1 SPYFALL ACT 1: SCENE 1 [Stage opens as an abandoned park with fake bushes and a park bench. RYAN “cartwheels” on stage holding butterfly net. He hides behind a bush, and then rolls toward a bench picking up a newspaper. Then, he cartwheels again into a stand.] RYAN: Anon! I have come for thou villain! I wilt capture thee. [He attempts summersaults and pauses] For I must or I shall cease to work. It is no matter that I have failed all my other missions, this one shall be a success. The humiliation from my acquaintances shall be no more. My boss wilt promote me to top spy. Now come out, thou villain! [Pauses mid-step] [Enter CHORUS] CHORUS: Two spies, unalike in ability from who's crossing paths spring forth newfound love. From forces above, high in utility, will force them apart, and always rid of knowledge will forever to be withheld. As on different lines they make a stand, though split apart, the bond they soon shall weld be greater still then all that is now grand. Conflicts unknown do tear these two apart, and rivalry between two sides may end the love that now befalls these two good hearts and nary can either one find a friend. The final challenge that against they race to end their strife in one final embrace. [Exit CHORUS] RYAN: [Trips and falls] Ow! VILLAIN: [Walks on stage tall and proud, holding sack with money. She laughs evilly]. Thou art a swine of a man walking toward slaughter without thought nor heed! Look at thyself, lying on the ground, struck by the ignorance of thy youth. Thou cannot stop me! [Turns to walk out] RYAN: [Jumps up and holds up butterfly net] Have at thee! VILLAIN: [Turns around and is in shock as RYAN “catches” her with a butterfly net over the head.] 2 RYAN: Ha! I have got thee! I shalt turn thou in and… [Phone rings in RYAN’s pocket and he lets go of the butterfly net, grabbing his phone from his pocket.] RYAN: Ho? [Pause] What doth thee want mom? I am on a mission most secret! [Turns away from the VILLAIN] VILLAIN: [Confused and speaks to RYAN] Thou art daft as a mule! [Shakes head and walks off stage with net still on head.] RYAN: Aye, mother. [Nods head and pauses] Anon, I have to go. [Voice gets softer from embarrassment] I love thou too. [Kisses to phone] See thee at home! [Hangs up phone, and while holding it he looks around for VILLAIN] What? Where did thou go villain? Marry! Not again. [Sad puppy dog face] I have acted like a falconer without my glove! I had her right thither, and now she is gone. My boss’ anger shall finally boil over like an unwatched pot on the stove. [Phone rings and he answers] Speak. [Pause] O, ho boss. Aye, I’ll be right thither. [RYAN exits and scene closes] ACT 1: SCENE 2 [At HQ with multiple desks spread out for each of the workers. The CEO has the largest desk. The workers are filling out papers and gossiping.] DESK WORKER 1: Did thee hear of Ryan? DESK WORKER 2: O indeed! Rumor has it that he let our foe escape…once more. DESK WORKER 1: He art a disgrace. DESK WORKER 2: He tripped into his own snare, and it shall be his end. [RYAN walks in and the DESK WORKERS stop talking.] CEO: Sirrah! Come hither. Anon! RYAN: [Walks over to largest desk where CEO is sitting] CEO: Ryan, thou art the worst spy this agency hath e’er seen. I cannot perceive why I hath allowed thee to put us to shame for so long. RYAN: [Groveling] Oh pray, do not release me! O prithee! 3 CEO: Ryan… RYAN: I beseech thee, bestow upon me one more chance! CEO: Ryan… RYAN: My abilities are beyond thy knowledge! CEO: Ryan, mark! I do not know why, but I shall bestow thou one more chance. RYAN: Art thou intentions true? [Face expression changes to surprise] Such excellency! Grammercy! Oh, the wings of joy lift my soul to the highest peaks. CEO: This is thy last chance, dost thou understand? RYAN: Aye! [Salute] CEO: Good. Thy mission is to find the most wanted criminal mastermind: Jessica Lombardi. This is a woman who hath ruled a reign of terror throughout our agency, for she hath ransacked banks, allegedly kidnapped an enemy, and almost commenced a war amongst two local gangs. RYAN: [Totally serious] Aye! This day is the pinnacle of my life! [Says last line while running off stage] [Scene closes] ACT 2: SCENE 1 [Open on CITIZENS meandering around bank, two workers at the front desk, one at a desk/table.] BANK ROBBER 1: [Enters with ROBBER 2, holding a knife, wearing all black and mask] Hie thee, on thy knees and be silent, or loose thy life! [Screaming scattered amongst the people] CITIZEN 1: Doth thou know what is happening? CITIZEN 2: Well, I suppose a robbery… BANK ROBBER 1: Silence, thou must know to do as I say. [Pushes CITIZEN 2 to the ground] CITIZEN 2: Oh, thou will receive what cometh to thee. For thou art an errant earthvexing gudgeon [contemptuous]. 