Dani and the Arabian Nights by Danny Christophiades

This Play is the copyright of the Author and must NOT be Performed without the Author's PRIOR consent

ACT 1
Scene 1: Agra's Marketplace

(There is a pole on stage right. Aamil, Princess Mariya, and the Guard stands next to the pole, standing still. The Narrator enters.)

NARRATOR
Salam and welcome to Agra. While you're here, I will tell you a lost tale from the Arabian Nights, about a boy name Dani. Dani is The Mask Avenger of this city. A hero for us. And so our story begins here, in this marketplace.

(The Narrator exits, and then everyone on the stage unfreezes.)

AAMIL
Now this princess is a ring
(holding a ring)
all the way from Egypt. See how beautiful it is when the sun hits it just right.
(He holds the ring up to the sky and it shines brightly.)

PRINCESS MARIYA
It is beautiful, but I am more interested in a necklace.

AAMIL
What kind of necklace, if I may ask?

PRINCESS MARIYA
A necklace that has a big diamond in it, and it's color is blue, my favorite.

AAMIL
As a matter of fact, I think I have this necklace that you are talking about.
(He puts the ring in his pocket, and then he searches his pockets, and finds the necklace that Princess Mariya was talking about.)
Here it is!

(Aamil shows it to her.)

PRINCESS MARIYA
(Excitedly.)
That's exactly the one I've been looking for. Where did you find it?

AAMIL
It's not a matter of where I found it, but what you can do with it. May I?
(Aamil gestures his hands as to put the necklace over her neck.)

PRINCESS MARIYA
Of course you may.
(Aamil puts the necklace on her neck, and then grabs his sword with one hand up and puts it up against her neck, while his other hand covers her mouth.)
MPPHHHHH.

(The Guard then gets out his sword and moves towards her, but all of sudden a thief jumps in and attacks the Guard. After they sword fight, the thief punches the Guard in the stomach, and then in the face, causing him to faint.)

AAMIL
Good job my friend, you have served me well. However, our deal is not yet complete,
(he then looks at Princess Mariya)
for we have a ransom to make.

PRINCESS MARIYA
MPPHHHHHHH!

AAMIL
Yes princess, scream all you like, for isn't it rather coincidence that there is no one around on this beautiful morning. Well... Almost everyone.

(Aamil and the thief then laugh as Princess Mariya struggles to escape. A small rock then hits the thieve's leg. The thief screams and Dani enters, wearing a purdah. Dani takes out his sword and fights the thief while at the same time, Aamil ties up Princess Mariya to a pull. and then he puts a cloth in her mouth.)

Don't you dare spit it out.

(Aamil looks at her angrily as Dani knocks out the thief. Dani then goes towards Aamil.)

Well, well, well, if it isn't The Mask Avenger.

DANI
That I am, and I have come here to rescue the Princess of Agra!

AAMIL
Now isn't that going to be hard for you to do, when you're dead?

(Aamil takes out his sword and they fight all over the marketplace. After that, Dani knocks out his sword from his hand and punches him in the face, causing him to be knocked out. Dani then goes over to Princess Mariya and unties her while she then spits out the cloth.)

DANI
Something tells me that this isn't your day for shopping, your highness.
(Dani bows, and then kisses her on the hand.)

PRINCESS MARIYA
No, I guess not. I should have realized that it was a trap, with this being the only store open today.

DANI
Oh anybody could have been fooled, who is of royal stature.

PRINCESS MARIYA
Now what do you mean by that?

(Dani then realized what he just said.)

DANI
I'm sorry, what I meant to say is that if someone of royalty isn't too careful, then this whole city would fall, because of one foolish mistake.

PRINCESS MARIYA
Man, you think I would have learned that lesson from school.

DANI
Well at least we learn it from life experiences.

PRINCESS MARIYA
That we sure do.

(They look at each other awkwardly.)

How may I ever thank you for saving me? Jewels? Gold?

DANI
Actually, I would like to see you again.

PRINCESS MARIYA
Really! Why?

DANI
Lets just say that you'll find out tonight on your balcony, if you want to.

PRINCESS MARIYA
But how will you get up there, for it is so high up?

DANI
I'll think of something, for after all, I am The Mask Avenger, aren't I?

PRINCESS MARIYA
Why yes, yes you are.

(Dani goes up to Princess Mariya and holds her hand, and then Dani sees the Guard waking up. Dani lets go and exits. The Guard goes to Princess Mariya.)

GUARD
Princess, are you alright?

PRINCESS MARIYA
Yes I am, thanks to The Mask Avenger.

GUARD
That's good. Now let's get you back to the palace where it is safe.

(The Guard gets behind the Princess and they exit.)

(END OF SCENE)

[End of Extract]