Scene 3
Lights up on the office. Victor is still sitting at his desk, staring down at his closed journal for several seconds before the intercom buzzes.
VICTOR
What is it, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
Sir, there is a visitor in the house.
VICTOR
From what I understand, there are quite a few.
SECRETARY (OS)
No Sir, it’s a woman.
VICTOR
Normally, you would have piqued my interest by now.
SECRETARY (OS)
A mother carrying a child.
VICTOR
Aren’t they all?
SECRETARY (OS)
The child... The child was a victim, Sir... victim of LPDM.
VICTOR
The child is dead?
SECRETARY (OS)
No Sir, the baby suffered in the womb and survived.
What is it, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
Sir, there is a visitor in the house.
VICTOR
From what I understand, there are quite a few.
SECRETARY (OS)
No Sir, it’s a woman.
VICTOR
Normally, you would have piqued my interest by now.
SECRETARY (OS)
A mother carrying a child.
VICTOR
Aren’t they all?
SECRETARY (OS)
The child... The child was a victim, Sir... victim of LPDM.
VICTOR
The child is dead?
SECRETARY (OS)
No Sir, the baby suffered in the womb and survived.
VICTOR
Turn them away! Turn them away from my door, I’ve had enough of this banter!
SECRETARY (OS)
She slipped past security during Mr. Dagon's escape.
VICTOR
We are the most powerful nation in the world, and yet my security can’t seem to keep tabs on anyone.
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes, Sir.
She slipped past security during Mr. Dagon's escape.
VICTOR
We are the most powerful nation in the world, and yet my security can’t seem to keep tabs on anyone.
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes, Sir.
Victor releases the intercom and leans back in his chair.
VICTOR
What am I going to do? (Beat) What am I going to do?
What am I going to do? (Beat) What am I going to do?
He paces around the office. He leans against the desk.
My adviser's turned traitor, my security can’t keep out unwanted guests. How can I protect my people when I can’t even be safe in my own home?
The intercom buzzes.
What is it, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
The Captain of the Guard is back.
VICTOR
(sighs)
Send him in.
SECRETARY (OS)
The Captain of the Guard is back.
VICTOR
(sighs)
Send him in.
The Captain enters. He looks grave.
What do you report?
CAPTAIN
Sir, I have news about Mr. Dagon.
VICTOR
Is he dead?
CAPTAIN
Sir, I have news about Mr. Dagon.
VICTOR
Is he dead?
The Guard looks at the carpet.
CAPTAIN
The prisoner stole a sidearm from one of my soldiers as they attempted to apprehend him.
VICTOR
He’s trying to kill me, this mother and her mutant son are trying to kill me. Everyone is trying to kill me. How can I get any kind of security? (Beat) Who can I trust? I put a gun in the hands of anyone who says they will fight for me. What could I possibly have to fear?
The prisoner stole a sidearm from one of my soldiers as they attempted to apprehend him.
VICTOR
He’s trying to kill me, this mother and her mutant son are trying to kill me. Everyone is trying to kill me. How can I get any kind of security? (Beat) Who can I trust? I put a gun in the hands of anyone who says they will fight for me. What could I possibly have to fear?
CAPTAIN
Nothing, Sir, nothing.
VICTOR
Of course not. (Beat) Do we have any idea whatsoever where my dear friend, Samuel, might be?
CAPTAIN
When we last saw him, he was in the East Hall.
VICTOR
The East Hall leads right here. It’s a big hall, how did he get away?
Nothing, Sir, nothing.
VICTOR
Of course not. (Beat) Do we have any idea whatsoever where my dear friend, Samuel, might be?
CAPTAIN
When we last saw him, he was in the East Hall.
VICTOR
The East Hall leads right here. It’s a big hall, how did he get away?
CAPTAIN
He ducked into a room and escaped into the ceiling, Sir.
VICTOR
The ceiling?
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir.
VICTOR
How hard could it be to catch him while he’s running around in the damn ceiling?
He ducked into a room and escaped into the ceiling, Sir.
VICTOR
The ceiling?
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir.
VICTOR
How hard could it be to catch him while he’s running around in the damn ceiling?
