Lestat: Prince of Vampires

Cast of Characters:
Khayman, King of Vampires
Lestat, son to the late and nephew to the present King
Santino, lord chamberlain
Louis, friend to Lestat
David, son to Santino
Maharet, courtier
Mekare, courtier
Eric, guard
Mael, guard
Armand, Prince of Russia
Daniel, servant to Armand
Gabrielle, Queen of Vampires and mother to Lestat
Jesse, daughter to Santino
Ghost, of Lestat's father Marius
Act One
Scene I: Castle in New Orleans (don't ask) at the front gate.
Enter Mael and Eric, the two guards.
Mael: I say, Eric my friend --
Eric: Since when have we been friends, Mael?
Mael: *smacks forehead* sorry, I forgot. Anyway, Louis will be here shortly. I told him about the ghost I saw and --
Eric: (groans) You didn't tell him about that, did you?!
Mael: (suddenly interested in floor) Well, yes --
Eric: (throws up hands angrily) BAH! You've been drinking from crack-heads again, haven't you!
Mael: I hardly think this is the time to --
Enter Louis looking rather cold, as it is for some reason snowing in New Orleans (once again, don't ask).
Louis: Ugh! It's freezing! (looks up at Mael and Eric) So what did you have to show me?
Mael: Well, I --
Eric: He thinks he saw the ghost of Marius! (crosses self)
Louis: (blanches) Are you joking?
Mael: No! I swear I --
Eric: He's been feeding on druggies, Louis. I saw him yesterday!
Louis: (now has a headache) Both of you please be quiet.
Mael: I haven't even had a chance to say anyth --
Eric: He told you to be quiet!
Mael: Sorr-
Eric: (smacks Mael) Shaddap!
Louis: Now, you both know Lestat and I both want no more talk of ghosts! After what happened to Claudia...
Enter Ghost.
Mael: There it is! That's what I saw!
Louis: Mon Dieu!
Eric: I d-d-on't believe it! (cowers in corner at the base of the front gate)
Mael: Well, Louis, you knew him! Speak to it!
Louis: (clears throat) Err, very well. (addressing Ghost) Marius? Why do you appear now? You have been dead for a month seemingly at peace, and now you rise -- why?
Ghost: (opens and closes mouth like a fish)
Mael: [aside] Man, he looks dumb when he does that!
Eric: (digs a hole in snow and cowers)
Louis: Are you incapable of speech, dear Marius? What do you want?
Mael: It's turning to leave!
Eric: Thank God!
Louis: Wait! Come back!
Exit Ghost.
Mael: (smugly) See? I told you I saw Marius! HA!
Louis: [aside] Lestat must hear of this, but it will hurt him so! [to Mael and Eric] You must speak to no one of this! We will inform the Prince of what has befallen this place!
Mael: No problem!
Eric: (still trembling) G-got it!
Louis: Good! We will seek him out tomorrow night. The sun approaches!
Exit all.
Scene II: A room in the Castle
King: Though yet of Marius, my dear dark brother's death, the memory of him is fresh in all our minds. He was loved and always will be so, but now I am King and shall rule as justly as vampiriclly possible. Now, to other business. It seems Armand and his few allies are planning to overthrow our proud coven to induce his own strict rule. But, A dear ally in Daniel has been found. True, we twisted his arm and badly injured him, but whatever it takes to keep that red-haired fool from the crown...err...I mean the castle!
Now I hear that our dear friend David Talbot wishes to make a pilgrimage to England! David, why do you wish this pilgrimage?
David: (bows respectfully) My King, I must return to England to make certain Talbot Manor is in good shape. Our annual Sabbat will be held there and I should like to have the place clean.
King: What say you, Santino? Does he have permission to go?
Santi: By all means, King of mine.
King: Then go and have a swell time! [aside] "Swell"....I like that word. Very '90s. "Swell". Very nice sounding. (clears throat)
But now my cousin and my son Lestat --
Lestat: [aside] Little more than kin, and less than kind!
King: Why are you so depressed?
Lestat: (sits solemnly in his throne and frowns with barely suppressed anger) Depressed? Me? HA! Never.
Queen: Oh, my son. Do try to move on. Marius was killed in battle with a renvant. There was nothing anyone could do. Death happens.
King: Quite often, I might add.
Lestat: Peculiarly often, if you ask me, Mother. I miss him desperately.
King: Dear Lestat, your mourning nature is commendable in many ways, you are quite loyal to those you love, but this manner seems to leave you weak. It is a bad trait to carry. Some might use it against you. You are too depressed at the moment to return to Paris, I beg you to stay with us here for at least a little while.
Queen: Yes, Lestat. We haven't seen each other in so long. I have missed you terribly.
Lestat: Very well, Mother. For your sake, I shall remain here.
King: Such a loyal son! (pats Lestat's head) Now, come! On to the parlous for some billiards!
Exit all but Lestat.
Lestat: (deeply sighs then falls to his knees and moans loudly) Oh, that this too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself to a dew! Am I cursed to stand here feigning happiness and contentment while my Mother cavorts with that ...Egyptian?! Marius has been dead not a month, a month!, and that witch of a mother has already married Khayman! O, most wicked speed, to post with such dexterity to the elder one's sheets! It is not nor it cannot come to good: but break my heart; for I must hold my tongue.
Enter Louis, Mael, and Eric.
Louis: Lestat!
Lestat: (sullenly) It's good to see you're well. (walks away then stops abruptly and turns to face them) Louis! I do forget myself! It's been too long! (hugs Louis and they kiss briefly) Why did you cut your visit to Australia short?
Louis: I came to see your father's funeral.
Lestat: I prithee, do not mock me, dearest; I think it was to see my mother's wedding.
Louis: (obviously uncomfortable) Yes, well they did follow each other closely.
Lestat: Indeed, my love. 'Twas the same funeral blood that did coldly furnish wedding tables.
My father! -- Methinks I see my father.
Louis: Where, Lestat?
Lestat: In my mind's eye, Louis. I shall not look upon his like again.
Louis: My love, I think I saw him last night.
Lestat: Saw? Who?
Louis: Why the King, my love. Marius. Your father.
Lestat: Marius! My father!
Louis: Indeed, Lestat. He had the same face as I recall, the same crease in his brow as he frowned upon us. 'Twas Eric, Mael, and myself that witnessed it.
Lestat: My father!
Where did this occur?
Louis: Just at the front gate, my love.
Lestat: Specify! Where!
Eric: At the very front gate, Lestat. Are you deaf?
Lestat: Hmmm...
Tis very strange.
Do you hold watch tonight?
Mael: We do, Lestat.
Lestat: Arm'd?
Mael: Indeed, Lestat. At all times.
Lestat: I will watch with you tonight. Perchance 'twill walk again.
Louis: I don't know why it wouldn't.
Lestat: I do hope so, Louis. I should like to speak to it. If it resembles Marius I would like to chat with it, even if it is yet another demon. (shudders a bit then regains composure) I will meet you at the front gate at midnight. Until then breathe not a word of this to anyone!
Louis: We already anticipated you would want it that way, dearest. We will be there.
Exit all but Lestat.
Scene III: A room in Santino's house.
Enter David with Jesse and Santino. David carries packed bags.
David: Well, I'm off to London. I do hope the house is in good repair.
Santi: I am certain it will be.
Jesse: Good luck, David!
David: (waves and walks to window)
Exit David.
