The Players

Scene I

We are someplace cold, and sterile, and uninviting. There is a sense of anticipation in the air, and a strange ambiance pervades the air, turning everything thick and uncomfortable in atmosphere. There is a silent projection of four YOUTHS, security footage from their individual cells. They do not seem uncomfortable, it is as if these walls are the only thing they have ever known. Two strange silhouettes watch over the empty, waiting space. There is the sound of a heavy door closing, somewhere far off in the facility, and the echo seems to increase as it finds it way to the open room around which we sit. The two silhouettes seem to acknowledge the sound in their own queer way. There is a dim, thoughtless giggle from a nearby hallway, and the figures move away as HERMIANE and THE PRINCE enter. HERMIANE clings to her ward. She is light and saccharine, her courtish personality very out of place here. THE PRINCE is noxious with an air of decadence. HERMIANE speaks:

HERMIANE

My Lord, where are we going? This place is... cold. You promised me a party, but, I see no one. It feels... savage. As far as I know, this is the ends of the Earth.

THE PRINCE

(Laughing.)

Yes, everything is ready!

HERMIANE

I am not sure I understand, where are we? The air is bad here. It’s lonely and... These walls, is this a prison? Where are you taking me?

THE PRINCE

We’re here to observe a... game. Do you remember, last night. You called me out in front of my entire court, claiming, wildly, that it was not your sex, but mine that show the first example of infidelity in love.

HERMIANE

Yes, Seigneur, and I still believe that to be true. Men are bold, and shameless, and I’m sorry to say that these qualities tend to make them unfaithful. How could a woman, such as myself, full of modesty and natural innocence, even begin to consider infidelity? Since the world began, we have been untouched by the corruption of this... masculine world. Women are not the first to... fall prey to the vices of the heart.

THE PRINCE

(Laughing.)

My dear Hermiane, I am completely on your side! I am shameless, yes, because I am a man. I understand. You have no argument with me.

HERMIANE

You are only on my side out of gallantry.

THE PRINCE

Of course it is out of gallantry.

A pause.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

I love you. It is my only desire to please you. And if that is gallantry, that does persuade me that you are in the right, then so be it. But what I know, is that I AM persuaded, perhaps blinded, so completely that I don’t realize it myself. I have no love for the hearts of men, and so I give mine to you. I think it is because we men do not value our hearts that we find it easier to... squeeze the odd maid, or courtesan, our cousin, or any woman...

A pause.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

But of course, my love, I don’t mean myself. I’m talking about other men. Less honorable men.

HERMIANE

Your speech reeks of irony.

THE PRINCE

Don’t test me.

A pause.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

May I be struck down by God if I speak false. This is what confuses me, please listen...

HERMIANE

I’m listening.

THE PRINCE

Your comments to my court got me thinking. I’ve brought you here for a test of our... human nature. There is no other way to decide the question so fairly, and to prove you correct.

HERMIANE

I don’t understand.

THE PRINCE

To know if it was a man who committed the first act of infidelity, as you claim, (a claim that I support, of course,) one would have had to have watched the beginning of the world, and the beginnings of society, and the first interactions between a man and a woman. The first courtships, and kisses, and, of course, the first time a man let his hands stray to places they should not.

HERMIANE

Right, but that’s impossible. We weren’t there.

THE PRINCE

(Laughing.)

But, we’re going to be.

A pause.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

This test, Hermiane, today, we will see it. Here, locked away in this place, you and I, and my court, too, will all see love as it was at the dawn of time!

As he references the court, the house lights brighten, and through his demonstration it becomes clear that we, the audience, ARE members of the court of THE PRINCE, and that we are involved in this story as much as any other.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

It may not play out just as it did, as we are not savages, but we have the same characters. Man, and woman, and man, and woman.

HERMIANE

My Lord... I don’t...

THE PRINCE is showing off to his COURT, playing the part of the impressive patriarch.

THE PRINCE

We are going to test new souls. Souls that possess the same state of heart as the first men and women. Purity! Honesty! This is the fair way. This is the only way to test it.

He references the silhouettes, who have returned.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Carise, Mesrou, when it is time, sound the signal as we agreed.

To his COURT.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Make yourselves ready. The great experiment is about to begin!

Scene II

CARISE and MESROU are grey people, they move with the slowness of complete defeat. In their movements and speech they are dripping with cynicism and dry irony. Their role in this long experiment has defeated them, and they remain together like ghosts, mere shadows of people who seem almost a part of the facility. Truthfully, they could almost blend into the very walls. They enter and remove the ancient plastic from the boxes on stage, mop, and dust. After the boxes have been cleared, THE PRINCE may use them as a platform for his speech.

HERMIANE

Alright, I admit I am curious.

THE PRINCE

It was eighteen or nineteen years ago that the same dispute was raised in my father’s court. He, like me, was confused and confronted with the claim that men are more prone to infidelity. But, unlike me, he had no beautiful woman to convince him. My father, who considered himself a philosopher, dedicated his time, and a large amount of money, to design an experiment that would answer the question, once and for all.

A pause, for effect.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Four children, two of your sex, and two of mine, were bought in infancy, and spirited away to this place. They have been isolated, completely, from one another and the outside world. They would not know their own face if they looked into a mirror. The only people whom they have known are Carise and Mesrou, who barely count. These two have loved and cared for them all of these eighteen or nineteen years. In just a moment, my love, and my court, these children, now grown, will be allowed to leave their cells for the first time. The first time, ever! Carise and Mesrou have taught them language, so that we may observe the outcome of this experiment, when man and woman comes together for the first time since Adam and Eve. We will see it just as it was. This is their Garden of Eden, and we will play God.

MESROU moves to the wall and flips and switch. There is a long, low tone, uncomfortable and unsettling, that echoes through the vast chamber long after it dies out. Perhaps there are frightened screams from the isolated children, who have never before heard such a noise.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

That is the signal. Our Adams and our Eves have been released. Come, Hermiane, let us sit with the court, and watch, and learn.

