horse,
by ship and by any means necessary.

As the curtain rises, music is heard. The guests, who are in pairs
or in groups are all dancing and singing.

GUESTS: HURRAY FOR THE KING AND THE QUEEN! HURRAY FOR THE QUEEN AND
THE KING! HURRAY FOR THE PRINCE, HIS BIRTHDAY'S TODAY. HURRAY!
HURRAY! HURRAY!

They repeat the verse one more time then continue dancing. Finally,
the sound of a trumpet is heard. At that moment, the royal page
enters. He carries a royal staff in his hand. With it, he pounds the
floor three times to call everyone's attention.

PAGE: Your royal highnesses King Karma and Queen Mago rulers of our
peaceful land Alegría.

Royal music. The King and the Queen enter

Behind, the royal court follows:

Merlin (The Royal Wizard,) Miel and Sereno, (The Queen's Royal Maids,)
and four soldiers (The King and Queen's Personal Guards.)

As the King and the Queen approach their throne, the people on stage
bow in respect. Once the King and Queen have arrived to their throne,

Page announces "Your Royal Highnesses: The King and The Queen."

Everyone claps and cheers. The King gestures to the people to stop
clapping, then to the Queen to sit down.

The King speaks:

KING: Honorable guests, Royal Court, and Loyal subjects: Welcome to
our home and thank you for accepting our invitation. For the past 22
years we have celebrated the birth of Prince Solrac, who one day when
I'm old, if I'm ever old, will sit in this throne and be the ruler of
our peaceful kingdom Alegría.

Everyone cheers.

KING (Cont'): Of course, Alegría has not always been a land without
problems. We must not forget the spell Queen Macabra put on us when
Prince Solrac was born. Luckily, your loyal Queen made a pact with
Macabra, and for the last 21 years we have lived in harmony and peace.

Everyone cheers.
QUEEN: Today we celebrate the Prince's birthday as we have done year
after year for the last 21 years. Today, on his 22nd birthday, we
celebrate with music, with dances, with food, and in the company of
good people.

Everyone cheers.

PAGE (Almost as an "aside."): Si es que llega. (If he only shows up)
(To everyone.) Except that Prince Solrac is not here yet. He left on
his horse to venture throughout the kingdom. (In an outburst.) He knows
it is his birthday and that he is supposed to be here but he is not. How

The sound of a trumpet is heard. Page 2 enters and announces:

JOSE CARLOS: I have to go back.

XOCHITL: But this is our day to be together.

JOSE CARLOS: My father needs me.

XOCHITL: But…

JOSE CARLOS: Xochitl. He told me to meet him today at 9 o'clock sharp.
Instead, I came to see you.

XOCHITL: Yes, yes you have.

JOSE CARLOS: I cannot stay long. I have to return to the house right
away.

XOCHITL: Yes, of course.

JOSE CARLOS: Oh, my beautiful flower, do not look away. I have no choice
in the matter but to return at once. Do not be sad. Do you not see that
if you are sad, my heart also cries? I came to see you as I promised.

XOCHITL: But you are not staying.

JOSE CARLOS: Because my father needs me.

XOCHITL: I do not like your father.

JOSE CARLOS: Xochitl, please.

XOCHITL: I do not. He is always asking for you. Demanding to see you.
Destroying our plans.

JOSE CARLOS: He does not know of you, Xochitl.

XOCHITL: But your mother does. You said it yourself. Many times.

JOSE CARLOS: Yes. But my mother does not talk to him about you and me.
I told her not to.

XOCHITL: But why?

JOSE CARLOS: It is a complicated matter.

XOCHITL: Complicated? At times I think you are ashamed of me.

JOSE CARLOS: It is not so.

XOCHITL: Then, why have I not met them? Why do they not know of our
children? (Pause) What is wrong?

JOSE CARLOS: Nothing. Nothing is wrong.

XOCHITL: Something is troubling you. The heart does not lie, and I
can see your troubled soul in your eyes. I can feel it. What is it,
Jose Carlos? (Pause) Please, tell me.

JOSE CARLOS: My father.

XOCHITL: What about him?

JOSE CARLOS: He has planned my wedding?

XOCHITL: Your wedding?

JOSE CARLOS: I am destined to wed.

XOCHITL: And we will.

JOSE CARLOS: My father has other plans.

XOCHITL: But…

JOSE CARLOS: Do not worry. I will not allow it. (XOCHITL turns away.)
Do not be afraid, Xochitl. I will not allow it. Trust me.

XOCHITL: Listen! Do you hear? It is the river. Tlaloc speaks.

JOSE CARLOS: He does?

XOCHITL: The waters have a different sound at this moment, a sign of
bad things to come.

JOSE CARLOS: I do not hear anything.

XOCHITL: That is because your god never listens. Our gods always hear
our cries. Like at this moment.

JOSE CARLOS: Do not said that; do not be sad, Xochitl. I promise to
fix everything. You are the flower of my garden. I will not leave you.

She shows a fainted smile. JOSE CARLOS embraces her; they kiss.

XOCHITL: Go now. Your father is waiting.

JOSE CARLOS: I almost forgot. I brought you this.

JOSE CARLOS pulls out a crystal figurine from a pant's pocket.

XOCHITL: What is it?

JOSE CARLOS: A butterfly.

XOCHITL: Papalotl.

JOSE CARLOS: What?

XOCHITL: Papalotl. Butterfly.

JOSE CARLOS: Pa-pa-lo-tl.

XOCHITL: Si.

JOSE CARLOS: Do you like it?

XOCHITL: Yes. Very much. Tlazo'camati.

JOSE CARLOS: You are welcome. I must go.

He exits. XOCHITL admires the crystal butterfly.

Transition. The Present.

DONA TERE: Yes. I think it started with a wedding.

MARISELA: Or was it before a wedding?

VICTOR: All I remember is how everything went down.
(Pause) Mama, como va la cancion?

DONA TERE: What song?

VICTOR: The one about "La Llorona."

DONA TERE: Oh. Um… (She thinks about.)

MARISELA: You mean Chavela's song?

VICTOR: Yeah.

DONA TERE: I remember! (She starts to sing:)
"Salias del templo un dia Llorona…"

MARISELA joins…

VICTOR: Who sings that song?

MARISELA: Chavela Vargas.

VICTOR: (Joking) Then let her sing it. You two stink.

MARISELA: You think you can do better?

VICTOR: Maybe.

MARISELA: A ver, show us.

VICTOR: I'm busy.

MARISELA: Miedoso. (Scary cat.)

DONA TERE: Ay, mija, déjalo. Ándale, drink your chocolate,
Victor. Yo voy a ir a la pulga.

MARISELA: To the flea market? This early?

DONA TERE: Yes. It's not too hot right now, and there is
not too much people either.

VICTOR: Mamá, when you're there, get me a bag of churritos
with chile and limón, por favor. And put a lot of chile in them.
You know how I like them.

DONA TERE: Si, mijo.

MARISELA: Oh, before I forget, I'm meeting Angie for lunch today.

DONA TERE: And what I do with the food I'm going to cook?

MARISELA: Don't cook.

DONA TERE: Don't cook? ¿Y qué hago? What do I do with the rest of
my day? Don't cook. What foolish idea. I better get ready.

[end of extract]

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