RALPH: It's act one, scene four, and we're back to the castle in the middle of the night. There's a cold, sharp wind blowing, and in the distance, you can hear the new King Claudius continuing the celebrations—trumpets, cannon fire, lots of drinking. 

HAMLET: It's embarrassing. 

RALPH: It's traditional, isn't it? 

HAMLET: Everybody's getting drunk and shooting cannons. It's a custom more honored in the breach than the observance. A dram of evil doth all the noble substance of a doubt. 

RALPH: Well, yes, so what do you mean by that? 

HAMLET: The Danish drink too much, and everybody forgets about our virtues. It's like one drop of evil spoils the whole thing. 

RALPH: Hm, but it seems like you're talking about more than the Danish drinking habit here. 

HAMLET: Oh, you think I'm talking about my mother's weakness for Claudius? Or maybe you think I'm talking about myself, and how—oh, never mind. 

RALPH: What? No, please, go on. If it were referring to you—oh, excuse me. Oh, I've just received word that in the midst of your conversation with Horatio, the ghost suddenly appears. 

HAMLET: Angels and ministers of grace defend us. What happens? 

RALPH: Well, you try calling it King Hamlet, and you immediately ask why it's come back. 

HAMLET: Of course. And what does he say? 

RALPH: Well, it beckons you to follow it. But Horatio thinks it might be dangerous to follow it alone. 

HAMLET: What's the problem? I don't care about my life, and for my soul, what can it do to that? It's immortal. I'll follow it. 

RALPH: But it's a ghost it might try to drive you crazy, or make you—

HAMLET: I said I'll follow it. My fate cries out on. I'll make a ghost of anybody that tries to stop me. 

RALPH: All right, all right, fine, don't let me stop you. Sarah?