SIDE 1

(CINDERELLA'S PRINCE crosses the stage. He is met by RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE.)

RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE

Ah, there you are, good brother. Father and I had wondered where you had gone.

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

I have been looking all night... for her.

(BAKER'S WIFE appears behind a tree and eavesdrops.)

The beautiful one I danced the evening with.

RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE

Where did she go?

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

Disappeared.

RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE

I, too, have found a lovely maiden. She lives in the top of a tall tower that has no door or stairs.

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

And how do you manage a visit?

RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE

I stand beneath her tower and say, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair to me." And then she lowers the longest, most beautiful head of hair - yellow as corn-

(BAKER'S WIFE reacts.)

-which I climb to her.

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

(starts laughing hysterically)

Rapunzel! What kind of name is that? You jest!

RAPUNZEL'S PRINCE

She is as true as your maiden. A maiden running from a prince? Does that make sense? None would run from us.

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

Yet one has.

SIDE 2

(CINDERELLA enters, as if pursued. CINDERELLA falls at the feet of BAKER'S WIFE, losing one slipper.)

CINDERELLA

(recognizing BAKER'S WIFE)

Hello. It's these slippers.

BAKER'S WIFE

I'd say those slippers were as pure as gold.

CINDERELLA

Yes. They are all you could wish for in beauty.

(CINDERELLA takes the slipper back.)

BAKER'S WIFE

What I wouldn't give for just one.

CINDERELLA

One is not likely to do you much good. I must run.

(BAKER'S WIFE grabs a shoe.)

BAKER'S WIFE

And I must have your shoe.

CINDERELLA

Stop that!

(The two engage in a tug-of-war over the shoe, and the dialogue overlaps.)

BAKER'S WIFE

I need it to have a baby!

CINDERELLA

(through clenched teeth)

And I need it to get out of here!

(CINDERELLA wins the battle over the shoe and desperately runs offstage; BAKER'S WIFE is embarrassed by her own behavior. BAKER'S WIFE straightens herself up as CINDERELLA'S PRINCE with STEWARD bound onstage, only to curtsey deeply again.)

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

Where did she go?

BAKER'S WIFE

Who?

STEWARD

Don't play the fool, woman.

BAKER'S WIFE

Oh! You mean the beautiful young maiden in the ball gown? She went in that direction. I was trying to hold her here for you...

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

I can capture my own damsel, thank you.

(CINDERELLA'S PRINCE and STEWARD dash offstage.)

SIDE 3

(BAKER'S WIFE drops to the ground and searches for the bean.)

CINDERELLA

I've already given up one shoe this evening. My feet cannot bear to give up another.

(CINDERELLA begins to leave.)

BAKER'S WIFE

(rising)

I need that shoe to have a child!

CINDERELLA

That makes no sense!

(We hear rumblings from the distance.)

BAKER'S WIFE

Does it make sense that you're running from a prince?

STEWARD

(offstage)

Stop!


BAKER'S WIFE

Here. Take my shoes. You'll run faster.

(BAKER'S WIFE gives CINDERELLA her shoes and takes the golden slipper. CINDERELLA puts on the shoes and exits quickly. STEWARD bounds onstage and looks about.)

STEWARD

Who was that woman?

BAKER'S WIFE

I do not know, sir.

STEWARD

Lying will cost you your life!

(BAKER enters with another cow.)

BAKER

I've the cow.

BAKER'S WIFE

(sees the cow; excited, to BAKER)

The slipper!

(holds up slipper)

We've all four!

(BAKER'S WIFE)

(BAKER'S WIFE runs to BAKER; STEWARD takes the slipper as she passes.)

STEWARD

I will give this to the Prince and we will search the kingdom tomorrow for the maiden who will fit this shoe.

BAKER'S WIFE

(grabs the slipper)

It's mine.

(BAKER'S WIFE and STEWARD begin to struggle. MYSTERIOUS MAN comes from around a tree.)

BAKER'S WIFE

(struggling)

I don't care if this costs me my life-

MYSTERIOUS MAN

(simultaneously)

Give her the slipper and all will-

(CINDERELLA'S PRINCE races onstage.)

CINDERELLA'S PRINCE

I've the maiden's slipper.

(CINDERELLA'S PRINCE produces another slipper.)

STEWARD

And sir, I have succeeded in obtaining the other slipper!

MYSTERIOUS MAN

(to STEWARD)

Give them the slipper, and all will come to a happy end.

STEWARD

Shut up!