ROMEO&JULIET SCRIPT part 1

Lights on

NARATOR

Every family had skeletons in their closet. As for the royal British blue blood, Capulet and the Montagues at this extremely nerve-racking day, every details of their ‘skeletons’ would be taken out in a place we called as public court. Ever since the fourth generation of Capulet and Montague started their politic congressman rivalry, these two families have been battling it all out to publicly humiliate each other. In this very special day, there could only be one winner, once and for all.

Set in public court with judge sitting on the center of the stage while Benvolio and Tybalt are sitting on separate sides with their lawyer present. The situation on the court is full of tension and disgust.

TYBALT’s LAWYER
Objection Your Honor! My client does not plead guilty for breaking and entering the Montague’s property. His alibi that night is rock-solid as I had explained before

BENVOLIO

That’s bullshit and you know it! He asked someone to cover up for him

TYBALT

Oh why would I bother to trespass your worthless property?

BENVOLIO
Does it might occur to you that with Election Day closer, your family is desperate for some inside scoop!

TYBALT
My family doesn’t care about you and the pathetic clans of yours. All of you are nothing more than bunch of beggars and sinners to me

BENVOLIO

(jaws clenching, looking furious) I swear I’d crush you into pieces if you said that one more time

TYBALT
Try me!

BENVOLIO’s LAWYER

I suggest, you drop the act, Monsieur Benvolio

BENVOLIO
So I can just sit around and listen to him insults my family? A true gentleman would defend his family honor, no matter what’s coming for him

TYBALT
Huh, true gentleman? I’d have to doubt that one given the history of your family

TYBALT’s LAWYER

Monsieur Tybalt (warning tone)

BENVOLIO
You, son of a..

JUDGE

Silent! Both of you! I expect better than both you. Those classless acts of yours disgust me! Do that one more time and I’ll have both of you thrown out from my court room. This court is on hold for indecisive period. (Hammer sounds)

Everyone disperses and leaves the stage while Tybalt stays on the left side and Benvolio on the right side. The lightning centers around Tybalt as Lord Capulet and Lady Capulet enter the stage and approach Tybalt.

LORD CAPULET

How did the trial go, son?

TYBALT
The trial is on hold, father. (tilting his head down) Forgive me father, I should have done better. Those Montagues are like termites that need to be abolished completely.

MONSIEUR CAPULET

Don’t take it too hard on yourself. (looking at Mademoiselle Capulet) Besides, your mother has came up with a staggeringly brilliant plan

LADY CAPULET
Oh dear, flattery will get you to a ballroom tomorrow. I have to agree with your dad, you shouldn’t blame yourself for it. We are a family, we hold on to each other and we take blames in union.

TYBALT
Thank you father, mother, so tell me, what’s your plan mother?

LADY CAPULET

A cup of tea and a scone are required in that order. Shall we? (smile)

LORD CAPULET

Yes dear

NARATOR

There is nothing more deceptive than a smile. And no one knows better than the people who hide behind them. What scheme would the Capulet be pulling right now?

Tybalt, Lord Capulet, and Lady Capulet exit the stage. The lightening now centers on the Benvolio, Lord Montagues, and Lady Montagues.

NARATOR

While one family is busy collecting pieces to create a scheme, the other is consummating the guardian of their pride.

LORD MONTAGUE

Son, I notice you lost it at the trial. Remember, we keep our head and pride high. We, the Montague never lost it in front of the judges and those prying media eyes.

LADY MONTAGUE
You know your father is right, Benvolio. If this goes out to press, we can kiss election goodbye, dear

BENVOLIO
I thought I was doing the right thing. I protected our pride, our family’s legacy

LORD MONTAGUE

Sometimes you just have to see the timing

BENVOLIO

(Sarcastic) Oh now, you are all concerned about what people think about us? Dad, you never care about this stuff! Ever since, Grandpa asked you to carry on his politic career, you’ve been acting like someone else

LADY MONTAGUE

Benvolio(stern voice)

LORD MONTAGUE
Honey, that’s okay. Young man, there are some times you just don’t have any choice but to change for the sakes of your family. I advice you can change some attitude of yours, you know your little brother, Romeo is looking up to you.

