Hamlet; the Noir Adaption 2023 Act 1 Scene 2 Subscene 1

 Act One Scene Two

Sub-Scene One

The Homecoming

It was the afternoon of the previous night that Horation was to meet the ghost. When he had returned to his quarters, he found the servants in rush to do their chores. He asked the one that passed him by.

“What ails the castle today?” Horatio had asked.

“The King is to be buried. His son Hamlet is finally here.”

“The King to be …” Horatio was stunned. He had known that the widow of the King had declared that the King will remain in the Hall till the return of the son. It had been some weeks and despite the constant news send to the young Prince, young Hamlet had refused to return. His excuse was he needed to complete his commitment to plays paid for by his audience.

“Father had said that none may stop the shows even its only one audience will remain to watch it.” Such was the commitment of Hamlet’s; duty above personal needs. The news of his ongoing commitment drove the headlines; ‘duty before self’.

Some were of a differing note; “where does Prince grief? In his play or his heart?”

Others spoke of his denial; ‘the Prince denies his father’s last wish’.

One was crude; the Prince dares not face the King for he was unworthy of the rank

Finally, Prince Hamlet returns home to Castle Elsinore, after having left it for years to go to study and then pursue his career’ A shadow or the peer of the King; finally unveiled now.

The funeral was quick and simple. The hearse wagon was brought to the family plot on the estate; three plots were planned and only one that day was to be used. It was marked ‘Father’, while next to the right was ‘Mother’ and the one on the left ‘Unnamed’

The attendees were the widow, the brother of the King, Emperor Claudius; famed like Hamlet but ever in the shadow of the other. There were several guests; the Chamberlain of Denmark as his rank called off; Polonius Gaus, the Manager of the King on all his theaters alongside the son; Laertes who was there for another reason. There were also the two others; Cornelius and Voltiman, personal aides of the departed King.

The widow of the King; Gertrude sat by herself under the cherry tree a short distance away watching the final moments of the King.

The priest did the last rites and upon saying ashes to ashes, the coffin was lowered to the ground.

“You could say a word to your father, Hamlet. He loves you.” Gertrude turned to the rear to look at her son. Hamlet had returned that morning to the rare crow of the rooster driving himself in the steam drove the four-wheel vehicle right up to the castle's rear entrance choosing to make his entry by the servant’s gate. He had marched into the hall and took one look at his father before he roused the servants to prepare breakfast and also to call the priest.

“My Prince, today is the day of the marriage of your mother to the Emperor. A feast has been called for.”

“Bury my father then we will celebrate her consummation with the Emperor.” Prince Hamlet called out to the servant. His shouts were heard by the widow who had heard the last remark by her son.

“Oh, hello Mother. We will bury father this morning and then you can wed in the evening.” Prince Hamlet bowed to his mother. “I do love you.”

With that, the Prince took to his chamber long untouched but dusted by the servant.

“Wake me at ten when the priest arrived.” That was all Hamlet had spoken since his return.

“Hamlet, do look at the funeral.” Hamlet had turned his back on the funeral. He was picking at the petals of the lilac flowers.

“He loves me yes. He loves me not. He hates me yes.” Hamlet dropped the last petal before he reached for another flower.

“Hamlet!” The younger man heard the lady. He then replied to her.

“Does it matter if I see him again? I have been away for over two decades, and not a word from him until his aides came to see me on his demise.” Hamlet said. “Do I cry or have my tears dried up some years back?”

“Your father loved you.” Gertrude voiced out to her son. “He …”

“He loved you too, Mother.” The Prince cut in. “I know he did.”

“Yes, he did. Your father wanted the best for you. He sent you to Wittenberg to be with the best…” Gertrude explained the father’s ambition in the son. “It was the best of the finest.”

“Was it, Mother?” The Prince asked. “I was five then.”

“Yes, my son. Yes, It’s the truth. Do not despair on your father.”

“I will not, Mother. It's not me you need to concern about.” The Prince then proceed to the castle. “See you at the wedding. Don’t cry, please. I won’t.”