Tara Monologue

“So far it is satisfactory, but the night is relatively young, my dear. How is Mrs. Murray?” “She is doing fine, I believe, though it’s been an hour or so since I heard any news. It will make for a memorable birthday for the twins, I should think.” “They might be useful if they’re as indistinguishable as you and your sister. We could put them in matching costumes.” Tara laughs. “You might wait until they can walk, at least.” Around the unlit cauldron that will hold the bonfire, twelve archers are taking their positions. Tara and Chandresh halt their conversation to watch. Tara observes the archers while Chandresh watches the crowd as their attention is drawn to the display. They turn from crowd to audience as though choreographed along with …show more content…
The audience bursts into applause. Tara claps along, while beside her Chandresh stumbles, dropping his cigar to the ground. “Chandresh, are you all right?” Tara asks. “I feel rather dizzy,” he says. Tara takes Chandresh by the arm to steady him, pulling him closer to the side of the nearest tent, out of the way of the crowd that has started moving again, spilling out in all directions. “Did you feel that?” he asks her. His legs are shaking and Tara struggles to support him as they are jostled by passersby. “Feel what?” she asks, but Chandresh does not reply, still clearly unsteady. “Why did no one think to put benches in the courtyard?” Tara mutters to herself. “Is there a problem, Miss Burgess?” a voice asks behind her. She turns to find Marco hovering behind her, notebook in hand and looking quite concerned. “Oh, Marco, there you are,” Tara says. “Something is wrong with Chandresh.” They are beginning to attract stares from the …show more content…
“Has he been like this long?” Marco asks Tara as he steadies Chandresh. “No, it came on quite suddenly,” she replies. “I worry he might faint.” “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Marco tells her. “The heat, perhaps. I can handle this, Miss Burgess. It’s nothing to concern yourself with.” Tara furrows her brow, reluctant to leave. “It’s nothing,” Marco repeats emphatically. Chandresh looks at the ground as though he has lost something, not seeming to register the conversation at all. “If you insist,” Tara relents. “He’s in perfectly good hands, Miss Burgess,” Marco says, and then he turns before she can say another word, and he and Chandresh walk off into the crowd. “There you are,” Lainie says, appearing at her sister’s shoulder. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Did you see the lighting? Wasn’t it spectacular?” “Indeed,” Tara says, still scanning the crowd. “Whatever is the matter?” Lainie asks. “Did something happen?” “How much do you know about Chandresh’s assistant?” Tara asks in response. “Marco? Not very much,” Lainie says. “He’s worked for Chandresh for a few years, specializes in accounting. Before that he was a scholar of some sort, I believe. I’m not entirely sure what he studied. Or where, for that matter. He’s not particularly talkative. Why do you ask? Seeking another dark and handsome conquest?” Tara laughs, despite her