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forward. CHULAK grabs the cage and is left swinging in mid-air from the bars as HAMLET and the boys crash noisily off stage.
    CHULAK: Esteemed-father-of-wayward-friend?
    LALCHAND wakes.
    LALCHAND: Chulak!
    LALCHAND grabs CHULAK and pulls him up.
    LALCHAND: Street-urchin-who-leads-daughter-astray... I never thought I’d be this pleased to see you. How’s Lila?
    CHULAK: She’s alright. Moody and ungrateful, but alright.
    LALCHAND: Is she ready for the competition?
    CHULAK: I don’t want to worry you, it being your life at stake and everything, but she doesn’t think she can do it.
    LALCHAND: Of course she can.
    CHULAK: That’s what I said, but she needs your help.
    LALCHAND: Nonsense! She’s a much better Firework-Maker than me!
    CHULAK: Is she?
    LALCHAND: Don’t tell her that. I mean, it’s not the right time. She has a flair... And what an imagination.
    CHULAK: Why didn’t you tell her that? Look where you are now.
    LALCHAND hangs his head in shame.
    LALCHAND: I’ve been foolish. Lila’s grown while I haven’t been watching. I wanted her to do things my way. I’ve been stubborn. And jealous.
    CHULAK: Jealous?
    LALCHAND: I should have been happy for her. I’ve got what I deserve.
    CHULAK: Can Lila win the competition?
    LALCHAND: It’ll be difficult...
    CHULAK: She’s lost her confidence. Razvani didn’t give her any Royal Sulphur. She doesn’t think she stands a chance without it.
    LALCHAND: She doesn’t need Royal Sulphur.
    CHULAK: That’s not what she thinks.
    LALCHAND: She doesn’t. I can help her. I need to write a message.
4 - LALCHAND’S WORKSHOP
    LILA’s testing a firework. She lights a fuse and stands well back. CHULAK: Lila! Lila!
    CHULAK abseils down from the cage and straight into the firework.
    LILA: What are you doing?! It’s about to go off.
    The firework explodes. CHULAK runs around, screaming.
    CHULAK: Has it stopped?
    LILA: Yes.
    A final explosion causes CHULAK to jump.
    LILA: Apart from that one.
    CHULAK: I’m really sorry. Have I ruined your experiment?
    He has, but LILA’s pleased to see him.
    LILA: It wouldn’t have been very good without you running around. You’ve done me a favour.
    CHULAK: Really?
    LILA: Really.
    CHULAK: So I’m not totally useless.
    LILA: ( Apologising .) Not totally useless. Let’s say - almost totally useless... Will you stay? Help me? If you’re not busy?
    CHULAK: I’m not that busy.
    LILA: Thank you.
    CHULAK: Hey, I almost forgot.
    ( Rummaging .)
    I’ve got this... from Lalchand.
    CHULAK pulls out a charred and smoking letter. LILA takes it from him and reads it.
    CHULAK: What does he say?
    LILA: He says...
    LALCHAND’s in his cage.
    LALCHAND: Dearest Daughter, I hope you can forgive me...
    LILA: What for?
    LALCHAND: I should have told you the secret of firework-making. I know you will create a magnificent display. Your loving father, Lalchand.
    CHULAK: ( Unimpressed .) Is that it?
    LALCHAND: P.S. I’m sure you won’t need it, but you can use my supply of Royal Sulphur. It’s in a golden pot with a green lid on the bottom shelf of the gunpowder cupboard.
    LILA dashes over to the workbench and starts frantically searching. She takes out the pot and opens it.
    LILA: This?
    She dabs a little powder on her finger and sniffs it.
    LILA: This can’t be it.
    LILA checks the letter.
    LALCHAND: P.P.S. add a pinch to each firework.
    LILA puts a little Royal Sulphur on her tongue. CHULAK: Is it Royal Sulphur?
    LILA: That’s what my father says. My dear father.
    CHULAK: You know what this means? You can win.
    LILA: Does it?
    CHULAK: You’ve got the secret ingredient, haven’t you?
    LILA: I have.
    ( Realising .)
    I have. I might be able to save him.
    CHULAK: Of course you can!
    LILA: Come on Chulak, there’s work to be done. Stop being lazy.
    CHULAK: You want me to help?
    LILA: You’re the best assistant I’ve ever