Shadows on the Wall: In the Library
[Scene: an arched rose window between two sets of bookshelves. A library ladder on wheels stands to one side.]

[C-ko, dressed in the Rose Bride outfit but with her glasses on a beaded chain, is calmly shelving books. A-ko enters.]

A-ko: Excuse me, I would like to check a book out on, um, the difference between love and friendship.

C-ko: I'm sorry, we don't have any such books. It would be improper for a school to have anything on the subject of love.

A-ko: Could I check out a book on just friendship, then?

C-ko: We don't have anything on frivolous subjects.

A-ko. I, um, see. Do you have any books about psychology?

C-ko: No. The Parent-Teacher Committee decided that they were too advanced, so we do not have any.

A-ko: Ah. What about... history?

C-ko: The Student Council decided that those books should be put in the archives. No one read them anyway.

A-ko: Do you have any novels?

C-ko: Sorry. This is a school library, after all.

A-ko: Do you have any books at all?!??

C-ko: [Looks down at the book in her hand, hastily shelves it] Not really.

A-ko: What good is this place, then? [Storms out.]

[C-ko goes on shelving, unruffled. B-ko leans down from the top of one of the bookshelves, where she is apparently stretched out, reading.]

B-ko: Well? What did she check out?

C-ko: Apparently, she couldn't find the book she wanted.

B-ko: That's odd. I never have any trouble finding the books I want. [Flips through the pages of the book she's currently reading.]

C-ko: What are you reading now?

B-ko: Behind a Mask.

C-ko: Ah, the one by Alcott. It's a pity A-ko couldn't find her book, though.

B-ko: [Leaps lightly down to the floor] Well, that'll teach her to ask for permission.

C-ko: [Primly] Is that book properly checked out?

B-ko: No. I must dash, I have a... an appointment.

[She leaves the library, and C-ko takes her glasses off and drops them on the chain around her neck. Outside, the sound of a car motor fades away.]