Lights come to the Emperor’s throne room (stage right)
Sha & Huang: (bring throne to mark and stand at attention)
Court Persons: (come up from stairs and mill around discussing the situation in whispers. Wondering what will happen. Frightened!! As Emp. Enters, bow and cower)
Emperor: (enters from the screen pacing back and forth in front of the throne)
Emperor: (shouting, very angry) My royal fleet is destroyed! My royal fleet is destroyed! My royal fleet! But how can this be? Where is the enemy? Who is responsible for this outrage!! He will be punished. (shaking fists)
Guards: (noisily approach from behind the screen with Deng)
Sha: (points toward the Guards and Deng) Here come the guards, your majesty.
Huang: (points toward the Guards and Deng) They have captured someone, but he doesn’t look very important.
Peng & Bo: (dragging Deng roughly to center stage – facing the emperor)
All Imperial Guards: (come from screen and stand with guard group)
Emperor: Yes? (glaring threateningly at the guards) What’s the meaning of this outrage? Why aren’t you out trying to solve this crime?
Peng: (proudly facing the emperor) But we have solved it, your majesty.
Bo: (indicating Deng) This man alone has destroyed your fleet.
Emperor: Preposterous!!
Deng: (bowing) I’m so sorry, your majesty. My brothers and I, (pausing, looking for the right words) we just wanted to see your beautiful ships more closely, (haltingly, apologetically) so I swallowed the sea, but then I had to sneeze . . .
Emperor: Enough! (hands on hips) Are you trying to tell me that this, ah, “person” smashed my royal fleet all by himself? Well, are you?
Wong: (nodding) It seems so your majesty.
Min: He says he did it, and we don’t see any enemy ships in the harbor.
Emperor: Well then, off with his head! (Clap! Clap!)
Deng: (pleading and bowing) But your majesty, I’m very sorry.
Emperor: Sorry?! Sorry?! I said, “Off with his head,” IMMEDIATELY!
Guards: (backing away from the emperor, bowing and dragging Deng with them. They turn and go to Upstage right and exit through screen. Then re-enter from the stairs and drag Deng to the dungeon and throw Deng in, all sit)
Children: (are outside the wall, just out of sight of the guards)
Emperor: (speaking to the rest of the court) I need a nap. Maybe this will turn out to be just a bad dream. (exits behind the screen)
Sha & Huang : (move throne against the wall and exit behind screen with Emperor)
Court Attendants: (move downstage to the stairs and sit)