Here’s my contribution to the Write a Fairytale/Folktale Challenge.
This only follows the Cinderella story as far as the åball*. I don*t think they really need the glass slipper after that.
*Cinderella Goes to the Sabbat*
A Fairytale Spec (sort of
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cast:
Stepmother: Marius
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marius: Louis, it really isn’t your kind of thing at all. Pandora &
Santino’s party is going to probably turn out more sabbat than a literary
evening. Now can you really see yourself dancing up a frenzy with a lot of
blood-crazed vampires intent on one thing and one thing only?
Daniel: Blood!
Armand: You just remember who you're with, Danny-boy.
Daniel: Oh, give me a break. I always come back to the fold again, don't I?
Marius: The point is, Louis, you'd be expected to, you know . . .
Daniel: Share, Louis. You'd be expected to give your pint and take some
from at least one other. Otherwise, you'd offend Santino & Pandora.
There's a whole tradition behind these things, you know.
Armand: Besides, I don't think anyone really expects you to come. I mean,
everyone pretty well knows your views on blood-sharing, Louis. Why don't
you just stay home here by the fire and read a good book. Much more your
style.
Daniel: Yeah, more opportunities for the rest of us.
Armand: Hey, don't go getting carried away at this shindig, or you might
find yourself waking up in the wrong coffin tomorrow night.
Daniel: I can handle myself. You worry too much.
Armand: Yeah? What if Khayman shows up? He's not fussy about who he
takes home under his arm.
Daniel: Khayman? Now there's an idea. He's the oldest now, isn't he?
Pretty potent stuff, his blood, eh?
Armand: I don't believe I'm hearing this.
Daniel: Oh, lighten up, for God's sake. Geesh!
Marius: Well, Louis?
Louis: Well, it does sound rather . . . hectic. Do you suppose Lestat
will be there?
Armand: Oh, no doubt about it. He'll be at everyone's throat. Guaranteed.
Louis:
Daniel:
Armand:
Daniel:
Louis:
Marius: Very sensible of you, Louis. Very sensible. You go out and feed
now. We won't leave until you're back.
Daniel:
Armand: Daniel, you didn't . . .
Daniel:
Armand:
Louis: I'll be back shortly.
Marius: Poor Louis.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Santino: Is everything ready?
Pandora: What's to get ready? There's plenty of fuel for the fire. The
sound system's hooked up. There's room for a couple of dozen in the crypt
if no one's fussy. If they're fussy, they can hike back to the house and
crash in a dark corner, a bedroom, under the furniture, whatever. Relax.
You know none of us stand on ceremony. It's a sabbat not a coronation.
Santino: Yeah, but what if Maharet shows up? She could really put a crimp
in things. I mean, she's pretty stuck up about archaic rituals, you know.
Pandora: Hell, no one much cares about the religious aspects of a sabbat
anymore, you fool. It's like Christmas; tinsel and toys, not messages and
miracles. No one cares if God or Satan show up, as long as they have a
helluva good time.
Santino: How long has it been since you were last at a sabbat?
Pandora: Oh, who knows? Centuries probably. What's the difference? A
sabbat is what you make it: fun, frenzy, blood, barbarity . . .
Santino: I hope so. This group has never got together for anything quite
like this before. Do you think there'll be any awkwardness?
Pandora: That's your department. You make sure there's no awkwardness.
Spin your magic, Coven Master. Draw the little darlings into the dance.
Santino: Well, Armand better show up. He could be invaluable if there's
any awkwardness.
Pandora: Armand? Just keep your fingers crossed that the Brat Prince
shows up and is in a mood to play. If you can get *him* dancing, the rest
will be easy.
Santino: Yeah. His moods can be infectious, can't they? Do you think it
has anything to do with Akasha's blood?
Pandora: Don't be silly, Santino. Lestat's power is sheer charm. Blood
has nothing to do with it. He's one hell of a stud.
Santino: Oh, and you'd know all about that, I suppose?
Pandora: I've heard all the rumours.
Santino: Hey! What about me? I thought we were . . .
Pandora: Oh, we are, Santino dear. But you really can't expect me to pass
up on a challenge like the Brat Prince, now can you? After all, you'll
want your chance to taste that power yourself, won't you?
Santino:
Pandora: Oh, Santino. I love the way your mind works.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Louis: Daniel? Don't you think you should go and get dressed? Marius and
Armand are almost ready.
Daniel: I *am* ready.
Louis: You're going in *that*?
Daniel: Hell, why not? Getting all dressed up seems pretty pointless when
you're just going to take it all off again, right?
Louis: It's going to be *that* kind of a sabbat?
Daniel: Well, what did you think? We're not going to sing hymns or
nursery rhymes while the fires of lust burn out of control, you know.
Louis:
Daniel:
Louis: At least you know everybody already.
