Miracle, Ordinary such a strange name! If it's a miracle, it means extraordinary! And if it is ordinary, it is thus not a miracle. A clue can be found in how we talk about love. A young man and young woman fall in love with each other. That is ordinary. They fight. That is also no rarity. They almost die from love. Then at last the strength of their feelings reaches up to such heights that it begins to create a real miracle. This is amazing and ordinary. In a fairytale the common and miraculoues are very conveintenly kept close to one another, and it is easily understood, if the fairytale is seen as a fairylate. As in childhood. And in it you do not search for a hidden meaning. Among the characters of our fairytale you will recognize people closer to the ordinary, whom it is often possible to meet. For example a king. You will easily recognize a common despot, a sick typrant, cleaverly capable to explain his outrages behavior by means of principle or heredity. In the faritytale he was made king so that the lines of his character can reach up to their natural limit. You will recognize the minister-administator ,the valiant provider. And the Honored Hunter. And several others. But the heros of the story are closer to the miracle, lacking of everyday features. Such are the magician, his wife, the princess, and the bear. How do such diverse people exist in one story? Ah, this is very simple. As in life. And our story will begin very simply. One magician got married, settled down, and began to farm. But as is inevitable for a magician everything began to shift toward the miraculous, towards transformations, and suprising adventures. And here he got involved in the love story of the young people themselves, about whom I spoke at first. And everything got tangled, intertwines, and at last resolved so unexpectedly that the magician himself, who is used to miracles, was very surprised (of the outcome). Did everything end in sorrow or happiness for the lovers? You will find out at the very end of the story. .. ACT ONE Xozyain There! All is well. I work and work as is fit for a farmer, who will see and praise all. I have everything, that people have. I don't sing, or dance. Ahh! She's coming. It is her . Her steps. I have been married for fifeteen years, and up till now in love with my wife, just as a boy. Honest Word! She's coming. The heart beats such that it is even painful. Hello, dear! Hi dear, whether it has been a long time or only moments since we parted, I am just as glad to see you, as though we hadn't see each other for a year. Oh how I love you. What's wrong? Who dared to upset you? Xozyaika: You. XOZ- oh dear, how could this be! Ah, I am a scoundrel. Poor woman, standing there so sad, shaking her head. Poor woman! What did I, damned scoundrel, do.
XOZKA- think... What were you up to this monring in the chicken house. XOZ- surely you know how I love you! XOZKA- Thank you for your love. I am opening the chicken house and suddenly....Hello! All of the chickens are on four legs. Xoz- So what's the problem? Xozka- ...and the chicken have moustaches! Like soldiers! Xoz- hahaha Xozka- Who promised to change? What promised to live like everyone else? Xoz- My dear, my sweet, it is simply who I am. What can be done... Surely all is such because I am a magician. Xozka- So what? Xoz- THe morning was lovely, the sky was clear, and at the time their was no place for me to use my powers for good. So I just wanted to have fun. Xozka- Well you could have done something useful for the farm. There is sand sprinkling the paths. You could have turned it in to sugar... Xoz- Oh how fun! Xozka- What am I to do with you? I worry and worry, and you are always the same wild man, the same mountain magician, the same old guy with a beard. Xoz- I am trying. Xozka- Everything goes so nicely, as off people, and suddenly,: pow! Thunder. Lightening. Miracles, transformations, fairytales, legands of all sorts... You poor thing. Well, go my dear. XOZ: Where? XOZKA: To the chicken house. XOZ: What for? XOZKA: Fix that what you did. XOZ: I can't. XOZKA: Please... XOZ: I can't. You yourself surely know...Sometimes you are bad, and then you fix everything. But other people can not do this. I already struck these chickens with my magical powers and hit them seven times with my lightening. Everything (would be)is in vain. XOZKA: Well then don't do anything. I will shave a chicken everyday and look away from the others. Well now we will move on to what is most important. Who are you waiting for? XOZ: No one. XOZKA: Look me in the eye. XOZ: I am looking. XOZKA: Speak the truth, that will occur. What guests are we to receive today? People? Or are ghosts dropping by to play dice with you? Don't be afraid. Speak! XOZ: No. XOZKA: What a shame. So there will be no one? No? Are you really able to hide the truth from your wife? You are deceiveing yourself more than me. Your ears are flushingFigure it out. Well? Quickly. XOZ: OK!! There will be, there will be guests at are house today. Don't be offended.
XOZKA: I knew who I married. XOZ: There will be guests. There, there, now. XOZKA: Fix your collar faster. XOZ: You hear? You hear? He is coming.....It's him, it's him. XOZKA: Who? XOZ: That very young man, from whom our surprise visit is begininng. Such joy. Such happiness. XOZKA: This young man is as a young man? XOZ: Yes. XOZKA: Well good. I have coffee ready. XOZ: Come in, come in. We waited a long time. I am very glad (to see you)...Hello son. XOZKA: Sit at the table. Have some coffee. Please. What is your name? MED: Bear. XOZKA: What do you say? MED: Bear. XOZKA: What an inappropriate nickname. MED: Its not a nickname. I am as a matter of fact a bear. XOZKA: No. Well you...huh. Why? You move well. You speak nicely. MED: You see... seven years ago your husband transformed me into a person. He did a wonderful job. You have an excellent magician. His hands are golden, ma'am. XOZ: Thanks son! XOZKA: Is it true? XOZ: It happened a long time ago. My dear! Seven years ago! XOZKA: But why did you not confess this to me immediately. XOZ: I forgot. I simply forgot, that is all. I was walking along the forest, you understand, and I see a young bear. Still a teenager. Brown hair. Intelligent eyes. We spoke. He impressed me. The weather was nice, the sky clear. XOZKA: Quiet! I can't stand, when animals are tortured for your own amusement. Is it difficult for you son? MED: Yes ma'am. To be a real person is very difficult. XOZKA: Poor boy. I tell you son, he hid it from me, who you are. And I put sugar in your coffee. MED: It was very kind of you. Why are you asking for forgiveness? XOZKA: You should love honey (I figured you loved honey.) MED: No. Ican't look at it. It brings back memories. XOZKA: Now already, turn him into a bear, that is if you love me. Let him go! XOZ: My dear, my dear. Everything will be fine. He came to us for this purpose, so that he will soon become a bear. XOZKA: Is it true. Oh I am very happy about that. You will transform him here? Do I need to leave the room? MED: Not so fast, my dear ma'am. Alas, it will not happen so soon. I will become a bear again only when I fall in love with a princess and she kisses me. XOZKA: When?! When?! Say that again... MED: When some princess will fall in love with me and kiss me, I will immediateley transform into a bear and run away to my natural habitat. XOZKA: My God! How terrible!
XOZ: Excuse me? Not again please. Why (is it horrible?) XOZKA: Did you not think about the princess? XOZ: Geez...To fall in love is a good thing. XOZKA: The poor, loving princess will kiss the young man, and then suddenly he will turn into a wild animal? XOZ: It is the usual practice, hunny. XOZKA: And then he will suddenly run into the forest! XOZ: So it goes. XOZKA: Son, son, will you abandon the loving girl? MED: Well, ma'am, seeing that I am a bear, she will immediately fall out of love with me. XOZKA: What do you know about love, young man? I don't want to frighten the boy, but you are playing a dangerous game. I am very scared. XOZ: What? XOZKA: We'll have to deal with people. And even young people. And even with in love people! I feel, certainly, certainly, it will happen, and we are not going to wait. XOZ: Well, what may happen? A princess will fall in love with him? Nonesense! Look how nice he is... XOZKA: But if... XOZ: It is too late to discuss, my dear. I did this so that one of the kings, traveling along the main road, wll all of a sudden drop in to our farmhouse... He is coming here with an entourage, ministers, a princess, his own daughter. Run, son! We will great them ourselves. When it is necessary, I will call for you. XOZKA: Will you not be asheamed to look into the eyes of the king? XOZ: Not a bit. I can't be harmed by the king, frankly speaking. XOZKA: Such a guest! XOZ: Indeed he is. And he has in his retinue an executioner and in his baggage he is carrying an exuction block. XOZKA: It may just be gossip. XOZ: You will see. Now will enter a rude man, a boar, who will begin to carry on and demand. XOZKA: Maybe not. XOZ: You will see...Come in KING: Hello kind folk. I am a king, my dears. XOZ: Good day, your majesty. KING: I like your farmstead a lot. Allow me, please, to be your guest for several days. XOZ: My god. Ah-ah-ah... KING: What's with you? XOZ: I think, you are not so polite, not kind. However it is not important. We will think of something. I am always pleased to have guests. KING: I like you, sir. Thus I will admit, I am a terrible person. XOZ: Oh yeah? KING: Very terrible. I am a tyrant...A despot. XOZ: Here, you see? What did I tell you, my dear? KING: It is very troubling, for I am not responisble for this? XOZ: And who is?
