Rapunzel for Schools – Episode 6 – Just Desserts

Below we present the complete text of episode 6 of Rapunzel for Schools. Each scene is introduced with writer’s notes on the process of adapting the original fairy tale as an Audio Drama.

EPISODE 6 –      JUST DESSERTS

Writer’s Notes

The third and final act opens here. This is where the final confrontation with the witch will occur.

In the lead up to this I still needed to announce Rapunzel’s determination to rescue Franz and then test Rapunzel’s commitment to opposing the witch. To do this I added a couple of quick scenes in which Rapunzel is forced to overcome a series of obstacles in order to reach the witch’s fortress (the long climb, a wolf, it’s pack, and then a nasty fall). With each test she shows herself more committed to her goal.

The central conflict is spread across scenes 22 to 25.

In these scenes Rapunzel’s goal is to reach the fortress.

The obstacles she faces are the mountain itself, and wild wolves.

Disaster overtakes her when she breaks an ankle just before the fortress while being pursued by wolves.

She faces a dilemma concerning whether to give up and die, abandon the quest, or push through the pain and press on.

Her choice is to press on.

Act 3

SCENE 22:    EXT – THE RUINED TOWER – DAY
(RAPUNZEL)

1. MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.
2. SOUND: (WALLA) STORM AND RAIN – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
3. NARRATOR: Once upon a time in a faraway land, if the old tales are to be trusted, a baby was stolen from her parents by a witch named Esmerelda, though her father never gave up his search for her. The witch raised her in secret and was so jealous of her attention that she kept her locked in a tower where none might find her. The witch tried to be kind after her own fashion. She would kidnap children and (unbeknownst to Rapunzel) turn them into statues for Rapunzel’s garden. When Rapunzel at last met a prince from the outside world the witch’s rage was immense. She cast Rapunzel out, destroyed the tower and blinded the prince, taking him prisoner, before retiring to her mountain fortress.
4. SOUND: CRACKLE OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING – LET IT FINISH.
5. NARRATOR: And so, Rapunzel lost everything. Her Prince was captured, and her home destroyed, razed to the ground in a firestorm of magic. The life she had always known was now lost to her…
6. SOUND: MEOW OF MISERABLE, WET CAT – LET IT FINISH.
7. RAPUNZEL: Come here Felix, you poor wet thing. At least she didn’t find you. We’ve got a long way to go.
8. SOUND: QUESTIONING MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
9. RAPUNZEL: She thinks she has broken me. As if all her… her abuse, hasn’t made me stronger. She wants me broken and compliant. Well, not this time.
10. SOUND: ANOTHER QUESTIONING MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
11. RAPUNZEL: We’re going to find her fortress. We’re going to find her and rescue Franz.
12. SOUND: DUBIOUS CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
13. RAPUNZEL: I know. I’m not certain I can do it either. But I know the rough direction she would always come from and fly back to when she visited. Flying is faster than walking, and more direct, but she visited pretty much daily, so it can’t be that far.
14. SOUND: DUBIOUS CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
15. RAPUNZEL: (SIGHS) Come on. It’s all uphill and it’s going to be a long climb.
16. MUSIC: TIME PASSING SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH

SCENE 23:    EXT – THE FOREST – LATER
(RAPUNZEL)

17. SOUND: (WALLA) HEAVY RAIN AND TRUDGING THROUGH PUDDLES – ESTABLISH AND UNDER
18. RAPUNZEL: Oh, Felix, It’s been hours. I wish this rain would stop. My dress is ripped and sodden, and my feet ache.
19. SOUND: PATHETIC CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
20. RAPUNZEL: I know, you’re cold and wet too. But at least you’ve been carried along in my pocket. I’m the one who’s had to do all the work. (BEAT)   Well, at least we’ve stayed roughly on track… I think… it’s hard to tell with the clouds hiding the sun. But we’ve definitely been going uphill. My legs and back are telling me that quite insistently. (BEAT) It looks like the trees are starting to thin out at last. Maybe when we get past these trees we’ll have a better sense of… Oh, no!
21. SOUND: QUIZZICAL CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
22. RAPUNZEL: No wonder it’s been feeling so cold. Look, we’re part way up the mountain.
23. SOUND: HOPEFUL CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
24. RAPUNZEL: But we’ve still got so much further to go… and there’s snow up there. I think I can see the fortress though. It’s ugly and cruel looking. I don’t know why I never saw the cruelty in mother before. It’s all so obvious now.
25. SOUND: QUIZZICAL CAT MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
26. RAPUNZEL: Let me catch my breath Felix. That’s going to be quite a climb… and I don’t know how well these boots are going to stand up to the snow. I think I should stop and wrap my feet.
27. SOUND: DISTANT WOLF HOWL – LET IT FINISH.
28. SOUND: CAT HISS – LET IT FINISH.
29. RAPUNZEL: Oh no, a wolf. Hopefully it’s not hunting us. Still, we can’t wait here. We will have to keep moving.
30. SOUND: MUDDY FOOTFALLS HURRYING FORWARDS – ESTABLISH AND FADE OUT.
31. MUSIC: TIME PASSING SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 24:    EXT – THE MOUNTAIN SIDE – LATER
(RAPUNZEL)