HERMIANE and THE PRINCE move to the house, where they may sit in front of the control board, to emphasize their status as God of this experiment. MESROU and CARISE share a look, and a passionless, grey embrace, and then MESROU plods away, off into the dark. The houselights come down roughly, and the stage brightens to a medicinal level, and the noise of the rushing of stale air fills the room. Perhaps people appear above the voms, scientists who take notes and observe. Cameras switch on, distant machinery starts to chug. The experiment has begun.

Scene III

EGLE enters running, and leaps over the set, exploring every corner with youthful vigor. She finally stops at the stream, curious.

CARISE

(Dryly. In fact, everything she says she says dryly. She speaks as though everything she says has been rehearsed until it has lost meaning.)

Come, Egle, look here. It is a wonderful new world, one that you have never seen, but one that has been waiting for you your entire life. Lo, you are safe here.

EGLE

(With wonder.)

What am I seeing? What an amazing new place! It must be the biggest place there ever was!

CARISE

It is not a new place. You’ve just never seen it before.

EGLE

What a place! I wish I had a word for it! I feel like... a speck of dust in such a big place. It makes me feel happy. And it makes me feel scared!

She regards the stream.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Ahh! What is this!? Water?

She excitedly dips her hand into the stream, and demonstrates for CARISE.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Carise! There is water flowing on the floor! I’ve never seen anything like it! Quickly Carise, what is the word?

CARISE

Yes, how amazing. It is called a stream.

EGLE

Oh my God, Carise, come, come see! There is something living inside of this... stream, who, looks like a person, maybe. She seems as amazing with me as I am with her!

CARISE

Egle, that is you that you see in there. All streams do that.

EGLE

What? That is me? That is my face?

CARISE

Yes.

EGLE

But... This is very beautiful. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I cannot believe I haven’t seen it before!

CARISE

(Sighing.)

Yes, you are a very beautiful thing.

EGLE

Carise, I am not only beautiful. I’m gorgeous. Look at me! What a discovery! I’m enchanting!

She cannot stop admiring her reflection.

EGLE (CONT’D)

This stream has given me a great gift. I am happy. Oh, Carise, how lucky you and Mesrou were to have looked at me all of these years! I could spend the rest of my life just looking at myself. What a wonderful present!

CARISE

Whatever you want. I’m going to leave you here, I have things to do.

EGLE

Go, go. I won’t be bored as long as I have this stream.

CARISE exits, like a ghost.

Scene IV

As EGLE admires herself in the stream, AZOR enters from behind a screen.

EGLE

No, I won’t ever be bored with myself.

She sees AZOR, and is frightened.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Ah! What is this? A person, like me... Don’t come any closer!

AZOR extends his hands in admiration, and laughs.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Hm, the person laughs, and I think that she admires me. Hm, its looks are nice... Do you know how to talk?

AZOR

Yes, but the pleasure of seeing you has robbed me of my words.

EGLE

(Happily.)

The person hears me and responds, and with a compliment!

AZOR

You’re ravishing.

EGLE

Oh, that’s good.

AZOR

You’re enchanting.

EGLE

You make me happy too!

AZOR

Why did you stop me from coming closer?

EGLE

I will change my mind any moment; my heart wants you close.

AZOR

Okay. I’m going to come closer.

EGLE

Yes, I want you to.

He advances.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Wait! I’m overwhelmed!

AZOR

Well, I’ll wait.

EGLE

Thank you.

A pause as EGLE comically catches her breath.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Alright, come here.

He does.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Ha! It’s you! You’re here!

AZOR

I’m here!

EGLE peers closely at his face, then down at her own reflection.

EGLE

I see you are as good looking as me.

AZOR

I am??

EGLE

Well, you’re close.

AZOR

I am so happy to be near you. Look, I think I want to give myself to you, forever. I’m not sure what this is that I am feeling. Parts of me awaken with this feeling that I have never felt. I don’t know what to do.

EGLE

I feel the same!

AZOR

I’m happy! And... sort of... agitated!

EGLE

Look! I’m smiling!

AZOR

Yes, it feels good to be close to you. I don’t see anything else in this new world but you!

EGLE

Hm, yes, but... we cannot see how beautiful we each are if we only see each other...

AZOR

I think... my heart wants me to hold your hands.

EGLE

Okay, here you are. Are you happy?

AZOR

Yes, but still very agitated.

EGLE

Hm. I think it is because I am here, and we look so alike.

AZOR

Oh, but what a difference! All that I am is not worth your eyes, which are very tender and soft.

EGLE

But your eyes, they are so... alive!

AZOR

You are... adorable. And delicate. Soft. Lovely. Lacy?

EGLE

You do know a lot of words.

AZOR

But not the right ones to describe you.

EGLE

When we are not close, will we feel the same?

AZOR

Oh, no, I won’t change. I’m yours forever.

EGLE

Well, tell me, where were you when I didn’t know you?

AZOR

I was in my own world, but I’ll never go back there. Because you aren’t there. And, I don’t want to be somewhere unless you are also there. See, my heart wants me to always have your hands, and to do this, too.

He kisses her hands.

AZOR (CONT’D)

Mm, yes, my heart wants me to do that forever.

EGLE

Okay. I liked that. Do it again.

He does, EGLE giggles, then stops.

EGLE (CONT’D)

I hear noises! I think it is some people from my world. I don’t want to frighten them. Umm, quickly! Hide yourself! I will call for you when it’s safe.

AZOR

Well, okay, but then I won’t be able to see you.

EGLE

(Matter-of-factly.)

No, you juts have to look in this stream. My face is there; you can see it.

AZOR smiles and hides himself.

Scene V

CARISE and MESROU shamble in.

EGLE

(Sighing dramatically.)

Ah, I grew bored while you were gone.

CARISE

Egle.

EGLE

Yes?

CARISE

You seem nervous. What are you hiding?

MESROU

Her eyes are wider than normal.

EGLE

Oh, friends, don’t be mad. It’s just... there is something new! You think that there are only three of us, but... I’m telling you, there are four of us! I’ve met something that held my hands for a hour.

CARISE

Who held your hands, Egle? Why didn’t you call for help?

EGLE

I didn’t need any help. Help with what? With the pleasure that it gave me?

CARISE

(Advancing.)

What “pleasure” did it give you, Egle?