4 BANK ROBBER 1: Gudgeon? I’ll bludgeon you! BANK ROBBER 2: [BANK ROBBER 1 raises a knife, and BANK ROBBER 2 pushes BANK ROBBER 1’s knife away quickly. She then raises a warning finger to CITIZEN 2] Like a coon in a snare thou art trapped, therefore know thy place, peasant. Jessica! Come hither and take thy stance! JESSICA: [Wearing all black and a leather jacket. She pushes a citizen man out of her path] Prithee, sirrah, hold thy tongue ere face the bite of my blade. BANK ROBBER 2: My apologies. [Shirks away] JESSICA: [Walks up to teller] Hark, bestow upon me this facilities riches, all thy riches. TELLER: Anon, but ho! [Slight pause] Withdrawal or deposit? JESSICA: [Exasperate] Doth thou speak true? Withdrawal of course! TELLER: [Oblivious to what’s going on] Please, could thou present a form of identification? JESSICA: [Unbelieving and fed up] Here. TELLER: [Unrealistically huge bag with money sign on it] ‘Tis my pleasure to serve thee, enjoy thy day! [BANK ROBBERS and JESSICA exit] ACT 2: SCENE 2 [Open on HQ. Lots of desks and everyone looks intense and business looking (CIA elite).] RYAN: [Enters] [ALL DESK WORKERS are working at their desks] [CEO signals RYAN over to his desk in a menacing manner, RYAN walks over slowly: scared.] CEO: Ryan we need to talk. At the second hour of the afternoon today, three ruffians ransacked the local establishment of currency. Six million dollars worth of treasure was stripped from this establishment’s vaults. However, good news has arrived! Word hath been received from this bank and after reviewing the info, the 5 leader of the gang hath been revealed. The gang of robbers was led by the notorious Jessica Lombardi, who is thy target! Your mission has been made far more doable by this discovery. And accurate rumors report that Jessica still remains in this city! RYAN: And, I suppose, my mission is still to find and escort her here? CEO: Yes, Ryan, and let it not slip thy mind that this is the last chance you will obtain. Fail this mission, and we will be rid of you. [Scene closes] ACT 3: SCENE 1 [Stage opens with a supermarket scene. Produce is in crates and JESSICA is looking at cantaloupes. RYAN enter, humming and walks to the opposite side of the box. They are checking the cantaloupes over and both reach for the same one. RYAN abruptly stops humming and they look up at each other at the exact same time.] RYAN: [Stammering] H-ho maiden. JESSICA: Hello, good sir. RYAN: [Awkward pause] W-would thoust like to hear a pun? JESSICA: [Enthusiastically] Marry, I would. A witty mind ‘tis an attractive quality. RYAN: Say, why doth melons hath grand weddings? ... Marry, they can’t-elope! [Laughs awkwardly] JESSICA: [Silent, but looks up and smiles politely and awkwardly.] RYAN: [Brief silence] If I may, thy complexion is the beautiful hue of that rosy cantaloupe’s sweet interior. [Then winces at his foolishness] JESSICA: [Is charmed] Why, thou art as sweet as the cantaloupe thou speaketh of. What be thy name? RYAN: ‘Tis Ryan. And yours? JESSICA: [Blushes, looks embarrassed] Pardon me, sir. I must away. [Looks down, smiles worriedly and starts to leave] [Under her breath] Keep thyself together, Jessica. RYAN: But when shall I see thee again? 