Episode 4: To Best Please Me
Description
Puck returns to the mortals' apartment with another special delivery...this time for Demetrius. Oberon is unhappy with the state of his sourdough.
To read the full scripts, check out the show notes at: https://a-midsummers-quarantine.captivate.fm
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Episode Four:
To Best Please Me
Cast
(In Order of Appearance)
Puck -- JOE CRUZ
Oberon -- TREVOR SCHECHTER
Helena -- AMELIA KINCH
Demetrius -- TONY WOODS
Hermia -- JACI SZILAGYI
Lysander -- GREG CARROBIS
Titania -- AVALON WILLOWBLOOM
Scene One
INT. MORTALS' PLACE
[Demetrius has the mic and is muttering to it. Distant chatter with a bickering edge in the background.]
DEMETRIUS
Heeey Handbasketers. Handbasketeers? Do you folks have a name for yourselves?
[sigh]
So, Helena's being Helena, thinking of everyone else before herself. Including you. Her fans. The fact that she's recording again... I tried to get her to take a day off, but no.
Maybe you guys know Lysander better. Maybe she talks about him on the show more. I don’t know why she would, but… well, I’m kind of grasping at straws here. Is this… normal for him? Helena definitely mentioned that he was a disaster, but this level of flirting is… Well. It’s uncomfortable. I certainly had some uncomfortable revelations.
[pause]
And don’t get me wrong, he’s still flirting with everyone, sort of. That seems to just be how he talks. But it feels like his heart is only in it with Helena. It’s really weird. At least when they first showed up, he seemed so enamored with Hermia. Now he seems to think of her -- and me, but that’s less important -- as a pretty distraction from his sun, moon, and stars, which, seriously, is an actual thing he called Helena.
Hel's not editing these, either, by the way. Just uploading without listening. She said she hasn’t had the energy, and I don’t blame her. I offered to help, but you guys know Hel. That was a lost cause as soon as I had the idea.
Therefore, I decided to be proactive. It just so happens that the beehives on the roof needed to be drained urgently, and I was unable to do it because of a term paper deadline that had moved. And as you all know, Helena can be tricked out of stressing out over work if she thinks she can protect someone else from their own woes. So she’s off taking care of that, which hopefully is a good distraction. And to make sure she doesn’t have to make up time for lost content, I’ve taken the mic. And retreated to my room to get away from the...weirdness...that is Lysander and Hermia.
Helena usually treats these things like a confessional or a diary, right? I--I can do that. I think. I definitely don’t have any big secrets, though! That’s what reality shows are all about, right? Dramatic stuff, like secretly being in love for years and years, and never knowing how to say anything about it that does the feeling justice without compromising a friendship that you truly value and hold dear to your heart.
...Or something like that. I wouldn’t know.
Erm. I guess, uh. Oh, hey, how about this? Hermia’s trying to get us all to do yoga every morning. And I mean, I’m not opposed to that! You all know I’ve been getting pretty into the kettlebell myself lately. But it feels like she’s trying to bring her insta-fluencing into our routine, mine and Helena’s, and...
[Door opens]
Ah! Lysander?
LYSANDER
Demetrius! It seems someone is at the apartment door.
DEMETRIUS
… can’t you get it?
LYSANDER
I would! But it seemed to upset my beloved Helena when I answered the door last time. And I would rather walk across hot coals than cause her any -- (distress)
DEMETRIUS
Okay! I got it!
[mutters, sound of walking]
Whoever's at the door has got to be more fun than that mess.
[Demetrius opens the door]
HELENA
Hey! Just me! Here’s your honey. It wasn’t nearly as full as you were worried, though. The bees are really becoming so friendly! I didn’t even need the helmet!
DEMETRIUS
I told you. Patience pays off, right?
HELENA
Is that the mic?
DEMETRIUS
Yeah! I thought… I thought I’d make sure you didn’t have to stay up late giving extra hours of material or something.
HELENA
Oh! Wow. Dimi, thank you, that’s so--
HERMIA
Helena! Are you back? I need your face.
HELENA
Yeah, that sounds about right. Do you mind holding on to the mic for a little longer? Oh, and I let your Drizly delivery guy into the building!
DEMETRIUS
Yeah, sure! No problem! And thank you!
[HELENA walks away]
Wait. Not thank you. I didn’t order--
PUCK
[Appearing out of nowhere.]
Demetrius, right?
DEMETRIUS
[Shrill scream.]
Oh my god. Don’t do that. You’re the… Drizly guy? But I didn’t order any-- Hold on. How do you know my name? Do I know you?
PUCK
I come bearing booze!
[leans in to whisper...right at the mic]
About last time I was here...I want to make it up to you.
DEMETRIUS
You were here before?
PUCK
You're my favorite, you know.
DEMETRIUS
I am? Your favorite what?
PUCK
You've always been my favorite, and I wanted to make it up to you.
DEMETRIUS
Make what up to me? I'm sorry, who are you?
PUCK
I'm a basketcase!
DEMETRIUS
Oh...Oh! Helena in a Hand-- Got it! Basketcase! Wait. What are you making up to me?
PUCK
I've been listening?
DEMETRIUS
[looks over his shoulder]
Ah. I mean. It's not like it's your fault.
PUCK
[angelic]
Nothing is ever my fault.
DEMETRIUS
Yeah, that's. What I said.
PUCK
Anyway, I brought this for you. Oatmeal stout, right? Your favorite?
DEMETRIUS
How did you--
PUCK
I listen to the show!
DEMETRIUS
I haven’t really talked about my alcohol preferences on air. Have I?
PUCK
Of course, why wouldn't you! So this is for you, on me!
DEMETRIUS
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