Audition Central: Honk! JR.
Script: Father Swan
No, not like this. Not after all this time. You poor little thing. What was it all for? What was the point of your little life? It can't end like this. It can't...
(Unbeknownst to IDA, FATHER SWAN, MOTHER SWAN and BEWICK have entered behind her, accompanied by PENNY.)
Nor will it, my dear.
(IDA pauses as she acknowledges the presence of the SWANS.)
But he's dead. My baby Duckling is dead. It's all my fault. He wandered away from the nest last Spring. I should have gone after him straight away but I had his brothers and sisters to rear, I couldn't just leave them. And now, now I'm too late.
(MOTHER SWAN puts her wing around IDA.)
Cry. Cry, my dear. For the warmth of a Mother's tears can thaw the stoniest frost.
Oh, if only I could believe that.
You must. For what do we have if we don't have hope?