Scene 1
We are in an office, similar to the one we saw earlier. This office is sparsely decorated. The desk is smaller, with nothing on it but the journal, looking new. The guest chairs are made of wood, and the chair behind the desk is a soft captains chair, nothing like the throne-like chair the Prime Minister reigned from in Act 1. The plaques look like they are polished every day. The door opens and two men in threadbare janitor’s uniforms enter. They are KROSS and JOHN QUARTERMASS
KROSS
John! Look! Look what he has left out!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Get away from there, Kross, you know what will happen!
KROSS
It’s his private journal!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Don’t touch it!
John! Look! Look what he has left out!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Get away from there, Kross, you know what will happen!
KROSS
It’s his private journal!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Don’t touch it!
Kross reaches out to pick it up. Just as he is about to grab it, the door opens, and the Prime Minister enters. He is a young man now. He is tall, and proud, with thick, stylish hair.
VICTOR
What are you two doing?
KROSS
Nothing!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Nothing, sir!
VICTOR
Then get out of here, I have an important meeting.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes sir.
What are you two doing?
KROSS
Nothing!
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Nothing, sir!
VICTOR
Then get out of here, I have an important meeting.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes sir.
The two of them run out of the room, covering their heads. Victor watches them go, looks over at his desk, hesitates, and goes to it. He sits down in his plush chair, adjusts himself and smiles, his entire body seeming to deflate. He is silent for a moment, looking at his desk. He grabs the journal lovingly, clutching it to his chest and opening it up. He talks gently to the book, but almost seems as if he is reading from it.
VICTOR
Here we are... The first hundred days. It’s been good, very good.
Here we are... The first hundred days. It’s been good, very good.
He sighs loudly.
Has it been too good? Has the world actually quieted down to see what I will do? There has not been one threat of attack, no uprising, not a single question to my claim of power. We aren’t strong enough to make the larger nations flinch. Our neighbors hate us, but are just as worried that we will attack.
He closes the book and leans back in his chair.
If it’s all so easy, I’ll take it. What if we are in a new age of peace, like my script-writers hinted at. What if all our enemies are gone? War is over, let a new day ensue.
He shakes his head angrily and leans forward.
No! They plot and conspire, and smile while I’m looking, to lull me into turning my back, so they can point missiles at me!
He stands up and starts to pace around the room.
I extended the hand of friendship to them, encouraged trade, removed tariffs, offered their children education in our schools, and what happened? In the dead of night, they move in weapons and prepare to attack us if we don’t yield our border! My people fall victim to their lies and trickery!
He stops and leans against the desk, his arms crossed on his chest.
I can’t roll over and give in to them, I’ll be a laughingstock in the eyes of the world. They will say I’m weak, when all I wanted was to unite our nations.
He shakes his head and looks down for a beat.
Well, I’m not weak! I’m not going to be seen as such. We will stand against them. I will teach them to fear my name, and my nation.
There is a knock on the door.
Who is it?
Through the door, SAMUEL speaks.
SAMUEL
Dagon, sir.
VICTOR
More bad news. (Beat) Come in.
Dagon, sir.
VICTOR
More bad news. (Beat) Come in.
SAMUEL enters. Victor walks back behind his desk and sits down. Samuel sits in the wooden chair across from him.
What’s going on, Samuel, you look grave.
SAMUEL
Parcival’s armies are moving. We are under attack.
VICTOR
How long before they strike a major city?
SAMUEL
Outlying areas are already being ravaged, they will reach Tana Kierkos by dawn.
VICTOR
Damn it.
SAMUEL
They are claiming Tana Kierkos to be a sacred city, and that they hold claim by the ancient laws.
VICTOR
They will spill a gallon of blood with every step they take.
SAMUEL
Sir, they said if we resist, they will press on to the capital and not rest until they have laid claim to our entire nation. (Beat) However, if we surrender Tana Kierkos, they will withdraw and not spill another drop of blood.
VICTOR
Surrender Tana Kierkos?
SAMUEL
Sir, the people of Tana Kierkos are welcoming the invasion. We have only held that land for just shy of forty years. Most of the people are still loyal to Parcival. There have already been uprisings. The civilians are attacking our soldiers. They are calling this invasion a ‘rescue mission.’
