Scene 5.27 - Celebration
EST: EXT. Palace arena -Sundown.
(ALL are in attendance in full royal regalia, even HAO NAO. BUD tries to slip away from the Empress and talk to MARY, but is unable to do so. MARY and CARMELLA walk among the populace, who are eating, drinking and being merry. CARMELLA has removed the beads from HER hair, and wears a patterned, sexy gown and is still quite radiant, although SHE appears without her unearthly glow and cosmic halo. HER gown is the most contemporary and could have been pulled from an ad in a formal wear magazine. SING and a few others are playing original, classical-sounding music in a quartet, using unusual instrumentation. MARY is certainly the belle of the ball. SHE even rivals CARMELLA, who is doing HER best to look homely in comparison, attempting to maintain her secret-identity that hides HER from being revealed as a Goddess of beauty and immortal youth. MARY is the only woman in basic black. SHE wears long, silk, elbow-length gloves and a different, matching sable wrap, which is a more-feminine substitute for HER sable cape. MARY is in a stunning black silk evening gown, revealing her curves and long, silky, and glossy hair with loose curls, which had been wet or tied into tight ringlets with ribbon in all the other scenes. No pony or pig-tails here: MARY is all woman. SHE is smiling and socializing, revealing her perfectly white teeth to all -- except to BUD, with whom SHE only observes in the corner of her eye. A strong, ceremonial chain around her waist keeps her sword and scabbard within easy reach, and SHE fondles it periodically through HER various conversations. All the women are dressed in beautiful formal wear with an intrinsic, Asian compliment worked in somehow. They are all bejeweled and gloved. It’s better than a prom or a wedding reception. These chicks look hot. And there’s seemingly hundreds of them. The men also look fabulous, wearing custom, patterned tuxedos with tails featuring that uniquely-Asiatic look. No two men have the same color or pattern in their dress and they look masculine and opulent, much like the dress in late Eighteenth Century Europe. People mill about and are consorting with other members of the court while MARY and CARMELLA converse. We follow the entire scene from MARY’S area of influence.)
MARY
Carmella, you look divine! Say, you’ve really got that down. You look just like the Goddess did ten thousand years ago, back when she slew that vile demon from the Thirteenth Netherworld! You sure do your research! I was in that battle; I fought by her side, well, close to her, anyway -- and you have her down to a tee! Truly, she has blessed you with the gift of imitative beauty, like the way the water mirrors the sky, or the way a songbird can create a sunrise. Surely, she cast you from the mold of her very own image.
CARMELLA
Mary Jane, my most trusted, life-long friend, you honor me too much. I imitate the Goddess out of respect and devotion to her, not to mock her by comparing her beauty with my own paltry image. You do a young girl too great a service to compliment me so!
MARY
How humble you are! You are glowing! You are radiant! I dreamt today of our first embrace, where every nuance of your face was revealed to me. You underestimate your beauty. You could do well for yourself and easily attract one of our nation’s new found men. Tell me, have you made a claim on one of their pairings?
CARMELLA
Like you, I have little need for the company of men, but yes, I admit, I’m quite nervous; I have chosen one as you have.
MARY
Pray, tell.
CARMELLA
After the initial pairings of the Royal Court, I hope to be the third day of pairing with Mr. Bud Green, but only if you are allowed to be the second day. (Shy.) The three of us could all share on my day, if you wish.
MARY
(She touches her.) My joy is too great to bear. I would gladly share any day with you, regardless of your choice of man. To know that you have chosen Bud Green to be closer to me makes my head spin and makes my heart all bubbly inside. Until today, until this afternoon, I had always considered you to be my closest friend and confidant. Now, I see you as much more. Much more. I see you for who you are, and who you are to me -- a trusted, lifelong companion. I never give you as much thought, attention or love as you truly deserve, dear Carmella. Friends in our childhood, companions in our womanhood.
CARMELLA
The sun has nearly set. Will you use your royal decree?
