Scene 2
We are in the same office, but it is now five years later. There are more paintings, commendations, and awards decorating the walls. Outside, we see midday winter. VICTOR enters. He has aged well, but appears to have gained some weight since the last scene. He saunters to an opulent oak desk. The chair remains the same. Victor sits and reads from his leatherbound book. The intercom buzzes.What is it, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
Chief Adviser Dagon is here to see you.
VICTOR
Send him in.
Chief Adviser Dagon is here to see you.
VICTOR
Send him in.
The door opens and SAMUEL enters. He has not aged well at all. He is much thinner, has almost completely gray, and has dark circles under his eyes. His complexion is pallid and sickly.
Good morning, Samuel, how are you?
Samuel looks at him, but says nothing.
VICTOR
My, aren’t we the grumpy one? (Beat) You're just in time to hear the first draft of the speech I'm giving tonight. I've had it up to my ears with the wordy speech writers you keep hiring. I'm writing this one myself as a gift to the people.
My, aren’t we the grumpy one? (Beat) You're just in time to hear the first draft of the speech I'm giving tonight. I've had it up to my ears with the wordy speech writers you keep hiring. I'm writing this one myself as a gift to the people.
Samuel sits down in the chair across from the Prime Minister.
You look like you haven't slept in days, Sam.
SAMUEL
There is a drink from Konakarse that makes sleep unnecessary.
VICTOR
Let’s try and limit the partying, Sam. You have a job to do, you know.
SAMUEL
I can’t stop thinking about the job I have to do. (Beat) Even in the night, I'm thinking about the job I have to do.
VICTOR
You should have come to the little get-together I had last night.
SAMUEL
No, sir... No, sir, I spent the evening with your wife.
VICTOR
Really? She’s finally come around? She was always so enamored with the monogamy idea. I’m glad to see she finally recanted.
SAMUEL
No, sir, I... I just spent the evening with her. There are no... no romantic relations between us, we’re just friends.
VICTOR
Well, if those arrangements change, be sure to take advantage of it. I promise you I won’t mind.
SAMUEL
No sir, I... I don’t think I will. She is upset enough that those relations changed with you.
VICTOR
Ah, yes, and you should see the beauties that Quinlen brought in last night. I never would have thought our brothels could hold such sights.
SAMUEL
Yes, yes, sir. I’m... I’m sure.
VICTOR
What do we have on our plates today?
SAMUEL
I... Uh... Let... Let me see, sir.
There is a drink from Konakarse that makes sleep unnecessary.
VICTOR
Let’s try and limit the partying, Sam. You have a job to do, you know.
SAMUEL
I can’t stop thinking about the job I have to do. (Beat) Even in the night, I'm thinking about the job I have to do.
VICTOR
You should have come to the little get-together I had last night.
SAMUEL
No, sir... No, sir, I spent the evening with your wife.
VICTOR
Really? She’s finally come around? She was always so enamored with the monogamy idea. I’m glad to see she finally recanted.
SAMUEL
No, sir, I... I just spent the evening with her. There are no... no romantic relations between us, we’re just friends.
VICTOR
Well, if those arrangements change, be sure to take advantage of it. I promise you I won’t mind.
SAMUEL
No sir, I... I don’t think I will. She is upset enough that those relations changed with you.
VICTOR
Ah, yes, and you should see the beauties that Quinlen brought in last night. I never would have thought our brothels could hold such sights.
SAMUEL
Yes, yes, sir. I’m... I’m sure.
VICTOR
What do we have on our plates today?
SAMUEL
I... Uh... Let... Let me see, sir.
He opens his briefcase and starts to shuffle through its contents.
VICTOR
What’s this I hear about political insurgents?
What’s this I hear about political insurgents?
Samuel looks up, shocked beyond words.
SAMUEL
Yes... Yes, sir, there.. There was an uprising in the Northern Annex.
VICTOR
Where?
SAMUEL
Gondar.
VICTOR
What is in Gondar? Refresh my memory.
SAMUEL
Manufacturing. Military manufacturing. Most of our warships are manufactured there, sir.
VICTOR
Really...
SAMUEL
Yes, sir.
