Shadows of London: 1-7 A Night of Shakespeare

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Madam Petit arranges for Caroline and Jesse to watch A Midsummer Night's Dream together at the Ruby Opera House. Caroline looks forward to this evening at the theater, because Shakespeare reminds her of her mother.

Info

Style: Event Logs: Othello, Great Exhibition Recommended: Rose of Hyde Park, Royal Road, Memorial Grove, Wellington Secret, Rosy Crystal Palace, Floral Gloves, Roseate Gem Perfect Score: ~8,300 Rewards: 3,000 , 600 , 3 , 1 , 1 , Blueprint: Evening Study

Evening Study

Dialogue Choices

Note: Changing choices when replaying will cost 5

You: It's--

• The dramatic Othello
  • Vincent's Goodwill will rise
  • Event Log: Othello
• Tonight's A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Edward's Goodwill will rise

Transcript

Expand for script.

• I've been spending more time with Jesse, and Aunt Petit is delighted.
• She wants to encourage our relationship, and has arranged a special "date".

• Madam Petit: The Ruby Opera House is known in London for its Shakespeare, and I owe Bernard a favor for tonight's tickets.

• Madam Petit: My dear Caroline, please don't let our efforts go to waste.

• You: Aunt Petit, I've said before... Jesse and I are just friends.

• Madam Petit: Alright, I won't nag you any further. It's good for a young lady to be reserved.

• Madam Petit: There's no time left. Get changed and I'll let Jack send you to the Opera House.

• I'm overjoyed when I find out that tonight's play is <A Midsummer Night's Dream>.
• I vaguely remember that Mother used to practise the lines at home.
• "The course of true love never did run smooth." I kept hearing this sentence over and over again.

• Night has fallen, and the lamps are lit in the Western District. Even the puddles left behind the rain are glimmering in the light.
• The Ruby Opera House shines like the brightest star of all.
• Carriages flood the street in front of the opera house. Gentlefolk dressed in grand clothing alight elegantly from the carriages.
• Leaning on the carriage door, I look around and spot a tall and familiar figure.

• You: Good evening, Doctor Grey.

• Edward Grey: Good evening, Miss Rayes.

• You: What a coincidence to run into you here.

• Edward Grey: Not that much of a coincidence. Jesse asked me to come.

• Edward Grey: He's down with a cold, and needs to rest at home, but he didn't want to disappoint you, so he asked me to keep you company.

• You: Will Jesse be alright?

• Edward Grey: Don't worry. If he hadn't been so fond of wandering about, he'd have fully recovered two days ago.

• You: Actually, Jesse could have just sent me a letter to inform me.

• You: He's sick. How could I take his trusted doctor away from him?

• Edward Grey: I'm very sure that right now what he needs most is sleep, not his doctor.

• Edward Grey: The play's about to begin. Let us go in.

• You: Alright.

• I'm not with Jesse, but even with Doctor Grey, we attract a fair bit of attention.
• Many aristocrats know Doctor Grey, and they all come to greet us.
• I remember Aunt Petit's lessons and manage to maintain the semblance of a proper young lady.
• Edward Grey: You seem a lot more cautious than before. Why don't you relax a little?

• Edward Grey: Both Jesse and I hope that you'll be able to enjoy the evening.

• You: It's my first time to a theater, and it's all so new to me.

• But my discomfort soon vanishes, and I'm enthralled by the play.
• You: (Father says that he got acquainted with Mother through Shakespeare.)

• You: (I wonder what Mother looked like on stage... She must have been so beautiful.)

• I glance at Doctor Grey. He seems quite calm, and almost emotionless.
• There's a break between acts, and as the curtain falls, he claps and notices me looking.
• Edward Grey: What's wrong, Miss Rayes?

• You: Do you not like...this play?

• You: It might be a bit presumptuous of me, but you didn't smile at all during the play.

• Edward Grey: It's such a beautiful and delightful story. I'm sure most people like it.

• Edward Grey: And well, maybe I'm always burying my face in medical research...

• Edward Grey: And as time goes by, this stern expression has stuck on my face.

• You: No, you have a very kind smile right now.

• You: I hope that smile will remain on your face when the curtain lifts again.

• Edward Grey: I shall try my best.

• Edward Grey: There's still some time before the next half. Would you like to get some fresh air outside?

• You: I'd love to.

• You: Oh, it's pretty cold outside.

• Edward Grey: I wasn't thinking. If you're cold, why don't we go back inside?

• You: There's no need. I can withstand a bit of breeze.

• You: Let's breathe in some fresh air for a while.

