My third scene, and the first part of the play that features the "actors", for those of you who were waiting for it. This is personally my second favorite plot line. Even though I have edited as much as I can, I still plead for someone to give me a quick grammatical review, as I suck at that. Actually, any review that will help make my work better would be greatly appreciated. I'd also enjoy opinions on Bottom's character, I'm not sure if I've over done his and Quince's interations. Thank you! On to the characters!
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Bottom: The lead singer of the new school rock band. He’s an evil genius, and thinks he’s the best in the world.
Quince: The conductor/manager of the band. He has a stutter whenever Bottom is around, but genuinely thinks of him as a friend, even though it is obvious that that is not reciprocated. He adopts the band as his personal project and becomes attached to it.
Flute: The lead tenor in the band, and the child of Theseus and Hippolyta. He is strongly independent, and therefore dislikes associating with his parents during school, but is kind to others. As the bravest of the band he is unofficially elected to be the spokes person against Bottom. He was originally hired by Oberon to help others understand what he is saying. He is smart but tends towards quietness in groups situations.
Robin: The piano player of the group, she is a child prodigy when it comes to jazz, but has trouble with the faster paced rock. She tends to be very quiet and not talk a lot.
Tom: A minor character, he is the drum player of the band who eats a lot and is consequently very beefy. He is often seen with Snug. He agrees with everyone.
Snug: A minor character, Snug plays a bass in the band as a replacement for guitar. He is a very small guy, often seen with Tom. He’s never sure of anything and sees the problems in suggestions.
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Act 1, Scene 2
The scene is set in the band room, where music stands and chairs are strewn everywhere. Quince, Bottom, Snug, Tom, Flute, and Robin file in slowly as the bell rings to signal the end of the school day. Everyone, except for Bottom gathers to talk together at the grand piano in the room and generally have a good time. Robin is sitting at the piano. Bottom is sitting over in a dark corner, scribbling furiously. Quince looks around and calls them to order.
Quince: (Stuttering) Is-is ev-ev-everyone here?
Bottom: (Rolling his eyes) Just call the attendance you fool.
Quince: S-so you’re all interested in b-b-being in this b-band? We’ll p-p-play for the P-p-principals P-party first.
Bottom: Incompetent! Say what type of music we’ll play and get on with it. I have an appointment with world domination! (Evil laugh)
Quince: W-well, w-we’re going to b-b-be a jazz b-band.
Bottom: (Sneering) I’m sorry. I don’t think I heard you correctly. Did you say we were going to be a rock band?
Quince: N-n-no, I s-said…
Bottom: Good, that’s just what I thought, a rock band. Now, I’ll be lead singer, any objections?
Bottom glances around, his gaze resting on Quince for a moment, who visibly flinches. Flute starts to raise a hand but Bottom’s gaze snaps to him, and he very clumsily changes it into something else. Bottom is still eyeing him, like he’s trying to figure out where he’s seen him before.
Quince: Y-yes, that’s what you’ll b-be B-Bottom…
Bottom: (Threateningly) What did you just call me?
Quince: Uh, chief?
Bottom: (Talking to himself, oblivious to how the rest of the band are staring) A little over done, but it will do. Yes, it will do nicely. And then, when I have the main part in this band I will be in charge of it, and we will perform in front of the principal. I will sing so well that he won’t be able to help taking me out of his bad books and giving any sort of privilege I like. Then I’ll worm my way, deeper and deeper into his inner affairs, until finally I will have reached my ultimate goal. The school will be in my control! And after the school, the city, the country, the world! It’s so good to be so bad!
Bottom laughs maniacally, ending in a coughing fit. He realizes that everyone is watching him and does a weird gesture with his hand like he’s throwing something over the other band members.
Bottom: You didn’t see anything…
The other band members get a glazed over look in their eyes and the scene continues on like nothing happened.
Quince: F-f-flute? Are y-y-you here?
Flute: I’m here Quince.
Quince: Y-you’ll be th-the lead tenor… right?
Flute: Yes, that’s right Quince.
Bottom: (Threateningly) Wait, did you say “lead” tenor? Because, I thought, that I was the only lead in this band. Isn’t that right?
Quince: W-well, uh, w-we have t-to have a, uh, sub-lead t-tenor. That’s w-what I meant to s-say.
Bottom: We need no such person. I can do that as well. Flute, you are dismissed. Go play on some train tracks or something.
Quince: But… but… but… You can’t s-sing in t-two keys at once!
Bottom: Who’s to say what I can or cannot do? But I will honor your worthless request minion, Flute may stay.
Quince: T h-thank you B-bottom. Robin?
Robin nods and raises her hand.
Quince: You p-play the p-piano?
Robin nods and starts to play a beautiful piece of jazz. The people on stage seem hypnotized, even Bottom, who drops into a chair and gazes adoringly at the piano. Quince moves on all stutter gone from his voice for a short while.
Quince: Very Good Robin! Tom? Are you here?
Robin blushes and hides her face. Tom continues gulping down the sandwich that he has been eating but raises a hand to acknowledge the fact that he is here.
Quince: You’re our drummer. I’m definitely here, and I’ll be the conductor …
Tom nods his head, while eating, to say that he’s the drummer. A snort escapes Bottom, at the stupidity of having a conductor but he uncharacteristically stays silent, still caught in the trance Robin wove. Quince glances quickly at him, as if he has just remembered who is in the room. His stutter returns full blast.
Quince: S-s-snug? You p-p-play the guitar?
Snug: Well… sort of…
Quince: OK… good? (He looks fearfully at Bottom for confirmation of this assessment)
Bottom: No, not good. Kid, how old are you anyways? You look like you’re fresh from grade 4. You’re too small; it’s bad for the image. I’ll play the guitar myself. Besides, I could do it better than this midget any day.
Quince: W-w-won’t it t-take up too much of y-your valuable t-time learning t-two p-p-parts?
The rest of the group nod fervently (with the exception of Flute), not wanting their group to get any smaller so that they’d have to be in closer contact with Bottom.
Bottom: It is a sacrifice I will have to make for the sake of the plan… I mean band. An evil genius has got to do what an evil genius has got to do!
Quince: (Desperately trying to find another reason) W-w-well, I guess if y-you don’t care about looking good…
Bottom: What? The guitar will ruin my image? Well we can’t have that. You! (Pointing to Snug) You can be our guitarist. Your size will make it easier for you to dodge the tomatoes your music will inspire. Our first practice is today after school.
Quince: Y-yes, after sch-school.
Bottom: That’s settled then.
Bottom starts to walk out, mumbling formulas under his breath, but Quince musters together all of his courage and speaks out. Bottom turns around and stares at Quince so intensely that he takes a couple of steps back and trips over the podium. The papers on it go flying everywhere.
Quince: W-w-w-wait! You f-f-f-forgot your m-m-music!
Bottom: Ah yes, music. Learn it off by heart, every one of you. And it had better be perfect, or else.
Bottom glances around again at the room then grabs a sheet off of Quince’s face and strides out of the room. Flute gets to Quince first and helps him to his feet. Everyone stoops to grab their papers without a word and leaves the room, out the other side that Bottom left, glancing scared over their shoulders, as if waiting for someone to jump out and say boo.
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