FADRIUS – Of course, I wouldn’t recommend you being tied down by marriage for the rest of your life. But if you can’t help yourself – marry then. But not under this stupid thing called ‘love’. Do it under the name of the basic instinct to reproduce. Understand?

GELO – In all honesty – No…

FADRIUS – Don’t worry, with years you’ll smarten up. In the worst-case scenario, you will grow up and understand it. But now there are more important things at hand.

GELO – I’m listening to you attentively, teacher.

FADRIUS – In a moment the Queen will come here. Quickly clean up after yourself, and wait close by, while I talk with Her Majesty. You will be needed soon.

Gelo starts to clean up the papers on the table. The Queen comes on stage. With her appearance Gelo bows and goes off stage.

FADRIUS – I’m glad to see you are in good health, my Queen.

QUEEN – What good health, Fadrius! The treasury is empty! Things are going from bad to worse!

FADRIUS – Does that reflect on your health?

QUEEN – Very much so! Because of everything I have a morbid migraine.

FADRIUS – You need to unravel and have a good time.

QUEEN – With what money?! It’s over half a year since the last time I thrown a ball. I haven’t ordered a new dress all week. I have nothing to wear into town.

FADRIUS – Your Majesty, you already have a beautiful wardrobe of dresses. There are three thousand three hundred and twenty-seven dazzling dresses, for all thinkable occasions.

QUEEN – What are you talking about! You think I should go about in old rags? How can you all be so cruel to your Queen!

FADRIUS – But of course not Your Majesty! We all love you. I’m just thinking that the kingdom can survive without new dresses and balls. What is more important is that, by my calculations this year we will have a drought. And a bad harvest would destroy our peasants.

QUEEN – Stop trying to scare me. You’re telling me that I might starve!

FADRIUS – Not you. But it will be hard for your subjects to survive the drought.

QUEEN – Well do something then, after all you’re a Wizard.

FADRIUS – I’m sorry Your Majesty, but there is nothing I can do.

QUEEN – Why? It is so easy. One magic spell and we will have good weather.

FADRIUS – The matter is, my Queen I have become too old. I do not possess the magic power that is needed to do anything…

QUEEN – Here we go, you’re upsetting me again! My migraine is coming back, shame on you!

FADRIUS – Your Majesty, I want you to know the truth. My powers are deteriorating.

QUEEN – I don’t want to hear that! You have to do something. I can’t lead this disgusting life anymore. I’m sick and tired of all the problems, which my ministers are throwing at me.

FADRIUS – But Your Majesty after the death of the King you are now the head of state, and you should rule the country.

QUEEN – It’s always done something, something, something… Why do I owe everyone something, and they don’t owe me anything?

FADRIUS – That’s the burden of power. A head of state is not only about the right to rule, but the responsibility for the country’s affairs and all the people in it.

QUEEN – And who will take care of me?!

FADRIUS – Us, your beloved servants.

QUEEN – I don’t feel it! All that I see is your desire to upset me more and more each day.

FADRIUS – (Disheartened) Your Majesty, just today I was going to tell you all about my new plan. It is possible; if it succeeds it will solve all our problems.

QUEEN – And I will be able to throw a dazzling ball at last?

FADRIUS – (Heavy sigh) Yes, I hope you will.

QUEEN – Fadrius! If your plan will not help me to find money to buy new outfits, then why do I need it? What’s the point?!