merf ♡

Cheshire and the Clockmaker

Cheshire and the Clockmaker

by

Merf

CHARACTERS

SETTING

The Clock Tower’s office, located in Wonderland’s In-Betweens. It’s a small space on the second story, decorated with both Victorian and fantastical sensibilities. There’s a fireplace keeping the room warm and lit.

TIME

Dusk.

ACT I

SCENE 1

(The Clock Tower's office is in disarray. Papers are strewn about the room, and books lie scattered by the countless bookshelves lining the walls. THE CLOCKMAKER is seated at their desk, looking between their journal and a broken pocket watch with a club engraving. They are beyond tired, and their appearance reflects this.)

THE CLOCKMAKER

(Writing.)

It’s likely that I’ll burn this note, much like the others. Writing my thoughts that cannot be shared is rather therapeutic, and seeing them go up in flames helps to rid the evidence. So long as I can put on a happy face and mask my disdain for this god forsaken world, I can at least pretend as if everything is fine. For the sake of those around me, I must continue to pretend as if everything is fine. That I do not wish for this world to go up in flames. I think I will go and pay a visit to Cheshire. Seeing him is always a reminder that Wonderland is, in fact, more than a cruel and unforgiving world.

(THE CLOCKMAKER stops writing and looks at the pocket watch. They take hold of it, and clutch it tightly. And tighter. And tighter still. They look between it and the fireplace, soon standing up from their desk. The Clock Tower door opens and loudly shuts as they take a step. THE CLOCKMAKER hastily puts the watch in their pocket and crumples the note they were writing. They toss it in the direction of the fireplace, not noticing as it barely misses, and the door to the office opens.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT

Clockmaker..? Is everything alright?

(THE CLOCKMAKER recognizes THE CHESHIRE CAT’S voice, and THE CHESHIRE CAT recognizes both THE CLOCKMAKER and the Clock Tower’s uncharacteristic disarray. THE CLOCKMAKER realizes this and begins to cry.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT

Clockmaker, what's wrong?

THE CLOCKMAKER

I’m tired, Cheshire. I’m so, incredibly, tired.

(THE CLOCKMAKER crumples to the ground, and THE CHESHIRE CAT walks towards them.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT

Tired..? Then let’s- How about you get some rest? I can brew you a cup of tea if-

THE CLOCKMAKER

-No, you misunderstand me, Cheshire. It’s not an exhaustion rest can cure. I’m tired of this world.

THE CHESHIRE CAT

…Huh..? What- What do you mean by that..?

THE CLOCKMAKER

I’m tired of Wonderland, Cheshire. I’m beyond tired of Wonderland. I’m tired of its whims and wishes, of its cruelty, of its insistence that “the show must go on” even to the detriment of its people. I should be dead, Cheshire. We all should be long dead. Two hundred years is far too long for a mortal being to live, and yet, the years go by. Aren’t you sick of it-? Haven’t you ever wanted to just-

THE CHESHIRE CAT

(Quickly.)

-Clockmaker, I really do think you should get some rest-

THE CLOCKMAKER

-Haven’t you ever wanted to just set this world ablaze?

(THE CLOCKMAKER takes hold of THE CHESHIRE CAT’s hand.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT

…What? Clockmaker- Of course not-

THE CLOCKMAKER

-Say, Cheshire, if I destroy this world—if I can finally resolve myself to bring it to ruin, once and for all—will you go with me?

THE CHESHIRE CAT

It’s- It’s late. It’s time for bed- Beyond time for bed. You still have to finish training your Apprentice, and we still have our plans for a picnic in the Mushroom Forest whenever you next have the time. And- The world can’t end before that- It’d- It would be too sad.

(THE CHESHIRE CAT begins to lead THE CLOCKMAKER towards the office door. He notices the crumpled note and begins to read it, leaving them both standing by the fireplace. THE CLOCKMAKER takes it out of his hands.)