MARY
Oh, most certainly. There will be a marriage. Like you said, the Empress cannot go against her own decree. She must let me marry the person of my choosing. By nightfall, I shall be married.
CARMELLA
Then you will have Bud Green four more days. He’ll practically be your slave, as one who is married must put the interests of their spouse first. Is that why you seem so happy?
MARY
Bud Green will be my slave regardless.
CARMELLA
(Perplexed, welcoming the emotion:) I don’t understand. What do you mean, Mary Jane?
KIM
Ladies. (Pause.) And Gentlemen. Welcome again to the Sundown Celebration. If this is your first time, know that we celebrate each evening with the closing of the day’s business and welcome you to enjoy the food and drink freely, as if you were at home. Of course We do not celebrate if there is turmoil in the land, yet this evening marks a milestone of contentment on Our horizon. With new warriors to help protect us, we are optimistic about the prospect of enduring peace. Tonight is a perfect night, indeed. We honor the ghosts and the Goddess and people are free to consort as they wish, provided the pairings that were submitted earlier are honored at the conclusion of festivities. Do We have this evening’s pairings resolved?
YIN
Yes, my liege.
(Gives royal roster to KIM.)
KIM
Excellent! (Puts down HAO NAO.) Light the Holy Candles Of The Virgin and let the celebration begin!
(As acolytes light the candles, KIM casually inspects the line up on the roster. She turns back a page and then goes to the end again.)
YIN
The Holy Candles are lit, my Empress.
KIM
General Jane, again, We do not see you on this roster. I thought you wished to pair tonight. Were you unable to make a choice for your pairing?
(BUD looks to MARY, confused.)
MARY
(SHE approaches.) My Empress, my duties as High Priestess and General of the Imperial Legions require me to once again decline to participate in the pairings.
(The men look to one another. Predictable, nonetheless disappointing.)
KIM
A pity. I have so longed to share your company for but one evening. Well, that’s that. The Holy Candles are lit, and there’s little to do about it until tomorrow. (Gets everyone’s attention, although few had stopped being attentive to the dialogue.) Oh, We had almost forgot! A negotiation with the Witches of the Seven Winds was brokered by Us and We have convinced the witches to lead the DEA forces into the belly of the Desert Labyrinth! (To the common folk:) Our spies report that all seven armies of the DEA are marching headlong into the Dragon’s Intestine!
(ALL react, except CARMELLA, who isn’t surprised yet.)
MARY
(Close, sotto:) My, my liege, certainly this news could have been reported to me in advance of your announcement. Does this mean we are at peace?
KIM
Why yes, Mary, I imagine it does. We don’t have the DEA to consider anymore. Not for a few hundred years, at least.
MARY
W- what does that mean? What does that mean to me?
KIM
Why, I thought you’d be overjoyed to hear of our diplomatic victory. I’ve granted Governorship of the Desert Labyrinth to the DEA, and they are rightly laying claim to what no one else in the region finds valuable. I thought you would see this as an opportunity. For the first time in at least three thousand years, you can finally lay down your sword and focus on your duties as Vestal Virgin and High Priestess. Aren’t you happy to hear the news?
MARY
Of course, but... (Pause.) My liege, this morning you granted me a royal decree.
KIM
Yes, I did. Have you given it some thought?
MARY
Yes I have. I wish to exercise your will in a matter of law.
KIM
(Casual, aloof. Surely it's something trivial like a new sword or a cottage closer to the hemp farms:) Why certainly. If it is within my power, it is yours.
MARY
I wish to wed, my Empress.
KIM
A- Excuse me?
MARY
I want to get married. Tonight. Right now.
(The men look to BUD, HE is as surprised as everyone else.)
KIM
Oh. I- I know a royal decree can reverse my previous ban on marriage, and I’m certainly willing to do so, but- but what about your duties as High Priestess? Doesn’t the Goddess forbid her clergy to wed?
