Saturday, June 19, 2004
Note: A drabble/ficlet that Walker requested as part of a LiveJournal meme. The following is a short music-driven script that conveys a day in the life of a Kemet Senshi, Alessia Salvatici. Please pardon my inspirations, I love Sondheim and I couldn't stop thinking of Christian Bale singing "Santa Fe" when Alessia was being introspective.
The beginning. Morning.
The stage is set with a split level, the front stage right showing the worn but cozy shop known as PAN E VIDA, the Salvatici's bakery. The door behind the counter leads back to a bakery kitchen, complete with table and chairs where NOEMI, THERESA, and LUCIA sit with their coffees and papers. LAZARO goes from the front counters to the back room, moving pastries. Stairs lead from the kitchen to the second level of the stage, a homey split room where a teenager, ALESSIA, is still asleep in bed.
NOEMI
She gonna sleep all day? (calls upstairs) ALESSIA! Out of bed, the sun's awake!
THERESA
Let her sleep, she works too hard.
NOEMI
She's part of the family, and family wakes up at five. ALESSIA!
(Upstairs, ALESSIA sits up and rubs her eyes, flopping back into bed.)
NOEMI
ALESSIA! OUT OF BED!
ALESSIA
Aunties. Why they bought me an alarm clock last Christmas, I'll never know. (flops back into bed, pulls covers over her head as lights dim upstairs)
Downstairs, the bell rings as the shop opens and a steady stream of customers pours in and out. ALESSIA comes down the stairs in rumpled clothes, pulling her hair back in a kerchief before going to kiss her female relatives. As LAZARO waits on them, ALESSIA gets herself a cup of coffee and sings blearily.)
ALESSIA
(sings)
So, it's morning for them once again
And too early for me
Why they can't manage for once
While I'm left alone in bed
Is something truly of a mystery
THERESA
(spoken) Breakfast, dear? Just a bite, hm?
ALESSIA
(to audience) 'Just a bite' from an Italian mother is like saying that nuns pray just a little.
ALESSIA
(crosses to front of shop, waving off breakfast offers from aunties)
(sings)
And it's morning for them once again
And too early for me
They wake and they walk out in pairs to the shops
Or to banks or a nice office suite
And I can't understand why they rise with the sun
When it feels so much better to sleep.
LUCIA
(spoken) Lazaro, something's burning!
LAZARO rushes back to the kitchen, giving ALESSIA a kiss on the way. ALESSIA smiles and takes his place serving customers and engaging in small talk. Hustle and bustle ensues, with the last customer leaving and ALESSIA slumping on the counter in mock exhaustion.
ALESSIA
(to audience) Can I go back to sleep now?
Later that day...
ALESSIA is walking back from a lunchtime meeting with the Kemets, accompanied by ADAM. LUCIA, NOEMI, and FRANCESCA are sitting in the kitchen, spying through a side window.
LUCIA
He's a handsome boy. Not local, but handsome.
NOEMI
He's well-mannered, isn't he. Look at that smile, he's darling.
FRANCESCA
Very polite. Just her age, too.
ALESSIA and ADAM freeze outside as the AUNTIES start to sing
LUCIA (sings)
Didn't I tell you, don't you remember, the day he walked right through the door
I know I told you this, I mentioned that he looked so nice before
NOEMI (sings)
So good-looking and well-spoken and a gentleman besides
It's a shame to leave him in the cold, let's bring them both inside
FRANCESCA (sings)
Such good manners, he’s polite and also smiles like a nice boy should
It’s a pity we don’t see more of his upbringing in this neighborhood
LUCIA
So handsome. They’re a smart pair, eh Noemi?
NOEMI
She’s a bit tall for him , but that won’t matter when it’s important-
FRANCESCA
Noemi!
NOEMI
-when they’re having dinner together.
(The AUNTIES sing again, in a gossipy manner, melodies on top of each other.)
LUCIA (sings)
Didn't I tell you, don't you remember, the day he walked right through the door
I know I told you this, I mentioned that he looked so nice before
NOEMI (sings)
So good-looking and well-spoken and a gentleman besides
It's a shame to leave him in the cold, let's bring them both inside
FRANCESCA (sings)
Such good manners, he’s polite and also smiles like a nice boy should
It’s a pity we don’t see more of his upbringing in this neighborhood
LUCIA
Remember the first day he came in? He had that girl and that dog…
NOEMI
And that Fabrizio.
The AUNTIES look at each other for a moment
LUCIA
He never came in to say good morning to us that first day. And we don’t know anything about his family.
FRANCESCA
She’s still so young, and I can’t see how it’s wise to leave her along with that young wolf.
