lines for prince henry for student run

“Stop laughing. It’s not funny.” (DEE DEE Monster chases GUARDS back across the stage)

It’s a little funny,

It’s not like she took your crown.

She’s a girl. She wants a girl’s crown.

“…A terrible creature who takes my stuff.” (DEE DEE Monster gets sad, throws off crown and leaves)

You hurt her feelings.

She hurt my crown. Look.

It’s just a little dent.

I want it now!

Geez. Who’s the monster now?

“Whatever will make you happy, dear.” (QUEEN and PRINCESS exit)

Nothing will make her happy.

She did look sad, didn’t she? She got her feelings hurt.

I think she did. My sister says the meanest things.

Oh, sorry, my Prince. I spoke out of turn.

You know you can talk freely to me. I’m not my sister.

Did you see which way the monster went?

That way.

I thought the monster went that way.

Oh, did he mean that one? I thought he meant my sister.

You are going to get yourself in trouble.

I usually do.

“Look, she’s back.” (DEE DEE Monster returns)

Hello, dear monster. Come back for your crown?

She just needed her blanket.

She’s just a little monster.

“That means there are bigger monsters.” (DEE DEE sadly shakes her head no)

You’re the only one?

“How sad. You’re all alone?” (DEE DEE nods)

Then we will help you.

“Why not?” (DEE DEE shrugs)

Are you hungry? We have food.

There it is! Protect the Prince!

No! Wait!

You scared her away.

Leave her alone.

But the princess wants that creature captured and punished for damaging her crown. And yesterday it took her pillow. And the day before that, it ripped up one of her dresses…and before that...

I get the idea.

Why is she going after the Princess?

Maybe she wants to be a princess too.

“Yes, your majesty.” (PENELOPE exits. DEE DEE Monster sneaks in during the following and sits behind the throne).

Why are you being so crazy about this?

I am obviously being targeted.

You have everything you want. She has nothing. She doesn’t even have a family.

How do you know that?

I spoke to her.

You what?

She isn’t dangerous. She hasn’t hurt anyone. So I stood right here and spoke to her.

Hasn’t hurt anyone? She has hurt me. She has hurt my feelings.

You have feelings?

(She does a fake cry. DEE DEE Monster is sad for her and goes up to her and offers a tissue. PRINCESS takes it assuming it was a servant) “Thank you.”

She is a kind monster.

“There is no such thing!” (DEE DEE runs and hides behind the throne again)

I think she is after your things because she wants to be a princess.

So that’s her evil plot. She wants to take everything from me and replace me!

Or maybe she just wants to be like you.

Well, I am pretty wonderful. I imagine everyone is envious of my perfectness. Why shouldn’t she want to be like me?

Good question.

“Good question.” (HENRY motions for DEE DEE to come out)

Maybe if you got to know her than maybe you can help her.

“Help her! Never!” (DEE DEE runs and hides again)

Or at least make peace.

Ooops. I found the monster.

She found me.

“I wonder if she has a name.” (DEE DEE nods and holds up her blanket)

I think her blanket has her name on it.

It’s wet. I think she chews on it.

There. I see a name sewn on. Dee Dee?

“Dee Dee Monster. That’s a very cute name.” “Dee Dee.”

Penelope. I would like you to take Dee Dee to the royal kitchen and give her something to eat.

What if I get in trouble?

You’ll be in trouble with me if you don’t.

Well, I would like to help and if you promise to help me if I do get in trouble.

I always do.

You are a kind prince. I wish you were the oldest.

I prefer to be the youngest. My brothers and sisters get all the royal duties and I get to have all the fun.

So what fun are you going to have today?

I’m going to do the one thing that will drive my sister crazy. I’m going to help Dee Dee Monster. Because it’s fun to annoy my sister and it’s even more fun to help someone.

A win - win.

Go eat, Dee Dee Monster, while I formulate a plan.

“Go eat, Dee Dee Monster, while I formulate a plan.” (PENELOPE and DEE DEE exit. QUEEN and KING enter)

Hello, Good mother and father. May I speak with you a moment?

I suppose. Your sister is such a tizzy. I don’t know if I can manage.

If I manage to help my sister, then could you do something for me in return?

If you can get us a single day of quiet without your sister having an episode, then we will grant you any wish you desire.

Anything?

Anything within our power.

For a single day of peace and quiet?

Why not? Your sister has not been at peace or quiet for more than an hour her entire life. If you can manage an entire day, then it will be worth the price.

Then I shall give you a complete day of peace and quiet tomorrow. Prepare yourself for the most relaxing day you’ve had since the birth of my dear sister.

Mother! Father! Where are they going?

Sister. Please, may I have a moment?

No!

I insist.

I have more important things to do than listen to you.

But I have a plan to help take care of the Monster who torments you.

A plan? What sort of plan?

I found out why she is after you.

Because she wants to be a princess? Well, she can’t. Monsters can’t be princesses!

No, actually it’s something else.

What pray tell?

It’s all the noise.

What?!

You are the loudest person in this kingdom, my good sister. And monsters are drawn to loud things. They love it. They can’t get enough of the noise.

How dare you insult me! How dare you say I’m loud! I’m no such thing!

Oh, really?

How did you find this out?

As I told you before, I can speak to her. She likes me.

Likes you! Ha!

And she likes you too. She loves all your yelling. Your tantrums are legendary/ The entire kingdom can hear them. And beyond…to the land of monsters.

The land of monsters?

Perhaps more will come visit for a chance to hear the amazing sounds you produce.

You’re joking?

Maybe, maybe not. Are you willing to take that chance?

Can you help me, brother? I can’t handle any more monsters. One is bad enough.