EGLE

It had my permission! It kissed my hands as much as it could, and I didn’t stop it. It kissed my hands to give me pleasure, and... and I think that it gave it pleasure too.

CARISE

He kissed your hands?

EGLE

Yes, “he,” did, and I’d let it do it again.

MESROU

(Laughing lowly.)

“Pleasure.” I know what it is, Egle, I’ve seen it before. That thing that you let kiss your hands is called a man. His name is Azor; we know him.

EGLE

It’s an Azor? What a beautiful name!

CARISE

I’m not surprised that you like him, and that he likes you. And that you give each other “pleasure.” You were made for each other.

EGLE

I knew it! We thought the same thing. Azor! My Azor, come quickly, you “man!”

Scene VI

AZOR comes out of hiding.

AZOR

Oh! My friends, Carise and Mesrou!

EGLE

(Happily.)

Azor! They told me that you were made for me, and I was made for you, that’s what they said! That’s the reason we like each other so very much, because I am your Egle, and you are my Azor.

MESROU

One is a man, and then of course, the other is a woman.

AZOR

Then you are my Egle! You are my charm, you are my delight, and now I guess you are my woman!

EGLE

My heart, here is my hand. Take it. I’m sorry I made you hide.

To CARISE and MESROU.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Now, look, this is what he was doing before. No, wait.

She has AZOR kiss her hands.

EGLE (CONT’D)

This is what we were doing before. Should I have called you for help?

CARISE

Children, I told you already. It is your destiny to be together.

EGLE

Then there is no action more pure. Kiss away, my Azor.

CARISE

Ah, but there is something to be careful of, if you wish to love each other always.

EGLE

Yes, we understand, we must never, ever, ever, ever be apart.

CARISE

Mm. Au contraire. No, sometimes you must be apart.

EGLE

What?

AZOR

No way!

CARISE

(Sighing.)

I told you. If you are together always, your... pleasures will begin to fade.

She recieves a blank stare from the children. She sighs again.

CARISE (CONT’D)

Imagine the most beautiful cake in the world.

The children close their eyes and imagine.

CARISE (CONT’D)

The first day you have it, it is wonderful, but imagine having to eat that same cake every day for the rest of your life. It’s sweet, but it becomes too sweet. It’s beautiful, but you become bored with the colors. The same is true with love. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” do you understand?

EGLE

Bored? Bored of my Azor?

She laughs.

EGLE (CONT’D)

What a funny thought!

MESROU

Only a fool would think she was joking.

A pause.

MESROU (CONT’D)

She has given you sound advice, and you should take heed, as we do. Carise and I separate from time to time, and that is all that keeps us together.

CARISE

Mesrou speaks truthfully. I have, in the past, grown to hate him, and it is then that I must leave him for some time, until the hate has abided. Then we can return to each other.

EGLE

...Hate?

CARISE

It’s a common symptom of love.

EGLE

Carise, really, I do believe you. I believe it works very well for you and Mesrou to be separated, but, you are not people, like my Azor and me. You are so dull, you must have run in terror when you first saw each other.

AZOR

If I had not known you from my earliest memories, I would have thought you were monsters!

EGLE

Yes, so of course you must separate from time to time, because you two are no great joy to look at. When you two leave me for a great time, I don’t miss you at all, because neither of you charm me. My Azor, on the other hand, my man, he charms me and I charm him, and because we are both so beautiful, we want to be around each other always.

AZOR

Try to understand, my friends. Look at Egle’s hand. I suffer when I am not holding it. And when I hold it, I die if I don’t kiss it. And when I kiss it, I die anyway!

EGLE

You can’t understand, because you don’t know happiness.

MESROU

We are not proposing that you separate for more than two or three hours.

EGLE

Not a minute.

MESROU

You must.

EGLE

You’re making me angry, Mesrou. You think because we see each other always we would grow ugly? We would stop being so wonderfully attractive?

MESROU

No, but you would cease to feel as you do now.

AZOR

No. Egle will always be Egle.

EGLE

Azor, always Azor.

MESROU

So you say. But, I ask you, what would happen if, perhaps, I became just as handsome as Azor, and my Carise became just as beautiful as Egle?

EGLE

What do you mean?

CARISE

You may be tempted, when faced with our beauty, to leave each other and love us instead.

EGLE

Tempted to leave the one that I love? No. You can go ahead and become beautiful if you want, it won’t bother us.

AZOR

They will never understand. My Egle, you are my life.

EGLE

Are you hearing this? I am his life. He must live, and so must I.

AZOR

Mesrou, look at her face! She has beautiful eyes, and a beautiful mouth. Everything is beautiful!

EGLE

Carise, hear how he admires me!

MESROU

Yes, it’s clear that he adores you.

AZOR

Ah! Yes! Well said, Mesrou! I adore you!

He pulls her close and grips her in a crushing embrace.

EGLE

Augh! Yes, adore me, but please give me some room to breathe!

CARISE

What tenderness. Believe us or not, that is your decision. But you must, must separate. Here.

MESROU pulls two portraits from a box.

CARISE (CONT’D)

Give this portrait to your Azor, perhaps it will help you survive while you are apart.

She hands EGLE the portrait.

EGLE

It’s a picture of me! This is even better than what was in the stream! Look, Azor, look at how beautiful I am!

AZOR

Hey, it’s my Egle! How beautiful she is!

He kisses the portrait.

MESROU

Yes, it does sort of look like her.

AZOR

Yes, this is just what I want.

He again kisses the portrait.

EGLE

But, wait, that’s not fair, why does my portrait get all of his kisses?

AZOR

Hm...

He takes EGLE’s hand, and kisses it, then looks to the portrait, kisses it, and looks back to her hand. He looks to CARISE and MESROU, helpless.

EGLE

Well, this is no good. I want something to amuse myself.

MESROU

Would you like your portrait, or his.

EGLE

I want to keep them both!

MESROU

You have to choose.

EGLE

Oh... well... um, in that case, I do not need a portrait of my Azor, because I already keep him in my heart. So, give me the one of me.

CARISE

Take this.

She gives EGLE a hand mirror.

CARISE (CONT’D)

This is a portrait in another form. It’s called a mirror. Now, au revoir. We will come back and find you in a short while. Please, think about separating, if only for an hour.