32. SOUND: (WALLA) WIND HOWLING NEARBY – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
33. RAPUNZEL: (PANTING) It’s been chasing us for an hour. I can’t go on like this without resting.
34. SOUND: PLAINTIVE MEOW – LET IT FINISH
35. RAPUNZEL: (PANTING) I have to stop… I have to…
36. SOUND: DEEP WOLF GROWL VERY NEAR BY – LET IT FINISH>
37. RAPUNZEL: No! (BREATHES HEAVILY) Get behind me Felix. I’m going to pick up this…
38. SOUND: ROCK SCRAPING NOISE – DUCK UNDER.
39. RAPUNZEL: … rock and try to defend us.
40. SOUND: CAT HISS – LET IT FINISH.
41. RAPUNZEL: (SLOW AND PLACATING) All right you horrifying monster. Take it easy… easy… (SCREAMS – UNDER)
42. SOUND: VICIOUS BARK OF DOG ATTACKING CUT OFF WITH YIPPING WHINE OF PAIN – LET IT FINISH.
43. RAPUNZEL: (PANTING) Oh no, it bit me. It doesn’t look too deep, but I’m bleeding freely… and it hurts. (BEAT) Is the wolf dead?
44. SOUND: LOW DOGGY MOAN – LET IT FINISH.
45. RAPUNZEL: (TEARFUL) I’m sorry wolf, I can’t have you coming after me. I’m sorry I just…ugh!
46. SOUND: SMACK OF STONE AND YIP OF DOG FOLLOWED BY LOW DOGGY MOAN AND SHALLOW DOGGY BREATHING.
47. SOUND: SECOND SMACK OF STONE. FINAL YIP FROM WOLF. THEN SILENCE. – LET IT FINISH.
48. RAPUNZEL: (BREATHING HARD) There. It’s done. Come here Felix, climb back in my pocket.
49. SOUND: RELIEVED CAT’S MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
50. RAPUNZEL: At least we’re a lot closer now. It looks like the fortress is just past that ridge. It’s not nearly as big as it looked from below either. (BEAT) But I don’t understand. Wolves usually hunt in packs… It’s quite unusual to hear one on its own, isn’t it?
51. SOUND: DISTANT BAYING OF MANY WOLVES – LET IT FINISH.
52. RAPUNZEL: Oh, I had to ask!
53. MUSIC: TIME PASSING SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 25:    EXT – THE FORTRESS – LATER

