Riches to Rags

CINDERELLA Did you not hear me?

CHARLOTTE I did, but―

CINDERELLA Well then.

CHARLOTTE Well then what?

CINDERELLA My God, Father did say you two were a bit odd, what with growing up where you did and all. “Common folk”, he said. But he never said you would be daft as all this. Of course, I don't mingle much which the common folk myself so I wouldn’t really know. Are they?

CHARLOTTE Are they what?

CINDERELLA Are they all like that? Daft, I mean?

CHARLOTTE I―I, I mean, I’m not daft.

CINDERELLA Of course. You wouldn’t say you were if you were, would you?

CHARLOTTE I―Do you want your lunch?

CINDERELLA (sigh, then to her, as if talking to a child) Charlotte, I don’t. Want. My. Lunch. Do you understand? I already ate. Father brought me up some lemon cake a little while ago. Personally, I don't care much for lemon cake. I’ve had it too often. It’s all the cook makes these days.

CHARLOTTE I’ve never had lemon cake.

CINDERELLA Never had lemon cake? It’s only the most popular kind.

CHARLOTTE We don't have much of anything. Didn’t have much, I mean. Because now we’re with you.

CINDERELLA Didn’t have much of anything? Surely you had cake. I’ve never heard of anybody who didn’t have cake.

CHARLOTTE (proudly)  We had cake. Mother always saved some of the money she earned at the factory to buy us little fruitcakes, and a big one at Christmas. On Christmas Day, in the evening, we’d all sit around the table (Mother, little Katherine, and me) with the candles flickering and the rain falling down outside and each get our own fat slice of fruitcake. I’d savour every bite, let it soak in my mouth and suck all the brandy out until it became soft.

CINDERELLA Blech, fruitcake? Frankly, I don’t understand how people can stomach the stuff. It’s as hard as iron and tastes like burnt hair.

CHARLOTTE I like it. The three of us would eat every last crumb. Then after, Mother would tell us stories and sometimes we’d act them out. It was always the best night of the year because the factory gave Mother Christmas Day and the day after it off so we could stay up as late as we liked.

CINDERELLA What about presents? Didn’t you have any presents?

CHARLOTTE Sometimes.

CINDERELLA Last Christmas Father got me a diamond necklace. Would you like to see it? (she opens her jewelry box and sorts through many necklaces, rings, and bracelets) I’m sure it’s here somewhere. Ah, here we go.  (she pulls out a beautiful, sparkly, expensive-looking necklace) I haven’t worn it yet. It doesn’t go with much, you know. Would you like to hold it?

CHARLOTTE (she takes the necklace and stares at it)

CINDERELLA Maybe I’ll wear it to the Prince’s ball. It’s this year, you know.

CHARLOTTE The Prince’s ball?

CINDERELLA You are going, aren’t you?

CHARLOTTE (still staring at the necklace) I wouldn’t have anything to wear.

CINDERELLA Oh, believe me, I know. It’s so difficult to find what to wear. I have so many dresses it’s hard to decide! I do have a pink gown that I had made for me because I was told pink was a good colour for me. What is your colour?

CHARLOTTE I like pink, too.

CINDERELLA No. Pink only works on certain people. I’d say your colour is… here, turn this way a bit… yes, I’d say it is green.

CHARLOTTE Green?

CINDERELLA Yes, green.

(Katherine burst through the door with mud on her face and clothes)

KATHERINE Charlotte! There’s a stream down behind the orchard! We could play troll and traveler and you’d have to ask me to cross my river. Come look!

CHARLOTTE Kitty! You have mud all over you. Come here and let me get that. (she tries to wipe the mud off with her handkerchief, but Katherine squirms out of her arms)

KATHERINE You’ll never catch me!

CHARLOTTE (laughing) Oh, yes I will!

KATHERINE No you won’t!

(Charlotte chases Katherine and Katherine runs out the door)

CHARLOTTE (laughs and then stops when she sees the expression on Cinderella’s face, puckered lips in a show of aloof disdain) I―well, you know. She’s only thirteen. Children…

CINDERELLA    Of course. I remember when I was thirteen. I had dancing lessons every day because Father said that’s what mature young ladies should learn. I do admire your mother for letting you two stay children for so long. It’s rather difficult to grow up fast, as I did.

