Work Text:
Peter Quince was sitting in his study, drinking a Cognac.
Peter Quince wasn’t wealthy enough to be drinking a Cognac, but after looking at the scroll on his desk, he’d decided he needed one.
In only days, the Duke of Athens would be wed to the fierce Amazon Queen, Hippolyta. And as it was a royal wedding, some entertainment was sure to be expected.
“Oh, why don’t you sign up Peter?” He could hear the voice of the men at the pub in his mind. “Yes, Peter Quince-you’re an amazing director! You could use the extra money…”
So he had. After careful consideration, Peter Quince had handpicked a tale he could weave into the most beautiful of plays- the tragic deaths of Pyramus and Thisbe . All he needed was a willing cast…yet that had proven difficult.
It wasn’t that Peter wasn’t trusted in the theatrical world, he was …sort of. But many actors in town were scared off by the thought of performing at the Duke’s wedding . Many believed if they got it wrong everyone in the troupe would be hanged.
Peter Quince had to take matters into his own hands. At the nearby pub in his area, he put up a sign-up scroll. Anyone interested could simply put their name. After all, he was expanding his reach to the workers of Athens. Surely there would be enough to sign up.
Oh la la.
Only five people had signed up. Five people. Cinq . That was it?!? How was he supposed to- ah, forget it.
Thus, Peter Quince was staring at the scroll of his actors’ names. To his surprise and slight bemusement, he knew of them all.
First off, Francis Flute. A bellows mender whose shop was set up by the port. Peter didn’t know him too well, though rumor around town had it that Flute’s secret reason for pursuing his job was to get to check out the men who came to ask for his aid. Of course, Peter wasn’t one to listen to gossip… most of the time.
Secondly, Tom Snout. A tinker who didn’t live far from Peter himself. He was a bit of a cowardly man, sometimes scared of his own inventions. But Snout was clever-Peter had to give him that. He would probably be a great actor…if he could get over his fear of being perceived.
Next on the list was Robin Starveling, a tailor whom Peter had seen travel to the upper city for work many times. She was…well, she was certainly a character. Peter had heard what people said about her. A try hard, over eager to please, annoying … but she sure as hell knew how to make costumes. Plus, perhaps Peter could use her eagerness to his advantage.
After Starveling’s name was Snug the Joiner. As far as Peter knew, Snug didn’t have a last name (or marry, maybe it was “the Joiner). He was the muscle- a loud, strong man, kind to almost all and downright fearsome to those he despised. Peter had no bad blood with him, though. Actually, a while ago Snug had actually fixed his door. What a nice lad.
And finally…the bane of Peter Quince’s existence. Nick Bottom the weaver. Oh Mon Dieu, he was the most annoying man ever. He was like if overeager Starveling and loud Snug had a child together (which he sincerely doubted would ever happen-Starveling was probably terrified of him). And he always had to be the center of attention , god! Peter didn’t know how he was going to stand him.
Yet as obnoxious as he was…Bottom was probably one of the best actors of his group in Athens. And as much as it pained Peter to admit it (even to himself), he needed him. So unfortunately , he would have to put his pride aside for the sake of this play.
Now all Peter Quince needed to do was cast the play with this…eum… diverse cast of actors. And he had to do it now-his actors were going to come to his house tomorrow (he had to remember to hide all the valuables) to discuss the next steps. And the clock was always ticking-the wedding was only days away. This was going to be a long night .
Before Peter Quince got back to work, he poured himself the luxury of another Cognac.