CAPTAIN
There is a lot of pipework and ducts. We think he slipped between them and is crawling around in the superstructure.
VICTOR
Do I have to hunt him down myself? I want him dead within the hour!
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir.
There is a lot of pipework and ducts. We think he slipped between them and is crawling around in the superstructure.
VICTOR
Do I have to hunt him down myself? I want him dead within the hour!
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir.
Captain exits. Victor presses the button on the intercom.
VICTOR
Terry? Is there any word on this rogue mother?
SECRETARY (OS)
No, Sir, There isn’t. Security thinks she may have slipped into a crowd of tourists.
VICTOR
It would be terrible for my image if we had to gun down tourists in order to find her.
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes Sir.
Terry? Is there any word on this rogue mother?
SECRETARY (OS)
No, Sir, There isn’t. Security thinks she may have slipped into a crowd of tourists.
VICTOR
It would be terrible for my image if we had to gun down tourists in order to find her.
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes Sir.
He releases the button on the intercom and leans back in his chair.
MOTHER (OS)
Here you sit, safe, sound, secure.
Here you sit, safe, sound, secure.
Victor jumps up and looks around. The door behind him opens, and the MOTHER enters, carrying a child in swaddling rags. Victor backs away from her.
VICTOR
How did you get in here?
MOTHER
You think I'm so stupid as to come in without a plan?
I've brought someone to meet you.
How did you get in here?
MOTHER
You think I'm so stupid as to come in without a plan?
Mother advances on Victor.
I've brought someone to meet you.
With her free arm, still clutching the babe to her breast, she draws a knife and cuts the phone cord, slipping the knife back into her clothes.
VICTOR
Take the brat to its father, there is nothing for it here.
MOTHER
Not until you've seen him.
Take the brat to its father, there is nothing for it here.
MOTHER
Not until you've seen him.
VICTOR
I have no desire to see the filthy spawn of your loins.
MOTHER
You, my dear Prime Minister, are more a father to this child than the man who offered his genetics! My husband's cab was found empty, save for a jelly residue.
VICTOR
Save your story, I know what it does.
MOTHER
We lived on the edge of the city. My neighborhood was spared all but a few mutations. For seven months I thought I was safe...
She holds out the bundle.
When he was born, I saw I was wrong.
VICTOR
You want me to apologize?
MOTHER
Not until you’ve looked into his good eye.
VICTOR
You'll get nothing from me.
MOTHER
I want you to look into his face, so I can see your reaction. When I've seen you look on the face of my babe with no grief, I will know you are abysmally evil.
VICTOR
I still have four canisters if you'd like me to finish what I started.
MOTHER
All I ask is that you look at my child’s face, and I will leave you alone forever.
VICTOR
You’ll leave here in shackles, and be dead before the sun falls.
MOTHER
A paper mill.
VICTOR
What?
MOTHER
That's what you fed with our forests. You dropped the LPDM when the Governor refused to let you deforest our mountains. You seemed convinced we'd turn our forests into spears to attack the most powerful man in the world.
VICTOR
Your government funded terrorist organizations that wanted to see us fall...
MOTHER
We didn’t have enough money to fund the education of our children, let alone send freedom fighters half a world away. Your countrymen didn’t know enough about us to care.
VICTOR
I just condemned my Chief Advisor for a lesser treason.
VICTOR
You want me to apologize?
MOTHER
Not until you’ve looked into his good eye.
VICTOR
You'll get nothing from me.
Victor moves around his desk.
MOTHER
I want you to look into his face, so I can see your reaction. When I've seen you look on the face of my babe with no grief, I will know you are abysmally evil.
VICTOR
I still have four canisters if you'd like me to finish what I started.
MOTHER
All I ask is that you look at my child’s face, and I will leave you alone forever.
VICTOR
You’ll leave here in shackles, and be dead before the sun falls.
Victor tries to escape.
MOTHER
A paper mill.
VICTOR
What?
MOTHER
That's what you fed with our forests. You dropped the LPDM when the Governor refused to let you deforest our mountains. You seemed convinced we'd turn our forests into spears to attack the most powerful man in the world.
VICTOR
Your government funded terrorist organizations that wanted to see us fall...