BENVOLIO
You were the one who said to me, quotes (air quoting) A man is well-recognized based on choices he took on his life, even at his worst

LORD MONTAGUE

That was before, things have obviously changed

BENVOLIO

You know what dad, you want respect and fondness over you? Guess what, you just lost mine (leaves)

LADY MONTAGUE

Honey, I’m sure he didn’t mean that one

LORD MONTAGUE

You know what; I don’t want to talk about it, not now at least

LADY MONTAGUE

As you wish, my dear

Lights out

Lights on

NARATOR

Seventeen year old Juliet Capulet had never expected her life to change in a flash. Everything about her life was moving in constant. Between her straight A grades, perfect violin skills, and passion for literature, she is a true definition of a lady. Spending her time between Jane Austen and Emily Bronte’s writing, Juliet Capulet is a believer in love and fairytale as if she’d land eyes and instantly fall in love unconditionally. However, on her seventeen birthday, her mother delivered a shocking proposal

Juliet is sitting on the couch, reading a novel. Lady Capulet, Lord Capulet, and Tybalt enter the room. Juliet gets up and greets her parents and brother.

JULIET
Ahh, you guys are home! What took you guys so long? How did the trial go?

LORD CAPULET

We’ll take about that later, dear. In the matter of time, your mother would like to say a word to you

JULIET

Oh really? That sounds exquisitely important. (Turns to her mother) Is there something bothering you mother?

LORD CAPULET

(whispers on to Lady Capulet’s ear) Me and Tybalt will be upstair if you need us (leaving with Tybalt)

LADY CAPULET

Come, sit my dear! I have something in fact very urgent to discuss with you

JULIET

What’s going on mother?

LADY CAPULET

I’m going to tell you that this month; I’ll keep myself busy with organizing a wedding. I want you to take good care of yourself

JULIET

A wedding? You and father will do a wedding celebration? Wow! That’s just very charming, I might say.

LADY CAPULET

Oh no, it’s not for your father and I

JULIET

What? (silence for a second) What? Tybalt is getting married, to whom, I shall know?

LADY CAPULET

Your brother is not getting married anytime soon, I suppose. You are the one who indeed will be getting married

JULIET
Hold on a second! Me? Married? Oh for the love of God mother, I’m way too young for this rubbish you are pulling!

LADY CAPULET

Watch your language young lady

JULIET

I can speak and curse the way I want, you are not seriously asking me to marry some random guy who I may have never met before!

LADY CAPULET

You know, Paris? You’ve met him once, I remember, in the winter ball. He’s a perfect gentleman; he’s well-mannered, educated, and well, very aspiring to the society.

JULIET

Oh please mother! The guy is so full of himself that he might tattoo his name on his own forehead.

LADY CAPULET

No such word!

JULIET

I’m so sorry mother, but.. I can’t do this, I can’t get married to someone I barely have any affection to.

LADY CAPULET

Being married to Paris will give us a golden ticket to win this year election. This is the only way that I can fix the situation ever since your brother is convicted with trespassing Montague’s property. Paris has people of England’s affection and so will you.

JULIET

I get it now, you are trading your daughter for some position in government? God,you are truly a piece of work mother!

LADY CAPULET

ENOUGH! You will get married to Paris in two weeks. He’s gonna propose to you tonight at your 17^th birthday party and you will behave and say yes. Is that clear?

JULIET

(Sobs) Perfectly

LADY CAPULET

Now I think it’s the time for us to get ready. You don’t want to look in despair at Paris’ eyes, right?

Lady Capulet and Juliet exit the stage

NARATOR

Juliet has just found her mate. However, unluckily for her, that prince charming turns out to be a self-centered and narcistic figure named Paris. While Juliet cries away her unfortunate life, Romeo and his older brother, Benvolio are near her, hypothetically as the two Montague brothers are paying the Capulet’s residence a visit for some checking.

Romeo and Benvolio sneak behind the bushes as they approach the Capulet’s huge mansion.

ROMEO
Please remind me, why are we doing this on the very first place?

BENVOLIO

Shussh, the Capulet seemed to be pretty distracted at the trial before. We might just have to find out what’s going on

ROMEO
Right behind you, Sherlock!

BENVOLIO

I mean, they left early and they seemed to be in a rush. They must have had an event to throw.

ROMEO
You do realize that we can never score an invite to the party right?

BENVOLIO
Oh you silly! We are going to the party but not as Romeo and Benvolio Montague

ROMEO

I still don’t get it

BENVOLIO

Whatever, follow me!

Benvolio and Romeo approach one of the servants who are carrying in plates and other kitchen utensils.

SERVANT

Where have you been? Two of you are terribly Lady Capulet has been asking for the two of you for at least fifteen minutes! Carry on, carry those plates inside!

ROMEO & BENVOLIO

(glancing at each other)

SERVANT

What are you waiting for? Move it!

BENVOLIO

Ah sure

ROMEO

Our mistake (tilts his head down)

ROMEO

May I ask, what event the Capulet will be having tonight?

