(CASSIE HAS ON A BASEBALL CAP)

RICHARD: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

CASSIE: I TOLD YOU I DIDN’T WANT YOUR MONEY BUT YOU HAD TO DO WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS RIGHT!

RICHARD: YOU’D BETTER GET OFF THE PLANE…

CASSIE: YOU KNOW WHAT, RICHARD?

RICHARD: WE’RE GOING TO TAKE OFF!

CASSIE: YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF FOR TALKING TO ME ON THE PHONE AND ACTING LIKE YOU COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT TODAY AND ALL THE WHILE YOU WERE SCHEMING! YOU WERE SCHEMING!

RICHARD: YES, I WAS SCHEMING TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE MONEY! HOW GHASTLY OF ME! I DO APOLOGIZE!

CASSIE: GO AHEAD! SMIRK YOUR ROYAL SMIRK! BUT I AM NOBODY’S CHARITY CASE! YOU GOT IT?

RICHARD: CASSIE, IF MY GESTURE OFFENDED YOU, I DO APOLOGIZE. MY INTENTION WAS SIMPLY TO GIVE YOU SOME HELP! …SO THAT YOU CAN KEEP THAT FARM. I KNOW HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO YOU.

CASSIE: MY DIGNITY MEANS SOMETHING TO ME, RICHARD, AND NOW I LOOK LIKE A FOOL…,RICHARD, A FOOL WHO TOTALLY…(GASP) (CASSIE FALLS AGAINST RICHARD) WHAT’S THAT? WHAT’S GOING ON?

RICHARD: WE’RE TAXIING…WE’RE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF!

CASSIE: WE CAN’T BE TAXIING! THEY DON’T KNOW I’M ON THE PLANE!

RICHARD: OF COURSE NOT! I TRIED TO WARN YOU.

CASSIE: TELL THEN TO STOP!

RICHARD: I CAN’T! THEY’VE GOT THEIR CLEARANCE. THEY’RE GOING TO TAKE OFF! YOU’D BETTER SIT DOWN AND BUCKLE UP! BECAUSE YOU’RE GOING TO SAN CRISTOBEL WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

CASSIE: TAKE ME BACK TO SPRINGFIELD RIGHT NOW OR I SWEAR I…RICHARD!

RICHARD: YOU’LL CALL THE POLICE? HUMMM. I’M AFRAID THE POLICE WON’T DO YOU ANY GOOD UP HERE AT 21,000 FEET, CASSIE. AND BESIDES…TECHNICALLY YOU ARE A …UGH…YOU’RE A STOWAWAY, AREN’T YOU?

CASSIE: I HAD TO TALK TO YOU!

RICHARD: YOU HAD TO YELL AT ME, YOU MEAN! YES, YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT! TERRIBLE OF ME! NO WONDER YOU’RE SO UPSET!

CASSIE: YOU KNOW YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN MY PERSONAL BUSINESS!

RICHARD: CASSIE, I WAS TRYING TO HELP YOU! YOU NEEDED MONEY TO SAVE THE FARM…I WAS IN A POSITION TO LEND YOU SOME MONEY. THAT’S ALL.

CASSIE: MONEY’S NOT THE ISSUE, RICHARD!

RICHARD: WHAT IS IT? PRIDE? PRIDE? YES, OF COURSE, PRIDE! WELL, I’LL TELL YOU WHAT…I’LL KEEP MY MONEY AND YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PRIDE!…UM?…AND BEST OF ALL…YOU CAN GO ON DISLIKING ME BECAUSE…WELL, THAT SEEMS TO PLEASE YOU SO MUCH!

CASSIE: TELL ME YOU DIDN’T GIVE ME THE MONEY SO YOU CAN STAY TIED TO REVA.

RICHARD: I BEG YOUR PARDON!

CASSIE: TELL ME THAT YOU DIDN’T GIVE ME THE MONEY TO GET BACK AT REVA FOR REJECTING YOU.

RICHARD: OH, I SEE, SO NOW YOU ARE NOT ONLY REJECTING MY GENEROSITY, NOW YOU WANT TO FEEL, RIGHTIOUS…UM…FOR DISLIKING ME.

CASSIE: THAT’S NOT THE POINT.

RICHARD: OH, YES, THAT IS THE POINT. BECAUSE YOU WOULD RATHER HANG ON TO YOUR PRIDE THAN HANG ON TO YOUR FARM AND HELP YOUR CHILDREN. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BECAUSE THAT IS …WELL…THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT YOUR SISTER IS LIKE, ISN’T IT?

CASSIE: WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

RICHARD: IT MEANS THAT REVA WOULD RATHER GO TO HER GRAVE THAN TO ADMIT SHE HAS FEELINGS FOR ME. AND IF YOU DESPISED ME ANY MORE I WOULD THINK IT WAS YOU WHO WAS IN LOVE WITH ME!

CASSIE: (INDIGNANT) I DON’T HAVE FEELINGS FOR YOU! THAT’S INSANE!

RICHARD: I WAS JUST KIDDING! LOOK, CASSIE, I KNOW YOU DON’T WANT TO BE HERE BUT WE’RE GOING TO LAND SOON AND YOU CAN TURN THIS THING AROUND AND HEAD STRAIGHT BACK TO SPRINGFIELD. BUT UNTIL THEN, HOW ABOUT A TRUCE?

CASSIE: OKAY.

RICHARD: GOOD.

CASSIE: BUT, I HAVE TO USE THE PHONE. I HAVE TO CALL MY KIDS AND THE BABY-SITTER AND TELL THEM I’M GOING TO BE VERY LATE.

RICHARD: OF COURSE, I’LL HAVE REYNALDO BRING THE PHONE OUT AND WELL, AFTER THAT, WHY DON’T YOU JUST SIT BACK AND TRY TO RELAX? THAT’S WHAT I’M GOING TO DO!

CASSIE: HOW CAN YOU DO THAT? WITH ALL THOSE THINGS GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD?

RICHARD: OH, DIDN’T YOU KNOW? THAT’S WHAT WE ROYAL DESPOTS DO! WE SIT DOWN AND RELAX. SOMETIMES WE EVEN PLAY MUSIC WHILE EVERYTHING’S BURNING DOWN AROUND US…REYNALDO, COULD YOU BRING MISS LAYNE A TELEPHONE, PLEASE? AND WOULD YOU LIKE SOMETHING TO EAT PERHAPS, OR TO DRINK?

CASSIE: I’LL HAVE SOME WATER, PLEASE.

REYNALDO: CERTAINLY, MISS.

