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BOOK Way Back When or (The Tale of the Clown from Pollis Minor) A Musical Fairy Tale Book, Music & Lyrics by James A. Goins 661-382-2810 james@jamesagoins.com Member

Characters Clown/ The Kingdom Jester before it split in two. Trusted advisor to both King Old Man: Beckus and King Neilio. Cunning and skillful his intelligence is matched only by his wit. King Neilio: King of his portion of the old Kingdom. Father of Prince Aaron and brother of King Beckus. Shrewd and ambitious, his sights are on both Queen Aluis and his brother’s kingdom. King Beckus: Ruler of his portion of the old kingdom and elder brother of King Neilio. King Beckus is simple, plain and stoutly handsome. He desires only his kingdom and his queen. Queen Aluis: Wife and Queen to Beckus. Crafty, shrewd, devious and wicked Alusi thinks only of herself and her position in life. She desires security above all else. Prince Aaron: Son of King Neilio and Captain of the Army. He is strong and resolute. He seeks an end to the conflict and the love of one of Queen Aluis’ handmaids. Jess: A handmaid to Queen Aluis and the romantic focus of Prince Aaron. Sir Robert: A long time Palace guard. Spy 1: A Beckean Spy/Player Spy 2: A Neilean Spy/Player Plus 14 more Players Time: Around 1525 in a kingdom long since forgotten. Place: The Kingdoms of Beckus and Neilio Pollis

Synopsis A troop of actors re-tells the tale of the Clown from Pollis Minor. War has broken out over the death of a patriarch. One brother, taking his lead from the biblical story of Esau and Jacob, steals his brother’s birthright and the kingdom is split in two. Thus, begins Way Back When (The tale of the Clown from Pollis Minor.) At the start, we meet Clown a court jester from the old kingdom of Pollis Minor before it was split in two. He now rides back and forth between the two opposing kingdoms trying to mend what was once whole. Only cunning, skill and outright manipulation of men, their hearts, and God can make that happen and Clown is the person for it. With the end of the war his catalyst, and the lives of two young lovers as his guide, he forges forth to uncover a most incredible secret, that if revealed would have dire consequence for both kingdoms!

Musical Numbers ACT ONE Score Script 1. War Clown, Company 1 3 2. The Message Clown, Aaron, King Neilio 8 10 3. Way Back When Clown, Aaron 16 15 4. Come Close to Me Jess, Aaron, Clown 21 23 5. Come Close to Me Underscore Jess, Clown 28 24 6. Give Me A Chance Clown, King Beckus 31 26 7. I Never Thought Jess, Queen Aluis 39 36 8. War: Reprise 1 Clown 49 39 ACT TWO 9. What Have I Done? King Neilio, Company 52 8 10. Stranger to My Heart Queen Aluis, Chamber Girls 62 14 11. One Step Further Clown, Jess, King Beckus 73 20 12. Tell Me! Aluis, Aaron, Company 86 26 *12A. I’m Sorry, Aaron Aluis 96A 28 13. Hear My Prayer King Neilio 97 30 14. War: Reprise 2 Clown, Aluis 102 35 15. Way Back When Underscore King Neilio, Aaron 105 37 16. War: Reprise 3 Clown 108 38 17. War: Reprise 4 Clown 109 40 18. Finale Clown, Company 111 44 *Optional Song

1 ACT ONE SCENE ONE A Place of Exile At the rise the stage is dark. Strumming can be heard. The stage lights fade up to reveal a CLOWN strumming a Lute seated on an old wooden stool. The stage is bare. VOICE O.S. Clown! Clown, where are you? Why do you always leave me when I need you?! Clown! Clown? The Clown continues to strum the lute. VOICE O.S. (CONT'D) You will not come? You will not come to see your Queen? I'm cursed! I'm cursed! CLOWN Who is cursed more, her or me? At least she has a name, as for me, I am Clown. Most obvious of course. VOICE O.S. Clown! CLOWN In a minute! VOICE O.S. What are you doing? CLOWN I'm telling the story. VOICE O.S. Tell me the story Clown. CLOWN If my Queen would let me get a word-- ALUIS, The Queen enters. ALUIS Don't fool around now. CLOWN But I'm not! ALUIS Tell the story then. Entertain me! Tell the story! CLOWN I'm going to, but we have guests.

