Act I, Scene V

Question 1

(GABRIELLE sits at the table with an invitation.
MADAME enters through the door.)

Answer 1

MADAME. A banquet! Why does the prince do this? It seems
cruelty beyond measure! Two significant social events
in one week. Now granted I have never looked lovelier.
But my physical perfection comes at a price.
(Looks at her hands.)
Gloves, that’s what it was! Cinderella! Where are the
gloves?
(She runs off into the back room, just as ELLA
enters the house.)

Question 2

GABRIELLE. I get to ladle! You heard me. And guess what
will happen to this beautiful dress and invitation?
I shall loan them both to you - you shall go in my
stead! And meet the prince and fall in love and get
married and exact revenge on Madame and try to keep
Jean-Michel out of the stockade. Tra-la-tra-la, the way
my mind works.

Answer 2

MADAME. (Offstage.) Cinderella! I can’t find my gloves!

Question 3

GABRIELLE. And don’t worry about Madame, she never
notices anything that isn’t her.
ELLA. Your gloves are right here, Madame!

Answer 3

MADAME. (Entering.) Why did you not tell me you had the
gloves, foolish child? Charlotte!! Make haste, child!
And those shoes are delicate and dainty.

Question 4

CHARLOTTE. (Hobbling.) My feet burn with the heat of a
hundred suns!

Answer 4

MADAME. To the carriage, daughters.

Question 5

GABRIELLE.(Grabbing her abdomen, and letting out a yelp.)
Oooooh! Madame - my stomach, I must have eaten
something this morning that disagrees with me. (Sits.)

Answer 5

MADAME. (Placing a glove down, distracted.) No, no - this
can’t prevent me from going to the banquet tonight.

Question 6

GABRIELLE. Go - you go without me - let Charlotte meet
the prince and steal him from the homely girl from the
ball - go - let Charlotte become queen!
CHARLOTTE. I think I can make that work.

Answer 6

MADAME. I shall do this battle with only half my troops.
Cinderella, fetch the physician. If Gabrielle is better,
send her to the castle immediately. Gabrielle, get better.
I insist on it. Keep your invitation.

Question 7

GABRIELLE. Thank you, Mother. I’ll come if I feel bette-
(Makes a vomit sound.)

Answer 7

MADAME. Not on the dress! Charlotte, the carriage awaits.
(MADAME and CHARLOTTE sweep out.)

Question 8

JEAN-MICHEL. Yes! Yes!
(Kisses her.)
Am I your boyfriend?
GABRIELLE. Yes!
JEAN-MICHEL. Yes!!
(JEAN-MICHEL and GABRIELLE kiss passionately.
MADAME walks in.)

Answer 8

MADAME. So that’s how it is?

Question 9

(JEAN-MICHEL and GABRIELLE quickly pull
apart and gasp at the sight of MADAME.)
GABRIELLE. Mama!

Answer 9

MADAME. My own daughter - my flesh and blood deceiving
me with someone so decidedly unsuitable. I had plans for you, Gabrielle, I had created a life for you and this is how you show your gratitude -
(She has found her glove. ELLA enters in
Gabrielle’s dress, holding her invitation.)

Question 10

ELLA. All dressed up and ready for court. How do I look?

Answer 10

MADAME. And you! Do you think you could go to court?
I never loved your father. I just wanted his money.
You’ve been nothing but a nuisance to me since the day
he died. You think you can wear a beautiful gown? You
think that is acceptable? You should be in rags.
(She rips ELLA’s dress.)
Worn-out rags, that’s all you deserve.
(She shreds the dress.)

Question 11

ELLA. No!
GABRIELLE. Mother, please stop!

Answer 11

MADAME. I am no longer your mother. You! Gabrielle, get out of my house, you are no longer welcome here - to
the devil with you!
(She throws the bits of torn dress at GABRIELLE
and JEAN-MICHEL as they turn and run off.
MADAME picks up the invitation and tears it
up, turning to the now-sobbing ELLA.)
I’ll decide what to do with you later.
(Begins to storm off, then stops.)
Why did you have to make me doubt myself, I was
doing so well?
(Exits.)