RICHARD: IS THAT ALL? THE GALLEY IS FULLY STOCKED AND REYNALDO HERE IS AN EXCELLENT CHEF. YOU COULD HAVE WHATEVER YOUR HEART DESIRES.

(CASSIE HAD THAT "I WANT YOU" LOOK IN HER EYES)

CASSIE: UGH…UGH…WATER…AND THE PHONE, PLEASE.

RICHARD: I’LL HAVE A SIRLOIN STEAK, MEDIUM RARE, MASHED POTATOES, A SMALL SALAD , APPLE COBBLER, AND A GLASS OF BORDEAUX, PLEASE.

REYNALDO: CERTAINLY, SIR.

RICHARD: DON’T WORRY, CASSIE. IT’LL ALL BE OVER SOON AND YOU WON’T HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ANNOYING FACE EVER AGAIN!

(CASSIE IS DRINKING BORDEAUX, EATING FRESH FRUIT, TALKING TO AM ON THE PHONE. SHE’S A LOT MORE RELAXED THAN EARLIER)

CASSIE: I KNOW I’VE CALLED ONCE BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS WERE OK…GOOD…THANK YOU SO MUCH, AMY, FOR STAYING THE NIGHT. YOU’RE SUCH A LIFESAVER. (GIGGLE) YES, I’LL BE THERE AS SOON AS I CAN…ALL RIGHT, BYE.

RICHARD: (MUMBLE)

CASSIE: HEY, I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO RELAX!

RICHARD: HUM….OH, DID I SAY THAT? YES, I DID, DIDN’T I? WELL, I…..

(CASSIE PUSHES HIS GLASS OF WINE TOWARD HIM…..)

CASSIE: THE ONLY WAY TO FLY!

RICHARD: WELL, IT DIDN’T TAKE YOU LONG TO GET USED TO THE ROYAL TREATMENT! EH?…..

CASSIE: DO YOU THINK REYNALDO WOULD GIVE ME A PEDICURE?

RICHARD: WELL, I THINK THAT MAY BE PUSHING IT.

CASSIE: YOU’D KNOW! YOU I’VE LIKE THIS EVERYDAY! SO! WHAT’S IT LIKE?

RICHARD: WHAT?

CASSIE: BEING A PRINCE? LIKE WHEN YOU WERE A KID, DID YOU GO TO HUGE GALAS, EVERYONE BOWING, WOMEN JUST FALLING ALL OVER YOU!

RICHARD: NO, I’M AFRAID I WAS…UGH… PERHAPS TO DEVOTED TO MY STUDIES AND AFTER THAT, MY WORK!

CASSIE: COME ON, DON’T SHATTER MY ILLUSION! IF YOU’RE ROYALTY, YOU HAVE TO ENJOY ALL THE PERKS THAT GO ALONG WITH IT!

RICHARD: I’M AFRAID MY LIFE HAS BEEN MOSTLY PERFORMING DUTIES, FILLING OBLIGATIONS…UNTIL I MET REVA.

CASSIE: WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU SHOULD FORGET ABOUT HER!

RICHARD: UM…..I TOLD HER AND NOW I’M TELLING YOU…I WON’T PURSUE HER ANYMORE. I HAVE MY COUNTRY TO TEND TO AND MY FAMILY OBLIGATIONS. ALL RIGHT?

CASSIE: WHAT FAMILY OBLIGATIONS?

RICHARD: WELL, I WILL CONTINUE THE SEARCH FOR MY SON, JONATHAN, AND WELL IN THE MEANTIME I WILL BE EXPECTED TO MARRY AND PRODUCE ANOTHER HEIR.

CASSIE: YOU MAKE IT SOUND SO CLINICAL!

RICHARD: THE FUTURE OF MY COUNTRY DOES DEPEND UPON IT! AND…WELL…PERHAPS…I’LL WANT THE COMPANIONSHIP FOR MYSELF ONE DAY IN THE FUTURE…

CASSIE: REALLY?

RICHARD: WELL, YEAH…I’M A PRINCE…..BUT NOT A MONK! RIGHT?….

(CASSIE’S FANTASY…..)

(RICHARD AND CASSIE KISS)

CASSIE: NO KIDDING! WELL, E COULD NEVER TOUCH THIS IN REAL LIFE, SO DON’T EVEN BOTHER BREAKING OUT THE GLASS SLIPPER! LET’S JUST KEEP THIS A HOT, LITTLE FORBIDDEN FANTASY!

RICHARD: NO PROBLEM!

CASSIE: HUM?……

RICHARD: SOMETHING WRONG?

(BACK TO REALITY….)

CASSIE: ’M TIRED…..JUST A LITTLE TIRED! THAT’S ALL.

RICHARD: WELL, I HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO HERE SO FEEL FREE…SWEET DREAMS.

CASSIE: (SIGH)

(CASSIE IS ASLEEP…LEANING ON THE BACK OF THE COUCH….SHE MUMBLES ON HER SLEEP……CASSIE’S DREAM………)

CASSIE: I THOUGHT WE WEREN’T GOING TO DO THE GLASS SLIPPER THING!

RICHARD: RIGHT! WELL, LET’S SEE HOW THIS FITS. (PLACES A DIAMOND RING ON HER FINGER) CASSIE LAYNE, WILL YOU DO ME THE HONOR OF BECOMING MY WIFE? WILL YOU MARRY ME, CASSIE?

(CASSIE IS MUMBLING IN HER SLEEP. RICHARD HEARS HER…AND MOVES TO THE COUCH…COVERING HER WITH A BLANKET)

RICHARD: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

(CASSIE MOVES OVER AND RESTS AGAINST RICHARD AND SAYS IN HER SLEEP…..)

CASSIE: YES, RICHARD…THE ANSWER IS YES.

RICHARD: HUM?…..WHAT?

(CASSIE AWAKENS, IS STARTLED, JUMPS AWAY FROM RICHARD)

CASSIE: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

RICHARD: I’M NOT DOING ANYTHING! TAKE IF EASY! YOU FELL ASLEEP AND OBVIOUSLY YOU WERE DREAMING!

CASSIE: I DON’T REMEMBER! WHAT DID I SAY?

RICHARD: DON’T WORRY! YOU DIDN’T REVEAL ANY DEEP, DARK SECRETS. YOU DIDN’T DROOL ON ME OR ANYTHING!

CASSIE: WHY DID YOU LET ME DO THAT? WHY DIDN’T YOU WAKE ME UP?

RICHARD: MY! YOU’RE AWFUL CRANKY WHEN YOU WAKE UP, AREN’T YOU?

CASSIE: WHEN I’M BEING SHANGHAIED AND TAKEN TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY AGAINST MY WILL, YES!