2 ALUIS Really, when are they coming? CLOWN They've already arrived. See? (He points to the audience. Aluis screams in surprise.) ALUIS Hello. (Draws closer to the audience.) CLOWN Behave yourself Aluis you are in exile here. No funny stuff. (Aluis makes her way down into the audience and sits on the lap of an unsuspecting man.) ALUIS Yes, Clown of course no funny stuff. Are you married? I get awful lonely here in exile. Do you know the last time I-? CLOWN Nearly five hundred years ago! ALUIS Age is a very high price to pay for maturity, don't you think? Perhaps not, tell the story Clown! (She returns to the stage.) CLOWN Are you sure? ALUIS Yes! (He addresses the audience.) CLOWN Shall I begin?! THE COURT/AUDIENCE Concorde!!/Yes! / Huzzah! CLOWN Then we begin with, War! (The players enter and mingle with one another. An argument ensues, and it immediately spreads throughout the company. It rises to a fevered pitch! CLOWN claps his hands and it suddenly stops. Everyone freezes.) CLOWN (cont'd) Once upon a time or in this case Way Back When. (CLOWN and COMPANY sing. 1. War)

3 CLOWN THIS IS THE TALE OF TWO BROTHERS, BORN IN A KINGDOM OF ONE, NOW ASUNDER FOR THE ONE THAT HAD GREED, STOLE THE OTHER ONES DEED TO HIS BIRTHRIGHT AND TO HIS HONOR FOR JUST LIKE ESAU AND JACOB, THE LATTER WAS CUNNING AND BRAVE HE DRESSED LIKE HIS BROTHER, BEGUILED HIS OWN FATHER, TO THIS ONE THE BIRTHRIGHT HE GAVE CLOWN/CHORUS NOW WAR IS THE ONLY THING LEFT OH WAR, HAS BEEN PUT INTO FORCE NOW WAR, IS THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR THE LAND WHICH WAS ONE, NOW SPLIT INTO TWO, NEILIO - BECKUS WE'VE ALL BEEN CURSED BY YOU! CLOWN BUT WAIT, THERE IS MORE TO THIS CRAZY OLD STORY, SOMETHING EVIL AND WICKED AND TWISTED WHAT FLURRY. THE WIFE OF ONE HAS GIVEN HER SON, TO THE BROTHER IN RANSOM FOR SILENCE! WHAT EVIL DEED WAS DONE IN THAT DAY, THAT BABES IN ARMS MUST BE CARRIED AWAY? WHAT DID THIS QUEEN DO THAT WOULD HORRIFY YOU? SHE MADE LOVE TO THE KINGS YOUNGER BROTHER! CLOWN/CHORUS NOW WAR IS THE ONLY THING LEFT OH WAR, HAS BEEN PUT INTO FORCE NOW WAR, IS THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR THE LAND WHICH WAS ONE NOW SPLIT INTO TWO NEILIO - BECKUS WE'VE ALL BEEN CURSED BY YOU!

4 CLOWN (Spoken): But there is a gentle side to this all a story of love, compassion and valor. A lad named Aaron his true love Jess will manage to live through this horrible mess. And then there is you my queen Aluis, the queen a real mother. Who would see many die to save her hide Such evil has no name as this! What a fool, what a wench, what a witch! CLOWN AS FOR ME, THE TRUTH WILL SOON OUT, I TELL YOU THIS TALE WITH A SCREAM AND A SHOUT BUT AS LONG AS YOU LIVE, REMEMBER SAYS I, ”LIFE'S BETTER WITH TRUTH, THAN WITH LIES” OH, WAR IS THE ONLY THING LEFT OH, WAR HAS BEEN PUT INTO FORCE OH, WAR IS THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR THE LAND WHICH WAS ONE NOW SPLIT INTO TWO COMPANY NEILIO - BECKUS CLOWN OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST COMPANY NEILIO - BECKUS CLOWN WHICH ONE IS THE FRAUD? CHORUS NEILIO - BECKUS CLOWN WHICH ONE SHALL SPEAK TRUE? CLOWN/COMPANY NEILIO, BECKUS! WE'VE ALL BEEN CURSED BY YOU!