Santi: Jesse, there is something I have been meaning to speak with you about.
Jesse: Yes, Father?
Santi: What have you and Lestat been up to?
Jesse: (taken back) Excuse me?
Santi: I hear he has given you privileged time at the opera and in his quarters. There are even rumors that you have shared a coffin in the past month. Are these rumors true? Answer me!
Jesse: NO! We have only spoken a bit, though he has treated me to the opera on occasion. He is very rapt.
Santi: (smacks Jesse hard across the face) I have NO taste in pet sites! Everyone knows Lestat sleeps all through any opera! You have been entertaining him, have you not?
Jesse: No!
Santi: (regains calm demeanor and smiles a small smile) Very well. But I forbade you to go near him. He is dangerous and I shall not have you whoring yourself to the likes of a brat such as he! Do I make myself clear?
Jesse: (softly) Yes.
Santi: (screaming) What? Speak louder!
Jesse: Yes!
Santi: Yes what?
Jesse: (tears in eyes) I shall obey, my lord.
Exit all.
Scene IV: The Front Gate
Enter Lestat, Louis, and Mael.
Lestat: Awful cold for New Orleans. (shivers)
Louis: It is rather peculiar. But then, this entire situation is peculiar.
A flourish of trumpets, and two shots are fired.
What does that mean?
Lestat: Khayman is doing the nasty with my mother. They drink from liquor-filled mortals, gorging themselves until they can no longer walk straight, then falling into bed indulging in hot, sweaty pleasures until the death sleep oe'rtakes them.
Louis: (appalled) Is this a custom?
Lestat: Not a French one. Must be an Egyptian thing. (scowls)
Enter Ghost.
Louis: Look, Lestat, it comes!
Lestat: Mon Dieu! You spoke the truth! Marius! My dear father! Mentor! I am here! O, answer me! Why do you walk about restlessly?
Ghost beckons Lestat.
Louis: It motions for you to go away with it!
Mael: It waves for you to follow so courteously, but you mustn't go!
Louis: By no means!
Lestat: It will not speak; then I will follow it. (vanishes with preternatural speed after Ghost)
Exit Ghost and Lestat.
Louis: Mon chere! No!
This is all my fault!
Mael: Something is rotten in the state of New Orleans.
Louis: We must follow him! I'll not have him vanishing as he did with that Memnoch fellow!
Exit Louis and Mael.
Scene IV: Forest around castle (again, don't ask).
Enter Ghost and Lestat.
Lestat: Where are we going? Stop. I'll go no further.
Ghost: Mark me.
Lestat: I will.
Ghost: I must leave you soon for the limbo present for all restless spirits.
Lestat: Alas, poor ghost!
Ghost: Pity me not, but listen carefully to what I must say.
Lestat: Then speak! My curiosity is peaked!
Ghost: I am thy father's spirit, doom'd to walk the face of the Earth until the one who hast slain me is himself slain. List, list, O, list! If thou ever thy dear father love --
Lestat: Mon Dieu!
Ghost: Revenge his most foul and unnatural murder.
Lestat: Murder!
Tell me who has done this so I may swoop upon them with all the speed of my Dark Gifts to make them pay!
Ghost: I find thee an apt pupil as always. Listen closely.
I was exterminating the renvants of Rome, for they had become rather large in number when a serpent stung me. But mark these words: the serpent that did take thy father's life now wears his crown!
Lestat: O my prophetic soul! Khayman!
Ghosy: Ay, that wicked adulterous beast who slunk up on me from behind and dashed such a blow to my skull that did quite render me motionless. The renvants swept down upon me then, I powerless to stop them as that wicked traitor held me immobile with the powers of his mind! O, horrible! O, horrible! Most horrible!
But hark, I must leave you now. Goodbye, dear child! Remember me!
Exit Ghost.
Lestat: (sitting dazed on ground, tears streaming down his cheeks) Oh, dear Heaven. O, Earth! What else? Shall I add Hell? Oh, be still my heart! Calm thyself, for you beat most rapidly. Dear God, what have I seen? What will I do? O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain! That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain! Khayman, I have sworn to revenge the untimely death of dear Marius, and by Heaven or Hell, I shall do it! So sayeth the Vampire Lestat!
Enter Louis and Mael.
Louis: Lestat! There you are! My God, what were you thinking? You could have gotten yourself killed or spirited away or even worse! (hugs Lestat fiercely sobbing)
Lestat: Oh, dear sweet Louis. Do not cry. I am safe.
Louis: But you could have been ---
Lestat: (places two fingers over Louis' lips, silencing him) Listen, my darling. I am flattered by your protectiveness but there are more pressing matters to attend to.
Mael: What would you have us do?
Lestat: Simply swear to me that you will speak not a word of what has gone on here, not even in jest or in a hint. Not even if anyone asks you plainly. Swear!
Louis: I swear to it, my love. If we were to speak of this, they should all think you mad again, when you clearly are not.
Mael: I too swear.
Lestat: Excellent! Now I have much to do. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right! Now, let us go.
Exit all.
Act Two
Scene I: A room in Santino's house.
Enter Santino with a henchman-vampire, Raymond.
Santi: Give him this cash, Raymond.
Ray: Yes sir. (salutes)
Santi: One thing, before you go to him, ask around about his behavior.
Ray: Yes sir. I will do so, sir.
Santi: Now, before you go to him I wish you to send a few I have NO taste in pet sitess to his house, so that when you enter they will be in plain view. Do not let them see you as you hire them, but make certain you see them. When you hire them, tell them your name is David Talbot so they will look to him for payment. Be sure he knows you are there and have seen these women. Also, be certain to take photographs.
Ray: But sir, this will tarnish his reputation.
Santi: True enough, but why should I care? This castle is so fretfully dull, what with Armand off in Russia with Daniel planning to take over the world. And Marius, my rival, dead and gone. My only hope for amusement lies in tormenting dear David. (malicious grin)
Ray: Yes, sir.
Santi: (waves hand dismissively) Be gone.
Ray: Very well, sir.
Exit Raymond.
Enter Jesse.
Santi: Oh, what's the matter now? Can't you knock?
Jesse: (trembling with fear, face pale even for a vampire) Oh, Santino! I have been so affrighted!
Santi: By what?
Jesse: I was reading in my room when Lestat suddenly appeared with his clothing askew and his hair mussed. His eyes were large and pitiful as he crept toward me then, taking my wrist in his hand, he stared at me with those gray eyes of his.
Santi: Was he mad with love for you, or just plain mad?
Jesse: I do not know! But I fear it may be the former.
Santi: (interest sparked now) What did he say?
Jesse: He held my wrist painfully tight and held me at arm's length simply studying my face and gazing into my eyes. Then he nodded and sighed so piteously that the very act of it seemed to shatter his entire body. Then he released me and walked away, his head looking back at me so it seemed a miracle in itself he did not ram into the wall!
Santi: Come with me, now. We must see Khayman. This is very urgent. Tell me, have you quarreled with him recently?
Jesse: No, father. But I have ignored his talks with me and refused to answer his mental calls. I have sufficiently blocked him from me and avoided his path, as you bade me.
Santi: Hmmm...perhaps I was o'er hasty in my actions. This hath made him mad. Come, we shall find the King.
Exit All.
Scene II: A room in the castle.
Enter King and Queen with Maharet and Mekare.