(RICHARD DECIDES TO TEASE CASSIE…..)

RICHARD: YES, RICHARD….UM…..

CASSIE: WHAT?

RICHARD: HUM?…..

CASSIE: WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?

RICHARD: OH, ITS WHAT YOU SAID. HAT YOU MUMBLED, REALLY, WHEN YOU ERE SLEEPING. YES, RICHARD…WONDER WHAT IT MEANS!

CASSIE: NOTHING!….I DON’T KNOW! I WAS DREAMING! ARE WE GOING TO LAND SOON?

RICHARD: YES, IN A FEW MINUTES AND WE WILL REFUEL AND SEND YOU BACK. YOU’LL BE BACK HOME BEFORE THE NIGHT’S THROUGH. DON’T WORRY!

CASSIE: GOOD.

(PHONE RINGS…)

RICHARD: EXCUSE ME…

CASSIE: OH, THANK GOD, I CANNOT SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOU IN YOUR PALACE!

RICHARD: ARE YOU SURE? HOW BAD IS IT? RIGHT! I UNDERSTAND!

CASSIE: SOMETHING WRONG?

RICHARD: WELL, IT APPEARS OUR LANDING HAS BEEN COMPROMISED! THERE’S TROUBLE ON THE GROUND!

CASSIE: OKAY, THE WORD TROUBLE IS WHAT I DON’T WANT TO HEAR WHEN I’M ON AN AIRPLANE!

RICHARD: DON’T WORRY, DON’T WORRY…EVERYTHING’S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

CASSIE: ENGINE PROBLEMS? WHAT? WHAT’S GOING ON?

RICHARD: NO, NO, NOTHING LIKE THAT…..IT’S JUST THAT …WELL….THERE ARE SOME ISSUES AT THE LANDING AREA.

CASSIE: COULD YOU PLEASE JUST TRANSLATE THAT FROM PRINCE SPEAK AND TELL ME WHAT ISSUES!

RICHARD: WELL, REMEMBER THE CIVIL UNREST I WAS SPEAKING TO YOU ABOUT IN SAN CRISTOBEL? WELL, IT’S WORSE THAT I THOUGHT. EDMUND HAS BEN STIRRING THE POT AND IT APPEARS THAT THE AIRPORT HAS BEEN OVERRUN BY PROTESTERS.

CASSIE: PROTESTING WHAT?

RICHARD: YOURS TRULY!

CASSIE: SO WE CAN’T LAND?

RICHARD: NO, WE HAVE TO LAND. OUR FUEL IS FINITE. BUT I WOULD GET THOSE HIGH HEELS OFF…WE MIGHT HAVE TO MAKE A DASH FOR IT.

CASSIE: A DASH?

RICHARD: YES, WE’LL HAVE A CAR WAITING FOR US AT THE FAR END OF THE LANDING STRIP. BUT, I HOPE THE MOB HASN’T SEEN IT BECAUSE WE’LL HAVE TO GET TO IT BEFORE THE MOB GETS TO US!

CASSIE: SO…IT’S KIND OF LIKE THE BEATLES!

RICHARD: YEAH…..EXCEPT THEY’RE AFTER MORE THAN A LOCK OF HAIR AND A VERSE OF "I LOVE YOU, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH…" YOU’D BETTER BUCKLE UP….IT’S GOING TO BE A BUMPY LANDING!

CASSIE: DID I TELL YOU HOW MUCH I HATE TO FLY?

RICHARD: YES, ABOUT 47 TIMES!

CASSIE: 48…I HATE FLYING!

RICHARD: DON’T WORRY! I WON’T LET ANYTHING HAPPEN TO YOU!

CASSIE: WELL, THAT’ A JOKE! EVERYTIME I’M WITH YOU SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME!

RICHARD: WELL, THEN I WOULDN’T WANT TO DISAPPOINT YOU, WOULD I?

(2 SOLDIERS ENTER PALACE…THEY INSPECT THRONE ROOM….THEN RICHARD AND CASSIE RUSH INTO THE ROOM)

1^ST SOLDIER: SIR!

CASSIE: WE MADE IT!

RICHARD: WELL, I PROMISED YOU I’D GET YOU HERE SAFELY, DIDN’T I?

CASSIE: YES.

RICHARD: ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

CASSIE: I’M FINE. THANK GOD THERE IS A SECRET ENTRANCE TO THE PALACE! THOSE PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE INSANE! WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY WOULD’VE DONE IF THEY HAD SEEN YOU!

RICHARD: YES, EDMUND’S GOT THEM WORKED UP INTO QUITE A FRENZY, HASN’T HE? HE’S PRACTICALLY INCITED A REVOLUTION!

CASSIE: YOU MUST BE TERRIFIED!

RICHARD: IT’S NOT THAT, CASSIE. IT BREAKS MY HEART! I LOVE MY COUNTRY AND I CARE ABOUT THESE PEOPLE. I DON’T’ WANT THEM TO SUFFER.

CASSIE: WHY ARE THEY SO ANGRY?

RICHARD: THEY ARE DESPERATE, CASIE. JOBS ARE SCARCE. THAT’S WHY THIS DEAL WITH SPAULDING ENTERPRISES IS SO IMPORTANT! IT WILL BRING JOBS HERE.

CASSIE: HOW DID IT GET THIS BAD?

RICHARD: WELL, THAT’S MY FAULT ISN’T IT? I’M RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING STABILITY TO THE ISLAND. STABLE GOVERNMENT MEANS STABLE EMPLOYMENT. IT MEANS STABLE ECONOMY. WE USED TO HAVE THAT STABILITY WHEN CATHERINE WAS HERE.

CASSIE: EVERYTHING FELL APART WHEN REVA LEFT?

(RICHARD OPENS UP TO CASSIE…..)

RICHARD: MY WHOLE LIFE FELL APART WHEN SHE LEFT! AND THE COUNTRY SHORTLY THEREAFTER!

CASSIE: REVA WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO SAN CRISTOBEL?

RICHARD: SHE WAS THAT IMPORTANT TO SAN CRISTOBEL AND SHE WS THAT IMPORTANT TO ME! YOU KNOW, IN MOST MONARCHIES A SO-CALLED COMMONER CAN’T MARRY INTO THE ROYAL FAMILY BUT THE PEOPLE LOVED HER. SHE WAS ONE OF THEM. SHE FOUGHT FOR THEM. SHE FOUGHT FOR THEIR CAUSES AND EVER SINCE SHE’S LEFT IT HASN’T BEEN THE SAME.

(SOUNDS OF MOBS ENTERING THE PALACE…..)