• Young Girl: Please sir, buy a flower for this pretty lady!

• A perky flower girl has appeared out of nowhere, and she's hugging a large bundle of red roses.
• Edward Grey: How many pennies?

• Doctor Grey bends down to select a flower. The sight of the bright red roses makes me sentimental.
• "Red roses in a heap, gentle moonbeams..."
• The familiar lullaby is in my mind again, and I give my head a little shake.
• Edward Grey: Are you alright, Miss Rayes?

• You: I'm, I'm fine... I just... don't really like red roses.

• Edward Grey: Oh, I'm sorry, this lady doesn't like red roses.

• Doctor Grey fishes out a penny for the flower girl and apologizes to her.
• Young Girl: What a perfect gentleman!

• The flower girl winks at me playfully, and then runs off after another couple.
• I turn my eyes away from the crimson bundle. A familiar voice calls out my name.
• Vincent Savile: Miss Rayes, good evening. We meet again.

• Mr. Savile's face is pale under the moonlight. He's smiling and seems to be in good spirits.
• You: Good evening, Mr. Savile. Are you here to watch <A Midsummer Night's Dream> as well?

• Vincent Savile: Yes, thanks to Mr. Erskine.

• Vincent Savile: This is...?

• You: Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce the two of you. This is Doctor Edward Grey.

• You: Doctor Grey, this is Mr. Vincent Savile, a poet.

• Edward Grey: Nice to meet you, Mr. Savile.

• Edward Grey: I'm afraid I know very little about poetry. What sort of poetry do you write?

• Vincent Savile: I'm just a relatively new poet, and my works aren't worth mentioning.

• Vincent Savile: But you're pretty famous, Doctor Grey.

• Vincent Savile: Everyone says your skills are top-notch, and you're very personable. You're the most popular doctor in the ton.

• Edward Grey: You flatter me. I merely carry out my duties as a doctor.

• Edward Grey: You must allow me to read your poetry some day.

• The gentlemen chat for a while, and then Mr. Savile turns his gaze on me.
• Vincent Savile: Is there something on your mind, Miss Rayes?

• Vincent Savile: You seem rather troubled.

• You: I'm really enjoying the play, Mr. Savile.

• You: I was just... mulling over some things regarding Shakespeare.

• I made up an excuse.
• Vincent Savile: Oh, to be, or not to be, that is the question.

• You: It's not as serious as the question of existence in <Hamlet>...

• You: Or perhaps I should say, Shakespeare reminded me of the past.

• Vincent Savile: Looks like Miss Rayes is well acquainted with Shakespeare's works.

• Vincent Savile: Which play is your favorite?

• You: It's--

The dramatic <Othello>

• Vincent Savile: An unexpected answer.

• Vincent Savile: I never imagined you'd like the same play I do, the tragic <Othello>.

• Vincent Savile: I thought you'd choose a comedy instead, or a romance, like <Romeo and Juliet>.

• You: I like that a lot too.

• You: But when it comes to characters, the ill-fated, contradictory Othello is what moves me.

• Edward Grey: Intensely loyal and horrifically cruel, he really is an exceptionally captivating character on stage.

• Edward Grey: But someone like that would be dangerous in real life. We should all practise a reasonable degree of restraint.

• Vincent Savile: People are complicated. You never know if there's another side hiding underneath a gentlemanly facade.

• Vincent Savile: Life can never be free of dramatic elements. Art is after all, a reflection of the world.

Tonight's <A Midsummer Night's Dream>

• Vincent Savile: The choice between reason and passion.

• Vincent Savile: A romance filled with humor and charming fantasy is always popular with young ladies.

• You: That's not the only reason why I love <A Midsummer Night's Dream>.

• You: Hermia's quest for freedom, and her courage in defying the rules, are what move me.

• Edward Grey: I see Miss Rayes is a pretty assertive young woman.

• Edward Grey: No wonder Jesse keeps talking about you.

• You: Don't tease me...

• To cover up my embarrassment, I address the bored Mr. Savile beside us.
• You: And which Shakespeare play do you like best, Mr. Savile?

• Vincent Savile: <Othello>.

• Vincent Savile: The male protagonist's ill fate, and his violent internal struggles are extremely moving to me.

• Edward Grey: Then you should frequent the Ruby Opera House. <Othello> is one of their regular plays.

• Edward Grey: There was a striking performance of it here.

• Edward Grey: Apparently, the actress playing Desdemona was so convincing, she looked like the living version of the character.

