Scene 1

[Hamlet is sitting in the breakfast hall, reading a book.]

[Enter Ophelia.]

Ophelia: My lord Hamlet, today is your birthday.

Please allow let me honor it with this cake.

Hamlet: I thank thee, fair Ophelia.

Your gift is much appreciated.

Ophelia [aside]: I went through many pains to bake this cake.

I pray that lord Hamlet will enjoy every bite.

Hamlet: I shall come visit thee later in the day.

For now, I will leave your cake on this table.

[They exit.]

[Enter Raskolnikov.]

Rask: Why, what do we have here? A cake just sitting on the table? What kind of man could have left it here? A waste of good food! I should… take it… But someone may come back for it…

Ah, this may be my only chance. If I do not seize this opportunity, this cake will be left to rot. But first, I must make sure no one around me is paying attention.

[Rask glances around]

On second though, I had better leave something for the owner.

[Rask drops a few silver coins on next to the cake.]

Good lord! I must have courage! I am the only one who can step up to take this cake. I will not let it go to waste.

[Rask picks up Hamlet's cake with shaking hands.]

[He exits.]

Scene 2

[Later in the day, Hamlet comes back to start on his cake.]

[Enter Hamlet.]

Hamlet: What is this?

I do not believe my own eyes. O God!

How I regret not eating it earlier

If only I had the stomach.

Such wicked fate, and how should I tell Ophelia?

It breaks my heart, but I must hold my tongue.

For now, an antic disposition I shall put on,

until I can find the culprit of this crime.

[Enter Ophelia.]

Ophelia: My lord Hamlet, did you find the cake to your satisfaction?

Hamlet: …

Ophelia: My lord…?

Hamlet: Why, fair Ophelia, did you not notice the leftover crumbs on my lips?

Do not ask me such foolish questions.

Back to your room, go, and quickly too.

Farewell.

[Hamlet storms out.]

Ophelia: O, what curse has taken over him?

I have never seen him like this before.

[She exits.]

Scene 3

[Hamlet is pacing in his room.]

[A knock on the door.]

Hamlet: No one is here. Go away.

[Enter Beowulf. He forces open the door.]

Beowulf: Greetings to King Hamlet. My name is Beowulf. I am the son of Hygelac. I have been solving mysteries since the day I was born. There is no criminal who has yet escaped my capture. My name is known throughout the land as the best detective in all of Denmark.