54. SOUND: (WALLA) HOWLING WIND, SHEETS OF RAIN, ETC. – ESTABLISH AND UNDER
55. SOUND: (NEARBY BUT NOT PRESENT) BAYING OF WOLVES – CONTINUE UNTIL 1170.
56. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS RUNNING IN DIRT – CONTINUE UNDER UNTIL 1166.
57. RAPUNZEL: (PANTING AS SHE RUNS) They’re gaining but the fortress is so close. I… (PANICKED) I can’t see a way in. There’s no door! (BEAT) No wait, I can see a window, an opening in the wall. It’s about twelve feet up. If I can climb to it, that should put me out of their reach.
58. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ON STONE – CONTINUE UNDER
59. RAPUNZEL: We’re nearly there Felix. (BEAT) We’re crossing a causeway and the wall’s just ahead.
    (BEAT) We’re here. We’re here! (BEAT) Now to climb. Hang on you silly old cat. Hang on.
    (GRUNTS OF CLIMBING) Ugh, uh, Mmmf, mmm. It’s so slippery.(SCREAMS) Aaaah.
60. SOUND: SOUND OF SCRABBLING THEN CRUNCH OF BONE – LET IT FINISH.
61. RAPUNZEL: (IN ANGUISH) Ahhh. My leg. Oh my leg. It’s not going to take my weight.
62. SOUND: GROWLS AND YIPS OF APPROACHING WOLVES – DUCK UNDER.
63. RAPUNZEL: No, not now. Not when I’m almost there. Felix? Felix, it can’t end like this. Not like this. I can’t just die here, eaten by wolves… I… I have to try again. But… No! No buts. I’ve got three limbs that work. I can make it.
64. SOUND: WOLVES LEAPING, SNAPPING AND SNARLING AT RAPUNZEL’S HEELS – DUCK UNDER AND FADE ON 1174
65. RAPUNZEL: (BEAT) (MUCH MORE PAINFUL GRUNTS OF CLIMBING) Aaargh. Ummm. Aaaah. Uuugh.
66. SOUND: FADE WOLVES – LET IT FINISH.
67. RAPUNZEL: (SIGHING) Ahh. I made it… I…uhhh.
68. SOUND: RAPUNZEL COLLAPSES INSIDE THE WINDOW LET IT FINISH.
69. SOUND: CONCERNED CAT MEOWS – FADE OUT.
70. MUSIC: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

Writer’s Notes

Scenes 26 to 29 form the final confrontation in our structure. These scenes also provide the opportunity to bring each of the three remaining character arcs to their resolution. In these scenes we will see Rapunzel demonstrate her new-found independence once and for all. Franz will demonstrate his commitment to the responsibilities of Kingship by offering his own life in place of his people. And the witch will cement her choice in favor of cruel love for Rapunzel.

The central conflict of these scenes focuses on Rapunzel.

Her goal is to rescue Franz.

The obstacle is the witch.

Disaster strikes when the witch interrupts the rescue attempt.

A dilemma is presented when the witch attempts to force Rapunzel to choose between death, the prince, the lives of the people in the Kingdom, and a renewed life with her.

Rapunzel’s choice is death.

The witch realizing she has been defeated by Rapunzel’s choice commits suicide rather than try to live without her.

SCENE 26:    INT – FORTRESS – LATER
(RAPUNZEL, ESMERELDA)

71. ESMERELDA: (CACKLING IN THE DISTANCE – FADE IN) Ahahahaha.
72. RAPUNZEL: (WAKING UP) Ohhh. Where..? No wait. I remember… The wolves! But no, they’re gone… Ugh. I’m in… inside the fortress. I made it. But… I must have passed out… and… (GROANS) ugh … my leg is hurt and I’ve been bleeding.
73. SOUND: CAT’S CONCERNED MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
74. RAPUNZEL: Felix! You’re okay. Come here you stupid cat.
75. SOUND: CAT’S AFFECTIONATE MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
76. RAPUNZEL: We have to find the Prince. Where do you think mother has put him? In a tower? Or a dungeon?
77. SOUND: CAT’S NON-COMMITTAL MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
78. RAPUNZEL: You’re not much use you know? I vote we try upstairs first. (GRUNTS AS SHE GETS UP) Ugh.
    This is going to be slow and painful.
79. SOUND: LIMPING FOOTSTEPS ON STONE – FADE OUT.
80. MUSIC: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.
    

SCENE 27:    INT – FORTRESS TOWER – LATER
(RAPUNZEL, ESMERELDA)

81. SOUND: (WALLA) BUBBLING OF CAULDRON – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
82. SOUND: LIMPING FOOTSTEPS – FADE IN AND STOP.
83. ESMERELDA: (CACKLING) Hahahahahaa. (BEAT) (TO HERSELF) You think you can reject me do you girl? I raised you. You want to spend time with those… those others instead of with your dear mother? Well? You’ve made your choice. But let’s see who you want to spend time once they’re all dead, hmmm? You’ll come crawling back to me then, won’t you? Once I perfect and release this plague there will be no-one but you and me. (PITIFUL) And things can be like they used to be again. Just you and me… happy together. (BRUSQUE) Now, where did I put that eye of newt?
84. RAPUNZEL: (STAGE WHISPER) Oh no. Felix, what is she planning? We’ve got to find a way to stop her… but first we have to find Franz… come on…
85. SOUND: LIMPING FOOTSTEPS – FADE OUT.
86. MUSIC: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 28:    INT – FORTRESS DUNGEON – LATER
(RAPUNZEL. ESMERELDA, PRINCE)

