u/-Agathodaemon-

As always: you can do with the script what you want, just credit me and let me know. If you prefer: Google Docs

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(Listener's room, knocking on the door, excited speaker walks in)

Hey! Whatcha doing?

Yeah, right. I see you're just rotting in your room, as always. Come on, dress up, we're going for a walk!

Yes, outside!

Yes, we're going to touch the grass! We're going to touch it, lay on it, wallow in it, and if we are lucky enough to find a perfect spot - we're going to roll on it.

Come on... It's such beautiful weather!

Get up or I will spend the whole day talking about the spoilers of every show you plan to watch!

Well, I may not be the brightest and the most knowledgeable person amongst your friends, but I know how to use Google, duh!

(Pleadingly) Oh, come on, it won't kill you...

We can go slow. Like two freshly hatched snails, digging our way off the ground and feeling the warmth of the sunlight for the first time in our lives.

Yes, that's how much I crave this walk. With you. I crave it with you as my companion.

Come on. We'll get some ice cream, or boba tea, or hot dogs, and eat it outside.

Yes, you can choose.

(Impatiently) Yes, I'll pay...

Wonderful! Get up then!

Where will we go? Hmmm... Well... I don't really have any specific idea. I just want to go somewhere where there is a lot of green, birds, trees... Stuff like that. Somewhere where we can really feel spring. Park? Forest? Garden? Anything nearest.

How far is it?

Perfect! Let's go on an adventure!

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(Change of the scenery. Somewhere outside: park or forest, singing birds, rustling trees, maybe some people talking in the background)

(With bliss) Oh, yes... That's what I need. Can you feel the sun? Can you feel that warmth? Isn't it bliss? Wasn't it worth leaving your gloomy burrow?

Say what you want, I saw that smile on your face.

(With excited disbelief) Wait, is that... No way! Lilac flowers are blooming! Come here, smell it!

(The speaker joyfully inhale flowers' scent multiple times)

Smell it! Just inhale... Isn't it the most beautiful scent in the world?

Gosh, it's so... intoxicating. Let's rest under that tree for a moment, I wanna have that scent all over me.

Oh, come on, we can look for something to eat later, we've only just started. Just sit here and stop whining. Breathe. Relax.

Isn't it nice?

So many birds are singing... I don't think I've ever heard so many birds singing at the same time. It's madness! Do you know the names of those birds?

Me neither. But that's ok, let's just enjoy the moment. Lilac flowers, sun, birds and two best friends.

Don't whine! Breathe!

This is so wonderful... I've been waiting for a moment like this for some time now.

What do I mean by that? Well... Winter was harsh, am I right? In every possible way. Physically and mentally. But as soon as it got a little warmer, I started to feel better. I waited for flowers, for new leaves on trees, and I've cling to the thought that one day they will finally appear. Nothing can hold back spring. No matter how hard your life is, how bad you are feeling, how complicated the situation is... Spring will come. And somehow... In the spring everything seems to be easier. I'm not saying it really is, but your mindset changes. Even if just a little, you can still feel it. Hope for better is back. You gain the strength to start once again. You WANT to start once again. So, this day is an apogee. It really happened. Spring has come! And I do feel a lot better. Don't you?

You see? And we only just got here! We both need to recharge our batteries. Maybe you'll be a little less grumpy when you catch some sun.

I wanted to go with you EXACTLY because you are grumpy! I mean... (More seriously) Not all the time, just lately. Normally you show reasonable amounts of grumpiness, but lately it started to sound alarming. Like... Something bad is happening and you don't want to share it with me. You just struggle alone, grumpy on the outside, but... choking on the inside.

No, no, no, I'm not trying to force you into confession. Not in the slightest. If you ever feel ready - you'll tell me everything. If not - I won't put you under any pressure. That's your life, your problems. You know me, you know I'm not eager to speak about my problems, just as you, so I understand the situation. But if there is any way I can help... You don't even have to explain anything, just tell me what to do. I can take a shovel and bring ropes anytime you need. Day or night.