6 JESSICA: [Right before she exits, looks over shoulder and gazes back longingly] Soon, I pray. [JESSICA exits] RYAN: [Frustrated] They can’t-elope? Fie, what was I thinking? [RYAN exits on the opposite side] [Scene closes] ACT 3: SCENE 2 [Scene opens with the stage divided into two separate rooms in two different houses. RYAN is silently talking to JAMES and JESSICA is silently speaking to a member of her crime ring. JESSICA and the VILLAIN, freeze.] RYAN: [Out loud] Fie, what have I just done? JAMES: T’was not that bad. RYAN: ‘Twas awful! I yearned so badly to impress her, but I hadn’t an idea of what to say. Given the chance, I should fain go back and make it right. JAMES: Then why doesn’t thou, my friend? RYAN: ‘Tis already too late. I watched her hence while I stood thither hanging my shamed head. But though we just met, my heart already belongs to her. I pray my foolish blunders don’t cost me her affection. JAMES: Hark, if thy love is true, you shall overcome this initial setback. Otherwise thy heart must move on. RYAN: But I know that our love is true! I must find her again. It is my destiny. [RYAN and JAMES freeze, JESSICA and VILLAIN unfreeze.] JESSICA: ‘Twas amazing. His humor enchants me. But I cannot believe I made such a fool of myself! VILLAIN: I am sure thou did, thou doltish girl! JESSICA: Do not be so saucy. I haven’t seen a manly friend of yours in quite a while. VILLAIN: Hark, thou must keep him out of thy thoughts. Mark my words, thou must concentrate on our job, something he shall never be a part of. 7 JESSICA: Thou knowest I am capable of more than thee givith me credit for. I just feel as though a force is pulling us together, like magnets. When we both looked up and I gazed into the blue oceans of his eyes, I knew our hearts would soon be joined as one. VILLAIN: [Dubiously] If thou art so sure… JESSICA: I must see his shining face, for, like the North Star, it beckons to me. VILLAIN: Then thou must find him again. But thou must not be surprised if this fantasy of thee’s does not turn out as thou had hoped it should. Be wary, for else thy job could get in the way and crush thy dream. [Scene closes] ACT 4: SCENE 1 [RYAN, JAMES, and CHRISTOPHER walk into the warehouse and investigate the place, in search of some clues. On stage, there is a pencil on the floor, a box of cantaloupes, a bunch of boxes piled on top of each other, and the stage is dark.] RYAN: Hark! This is the place. We must be careful. She is dangerous. We must infiltrate their headquarters and taketh their master back with us. CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: Hold thy mules! Thou art moving as fast as a cheetah! Why has thou taken us here anyway? Harrrk… must I explain this plan to thou again? ‘Tis our mission to catch the criminal Jessica Lombardi because of all of her evil doings. CHRISTOPHER: Thou must be kidding. This doth not appear dangerous, ‘tis only an old warehouse. JAMES: Fie! Art thou insane? I am not going in thither. RYAN: We must, so we can take Jessica back to headquarters. JAMES: I’m scared. What if we do not succeed? We will all perish under the wrath of our boss! RYAN: If we fail and the boss finds out, we shall all be booted. We are all going to march in like the proper gentlemen we are. Christopher shall hideth in the corner afar, and James shall sneak behind Jessica and capture her with the net. Our plan is foolproof, we are set. 8 [JAMES and CHRISTOPHER roll eyes and act annoyed] CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: Next I will perform a triple back flip off the ceiling, Christopher will rise from the corner and shall sailor knot the net around Jessica to secure her, and keep her from screaming. The helicopter whence the headquarters shall arrive and release a second net to ensure the safety of our spiritual well being. We shall be back ere daybreak. CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: But Ryan…. Perhaps we could just enter through the front door and capture her and return with her to head quarters. Oh… that was the backup plan. [RYAN, JAMES, and CHRISTOPHER enter the warehouse] CHRISTOPHER: This is not bad at all. I am not scared. [JAMES bends down and discovers the discarded pencil on the floor.] JAMES: A pencil! ‘Tis a clue that can be used to solve the case! CHRISTOPHER: JAMES: [Groans] A pencil?! How is this related to Jessica? Thou art saucy! [CHRISTOPHER looks around the warehouse and discovers the box of cantaloupes on the ground.] CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: Look over yonder! ‘Tis a pile of fruit! What does this mean? Cantaloupes! [RYAN, JAMES, and CHRISTOPHER hear footsteps coming from across the warehouse and start to panic] CHRISTOPHER: My goodness! ‘Twas that disturbance?! [CHRISTOPHER runs out screaming in terror, while JAMES follows him, and during that time, RYAN does somersaults and other spy stuff, trying to be cool.] JESSICA: Who goes there? [JESSICA and RYAN both look up and see each other, they show shock and disbelief on their faces. After that, RYAN cannot believe what he has just seen and runs out in shock, panic, and dismay.] 