AWAKENED BY HISTORY

with Jagiellons, Radziwills and Sforzas

“None of the inventions have overcome the man himself yet – his powerful love, his deceit or

wealth craving. That is how we are all alike, those have lived up to us and our future successors.”

Script for school play

Erasmus+ Programme KA2 Strategic Partnership Project No. 2015-1-LT01-KA219-013409

Year 2015-2017

Dear teacher,

We are humbly asking only for a little room on your desk and, if you are ready to achieve

educational objectives in a different way, help your students to prepare properly before plunging

into the depths of history, and later motivate your colleagues with love for HiStory.

The educational script can be used as part of an educational process. It

corresponds with aims of the basic History curriculum:

History should help to develop the student’s ability to think critically, to strengthen the values and

creativity. Historical knowledge should help students to become responsible and active citizens who

are able to comprehensively assess the changes in people’s lives as much in the past and today,

actively participate in society and public life, and to make well thought out decisions.

Advice before reading the script and/or the organization of the school play:

With your students analyse the historical facts marked with the symbol “i” or “i/p” in the

scenario, footnotes in the appendix of this scenario. In the text a historical fact footnote is

marked with an “i”. An “i/p” is marked with a historical fact footnote with a text with a

picture.

Dedicate this project work to the 16th century peculiarities of life: its politics, Renaissance

culture, historical figures such as: Sigismund August, Bona Sforca, Barbora Radvilaitė,

Lithuania Great Duchy nobles Radzwills.

Advise for history and other subjects’ integration:

English: to translate extracts of the script the analysing it against a professional translation

and learn from it while reading the script in roles in English.

Art Education: to create a project of scenography, analyse the Renaissance period and

artists, paint a portrait of the Renaissance style.

Technology: to explore the food culture of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, how to grow

herbs, explore their tastes and use, produce objects of the scenography, properties, make

models of Leonardo Da Vinci’s inventions.

Social Education Programme: to analyse the behaviour of characters from values

perspective, consider historical personalities’ traits.

Choreography: to dance the Renaissance period dances in groups and couples.

Music: to listen to the Renaissance period music.

CHARACTERS:

KEEPER, who is Stanislav Stančik [stanchik], a jester of the 16th century Krakow Court, traveling

through time to protect the values of history and remembrance.

BONA, the Queen of Poland, Grand Duchess of Lithuania, mother of Sigismund II Augustus.

SIGISMUND, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund II Augustus.

BARBARA, Queen of Poland, a noblewoman of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Sigismund II

Augustus’ wife Barbora Radziwill.

SIMAS, a friendly boy with excellent communication skills, zealously learning in order to achieve

his goal to become a soldier.

TADAS, an emotional person, who likes to innovate and experiment. Tadas specially disagrees with

Beatrice. He’s known the girl for a long time and is familiar with her good qualities, so Beatrice’s

current behaviour saddens and infuriates the boy.

BENEDIKTAS, the only child in his family and a pedantic boy. He studies a lot in order to fulfil his

parents' expectations.

MODESTAS, the youngest pupil, appreciates the facts and science more than relationships with

peers.

DONATAS, a friendly boy. After his parents’ divorce, has been really missing his dad and his best

friend, a shepherd dog named Jim. Donatas has not been studying deliberately, causing, much pain

and troubles for his mother, for whom he feels resentment.

VĖJAS, a second year rookie, who is not studying and despises school. The boy has been left by his

parents living with his aunt from the early childhood, is constantly spoiled with cash and gifts.

VĖJAS aims to be a class leader.

LUKAS, not very good at school, naughty but a kind-hearted from a poor large family. Lukas

adjoins VĖJAS, who requires complete obedience.

KARINA, a silent, reserved girl. Children avoid her and she avoids them too. Karina secretly likes

Modestas.

BEATRICE, a girl naturally beautiful. She picks with whom she communicates. Beatrice is trying

appear cold, keeping a secret from everyone that she is nursing a seriously ill grandmother as well

as looking after her farm. Tadas knows all about it, so the girl is avoiding him.

VILIJA, careless girl, Beatrice’s friend. Vilija is not comfortable with her best friends’ attitudes

toward the other kids, ones that she would like to be friendly with.

ADĖLĖ, a perfect girls and a rationally thinking student, respected by all classmates, a daughter of

medical doctors, already aware that she is going to become a cardiologist. A friend of Liepa.

LIEPA, a sensitive, caring, honest girl, a talented artist. A friend of Adėlė.

Episodic character:

KARPIS, a history teacher Teresė Karpienė

MOTHER OF BENEDIKTAS

HORSE HERD

ARMOURED GUARD, which lives up

A DOCTOR OF QUEEN BONA

Action takes place in the museum where the teacher was teaching twelve students a lesson of

history.

Room set design types:

a. hall scenography is used when the action takes place in one location;

b. room scenography is arranged with the corridor and/or entrance/exit scenography when the

action at the same time or in rotation takes place in both places.

Decorations and properties' production and handling recommendations are in the Appendices.

Sound and lighting solutions are indeterminate.

Scenes divided by sign [ ] distinguish parallel actions taking place simultaneously or in different

spaces.

PROLOGUE

The museum hall. Exhibited the Renaissance castle items – clothing, household items, weaponry

exhibits, armour, and big flashy gold watch. A group of seven boys and five girls hanging around.

All students. The Keeper.

VĖJAS. (to Lukas). Go and take a look, and see if the teacher is coming.

LUKAS. Take it easy. She's is on the phone (imitating teacher and waving).

VILIJA. The Party business before election. This is going to take a while.

BEATRICE. Listen up! Why don't we have some fun. A cruel historical battle just about to begin.

You'll be the Turks ͥ (pointing at VĖJAS, Lukas, Donatas), and you – the fortress wall (pointing to

the rest of boys). The Turks will conquer the castle, you'll be taken into slavery (pointing to the

girls), and I'll be taken to the place where powerful and fabulously rich Osman ͥ sultan lives.

TADAS. Yeah, dream on. I wouldn't move a finger.

VĖJAS. (to Tadas) No one is asking you. We're flying hussars ͥ, flying to defend the castle.

VĖJAS snatches a helmet and a knob from the museum exhibit of armour, the girls gasp, but soon

begin to chuckle at a funny-looking boy who keeps going down and staggering towards them.

TADAS. (to VĖJAS) You look more like a mole to me. Only without wings and with armour

compressed head.

VĖJAS hits Tadas with the knob. Since it is only a decoration it breaks in half.

TADAS. (to VĖJAS) It didn't hurt me, but it will hurt you now.

Tadas and VĖJAS fight, the girls surround them. At that time, Donatas whispers something to

Lukas‘ ear, both laugh out loud.

DONATAS. (to Benediktas) Benas, what was that thing called that the enemies used to destroy the

gate?

BENEDIKTAS. (stunned watches the boys who are pushing each other and turning over museum

exhibits one after the other) Ram. And please, call me Benedik.....

LUKAS. OK, saint Benediktas, you'll be a ram..

Donatas and Lukas snatch Benediktas at the waist, legs, turn him horizontally and carry him

screaming towards the fighters and the observers‘ circle.

DONATAS. Give up, you palefaces!

LUKAS. The Turks are coming!

MODESTAS (raises his eyes from the phone screen, shakes his head) That's an Indian slogan,

blockheads!

Donatas and Lukas, carrying Benediktas crashes into the circle of children, all fall apart on the

floor, touching a large ancient Renaissance clock ͥ . It collapses with a bang. Suddenly the light goes

off. Clock strikes aloud.

MODESTAS (whispering) Sixteen.... It can't be. Those kinds of watches don’t strike sixteen, only

twelve. It's technically impossible.

ADĖLĖ. This clock wasn't working at all, you couldn't hear it ticking and the hands weren't moving

either.

LIEPA. Maybe it's special? After all, it's ancient. I don't like the darkness. Why is no one coming?

Where did the teacher disappear?

MODESTAS. Yes. Another fact unexplained by science. Darkness at 2 p.m. is not typical even

during the winter time and our country entered the summer time twenty-two days ago.

BEATRICE. Will you shut up?!

VILIJA. Give a call to the teacher.

LUKAS. Call yourself. Very smart to waste others‘ phones account.

LIEPA. (calling voice) Teacher, where are you? Te-e-eacher!

ADĖLĖ. And what's her name?

TADAS. I have no idea. Everyone calls her just a teacher. Hey, who knows teacher's name?

(children do not respond).

ADĖLĖ. No way. (ironically). We're really cool students.

There can be seen swinging lamp light shadows in the depths of the corridor, hollow coughing and

approaching steps are heard.

TADAS. Shhhhh. Silence! It's not the teacher.

MODESTAS. Certainly, no. Firstly, steps are not similar to the ones high-heels usually make, and

secondly, m-m-m, m-m-m ...

BEATRICE. (covers Modestas mouth with the palm of her hand) I beg you to shut up. At least for

once in six years!

Elderly man enters the hall, dressed in an ancient worn-out coat and a cap, carrying the lamp. The

children are bunched in a corner of the hall. Benediktas, VĖJAS, Beatrice, Vilija are hiding in a

niche.

KEEPER. (picking up the exhibits from the floor, putting them back) Another calling up. It's been

already a third one since the burst of birch buds! His grace, the old king ͥ would rise from his grave

seeing this. Such behaviour is unacceptable even for the most capricious throne heir. Even the

young grace, Prince Augustus would have received punishment.

Tadas and Liepa are trying to help the Keeper passing the things.

TADAS. Good afternoon, uncle. I'm Tadas and this is Liepa.

LIEPA. We sincerely apologise. We behaved very badly. I understand if we'll be punished.

Keeper finishes putting back scattered exhibits in silence. Children begin to shout at each other, the

noise is going up.

MODESTAS. Why should everyone be punished? Who came up with everything, show up now.