SERVANT

You two are not just slackers but also fools! Tonight is the grand birthday ball of Juliet Capulet, the Capulet’s only daughter?

ROMEO & BENVOLIO

Ah, we get it!

SERVANT

Then the two of you can start moving because those plates aren’t going to move by themselves!

Servant leaves the stage

ROMEO

Great, do I really look like I’m a servant?

BENVOLIO

This is great!

ROMEO

What great? Both of us are considered look-likes for servants!

BENVOLIO
No, we can be servants for the party!

ROMEO

What? NO! I don’t serve dishes and clean up tables! There’s no way I’m going to do that!

BENVOLIO

Oh Romeo, didn’t you hear? There will be party, beautiful ladies in their evening gowns! It’s an ideal occasion for you to pick that perfect girl of yours!

ROMEO

Uhhhh.. (silence for a second) Okay, I’m in! However, you have to understand, that I’m not doing this for the girls! I’m doing it for the sakes of our family.

BENVOLIO
Point well taken, eventhough I doubt it that you won’t land any girls tonight

NARATOR

One might say, if you can’t beat them, then join them! What will happen when the two of the enemies meet to tango?

Lights off

Lights on

NARATOR

It was joyous occasion for the Capulet as the beloved daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet turned seventeen. Everybody was invited to the party except for the Montague. Little did they know that among them we had some of them sneaking around in less than favorable choice of clothes. As for Juliet Capulet, her resentment of this party had begun even before the party started. I guess, Paris might have to deal with a grumpy bride?

Juliet and Lady Capulet sit in front of the mirror as she put on make up. Juliet looks at the mirror and fails to amuse in what she sees.

LADY CAPULET

Don’t worry honey! You look great! I can assure you that Paris will love you in that chiffon dress!

JULIET

What Paris might think of me is none of my concern mother

LADY CAPULET

No such word!

JULIET

Oh what are you going to do? Drag me across the room and make me care about that? You can’t stab me directly in the heart and still I wouldn’t feel a thing for him

LADY CAPULET

Enough with the attitude, young lady! You will put on your best ecstatic expression when Paris proposes. There are no excuses for that one

JULIET

But I..

Paris enters the stage

PARIS

Mademoiselle Capulet, Juliet, good evening!

LADY CAPULET

Ah, the gentleman has arrived! (whispers on to Juliet’s ear) You better not embarrass me in front of Paris. (turning back to Paris) I’ll give both of you some time to get to know each other

Lady Capulet leaves

PARIS

Ahh, we finally meet! It’s very lovely of your mother to give us some time to know each other

JULIET

Pleasure to meet you (forced smile)

PARIS

Pleasure is mine. You know what have I told you before, that I’m graduating from Oxford later this year. Of course, I’m sure that I’ll graduate cum laude, top of my class. My father always..

NARATOR

Fifteen minutes later

JULIET

Wait a minute, don’t you want to know a slight about me? I mean, technically you’ve been chattering non-stop about you for the past fifteen minutes. I’m sure there’s something you desire to know about me.

PARIS
Why would I?

JULIET

Err..Because you’re getting married to me and I think, it makes possible sense that we know each other both sides not just one.

PARIS
I don’t see a need, you see Juliet, in every aspects of life, I always expect to be you know in the center of the attention. You might as well want to acknowledge the fact that you don’t have to overshare your personal life

JULIET

Of course, now will you excuse me for a moment?

PARIS

Ah sure, I’ll be waiting for you at the bar

Paris exits the stage while Juliet goes to the corner of the stage and stares at the moon

JULIET

Oh Dear Lord! What have I done to deserve this excruciating misery? I shall not rest till I find my only love, my ray of sunshine, my bright star, my dream and passion. If death is the answer to this pain, I shall let death takes in me.

ROMEO

Don’t do it. Suicide is not an answer to your pain, it even deepens the sorrow you have

JULIET

(turns around in shocked) Stay back, you have no rights telling me how to live my life! I’m just so sick of everyone telling me how to live my life. Don’t come any closer, or I’ll jump in a mere moment!

ROMEO

No you won’t

JULIET

What do you mean no I won't? Don't presume to tell me what I will and will not do. You don't know me.

ROMEO

You would have done it already. Now come on, take my hand.

JULIET

You're distracting me. Go away.

ROMEO

Canst! I will have to face death with you if you jump, I’m involved!

JULIET

Don’t be absurd! You’ll die for nothing

ROMEO

Come on, you don’t want to do this. You still have that ball. That birthday girl, Juliet, she’ll be darn upset if you make a scene in her party

JULIET

(smile)

ROMEO

There you are all safe

JULIET

Care to fill me in on how to thank you?

