The Importance of Being Esteban - Act 3

[grace_poppy]

(Continued from Act 1 and Act 2)

Act III
Morning-room at the castle.

[Diana and Sophie are at the window, looking out into the garden.]

Diana. They’re looking at us. What effrontery!

Sophie. They’re approaching. That’s very forward of them.

Diana. Let us preserve a dignified silence.

Sophie. Certainly. It’s the only thing to do now. [Enter Stephen

Comments

[ozfille]

A work in memory of Dear Stephen/Esteban or is it Esteve? *g* It's nearly his birthday after all. Lady Day is tomorrow March 25.

[grace_poppy]

Memory? You speak as if he were gone!!!

Hooray, Lady Day! I forgot! It's also my nephew's birthday. I've totally lost track of time all this month. We should have a party!

[ozfille]

OK, so as an absolute genius he found the secret of eternal life. *g*

Well I suppose he does live on with Jack and all the others in our thoughts as we read and re-read PO'B's books.

Happy Birthday dear Stephen!

[grace_poppy]

But not just in our thoughts! He's REAL!!!!! *cries* Kind of like Santa Claus, except REAL!!!!!

Aww, happy birthday, Stephen! *hugs and squeezes his neck and kisses his cheek*

[ozfille]

Like Santa , hmmm I can see it. He gets Jack to do the publicity, you know making appearances at malls and have the littlies sit on his knees- well he has the right shape and has a florid enough complexion for Santa and Stephen does the deliveries. Stephen might fit down the chimneys being rather skinny but what would he bring good little boys or girls as presents. Perhaps an albatross egg or a wombat or an aardvark. *g*

[grace_poppy]

I'd take any of those presents!!! But best of all, I'd seize Stephen as he came down the chimney and give him a big kiss. Steeeeephen!

And it's quite natural that the reindeer would pull his sleigh. I'm sure they'd do anything for Stephen. They love him so much.

Say! I got a plush aardvark for Christmas! I actually bought it for myself, but maybe it was secretly from Stephen? Maybe he planted the thought in my mind and made me think it was my own idea. (Secret Stephen instead of Secret Santa.)

For some reason, the idea of Stephen as Santa (and Jack as a jolly, fat Santa) seems familiar. Maybe I talked about it with tootsiemuppet when she told me all about St. Nicholas (who lives in Spain, I think.)

[ozfille]

Ah now in Catalunya it is not Santa who delivers presents to children, it is the Three Kings of biblical fame and it happens at Epiphany rather than Christmas Day. Good children must leave their shoes (polished of course) outside their door with carrots and barley and apples.

I think St Nicholas was a medieval saint from Turkey, Smyrna I believe.

[gratiana]

Yes, I knew about Turkey (he's bishop of Myra) but I knew there was some Spain connection. I looked him up (Sinterklaas) and apparently he lives in Spain now, or spends most of the year there. So says wikipedia. And he arrives on a steamboat!

[ozfille]

Perhaps he prefers the Costa del Sol like so many other Northern European residents, looking for the sun. *g*

[tootsiemuppet]

Apparently he LIVES in Turkey, but when he COMES on St Nicholas Day, he comes from Spain. Don't ask me why, it doesn't make sense. Maybe he makes a pitstop in Spain. ;)

And to follow up on Ozfille's answer, what children here do on Dec 6 is put their shoes next to the fireplace (or lacking that, the door), with a piece of carrot for the horse or anything else it might like, and a glass of milk (or something stronger) for St Nicholas himself.

[grace_poppy]

Maybe Jack lives in Turkey and he swings by Spain to pick up Stephen? And don't the Black Peters put naughty children in sacks and carry them back to Spain? (Like a press gang! That's what it is!!!)

[tootsiemuppet]

They put them in back and take them along (after thrashing them with a bunch of branches first), but I'm not sue where to. I was never told. Just the idea of being beaten and kidnapped was enough to make me obedient, I didn't need to know the destination. XD

[grace_poppy]

Well, if it was a NICE destination... and if Stephen was going to be there...

[tootsiemuppet]

... when I was six? Be sent to Stephen the Orphan Dissecter?! Are you mad, woman? I'd be terrified!

XD

[grace_poppy]

Of course I'm mad. But I wouldn't mind being sent to the orphan dissector. I was probably the woman he was dissecting at the same time as the dolphin and eating roast beef with Mr. Florey! But at least I was near him! (I begin to think that's the only way I'll EVER get near him, alas. I never get invited to the same parties as he does, I'm never on his ships, I never see him after church to dance the sardana...)

[grace_poppy]

Or maybe Spain is where all the best presents are? And he goes to pick them up? (Does he bring the presents?)