Mirror, Mirror
Mirror, Mirror
Ifenna is having a nightmare. In the nightmare she is running through woodland, breathing heavily. She screams, but is abruptly cut off by a plunge into water
Alarm clock sounds - 7am on BBC Radio 2
IFENNA
[Breathing - rapid and shallow then gradually slows]
NARRATOR
Bring her blood, bring hair and bone, there are games to be played beneath the first spring’s bloom
Front door opens and closes
Sounds of a busy call centre
NARRATOR
Apples and rosewater, sunlight and quick streams, blood dyeing the winter snow a scarlet prettier than she could ever be.
IFENNA
Dialling Tone
Is this Hubert Edwards? Hi Mr Edwards, according to our records, you were in a car accident -
Line hangs up
Dialling Tone
– Hi Ms Wang, according to our records, you may be owed –
Line hangs up
Dialling Tone
– according to our records, you were recently in an accident that wasn’t –
LADY OF THE EVEN MISTS
In the background of Lady Mists’ speech, Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major - Andantino is playing
Hello pet! It’s almost your Claimday.
IFENNA
Lady Mists? How did you -?
LADY OF THE EVEN MISTS
You called me, didn’t you? How are you sleeping?
IFENNA
What are you -?
LADY OF THE EVEN MISTS
You didn’t think I’d forget, did you? I love you far too much for that.
IFENNA
Of course I didn’t think you’d... I’m not doing this.
LADY MISTS
Don’t be like that! You love it when I surprise you. You -
Ifenna hangs up
IFENNA
Sorry Sharon I’m really not feeling well I have to go I’ll come in early on Monday have a good weekend bye
Ifenna rushes to the lift and pushes the button
[to herself] Oh God I’m - I’m fine. It’s OK. I’m fine
NARRATOR
It has been 3 years and her Lady Mistress still wishes her back, through brambles and freezing water.
VOICEMAIL
You have 18 new messages. First new message received today at 1.23pm
LADY OF THE EVEN MISTS
That was very rude, hanging up on me. I just wanted to talk. It’s been almost 20 years since I claimed you. I’ve missed -
VOICEMAIL
Message deleted. Next new message received today at 1.33pm
LADY OF THE EVEN MISTS
We’ve barely spoken since last year I –
VOICEMAIL
Message deleted. Next new message received today at 1.43pm
LADY OF MISTS
We both know the nightmares won’t stop unless -
VOICEMAIL
Message deleted -
MUSIC: ‘I put a spell on you’ by Alice Smith
NARRATOR
She bought her freedom with a split tongue and broken skin. She is no longer beholden to a mistress’ moods, fleeting as dew. But sleep is precious and a moment’s peace may be worth more. After all, there are days and there are days and there are nights long enough, pains sharp and sweet enough to slip into your bed.
Ifenna is having another nightmare. She is running through woodland, crying. She falls. We can hear twigs snapping in the distance. She screams.
IFENNA
[screams] NO!
No, no, no. I can’t do this. I need her, just for a minute - for a moment - just a second.
NARRATOR
Freedom was hard won but sleep is precious
IFENNA
Mirror, mirror, in my hand. Show me the fairest in the land
Harp sound effect
-silence-
Mists, please answer me.
LADY MISTS
Classical music plays in the background of her speech
My pet, you’ve finally called. But really, you must remember to use titles for your betters. Now, where are you? I’ll bring you home.
IFENNA
I don’t want -
LADY MISTS
Answer the question
IFENNA
Salford, my Lady
LADY MISTS
Oh pet, you told me that last year, remember? I need more if you want my help. But if you don’t want me then I could just hang up and leave you...
IFENNA
Please no! I haven’t slept in –
LADY MISTS
Of course I’ll stay, I only ever want to help you.
IFENNA
Thank you
LADY MISTS
Why are you doing this to yourself? You never hurt like this at home.