9 RYAN: Christopher, James, come hither. We must stop this mission; we must not go back in there. CHRISTOPHER: Why ever not? RYAN: Well, because, I … saw something. It is too dangerous. JAMES: Hark! Thou takes upon the looks of a mouse who is looking into the eyes of a hungry cat! Why must you become so fearful now, when thou were so valiant and determined earlier? RYAN: ‘Tis not fear, just, do not go in there. CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: No, I have my reasons! Do not touch the girl! CHRISTOPHER: RYAN: Why must you insist this? Why are you so protective of such a villainous criminal? Thou art insane? Thou would not understand. [Scene closes] ACT 4: SCENE 2 [The CHORUS comes into the middle of the stage, while RYAN is silently walking back and forth worriedly that he will get in big trouble for messing up his mission.] Chorus: Now, Ryan faces a new problem with his love. He must confess that the villain they are looking for is a dove. He does not quite know yet what he will say or do, But he knows that whatever he says, will make him anew. He is currently getting ready to profess his mistake. He is just hoping that a second chance is not too late. [The CHORUS exits the stage, and the spotlight goes on RYAN and he is silently talking to himself, while he is pacing nervously back and forth across the stage.] RYAN: [To himself] I do not know what to do. I vacillate between the job I love and the woman I love. My job because it is my passion and the thing that puts bread on the table, and the woman I love because every time I see her, she makes my heart feel full inside. [RYAN gathers his courage and enters the HQ office] 10 RYAN: Sir, I bear some news. CEO: Ahhh, indeed. Please, come hither anon. Thou must be bearing me some good news since today is such an awful day. I am in need of some joyous news to brighten up my day. Uuhh… how could this be happening anon! We still have not caught this villainous person! Every time my men think they have got her in their grasp…Bam! She gets away! Curse me! Anon, come hither please tell me thou art the bearer of good news. Did thou find anything of use for this case? RYAN: Well…Not exactly… CEO: Now, now son, thou shall not say such ridiculous words. If thou has not already noticed by now, it seems that everyone in town is making fun of the entire CIA force. They are now making us feel great remorse. We have not been able to catch the insane thief. Do you realize how mad you have made the chief? Hath thou not listening to what I am saying? Our agencies’ reputation is decaying! RYAN: ‘Tis true boss. However, these thoughts are so depressing; thou must please heed what I have to say. ‘Tis truly very important. CEO: Depressing thoughts? Depressing! How obscured! Hath thou lost their mind! Does thou really think that is what I want to hear as of right now? How depressing art thou talking about? RYAN: As depressing as a little boy waking up Christmas morning and seeing no presents under the tree. As depressing as … CEO: Speak anon. Thou art taking up my time. RYAN: Indeed my boss. It seems that there is a complication in my mission. The person, who you find to act in villainous ways, is indeed not. CEO: Thou art questioning my authority? RYAN: No good sir, I do not mean to have thou take offense. I just wish to tell one who is as wise and as noble as you to not make foolish mistakes. If thou would please just allow me to explain myself, thou would be much appreciated. CEO: Then what does thou mean? RYAN: My good sir, it appears that this horrible person that you speak of is indeed not horrible at all. It