Сцена 1.

Cinderella: Good morning, Daddy dear!

Father: Good morning my little daughter. How are you?

Cinderella: Fine, Daddy. I have already been in the garden and picked some flowers. Look! They are wonderful!

Father: Oh, my child you are so nice and kind…

Cinderella: Thank you, Daddy.

(Входит мачеха.)

Stepmother: Cinderella! What are you doing? Why are you not working?! You are sleeping and eating, sleeping and eating! The house is dirty. There is a lot of spider’s web and dust everywhere. There are caterpillars and weeds in the garden! And you?! You are speaking and laughing!!!

Father: But…

Stepmother: Have you made the breakfast? I’m hungry. Where are my sandwiches, eggs, cheese, honey? I want a cup of tea. Get a move on!

Cinderella: Yes, Mummy.

Stepmother: So, Basil, what did you speak about? Did your crazy daughter complain of her life?

Father: Oh, no…

Stepmother: My poor daughters and I work day and night but she doesn’t stir a finger.

(Входит Пэт. Она зевает, потягивается и, не глядя на Золушку, ленивой походкой подходит к матери.)

Cinderella: Good morning, dear sister.

Pat: Good morning, Mummy dear.

Stepmother: And how are you today, my dear?

Pat: Oh, I could not get to sleep all night. It was terrible. And the best sleep came just before morning. But this worthless girl began to sing her disgusting song and I woke up.

Stepmother: Oh, dear.

(Входит Лиз. Она держит голову руками и стонет.)

Cinderella: Good morning, sister.

Stepmother: Ah, good morning, my child. What’s the matter? What has happened?

Liz: Birds!! They chirped so loudly. I could not get to sleep.

Stepmother: Oh, dear, you too?

Liz: Oh, my poor head… oooh…

Pat: Well, I am hungry. Cinderella! Bring me breakfast. Be quick! I’m hungry and thirsty. Bring me breakfast! Be quick! I’m hungry and thirsty. Bring me some sweet porridge, raspberry, jam, pudding, the apple cake, two cups of cocoa, cream with sugar and…and…

Liz (перебивает сестру и, загибая пальцы и начинает перечислять): I want macaroni, a cup of coffee, fresh juice…

(Пэт, насупившись, сердито смотрит на сестру.)

Liz: Oh, I have a terrible headache…

Pat: … butter.

Liz: Milk, dry bread-rings, sausage. Cinderella! Get a move on. Why are you standing here?

Cinderella: Yes, sister. Yes, sister. (убегает)

Сцена 2.

(Во дворце тихо горюет король.)

Chancellor: How are you, sir?

King: Oh, how I am! I worry about my son. He rides the horse all day and doesn’t think about marriage. As for me, I was married at his age. (плачет) Oh, I wouldn’t see my grandsons.

Chancellor: Your majesty! Your son is coming back tomorrow.

King: Yes, he is coming back, then he is leaving again and again.

Chancellor: Your Majesty! I’ve got an idea.

King: An idea?

Chancellor: Yes. Let’s invite all the ladies of our kingdom to the ball. He will fall in love and your desire will come true.

King: Will come true?

Chancellor: Yes.

King: My son will fall in love?

Chancellor: Yes.

King: Oh, let’s have a ball. Everybody is invited to the ball. Call the herald. The ball, the ball, a wonderful idea.