KING: My ancestors. Grandfathers, grandmothers, various aunts. They lived their lives as pigs. And for them I must answer. By my own nature I am a kind, smart man. I love music, cats. I suddenly became a certain type, an executioner. Along with the family treasures I inteherited all the mean family traits. People will become nasty. Everyone gowls, but no one wants to understand that it is my aunt who is responsible. XOZ: You think? You've lost your mind. KING: Well aren't you a nice fellow. How nice. Ma'am three glasses! XOZKA: OF course your majesty. KING: It is a rich, three century-old wine. No, no. Don't offend me. Let's celebrate our meeting. Bottoms Up! XOZ: Don't drink, my friend. KING: What is this: don't drink XOZ: It is very simple. KING: You want to offend me? XOZ: Not in this matter... KING: Offend? A guest? XOZ: quiet, quiet, you. You are not at home. KING: You dare to instruct me? I don't give a damn whether I am at home or not. I will kill you and everyone hear! He is still smiling... Drink! XOZ: I will not begin... KING: Why? XOZ: Because King, this wine is poisoned. KING: What? XOZ: Poisoned, poisoned! KING: Think, what you have said! XOZ: You, drink first. Drink, drink. My brother. KING: This is stupid. He did not want to drink. It would have been poisoned in the bottle. (???) ....Is it easy to get poisoned in a foreign land? XOZ: Shame on you, your majesty KING: I am not responible. XOZ: Who is? KING: My Uncle! He simply exposed too much, as it was, (???), he always lied about himself, and he was so sensitive, he would kill anyone who made fun of him. ........ XOZ: Scoundrel! : A regular swine! He left this inherintance, terrible man. XOZ: So it means, your uncle is to blame? King: My uncle, my unlce. Another might blame their own rottenness towards a comrade, a neighbor, a woman. But I push it on to my ancestors, the dead people. Everything is for them, and for me it is a little easier. XOZ: A... KING: Quiet! I know what you will say. Well, enough about it. It all became clear. You know me,...(????) XOZ: Tell me, please, king, and the princess also? KING: Oh no, no, no. Are you crazy?! She is completely different. XOZKA: Such sorrow!
KING: Is it not true? She is very different from me. She is good. It is difficult to (?) explain... XOZKA: IS her mother alive? KING: She passed, when the princess was only seven minutes from birth. You will not upset my daughter. XOZKA: King! KING: I will cease to be king, when I see her or think of her. My friends, my friends, such is happiness, that I love only my daughter. XOZ: Have an apple. KING: Thank you, but I do not want to it. XOZ: It is better. It isn't poisoned. KING: yes. I know. My friends. I need to talk about my troubles At this time I am not able to stop myself. I will speak. Ok? May I? XOZ: Well, what is there to ask about? Sit, my love. It is cozier. Closer to the fire. There, I sat. Are you comfortable. Do you want water? King: No, no, thank you. XOZ: We are listening, your majesty. Do tell. KING: Thank you, my friends. Do you know where my country is? XOZ: I know. KING: Where? XOZ: In a far off land. KING: Quite right. Now you know why we set off to travel and have come so far. She is the cause. XOZ: The princess? KING: Yes! Her. My friends, the matter is that, the princess was not yet five years old, when I noticed, that she does't quite resemble a king's daughter. At first I was terrified. I even suspected my poor late wife of infidelity. I began to invesitgate, but then I quit. I got scarred. I had managed to become so attached to my daughter. I even began to like the fact that she was unique. One would go to her, and suddenly, become kind. Ha...this just between us! XOZ: Well yeah, of course. KING: Well, so that is how we lived. My daughter became wiser, and grew up. I rounded up into the palce the best people from the kingdom. I assigned them to look after my daughter. (????) Such things went on outside the palace walls, most terrible things. You probably know about royal palaces? XOZ: Mm. KING: Here. Outside the walls people kill each other. They kill their brothers sisters. They live life as normal. This kind of thing developed inside part of the princess. Music, conversation about good people, about poetry. Ah, the never ending vacation. his wall fell for no reason (??). I remember as it were now. It happened on a Saturday. I am (was) sitting, I am (was) working, filling reports with my ministers. My daughter is (was) sitting. Everyting is (was) quiet. The birds are (were) singing. Suddenly a servant comes (came) in and reports (reported), that auntie had arrived. THe Dutchess. But I couldn't deal with her. I say (said) to the servant: tell her that I am not home. What a triffling matter. XOZ: Triffling
KING: This is the matter I am dealing with, because such are people. And my poor daughter fainted. XOZ: Oh yeah? KING: Honest word. She, whether you understand or not, was shocked that papa, her papa, was able to lie. She fell into disrepair. On reflection, I was puzzled. In me suddenly awoke my grandfather from my mother's side. When his wife was being suffocated, he stood by and said, be patient. Maybe everything will be ok. And when she was buried, he went to her coffin whisteling. And then he fell and died. A good man? Well I decided with nightfall to leave. And so here we are. Allow us to be your guests, while we build a castle with your utilities, your garden, your (?) prison, and your courtyard for.. XOZ: I am afraid that...Well ok. Let's go, your majesty. I will show you to your room. Please, this way, your majesty... It is good to fall in love. He will not die, my lord. XOZKA: Don't. Such a girl will not be able to bear it, when a sweet and affectionate young man transforms before her eyes into a wild animal. For an experienced woman it would be terribel. I will persuade the poor bear to search for another princess. It will be worse. Son, son, where are you? Where are you son? BEAR: Here I am. XOZKA: Come to me in the garden. BEAR: I am coming. Forgive me, it appears I pushed you, sweet girl. What's with you. Did I startle you. PRINCESS: No. I only was a little confused. See, because no one ever simply calls me, 'sweet girl'. BEAR: I do not want to offend you. XOZKA: Son, son, I am waiting for you. PRINCESS: Are they calling you. BEAR: Yes, me. PRINCESS: Are you the son of the master of the house? BEAR: No, I am an orphan. PRINCESS: I am too. Well, my father is alive, but my mother died when I was only seven minutes from birth. BEAR: Well, you probably have many friends. PRINCESS: Why do you think that? BEAR: I don't know. It seems that everyone should like you. PRINCESS: Why? BEAR: Well, you are very sweet. Truly... Tell me, whe you hide your face in your flowers, does this mean that you are angry? PRINCESS: No BEAR: Then I must say to you that you are gorgeous. You are so gorgeous. Very. Extremley. Terribly. XOZKA: Son, son. Where are you. BEAR: Please don't leave. PRINCESS: Well, it seems they are calling for you. BEAR: Yes, they are calling. I will say one more thing. I liked you a lot. Terribly, immediatley.
I am funny? PRINCESS: No. But...What am I to do? I don't know. It is just that no one talks to me this way. BEAR: For this I am very glad. You are probably tired from your journey. And hungry, and I am just rambling and rambling. Sit, please. Here's some milk. Drink. And here... with bread, with bread. PRINCESS: Tell me, please, are not a magician? BEAR: Seriously? No, no. PRINCESS: But then why, when you said...that I...was pleasing to you...I felt such a strange weakness in my arms and legs and... BEAR: Tell me, who are you? Are you in the King's retinue? PRINCESS: No. BEAR: Oh I know, you are in the princess' retinue? PRINCESS: And what if I were the princess herself? BEAR: No, no, don't joke with me so cruelly! PRINCESS: What is with you? All of a sudden you turned pale. What did I say? BEAR: No, no. You are no princess. I saw many princesses and you don't resemble them. PRINCESS: So you've done a lot of traveling? BEAR: Yes. I have studied and studied, at Sorbonne, in Leinden, and in Prague. It seemed to me that life as a man is a very difficult thing, so I became sad. Then I began to study, PRINCESS: and? BEAR: It didn't help. Princess: How terrible, But you seeem so quiet and joyful! BEAR: Well it is from this that I am as healthy as a bear. Hey, what is with you? Why are you blushing all of a sudden? PRINCESS: I myself don't know. I have suddenly changed so in the last five minutes, that I don't know myself. I...I am frightened. BEAR: of what? PRINCESS: You said that you are as healthy as a bear. A bear. What is that supposed to mean? Are you trying to offend me? BEAR: Give me your hand... Let thunder strike me dead, if I ever offend you. Where you go, I there shall go. When you die, I then shall die. PRINCESS: Let's run to the river. XOZKA: Oh my lord. I heard their entire conversation, word for word, while I was standing here by the window. But I didn't dare to go out and serparate them. Why? Why am I crying and happy as a silly woman? Surely, I understand, that nothing good will come of this, but it is a holiday in the soul. A hurricane has flown in, and love has arrived. Poor choldren, happy children....Come in! MINSTER: Hello, ma'am. Forgive me for barging in on you. May I bother you for a moment, or do I need to leave? XOZKA: No, no, don't be silly. Please sit. MINSTER: May I put down my bundle? XOZKA: Of course, please.