seems that thou as made a very fateful mistake. If thou chose to 11 ignore my plea to prove that this horrible person is indeed not horrible, one shall face dire consequences. CEO: Thou art absurd! RYAN: Ahhh…but that is where you are wrong my good sir. You see, this horrible person is actually secretly an angel on the inside. She is a turtle. She has a hard outside, and but a soft, and vulnerable inside. CEO: Like I said before…thou art absurd! RYAN: But my good sir, please listen to my plea…do not make me arrest the innocent. Bestow it upon me to have a chance to prove myself. CEO: Leave my presence you filthy peasant or I will have thou executed. RYAN: Art thou serious? CEO: Naaa…thou shall only be released. [RYAN exits CEO office, pondering what he is going to do about the situation.] RYAN: Curse my existence. I don’t feel my purpose, hence to breathe without my love. She makes my heart sing like a dove. However, I don’t see the point of continuing to live without my life’s work. My boss does not understand…he is a jerk. I feel as sad as a child without his teddy bear. I give up, I no longer care. My life is a place in which all the happiness is taken out of. My life feels like a rushing river in which I am stuck under, and cannot get above. I feel like a speck of dust that is being wisped away by a lonely maid. Someone help me please, my heart desperately needs first aid! ACT 5: SCENE 1 [Stage is set to HQ. RYAN is center stage. MESSENGER GIRL enters.] RYAN: Who art thou? Art thou friend or art thou foe? MESSENGER GIRL: RYAN: Do not fret. I bring a message from thy lady, Jessica. [Surprised] My lady Jessica? MESSENGER GIRL: [Aggravated] Dost thou listen? Thy lady Jessica! 12 RYAN: I heard the words thou said, although I did not understand. Thank thee youth, [Hands MESSENGER GIRL money] and get thee hence. [MESSENGER GIRL exits.] [Reading the letter, JESSICA is backstage] JESSICA: My Beloved: I fear we parted bitterly last evening. I must see thee, ere I sleep for eternity due to my broken heart. At the market, thither thee meet me tonight. I pray I will see thine face tonight. Love from your Jessica. RYAN: Shall I go to the market and risk losing my livelihood? Or shall I stay and risk a broken heart? I suppose if I do not go, I shall never know. [RYAN leaves the stage. Blackout as the set is changed from HQ to the market.] [Set is the market. Lights are dimmed and JESSICA is standing next to the cantaloupes. RYAN enters.] JESSICA: I feared thou would not come, that I would not see thy face tonight. RYAN: Why did thou send for me hither? I contemplated not coming at all. JESSICA: I have a secret I must tell thee. I am not who I say I am. RYAN: Then, pray tell, who art thou? JESSICA: I am a secret agent, undercover as a thief. RYAN: Do thee think me a fool? Do thee think thou can speak lies to me and I will trust in thine words? I will not play Samson to thy Delilah. JESSICA: I speaketh the truth! Do thee trust in me? RYAN: Thy reputation precedes thee. No, I do not trust thee. JESSICA: [JESSICA pleads with RYAN] Trust in my words just as thee trust in my love. RYAN: [Challenging JESSICA] If thou art an agent, why steal from a bank as a thief would? JESSICA: It was to earn the trust of the robbers. Believe me, Ryan. RYAN: [RYAN hesitates. He wants to believe JESSICA, but he can’t.] Goodnight, Jessica. [RYAN exits. JESSICA is left center stage as the lights dim to blackness.] 13 ACT 5: SCENE 2 [RYAN enters HQ stumbling and looking bewildered/ confused. He trips over to the coffee machine, fills up a cup of coffee, drinks it too quickly, and burns his tongue badly. He reacts. This makes him sound very odd: a lisp or some different voice from his usual tone.] [RYAN is approached by two fellow workers, both of which look at him smugly.] DESK WORKER 1: Anon to our CEO. Hie the hence, else taste his wrath. DESK WORKER 2: Thou hath angered him greatly, sirrah. [Stress word sirrah to disrespect RYAN. RYAN picks up on the comment.] RYAN: [With exaggerated lisp] Thou art most hostile. I fain shall away to our CEO, and thou may taste my wrath marry, if thine tongue is so quickly moved against myself. DESK WORKER 2: Pardon mine