CHARLOTTE Yes, well, I’ll just take this then. (she picks up the tray) Do you need anything else?

CINDERELLA No, I’m alright. You go play your little game.

(Charlotte nods her head and exits. Cinderella goes back to doing her makeup)

(Charlotte and Katherine sit by the stream.)

CHARLOTTE Kitty, do you like it here?

KATHERINE Oh yes, of course! I love streams. With it being so hot and all, it’s nice to dip your feet in the water. The trees are nice too and―

CHARLOTTE I don't mean by the stream. I mean here. In this house. With her.

KATHERINE I like that we’re near a stream.

CHARLOTTE Kitty.

KATHERINE I know, I know.

CHARLOTTE So?

KATHERINE I don't know. It’s certainly better than where we were.

CHARLOTTE I guess. (pause, then suddenly) She’s just horrible, isn’t she?

KATHERINE Who?

CHARLOTTE Eleanore. (pause) She called me a child. I’m seventeen. Just because I didn’t take dancing lessons.

KATHERINE She said you were a child?

CHARLOTTE She as good as said it.

KATHERINE What’s wrong with being a child?

CHARLOTTE Kitty, stop being so impossible.

KATHERINE (giggles) Sorry.

CHARLOTTE Who’s she to talk anyway? She hasn’t done anything her whole life. Sitting there, doing her makeup, while we’ve been struggling to have enough to eat. Living in filth, being constantly―

KATHERINE You didn’t seem to care then.

CHARLOTTE I know. It’s just―seeing her with her jewels and her gowns―

KATHERINE Jewels and gowns are dumb. Only boring people care about those things.

CHARLOTTE That seems to be all she cares about.

KATHERINE Well then she’s dumb. I wouldn’t want to wear all those pretty clean dresses anyway.

CHARLOTTE (laughing) Yes, you like being covered in mud and soot, don't you.

KATHERINE If I could, I’d sleep in the cinders.

CHARLOTTE What about your clothes?

KATHERINE Clothes? Who cares! Give me a beautiful white satin dress so I can roll around in the cinders and turn it black!

CHARLOTTE I’d like to see Eleanore sleep in the cinders. Her precious pink gown would be ruined!

KATHERINE Ruin it!

CHARLOTTE No more Queen Eleanore! Of course, if she’s sleeping in the cinders, she can’t have a name like Eleanore.

KATHERINE Of course not.

CHARLOTTE It’s much too reagle. We’d have to call her something like… Elaine. No, Ella!

KATHERINE Yes, that’s good and common.

CHARLOTTE She’d hate that. Ella of the cinders.

KATHERINE Cinderella!

(Cinderella, Charlotte, Katherine, Isabel, and Frank sit around a long table.)

CINDERELLA So I told her to mind her own business.  Who was she to tell me what to do anyway? And―you will never believe what she did, Father―she started crying! (Cinderella starts laughing and Frank joins her but stops abruptly at a pointed look from Isabel.)

FRANK (clears his throat) You shouldn’t have talked to Mabel that way, Eleanore.

CINDERELLA But Father, she was being rude.

KATHERINE All she did was try to help you.

CINDERELLA (snapping) I don't need help. I’m much better at sewing than her anyway.

CHARLOTTE There was still no need for you be horrible to her.

CINDERELLA Horrible? You’re calling me horrible?

CHARLOTTE I just meant―

CINDERELLA Who are you to tell me anything?

CHARLOTTE I’m not―

CINDERELLA You only moved here a few weeks ago. This is my house. This is my table. You don’t say things like that to me.

CHARLOTTE (mumbles something)

CINDERELLA What was that?

CHARLOTTE (rising) I’ll say what I like.

CINDERELLA (getting up to match Charlotte) You’re just a nasty little street urchin. You will listen to my stories. This is my house.

ISABEL Actually, this is my house, Eleanore.

CINDERELLA (snickering) Excuse me?

ISABEL Now if you will please sit down―

CINDERELLA You can’t tell me what to do. Father, tell her―

FRANK Listen to your mother, Eleanore.

CINDERELLA (silence) My―my what?

FRANK (nods his head in Isabel’s direction)

ISABEL Now, girls, if you will please sit down, I will bring dinner in. I’m sure it’s almost ready.

(Isabel leaves and comes back with dinner. When she puts a plate in front of Cinderella, she stares at her plate but does not eat.)

