The Choice

N1: Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a powerful king.

N2: A king who loved his authority almost as much as he loved his own daughter. 

N3: A king who used a cruel system of justice.

N1: A king who was feared by all of his subjects.

N2: And nothing made him happier than sitting on his velvet throne in his royal arena—

N3: —watching justice be served!

N1: The royal arena is packed. Every seat is filled.

N2: The king and his court sit high up on velvet chairs. 

N3: The princess leans over to the king. 

Princess Margaret: Father, who is the accused today?

King John: A poor man who stole from the royal garden. 

Princess: What did he steal? 

King: Carrots! Can you imagine?

N1: A handsome servant walks up with a silver tray.

Thomas: Cider, Your Majesty?

N2: The king takes a glass. 

N3: The servant smiles at the princess and winks. 

N1: Behind them, Lady Anne and Lady Helen giggle quietly. 

Princess: That will be all, Thomas. 

N2: The princess tries to hide a smile. She turns back to her father. 

Princess: So this man was caught pulling carrots from the ground? 

King: Not exactly. He was found nearby carrying carrots. 

Princess: Father, is it fair to think that he—

N3: A trumpet sounds. 

King: Quiet now. The criminal is coming. 

N1: A man dressed in rags walks into the arena. 

N2: He bows to the king, then turns to face two wooden doors. 

N3: The Master of Ceremonies addresses the man. 

MC: You stand accused of royal theft. You must now choose one of these two doors. Behind one is a hungry tiger. Behind the other is a young lady you may marry. 

Accused Man: But I didn’t— 

MC: The choice is yours. 

N1: The accused looks at the doors. 

MC: What will it be, ladies and gentlemen? Will he be torn to pieces because he is guilty? 

Crowd: Noooooo!

MC: Or will we have a joyous wedding because he is innocent? 

Crowd: Hooray!

N2: The man walks slowly to a door and opens it. A tiger springs upon him. 

N3: The king smiles.

King: Chance is an impartial judge, don’t you think?

Princess: Yes, Father. 

N1: In her bedroom, the princess sits in front of a mirror. 

N2: Lady Anne is brushing the princess’s hair. 

Lady Anne: How bold Thomas was today! 

Lady Helen: Winking at you with your father right there! 

Princess: He is quite bold, isn’t he? It’s one of the reasons I love him. 

N3: The ladies gasp. 

Lady Anne: You love him? 

Princess: Of course. We are perfect for each other. 

Lady Helen: But he is a lowly servant!

Princess: Why should that matter? 

Lady Anne: I think we know how the king would answer that question.

Princess (harshly): The king must never find out! 

N1: Thomas and the princess stroll through the royal garden. 

N2: Thomas stops to smell a rosebush. 

N3: The princess removes a shiny pin from her cloak. It is shaped like a bee. 

Princess: This was my mother’s pin. She was a lot like a bee. She could sting—or she could be sweet as honey. 

Thomas: Like you!

Princess: Here. I want you to have it. 

N1: Thomas takes the pin. 

N2: Suddenly, Lady Anne and Lady Helen rush over. 

Lady Anne: The king is coming!

Princess: Thomas, hide! 

N3: She pushes him into the rosebush. 

Thomas: Ow! Ow! 

N1: The king rounds the corner. 

King (shouting): Who is here with you? 

Princess: Just my ladies, Father. 

N2: The king spots something shiny in the rosebushes. 

N3: He reaches in and drags Thomas out. 

N1: The king looks to his daughter. 

King: Explain yourself.

Princess: Father, I love Thomas. And he loves me. 

King: Of course he does. You’re a princess. He has everything to gain. You have everything to lose.

Princess: We are getting married. There is nothing you can do!

King (chuckling): Heh heh heh.

N2: The king snaps his fingers. A guard steps forward. 

King: Take Thomas to the dungeon. Search the kingdom for the most vicious tiger and the fairest maiden. His trial will take place in three days. 

Princess: Father, no!

N3: The princess makes her way through a dark passage under the arena. 

N1: The light from her torch bounces off the cold stone walls.

N2: At last, she finds the two rooms holding the lady and the tiger.

Guard: Who goes there?

Princess: It is I.

N3: The guard bows deeply. 

Princess: Take me to the door the tiger is behind.

Guard: I am under strict orders not to let anyone near the tiger. 

Princess: Then tell me about the maiden. Might I speak with her?

Guard: I’m afraid not. If I help you, I’ll be thrown into the arena too.

Princess (sharply): Do you think I care what happens to you? Let me see her!

Guard: No one must know which door Isabella is behind. 

N1: The princess’s eyes flash with anger. 

Princess: Isabella? 

N2: The princess grabs the guard by the shoulders.

Princess: Show me which door Isabella is behind or I will make sure you live in the dungeon for the rest of your life. 

Guard (frightened): Very well, Princess. Follow me.

N3: Back in her room, the princess cries softly.

Princess: I can’t believe it’s Isabella! 

Lady Anne: Beautiful Isabella. 

Lady Helen: Kind Isabella. 

Lady Anne: Wise Isabella.

Princess: Enough! I must figure out what to do. Thomas knows that I would never rest until I found out the secret of those two doors. He will look to me for an answer. 

Lady Anne: Surely you will guide him to the lady. 

Princess: Don’t you see? Either way, I lose him forever. 

N1: The ladies frown. 

Princess: I can’t stop imagining Thomas opening a door. I see his face as he sees the tiger.

Lady Helen: How awful! 

Princess: But just as often, I imagine his delight when he opens the door and sees Isabella. 

N2: The princess’s face grows dark.

Princess: And then Thomas and Isabella walk away together, the crowd cheering.

Lady Anne: Perhaps you should stay home tomorrow. 

Princess: Never. Thomas will look to me. I must give an answer. 

Lady Helen: Which will it be?

N3: The princess sits on her bed and puts her face in her hands.