“King Theodore, King Theodore” exclaims a very jubilant Jimmy Durance, the King’s squire. “The day is upon us.”


Having just been woken from his slumber King Theo begins tossing and turning in his bed made just for a King. Red satin sheets with gold trimmings and pillows number in the dozens adorn the area. As the King continues to roll around and finally makes it to the edge of the bed where he props himself up, sheets covering the lower half of his body.

Squire Jimmy hurries over with the King’s robe and gently drapes it around King Theodore as he plants his feet on the ground and stands tall.


“King Theodore the day has arrived. It’s finally here.”

“I know Jimmy I know. Thus the wonderful celebration last night in the King’s hall.”

“It was a wonderful celebration King Theodore. There was much food and drink, the wild boar was cooked to perfection. And the wine, oh how the wine flowed.”

“Tell me about it. My head feels like it’s going to explode.”


Jimmy rushes over to a large Oak cabinet in the corner of the room, opens the two doors and fumbles around for a few seconds before excitedly pulling out a clay jug. He then hastily makes his way to a desk where a goblet is resting. He grabs the goblet by the handle and begins pouring a smooth white liquid out of the clay jug into the goblet. After placing the clay jug down Jimmy rushes over to King Theodore with the goblet in his out stretched hands.


“What is this Jimmy?”

“Milk of the Poppy sir. With some honey and ginger. It is Maid Magdeline’s own recipe. She says it’s the perfect cure for a headache sir.”

“Perfect Jimmy. Thank you so very much. I could not have a better squire.”

“Thank you King Theodore. Your words are most kind.”

“With that being said, have you given any of my offer to join the Kings Guard any thought?”


King Theodore gets up from his bed side, wraps the robe around him and makes his way towards the windows where he pushes up the wooden shudders to reveal a beautiful morning. The sun is shining bright in the sky, the song of the birds can be heard, bringing a smile to the King’s face.


Jimmy looks around the room, clearly uncomfortable with where his answer may lead him. “King Theodore, please forgive me for saying this, I mean no disrespect…


“Jimmy it’s ok. Please speak your mind, always. I know you don’t have a disrespectful bone in your body.”

“Thank you sir. It’s not that I don’t want to be a part of the King’s Guard. In fact it would mean the world to me but I am from a family of squires and handmaidens, I am not a soldier, I never will be.”


King Theodore motions over to Jimmy with a wave of his hand. “Come over here Jimmy. I want to show you something.”


The Squire walks over to King Theodore and joins him at the window. Peering out over the vast space that is King Theodore’s lands.


“Do you see that Jimmy?” pointing out to the open spaces of his kingdom. “The trees, the mountains, the ocean and the sun. Do you see all that? Do you know what that is?

“Your Kingdom sir.”

“No. Well yes. I mean that is literally what you see out there but that’s not all it is.”

“Sir?”

“Out there among the trees, and the ocean and the mountains and the bright sun is the future, the promise that we all can be whatever we want to be. Destiny is whatever we choose it to be. You were born into a family of servants but you don’t have to die in one. Join the Kings Guard. Fulfil your dreams. You have more than earned it.”

“Thank you King Theodore. That truly means so much to me. I will accept your offer. It is my pleasure to serve you my King.”

“And you have done a magnificent job, now you will begin your training to protect me. I see great things in your future Jimmy. Perhaps even the Lord Commander of the Kings guard. Your future is a very bright one Jimmy.”

"Thank you sir. Thank you so much for your kindness.”

“Come Jimmy, we have a big day ahead of us.”


Several hours later…


King Theodore is seated on his throne in the Hall of Kings which is located approximately in the center of his palace, known throughout the King’s land as Utopia for all of the King’s citizens are welcomed to come and go within the palace walls as they please. A King who believes strongly in complete transparency as well as equal treatment for all of his citizens.






As Theo sits upon his throne, reading over some scrolls that dictate the day’s events a man approaches the King. It is clear from the Guard’s lack of actions that the approaching man is a familiar face among the King’s Court and not someone to be looked upon as being a threat of any kind.


“Father Richard thank you for coming on such short notice.”

“No need to thank me King Theodore. I serve at your command.”

“Oh Father, you do serve at a King’s Command but it surely is not mine. We both known that. Your King is surely much more important than I can ever hope to be. I am just here to serve a role in that King’s grand design.”

“We are all here to serve a role, some of them more meaningful than others. I truly am thrilled to see the job you have done as the King. It is hard to follow in the footsteps of a King who was so adored and yet you have managed to not only continue his legacy but forge your own as well. All the while helping his Kingdom to prosper like never before. Tell me Good King, what is your secret?”

“No Secret Father. I am just fortunate enough to be surrounded by hard working and dedicated folks such as yourself. It’s easy to be a King when the people you surround yourself with are so truly remarkable at their jobs.”

“You are too kind.”

“One of the many things my father taught me, always be gracious to those you encounter. Now Father, I did call you here for a very specific reason. Is everything ready for today’s wonderful celebration?”

“Of course my King. Everything is perfect. The cathedral looks beautiful, I think you will be very pleased with how it looks.”

“Of that I have no doubt. I guess I should probably be heading over to the Cathedral myself, I do have some work to do before the big event.”

“I would think you do. Is there anything I or my staff can do to help you prepare?”