I will help you if you can be quiet for one entire day.

Easy.

Really?

I can be quiet. I can. It’s no problem. I can stop talking any time I want to.

And no tantrums.

I am way too old for tantrums.

That wasn’t a tantrum I heard when the monster got your crown?

That was different. I was merely sounding the alarm.

You do that well, sister.

“You do that well, sister.” “Thank you.”

So for one day, I need you to be perfectly quiet. And stay out of sight.

Stay out of sight too?

I don’t want anything to happen that will upset you. If you stay somewhere hidden, then nothing will cause you to…sound any alarms.

But I’m so good at it.

I can handle it for one day.

This is silly. I don’t want to do it.

Okay, I didn’t want to scare you but there have been reports of monsters gathering outside the village.

“Okay, I didn’t want to scare you but there have been reports of monsters gathering outside the village.” (GUARD 3 and 4 enter)

Guard, Do you have an update for me about the monsters gathering at the edge of the forest outside the village.

(GUARD 3) What? No, sir.

Then go and get me a report. I must know their every movement.

This is terrible.

You have been louder than usual lately and they have been drawn by your yelling. One more day of screaming they’ll overrun the castle for sure. And they’ll be looking for you.

“You have been louder than usual lately and they have been drawn by your yelling. One more day of screaming they’ll overrun the castle for sure. And they’ll be looking for you.” (PRINCESS starts to scream in terror but quickly slaps her hands over her mouth)

One whole day of quiet. That will give me enough time to get rid of the monsters.

Please, don’t let them get me.

Never fear, sister. I will protect you.

(Very quiet as she exits) Thank you.

You’re welcome sister.

SCENE 2

(PENELOPE and HENRY make sure everyone is hiding. They bring out DEE DEE and sit her one the throne)

I know you want to be a princess, but it’s a lot of work. Today, you will be a princess for a day, but I want to show you it is not all fun and games. Being royalty is a big responsibility. We might be rich. We might be powerful. We might dress in the finest and most glamorous clothing that others can only dream of. But it all comes at a price.

Your speech put her to sleep.

This is going to be more challenging than I thought.

Do you think teaching her all this royal stuff is the right idea?

Either she learns how to behave herself or she sees that there is another side to being royal that is not so desirable.

I honestly can’t see much of a downside to being royalty.

I know I make it look easy, but there’s enormous pressure on us. It can be very overwhelming at times.

Yes, how can you possibly eat all that wonderful food every day at dinner? How can you possibly choose between all those fancy clothes day after day? It’s so much better to have to wear the same clothes every single day like us servants.

Do you have a better plan?

Not really.

Then, let me try my first, please.

You realize you’re the only member of the royal family that says please?

If I became king, I'd make everyone say please.

It might be better to teach people by examples then to order everyone to do something.

You servants have such a simple way of looking at things. It’s refreshing.

Thank you…I think that was a compliment.

Now, let’s wake Dee Dee Monster and get this princess training underway.

“Wakey, wakey, Dee Dee. Ready to be a princess?” (DEE DEE gets up excitedly as Prim and Rose enter)

Presenting our royal promenade mistresses, Prim and Rose.

Yes, your majesty? You require movement instruction?

Yes, for our new princess, Dee Dee.

Holy mother of molasses! Who is this?

She is our official princess of the day, Princess Dee Dee. It is our job to turn her into proper royalty so she can be presented to our Queen tomorrow at an official ceremony.

By tomorrow? This will take months, my liege. Years perhaps.

Well, you only have an hour.

An hour! Not even a day?

There is much to learn.

No one asked you. How dare you speak this way in front of your prince.

She has permission to speak freely. She is my friend.

Oh, the madness. Where is the Queen?

She has given order not to be disturbed today. I am in charge. Please, proceed.

Very well. Miss Dee Dee?

Princess Dee Dee.

Perhaps, you can practice that on your own.

Maybe there is something easier we can start with.

(…PRIM & ROSE are even looking amused now) “Again?”

We’ll practice that one later too.

My Prince. I’m not sure this is going to work. Forgive us for failing you.

No worries, Prim and Rose. You are excused.

“Like this, Dee Dee.” (PENELOPE gets DEE DEE to glide a bit)

Well done, Penelope! Bravo Dee Dee!

“Now, now, Dee Dee. Princesses don’t chew on books.” (DEE DEE opens the book upside down and pretends to read aloud with growls instead of words)

That leads us to our next lesson. Speaking like a princess. Bring forth the royal speech practitioner, Melodius.

“It is an honor to serve you, my prince.” (MELODIUS stops and listens to DEE DEE read in her growly way)

This is Princess Dee Dee. She needs some tutoring.

Oh, is this some sort of attempt at humor, your majesty? How funny.

I’m serious, Melodius.

“I see. Let’s try something a little more basic. ‘The queen in green screamed.’” (DEE DEE responds to this by screaming. MELODIUS is scared and screams back which makes DEE DEE scream more and they both run around the room. MELODIUS runs off and makes DEE DEE scream more and they both run around the room. MELODIUS runs off and PENELOPE stops DEE DEE)

On to the next lesson.

Really? Are you sure?

I will not fail. I am determined to make her a princess. She wants to be one and I want to make her dream come true.

Your heart is in the right place. I wish all the royals were as kind as you.

Thank you, Penelope. I want to be a leader who helps people, like my grandfather. He was one of the best kinds our land has ever seen. Kind and just to everyone and every creature, even the beasts of the outlands. Every living thing mattered to him and in return he was respected by all. He left a big crown to fill.

You’re off to a good start. Helping Dee Dee is one of the kindest things I’ve seen a royal do in a long time. So what’s next?

How about table manners?