Below is the story line for which we will follow. A script will be provided in the official audition if you are invited for the second round! Good luck!

ACT I

SCENE I - In the private quarters of Cecilia's room as she is getting ready for the night. In the private quarters of Albert's room.

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CECILIA VO: I’ve only ever anticipated one other night of dancing in all my life. The night I snuck out with Danny, and Eric showed up; ooh what a night. My dear papa has taken it upon himself to show me a few of the line dances, and I have practiced them with Albert. My dress couldn't be more perfect, lined in gold, the rich shade of red will surely turn heads. And thanks to Charles, Albert and I will be the only two in that color.

Upon arriving back to the country, we discovered that the necklace that had come with me to the past is now missing. Varick noticed in Rosia’s last few memories, there’d been magical tampering. It either means Barbanon is definitely onto us, or Roderick stole the necklace himself. Now we will never know.

ALBERT VO: THE NIGHT has fallen quickly and the guests are already starting to arrive.  I am now dressed for the evening and anxiety is high. Duke Van Wieran's home is gorgeous and the evening has been outlined for us. (peeks out the nearest window as another carriage arrives) I look forward to being in Cecilia's presence once more.

ALBERT: (leaves the window to knock on the nearby door) Cecilia? [mildly concerned]

 ALBERT VO: (fixing jacket) She wasn't herself last evening, and I haven't seen her all day. I'm excited to see this color on her, the deep red will look ravishing.

The door opens slowly, as Rosia rushes back behind a partition.

CECILIA: Albert, if you give me just one... more... moment... ah! I think that's good, Rosia.

Albert cautiously steps into the bedroom.

From behind the partition, Rosia's dress pokes out from the left side. Cecilia's dress peeks out from the opposite side. Albert’s excitement building.

ROSIA: Just… a little… more… my lady. There!

Cecilia steps from behind the partition, the sight of her taking Albert’s by surprise.

Silence between them as Albert assesses Cecilia’s dress, mildly stunned.

CECILIA: It's better if you say something, Albert (playful tone) Do you think they'll approve?

ALBERT: They don't deserve to be in your presence. You're a Goddess.

Albert approaches Cecilia, reaching for her hand with a mask

ALBERT: But yes, they'll definitely approve. I'm certain we will be requested to join the celebration soon once all guests have arrived.

Cecilia glances at Rosia then curtsies

CECILIA: I can finish up from here, Rosia. Enjoy the festivities. Have a few drinks. Be Cinderella.

ROSIA EXITS

Albert curiously glances at Cecilia

ALBERT: Cinderella?

CECILIA: Everyone deserves to feel like a princess for at least one day,” she replies, grinning.

ALBERT: Well, let's head back to my room, don our masks and wait for your father to retrieve us. If, that's okay with you. (gesture at the door leading back to his room) We can see all the arriving guests from there. We can guess their names.”

ABLERT VO: That sounded more juvenile out loud.

CECILIA: (giggles) Oh, Albert. (loops her arm into Albert’s)

ROOM TRANSITION

CECILIA: (perks up at the window, pointing) He looks like a Lord Alfred and her, a Lady Bernadette.

ALBERT VO: (Smiling smug) Perhaps not so juvenile after all.

CECILIA: (shrugging, looks back at Albert) Anything to pass the time.

ANNOUNCER VO: Lord Frederick and Lady Odette have arrived.

CECILIA: (Snaps) So close! The Fred and Dette were right there.

ALBERT: You're pretty good at this, that's the closest I've ever seen anyone guess. Unless of course, they cheated and knew who they were.

CECILIA: I wasn't even really trying, but this is kind of fun.

Time appears to pass as the continue joking about the guests.

ALBERT: (teasing) It's appears your suitor has arrived.

CECILIA: (tracing the window with her finger, daydreaming) Well if that's the case, I will guess his name is Eric and hope magic will take care of the rest.

ALBERT: You really miss him, don't you?

CECILIA: (lays back, sighs) Miss is an understatement, really. For every moment we are apart, I feel less whole. But something inside me maintains the faith, I know he'll find me. They can't very well force me to marry someone else, can they?

Knock at the door.

LORD MANUEL ENTERS

ALBERT: (whisper) Not if your father has anything to do with it.

MANUELE: (approaches) I had no doubts, but my dear you are stunning. The gentlemen here this evening will have trouble keeping their wives. (greets with a kiss to both cheeks, turns to Albert) However, I think they may be a little intimidated by your escort. The last guest has arrived, they are ready for you two to make your grand entrance. I've also brought you both a little hors d’oeuvre. You won't have any time for food for almost an hour. The courting period begins the moment you reach the base of the stairs, just like we practiced.

CECILIA: (reaching for food) Don't mind if I do, I'm starving.