ROMEO

Normally I would decline the offer

JULIET

I insist, you can’t walk away assuming I owe you one

ROMEO

A dance would be a perfect way to close the evening

JULIET

A dance that is

Romeo and Juliet walk into the center of stage as the music begins to play

JULIET

I can’t believe you trick me into dancing with you!

ROMEO

Your face tells me that you don’t even have any regrets about this

JULIET

Don’t get your heads too big, but you’re a decent dancer, I think

ROMEO

There are many things that you haven’t discovered about me

JULIET

Well yeah, to me, you are a nameless freaky stranger who distracts me from ending my life

ROMEO

Here’s one, I have a thing for classic. What about you, suicide girl?

JULIET

Oh really? You don’t seem like me. In order to make me confide myself in you, you have to demonstrate the ‘thing’ of yours

ROMEO

My only love, under the light of the moon.

The way she leans her hand on her check, it’s the biggest withdrawal to me

Prodigious of love it is to me

Oh, if I could write the beauty of her

eyes! I was born to look in them and

know myself.

JULIET

"…Have not saints lips, and holy

palmers too?"

ROMEO

"Ay pilgrim, lips that they must use

in prayer."

JULIET

"Oh then, dear saint, let lips do what

hands to: They pray: grant thou, lest

                 faith turn to despair."

JULIET

Point is well taken

LADY CAPULET’s VOICE

Juliet! Juliet, darling!

JULIET

Pardon me, I gotta go

ROMEO

Wait, don’t I indulge the pleasure of knowing your name?

JULIET

(whisper) We shall meet again, mi amor

NARATOR

At that point of her life, Juliet felt it one more time. A feeling that she hadn’t been able to feel in the last couple of weeks, a hope for her future.

Juliet exits the stage and enters again with Paris by her side

ANNOUNER

Ms. Paige Adams, daughter of Lord and Lady Adams the second accompany by Mr. James Dewtons

A young lady and young man walk down the stair

ANNOUNCER

Ms. Marlyn Dulton, daughter of Lord and Lady Dulton accompany by Mr. Gregory Linus

Another young lady and young man walk down the stair

ANNOUNCER

The moment has come, Ms. Juliet Capulet, daughter of Lord and Lady Capulet accompany by Mr. Paris Keats

Everybody is clapping their hands

PARIS

Before that, I would like to say a word. As you all know that today my lovely lady here, Juliet turns seventeen. It has been an incredibly unforgettable night for her. In order to complete the night for her, I’d like to..

(down on one knee)

My eternal sunlight Juliet, words fail to begin how amusing you are to me. You are an exquisite company to have and you know how much I love someone to be right beside me during that day where I have the entire spotlight on me. That’s my love, I’d like to ask you to share yours to with me. Juliet Capulet, would you marry me?

JULIET

I..I..

LADY CAPULET

Oh Juliet! I’m sorry she’s just a bit confused, too much wine I guess. (whispering to Lord Capulet) Honey, do something!

LORD CAPULET
It would be lovely to welcome you into our family

PARIS
Thank you so much father, however I intend to hear the words from Juliet herself

JULIET

I..I..I’m so sorry, mother, father!

(ran away)

NARATOR
It was a scandalous night indeed. Everyone couldn’t stop talking about Juliet’s Cinderella escape. Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, someone’s too stunned to learn the news he just received.

ROMEO

Benvolio!

BENVOLIO

(talking to few ladies) Excuse me ladies! Hey, little brother, what’s bothering you?

ROMEO

You see the most exquisite looking girl over there?

BENVOLIO
Which one? There are awfully a lot of fine-looking ladies at this party

ROMEO

That one! The one in the chiffon dress!

BENVOLIO

Don’t tell me..

ROMEO

She’s my sunshine, my red roses, my muse to write to the world how I feel about love

BENVOLIO

You missed out one thing

ROMEO

Oh yeah, I do want to spend the rest of my life with her

BENVOLIO
We are leaving, NOW! (excusing himself from the young lady)

ROMEO

Hey! You haven’t even let me introduce myself to her! What kind of kinsmen would do that to his little one!

BENVOLIO
What are you seven? That girl is a Capulet. In fact, she’s Juliet Capulet

ROMEO

Oh Alack! This is not a very good time to play jokes with me

BENVOLIO

I wish I were brother!

ROMEO

(silence)

BENVOLIO

Oh brother! What are we going to do? Let’s go home, the night is too old for us!

Benvolio and Romeo leaves the stage