IFENNA
I’m free here
LADY MISTS
What is freedom when you’re alone? When memories of your mistakes haunt you? I love you, I gave you everything. Don’t you know how much your suffering hurts me?
IFENNA
No please, don’t cry. My head hurts so bad when you cry
LADY MISTS
Your head hurts? What about me? [crying] I just want to help you. I just want to bring you home.
IFENNA
Please, please stop crying. I can’t bear it. I’m sorry
LADY MISTS
How can I? When my own darling, my own pet, the child I took and raised as my own, refuses me the smallest favour? I’m not asking you to stay forever, just your Claimday.
IFENNA
I guess I could? Just for the day? If it’ll help?
LADY MISTS
Of course it will! You must tell me where you are in your dreams.
IFENNA
I am - I am near you. Not far from the forest’s edge. I am bruised. I am close to drowning.
LADY MISTS
Now, was that so difficult? Where...there you are! Take my hand darling, and come home.
Sound of a stream nearby and owls hooting in the distance
IFENNA
Oh it’s so quiet.
LADY MISTS
Of course it is. When you’re with me everything will be ok. Now come on inside.
NARRATOR
Her Lady Mistress wished her back, wished forgetfulness, wished rose windows and sweetness. Sleep denied granted that wish, and she counts up the cost
Ifenna and Lady Mists’ are inside a large entryway. Classical music is playing.
LADY MISTS
We’ll have dinner in the parlour later.
IFENNA
I can’t -
LADY MISTS
Don’t interrupt! Anyway, you’ll have to get changed first. I kept your old room. Come along
Ifenna and Lady Mists walk across the marble floor
IFENNA
Is this a new dress. For me?
LADY MISTS
Of course my darling. You mean the world to me, you know that. I’ve had a dress made for your Claimday every year, even though you left. Unfortunately, you’ve spread somewhat since I last saw you - you greedy thing - but a little magic works wonders. Now put it on and we’ll go to dinner. The cook prepared all your favourites.
IFENNA
Yes! Thank you! Wait, I’m sorry. Could I just go to bed? I’m so tired and it’s quiet for the first time in days and I –
LADY MISTS
Alright, if you insist. You can put this on in the morning before breakfast.
IFENNA
But –
LADY MISTS
Goodnight my pet. A servant will fetch you in the morning.
Ifenna is sleeping peacefully, the sound of nocturnal birds can be heard out the window.
NARRATOR
There are days and there are days and there is peace sweet enough to slip in your bed.
Dreams are sleep tucked under her tongue like sugar. It melts into her like sunlight and new snow.
Rosewater and fresh honey, fresh honey and new bread. Sleep like hunger and hunger like want.
Classical Music is playing
Ifenna knocks
LADY MISTS
Come in Goodness, I thought you would miss breakfast! Better late than never. Good morning my pet. Your Claimday is set to be a beautiful one. And don’t you look lovely! Round as an apple, but lovely even so. Come, sit. Eat!
IFENNA
I can’t. This is fairy food. You know what’ll happen if-
LADY MISTS
You will be home, with me, your Lady
IFENNA
I can’t let fairy food keep me here.
LADY MISTS
Don’t be silly. Living amongst humans has made you arrogant. You came because you miss me, need me. You belong here.
IFENNA
I just needed to sleep and I have. Thank you for helping me but I have to go home.
LADY MISTS
This is your home. I wish you could see that. [She starts to cry] You would abandon me again? On your Claimday?
IFENNA
Wait! No! Please don’t -
Distorted sounds from Ifenna’s nightmare: running, panting and weeping
Please no! This isn’t supposed to happen here.
LADY MISTS
What did you expect? Being so cruel to me.
IFENNA
Please, anything. Just make it stop?
LADY MISTS
Eat something. Here, have this apple and it’ll stop. Then we can go sit by the water like we used to and it’ll be all better.
NARRATOR
Start over with apples and rosewater. Begin again with sunlight and quick streams. Return to burst blood vessels dyeing the winter snow a scarlet prettier than she could ever be.
