GELO – It’s not true! I know my Lizy is the best one! I just know this!
VEDALIA – People who think they know everything get on my nerves.
GELO – Why?
VEDALIA – Because I know more than anyone else!
GELO – Then who can appreciate it?
VEDALIA – Nobody, so that’s why I’m suffering. I’m so priceless and nobody can value me… but anyway I can see this is a pointless argument. You are young, naïve and in love. It is good for accruing the MIRACLE. (Ambiguously) But I’ll take care of the rest later. I will show you the path to the MIRACLE. Go and get ready. The journey will be hard.
GELO – Thank you very much. And please don’t get upset. I’m sure you that you will celebrate happiness in your life. (Walks off stage)
Vedalia looks at him with thoughtfulness. When he is gone, she starts talking to herself.
VEDALIA – Of course my dear boy, I will celebrate, if you will get the MIRACLE so that I could use it. I could never get it myself. For that you need a pure soul, like the one you have. And the same naïve thoughts that you have, that’s why I will help you. But to use the power of the MIRACLE, you have to be wise like me. Believe you me I could use it in the proper way, unlike you… To get what you want, you should use all means necessary, especially if they are handed to you on a plate. Ha-Ha.
Vedalia turns back into an old woman. Sits down in front of a mirror and looks herself once again. Lizy walks on stage.
LIZY – Hello granny. Excuse me please; I’m looking for my fiancé. Has he been here?
Vedalia is startled and jumps up because she is both surprised and offended at being called a granny. And once again becomes young. And then looks at Lizy evaluating her. They both look at each other carefully.
VEDALIA – What kind of granny am I? I’m just a mature woman.
LIZY – Of course, I didn’t mean to upset you. For your age you are preserved very well. Obviously, you keep yourself in a dark, dry, and cool place.
VEDALIA – Who are you and how did you get here?
LIZY – I am Lizy. And my fiancé is called Gelo. Have you met him?
VEDALIA – (Her expression changes) Ah is that so! Come in dear. So that means your Gelo’s fiancé?
LIZY – You know him?! Has he been here? When? Where did he go?
VEDALIA – Wait a minute! Stop asking all these questions. Tell me a little bit about yourself first.
LIZY – Well I already told you that my name is Lizy. I am trying to catch up with Gelo so that I can help him to get the MIRACLE. I have been following his path for a few weeks now, but I’m always late. I am ready to give up everything for him! Even my life…
VEDALIA – Why sacrifice yourself, especially for a man? What can a modern woman find in a modern man… apart from money?!
LIZY – Love!
VEDALIA – Nonsense! Love was invented by poor men who couldn’t afford to keep their women. You have to understand that all men are the same; the only difference between them is the size of their… wallets. At first, they seduce us with sweet and passionate words. They promise us a star from the sky or to sacrifice their life for just one kiss. Then they attack us with unbelievable tenderness and gentleness or with strength and boldness. And when they have seized us, they drink us like a glass of clean spring water. And we end up drained and unwanted. And they search for passion and youth elsewhere, again. And on top of this they reproach us and say that we have become old and lifeless by giving ourselves to them completely. My dear, I know men! You can’t trust them, especially those who are obsessed with work and duty. They only notice us when they are wooing us. And as soon as they reach their goal, they act as if they are possessed and can forget about us for months on end. You could put on the most extravagant dresses and unusual jewellery and it wouldn’t make a difference, he will look at you as if you were thin air. Imagine for a moment this horrible feeling when your man doesn’t notice you!
LIZY – (Sad) I know…
VEDALIA – You see! It is worse than any torture. It would even be better if he cursed at you or was jealous. Let him even cheat, but not that. A woman can be anything: she can be loved or unloved, beautiful, or unattractive, kind or bitchy, but she can’t be empty! … And these kinds of men, even in bed, do not love you but fulfil their duty. As if they didn’t care if they were with you or with your girlfriend…
LIZY – That’s going to far! I and Gelo will always stay faithful to each other. He will never cheat on me.
VEDALIA – Nonsense, Lizy! Only dead men can be faithful forever.
LIZY – (Proudly and daring) I wouldn’t let anyone seduce my Gelo!
VEDALIA – (Sneers) You’re so self-confident.
LIZY – I’m not self-confident. He loves me and I know my value.
VEDALIA – My dear, if you know your value never reveal it to a man, and especially your girlfriends. Instead tell me honestly, woman to woman, how did you manage to convince Gelo that he loves you?
LIZY – I didn’t convince him. He really loves me, and I love him. And we want to get married. As soon as he becomes a Wizard we will marry.
VEDALIA – This is understandable! For a woman marriage is very important. If you marry a prince, you will be a princess. Marry a fool and you will be a fool yourself. It is easier for a man. But I understand you! (coquettishly) We women are so weak and defenseless that it is impossible to be saved from us.
LIZY – You seem to speak very strangely. I don’t understand you. It would be better if you told me where Gelo is? I need to hurry.
VEDALIA – Don’t worry you don’t have to hurry. I’ll give him back to you.
LIZY – He’s here?!!!
VEDALIA – Yes, he is. But you have to promise me one thing.