RICHARD: I DON’T MEAN TO FRIGHTEN YOU BUT WE MIGHT HAVE SOME HOSTILE COMPANY SOONER THAT EXPECTED!

(RICHARD TAKES A GUN FROM A CABINET AND PUTS IT INTO HIS BELT)

CASSIE: WHAT? WHAT’LL THEY DO? ARE THEY GOING TO TRY AND KILL YOU?

RICHARD : WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WORST.

(DAX ENTERS THE THRONE ROOM)

RICHARD: WELL?

DAX: THE SITUATION OUTSIDE THE PALACE HAS WORSENED! EDMUND SEIZED CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC RADIO STATION! HE’S BROADCASTING ACCUSATIONS THAT YOU DESERTED THE PEOPLE!

RICHARD: THAT’S PREPOSTEROUS! WHERE IS EDMUND?

DAX: WE BELIEVE HE’S HIDING SOMEWHERE IN THE HILLS BROADCASTING VIA REMOTE! HE’S VERY ILLUSIVE! AND NOW HE HAS CONVINCED A NUMBER OF OUR SOLDIERS TO JOIN HIM!

RICHARD: WELL, IT’S LIES, DAX! IT’S ALL LIES! I WANT TO TALK TO THEM. I WANT TO MEET WITH ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PEOPLE.

DAX: I DON’T RECOMMEND THAT, SIR.

RICHARD: I HAVE TO, DAX. OKAY. JUST HAVE ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES….HAVE SEVERAL OF THE REPRESENTATIVES COME UP HERE AND I’LL ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

DAX: MISS LAYNE, LET ME TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE SAFER!

CASSIE: I WANT TO STAY HERE WITH RICHARD!

DAX: YOUR HIGHNESS, PLEASE!

RICHARD: YOU HEARD HER, DAX, YOU HEARD HER! LET’S GO!

(DAX EXITS)

CASSIE: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE?

RICHARD: WELL, I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M GOING TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE DO I?

(RICHARD PACES ABOUT THE ROOM WHILE VENTING TO CASSIE)

(DAX BRINGS 4 PEOPLE AS A DELEGATION OF THE PEOPLE)

DAX: YOUR HIGHNESS, MAY I PRESENT MR. LLOYD, MR AND MRS. MOREL, AND MISS WESTIN?

RICHARD: THESE ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PROTESTERS OUTSIDE THE PALACE?

DAX: MR AND MRS. MOREL OWN A FRUIT STAND IN THE MARKET PLACE BUT CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE RENT. MR LLOYD AND MISS WESTIN ARE PRESENTLY UNEMPLOYED.

RICHARD: I SEE. THANK YOU FOR COMING AND FOR LISTENING. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SAN CRISTOBEL. BUT I WANT TO ASSURE YOU SAN CRISTOBEL WILL RISE AGAIN.

MR. MOREL: WE ARE CONCERNED WITH OUR OWN WELFARE. WE ARE STARVING! AND YOU FLY TO AMERICA ON A JET!

RICHARD: YES. I WENT TO AMERICA ON A JET, AS YOU SAY. BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO BRING SOME BUSINESS BACK HERE, TO SAN CRISTOBEL. I MADE A DEAL WITH SPAULDING ENTERPRISES WHO ARE GOING TO BUILD A MICROCHIP MANUFACTURING PLANT HERE ON THE ISLAND.

MISS WESTIN: PRINCE EDMUND CLAIMS YOU WERE IN AMERICA ON PERSONAL BUSINESS.

(SHE GIVES CASSIE THE EVIL EYE….)

RICHARD: WELL, YOU REALLY MUSTN’T LISTEN TO ALL THIS PROPAGANDA. EDMUND IS A DESERTER AND A TRAITOR! AND HE’S ALWAYS BEEN AFTER MY THRONE! AND HE’S WILLING TO INSIGHT A RIOT AND A REVOLT TO GET IT! I WANT TO FIVE YOU SOME HARD FACTS; SOME NUMBERS TO PROVE TO YOU THAT THIS DEAL WITH SPAULDING IS GOING TO PROVIDE JOBS AND IN SEVERAL YEAS OUR DEBT WILL BE WIPED OUT COMPLETELY. YOU’LL SEE!

MR. MOREL: YOUR NUMBERS AND YOUR WORDS ARE MEANINGLESS. YOU HIGHNESS, WE HAVE TO FEED CHILDREN! CLOTHE CHILDREN!

(CASSIE STEPS UP…..)

CASSIE: I KNOW WHAT THAT’S LIKE!

RICHARD: CASSIE,……

CASSIE: THAT’S NOT WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR!

MISS WESTIN: WHO ARE YOU? AND HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR?

CASSIE: MY NAME IS CASSIE LAYNE. I’M A FRIEND. BUT I’VE BEEN WHERE YOU ARE AND I KNOW WHAT IT.’S LIKE TO WONDER WHERE MY NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM. I’VE HAD TO DENY MY CHILDREN. I’VE HAD TO LOOK MY LITTLE GIRL IN THE FACE AND TELL HER SHE CAN’T HAVE NEW CLOTHES OR SECONDS AT DINNER.

RICHARD: CASSIE…(DAX STOPS RICHARD)

CASSIE: I HAVE A FARM AND I GET CALLS FROM THE BANK AND FROM CREDITORS. I’VE HAD TO STRUGGLE FOR EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE AND I HAVE TO KEEP THIS BRAVE FACE FOR MY KIDS AND THE WHOLE TIME, INSIDE I’M SCARED TO DEATH!

MISS WESTIN: I BELIEVE YOU. I CAN SEE IT IN YOUR EYES.

CASSIE: I’M TELLING YOU PRINCE RICHARD HELPED ME WHEN I NEEDED IT AND HE WILL HELP YOU. ALL OF YOU.

(CASSIE TAKES A TIARA AND GIVES IT TO THE PEOPLE)

CASSIE: THIS IS HOW STRONGLY PRINCE RICHARD FEELS ABOUT YOUR PLIGHT. THIS IS A SYMBOL OF THE MONARCHY. HERE, TAKE THIS….TAKE THIS AND BUY FEED AND PAY YOUR DEBTS. PRINCE RICHARD UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU NEED! THAT’S WHY HE WENT TO AMERICA. HE RISKED HIS THRONE FOR YOU! HE KNEW HE COULD’VE COME BACK AND PRINCE EDMUND COULD HAVE TAKEN OVER HIS THRONE AND HE WENT ANYWAY! AND HE BROUGHT BACK SPAULDING ENTERPRISES. HE BROUGHT BACK JOBS….JOBS SO YOU COULD WORK AND GET YOUR SELF RESPECT BACK. ISN’T THAT WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT? TAKE THIS TIARA AS A PEACE OFFERING AND A PROMISE FOR WHAT IS TO COME FROM YOUR PRINCE.

