Early in the play, Scheherezade is challenged by the King to mesmerize him with a story, or else she will be banished.Here, she sets her plan into action.
SCHEHEREZADE: And I will need the help of everyone in the court to act out the story as I tell it!
KING: Everyone?
SCHEHERZADE: Not you, Your Majesty, you just sit back and relax and let Sceherezade take care of everything!
KING: Yes.Well.Go on.Tell the story of Aladdin.
SCHEHEREZADE: Once upon a time...
KING: (rising, angrily) WAIT!I’VE HEARD THAT STORY!BANISH HER!
SCHEHEREZADE: No, no, Your Majesty.All good stories have to begin with “Once upon a time...”
KING: (pause) I knew that. (sits)
SCHEHEREZADE: So...Once upon a time, in the ancient land of China, there was a boy of seventeen named Aladdin...Now, who among you can play the part of Aladdin?
THE ACCOUNTANT: (a runty juvenile) Is Aladdin intelligent?
SCHEHEREZADE: Not really, no.
THE CHANCELLOR (a pompous blowhard) Is Aladdin brave and fearless?
SCHEHEREZADE: Not especially.
MUSICIAN: Is Aladdin cute?
SCHEHEREZADE: Oh, yes.Aladdin is definitely cute.
MUSICIAN: I can do cute.
SCHEHEREZADE: Then you will be Aladdin!
The Musician, hereafter referred to as “Aladdin,” steps proudly to the forefront, congratulated by the rest of the group.