Daniel: Yeah, and I've had my eye on a few ever since the last time we got
together. If Armand thinks I'm going to stick beside him all night, he's
crazy. He'd better just set his own agenda åcause I've already got mine.
Louis: Won't Armand be upset if you go off with someone else?
Daniel: Not if I set him up with someone else first!
Louis: Me?!
Daniel: Yeah, you could just say you're there with Armand and everyone
else would probably leave you alone.
Louis: Uh. I don't think so. It sounds too risky.
Daniel:
Louis: No, no. I love Armand. You know that. I just have a problem with
the . . . public nature of it all. You know, Armand and I, well, it
wouldn't be the first time . . . but . . . in front of everybody else?
What if they want me to . . .
Daniel: You'd have a helluva lot more fun than sitting here at home with a
book, that's for sure.
Louis: No. I don't think I would be comfortable there at all. Besides,
if Lestat . . .
Daniel: You jealous, Louis?
Louis: No! No. Lestat does what he wants with whomever he wants. It
makes no difference to me.
Daniel: Oh yeah?
Louis: Well . . . it wouldn't matter if it did, now would it? Lestat
doesn't listen to me. He doesn't listen to anyone.
Daniel: Louis. I think you just give up too easy.
Louis:
Daniel: You think I got to be a vampire by playing wallflower?
Louis: You ran away a lot!
Daniel: Yeah, but I always came back. And ever since he made me, we've
been inseparable. I don't let him outta my sight and the same goes for
him.
Louis: Joined at the hip, eh?
Daniel: Damned right!
Louis: If I tried that with Lestat, we'd end up killing each other within
a week.
Daniel: If I remember rightly, the first time you tried it, it lasted 65
years.
Louis:
Daniel: Yeah, but it couldn't have all been Claudia, or you would have
taken her and left a helluva lot sooner than you did. No, it was you and
Lestat. And it could be you and Lestat again, if you wanted it bad enough.
Louis: Oh yeah? What do you think I should do Mr. Know-it-all?
Daniel: I think you should seduce him.
Louis:
Daniel: You heard me. Seduce him. Show him that you want to be with him.
Be obvious for once in your life. Even if it kills you. You want him? Go
get him! He's not tied to anyone else. He's still playing the field.
Louis: There's David.
Daniel: Uh, uh. He and Marius have been . . . you know.
Louis: They have?! No one told me!
Daniel: Louis. You live in a dream world. Your head is always stuck in
some dusty tome or other. Wake up and smell the blood. You've taken all
the fun out of being a vampire. You live like a monk. Stop worrying about
whether we're ever going to go to heaven or hell. It doesn't much matter
where we end up. It's what we do while we're here that makes the
difference. So why don't you try doing something to make yourself more
comfortable while you wait and maybe make some other poor vampire happy in
the process.
Louis: You're not serious.
Daniel:
Armand:
Louis: Out, I guess.
Armand: Marius! Daniel's leaving! Let's go!
Marius:
Armand: Don't wait up, Louis. We probably won't make it back before dawn.
Louis: Have a good time!
Marius:
Louis: You can still catch them if you want. My, I don't think I've ever
seen you dressed so casually before, Marius.
Marius: Well, it doesn't pay to wear anything too elaborate to a sabbat.
Freedom of movement is essential. Not to mention it's cheaper to replace
this than a suit.
Louis: Replace?
Marius: Yes. Well, sabbats are notoriously hard on clothing.
Louis:
Marius: Exactly.
Louis: David!
David: Hello, Louis. You coming with us?
Louis: You're going to the sabbat with Marius?
David: Well . . . yes. But you're welcome to accompany us.
Marius:
David: Really? You don't know what you'll be missing, Louis. Personally,
this will be my first sabbat, you know. But I know all about the rituals.
Very beautiful, Louis. You might enjoy yourself.
Marius: David . . .
David: Lestat will be disappointed, Louis . . .
Louis: Lestat . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lestat: Let me get this straight. You want *me* to lead this
ring-around-the-rosy?
Pandora: Lestat! Don't be ridiculous. This is not about dancing. This
is about letting go of your inhibitions. It's about pleasure. You are an
expert at these things, Lestat darling. We just want you to share a little
of your enthusiasm with the rest of the guests. Just until things start to
heat up. You know, like a master of ceremonies. Welcome to the orgy.
That kind of thing.
Lestat: Pandora.
Pandora: But Lestat! Santino and I are *counting* on you! We *need* you!
Lestat: Listen, Pandora. You and Santino and Armand can handle this with
your eyes closed. I'd just put a damper on things. You really don't need
a morose vampire on your hands tonight.
Pandora: But Lestat . . .
Lestat: I might drop in later. Just to see who shows up.
Pandora:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gabrielle: So, Louis, what are you doing sitting here sulking at home when
you should be at the party with everyone else?