87. SOUND: OCCASIONAL DRIPS OF WATER – PLAY UNDER.
88. FRANZ: (MOANING IN THE DISTANCE) Uhhh.
89. SOUND: LIMPING FOOTSTEPS – FADE IN AND STOP.
90. FRANZ: You’re back. Not again! Please!
91. RAPUNZEL: Oh, Franz. Shhhhh. It’s me Rapunzel. What has mother done to you? You’re bleeding all over… and your eyes, your poor eyes.
92. FRANZ: She’s been torturing me. With knives and burning coals and even clubs I think. I can’t even tell how much time has passed.
93. RAPUNZEL: It’s all right Franz, I’m here to get you out. I just need to figure out how to unlock… oh, against the wall there’s a key. I’ll get the chains off you in a moment.
94. FRANZ: Oh, thank you. And hurry. I don’t know how long she’ll be gone…
95. ESMERELDA: (FAKE SWEETNESS) Well, what have we here? A cosy little reunion, is it? Pardon me for intruding.
96. RAPUNZEL: Mother!
97. FRANZ: Oh no!
98. ESMERELDA: (STILL FAKELY SWEET) Aren’t you happy to “see” me again dear boy? (BEAT)
    (TURNING SOUR AND TO RAPUNZEL) And you, how did you get here?
99. RAPUNZEL: Never mind that. I’m here to free Franz.
100. ESMERELDA: Franz, is it now? Well, you don’t look like you’re in much condition to do anything about his situation, realistically speaking. Is that a wolf bite on your arm? And your ankle looks like it’s bending slightly the wrong way. It looks quite painful in fact. Is it?
101. RAPUNZEL: (ANGRY) Yes. It’s painful.
102. ESMERELDA: I warned you didn’t I? I warned you that the world wasn’t safe. I warned you that you would be hurt out there. Do you see? Do you see, now, why you shouldn’t have betrayed your mother?
103. RAPUNZEL: You’re insane.
104. ESMERELDA: No, I was right all along. This is what the world does. This is how it was always going to treat you. It’s what I protected you from.
105. RAPUNZEL: Protected me? You shut me up in a tower for most of my life. I never had a friend, aside from Felix…
106. ESMERELDA: And I should have strangled the animal years ago… I’m too soft-hearted by half.
107. RAPUNZEL: You’ve done nothing but torment and abuse me my whole life.
108. ESMERELDA: (WHEEDLING) But always for your own good. You have to see that.
109. RAPUNZEL: I’m sure you believe it. I’m sure that you’ve let your self-interest, your own selfish fear of being alone, blind you to what you’ve really been doing. (BEAT)
     You raised me, you did. You did the minimum necessary to keep me fed, clothed, and sheltered. And all the while you convinced yourself you loved me.
110. ESMERELDA: (PLEADING) I did. I mean, I do.
111. RAPUNZEL: But everything you’ve done. Every inconvenience you’ve borne on my behalf has been to serve your own selfish ends… to give you company in your old age – someone to look after you. And now, I learn that I’m not even really your daughter…
112. ESMERELDA: No!
113. RAPUNZEL: …that you stole me from my real parents.
114. ESMERELDA: Who told you that? Was it this lying prince?
115. RAPUNZEL: Why would he lie? I’m nothing to him. I’ve been learning the truth. The last few days have revealed it. The world is hard and cruel.
116. ESMERELDA: Yes. Yes, see I told you…
117. RAPUNZEL: But it’s cruel and hard because of people like you. You take the bitterness of winter and make it cruel with your callous selfishness and disregard for others. You would rather cut out a man’s eyes in vengeance than admit that your selfishness brought this upon yourself.
118. ESMERELDA: Was I selfish to want to give you gifts, to bring you those statues? I did it for you. Everything I’ve done I did for you. Even the situation you are in now. It’s so you can learn, so you’ll come back to me.
119. RAPUNZEL: And there it is. You treat the lives of others, even my life, like it is of no account. In the end it’s all about you. And you disgust me. I’m not your daughter.
120. ESMERELDA: Is that so? Then if that is how you want it to be… If you think you’re a “responsible adult” now… then I’m going to give you and your “love” here a choice.
     (BEAT) I have been wronged, whatever you may think. That which I loved most has been stolen from me and I will have my revenge!
     I’m going to kill everyone in this miserable Kingdom.
121. FRANZ: You couldn’t. Not even you have the power to kill so many innocents.
122. ESMERELDA: Innocents? Huh! They steal and kill and cheat one another all the time. None of them are innocent.
123. RAPUNZEL: She can do it, too. She has been brewing some kind of plague up in her tower.
124. ESMERELDA: Oh, you saw that did you? And you didn’t even say hello. How rude! (BEAT)
     Well, it’s true. I’m going to kill them all… or… I’ll kill your prince… or… I’ll kill both your prince and all the people in the Kingdom, that would work too, but you have to choose, Rapunzel. Who will die? It’s up to you. Will you kill this Prince and come back to me and save his people? Will you keep your prince and let his people die? Or have you learned your lesson and will you let go of all of them? We could be happy again, you know? All you have to do is choose in favour of your poor dear mother, and against this pathetic prince and his people.
125. FRANZ: It’s all right. Let me die. Save my people.
126. ESMERELDA: Are you such a coward, “Franz”? Is all you want a quick way out? (TO RAPUNZEL) Look at this snivelling wretch you’ve given your heart to, Rapunzel. Is he really worth it?
127. FRANZ: You know nothing, crone. I am now the King of this land. And any King who wouldn’t gladly give his life for his people isn’t worthy of the title.
128. RAPUNZEL: Franz, no!
129. FRANZ: It’s all right Rapunzel. All my choices of late have gone awry. At least in this I am sure of my duty.
130. ESMERELDA: (SNEERING) Oh, what a pretty speech. Well, Rapunzel. Does it make you care for him all the more? Will you choose him over the lives of all those “innocents”… or are you as repulsed by him as I am. I’m still your mother. What will it be?
131. RAPUNZEL: You can’t help yourself can you? You think that this proves anything? You want me to choose? Then I choose me. Kill me in place of Franz and his people. You say you have been wronged and demand revenge? Well I’m the one who hurt you. Kill me in place of these others.
132. ESMERELDA: (SUDDENLY FRIGHTENED) No!
133. RAPUNZEL: Yes. You claim you’ve loved me. That everything you’ve done has been for me. But if you kill Franz and all those people you will be killing me as truly as if you plunged the knife in right here. So, kill me and let them go!
134. ESMERELDA: No. You were supposed to choose me!
135. RAPUNZEL: I’m waiting mother. Pick up the knife.
136. FRANZ: Rapunzel, no.
137. RAPUNZEL: Go on mother, pick up the knife. Come and kill me with it. Show me that I’ve been right all along. Prove to me that this is, and always has been, all about you.
138. SOUND: BRIEF SCRAPING OF KNIFE BEING PICKED UP – LET IT FINISH
139. RAPUNZEL: That’s it mother, bring the knife over here and strike me down.
140. ESMERELDA: (CRYING NOW) You wicked child. You wicked, evil child. That’s all children are, you know? Tears and heartbreak and pain. You think you’ve won. You think I can’t kill you, but there’s still one thing I can do, one last way to pay you back for your betrayal. It’s all your fault Rapunzel. Yours and yours alone. You drove me to this.
141. RAPUNZEL: Mother, no!
142. SOUND: KNIFE PLUNGING INTO FLESH – LET IT FINISH.
143. ESMERELDA: (GARGLING DEATH CRY) Aaaargh!
144. SOUND: BODY FALLS TO GROUND – LET IT FINISH.
145. FRANZ: What’s happening. Rapunzel? Rapunzel, are you all right?
146. RAPUNZEL: I’m all right, Franz. She’s… she’s dead. She killed herself.
147. SOUND: UNLOCKING OF CHAINS – LET IT FINISH.
148. RAPUNZEL: Easy. Let me help you down. (BEAT) Sit here for a minute. My mother (SOB THEN TOUGHENING)… my mother kept potions in her tower. They should be able to heal your wounds.
149. FRANZ: Please, don’t leave me here again.
150. RAPUNZEL: It’s all right Franz. Nothing will hurt you now… and I won’t be very long. I’m going to leave Felix with you.
151. FRANZ: Felix?
152. SOUND: CAT’S FRIENDLY MEOW – LET IT FINISH.
153. FRANZ: Ah, that must be Felix. I didn’t know you had a cat.
154. RAPUNZEL: I’ll be back shortly. If we’re lucky, she may even have something that can restore your eyes.
155. SOUND: LIMPING STEPS – FADE OUT.
156. SOUND: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 29:    INT – FORTRESS DUNGEON – LATER
(FRANZ, RAPUNZEL)