King: Welcome, dear Maharet and Mekare! We have longed to see you again for some time, and do hope you will pardon our hasty sending to you. We have a bit of a dilemma at the moment. You have most likely heard of Lestat's transformation. He no longer resembles what he was in personality, and we have reason to believe it was Marius' death that triggered this change. I am so far from understanding him, so I ask the both of you to sit with him and gather as much information as you can about what his motives for behaving so strangely may be.
Queen: There is no one we will more gladly trust with this than you fine women, and if it pleases you, we pray you will spend some time with us to satisfy our curiosity and visit with the coven awhile. Your visitation shall receive much thanks, as fits a King's remembrance.
Mah: Both your majesties might command us instead of plead.
Mek: (mentally speaks to all) ~ But we both obey and will be commanded, for you have done us much kindness in the past, Khayman. ~
Mah: And we should like to keep your friendship.
King: Thanks, Maharet and gentle Mekare!
Queen: Thanks, Mekare and gentle Maharet! I beg you now to see my too much changed son. Go and find my Lestat.
Mek: ~ I do hope we can be of help! ~
Queen: Indeed!
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
Enter Santino.
Santi: My lord, might I have a word with you?
King: But of course, Santino! Speak freely among us.
Santi: (nods) It is my sad duty to inform the both of you that I have found the cause of Lestat's lunacy.
King: Oh, speak of that; that I do long to hear.
Santi: I will be brief, my liege and madam: Your noble son is mad: Mad I call it; for , to define true madness what is it but to be nothing else but mad? In my opinion --
Queen: (gritted teeth) More matter with less art.
Santi: Very well, madam. (clears throat) Uhm...yes...It seems your Lestat is in love with my Jesse. A love so deep that, in my foolish fear for her chastity by asking her to shun him, the poor creature has gone mad with love for her! He came to Jesse this very night and accosted her in a pitiful, love-filled manner.
King: Do you think this is the cause?
Queen: It may be. It sounds like something Lestat would do.
King: How can we test the theory?
Santi: Well, he walks sometimes in this area for hours simply wandering with no purpose.
Queen: Yes, that he does indeed do.
Santi: When he enters, I can loose Jesse to him and by spying we can find out what will happen and perhaps discover how she stands with him and where his feelings lie.
Enter Lestat reading a book.
Queen: But look, the poor wretch comes now reading! How it pains me to see him in this state!
Santi: Go! Away with you and I shall speak with him. We will use Jesse on him later!
Exit King and Queen.
How are you this fine evening, Lestat?
Lestat: (looks at Santiago) Oh. It's you.
Santi: Do you know me?
Lestat: Of course, sir. You are a shoe salesman!
Santi: Umm... not I, Lestat.
Lestat: Then I wish you were and honest man. For to be honest is a virtue only one creature in a thousand possess.
Santi: (very confused by now) That's very true, Lestat.
Lestat: For is the sun causes maggots to writhe in a dead dog, it would be a good piece of flesh for kissing.
Have you a daughter?
Santi: I have.
Lestat: I would watch her, for she is a tricky one. I should not let her stray too near the wolf's den, for then she may wish to leave you.
Santi: [aside] Odd. He knows of Jesse, yet speaks in riddles and didn't know me upon first glance! 'Tis very strange indeed! I shall try another tactic.
What are you reading, Lestat?
Lestat: Words.
Santi: I meant the matter of which you read.
Lestat: Matter? What is the matter?
Santi: I meant the matter of which you read, my lord.
Lestat: This? Petty drivel! It says here that old men have beards and hobble about with canes and the like when you and I, good sir, know that truly to be false! (laughs a bit)
Santi: [aside] He is indeed mad, yet his madness has a method.
I shall take my leave of you, Lestat.
Lestat: You cannot, sir, take from me anything that I could more happily give!
(muttering) Except my life, my life, my life...
Santi: Err...goodbye, Lestat.
Enter Maharet and Mekare.
Mah: My honored Lestat!
Mek: ~ My most dear Lestat! ~
Lestat: Ah, the ex-Queens approacheth! How are you, Maharet? How goes things, Mekare?
Mah: Happy as indifferent children of the earth.
Mek: ~ Happy in that we are not overly happy. ~
Lestat: So, why have you come here to New Orleans?
Mah: No reason, Lestat, except that the world is a marvelous place in which to live.
Lestat: Then doomsday is near. (snickers) But your news is not true. Why have you come to this prison?
Mek: ~ Prison, Lestat? ~
Lestat: New Orleans is a prison.
Mah: Then the world is one.
Lestat: Indeed, a high security one; in which there are many dungeons and traps. New Orleans is one of the worst.
Mah: We don't think so, Lestat.
Lestat: Then to me it is a prison.
Mek: ~ You are too much of the adventurer, Lestat. You long to roam and explore the world. Your ambition and restless mind make this place a prison. ~
Lestat: It would be nicer if I didn't have nightmares.
Leave me alone, the both of you.
Mah: But Lestat, dear, we have a gift for you.
Lestat: I've heard that one before.
Mah: We have invited actors to play here for you.
Lestat: Actors? Here? (smiling broadly) Mortal actors?
Mek: ~ Indeed. They wait to see you even now. They are coming here within mere moments. ~
Lestat: How marvelous! Perfectly marvelous!
Enter Actors.
You are all welcome! How marvelous! Can you do a scene for me?
Actor: Which one, my lord?
Lestat: Oh I don't know. Anything!
Actor: Only if you will recite a few lines for me. The rumors of your magnificence are not exaggerated; I am curious if the rumors of your acting ability are true as well. Prithee, are you familiar with Oedipus Rex?
Lestat: (smiling proudly) Indeed I am, shall I speak a few lines?
Actor: If you would be so kind, my lord.
Lestat: I shall be pleased to do it! (clears throat)
"Whatever will, whatever must!
I must know my birth, no matter how common
It may be -- must see my origins face-to-face.
She perhaps, with her woman's pride
May well be mortified by my birth,
But I, I count myself the son of Chance,
The great goddess, giver of all good things --
I'll never see myself disgraced. She is my mother!
And the moons have marked me out, my blood brothers,
One moon on the wane, the next moon great with power.
That is my blood, my nature -- I will never betray it,
Never fail to search and learn my birth!"
Actor: (applauding) Lovely, my lord! You are truly a master of the stage!
Santi: If only he could mind his tongue when the mind is more necessary.
Lestat: Mind your own tongue, whining coward!
(to Actor) You flatter me. I have not acted in centuries.
Actor: All life is a stage, my liege.
Lestat: (ominous once more) Indeed it is.
Now, dear sir, it is your turn as agreed.
Actor: After such a fine performance I cannot hope to outshine you, yet I shall hope to bring some small glimmer of amusement to you.
"But who, ah woe! had seen the mobled queen
Run barefoot up and down, threat'ning the flames
With bisson rheum; a clout upon that head
Where late the diadem stood, and for a robe,
About her lank and all o'er-teemed loins,
A blanket, in the alarm of fear caught up;
Who this had seen, with tongue of venom steep'd,
'Gainst Fortune's state would treason have pronounc'd:
But if the gods themselves did see here then
When she saw Pyrrus make malicious sport
In mincing with his sword her husband's limbs,
The instant clamour that she made,
Unless mortal move them not at all,
Would have made milch the burning eyes of heaven,
And passion in the gods."
Santi: Look at that! He has tears in his eyes!