“No Father, you have don’t everything you possibly could and more. I am so thankful that you will be there to officiate over such a joyous occasion.”

“As am I your highness.”


Father Richard turns to leave and as he proceeds out of the Hall of Kings he is greeted by the wide smile of the King’s beautiful sister Princess Erica. The Father stops for a moment to pay his respects to the Princess and then continues his exit from the Hall.


“Dear sister, you look positively breathtaking.”

“Is it too much? I would never want to overshadow the betrothed on her big day.”

“As marvelous as you look Erica I am sure the bride to be will look even better, if that is at all possible.”

“Thank you brother. Tell me, how are you feeling on this glorious morning?”

“I am wonderful thank you for asking. I was just about to go and check on Apollo to see how he is doing. I feel bad I have been ignoring him these last few days while trying to finish everything up. It is amazing that even in a land as peaceful and prosperous as ours that there is still so much work to be done.”

“The pitfalls of being King I suppose. I am certainly glad I was born a woman. I would never want the responsibilities of being a King.”

“How about a Queen? How is King Nathaniel doing? I assume I will be seeing him later?”

“Of course you will. And he is looking forward to seeing you as well. I think the work the two of you have done to unify the region is nothing short of spectacular.”

“Well thank you Sister. Come, walk with me. I am sure Apollo would love to see you.”

“I live to serve at your pleasure my King.”

“Oh stop with that. You know the crown is just my title, it’s not who I am.”

“I know. I just like to rub it in every now and then.”


King Theodore rises from his Throne and joins his sister as they depart the hall and make their way towards the kennel area where Apollo, after winding through a few various hallways in which the King greets each and every one of the people he comes across they finally make their way to their destination. A small dog with white and gold fur runs up to the King, tongue and tail wagging. The dog of course is wearing a small fake crown as those were the wishes of the King. The King kneels down to greet his furry friend.





“Apollo my boy, how are you doing?”

WHOOF!!!

WHOOF!!!

WHOOF!!!

“Look, I even brought your favorite Aunt with me. I am sorry I haven’t been around much. Are you ready for your big day?”


WHOOF!!!

WHOOF!!!


Jimmy the Squire comes out of nowhere looking rather disheveled, and approaches the King and Princess.


“My King, it is that time.”

“So it is. Everything ok Jimmy? You look a little overwhelmed?”

“Everything is great your highness, we just had a little bit of an issue in the kitchen.”

“Nothing too tragic I hope.”

“I don’t believe so. One of the guests went into the kitchen and started stealing the potatoes. When the guards tried to approach him he just rambled something in a foreign language and then defecated on the floor.”

“He did what?”

“He defecated on the floor.”

“OK, that was what you said, I was hoping I heard you wrong. And the potatoes?”

“We were able to recover most of them.”

“Fantastic. Well Sister, I guess now is the time we have all been waiting for.”

“Yes it is. Good luck dear Brother.”


Princess Erica smiles, gives her brother a heartfelt hug and then scampers off to destinations unknown.

“Let the fun begin.”


King Theodore and Jimmy the Squire make their way to St.Francis’ Cathedral where the wedding of King Theodore and Princess Clara of the neighboring Kingdom will take place. As the two men approach the entrance of the cathedral the King peers out at the hundreds of people entering the great church. Jimmy breaks off and heads in one direction while the King heads towards the front of the church where again he is greeted by Father Richard.


“Are you ready my King?”

“As ready as one can possibly be when entering into this blessed union.”

“If you are any bit the husband that you are a King than the soon to be Queen is in great hands, as are we all.”

“Thank you Father, you flatter me.”

“I speak only the truth your Highness. Come this way, the ceremony is about to begin.”


As the King and Father Richard approach the beautifully decorated alter music can be heard playing throughout the church, helping to set the tone for the event. Father Richard takes his place standing directly in front of the alter while the King stands off to the Father’s immediate left. The King begins surveying the first few rows of the Cathedral. He seems King David and his wife Queen Lenore and their beautiful family. On the opposite side of the cathedral is Princess Erica and her guest King Nathaniel. Seated to King Nathaniel’s left is a man that King Theodore has seen accompany King Nathaniel on many voyages but he is unsure of his actual role for King Nathaniel, Theodore believes his name is Azrael but he is not 100% sure of that fact, to that man’s left is a beautiful blonde woman, potentially Azrael’s guest. As King Theodore continues to survey the room the church’s organ comes alive and the wedding march begins. Everyone in the church stands and turns their gaze to the back of the church where a set of double doors begin opening to reveal to the masses for the very first time, the soon to be Queen, Clara….



Suddenly everything goes black…


Theo wakes up in a cold sweat. Unaware of where he is be begins fumbling around trying to locate something, anything that might clue him into where he is. Suddenly Theo rolls off the coach and crashes down to the floor with a thud, revealing that Theo was never in a Kingdom, never had a throne, never had a castle, all he had was a Squire named Jimmy.

“Oh thank God. It wasn’t real. A wedding? Me, getting married? Who the fuck gets married anymore?”

Theo looks rolls around onto his back, looks around the room and then sees the silhouette of a man standing by the front windows of his office. Theo stands up and moves closer to the windows to try and make out who the figure is…

“Space Man!”