KATHERINE This looks wonderful Mother.

ISABEL It’s not very polite to refuse food that someone made for you.

CINDERELLA (continues to ignore her food and sulk)

CHARLOTTE It’s delicious. Thank you.

FRANK Yes Isabel, you are an amazing cook.

ISABEL Well, thank you I―

CINDERELLA You are not my mother!

ISABEL Eleanore, please do not shout at the table.

CINDERELLA You don't tell me what to do! (turns to Frank) She is not my mother!

FRANK Eleanore―

CINDERELLA No! You know better than anyone, Father. You know my mother. I can’t believe you would―

FRANK That I would what, Eleanore? Move on? It’s been eight years.

CINDERELLA So that’s it? You’ve forgotten her?

FRANK Don’t you dare talk to me that way.

CINDERELLA I hate you.

ISABEL Eleanore! If you are going to talk this way you can eat in the kitchen.

(Cinderella grabs her plate and storms off)

FRANK Isabel, you didn’t―(Isabel gives him a stern look which quiets him)

ISABEL (to Charlotte and Katherine) Girls, you are dismissed from the table.

KATHERINE But I’m not finished with my dinner.

ISABEL You may finish in your rooms. Frank and I need to talk.

KATHERINE Can’t I stay?

CHARLOTTE Come on, Kitty. (she leads Katherine out, but instead of exiting they secretly hide to listen)

FRANK Did you have to be so hard on Eleanore?

ISABEL She needed to learn a lesson. (Isabel begins to clear the dishes)

CHARLOTTE (from their hiding spot) Did you see her face? (Charlotte and Katherine giggle) Forced to eat in the kitchens like a servant. Poor dear, poor Cinderella, made to dine with the “common folk”.

KATHERINE She’ll probably ruin her pretty little dress.

CHARLOTTE (in mock horror) Oh no!

KATHERINE Serves her right, for what she did to that girl Mabel.

FRANK Even so, to make her eat in the kitchen?

ISABEL You say that like it’s a brutal punishment! Do you know where I ate for most of my life? I ate my supper out back of a textile factory after working a 14 hour shift. I think The Little Princess can endure a meal in the kitchen.

FRANK Of course Dear, I just meant―

ISABEL This is exactly your problem. You never want to discipline the girl so she does and says whatever she likes no matter how nasty or horrible. Sometimes you must be strict.

FRANK Her mother died when she was still young.

ISABEL And instead of comforting her, you showered her with gifts? Throwing jewels and dresses at someone is not a substitute for parenting.

FRANK I was in mourning. I was left on my own. What do I know about raising a little girl? She was so young, and delicate―I, I didn’t know what to do.

ISABEL That’s the problem with men. As soon as life gets hard and they don't know what to do, they detach. Run away.  That’s what Charlotte’s father did. He swore he was in love with me and totally devoted and then when there was a baby, he was gone. Of course, then I should have been prepared for Katherine’s father to do the same. What can I say for myself now? Married again…

FRANK I won’t leave you Isabel. I love you.

ISABEL That’s what they said too. And look where it left me.

FRANK Isabel, look at me. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever met. When I saw you in that factory, you stood out from everyone else, holding your head high. Isabel, you looked like a queen. I’m trying, I really am trying. If you will help me…

ISABEL (pause) I love you too, Frank. I’m sorry. It’s just… My girls deserve a good life. They deserve the best and that girl, Eleanor, she needs to be taught a lesson.

FRANK I know, but I don’t know how to do that.

ISABEL Leave her to me.

FRANK Very well. You won’t be too hard on her, will you?

ISABEL I will do what I need to. She will get what she deserves and my girls will get what they deserve.  (Isabel and Frank exit)

CHARLOTTE (Charlotte rises from her hiding spot and Katherine follows) Did you hear that, Kitty?

KATHERINE Of course I heard it. I was sitting right next to you, you halfwit.

CHARLOTTE Don’t call me that.

KATHERINE (giggles)

CHARLOTTE I meant did you understand that?

KATHERINE Well it was English so yes, I would say I understood it.

CHARLOTTE Katherine!

KATHERINE I’m just having a laugh. Life’s no fun if you don’t have a laugh once in awhile.

CHARLOTTE Yes, but I’m trying to be serious.