NOEMI
She could wind up just like Theresa.
The AUNTIES look at each other for a moment, then cross themselves and mutter prayers as the music starts in again, faster and frantic.
LUCIA (sings)
I know that I had it mentioned the day he walked right through the door
He’s a strange young man, not one of us, what would he come here for?
FRANCESCA (sings)
So odd-looking and soft-spoken and a foreigner besides
Someone ought to got and send him home and bring her back inside!
NOEMI (sings)
And while he might have said hello as any good boy should
He’s friends with a Fabrizio, which makes that boy no good!
LUCIA (sings)
What would he come in for?
FRANCESCA (sings)
Bring her back inside!
NOEMI (sings)
That boy’s no good!
ALL THREE
ALESSIA! INSIDE!
That evening, after everyone has gone to bed, ALESSIA is in the kitchen, putting things away and enjoying the silence.
ALESSIA
Maybe being a Kemet isn't so bad. I have friends. Sort of. (dries dishes, puts them away) And I get to go out at night. Sort of. (pauses, frowns)
ALESSIA (sings)
So they said that I'm a Senshi
'You're a Kemet, Hathor dear'
But I still don't know what I'm supposed to do
And so I might be called a Senshi
But not all of who I am
'Cause if it is, then there's not much to look forward to
They said gods had picked me
The heavens chose me
That some fate had made it clear
Still, I can't be special
Not that important
To be a Kemet, Hathor dear.
ALESSIA (speaks)
Oh, you've read stories, I'm sure. By tradition, Senshi get the three Fs. Fame, fortune, and fanboys. (gestures to the empty bakery) Clearly, I've missed out on the illustrious Sailor Myth, haven't I?
ALESSIA (sings)
I was fine to be Alessia
To be simple here at home
To only answer to a family I adore
And then something had to happen
Those three walked right through the door
And since then I'm not just Alessia anymore
ALESSIA (speaks while walking into the front of the bakery)
And motherhood, of all things. Whatever higher power set this up has a sick sense of humour. Motherhood, and I'm partnered with a Fabrizio.
(ALESSIA creeps out the door and around back, where ADAM, NYSSA, and MENES are waiting)
ALESSIA (sings)
I'm Alessia and a Senshi
But I'm not the only one
And a Senshi's more than I've been in life so far
One more Kemet to the party
One more friend to light the way
One more chance, to be me
Not just stuck in some dark bakery
So Hathor then
I can be.
(Fade to black)
The beginning. Morning.
The stage is set with a split level, the front stage right showing the worn but cozy shop known as PAN E VIDA, the Salvatici's bakery. The door behind the counter leads back to a bakery kitchen, complete with table and chairs where NOEMI, THERESA, and LUCIA sit with their coffees and papers. LAZARO goes from the front counters to the back room, moving pastries. Stairs lead from the kitchen to the second level of the stage, a homey split room where a teenager, ALESSIA, is still asleep in bed.
NOEMI
She gonna sleep all day? (calls upstairs) ALESSIA! Out of bed, the sun's awake!
THERESA
Let her sleep, she works too hard.
NOEMI
She's part of the family, and family wakes up at five. ALESSIA!
(Upstairs, ALESSIA sits up and rubs her eyes, flopping back into bed.)
NOEMI
ALESSIA! OUT OF BED!
ALESSIA
Aunties. Why they bought me an alarm clock last Christmas, I'll never know. (flops back into bed, pulls covers over her head as lights dim upstairs)
Downstairs, the bell rings as the shop opens and a steady stream of customers pours in and out. ALESSIA comes down the stairs in rumpled clothes, pulling her hair back in a kerchief before going to kiss her female relatives. As LAZARO waits on them, ALESSIA gets herself a cup of coffee and sings blearily.)
ALESSIA
(sings)
So, it's morning for them once again
And too early for me
Why they can't manage for once
While I'm left alone in bed
Is something truly of a mystery
THERESA
(spoken) Breakfast, dear? Just a bite, hm?
ALESSIA
(to audience) 'Just a bite' from an Italian mother is like saying that nuns pray just a little.
ALESSIA
(crosses to front of shop, waving off breakfast offers from aunties)
(sings)
And it's morning for them once again
And too early for me
They wake and they walk out in pairs to the shops
Or to banks or a nice office suite
And I can't understand why they rise with the sun
When it feels so much better to sleep.
LUCIA
(spoken) Lazaro, something's burning!
LAZARO rushes back to the kitchen, giving ALESSIA a kiss on the way. ALESSIA smiles and takes his place serving customers and engaging in small talk. Hustle and bustle ensues, with the last customer leaving and ALESSIA slumping on the counter in mock exhaustion.
