Scenario:By Any Other Name - Chapter 1: The Towering Wall - Episode 2

By Any Other Name - Chapter 1: The Towering Wall - Episode 2

Emotions are running high in the Montague district due to fear and anger at their government and the neighboring Capulets. A scuffle suddenly breaks out among Montague citizens, which prompts the city soldiers to get involved.

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Merchant: I can't reduce the price any more. I've got practically no margin left!

Townswoman 1: It's still too much. Can't you do anything at all?

Merchant: Hey, I'm not the one you should be complaining to.

Residents are lamenting the sudden jump in prices in the central market of Montague.

Townsman 1: Well, at least things are a little more stable now that Romeo's back, don't you think?

Townswoman 2: Yeah, that's true. I suppose it's not like before when the price of wheat would double in a day.

Townswoman 1: You say that now, but if things go on like this, we won't be able to afford to live, ya know?

Townswoman 2: All we can do is endure it, okay? Romeo will fix things in the end.

Townsman 2: Bah! Some lord he is, leaving his own land in it's greatest time of need. He's unreliable.

Townsman 1: Hey, don't say things you can't take back.

Townswoman 1: Speaking of which, did you hear the rumors about his affair with Princess Juliet Capulet?

Merchant: Huh? What's that all about?

Townsman 1: Get outta here. That's gotta be wrong... Right?

Merchant: It's those Capulets that are to blame for everything! It's their fault life's so hard for us!

Townsman 2: Our lord's selling us out to the Capulets. That's what he's doing.

Townswoman 2: Oh, don't be ridiculous! Just listen to yourself!

Townsman 1: What if he is though? Then what would happen to us, huh?

Townswoman 2: I'm telling you to knock it off!

Townswoman 1: Oh, I see. You're on their side, you Capulet sympathizer!

Townswoman 2: No, I'm not! I just think Romeo is—

Townsman 2: Didn't you hear what I said before? That Romeo's a backstabber!

Montague Escort: Hey! What's all the ruckus?

Townsman 2: Oh look, here come the guards. If you were any good at your jobs, we wouldn't be suffering so much!

Montague Escort: What was that? If you're looking for trouble, then you can come with me right now!

Townswoman 1: Oooh, what a big shot! All you got are your muscles to keep us in line!

Townsman 1: If you think we're just going to sit back and take it, then you're sadly mistaken!

Montague Escort: Tch! Talking will get us nowhere. Call for reinforcements!

Romeo goes over some documents in his castle chambers.

There's a quiet knock on the door.

???: Lord Montague.

Lord Montague: Balthasar? Come in.

Balthasar: Excuse me, my lord. I've come to inform you that it's time for the meeting.

Lord Montague: Ah, is it that time already? I'll be there in a moment.

Balthasar: Um, my lord?

Lord Montague: Yes? What is it?

Balthasar: Were you unable to get a good night's rest? You appear quite pale.

Lord Montague: It's nothing serious.

Balthasar: Of course. However, I implore you not to overexert yourself, my lord.

Lord Montague: Thank you. There just aren't enough hours in the day.

Lord Montague: Anyway we can't keep everyone waiting. Come.

Balthasar: Yes, my lord.

Balthasar lowers his head with a worried look on his face and follows behind his lord.