VICTOR
Without our maritime force, we'd be crippled.
SAMUEL
Yes sir, our long-range missiles, oceans of ground troops backed by a vast array of armor and air-power would be nothing without our sea-power.
VICTOR
I cannot let stand this threat to our national security.
SAMUEL
Please sir, don’t say it.
VICTOR
There is only one answer.
SAMUEL
Sir, you can’t be serious. Gondar is our province. This is an attack on our own soil.
VICTOR
If these people were innocent, they would put down this rebellion on their own, without me brought into the equation. (Beat) The only innocent people, are people who live where no crimes are committed. If you find me one of those, I’ll gladly trade it for the empire I’ve constructed.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
VICTOR
How much LPDM do we have right now?
SAMUEL
Five... Five canisters, sir.
VICTOR
Only five? I ordered peak production! What is the problem?
SAMUEL
You ordered more than 70 canisters dropped in Copotaca. The weapon takes time to produce.
VICTOR
Why wasn’t production upped when we ran low?
SAMUEL
You ordered it dropped faster than we could keep up. Half of the canisters dropped were distilled in a week. You signed forty orders for its use in one day. Nothing lives on the Leng Plateau.
VICTOR
But they ceased all hostility immediately. (Beat) The world knows what we are capable of.
Yes... Yes, sir, there.. There was an uprising in the Northern Annex.
VICTOR
Where?
SAMUEL
Gondar.
VICTOR
What is in Gondar? Refresh my memory.
SAMUEL
Manufacturing. Military manufacturing. Most of our warships are manufactured there, sir.
VICTOR
Really...
SAMUEL
Yes, sir.
VICTOR
Without our maritime force, we'd be crippled.
SAMUEL
Yes sir, our long-range missiles, oceans of ground troops backed by a vast array of armor and air-power would be nothing without our sea-power.
VICTOR
I cannot let stand this threat to our national security.
SAMUEL
Please sir, don’t say it.
VICTOR
There is only one answer.
SAMUEL
Sir, you can’t be serious. Gondar is our province. This is an attack on our own soil.
VICTOR
If these people were innocent, they would put down this rebellion on their own, without me brought into the equation. (Beat) The only innocent people, are people who live where no crimes are committed. If you find me one of those, I’ll gladly trade it for the empire I’ve constructed.
SAMUEL
Yes sir.
VICTOR
How much LPDM do we have right now?
SAMUEL
Five... Five canisters, sir.
VICTOR
Only five? I ordered peak production! What is the problem?
SAMUEL
You ordered more than 70 canisters dropped in Copotaca. The weapon takes time to produce.
VICTOR
Why wasn’t production upped when we ran low?
SAMUEL
You ordered it dropped faster than we could keep up. Half of the canisters dropped were distilled in a week. You signed forty orders for its use in one day. Nothing lives on the Leng Plateau.
VICTOR
But they ceased all hostility immediately. (Beat) The world knows what we are capable of.
Samuel stands up, stares at Victor for several seconds, and walks away.
SAMUEL
You're a monster.
You're a monster.
Victor smiles. He presses the intercom.
VICTOR
Terry, I need security in here.
SAMUEL
For what?
VICTOR
I’m placing Chief Adviser Dagon under arrest.
SAMUEL
You’re arresting me?
VICTOR
For treason.
SAMUEL
My only crime is to tell the murderer his name!
VICTOR
And you will die for that, old friend.
SAMUEL
My friend was an honorable man.
VICTOR
I saw the moment I lost you. I knew this would be inevitable.
Terry, I need security in here.
SAMUEL
For what?
VICTOR
I’m placing Chief Adviser Dagon under arrest.
SAMUEL
You’re arresting me?
VICTOR
For treason.
SAMUEL
My only crime is to tell the murderer his name!
VICTOR
And you will die for that, old friend.
SAMUEL
My friend was an honorable man.
VICTOR
I saw the moment I lost you. I knew this would be inevitable.
The door is thrown open, and two security guards in uniforms run in, a CAPTAIN and a SERGEANT, leading three grunts toting machine guns.
CAPTAIN
Chief Advisor Dagon, show us your hands! Show us your hands!
