Act 1 - Scene 3 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Jack: Good fortune! Good fortune, sir! Look what I have! Here’s five gold pieces.
Baker (astounded): Five gold pieces! (He examines the gold)
Jack: I had more, but Mother made me surrender them. She allowed me these five to do with as I pleased.
Baker: Oh, my;
Jack: (looking around) Where is Milky-White?
Baker: Milky-White is back home with my wife.
Jack: Let’s go find them. (JACK starts to leave)
Baker: Wait!
(BAKER returns money to JACK) I don’t know that I wish to sell;
Jack: But you said I might buy her back.
Baker: I know, but I’m not certain that five gold pieces would–
Jack: Are you saying that you wish more money?
Baker: More money is always–
Jack: (hands him gold) Keep this. I will go fetch more.
Baker: Wait. I didn’t say– (JACK exits; BAKER looks at money) Five gold pieces! With this money I could buy baking supplies for a year. I could buy a new thatched roof and a new chimney.
(MYSTERIOUS MAN appears from nowhere) Mysterious Man: But could you buy yourself a child?
Baker: (startled) Who are you?
Mysterious Man: When first I appear I seem delirious, but when explained I am nothing serious. Would you buy yourself a child?
Baker: I don’t understand.
Mysterious Man: How badly do you want a child? Five gold pieces? Ten? Twenty?
Baker: I’ve not thought to put a price on it.
Mysterious Man: Exactly.
(He walks over and takes the gold away) You’ve not thought about many things, have you son?
Baker: Give me back the money. It’s not yours–
Mysterious Man: Nor is it Jack’s. The money is not what’s important. What’s important is that your wish be honoured. (MYSTERIOUS MAN goes around a tree and disappears; BAKER begins darting around looking for him)
Baker: Come back here! Damn! Give me back–
(He sees BAKER’S WIFE who comes from around another tree)
What are you doing here now?
Baker’s Wife: (quickly switching gears) I see you’ve the red cape.
Baker: Yes. I’ve the cape. Only two items left to locate.
Baker’s Wife: Three.
Baker: Two, I’ve the cape and the cow.
Baker’s Wife: You’ve the cape!
Baker: What have you done with the cow?
Baker’s Wife: She ran away, I never reached home. I’ve been looking for her all night.
Baker: I should have known better than to have entrusted her to you.
Baker’s Wife: She might just as easily have run from you!
Baker: But she didn’t.
Baker’s Wife: But she might have!
Baker: BUT SHE DIDN’T!!!
(WITCH drops from tree)
Witch: WHO CARES! THE COW IS GONE! GET IT BACK! GET IT BACK!!!
(all three settle down)
Baker: (walks over to her) We were just going to do that. Here, I can give you this–