Parcival’s armies are moving. We are under attack.
VICTOR
How long before they strike a major city?
SAMUEL
Outlying areas are already being ravaged, they will reach Tana Kierkos by dawn.
VICTOR
Damn it.
SAMUEL
They are claiming Tana Kierkos to be a sacred city, and that they hold claim by the ancient laws.
VICTOR
They will spill a gallon of blood with every step they take.
SAMUEL
Sir, they said if we resist, they will press on to the capital and not rest until they have laid claim to our entire nation. (Beat) However, if we surrender Tana Kierkos, they will withdraw and not spill another drop of blood.
VICTOR
Surrender Tana Kierkos?
SAMUEL
Sir, the people of Tana Kierkos are welcoming the invasion. We have only held that land for just shy of forty years. Most of the people are still loyal to Parcival. There have already been uprisings. The civilians are attacking our soldiers. They are calling this invasion a ‘rescue mission.’
Victor stares at Samuel for several seconds.
VICTOR
Do you believe in your nation, Samuel?
SAMUEL
Yes sir, very much, sir.
VICTOR
Do you love your country?
SAMUEL
Of... Of course, sir.
VICTOR
And we laid claim to that land, did we not? Our soldiers suffered and died to lay that claim, did they not?
SAMUEL
Yes... Yes sir, but...
VICTOR
How can their be any ‘but?’ Do you want our men to have suffered and died in vein? We have our own claim to those lands.
SAMUEL
Sir, we conquered the area simply so we had a direct path to Aswan. The people have fought against us the entire time. Even though the land is ours, our travelers still need armed escort. This could be an opportunity to solve a problem and save face. Parcival has honored their promises in the past.
VICTOR
Byt they have not honored the sovereignty of our nation.
SAMUEL
Sir, it may be in our best interest. It could leave you in good standing with them, you know, as a young leader. This could open a dialogue with a nation we have been long at odds with. You could be a diplomatic hero.
VICTOR
Diplomacy is the cowards way out. Nations that offer words as a shield against bullets is a nation quickly conquered.
SAMUEL
Sir, I just think...
VICTOR
Just think? Just think? Just thinking has put is in the predicament we are now in. We need a strong answer to quiet this menace. We need a retaliation that will make them take a step back. We need to counterattack them with such ferocity that the thought of crossing us will never enter their minds again.
Do you believe in your nation, Samuel?
SAMUEL
Yes sir, very much, sir.
VICTOR
Do you love your country?
SAMUEL
Of... Of course, sir.
VICTOR
And we laid claim to that land, did we not? Our soldiers suffered and died to lay that claim, did they not?
SAMUEL
Yes... Yes sir, but...
VICTOR
How can their be any ‘but?’ Do you want our men to have suffered and died in vein? We have our own claim to those lands.
SAMUEL
Sir, we conquered the area simply so we had a direct path to Aswan. The people have fought against us the entire time. Even though the land is ours, our travelers still need armed escort. This could be an opportunity to solve a problem and save face. Parcival has honored their promises in the past.
VICTOR
Byt they have not honored the sovereignty of our nation.
SAMUEL
Sir, it may be in our best interest. It could leave you in good standing with them, you know, as a young leader. This could open a dialogue with a nation we have been long at odds with. You could be a diplomatic hero.
VICTOR
Diplomacy is the cowards way out. Nations that offer words as a shield against bullets is a nation quickly conquered.
SAMUEL
Sir, I just think...
VICTOR
Just think? Just think? Just thinking has put is in the predicament we are now in. We need a strong answer to quiet this menace. We need a retaliation that will make them take a step back. We need to counterattack them with such ferocity that the thought of crossing us will never enter their minds again.
He leans in close.
We need to make our mark.
Samuel sighs, his face tense, and slowly, a wicked smile comes to his lips.
SAMUEL
I know a way.
I know a way.
Victor is shocked.
VICTOR
What?
SAMUEL
I know a way we can do just that.
What?
SAMUEL
I know a way we can do just that.
Victor stands and circles half-way around the dish.
