Trocinna Monologue

My father is sick with yellow fever, so I was sent to London to get medicine. We don’t have money to pay the doctor. This type of medicine is Trocinna. It contains three ingredients, mint, honey, and a white tropaeoleum; a rare flower that everyone wants but only a select few can have.
In London, it is very civil.
As I was walking down the streets, I bumped into a person. It was a man with grey wig and dark eyes, he looked grumpy. He wore a silk velvet cravat with a red waist coat, a red coat, red breeches, silk stockings, and the most expensive leathered shoes. When I bumped into him he grunted and gave me a deadly look.

"You there, girl! What's your name?"

"Elizabeth Coward, sir." I was startled.

"You most certainly are a coward, girl,"
he glared, "What is your business here?"

"I'm here just to pick up medicine for my father." I explained.

"Hmmm. Your father. He must be Alastair Coward?"

"You know my father? Who are you?"

"I am Averitt, Earl of London.
Your father used to ‘serve’ me."
"Serve for you?! How dare you! My father used to be an influential lord in the House of Commons! Until he was exiled for a false treason!"
"No, your father tried to poison our former king!"
"My father would never...."
SLAP!
There was only silence for what felt like an eternity.

"You are a lucky girl that I don't turn you in for speaking to a nobleman in such a manner!”

I didn't say anything. As Averitt continued walking he pushed me aside. After a moment, I started walking again; I was heading towards the chemist.
When I walked in there was an old man with no hair, a blue silk cravat, white cotton stockings, brown leathered shoes, and a brown waistcoat. The room is large, more like a kitchen area. The walls are painted cream and the floors are dark oak. There seven shelves. The 3 red and 7 brown painted shelfs have different categories of medicine and different supplies. The shelfs are really disorganized, but you can tell which medicine is which because of the labels. Some medicines are powdered, liquid, an herb, or chewable pills. There are not very much supplies, but there are bowls, mortars and pestles,
The Proprietor was using the mortar and pestle to break down
Tropaeolum. “Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for Pierre-Antoine Crevier.”
“That is I,” he responded.
He turned around and looked me up and down.
“Aww, you must be Alastair Coward’s daughter. You look so much like your mother.”
“Thank you, sir,” I looked down feeling heat rise to my cheeks. “I’m here for a medicine called Trocinna.”
“Why would you need such a thing?” He asked in worry.
“It’s my father. He has fallen ill to Yellow Fever,” I explained with a hint of sadness sneaking into my voice.
“Dear God! I hope he is only in the beginning stages of the fever. I have your medicine, but it will take two weeks for it to be ready and the cost would be 73 pounds.”
“How am I supposed to get that kind of money, sir?”
“I may be able to find a way to make it less costly, but only because you’re a family friend.”
“How?”
“Because of the law, I can only drop down a few pounds. If I drop it any more down you and I both would be in trouble.”
“Oh, I see. I’ll try to make up the money I can. And I’ll come back with whatever I have.” I went back outside and sighed. How am I supposed to save my father if this type of medicine is so expensive? I must find a way to earn money as a living and buy this rare medicine. But, it will take some time to earn that much money, maybe weeks or months. Oh, I am just worrying too much because my father isn't that bad yet, but I do believe that I must get it right away, so he may gain his health back.
Walking through the London streets, I was heading towards the palace. My mind is filled with a lot of things and it is giving me a headache. Maybe I should think other things that would calm me down a bit. I looked to my left, I see the town crier. I wonder what he is going to announce this time.
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Good citizens, friends, and family of England, I announce that his majesty, the king is offering young men of different professions a place in the palace. You will prove yourself worthy to be in the palace. His majesty will pay you the amount accordingly. You will have three days, starting in three weeks, July 15th at noon in the palace. You will have different tasks to show the king of how eligible you are to work for him. If you pass, then you will be accepted. But, if you fail, you will be sent home. May you have many more!” This announcement led to loud talk in the city. Oh my, oh my, oh my!
This is my lucky chance! I turned around and head south back to the chemist. Maybe Pierre-Antoine would help me to get in as a boy. I ran to the chemist shop, bumping into some people without apologizing to them. How rude of me, but I am so much in a hurry. I opened the chemist door and slammed it shut.
“Oh my! Elizabeth, is that you? What's going on? Are you feeling alright?”
“Too many questions to answer, sir, but I am so excited.”
“Forgive me, but excited for what?”

I told him what the town crier had said about the king’s announcement. Pierre-Antoine looked at me like I’m crazy.
“I’m telling you! If you could teach me how to act like a man…”
“No.” Wait, what?! Did he just say no to me? Why would he say that? Did I say something wrong?
“Wait, what do you mean no?”
“Because you are a woman. A woman does not do a man’s job. She is just a housewife who serves her husband.”
“Housewife? Housewife! But sir, this is my only chance to get a job and earn money so I can get the medicine for my father.” I am so desperate to get a job at the palace. It would probably would take me some time to convince Pierre- Antoine to teach me because I am a woman and he’s a man, he that cannot agree with my
purpose.
Pierre-Antoine looked at me and hesitated. It is seemed that he is in a deep thought. He put down his medicine book, walked around the counter and came up to me. I closed my eyes tight, afraid what he is going to say.
“I’ll think what I can do. But it doesn’t mean yes. Come back tomorrow and I’ll give you the answer.” I opened my eyes, surprised. I jumped and hugged saying thank you so many times that I forgot to count. Pierre-Antoine chuckled.
Tomorrow will be a new life. An old life that I must forsake and create a new life that would help me later on the future.