MOTHER
We didn’t have enough money to fund the education of our children, let alone send freedom fighters half a world away. Your countrymen didn’t know enough about us to care.
VICTOR
I just condemned my Chief Advisor for a lesser treason.
She holds out the babe.
MOTHER
Look at our child. I love our son unconditionally.
VICTOR
This is not my child.
MOTHER
Then give back the father who would have loved him as well!
Look at our child. I love our son unconditionally.
VICTOR
This is not my child.
MOTHER
Then give back the father who would have loved him as well!
The Mother lunges for Victor, screaming as she chases him around the desk until he is cornered behind a chair.
MOTHER
Where do you think you are going? Can’t you handle the sight of what you made? Millions have died to this weapon, but you can’t even look into the face of a survivor. (Beat) He's one year old today. Are you afraid of a baby? What could your baby possibly do to you?
VICTOR
Don’t call that babe our child again.
Where do you think you are going? Can’t you handle the sight of what you made? Millions have died to this weapon, but you can’t even look into the face of a survivor. (Beat) He's one year old today. Are you afraid of a baby? What could your baby possibly do to you?
VICTOR
Don’t call that babe our child again.
MOTHER
Then look.
Then look.
The mother smiles and advances on him painfully slow. She holds the child out, pulling back the cloth. He hesitates, cranes his neck, unsure in his steps. He stares down at the child in horror, covering his face with his hands.
MOTHER
Does it hurt?
VICTOR
(whispers)
Take it away.
Does it hurt?
VICTOR
(whispers)
Take it away.
The Mother laughs.
MOTHER
He looks scared. He’d probably be crying now if he had a voice. You should be happy, our baby is the quietest baby in the world. He never makes a peep.
VICTOR
IT’S NOT MY CHILD!!
He looks scared. He’d probably be crying now if he had a voice. You should be happy, our baby is the quietest baby in the world. He never makes a peep.
VICTOR
IT’S NOT MY CHILD!!
The door is thrown open, and the Captain enters.
CAPTAIN
Sir, I heard yelling, what’s...
Sir, I heard yelling, what’s...
All three hesitate.
VICTOR
Captain, seeing as you couldn’t find this woman, I found her myself. Now could you at least do half your job and shoot her?
CAPTAIN
Shoot the woman?
VICTOR
Shoot her! Shoot the baby too!
CAPTAIN
Sir?
VICTOR
I didn’t ask for questions! I told you to shoot them!
Captain, seeing as you couldn’t find this woman, I found her myself. Now could you at least do half your job and shoot her?
CAPTAIN
Shoot the woman?
VICTOR
Shoot her! Shoot the baby too!
CAPTAIN
Sir?
VICTOR
I didn’t ask for questions! I told you to shoot them!
The Captain draws his weapon.
CAPTAIN
Y... Yes, Sir.
Y... Yes, Sir.
The mother watches, unafraid.
MOTHER
That’s right, shoot me. You’ve killed so many people, what does one more even matter? Go ahead and kill us. Spare my child the horror of the life he'd live. No amount of good could ever erase the black marks you have left upon the world. No matter what you do, history will still remember Victor Mercurian as a murderer!
That’s right, shoot me. You’ve killed so many people, what does one more even matter? Go ahead and kill us. Spare my child the horror of the life he'd live. No amount of good could ever erase the black marks you have left upon the world. No matter what you do, history will still remember Victor Mercurian as a murderer!
The Captain looks from her to Victor.
VICTOR
What are you waiting for? Kill her!
MOTHER
I have a weapon more dangerous than LPDM!
What are you waiting for? Kill her!
MOTHER
I have a weapon more dangerous than LPDM!
The Captain levels his gun on her.
VICTOR
Shoot!
MOTHER
Shoot!
SAMUEL (OS)
No!
Shoot!
MOTHER
Shoot!
SAMUEL (OS)
No!
Samuel crashes through a ceiling tile between the Captain and the Mother. His clothes are torn and bloody.
SAMUEL
I won’t hide and watch another die.
I won’t hide and watch another die.
The Captain trains the gun on Samuel.
VICTOR
Shoot them both!
SAMUEL
And what good would it do you?
MOTHER
We are statistics to be forgotten. What is the cost of a few dead?
