The Tragedy of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (Episode 1, à la Shakespeare, Act 2, Scene 1)
Four exciting things to share with you tonight - and a request.
The first: we head into Act 2 of my adaptation of The Mysterons in the style of Shakespeare, which follows below. As ever, it is written with nought but love for the Andersons and Shakespeare both.
The second: the full 'play' is finished in its ~5,000-word, 24-page glory. I am immensely proud of it. Looking over what I share with you today, it feels like nothing in comparison to what's coming!
The third: I am seriously considering - but still only considering - adapting one of my other favourites next: Big Ben Strikes Again or Manhunt. I'd like to see how the rest of The Mysterons is received and let my brain rest for a bit!
The fourth: my wife is encouraging me to have the finished piece printed as a truly unique piece for this fan. While my means have limit, I would love to commission some cover art and properly remunerate a fellow fan than resort to AI. If you - or someone you know - could help, I'd love to hear it.
Anon, return we now to Spectrum tale,
Will humans o'er Mysterons prevail?
Enter WHITE, SCARLET, GREEN and PRESIDENT YOUNGER.
This misadventur'd Martian o'erthrow,
Is all for nought: the Mysterons have fail'd.
Anon another fortress we shall choose,
But first: to see what truly came to pass.
But Captain Scarlet I do stand amazed.
Good sir, if you with patient ears attend,
What here you miss, we two shall strive to mend.
Mark what is written here in this report:
Two truths are told. The first, your close escape,
The next that Captain Brown did wildfire bring,
Belike more powder in the fortress still.
And as before I do but stand amazed.
If your suggestion here I do have right,
This Captain Brown was party to this plot.
The Captain was a man on whom to build,
A trust so absolute - this do I know.
And since our voyagers return'd from Mars,
A multitude of portents strange and dark.
Our Captain Black - another I did trust -
Hath melted into air, been not seen since.
And now these portents to our fears doth add.
To London, Captain Scarlet, you will go,
With Angel guard and President withal.
Unto your hands I do commend his life.
I say again, my mind is full of fears,
When I reflect on foes from outer spheres!
Exeunt SCARLET and PRESIDENT YOUNGER. A drum. Enter CHORUS.
The Mysterons their Martian scheme advance,
In peril placed the President by chance,
As he and Captain Scarlet take their flight,
On iron wings into the evening light,
The maiden Angels do their charge attend,
But know not yet that they shall fight their friend...
I should report that which I know I heard,
Yet know not how such tidings to relay.
A league beyond New York our soldiers note,
Good Captain Brown most dead upon the ground.
My liege, what doth this strange event portend?
False-fac'd was he in wildfire lost ere now,
I fear yet more did pass upon that street,
Some chance that we are yet to comprehend.
What dreadful fate befell poor Captain Brown,
Belike hath seized good Captain Scarlet too.
Lieutenant Green, to Destiny relay,
Bring Captain Scarlet here without delay!
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