VICTOR
What? Tell me.
SAMUEL
I don’t know, sir.
VICTOR
Don’t know what?
SAMUEL
It... It may be too much.
VICTOR
Let me be the judge of that.
SAMUEL
By dawn, this conflict could be over. I know of a weapon that in one fell-swoop, can make them take a step back with such horror that the entire world will have to notice us.
What? Tell me.
SAMUEL
I don’t know, sir.
VICTOR
Don’t know what?
SAMUEL
It... It may be too much.
VICTOR
Let me be the judge of that.
SAMUEL
By dawn, this conflict could be over. I know of a weapon that in one fell-swoop, can make them take a step back with such horror that the entire world will have to notice us.
This catches Victor's attention.
VICTOR
What is it?
SAMUEL
I own stock in a weapon developer that has completed a new product ready to be deployed.
VICTOR
Yes, yes, go on!
SAMUEL
It emits a very powerful radiation that causes living cells to multiply at a incredible rate. Any affected creatures essentially mutates themselves to death. It takes only a few hours to wipe out a fifty-mile radius.
VICTOR
Kills them?
SAMUEL
Dead.
VICTOR
Damage to property?
SAMUEL
A small crater where it hits. A street crew could fix the damage in an afternoon, and the inhabitants to a city have been reduced to a protoplasmic jelly that can be washed away with hoses.
What is it?
SAMUEL
I own stock in a weapon developer that has completed a new product ready to be deployed.
VICTOR
Yes, yes, go on!
SAMUEL
It emits a very powerful radiation that causes living cells to multiply at a incredible rate. Any affected creatures essentially mutates themselves to death. It takes only a few hours to wipe out a fifty-mile radius.
VICTOR
Kills them?
SAMUEL
Dead.
VICTOR
Damage to property?
SAMUEL
A small crater where it hits. A street crew could fix the damage in an afternoon, and the inhabitants to a city have been reduced to a protoplasmic jelly that can be washed away with hoses.
He rubs his hands together.
We could, in theory, of course, drop one on Tana Kierkos, take care of all the radicals, and repopulate the city with our own citizens.
He approaches Victor and whispers.
Think about it.
VICTOR
That would be a crime, Samuel.
VICTOR
That would be a crime, Samuel.
Samuel jerks away, as if he has been burned.
If we can take out an entire city, it must be their capital.
Samuel smiles and turns back toward Victor.
We would be ending the entire conflict. No one would command their armies to attack. They would be at our mercy, and with that, we won’t have to worry about them attacking us for Tana Kierkos, their entire nation will belong to us.
SAMUEL
Sir!
VICTOR
It’s for our legacy, my friend. I want the history books to remember us. They will say our names and tremble. They will talk about those great men who were not content to just lead a nation... They conquered the world.
Sir!
VICTOR
It’s for our legacy, my friend. I want the history books to remember us. They will say our names and tremble. They will talk about those great men who were not content to just lead a nation... They conquered the world.
Samuel sits down in his chair and picks up the telephone.
SAMUEL
Very good, sir. All I need is one phone call, and our place in history will be etched in granite.
Very good, sir. All I need is one phone call, and our place in history will be etched in granite.
He leans back in the chair and stretches. Victor circles the desk and sits in his own chair.
John? It’s Samuel. (Beat) Mmm Hmm. (Beat) That’s great to hear. And how is the family? (Beat) excellent. (Beat) Yes. Now, John, I’m sorry I can’t chat at the moment, but I need to get down to business. Yes. Remember how we were talking about your LPDM project? Well, I’ve gotten a go on it. How many do you have ready?
He holds out his open palm and mouths the word “Four.” Victor nods.
We’ll take them, John. (Beat) Yes, and I think we’ll be looking for more in the near future, so start up the production lines. (Beat) When? Oh, John, get them in crates, because I’m sending trucks for them as soon as we are off the phone.
He hangs up.
Done and done.
VICTOR
I want them on a bomber within an hour.
SAMUEL
The factory is twenty minutes from Troyes Military Base. I’ll go make the necessary arrangements.
VICTOR
I’ll go assemble my cabinet.
I want them on a bomber within an hour.