ALESSIA
(to audience) Can I go back to sleep now?
Later that day...
ALESSIA is walking back from a lunchtime meeting with the Kemets, accompanied by ADAM. LUCIA, NOEMI, and FRANCESCA are sitting in the kitchen, spying through a side window.
LUCIA
He's a handsome boy. Not local, but handsome.
NOEMI
He's well-mannered, isn't he. Look at that smile, he's darling.
FRANCESCA
Very polite. Just her age, too.
ALESSIA and ADAM freeze outside as the AUNTIES start to sing
LUCIA (sings)
Didn't I tell you, don't you remember, the day he walked right through the door
I know I told you this, I mentioned that he looked so nice before
NOEMI (sings)
So good-looking and well-spoken and a gentleman besides
It's a shame to leave him in the cold, let's bring them both inside
FRANCESCA (sings)
Such good manners, he’s polite and also smiles like a nice boy should
It’s a pity we don’t see more of his upbringing in this neighborhood
LUCIA
So handsome. They’re a smart pair, eh Noemi?
NOEMI
She’s a bit tall for him , but that won’t matter when it’s important-
FRANCESCA
Noemi!
NOEMI
-when they’re having dinner together.
(The AUNTIES sing again, in a gossipy manner, melodies on top of each other.)
LUCIA (sings)
Didn't I tell you, don't you remember, the day he walked right through the door
I know I told you this, I mentioned that he looked so nice before
NOEMI (sings)
So good-looking and well-spoken and a gentleman besides
It's a shame to leave him in the cold, let's bring them both inside
FRANCESCA (sings)
Such good manners, he’s polite and also smiles like a nice boy should
It’s a pity we don’t see more of his upbringing in this neighborhood
LUCIA
Remember the first day he came in? He had that girl and that dog…
NOEMI
And that Fabrizio.
The AUNTIES look at each other for a moment
LUCIA
He never came in to say good morning to us that first day. And we don’t know anything about his family.
FRANCESCA
She’s still so young, and I can’t see how it’s wise to leave her along with that young wolf.
NOEMI
She could wind up just like Theresa.
The AUNTIES look at each other for a moment, then cross themselves and mutter prayers as the music starts in again, faster and frantic.
LUCIA (sings)
I know that I had it mentioned the day he walked right through the door
He’s a strange young man, not one of us, what would he come here for?
FRANCESCA (sings)
So odd-looking and soft-spoken and a foreigner besides
Someone ought to got and send him home and bring her back inside!
NOEMI (sings)
And while he might have said hello as any good boy should
He’s friends with a Fabrizio, which makes that boy no good!
LUCIA (sings)
What would he come in for?
FRANCESCA (sings)
Bring her back inside!
NOEMI (sings)
That boy’s no good!
ALL THREE
ALESSIA! INSIDE!
That evening, after everyone has gone to bed, ALESSIA is in the kitchen, putting things away and enjoying the silence.
ALESSIA
Maybe being a Kemet isn't so bad. I have friends. Sort of. (dries dishes, puts them away) And I get to go out at night. Sort of. (pauses, frowns)
ALESSIA (sings)
So they said that I'm a Senshi
'You're a Kemet, Hathor dear'
But I still don't know what I'm supposed to do
And so I might be called a Senshi
But not all of who I am
'Cause if it is, then there's not much to look forward to
They said gods had picked me
The heavens chose me
That some fate had made it clear
Still, I can't be special
Not that important
To be a Kemet, Hathor dear.
ALESSIA (speaks)
Oh, you've read stories, I'm sure. By tradition, Senshi get the three Fs. Fame, fortune, and fanboys. (gestures to the empty bakery) Clearly, I've missed out on the illustrious Sailor Myth, haven't I?
ALESSIA (sings)
I was fine to be Alessia
To be simple here at home
To only answer to a family I adore
And then something had to happen
Those three walked right through the door
And since then I'm not just Alessia anymore
ALESSIA (speaks while walking into the front of the bakery)
And motherhood, of all things. Whatever higher power set this up has a sick sense of humour. Motherhood, and I'm partnered with a Fabrizio.
(ALESSIA creeps out the door and around back, where ADAM, NYSSA, and MENES are waiting)
ALESSIA (sings)
I'm Alessia and a Senshi
But I'm not the only one
And a Senshi's more than I've been in life so far
One more Kemet to the party
One more friend to light the way
One more chance, to be me
Not just stuck in some dark bakery
So Hathor then
I can be.
(Fade to black)
