CHARACTER SIDES FOR PRINCESS CHARI

©2009 Angus Kittler Reid

 

The hatch to the rocket opens, and a green fog emanates. There seems to be a shining figure inside. It steps to the door. ItÕs a girl. A beautiful, barefoot, butterfly girl with pretty wings and a silky, diaphanous dress.

 

The boys gasp and stare at her. She regards them with regal composure.

 

                                    WERT

                        Chari?

 

                                    CHARI

                        Are you boys conveying me home?

 

                                    JAMEY (stammering)

                        Y-your highness. Yes, your mother sent us to find you.

 

                                    CHARI

                        My mother sent me away. I shall return when I choose to.

 

Just then, Parsley comes in from the right.

 

                                    PARSLEY

Oh, man, I was about to burst. I mustÕve tinkled like a gallon and a ha-aa-aaaaaÉ

 

Chari looks at him with immediate disdain, and he stands stock still. It is love at first sight for him. Not so for her.

 

                                    CHARI

                        And who is this repulsive creature?

 

                                    JAMEY

                        PrincessÉ this is Parsley. HeÕsÉ kind of a friend of ours?

 

Parsley is melting.

 

                                    PARSLEY

                        Hiiiiiiiiiiii.

 

 

                                    JAMEY

                        Parsley, this is Chari. SheÕs a princess, so, um, just donÕt say anything.

 

                                    PARSLEY (babbling, incoherent)

                        Your feet are down there!

 

                                    JAMEY

                        Okay, Parsley. LetÕs drop you off at your planet.

 

INT. ROCKET CYLINDER

Parsley sits next to Chari in the back. She is trying to ignore him, while he is practically glowing just from sitting next to her. He bends down and picks up something small.

 

                                    PARSLEY

I think I found one of your hairs.

 

She does not respond. 

 

PARSLEY

Do you want it back?

 

            CHARI (icy)

No, you may dispose of it.

 

            PARSLEY

Can I keep it?

 

                                    CHARI

I changed my mind- give it back. 

 

INT. ROCKET COCKPIT

Parsley bursts in on the boys and the door slides shut behind him.

 

                                    PARSLEY (to Jamey)

                        Okay, I take it back. I want to be good at words like you.

 

                                    WERT

                        Is this about the princess?

 

                                    PARSLEY

I think I have a chance with her. If I could just talk to people good like you.

 

                                    JAMEY

                        Thanks.

 

                                    WERT

                        He is pretty smart!

 

                                    JAMEY

                        You could write her a poem. Tell her how she makes you feel.

 

PARSLEY

A poem, eh? Brilliant! So simpleÉ ItÕs just wordsÉ

 

                                    JAMEY

And you need manners to win a princess. You have to introduce yourself politely, and then kiss her hand after you shake it. Like in old movies.

 

            WERT

How do you know so much about girls?

 

                                    JAMEY

Please. IÕm in the sixth grade.

 

                                    WERT

Wow!

 

INT. ROCKET CYLINDER

At first it appears ChariÕs complaining to nobody.

 

CHARI

Éand my mother is so ridiculous! She thinks that I, a princess, must be expected to do chores and even get along with others. Did you ever hear such nonsense?! Royalty does not follow rules, I told her! I intend to have fun and do whatever I want! And what did she do? You saw where she sent me. Intolerable! No princess such as I should suffer such an indignity! ArenÕt I right?

                                   

She looks down to her side – sheÕs been talking to the RobotÕs head.

 

                                    CHARI

YouÕre such a good listener.

 

Suddenly, PARSLEY enters from the cockpit.

 

                                    PARSLEY

                        Hi! Your highness, IÕd like- ohÉ

 

He sees the Robot. The Robot sees him. They narrow their eyes at each other.