(DAX AND PRINCE RICHARD ARE ENTHRALLED WITH CASSIE. DAX SHOWS THE DELEGATION OUT, THEN RETURNS)

DAX: MR. MOREL JUST TOLD EVERYONE OUTSIDE WHAT HAPPENED IN HERE…AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE CROWD SEEMS TO BE DISPERSING OUTSIDE THE PALACE.

RICHARD: YES, WELL, THAT TIARA WAS WORTH SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF $300,000. THAT SHOULD BUY A LOT OF DISPERSING I SHOULD THINK!

CASSIE: LOOK, I THOUGHT YOU HAD TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING! NOT JUST PROMISES. OKAY, I SHOULD HAVE ASKED! I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY!

RICHARD: THAT’S QUITE ALL RIGHT! DAX, MAKE SURE YOU LOCK UP THE REST OF THE JEWELS! ALL RIGHT?

CASSIE: COME ON NOW! I’VE BEEN THERE, ALL RIGHT? I KNOW WHO THEY FEEL! THEY NED JOBS BUT THEY ALSO WANT THEIR DIGNITY BACK!

DAX: IT APPEARS TO HAVE WORKED WONDERS!

CASSIE: HMMM! IT’S WORKED WONDERS! (SMUG) I’M GOING TO GO CALL MY BABY-SITTER! (SHE LEAVES THE ROOM)

(RICHARD AND DAX WATCH HER LEAVE…DAX GIVES RICHARD A LOOK AND RICHARD JUST SMILES)

(SCENE CHANGES TO JOSH/REVA’S LIVING ROOM…REVA/JOSH/MARAH/SHAYNE/TAMMY AND R.J. ARE PRESENT…..)

TAMMY: HOW LONG WILL WE BE STAYING HERE?

REVA: WELL, THAT’S UP TO YOUR MOMMA. AS FAR AS I’M CONCERNED YOU AND YOUR BROTHER CAN STAY HERE JUST AS LONG AS YOU WANT.

(JOSH TURNS HIS BACK TO REVA AND KIDS…HE IS NOT PLEASED!)

TAMMY: ALL RIGHT!

REVA: ALL RIGHT! WHY DON’T YOU ALL GO INTO THE KITCHEN, GET ALL THE SILVERWARE AND SET THE TABLE.

MARAH: OKAY.

JOSH: I DON’T LIKE THIS.

REVA: WHAT? YOU DON’T LIKE YOUR NIECE AND NEPHEW SPREADING A FEW DAYS WITH US?

JOSH: THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEAN! YOU TOOK CASSIE’S CHILDREN! SHE’S GONE FOR 5 MINUTES AND YOU’RE ACTING LIKE SHE’S NEVER COMING BACK!

REVA: WELL, WE DON’T KNOW HOW LONG SHE’S GOING TO BE GONE. SHE’S STEPPED ON HER FAMILY AND NOW IT’S UP TO US TO CLEAN UP THE MESS!

JOSH: REVA, YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK FROM THIS! YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF WHY YOU’RE DOING THIS TO HER!

(PHONE RINGS……JOSH LEAVES THE ROOM)

REVA: HELLO,

CASSIE: REVA, IT’S CASSIE…..

REVA: HELLO, CASSIE.

CASSIE: ARE TAMMY AND R.J. WITH YOU? THE BABY-SITTER SAID YOU TOOK THEM!

REVA: THEY’RE RIGHT HERE.

CASSIE: WHY? THEY WERE FINE WITH AMY!

REVA: OH! SO IT’S FINE TO LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN WITH A VIRTUAL STRANGER?

CASSIE: OKAY! HOLD ON, REVA, YOU’VE GOT IT ALL WRONG! HOLD ON!

REVA: I UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY, CASSIE. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE MINUTE I LEFT RICHARD YOU WOULD GO RIGHT AFTER IM!

CASSIE: THERE YOU GO! JUMPING TO THE WORST CONCLUSION ABOUT ME, AGAIN!

REVA: HOW LONG ARE YOU STAYING AS A GUEST OF PRINCE RICHARD’S? IS THIS GOING TO BE AN EXTENDED TRIP?

CASSIE: I DON’T KNOW…I DON’T THINK I WANT TO CUT MY HONEYMOON SHORT!

REVA: WHAT?

CASSIE: I’M JUST KIDDING! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU?

REVA: I JUST THINK WHAT YOU’VE DONE IS TERRIBLY IRRESPONSIBLE!

CASSIE: YOU KNOW WHAT? I’M NOT GOING TO GET INTO THIS WITH YOU RIGHT NOW! I’LL TALK TO YOU WHEN I GET HOME! GIVE MY KIDS A KISS FOR ME.

REVA: WHAT ARE YOU AND RICHARD DOING DOWN THERE?

(CASSIE HANGS UP ON REVA…….BACK INSIDE THE THRONE ROOM)

DAX: MISS LAYNE GAVE THEM QUITE A SHOW JUST NOW, SIR!

RICHARD: (LAUGH…..) WELL, I SUPPOSE WE MAN ALWAYS MAKE ANOTHER TIARA!

DAX: SHE HANDLED IT BRILLIANTLY.

RICHARD: YEAH!

DAX: YOU SAW THOSE PEOPLE’S FACES!…..WHEN SHE TALKED TO THEM. WHEN SHE LISTENED TO THEM!

RICHARD: YES, WELL, THEY DID SEEM TO LIKE HER DIDN’T THEY?

DAX: LIKE HER? SHE PUT A STOP TO A POTENTIAL RIOT! YOU ARE WHAT THAT MEANS DON’T YOU? THE PEOPLE ARE STARVING FOR A WOMAN IN THE PALACE! WHAT YOUR ADVISERS HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU IS TRUE! YOU NEED TO GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY’RE MISSING! ANOTHER CATHERINE!……A PRINCESS…..FOR THE PEOPLE!

RICHARD: (SIGH)

(CASSIE COMES BACK INTO THE THRONE ROOM. RICHARD AND DAX TURN AND LOOK AT HER…….)

CASSIE: SORRY TO INTERRUPT! BUT I REALLY NEED TO GET BACK TO SPRINGFIELD. IS YOUR PLANE STILL AVAILABLE OR DO YOU WANT ME TO CHECK INTO A COMMERCIAL…..

RICHARD: IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG AT HOME?

CASSIE: NO, THERE’S A LOT GOING ON AND I HAVE TO GET BACK FOR MY KIDS.

