3بخش

I hope to see you again, miss.

And I, you.

You sound as if you’re the first fellow ever to meet a pretty girl.

She wasn’t a “pretty girl.

Well, she was a pretty girl, but there was so much more to her.

How much more?

You’ve only met her once.

How could you know anything about her?

You told me you knew right away when you met Mother.

That’s different.

Your mother was a princess.

You would have loved her anyway.

I would never have seen her, because it wouldn’t have been appropriate.

And my father would have told me what I’m telling you and I would have listened.

No, you wouldn’t.

Yes, I would.

No, you wouldn’t.

I would.

You wouldn’t.

You’re right.

Well, how is he?

Your Majesty.

Never mind.

If it takes that long to work out a way to say it, I already know.

Father.

Way of all flesh, boy.

Come.

We shall be late.

And punctuality is the politeness of princes.

His Majesty, the King!

I’m sure your father spoke to you of your behavior in the forest.

Is it any business of yours, Grand Duke?

Your business is my business, Your Royal Highness.

It will not do to let the stag go free.

Just because it’s what’s done doesn’t mean it’s what should be done.

Or something like that.

Master Phineus, master of the paintbrush, patiently awaits.

Make him look marriageable, Master Phineus.

We must attract a suitable bride, even if he won’t listen to a word I say.

I shall endeavor to please, Your Majesty.

But I can’t work miracles.

A splendid canvas, Master Phineus.

Thank you.

As if he knows anything about art.

So, these portraits will really be sent abroad?

To induce the high and mighty to attend this ball you insist upon.

Which is a tradition.

Which is beloved.

At which you will choose a bride.

Ah, fascinating.

If I must marry, could I not wed, say, a good, honest country girl?

How many divisions will this “good, honest country girl” provide us?

How will she make the kingdom stronger?

We are a small kingdom amongst great states, Your Royal Highness.

And it’s a dangerous world.

Listen, boy.

Taking you up, Master Phineus.

Good.

I want to see you and the kingdom safe.

All right, Father, on one condition.

Let the invitations go to everyone, not just the nobility.

The wars have brought sorrow on us all.

What do you think?

Would that please the people?

It’s beyond my wit, Your Majesty.

But I wouldn’t mind a bit of a jolly.

I think we might have made a bargain.

A ball for the people, and a princess for the prince.

Sounds like a step in the right direction, if you ask.

We didn’t ask you.

I’m so sorry.

Naughty paint, naughty brush.

Down, please, Samson.

Haven’t even got a cushion.

Right, down, down.

Not that.

Oi!

I’m on the ground.

I am literally on the ground.

Sorry.

Actually this is a very good angle for you.

Great nostrils.

Could I have a longer brush?

You don’t look well, miss.

Not at all.

Why do you stay there, when they treat you so?

Because I made my mother and father a promise to cherish the place we were so happy.

They loved our house.

and now that they’re gone, I love it for them.

It’s my home.

Hear ye!

Hear ye!

Quiet!

“Know,”on this day, two weeks hence,”there shall be held, at the palace, “a Royal Ball.

“At said ball, “in accordance with ancient custom,”the prince shall choose a bride.

“Furthermore,”at the behest of the prince,”it is hereby declared that every maiden in the kingdom, “be she noble or commoner is invited to attend.

“Such is the command of our most noble king.

Excuse me, madam.

Ella was enormously excited to see Kit, the apprentice.

And her stepsisters were mildly intrigued by the notion of meeting the prince.

I shall trick him into loving me.

See if I don’t!

This is the most hugest news!

Calm yourselves.

Now listen to me.

One of you must win the heart of the prince.

Do that, and we can unwind the debt in which we were ensnared when we came to this backwater!

I, a princess?

Or rather, I,

a princess?

Having delivered your news, why are you still here?

You must return to town right away and tell that seamstress to run us up three fine ball gowns.

Three?

That’s very thoughtful of you.

What do you mean?

To think of me.

Think of you?

Mummy, she believes the other dress is for her.

Poor, slow, little Cinders.

How embarrassing.

You’re too ambitious for your own good.

Oh, no.

I only want to see my friend.

Let me be very clear.

One gown for Anastasia, one for Drisella, and one for me!

She doesn’t know what that means.

Good.

Right.

That’s settled then.

Now go!

Every girl in the kingdom will be chasing the prince.

You must get there first before the seamstress is drowning in work!

