| TIME: Christmas Eve. CHARACTERS: Arabella, a heartless French doll; Koko, a melodramatic Japanese doll; Jackski-in-the-Boxovitch, the Muscovite Mystery. SCENES: The children's room. A Christmas tree, properly decorated, L. A box or hamper with a hinged cover, large enough to contain Jack, center. An entrance, R. Arabella is costumed as a lady doll should be. Koko is attired in Japanese style, either old or modern military, and wears a sword. Jack should have abundant black hair and beard and should be provided with a gilded club. When the curtain rises, Arabella is discovered seated under the Christmas tree, eating comfits. The action should be stiff-jointed and doll-like throughout. |
| Arabella(rising): | |
| Oh, marvelous is Nature! Onlysee How bounteous the spreadingChristmas tree That bears upon its branchessugar-plums, With candy canes and baskets, ballsand drums And trumpets, whistles, candles,pop-corn strings, And countless kinds of gilt andtinsel things! Beneath its shade I'll sit me downa while And read, an idle moment tobeguile, These tender letters penned bysuitors three Who seek my hand—Whatcan they see in me? (Seating herself, she takes outthree letters, opening one.)That sailor doll! He talks offoreign lands And sings; but I can't bear histarry hands! Besides, 'tis rash to trust theseroving men. (Tearing the letter.)So,Bobbie Shafto, go to sea again. (She opens anotherletter.)Poor Koko! How that soldier boy does tease! To tell the truth, I like thatJapanese: But, no! 'twould never do. I can'tafford To wed a doll with nothing but asword. (She sighs, folds the letter,and opens the third.)A crest! The Marquis!—Yes, he'sdull, alas! But think!—the Marchioness ofCarabas! | |
| (Rising, she marches majestically R. Kokoenters hurriedly. He throws himself at her feet and seizes herhand.) | |
| Koko: | |
| Hail, Arabella. (She drawsaway.) Nay, be not so nice! Though I said "Hail!" yet do notturn to ice. That chilly manner fairly makes onefreeze. Behold me down upon my Japanknees! He bends to thee who never kneltbefore! Thou art my all. | |
| Arabella(aside): | |
| Oh, sawdust! What abore! | |
| Koko: | |
| One word from thee would liftme to the skies. Pray speak that word! | |
| Arabella: | |
| I'll try to, sir.Arise! | |
| Koko: | |
| Nay, mock me not! You know theword I mean. | |
| Arabella: | |
| Oh, Captain Koko! please don'tmake a scene. | |
| Koko: | |
| What! Do you spurnme? | |
| Arabella(soothingly): | |
| Now, I wouldn't care To put it that way. Captain, don'tdespair! That German doll would make a modelwife. But, frankly, I don't fancy armylife. | |
| Koko: | |
| Ha! scorned! I know what bringsit to this pass. That stupid Marquis—he ofCarabas. False girl, beware! You'll find,ere years have rolled, That honest steel is better farthan gold. Farewell! (Exittragically.) | |
| Arabella: | |
| Good-by! Drop in some night fortea. (She stands L. of box,musing.)I wonder what an "honest steal" can be! Perhaps he'll soon return to makeit clear. I hope he does; it's awful lonelyhere. | |
(Jack springs up in the box, holding his gilded club in hisright hand. With his left he seizes Arabella by the hair.) | |
| Jack: | |
| Be mine! be mine! I'm handsome,wise and rich; My name isJackski-in-the-Boxovitch! In token of my boundless wealth,behold This weighty war-club, made ofmassy gold. My noble castle's built of wood andglue; Within its walls is ample room fortwo; Then be my bride and all mytreasure share! You know, I always fancied auburnhair. | |
| Arabella: | |
| Help! help! Oh, save me fromthis horrid fright! | |
| Jack: | |
| Now, don't call names; it'sdreadful impolite. | |
(Re-enter Koko.) | |
| Koko: | |
| What cries are these? Whathorror meets my view? Unhand her, caitiffgiant! | |
| Jack: | |
| Not for you! | |
| Koko: | |
| Then draw! (Unsheathing hissword.) | |
| Jack: | |
| I can't. I'm not an artist,man. But I can fight. | |
| Koko: | |
| 'Tis time then webegan. | |
| Jack: | |
| Come on! | |
| Koko: | |
| Come on! | |
| Jack: | |
| Come on! I said itfirst | |
| Koko: | |
| False traitor! | |
| Jack: | |
| Feeble pigmy, do yourworst! | |
(They fight. Koko strikes the club from Jack's hand anddrives him down into the box.) | |
| Koko: | |
| Down! down! In the vile casketwhence you sprung Remain, unwept, unhonored, andunsung! | |
(He picks up the golden war-club.) | |
| Arabella: | |
| My hero! (She falls intoKoko's arms.) | |
| Koko: | |
| Lady, thus the Fatesreveal How conquered gold is won by honeststeel. The tyrant's hoard is ours; and, ifyou'll deign To say your Koko's suit is not invain, Within this lordly castle, warmedby steam, We'll live on sugar, strawberries,and cream. | |
(Jack pops up with a white handkerchief in one hand andstretches his arms over the pair in front of his box.) | |
| Jack: | |
| Bless you, mychildren! | |
| Koko (hands onsword): | |
| What, again! | |
| Jack (waving thehandkerchief): | |
| Hold, hold! A truce to war! I would a taleunfold; So, never let your angry passionsrise. In me you see a fairy indisguise— A kindly fairy. Thus, with openhands, I give to valiant Koko wealth andlands. Fair Arabella! Nature, Fortune,Art, Have made her perfect—lackingbut a heart; So let her take, that want to cure,I say, These pleasant tablets, three timesevery day. | |
| (He gives her a handful of heart-shapedsugar-candies which she obediently begins to eat. ) | |
| Now for your futures: Kokoshall belong To Master Lee; and, being verystrong, He won't be broken for a month orso. But Arabella,—her I dobestow On Baby Maud. Them shall you serveby day; But oft at night, when toys aretucked away, When all the house is hushed and noone sees, We'll here enact such pleasantplays as these Beneath the Christmastree. You've held the floor | |
| Arabella andKoko (shutting down the cover): | |
| For half an hour, Jack. Don'tbe a bore! | |
[QUICK CURTAIN.]