Louis:
Gabrielle: Well? I want an answer, young man.
Louis: It's just not my type of gathering, Gabrielle. I'd just put a
damper on things.
Gabrielle: Nonsense. You'd be like honey to the bees. They would be
swarming around you vying for the first bite.
Louis:
Gabrielle: Louis.
Louis: I'm not here to seek pleasure, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Oh, you stuffed shirt! You make me as mad as my son does. The
two of you are perfect for each other. You're both insufferably selfish.
Louis: Really, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Yes, really. Has it ever occurred to you, Mr.
I'm-above-all-That, that maybe you were made what you are to be a companion
and lover and comfort to my son? Hmmmmmm? Has that thought never occurred
to you? What else have you to do with your preternatural life? Hmmmm? You
into philanthropy these days? You doing important medical research? You
saving lives? What is so important about what you are doing *now*? Don't
you think making someone's life a little more bearable could be a worthy
goal in life as well? Hmmm?
Louis:
Gabrielle: Well?
Louis: It sounds too simple. Where's the pain? Where's the guilt?
Gabrielle: What is it with you and the pain and the guilt?! Thank your
lucky stars we don't have to live with the pain and the guilt unless we
want to. So we kill. And we do it deliberately. We survive on the blood
of others. Get used to it, Louis. It's been two hundred years. Set it
aside and find something else to do with your life, Louis. Try something
constructive for a change.
Louis: Constructive? I'm a vampire, for God's sake, Gabrielle!
Gabrielle: So? Live like one then. Join us. Make of our life what you
can. Help those of us who need help.
Louis: Who do you have in mind?
Gabrielle: You know who I have in mind.
Louis: He doesn't need my help.
Gabrielle: He won't take it from anyone else.
Louis: You don't know what you're talking about.
Gabrielle: You're telling me I don't know my own son?!
Louis: I'm telling you he doesn't need or want me.
Gabrielle: You're wrong.
Louis: No, I'm not.
Gabrielle: God, you're as stubborn as he is too!
Louis: Gabrielle, why don't you just go to the party. You'll see Lestat
there having the time of his life. You'll see just how much he doesn't
need me.
Gabrielle: He's not going.
Louis: What?
Gabrielle: He's not going to be at the party. He refused to help Santino
and Pandora with any of it. He says he's too depressed.
Louis:
Gabrielle: Why do you two torment each other like this? What does it
accomplish? He sits miserable in the Rue Royale. You sit miserable here.
What is the point? Can you tell me?
Louis: I can't go through this again. I can't.
Gabrielle: No, you can't. I agree. So don't do the same old thing again.
Don't do this same thing to each other again. Change it, Louis. You can
change it, if you want to, if you really want Lestat. Do you, Louis? Do
you really want Lestat?
Louis:
Gabrielle: Yes, you can, Louis. You're the only one who can; the only one
who ever could. Deep down you know it. He knows it too. But you're both
so stubborn, so proud, so afraid of getting hurt, so afraid of making the
first mistake, of looking foolish. Damn you. Damn the both of you. Do
you think this thing you two do to each other doesn't hurt others, doesn't
hurt me, and Marius too? When you hurt each other you hurt all of us. We
all love you. Both of you.
Louis: I'm sorry, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Sorry isn't good enough, Louis. You love him. He loves you.
Fact. Okay? Indisputable fact. I know it. You know it. He knows it.
We all know it. Now *do* something about it.
Louis: Why me?
Gabrielle: Because I'm asking you.
Louis:
Gabrielle: Because I'm asking *you*. You are his Beautiful One. You can
make him do things no one else can. You can make him happy like no one
else can. He doesn't want to acknowledge that. He never has, not openly.
It's time for you to force the issue. In front of the whole coven. Then he
can't say it isn't so, or he misread you.
Louis: What are you suggesting?
Gabrielle: You know what I'm suggesting.
Louis: You're out of your mind.
Gabrielle:
Louis: I thought you said he wasn't coming.
Gabrielle: If I tell him you are going to be there, he'll be there, don't
you worry.
Louis: You want me to publicly seduce him? Lestat? And what if he
doesn't play along? What if it doesn't work? Then I get publicly
humiliated.
Gabrielle: Nonsense. All he needs is for you to take the first step.
He'll be eager to meet you halfway. We're talking about Lestat here.
Let's face facts. He's a sensualist. If you do this right, he'll be
eating out of the palm of your hand.
Louis: That I would like to see.
Gabrielle: You can do it. I *know* you can.
Louis: I . . . haven't got anything . . . suitable . . . to wear.
Gabrielle: I know just the place. Come on. We'll get you something
perfect and you can change at the party.
Louis: How did I let you talk me into this, Gabrielle?
Gabrielle: Because you want it, love.
Louis: Yes. Too much. That's what's so frightening about it.