Lestat: That was beautiful, kind gentle sir. (to Santino) Will you lead these players to their rooms? Make certain they are fed and watered so they might be of use to me tonight.
Actor: A play tonight?
Lestat: Perhaps, sir. Perhaps. I thank you kindly for the demonstration.
Actor: It is I who will be in your debt.
Lestat: Then you owe me a good show later, I do hope you can deliver it.
Actor: I assure you we can and will!
Lestat: I thank you. Now, Santino will show you to your chambers. Make merry as my guests and prepare!
Exit Actors and Santino.
Mah: We are glad you enjoyed them, Lestat. We must now be off to our own quarters.
Mek: ~ Goodbye, Lestat. ~
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
Lestat: So now I am alone.
Dear god, that an actor could produce tears such as those when speaking of a woman in a play he has never known or met, and I with my cowardly nature have hidden my fears and pain. I can do nothing, not for a king. A King! Marius! I have wronged you! Am I a coward? Am I a villain? Oh, Khayman you will pay! I shall put it off no longer!
But did the ghost speak the truth? Was it honest or simply another spirit to bedevil me. I cannot forget Memnoch, the cursed being who ripped my mind with his claws and whose laughter rings in my ears even to this day! No, I shall use the play. I shall set it up similar to the death of my own Father, and shall from a safe distance watch Khayman's reaction. If he acts in any telling manner, I shall kill him. The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.
Exit Lestat.
Act Three
Scene I: A room in the castle
Enter King, Queen, Santino, Jesse, Maharet, and Mekare.
King: Did anyone find out why he still acts insane? Is he really mad, or just acting?
Mah: He does say he feels strange, but didn't say what the cause was.
Mek: ~ He refuses to speak with us very much, and with crafty madness keeps aloof, when we ask for a confession of his true mental state. ~
Queen: Did he receive you well?
Mah: Quite kindly.
Mek: ~ But rather strangely. His behavior was peculiar. ~
Mah: As you described.
We told him of a troupe of actors we have hired to play before him for his amusement. He wishes they do a play tonight. He was quite enthusiastic about it.
Santi: 'Tis most true: and he beseeched me to ask your majesties to attend it.
King: Of course we shall attend! Would be an honor! It doth content me to hear of him so happy. You have done well, Twins. Perhaps this madness will vanish soon. Keep up the good work.
Mah: We shall, my lord.
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
King: Dearest Gabrielle, leave us too; for we have sent for Lestat and plan to bait him with Jesse to see his reaction. Your presence may cause him distress in some way, you being his mortal mother.
Queen: Very well, my husband.
And Jesse, I wish you the best of luck and pray that your good beauties be the happy cause of Lestat's wildness. Adieu.
Jesse: I hope so too, madam.
Exit Queen.
Santi: Good, now (to Jesse) read this book and when he comes hither your apparent loneliness will attract his attentions.
King: [aside] Dear God. I do hope this young fledgling is the cause of Lestat's insanity, for if it be the other I am discovered! O heavy burden!
Santi: I hear him coming! Let us hide, Khayman!
Exit King and Santino.
Enter Lestat.
Lestat: To be, or not to be; that is the question: Whether its better for my mind to suffer this excruciating pain of the injustice done upon me by that villainous creature, or to fight and perhaps kill him? What if I am to die? To die; to sleep: perchance to dream. Oui, that's the gag. The great trouble that causes even my string body to quiver. What dreams may come to those who cannot wake? Dreams of a peace or torment in Heaven or Hell? Dreams of a rebirth? Or perhaps nothing. A blackness to swallow me whole. 'Tis death, that undiscover'd country from whose lands no traveler returns that puzzles the will and makes us rather bear those ills we have than fly to others we know nothing of.
But what's this? The fair Jesse!
Jesse: Hello, Lestat. Is your evening going well?
Lestat: In a way, I suppose.
Jesse: Lestat, I have letters of yours that you once gave me. I beg you to take them back.
Lestat: No! I never gave you those!
Jesse: You know well enough that you did! You came to my room many a night and handed them over to me. I beg you to take them back.
Lestat: (has a brief laughing fit) Are you honest?
Jesse: What?
Lestat: Are you fair?
Jesse: What the Hell are you talking about?
Lestat: If you are honest and fair then you surely profess before one who can read your mind that you still have your virginity.
Jesse: Could beauty hide a body that is no longer virgin?
Lestat: Need you ask me that? Me?
Jesse: (softly) I suppose not, my love.
Lestat: (harsh laughter) Your love. HA! You do not love me, though I once loved you.
Jesse: Yes, you did make me believe so.
Lestat: You shouldn't have believed me. But I suppose it did help me to get into your bed, Oui?
Jesse: I suppose so, my lord.
Lestat: Indeed, though you should not believe all I say. I am mad you know.
Where is your father?
Jesse: At home, Lestat.
Lestat: (sadly) I see.
Get out of my sight, I have NO taste in pet sites! You who would lie as much as the rest of your family and the ones with which they hold council! AWAY!
Exit Lestat.
Jesse: (sobbing falls to the floor) Dear God! He is mad! Oh Lestat, my one time lover! I have betrayed you and you are thus mad! O, woe is me! I have believed his lies and he hath believed mine.
Enter King and Santino.
King: Love! This is not the cause of his madness! It is something else lying beneath his exterior. There's something in his soul eating at him. Well, This is the final straw. I shall send him to England whereupon he shall get what he deserves.
What think you on 't?
Santi: It is a fine idea, my lord. I do still believe though that this madness has sprung from his love for Jesse. (to Jesse) Hush, my dear. We heard it all. Quiet. (to King) Let his mother speak with him. She who bore him and is his fledgling should know his personality better than most. Then, if your suspicions are still confirmed send him to England.
King: It shall be so.
Madness in great ones must not unwatch'd go.
Exit all.
Scene II: A hall in the castle.
Enter Lestat and three of the actors.
Lestat: Now, don't forget to add this little bit I have written. Do not overact with it, but play it as though it has feeling, yet do not make it a mushy disgusting thing. Make it elegant yet forceful, do you understand?
Actor: We shall endeavor to do it the way you so wish, sir.
Exit Actors.
Enter Santino, Maharet, and Mekare.
Lestat: So, Santino, will Khayman hear this piece of work?
Santi: And the Queen too, yes.
Lestat: Excellent! Bid the players make haste!
Exit Santino.
Will you two help him to hurry them along?
Mah: We will, Lestat.
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
Lestat: Bonjour! Louis!
Enter Louis.
Louis: Ah, Lestat! I have not seen you in nights! (they kiss briefly)
Lestat: I do not hold it against you, but I have something to tell you.
Louis: Oui, mi amour?
Lestat: This play is part of my plan. Remember that ghost we saw in front of the castle?
Louis: How could I forget!
Lestat: That spirit gave me some information. It confided in me that Khayman murdered Marius to obtain the crown!'
Louis: Mon Dieu! Why did you not tell me?
Lestat: Du calme, Louis. I have not acted on it yet, though I should have. This play is the key. There is a scene I have added that is much like the manner in which Marius was murdered. I want you to sit in the loft and watch Khayman as I do, for I may miss his reaction. If he flinches or becomes agitated, we shall know the ghost was honest. If he does not, then it was a being from Hell, which thought to tempt me.
Louis: Oh Lestat! Of course I will help you! We shall meet after the play and discuss what we have seen, alright?