SAMUEL
We've tried for years to calculate, and we haven’t come close.
MOTHER
Prove yourself, great world leader.
SAMUEL
No... Will this erase my sins?
Shoot them both!
SAMUEL
And what good would it do you?
MOTHER
We are statistics to be forgotten. What is the cost of a few dead?
SAMUEL
We've tried for years to calculate, and we haven’t come close.
MOTHER
Prove yourself, great world leader.
SAMUEL
No... Will this erase my sins?
Samuel aims his pistol at the Prime Minister. The Captain shoots him once through the chest, knocking him down. Victor ducks behind his desk. The Mother dashes out of the office. Everyone is silent for a moment.
CAPTAIN
Sir... Sir, are you all right?
VICTOR
(Beat) Yes Captain Kupp. (Beat) Where is the mother?
CAPTAIN
She escaped, Sir.
VICTOR
I want her shot on sight!
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir!
Sir... Sir, are you all right?
VICTOR
(Beat) Yes Captain Kupp. (Beat) Where is the mother?
CAPTAIN
She escaped, Sir.
VICTOR
I want her shot on sight!
CAPTAIN
Yes, Sir!
The Captain runs out. Victor walks over to Samuel’s body and kneels next to it.
VICTOR
Samuel, you sonofabitch. Why did you have to do this to me? (Beat) That... That child.
Samuel, you sonofabitch. Why did you have to do this to me? (Beat) That... That child.
He stands and goes back to his desk.
How could it stand on those crippled limbs? This blood should be on your hands, old friend. You brought this weapon to me. She is wrong though, I can wash this clean for us both.
Yes sir?
VICTOR
Call for a cleaner, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes, Sir.
Victor presses the intercom.
SECRETARY (OS)Yes sir?
VICTOR
Call for a cleaner, Terry?
SECRETARY (OS)
Yes, Sir.
He sits back down in his chair, reaching for his journal. He writes. JOHN QUARTERMASS enters. He is smiling until he sees the body.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh my.
VICTOR
John Quartermass. John Quartermass!
Oh my.
VICTOR
John Quartermass. John Quartermass!
John's face brightens.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
(distracted)
Yes, Sir?
VICTOR
You have a son, John Quartermass.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes, Sir.
VICTOR
What was his name?
(distracted)
Yes, Sir?
VICTOR
You have a son, John Quartermass.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Yes, Sir.
VICTOR
What was his name?
John stares at the body a moment before he realizes Victor is still talking to him.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
What was that, Sir?
VICTOR
What was your son’s name?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Aiden, Sir.
VICTOR
Aiden. That's a good name, means 'fiery' in Gaelic. You say Aiden wants to be like me?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes Sir, and he’s smart, so smart. Smarter than me.
VICTOR
I’m sure he’s brilliant, John Quartermass. (Beat) You should bring him around the office some day.
What was that, Sir?
VICTOR
What was your son’s name?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Aiden, Sir.
VICTOR
Aiden. That's a good name, means 'fiery' in Gaelic. You say Aiden wants to be like me?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, yes Sir, and he’s smart, so smart. Smarter than me.
VICTOR
I’m sure he’s brilliant, John Quartermass. (Beat) You should bring him around the office some day.
Quartermass is still keeping a wary eye on the corpse, but Victor’s request is too much to ignore.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Really, Sir?
VICTOR
Of course.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, Mr. Mercurian, he would love that so much. I hope some day he can, Mr. Prime Minister, Sir.
VICTOR
How about tomorrow?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Really? Sir, that would be magnificent, Sir.
VICTOR
Very good then. I can’t wait to meet the boy.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, Sir, believe me, Sir, you just made the happiest little boy in the entire world, Sir!
Really, Sir?
VICTOR
Of course.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, Mr. Mercurian, he would love that so much. I hope some day he can, Mr. Prime Minister, Sir.
VICTOR
How about tomorrow?
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Really? Sir, that would be magnificent, Sir.
VICTOR
Very good then. I can’t wait to meet the boy.
JOHN QUARTERMASS
Oh, Sir, believe me, Sir, you just made the happiest little boy in the entire world, Sir!
Lights Down. End Act II
Go to Act 3
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