SAMUEL
The factory is twenty minutes from Troyes Military Base. I’ll go make the necessary arrangements.
VICTOR
I’ll go assemble my cabinet.
The two exit. Several seconds pass. Outside, the sun goes down, and the moon comes up, and cycles back through to the rising sun. Samuel enters, looking grave.
SAMUEL
Oh... Oh my God. What... What have I done?
Oh... Oh my God. What... What have I done?
He sits down in Victor’s chair, staring off in disbelief.
The advance photos... I looked at these people, and there was nothing I could do. Nothing. And it was all my fault. I watched those people suffer...
He trails off and sits down in the seat he had before. He is silent for several seconds, and then Victor enters. He is smiling broadly.
VICTOR
Samuel, we did it! There isn't a Parcival left to surrender. Troops are withdrawing troops as we speak.
SAMUEL
Sir, I...
VICTOR
Samuel, you’re a hero. You saved our lands
SAMUEL
No, sir, I... I... I don’t think...
VICTOR
Don’t think what? We can start moving our troops in right away, occupy them entirely by the end of the week.
SAMUEL
Their entire capital city.
VICTOR
Wiped out. Every man, woman, and child. One hundred and forty-four thousand people. They tell me that is the estimate they gave me that the first bomb took out. I haven’t gotten any solid numbers on the following bombs.
SAMUEL
Innocent people.
VICTOR
Innocent? Bah! Compliant. They allowed their government to act unjustly. They made themselves part of the crime. This was their albatross to bear just the same. Now, the whole world will look at us and not dare speak out against us.
SAMUEL
Sir, you should see the pictures.
VICTOR
I don’t need any pictures. This was a success.
SAMUEL
The horror.
VICTOR
They suffered and died. An example had to be made, Samuel. We couldn’t just back down. You did the right thing. You made our nation infinitely more powerful.
SAMUEL
I... I just don’t know... I just don’t know, sir.
VICTOR
Don’t worry about it, Samuel.
SAMUEL
I looked in their eyes, sir. I saw the looks on their faces when they died.
VICTOR
Samuel, this is not your burden to bear, so don’t bear it. This is up to me. My name was on that order, not yours. The senators are all applauding this decision. You did what was right for your nation. The faces of the dead, those are my concern. That is for me to worry about, not you.
Samuel, we did it! There isn't a Parcival left to surrender. Troops are withdrawing troops as we speak.
SAMUEL
Sir, I...
VICTOR
Samuel, you’re a hero. You saved our lands
SAMUEL
No, sir, I... I... I don’t think...
VICTOR
Don’t think what? We can start moving our troops in right away, occupy them entirely by the end of the week.
SAMUEL
Their entire capital city.
VICTOR
Wiped out. Every man, woman, and child. One hundred and forty-four thousand people. They tell me that is the estimate they gave me that the first bomb took out. I haven’t gotten any solid numbers on the following bombs.
SAMUEL
Innocent people.
VICTOR
Innocent? Bah! Compliant. They allowed their government to act unjustly. They made themselves part of the crime. This was their albatross to bear just the same. Now, the whole world will look at us and not dare speak out against us.
SAMUEL
Sir, you should see the pictures.
VICTOR
I don’t need any pictures. This was a success.
SAMUEL
The horror.
VICTOR
They suffered and died. An example had to be made, Samuel. We couldn’t just back down. You did the right thing. You made our nation infinitely more powerful.
SAMUEL
I... I just don’t know... I just don’t know, sir.
VICTOR
Don’t worry about it, Samuel.
SAMUEL
I looked in their eyes, sir. I saw the looks on their faces when they died.
VICTOR
Samuel, this is not your burden to bear, so don’t bear it. This is up to me. My name was on that order, not yours. The senators are all applauding this decision. You did what was right for your nation. The faces of the dead, those are my concern. That is for me to worry about, not you.
Samuel rages at the Prime Minister.
SAMUEL
You haven’t seen the faces! (Beat) I looked into their eyes. I saw them, pleading for the pain to stop, and it was hours before they got that wish. I am a criminal! You are a criminal! We have to fix this before it’s too late, before we lose ourselves in this venture.
