A Threaded Mystery

There are kimonos hanging on wooden racks. Two sewing machines are placed at the far end of the stage. Boxes of fabrics and sewing toolboxes decorate the scene. At the centre there are two armchairs that are embroidered with silk. 

Kanako and Yazumi enter the stage and sit on the two armchairs.

Kanako: Yazumi, your name was? 

Yazumi: Yes, I am Yazumi. I wrote a letter, did you read it?

Kanako: I did not read the letter, I was most intrigued by the gift you made. This little thing. What can you tell me about it?  (Takes out the embroidered patch and looks at it)

Yazumi: Kanako-sensei. I embroidered a patch for you. It is of the moon and stars. I imagined the Emperor as the moon, and the twinkling stars as his servants. Working for you will make me into a star.

Kanako: You want to be a star? A seamstress is not a star. She spends her nights in the dark with just a slither of light, always in the dark. No one ever notices her hard work.

Yazumi: I have my head in the clouds, yes.

Kanako: To be a seamstress for the Emperor it is not to have your head in the clouds. It is a sacrifice, what is taken will never be given back. 

Only once a thread, 

The seamstress works forever,

Her work is the star.

Yazumi: A star sacrifices herself. She sees the dark, but never the light. (Gestures her hand towards the embroidered patch which she has made). Tell me of my skills, do I make the cut?

Kanako: Your stitches are neat and the needlework is superb. But I must choose wisely. It has been unsettling in the palace the past few days.

Yazumi: Unsettling? Why is that?

Kanako: I do not want you to be worried. For all I know, you might accuse me yourself.

Yazumi: I am worried now, even before making me your apprentice. Tell me what it is?

Kanako: Maybe it is the Emperor with his head in the clouds. But I have my suspicions.

Yazumi: What do you mean? Suspicions? WIll I have to prove my worth?

Kanako: I am sure you will. As I have had four apprentices, all wanting nothing to do with me. Talk in the palace, say there has been a ghost who rips up the princess’ clothing. All their very work turned to shreds.

Yazumi: A ghost? Whoever thought a ghost could carry scissors around and attack clothing is absurd to me. Why clothing?

Kanako: Have a look at this, Yazumi. (Pulls out the princess’ tattered kimono).

Yazumi: (Inspects closely) If it was a ghost, it surely has poor scissor skills. 

Kanako: That is very insightful of you. The second apprentice I had, accused me, that it was I. She had turned in her sewing toolkit and I never saw her again. 

Yazumi: I see, the Emperor had thought it was her who ripped up Princess Toyo’s kimono.

Kanako: As you can see, working as my apprentice will come with its sacrifices. The Emperor places his trust in my skills wholeheartedly. You must do the same if you ever walk my path.

Yazumi: I always choose the threaded path. The path that my needles point towards. Putting pieces of fabric together, like putting the pieces of a mystery together.

Kanako: I will make you my apprentice, then. Do what you will with the mystery. The Emperor’s investigator has always come to the conclusion that it was my apprentices who destroyed Princess Toyo’s clothes. 

Yazumi: I will gain his trust by fixing this kimono for Princess Toyo. But before I do, I will inspect it. May I, Kanako-sensei?

Kanako: No, you may not. I will tell you what you have to do. For I am the head seamstress. You will babysit Princess Toyo. For that is the only way to gain the Emperor’s trust. We shall leave that kimono how it is. The Emperor has enough silks for the entire Palace. You may inspect it once you have gained his trust.

Yazumi: Kanako-sensei, my skills are with thread and silk. For my skills with a child will only lead to me teaching her what I know.

Kanako: Then that is what you shall do.

Yazumi: It is like living two lives.

Two threads wound bravely,

One splits apart doubtfully,

One remains unbroken.