MINISTER: Ah, such a nice, convenient fire. XOZKA: Are you the king's cook? MINISTER: No, ma'am, I am the Prime Minister of the king. XOZKA: Who? MINISTER: The Prime Minister of his majesty. XOZKA: Ah, forgive me. MINISTER: It's nothing. I am not angry. Whenever people guess with their first glance, that I am a minister. Well, now...You yourself see... XOZKA: What has brought you to such a condition? MINISTER: The road, ma'am. XOZKA: The road? MINISTER: Due to several reasons, we, the members of the court, were dragged out from our royal positions, and sent out into your country. For us it was very painful, and here still is this tyrant. XOZKA: The king? MINISTER: Are you serious? No, no. We have been used to the king for a long time. He tyrant is the Minister-Administrator. XOZKA: But if you are the first minister, then isn't he your suboordinate? How is he able to be your tyrant? MINISTER: He has taken such a force, that we all shiver befor him. XOZKA: How was he able to do this? INISTER: He is the only one among all of us who is able to travel. He is able to secure horses at post stations, to extract carriage, to feed us. It is true, he does everything poorly, but we are not able to do anything at all. Don't tell him that I complained, for he will leave me without dessert. XOZKA: Why do you not complain to the king? INISTER: Ah, he delivers and provides so well for the king, as it is said in the language of buisness... that the gentlemen does not want to hear anything of the sort. DAMA: The devil only knows, when this will end! We are getting quite sick of being dirty as pigs. Helo, ma'am, I am sorry, that we have lost our manners. MINSTER: Ah, yes, such is life on the road. Men become quiet from fear, and women become rude. Allow me to present to you the beauty and pride of the king's retinue, the first lady. DAMA: My God, it has been so long since I heard such words. I am very glad, damn it (???). Here are the maids of honor of the princess: Orintiya and Amanda. Forgive me, ma'am, but I am beside myself! His damned exellency. The MinisterAdministrator, didn't give us any powder today. (??????????????????) ORINTIYA: It is so terrible, for now we may only talk about breakfast, lunch and dinner. AMANDA: And it is for this that we left our native palace? XOZKA: Would you like to clean up from your journey, madams? DAMA: We don't even have any soap. XOZKA: I will give you everything and even some hot water. DAMA: You are a saint. To bathe! TO remember the settled life! Such happiness! XOZKA: Let's go. I will lead you there. Please sit sir, I will return in a moment and offer you some coffee.
MINISTER: Hello! ADMINISTRATOR: A? MINISTER: I said, 'hello'. ADMINISTRATOR: I know. MINISTER: Ah, why, why are you so impolite with me? ADMINISTRATOR: I didn't say one unkind word to you. MINISTER: Forgive me, but where are our suitcses? ADMINISTRATOR: Don't bother me. I leave you without breakfast. MINISTER: Nevermind. I simply...I myself will go and find it, the suitcase. My God, when will it all end? ADMINISTRATOR: Two pounds for the maidens, and four in their minds. hree pounds for the king, one and a half in the mind. A pound for the princess, a half-pound in the mind. In total six pounds in the mind! For one morning! Excellent. Genious. Exactly at midnight! XOZKA: What's at midnight? ADMINISTRATOR: Go to the barn. I don't have time to court. You are atrractive. I am attractive. Why waster time? At midnight. In the barn. I (will) am waiting. You will not regret it. XOZKA: How dare you. ADMINISTRATOR: Yes, my dear, I dare. XOZKA: Are you insane. ADMIN: My dear, on the contrary. I am so normal, that surprise myself. XOZKA: You are simply a villian. ADMIN: Oh, my dear, and who is good? People. Swindlers, all of them! Even babies only dream of one thing...how it would be to have, to take...(SONG) Ah yes. What is the matter? Will you be coming? XOZKA: I do not think so. But I shall complain to my husband, and he will tranform you into a rat. ADMIN: Excus me, he s a magician? XOZKA: Yup. ADMIN: That is not necessary! In these matters, please forget about my imprudent offer. Where have you all been roaming around? I am not able to deal with everything by myself. Geez! You have bathed? DAMA: Yes, we have bathed, damnit! ADMIN: I forbid it! If you will bathe in front of me, I will rid myself of all responsibility. It should be in a well-known order! Then just do everything yourself! Such it shall be... MINISTER: Quiet, His majesty is coming! KING: Honestly, I really like it here. The entire home is built so well, with such love, that I would like to take it away with me. It is all well that it isn't mine. I would refrain and confine you all to the tower. What a place! In the afternoon it is hot, in the night it is cold. I would confine you all and have the house for myself. XOZ: what a monster!
KING: What are you thinking? ...Fine lady, where is my daughter? DAMA: Your majesty! They are collecting flowers for your highness. (?????) KING: How dare you abandon my one and only baby. There are snakes out there in the grass! XOZKA: No, no, King. Don't fear for her. Oh, here she comes, the lively, healthy girl. KING: It's true! Yes, yes, here comes my lovely daughter. She's laughing. Now she is pensive. Now she is smiling. A yes, she is happy. Who is this yong man with her? She likes him, which means I like him as well. Where does he come from? XOZ: From a magician. KING: Wonderful! Are his parents alive? XOZ: Dead KING: Great! Does he have brothers or sisters? XOZ: Nope. : Well it's better that he doesn't. He can't be a bad guy, if we like him. Ma'am, is he a fine young man? XOZKA: Very, but... KING: There is no 'but'. For a hundred years a man has not seen his daughter so happy, and they say 'but'. Enough, of course! I am happy and everything is marvelous. We are happy, we are cheerful, everything will follow now as in a good dream! Princess: Hello, ladies and gentlemen. RETINUE: Hello, your royal highness! PRINCESS: I, truly, hae already seen all of you today, but it seems to me that it was so long ago. Ladies and gentlemen, this young man...is my best friend! KING: I will give him the title of prince! PRINCESS: Thank you, father! In childhood I envied other girls, who had brothers. And now I do not regret this at all. In my opinion he.... In my opinion he likes me even more than a natural brother. We understand each other. Oh no, is he angry? You know why? I hid from him that I am a princess. He simply hates them. I want for him to see that I am not like other princesses. My dear, I don't like them either. Don't be angry. Don't be afraid of me! Don't! Do you want...Can I kiss you? BEAR: Never! PRINCESS: I don't understand. BEAR: Farewell, farwell forever. PRINCESS: What did I do to him? Will he return? KING: Where are you going? PRINCESS: You called him son. You know him. What did I do? XOZKA: Nothing my dear. It is not your fault. Don't hang your head. Trust me. PRINCESS: No. No. I understand. I understand everything. He didn't like that I took his hand in front of everyone. He shuttered when I did it. And this...this still...I spoke so stupidly about brothers. I said that I was going to kiss him, and he... KING: He galloped away on his crazy horse and didn't look back, straight off the road, into the mountains....Where are you going? What is going on?........... Executioner!! EXEC: I am waiting, sire. KING: Get ready. EXEC: I am waiting.