(Pulls CARMELLA over, CARMELLA curtsies to the Empress, beaming, staring and smiling and seemingly star-struck.)
MARY
My friend and scribe, Carmella, you know Carmella, the one who many of our sisters call the Oracle, she tells me the Goddess has no objection to marriage or the breaking of ancient traditions in this case. Isn't that right, Carmella?
CARMELLA
Uh, yeah.
MARY
After all, your highness, these are strange times. Have we not just welcomed men into our homes? Who would have thought that possible without the Imperial Will?
KIM
Loyal Carmella, Royal Librarian’s Assistant, approach. You have studied the ancient texts in the Royal Archives. Is this true? Is there no restraint on the marriage ceremony of clerics?
CARMELLA
None that could defy a royal decree, Empress. Officially, all marriage laws are completely subject to your will.
KIM
Very well. Understand, Mary Jane, if your intended has already submitted to a pairing, you must honor your husband's time-share this evening... and henceforth. I can marry you right now, but it won’t be much of a honeymoon. These men have already made legal obligations. I'm afraid you may have to wait a week just to say hello.
MARY
I am aware of that. My intended has no pairings this evening.
(Everyone is shocked.)
KIM
Really? Wh- who do you wish to marry?
MARY
I wish to be bound in matrimony with my lifelong friend and companion, Carmella, Royal Librarian’s Assistant, Sage of the Virgin and Mirror Of The Goddess.
(Reactions abound. CARMELLA is blown away by the events transpiring. The one time when she doesn’t look into the future, SHE gets a proposal.)
CARMELLA
I am honored, Mary Jane. I had never thought-
MARY
Will you take my hand in marriage, Carmella?
CARMELLA
Absolutely!
(They hold hands.)
KIM
Very well. As Immortal Empress Of The Empire, I decree that these two shall be wed now and forevermore, on Earth and in the hereafter. With favor by the Goddess, may the two of you share your love in matrimony as we share our dreams in slumber -- free, unfettered and joyfully. With the power vested in me, I decree that you two are now one.
(CARMELLA and MARY kiss. Fireworks start going off.)
HUNG
Are those fireworks?
DUC
Holy- (Explosion.) They got black powder!
CHIN
They got silicon, too. With a little work, I could make a few solar panels. Maybe a computer.
DING
You wouldn’t believe what they got in their gardens.
LONG
It seems we don’t need to go back for the Gatlin’ gun after all. We could make one here.
HUNG
You couldn’t drag me back. This is better than anything we got.
DING
I’m here for the duration, which might be a while -- no one gets older here, they say we're only as old as we feel. I feel pretty young here -- and what’s to go back to anyway? A billion green slips of paper and ol' Mr. Mee-rip-you-off? I’m staying here.
(The men agree.)
BUD
(HE crosses to MARY.) I’m happy for you, Mary.
MARY
(Hugs BUD lightly.) Oh, Bud! You must pair with us sometime!
BUD
So, this is your wife?
MARY
Yes, have you met?
BUD
Uh, maybe once before.
CARMELLA
(Offers hand, HE takes it. It’s pleasing to both.) Carmella, Oracle to the Goddess. Pleased to make your aquaintence.
BUD
Bud Green. Likewise.
(KIM breaks in, pulling BUD away.)
KIM
Come, Bud! There’s a part of the palace I want to show you that you haven’t seen yet!
BUD
Uh, bye, Mary!
MARY
See ya ‘round, Bud.
CARMELLA
Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to marry me?
MARY
You didn’t ask. Are you glad that I did?
CARMELLA
Yes. You know, this could get a little complicated. There’s a lot about me you don’t know.
MARY
I’m sure we’ll find out a lot more about each other in time.
CARMELLA
Yes, in time, I’m sure we will.
MARY
Come, let us go to the temple, I hope the Goddess will find the consummation to her liking.
CARMELLA
I’m sure it shall be. Lead on, wife.
FTB