ADĖLĖ. It's all our fault. We should have stopped them.

KARINA. If the teacher gives a low mark, I won't remain quiet. The poseur Beatrice started, and

then VĖJAS ...

BEATRICE. (runs towards Karina) And you appear to be a silent rat!

Keeper suddenly switches off the lamp. Children exclaim in surprise and go quiet.

KEEPER (slowly turns the lamp on, the hall becomes lighter) Young ladies and gentlemen, let me

introduce myself (bowing) Stanislav Stančik ͥ, his majesty‘s (suddenly stops) ... a museum keeper. I

cherish history from oblivion and devastation.

DONATAS. I didn't get you, uncle ... we won't be punished?

KEEPER. Punishment. Would that help?

LUKAS. And we won't have to pay?

KEEPER. Could such a damage be covered by cash?

BENEDIKTAS. And you won't tell our parents?

KEEPER. (smiles) Yes. Looking at you I see the parents as poor helpers. Only a good lesson can

teach you.

VĖJAS. What do you mean?

KEEPER. Don't you know what a lesson is, young gentleman?

VĖJAS. (bitterly) Forty-five minutes of a nightmare!

KEEPER. Haw, haw, smart pants! Call it any way you want!

The Keeper goes through the door into the hallway laughing quietly. Once he is gone, the walls of

the hall begin to move closing door openings, creating three new exits to the basement in a similar

environment.

EPISODE ONE

Scene 1

The hall in the basement. Cobwebs hang on the walls, few torches are stuck into holders. The flame

is barely smouldering from dampness. All students.

TADAS. (trying to speak calmly) Wow! How has he been able to change the room like this? It

reminds me of a light and sliding wall effect. Respect for engineers.

SIMAS. You'll see, it's going to be one of those modern (ironically shows sign of commas with his

fingers) lessons with 5D or even 7D equipment here.

VĖJAS. Not necessarily. When I was on holiday with my parents in London, we went to a similar

underground museum. No technology, everything seemed like several hundred years ago over there.

Just imagine, I've seen even lizards, and my mother felt water dripping on her head from the ceiling.

MODESTAS. No, no. I have already seen it. You know, there are intellectual‚ escape‘ rooms. You

solve a riddle, do a task and that is how you reach the exit. (overviews classmates like assessing,

plays a deep sigh) Mhm, got stuck here with you. ADĖLĖ, let's stick together.

ADĖLĖ. Modestas, shame on you (to children) Listen everyone, let's look for the first hint.

Anything, that looks similar to the task where the answer will be a new link.

SIMAS. Well done, ADĖLĖ.

VILIJA. (fearfully) I'm not good at Maths. I won't solve anything and I won't leave this place. Let's

wait for the Keeper. (goes to the nearest exit) Uncle Stanislav, where are you? (shouting) Uncle-e-e.

SIMAS. Vilija, don't. We'll get out of here by ourselves. Haven't you heard what the Keeper said – a

les-son. He spoke of a puzzle. Once we solve it, they let us leave. Let me think (marching as an

action film hero, squats, pulls up his head by hands, stands up again).

LIEPA. I remember! Stanislav Stančik. From the painting by Jan Matejko. I learned about it at the

Art School. Name and surname matching, facial features also match, and that odd way of

speaking... He must be that wise and famous sixteenth century Krakow court jester.

ADĖLĖ. But, Liepa, it can't be. Nearly five hundred years have passed! After all, we're not in a

fairy-tale, we're real. We have come to a museum with a teacher. It means that he's also an ordinary

person, and the name and appearance are just a coincidence.

BEATRICE. Or the image. You don't have an idea what a good make-up specialist is capable of.

VĖJAS, Where's your iPhone? Check the list of employees on the museum's website and I almost

guarantee that you'll find a photo of this history watchdog. (mockingly) Only without make-up,

shabby and wearing a worn out sweater.

VĖJAS. (confused) There's no connection.

TADAS. Because your phone is crap. (Simas, Vilija, Lukas laughing)

VĖJAS. (to Lukas) What are you laughing at? You haven't got a phone at all.

Lukas moves to the side feeling sad. Children raise their phones up, try to ‚catch‘ the connection.

ALL. There is no... Not working... Mine is lagging.. discharged..

DONATAS. (holding a compass ͥ on the palm) Hup! I use this, when Jim's sense of smell isn't

enough to find the exit from the forest. Ancient tested devices working without the Internet! (sets

the direction). Our school is on the west side. Here, this way.

Children happily follow Donatas towards the exit.

DONATAS. (suddenly stops, looking at the compass anxiously) What is going on?! It is showing a

completely different direction.

Donatas is going towards the next exit. Children follow.

DONATAS. What a mystery! The compass has just stopped working. (angrily imitating his father)

Son, I'm giving you my most pressures thing. (throws compass on the ground) Mom is right, I

shouldn‘t ever trust the father.

In the depths of the first corridor horse neigh is heard, sounds of tinkling metal and shouts, like

someone fighting with rapiers, soon toneless Ranaissance music sounds are heard in the second

one, and it's quiet on the third exit side.

LUKAS. Quiet! Am I the only person who can hear it?

ALL. I've also heard it.. There, and again.... I hear music... It sounds like a rapier clang.

TADAS. We won't find the exit sitting over here. I suggest dividing into groups. Who finds help

first, saves the others.

SIMAS. It feels like a horror movie.

ADĖLĖ. It reminds me more of a mysterious wardrobe from the film "Narnia" ͥ. If we're united, act

wisely and don't argue with locals, we'll escape.

TADAS. Who's coming with me?

Simas, Modestas, Benediktas step towards Tadas.

LIEPA. I don't think you'll mind if ADĖLĖ heads the girls‘group.

Karina, Vilija, Liepa step towards ADĖLĖ. Beatrice is waiting.

VĖJAS. My crowd, let's go.

Lukas and Donatas leave with VĖJAS. Beatrice follow them.

VĖJAS. (to Beatrice) Darling Beatrice! Where are you going? Sorry, but your long nails and your

nose powdering will only disturb us.

BEATRICE. (to VĖJAS) Puffed-up fool. ADĖLĖ, let's go there, where the sound of music was

coming from. Tadas, who were the first to be saved, call the security, ok?

Tadas doesn't answer, only shrugs. Girls leave through the second exit.

SIMAS. Tadas, it's unwise to go where the weapons rattle. On the other hand, silence also doesn't

promise anything good.

VĖJAS. Cowards!

VĖJAS rushes towards the first exit followed by Donatas and Lukas. Tadas, Simas, Modestas,

Benediktas leave through the third. The Keeper enters the empty hall.

KEEPER. (picks up the compass and puts into his pocket) I will keep it until the owner returns. It is

not your fault. In this lesson devices won‘t work, just minds and hearts can find the way out.

Welcome to the crossroads of the past and the present – the world of opposites where friendship

turns into deceit, and water into poison. You won't forget this lesson for a long time.

Scene 2

Dark room, torches on the walls. There is a woman sitting on the throne dressed in dark with a

white head wear. This is the queen Bona Sforca. She is focused on something, while thinking

intensively speaks under her nose. Voiceless steps are heard, Simas head appears behind the door.

Suddenly Bona Sforza looks up and their gazes meet. Simas is looking at the queen motionless.

Simas, Modestas, Benediktas, Tadas. The Queen Bona Sforza. Armoured guard.

BONA. (gestures requiring to come closer) Dio mio! Quanto devo ancora aspettare? Oh, mio caro

Sigismondo! Non ci sono più buoni servitori. (Angrily) Avvicinatevi idioti!

SIMAS. I don't understand a word.

MODESTAS. (puts out his head to look) Let's not be afraid, she's an actress. She'll give us a task.

Modestas goes first, Simas, Tadas, Benediktas follow him. The boys stand in front of the queen.

BONA. Finalmente. Italiani?!

The queen is looking at the children, and the children are looking at her. Modestas, who understood

the question, is nodding and shaking his head.

MODESTAS. No, no. We speak English. And Lithuanian.

BONA. Lituano?! (the armour which seemed to be decoration suddenly snatches the weapon hits

the ground with full force). Kneel down in front of your queen. (frightened boys kneel down)

BONA. (hissing) Lithuanians? Who and why has sent you, boyars?!

The armour loudly hits the ground again.

BENEDIKTAS. Talk to her, why are you quiet? (stuttering) We were sent by the man named

Stanislav Stančik. He brought us here, but we didn't want to. I' m not lying, aunt. Would you be so

kind and tell us what we are supposed to do. Please. And we'll go further. I really want to go home..

and my mom's probably worrying.

BONA. (anger is replaced by surprise in her face) Stančik? Bene, bene. (examines the children,

touches Benediktas backpack with her stick, Simas trainers, then, pauses for a long time looking at

the school emblem on Tadas jacket). The nobles are so weird looking. Che cosa interesante... How

are your lands called, boyars?

The queen is turning to Modestas side when the boy feeling thoughtful blows a big pink bubble gum.

The queen gets very frightened and hides in the niche screaming.

BONA. Those savages came to kill me!

The bubble shrinks in Modestas‘s mouth. The boy stands up, takes out the gum and looks for a

dustbin.

MODESTAS. Oh, stop this comedy. (pulls out a tissue, wraps the gum, slips into his pocket) And

tell the staff to leave bins in rooms. Well, and finally give us the task. Oh, I understand, I need to

speak in theatre manner. (bending down, and showing other boys to do the same) Your majesty,

gracious queen, command us and we will lay the whole world at your feet.

The boys are bending oddly, or strangely squatting ridiculously mixing masculine prostrating with

feminine curtsy.

BONA.(begins to laugh loudly, watching the boys) Tutti idioti. (picks up a paper roll from the niche

in the wall and passes to Modestas) Go to the kitchen and I want my Italian dinner to be ready

immediately. I want to feel the real taste, real spices ͥ. Tell them to use a lot of vegetables ͥ,

especially cauliflower and leek. A lot of good Italian food!

