NATHANIEL

ACT III – SCENE A

BENEATH THE MASK

Gray: *shakes off the people dragging him* Get off me!
Darn it, old man! I don’t care about your mission of world
domination, leave me out of this!

Bookman: *laughs villainously* Oh, you’re part of this, Gray. You and the
people who live like you are why I exist. You aren’t leaving this
world until you really listen to me.

Gray: Wait, what do you mean— *looks around; eyes widen*

Wh-what is this place? Where have you taken me?!

Bookman: *shrugs* Nothing special. I call it the Imagi-Nation. Every single

story that came from the consciousness resides here. We are at
the Table of Contents, see?
*points at the podium at the center of the stage*

Gray: …that’s a podium.

Bookman: *feigns ignorance* La, la, la, still made of wood!

*exasperatedly mutters under his breath* Budget cuts suck.
Think of this as a point of origin from which all stories, real or
fictional, come from. *shuffles pages* Ah, here we are. Children’s
stories, just after creation stories and myths.

Gray: You’re really convinced that a story for kids can change my
worldview, huh? Good luck with that.

Bookman: Positive. Ah, this makes a good entrée. Let’s begin the show, shall
we? *flips to a page*

TWK: *enters stage L and sings* Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any
wool?

Black *enters, following TWK and sings* Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Three bags
Sheep (BS): full. One for the master and one for the dame, one for the little boy
who lives down the lane.

TWK: *sings* Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?

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 NATHANIEL

BS: *sings* Yes, sir! Yes, sir! Three bags full. *looks at Bookman, eyes
widen* Oh, Bookman! It’s been so lo-o-ong, sir.

Bookman: Indeed, it has. It’s pretty cold here, too.

TWK: Truly, my good friend! That is why I’ve asked this helpful sheep to
provide warmth to the people with its dark wool. I may have taken
too many, I’m afraid, but no matter! The people are happy.

BS: I’m so glad I could he-e-elp, Your Majesty!

Gray: …what rubbish. This is what you wanted me to see, Bookman?

What a fool you are. A simple story with a heinous backstory.

TWK: I see you’ve brought a friend, dear teller! He seems to be in a

grumpy mood. What seems to be the matter?

Gray: You say it’s wool for the people? Hah, as if I’d believe such a lie!
History says that people prospered because of the wool trade, and
like the greedy king you are, you took advantage of it!

TWK: *suppressing his anger* Watch your tongue, boy. You might speak
words you might regret.

BS: Oh, no! He-e-e’s getting angry, again!

Gray: Why would I regret telling the truth? You are no king. You are a
thief!
TWK:
*unsheaths sword* That’s it, Bookman! I will punish this truant
you’ve brought upon my land—
Bookman:
Not on my watch! *flips page over*
TWK:
*jerks and unwillingly leaves stage R* What’s happening to me?!
Why isn’t my body listening to me? Get back here, you little—
BS:
*waves goodbye, following TWK* Bye, baa-a-a-a-a!
Gray:
*gulps and lets out a sigh of relief* I didn’t know that I can get
attacked in this world!

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