5 SCENE 2. A Secret Meeting QUEEN ALUIS and KING NEILIO meet in The Place that Lies Between. THE CLOWN Prepare yourself now for twist and turns of every design. Devotion, trust, deception and greed. Here, humanity is very much the pulse of the day and the players willing participants. But enough, the Queen is coming. What is she up to? Queen Aluis enters. Clown exits. QUEEN ALUIS (whispering) Neilio? King Neilio Enters. KING NEILIO Hello my, love. (Neilio tries to be romantic. He hands Aluis a rose. She tosses it.) QUEEN ALUIS You know how dangerous it is for us. What do you want? KING NEILIO Keep your voice down! I've heard information that someone may know the truth. Have you heard anything? QUEEN ALUIS There is talk among the servants of one girl. But you know how they talk. KING NEILIO Have her - removed! QUEEN ALUIS No! There's been enough blood shed already. You had better keep an eye on Prince Aaron. KING NEILIO (whispering.) What are you saying? QUEEN ALUIS He has been seen in our lands late at night. KING NEILIO Really? Do you think he knows something? QUEEN ALUIS How can I know his thoughts? The Clown however, tells me of his comings and goings.

6 KING NEILIO Ah yes, Clown. The only one it seems who can be trusted in all the lands. Very well. I will summon you again and you do the same of me if you hear anything! Better yet, send Clown, I trust him! (They both exit. The Clown re-enters.) THE CLOWN Intrigue, mystery, deception! What a tale! Those two are definitely up to something wicked. Enter King BECKUS! (Enter King BECKUS.)

7 SCENE 3. King Beckus’ Court KING BECKUS sits on his throne. KING BECKUS Clown! THE CLOWN Ah! King Beckus. (Beat) Yes, My lord? KING BECKUS A message. (The Clown takes out a small scroll and quill.) THE CLOWN Speak on my lord. KING BECKUS I want it back or else! THE CLOWN Or else what my lord? KING BECKUS Or else. . . CLOWN Yes? KING BECKUS Or else. . . CLOWN Yes? KING BECKUS Or else. . . CLOWN Yeeees. KING BECKUS Oh, never mind. THE CLOWN You can't give up so easily my lord. KING BECKUS (whining) But I'm the rightful ruler of these lands. He knows it, you know it, they know it - Clown, who are these people? (He looks out at the audience.) THE CLOWN Just some friends of mine, my Lord.

8 KING BECKUS Oh? Well, (stage whisper) Watch your purse. (Beat) Clown, there must be some way of getting the truth out. There must be! THE CLOWN Shall I send a message my lord? KING BECKUS I suppose so Clown, I suppose so. Be careful and take some of your friends along for safety. (KING BECKUS EXITS.) THE CLOWN By your command.

9 SCENE 4. King Neilio’s Court The CLOWN gets on his stick horse and gallops around the stage. He enters the domain of KING NEILIO and is met by AARON, Captain of the Army. AARON What is your business Clown? THE CLOWN I bring a message from your Uncle, King Beckus. KING NEILIO Clown! Good to see you. I see you've been sneaking a bit of the mutton. THE CLOWN Well, yes, my king. KING NEILIO (Begins to do muscle poses) You've got to keep fit, stay in shape! THE CLOWN I'm in shape. Round's a shape isn't it? KING NEILIO (LAUGHING) What a clown you are. (Clown looks out to the audience and shrugs his shoulders.) AARON Guards assemble the court, let us hear the words of The Clown. I will interpret along with you. THE CLOWN I am honored. AARON Deliver on, the message. (AARON, CLOWN and KING NEILIO sing. 2. The Message)

