(The kitchen of Griselda's house. The ki...

(The kitchen of Griselda's house. The kitchen is filthy and cluttered. The time is a year after the wedding. There is no-one on stage and there is a knocking at the door.)

Griselda (enters carrying a candle): All right, all right. I'm coming. No need to break the door down.

(She opens the door and a cloaked figure stands outlined against the night.)

Griselda: Who are you and what do you want?

(The figure lowers the cloak to reveal the face of Queen Alexandra.)

Queen Alexandra: It is I!

Griselda: I had no idea, Your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness.

Queen Alexandra: You are excused. Now get out of the way and let me in.

Griselda: The footman would usually answer the door, but he sleeps so soundly. He is not a young man you see, but he's the best we could find. Frederick! Frederick!

Queen Alexandra: Be quiet! It may have escaped your notice, but I was banished on pain of death. I hardly think waking the servants is such a good idea.

Griselda: But I thought, with Rudolf finishing his punishment, that you would be free to return.

Queen Alexandra: Oh no! The king was quite adamant about that. Banished for life.

Griselda: Then surely it is dangerous for you to be here.

Queen Alexandra: How perceptive of you.

Griselda: Then why did you come?

Queen Alexandra: Being in exile was driving me mad. Just imagine, an entire year spent with my relatives! They used to talk about me in hushed whispers. "Yes that's the one. Always was too big for her boots if you ask me." Well I'll show them!

Griselda: I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I don't quite understand.

Queen Alexandra: My banishment was for life, by proclamation of the king. Well life cuts both ways - either my life, or his. Once my son is on the throne, I shall return in triumph. Then people can laugh at me if they dare.

Griselda: But I don't quite see what you mean. The king is in excellent health.

Queen Alexandra: Well we may have to do something about that.

Griselda: Your Majesty, that would be treason!

Queen Alexandra: I've done worse in my time. A little poison here, a little dagger there. It all helps the ship of state to glide more smoothly in a sea of troubles.

Griselda: But Your Majesty, to kill your own husband would be horrible.

Queen Alexandra: Don't talk nonsense!

Griselda: And you would never get near him without being arrested.

Queen Alexandra: That is where you come in.

Griselda: Me Your Majesty. What have I got to do with it?

Queen Alexandra: You are going to poison my husband for me.

Griselda: Why should I? I have no grievance against the king.

Queen Alexandra: Well, for one thing, he gave half of the kingdom to that spoiled brat of a sister of yours.

Griselda: Hardly a reason for murder, surely.

Queen Alexandra: Also, it would make me very happy. And if I'm happy, my son might be very grateful.

Griselda: Go on.

Queen Alexandra: I promise that if you help me to kill the king, my son will marry you as a reward. Hail Queen Griselda. How does that sound?

Griselda: What makes you think he would marry me?

Queen Alexandra: He is my son after all. He knows better than to cross me.

Griselda: This is a lot to think about.

Queen Alexandra: You must decide now. Here is the poison. Slipped into red wine it is quite undetectable. There is no danger to you, and my son and I will be in your debt.

Griselda: What about Cinderella?

Queen Alexandra: Poison her too? No, I've thought of that. She and that damned Buttons are too popular. A nasty revelation followed by a public trial should do the trick. She isn't Princess Anne-Marie. Any fool can see that. The senile ravings of a demented king shortly before his death. Once she has been exposed as a fraud, we can have a nice little execution. Decapitation is my preference, but I leave the final choice up to you.

Griselda: You've thought of everything.

Queen Alexandra: So will you do it?

Griselda: I don't see how I could do anything else. Your Majesty's displeasure so often proves fatal.

Queen Alexandra: Excellent, we understand each other. Now I must go before I am discovered. (She exits.)

Griselda: What am I going to do? Drusilla!

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