Chapter Text
Welcome to Wellston Theatre.
Uru-chan . . . Leader and Manager
Sophocles . . . Storywriter
Presenting Antigone.
Devised and Produced under the personal direction of VALID.
Staged by WELLSTON ROYALS.
Original Play by SOPHOCLES.
Music by N/A.
Actors:
Antigone . . . Remi
Ismene . . . Isen
Polyneices . . . Arlo
Eurydice . . . Adrian
Creon . . . John
Haimon . . . Seraphina
Teiresias . . . Claire
Sentry Soldier . . . Zeke
Messenger . . . Holden
Choragos, Chorus . . . Blyke, et al.
Various others.
Foretell: After the dethroning and execution of Arlo, the newly-established king, John, ordered to leave his body unburied, much to the dismay of his friend, Remi.
Although a play, it will be written as if it were a book. I hope you enjoy it.
***
The red curtains rose far above the audience's heads, revealing two gigantic fake doors in the middle of the stage. Two teens pushed the doors open, revealing a pink-haired girl and an orange-haired boy sporting identical robes, making their way to center stage.
"Isen, my dear friend." The girl started, "You would think we have gone through enough from that blasted curse of my father. I can't even find it within myself to be more upset." She ducked her in sorrow, "But, have you heard the new decree?"
Isen put a hand up to his chin, "I can't say I have. All I know is that, in the last twenty-four hours, we have lost our places as Royals and a close friend to us. John has also taken the throne, but besides that, nothing."
"I can't say I'm surprised. That's why I wanted you to come out here with me." Her somber expression grew to one of resolve. "I need your help with something."
Isen drew back in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"Listen, Isen." She faced the audience instead, announcing in a booming voice, "Upon taking the throne, John overthrew the entire hierarchy, killing Arlo in the process. He allowed the others to live but left our old king with a spear through his chest. Although they fought John just the same as him, it was Arlo who suffered the worst punishment.
"And now, John has made it explicitly clear no one is to bury his body. We aren't even allowed to mourn for him. He has left it out on the streets for the stray dogs and cats to feed on as if it were food for them.
"Worst part? He has threatened his people with execution if they even attempt to bury him," The pink-haired girl turned back to the teen next to her, "Now, I need you to prove what you are to me: A true friend or a traitor."
"Remi, what on Earth are you suggesting?" Isen replied, confusion evident, "What kind of ultimatum is that?"
"I need you to decide, right here and now, if you'll help me."
"Huh? Help you with what?"
"Isen, I'm going to bury Arlo's body. Will you help me?"
"B-Bury him?!" Isen exclaimed in shock, "But you just said we'll be executed if we tried!"
Remi's expression hardened, "He is my friend. And he should've been yours, too."
"But it's dangerous! Imagine how angry John will be!"
"John is not enough to stop me." She tried to walk off the stage, but Isen grabbed Remi's arm to stop her.
"Please think! Arlo died a horrible death because he refused to accept his dethronement and got murdered! Think of what will happen to us if you do this!" He nearly fell onto his knees to further his begging, "John is too strong to fight again! We must comply, or I fear we will suffer an even worse death than Arlo."
An angry expression formed on the girl's face, "If that's really what you think, then I don't want you to come with me anyways, even if you asked to. But I will bury him. If I must die for it, I will die with Arlo. At least now I know doing what is right means nothing to you."
"It means everything to me," Isen retorted, "But I don't want to risk my life over this."
"That's just your excuse, then. However, I will bury a friend I held dear to me."
"Remi!" Isen cried out, "Please listen to me! I'm worried for you."
The pink-haired girl's expression hardly shifted, "You don't need to be. You have to consider your well-being, too."
"D-Do you want me to keep this a secret?" Isen stuttered, "I'll make sure no one hears about this."
"No!" Remi shouted suddenly. "Tell anyone you want! Even put it in the newspaper, I don't care. Just know they'll hate you as well for letting this happen."
Isen reeled back, "You should be terrified right now, not angry at me."
The girl hardly cared. "I'm only doing what I think is right."
"But can you even do it?" The ginger asked, purposefully goading his friend, "I don't think you can."
Remi glared, eyes lighting up. Instead of acting, she powered down, taking a deep breath. "Then I'll keep trying until I physically can't anymore."
"It's going to be impossible."
The pink-haired girl's eyes shined again, "Let go of me, Isen." The orange-haired boy hesitantly complied, "I won't forget what you told me here, but know this: I am not afraid of John, even if I am killed. Because, unlike yours, it will be a death with honor."
Isen let out an annoyed tsk, "Whatever then. Go if you want to. You're acting ridiculous, but at least we know you're as loyal as they come."
Without looking back, Isen opened the central door and walked through, leaving Remi on the stage alone. Sighing to herself, she exited to her left.
As Remi left the stage, a group of teens in masks led by a tall boy with messy red hair took her place. They all stood huddled together before turning to the audience.
"Although we would normally use this time to sing, we felt as though we should spare our voice boxes and your ears," the chorus leader, Choragos, announced, to the audience's laughter, "Instead, allow me to tell you a tale."
With an audible throat clear, the teen continued, "Before this conflict began, there was a king who went by the name of Arlo." On the name, the group separated, revealing a tall blond wearing white robes and a crown. "For however good or bad he was, it did not matter, for he was dethroned." The blond teen was then pushed aside by another with black hair, who robbed the crown from the blond.
"Instead of accepting his fate, the blond put together a force to retake the throne." Now the blond walked back over to the black-haired, surrounded by a few others, "However, he was unsuccessful and lost his life as a result." The newly-established king attacked the group with a styrofoam spear, causing his attackers to collapse.
"At last, our new and just king can settle into his position. But, instead of celebration, he found himself in quite a deep stir." The red-haired boy announced as the black-haired teen sported a questioning stance. The leader gestured toward the audience, "What could he possibly be thinking? And why has he called the council to his side? The answers shall be revealed soon. First, let's allow the king to settle."
Still sporting the crown, the black-haired teen took off his mask and sat on a throne dragged in during the chorus leader's speech.