Chief Advisor Dagon, show us your hands! Show us your hands!
Samuel holds out his palms.
SERGEANT
Do you have any weapons? (Beat) Are you armed? Answer the question!
SAMUEL
No! No, I’m not armed!
CAPTAIN
Get on the ground!
SERGEANT
Down on the ground now!
Do you have any weapons? (Beat) Are you armed? Answer the question!
SAMUEL
No! No, I’m not armed!
CAPTAIN
Get on the ground!
SERGEANT
Down on the ground now!
Samuel complies, hands on the top of his head. The Captain points his gun at Samuel’s head, while the Sergeant handcuffs on Samuel’s wrists and roughly drags him to his feet. Through all this, Victor sits calmly at his desk. The Sergeant pats down Samuel. Victor stands up.
VICTOR
Very good, very good. You'll both receive commendations for this.
CAPTAIN
What was his crime, sir, so that he may be processed.
Very good, very good. You'll both receive commendations for this.
CAPTAIN
What was his crime, sir, so that he may be processed.
SAMUEL
The ultimate crime!
The ultimate crime!
CAPTAIN
I don’t want to hear another word out of you!
SAMUEL
I’m the kind of terrorist that makes you change your mind!
I don’t want to hear another word out of you!
SAMUEL
I’m the kind of terrorist that makes you change your mind!
The Captain slams the butt of his rifle into Samuel’s gut, doubling him over. Samuel coughs and chokes.
Analyze! Judge! Think! I’m being put down because I can see through the veil!
The Sergent kicks Samuel in the gut until he is quiet.
CAPTAIN
I’m... I’m sorry, sir, that you had to bear witness to this.
I’m... I’m sorry, sir, that you had to bear witness to this.
Victor sits down.
VICTOR
He’s... He’s been behaving strangely for weeks, toeing the line, flirting with the betrayal of his nation. I tried to ignore it, but... But I knew deep in my heart that I had lost Samuel. Doubt had crept into the man I trusted most.
He’s... He’s been behaving strangely for weeks, toeing the line, flirting with the betrayal of his nation. I tried to ignore it, but... But I knew deep in my heart that I had lost Samuel. Doubt had crept into the man I trusted most.
CAPTAIN
Get him out of here.
Get him out of here.
The grunts drags Samuel out the door followed by the sergent.
What do you want done with him, sir? Is he to stand trial?
VICTOR
Let him sit. I'll decide his fate within the week.
CAPTAIN
Yes sir.
Let him sit. I'll decide his fate within the week.
CAPTAIN
Yes sir.
The Captain exits. He stands motionless for several seconds. He stiffly walks back to his desk and sinks into his chair, eyes on the journal on the desk. He pulls the book toward him and opens it. He starts to writetakes a pen out of an ornate holder on his desk and starts to write, talking absently.
VICTOR
Five years... Five years of history we’ve written here. Five years of ink on these pages. All I’ve done in that time, all I’ve accomplished. What has it been for? So may right hand man could look me in the eyes and doubt me? (Beat) He deserved what he got. (Beat) He built this empire with me, side-by-side. He suggested I use LPDM, he brought it to me. Oh yes, Samuel, you got what you deserved. I’ll mourn your passing no more than any other criminal.
Five years... Five years of history we’ve written here. Five years of ink on these pages. All I’ve done in that time, all I’ve accomplished. What has it been for? So may right hand man could look me in the eyes and doubt me? (Beat) He deserved what he got. (Beat) He built this empire with me, side-by-side. He suggested I use LPDM, he brought it to me. Oh yes, Samuel, you got what you deserved. I’ll mourn your passing no more than any other criminal.
The intercom buzzes again. Victor hesitates a moment.
What is it, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
A clean-up crew has been sent to fix your office.
A clean-up crew has been sent to fix your office.
VICTOR
Very good, send them in.
Very good, send them in.
The door opens, and JOHN QUARTERMASS enters. He is smiling nervously.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Good afternoon sir.
Good afternoon sir.
Victor stands.
VICTOR
I was hoping for a cleaning lady. (Beat) What’s your name?
I was hoping for a cleaning lady. (Beat) What’s your name?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
(Beat) My... My name, sir?
