"The 2007 Season as a 3-Act Play"
ACT 1, SCENE 3
Meanwhile, back at the (Pranksters) Ranch...While Ryleh was engaged in spirited converse with his old faire friend, Geoffrey, the rest of the "Ides" -- including Karusie the Faerie (Photo, Left) along with Paula and her family -- had wandered off in the direction of the Royal Pavilion. It seems that, in the short time they had been at White Hart, both Paula and Karusie had managed to acquire handsome young gentleman admirers for themselves. Ah, romance was in the very air!
Paula's big moment came during the daily "Wooing Contest," held before the Royal Pavilion with Queen Elizabeth sitting in judgement (Photo, Above: enjoying the attentions of the ratcatcher's older brother). Several young Gentlemen of the Royal Court competed during the contest, displaying their very best genteel manners: first offering up romantic metaphors and exquisitely poetical compliments to the young ladies of their choice, then courteously and graciously planting a very light -- but decidedly warm and sensuous -- kiss upon their leman's proferred hand. Without a doubt, the true winners of that contest were all the ladies involved, no matter which handsome cavalier eventually took home the prize!
As for Karusie, it seems she had already attracted the
attention of a bonny young lad just as soon as she walked thru the Main Gate of White Hart. This was none other than Matt, the Scots ratcatcher (Photo, Right: shown deep in thought) -- and his interest in her was readily apparent from the very beginning. Among other things, he kept drifting back to Karusie's vicinity whenever possible during faire; aye, and hanging around her at every opportunity throughout the day. Needless to say, there was lots of good-natured bantering between the two of them as they played together at faire...while taking each others measure, betimes! Matt, however, was not the only one immediately impressed by our young fey. At the Wooing Contest, for example, the ratcatcher's own brother threw in a healthy bit of sibling rivalry just to keep the competition "interesting." Suddenly, Karusie found herself in the unenviable position of having to choose between two equally handsome and stalwart young suitors. Although Matt won the competition for Karusie's hand with ease, our faerie still felt so conflicted afterwards that she had to consult the fortuneteller in the Red Moon Tribe's Gypsy Camp (Photo, Below).
But even with assurances that the very stars themselves were smiling with much amused generousity on her that day, it still wasn't enough. Karusie felt that it was all so unfair, she just had to take her complaint directly to Queen Elizabeth (Photo, Right: much to Her Majesty's amusement, while Karusie's brother John Dee -- AKA "Aaron" -- adds morale support)! First, our Most Gracious Liege listened patiently while Karusie explained her problem. Then, after pondering the question deeply, Her Majesty decreed that Karusie should have both young gentlemen -- provided they took our young faerie shopping! That certainly narrowed down the field quickly, as only the ratcatcher was willing to share both his time and the contents of his purse with Karusie. Truly, the wisdom of our Sovereign Queen is unmatched, anywhere!
Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the White Hart Renaissance Festival held on Prankster's Ranch near Hartville, Missouri. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the White Hart Renaissance Festival (mailing address: 5651 Hwy. F,
Hartville, MO 65667; Phone (417) 741-9518; home page http://www.historic-arts.com/white_hart_renaissance_faire/) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. All photographs are copyright ©2000-2008 by George Laking, Paula Duggan and Mike Duggan.