SIMAS. Not such a complicated task. I often cook food at home. Benediktas, read the recipe.

BENEDIKTAS. (trying to read) Cavol-fi-o-re – I understand, leek – as well, but what is fa-gi-o-lo?

I need to figure out. (comes to the throne by sitting queen, slips a sheet with a recipe) Aunty, ...oh,

so.., your majesty, I do not understand a little bit here.

The queen stands up wildly, the armour jumps close and grabs Benediktas‘ ear and drags the boy

up. Benediktas is screaming.

MODESTAS. This is too much. Violence against children. (steps forward, hits the armour with his

fist) Let Benediktas go! (to Bona) What do you want from us?!

Bona gives a sign and the armour frees Benediktas but grabs Modestas‘s ear. Bona approaches the

boy's face and looks directly into his eyes.

BONA. What do I want from you?! To send your rebellious noble heads to trial! But before this I

want to eat. (screaming into the face of Modestas, the armour is pulling his ear up, the boy is

screaming) Voglio mangiare! Delicious food! Food!

TADAS. Benediktas, take out your lunch box. I know, you always carry it.

BENEDIKTAS. (reluctantly pulls a box out, talks to himself copying the friends) Benediktas, take

out the box, Benediktas treat everyone, give me a piece. Always like this. And who's going to treat

Benediktas? We can‘t know, for how long we are stuck in here. Moreover, if the queen-like-looking

woman says she's hungry, it means there's no food in here. Having my crisps and coke I may

survive a week...

Simas grabs the box from Benediktas hands, runs to the queen, stretches out the box and bends

down. Bona gives a sign and the armour frees Modestas‘s ear, the boy scuttles to the corner of a

room.

BONA. (sit down puts the box on her knees, examines it) Che cos'è questo?

SIMAS. Food. (gestures eating motion) Nom, nom.

Bona raises her hand ambitiously; telling Simas to be quiet. The armour makes a rattling sound.

Simas covers both ears with his palms. The queen puts the box on the floor, carefully opens, pulls

out one crisp, examines, sniffs it.

BONA. New overseas spice? (takes out a bottle of coca-cola, opens, sniffs, suddenly points to

Benediktas) Came to poison your queen, wretch! Drink yourself! (Benediktas shrugs, drinks

greedily) Now die, traitor. (observes Benedikta, waiting for him to change)

BENEDIKTAS (burps involuntary) I am sorry, aunty.

The queen, as if suddenly having realised something, takes the box in her hands, pulls out one crisp,

puts it into Benediktas mouth and waits again. Benediktas is stretching his hand for other crisp, but

the armour hits him on the arm. The queen closes the bottle, puts into the box, sits on the throne and

invites children to come closer by making a motion.

BONA. Avvicinatevi. So, you were sent by my court jester Stančik? (children nod, the queen begins

to laugh loudly, children laughing, but with anxiety, more imitating laughter) Giullari. Chiaro!

Lithuanian nobles come to serve me as the new court jesters ͥ. I cannot believe my eyes. (clapping

hands) Bravissimo, Stančik. Mi piace.

MODESTAS. (quietly to other children) I'm afraid that this is not a theatre, and even no longer a

museum. This queen is real. And her jester Stančik is real, too. Remember, Liepa recognised him

from the beginning. (pauses shortly) We are... in the sixteenth century?

TADAS. Or they are in the twenty-first...

SIMAS. I'm suggesting not telling anyone who we are. Let's wait for a chance to escape. While you

were entertaining her, I've checked the exit. Those armour monsters in the hallway ... (Simas stops

speaking, boys nod) They became alive and now are guarding this hall!

BONA. (Eats crisps one after another, drinks coca-cola) Delizioso. Bravo lituani. It's me, Bona

Sforza, who taught this nation to cook ͥ. If not my generosity, they wouldn‘t have touched the fork ͥ

yet. And those dissatisfied Lithuanian noblemen are rebelling against the king, ungrateful. (closes

the box, stretches it to Simas) Go to the kitchen, give my order to cook the snack and drink, it would

be enough for the whole year.

BENEDIKTAS. Has she lost her mind? Mother says that crisps make one stupid.

TADAS and MODESTAS. (one over another) Simas... don't come back here .. look for help ...

watch out for the armour ... and other kinds of obscure creatures.

After waving his hand, Simas leaves. The rest of the boys already hear the queen clapping and see

the signs telling to come. Children approach Bona reluctantly.

Scene 3

Large room, lit by torches. Wooden human height stands stocked with hanging straw bags placed in

a circle. A poorly dressed barefoot horse herd is running around in circles swinging the bags. In the

middle of the circle the king Sigismund Augustus ͥ is trying to hit with his rapier each moving bag

coming closer to him. Children come through the entrance wall, start swinging bags, playing, go

into the circle to the king. Sigismund notices them, points to the rapier and examines surprised.

VĖJAS, Lukas, Donatas, the King Sigismuns, the horsehead.

VĖJAS. Not so bad, a gym in the museum. (Stretching his hand to the king) Hi, coach. If there's a

new group of martial arts, I'm telling you, I'm in. The fee doesn't matter. I guarantee for my friends

too...

VĖJAS briefly turns away to Lukas and Donatas. The two boys are shocked at what they see, and

VĖJAS is not.

LUKAS and DONATAS. (both) Get down!

Sigismund swings his rapier which passes by just touching bending down VĖJAS hair. VĖJAS

stumbles, covers his head with hands. Lukas and Donatas run to him.

LUKAS. VĖJAS, Let's get out. maybe he's insane.

At that time, the king starts swinging a rapier over the heads of three boys until they almost lie

down on the ground.

SIGISMUND. On your knees, strangers. I will teach you to respect your king. I have recognised

Lithuanian dialect, only it saved your scurvy lives. (lowers the rapier) My beloved Lithuania. How

I missed Šventaragis [shventaragis] Valley ͥ, the Royal Palace ͥ. Remember it and pass my words to

others that thanks to his lightest memory, father Sigismund the Old and the queen mother, Vilnius is

flourishing ͥ. (to himself) I grew up there, experienced moments of happiness. I met my Barbara.

Who sent you such a long way and with what message, young .... (reconsidering what to say)

boyars?

DONATAS. (stands up timidly, without lifting his eyes) Your majesty the king, no one has sent us.

We are students from gymnasium. We have come with our teacher, and then ... (looking at VĖJAS,

does not dare to speak) we met a strange museum keeper (trying to remember) Stanas.. Stanavic or

Stančik. Somehow, he eliminated all the doors and now we are looking for the exit.

SIGISMUND. So, were you sent by my court jester Stančik? You should have said this from the

beginning. I have been waiting for new post-riders for a month. Only ... (observes assessing) you

look awkward to me. You don‘t even have adequate clothing. It looks more like peasant‘s lumps.

Yet, it will turn out that you are not capable of reading and writing.

LUKAS. We are, your majesty. We were taught in a primary school.

SIGISMUND. In a primary school? Where are such lands? Why the king doesn‘t know anything

about it! What castle do you come from, strange young boyars?

VĖJAS. King, I fear to speak, but there is no castle at all. Well, there are castles in Lithuania, only

people don't live in them. The people live in houses, flats. Peasants, as you call them, are called

farmers. I know that they own a lot of land, but they don‘t live in castles either.

LUKAS. But don't say it, VĖJAS. The peasants or in other words the farmers are the wealthiest of

all. What jeeps they ride – the size of a bus...

DONATAS. My father says that only the government's leeches lead an easy life in Lithuania.

SIGISMUND. (speechless) My Lithuania! What a terrible mess has entrenched there. (whistles,

horse herd runs to him) I must call an army and ride to Vilnius immediately. It cannot wait a single

day. (to boys). If you play me a trick, you will be really sorry.

VĖJAS, DONATAS, LUKAS. (with surprise to each other) Are you going to ride?!

The king moves away, writes in a hurry with a large feather on a piece of paper.

VĖJAS. (to Donatas and Lukas) Tell me that he's joking. Honestly, it was fun, but why can‘t we just

take a task from him and leave. It will be a shame if the girls or the nerds find the exit first.

DONATAS (to Lukas and VĖJAS) He isn't joking. Remember, we watched a film about a journey to

the past together. A funny black guy played in it ͥ. Now, all this (waves his hand around) looks more

like reality than a lesson at the museum.

SIGISMUND. (gestures to Lukas to come closer, hands in a small paper roll) Here, a boyar, serve

your king and bring this letter to her majesty, Queen Barbara.

Lukas takes the roll, standing with the other boys away unrolls, reads.

LUKAS. What a letter! Look at the date and signature. (reads) The first of May, fifteen fifty.

Handwritten and signed, Sigismundus Augustus Rex.

VĖJAS. It's time to tell the truth to the king. (returns to Sigismund). Your majesty, don‘t ride to

Lithuania but rather let us speak, please. It is true, that we are from Lithuania, but we aren‘t post-

riders. I cannot believe myself that I am going to tell you this: Sir, we are false, we arrived in here

by magic. We are from the far future (calculates in mind), five hundred and sixteen years from your

time.

Donatas pulls the student's ID card, shows to the king. Lukas quickly pulls out the history book from

the backpack.

DONATAS. Take a look, your grace. This – my student's ID. Can you see the date – year two

thousand and sixteenth? And here's my photo.

LUKAS. (shows the book to the king) Your majesty, this is a history book (Sigismund watches like

bolts truck). Well, I have no words to explain it to you. It's like a chronicle where past events are

listed. (flips through the pages) Found it! And that's a picture of you and queen Barbara.