157. SOUND: CAT’S MEOW.
158. RAPUNZEL: No don’t move, Franz, I’ll spill the potion. Just drink it… slowly.
159. FRANZ: (GULPS LIQUID).
160. SOUND: MAGICAL CHIMES – LET THEM FINISH.
161. FRANZ: It tastes terrible.
162. RAPUNZEL: Yes, it smells terrible too.
163. FRANZ: But I’m starting to feel better… and… and my eyes! I’m starting to see, though everything’s so dark.
164. RAPUNZEL: Oh, Franz, that’s wonderful. The potion is working. Don’t worry about the dark. We’re in a dungeon. Here, finish the rest of it.
165. FRANZ: What about you? The witch… I mean your mother… said you were hurt.
166. RAPUNZEL: I’ll be fine. There’s enough here for me as well. When we’ve recovered, we’ll head out and make our way back down to the tower.
167. FRANZ: Why the tower? Didn’t she destroy it?
168. RAPUNZEL: Have you forgotten the statue garden? Your sister is there.
169. FRANZ: I thought she was destroyed with the tower. I couldn’t see and the witch…
170. RAPUNZEL: No, it’s all right. The statues are fine and I’ve found the potions to free them. There should be enough if we’re careful.
171. FRANZ: That’s wonderful. How soon can we get under way?
172. RAPUNZEL: Let me see to my leg and we’ll go.
173. MUSIC: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