KING: Say your prayers, my dears! The princess is locked in her room, and will not let me see her. All of you will be executed. ADMIN: King! KING: Eveyone! Get the hour glass....I will pardon only the one who, while sand is running through the hourglass, explains to me everything, and conveys how to help the princess. Think, my dears, think. The sand is running quickly. Speak in turns, quickly and concisely. Prime Minister! MINISTER: Well, in my opinion, old folks shouldn't interfere in the affairs of young people, if they are good children of course. KING: You will die first!......Speak madam. DAMA: Many, many years ago, I was standing by the window and a young man on a black horse rushed away from me along a mountain road. It was a quiet, quiet night. There was a thud of hooves in the distance. ADMIN: Talk faster, you wench, the sand is running through!! KING: Don't interfere. ADMIN: But there is only one portion for everyone, what will be left for us? KING: Continue, madam. DAMA: From my entire soul I thank you, your majesty. So it was a quiet, quiet night. The thud of hooves slowly died out, and then at last stopped. Since then I have not seen the poor young man. And as you know, I have since married another, and now I live, and eternally serve your majesty. KING: and were you happy after he skipped away? DAMA: Not for one minute of my entire life! KING: You shall also lay your head on the executioner's block...Report! ADMIN: The best way to console the princess is to give to her a husand, who has proven his abilities, knowledge of life, administrative ability, and stands by the king. KING: Are you talking about the executioner? ADMIN: No, I don't know him from this side... KING: Figure it out. Amanda! AMANDA: We have prayed and are ready to die. KING: You will not advise us? ORINTIYA: Every girl behaves differently in similar situations. Only the princess knows what to do. XOZ: Ha-ha-ha. Excellent girl. Wonderful. KING: My dear! What's with you? Where are you headed? PRINCESS: I will not tell this to anyone. Saddle my horse. KING: Yes, yes, we will go. ADMIN: Wonderful. Executioner, get out of here, please. Here, they will feed you. Take the hour glass with you. Madams, to the carriage. PRINCESS: Quiet!! I love you dearly father, but, do not be mad at me, for I am going alone. KING: Absolutely not! PRINCESS: I swear, that I will kill whoever follows me. KING: Even me? PRINCESS: I now have my own life. No one understands anything! And I will not say anymore. Farewell!
KING: She is galloping! Off road! Into the mountains! She will get lost! She will catch cold! Follow her! What are you waiting for? ADMIN: Your majesty. The princess swore to shoot anyone who followed her! KING: All the same I will watch for her from afar. I will not abandon her. XOZKA: Well, are you happy now? XOZ: Very.
A garden, only steps away from the sea. Cypress trees, palm trees, sumptuous greenery, flowers. The Innkeeper is sitting by the railing of a wide terrace. He is dressed in summer clothes, all in white from head to toe, and looks refreshed and rejuvenated. The Innkeeper is talking to the audience as if answering their questions. Innkeeper- I will tell you all what we have survived this year. Yes, yes. I will tell you all the news. I won't miss a thing. I got married! To her, to her! But I cannot yell to the whole world her name, which is sacred to me. (Looks into the audience) What's that? How is the princess? Oh brother, she's doing poorly. She has become sick from love. The doctor says that the princess may die, but we don't want to believe in that. The hunter has come to stay with us here, but the Bear is gone and no one knows where he is. It appears that the Prince Administrator is not letting him come to us. The Administrator is now a prince, and strong like the devil. Its all about money, brother. He has gotten so rich that its frightening. Whatever he wants, he gets. (Looks into the audience). The Hunter? He doesn't hunt. He has been trying to write a book on the theories of hunting. He prints out fragments, and then later picketeers his colleges about each individual comma. He heads the division of royal hunting here. By the way, he also got married to the princess's lady in waiting, Amanda. They had a daughter and called her Bead. The Hunter's apprentice got married to Orinthia and they had a son, called Target. You see, brother. The princess is suffering, and hurting, but life continues to run its course. Princess Enters. Hello, Princess. Princess. Hello, my dear friend! Have we not already seen each other today? It seems to me that I had already told you that today I'm going to die. Innkeeper. That's not possible! You will not die! Princess. I would be happy, but things occurred in such a way that there is no other exit to be found. It is so hard to breathe and to look. I am so tired. I will not show this to anyone, because I learned not to cry as a child. But we are of the same kind.
Innkeeper. I don't want to believe you! Princess. Neverless, you have to! People die from lack of bread, water, or air. Similarly, I will die from lack of happiness. That's all. Innkeeper. You're mistaken. Princess. No! When a person suddenly understands that when he's in love, he suddenly knows when death is after him. Innkeeper. Princess, that's not necessary. Please. Princess. I know, that this is sad, but it will be even more sad if I leave you without saying goodbye. Later I will come by and say goodbye to you, ok? (leaves) Innkeeper. What a disaster and misfortune. She is so dear, and affectionate. She has never done anything bad to anyone. The Landlord, and Landlady enter. You! Such happiness, such joy! Did you hear me? Landlord. We heard you. We heard you. Innkeeper. Were you close by? Landlady. No, we were at home sitting on the porch. But suddenly my husband jumped up, screamed: It's time, they're calling, and grabbed me by the hand. We flew into the sky and then down straight to you all. Hello, Emil! Innkeeper. Hello, hello, my dear friends! Do you know whats going on here? Help us! The Administrator became a prince and is not letting the Bear come close to the poor princess. Landlady. Its not the Administrator. Innkeeper. Then who? Landlady. Its us. Innkeeper. I don't believe it! Landlord. Quiet! How dare you give her hope of a happy ending, when you can't turn back. You got married and now expect everything to go smoothly. Yes, yes! It is I that is preventing the boy from coming here. I! Innkeeper. What for? Landlord. So that the princess can calmly and with dignity meet her end. Innkeeper. Oh! Landlord. Don't sigh! Innkeeper. But, if by some miracle... Landlord. Didn't I teach you, some time ago, how to manage the inn and to be faithful in love? No? And you dare talk to me about miracles. There is no force in the world that can help the poor children. So what do you want? Do you want to see him turn into a bear and get shot by the hunter before our very eyes? There would be screaming, chaos, disgrace in addition to the sad and quiet end. Do you want that? Innkeeper. No. Landlord. And we wont talk about it anymore. Innkeeper. What if the boy manages to come here after all? Landlord. As unpleasant as it was, I ordered the evil magicians to harm him but not to kill him. Landlady. And to harm his health. Everything will be ok, everything will end sadly. Landlord. Call your friends to say goodbye to the Princess. Innkeeper. My friends, my friends!
Emilia, the First Minister, Orinthia, Amanda, and the Hunter's Apprentice enter. My friends.. Emilia. You don't need to tell us anything. We heard it all. Landlord. Where is the Hunter? Apprentice. He went to the doctor to get sedative drops. He is afraid of getting sick from worry. Emilia. That's funny, but I don't have the strength to laugh. Landlord. Ma'am, Ma'am. Let's behave like adults. In tragic endings, there is some dignity. Emilia. What kind? Landlord. They make you think of people who have stayed alive. Emilia. What is so dignified in that? It is shameful to kill the heroes in order to touch the emotions of the cold hearted and to shake up the insensitive. Right now, I cannot. Lets talk about something else. Landlord. Yes, Yes, Lets. Where is the poor king? Probably crying! Emilia. He's playing cards, the old jumper. First Minister. Madam, there is no need to swear! I am at fault for everything. The Minister vowed to tell his Highness the whole truth, but I was afraid of getting him upset. I need to open the King's eyes! Emilia. He sees things perfectly. First Minister. No, no he does not! The Prince-Administrator is bad, where the King is so kind. I promised myself that the next time I saw the King, I would open his eyes! And the King will save his daughter, and will therefore save us as well. Emilia. And what if he doesn't save her? First Minister. Then I will revolt! God Damn! Emilia. The King is coming here. King Enters. He is very happy. King. Hello, Hello! What a beautiful morning! How are things? How is the Princess? You don't need to answer. I already know that everything will end alright. First Minister. Your Highness. King. Goodbye, Goodbye. First Minister. Your Highness! Hear me out! King. I want to sleep. First Minister. If you don't save your daughter, then who will? She's your blood, your only daughter! Look what is happening here! A scoundrel, who does things without heart and conscience, has taken over the power of our kingdom. Order the Prince Administrator to be kicked out and the Princess will be able to breathe easier, and the horrible wedding will no longer threaten the poor girl. Your Highness! King. I cannot do anything. First Minister. Why?