Lestat: Sounds good to me! Merci beaucoup, Louis.
Louis: De rien, mon amour. Bonne chance! [translation: Good luck!]
Lestat: Bonne chance.
Exit Louis.
Enter King, Queen, Santino, Jesse, Maharet, Mekare, and others.
King: How fares our son Lestat?
Lestat: Excellent! I drink in surroundings and gape at the crowds around me!
King: Strange words, Lestat.
Lestat: Aren't all words strange, majesty? [to Santino] Weren't you once in a play, Santino?
Santi: That was a coven, Lestat, not a play.
Lestat: But you did act upon a stage?
Santi: If you call muddied walls beneath cemeteries a stage.
Lestat: All the world is a stage, Santino!
Santi: Then you must be the most annoying actor of all.
Queen: Santino! Mind your tongue!
Lestat: It is alright, mother. He is a fool who knows no better.
Are the actors ready?
Mah: Yes, Lestat. They await your cue.
Queen: Come, Lestat, and sit by me.
Lestat: No thanks, Mother. I would rather be with Jesse.
Santi: Ha! Did you her that?
Lestat: (lying at Jesse's feet) Lady, shall I lie in your lap?
Jesse: No, my lord.
Lestat: I mean, my head upon your lap.
Jesse: Yes, my lord.
Lestat: Do you think I attack you?
Jesse: I think nothing my lord.
Lestat: Humph. A fine thought to lay between a lady's legs!
Jesse: What is, my lord?
Lestat: Nothing.
Jesse: You are in a good mood, my lord.
Lestat: Who me?
Jesse: I see no one else, my lord.
Lestat: No one? But look at how my mother fawns over Khayman with Marius not two days dead!
Jesse: Actually it's been two months, Lestat.
Lestat: So long? I hadn't noticed...
The play begins, showing a pantomime with a queen and King in orchard. Queen leaves and a man enters to sic murderers on King. When Queen returns she cries and falls to her knees at side of the corpse. Murderer returns and woos Queen to him while body of king is carried away.
King: Lestat, is there no offence in this play?
Lestat: No, no. They do but jest, poison and jest; no offence in the world, Khayman!
King: What do you call this play?
Lestat: The Mouse-trap. It's all based on some famous murder, pay it no mind and heed the play!
Enter King who is dressed in armor and moving into dangerous territory. Murderer sneaks up from behind.
Lestat: Watch this. That man will turn the tables on the good king and have him killed. You'll see how he gains the affections of the dead king's wife.
Jesse: The King rises!
Queen: [to Khayman] Are you alright, my lord?
Santi: What do you think of the play?
King: Give us some lights. This performance is at an end.
Santi: Lights! Lights!
Exit all but Lestat and Louis.
Lestat: Oh, Louis! The ghost was right! Did you see him flinch?
Louis: Indeed, Lestat. He is indeed guilty.
Lestat: It was during the talk of the ambush?
Louis: Oui.
Lestat: HAHA! We have him now!
Enter Maharet and Mekare.
Mek: ~ Lestat, the king is quite angry. ~
Lestat: Now what ever could have brought that on?
Mah: Gabrielle wishes to have a word with you in her room. She requires your presence immediately.
Lestat: Immediately, you say? I fear I cannot, being out of my head as it were. Are you going to lock me up again, Maharet?
Mah: Only if you proceed in this manner, Lestat.
Lestat: HAHA! But I am not comatose! You have no power over me! I have the most powerful blood of all! You would do well to remember that, lest some strange mishap befall you.
Enter Santino.
Ah! God bless you, sir! Welcome! How art thou?
Santi: Lestat, your mother wishes to speak to you now.
Lestat: Do you see that child over there? She reminds me of someone. Blonde curls...
Santi: I do not see --
Lestat: I shall come by and by.
Santi: (flustered) I shall tell her.
Exit Santino.
Lestat: Leave me be now, friends, for I am tired and of ill temper.
Exit all.
Scene III: A room in the castle.
Enter King, Maharet and Mekare.
King: I hate that blonde freak! We must get rid of him somehow. Ah, an idea springs to mind. You two shall accompany him on a trip to England by ship and upon reaching the country give this letter to the head of the country. He owes me a favor and will know what to do.
Mah: We assure you he shall go henceforth to his doom.
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
Enter Santino.
Santi: My lord, he is going to his mother's room. I shall hide behind the draperies and listen to the conversation. I shall tell you of all I hear and if he becomes violent I shall protect her.
King: I doubt Gabrielle will need much protection, but do this deed. It shall not be forgotten.
Santi: Thank you, my lord.
Exit Santino.
Scene IV: Gabrielle's room.
Enter Queen and Santino.
Santi: And so, I shall hide behind these drapes and protect you, my Queen.
Queen: You're full of I have NO taste in pet sites if you think I'll --
Lestat: (heard outside) Mother, mother, mother!
Queen: Hide if you must, but make not a sound and do not be detected or I shall kill you myself!
Santi: [aside] The whole family is insane!
Santino hides behind drapes.
Enter Lestat.
Lestat: Well, Mother, what's the matter?
Queen: Lestat, you have thy father much offended.
Lestat: Mother, you have my father much offended.
Queen: Come, come, you answer with an idle tongue!
Lestat: Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue!
Queen: Lestat!
Lestat: What's wrong now?
Queen: Have you forgotten who I am?
Lestat: Unfortunately not.
Queen: What is wrong with you!?
Lestat: Oh, do be quiet and sit down, wench! (pushes Gabrielle roughly to her seat)
Queen: What? Wilt thou murder me?
Santi: (from behind drapes) Murder! I am coming to help!
Lestat: Ah! The King! (catches drapes and Santino aflame)
Santi: O, I am slain! (falls and dies)
Queen: Oh, Lestat! What have you done!
Lestat: Is it the King? Was he hiding there? I hope so, for he is surely dead now.
Queen: You would kill a king!
Lestat: Oui, I would. But I am not so bad as you, who would marry me after I did it. (lifts drapes and finds Santino's remains)
Stupid fool. Marius would revel in this death! As would my dear dark brother, wherever he may be in Russia.
(to Gabrielle) Didn't you know that Khayman murdered Marius? I have proof! The play, Mother! Did you not see his reaction?
Queen: (tears in eyes) Oh, Lestat. I did not think ...
Lestat: You did not, this is true. But you were deceived. (lifts Santino's ashes and takes them to the window) Do me a favor and stay out of Khayman's bed, alright? Do me that small thing.
Queen: Of course, my son.
Let me help you to spread the ashes. I have done you a great wrong.
Exit.
Act Four
Scene I: A room in the castle
Enter King and Queen, with Maharet and Mekare.
King: There is a motive to his apparent madness. I shall discover what the root of this behavior is and put an end to it. His foolishness has gone on long enough. It's time we stopped ignoring the problem.
(to Gabrielle who is being very quiet) Where is your son?
Queen: Can you leave us for a while, Twins?
Mah: [aside] Do this. Do that. This ordering the twins around bit is getting old.
Exit Maharet and Mekare.
King: So, what has happened with Lestat?
Queen: He is truly mad, Khayman! Santino was hiding behind the drapes in my room when Lestat threatened me. Santino made a noise and Lestat torched him! He thought the poor wretch was you!
King: Dear God! He is now trying to kill me! Well, we shall see about this! Where are the ashes?
