1
The Author’s Game
by
J. Kaczmarek
FADE IN:
INT. A CASTLE TURRET, PALE TAPESTRIES LINE THE WALLS
ROMEO, a young man, late teens, dressed in pale medieval-style clothing gazes out a window. Across from him sitting at a table set with a game of chess is an older man, late 30s/early 40s, SHAKESPEARE, also dressed in pale, medieval-style clothing. A second chair opposite SHAKESPEARE is empty.
ROMEO
That wasn’t the way it was supposed to end.
SHAKESPEARE
Don’t be ridiculous, of course it was, it was a tragedy not a comedy. Now come, sit. (motions to the empty chair) Let’s play a nice game of chess shall we? What better way to wile away this time in purgatory?
ROMEO
Purgatory? (he stares at Shakespeare in disbelief, then down at his hands, open as though they held Juliet only moments ago) My beloved Juliet…
SHAKESPEARE
Yes, yes, so unfair, very tragic. (deliberate pause) Now that we’ve had ourselves a moment of silence, why not occupy the time with something a bit more convivial, have a seat.
(ROMEO slowly sits down, as if in a daze)
SHAKESPEARE
There now, that’s better. (pause, observes ROMEO’S lack of interest and sighs) I’ll start us off. (looks to the pieces, sighs) Blast it all.. you’re white; it’s your first move.
2
(ROMEO looks at the chess board, but with an apparent lack of interest. He picks up a pawn and moves it toward his opponent. Standing, he gazes out a nearby window.)
SHAKESPEARE
(giddy, claps his hands together) Lovely! Its begun! Now, let me see, ah yes. (he moves his piece to meet ROMEO’S and looks at ROMEO egregiously, notices ROMEO’s continuing lack of interest and sighs) She thought you were dead you know.
ROMEO
(clenches his fists, softly, mournfully) She didn’t have to die.
SHAKESPEARE
No, No, she didn’t. (looks forlornly to the chess board) All right, I’ll bite, how would you have done it? You’re the prodigy now. How would you have ended things?
ROMEO
(turns to face SHAKESPEARE) She wouldn’t have died.
SHAKESPEARE
A bit obvious, but go on.
ROMEO
The messenger would have found me. I would have been forewarned of her plan and waited for her. (he sits back down in the chair)
SHAKESPEARE
And this is the ending by the great Romeo?
3
ROMEO
(defiantly) Yes.
SHAKESPEARE
(motions to the game) It’s your move. (stands, faces an imaginary audience, with exaggerated feeling)
Go Hence to have more talk of these glad things; some shall be joyous and some left bitter. For never was a story more apropos, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.
(bows flamboyantly, sits back down) Lacks a certain something, wouldn’t you agree? Oh, your knight is out and about, now that is original!
ROMEO
What care have you that we live or die?
SHAKESPEARE
What care have I? What care have I? Oh it’s not about me dear boy. No. (moves his piece) Its about the audience.
ROMEO
The audience? (feign chuckle) What are they to the actors in a play? We stand before them in all our splendor. The come to worship us, to applaud us.
SHAKESPEARE
Worship you? A fifteen year old boy? They laugh at you fair Romeo, they pity you, but most of all they learn from you. (pause) Your move. Your bishop appears to be in a bit of trouble. Tell me Romeo, had you escaped, what would become of your families? Would the err in their ways have been so apparent?
ROMEO
No, (pause) No, I suppose not. (moves his chess piece and stands)
4
SHAKESPEARE
(clasps his hands together, focused on the pieces, takes Romeo’s knight) Ah, such is the sacrifice that reaps its own reward. (sits back and smiles)
ROMEO
(glances at the board and turns away) Tell me author, what would you sacrifice? What of your heart’s desire would you sacrifice so that others might find redemption?
SHAKESPEARE
Dear Romeo, mine is not to sacrifice, but to imply a desired comeuppance!
(ROMEO turns to face SHAKESPEARE. Makes his move on the board.)
SHAKESPEARE
Ah, protecting the Queen, how chivalrous. Would that you could have protected your beloved Juliet as easily.
ROMEO
Would that you had a love such as mine…
SHAKESPEARE
Touche. (moves his chess piece) Love. You call her your love, but I made her, I created her, how can you even fathom the potential of her true love? (stands, looking out the window)
ROMEO
I played my part.
SHAKESPEARE
Yes, you played your part, as did everyone else. That’s what we all do, isn’t it? We play our part?
ROMEO
(for the first time, ROMEO seems interested to play the game and moves his chess piece) What part is it that you play?
5
SHAKESPEARE
(laughing, turns to face ROMEO) I am the puppet master of course, I am the author, I am the true pretender, I make up words and watch you dance.
ROMEO
You find enjoyment in this?
SHAKESPEARE
Not enjoyment dear boy, it’s what I do. It is the part I play, weren’t you listening? (bothered, sits back down at the table and studies the game)
ROMEO
If you are the puppet master, then take me back. You said yourself, we are in purgatory. Take me back to my true love and make amends. Only then will you find your audience with St. Peter.
SHAKESPEARE
I can’t go back, stupid boy. (to himself) No one can go back.
ROMEO
(pause) Then why are we here?
SHAKESPEARE
I don’t know. To play a game. (makes his move, sits back down) Check, you have but one move until I take your king.
ROMEO
(Considering) Maybe that’s it. Maybe you don’t want to go back.
SHAKESPEARE
Everyone has regrets. We can’t change the past.
ROMEO
(moves his piece) No, but the author can change his story.
SHAKESPEARE
Juliet was never real. Juliet was a character in a play.
6
ROMEO
Juliet was real to me. (pause, barely audible) Perhaps she was real to you as well. Checkmate.
EXT. THE CLOUDS
PUCK
(PUCK is a fairy with wings in a jester’s cap, sitting atop a cloud) The time has come to end this interlude. In truth alone is where life may conclude. One final thought appends this denouement. That for Shakespeare an actor’s role was but a pawn. Their lives on stage effectuate one thing. To let us hear an author’s true heart sing.
FADE OUT
END SCENE