King. Because I degenerated, you fool! The princess will die? Let it be. I almost saw that this horror threatens me if I were to commit suicide. I have prepared poison for myself a long time ago. Recently, I tried out the poison on one of my card partners. So nice. He died and didn't notice. Why are you screaming? Why are you worried about me? Emilia. We aren't worried about you, we are worried about the princess. King. You are not worried about you king?! First Minister. Yes, your Excellency. King. Oh! How did you call me? First Minister. Your Excellency. King. You call me, supreme of all Kings, by a general title? You know, it's a riot! First Minister. Yes! I revolted! You, you, you are not the uttermost of all kings, and I just distinguished that, and that's it! King. Water! Oh! Emilia. Don't give him water, let him listen to the truth! First Minister. The Honorary Roman Pope? Ha-ha! You are not the Holy Father, you're not a father, do you understand? You're not a father, ! (how to translate?) King. Now this is too much! Executioner! Emilia. He will not come, he is working for the Minister-Administrator. He writes poetry. King. Minister, Minister-Administrator! Come here! They are offending me! Minister-Administrator Enters. He is carrying something unusual and massive. He is talking slowly. Administrator. But why? What for? Who dares offend our fameous, our backslapper, like I like to call him, our little king. King. They scolded me and ordered me to dismiss you! Administrator. Such sad intriges, like I like to call it. King. They are scaring me. Administrator. With what? King. They are saying that the princess will die. Administrator. From what? King. I gather from love. Administrator. I would call that rubbish. Our general doctor, the little king's and mine, examined the princess yesterday and told me about her health status. There is no detection of a sickness caused by love in the Princess. So why is there talk of death? King. Look! I have once again told you! The doctor knows best whether or no there any dangers to the princess. The doctor guaranteed with his life that the princess will get better. She just has prewedding jitters, as I like to call them. Hunter runs in Hunter. Misfortune, Misfortune! The doctor has run away! King. Why? Administrator. You lie! Hunter. Hey, you! I like ministers, but only the polite ones! I shoot and I don't miss!
Administrator. Sorry, I'm overworked. King. Talk, talk dear hunter! I beg you! Hunter. Listen, Your Majesty. I arrive to the Doctor's house to get some sedatives and I suddenly see that the room is open and the drawers are open, the closets are empty, and on the table was a note. Here it is! King. Don't you dare show it to me! I don't want it! I'm afraid! What is going on? You all are pigs and not loyal subjects! Don't you dare follow me! I don't hear you, I don't hear , I don't hear! (Runs away with his hands covering his ears) Administrator. Our little king has aged. Emilia. You have made him old. Administrator. Stop gossiping. Show me, please, the note, dear hunter. Emilia. Read it to us all aloud, dear Hunter. Hunter. Sure. It is a very simple note. (reads) Only a miracle can save the princess. You all drove her to her death and want to blame me for it. A doctor is a person too and has his own weaknesses including a desire to live. Farewell. Doctor Administrator. Damn him, how inappropriate. Doctor, Doctor! Bring him back and blame everything on him! Bring him alive! (runs away) Princess enters the terace. She is dressed for the road. Princess. No, no, don't stand. Don't move from your places, my friends! And you are here, my friend the Magician, and you. How wonderful! What a special day! Everything is so easy today. Life smiles on me today. Did I tell you all that today I will die? Landlady. Oh! Princess. Yes, yes, it is more frightening than I thought. Death, it turns out, is rude and yes also foul. She comes with a whole disgusting sack full of doctor-like instruments. Death has come so close that everything is clear to me. My dear friends, be with me even better than always. Don't think about your grief, but try to carry off my last few minutes. Emil. Say the word, Princess! We will do it all. Princess. Talk with me as if nothing was happening. Joke, smile. Talk about whatever you want. Just as long as I don't think about that which will happen to me. Orinthia, Amanda, are you happy being married? Amanda. It is not as we thought it would be, but we're happy. Princess. All the time? Orinthia. Most of the time. Princess. Are you good wives? Hunter. Very good! The other hunters are bursting with envy! Princess. No, let your wifes answer by themselves. Are you good wives? Amanda. I don't know, Princess. I think that we're ok wives. But I know that I love my husband and baby so much. Orinthia. And I do too. Amanda. Sometimes it is hard or impossible to retain sanity. Orinthia. Me too. Amanda. It hasn't been long since we marveled at the stupid scenes that legal wives would make with their husbands. Orinthia. And now we're guilty of that ourselves.
Princess. Lucky women! How much one has to survive to experience in order to change so much! Meanwhile, I was just grieving. Life, life. Who is there? (Gazes into the depths of the garden) Emilia. What are you talking about, Princess? Noone is there. Princess. Steps, steps! Do you hear them? Hunter. Is it...her? Princess. No, it is him, it is him! The Bear enters. General motion- everyone leaves quietly. You, you came to me? Bear. Yes. Hello! Why are you crying? Princess. From happiness, my dear. Where did they all go? Bear. When I entered, they walked away on their tiptoes. Princess. Oh good. I have a secret, which I couldn't even tell to my closest people. I can only tell you. So here it goes. I love you. Yes, yes! It's true, it's true! I love you so much, that I ask all of you. You can do everything. If you want to turn into a bear, go ahead. Let it be. Just don't leave. I cannot be left wasting away alone. What took you so long? No, don't answer me. I shouldn't have asked. If you didn't come, that means you couldn't. I am not reproaching you. You see how meek I've become? Just don't leave me! Bear. No, no. Princess. Death is coming after me today. Bear. No! Princess. It's true, it's true. But I do not fear death. I am just telling you the news. Every time that something sad or remarkable happens, I would think: He is coming and I will tell him. Why did you not come for so long? Bear. No, no, I was coming. The whole time I walked. I thought only about one thing: how when I would arrive and tell you: Don't be angry. It is I. I cannot be any other way. I have arrived (embraces the Princess) Don't be angry. I have arrived. Princess. Good. I am so happy that I do not believe in death nor in grief. Especially now, when you are so close to me. Noone has ever come so close to me as you have. And no one has embraced me the way you have. You hold me as if you have the right to hold me. I like it. I like it a lot. And now, I will embrace you. And no one will dare touch you. Let's go. Let's go. I will show you my room, where I would cry, the balcony from which I would look to see if you are approaching, and a hundred books on bears. Let's go. Let's go. They leave and the Landlady enters. Landlady. Oh my God. What to do. What can I do for the poor kids? Standing here behind the door, I heard their every word and cried as if I were at a funeral. Poor children. Poor children. What could be more sad? A bride and groom, who will never become husband and wife. The Landlord enters.
It is sad, right? Landlord. Right Landlady. I love you. I am not angry with you, but why, why did you start all of this?! Landlord. I want to talk to you about love. But I am a magician. And I took people and shuffled them together, and they all came to live so that you laugh and cry. That is how much I love you. Some, it's true, worked out better than others, but I've already managed to get used to them. For example, Emil and Emilia. I hoped that they would have helped the young children by remembering their own sorrows that have passed. And they went and got married! They got married! Ha-ha-ha! Wonderful! I shouldn't have put it past them to do that. Yes, they went and got married, fools, ha-ha-ha! Yes, they married! (Sits down with his wife, embraces her by her shoulders, talks, quietly rocking her as if into a lull) Yes, they married, such little fools. And let it be, and let it be. Sleep, my soul mate, and let yourself be. I, to my own misfortune, am immortal. I expect to outlive you and I will grieve for all eternity. But while you are with me, and I am with you, one can go crazy from happiness. You are with me. And I am with you. Brave glory to those who dare to love knowing that everything has its end. Glory to the ones who dare to live as if they are immortal. Death stands from them. Stands back, ha-ha-ha! And suddenly you dnt die, but turn into ivy, yes and into twine around me, a fool. Ha-ha-ha. (cries) And I, a fool, will turn into an oak. Take my word. This way, neither of us will die and everything will end wonderfully. Ha-ha-ha. And you are angry. And you will nag me. See what I came with. Sleep. You will wake up and see it's tomorrow already and all sorrows occurred yesterday. Sleep, sleep, my love. Hunter enters. In his hands, he holds a gun. Apprentice, Orinthia, Amanda, Emil, and Emilia enter. Are you grieving, my friends? Emil. Yes. Landlord. Sit down. We will grieve together. Emilia. Oh, how I would want to see those surprisingly wonderful countries described in novels. There the sky is grey, it often rains, and the wind blows in chimneys. And there are no magicians there and no miracles. The boy, having kissed the girl, does not turn into a bear. Wonderful world, happy world. However, forgive me for imagining fantasitc castles. Landlord. Yes, yes, no need, no need! Let's take life as it is. Rain or no rain, there are miracles and wonderful transformations, and happy dreams. Yes, yes, happy dreams. Sleep, sleep, my friends. Sleep. Let it be. All around sleep, and the magician says fairwell. First Minister. Is this alright? Landlord. Of course. In the whole world, ther is onone except two kids. They are left alone and noone will be around to see. Let it be the way it will be. Sleep, sleep, my friend. Sleep. Wake up and see that it is already tomorrow and all sadness is behind you. Sleep. (to the hunter) And why aren't you asleep? Hunter. I gave my word. I...quiet! You are going to frighten the bear away. Princess Enters. Behind her is the Bear.