SIGISMUND. I don‘t believe a single word. You are charlatans! Guard! (rushes towards the exit,

but there is a wall instead). What was it?! Are you trying to fool me, boyars? (standing by the wall,

stretching out the rapier against the boys)

VĖJAS. Why should we do this, king? Allow me to explain, I beg you. (Sigismundus does not move

out of his place, but listens) Our whole class was waiting for the teacher in the museum hall. She

didn't show up and I got into a fight with Tadas...

DONATAS. And we (pointing to Lukas) behaved badly with Benediktas and knocked down other

children...

LUKAS. In short, a very bad thing has happened in that hall. We broke an expensive ancient watch

and then all of a sudden everything changed, and we found ourselves here. I'm very sorry. Now, for

our fault the whole class is wandering around in this basement.

VĖJAS. They're probably at risk. Your majesty, let us go, please. We made a mess, we‘ll clear it up.

SIGISMUND. I did listen to you carefully, young boyars. I see that you do not wish any bad to your

king. Indeed, everyone can make a mistake. It is good, that you have the courage to recognise your

bad deed and are determined to solve everything. I could let you go, but look around. (points to the

walls) The spell is working: the room has no exits any longer.

The king walks thoughtfully into the middle of the room, sits down on one of the stands.

[ ]

Donatas stands and faces the wall where the entrance was and where they came through. Entrance

opens again.

DONATAS. (to Lukas and VĖJAS) I finally realized it. It's not us who got to the ancient times, but

it‘s his majesty who came to us, to the future. He's imprisoned in this room until ... (face lights up)

until we solve his problems. He's here because he needs us.

LUKAS. And we need him to learn our lesson. ( to surprised friends) Haven't you heard? Stank said

it ... Static, oh, Stančik. (dissatisfied with himself). Personally, I really need more than one lesson to

learn. I can't memorize a single name!

[ ]

SIGISMUND. (out loud from the middle of the room) And what king was I like? What is written in

that future chronicle?

The boys approach the king.

LUKAS. (confused) Ee, I haven't read yet. But surely will read the entire book once I get out of

here. Promise.

VĖJAS. (reading the book fast) It says that king Sigismund Augustus was very elegant ͥ, valued

music and dance, loved luxurious clothes, jewellery, collected wall tapestries, loved to bath, was a

passionate hunter and a great horse lover...

SIGISMUND. (smiles sadly) So, people will think that I was only capable of dancing and

grimacing. (worried) Mother's fault! She is guarding me from myself. Her only son. Why do I need

these to exercise (strikes straw bags through with a rapier), if in a true battlefield I will not be

allowed to fight with Tartars or Russians ͥ. Everyone is afraid that a terrible prophecy will come true

and Jagiellons dynasty will come to an end. (to boys) Young boyars, you tell me, what is written in

the chronicle, will the prophecy come true?

VĖJAS is reading a book carefully, quickly turns away his head away from the king.

VĖJAS. (so quietly that only Lukas and Donatas could hear) The prophecy will come true. The

king Sigismund Augustus won't have any descendants, and the kingdom of Lithuania and Poland

will have to invite a foreign ruler, the Frenchman Henry Valois ͥ for the first time.

SIGISMUND. Well, what is written? Cannot you see in there?

DONATAS. (looks in the book through the shoulder) Nothing is written about it, your highness. But

... but there's written about some kind of Chicken War.

SIGISMUND. (laughs) The Hen War ͥ ! A real joy for court jesters. When I was seventeen, the

nobles raised in rebellion against my father. I had such itchy hands to give them a good lesson, but

then it was too late - everything was over even before the start. And the only damage was that the

noblemen who came to support my father king, ate all the chickens in the area.

The king approaches the boys. VĖJAS closes the book quickly hiding it behind him and bends to

Sigismund.

VĖJAS. Your majesty, our sovereign, we are your lifelong servants. What would you like us to do?

Command.

SIGISMUND. (pauses) I don‘t treasure worldly goods. My heart has only one desire: that my most

beloved queen, my Barbara would recover. The doctors do not recognise her disease ͥ and the

medicine does not help anymore. A tiny ray of her vitality is left, laughter has vanished from her

lips, legs have become too weak to walk. Barbara is the other half of my soul. If she is gone, my life

is over, too.

DONATAS. (with great enthusiasm) Your grace, but we can help! We have to find ADĖLĖ. Both

her parents are doctors. They will definitely help your queen.

LUKAS. (happily) You'll see! ADĖLĖ's parents healed my mother. They will prescribe the best

medicine to your Barbara. (having noticed reproachful VĖJAS‘ glance) Sorry, queen Barbara.

VĖJAS. Why are we wasting precious time? Let's find ADĖLĖ, quickly, and then ... (speaks so that

the king won't hear) And what if we can't find the same exit again?

DONATAS. (also worried) VĖJAS, even if we find, are we able to come back in here?

VĖJAS. (resolutely) What is promised, must be fulfilled. We get the medicine and I'll break half of

the museum exhibits, if needed. And the huffy Keeper will bring us back here again.

The boys shake hands, kneel before the king and run towards the exit.

[ ]

The Keeper is standing at the entrance of the hallway. Running children do not notice him.

KEEPER. (smiles and sways his head approvingly) Wow, wow, wow. It's worth traveling in time for

moments like these [travelling in time is worth moments like these]. (sits) Although I am very tired,

and her majesty the queen mother, his highness Sigismund start being suspicious. They think that

everything happens in their dreams. When they awaken in the morning, both are questioning

(mimicking Bona and Sigismund's voices) „Spiegami il mio sogno! Stančik, explain my dream -

strange people surrounded me, spoke about weird things which neither you nor I have seen in the

eyes. What should I answer them? After all, it's me who spread this terrible spell with my tongue

(stands, lights darkened torches, wipes the cobwebs) Oh, Stančik Stančik, where had your mind

been! How dare you tease the eldest fortune teller. Why had you bragged that you could turn all

villains to good people. Even those who will live five hundred years in the far future! Fate is

merciless for braggarts, but as a ruler said, the fault can be recognised and redeemed. (leaves

repeating) ... recognised and redeemed.

Scene 4

Dimly lit room. A bed is in the middle, covered with luxurious fabrics, fur is laid by the bed. In the

bed queen Barbara Radziwill is lying down wearing smart clothes. Girls cautiously step into the

room through the entrance. Liepa, Beatrice, Vilija, ADĖLĖ, Karina, queen Barbara.

LIEPA. (quietly to the other girls) This woman looks like a queen. We should bow down and not

start talking first. Even if she's a teacher, performing her role in this lesson.

BEATRICE. Have you all heard? We'll play according to her rules: act and do everything that we

are requested.

The girls squat following Liepa. Barbara moans and opens her eyes.

BARBARA. Drink ...

Liepa comes to the bed, pours water into a small cup out of the pitcher. Gives it to Barbara.

BARBARA. (peacefully) Why didn’t you tasted it first ͥ, girl? Who are you? I have not seen you

before.

Barbara sits down, the girls squat once again following Liepa.

ADĖLĖ. My name's ADĖLĖ. (all the girls tell their names in turn). We are looking for the exit

from ... this labyrinth. Maybe you could give us a task or show which direction to go to.

BARBARA. I do not need anything, girl. His majesty, my gracious king provides me with

everything. Since my arrival to Wawel he has sent me a lot of gifts, dresses and jewellery ͥ. I dive

delicious meals, am entertained by musicians, but ... I would give everything for the gaze of my

beloved at sunrise, his calm voice at sunset. The affairs of the kingdom! A Lord's life does not

belong to the lord.

VILIJA. I know a few people who would envy you all these things (points to the dress, jewels).

BARBARA. Poor fellows! They adore things because they have not experienced true love yet.

(notices that Beatrice can not take her eyes off the opened box, smiles) Come closer, girl, do not

fear. (pulls jewellery and a dress out of the chest) Today these gifts arrived sent by his royal

majesty. (suddenly remembers) And I haven’t thanked yet.

BEATRICE. How beautiful. You are the happiest woman in love.

BARBARA. I wish that love could convince the ones who are trampling it. I was so happy in

Lithuania. I met my gracious king in my home in Vilnius ͥ. Those days will never return. I have

Only heartbreak and pointless fight left. My body suffers from a disease, but it is even worse for

Sigismund – his soul cries. Where did he find that strength to resist the queen mother, to quieten the

whole Polish Seym ͥ, fallen on their knees before him. They begged him to reject me, like a shame.

They wished Sigismund would forget me. Me, his Barbara, the woman who can exchange the

kingdom for king's laughter.

ADĖLĖ. Don't be sad. You said you'd like to thank the king?

BARBARA. (claps her hands happily) Oh well, I can thank his majesty for his gifts and pour out

my longing in the letter. Do you know how to write, girl? Although I always used to write letters ͥ by

myself, today the feather is falling out of my hands. My illness... (sighs) There is some paper in the

box, ash ink and the feather.

Liepa passes writing materials, ADĖLĖ arranges them on the box. Girls are squatting around.

ADĖLĖ tests the pen on the corner of the paper, pours a large blot, looks disappointed in herself.

ADĖLĖ. I'm worried. I've never written with a feather. How can I manage to write a letter...

BARBARA. You have just said you know how to write, girl.

VILIJA. ADĖLĖ is the best student in the class. She will be a heart doctor, save people‘s lives. Just

this .... (picks up a feather, gets her fingers dirty, is cleaning confused) people stopped using this

kind of tool for at least one hundred years ago.

Beatrice and Karina rummage in their bags. Karina pulls out an ink pen, but, seeing Beatrice‘s

outstretched arm with a ballpoint pen she wants to put her pen back into the rucksack.

BEATRICE. (friendly, hiding the ballpoint) Karina, give her yours. So beautiful. More suitable for

writing a letter to a sovereign.

