Act Two
Two Weeks Later
The inmates have had a restless night in their dormitories and now face the start of another day of routine and repression at the Verona Institute. A whistle is blown and the lights are flicked on as the Orderly and Nurse get the boys and girls up and ready, starting with some hard physical exercise.
At the end of the activity session, Romeo and Juliet enter their separate dorms. They are still ‘love-sick’ for one another and their relationship is the subject of much interest for the other inmates. Whilst the boys pull Romeo’s leg for being ‘in love’, the girls gather round Juliet to elicit all the juicy gossip they can.
The others disappear and Romeo and Juliet find themselves alone in their dormitories. They are heartbroken at not being able to see one another and dream of being back together. As a way of cheering up their friends the inmates hatch a plot to arrange a secret rendezvous in the institute grounds. Blindfolded and pushed through the corridors on their dormitory beds, before being led the rest of the way on foot, Romeo and Juliet are overwhelmed with happiness when their blindfolds are lifted and they find themselves standing in front of one another.
They seem to inspire something in the other inmates – their relationship and passionate love for one another being a beacon of hope in a place of darkness and despair. However, their enjoyment is short-lived as they are soon discovered by Tybalt who has been drinking heavily and wandering the grounds. In a jealous rage he pulls Romeo and Juliet apart, threatening anyone who tries to challenge him. Devastated to see Juliet back with Romeo again, Tybalt falls at her feet in a surprising fit of tenderness and emotion. As he lies on the floor crying the inmates begin to mock him.
Their laughter stops short, when Tybalt staggers to his feet wielding a gun before grabbing Mercutio’s boyfriend, Balthasar. Ridiculing their relationship, Tybalt, forces the two of them to kiss. Tensions grow and the concerned inmates – led by Juliet – try to put a stop to Tybalt’s reign of terror. However, with Mercutio as hostage, Tybalt grows increasingly unpredictable and dangerous.
A scuffle ensues and Tybalt is followed out of sight by the angry mob. A single gunshot is heard and Mercutio staggers back through the doorway, bleeding heavily from his stomach. Tybalt staggers back through the doorway, shortly after Mercutio, still brandishing the gun.
Balthasar runs at Tybalt and grabs the gun off him before throwing it to the floor. Tybalt appears dazed, confused and remorseful even. Seizing his chance, Romeo grabs the gun and points it at Tybalt as the rest of the inmates gather around in support. Meanwhile Mercutio lies dying in Balthasar’s arms.
Romeo and Tybalt stand face to face, but Romeo loses his nerve and Tybalt grabs the gun back before casting it aside. A physical assault on Tybalt begins. Overcome with emotion and fury, Juliet grabs Tybalt’s belt and, helped by all of the inmates and Romeo, strangle him. The inmates are in shock – clearly horrified by their own actions and the part they’ve played in Tybalt’s death.
As Mercutio and Tybalt lay dead in front of them the enormity of what has happened hits Romeo and Juliet and they very clearly blame themselves as the catalyst that has sparked this double tragedy. The institute lights flash and the inmates gradually disperse. Benvolio pulls his grieving friend, Balthasar, away from the scene. Romeo instructs Frenchie and Dorcas to lead Juliet away, since she is now in a state of hysteria too.
When the Nurse and Orderly arrive, they find Romeo alone with two bodies and the incriminating belt in his hand.
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