CARISE and MESROU exit.

Scene VII

EGLE

(Trying to figure out the mirror.)

I don’t know how to make this work.

AZOR

(Flipping the mirror around.)

Here! Well. It’s just me in there. It’s just like the water showed me.

EGLE

Ah! What do I see here? It’s me again! Oh, yes, I am more beautiful than I was before!

AZOR

Oh, yes, it’s you, but then, it’s me too. It’s the two of us. It’s half me, and half you. I think I’d like it better if it was just you, because right now half of me is blocking out half of you.

EGLE

Oh, Azor, I like seeing a bit of you, too. You won’t ruin it. Come closer. Here, take the mirror.

AZOR

Oh! Our faces are going to touch! Look, Egle, they’re touching! What happiness I feel! What...pleasure!

EGLE

Yes. I feel you too, and I like it.

AZOR

If our lips would only come closer, that would be a kiss...

EGLE

(Pushing him suddenly away.)

Oh, you ruined it! Now I can’t see myself at all! There we go, the mirror is such a wonderful invention.

AZOR

Yes, and this picture is a wonderful thing!

He kisses the photograph.

EGLE

Carise and Mesrou are wonderful people.

AZOR

Well, not people.

EGLE

Well, whatever they are, they’re wonderful!

AZOR

Yes...

A pause.

AZOR (CONT’D)

Listen, I think they want the best for us. I think we should talk about the advice they gave us.

EGLE

About the separation? I’ve been thinking about that too...

AZOR

Egle, their predictions frighten me. Not that I’m worried on my part, but I don’t want you to get bored with me.

EGLE

Azor, don’t you dare stop adoring me. I mean, as immensely beautiful as I am... I share your fear.

AZOR

My love, there is nothing to fear. What are you thinking?

EGLE

Alright. Alright, here’s what we’ll do. We’ll separate for just two hours. I want you to adore me forever.

AZOR

Are you sure?

EGLE

Ugh! If you don’t take my word for it, I might stop wanting it.

AZOR

I don’t know if I have the courage.

EGLE

I don’t know if I do, either.

AZOR

(Crying.)

Goodbye, Egle, my love, my heart, if we must.

EGLE

You’re crying? Look, stay here if you’re that upset.

AZOR

I’m not!

EGLE

Then go!

AZOR

Fine! I’m leaving.

He goes.

Scene VIII

EGLE

(Alone.)

Well, he’s gone. I am alone. I no longer hear his voice. At least I have this mirror! Oh, it was wrong to make him leave. Carise and Mesrou don’t know what they’re talking about.

She admires herself.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Look how pretty I am! You don’t need separation to keep loving this face.

She moves to the stream.

EGLE (CONT’D)

I’m going to sit next to the stream, then it’s like I have two mirrors.

Scene IX

From the shadows, ADINE enters.

EGLE

What is that? Another person!

ADINE

What is that? Look at this new thing! She advances!

EGLE

Hm. She looks at me closely, but doesn’t seem to admire me. Not like Azor does, anyway.

She looks at herself in her mirror.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Well, she’s no Egle, but... I think she’s comparing herself.

ADINE

I’m not sure what to think of this thing. I’m not sure exactly what she’s missing, but there’s something a little bit... insipid... about her.

EGLE

Well. She’s of no interest to me.

ADINE

She’s of no interest to me. Can she speak? Let’s see.

Calling out.

ADINE (CONT’D)

Hey! Are you a person?

EGLE

Yes, I am, and a very nice one, at that.

ADINE

Oh, good. Do you have anything to say to me?

EGLE

Uhm. No. Normally people pay attention to me.

ADINE

Are you saying I don’t charm you?

EGLE

No, look, I am the charming one.

ADINE

(Scoffing.)

Are you telling me you’re not happy to see me??

EGLE

Okay, see, I’m not happy, and I’m not angry. What am I supposed to do?

ADINE

This is so strange! You look at me, I show off a little, and you feel nothing? I don’t think you’re looking close enough. Here, pay attention.

She poses.

ADINE (CONT’D)

Now, how do you find me?

EGLE

Why are we spending so much time talking about you? I’m telling you that it’s me that people look at, I am the one people pay attention to. That’s how it’s done, that’s how it’s always been done, and now suddenly you want it to be me that pays attention to you?

ADINE

Uh, of course.

A pause. EGLE clears her throat. The two girls slowly begin to show off more and more, engaging in a sort of posing battle in attempts to be cuter and more charming than the other. Right as the contest is about to become ridiculous:

ADINE (CONT’D)

Be dazzled!

EGLE

Oh, good, she is dazzled by me.

ADINE

I am not! You’re not listening to me. It is the most beautiful one who waits to be admired.

EGLE

Yes, and she is waiting.

ADINE

Well, if it’s not me, then where is she? I have already won the affections of the three people that live in this world!

EGLE

I don’t know what world you’re living in, but I know three people that think I’m marvelous.

ADINE

And I know that I am so beautiful... so beautiful that I am completely charmed everytime I see myself!

EGLE

What are you trying to say? I’ve never once looked at myself without being completely enchanted.

ADINE

Enchanted? Well. It’s true, I suppose, that you’re... passable. And maybe a little pretty. I’m being very fair here, I’m just... not like you.

EGLE

I’d like to shove her fairness down her skinny little throat.

ADINE

But to think that you could... match me, that’s our dispute. It’s ridiculous, that’s plain to see.

EGLE

What’s plain to see is that you’re ugly.

ADINE

Oh, good, you’re jealous of me! That must be what’s preventing you from finding me beautiful.

EGLE

It’s your stupid face that’s preventing me.

ADINE

(Dragging EGLE to the water’s edge.)

MY FACE? Oh! I have seen my face. Go ask the flowing waters of the stream if my face is stupid! Ask Mesrin, who adores me!

EGLE deftly escapes ADINE’s grasp, and plunges ADINE’s head into the stream.

EGLE

The waters of this stream lie to you. They have shown me there is nothing more beautiful than I. I don’t know what a Mesrin is, but it wouldn’t admire you as much as it would me. I have an Azor, who is better, an Azor, whom I love, who is nearly as lovely as I, who says I am his life; you are nobody’s life. And I have a mirror that confirms everything that my Azor and the stream tell me.