• Our conversation has attracted the attention of an elderly man.
• He smiles as he approaches, and greets Doctor Grey.
• Doctor Grey introduces him to us. The elderly man is the owner of the Ruby Opera House -- George Johnson.
• George Johnson: Thank you, Doctor Grey. May I ask why Mr. Lindvall is absent today?

• Edward Grey: Mr. Lindvall has caught a cold, and needs to rest at home.

• George Johnson: I see, may he have a speedy recovery.

• George Johnson: And how should I address these two elegant people here?

• Edward Grey: Miss Caroline Rayes is Madam Petit's niece.

• Edward Grey: And this gentleman here is a poet -- Mr. Vincent Savile.

• George Johnson: And that is why you have such good insight on the works of Shakespeare.

• Vincent Savile: I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Johnson.

• Vincent Savile: Frankly speaking, I've been considering writing plays.

• George Johnson: Since you all seem so interested in plays, and Mr. Savile is a man of the arts...

• George Johnson: Perhaps you would like a tour of the showroom backstage, after the play?

• George Johnson: All of the backdrops and props we've used for the Shakespearean revival over the past 30 years are displayed there.

• You: We would be delighted. Thank you for the invite.

• After the curtains fall, we make our way to the showroom.
• Mr. Johnson excitedly introduces every single prop displayed on a long table.
• George Johnson: This is King Lear's scepter, and this is Macbeth's crown.

• George Johnson: And this is the most exquisite Juliet's poison flask, crafted during the Great Exhibition.

• While gazing at the props he's pointing out to us, I come across a painting leaning against the wall, covered by a white cloth.
• You: And what play was this used for?

• George Johnson: Oh, that's not a prop.

• George Johnson: You heard mention of a famous Desdemona earlier today.

• George Johnson: This painting was created by a young artist who admired her.

• You: May I have a look?

• George Johnson: Of course, my lady.

• You: This is...

• The subject of the painting seems as if she's from a different world.
• You: This is my mother!

• You: I know she was an actress, but I never imagined I'd find her likeness here...

• George Johnson: No wonder you seemed rather familiar. You're Lavinia's daughter.

• You: Yes, that is her name!

• You: Mr. Johnson, will you tell me about my mother's time in the opera house?

• You: She never mentioned it to me...

• Mr. Johnson eyes me hesitantly for a while, and then heaves a sigh.
• George Johnson: Lavinia never signed a contract with the opera house. She was a last minute stand-in.

• George Johnson: I admired her talent, but she was always hard to find, and very secretive.

• You: I think that's because... her marriage to my father didn't gain the approval of the ton.

• George Johnson: Those days must have taken a toll on her, and her health was never good.

• George Johnson: It was purely an accident when she was cast as Desdemona, but she became a legend of the Ruby Opera House.

• George Johnson: An unknown actress gained countless admirers overnight, including this artist.

• George Johnson: But when the painting arrived, Lavinia had already vanished.

• You: What happened then?

• George Johnson: I hired people to ask about her whereabouts, but all I got was a bunch of rumors.

• George Johnson: Some people say she went insane, and others say she died of illness...

• George Johnson: If you don't mind, will you tell me... why she disappeared without a word?

• You: She... She and my father...

• My voice is tremulous.
• Edward Grey: Miss Rayes, are you alright?

• Edward Grey: You don't need to force yourself.

• Edward Grey: Or perhaps, if our presence is discomforting, Mr. Savile and I can wait for you outside.

• You: No, it's alright.

• You: My father cut ties with his family, and lived with my mother in Saint George. They both passed away from tuberculosis...

• You: It's not a secret in the ton.

• George Johnson: Saint George was more dangerous back then.

• George Johnson: It was filthy and crammed, and thieves lined the streets. I heard there was an epidemic too.

• George Johnson: A delicate woman like Lavinia really shouldn't stay in such a terrible place.

• George Johnson: *sigh* How unfortunate...

• You: To be honest, I recently tried to look for my old home in Saint George.

• You: But I didn't manage to find it...

• George Johnson: The Eastern District has undergone a few rectifications, and much has changed.

• George Johnson: I'm afraid the church and the workhouse are the only buildings that remain the same.

• You: I see...

• We bid each other goodbye, and Mr. Johnson gives me the veiled painting.
• I notice that the date on the back is 13 years old, and the year my parents passed away.

• Aunt Petit's plan was to have Jesse send me back after the play, so she hadn't arranged for Jack to fetch me.
• It's late at night, and Doctor Grey voluntarily offers to escort me back to Aunt Petit's residence.
• We part with Mr. Savile in front of the opera house. He gazes at me meaningfully, but doesn't say a word.