KARINA. (friendly nods to Beatrice, gives the pen to the queen) Your majesty, gracious queen

Barbara, please accept your humble servant‘s gift. The letters written with this feather will be very

neat. (for surprised girls) What? Her name is written on the cover of the chest – Barbara Radziwill.

BARBARA. (passes the pen to ADĖLĖ) Let's start. Your highness, gracious king, my lord! Your

royal grace, I humbly thank you, my merciful lord, that your royal majesty, my gracious lord

deigned to report me, his lowest servant, about his health, by God's grace great one now. For your

royal highness‘ letter and generous gifts is thanking your royal grace eternal slave - Barbara

Radziwill. (while ADĖLĖ is writing the other girls are giggling and rolling their eyes because of

odd-looking letter style). I am sending to your highness a ring of my gracious master's merciful

benevolence...

ADĖLĖ. (confused)... to royal highness ... of royal grace ... of my gracious master's ... merciful ...

Your highness, the queen, I'm completely confused.

VILIJA. Is it necessary to repeat the same words again and again?

BARBARA. Why are you asking this, girl?

VILIJA. Well, if I were texting to my friend like this, my SMS monthly limit wouldn't be enough.

BARBARA. (not to have understood) And how do you thank your beloved person for the gifts?

VILIJA. I simply write down: (quotes) Thanks for the cool presents, buddy. Five words.

BARBARA. (sits down like boltstruck) Five words! Is this how they accept it in the Krakow area?

Has the world come to the very end? What happened to good manners? Girl, does your beloved one

still talk to you after this kind of gratitude?

KARINA. (quietly) Vilija, what are you doing? After all, we've agreed to act and do what we are

told to. Would you like to stay in this museum overnight? (to the queen) Your majesty, only

ordinary people – servants - write in this manner. Are you willing to finish your letter, highness?

BARBARA. So many more words are still in my heart and on the lips. (in despair, ADĖLĖ slams

with the palm to her forehead) If I could put them down into paper ... (dreaming)

BEATRICE. (quietly) ... all the kingdom's paper stock wouldn't be enough. Fold the letter, ADĖLĖ.

In this way.

Beatrice pulls out Sigismund's letter from the small chest, shows it as an example. ADĖLĖ folds the

letter, holds in her hands.

KARINA. (takes out a piece of wax, lights a candle, drips) I've seen this in the movies. (to the

queen) Press a signature ring, your grace.

Barbara takes off her ring without any surprise, performs the usual ring imprint.

KARINA. I'll take your letter to the sovereign. (to the girls) You stay here. I'll find the room where

this so called sovereign is residing and pass the letter. Our task will be done by that time and I will

get the exit link out of him.

BARBARA. (takes off the ring from her finger, hands it to Karina and she puts it into her bag) Girl,

carry my love ring to his royal grace Sigismund. God bless you.

Karina leaves.

BEATRICE. (in suave voice) Gracious queen, can I try on your dress... and jewellery?

LIEPA, VILIJA, ADĖLĖ (reproaching) Beatrice!

BARBARA. (hasn't heard Beatrice, turns to ADĖLĖ) Sort out my jewellery box, girl. (to Liepa and

Vilija) You two, iron the folds of velvet dresses, and you, my dear, (to Beatrice) dust the bear fur.

Girls take up the work laughing. Disappointed Beatrice pulls the fur out of the bed. The lights dim.

Scene 5

The corridor of the museum, the phone fitted to the wall is ringing persistently. Next - the museum

receptionist's chair. The Keeper, Benediktas‘s Mum

KEEPER. I'm coming, I'm coming. Why such a hurry? Life ends faster for those who are impatient.

MOTHER OF BENEDIKTAS. The museum?

KEEPER. No, gracious lady. The museum cannot speak. And you can hear me, can‘t you?

MOTHER OF BENEDIKTAS. Are you making fun of me?

KEEPER. Yes, I am indeed. With the grace of Lord, for five hundred years already... Stanislav

Stančik, the Keeper for underground matters.

MOTHER OF BENEDIKTAS. What do you mean by underground? Where's my son? What have

you done to him in that stinking, rotten museum? My child hasn‘t answered the phone for a half an

hour.

KEEPER. Gracious lady mother, your son Benediktas is having a history lesson at the moment, and

the phones are turned off during the lessons and it is inappropriate for mothers to call students.

The Keeper is hanging up a receiver on the phone, the hollow voice of Benediktas‘s mother can be

still heard.

MOTHER OF BENEDIKTAS. How do you know my son's name? Don't you dare to hang up on

me......

The Keeper sits down, pulls out a knotted bundle, untangles, the food can be seen. Getting ready to

eat with satisfaction in his face. The phone is ringing again. It's sound is gradually replaced by

Renaissance music.

EPISODE TWO

Scene 1

The hall. Queen Bona Sforza is sitting on the throne. The children are sitting packed on the box.

Tadas, Modestas, Benediktas, queen Bona.

TADAS. (to Modestas, Benediktas) Don't you worry, the queen is just threatening. After all, she's is

Italian, so it's in her nature. (remembers suddenly). Italy! Sixteenth century! I already know what I'd

like to ask her.

MODESTAS. I'd rather speak to the duke Gediminas ͥ.

BENEDIKTAS. And I prefer Vytautas. I'd ask how he felt before the battle of Grunwald ͥ. Did he

expect to beat the Crusaders and send them away from Lithuania.

TADAS. (comes closer to Bona, bows low) Your Majesty, may I ask you something. Did you

know... I mean, do you personally know Nicolaus Copernicus. Have you read his book „On the

Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres”?

BONA. Are you talking about Nicolaus from Jagiellonian University? I have been informed that he

passed away. Moreover, the bishop advises to avoid listening to him. After all, the earth cannot

revolve around the sun, as that poor soul thought. You, come out to the courtyard and prove

yourself. It is the sun which travels, and not you, as a bird, flutter around it.

TADAS. Highness, have you ever seen Leonardo da Vinci ͥ?

BONA. Oh, quel povero fiorentino! I haven‘t met him as I haven‘t been to Milan since my

childhood ͥ. The Sforzas appreciate his works a lot. (laughs mockingly) But those inventions! The

Poor thing believes that a human will be able to fly in the sky and walk under water ͥ.

TADAS. Majesty, you know, Leonardo da Vinci was right. (pulls out a notebook from his rucksack,

draws a plane, people in the square windows). People fly from Vilnius to your beloved Krakow

within one hour by plane.

BONA. What are you drawing, jester? How can people fly inside the bird guts? Within an hour!

Che sciocchezza! Listen, knucklehead, the grand Warsaw road leads to Vilnius ͥ. Our fastest

messenger returns back to Krakow in just half a month.

TADAS. (with even more enthusiasm) And here, look, please (drawing a submarine), nowadays

people can not only swim underwater, but also live there, in a submarine.

BENEDIKTAS. Tadas, stop it. She won't believe it anyway.

MODESTAS. I wouldn't either if I were her.

BENEDIKTAS. Auntie Queen, have you got any brothers or sisters?

BONA. I am a princess of Milan, Naples, Bari and Rosarno, the only surviving Gian Galeazzo

Sforza‘s offspring who grew up with mother Isabel Aragon in Bari. I had a brother, but Francesco

died after he fell off a horse.

MODESTAS. Your holiness, I'm curious, do the kings are also forced to study hard?

BONA. Forced? (laughs out loud). Who wants to rule over others, must train his mind himself. I

was taught by famous Italian humanists ͥ! Latin, works of famous writers, Mathematics, History,

Law, Sciences, Theology and even Geography still are important sources of knowledge to me. I was

considered one of the most educated brides ͥ across Europe while still living in mother's house in

Bari. On top of that, I adore Renaissance art, architecture, dance and music. I decorated this

kingdom with Renaissance masterpieces. Wawel alone is worth it! Vilnius is blooming in the hands

of Lombardy masters... (queen's mood suddenly changes) but it is no longer so close to my heart

like before. My plans were ruined there ...

BENEDIKTAS. Majesty, but you are so powerful. Who dared to resist you?

BONA. (in a desperate voice) My only begotten son Sigismund Augustus! At the age of nine I

confided him the Lithuanian throne ͥ, but then he grew up and stabbed a traitor‘s dagger into my

heart. He brought that noble, the Radziwils‘ sister to Wawel after they secretly got married in

Vilnius. The sister of Radziwils ͥ ! You would cause less risk letting a snake into the room than

having the Radziwils at the court. They teased the old king with their power and wealth, gathered an

army larger than the entire army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Those Radziwils own as many

towns, manors and lands as almost the king himself ͥ. What a terrible mistake it was to let them

acquire this state of power. After all, I told Sigismund, it is easy to inherit the crown but in order to

keep it you need to have great wealth. (the queen collapses in the throne) I, the dowager, have no

more place left in my own palace since she is here ͥ. My son turned away from me. I am so lonely.

Where have all my dwarfs gone? Dorotushka, you too left me. (to boys) You, Lithuanian boyars,

entertain your queen.

Boys discuss.

BENEDIKTAS. Don't look at me, I neither dance, nor sing.

MODESTAS. We don't either! She got us, we need to think of something. Would you like this rusty

scrap metal to count your ribs? (gestures towards the armoured guard)

TADAS. I can beatbox a little bit. Would you join in? Benediktas, do like this. Modestas repeat.

(tries a famous rhythm of "cats-in-boots")

MODESTAS. I am not sure she likes it. (scratches back of the head, worried) Can you remember a

song from the music lesson? Perhaps the queen will like it...

They Start the song yelling ridiculously:

"Plain fields and slumbering dark woods, and bearded Lithuanians consider something. Sharpening

axes, sharpening swords and saddling dark horses". Benediktas and Tadas join.