ADINE

A mirror? You have a mirror too? Ha! What is it good for? Looking at yourself? Ha! Ha!

EGLE

HA! HA! HA! I could have guessed I would find her disgusting.

ADINE

(Laughing.)

Look, here is a better mirror. Come and know thyself, and learn to shut up.

CARISE looms in the shadows.

EGLE

Look at me. Really look, and get to know your mediocrity. Look, and understand the modesty you should have in the presence of beauty.

ADINE

Be on your way. Since you refuse to take pleasure in the sight of me, you are good for absolutely nothing. I’m not speaking to you anymore.

They no longer look at each other.

EGLE

I’m not even aware you exist.

They move far away from each other.

ADINE

She’s insane!

EGLE

She’s hallucinating, what world did she come from?!

Scene X

CARISE materializes.

CARISE

What the hell is going on?

ADINE

There is a new person that I met, and she is threatened by my beauty.

EGLE

You...skanky...whore!

ADINE

Shut up, you-

CARISE

Enough!

EGLE

What do you think of this tasteless object, Carise? This ridiculous specimen that aspires to charm me, who asks what I feel when I see her, who wants me to feel pleasure when I see her, who says, “Hey! Look at me closely! Hey! How do you find me!” She pretends to be just as beautiful as me.

ADINE

I didn’t say that! I said “more beautiful,” like what she would see if she looked in a mirror.

EGLE

(Grabbing her mirror.)

She should look in this mirror, if she dares!

ADINE

And I would ask her to look in mine, which is obviously much more honest!

CARISE

Calm down. You should be glad that you two have met. Unite yourselves, becomes friends. You should both be happy to both be adored. Egle, by her lovable Azor, whom she cherishes, and Adine by her lovable Mesrin, whom she cherishes also. Come on, make up.

EGLE

Only if she drops her ridiculous delusions of superior beauty.

ADINE

Well, I know the best way to get you to believe me. I just have to steal her Azor from her. I don’t want him, but anything for a little sanity!

EGLE

Oh, my God! I wish there were a word for people like her!

CARISE

There is.

EGLE

Where is your imbecile Mesrin, you filthy... something! She’ll be miserable if I find him! Adieu, I’m going, because I cannot stand anymore of you!

ADINE

(Laughing maliciously.)

My beauty is her misfortune!

EGLE

(Laughing maliciously.)

What a stupid face!

EGLE departs.

Scene XI

CARISE

Come now, forget what she said.

ADINE

You’re right. I feel bad for her.

CARISE

Let’s go. It’s time for your music lesson, and I will not teach you if you are late.

ADINE

I’m coming, but I see Mesrin! I just must have a word with him.

CARISE

You only just left him.

ADINE

It will be just a moment.

Scene XII

Enter MESRIN.

ADINE

Mesrin!

MESRIN

Hey! My Adine, you have returned! How happy I am! It felt like forever!

ADINE

Oh, no, control yourself. I’m not back back, I’m just going. I just happened to be here.

MESRIN

Then you’ll just have to happen to stay here with me.

ADINE

Listen. Listen! There is something that happened before I came here.

CARISE

Keep it short, I have other things to do.

ADINE

I will. Mesrin, I am beautiful, aren’t I?

MESRIN

You bet you are!

ADINE

He doesn’t hesitate. He says what he sees.

MESRIN

You are divine! The most beautiful!

ADINE

Oh, yes, I don’t doubt that, however... You, Carise, and myself, we were all wrong. I’m ugly.

MESRIN

My Adine?

ADINE

Yeah, see, when I left you, I found a new person, someone from another world. She, far from being dazzled by me, far from being enchanted, like you are, wanted me to be charmed by her. And, when I refused, she accused me of being ugly!

MESRIN

Oh, this is making me angry!

ADINE

She told me that you would leave me when you saw her!

CARISE

She only said that because she was angry.

MESRIN

But... Is she a person?

ADINE

She says she is, and she looks like one... more or less.

CARISE

She is a person.

ADINE

She’ll be back, for sure, and I want you to scorn her when you see her. I want you to find her terrifying!

MESRIN

She seems awful!

ADINE

Her name is... Wait, her name is... uh...

CARISE

Egle.

ADINE

Yes, it’s an Egle. Here’s what she looks like: An angry face, surly and terrible. It’s not dull like Carise’s, and not bright, like mine, it’s something ugly that I can’t describe.

MESRIN

That doesn’t compliment her.

ADINE

Oh, never mind! She has these eyes, what can I say? Eyes that really do nothing for her. A mouth, not big or small, a mouth with which she talks. A straightish figure, very straightish, that would be a little like mine if she were well put together. She has these... hands, that flutter about, and long, thin fingers, I think, and a rude and sour voice... Oh, you’ll know her when you see her!

MESRIN

I’ll know her when I see her. Oh, I can’t wait. She’ll just have to return to her other world, as soon as I’ve embarrassed her.

ADINE

Make sure she is truly humiliated, truly desolated.

MESRIN

And really mocked! Oh, I won’t let you down, give me your hand.

ADINE

Oh, take it! It’s all for you!

He kisses her hand.

CARISE

That’s enough, lets go.

ADINE

Just when he’s finished kissing my hand.

CARISE

Leave it, Mesrin, I’m late.

ADINE

Farewell, my love! I shant be lonely. Dream of our revenge!

MESRIN

Farewell, my Adine! I am enraged!

CARISE leads ADINE off.

Scene XIII

MESRIN

(Speaking to the portrait he carries.)

Not dull, nor bright, a straightish figure, a mouth that talks... Where am I going to find someone like that?

AZOR approaches.

MESRIN (CONT’D)

But, I see someone. It’s a person, like me. Is it an Egle? She’s not all that deformed...

AZOR

You look a lot like me.

MESRIN

Yeah, thats what I was thinking.

AZOR

You’re a man?

MESRIN

That’s what they tell me.

AZOR

That’s what they tell me too!

MESRIN

They tell you? You know people??

AZOR

Yeah! I know all of them! Two people who are not quite people, and my woman!

MESRIN

Me too! Just the same! Where are you from?