Manuele and Albert stare at Briellyn in fascination as she eats.

CECILIA: What? (smiling) I needed to be sure I fit into this corset, I haven't eaten all day just to be sure of it! I can't very well pass out during the courting though, that'd be embarrassing.

MANUELE: Indeed it would (laugh)

Music begins, Cecilia stands in front of Albert, assesses him, fixes his necktie before wiping a crumb from his lip. Lord Manuele hands both a mint leaf. Cecilia takes a deep breath, rests her hand on Albert’s forearm, before the soft candle lights of the main hall finally embrace us, Lord Manuele leads the way.

SCENE II - LIVE

CECILIA and ALBERT ascend the stairs on separate sides, joining where the stairwell meets in the middle. He escorts her to the base of the stairs, her hand gliding over the rail. THE ROOM comes to a still, camera PANS the room of masked faces.

Close up of the string quartet begins to play as we slowly walk down the stairs.

Once Cecilia and Albert reach the base of the stairs, everyone encases them in a circle.

The water music begins as our courting starts. About a minute into the song, Manuele gives the signal to the quartet, who switch to a string rendition of 'Por Una Cabeza'

DANCE – CECILIA has her back to all suitors for first thirty seconds.

The water music returns at the end of the dance like nothing happened. Inviting others to join.

CLOSEUP of first Duke’s eyes, hazel in color. Short dance.

CLOSEUP of 3rd courter, MARQUIS OF SCARS. CECILIA looks frightened as his lips move from his voice being so deep. CLOSEUP of scar on neck peaking out of his mask and scarf.

Dance with Prince Qadim.

PRINCE QADIM: Are you having fun, my future Queen?

CECILIA: This future Queen is in love with someone else. (screwed on smile)

PRINCE QADIM: We don't need love, my lady. Love is overrated. Marriage is a strategic partnership; you just need to make each other better. Patience and tolerance is a necessity, love is not.  

Dance with Sir Taylor

SIR TAYLOR: Fancy seeing you here, my lady.

CECILIA: (teasing) I wondered when you'd come save me from the dragons.

SIR TAYLOR: And yet here you are again, handling the beasts quite effortlessly. And after me, only one left. I'm fortunate to have made your top eight.

CECILIA: Yes, only one more then I will be relieved of duty. At least for a while. I'm grateful to have had at least one suitor who, other than Albert, was level-headed.

CECILIA turns toward SIR TAYLOR as usual in the dance.

SIR TAYLOR: The pleasure is mine, my lady.

Bow to one another.

ANNOUNCER VO: And now, the final dance.

CECILIA VO: Thank goodness, I'm starving.

The last waltz begins, fifteen seconds pass.

CECILIA: (tease) A bit of stage fright, darling?

ERIC: Trying to figure out if I'm still jealous of that dance with the young Albert, or if you're rendition of the dance from Scent of a Woman is accurate, or was it True Lies

CECILIA VO:  I know this voice (excited and anxious)

BENJAMIN: Don't turn around just yet, you'll make it obvious that I've won this courtship.

Dance closer

CECILIA: Eric (breathless)

BENJAMIN: In about two hundred years perhaps, but these people know me as Benjamin, The Duke Van Wieran.

CLOSEUP of Benjamin’s eyes.

BENJAMIN: I swear you become more exquisite each day.

CECILIA: Where have you been? I thought I've felt your presence on multiple occasions, including tonight, but every time it happened you were nowhere in sight.

BENJAMIN: I think 'sight' would be the keyword there, Briellyn. I would never leave you for too long.

CLOSEUP of his mask, his jawline, the shape of his lips, his rich dark hair and striking blue eyes.

CLOSEUP of Cecilia biting her lip.

CECILIA VO: I want to drown in his love

BENJAMIN: My sentiments exactly. (pulls her closer) I can't believe you did the tango with Albert, but more impressed that you were able to teach the quartet the song, that's not an easy feat. Then again, you're an amazing woman that knows no boundaries. Still, these few weeks have been torture without you. I despised just watching.

CECILIA: Is that why you wouldn't see me, at your estate about the party?

BENJAMIN: Believe it or not my love, there really are two of me in this century.

CECILIA: So then, do you remember being asked to meet me? Is history repeating itself?

BENJAMIN: Excellent question, but we have plenty of time to discuss these things, I’d love to continue drowning myself in your touch. It’s so elating I almost can’t breathe.

The music stops. Hesitant to release each other.

BENJAMIN: I'll find you later, don't keep your fans waiting for too long.

Cecilia bows to Benjamim, hands still locked. She unwillingly releases their grasp. Then searches for Manuele.

CECILIA VO: Did he know this whole time?

END ACT I

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