10 CLOWN King Beckus wants to know my Lord. Can... SOMEBODY TELL ME WHERE IT WENT WRONG? DIVIDING THE COUNTRY IN A WAR SO LONG, TEN YEARS OF ILLUSION IN A HAPPINESS MADE OF HELL - NO WAY OUT, THERE'S NO WAY TO PREVAIL! SOMETHING'S WRONG WHEN THE KING WITH THE ANSWERS CARRIES HATE IN HIS HEART, WITH DECEPTION AND RULES-IN THE ILLUSION OF HAPPINESS (SO HARD AND SO CRUEL) REVEALED IN THE BLUES HELL! NOW WAY OUT THERE'S NO WAY TO PREVAIL! CONSIDER THE MOUNTAINS, THE HILLS WE HAVE CLIMBED THE SUN ON OUR SEAS BUT PEACE WE CAN'T FIND HORSES TO RIDE AND FAMILIES TO MAKE THE SUN ON OUR FACE BUT THE TRUTH YOU FORSAKE OH NO! AARON IT SEEMS TO ME AS I LISTEN TO THIS BECKUS THE KING SEEMS A BIT REMISE HE SPEAKS OF THINGS WE'VE ALREADY HEARD BEFORE CLOWN, GIVE US SOMETHING MORE! DON'T RANT AND RAVE ABOUT FORMER INJUSTICE HERE IS OUR KING THE GODS HAVE TRUSTED BUT IF YOU BELIEVE THAT MUCH MORE CAN COME OF THIS LET HIM STOP TO THINK AND CONSIDER THE MOUNTAINS THE HILLS HE HAS CLIMBED THE SUN ON THE SEA, BUT NO PEACE HE CAN FIND HORSES HAVE ROAD AND FAMILIES HAVE DIED THE SUN HAS SET ON THESE DISMAL TIMES OH YES, NO WAY OUT NO WAY TO PREVAIL CLOWN BUT THE MESSAGE IS YOURS YOU CAN TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, YOUR LIVES ARE YOUR OWN, LET NO ONE ELSE LEAD IT! BUT IF YOU DECIDE THAT WAR IS ALL WE CAN MAKE, (Spoken: Remember this,) IT’S YOUR MISTAKE! AARON THE MESSAGE IS SPOKEN, THE ANSWER IS CLEAR CLOWN THE NEXT MOVE YOU MAKE MAY BRING JOY OR TEARS AARON DON'T BE SURPRISED IF OUR ANSWER ISN'T PRECISE

11 CLOWN (Spoken: Don't do it!) FOR GODS SAKE IT'S YOUR LIFE! KING NEILIO CONSIDER THE MOUNTAINS THE HILLS YOU MIGHT CLIMB THE SUN ON THE SEA BUT YOU WE CAN'T FIND AARON HORSES TO RIDE AND FAMILIES TO MAKE THE SUN ON OUR FACE BUT THE WAR I CAN'T TAKE OH NO! (REPEAT)

12 KING NEILIO Clown, it seems my brother has attached some underlying, meaning to that message. (Beat) What meaning do you attach to it? THE CLOWN Surely, my lord must be thick, with deep thoughts. There can be only one taken. KING NEILIO And what is that Clown?! THE CLOWN End this war and return to better days! (Beat) Yet some midnight rider has been seen from your forces, King Neilio - someone with, I fear evil intentions for you all. KING NEILIO Say on clown! THE CLOWN This person breaks the rules of battle and I believe seeks to destroy everything we have bargained for. AARON This is an outrage! KING NEILIO Wait, my son! Clown if what you say is true then what possible purpose can it serve to do this evil thing. Who will gain if all is lost? THE CLOWN The game, I believe isn't to win. KING NEILIO Say it man! THE CLOWN It is clear that someone wishes to reveal the true ruler of this land and uncover the rightful heir of this kingdom, now split in two! (Extreme reactions from the court.) AARON Do you know who this fool is? THE CLOWN Not yet, but there are only two reasons why a man would enter the land of his enemy. KING NEILIO Speak on Clown. Do not hesitate. (The Clown looks at Aaron.) THE CLOWN Love or treason. (The court reacts questionably.)

