Excerpts From The King in Yellow by John Wick
Excerpts From The King in Yellow by John Wick
Excerpts From The King in Yellow by John Wick
YELLOW
by JOHN WICK
"Act I Summary"
Act I.
In Carcosa.
The sun bleeds in the East
In Carcosa.
In Carcosa.
In Carcosa.
In Carcosa.
"Act II Summary"
Like the "Act I Summary," this is from the RPG supplement by John
Wick, The Curse of the Yellow Sign, Act I. Apparently these
introductory words have manipulated theater-goers for generations.
In some, the verse repetition caused heightened anxiety levels and an
overwhelming sense of dread. At the same time, reportedly, other
people were untouched by the words.
Act II.
The Overture
(A figure all in black wearing a white mask stands on the stage. No
lights.)
I am the Last King. Come to wed the Last Queen. The King in Yellow
and the Queen in Red. And I wear no mask.
Act 1, Scene 1
(The stage is empty save for three tall windows. Outside, the sky
shows the constellation of Aldebaran. Walking on the stage, QUEEN
CASSILDA approaches the window closest STAGE RIGHT.)
CAMILLA: The blue is lovely, but Tosha so does love the green. And I
just do not know which of them I wish to please tonight.
CAMILLA: And the red. I love the red. If I was thinking only of
myself I would wear the red.
CAMILLA: The red, then. I shall be selfish tonight. Tosha and Vren
can do their best to please me for a change! (beat) Mother? Are you
listening to me?
CAMILLA: And the red. I love the red. If I was thinking only of
myself I would wear the red.
CAMILLA: The red, then. I shall be selfish tonight. Tosha and Vren
can do their best to please me for a change! (beat) Mother? Are you
listening to me?
(Exaunt CAMILLA)
Act 1, Scene 3
(Uoht the Younger and Uoht the Elder approach the castle at the
gate. The wind and snow blow around them.)
ELDER: Have you seen Mother? She looks as close to death as a
corpse.
(ENTER Camilla)
YOUNGER: Our armies did not fare well against the Enemy, sister.
CAMILLA: When news reaches the streets, the streets shall not be
silent.
CAMILLA: They will find it in the walking corpse that sits on our
Throne.
YOUNGER: (to CAMILLA) Our brother has not taken well to the
defeats our Enemy has given us.
CAMILLA: They are gifts, brother. Do you not see? We can use the
defeats and the risk of revolt to restore sanity to the Throne.
ELDER: Sister…
ELDER: No…
CAMILLA: Every day, she stares out the window. Every night, she
walks the halls. Sleepless. Afraid to sleep. The apothecary has given
her a powder to keep her safe from dreams. She says she is eager to
call the King.
ELDER: You will be silent, now! If this is true, I shall see it for
myself!
Act 1, Scene 5
(CASSILDA and NAOTALBA in the Queen’s Chambers)
CASSILDA: If they do not attempt it, the people will revolt. Either
way, the end is here.
CASSILDA: (looking out the window) Have you found the Yellow
Sign?
YOUNGER: No.
Act 1, Scene 8
(The ballroom, full of masked figures and music. CASSILDA enters
wearing a red and white dress and mask. CAMILLA enters wearing
the same dress and mask. They speak the same, it is difficult to
identify which is which as CAMILLA mimics CASSILDA.)
CAMILLA: You see? How can you be so certain? Perhaps you are the
ghost. Old dead woman.
CASSILDA: I am no ghost.
CAMILLA: You haunt these halls. You speak with the dead. You see
the dead city on the edge of the lake. Who else could you be?
CASSILDA: I am no ghost.
CAMILLA: You are what has been. I am what will be. I am tomorrow.
You are the grave.
CAMILLA: Die, old woman! Die and take yesterday with you!
CAMILLA: And now it is time! Time to lay aside all disguises! Look
upon me you all! Look upon me and see the true Queen of Alar! And
look upon the corpse that writhes and weeps on the floor! Look upon
her! She is the past. And I am the future.
(ENTER a STRANGER)
STRANGER: A herald.
STRANGER: I am.
CAMILLA: Then you shall die! Die with her! Buried in the same
patch of land, your bones crushed and your skin burned!
STRANGER: Indeed?