AZOR

Oh, the world.

MESRIN

My world?

AZOR

Ah! I don’t know anymore! There are so many.

MESRIN

It doesn’t matter. I like the way you’re put together, here, take my hand, we should fall in love.

AZOR

(Taking his hand and kissing it.)

Hm. That feels a bit funny. You look like a good friend, though you have sort of a funny face.

MESRIN

That’s fine, you’re pretty funny looking too. Hm.

They stand awkwardly for a moment.

MESRIN (CONT’D)

So, uh, do you eat?

AZOR

Every day!

MESRIN

Oh, good, so do it! Let’s eat together, it’ll be fun. Afterwards we can fuck around. Let’s go, it’s already time. We’ll laugh, we’ll jump around. I’m already jumping!

MESRIN begins to jump with wild abandon, soon, AZOR joins him.

AZOR

Me too! It’ll be the two of us, well, possibly four, because I’ll call my girl. She has a thin face and two strangely enchanting lumps on her chest, like this.

He tries to demonstrate, but can’t seem to get it right.

AZOR (CONT’D)

Oh, you’ll just have to see them. She’s better looking than both of us.

MESRIN

Oh, buddy, I believe you, ’cause you and I are nothing compared to my girl. She’ll come with us, too. Oh, she drives me crazy! She has these really gentle hands, and she lets me kiss them all the time!

AZOR

Oh, you like hands? Man, my girl has these crazy awesome hands that are out of this world! I get to hold them whenever I want. I’m waiting for them right now.

MESRIN

Great. I just left mine, and I have to leave you too, to take care of a little business. Wait here until I come back with my Adine, lets jump again to show each other how happy we are to have met!

Both men jump and laugh, all over the room.

Scene XIV

EGLE approaches.

EGLE

My, what is making you laugh so much?

MESRIN

Oh my God, look at that beautiful thing!

AZOR

Hah, this is my girl, it’s Egle!

MESRIN

(Aside.)

Egle, with the scowling face?

AZOR

Oh, I’m so happy!

EGLE

Is this a new friend?

AZOR

Yes! This is my buddy, he’s called man, and he’s from a world very close to here.

MESRIN

This world is so wonderful!

EGLE

Better than your world?

MESRIN

Oh, totally.

EGLE

Oh good. Man, you’ll just have to stay here then!

AZOR

That’s what we were saying! We both eat, Egle! He is happy here, I love him. Not like I love my ravishing Egle, of course, but I want to keep him around so I can talk about you, and your lips, and your eyes, and your hands, that I like to kiss.

AZOR takes one of her hands and starts to kiss it wildly.

MESRIN

Hey, if it’s cool with you I’m just gonna take the other.

MESRIN takes EGLE’s other hand, and kisses it also, delving all at once into a very sexual display, far outclassing AZOR’s simple kisses. After a moment, AZOR notices and stops MESRIN.

AZOR

Uh, hey man, this isn’t your woman, so you really shouldn’t be sucking on her fingers or anything. These hands belong to me, remember?

EGLE

No, no, Azor, it’s fine! Actually, go away. You know that absence in necessary, and ours has not last nearly long enough.

AZOR

What?? I don’t know how many hours it’s been since I saw you!

EGLE

Oh, it hasn’t been that long. I know what I’m saying, and I’m sticking by it.

AZOR

But, then I’ll be all alone.

EGLE

Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.

MESRIN

Don’t get your girl angry, buddy, trust me, girls get crazy!

AZOR

I think she’s already mad at me.

EGLE

Azor, I’m not mad, but weren’t you listening to what our keepers told us? There is nothing more dangerous than being together too much!

AZOR

That can’t be true.

EGLE

Well, I don’t think they’d lie to us.

CARISE appears in the background and listens.

AZOR

I’m leaving now, to make you happy, but I’m going to come back soon. Come on, pal, we need to go. Come with me to help the time pass more quickly.

MESRIN

Um...

EGLE

(Smiling.)

What?

MESRIN

Well, I’ve been walking for a really long time...

EGLE

Azor, he needs to rest.

MESRIN

And... I was going to keep your beautiful girl from being bored while you’re away...

EGLE

Yes, he’ll entertain me immensely.

AZOR

But, she just said she wants to be alone. Anyway, if she wanted entertainment, I’d be better. Let’s go, friend.

The two men have the following conversation as they exit, fading away into the shadows.

AZOR

What was that thing you did with your mouth?

MESRIN

Here, give me your hand, it’s pretty easy.

AZOR

Oh, that’s awesome!

And ad-lib to fade. EGLE stands alone.

EGLE

Damn it.

Scene XV

CARISE enters.

CARISE

What are you thinking about now?

EGLE

I’m thinking that I am not in a good mood.

CARISE

What upset you?

EGLE

I’m not upset, just... thinking.

CARISE

What happened?

EGLE

You told us that... sometimes when you’re in love, you don’t know what will happen.

CARISE

It’s unpredictable.

EGLE

Well, I don’t know what the hell is going on.

CARISE

What do you mean?

EGLE

I feel... angry at myself, like, I’m mad at Azor. I don’t know what’s causing this feeling.

CARISE

Why are you angry with yourself?

EGLE

I thought... I thought I would always love Azor, and I’m afraid that isn’t the case.

CARISE

You were perhaps naive.

EGLE

Naive? Perhaps that is the word.

CARISE

Do you think that’s a possibility? That you no longer love him?

EGLE

Yes, maybe, I’m mad at him because his behavior is the cause of the feeling.

CARISE

I’m guessing you’re in a fight.

EGLE

You always respond to me in the same tone, and that is making me very angry with you, too.

CARISE

Well, aren’t you being a bitch.

EGLE

That’s the word I was looking for.

CARISE

Now, what has Azor done to you?

EGLE

What has he done? We decided to separate, he leaves, then he comes back immediately. He always wants to be next to me. In the end, what you said would happen will come true.

CARISE

What, you’re going to stop loving him?

EGLE

Definitely. When the pleasure of seeing him is gone, because he is there all the time, is that my fault?

CARISE

You told us that it would never happen.

EGLE

God, I was wrong, okay? How could I have known? I said it because I was... what’s the word, naive. I didn’t know.

