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Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays

SCENE I.

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[The Wazir's garden. Discovered left to right, the Nubian, standing with folded arms, the Vizier, seated at the chess table, playing with the Wazir. At the other side of the stage, the Princess, her attendant, her two slaves. All stand motionless until set in action by the Maker of Sounds.]

The MusicThe Pantomime, etc.

Tap—on Chinese wood blockNubian unfolds his arms

TapHe salaams

TapResumes original pose

TapVizier moves a chessman

TapWazir moves a chessman

TapVizier moves a chessman

TapWazir picks up snuff-box

TapOpens it

TapOffers Vizier snuff

TapVizier takes a pinch

Sand blocksSniffs it

Drum crashVizier sneezes

Drum crashSneezes again

No soundSneezes again

Nubian sneezes synchronously with Vizier's paroxysms

TapVizier returns snuff-box

TapWazir puts it away

BellPrincess yawns

TapSignals her attendant

TapAttendant picks up telescope

TapHands it to Princess

Wind instrumentPrincess uses telescope

[The middle portion of the back drop is lifted to show the "Distance" in which the Shepherd is discovered piping for the Goat's dancing.]

Stringed instrumentThe Shepherd sees the Princess, stops piping, and declares his adoration across the distance. He beckons her to join him.

Princess promises to do so.

[The lifted portion of the drop is lowered again. The "Distance" vanishes.]

TapPrincess signals to her retinue

TapAttendant relays the signal

TapSlaves stoop.

TapLift the hope chests to their shoulders

Bass chord on stringed instrumentPrincess and retinue take one step downstage

Treble chordAll lean forward, watching Wazir

Drum crashWazir and Vizier stand up

Drum crashThey glare at Princess

Tap on wood blockThey sit

Bass chordVizier yawns

Bass chordWazir yawns

Bass chordNubian yawns

Bass chordVizier nods

Bass chordWazir nods

Bass chordNubian drops on one knee

Treble chordPrincess and retinue lean forward

Bass chordThey take one step

[A continuation of this business takes them off at the left]

The lights go out

Cymbal crash [In the darkness. Princess and retinue cross to right of stage, ready for Scene II]

The plain drop is lowered

Cymbal crashThe lights come up

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