Bear. Why did you suddenly run away from me? Princess. I became frightened. Bear. Frightened? There is no reason. Let's go back. Let us go to your room. Princess. Look: everyone is suddenly sleeping. And father is on his thrown. And Minister-Administrator is next to the key hole. It is noon time, and all around is quiet as if it were midnight. Why? Bear. Because I love you. Let's go to your room. Princess. We are suddenly alone in the world. Wait, don't offend me. Bear. Ok. Princess. No, no, I don't mean it. (embraces the bear) Let it be if you want. My God, I am so happy that I decided on this. And I, little fool, don't understand how good this is. Let it be if you want. (embraces and kisses the bear) Complete darkness. Lighting. Thunder. Light flashes. Princess and Bear are holding hands and looking at each other. Landlord. Look! A miracle! A miracle! He stayed a man! Far away a bell rings. Ha-ha-ha! You hear that? Death is leaving on her white horse. A miracle, a miracle! The princess kissed him and he stayed a man and death stepped back from the happy lovers! Hunter. But I saw, saw, how he changed into a bear! Landlord. It could be that he changed for a mere second. It could happen to anyone in similar circumstances. And what happened next? Look! He is a man. A man who is walking along the road with his bride and talking with her quietly. Love has changed him so that he no longer is a bear. Its so charming! I am such a fool! Ha-ha-ha. One! This is an example of garland from living flowers! Amazing! Landlady. Yes that's true, but it would be better if you could do something better for the lovers. For exmaple, turn the Administrator into a rat. Landlord. Of course! (waves his hands) Whistle, smke, rattle, queaking Ready! Do you haear how angry he is squeaking in the basement? What else do you want? Landlady. It would be good if you sent the king far away from all of this. Get rid of this father in law! Landlord. What kind of father in law! He... Landlady. Don't gossip on a holiday! It's a sin! My love, turn the king into a bird. It's not horrible and no harm can come from it. Landlord. Do him a service! What should I turn him into? Landlady. Into a hummingbird. Landlord. That will not fit. Landlady. Well then, turn him into a magpie.
Landlord. No that's a different matter (waves his hands) Nasty birds scream Landlady. So what with the Children? They aren't looking at us. Daughter! Tell us at least one word! Princess. Hello! I already saw you both today, but it seems like it was so long ago. My friends, this man is my groom. Bear. It's true. Honest truth! Landlord. We believe you. We believe you. You love each other, yes and we all will cool off and step back and you will be so happy that it will be a miracle! 2nd Act pg 15
Common room in the Tavern "Emilia". Late night. The fire is blazing in the fireplace. Bright. Cozy. The walls are shaking from the desperate blasts of the wind. At the counter- the Tavern manager. He's a little, fast, and slender man who moves very gracefully. Tavern Manager: What a weather! Tavern "Emilia"! Tavern "Emilia"...Emilia..yes, yes...The hunters come through, knock on the door, come in to rest, talk, laugh, and complain. And every time I, like a fool hoping for some miracle, wish that she suddenly comes in here as well. She is probably already gray-haired. Gray haired. Got married long time ago...but still- I dream to hear her voice. Emilia, Emilia... pg 16 The Bell Rings Oh my god! Knock on the door. The Tavern manager jumps to the door to open it. Come in! Please, come in! The king, ministers, and the entire suite come in. They are all bundled up from head to toe, and covered in snow. Come closer to fireplace, sirs, to fireplace! Here's some hot wine. Here you go!
Minister: What a great win! Tavern Manager: Thank you! With whom do I have the pleasure of talking with? King: Tavern Manager, I'm the king! Tavern Manager: Good evening, your highness! King: Good evening. I am very unhappy, Tavern manager! Tavern Manager: It happens, your highness. King: You are lying, I am unprecedentedly unhappy! My daughter has disappeared! Tavern Manager: Oh noooo! King: My daughter has fell in love, quarreled, dressed up like a boy and ran away. Has she wondered in here? Tavern Manager: Sorry, but no, your highness! King: who lives in the Tavern? Tavern Manager: A famous hunter with two students. King: A hunter? Call him over here! He might have met my daughter. After all, hunters hunt everywhere. Tavern Manager: Unfortunately, your highness, this hunter now does not at all. King: Then what does he do? Tavern Manager: He is fighting for his glory. He already received 50 certificates, proving that he is famous, and that he has shot 60 curses of his talent. King: And what is he doing here? Tavern Manager: He is resting! To fight for your glory what can be more exhausting? King: Well, then hell with him. Let's hit the road! The suite gets up.
Tavern Manager: Wait up, your highness! (Takes bundle of keys). I will give you the biggest room, majesty! King: What will I do there? Tavern Manager: Walk from one corner to another. And at the sunrise all of us will go on the search. Please, follow me! *He leaves, followed by a king and a suit. At the same time, the student of the famous hunter comes in. After looking around carefully, he screams like a quail. His scream is answered by sound of grackle, and the hunter looks into the room. Student: Come in, carelessly! There is no one around! Hunter: If that's the hunters that came in here, I will shoot you, like a rabbit. pg 17 Student: How is it my fault? God! Hunter: Shut up! Wherever I go to rest up everywhere are these darn hunters. I hate it! And here are the hunters' wives discussing the hunters' business agley! *Spit! You are a fool! But where is my new student?
Student: He is cleaning the rifle! Hunter: Good boy. Student: New students are always good boys for you. Hunter: So?
*The Bell rings
Oh my! Someone just arrived! In this weather! Honestly, this is probably some kind of hunter. Specially came out during the storm so he can later brag...
*Knock on the door The student opens the door. The Bear comes in, dazed and covered in snow. Shakes off the snow, and looks around.
Bear: Where am I? Hunter: Come close tot he fireplace, get warm. Bear: Thank you. Is this an Tavern? Hunter: Yes. The owner will come out in a bit. Are you a hunter? Bear: Oh No! No! Hunter: Why are you so frightened when you spoke about it? Bear: I do not like hunters. Hunter: But do you really know them, young man? Bear: Yes, we've met before... Hunter: Hunters these are the most deserving people on earth! They are all honest, and simple guys. They like their profession. Understood? Bear: No, I didn't. I beg you, let's not argue! I did not know that you love hunters so much! Hunter: I am a hunter myself! A famous one! Bear: I'm really sorry about that. Hunter: Not counting the small game, during my time, I have shot 400 deer, 500 goats, 400 wolves and 99 bears.
*Bear Jumps up. Hunter: Why did you jump up? Bear: Killing bears- is the same as killing children! Hunter: Good kids they are! Did you see their claws? Bear: Yes. They are much shorter, then hunters' daggers.
Hunter: What about power of the bear? Bear: You shouldn't have teased the bear. Hunter: I am so disturbed, that I simply don't have any words. I'll have to shoot you. (Screaming) Hey! Boy! Bring my rifle over here! Now! I will kill you right now, young man. Bear: I do not care. Hunter: Where are you, boy? Give me my rifle. Rifle, now! *The princess runs in. She has a rifle in her hands. The bear jumps up. pg 18 Hunter (to princess): Student, watch and learn. This smart-aleck and boor will be killed. Do not feel sorry for him. Give me the rifle, boy. Why are you snuggling it, like a little kid?