Writer’s Notes

With the final confrontation over, it is now time to tie up the loose ends and provide a window onto the aftermath of the story (the denouement). This is where the characters receive the reward of their labours and embark on a new life together.

I wanted to, notionally, include the twins (from the original story) in this adaptation while recognising that the framing of the original tale may not be acceptable in some school settings. The simplest solution that presented itself was to make the twins a pair of statues, rescued by Rapunzel, without homes of their own to go to.

The conflict built into the following scene aims at this resolution.

Rapunzel’s goal is to return all the statues to life and their families.

An obstacle arises in the form of the length of time some of the statues have existed. Some of them have been statues for some considerable period.

Disaster strikes when it is revealed that one pair of statues (the twins) are orphans.

The dilemma is whether to leave them to themselves, seek to resettle them, or take them in.

The choice is to offer them aid – though by stories end, it is to adopt them.

SCENE 30:    EXT – THE TOWER – LATER
(FRANZ, RAPUNZEL)

174. SOUND: (WALLA) FOREST AMBIANCE – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
175. SOUND: FOOTSTEPS ENTERING CLEARING – LET IT FINISH.
176. RAPUNZEL: We’re here. Thank goodness. And no sign of the wolves.
177. FRANZ: Yes, we’re here. Your tower is nothing but a ruin, though.
178. RAPUNZEL: I know, but from what you told me, none of this is my land. It actually belongs to the palace.
179. FRANZ: Yes, she had some cheek setting up here. Very clever when you think about it. She hid you almost in plain sight.
180. RAPUNZEL: Let’s not talk about my Mother. I don’t want to think about that right now.
181. FRANZ: All right… but you know she wasn’t actually your mother, don’t you?
182. RAPUNZEL: Yes, I know it. But I don’t know what else to call her. And now that she’s… gone, it feels wrong, somehow, to start calling her something different.
183. FRANZ: All right. We’ve got work to do anyway. The statue garden is still standing, like you said.
184. RAPUNZEL: Shall we start with your sister?
185. FRANZ:
186. MUSIC: TIME PASSING SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

Writer’s Notes

This is the final scene of our play. Rapunzel is about to be reunited with her father, get engaged to the prince, and adopt a pair of twins all at once. But before all this can happen we have the opportunity to add one final source of conflict.

Rapunzel’s goal is to be reunited with her father.