LIZY – For Gelo, I will do anything!
VEDALIA – (In a formidable voice) You have to take an oath, when Gelo reaches the MIRACLE; you have to do everything in your power to help him get it. Whatever the price! If you break this oath you will die.
LIZY – I promise that I will do everything in my power to help Gelo get the MIRACLE. I know his happiness depends on it. If he achieves this, then his dreams will come true. His life depends on it…
VEDALIA – Do you swear?!
LIZY – I swear!
The gong sounds three times. An alarmed Gelo walks on stage.
GELO – What is going on? (Notices Lizy and looks at her puzzled) Lizy?! What are you doing here?!
LIZY – Gelo!!! (Excitedly jumps to hug him) Dear Gelo! I’ve missed you so much.
GELO – I missed you too! But how did you get here?
LIZY – The week after you left, I decided to go after you.
GELO – Lizy! How could you! It’s so dangerous. Anything could have happened to you.
LIZY – I’m alright and everything is fine.
GELO – But why, why did you do it?
LIZY – Because I wanted to help you so much.
GELO – Silly…I don’t need any help.
LIZY – Because I was sick with worry.
GELO – Nonsense! A proper wife should be patient.
LIZY – (Sadly) Because I love you very much…
GELO – … I love you too…
VEDALIA – Gelo, you shouldn’t scold her for what she has done. Nobody knows their own destiny. But everything important and significant which happens in people’s lives doesn’t just happen by chance. As a Sorceress I sense that without Lizy you wouldn’t be able to get the MIRACLE, that’s why it would be better if you continued the journey together. I will give you a magic thread, with it you won’t get lost.
GELO – Thank you! So, let’s get on our way then! Come on, Lizy.
LIZY – With you I’ll go anywhere, even to the end of the world…
VEDALIA – But remember Lizy, you took an oath! And if you break it then both you and Gelo will be doomed.
GELO – What oath?!
VEDALIA – Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just woman’s talk, isn’t it Lizy?
LIZY – Yes, It’s just woman’s talk.
GELO – (suspiciously) Ok then, we have to hurry.
Hand in hand Gelo and Lizy walk off stage. Vedalia watches them with a heavy stare. Gradually her back is hunched, and she turns back into an old woman.
Music plays. Blackout. Curtains.
* * * * *
Scene Six.
Nighttime, the moon, and stars are shining. Gelo and Lizy sit by a fire. Only one half of the stage is lit.
LIZY – Gelo, have a look at the stars…aren't they beautiful tonight. You could just drown in them.
GELO – Lizy! How can you gawk at the sky when we haven’t even eaten yet! Quickly make us something to eat.
LIZY – Of course, my love. I’ll do it straight away. But still, the stars are so wonderful! Just think they existed before us. And they will shine forever. Even when we are gone… and our children will be able to admire them as well. They will dream, love, and remember us…
GELO – If you do not feed me right now, we won’t have any children.
LIZY – (laughs) So men can only have children when they’ve had something to eat?
GELO – No! It’s just men who are undernourished can get weak and unfertile!
LIZY – Oh! I’ll do it right away. (Sets up the kettle on the fire) Gelo, what if we are attacked by robbers? What would you do? We don’t have any weapons to protect ourselves.
GELO – I don’t know Lizy. I can’t fight. I don’t have the right to die. I really need to reach my goal.
LIZY – (Thoughtfully) Alright, I will fight them. I will try to protect you… even though I don’t know how… but I will try!
GELO – Lizy, why are you talking such nonsense? While you cook, I'll go and collect some wood for the night.
He stands up and slowly walks to the dark side of the stage with a spotlight following him.
GELO – (Suddenly screams) Lizy! Lizy!
LIZY – (Alarmed she jumps up and picks up a big stick) What happened?!
GELO – Look, I think we have found it… this is the place Vedalia and Fadrius were talking about.
The dark side of the stage is lights up; there lies a twinkling object.
GELO – (Very excited and thrilled) It’s the MIRACLE! I have finally found it! I have achieved what I’ve always wanted! Now I will bring it home and everybody will be astounded. I knew I could do it. I believed I would succeed. This belief stayed with me throughout the journey. I really wanted to find the MIRACLE and become a Great Wizard. I believed in the righteousness of my choice, my way, and my dreams. Nothing could get in my way. Nobody could persuade me that my goal was wrong. The only thing that worried me was that someone else would get there first and leave me behind with nothing. This treacherous thought sometimes spoiled my mood; it crept from the depth of my consciousness like a sharp cold blade and thrust itself into my mind and imagination. But I chased it away. I protected myself from this gross injustice, telling myself it would never happen. Because only I am ready to sacrifice everything in this life for the sake of my dream. I so badly want to become a Great Wizard and to make the whole world happy. My goal is noble. I want to be helpful to the world. I’m not doing it for myself. The people need this. That’s why I need the MIRACLE more than others, because if someone else where to have it, it would be just unfair. The world should contain not only Great Truth, but Great Justice as well. The world is not perfect. And bad things happen in it sometimes. Justice doesn’t always prevail. But not this time, not now, because right now we are talking about a great purpose – the purpose of all my life. And I feel everything should fall into place. With every cell in my body and every corner of my soul I felt I would succeed. And now when I return to the city, I will be able to shout loudly “Look I’ve done it”!
