“Relax, Miranda, no one was harmed.” Prospero calmly assures.

 

“This is insane!” She says with heaviness in her heart and tears streaming down her face, “If you saw what I just saw, you would know that’s impossible.”

 

“What do you mean?” Miranda looks up at her father, eyes puffy and red.

“You don’t know where I came from or why we’re here on this island. I am more than what you think. And it’s about time I told you everything.”

 

“Pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you, it’s very important.” 

 

Miranda nods, anticipating what the truth might be.

 

“Do you remember the time before we came to this island?” Prospero asks.

 

Prospero takes a deep breath, “Twelve years ago, I was a powerful Duke. You, Miranda, were my heir and would’ve been a princess. But because of the crimes committed against us, we were forced here.”

 

“What!” Miranda exclaims, so many thoughts running though her mind, “I need to hear more. Please, continue.”

 

Intrigued, Miranda quickly answers, “Yes.”

 

Prospero continues, “Antonio started to become good at the art of manipulation. He knew exactly who to promote and who to hold back in order to get what he wanted. He turned my people against me while controlling everything and everyone. He was like a leech, sucking the vitality out of me.” Prospero looks to Miranda, “You couldn’t possibly be listening.” 

 

“Well, continue paying attention.” Prospero shifts his weight, “I admit, I neglected my duties to the government and isolated myself only to further my knowledge. But by doing this, I awoken an evilness in my brother; he lied to me, but I remained trusting in him and his leadership. When he established his position of power, he began to believe he was the rightful Duke instead of me. Listening?”

 

“It’s impossible not to listen to this story.”

 

 

Miranda shakes her head, “Not at all.”

 

“Exactly. Here is what happened next. Antonio asked the King of Naples to remove me and all of my immediate family from Milan and Antonio would pay him. So they raised an army, opened the gates of Milan, and chased me and you out of the city.”

 

“Great question. Since I was so loved by the city, they had to keep their actions bloodless. Anyways, they rushed us onto a ship and sailed a few miles out where a derelict, old boat waited for us. And we were left out there.” Prospero crosses his arms. 

 

Miranda slides down the wall and sits, “I couldn’t imagine going through that with a child!”

 

“Oh Miranda,” Prospero says sympathetically, “you were the only thing keeping me alive. You gave me the strength and courage to face what was coming.”

 

“A kind nobleman named Gonzalo was responsible for abandoning us at sea. Out of kindness, he gave us some supplies. Knowing how much I loved my books, he stashed some for me on the boat.”

 

 At the mention of a boat, Miranda immediately remembered the shipwreck, “Father, why did you start that storm earlier?”

 

Walking outside of the shack, Prospero calls out, “Ariel, come here now.”

 

“Master,” Prospero’s servant appears, “I’ve come to do whatever you like.”

 

 

 “Everyone except for the sailors jumped into the sea to escape the fire. The king’s son, Ferdinand, was the first one to jump.”

 

Prospero asks, “And they’re all safe?” 

 

“Not a hair on anyone’s head was harmed. As you told me to, I’ve scattered everyone from the ship in a few different groups around the island.”

 

“Well done.”

 

“And that is…” Prospero trails off. 

“My freedom. I’ve done good work for you. I’ve been loyal and have made no mistakes. You, Master, promised to shorten my time as servant by a full year.”

 

Irritated, Prospero gets up from the boulder, “Oh, you must’ve forgotten who freed you from torture.”

 

“No, I haven’t.”

 

“Yeah, apparently so. But now you think what I ask of you is far too much.”

 

“I don’t sir.” Ariel says worriedly. 

 

“Yes, Caliban, her son.”

 

Prospero rolls his eyes, “I know, I just said that. When I arrived here, it was my magic that saved you.”

 

“And I thank you for that, Master.”

 Ariel falls to the ground pleading, “Forgive me, I’ll do whatever you say with no complaints.”

 

Satisfied, Prospero says, “Do that, and I’ll give you your freedom in two days.”

 

Excited by this news, Ariel gets up and hurriedly exclaims, “Tell me what I should do and I’ll do it!”

 

“Make yourself invisible to everyone but me and yourself. Do it carefully.”

 

Ariel leaves to do this while Prospero goes back in the shack to wake Miranda.