BONA. (rises off the throne) Lituani! How long have I been educating you, teaching how to farm in

Walachs ͥ. It is me who taught you how to grow vegetables and fruits, as well as eat light meals. I

almost died when I came to Krakow court and had to eat meat for days ͥ. You, Northmen! Will

anyone thank me at least? Will the descendants remember Bona's name? Empty hope it is. You

cannot live a decent life. You only know how to wave a rapier. Guards!

At the entrance to the hall, standing in the shadows, Karina is observing all. Bona notices her, but

cannot recognize her from distance.

BONA. (joyfully) Finally, my Dorotoshka has returned. Come closer, my dear.

BENEDIKTAS. Karina!

Scene 2

Karina, seeing the fearful friends and the loud speaking queen, puts Barbara's letter secretly into a

crack of the wall before entering the hall. Tadas notices that. Karina comes out into the light, bows

in front of the queen. Tadas, Modestas, Benediktas, the queen Bona and Karina.

BONA. Who are you? Where is my dwarf?

KARINA. I'm a student like these bookworms. (nods towards the boys). I belong to girls' team. The

adorable queen Barbara Radziwil has already assigned a task to us, but I‘ve have got lost. I have to

find the king Sigismund Augustus and pass him the queen's letter. (to boys) I see, you aren't so

lucky. Our queen Barbara is well mannered, fair skinned and is very richly dressed.

Boys show with gestures that Karina should stop talking. Bona overhears Karina's words.

BONA. Zitta, stupida! That one has not been crowned yet, but already dares to call herself a queen.

The only true Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania is me, Bona Sforza. Radziwil is

from a lower caste whose real beauty does not even match the paintings of her.

KARINA. (starts playing, speaks in persuasive way) Your majesty, I have seen the Quee... Madam

Barbara in front of myself just as I see you now. How could I know that she is a false queen? She

introduced herself as the wife of King Sigismund Augustus, and reasonably, if Sigismund is the

King, Barbara is the Queen.

BONA. (comes very close, looks directly into her eyes) There will never be two queens under

Wawel's roof. I will take care of it. For this I am a Sforza! (walks to the boys repeating in a

threatening manner) Sforzare! Sforzare! Don't you understand Italian? This name means to force.

The eagle and the snake, force or poison.

Bona returns to Karina who is standing still and fearless. Bona observes the girl.

BONA. Your courage fascinates me, reminds me of myself in my childhood. I will give you an

important task.

KARINA. (to herself) Well, finally. (to the Queen) I am waiting for your command, my queen.

Tadas leaves the hall unnoticed, takes the letter, makes gestures in front of the armour as if he was

explaining something and disappears in the darkness of the exit.

BONA. (pulls out a ring with precious stones and shows it to the girl) Powerful is the one who does

not depend on anyone, and independence is provided by wealth. Take it, it is yours. (throws the ring

to the surprised Karina who hides it in her purse). Tell me, where did you meet Barbara and what

did she say.

Karina and Bona talk. It is impossible to hear Karina's words. The Queen's words can be heard

since she speaks louder out of excitement.

BONA (with silent speaking breaks) Do you remember the way to Barbara's rooms? How many

guards were there? .... Pass her the letter and the box. Tell her that it is a medicine sent by the

King... . Once you leave Barbara's room, lock it twice.... Understood? And now, give Barbara's real

letter to me. It needs to be destroyed.

Karina goes to the crack in the wall where she left the letter. She can’t find the letter.

KARINA. The letter is gone! (hits the armoured guard) Has this transformer swallowed it? (tapping

into the wall) or has it slipped deep into the wall crack..

BONA. (looking around, comes to Modestas and Benediktas) And where is the third boyar? The

one who was painting the birds? (rushes to the armoured guard) He has stolen the true letter and is

now definitely on his way to Sigismund! (hits the armour, which fall down) (to Karina) Hurry

straight to Barbara. Do not waist a single minute. (towards Benediktas) Bamboccio! Go with my

trustee and help her. (to Modestas) And you stay here. In case those Lithuanians decide to betray

me.

The armoured guard pushes Modestas into a niche, closes the bars.

KARINA. (alarmed, to Benediktas) This queen is too ...

BENEDIKTAS. (completes the sentence) real? Karina, we immediately realized that. Let's complete

her task, then come back and rescue Modestas.

Bona returns to Karina and Benediktas.

KARINA. Your Majesty, when we come back having completed the task, will everything be over?

BONA. I told you to hurry! Just do it, and everything will be over. (in a treacherous way once

Katerina and Benediktas doesn’t hear) Everything and everyone.

Scene 3

Tadas comes to the hall, from which everyone had left in different directions. Tadas searches the

floor, looking for traces of where they had been with the classmates.

Tadas. The Keeper

TADAS. How weird. This room is the same room that we left from but I can’t see any footprints on

the ground. It looks like none of us was ever here.

KEEPER. (coming from behind) How often I hear these words, young man! We make a footprint

and hope that others will notice it – enjoy it or learn from it. It is naive to think this way. Even

knowing the ancestors' errors, people still repeat them. They believe that they are superior because

they are flying iron birds, chatting while miles apart, and are able to repair sick parts of a body

moving them from a dead. However, none of the inventions have overcome the man himself – his

powerful love, his deceit or desire for wealth. That is how we are all alike, those who lived before

us, and those who will replace us.

TADAS. Uncle, just because of love and deceit I found myself here. Queen Barbara wrote a letter to

her beloved king Sigismund, but my classmate Karina ... (notices Keeper's smile) But you know

everything, anyway! Right? (Keeper nods his head) Tell me, please, which direction should I run to

find the King? (Keeper gestures with his lamp towards the exit where Vėjas, Lukas and Donatas

left). Thank you. (running) I really want to help his highness.

KEEPER. (when Tadas does not hear anymore) You cannot help neither the King nor the Queen

anymore, boy, but you can learn a lesson for life. And good students receive a good reward.

(cheerfully blinks)

Scene 4

Big room. King Sigismund marches anxiously. Tadas comes running carrying a letter. The King

notices Tadas, the boy bows down as he knows to.

Tadas, King Sigismund.

TADAS. Your Majesty, I brought you a letter from Queen Barbara.

SIGISMUND. (quickly picks) How is she? Does she feel well? Not long ago young boyars similar

to you were here and they promised to look for the medicine for my gracious Barbara. Did they

succeed?

TADAS. Unfortunately, my Lord, I haven't seen the Queen yet. Nor met my classm.... (pauses) my

friends. I saved this letter from a very angry queen, named Bona. She is a real monster.

SIGISMUND. (shrugs) My mother!

TADAS. (confused) I beg your pardon, sovereign. What a rude mistake of mine.

SIGISMUND. She is just a mother. Like all mothers, she wants her son's welfare forgetting about

his happiness. (anxiously) Boyar, do me a favour, bring my urgent letter to Barbara. I want to give

her hope. This slow existence and fear for of the worst is unbearable for both of us. I would have

ridden to her, but the spell imprisoned me here. Look. (comes to the wall, the entrance disappears).

TADAS. (very surprised) It means, it is not us in the sixteenth century, but they are in the twenty-

first... This is a real matter. (suddenly made up his mind) Your Majesty, I have a great idea. The girls

are now with your queen Barbara. Please don’t be to surprised, but there's a technical possibility for

you to talk to her. (the King listens confused, Tadas pulls out a mobile phone) This is a mobile

phone, holding it like this (demonstrates) you can hear what the other person says to you... and you

can be miles apart. Oh, I see, I cannot explain it properly, so we'd better call.

Walks around the room searching for connection.

SIGISMUND. How? I do not need to ride to talk to the queen? I suppose I have to speak into this

thing?

TADAS. That is not all. If we had a computer and Internet connection, we could talk and see the

person as if he was sitting right in front of you. (the King does not understand) Doesn't matter. Your

Majesty, write the letter and I'll rush to deliver it. When technology fails you, you have to rely on

your feet.

Sigismund is writing. Tadas takes the rapier, training with targets. Suddenly he stops from a thought

as being stuck into something, smiles widely to himself.

TADAS. Well, of course! How could I forget (talks looking at his mobile phone) (to himself) Oh

Tadas, you scatterbrain. The phone didn’t display connectivity before either, unless someone rang.

Brilliant idea! (to the King) Your Highness, I leave this thing for you. If it starts ringing like this

(demonstrates sound example), press the green button, put it to your ear like this and simply say

"Hello". If we're lucky, you will soon hear the voice of your dear queen. (takes the letter, passes the

phone to the King) I'm running!

Tadas runs towards the exit. Sigismund holds the phone in his hand.

SIGISMUND. Boyar, come back! I forgot what I have to say. Hello or Dough?

Tadas rushes without hearing the King.

Scene 5

The corridor. Vėjas, Lukas and Donatas open each door cautiously, checking the inside with the

light from their phones. Hollow sounds of singing girls can be heard. They are singing a popular

song.

Donatas, Vėjas, Lukas, Beatrice, Liepa, Vilija, Adėlė

DONATAS. We‘ve found them!

VĖJAS. ADĖLĖ! Girls!

Vilija, Beatrice and Liepa show up in the corridor. They run towards the boys.

BEATRICE. Have you found the exit?

VĖJAS. No, Beth. But at the moment, we need Adėlė, not you. Where is she?

BEATRICE. (snorting) Of course, you don't have enough brain by yourselves. (stands back)

LIEPA. Lukas, you won't believe who we met. The sixteenth century Lithuanian beauty, Queen

Barbara Radziwil. Maybe she's an actress, but she looks so real and so beautiful, richly dressed, but

also very fragile ... like suffering from something.

LUKAS. Liepa, it is your turn to wonder - she is the real queen Barbara Radziwil and we met King

Sigismund II Augustus. These rooms are kind of time corridors. Only we can enter and exit them,

but not people form the past - Sigismund and Barbara. I don't know how this is happening and I’m

not even going try to explain.

DONATAS. The Queen is suffering from a mortal disease. She and king Sigismund don't know this

yet, but they feel great anxiety.

