The Drunken Feathers

Scene viii

PRINCE OF WALES

(Irritated and desperate)

Why should you give a damn about Charles' veracity when I may very well lose everything in my possession?

(The PRINCE OF WALES gazes pensively at a portrait of MRS. FITZHERBERT on the wall.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

(Beat, pensive)

I have lost too much already.

GREY

I pray for Your Royal Highness' forgiveness and understanding.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Beat)

Are you adamant in your refusal, then?

GREY

I regret to say I am, sir.

GREY (narrating)

The Prince at last threw himself onto the couch and said...

PRINCE OF WALES

Then...Sheridan must say something.

(Back in the present, the WHIGS all turn to SHERIDAN, who groans with annoyance.)

SHERIDAN

Oh, damn it all.

(A stir in the crowd; the politicians in the room all turn towards the doors, which are opened for the PRINCE OF WALES. People make a path for him and bow as he walks gloomily towards the WHIGS. He carries a canteen in his hand, and he looks sickly, disheveled, and depressed.)

PRINCE OF WALES

Morning, gentlemen... I trust you all are much better off than I am at present.

(The PRINCE OF WALES notices the WHIGS impatiently glaring at him.)

PRINCE OF WALES (cont.)

Why am I received with such indifference?

LORD LOUGHBOROUGH

We have been informed, sir.

PRINCE OF WALES

Of what, pray tell?

DUKE OF PORTLAND

Of an event involving a certain lady.

(Pause. The PRINCE OF WALES feigns ignorance.)

LORD STORMONT

(In a low voice)

Mrs. Fitzherbert.

(The PRINCE OF WALES stares blankly at the WHIGS as though he has no idea what they are talking about.)

SHERIDAN

Goddammit, the marriage, George!

PRINCE OF WALES

(Feigning innocence)

What marriage?

FOX

(Loudly)

Your marriage to that Papist...

(The WHIGS attempt to quiet FOX so that they will not attract any unwanted attention from the TORIES. PITT and some of the TORIES glance at the WHIGS in confusion.)