IFENNA
Really?
LADY MISTS
Of course my darling. Just eat a little and we can even play our old games. You so loved those.
NARRATOR
She demands blood, demands hair and bone. There are games to play, stretch skin tight as a drum and beat a happy tattoo. Always playing. Always playing
IFENNA
No I - I don’t like your games
LADY MISTS
Of course you do! They make me so happy.
NARRATOR
She fought through glass, brambles and freezing water. Broke her ribs and tore her feet. She sliced away the self her Lady gave her and crafted a new one from spit and soil and half a memory of a mother she cannot know.
IFENNA
I have to go. I ran away for a reason. You -
LADY MISTS
You were being a silly child. You need me.
IFENNA
You took me away from everything I -
LADY MISTS
I gave you better
IFENNA
You gave my parents a changeling, then killed it. I watched when -
LADY MISTS
Only because you asked me to
IFENNA
I didn’t know what I was asking. I was -
LADY MISTS
That’s why you need me, you don’t know anything
IFENNA
They grieved for me, buried a body that wasn’t even mine. You let me -
LADY MISTS
Why must you bring up ancient history? Come to the stream with me, and I won’t even get angry.
IFENNA
I don’t care
LADY MISTS
Watch your tone
IFENNA
No. I don’t care if you’re angry
LADY MISTS
You forget that I gave you everything
NARRATOR
Arm yourself with memory. Dreams cannot stand against the truth.
IFENNA
No, you took me. You kidnapped me then made me celebrate its anniversary. It’s sick -
LADY MISTS
You love your Claimday
IFENNA
Yeah, because no one would beat me. You’d give me nice food and dresses. You -
LADY MISTS
You need me. I -
IFENNA
No! Let me finish. You took everything from me and made me need you. Even when I got away, I thought I needed you. I kept coming back here in my dreams, kept telling you things about me because I thought I couldn’t live without you.
Sound of overlapped weeping and screaming.
LADY MISTS
You need me or this will never end. I own you
IFENNA
No, just let me go
LADY MISTS
You are mine and I will have you.
IFENNA
No I’m not. I don’t care if I never sleep again. I’m going home.
LADY MISTS
NO!
Lady Mists grabs at Ifenna. They tussle. Sound of tearing cloth as Ifenna breaks free and runs out the door.
Ifenna is running away from the house and into the forest. Sound of the stream and distant birds. Lady Mists starts to chase her
LADY MISTS
Come back! You won’t get away again.
Ifenna keeps running, breathing heavily
NARRATOR
Find the borders, the fluid places. Find a shimmering surface twisting this place to honesty. Find the only truth untainted by lies and luxury.
Ifenna breaks through the treeline into a clearing.
IFENNA
Yes! [pause and pant] Mirror mirror, on the ground. Take me home, don’t let me drown.
LADY MISTS
Don’t you dare!
IFENNA
Goodbye, My Lady.
Ifenna jumps into the lake. Ifenna is swimming down, attempting to reach the bottom of the lake. We can hear her heartbeat throughout
NARRATOR
Swim down. Beyond drowning. Beyond freezing. Swim down. She must swim herself free.
Ifenna breaks through the water in her bath. The bathroom is small, with tiled walls and a tiled floor.
She breathes deeply, as she’s been holding her breath for a long time.
She pauses and listens
IFENNA
I’m home? I’m home! I’m actually home. And it’s quiet - so quiet. But she knows where I live. I can move. I’ll move. I’ll go somewhere else, change my number, change my name if i have to. It’ll be fine
Music: St Beauty - Lucid Dreams
NARRATOR
She strips away the Lady’s silk and velvet gown. She breathes deep diesel fumes and dust. Bathes herself with soap and chlorine-treated water. Her mind is quiet as a fox stealing through the witching hour, peaceful as a cul-de-sac at midnight. She is alone, and full, and herself.