LIEPA. And since when are you a doctor?

DONATAS. (shows an open book) Read, Liepa. Barbara has got a year left to live. What is

important, we can help them to avoid the tragedy.

LIEPA. My goodness. What can we do?

VĖJAS. Liepa, modern medicine can give her a new heart. I understand that science still fails to

treat cancer though...

ADĖLĖ. (comes once she heard Liepa talking) ... but can significantly prolong a human's life and,

in certain stages of the disease, stop multiplication of malignant cells. Vėjas, what a weird

discussion. Did you receive such a task?

LIEPA. (holds a textbook, with tears in her eyes) Adėlė, Queen Barbara needs your parents' help.

Let‘s find the exit. The boys will explain everything to you on the way.

Vėjas, Lukas, Donatas and Adėlė leave.

Scene 6

The corridor next to the door of the Queen's room. Beatrice, Liepa and Vilija sit down on the floor

leaning on each other, reading a book with interest. Tadas comes.

Beatrice, Vilija, Liepa. The keeper.

BEATRICE. At least tell us that you have some good news.

TADAS. (smiles widely) Girls, just don't tell anyone. We are millionaires from now on. I found a

room full of chests, and there are coins, rings, necklaces with pearls, diamonds and rubies in the

chests. Let's go together, nothing matters from now on...

BEATRICE. (hesitates) Tadas, are you sure that there ... But we're taking care of the Queen, she's

ill.

VILIJA. No, Tadas, we certainly won't leave her alone. You go.

TADAS. (confirming) I don't recognize you, girls. What spell is effecting you in this underground.

LIEPA. (punches friendly) Little liar. What did you bring?

TADAS. The Sovereign's letter to his dear wife Barbara Radziwil. Liepa, would you pass it?

LIEPA. Her Majesty will be very happy. You probably know that she's ill, and King Sigismund is

expecting our help. (Tadas nods his head) I wish that Barbara and Sigismund could meet. His

Highness is the best medicine for this noble lady. (leaves with letter)

TADAS. Girls, I left my mobile phone to the King. Let's try to call. Barbara and Sigismund will at

least hear each other‘s voices.

VILIJA. You saw it - there's no connection.

BEATRICE. Nothing will happen if we don't try. (to Vilija) Have you got a phone? My phone’s

battery only have a minute left.

Vilija shakes her head. Beatrice rummages in her bag, pulls out the phone, a sound of turning on is

heard. Children don‘t notice the Keeper who is standing a few steps away and giggles.

KEEPER. Ah, I'll act against the rule. Only once. For a minute. (clicks with fingers)

BEATRICE. (squeaks joyfully) Tadas, there is reception available!

VILIJA. TADAS. (one over the other) hurry up...call ... what are you waiting for... faster, we need

to warn the Queen... (Vilija runs out)

BEATRICE. Whom to call to?! To call whom?

TADAS. Me! Call me. (with mild dissatisfaction) Ah, probably you haven't got my number...

BEATRICE. (happily) You wish! Ready to call.

LIEPA and VILIJA. (together from a room) We've already explained, the Queen is already

impatient.

[ ]

The room. Queen Barbara stands still, holds a mobile phone by the ear. It is obvious that the queen

is afraid of the thing itself, and the noise it is making. Barbara's face brightens with joy.

Sigismund's voice is heard from the speaker.

SIGISMUND'S VOICE. (in a noble and royal manner) Dough!

BARBARA. (a little surprised by the word) Your holiness, my gracious king,... Sigismund. I can

hear you, gracious lord. This is a miracle.

The children are happy and try to make less noise, not to interfere into the conversation.

SIGISMUND. Barbara! By the miracle of God and help of our faithful boyars from Lithuania. We

are grateful for the letter but wishing your majesty‘s well-being. We feel honoured to find out from

your letter, my grace, that the dark velvet dress, embroidered with six rims of lilies as ordered, and

with gold laces did suit you ͥ. Like the jewellery which we sent.

BARBARA. Oh, my gracious lord if only you knew that all the gifts were much appreciated by me,

your minor servant! I really wish to show you my lord. It’s just that I don’t have any powder to

whiten my face left ͥ, I am afraid not to appear beautiful to my king.

[ ]

Tadas puts on the rucksack, goes towards the exit. Beatrice blocks up the way with body movements

and facial expression preventing him from leaving.

TADAS. I must get back to the boys.

BEATRICE. You don't.

TADAS. I'm afraid Benediktas and Modestas might need my help. You don't know what the

dowager Bona Sforza is like. I see, you've got a textbook. Read it and you won't argue anymore.

Tadas leaves. Beatrice follows him unnoticed.

[ ]

SIGISMUND. We are deeply concerned about the health of the dearest queen.

BARBARA. I am happy with God's grace and I am recovering just for the happiness of hearing

your highness‘s so desirable voice.

SIGISMUND. We inform your Grace that the boyars from Lithuania hastened to get the best

medicine for your healing. We pray the Lord for your health and opportunity to visit our precious

queen Barbara.

BARBARA. With the grace of God ... Your royal highness ... Sigismund...

Barbara is anxiously glancing at a dark phone screen, then at the girls.

VILIJA. Oh, no! The battery is dead.

LIEPA. I apologise, this gadget stopped working. Your majesty, you look exhausted. Relax, we'll

look after you.

Liepa and Vilija help the Queen to lie down.

[ ]

Tadas after going a bit further down the corridor is trying to snatch a torch from its holder.

TADAS. (to himself) So that's what love is. The ruler and Barbara look like grey stones when apart,

but a voice on the phone makes their faces shine. Oh, Beatrice... I won't ever dare to say it, but I like

you so, so much, Beth. I wish you'd hear me now!

BEATRICE. (a few steps away) I can hear you.

TADAS. (very ashamed) It can't be true! Where are you, Beth?!

BEATRICE. Tadas?

Tadas sticks the torch back, walks back down the corridor and nearly bumps into Beatrice.

TADAS. Beatrice! You wicked fox! Did you follow to make fun of me?

BEATRICE. I swear, I only heard my name. Not a single word more. (smiles) What would you like

to tell me?

TADAS. (strictly) I want to tell you that I need to hurry. I have a bad feeling.

BEATRICE. I'll join you. We have already agreed with Liepa and Vilija, they'll stay with Queen

Barbara. (determined) You won't be able to change my mind, is that clear?

TADAS. (raises his hands like giving up) I‘ve decided not to take the torch. Are you afraid of

darkness?

BEATRICE. No, but hold my hand, Tadas, and never ever let it go, okay? (stretches out her hand)

Tadas smiles widely, grabs Beatrice's hand suddenly moving her from the place they were standing.

Both leave.

Scene 7

Small room with bookshelves. The Keeper is standing by the bookshelf, reading attentively.

Adėlė, Vėjas, Lukas, Donatas, the Keeper.

ADĖLĖ. Uncle Stanislav, how lucky we are to find you. I beg you to help us find the exit, please.

That is very important. I have to contact my parents. They're both doctors, they can provide the

medicine for Queen Barbara.

LUKAS. You do know that she is ill, don’t you?

KEEPER. I know, young gentleman. Like I know the fact that no one has managed to change

history yet. Here are the books (shows the book in his hands) rewritten upon one‘s wish, but sooner

or later people discover the book in which history is written correctly.

VĖJAS. And the King? After all, he's so powerful, couldn‘t he put more effort...

KEEPER. I do not know any other person but him, who would have suffered through Queen

Barbara’s illness so painfully and mourned his loss so deeply ͥ. His Highness ordered to pull down

the gate of the town in order to fit the cart on which he wanted to carry her kindness to the water

cures. He made arrangements with doctors, and charlatans. But in vain. In the warm May, in our

Lord's year fifteen fifty-one, his grace King Sigismund escorted Barbara’s coffin to Vilnius on foot.

There, she was solemnly buried in the cathedral of her native Vilnius.

ADĖLĖ. I've read about it, uncle Stanislav. Is it true that the king grieved and missed Barbara till

the end of his life?

KEEPER. Even worse. There were some people thinking that he lost his mind. It was rumoured

around, that he went to Nesvysz palace and begged the wizard ͥ to call out the soul of the beautiful

queen. Wawel was no longer his place but a cold empty space. He did not make any effort to

reconcile with the queen mother, either ͥ. She was poisoned by her own traitorous servants ͥ. The last

of the Jagiellons spent his last days in a small manor at Knyszyn ͥ, embracing what was left for him

of the happy life – his horses and his beloved Barbara's jewellery ͥ.

VĖJAS. Mmm, even I feel sad.

KEEPER. But you must hurry back. What you have been looking for may soon happen.

Children leave.

Scene 8

A bed covered in luxurious fabrics stands next to the throne in the hall. Queen Bona Sforza is lying

in it. She moans loudly and resists while the doctor is trying to examine her. Modestas is sitting on

the floor in the niche which is closed with a small gate. Tadas and Beatrice creep into the room

though a ventilation hole in the wall next to the niche.

Queen Bona, the queen‘s doctor, Modestas, Tadas, Beatrice, armoured guard.

BONA. Quei maledetti Lituani mi hanno avvelenato! Non riesco a sopportare il dolore. Il mio

stomaco è in fiamme. Infernal pains in my stomach, my guts are in flame.

TADAS. Modestas, are you okay? (Modestas shows a positive sign) What's going on in here?

MODESTAS. It seems that she's feeling terribly bad from crisps and coke. She has been lying and

groaning like this for a good hour.

TADAS. She'll be fine. I can't get used to this junk either. (pulls gate pin, releases Modestas)

MODESTAS. Did you meet Karina and Benediktas? (Tadas and Beatrice shake their heads). She

told them to poison Queen Barbara in exchange for my life.