Queen: Just a moment, Khayman.
Did you kill Marius?
King: Excuse me?
Queen: Never mind. Let us find Lestat.
King: Indeed. (calls mentally for the Twins)
Enter Maharet and Mekare.
Mek: ~ You rang? ~
King: Lestat has murdered Santino. We must find our Prince and get him to another country before David to find his father dead. (shakes head) It seems our plan for sending the wretch to England must come into play sooner than previously expected. Do you still have the letter?
[aside] And they will kill the infernal Brat Prince once and for all! Ah, but we shan't let Gabrielle in on the plan. She will surely oppose it.
Mah: 'Tis safe in my garments.
King: Yes... (clears throat) Very good. Now, let us find the Brat.
Queen: What do you plan to do to him?
King: Only to send him to England to keep him sage from David's wrath. The Talamascan is probably on his way back even as we speak. We must be swift about it.
Mah: I will chain him again!
Queen: You have a thing for that, don't you?
Mah: (insulted) If you had raised him better we would not have these problems.
Queen: If I had raised him better Akasha would have killed us all without a second thought.
King: Enough! Let us find Lestat! Make haste!
Exit all.
Scene II: Another room in the castle.
Enter Lestat.
Lestat: Well, the ashes are nicely spread. Kind of Mother to aide me for a while, but she must not be seen helping me. I am in enough danger as it is!
Enter Maharet and Mekare.
Mah: Lestat! What have you done! Where is Santino?
Lestat: Compounded with the dust, whereto 'tis kin. (laughs crazily)
Enter King.
King: Oh most heavy deed, Brat. You have murdered Santino!
Lestat: No big loss. I never liked him anyway! (laughs some more)
King: (to Twins) Take him where we specified by boat. Remember to shield from David, for his wrath will be frightening.
Mek: ~ Yes, my liege. ~
Exit Maharet and Mekare dragging the laughing Lestat.
King: And in England, Lestat, thou shalt perish and the coven shall at last be rid of your accursed antics and the sound of your wretched voice.
Exit.
Scene III: A room in the castle.
Enter Louis, Queen, and a Gentleman.
Queen: I will not speak with her! My son has been taken away! I don't have time for this rubbish!
Man: But my Queen, I beg of you. It is of utmost importance that you see her! She is having hallucinations and rants and raves constantly! I fear she may be mad!
Louis: No! I will not believe it!
Queen: Du calme, Louis. (To gentleman) Very well. Bring her in, but this better be serious and your fears well founded. You know how we feel about madness.
Exit Gentleman.
Enter Jesse (babbling, foaming at the mouth, and wandering in circles).
Jesse: Where is the beauteous majesty of Denmark?
Queen: Jesse?
Jesse: (singing)
Yes, I did love him so
Blonde hair, gray eyes
But he hath blood on his hands
Not that of a mortal ...
Queen: Alas, dear, what is the purpose of this song?
Jesse: (screams) Listen! (softly) And find out!
(singing)
The man dead and gone, mi'lady
Dead and gone
Ashes to ashes
His dust to wind
(sobs and beats head against floor)
Louis: Oh, Jesse!
Queen: I cannot bear much more of this!
Enter King.
Queen: Alas, look here, husband!
Jesse: (singing and rocking back and forth in corner)
Oh, the flowers are so pretty.
I want to dance
But my lover is not here
Only his lover in the room
King: How long has she been like this?
Jesse: Oh! My ride is here! (stands and brushes invisible flowers from clothing) Goodbye, Louis! Goodbye! Goodbye, dear, sweet, innocent Louis!
Exit Jesse.
King: Follow her close and make sure she is as well as can be.
Exit Louis.
King: And we have yet to hear from David. How has he taken such news? That Lestat in a psychotic rage murdered Santino? And Jesse mad! It is most grievous news indeed.
Door bursts inward suddenly and David strides forward.
David: Khayman! How dare you!
King: David, we are as saddened as you --
David: I do not think so, sir! (leaps upon Khayman and punches him in the face)
Queen: David! Stop!
King: (kicks David away) I swear to you, dearest David, it was not I who had anything to do with the murder of Santino! Lestat has gone mad!
David: I've heard that one before!
King: Will you listen for a moment? Have you not heard the news whispered among our mortal aides in the hallways? Listen to their thoughts; I cannot sway them all!
David: (listens calmly for a moment then opens eyes) Dear God. Lestat. How could he do something like -- like this!
King: (stands and straightens clothing) Yes well he has! Murder! We have sent him away for the moment, but he may return.
Knocking on the door. Enter Jesse.
David: Jesse? Dear girl, what has happened to you?
Jesse: Ah, my old leader! I fair the well. I do hope thou shalt live longer than our dear father, for he hast passed into the next realm. Dead and gone. Dead and gone. Dead and gone.
Did you have fun in ... wherever you were?
David: (tears in eyes) Oh, Jesse. Jesse.
Jesse: Once of my name is well enough. I can hear you perfectly, me being what I am. Ah, that I am alive yet dead yet not as dead as he. Oh! Oh! O, weary soul! Lestat! Thou hast betrayed our love!
David: Love? You and Lestat?
[aside] Must Lestat lay with every member of the coven?!
Exit Jesse as she wanders away.
Queen: I shall accompany her. It seems she lost Louis in her wanderings.
Exit Queen.
King: David, I sympathize with you. How may I put your mind at ease?
David: Help me avenge Santino. And Jesse. And myself. Help me kill the vampire Lestat de Lioncourt!
King: With pleasure, David. With great pleasure. (smiles)
Exit.
Scene IV: Another room in the castle.
Enter Louis and others.
Louis: I am supposed to be watching Jesse, sirs. What news have you?
Sailor: Of Lestat, he has sent us with a message.
Louis: From Lestat? Then tell me of it! Quickly!
Sailor: Very well. (hands Louis a letter)
Louis: Merci beaucoup.
Sailor: Huh?
Louis: (sighs) Thank you, sirs. Now do leave me in peace.
Exit all but Louis.
Louis: (reads) Louis,
Ah, mi amor, they have thought to kill me! I have safely escaped from the ship but the letter Maharet had on her person contained an order for my beheading. I am appalled and more than a little angry. I should be back to you soon, but I have some unfinished business to attend to first. I have purchased a cellar and some chains. Maharet and Mekare will be in for a shock when they awaken. I know, I am impossible, but they do deserve it! If killing them would not be my own undoing, I should slaughter them in a moment!
I will meet you in the old graveyard on Rue Royal tomorrow night. I pray, please be there.
Love, Lestat.
Scene V: Khayman's room.
Enter King and David.
David: So, Lestat is alive. How unfortunate your plan failed.
King: Yes, it is a good thing Maharet managed to send me the message mentally. But he will undoubtedly return. I have a plan for when he does.
David: A plan, Khayman?
King: Indeed.
You shall challenge Lestat to a duel of blades.
David: But with his speed I cannot possibly win!
King: You won't have to. I have obtained through a few outside sources this poison that will literally eat through vampire blood.
David: Horrendous!
King: Do you not still want revenge?
David: Yes, but --
King: Then the poison is the best way to do it. Don't you think?
David: (sighs) You are right, my King.
King: Naturally.
Enter Queen.
Queen: This matter only worsens as time goes by!
King: What has happened now, Gabrielle?
Queen: Most horrible! Jesse has gone into the fire. She is dead.