Tell me what she said, Drisella.

I speak French, not Italian!

Wake up, Your Royal Highness.

You’re in a daze.

I’m sorry.

You’ve been off since the hunt.

It’s that wonderful girl.

I can’t stop thinking about her.

But there are plenty of girls.

But her spirit, her goodness.

You don’t suppose she has a sister, do you?

I don’t know.

I don’t know anything about her.

Perhaps your mystery girl may come to the ball.

That is why you threw the doors open, is it not?

Captain.

It was for the benefit of the people.

Of course.

How shallow of me.

And if she comes, then what?

Then you will tell her you’re a prince.

And a prince may take whichever bride he wishes.

Ha!

Ha?

Yes, “ha.

You know my father and the Grand Duke will only have me marry a princess.

Well, if this girl from the forest is as charming as you say, they may change their minds.

The day of the ball arrived and the entire kingdom held its breath in anticipation.

You want me to be your queen?

Who?

Me?

Tighter.

Tighter!

Tighter.

That’s it!

A vision, sister.

Likewise.

We must compete for the prince’s hand.

But let it not mean we harbor dark thoughts against each other.

Of course not, dear sister.

I wouldn’t dream of poisoning you before we leave for the ball.

Oh, nor I of pushing you from a moving carriage on the way there.

Or I of dashing your brains out on the palace steps as we arrive.

We are sisters, after all.

And blood is so much thicker than water.

We shall let the prince decide.

What will he be like, I wonder?

What does it matter what he’s like?

He’s rich beyond reason.

Wouldn’t you like to know a bit about him before you marry him?

Certainly not.

It might change my mind.

I bet you have never ever spoken to a man.

Have you, moon-face?

I have, once.

To a gentleman.

Some menial, no doubt.

Some ‘prentice.

He was an apprentice, yes.

All men are fools, that’s what Mama says.

The sooner you learn that, the better.

The first dance, milady?

Prince Charming, you’re so naughty!

I want to try it.

No, I’m wearing it.

No!

No!

Not for the first time, Ella actually felt pity for these two schemers, who could be every bit as ugly within as they were fair without.

My prince!

But I will be his queen!

If her stepmother would not have a fourth dress made, it seemed to Ella that there was no reason why she would not try to run it up herself.

And besides, she did have a little help.

My dear girls.

To see you like this.

it makes me believe one of you might just snare the prince.

And to think I have two horses in the race!

I daresay no one in the kingdom will outshine my daughters.

Cinderella?

It cost you nothing.

It was my mother’s old dress, you see.

And I took it up myself.

Ooh-la.

Cinderella at the ball!

No one wants a servant for a bride.

After all I’ve done.

I don’t want to ruin anything.

I don’t even want to meet the prince.

Oh, and you won’t, because there’s no question of your going.

But, all of the maidens of the land are invited, by order of the king.

It is the king I am thinking of.

It would be an insult to the royal personage to take you to the palace dressed in these old rags.

Rags?

This was my mother’s.

Oh, I’m sorry to have to tell you but your mother’s taste was questionable.

This thing is so old-fashioned it’s practically falling to pieces.

The shoulder’s frayed.

It’s falling to bits.

And this!

It’s a ridiculous, old-fashioned joke!

How could you?

How could I otherwise?

I will not have anyone associate my daughters with you.

It would ruin their prospects to be seen arriving with a ragged servant girl.

Because that is what you are.

And that is what you will always be.

Now mark my words!

You shall not go to the ball!

Go on, get going!

I’m sorry, Mother.

I’m sorry.

I said I’d have courage, but I don’t.

Not anymore.

I don’t believe anymore.

Excuse me.

Can you help me, miss?

Just a little crust of bread, or better, a cup of milk?

Yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

I think I can find something for you.

Why are you crying?

Oh, it’s nothing.

Nothing?

Nothing.

What is a bowl of milk?

Nothing.

But kindness makes it everything.

Now, I don’t mean to hurry you, but you really haven’t got long, Ella.

How do you know me?

Who are you?

Who am I?

I should think you’d have worked that one out.

I’m your hairy dogfather.

I mean, fairy godmother!

You can’t be.

Why not?

They don’t exist.

They’re just made up for children.

Didn’t your own mother believe in them?

Don’t say no, because I heard her.

You heard her?

Oh, fiddle-faddle, fiddle-faddle.

Right!

First things first.

Let me slip into something more comfortable.