Romeo and Juliet Reimagined

Starting from Paris's exit, Act 4, scene 1

(In Juliet's Room)

Juliet:

Father, I cannot handle the guilt of marrying Paris yet being married and in love with Romeo

I cannot bear to wear Paris's ring, he in whom does not own my love

I feel so helpless, Friar, I don't know what to do (she glances at a knife on her nightstand)

Friar Lawrence:

Worry not, Juliet, I have an idea (he holds up a vial)

Drink this before your wedding with Paris

It will make it seem to everyone that you are dead

Your lips will go cold and your heart will stall, however, you will wake in two days as if you were in a peaceful sleep

They will lay you down

Then, is when you can run off with Romeo

Juliet:

I trust you, Friar (she takes the vial)

Friar Lawrence:

Then I shall tell Romeo

(A thud is heard near the doorway as Friar Lawrence is leaving)

(In The Kitchen At The Same Time As The Last Setting)

Nurse:

Lady, are you sure that is a wise choice for Juliet to marry when she is in mourning?

Lady Capulet:

The wedding must happen whether Juliet likes it or not

Nurse:

Her cousin has just died, she is no position to make such a jurassic decision

Capulet:

(Entering with Paris) It is not her decision to make

Paris:

I'm sure our love will help her in her position (He weakly smiles)

(The nurse annoyingly goes to Juliet's room)

Scene 2

Nurse:

Jules? (Sees Juliet on her bed, seemingly dead) Jules! Juliet! (She shakes Juliet)

Juliet! Lady! Lady!

Lady Capulet:

What is it nurse? (She screams as she sees Juliet)

Nurse:

My lady, I believe she is dead

She has no pulse (she begins sobbing)

Narrator

She drinks and falls

Her lips have gone cold

Her heartbeat stalls

Vial in hand, hither to a ring of gold

(Romeo's estate)

Romeo:

My dearest Juliet

I have heard the news

You have died in your room

As if peacefully sleeping, they say

Finally, ho!

I can finally express my love to someone who owns all of my love

(Paris comes out of Romeo's closet)

Paris:

(holding a bag of supplies, clothes, and letters) It's done then? We can leave?

Romeo:

Yes, we can leave and be free now (they kiss)

Paris:

If only we didn't have to kill someone in the process

Romeo:

The Capulets deserve it! Though, I will admit that I was growing fond of Juliet (he glances at Paris and is flustered)

In a sisterly way, of course

(Shaking his head as if to clear it) That's besides the point, we can be free to love each other

Paris:

(through a pained voice) How did you do it?

Romeo:

What?

Paris:

How did you kill Juliet?

Romeo:

We- Friar and I- we found a poison, right after Juliet's and I's fake wedding, Juliet, being a naive girl, agreed to drink it because Friar told her it could make it seem as if she were dead but yet still alive. Foolish girl! There is no such thing!

She thought that I was to meet her after her false death

(He lowers his voice) It was quick and painless, if that's what you are afraid of, my dearest

Paris:

(Beat) May she rest in innocent peace

(They exit, hand in hand)

Narrator

Yes, it was them who shared love so fair and true

Star Crossed lovers, at last together

With Juliet as their ruse

They plan to leave Verona behind

With only letters they sent to each other over several years time

Ages and ages they waited for this moment

At last, they don't have to hide

Romeo and Paris part the shore on the boat

Without so much as a goodbye