David: Dead!
Lestat, I shall kill you now! By God, I swear it!
Exit David.
Queen: You won't let him, will you Khayman?
King: Of course not, my dear! What kind of a sick creature do you think I am?
But come, David may do something rash, and it took so long to calm his anger!
Queen: Yes, of course.
Exit.
Act Five
Scene I: A graveyard.
Enter Eric and Mael, no longer dressed in Guard outfits.
Eric: (imitating Mael) "Oh no, I wasn't drinking from crack heads!" Phah! Never have I seen such a pathetic vampire! Are you sure you were a Druid in life? It wasn't an acid flashback or something?
Mael: (sighs) How can you blame me for our getting demoted to gravediggers? You kept making human sacrifices on Khayman's coffin!
Eric: (sneers) Just shut up!
Mael: And I'm not the one who hid when the ghost came for us, remember?
Eric: Yes, well... it wasn't real anyway!
Mael: It was so! Louis and Lestat saw it too!
Eric: Then how come no one mentions it around here? I don't see the crew from "Sightings" crawling over the yard.
Mael: I was sworn to secrecy. Anyway, lets get to this grave. It's a shame about her, going crazy like that. I liked her. We were an item for awhile and --
Eric: Yeah, yeah. Stop reminiscing and dig her damn grave, will you? Why does it have to be of normal size, anyway? It's not like vampires are exactly good Christians.
Mael: (sadly) It's a sign of respect.
Eric: We could fertilize the roses with her, at least she'd be useful.
Enter Lestat and Louis walking hand in hand and watching from a distance.
Anyway, I'm hungry now. Go fetch yourself a snack, and then come back to relieve me, will you?
Mael: Yeah. Sure.
Exit Mael.
Eric: (singing as he digs)
In youth, when I did love, did love,
Methought it was very sweet,
To contract -- O -- the time, for -- a -- my behove,
O, methought, there -- a -- was nothing -- a -- meet.
Lestat: Does this man have no feeling? He sings as he digs a place for one of our dead.
Louis: I suppose the frequency of his work makes it less painful and far easier.
Lestat: Still, it's rather unfeeling.
Louis: Indeed.
Eric: (song)
But age, with his stealing steps,
Hath claw'd me in his clutch,
And hath shipped me into the land
As if I had never been such. (throws up a skull)
Lestat: That skull was once alive, and this creature tosses it about as though it was no more than stone! Such a horror, to think that one day we may be treated in such a manner.
Louis: I would never let anyone treat you such, my love.
Lestat: But what if you had no control over the fate of my remains? And I over yours? Dear God, the horror. To think that I could not even protect your ashes from such a fate if death befell you. Oh Louis, I am trembling!
Louis: (hold Lestat close) Hush, my love! Hush! There is no need to fear.
Eric: (song)
A pick-axe, and a spade, a spade,
For and a shrouding sheet:
O, a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet. (throws up another skull)
Lestat: There's another! How many have died here and now he uses the same grave over! O, is there no respect for those who have passed on?
Louis: It seems not among this man, Lestat.
Lestat: I don't understand this man. I will speak to him. (to Eric) Whose grave is this, sir?
Eric: Mine. Now go away.
(song)
O, a pit of clay for to be made
For such a guest is meet.
Lestat: I think it is yours indeed, for you liest in it. And I shall stay if I wish, thank you.
Eric: You lie out of it sir, and therefore it is not yours: for my part, I do not lie in it, yet it is mine.
Lestat: You do lie in it, to be in it and say it is yours: tis for the dead, not for the quick; therefore thou liest.
Eric: Whatever.
Lestat: For what man do you dig it?
Eric: For no man, sir.
Lestat: A woman, then?
Eric: No woman either.
Lestat: Who is to be buried in it?
Eric: Was once a woman, then a vampire, and now is dead.
Lestat: (to Louis) This man is really, REALLY a pain in the ass!
Louis: (to Lestat) As you must be to him, I assume.
Lestat: Please don't whine, Louis. I'm not in the mood. (to Eric) How long have you been a gravedigger?
Eric: Longer than I would like. Since the Prince was shipped away as a madman.
Lestat: How did this prince become mad? (smiling to Louis)
Eric: No one really knows, but rumor says his love left him.
Louis: (stifles laughter)
Lestat: (hushes Louis)
Eric: Ah, here's a skull belonging to a man who's lain in this earth for over a hundred years. Doing pretty good, don't ya think? (throws up skull)
Lestat: Who's was it?
Eric: Another crazy vampire. Used to play the violin from what Armand says, or said before he left the country. Talented but crazy. He was made by our own mad prince, so I hear. Alas, 'twas once Nicholas de Lenfent.
Lestat: This?
Eric: E'en that.
Lestat: Let me see. (takes the skull) Alas, poor Nicki! You bore me on your back a thousand ti-- (looks at Louis, clears throat) I knew him intimately, Louis: a fellow of infinite depression yet with a face as kind and gentle as an angel. His madness was my fault, I can clearly tell you. We spent many a long evening together speaking and making love; and how my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where are your flashes of temperament now? Your laughter? Your songs? Your deft fingers with which to play the violin with such speed and skill as to astound all who saw you do 't. Prithee, Louis, tell me one thing.
Louis: What's that, my love?
Lestat: Why do I outlive those I love?
Louis: Oh Lestat, you do not outlive all those you love. I am here and you have not outlived me. And Gabrielle. And Armand.
Lestat: (puts down the skull) But Louis, I am so afraid to be left alone eventually! I love you! I do not want to lose you the way I lost --
Louis: Hush! Don't think on such things. I know. (they hug and kiss tenderly)
Lestat: (pulls away) But soft! But soft awhile! Here comes Khayman!
Enter King, Queen, David, Priest and a vase of ashes.
The Queen and David? Who is it to have died that they all know? Not Santino, that was too long ago. Oh, Louis, what else has happened!
Louis: I do not know, my love. But we shall listen and find out, Oui?
(pulling Lestat behind a group of bushes)
David: Wit thou not speak further? Is there to be no ceremony?
Preist: Not for a vampire.
David: Lay her i' th' earth: and from her fair and unpolluted flesh may violets spring! I tell thee, curlish priest, a minist'ring angel shall my sister be, when thou liest howling in Hell.
Lestat: What! The fair Jesse!
Queen: Sweets to the sweet: farewell! (scattering flowers)
David: I cannot take this! All have died or betrayed me! (leaps in grave) Cover me up as well and I shall lie here with her for eternity!
Lestat: (advancing) Who are you to say such things! I loved her, while you simply thought she was sweet to look at! It is I, Lestat de Lioncourt! (leaps into grave)
David: Devil! Be gone! (grapples with Lestat)
Lestat: Oh please, take thy fingers from my throat; for, though I am not as rash as usual I want no quarrel. Hold off thy hand!
King: Get them out of there.
Queen: Lestat!
Priest: Gentlemen --
Louis: Quiet, minister! You have nothing to say in this manner. Now, leave, before we make you a meal.
Exit Priest.
Lestat: Why do you attack me, David? I love you as much as I ever have, and you fight with me in Jesse's grave! Well, this is an outrage! Dear Jesse! She deserved better than this.
David: O, he is mad, Khayman!
King: I pray thee, good Louis, take him away from my sight before I torch him on the spot.
Exit Lestat with Louis.