DAX: IF YOU’LL EXCUSE ME, I’VE GOT SOME BUSINESS TO ATTEND TO!

CASSIE: HE THINKS I’M CRAZY DOESN’T HE? FOR LIKE GIVING AWAY THE ROYAL CROWN…

RICHARD: TIARA! IT WAS A DIAMOND STUDDED TIARA! YOU GAVE AWAY! YOU GAVE AWAY. BUT NO, ACTUALLY, DAX FEELS QUITE THE OPPOSITE!

CASSIE: WHATEVER YOU CALL IT! IT WAS WORTH A LOT OF MONEY AND I SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT! I’M SORRY! I SHOULD’VE KEPT MY MOUTH SHUT!

RICHARD: NO, ACTUALLY, WE WERE BOTH, WE WERE BOTH QUITE IMPRESSED WITH HOW YOU HANDLED THINGS!

CASSIE: I’M REALLY GOOD AT GIVING OTHER PEOPLE’S THINGS AWAY! HUH?

RICHARD: YES, IT’S FUNNY….YOU’RE ABLE TO FIVE MY MONEY AWAY BUT YOU REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT WHEN I OFFER TO LOAN IT TO YOU! I’LL NEVER UNDERSTAND YOU, WILL I? WHY WON’T YOU LET ME HELP YOU?

CASSIE: I’M SORRY……

RICHARD: THAT’S ALL RIGHT! I ALREADY KNOW WHY YOU WON’T ACCEPT ANYTHING FROM ME! IT’S BECAUSE OF REVA ISN’T IT? REVA….RIGHT? I THOUGHT WE GOT PAST THAT! YOU KNOW I WANT TO REPAY YOU FOR WHAT YOU JUST DID…..FOR ALL WE KNOW YOU COULD HAVE JUST SAVED MY COUNTRY FROM REVOLT!

CASSIE: I HANDED OVER A DIAMOND TIARA THAT DIDN’T EVEN BELONG TO ME! TO TOWNSMEN! THAT DOESN’T EXACTLY MAKE ME JOAN OF ARC! OKAY, I’M SURPRISED YOU’RE NOT GOING TO PROSECUTE ME OR SOMETHING!

RICHARD: I WANT TO HELP YOU, CASSIE! AND I HAVE US HIDDEN AGENDA! I PROMISE YOU! NO MATTER WHAT I FEEL OR DON’T FEEL FOR YOUR SISTER…THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. YOU’RE HAVING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS…I WANT TO LOAN YOU SOME MONEY AS A FRIEND! THAT’S ALL.

CASSIE: I CAN’T BE YOUR FRIEND, RIGHT NOW!

RICHARD: OH, SO WE’RE NOT FRIENDS ANY LONGER?

CASSIE: WE NEVER WERE FRIENDS, RICHARD!

RICHARD: OUCH! WELL….YOU KNOW…..I ENJOY YOUR COMPANY EVEN IF YOU CAN’T ADMIT THAT YOU ENJOY MINE!

CASSIE: YOU SEEM TO ENJOY A LOT OF WOMEN’S COMPANY! MINE, REVA’S, OLIVIA’S! PROBABLY A DOZEN OTHERS I DON’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT!

RICHARD: NO, IT’S NOT LIKE THAT! AS A MATTER OF FACT IT WAS ALWAYS EDMUND THAT WAS QUITE A HIT WITH THE LADIES! NOT ME! IT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT…..WELL, I’M….SHY!

CASSIE: OH YEAH! SHY!

RICHARD: YOU FIND THAT FUNNY?

CASSIE: YES, I DO! I THINK FINDING YOU UNSURE OF YOURSELF IN ANY WAY, FUNNY!

RICHARD: WELL, I NIGHT HAVE BEEN BORN INTO ALL THIS BUT IT DOESN’T MAKE ME ANY DIFFERENT THAN ANYONE ELSE YOU KNOW? AND AS YOU SEE I DON’T ALWAYS GET WHAT I WANT! PROOF BEING YOU WON’T EVEN LET ME HELP YOU!

CASSIE: YOU DON’T GET IT, DO YOU?

RICHARD: NO, I DON’T. BECAUSE WHEN SOMEONE DOES ME A GOOD TURN MY NATURAL INSTINCT OS TO REPAY THEM WITH WHATEVER CURRENCY I HAVE I THINK IS APPROPRIATE. IN YOUR CASE, IT’S MONEY TO SAVE YOUR FARM! I HAVE IT, YOU NEED IT. THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED. I PROMISE!

CASSIE: I BELIEVE THAT!

RICHARD: WELL, GOOD. THAT’S A START!

CASSIE: BUT YOU DON’T LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD!

RICHARD: UGH….YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT! UGH, BUT I DO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT BEING TOO PROUD! MAYBE THAT’S WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT!

CASSIE: THIS ISN’T ABOUT EXCESSIVE PRIDE! THIS ABOUT KNOWING WHO YOU CAN COUNT ON AND NOT STARTING BAD HABITS!

RICHARD: SO NOW I’M A BAD HABIT, AM I?

CASSIE: NO. YOU DON’T KNOW ME, RICHARD! I WAS PASSED FROM FOSTER HOME TO FOSTER HOME…I GOT INTO A BAD MARRIAGE AT A VERY EARLY AGE. ALL RIGHT?

RICHARD: I’M SORRY, I DIDN’T KNOW.

CASSIE: WELL, I’M NOT TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOUR SYMPATHY! I’M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE NOT BEING ABLE TO COUNT ON ANYONE. AND I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO COME ALONG AND MAKE IT ALL BETTER. AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THAT NEVER HAPPENED….I ALMOST LOST MY LITTLE GIRL AND THERE WAS NO ONE WHO WANTED TO HELP ME. I HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY THAT THE ONLY PERSON I COULD COUNT ON WAS ME! I’VE HAD TO DO THINGS I’M NOT PROUD OF. THAT I WOULD DO AGAIN IF NECESSARY? SO I’M SORRY! THIS ISN’T ABOUT PRIDE! THIS S ABOUT LEARNING HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! AND I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON’T. WHEN YOU THINK…OH I’VE FOUND SOMEONE…I’VE FOUND SOMEONE…SOMEONE WHO WILL BE THERE. NOW IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? IT NEVER IS! I WILL NEVER LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

(CASSIE IS SITTING ON STEP IN THRONE ROOM…RICHARD JOINS HER)

CASSIE: YOU MEAN, DO I HAVE A BIG MOUTH? YES.

RICHARD: NO, THAT’S NOT WHAT I MEANT! I ADMIRE YOUR DETERMINATION AND YOUR RESOLVE. FOR THE WAY YOU’VE HANDLED THE CIRCUMSTANCES LIFE HAS DEALT YOU.

