Scenario:Romeo - The World Is Our Stage

The World Is Our Stage

After receiving an invitation from Juliet to see a public performance of a theatrical troupe, (Captain) and the crew find themselves visiting Montague territory. They decide to explore the stalls while they wait for their rendezvous with Juliet. It is there, at the busy square, that they encounter a group of hooligans planning to abduct Juliet.

---

Some time has passed since Romeo joined the crew.

One day a letter from Juliet invites them to see a play in Verona.

The central plaza of Montague is bustling thanks to the arrival of the theater ship.

Romeo: The Fortune Theater isn't as storied as the Globe, but Juliet and I are quite partial to it.

Romeo: We've returned many, many times.

Vyrn: Hmm... You don't get bored watching the same thing over and over again?

Romeo: Nope. That's because theater is alive.

Romeo: Depending on the directors, performers, and other factors, a play can take many different forms.

Lyria: I see! I'm learning lots today!

Romeo: Juliet and I can recite entire scripts from memory. We're fervent fans.

Romeo: And it's only natural that we've developed a sharp eye.

Vyrn: Haha! You two will be hard to please!

Romeo: Heh. That may be the case.

Romeo: There's still time before we meet Juliet. Why don't we check out some stalls?

Lyria: Ooh, yes! Let's go, (Captain)!

At the same time a woman accompanied by two men looks around the bustling plaza.

???: Take a good look around, you two!

???: Tonight we say good-bye to the life we're used to.

Angry-Looking Man: Do you really think they're going to show up in this crowd? I'm not so sure anymore...

Thickset Man: I'm hungry, Rosaline...

Rosaline: What? You just pigged out a moment ago!

Heavyset Man: But... I'm hungry again... I can't go on...

Rosaline: Tch. Fine, I'll go get you something. Just wait over there and don't do anything stupid!

Rosaline heads for the food stands.

Vyrn: How can candy apple be this delicious?

Lyria: Nothing beats these chocolate-covered bananas! They're so sweet!

Romeo: Hehe, I'm glad you're enjoying yourselves.

At that moment Rosaline and Romeo accidentally bump into each other.

Rosaline: Watch where you're going, dimwit!

Romeo: I'm sorry. Are you all right? Oh no!

Romeo notices the corn-on-the-cob that Rosaline had dropped because of their collision.

Romeo apologizes profusely and buys another one for Rosaline.

Romeo: Please take this as a token of my apology.

Rosaline: F-fine, don't make a big deal out of it!

Romeo: As an additional sign of penance, I offer you this as well.

Romeo hands Rosaline a stick of cotton candy.

Rosaline: R-right... Thanks!

Rosaline leaves in a hurry.

She returns to her companions bearing the two snacks.

Thickset Man: Thanks, Rosaline.

The heavyset man reaches for the corn and the cotton candy.

Rosaline: Hands off! This one's mine!

Rosaline pulls the cotton candy close to her chest, shielding it with her arms.

Angry-Looking Man: Target sighted. And she's got a huge entourage with her...

Angry-Looking Man: Get into your positions, you two.

Rosaline: Got it!

Thickset Man: Wait... for me...

Rosaline heads off to mark the target.

Juliet: My dear Romeo, what do you have there?

Romeo: Why, it's a fluffy expression of my restless heart.

Juliet: Hee hee...

Juliet giggles as she receives the cotton candy.

Standing with her is the man who had also given Rosaline some cotton candy not so long ago.

Even from a distance it's clear that these two are deeply in love with each other.

Rosaline: Humph... I'm such an idiot...

Rosaline throws her cotton candy into the trash.

Rosaline: Let's move out!

A group of street punks suddenly confronts the crew.

Lyria: Eek! Oh no... my chocolate banana...

Thickset Man: S-sorr—

Angry-Looking Man: Stop that! What're you apologizing for?

Thickset Man: S-sorr—

Angry-Looking Man: Shut up! Hey kiddos, I got nothing against ya, but care to entertain us for a bit?

Thickset Man: H-here I come! Come on, guys!

Hired Thugs: ...!

Vyrn: What a buncha weirdos...

Romeo: Yes, but it looks like they mean business. Stand firm, (Captain)!

The World Is Our Stage: Scene 2

Romeo and the crew scatter the ruffians, but Juliet is abducted amid the scuffle. The crew corners the kidnapper, who turns out to be the woman Romeo had bumped into earlier at the food stands.

---

Angry-Looking Man: Ugh... These people fight like monsters...

Angry-Looking Man: We've got no choice. Fall back!

Thickset Man: W-wait for meee!

Outmatched, the ruffians make a run for it.

Vyrn: Get back here, you punks!

Romeo: Wait!

Romeo comes to the realization that Juliet is no longer with them.

From the corner of his eye he spots a shadowy figure dragging Juliet away.

Romeo: Over there! After her!

Lyria: That woman is kidnapping Juliet?

Juliet, who has been knocked out from a sleeping potion, is being carried away over the woman's shoulder. The crew chases close behind.

Rosaline: Argh! Those good for nothing louts can't even do a simple task!

Vyrn: Hey! Someone stop that woman!

Romeo: That won't do.

Romeo: Listen up, citizens! I, Romeo, offer a reward to anyone who captures that woman!

Townsperson 1: Huh? Is that Romeo?

Townsperson 2: Whoa, did you hear that? We'll get a reward if we stop her!

Romeo's words rouse the crowd into action. They quickly block off Rosaline's escape route.