(A bit amused) Don't laugh, I'm serious.

Maybe I'm too dramatic, but... Lately I felt you're just... slipping away. Slowly falling out of my reach. I know that mechanic, I was there many times. And I don't want you to feel that way. I don't want to lose you. You're one of the greatest things in my shitty life.

Yeah, ONE of them. Equally to pizza, cats, lazy mornings, first coffee of the day and lilac flowers' scent.

(Resentful) What? It's a great company! And if I'd ever be able to combine it all together at the same time... Woo ha, that would be the best day of my life! But! Getting back on track: I wanted to share this walk with you, because I hoped spring will do its magic for you, just as it does for me. If I can't help you in any other way, I can just try to make you see things in a brighter light. Does it work?

(With relief) Phew, for a moment I thought you would say that the sun is too bright, the temperature is too chilly, the birds are too loud and the lilac's scent is too intense... I'm glad you enjoy it a little.

Ummm, no, we won't be sitting under that tree for the rest of the day. We can move on. Is there a pond here?

It would be fun to feed ducks or swans or whatever it is there to feed.

(Amused) Hahaha! Ok, I can feed you. Looks like fresh air increases your appetite. Grains will do or do you have different needs?

Gosh, you're so demanding... Ducks wouldn't be so fussy...

Ok, ok... I think I saw some food trucks near the alley, let's check them.

Oh, let it be, I'll pamper you. You can pick everything you want and as many as you want. Just remember - I won't carry you home. If you'll be too full to walk, you'll be sleeping here.

Yes, I will look after you.

And cover you with my jacket, why not. But nights are still chilly, so please, do your best so we won't freeze to death. We still have a lot of spring to enjoy.

(Longer pause)

(With a soft voice) It's so nice to see you smile again...

As always: you can do with the script what you want, just credit me and let me know. If you prefer: Google Docs

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(Royal dungeons, wounded and exhausted listener is sitting in the cell with other rebels. Sounds of multiple footsteps on a stone floor are slowly getting closer)

That's the one. Open the cell.

(The prison-guard opens the iron wicket and they all go inside. Knight pokes the rebel)

Hey, peasant! Are you alive?

Good. Can you open your eyes?

Do you recognise me?

Do you know who I am?

Do you remember what you have done earlier, on the battlefield?

(Surprised) What exactly? I think you know what I mean and I need some answers. Can you walk on your own?

(To guardians) Pick them up.

(Guardians pick up the struggling rebel)

(To guardians) Let them walk.

Just don't try anything.

(They walk together in silence for some time)

We're going somewhere more private, where we can talk without witnesses.

(They finally stop. The sound of a heavy wooden door opening.)

Get in.

(To guardians) That's all, get back to your work.

(Knight walks into the room and closes the door.)

These are my private quarters.

(Knight lays some fabric cover on an armchair.)

Sit here, just try not to stain everything with blood and dirt.

(Knight pour some liquid in a cup and give it to the rebel)

Here, drink it.

It's just a brew, it will make you feel a bit better.

(Knight sits in an armchair opposite to the rebel)

Let's go straight to the point: why did you save me? Back then, on the battlefield...

You perfectly know what I'm talking about. You saw that giant aiming his axe at my back and shielded me. I saw it with the corner of my eye. Why did you do that? We're enemies!

Don't take me for a fool! It was not by accident! You even looked back to check if I'm alright. We've made eye contact, that's why I remembered your face.

(Pissed off) Stop lying!

(Calm again and a little bit weary) I lost sight of you in the turmoil, but then I saw you amongst the prisoners. I tried to convince myself it wasn't what I saw, but... I just couldn't leave it. My mind was wandering around that scene on and on again, in slow motion. So I went to see the queen, and she, in all her generosity, let me keep you. Do you understand what I am saying?

