Scene 13 ends the Clone's Folio #1

The History of the Clone's Folio #1, continued...

Becky and Sarah stood up with the rest of the audience as the actors took their bows. The Tragedy of Obi-Wan and Amidala was a bona fide hit at the London sci-fi convention. The applause reverberated throughout the auditorium and an excited buzz filled the room full of conventioneers. Everyone was clapping exuberantly except for one cloaked figure near the back of the stalls.

Becky glanced over her right shoulder at the cloaked male who materialized near the rear wall sometime after the Prologue. She nudged Sarah who also looked over her shoulder as she continued to clap.

"He's still there," Sarah whispered to her sister.

Becky nodded her head.

"You know, he makes a pretty good Qui-Gon Jinn," Sarah commented on the mysterious man's Jedi robes, flowing dark brown and gray lockes, and closely clipped beard.

"He does, but there is something oddly familiar about him," Becky responded as she tried to recall where she saw his face. Becky was one of the curious literature majors in the audience. She originally came to the convention to accompany her sister, who was a Star Wars fanatic. However, it was Becky who convinced Sarah to attend the play. Becky's favorite pun had always been: "where there's a Will; there's a play." There was no way Becky was going to let this opportunity slip away.

Becky continued to stare at the stranger and she thought, Why does that receding hairline bother me?

As if sensing their scrutiny, the mysterious man turned towards the sisters and gave them a sardonic smile. Both young ladies blushed at his attention and the brief bow he gave them. Before either of them could say a word, he lifted the cowl of his robe and disappeared into the exiting crowd.

Later...

The cloaked figure remained in the shadows and patiently watched the two young producers receive congratulations from the sci-fi convention's organizer.

"Robert and Ian, you've got a hit," said the organizer. "I've just spoken to our US affiliates. They want to add the Obi-Wan and Amidala play to the convention circuit."

The two RSC janitors readily agreed. The organizer outlined their new contract and left the two talking about their plans to travel to America. Robert and Ian were so consumed with their good fortune that they didn't notice the cloaked figure approach.

"Thank you for producing my play," said the cloaked figure. "However, it is incomplete." He flourished a batch of loose parchment in his right hand to the two young men, who blanched at the sight.

"That can't be true," responded a pale Robert.

Ian, whose face was a shade lighter than Robert's pallor, added, "That's impossible!"

The stranger's words mesmerized Robert and Ian. Both enterprising janitors were horrified that their pilfering of the Obi-Wan and Amidala script was discovered. They looked at each other and struggled to find the right response.

"Search your feelings. You know it to be true," said the man as he removed his cowl.

Their eyes grew large as Robert and Ian began to recognize the stranger. There was no mistaking that face. Robert was responsible for dusting that very image. Actually, the bronze bust of this stranger was in the Barbican's central lobby. The man's identity left the two young men speechless.

A small smile played across his lips as the clone of William Shakespeare calmly waited for their reply.

The End

"The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" plays in the background.

Please read and respond.

Thank you,

Ana-Misa