* The Tavern manager runs into the room Tavern Manager: What happened? Oh, I understand. Give him the rifle, boy, do not be afraid. When Mister famous hunter was resting after lunch, I poured out all the gunpowder from all the fillings. I know all the customs of my honorable guest! Hunter: Darn! Tavern Manager: Alright, alright! Better, you should go eat the double portion of the hunters' sausages. Hunter: Alright, hell with you. And I will have the double portion of hunters' vodka as well. Tavern Manager: That's better. Hunter (to students): Sit down, boys. Tomorrow, when the weather will get better, we will go hunting. Student: Hooray! Hunter: Be quiet, you! (Takes the bear in the far corner of the room, sits him down at the table). Please sit down, sir! What's wrong with you? Are you not feeling well? I will help you feel better now. I have a great set of medicines for people who stay in the Tavern...do you have a fever? Bear: I do not know (whispering). Who is this gal? Tavern Manager: It's all understood. You are going insane from unhappy love. Bear: Who is this gal? Tavern Manager: She is not here, poor guy! Bear: How is that? There she is, whispering to the hunter! Tavern Manager: You are imagining things! That's just a student of a simple hunter. Do you understand me? Bear: Thank you. Yes. Hunter: Take to the dTaverner to my room. Students, follow me!
*The Tavern manager takes the tray with dTaverner. Hunter with student and princess are following him. Bear goes right after them. Suddenly the door opens wide open, right before the Bear has a chance to reach it. The princess is at the porch. For a certain time the princess and the bear are looking at each other. But now the princess goes around the Bear, comes up to the table, where she was sitting at, takes her forgotten handkerchief and heads to the exit, without looking at the Bear.
Bear: Excuse me, do you have a sister? * The princess negative responses, by shaking her head. Bear: Sit around with me for a little longer. Please! Thing is, you incredibly look like a gal, that I have to forget as fast as possible. Where are you going? Princess: I do not want to remind you about someone, that you have to forget. Bear: Oh my god! You have the same voice as her! Princess: You are delirious! Bear: Very well may be so. I feel like I'm in the fog. Princess: From what? Bear: Very well may be so. I feel like I'm in the fog. Princess: From what? Bear: I was going and going for three days without rest. I would have gone further but my horse started to weep, like a kid, when I wanted to pass this Tavern. Princess: Have you ever killed anyone before? Bear: Oh no! (pg 19) Princess: So who were you running from, like a prisoner? Bear: From love. Princess: What a funny story! Bear: Don't laugh. I know: young people- are cruel folks. I was the same way just 3 days ago. But since then, I got smarter. Have you ever been in love? Princess: I don't believe in such silly things. Bear: I did not believe either. But then I fell in love. Princess: Please let me know, so who did you fell in love with? Bear: I fell in love with the same girl that looks just like you. Princess: Please, look at that. Bear: I beg you, please do not smile! I fell in love very seriously. Princess: yea from the light interest like that, can't really run far... Bear: Well, you do not understand...I fell in love and was happy. Not for long, but I was happiest I've ever been in my life. And then... Princess: What? Bear: The, I suddenly found out about this gal something that turned everything around for me. And just to top off my problem, all of a sudden I quickly understood that she felt in love with me as well. Princess: What a blow for a lover! Bear: In this case, it's a scary hit! And what's even scarier, I got horrified, when she said that she will kiss me! Princess: What a silly girl!
Bear: What? Do not dare to talk like that about her. She's an amazing gal. Simple, trusting, like...like...like me! Princess: You? You are a boaster and a talker! Bear: Me? Princess: Yes! You tell the first person you meet about your wins. Bear: And that's how you understood me? Princess: Yes, exactly like that! She's silly...she's silly, silly silly! Bear: That's enough! Impudent puppies get punished! (takes out the sword). Defend yourself! Princess: I'm at your service! *They are fighting and battling... Princess: I could have killed twice already. Bear: I am looking for death, boy! Princess: Why didn't you die with someone else's help? Bear: My health does not allow me. *He takes a pass, taking off the hat of the head of the princess. Her hair falls down and almost touch the ground. The bear drops the sword.
Bear: Princess! What a happiness! What a trouble! What are you here? Princess: I was following you for three days. But at the blizzard I lost your tracks and met the hunter and because his student. Bear: You followed me for three days? Princess: Yes! I did it, so I can tell you how indifferent you are to me. I am not going to kiss you! I did not even plan on falling in love with you. Farewell! (goes away and then comes back). You hurt me so much, that I will still pay you back! I will prove you, that I feel nothing towards you. I will die and prove it! (goes away) Bear: Have to run, run, quick! She was mad at me and was scolding at me but All I saw was her lips and thought about only one thing: I will kiss her momentarily! pg20 And she is here, here , close to me, right outside that wall. All I have to do is make a few steps and... (*laughing). Only thinking she is in the same house as me! What a joy! What am I Doing? I will ruin her and myself! I have to get out of here! I have to run! *The Tavern manager comes in Bear: I'm leaving!
Tavern manager: This is impossible. I just tried to come outside in the yard and couldn't. Bear: couldn't? Tavern manager: we're buried underneath the snow. Bear: If I can't go, then lock me up! Tavern manager: lock you up? Why? Bear: I cannot meet her again! I love her! Tavern manager: Who? Bear: Princess!! Tavern manager: She is here? Bear: Here. She changed into man's clothing. I immediately recognized her, but you did not believe me. Tavern manager: Seriously, that was her? Here is a key for you. Go. That's your room. No, no I will not lock you in. The door has a new lock, and I will feel bad if you break it. Good night. Go, please go! Bear: Good night (leaving) Tavern manager: Good night. The madam of the suit comes in. Misses (Dama): Excuse me, but the candle in my room flickers out all the time. Tavern Manager: Emilia! Is that right? Your name is Emlia, right? Misses (Dama): Yes, that's my name. But sir.... Tavern Manager: Emilia! Misses (Dama): God damn! Tavern Manager: Do you recognize me? Misses (Dama): Emil.... Tavern Manager: That was the name of a young man, that had to run miles and miles away because a cruel girl made him to.... Misses (Dama): Do not look at me. The face got rough. However, hell with it. Look. His is how I am. Is it funny? Tavern Manager: I see you the same way as 25 years ago. Misses (Dama): Darn! Tavern Manager: On most crowded streets I have recognized your under any mask. Misses (Dama): I remember. Tavern Manager: What does a mask, that a time has put on you, mean to me? Misses (Dama): I forgot how to cry. You recognized me, but you do not know me. I became very spiteful. Especially lately. Do you have a smoking pipe? Tavern Manager: Smoking pipe? Misses (Dama): Lately, I smoke. Secretly. Sailor's tobacco. Infernal potion. Because of this tobacco, the candle flickered out all the time in my room. I even tried drinking. I didn't' like it. That's what I've become. Tavern Manager: That's how you've been all the time. Misses (Dama): Me?
Tavern Manager: Yes.You always had a stubborn and prideful character! Have you been married? Misses (Dama): I have.
Page 21 Tavern Manager: Who were you married to? Misses (Dama): You don't know him. Tavern Manager: Is he here? Misses (Dama): He is dead. Tavern Manager: I thought that young gentleman became your husband. Misses (Dama): He died as well. He got old and died. And you are still mad at him. Tavern Manager: You were kissing him on the balcony! Misses (Dama): And you were dancing with the daughter of the general! Tavern Manager: It's decent to dance. Misses (Dama): Darn! You were whispering something in her ear all that time! Tavern Manager: I whispered to her: one, two three! One, two three! One, two, three! She was always getting off her steps. Misses (Dama): Funny! Tavern Manager: Horribly funny! So funny I cried! Misses (Dama): What made you think that we were happy, after getting married? Tavern Manager: But you doubted that? Right? Misses (Dama): There is no love forever. Tavern Manager: At the tavern bar, I never heard people talk about love like that. You do not have the right to talk like that. You always have been very smart and observant. Misses (Dama): Well, I'm sorry that I was kissing that guy. Give me your hand. Emil and Emilia shake each other's hands. Well, that's it. Can't start the life over. Tavern Manager: Whatever. I'm happy that I see you. Misses (Dama): Me too. The king, first ministers, the suite misses, and the lady of the court run in.
King: Have you seen her? Tavern Manager: Yes. King: Is she pale, skinny, barely can stand striaght? Tavern Manager: Is got tan, eats well, runs around, like a boy. King: Hahaha! Good girl. Is he here too? Tavern Manager: Yes. King: In Love? Tavern Manager: Very much so.
King: Hahaha! That's right! Suffering? Tavern Manager: Horribly! King: He deserves it! Hahaha! He is suffering, but she's alive, healthy, rested, and joyful... The hunter, followed by his student, come in.