question my good… good man, but what did thine lips just utter? DESK WORKER 1: I knowest not, but it has befuddled me greatly. [DESK WORKER 1 and DESK WORKER 2 break into uncontrollable laughter and exit the room, still hooting with laughter. RYAN takes a quick swig of water, to help with the lisp, and nervously makes his way to the CEO’s office, and knocks on the door quickly, jumping away from it immediately afterward.] CEO: Sit down Ryan. I have some interesting news. [He looks at RYAN, his expression giving away nothing.] RYAN: [RYAN flies through this next line, speaking way too quickly and not pausing for breath. The lisp is gone.] Thank thee, sir. To begin with, I would like to state that the conduct by which your employees work and speak to me is most cruel and displeasing, they treat me as if I were a filthy street animal. I also must proclaim that I have never really like my fellow workers, but that I only put up with them because I believe someday, when thou art gone [He says that line very quietly], I shall control the agency, and shall release my anger on them as I SEE FIT… [RYAN gasps for breath as CEO looks on at him with amusement.] CEO: Well, that is very…amusing, but I have information that takes precedence over your problem. I just got off the cellular device with the president, and he informed me that Jessica is not who we thought she was. [RYAN was spacing out, but snaps back into reality at the mention of JESSICA.] 14 RYAN: Wait…. art thou saying that Jessica is innocent? So I will not have to chase her anymore? Doth thou jest? The world is vibrant once more! The birds sing again! The world is a new place, full of life and love and… and my heart beats once more. Oh, happy day! I am the newborn child of joy… the young babe of… [CEO cuts him off] CEO: ENOUGH…. Yes she actually was deep undercover for the president, in order to help him track down the gang of thieves. It actually is quite humorous. RYAN: Huzzah! I love once again. CEO: Art thou feeling well… shall I call a nurse? RYAN: No, but I must go to her. Farewell, good lady. [RYAN runs out of the room, leaving a bewildered CEO behind. The CEO shrugs and then continues other work she has.] ACT 5: SCENE 3 [RYAN enters from left and JESSICA enters from right] RYAN: [Rambling quickly] Miss Lombardi, I must ask for thine forgiveness. I was a fool not to believe thee. I should have trusted thee more. I suppose thou may not forgive me at all, but I must stand here and plead for thine forgiveness, if not thine love, and ask that… JESSICA: Ryan! I forgive thee fain. No need to plead for forgiveness to me. I should have told thee my identity from the start. I should not have hidden it from thee. RYAN: Oh, my beloved, I thank thee for understanding! And I understand thy actions. Thou just wanted to protect thyself, as I did too. [JESSICA and RYAN hug] JESSICA: What now then? Where shall we go from here? RYAN: An idea has just come to me. It is a grand idea: an idea for our future together. JESSICA: What is it, praytell? RYAN: We shall fight hand in hand! We shall vanquish evil throughout the entire world! JESSICA: Indeed! That is a brilliant idea! We shall be a rumored duet. Many throughout the land shall speak of our goodness and our power. 15 RYAN: Oh, working together, side-by-side, we shall be undefeatable. [CEO enters] CEO: Forgive me for interrupting, but there has been a murder in a warehouse in town. RYAN: We are on our way! I shall retrieve my butterfly net! [JESSICA shakes her head and laughs] JESSICA: Indeed you shall! [All Exit. CHORUS enters.] CHORUS: Two agents, deep in love and hand in hand Will work together to fight off evil. Their love and wise work will protect the land Villains will surely meet their upheaval. The love of these two is rumored and grand, And their story is greatest of all. From goodness, it seemed, Jessica was banned Till in love this robber started to fall. Bonding over crates of fresh cantaloupes, Deep in the depths of these two people’s hearts, These two agents gained the two greatest hopes Their true love was sure to finally start. And now as they walk off into the light Their love is truly so good and so right.