THE CLOCKMAKER

Ignore that- It- It’s for a creative writing program I’ve started taking. One- Yes, one hosted by The Spade Kingdom’s-

THE CHESHIRE CAT

-Clockmaker… How long have you been feeling this way..? You know you can come to me with your worries. Right..?

THE CLOCKMAKER

Cheshire, there are some things that I-

THE CHESHIRE CAT

-No-! I don’t care what the topic is, you can talk to me-! I want you to talk to me! I- I care about you, Clockmaker.

(A beat.)

THE CLOCKMAKER

I don’t keep things from you out of a want to keep you in the dark, Cheshire. It’s just- There are some things that, should you discover them, would put you in grave danger. If someone were to find out and you wound up-

(A beat.)

If harm were to come your way, Cheshire, I’m not sure if I could restrain myself any longer. I'm not sure what I would do.

THE CHESHIRE CAT

…Then what about you? If these secrets are as dangerous as you say, how come it’s fine for you to know? Surely, you can trust me enough to confide in me.

(THE CLOCKMAKER remains silent.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT (Continued.)

Surely, Clockmaker- Surely you can trust me-

THE CLOCKMAKER

-Trust! Of all things, you go on to talk about trust! In a world such as this? A world like Wonderland? An infamously lenient and forgiving one, I presume.

(They laugh, stunned.)

Surely, you jest, Cheshire. This matter has absolutely nothing to do with trust, I assure you. I trust you the same as I do my Apprentice—that is to say I trust you both more than I trust anyone else—but I’d soon rather die than speak a word of this to either of you. Perhaps a day will come where circumstances require that I share what I know with my Apprentice, but this knowledge is a curse I don’t dare pass on to you without reason enough.

THE CHESHIRE CAT

If it’s really as bad as you say—if it’s actually like a curse—wouldn’t it be easier to confide in someone sooner? Curses can be broken, and there are people willing to help you on the way. But, anyway- Why is it that you’re okay to know, but I-

THE CLOCKMAKER

-Because I’m not so much of a talkative fool-! One of us is not so skilled in keeping his mouth shut, and—I assure you, Cheshire—I am not speaking of myself. And, as for my Apprentice, he refuses to admit it but he wears his heart on his sleeve. Should he find himself interrogated, I fear he won’t be able to return safely. Of the three of us, I’m the only one competent enough to hold onto such things.

THE CHESHIRE CAT

…You would do well to have more faith in the both of us, Clockmaker. I might not know what it is you’re keeping to yourself, but, you should know, I do actually know when to keep my mouth shut, and your Apprentice is far more capable than you give him credit for. He has you for a teacher, after all.

(A beat.)

Ah- But- Umm- Well- He- He probably wouldn’t want us speaking behind his back! He’s always been the type to shy away from compliments, hasn’t he? He- Umm- He always gets flustered faster than anyone I’ve ever met.

(THE CLOCKMAKER doesn’t answer. THE CHESHIRE CAT sighs.)

THE CHESHIRE CAT (Continued.)

It’s clear you don’t want me here right now, so I guess it’s about time I take my leave. Goodnight, Clockmaker. Rest well.

(A beat.)

And, Clockmaker..? I’ll be here if you ever need someone to confide in, okay? I- I really did mean it when I said I care about you. And if- If you do somehow find a way to end the world or if you already know how, I’ll go with you. So you won’t have to be alone. Oh- But I’d really rather prefer it if we could just live in the one we have now. Even if it does have its problems.

(A beat.)

Ah- Umm- Goodnight. Again.

(A beat. Then, softly.)

…I love you.

(THE CHESHIRE CAT exits, quietly closing the office door behind him.)

THE CLOCKMAKER

Ah- Wait-! Cheshire-!

(THE CLOCKMAKER goes to follow THE CHESHIRE CAT, but the Clock Tower’s door closes with a loud echo before they can leave the office. THE CLOCKMAKER properly burns their note and goes to sit at their desk. They let out a loud cry. Blackout.)