Act One Scene Five
Interlude
Lover’s
needs
“Claudius, you must restraint yourself.” Gertrude
pushed the man off her and then walked from the divan. She buttoned her blouse
and straightened her skirt. She walked to the window and drew the drapes to get
the afternoon sunlight to brighten the chamber. She then turned to look at her
lover who was reclining on the divan, with his breeches unbuttoned and his
manhood raging with madness to be released of its content.
“Would you please cover yourself? He may be back
anytime.” Gertrude moved to the adjoining kitchen where she placed the kettle
to boil. It was a humble abode with enough chambers for the three of them to
stay together.
“He wouldn’t mind our needs for he held others above
all toward his lover.” Claudius then younger was a budding actor alongside
Hamlet. They were in the city to ply their trade and pittance came to them with
the minor roles. Gertrude was made to do the work as a seamstress with some
baking on the sides to complement their needs.
“He is still my wedded lover and shall remain so till
death do us part.” Gertrude stoked the firewood to get the flames up. They have
come from the countryside when the farms were sterile without the rains that
needed to nurture the soil, Hamlet and Claudius had met casually in the
marketplace and later worked out an audience to their singing. They became a
duo and were rewarded with minor acts until Hamlet decided to move up the
stakes.
“We shall move to the real stage of plays. I am told
there is a dire need for good actors.” It was agreed and the move to the city.
They carve a room to share with Hamlet having the bigger share with Gertrude.
The privacy of the intimate moments was after dark behind the drawn curtains.
Young Hamler was only wedded to Gertrude that year while Claudius remain single
awaiting his break in his career.
The toll on the relationship and work was difficult in
the early stages but the consuming wanton of the man was never denied. When
Hamlet was not at work, he was doting on his lover. He was impossible and
Claudius took to the pavement most times to deny himself the raging urge. He
would have left the couple but Hamlet was bringing in the acts. Claudius was
usually added to the employment of the persuasive charm of Hamlet.
The acts came with a price; the lady left in the
dark and on occasions the rush of the consummation left her wanting. Hamlet was
plagued by many acts that he was always buried in the script than between his
lover’s breasts. He handed the other roles to Claudius and soon his other
responsibilities.
“Ugh…” Gertrude rushed to the wash basin before
throwing out. Claudius had approached the lady to hold her.
“Are you well?” Claudius had asked.
“I am …fine. I have seen the healer. It’s …”
Gertrude was cut off by the man.
“So, you are with a child. How long and shall I
tell Hamlet?” Claudius was laughing with glee. “And he just landed the role as
Julius Caesar. Me as Brutus. What a break?”
“Claudius, you can’t tell Hamlet. Not yet.”
Gertrude cautioned the other. “He …”
“Why not? He is the father.” Claudius was smiling.
“Is he not?”
Gertrude remained silent and Claudius had to ask
then.
“I mean he may have.” Claudius tried to find the
words to speak. “I…We…”
“I am not sure. There were …some but there was …”
“Speak no more, Gertrude.” Claudius hushed the
other. “It does not matter who for the child shall hold both as the father.
Perhaps one that will remain as shadowy till the day when he may declare it.”
“Thank you, Claudius. I do need that.” Gertrude
hugged the other into her arms. “I can feel you still.”
Claudius had his breeches open.
“I think Hamlet may be delayed.” Gertrude reached
for Claudius.
“Then we shall do not do much ado about it. I will
be called Father one day.” Claudius laughed. “Do you know madness trends in my
family? That may be a telling sign of the real father.”
No comments:
Post a Comment