Read The Firework-Maker's Daughter for Free Online Page B

tosses it at the fuse to the rocket. He then strolls off stage. The fuse for the rocket starts to splutter. Just before it’s about to take off, COLONEL SAM runs onstage and leaps onto the back of the rocket. The rocket bucks and charges around the stage like a steer, but SAM holds onto a rein and refuses to be dislodged. Eventually, the rocket reaches the back of the stage where it whooshes off into space. COLONEL SAM is seen flying across the face of the moon. The crowd is awed for a moment then erupts into the most enormous applause. COLONEL SAM arrivesfor his bow, smouldering and dragging a charred parachute. The clapometer goes to 9.9.
    CHULAK: ( Gulping .) He can still be beaten. That wasn’t even a proper display. It was just a big rocket. You’ve got big rockets too.
    LILA: Not that big.
    KING: Daughter of Lalchand the Firework-Maker!
    CHULAK: Good luck, Lila.
    LILA takes her bow.
    LILA: Your excellency. I dedicate this display to my father, Lalchand, who’s taught me everything.
    LILA lights a long fuse leading to her display. The audience hushes. The fuse burns quickly to start the first firework. Just before it reaches the firework, it snuffs and dies.
    CHULAK: Relight it. Quick.
    LILA: I can’t.
    CHULAK: Why not?
    LILA: It’s too close to the firework. It’ll blow me to pieces. I have to fit a new fuse.
    The KING stands up.
    KING: Kill him!
    The crowd gasps. LALCHAND is dragged by the SPECIAL AND PARTICULAR BODYGUARD to an execution block with a sword at his throat.
    LILA: No!
    CHULAK grabs LILA and shakes her.
    CHULAK: Fit a new fuse. Quickly! I’ll hold him up!
    CHULAK jumps out in front of the KING.
    CHULAK: Your excellent and kind Majesty. Before you execute the traitor...
    The KING glares at CHULAK. The SPECIAL AND PARTICULAR BODYGUARD bends LALCHAND over the block and prepares to behead him. The KING holds up a hand to stop the execution.
    CHULAK: In honour of your great wisdom and generosity, and in celebration of your many glorious years, I would like to show you some wondrous... Juggling!
    CHULAK starts juggling and clowning.
    KING: Enough! I said kill him!
    The KING turns to the SPECIAL AND PARTICULAR BODYGUARD. LILA throws herself on the floor with a lighter.
    LILA: ( Diving for cover .) Your Majesty! My display!
    LILA takes control of the display, pointing to the fireworks as they explode. She’s in her element, a natural, a master. When it’s finished there’s a long and deadly silence.
    COLONEL SAM stands.
    COLONEL SPARKINGTON: ( Throwing hat in air .) Yeeee-har!
    DR. PUFFENFLASCH: Hoch, hoch, hoch!
    There’s deafening applause. The clapometer goes round to 10 and then continues, spinning out of control until it explodes and shoots smoke out of the top. There are cheers and LILA is picked up and carried round on the shoulders of the crowd. LILA is swamped by the other Firework-Makers.
    DR. PUFFENFLASCH: Your display was magnificent.
    COLONEL SPARKINGTON: What’re you putting in them there rockets. I ain’t never seen nothing like it. We’ve got to talk, lady.
    DR. PUFFENFLASCH: Jah! I would be honoured if you would both join me for a sausage dinner.
    LILA: Thank you. I too would be honoured.
    KING: Silence!
    The celebrations cease.
    KING: The girl lit a firework that went out. By the rules of the competition she is disqualified.
    The crowd hiss. There’s a few boos.
    DR. PUFFENFLASCH: Please your majesty. The girl is the winner...
    COLONEL SPARKINGTON: Darn right she is. That was some display.
    The KING stares until the crowd is cowed into silence. There’ll be no revolt against this KING.
    KING: I say when the competition is over. I decide the winner.
    Silence.
    KING: I’m glad that’s understood.
    The SPECIAL AND PARTICULAR BODYGUARD holds LALCHAND by the hair as he awaits the KING’s order. The KING looks over. LALCHAND is about to die.
    KING: I have decided to overlook this technicality. The girl has won! Free the