CASSIE: I JUST KNOW WHEN YOU START TO DEPEND ON SOMEONE THAT WHEN YOU GET INTO TROUBLE.

RICHARD: RIGHT! SO YOU’D RATHER STARVE THAN TAKE A FARTHING FROM A PRINCE?

CASSIE: I KNOW HOW IT SOUNDS, OK? I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR ME! FOR MY DIGNITY! SO I DO WITHOUT A FEW THINGS! IT’S WORTH IT! AND I’LL MAKE IT WORK SOMEHOW.

RICHARD: AND HOW IS SOMEHOW?

CASSIE: I DON’T KNOW! I DON’T KNOW! BUT THAT ENTRUSTED THE FARM TO ME BECAUSE HE KNEW I COULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

RICHARD: AH, HART, YOUR FIANCÉ!

CASSIE: YEAH. E LOVED THE FARM! HE FELT SO ALIVE WHEN HE WAS THERE. THAT’S WHERE HIS GRANDFATHER RAISED HIM. SO IT’S NOT A PIECE OF REAL ESTATE, OR A BUNCH OF BUILDINGS. IT’S A PASTURE WHERE HIS GRANDFATHER TAUGHT HIM TO RIDE. IT’S WHERE OUR SON WAS CONCEIVED YOU KNOW?

RICHARD: IT’S A PART OF YOU!

CASSIE: YEAH, IT IS. AND HART BELIEVED I COULD MAKE IT WORK. AND I INTEND TO PROVE HE WAS RIGHT!

RICHARD: WELL, I BELIEVE YOU WILL. THE PLANE IS READY AND YOU WILL BE BACK IN SPRINGFIELD FY TONIGHT!

CASSIE: GREAT, THANK YOU.

RICHARD: UM, CASSIE, ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER ABOUT NOT WANTING TO ACCEPT MY HELP. I DO UNDERSTAND. I DON’T LIKE TO BE INDEBTED TO ANYONE EITHER.

CASSIE: I DON’T THINK ANYONE DOES!

RICHARD: BUT IT LEAVES ME IN A BIT OF A QUANDARY, YOU SEE. BECAUSE I STILL FEEL I OWE YOU FOR HOW YOU HANDLED THAT DELEGATION EARLIER.

CASSIE: OK, WELL, I GAVE AWAY A VERY EXPENSIVE TIARA SO WHY DON’T WE CALL IT EVEN!

RICHARD: YES, WELL, BUT ARE YOU SURE……

CASSIE: LOOK. THERE’S SOMETHING I CAN DO. SOMETHING THAT I DIDN’T WANT TO DO TO SAVE THE FARM SO I’M OKAY. I’LL BE FINE. I JUST NEED TO WASH MY FACE AND GET READY FOR THE PLANE RIDE HOME.

RICHARD: RIGHT….WELL IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND……

CASSIE: WON’T!

RICHARD: RIGHT!

CASSIE: THANK YOU.

(RICHARD LEAVES THE ROOM. DAX CALLS AFTER HIM IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE OF THE THRONE ROOM)

DAX: YOUR HIGHNESS, I’VE BEEN OUTSIDE FIELDING QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS. THE PALACE IS SURROUNDED!

RICHARD: WHAT DO YOU MEAN? WHY?

DAX: THEY’RE EATING UP THE STORY ABOUT +THE PRINCE GIVING THE TIARA TO THE PEOPLE! NATURALLY, I PUT MY OWN SPIN ON THINGS! AND NOW THEY WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU.

RICHARD: WHY DO THEY WANT TO SPEAK TO ME?

DAX: I…UGH…GOT A LITTLE CARRIED AWAY!

RICHARD: ALL RIGHT, DAX, TELL THEM I’LL MEET WITH THEM LATER TONIGHT! IT’S GOOD STRATEGY. RIGHT?

DAX: WELL, THAT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU INTEND TO TELL THEM. AFTER ALL…THERE STILL REMAINS THE QUESTION ABOUT A PRINCESS! AN HEIR!

RICHARD: YES, WELL, UM…I’LL THINK OF SOMETHING. ALL RIGHT?

(DAX LOOKS TOWARD THRONE ROOM WHERE CASSIE IS AS RICHARD WALKS AWAY)

(INSIDE THRONE ROOM, CASSIE IS ON PHONE WITH A PAWN BROKER)

CASSIE: YES, WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU TOMORROW IF POSSIBLE. I HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT RING TO SELL. NO, I CAN’T WAIT THAT LONG. I NEED THE NOW.. GREAT. 3 WILL B FINE.

(CASSIE LOOKS AT A PHOTO OF RICHARD AND TURNS IT FACE DOWN)

CASSIE: (SIGH), I’VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE!

(CASSIE LEAVES)

RICHARD: OK, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT I WILL MEET THE DELEGATES N THE THRONE ROOM TONIGHT!

DAX: ITS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO APPEASE THEM, SIR, GIVING THEM A FORUM TO AIR THEIR FEELINGS IS ONE THING, BUT HAVING AN ANSWER….

RICHARD: I FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M UP AGAINST, DAX! ALL RIGHT?

DAX: YOUR MAJESTY, FORGIVE ME, I FEEL IT IS MY DUTY TO INFORM YOU THAT…UGH…OF THE KIND OF TALK THAT’S GOING ON OUTSIDE THE PALACE!

RICHARD: TALK? WHAT TALK?

DAX: THERE IS A BELIEF AMONGST THE PEOPLE THAT THE MONARCHY IS LOSING ITS VIABILITY.

RICHARD: YOU MEAN THAT I AM LOSING M VIABILITY, DON’T YOU? DAX THAT I AM NO MONGER A VIABLE MONARCH BECAUSE I DON’T HAVE AN HEIR?

DAX: FORGIVE ME, SIR. BUT STABILITY BEGINS WITH THE THRONE. THE PEOPLE LOOK TO YOU FIRST!

RICHARD: I’VE GOT THE MESSAGE, DAX, ALL RIGHT? SO PUT A SOCK IN IT! ALL RIGHT?

(RICHARD SEES A WRAPPED GIFT ON THE MANTLE)

DAX: THIS WAS LEFT FOR YOU. I BELIEVE IT’S FROM MISS LAYNE.

RICHARD: FROM CASSIE? I WONDER WHAT THIS COULD BE!