13 KING NEILIO A spy? THE CLOWN Of this you can be sure. (The Clown prepares to leave.) KING NEILIO Thank you Clown. I shall take your insight to heart. THE CLOWN Then I go. AARON Clown, I would, a word with you. THE CLOWN The sun is setting, come with me to the castle entrance and see me off.

14 Scene 5. The Castle Entrance AARON and the CLOWN proceed to the castle entrance. AARON What are you doing? Have you now agreed to destroy me? THE CLOWN Relax, my lord. It was not just you I was speaking about. AARON You could've fooled me. THE CLOWN No need to fret. Your secret is safe for now. Your love wishes to see you on the morrow's eve. AARON So soon. THE CLOWN Yes, and you must be careful now more than ever. The King will certainly order spies placed at the borders of the land. AARON Indeed. But tell, who else were you speaking of? THE CLOWN I cannot, the fire burns hot enough. (Aaron realizes in a moment who the other person is.) AARON It's him isn't it? THE CLOWN I mustn't - AARON How can I allow this war to continue because of a lie?! (AARON and CLOWN sing. 3. Way Back When)

15 CLOWN YOU SEARCH MY EYES FOR COMFORT SO BLAMELESS, YET NONE CAN BE FOUND AT THIS MOMENT. THE TRUTH YOU SEEK IS HORRID AND SHAMLESS, LIFE IS NOT SOUND, AND YOU KNOW IT! WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG, YOUR HONOR AND VALOR WAS TRUE! TIME STOOD STILL, FOR THE HEART WAS STRONG, BUT FREEDOM AND JUSTICE ARE THROUGH! AARON WAY BACK WHEN, IN THE LIGHT OF DAY, I KNEW WHATWAS SPOKEN WAS RIGHT! LIFE WAS GOOD IN A SIMPLE WAY, BUT GOODWILL AND KINGSHIP TAKE FLIGHT! CLOWN and AARON WHAT WAS ONE, IS NOW TRUE, DOESN’T IT BOTHER YOU? YET THE CURE LIES IN OUR HANDS. SOON WE WILL END THIS QUEST, UNDO ALL LIES AND TESTS GOD WILL BRING PEACE TO OUR LANDS. GOD WILL BRING PEACE, PEACE TO OUR LANDS PEACE TO OUR LANDS HE WILL BRING! AARON WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN I DARED TO TRUST, [YOUR]KNIGHTHOOD AND BIRTHRIGHT WAS SURE. PLANS WERE MADE FULL OF DEEDS UNJUST, [NOW] BLOOD RUNS LIKE WATER SO PURE. CLOWN and AARON WHAT WAS ONE, IS NOW TWO, DOESN’T BOTHER YOU? YET THE CURE LIES IN OUR HANDS. SOON WE WILL END THIS QUEST, UNDO ALL LIES AND TESTS. GOD WILL BRING PEACE TO OUR LANDS! AARON WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN THE WORLD WAS YOUNG, [AND]HONOR AND VALOR WAS TRUE. TIME STOOD STILL FOR THE HEART WAS STRONG [BUT]FREEDOM AND JUSTICE ARE THROUGH!

16 (The Clown grabs hold of Aaron's shoulders.) THE CLOWN My Lord, your heart is in the right place. Let also your mind be there as well. (Beat) Lord Aaron your love wishes to see you on the morrow eve. AARON I will attend, no matter the peril. THE CLOWN Trust me, lord Aaron. All will be well. AARON I trust you. THE CLOWN Then be careful for nothing. Whatever happens from this point on, trust me, trust yourself and trust in God. AARON Ride well Lord Clown. Ride well. (Aaron exits.)