TADAS. I'm afraid they did it! The Queen is guarded by only two girls. (briefly pauses, thinking)

Modestas and Beth, get ready for something now. When I count to three, we'll run as fast as we can

across the hall, hit the guard with full force and knock him down. He'll need time to get up.

Meanwhile we have time to escape.

BEATRICE. But the Queen and the guard will be chasing us.

TADAS. Impossible. I'm sure they are affected by the same spell as the King and the Queen. They

can't go beyond the walls of this hall.

BEATRICE. Let‘s hope so, Adėlė and the guys will make it faster than us.

Tadas counts to three, all three run through the hall, knock the armour down and disappear in the

darkness of the corridor. Bona jumps out of the bed, runs to the exit, but it disappears. The angry

queen's scream echoes in the corridor.

Scene 9

The main hall with three exits. Karina and Benediktas stand in the middle. Karina is looking at

different directions confused and hesitating to go.

BENEDIKTAS. (angry, nervous) So, where are those rooms of Queen Barbara?! Try to remember,

Karina.

KARINA. (sadly) You can call me a monster. I just want to save Modestas. And I don't understand

myself why I am doing all this. Anyway I prefer to be on my own and I don't need any friends. A

puppy would be enough.

BENEDIKTAS. Me too... Although I'm lying a bit. Most of all I'd like to have a brother. I see

Lukas’ family every day. I envy him even when his older brothers punch him on his forehead.

KARINA. Benediktas, are you also terrified of what we're going to do? I've never done such great

harm to anyone in my life.

BENEDIKTAS. Karina, anyway, we cannot save Barbara Radziwil. Remember, it is five hundred

years since she passed away and...(searching for words) all this seem to be kind of gruesome

interactive game. The queen would really get rid of Modestas. Did you see, how angry her eyes

were? Bona Sforza hates Barbara, and Radziwils in general and everyone who may be opponents to

the throne. If not us, she'll find another way.

KARINA. Maybe Barbara won't take that medicine if it’s too bitter. For instance, when mom gives

me medicine, I pour it into a flower pot and get better anyway.

Benediktas doesn't reply, shrugs, both go through the exit where the girls went earlier.

[ ]

At the queen‘s room door. Vilija and Liepa sit leaning on the floor. Benediktas and Karina

approach.

KARINA. Where's Queen Barbara? We brought her the medicine ...sent by King Sigismund.

LIEPA. (joyfully) It means Adėlė managed to contact her parents. Well done! And where is

everybody? Adėlė, Vėjas and other boys?

BENEDIKTAS. Liepa, we'll chat later. Let Karina pass the medicine.

LIEPA. I'll take it.

BENEDIKTAS. No, Liepa. Karina has to report his majesty‘s words personally to the queen. We

aren‘t allowed to listen.

Liepa shrugs and moves away. Sits down next to Vilija again. Karina coming out of the queen's

room, shuts the door.

KARINA. (to Liepa and Vilija, covering Benediktas, who is locking the door) The queen wants

silence, she asked everyone to leave.

BENEDIKTAS. (frightened) Karina! The key slipped from my fingers and fell inside the floor

grating.

Vilija and Liepa stand up concerned. Karina sees Modestas, Tadas, Beatrice, Adėlė, Vėjas, Lukas,

Donatas running towards them.

KARINA. Modestas, are you okay? (starts crying) I ... just wanted to ... rescue you. What a fool

you are, Benediktas. We‘re done, that‘s the end!

BENEDIKTAS. And you! (banging the door) Your Majesty, don't drink it. Please, don't drink it!

(kneeling down tries to reach the key with a stick)

LIEPA. What's going on here? Can you explain at last!

VILIJA. Karina, why are you crying? After all, we were looking for medicine ourselves...

MODESTAS. It is a poison, sent by the queen mother!

VILIJA and LIEPA (together) Karina ... Benas ... how could you!

TADAS. Try to understand, they wanted to save Modestas’s life.

BENEDIKTAS. (throws a stick, almost crying) I can't reach the key... The floor pit is too deep.

VĖJAS. We need to break this door.

BEATRICE. Don't! (takes a pin from her hair, replies to surprised glances of the classmates) What?

What are you looking at? My grandmother has Alzheimer. She keeps forgetting where she put the

keys. My parents installed a code lock, but it broke. So, we've been struggling like this for two

years so far.

TADAS. I can fix the lock, Beatrice. (blushes) If you allow me to visit you.

BEATRICE. (blushes too) And you're asking...

DONATAS. Hurry up, you two!

Scene 10

Beatrice unlocks the door. Children shout the queen's name breaking into the room one over the

other. They find the empty hall with three exits where they were from the beginning of the story.

Children squash up in the middle, the girls in the inner circle, boys encircle them like defending.

Everyone is quiet, listening.

All children

ADĖLĖ. (starts whispering) Everything has disappeared.

MODESTAS. You know, nothing will surprise me anymore in this life.

LUKAS. And the sad thing is that you cannot tell anyone – they wouldn‘t believe it.

TADAS. And where's Simas?!

Wheels sound is heard from the corridor. Simas shows up. He is dragging a small box on wheels.

SIMAS. Finally I have found you. Will I have to eat this all alone? The palace kitchen is a real

culinary paradise, and the cooks – great talents. Deliziosio! (everyone laughs)

TADAS. (comes closer to the carriage) Look like crisps. (tasting) Almost real.

MODESTAS. Let me guess - they failed to produce cola.

SIMAS. Don't remind me. I was supposed to taste all their experiments. (imitates the chefs) Simas,

assaggialo! No?! Noooooooo..... Bevanda del diavolo!

TADAS. Simas, maybe you should combine your dream of becoming a soldier with being a chef.

Apply to serve as a military cook.

Children are tasting the crisps. The Keeper comes. The children are happy to see him.

KEEPER. (gives Donatas the compass) I found such a precious and perfectly functioning thing that

someone lost.

VILIJA. (joking) Uncle Stanislav, at least you found one piece of treasure. It's impossible to become

wealthy wandering underground.

KEEPER. It is not true. Today, the undergrounds gave you treasures of great value. Invisible they

are, but not less important. Goodbye, ladies and gentlemen. You have learned your lesson. It is time

for me to leave. (to himself) And I wish for a miracle to happen so that I would not have to appear

here again until the rye starts falling.

ADĖLĖ. Uncle Stanislav, if I knew that people believed me, I'd tell everyone what we've

experienced. (addresses the children who are listening approvingly). Only if people knew that those

who are forgotten suffers a lot when we destroy the treasures they left for us. They must realize this

walking along the same path like someone did hundreds years before. A human heart and soul

haven't changed...

The Keeper leaves while she is talking, the basement becomes a museum hall again. Lights get on.

EPILOGUE

The museum hall. All students.

MODESTAS. (phone in hands) Reconnected (smiling) and fifteen missed calls from the teacher.

On average, she's been calling every three minutes. (children whistle with slight irony) Don't laugh,

I'm the official leader of the class, so she's got only my number. (calls) I'll tell her where we are.

SIMAS. The carriage with crisps disappeared. Never mind. I learned how to cook them. Do you

want the recipe?

KARINA. (is looking for something in her bag) and the rings are gone... Think if we sell them we

could get a few computers for the classroom.

Simas, Adėlė, Liepa sit on the floor, chat happily. Modestas joins the trio after making a phone call.

MODESTAS. Don't worry about the computers, Karina. After all, they aren't the most important

thing in life. Come and join us.

KARINA. (obviously cheers up, leaves the bag, sits down next to the children) I'll get a rucksack.

My bag is like the Bermuda triangle. (all five laugh).

Lukas and Benediktas are talking the two of them, Lukas imitates moves while speaking about the

football match.

LUKAS. (to Benediktas) Are you coming tonight? Me and my brothers have a football team, and

are missing one player. We'll tell the coach that you are another brother of ours. (laughing) Our

mother has lost track counting herself.

BENEDIKTAS. (smiles widely) Hundred times yes. If you’ll allow, I'll come every day.

Donatas and Vėjas together. Both are watching Beatrice and Tadas who are unlocking a bicycle by

the museum's entrance.

DONATAS. (finishes talking on the phone, extremely happy) I can't believe it, my mother will come

with me and stay at my dad‘s place in the countryside.

VĖJAS. And I'm leaving. I’m moving to my parents to London, have just decided. They've been

inviting me for a long time. They even prepared a room for me.

BEATRICE. (to Tadas) And your offer is valid in reality or just in a fairy tale?

TADAS. (taking his bike) Straight away. If the princess fancies the coach.

Beatrice laughs loudly, sits on the bicycle bravely, the two leave waving to the worried teacher

approaching the students. While they were in a museum the promotional posters with teacher's

face, name and surname and party's slogans were hung outside.

ADĖLĖ. (notices a poster, waves to the teacher) Teacher Teresa, we're here!

ALL. Teacher... Everything's okay... We're here.

The children walk to meet the teacher half way.

Tips/suggestions for staging part

the effect of entrances and exits can be solved with spot lights;

use oversized chair-shaped structures as stands to hang workout bags, the drawings of

bookcases, use casings covered in different materials as a throne, chest, table. Use a

construction made of several laid as a bed;

torches: made of a tube, a non-flammable plastic shell, batteries, energy saving light bulbs;

armour: made of tin-plate or grey colour PVC floor base or cardboard, coated metal foil; fix

armour parts to the gloves, cap, T-shirt, shorts;

bludgeon: made of cardboard, left from gift paper, decorate with multi-coloured aluminium

foil.

the Renaissance clock: made make of boxes or specially made wooden plywood frame,

decorate with construction foam, spray paint, metal foil;

duplex queens' bed cover: sew of second-hand fabric pieces worn by Bona and the queen;

bookshelves: make drawing on a thick canvas rolls, strengthen with wooden sticks as a

poster;

rapier: make made of metal plinth;

aged paper: soak paper in a coffee solution.