voice offstage: MACBETH! MACBETH! MACBEEEEEEEEEEEETH!
(Belasco runs on stage, met by a frantic Natalie)
Natalie: HEY. Do you have any idea what you're doing? (beat) You're going to wake him up.
(Belasco continues with search)
Natalie: Don't say I didn't warn you.
Belasco: MACBETH!
(Macbeth enters)
Macbeth: And why exactly must you shout for me?
Belasco: They're doing another one. They're doing another one! I didn't think they'd try again so soon after last time, but there they are... (rambles on as scene continues)
Macbeth: But look at how he riddles, tell me, dear,
if you recall: just now, was I asleep?
Natalie: I tried to tell him I-
Macbeth: Of course. But now, am I awake?
Natalie: Apparently so, but that's not my-
Macbeth: Enough. If I must wake, let him who woke
me say what must be said. Belasco (Belasco stops rambling), friend,
my brother, kindred spirit, what demands
attention more than dreams and peace of me?
Belasco: You know, I can't decipher iambic pentameter as well as some, but I think I detect a hint of sarcasm in your endearments.
Macbeth: BELASCO. Please, I beg of you. Speak plain.
Belasco: Macbeth, old friend, in troth, I ask the same.
(Macbeth rages, Belasco laughs)
Belasco: Alright, keep your breetches on. The company. They have started rehearsals.
Macbeth: So soon?
Belasco: I know! I can't believe they would already be working on something. You'd think they'd wait a little longer
Macbeth: I had hoped that would be the case. It's always hard for the new members of our band when they are still accepting-
(Alicia wanders on stage)
Natalie: Oh! Hello Alicia, I didn't think you'd be up yet!
Alicia: Am I interrupting something?
Natalie: Nothing to worry about. (Making it up as
she goes along) I'm heading to the costume shop to do some work, care to
join?
Alicia: I just came from there, the place is pristine.
Natalie: Yes, that's the problem. Too many green ribbons in one corner, let’s
go.
(Natalie & Alicia exit)
Belasco: I don't know why we can't just tell her-
Macbeth: Yes, you do.
Belasco: You're the boss. So what's the plan?
Macbeth: We gather the others and bring out the scales.
Belasco: I really don't think the ritual is necessary here, we can just-
Macbeth: It's not up for discussion.
Belasco: But Mackers, it's always the same anyway-
Macbeth: I said it's not up for discussion.
Belasco: I already have some great ideas, and they're starting on the set tomorrow-
Macbeth: Enough! I ask one simple thing of you-
Respect my place and my authority.
The Fates are wise, and they will soon decide
What outcome best will suit the play at hand.
Look you remember that our duty was,
Is now, and ever more will be the same:
To do the will presented to our band
By Fate. You know full well the consequence
we find when pride and selfishness replace
our vow which ties us to the Fates' request.
Belasco: Yeah, yeah. I got it.
Macbeth: Do you? Do you, sir?
Mistake me not, your history has shown
The truth of you- oh yes, proud selfish man.
Your actions, governed by your will alone
Cause action from the fates against their plan.
Belasco: (resigned) I know better than to argue with you when you're speaking in rhyming couplets. I'll get the others, oh great leader of our company.
(Belasco exits, whistling.)
NEXT SCENE