Gustav is now old and does not recognise Rapunzel or trust the Prince that this is her. This is a significant obstacle.

Disaster strikes when he refuses to believe it is her. This is overcome when Gustav sees the gold heart that his wife attached to Rapunzel’s ankle as a baby.

The dilemma Rapunzel faces is to decide what form her new life will take. Will she live with her father, accept the prince’s proposal of marriage, or both? And what will she do with the twins?

Rapunzel’s choice is to present Franz with an ultimatum – one he accepts – that results in her not having to give up any of the options.

And they all live happily ever after.

SCENE 31:    EXT – THE TOWER – LATER
(RAPUNZEL, FRANZ, HILDE, TWIN #1, TWIN #2)

187. SOUND: (WALLA) FOREST AMBIANCE – ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
188. SOUND: MAGICAL CHIME – LET IT FINISH.
189. RAPUNZEL: There you are. You’re the last. We’ve freed all the others.
190. TWIN #2: Where am I? I feel so strange.
191. RAPUNZEL: You’ve been a statue. A… a witch cast a spell on you.
192. TWIN #2: The witch! I remember. We were running from her. It was snowing and she…
193. RAPUNZEL: It’s all right. You’re safe now. The witch has gone.
194. TWIN #2: But my sister… Where’s Gertie?
195. RAPUNZEL: She’s here. It’s all right.
196. TWIN #1: Marielle, oh Marielle, I’m so glad your safe.
197. TWIN #2: Oh Gertie. I’m so happy.
198. RAPUNZEL: Well, that’s the last of them. Those two were the oldest statues. They’ve been here for as long as I can remember.
199. FRANZ: They look like twins. I’ve sent the other children back to their village…
200. HILDE: But I’m still here, Franz. You haven’t forgotten about me, have you?
201. FRANZ: Never, Hilde. Come here I want to introduce you properly to the lady who rescued you.
202. HILDE: (TO RAPUNZEL, ALL IN A RUSH) Are you going to marry my brother?
203. FRANZ: (SPLUTTERING) Hilde! Um… children can be… a little… undiplomatic at times. Um… Hilde may I present Rapunzel, the woman who rescued me from the witch… and Rapunzel, may I present to you my sister, the princess Hildegard.
204. RAPUNZEL: It’s a pleasure to meet you Hildegard.
205. HILDE: Oh please. Call me Hilde. Everyone does, except maybe Franz when he’s angry. You really should marry him, you know. Lots of people think he’s funny looking but underneath he’s the best brother in the world. And, if you married him, then we could be sisters but…
206. RAPUNZEL: (LAUGHING) What is it?
207. HILDE: The two girls… They’re still here.
208. FRANZ: Girls? Have you forgotten the way back home.
209. TWIN #1: We don’t have a home M’Lord. We’re orphans. I think that’s why the witch picked us.
210. RAPUNZEL: Oh no. Franz, we have to do something.
211. FRANZ: All right. (TO THE GIRLS) For the moment I think you’d better come with us. We’ll see you get looked after properly, I promise.
212. TWIN #1: Thank you M’Lord.
213. TWIN #2: Yes, thank you.
214. HILDE: Yay!
215. FRANZ: But before we go back to the castle, there’s someone that Rapunzel needs to see.
216. RAPUNZEL: Oh?
217. FRANZ: Come on. It’s a reasonable distance but not too far. My father gave him permission to build a cottage to live in on the edge of this forest. (BEAT) He’s been waiting a very long time.
218. SOUND: FIVE SETS OF FOOTSTEPS – FADE OUT.
219. MUSIC: NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER – LET IT FINISH.

SCENE:       INTERIOR – GUSTAV’S COTTAGE – DAY
(GUSTAV, FRANZ, RAPUNZEL, HILDE, TWIN #1, TWIN #2)

