" The Villains of The Vandelles" (Play) - "The Villains of The Vandelles" Act 7

“The Day of The Moonlight Dance”

Act 7 Part 1

( Curtain opens)

Scene: Morning, 8:00 AM Saturday, November 11th, in the Dining Room

(The Vandelles family is gathered around the dining table, preparing to eat breakfast.)

Percival :

What having today Maybelle?

Maybelle:

Eggs and bacon sir.

Percival:

Sounds good, We're ready Maybelle.

(Maybelle serves everyone breakfast)

Percival :

Thank you, Maybelle.

(Theodore and Sebastian thank Maybelle as well)

Maybelle:

You're welcome, sirs.

(Maybelle leaves the Dining Room and goes to the kitchen )

Percival:

You, boys, know the Moonlight Dance is tonight?

(Theodore and Sebastian, both answer yes)

Percival :

Are you boys going?

Theodore:

Yes, Father, I was thinking of going to the dance.

Percival :

Are you going to take Lady Grey Tibbleton again?

Theodore:

Do you mean Mary Beth, Father?

Percival:

You know who I meant.

Theodore:

Why always so formal Father?, We've known their family for years.

Percival:

Just the way I was raised, I guess.

Theodore:

Yes, Father, I'm looking forward to tonight.

Percival :

Oh, Yes so did I when your dear sweet mother was alive, God rest her soul, we never missed one.

Theodore:

Yes, Father

Percival :

How about you Sebastian? Are you taking anyone to the dance tonight?

Sebastian:

I was thinking of just going alone this year, and seeing what connections I can make there.

Percival: (smiling)

Good idea Sebastian!, That's how I met our Mayor Edmund Harrington, your mother introduced me to, him and he helped me get the railroad started here, I had the money from my investments, but I needed land and connections to get it off the ground.

Sebastian :

Yes, Father, I was interested in getting connections maybe up to Charleston. I see it as a good opportunity to expand the railroad and get on the ground floor of the new industry boom there.

Percival:

Yes, if I heard correctly there's going to be a large textile mill being built right now. Sharp eye son.

Sebastian:

Yes, Father, I have our best interests at heart.

Percival:

I knew you would be good at running the family business, the railroad business is in your blood.

Sebastian :

Yes, Father, it is, I care about nothing more.

Percival:

With you at the helm Sebastian, you could bring us into the 20th century before it even gets here.

Sebastian :

Yes, Father that is part of my plan.

Percival: (speaking proudly)

Good, good Sebastian.

Sebastian :

Father, I do have a slight concern with the Fairhaven, Steamboat Company, I believe they are taking some of our business away, especially in passengers.

Percival :

Well what I know about that company, is it's small and wouldn't worry too much, I believe it's just a passing fancy you know it's something new. The passengers will return to us soon. The best way to compete with that company is with lower pricing and maybe think about purchasing a second locomotive.

Sebastian:

Yes, Father, I believe your right I will look into it Father, and I will let you know.

Percival:

Oh good, that's fine.

Sebastian :

I do have one more inquiry, Father.

Percival:

What's that?

Sebastian:

How much do you know about the family of the owner of The Fairhaven Steamboat Company?

Percival:

Oh, Elijah Thaddeus Worthington,? I think he might belong to your mother's family there are a lot of Worthingtons in the south though so it is hard to say if they are all related or not, but either way most of the Worthingtons that knew of, were big into cotton. So his family may have a lot of money. So I can see your concern Sebastian. We will just have our fox somehow, you know?

Sebastian:

So he might be a distant cousin as well?

Percival:

Could be, but not for sure though.

Sebastian:

Well, that makes things interesting if he was, wouldn't it?

Percival:

Yes, I guess it would.

Theodore:

I don't mean to change the subject, but I was wondering when the Moonlight Dance starts, I slipped my mind.

Percival :

Oh, I believe about 8 'o'clock tonight I believe.

Theodore:

Good, I will get my attire together and my shoes shined, I might have Maybelle press my suit as well.

Percival:

Good idea son.

Theodore:

I guess I'll be going.

Percival:

Very well then.

(Theodore gets up from his chair and leaves the room. )

End of Act 7 Part 1

(Curtain closes)

Act 7 Part 2

( Curtain opens)

Scene:

Night, 7:30 pm in the Study. Theodore and Sebastian are setting the chairs in the study talking.

Sebastian:

Dear Brother, are you ready for your big date, with Mary Beth?

Theodore:

Yes, but I think the whole affair is so mundane.

Sebastian:

What makes you say that?

Theodore: (speaking with a slight English accent)

Well, it seems we go to these types of things all the time, we just pretend everything is grand and converse with people we have no interest in really talking to any other time, and act like we are interested in what they have to say. Then we dance between conversations and eat and drink a bit of punch and go home and do it all again next year at the same time.

Sebastian : (looking into the fire, then at Theodore)

Well, I see what you mean, but as pillars of the community, it's part of our job to keep up appearances to the other pillars that we are doing our part for a better Fairhaven.

Theodore:

It's a tough job sometimes, but I guess someone got to do it.

Sebastian:

Yes, I'm afraid so.

(Maybelle enters the study )

Maybelle:

Sorry, Sirs, but didn't mean to disturb you. Is there anything I can get for you before you leave?

Sebastian :

Yes, Marybelle can you have our coachman Benjamin ready the carriage and one of the horses for Theodore and me, please?

Maybelle:

Yes, sir right away sir.

Sebastian:

Thank you, Maybelle.

Maybelle:

You're welcome, sir.

(Theodore and Sebastian walk from the study to the front door )

Theodore:

Well, we're off

Sebastian:

Yes, like shadows in the night.

(Percival enters the living room and greets Theodore and Sebastian)

Percival:

Wait, boys, I want to wish you off, Have a good time, and don't worry about me. I'll be fine.

Theodore:

Yes, Father

Sebastian:

Don't wait up it might be a late night for us.

Percival :

Yes, I think I might grab a book from the study read a bit, and turn it in.

(Theodore and Sebastian both wish Percival good night and open the front door and they both leave, Then Percival heads to the study grabs a book to read, and heads to his bedroom. )

End of Act 7 Part 2

(Curtain closes)

ns216.73.217.1da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically