FADRIUS (Disheartened) Your Majesty, just today I was going to tell you all about my new plan. It is possible; if it succeeds it will solve all our problems.
QUEEN And I will be able to throw a dazzling ball at last?
FADRIUS (Heavy sigh) Yes, I hope you will.
QUEEN Fadrius! If your plan will not help me to find money to buy new outfits, then why do I need it? Whats the point?!
FADRIUS There are more important things in the Kingdom than balls and new dresses.
QUEEN Dont talk such nonsense! I thought you were a smart Wizard. But I guess I was wrong about you.
FADRIUS I wont argue with you. But anyway, let me explain my plan.
QUEEN Oh! How boring and frustrating this is Ok, Im listening.
FADRIUS My dear Queen, I have been thinking for a very long time, what can help our Kingdom from the disastrous events, which preceded us after the Kings death. I wanted to find one solution to all the problems. For days and nights, I was restless trying to find the answer
QUEEN Fadrius, can you get to the point. I feel my migraine coming back.
FADRIUS I think I have found the answer. The only thing that will help us is a MIRACLE. There is a mention of it in a very old magical manuscript. This MIRACLE is hidden very far away, near the edge of the earth.
QUEEN What is this?
FADRIUS It is a certain magical substance able to grant the wishes of the beholder. But unfortunately, only one wish is permitted.
QUEEN (Disappointed) Only one! Thats a disgrace. Ive already accumulated a thousand different wishes.
FADRIUS Thats not the biggest problem my Queen. I think I will be able to create a formula that can grant all the thousand wishes you have. Especially since most of your wishes are not very varied or original.
QUEEN If this is true, why havent you brought this MIRCALE to my palace?
FADRIUS Thats my biggest problem. I cannot do this.
QUEEN Here we go! Youre trying to upset me again.
FADRIUS The problem is that my powers arent what they used to be. And not everyone can get to the place where the MIRCACLE is kept. But even if one can overcome all the hurdles and get there, there is still the problem to actually obtain it. The only one who can possess this MIRACLE is someone with a pure soul and elevated intentions.
QUEEN Someone like me?
FADRIUS (With light irony and sarcasm) Im afraid neither you nor me will be suitable because were not young and innocent as we used to be. Our souls are not pure enough to possess this MIRACLE.
QUEEN Nonsense! My soul is pure and untainted, like a childs tears. Just because I helped my mother in-law to an early grave, surely that doesnt mean that Im a sinner? Thats how everyone acts. And it wasnt my fault that my brother in-law walked into a cage with tigers; I just informed my husband that his brother was plotting against him. I dont know why he thought it was a good idea to go into the cage with a hungry predator, when he was drunk. And after all Im a woman! And women are forgiven for being mischievous. So, after all Im aloud to be in control of this MIRACLE.
FADRIUS Im sorry Your Majesty but the Wizards law is very strict. If your soul wasnt pure enough and your intentions werent elevated enough you could die just by touching it.
QUEEN (Scared) Then I dont need any miracles!
FADRIUS Thats why I want to send my apprentice to get this MIRACLE. He is still young and pure enough. You saw him when you came in.
QUEEN Oh, that nice young man. But what do we get out of it? If he gets the MIRACLE, then I wont be able to use it?!
FADRIUS He will obtain the MIRACLE so that he can pass the test in order to become a real Wizard. Gelo will bring the MIRACLE to the palace. And I with his help will formularies this MIRACLE. Only then will Gelo become a real Wizard.
QUEEN And then I will be able to get new dresses and throw extravagant balls every week?
FADRIUS (Looking at her with pity) I should think, much more than that.
QUEEN Youre not as stupid as you make out to be, Fadrius! How crafty you are. You want someone else to get the MIRACLE for you. But remember the important thing is that all my wishes come true. Dont waste the entire MIRACLE for the Kingdoms stupid affairs, so that nothing will be left for me.
FADRIUS Dont worry Your Majesty, If Gelo brings back the MIRACLE I will try to use it wisely.
QUEEN Well then, call your apprentice. I personally want to see his departure.
Fadrius walks to the side and calls Gelo. Gelo walks in and humbly waits for further instructions.
FADRIUS Gelo! You have a great privilege. I, as your teacher have chosen your test so that you can become a real Wizard. Youll have a long and dangerous journey. There you will find a magical substance called the MIRACLE. With its help, one can achieve any magnificent magic.
GELO (Excitedly) Even to make all of humanity happy?
FADRIUS (Unhappy that he was interrupted) Perhaps, even that.
QUEEN What nonsense! A good subject would want to make his Queen happy first.
FADRIUS Your Majesty, thats exactly what Gelo meant. (Talking to Gelo again) Here I have prepared instructions and extracts from old magical manuscripts. They will help you find the way and acquire the MIRACLE. (Gives him instructions and extracts) You must go straight away.
QUEEN Yes, yes. Im tired of waiting for my wishes to come true. I have too many of them. Thats why you should hurry.
GELO Can I say goodbye to my fiancé?
FADRIUS Your Majesty I think you would be magnanimous to let the young ones to have a kiss goodbye. In our Kingdom you never restricted anyone to love one another.
QUEEN (Unhappy) You use my kindness so skillfully. Ok then Say goodbye, but not too long. (Tired and coquettishly) Everybody knows how easy it is to get along with me. One just has to agree with me. Show me to my quarters, Fadrius.
Everybody walks off stage Fadrius and the Queen to one side and Gelo hurriedly goes to the other. There is a sound of a gong.
Music plays. Blackout.
Fadrius comes on stage. He turns over the hourglass symbolizing that some time has passed. Then sits at the table and shifts through some papers. Lizy takes the stage. Lizy appears shyly.
LIZY Dear Wizard, can I ask you something.
FADRIUS (Hides grin and pretends to be dissatisfied) Im listening, Lizy. Whats the matter?
LIZY Mr. Fadrius, Its been a week since Gelo left. And Im sick with worry! I dont know what to do with myself
FADRIUS So what?! What do you want from me?
LIZY Can you tell me in all honesty how dangerous his journey is?
FADRIUS Very dangerous. Im not even sure if he will be able to complete the task at hand.
LIZY Then why did you send him on this horrific journey?!
FADRIUS Well, Lizy it wasnt me who sent him. He chose his own destiny. Gelo wants to become a real Wizard, a great Wizard. And because of this he will suffer many trials and tribulations. This is the first of many. And if you really do love him then you should know the truth.
LIZY What truth?
FADRIUS For example, every woman can achieve someones love, but that doesnt mean that love will last forever.
LIZY I dont understand you
FADRIUS Just because a man tells his woman that he loves her, it doesnt necessarily mean that he loves only her. For every intelligent, creative, energetic man his dedication and love for his work can be greater than his love for a woman. Not all women understand this. Some of these women are even stupid enough to be jealous of a mans work. And in the end, they make themselves and their loved ones unhappy.
LIZY But how can one compare our love to Gelos passion and dedication for work?
FADRIUS Of course you cant! Vocation is more important! Thats why you shouldnt get in the way of his vocation. Dont be an obstacle in his work. You want all his attention and love; you want him to belong to you entirely, but for a determined and dedicated man it is impossible. If he doesnt succeed in his work, he will die.
LIZY Without our love he will die as well.
FADRIUS (With a grin) Possibly, but I doubt it. But without his work he certainly will. Not physically. He will live like a plant. Like withering grass, he will dry up. You can even teach him to take out the rubbish or to knit. But this wont be the real Gelo; this will be his pale shadow. In the end he will drink himself stupid or dumb-down and waste away. Gelo is the kind of man for whom work is his life. He is a man of duty! Your love is essential to him but its not enough for his happiness. Thats why if you wish him well, never stand between him and his work, his duty and vocation. To be prohibited to do ones vocation is the worst thing for men. And no love can change this. Believe you me. If you mix a barrel of goodness and a barrel of evilness, you wouldnt get two barrels of goodness. You would get two barrels of diluted evilness.
LIZY I dont want Gelo to be unhappy.
FADRIUS I believe you. But you have to understand he is open to new ideas and wants changes in his life, but that is because he is still young, not because he is foolish. Dont forget this. And anyway, in my opinion Gelo is too young and inexperienced to get married.
LIZY So when do you think he will be experienced and old enough?
FADRIUS When he realizes one shouldnt hurry into marriage.
LIZY So youre against us getting married?
FADRIUS Im against the speed of this matter.
LIZY Mr. Fadrius! You can judge me, but I have made my decision! Im going after him. If his journey is as dangerous as you say, I want to be with him. Tell me where he went? I know he needs me. Ill try to help him. You see I love him very much, more than life itself! I cant just sit here and wait, not knowing what is going on with him, where is he?! At this very moment he might urgently need my help, my support, and my love
FADRIUS (Sighing) I cannot forbid you to go. And even if I try, you will act on your own account. So do, as you know. But remember what I told you. Help him to succeed with his mission and fulfill his dream, only then can you make him happy. Because his vocation is his destiny!
Music plays. Blackout.Music plays. Blackout.
* * * * *
Scene Two.
Somewhere in the mountains, inside the cave of Hermit. Gelo lies wounded. He sleeps, though moans and repeats Lizys name. Hermit is cooking something on a hearth. In the center of the stage there is table and chairs. Gelo regains his consciousness and looks around the cave with bewilderment. Hermit notices this.
HERMIT Ah, I see youre awake? In a minute Ill give you something to eat.
GELO Where am I? What happened to me? Who are you? How did I get here?
HERMIT Youve just woken up and you are interrogating me already.
GELO Sorry, but I dont remember anything. The last thing I remember is the landslide in the mountains. I was walking along the mountain path, and then all of a sudden rock started falling down
HERMIT And from this landslide I rescued you. You were very badly hurt, but luckily, youre still alive. You could have died.
GELO How long have I been here?
HERMIT I found you in the morning collecting wood, three days ago.
GELO Three whole days! I lost three days!
HERMIT You could have lost your life. Be happy that I found you.
GELO Thank you very much! You saved my life. But Im in a hurry. I have a very important matter. And I have wasted so much time!
Gelo tries to get up quickly but grimaces with pain. And with difficulty walks to the table to sit down.
HERMIT Maybe you should eat first, and regain your strength? And then you can hurry to your worthless matters.
GELO Why do you say that? You dont even know why and where I am going.
HERMIT And I dont particularly want to know. And I dont want to know you either.
GELO Then why did you save me?
HERMIT To leave someone in the mountains to die is a sin.
GELO It seems that you are not very hospitable.
HERMIT Yes, I dont like guests. No matter how much you feed them they always end up drunk. And try to get under your skin or throw all their problems at you. Thats why I left people and came to live here.
GELO Dont you get lonely by yourself? If you dont have no one to talk with, wont you become dull?
HERMIT Nothing of the sort. Whenever I want to hear something intelligent, I just talk to myself. It saves me from other peoples stupidity and idiocy.
GELO And do you consider stupidity contagious?
HERMIT No, but the boundaries of stupidity of one man overlaps those who are around him.
GELO Do you really think the world only consist of stupid people?!
HERMIT There are many who are just half-stupid, they are even worse. You never know when to deal with them or when to avoid them. And anyway, when a person is stupid, he will remain stupid forever.