Rosaline: No!

Rosaline makes a sudden turn and runs to the only option she has left.

Vyrn: Ack! She ran into the theater ship!

Romeo: You won't get away from me!

Rosaline runs from room to room in desperation, knocking down anyone who gets in her way.

Rosaline: Move, move, move! Anyone who doesn't get outta my way is gonna get hurt!

The crew eventually corners Rosaline in the dressing room.

Rosaline: Damn! I was so close...

Romeo: You're that woman from before...

Rosaline: I'm flattered you remember me!

Romeo: ...

Rosaline: Come any closer and the princess gets it!

Romeo: Stop this farce. If you were going to kill her, you would've done it already.

Rosaline: Heh... You got me there. It's all your fault. You ruined everything...

Romeo: I beg you to please release Juliet and surrender.

Rosaline: What if I say no?

Romeo: Then I will do everything in my power to stop you.

Rosaline: You piss me off.

Rosaline: After coming this far, do you really think I can just say sorry?

Romeo: Stop! Don't hurt her!

Rosaline: Idiot. I wouldn't hurt a lady.

Rosaline: Does it bother you so much, Prince Charming? Then kill me and rescue her yourself!

The moment Rosaline finishes shouting some men force their way in with a crash.

Thickset Man: W-wait! Stop!

Vyrn: It's those weirdos from before!

Angry-Looking Man: Tch... What are you doing, Rosaline? We gotta get outta here!

Rosaline: You guys... What are you doing here?

Angry-Looking Man: He insisted on it.

Thickset Man: Y-yeah, but...

Rosaline: Geez... How foolish. That includes you guys too.

Thickset Man: Hey, Prince! You're gonna have to go through us!

Hired Thugs: ...!

The World Is Our Stage: Scene 3

Juliet is safely rescued from her kidnappers, but two lead actors of that night's play are injured in the commotion. Romeo and Juliet fill in for them, providing a spectacular performance that will be remembered for a long time to come.

---

Angry-Looking Man: Huff... You guys are tough...

Thickset Man: Urgh... Sorr—

Rosaline: Enough. We surrender. Do what you want with us.

Juliet is rescued safe and sound.

Rosaline and her group are handed over to the guards on kidnapping charges.

Romeo: Juliet!

Juliet: Romeo? I...

The crew explains what happened to Juliet.

Juliet: Did that really happen? I'm sorry for causing everyone so much trouble.

Romeo: No. It was my fault for not being more vigilant...

There's a knock at the door, and the theater director walks in.

Theater Director: Sigh... This won't do at all...

Lyria: What happened?

Theater Director: Oh, as if you didn't know!

Theater Director: Thanks to the ruckus you people raised, our two stars are hurt, and the show's about to start!

Vyrn: No way! Don't you have any stand-ins?

Theater Director: The curtain's about to go up! I don't have time to look!

Juliet blames herself for the commotion and apologizes.

Juliet: I will compensate your theater for any losses caused by the play's cancellation.

Theater Director: Pfft! I don't care if you're a princess or whatever, but that's not the problem here!

Theater Director: We're traveling performers, not traveling no-shows. What purpose do we have if we can't entertain tonight's audience?

Romeo: I'm sorry. This is my fault as well.

Theater Director: I have to think of a way to ask the audience to leave without angering them.

Juliet: If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask!

Romeo: Yes. I too will do what I can.

Juliet: Oh? What's that?

Juliet spies the script in the director's hands.

Juliet: Excuse me, but may I please see that script?

Theater Director: Hm? Sure, have at it.

The puzzled director hands the script over to Juliet.

Juliet: It couldn't be... Are we aboard the Fortune Theater?

Theater Director: Have you gone daft? Of course we are!

Juliet: Oh my... How wonderful!

Juliet: I can't believe it... I'm standing in the dressing room of the Fortune Theater!

Juliet: Look around, Romeo! We are in the Fortune Theater!

Romeo: Yes... So we are, Juliet.

Juliet, in high spirits, starts reciting from memory the lines of that night's play.

Romeo, without missing a beat, follows her lead, matching her word for word.

Theater Director: ...

Lyria: Wow!

Vyrn: Bravo...

The crew watches in awe while the two performers become lost in their own world.

Juliet: Oh my! I'm sorry for getting carried away at a time like this!

Romeo: My apologies. Before I knew it, my mouth was running on its own!

Theater Director: Hmm... I believe you two told me you'd do anything to help, am I right?

Moments later (Captain), Lyria, and Vyrn find their seats among the rest of the audience. They can hardly contain their jitters.

Lyria: (Romeo. Juliet. Break a leg!)

Vyrn: (This tension can't be good for my heart.)

The stage is set, and the curtain rises. Though the tension is palpable, Romeo and Juliet launch into their dialogue.

Not a breath from the audience can be heard as the play moves from exposition to climax. All eyes are focused on the drama before them.

And after the final line is uttered, the lights grow dim, and the curtain silently falls.

A deafening silence looms in the auditorium before the audience finally snaps back to reality. Rousing cheers and praise shake the airship.

Romeo: Incredible... To think my day on the stage would finally come!

Juliet: Yes. One of my dreams came true today!

Romeo: One of your dreams? What else do you dream of?

Juliet: Our promise. Did you forget?

Romeo: Oh... Of course not.

Romeo and Juliet share a look of contentment as they're called back for the curtain call.

Their reunion under the bright lights is one befitting of center stage.