The Princess Dilemma

The Princess Dilemma It's the first day of our last year of etiquette school, Deborah. Why are you sighing so dramatically? Where's the excitement? Oh, Lottie, I can't find a way to be excited right now. Is this about your birthday? I knew it. This is about your 20th birthday. Not again. On a woman's 20th birthday, she shall become engaged to a prince in order to secure a solid future for the crown. I don't have a prince. You have the whole year to find one. And we're at an etiquette school for princes and princesses. It couldn't be easier. You have to have someone you're interested in. It's Prince Damien, isn't it? But everyone at school thinks Prince Damien should be with the most popular girl. He is the most popular boy, but I want him to be with me. A flower for my honey, Princess Bee. Oh, Prince Damien, you know a way to a girl's heart. There go the three worst princesses the pauper etiquette school has ever seen. Wilting flowers with your bad attitude again, Princess Bee? When are they going to fail the three of you? So I don't have to look at your terrible fashion choices ever again. We all have to wear the same dresses in our approved colors, Your Highness. Some of us wear it better than others. How can a princess as mean as her lend a prince as handsome and cute as Prince Damien? We may never know. Come on, Deborah, Bia, let's get to class. I just have one stop to make and then I'll be right there. Princess Deborah, I've been expecting you. Come on in. All right, sweetie, tell the fairy godmother headmistress all your problems. How did you know I have a problem? Darling, I know everything that goes on at pauper etiquette school. It's my job. I'm having a bit of an issue with Princess Bee. She is a capital B for bully. Yes, you understand. And she has managed to win the attention of Prince Damien. I want Damien's attention. Of course, I always understand. Now, what shall we do about it? I was hoping you could tell me. Very well. This problem is quite easy. I have two potions for you, Princess. One is red and one is blue. Should you decide to drink the blue potion, you will become courageous, tenacious, fearless, strong-willed and clever. If you decide to drink the red potion, you will be compassionate, caring, emotionally secure and the calming presence everyone longs for. Drink one of these potions. Enhance the qualities each provides. Use this to your advantage to stop Princess Bee's bullying and win over the heart of Prince Damien. How do I know which to pick? Ah, that is your choice and your choice alone. I'd like the blue potion. I can use those traits to outwit the princess and impress Damien. Enjoy! Oh, and next time, Princess Deborah, bring me a more challenging problem. Hi, Prince Damien. You're looking very royally handsome today. Uh, thank you? What game are you playing at, Deborah? Princess Bee, I've been meaning to tell you. The way you treat everyone at the school is awful. Did you know she stomped on the flower you gave her yesterday? Is that true? I... And she says awful, terrible things to the other princesses. We're supposed to lead our kingdoms with kindness, strength, and compassion. But instead, Princess Bee treats the people around her like peasants. I'm looking for a prince that will rule my kingdom alongside me with honor. I believe that you're that prince. Stop wasting your time with Princess Bee and join me instead. You're cruel, Princess Deborah! No, Bee, you are cruel. I am honest. What has gotten into Deborah? I don't know, but I kind of like it. Princess Deborah, I don't know what to say. Say you'll take me to the ball this weekend. I think I need some time to think. This is a lot all at once. Fairy! Your potion didn't work. Please take a seat. Make yourself comfortable. I want to drink the red potion. Eager, are we? Very well. Oh boy. Princess, are you all right? My darlings, I am simply wonderful. But I do feel as though I must find Princess Bee and Prince Damien. I'm not sure that's a good idea. It's the best idea I've had yet. Excuse me, dear girls. I'll be back shortly. Hello, Princess Bee. Bee for beautiful. What's happening? I wish to apologize for my harsh words earlier today. It's all right, Princess. You should apologize. You were incredibly rude approaching Damien like that and sending me away with your anger. You should be ashamed. You're a nobody in this school and you deserve to be treated as such. Now stay away from me before Damien and I melt from the heat of your poor attitude. Debra, don't let her talk to you like that. Stand up for yourself. Oh, Princess Bee, I'm so terribly sorry. Prince Damien, please forgive me. I only want you two to be happy and I will suffer in sadness to make that happen. I'll be gone now forever. You'll never have to see me ever again. Let us in. How did it go, Princess Debra? Oh, terribly. The blue potion made me come on too strong. I insulted Princess Bee and turned Prince Damien away from me. The red potion made me weak and defenseless. Princess Bee could walk all over me and Prince Damien still didn't want anything to do with me. How am I going to gain his attention now? I've removed the effects of the potion. Do you feel better now? Yes, my head is much clearer. Good. Now listen, Princess. In our minds, there are two versions of ourselves. One that is confident, demanding and takes all the world can offer. The other is respectful, quiet, eager to please. We can choose to give in to either of those personalities at any time. Just like you could choose to drink the red potion or the blue potion. How do I know which personality to give in to? My dear, it is not a matter of giving in to one or the other. Do you know why? Because if I drink only the red potion or only the blue potion, then my personality is overwhelming. I could scare people away. Let's do something else instead. I can mix the potions? I've always loved the color purple. There she goes. Oh, I do hope this time it works. Princess Bee, the way that you speak to those around you is not kind. You lead with anger and jealousy. You are a beautiful princess with a wonderful life ahead of you. Instead of focusing on the things you feel you don't have, you could focus on the wonderful things around you. You don't have to be jealous of others. You don't have to be mean. Oh, I never really considered that I might just be jealous. You have the power to control your own destiny and you don't need to put others down to do it. You can rule with compassion instead. I can, you're right. I don't know what magic you're playing with right now, Princess Deborah, but I feel like a new person. Excuse me, I need to make a few apologies. Oh, and Damien, I was using you for power. Sorry, I guess. Prince Damien, I've learned a lot in the last few hours. I learned not to rule a kingdom with anger and strength alone. I learned I can't make everyone happy. But most importantly, I learned that I can rule a kingdom with compassion, strength, honor, and understanding all wrapped up in one. That is how I plan to rule. I wonder if you might want to rule that way as well. I know you haven't asked anyone to the ball yet. I would be honored, Princess Deborah, if you would accompany me to the ball and be my princess. I see you have finally figured it out, Princess Deborah. I have. I couldn't have done it without you. Can you make me enough purple potion to last me the rest of my life? You don't need a purple potion to rule your kingdom properly. The answer was inside you all along. What do you mean? Oh, Princess Deborah, the potions I gave you weren't magical. They were water with a little food coloring. Your personality was never altered. That was you all along. I was confident and a pushover all on my own? It was all you all along. You've always had a red and blue potion inside of you. You just had to choose which one to drink. Or just choose to drink both.