All questions from earlier segments still apply. The main ones are:
Did I over do Bottom's Character?
What would be a good name for this script?
Should I change the names of my characters into something more modern?
Any answers to those questions would be appreciated.
Act 4, Scene 2
Scene is set in the dark classroom. The couples are quietly blundering around on their respective sides of the stage as Theseus and Hippolyta enter into the spotlight. Hippolyta is carrying a flashlight which explains why they can see.
Theseus: Those kids, they’re so high spirited! Turning off the lights on the day of my party! Maybe they’re planning a surprise! Oh, that would be just grand!
Hippolyta: Yes dear, but we really do need the lights on to make our own preparations. Let’s find Philostrate, he’ll be able to fix whatever problem we have.
Theseus: Darling, we have time! We can always do more preparations later. Besides, there’s something else I would like to do before the party starts, and this seems like the perfect time.
Theseus moves closer towards Hippolyta and gathers her into a very warm hug. She gives a soft gasp and drops the flashlight, but does not fight to get away.
Hippolyta: Honey, this is not the place… we’re at work.
Theseus: Oh, but it is! We’ve been so busy lately, this is the only time. There won’t be anyone here yet.
Theseus gives her a peck on the cheek.
Hippolyta: Theseus, no, I’m sorry not here, not now…
The lights flicker on and Theseus and Hippolyta hastily move apart from each other, Hippolyta frantically smoothing her shirt and skirt. They look distinctly awkward, even though there seems to be no one to see them. The two couples on the sides blink a bit and then see each other and rush to speak to each other.
Demetrius: Dudette! You, like, came!
Helena: Demetrius! You’re alive! The starts must be shining brightly on us to have you retuned to me unscarred.
Lysander: My grail! I’ve found you!
Hermia: Lysander! You’re here! I was so worried! What happened! Did you fight? I hope you didn’t! Are you hurt?
Egeus enters, muttering, and sees Hermia with Lysander. Rushing to them, he yanks them apart.
Egeus: Finally! The lights are back on. Now I can find my daught… You boy! Let go of my daughter!
Hippolyta: (Regaining her composure) Hold on Mr. Egeus. As I recall your daughter was permitted one day to date the boy of her choice, while she was at school that is, and I do believe that this is school property! Am I not correct Mr. Theseus?
Theseus: Er… Um… Yes, I do believe you are my dear.
Egeus: Well we won’t be for long! Come on Hermia, we’re leaving!
Hermia: Daddy! I don’t want to! I want to stay here! With Lysander! Not go home! Home is boring! I don’t like looking over the shop either! Everyone is always asking me the prices of stuff and I don’t know any of them!
Hippolyta: Hold on one moment Mr. Egeus, I believe we need to sort some things out with these children first. Like what they were doing at school at this hour?
Hermia: Well Lysander and I were playing hide and seek! But then I found him! And then…
Theseus: (Cutting her off) Oh don’t be silly Libby! They were here to surprise me for the party of course! It does seem so unfortunate that after trying to do such a nice thing for me I must punish you, but there it is. Hermia, tomorrow you may not see Lysander. But Demetrius is free if you wish…
Demetrius: What! I, like, can’t dude! I, like, like Helena!
Theseus: (Startled) What! This is um… unexpected, but it seems that this matter has been resolved without me. I’m very glad of it too; it would have been such a hassle policing you. Very well, Hermia you may date Lysander, and Demetrius you may date this… who did you just say again?
Hippolyta: Helena.
Theseus: Right! You may date this Helena if you so wish.
Helena: (Throwing her arms around Demetrius) We are together at last my darling! How I have longed for this moment!
Theseus: What! No! S he can absolutely not date that little game boy obsessed brat!
Hippolyta: Sir! I believe that Mr. Theseus has made a decision, and while your daughter and you are inside these halls it is expected that you not undermine his authority. Do you understand?
Egeus: But… But… But…
Theseus: Thank you Mrs. Theseus. Now, I would like to invite you all to my party tonight, just in case I haven’t already. I have a very bad memory you know. Speaking of which Mr. Egeus, I do believe that I still need to talk to you about some matter or other… I think it was… (thinking deeply with a frown on his face)
Egeus: Absolutely not! I’m not spending another second in this school! I’ve had enough of this… this blatant disobedience! And, you, the principal standing up for them! You should be ashamed, all of you!
Egeus storms out and Theseus snaps his fingers, remembering.
Theseus: That was it! I wanted to order a shipment of balloons from his estimable store. Ah well, it can’t be helped. We’ll just have to get them somewhere else. Let’s go Mrs. Theseus. Goodbye children!
Theseus and Hippolyta exit together.
Hermia: What just happened? I remember being so angry! And you and Demetrius were going to fight, but I didn’t want that! Oh, please say you didn’t! That would be bad! You would be hurt! And we’d have to go to the office to get band-aids! And I’d have to talk to the nurse, and the nurse scares me! Oh wait! It’s after school! The nurse isn’t here! That’s good!
Demetrius: (Answering Hermia) Dudette I, like, know that the fight, like, didn’t happen, but I’m, like, still, like, fuzzy on the details.
Helena: Oh my poor, lovely Demetrius. I judge that you have hurt yourself on something in the foul darkness that kept us from each other, addling your memories.
Demetrius: Maybe…
Lysander: My memory is a bit glitchy to. Let’s go somewhere else and sort out what actually happened.
Hermia: (As they exit) Oh Lysander! You always have the best ideas! We’ll go somewhere else! But where should we go? Oh! I know! We can go to the gym! It’ll be empty! I think! Helena, can you get us there? You’re so good at directions!
Bottom enters from the opposite direction, no longer green, as they exit.
Bottom: Where did those two girls get to! I told them the experiment wouldn’t hurt… much. (Evil laugh) Wait, why do I feel as if I’m forgetting something… My master plan! I must not be distracted from it, not this close! My other experiments must wait, I must return to the band room.
Bottom swirls his cape around over his head, like Dracula turning into a bat and stands for a moment. Then he does it again. After a few failed attempts he stalks of stage.
Bottom: Blasted cape!