King: (to David) Keep your patience on the basis of last night's speech; we'll take care of the matter. Gabrielle, set some watch over your son.
Exit Queen.
Jesse shall have a living monument: we shall wait an hour or so then strike.
Exit.
Scene II: Lestat's bedroom.
Lestat and Louis laying on the bed.
Lestat: So much for this, Louis. I have still to kill Khayman. Do you remember all the circumstance?
Louis: How could I forget.
Lestat: Chere, in my heart there was a kind of fighting: should I kill him or not? He is very old and I was not sure if such a thing could actually be done. But after the play I knew I had to do it. I was so full of anger!
Louis: That is most understandable.
Lestat: But Maharet and Mekare dragged me to a ship bound for England. When I found that letter ordering my death I knew what I had to do. I attacked the two Twins, rendering them unconscious and finally binding them until we reached England whereupon reaching David's Manor, I bound them in heavy chains much like the ones Maharet once used upon me. They are still in the basement there, I believe, and I will release them once they have realized their folly. To kill them would be to destroy our kind, and we can't have that can we?
Louis: Oh Lestat, I knew you would triumph.
Lestat: Ah, but you are the only one who has kept with me, helping me and still loving me through this entire ordeal. No matter what you have believed in me and I thank you. (they kiss deeply)
Louis: But Khayman will find out about this!
Lestat: Oui, if he hasn't already. But what else could I do?
Louis: True enough, mi amour. True enough.
Peace! Someone is at the door. (they stand and straighten clothes) Enter!
Enter a Courtier.
Courti: Your lordship is welcome beck to New Orleans.
Lestat: Merci. (to Louis) Dost know this wierdo?
Louis: Non. He must be new or something.
Lestat: (to Courtier) Well? Don't just stand there gaping at us. What do you want?
Courti: Begging your pardon, my lordship, but the King has made a wager with you in mind. He says that in a sword fight between you and David, you will --
Lestat: Can you get on with it? We were occupied before you entered.
Courti: Beggi --
Lestat: Yes, yes. "Begging your pardon, my lordship." I know. Now continue.
Louis: (to Lestat) Stop being a fool and relax. This message seems to be of the utmost importance.
Lestat: An unimportant bearer of such important news. Very well. (to Courtier) Proceed.
Courti: You have been challenged to a duel by David Talbot. Might I say, sir, that he is very skilled with his sword.
Lestat: I'm sure.
What's his weapon?
Courti: Rapier and dagger.
Lestat: That's two of his weapons: but, well.
Courti: The King, sir, hath laid that in a dozen passes between yourself and David, he shall not exceed you three hits: he hath laid on twelve for nine and we could begin the contest if your lordship would give his consent.
Lestat: And what if I say "no"?
Courti: The King would be most displeased, sir.
Lestat: Oh, and we wouldn't want that now, would we? Very well, I shall rise to the challenge.
Courti: Excellent, sir! I shall deliver the message.
Lestat: Fine, fine.
Exit Courtier.
Peculiar fellow, that.
Louis: You may lose this wager, my love.
Lestat: No. I was fairly good with a sword in my youth, and such talent are not lost upon being made a vampire. I shall win 't. But thou wouldst not think how ill all 's here about my heart: but it is no matter.
Louis: Nay, mi amour --
Lestat: It's nothing, Louis. I'm just being paranoid, is all.
Louis: If you don't trust the whole idea then I shall tell them to call it off at once.
Lestat: Non, mi ami. I thank you, but no. I have accepted the duel and shall rise to the challenge. The Vampire Lestat de Lioncourt never turns from a challenge!
Exit.
Scene III: A hall in the castle.
A table has been prepared. Enter King, Queen, Courtier, and David. A man enters rolling a cart upon which lie various rapiers and daggers.
King: Come, Lestat, and take this hand from me.
The King puts David's hand into Lestat's.
Lestat: Give me your forgiveness, David. I have done you wrong. Everyone here knows how I am punished by a madness that causes me to do strange things for no real reason. In my right mind I would never have harmed you in any way, nor any of your kin. It seems I have shot mine arrow o'er the house, and hurt my brother.
David: I am satisfied in nature, whose motive in this case should drive me most to my revenge: but in my terms of honor I stand aloof; and will no reconcilement until I have been avenged in some manner.
Lestat: I understand, really. I am truly sorry, David.
David: As am I, Lestat.
Lestat: Well, give us the foils, come on.
David: And one for me, as well.
King: Give them the foils, young Courtier.
They prepare to play.
King: Set me stoops of blood upon the table. If Lestat gives the first hit, I shall drink to him and place in his cup this pearl as I sign of my love for him. Give me the cups and the kettle as well. Now, let us begin.
They play.
Lestat: Come on, sir.
David: Very well, Lestat.
Lestat: One!
David: No!
Lestat: Survey says?
Courti: A hit, a very palpable hit.
King: Stay your arms. Give me the drink. Lestat, this pearl is thine; here's to thy health. Give him the cup.
Lestat: I'll play this bout first, let it sit awhile. I'm busy!
They play.
Another hit! What say you, David?
David: A touch, a touch, I do confess 't.
King: Our son shall win.
Queen: Oh Lestat, you always win! Here, let me hug you, we never do anymore.
Lestat: Oh mother! (they hug)
Queen: I am thirsty. A cup, servants!
King: Gabrielle, do not drink.
Queen: I will my lord; I pry you, pardon me. (drinks)
King: [aside] It is the cup with the poison'd blood. It is too late. In a matter of moments it shall destroy her preternatural flesh and reduce her to a greasy paste.
Lestat: I dare not drink yet, madam, by and by. If I stop battling now I'll quite lose concentration.
David: My lord, I'll hit him now.
King: (to Laertes) Be quick, and touch the poison to his flesh.
David: [aside] And yet 'tis almost against my conscience.
Lestat: Come, for the third pass, David: you dally; I pray you to give it your best shot! I could use the exercise! (snickers)
They play.
Courti: Nothing, either way.
David: Have at you!
David wound Lestat then, in a scuffling, they change rapiers and Lestat wounds David.
King: Part them, they are furious and the castle may catch aflame!
Lestat: No! I'm not done with you yet, David.
The Queen falls.
Courti: Look to the Queen there, ho!
Louis: They bleed on both sides! Lestat, are you alright?
Lestat: Never mind me, how is my mother?
King: She swoons to see them bleed.
Queen: No, no, the drink, the drink -- O my dear Lestat, -- The drink, the drink! I am poison'd.
Lestat: O villainy! Lock all the doors! Seek out this fiend so I may behead him! My mother! Oh, god!
David falls.
David: The villain is here, Lestat. Thou art slain; no med'cine in the world can do thee good; you have not half an hour left of life. The murderous instrument is in thy hand, venom'd. The foul deed hast turned itself on me; lo, here I lie, never to rise again. I am dying as are you, my friend. Thy mother's poison'd. The King, the King's to blame.
Lestat: The point poison'd too? The venom do thy work!
Beheads Khayman in one swipe.
David: He is justly served. It was a poison created by him to do you in from the moment you began causing him trouble. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Lestat: Mine and Santino's death were by no fault of yours, nor your death mine!
David dies and melts into greasy ash-paste.
Lestat: Eww. And to think that will soon be me!
Oh Louis, I am dead. Know that I love you.
Louis: And I you, though I suppose at heart I am more an ancient Roman than a plantation owner: Here