You are officially my property. I can do what I want with you. And no matter what you are saying, I feel that I owe you a life. So speak the truth. (Gently and politely) Please. Why did you save me?

I don't deserve to die? Who are you to judge me like that?

(Vexed) How can you know what kind of person I am? You know nothing about me!

(Curious) What did you see?

It was just a simple gesture of kindness, it cost nothing. It means nothing!

(With less self-esteem) Maybe there was more, I don't remember. It doesn't prove anything...

(Vexed again) I'm no different than other knights of her royal highness!

You're wrong!

(A bit calmer) Listen, I'm not here to be a good or a bad person. I'm here to follow the queen's orders. My value is measured in loyalty and obedience. I am just the same as the rest of her army. Why did you fight with us, but save me?

(Almost screaming) I am exactly the same! You have no idea what you are talking about! You're just a stupid peasant, you know nothing!

(Trying to get back to composure) You are here because if you wouldn't risk your life for me, I would be dead by now. No matter how unreasonable the move was and what your motivation was. I couldn't just let them hang you with other rebels. I am thankful, even though you're just a simple peasant.

Yes, even though you're my enemy.

(A bit extinguished) That doesn't make me different!

Alright, please, tell me about other knights. Tell me how bad they are.

(With less and less confidence in the voice) He must have had a reason...

It was probably just a misunderstanding...

Maybe they deserved it?

Stop it... It's just a bunch of lies, it's all lies...

(Almost curious) Don't you dare speak like that about the queen... She is first after the Goddess and only the Goddess can judge her. Only the Goddess can question her decision and only she can punish her. The whole rest of us, nobility, knights, villagers, peasants, were here only to serve her. And if you don't understand it, maybe you don't deserve to live? Maybe you deserve to suffer under her reign?

That's just how the world is built! It has always been like that and it will always be. Why do you fight so stubbornly to change something that works perfectly?

Why do I even talk with you about it? You know nothing about the world. You just sit in your cottages, milk your cows, cultivate the fields, harvest... You have no idea how big the world is and how much more is going on! You think only about what's good for you. You're selfish and narrow-minded.

No, the discussion is over. You've said enough.

(Furious) I said: enough!

(Deep breaths, the knight tries to calm themselves)

If you really feel so oppressed, so harassed, I will give you a choice. You can go back to your companions and die with them on a scaffold, like an idiot. Or you can stay here and let me show you how wrong you are. Let me show you the world from a wider perspective. Maybe you will put this knowledge to good use, someday. But there will be rules. Do you want to hear them or do you want to get back to prison immediately?

(With relief) Good choice. First of all: in the eyes of the law you are now my property, which means I'm responsible for you. If your bad behaviour will cause me trouble, I won't hesitate to enforce obedience. But I believe you are reasonable and it won't be necessary. Do you understand?

Second: you are not allowed to leave my quarters. If someone catches you wandering around the castle, you'll be immediately escorted to prison and executed. Is that clear?

(Calmly) No, I don't see you as some kind of wild animal that needs to be tamed to become a lovely pet. You're still a human. Thinking, feeling, having needs. But the situation is... unusual. For everyone. So I ask you to behave reasonably and cautiously. I think we can get along, despite the class differences.

(Stands up, speaks calmly walking towards the door) I must go now, but I will send a maid and a medic to take care of you. You need to take a bath and put on new clothes. Medic will examine your wounds and tend them. Just be honest with him, don't play unbreakable. He's a good man and knows his work. Don't doubt his methods, no matter how strange they seem to you. Just let him do whatever he wants, don't be afraid. Alright?

(Knight opens the door)

Maid will bring you something to eat and prepare a place to sleep, you can have a rest after they're done. I will come back after sunset, we'll eat dinner together and decide what to do. Just don't do anything stupid until then. Stay here and wait for me. (Gently and soft) Please.

(Knight walks out and closes the door)