KATHERINE Fine.

CHARLOTTE She’ll get what she deserves, all right. Sitting up there, with jewels and make up, taking dancing lessons and going to balls―she’s spoiled, that’s what she is. Spoiled and rotten to the bone. Eating lemon cake while we’ve been eating crumbs! I’m sick of dirt, I’m sick of old clothes, I’m sick of never having enough to eat.

KATHERINE Charlotte! Stop it! Stop it right now! You’re scaring me. We may have not had enough to eat but mother always did her best and―and we were happy.

CHARLOTTE No. That wasn’t happiness.

KATHERINE We were a family!

CHARLOTTE Cinderella has been nothing but happy her whole life. It’s my turn. (Charlotte tries to leave but Katherine blocks her.)

KATHERINE Stop it! What’s gotten into you?

CHARLOTTE Get out of my way, Katherine.

KATHERINE Where are you going?

CHARLOTTE I’m going to get what’s mine. What’s ours. (Charlotte storms out and Katherine is left speechless.)

(Charlotte storms into Cinderella’s room.)

CHARLOTTE Do you have that necklace your father gave you?

CINDERELLA Charlotte! What on earth are you doing here?

CHARLOTTE (with mock normality) Oh, I just wanted to see that necklace again.

CINDERELLA Oh. Er, of course… Here it is. (Cinderella holds up the necklace)

CHARLOTTE Give it to me.

CINDERELLA (laughing) What?

CHARLOTTE Give it to me.

CINDERELLA No, I think I’ll keep it. It’s rather delicate and you, well. You know.

CHARLOTTE (crossing arms) No, I don't know. What?

CINDERELLA Well you aren’t the most delicate of persons, now are you?

CHARLOTTE Give. It. To. Me.

CINDERELLA No.

(Charlotte advances towards Cinderella)

CINDERELLA Get away from me! Do you want me to get my father up here?

CHARLOTTE Your father? (snickering) He won’t help you.

CINDERELLA Of course he will! (trying to convince herself) He will. He will!

CHARLOTTE Daddy’s not here precious Cinderella.

CINDERELLA What did you call me?

(Katherine enters and goes up to her sister, who ignores her)

CHARLOTTE Cinderella.

CINDERELLA That’s not my name.

CHARLOTTE It is now.

KATHERINE We made it up.

CINDERELLA Why Cinderella?

CHARLOTTE Because tonight, you’re sleeping in the cinders. Your bed will be a perfect home for our new guests―a couple of frogs Kitty caught down at the stream. Go get them, Kitty. (Katherine exits) Rather nice frogs they are too, you’ll see. How do you like that Cinderella?

CINDERELLA Why are you doing this?

CHARLOTTE Because it’s my turn. Now give me the necklace.

(Cinderella reluctantly hands over her necklace)

CHARLOTTE Good. Now take off the shawl.

(Cinderella obeys. Charlotte stretches out her arms to receive it and Cinderella hands it over)

CHARLOTTE And the bracelets. (she obeys) And the broach. Now, Cinderella… Make the bed.

CINDERELLA Why? (she begins half-heartedly making the bed)

CHARLOTTE Are you daft? I just told you. We have special guests tonight.

CINDERELLA The frogs?

CHARLOTTE The frogs. Now, Cinderella sweep the floor.

(Katherine enters with a hatbox with holes in it.)

CHARLOTTE After you're done with that, you can do my hair. And then, make me some tea. A bit of lemon cake would go well with that, don't you think?

KATHERINE Charlotte, come on. Let’s go. Stop ordering her around.

CINDERELLA Well it looks like the dumb one was the one with the most sense after all.

KATHERINE I’m not dumb.

CINDERELLA (sarcastically) Of course not, Darling.

KATHERINE Charlotte, do your worst.

CHARLOTTE (smiling) Cinderella, make the bed again. You didn’t do it well enough the first time.

KATHERINE Cinderella, give me your prettiest dress. My frogs need something to keep them warm.

(Cinderella rushes around, attempting to do the tasks as they say them)

CHARLOTTE (Charlotte brushes all the things on the vanity to the floor) Cinderella, clean this up.

KATHERINE (Katherine unties her own shoe) Cinderella, tie my shoe.

CHARLOTTE Cinderella!

KATHERINE Cinderella!