Gabrielle: You're not frightened. You're just excited. You know it can
work too.
Louis:
Gabrielle: Give me a break. You put your mind to it and he'll be like
putty in your hands.
Louis: We'll see.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Santino: Lestat? I thought you had declined to join us.
Lestat: Yeah, well, I got bored. Thought I might as well come over and
watch you all make fools of yourselves.
Santino: Really? Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that
Gabrielle persuaded Louis to come, would it?
Lestat: Oh, did she?
Santino:
Lestat:
Santino: Well, maybe your technique is faulty, Lestat, old pal. Sit back
and watch an experienced Coven Master at work.
Lestat:
Santino: What's the commotion? Who *is* that?
Lestat: My God!
Santino: That's not . . . that's not . . .
Lestat:
Santino:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gabrielle:
Louis:
Lestat: Louis.
Louis: Lestat.
Lestat: Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Lestat.
Louis: Would you like to join in the dancing, Gabrielle?
Lestat: Louis . . .
Gabrielle: Yes, Louis, I would like to. It looks fun, doesn't it?
Louis: I like the music, the drums . . . They seem to be calling to us,
don't they? Come on, Gabrielle. Those drums make me feel like moving . .
.
Daniel:
Lestat: Yes.
Daniel: Wow!
Lestat: Yes.
Daniel: I'm going to join Louis and Gabrielle around the bonfire. If you
see Armand, tell him where I am. He'll pop a gasket when he sees Louis.
God, look at the way he's moving to that music.
Lestat: Yes.
Jesse: Is that who I think it is, Lestat?
Lestat: Yes.
Jesse: Wow! I'm going to join them. Coming?
Lestat: Yes.
David: Louis!
Louis: Dance, David. Hold me close and just dance.
David:
Louis: Just made it up, David.
David: God!
Santino: Louis.
Louis: Santino.
Santino: You dance like something out of a dream, Louis.
Louis: Thank you, Santino.
Santino: Louis, could I . . .
Louis: Just dance, Santino. Lestat is watching our every move. You do
want to keep your beautiful preternatural body in one piece, don't you?
Santino: Louis . . .
Louis: Just dance, Santino.
Louis: Armand?
Armand: Louis, what are you trying to do to me?
Daniel:
Louis:
Daniel: Ummmm.......
Armand: Ummmm.......
Lestat: Excuse me.
Daniel & Armand & Louis: Ummmmm..........
Lestat: *Excuse* me!
Daniel & Armand: Ummmmmm..........
Louis: Ooooohhhhhh............
Lestat:
Armand & Daniel: Lestat! Let go! What do you mean . . . Lestat!
Lestat: Come with me.
Louis: I'm not going anywhere with you. This is a party. I was invited.
I'm here to enjoy myself, and that's what I'm damn well going to do!
Lestat: Over my dead body.
Louis: If necessary, yes.
Lestat: Louis, what's gotten into you?
Louis: I've decided I want to be with people. I've decided I want to
laugh and have some fun and maybe find someone who wants to . . .
Lestat: Wants to *what* Louis?
Louis: None of your business.
Lestat: Since when?
Louis: Since you left me.
Lestat: *I* left *you*?!
Louis: Yes.
Lestat: Last time I looked, I still lived at *our* townhouse. *You* are
the one who moved out.
Louis: You brought your new lover home. What did you expect? I have some
pride!
Lestat: My new . . . David? You're talking about David?
Louis: Who else?
Lestat: David is *not* my lover.
Louis: Oh? You wrote in your books that you make your fledglings in love,
as Marius taught you. You love David. Everyone knows this. Even I know
this.
Lestat: Yes, I love him, but he's just a friend, a very dear friend, more
like a brother than anything else.
Louis: I don't believe you.
Lestat: What?!
Louis: You heard me.
Lestat: What do you mean, you don't believe me? You think I would lie to
you about this?
Louis: If it suited you . . . yes.
Lestat: I am not lying.
Louis: Prove it.
Lestat: What?
Louis: I *said* prove it!
Lestat: Prove what? That I'm not lying?
Louis: Yes. Prove that you're not lying. Prove that David is not your
lover.
Lestat: And just how am I supposed to do that?
Louis: Make love to me.
Lestat:
Louis:
Lestat:
Louis:
Lestat:
Armand & Daniel & Santino & others: Louis?!
Jesse & Marius & David & Pandora & others: Lestat?!
Gabrielle: That's my boy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And they lived happily ever after. . .
The End
Stepsister #1: Armand
Stepsister #2: Daniel
Cinderella: Louis
Fairy Godmother: Gabrielle
Prince: Lestat (who else?)
King & Queen: Santino & Pandora (well not really, but they get to give the
‘ball’)
Prince’s trusted friend: David
A Princess at the ‘ball’: Jesse
Assorted vampire guests