(Beat) My... My name, sir?
VICTOR
You won't be doing any more cleaning unless you tell me your name.
You won't be doing any more cleaning unless you tell me your name.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
John Quartermass, sir.
John Quartermass, sir.
VICTOR
How long have you been on the house staff, John Quartermass.
How long have you been on the house staff, John Quartermass.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Almost six years, sir. Since shortly before you took office, sir.
VICTOR
Really, I thought we had completely restaffed.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
What was that, sir?
VICTOR
I just think I found out why my bed is always short-sheeted. Do you like it here?
Really, I thought we had completely restaffed.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
What was that, sir?
VICTOR
I just think I found out why my bed is always short-sheeted. Do you like it here?
John starts to look around at the slight disarray caused by the struggle with Samuel. He nervously straightens a shelf.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes sir, very much, sir.
VICTOR
Good, that’s good. A happy staff is a hard-working staff. Do you have a family, John Quartermass.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes, yes sir, my wife and I have a son. One son.
VICTOR
And how old is he?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Eleven, sir.
VICTOR
What’s his name?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Aiden, sir.
VICTOR
Is he in school?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes, and he’s brilliant. One of the top students in his class.
VICTOR
I've never met a parent that said otherwise. You should be proud.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, I am sir, I am. (Beat) You know what he told me the other day, sir?
VICTOR
What’s that?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
He... He told me that some day, he hopes he can be Prime Minister. He adores you, sir, and he says he wants to be just like you some day.
VICTOR
Hmph. I’ve got an opening for a new Chief Advisor.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
That’s funny, sir.
VICTOR
Not as funny as the predicament I’ve put myself in. (Beat) Your boy looks up to me, eh?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes sir. He says you are the greatest man to ever run our country.
VICTOR
That seems to be the way the news men paint me.
Yes sir, very much, sir.
VICTOR
Good, that’s good. A happy staff is a hard-working staff. Do you have a family, John Quartermass.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes, yes sir, my wife and I have a son. One son.
VICTOR
And how old is he?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Eleven, sir.
VICTOR
What’s his name?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Aiden, sir.
VICTOR
Is he in school?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes, and he’s brilliant. One of the top students in his class.
VICTOR
I've never met a parent that said otherwise. You should be proud.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, I am sir, I am. (Beat) You know what he told me the other day, sir?
VICTOR
What’s that?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
He... He told me that some day, he hopes he can be Prime Minister. He adores you, sir, and he says he wants to be just like you some day.
VICTOR
Hmph. I’ve got an opening for a new Chief Advisor.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
That’s funny, sir.
VICTOR
Not as funny as the predicament I’ve put myself in. (Beat) Your boy looks up to me, eh?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes sir. He says you are the greatest man to ever run our country.
VICTOR
That seems to be the way the news men paint me.
He observes the cleaning job from his desk.
That’s all very well and good, John Quartermass. If you’ll excuse me, I need a few minutes alone.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes sir.
Quartermass stops cleaning, bows to the Prime Minister and exits. Victor stares at the door for several seconds, then shakes his head. There are several seconds of silence before the Captain returns.
CAPTAIN
Mr. Prime Minister, sir!
VICTOR
What is it?
CAPTAIN
Mr. Dagon, sir. Chief Advisor Dagon, he’s escaped.
VICTOR
What? (Beat) Where is he?
Mr. Prime Minister, sir!
VICTOR
What is it?
CAPTAIN
Mr. Dagon, sir. Chief Advisor Dagon, he’s escaped.
VICTOR
What? (Beat) Where is he?
CAPTAIN
I don’t know, sir, he escaped down a servant elevator and was gone before we could get through. I have a security detail fanning out to find him.
VICTOR
Yes, yes. (Beat) I want him shot on sight.
CAPTAIN
Yes sir.
I don’t know, sir, he escaped down a servant elevator and was gone before we could get through. I have a security detail fanning out to find him.
VICTOR
Yes, yes. (Beat) I want him shot on sight.
CAPTAIN
Yes sir.
The Captain runs out the door. Victor sits back down. Lights go down. End Scene 2
Go to Scene 3
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