220. SOUND: DISTANT FOREST AMBIANCE – ESTABLISH AND UNDER
221. SOUND: KNOCKING ON DOOR – LET IT FINISH.
222. GUSTAV: All right. All right. I’m coming already.
223. SOUND: DOOR OPENING – LET IT FINISH.
224. GUSTAV: Yes?
225. FRANZ: Gustav?
226. GUSTAV: This is Gustav’s house. I’m wearing Gustav’s shoes. And the last I looked, I still had Gustav’s face. Now what do you want?
227. FRANZ: Do you know who I am?
228. GUSTAV: Of course. You are the King’s son… actually the King now, I suppose. And you’ve come to ask me to release you from your father’s promise. Well, I won’t do it. Even if you throw me in jail… Even if you torture me…
     Even if you…
229. FRANZ: Stop it, Gustav. You’ll just embarrass yourself. I’m not here to weasel out of satisfying my father’s promise.
230. GUSTAV: You’re not? I mean… um… your majesty, please forgive an old man…
231. FRANZ: (INTERRUPTING) I’ve brought somebody to see you.
232. RAPUNZEL: (TENTATIVE) Hello Gustav.
233. GUSTAV: Good Lord. You look just like…
234. RAPUNZEL: Yes?
235. GUSTAV: Well, I mean to say… You look just like my Gertrude, dead these last eighteen years. (TO FRANZ) Is this a trick? What cruel game are you playing with me boy?
236. FRANZ: It’s not a trick. This is your daughter Rapunzel. I found her.
237. GUSTAV: I don’t believe it. How…
238. RAPUNZEL: Father? Father, is it really you?
239. GUSTAV: Stand still girl. I don’t know who you are or how you allowed yourself to be used in this way but… wait, what’s that on your arm?
240. RAPUNZEL: This? This gold chain with the heart on it? (BEAT) I’ve had it for as long as I can remember. It’s beautiful. I’ve been tempted to throw it away from time to time, but I could never bring myself to…
241. GUSTAV: (THROUGH TEARS) It’s you. It’s really you. My Rapunzel. The chain belonged to your grandmother and your mother fastened it around your ankle when you were born.
242. RAPUNZEL: Oh, Papa. I never dreamed…
243. FRANZ: I hate to break up this reunion but…
244. GUSTAV: No! Please don’t take her away from me. Not after letting me look on her with my own eyes once more.
245. FRANZ: No, I won’t separate you. But I do need to ask you a question.
246. GUSTAV: A question?
247. FRANZ: Yes, as Rapunzel’s father, I need to ask you if… if you would have any objection to my asking for her hand in marriage?
248. RAPUNZEL: Franz?
249. FRANZ: I know, this is rushed, and I know my looks don’t put me in good stead but…
250. RAPUNZEL: Oh Franz, yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!
251. HILDE: Really! (SCREAMS HAPPILY) That’s great.
252. FRANZ: Where did you come from?
253. HILDE: I know you said we should wait for you at the edge of the clearing but… well I admit it, I was nosy, so we…
254. FRANZ: We?
255. HILDE: Well, I couldn’t leave the twins behind and we…
256. TWIN #1: Sorry.
257. TWIN #2: Yes, sorry.
258. GUSTAV: I’m beginning to feel somewhat irrelevant to your question young man. Since my daughter seems to have made her mind up for herself.
259. FRANZ: (VERY HAPPY) Er… yes. Well… This didn’t happen the way I planned it but…
260. RAPUNZEL: On one condition.
261. FRANZ: (SOBERNG) On… one… condition?
262. RAPUNZEL: Yes. Father and the twins come to live with us.
263. FRANZ: (TAKING A DEEP BREATH AND LETTING IT OUT WITH RELIEF) I’ve never been happier to agree to an ultimatum.
264. HILDE, TWIN #1, TWIN #2: (CHEER) Yay!
265. NARRATOR: And they all lived happily… well, you know the rest.
266. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME

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Lessons

• Lesson 1 : The Science Behind Radio
• Lesson 2 : The History of Commercial Radio
• Lesson 3 : Appreciating Radio Drama
• Lesson 4 : Reading Radio Drama Scripts
• Lesson 5 : Performing Radio Drama
• Lesson 6 : Scripting Radio Drama

Worked Example (Radio Adaptation of Rapunzel)

• Appendix : Writer’s Notes on Adapting Rapunzel for Radio
• Example Radio Play (with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools Episode 1, Gustav the Hunter
• Example Radio Play (with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools Episode 2, Kidnapping
• Example Radio Play (with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools Episode 3, Desperate Measures
• Example Radio Play with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools
• Example Radio Play with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools Episode 5, Fateful Meeting
• Example Radio Play with writer’s notes) : Rapunzel for Schools Episode 6, Just Desserts

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