Scene 1

Question 1

Start of show

Answer 1

That should do it for Mr. Jeremy Fisher! Now all I have to do is sign my name…

Question 2

ANNIE
Who’s Mr. Jeremy Fisher?

Answer 2

Oh! Nobody! Who are you?

Question 3

ANNIE
My name is Annie. Annie Carter.

Answer 3

But— Mother told me that I should be expecting my new governess.

Question 4

ANNIE
Well, Beatrix, I am your new governess.

Answer 4

But you’re not much older than I. You don’t look like… well…

Question 5

ANNIE
A dried up prune?

Answer 5

Not at all! But you do look like… like I might like you.

Question 6

ANNIE
Well, I sure hope so! Now, what’s that behind your back?

Answer 6

(Holding out an empty hand)
Oh, it’s nothing

Question 7

ANNIE
The other hand, please.

BEATRIX hands her the sketch pad, reluctantly.

ANNIE (cont.)
It’s a drawing! A very lovely drawing at that. Who taught you how to draw?

Answer 7

Oh, nobody. We picked it up on our own—my brother Bertram and I. We always drew on our summer vacations to Scotland… the only place where I’ve ever been truly happy. The sun shining on our faces as we played in the fields all day, what I would give to go back.

Question 8

ANNIE
I was told by your mother that you are not allowed to draw until your studies improve—specifically your writing and—

Answer 8

But this is writing!

Question 9

ANNIE
What do you mean?

Answer 9

Each and every picture is a part of a story, you see. This is my first one, Peter Rabbit. It’s about a brave little rabbit who runs away from home and gets to do whatever he wants! He goes on all sorts of adventures, like to the tailor of Gloucester, he then helps two bad mice, and most recently, he meets Jeremy Fisher! So you see, this is writing… you’re not going to tell my parents are you?

Question 10

ANNIE
Well, these are in fact writings. There is no doubt about that. However, I need further evaluation to see what the best course of action is.

Answer 10

What do you mean?

Question 11

ANNIE
(Lightheartedly)
I mean I would need to hear the stories in full detail, and then I will decide if they are satisfactory writings for your age.

Answer 11

Oh, I really am going to like you, Miss Annie!

Question 12

ANNIE
You may change your mind when you find out what I have to teach you first – German.

Answer 12

German? Oh I’d never learn German, but I still predict that we’re going to be best friends.

Question 13

Die freundin.

Answer 13

Die freundin?

Question 14

ANNIE
It’s German – for the friend

Answer 14

Oh, hello, die freundin, Annie.