CARISE

It should not be his deep desire to see you that makes you dislike him. I mean, you haven’t even known him for that long.

EGLE

Long enough. We’ve already had three whole conversations together! Apparently the length of our encounters is counterproductive.

CARISE

Will you just tell me what wrong he’s done you?

EGLE

Oh, there are so many, I don’t know where to start. First, he annoys me. My hands are mine, they belong to me, and he prevents them from being kissed.

CARISE

And who did he prevent from kissing them?

EGLE

A brand new friend that he discovered, named Man.

CARISE

Is he attractive?

EGLE

You have no idea. He’s charming, and much sweeter than Azor. He proposed to stay with me and keep me company! And, that... insane Azor wouldn’t allow him to put my hand in his mouth, nor keep my company. He flipped out and took him away without asking me what I wanted! Jesus, am I no longer in charge of my own life? He doesn’t trust me, what, is he afraid that someone might love me?

CARISE

He fears his friend is more attractive.

EGLE

Well, then he should just work harder to attract me. If it’s a question of being loved, I am happy to be. If he didn’t have just one friend, but maybe a hundred, I would want them all to love me. That’s what would make me happy. He wants to keep my beauty only to himself, but, really, it’s my gift to everyone in this world.

CARISE

Listen, Egle, your distaste for Azor has nothing to do with what you just told me. Maybe, right now, you just happen to be more taken by his friend than him?

EGLE

You think so? You’re probably right. Why must this be so impossible!

CARISE

To be loved is to be unhappy.

EGLE

You should have told me that in the first place.

CARISE

Aren’t you a little ashamed at your infidelity?

THE PRINCE

(From the house.)

Aha, you see??

EGLE

(Not hearing.)

Yes, I am a little ashamed. I don’t know. I am still ignorant to matters of the heart, it seems.

CARISE

That’s a lie. You promised you would love him faithfully.

EGLE

Carise, when I promised that, there was only him. He should never have introduced me to his friend.

CARISE

That’s a terrible excuse.

EGLE

Yes, it’s a bad excuse. Here’s a better one. Azor’s friend is much better than Azor. Is that my fault?

CARISE

That is another terrible excuse. It has nothing to do with whether he is better, does it, you just want him because he is new.

EGLE

Maybe, but isn’t that a big advantage? Doesn’t being new count for anything? It seems to me that he is much more handsome, and he is perfect, while Azor is not.

CARISE

Then you better hope that the new one falls in love with you, too.

EGLE

I hope he does.

CARISE

Azor won’t be falling in love with you.

EGLE

Well, no, he already has.

CARISE

What strange reasons for change! I bet it doesn’t make you happy.

EGLE

Nothing makes me happy!

CARISE

Oh, God.

EGLE

On one hand, this change causes me pain, yes, but on the other hand it gives me pleasure. I can’t give up one for the other. They both have consequences. Which one do I love the most? Must I hate myself? Must I please myself? Tell me, Carise, what do I do?

CARISE

(With malice.)

Ask your heart, oh my pure, naive little lover. You’ll find it condemns your infidelity.

EGLE

You’re not listening. My heart condemns me, my heart approves. It says yes, it says no. It says, “Come, Egle, let Man suck on your fingers for a few minutes,” it says, “You’re being a ‘bitch.’” There are no answers; I can only choose the most convenient.

CARISE

You know what you should do? Leave Azor’s friend alone. Let’s leave, you can’t bear the pain of the struggle.

EGLE

(Seeing MESRIN, off.)

We’re too late. The struggle comes to me. The friend returns.

CARISE

So what? Be strong, have courage, and don’t even look at him.

Scene XVI

MESROU is restraining MESRIN, as he struggles towards EGLE.

MESROU

He’s trying to be unfaithful, keep him from coming any closer.

CARISE

Mesrin! Stop!

MESRIN

Why?

CARISE

Because I fucking told you so! Mesrou and I have to keep things in order, we are your keepers!

MESRIN

My keepers? I am my own keeper!

CARISE

Alright, then I do not command, I beg. I’m begging you to not come any closer. The beautiful Egle begs the same.

EGLE

Me? That’s not true.

CARISE

(To EGLE, aside.)

Let’s go, you’re not even sure that he likes you.

EGLE

We should just ask him. What do you wish, handsome friend?

MESRIN

To see you, to watch you, to admire you, to call you my life.

EGLE

Ah, see, he’s talking about his life. Do you love me?

MESRIN

I’m lost without you.

EGLE

Well, what did I say.

MESRIN

Do you love me too?

EGLE

Uhm. I would like to not love you, if I can, because I sort of already promised my heart to Azor.

MESROU

Mesrin, follow her example, do not be unfaithful.

EGLE

Mesrin! The man is named Mesrin!

MESRIN

Yes.

EGLE

Um, Adine’s friend?

MESRIN

I used to be, but not anymore. I have no use for her picture.

EGLE

(Taking the portrait.)

Her picture, and her friend! Another quality I like. Hah! Carise, with all of these benefits, I can no longer resists. Mesrin, come here so I can love you.

MESRIN

Ah, I finally have your sweet hand!

EGLE

I’ve won!

MESROU

Why leave Adine? Did she hurt you somehow?

MESRIN

No, but, Egle, this beautiful face, it wants me to leave her.

EGLE

He has eyes, after all.

MESRIN

Oh, I know what infidelity is, but, I can’t help but do it.

EGLE

Yes, I’m forcing him. We’re forcing each other.

CARISE

Azor and Adine will be devestated.

MESRIN

That’s really too bad.

EGLE

But, what can you do?

CARISE

Well, then it should be simple to end their suffering. I will simply make them fall in love.

MESRIN

Yes, do it!

EGLE

No!

A pause.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Please, I will be happy if Azor mourns for me, and my beauty, but... I would not mind if Adine suffers a little. It will teach her to not think so highly of herself.

Scene XVII

AZOR approaches.

MESROU

Here’s Azor.

MESRIN

Oh, God, he’s going to be pissed.

CARISE

I would guess he probably suspected something was going on between you two.

EGLE

Yes, he looks sad. With good reason, too.

AZOR enters.