You haven’t seen the faces! (Beat) I looked into their eyes. I saw them, pleading for the pain to stop, and it was hours before they got that wish. I am a criminal! You are a criminal! We have to fix this before it’s too late, before we lose ourselves in this venture.
He circles around the desk and stands next to Victor.
We can still save ourselves, sir, it’s not too late.
VICTOR
Samuel, I don’t like what you’re saying.
SAMUEL
And I don’t like what we are doing!
VICTOR
You’re toeing the line of treachery.
SAMUEL
Higher powers already consider me such.
VICTOR
Sam... Think of the lives we’ve saved. (Beat) The lives of our soldiers. The conflict wouldn’t end with Tana Kierkos, the fighting would continue, and the only way we could prove our superiority is to move in on them. The people of Parcival... If we invaded them, we would have to secure that city house-by-house, building-by-building. Thousands of our own troops would be killed to achieve a lesser goal than we just achieved. Thousands of our troops will live on and see their families because of what you did. We did. What we had to do to keep them alive.
VICTOR
Samuel, I don’t like what you’re saying.
SAMUEL
And I don’t like what we are doing!
VICTOR
You’re toeing the line of treachery.
SAMUEL
Higher powers already consider me such.
VICTOR
Sam... Think of the lives we’ve saved. (Beat) The lives of our soldiers. The conflict wouldn’t end with Tana Kierkos, the fighting would continue, and the only way we could prove our superiority is to move in on them. The people of Parcival... If we invaded them, we would have to secure that city house-by-house, building-by-building. Thousands of our own troops would be killed to achieve a lesser goal than we just achieved. Thousands of our troops will live on and see their families because of what you did. We did. What we had to do to keep them alive.
Samuel stares on in horror.
SAMUEL
You bastard. You fucking bastard.
VICTOR
Think about it.
You bastard. You fucking bastard.
VICTOR
Think about it.
Samuel looks at the ground.
SAMUEL
Is that our official position?
VICTOR
I’m sure my script-writers will polish it up a bit, but yes, that is the official position.
SAMUEL
And what if they don’t fall for it?
VICTOR
They are traitors... Flat-out traitors, and that is something we can’t afford in these tumultuous times. If they don’t agree with the official position, we’re going to need to keep our eyes on them. I don’t want traitors.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
VICTOR
Do you hear me, Samuel? I don’t want traitors.
SAMUEL
Yes sir, I... I heard you, sir.
VICTOR
Now, I believe I need to make a speech to our people, they need some consoling. (Beat) Oh... I need you to make more arrangements on the LPDM.
SAMUEL
Excuse me, sir?
VICTOR
We dropped all four of our bombs, we will need to replenish our stock.
SAMUEL
No sir, please don’t make me.
VICTOR
Samuel, we’ve answered the world’s challenge. More nations will issue it now. We must be ready. I want 100 of the LPDM bombs as soon as we can have them. I want the stock kept at that number indefinitely. We will give them something to fear.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
Is that our official position?
VICTOR
I’m sure my script-writers will polish it up a bit, but yes, that is the official position.
SAMUEL
And what if they don’t fall for it?
VICTOR
They are traitors... Flat-out traitors, and that is something we can’t afford in these tumultuous times. If they don’t agree with the official position, we’re going to need to keep our eyes on them. I don’t want traitors.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
VICTOR
Do you hear me, Samuel? I don’t want traitors.
SAMUEL
Yes sir, I... I heard you, sir.
VICTOR
Now, I believe I need to make a speech to our people, they need some consoling. (Beat) Oh... I need you to make more arrangements on the LPDM.
SAMUEL
Excuse me, sir?
VICTOR
We dropped all four of our bombs, we will need to replenish our stock.
SAMUEL
No sir, please don’t make me.
VICTOR
Samuel, we’ve answered the world’s challenge. More nations will issue it now. We must be ready. I want 100 of the LPDM bombs as soon as we can have them. I want the stock kept at that number indefinitely. We will give them something to fear.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
Samuel exits slowly, sadly. Victor shuffles through some papers, puts them in his briefcase, and exits as well. Lights go down. End Scene 1.
Go to Scene 2
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