Hunter: Give me the drops! My new one started to miss someone, does not eat, does not drink, amiss answers. King: Princess? Hunter: What? Who? Tavern Manager: Your new student- princess that has changed clothing. Student: I almost hit her on the neck! Hunter: You, villain! Idiot! You can't tell the difference between a boy and a girl! Student: You couldn't find the difference yourself. Page. 22 Hunter: Like I have time to deal with these kind of trifles! King: Shut up! Where is the princess? Hunter: But, but , but, don't yell, kind man! Tavern Manager: This is a king! Hunter: Wow! (bows down). I'm sorry, your majesty. King: Where is my daughter? Did she really get so ill from being in love? But how could that really happen, there isn't there love like that in the world, right? May be princess simply has a Quinsy or Bronchitis, and I'm suffering here. Let's ask the younger crowd. Amanda! Do you believe in love? Amanda: No, your highness! King: See! And why? Amanda: I was in love with one man, but he turned out to be such a monster, that I stopped believing in love. I fall in love with everyone I see now. I do not care! King: Here, you see! What do you have to say about love, Orintia? Orintia: Everything that you please, except the truth, your highness. King: Why? Orintia: Talking about love truthfully is so scary and difficult, that I forgot how to do it forever. I tell people about love things they expect to hear. King: You can tell me one thing is there love in the world? Orintia: There is, your highness, if you please to think so too. I fell in love so many times! King: May be there is no love, ha? Orintia: No, there is no love, if you please so, sir! There is light, joyful craziness, that always ends with nothing.
The minister-administrator comes in gracefully. Administrator: Sit down, sirs, what's the deal here, you have my permission. If you don't want to that's up to you. *The Bear enters. Stops at the door. Administrator: Well, so...So I went, to the girl...I went, there. Good. She jumped up, took me by the hand and tells me: I thought and pondered, sitting here by the fireplace, and swore to myself to marry the first person I see. Haha! You see, how lucky I got and how great everything turned out! That's me! Misses of the Court: Poor child! Administrator: Do not interrupt! I am asking: that means, I am your husband now, right? And she answers: what's there to do, if you happened to be here first. I look- her lips are shaking, fingers are shuddering, feelings in her eyes, in her neck the vessel is pumping blood, so that and this...(chokes). Oh you, oh you! Tavern Manager gives vodka to the king. Administrator takes away the glass and drinks it all at once.
Administrator: Hooray! I hugged her, and after I kissed her on those lips of hers. Bear: Shut up, I will kill you! Administrator: It's okay. It's okay. They tried to kill me today already and what happened? Where did I stop? Oh yea...so we kissed, and then... Bear: Shut up! Page 23 Administrator: King! Please request, so I cannot be interrupted! Is it really that difficult? We kissed, and then she says: go, tell about this to my dad, and I will change into girls' clothing during that time. And I answered right after: let me help you, button up this, that, hehe..and she, little shy girl, answers: get out of here! King: oh darn... *The princess comes in. Jumps to her father. Princess: Daddy! Daddy! (sees the bear. Calmly). Good evening, daddy. I am getting married. King: Married to who, my little daughter? Princess: (points to administrator with a nod of her head). That one. Come over here! Give me your hand! Administrator: With pleasure! Hehe... Princess: Do not dare to laugh or I will shoot you! King: Good girl! That's a good attitude!
Princess: I announce a wedding ceremony in one hour! King: One hour? Excellent! Wedding in any way always a happy and joyful event, and afterwards, we'll see what happens. Good! So, what is the problem...the daughter was found, everyone is alive, healthy, there is more than enough wine. Bear: Stop! King: What's wrong? Well, well, well! Speak up! Bear: Why are you doing this? Princess: I swore that I would marry the first person I've met. I...well, that's enough, enough (heads to the exit). Ladies! Follow me! You will help me to put on a wedding dress. King: Bring me my cape and golden crown! Princess and ladies leave. The king puts on a cape, made out of Ermin, and a crown. The princess enters in the wedding dress. Minister-Administrator follows her. All of his fingers have rings with brilliants that shine all over. Right after him all the court in different outfits. King: Well well. Let's get them married. (Looks at the bear with a hope). Seriously, I will begin now. No jokes. One! Two! Three! (takes a deep breath) I'm starting! (very formally). Like a honorable saint, honorable great martyr, honorable Pope the great of our kingdom, I begin to create this strange alliance of marriage! Husband and Wife! Take each other's hands! Bear: No! King: Why not? What? Why? Please say, don't be shy! Bear: Everyone, go away! I need to speak with her! Leave now! Administrator: Oh you, impudent fellow! *The bear pushes him with such power, that minister-administrator flies to the door. Lady of the Court: Hooray! Bear: Leave, I beg you! Leave us along! Tavern Manager: Your highness, oh, your highness! Let's go! It's uncomfortable for... King: And what's that! And I, too, would like to find out, how will their conversation end! Lady of the Court: Sir! King: Leave me along! After all, alright. I will eb able to eavesdrop using the keyhole at door. Let's go, let's go, sirs! Page 24 Uncomfortable! Everyone runs after him, except for princess and Bear. Bear: Princess, I will tell you everything now. I..I..if you kiss me- I will turn into a Bear.
*Princess closes her face with your hands I am not happy myself! It's not me, it's the wizard...He's always up mischief, and us, poor ones, somehow got tangled up into this. That's why I ran. I swore that I better die then hurt your feelings...I'm sorry! It's not me! It's him..I'm sorry! Princess: You, you you suddenly will turn into a bear? Bear: Yes. Princess: As soon as I kiss you? Bear: Yes. Princess: You, you will silently wonder around back and forth around the rooms, like in a big cage? Will never speak to me again like humans do? Bear: Yes. Princess: Daddy! Daddy! *King runs in, followed by the suite. Daddy, he.. King: Yes yes, I was spying on you outside and heard everything. What a pity! Princess: Let's leave, leave soon! King: Daughter, daughter...something is horrible is happening to me...something goodthat's scary! Something just awaken in my soul. Let's thinking may be, we shouldn't kick him out. Ha? Others do live and everything is fine! So what a bear..It's not a ferret after all...We could brush him, house him. He could dance for us sometimes... Princess: No! I love him way too much! *Beat takes a step forward and stops, looking down. Farewell, farewell forever! (runs off) *Everyone, except for the Bear go after her. Suddenly the music starts to play. The windows open on their own. The sun comes up. There is no snow around. There is grass and flowers all over the country hills. The owner comes in, laughing hard. After him, smiling, the owner's wife is trying to keep up. She looks at the Bear and stops smiling all of a sudden. Owner: Congratulations to you! Congratulations! Advice and Love! Owner's Wife: Shut up, you fool... Owner: Why fool? Owner's Wife: Not screaming the right thing. There is no wedding here. It's a tragedy... Owner: What? How? It's impossible! I took them to this cozy tavern so piled up the snow around, blocking all exits and entrances. I was happy with my idea, so happy, that even eternal snow melted and country hills got green under the sun. You did not kiss her? Bear: But the... Owner: Coward! Page 25
*Sad Music. The snow is falling down on the flowers, on the green grass. With her head down, not looking at anybody, the princess enters the room, holding hands with her father. The suite follows them right after. All of this adventure is happening outside of the windows under the falling snow. Owner: You! Take the answer! How could you not kiss her? Bear: But then you know how everything would have ended! Owner: No, I don't! You did not love that gal! Bear: Not true! Owner: You didn't love her, otherwise the magical power of blindness would have taken you away. Who dares to ponder or forespeak, when the great feelings take over the person? Poor, unarmed people overthrow the king because of love to a close one. The earth gets rebuilt because of love to the more beautiful things. And what did you do for the love to that gal? Bear: I refused her. Owner: Great act. Do you know, that only once during your lifetime the lovers get a day, when everything works out for them. And you lost your happiness. Farewell. I will not help you anymore. No! I will try to get in your way however I can. How could you get here...I, joker and rascal, started talking like a preacher because of you. Let's go, wife.. Owner's Wife: Let's go, you fool... *They leave. The hunter and his student enter. They have big folders in their ahnds.
Bear: Would you like to kill a 100th bear? Hunter: Bear? 100th one? Bear: Yes, yes! Sooner or later I will find a princess, kiss her and I will turn into a bear...and then... Hunter: I understand. Very tempting. But I feel awkward using your courtesy... Bear: It's alright, don't be shy. Hunter: And how will her majesty look at this? Bear: She will get happy! Hunter: well then...arts take a big price to pay... Bear: Thank you, friend! Let's go!
Curtain Falls.