EGLE (CONT’D)

Are you upset, Azor?

AZOR

Yes, I am, Egle.

EGLE

Really? Truly?

AZOR

Definitely.

EGLE

He does seem upset. How did you know I loved Mesrin?

AZOR

(Shocked.)

Uh, what??

MESRIN

Sorry, buddy.

AZOR

Egle loves you? She doesn’t care for me anymore??

EGLE

It’s true.

AZOR

(Happily.)

Oh, thank God! I don’t care for you anymore, either!

EGLE

What?

AZOR

Wait right here.

AZOR begins to exit, but is stopped.

EGLE

Stop right there! What are you saying? You don’t love me anymore? What does that mean?

AZOR

Uh, it means... I don’t love you anymore.

A pause.

AZOR (CONT’D)

Just wait here, you’ll see.

He exits.

Scene XVIII

MESRIN

Why were you calling him back? Don’t you love me?

EGLE

Oh, God, let me do what I want. I will love you more if I can get him back, I just... don’t want to lose anything! I don’t want to choose! I want everything!

CARISE and MESROU laugh heartily.

EGLE

Well, I’m glad you all think this is so God damn funny!

Scene XIX

ADINE and AZOR enter, laughing.

ADINE

Oh, hello, beautiful Egle. When you wish to see yourself, just ask me, I have your portrait.

EGLE

(Tossing ADINE’s portrait at her.)

Here, take yours back. It’s not worth the trouble to keep it.

ADINE

What! How did she get my picture, Mesrin?

MESRIN

Uh... I gave it to her?

EGLE

Let’s go, Azor. Come here. I want to talk to you.

MESRIN

Talk to him? What about me?

ADINE

Come here, Mesrin, what are you doing with her, are you crazy?

Scene Derniere

HERMIANE and THE PRINCE enter with vivacity.

HERMIANE

No, let me go. I can’t watch this any longer. This Adine, and this Egle, they’re intolerable bitches! Fate has chosen the two most hateful and disgusting members of my sex.

EGLE

Who are these people! Monsters! Save yourselves, lets run!

CARISE

Stay where you are. Don’t be afraid. Your grace, there is another couple you must meet! They come now. Don’t frighten them, let’s see what they think.

With glory, MESLIS and DINA step into the space.

MESLIS

Ah, dear Dina, look at these quaint people!

DINA

I see, yes, but we have nothing to do with them...?

EGLE

Angels...where are you from?

MESLIS

The world. A different world.

DINA

Much better than this one, anyway.

MESLIS

Ah! Carise, Mesrou, all these people here, are they men or women?

CARISE

There are some of one kind, some of another. Two of each.

MESLIS

Oh, how interesting. Are they like us?

CARISE

No, child, no, they’re nothing like you.

THE PRINCE

Explain yourself, Carise.

CARISE

These are ours, your grace. These are the ones we love most. This is your perfect couple.

ADINE

...perfect couple...

THE PRINCE

They were...

HERMIANE

...hidden, you kept them hidden, didn’t you?

MESROU

As best we could.

CARISE

Look, my dear Meslis, here is your test. If there is a woman here that you could love more than your Dina, she will be yours.

EGLE

Oooh, I would love to have his love.

MESLIS

Hm. No thank you.

A pause. EGLE does her best to be seen and loved.

MESLIS (CONT’D)

No, I don’t think so, Carise.

CARISE

You can choose anyone here.

He looks, does not see anything he likes.

MESLIS

Thank you Carise, it’s not that I dislike them, I just... don’t like them. Not as much as I love Dina. There is only one Dina in the world.

DINA

(Wrapping her arms around him.)

Mmm, very well said!

CARISE

Dina, do you see anyone here better than your Meslis?

DINA

No. Meslis and I love each other.

MESLIS

Eternally.

DINA

We’re happy.

EGLE

That’s not fair! That’s not fair! “To love is to be unhappy!” Carise, you lied! You lied to me!

CARISE

Be quiet, Egle.

EGLE

It’s not fair...

CARISE

Shh.

HERMIANE

These children, these are the good ones. Dina, you beautiful child, come here and I will care for you.

THE PRINCE

Ah, yes, and I can care for Meslis.

DINA

Thank you, friend, but we’re quite alright on our own.

THE PRINCE

Then you won’t be separated. Go, Carise. Have these two put aside. And see to the others as per my orders.

CARISE and MESROU begin to lead the youths away.

MESRIN

But where are we going?

CARISE

Home.

ADINE

To the world? Where?

AZOR

Which world?

EGLE

Not fair. Not fair at all.

THE PRINCE

(To HERMIANE.)

The two sexes, it seems, are both in the wrong, they both have their vices and virtues, both their own shame.

HERMIANE

What’s going to happen to them?

THE PRINCE

We’re done with them.

HERMIANE

What’s going to happen?

THE PRINCE

Does it matter? The experiment is finished.

HERMIANE

I...

CARISE and MESROU return, washing their hands with rags.

THE PRINCE

So. The outcome.

HERMIANE

(Offput, confused.)

Well... I suppose we learned that your sex is treacherous, they change their hearts without reason... without searching for any logical excuse...

THE PRINCE

The ways of your sex are hypocritical, and...maybe more decent, but, who cheated first?

Silence.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Was it the man, or the woman?

Silence.

THE PRINCE (CONT’D)

Does anyone know?

He looks to the court, to CARISE and to MESROU, to HERMIANE, to the scientists. Silence.

HERMIANE

This experiment... those children...

Silence.

THE PRINCE

Well. What a spectacular waste.

He strides quickly off, HERMIANE stays for a few seconds, gaping at CARISE and MESROU, then starts to cry and a exits. CARISE and MESROU laugh softly to themselves. The lights come down, and the surveillance screen returns, showing the four children laying on the floor of their separate cells, perhaps softly crying, or perhaps banging against the walls, or perhaps not moving at all. MESROU flips a switch, and the room goes dark, leaving only the glow from the surveillance tape. In this gloom, in the semi-dark, the two keepers exit completely, leaving the children to rot, and the court to wonder about what they’ve just seen. The children look up to their cameras, silent, tear-streaked. The screen goes dark. Silence, then, the curtain.