The Love of Three Oranges 19 KING. Hmmm. There is something in what you say... PANTALONE. What have you got to lose? We've tried everything else! KING. But the boy is sick! All the noise and festivities might make him worse. PANTALONE. But sick with hypochondria! KING. Terminal hypochondria. Yes. PANTALONE. That means it is all in his mind! KING. Hmmm... Well, we'll try it. I will go see Truffaldino imme- diately. (LEANDRO enters.) PANTALONE. (To himself:) Oh, great, there’s Leandro, the First Min- ister. I don't trust him at all. I'll bet he wants the prince dead. LEANDRO. (Aside to audience:) Hi! I'm Leandro, the First Minister. Boy, do I want the prince dead. KING. Ah, Leandro, I was just about to give orders for some festivi- ties. We are having a court banquet and a masked ball with enter- tainment for the prince starring the great clown Truffaldino and we are having it tonight. And another thing. I also hereby decree that whoever can make the prince laugh, by whatever means, will get a huge prize. LEANDRO. But your Majesty, is this wise? Poor Prince Tartaglia is a very sick boy. Such activity could easily cause his death. KING. Everything else we have tried from magicians to magnets has failed to cure the prince. Laughter cannot possibly hurt him, at the very least. I myself will go to the kitchen and order a royal banquet for the whole court. Ah, Pantalone, you have given me new hope! PANTALONE. (Sucking up:) Well, actually, your majesty, it was mostly your idea. KING. Was it? So, that’s why I'm king. PANTALONE. Oh, your highness, you are such a card. KING. Shut up, Pantalone. (The KING and PANTALONE exit quickly, followed by the guards.) LEANDRO. (Calls after them:) Your highness, [beg you to reconsider! This is a foolish, hasty move that will not help the poor sick boy get better. (They are gone.) Why won't that little brat drop dead already? Damn that meddling Pantalone! And where did this insipid clown