(RICHARD OPENS GIFT AND FINDS CASSIE’S BASEBALL CAP…READS HER NOTE…)

THE NOTE:

DEAR RICHARD,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY AND YOUR OFFER TO BAIL ME OUT. BUT IF YOU HAVEN’T FIGURED IT OUT I LIKE TO THINK OF MYSELF AS A SURVIVOR. AND I WILL SURVIVE THIS. AND AFTER MEETING SOME OF THEM I BELIEVE YOUR COUNTRYMEN ARE SURVIVORS, TOO. I HAVE EVERY FAITH YOU’LL GET THEM AND YOURSELF THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME. I DO STILL FEEL BAD ABOUT GIVING AWAY THE EXPENSIVE DIAMOND TIARA. I KNOW IT HAD GREAT SENTIMENTAL VALUE TO YOU. JUST AS THIS SLIGHTLY LESS EXPENSIVE HAT HAS FOR ME. AND IT’S PROBABLY BETTER AT KEEPING THE SUN OUT OF YOUR EYES. ENJOY.

YOURS,

CASSIE

DAX: QUITE A REMARKABLE YOUNG WOMAN.

RICHARD: YEAH, SHE CERTAINLY IS.

(LATER THAT NIGHT…THE DELEGATES MEET WITH RICHARD AND DAX IN THE THRONE ROOM)

MAN #1: HOW CAN YOU PLAN FOR THE FUTURE FOR THE COUNTRY WHEN YOU CAN’T EVEN PLAN FOR AN HEIR?

MAN #2: IT’S LIKE THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING. "THE MONARCHY IS DEAD!"

MAN #1: AND MAYBE SAN CRISTOBEL WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT IT. THERE’S NO ROYAL FAMILY ANY MORE. NO LINEAGE ANYMORE.

DAX: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS AND I ERE DISCUSSING THE SAME SUBJECT THIS MORNING! AND WE ARE PRESENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RECTIFYING THE SITUATION. PRICE RICHARD WILL BE ANNOUNCING HIS ENGAGEMENT NEXT MONTH.

MAN #1: ARE YOU ENGAGED TO OLIVIA SPENCER AGAIN? IS SHE THE ONE?

RICHARD: I’M AFRAID IT IS A LITTLE EARLY TO BE DISCUSSING DETAILS. COL., DAX HERE HAS BEEN VERY PREMATURE!

(THE DELEGATES ARE THRILLED)

DAX: A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE MADE SOON, I ASSURE YOU.

MAN #1: YOU SAID NEXT MONTH!

DAX: THAT’S RIGHT. NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN….

RICHARD: THANK YOU VERY MUCH I’M GOING TO HAVE TO LEAVE…PLEASE, LADIES

AND GENTLEMAN.

(DAX SHOWS THE DELEGATION OUT OF THE THRONE ROOM)

RICHARD: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BLOODY MIND? I SHOULD HAVE YOU DRAWN AND QUARTERED FOR FLOATING SUCH A PREPOSTEROUS STORY!

DAX: I’M SORRY, SIR. BUT SOMETHING HAD TO BE DONE! YOU HEARD THEM. THE COUNTRY IS FALLING APART. THE PEOPLE WANT SOME SIGN OF HOPE… STABILITY. THEY WANT THIS MARRIAGE AND YOU OWE THEM THAT!

RICHARD: AND WHO AM I TO MARRY, DAX? HMMM? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THAT? HAVE YOU FOUND ME A BRIDE? OR SHALL WE HOLD A NATIONAL LOTTERY TO CHOOSE ME A PRINCESS?

DAX: THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A MARRIAGE ABOUT LOVE. TRADITIONALLY ROYAL MARRIAGES AREN’T! BUT YOU NEED THIS IF YOUR REIGN IS TO SURVIVE!

RICHARD: COL. DAX, I WANT YOUR TO LISTEN TO ME, ALL RIGHT? IF I HAVE DECISIONS TO MAKE…ABOUT MY COUNTRY…AND ABOUT MY PERSONAL LIFE…I WILL MAKE THEM MYSELF! THANK YOU VERY MUCH! NOW, I WANT YOU TO FIX THIS…TONIGHT! BEFORE THE MORNING PAPERS GET A HOLD OF IT. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME? FIX IT! TONIGHT!

(DAX BOWS AND EXITS)

(CASSIE GOES TO REVA’S TO PICK UP HER CHILDREN. SHE AND REVA ARGUE CASSIE’S REASON FOR GOING TO SAN CRISTOBEL. IS REVA JEALOUS? THE KIDS ARE ASLEEP SO CASSIE LEAVES THEM AT REVA’S FOR THE RIGHT. SHE ARRIVES HOME TO FIND HOLLY. THEY TALK THEN CASSIE REALIZES SHE HAS BEEN ROBBED BY SAM KERSHAW. EVERYTHING OF VALUE IS GONE INCLUDING THE ENGAGEMENT RING SHE PLANNED TO SELL TO SAVE THE FARM.)

(DAX ENTERS THRONE ROOM. RICHARD HAS CASSIE’S BASEBALL CAP ON. HE SNATCHES IT OFF AND LOCKS IT AND THE NOTE IN A CABINET . DAX BRINGS A NOTE TO RICHARD…)

RICHARD: WHAT IS THIS, DAX? HMMM? A LIST OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR ME TO MARRY?

(DAX LOOKS WORRIED. RICHARD SNATCHES THE NOTE FROM DAX)

DAX: NO, SIR. THIS WAS JUST DELIVERED BY ONE OF EDMUND’S MEN. I DETERRED HIM BUT HE KNEW NOTHING. SIMPLY A MESSENGER. WHAT DOES YOUR BROTHER WANT?

RICHARD: JUST WHAT I EXPECTED…HE WANTS TO MEET ME…ALONE.

DAX: NO, NO, NO, NO YOU CAN’T GO. IT COULD BE A PLOT TO KILL YOU!

RICHARD: EDMUND WOULDN’T DO THAT. HE WOULDN’T KILL ME!

DAX: HE’S NOT THE BROTHER YOU REMEMBER. YOU KNOW WHAT HE IS CAPABLE OF!

RICHARD: I KNOW THAT HE IS…..

DAX: YOU CANNOT TRUST HIM!

RICHARD: I KNOW THAT HE IS DESPERATE, DAX! AND IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE I CAN RESOLVE THE SITUATION THEN I HAVE TO TAKE IT, DON’T I?

DAX: AND IF YOU INSIST ON DOING THIS THEN LET ME SEND SOME GUARDS WITH YOU.

RICHARD: NO, THIS IS BETWEEN EDMUND AND MYSELF. IT’S TIME WE SETTLE THIS ONCE AND FOR ALL.

(DAX WATCHES AS RICHARD LEAVES THE THRONE ROOM)