LIZY – Gelo, my dearest Gelo! I’m so happy for you. You can’t even imagine how happy I am. I have tears of joy for you.
GELO – That’s the last thing I need right now! Instead move out the way and don’t get in my way.
Walks up to the twinkling MIRACLE. When Gelo is about to touch it, there is a loud voice of the Keeper of Miracle.
VOICE OF KEEPER – Stop Gelo! You haven’t accomplished all the conditions of possessing the MIRACLE. Your soul is still very young and inexperienced. It floats in the dimension of dreams. You still haven’t learned the difference between confidence and arrogance, love and narcissism, self-sacrifice, and vanity. But your thoughts are pure. And because of this you can get the MIRACLE. But there is a price for everything. That’s why you have to sacrifice the most precious, sacred and true thing in your life.
GELO – What?! What should I sacrifice?
V.O.K. – You must sacrifice you love. You have to let go of Lizy. Don’t worry about her. Everything will be alright with her. But you will never see each other again, under any circumstances.
LIZY – Oh! How horrible.
GELO – No, I can’t. I love her.
V.O.K. – Then you won’t be able to obtain the MIRACLE. The realization of your dream requires the highest price. You have to choose what is more important to you: duty and vacation or love.
LIZY – It’s cruel! You can’t!
GELO – Wait. I’m ready to give up everything except Lizy.
V.O.K. – Gelo, you can’t haggle here. Take it or leave it!
Gelo is confused and upset. He sits down. Lizy sits down next to him and starts sniffling.
GELO – I don’t know what to do…
LIZY – Gelo, my darling! I feel as if I’m going to die right now.
GELO – Me too. I can’t leave without the MIRACLE. And without you I cannot…
LIZY – It must be fate. Obviously, we are doomed, and are not destined to be together.
GELO – Why are you talking like this? I haven’t even made my decision yet.
LIZY – No, the decision has already been made. It was decided when I went after you to help you achieve your goal. It was decided when Fadrius explained to me how I should act if I really loved you. And this decision was secured by my oath to Vedalia.
GELO – What oath? Why don’t I know anything about this oath?
LIZY – I took an oath so that I would do everything in my power to help you obtain the MIRACLE. I didn’t know it would turn out like this. Now the only way I will stay alive if you take the MIRACLE. And I have to stay alive; otherwise, I will break the oath and will die…
GELO – How could you do this!
LIZY – Don’t be angry with me please. For the sake of your dreams, I was ready to do anything.
GELO – You women are so egotistical after all. You didn’t even ask my opinion.
LIZY – Dear, Gelo. I’m devastated too…
GELO – Well, the decision has been made. There is nothing I can do but accept this. (Stands up and walks up to the MIRACLE) Keeper of the MIRACLE! I am ready to pay your price.
V.O.K. – Don’t worry about Lizy. She will live a good life, but very far away from you. You will never come across one another again. And remember the MIRACLE can only grant you one wish. Any but only one, don’t make a mistake! You can go home now. Your way back will be quick and easy. The MIRACLE will protect you from all obstacles. I wish you luck, young Wizard.
GELO – Thank you… Lizy, it’s time to say goodbye. I don’t even know what to say… On the one hand I feel happy because I have achieved my goal, but on the other hand I feel as if I have died…
LIZY – Don’t be upset Gelo. Everything will be all right with you. You will become a Great Wizard. You will be able to help people, and you will be happy because of it. And I will be happy to know that you are happy, love is the ability to make people you love happy.
GELO – I will always remember you.
LIZY – Thank you.
GELO – What for?
LIZY – Thank you, for being you!
GELO – Lizy! My beloved, Lizy… (Hugs and kisses her)
LIZY – Gelo! My darling, my dear, my beloved…
Lizy turns away and starts to cry. Gelo walks to the MIRACLE and takes it. There is a sound of a Gong.
Music plays. Blackout. Curtains.
* * * * *
Scene Seven.
The hall of the Queen’s palace. A mixture between a study of a sorcerer and a palaces hall. Fadrius sits at the table and looks through some papers. Hermit walks on stage. He looks around with interest and addresses Fadrius.
HERMIT – Good afternoon, Great Wizard Fadrius.
FADRIUS – (Taken a back and displeased) Good afternoon.
HERMIT – I was told, that you could tell me where Gelo is?
FADRIUS – It was in vain. I’m waiting for his return myself. But he hasn’t come back yet.
HERMIT – Shame… I was in such a hurry to get here…
FADRIUS – Why do you need him?
HERMIT – Well, the thing is him and me became friends when he was travelling to get the MIRACLE. I saved him from a landslide. And he saved me from solitude. Also, he invited me to live in the town next to him. And so here I am, since we are friends now.
FADRIUS – If you are friend, that is good. I’m glad to see his friends. I hope he will be here soon.
A panting Cannibal appears. Looks around and addresses himself to Fadrius and Hermit.
CANNIBAL – Hey old man, am I in the right place?
FADRIUS – I don’t know young man, it depends on what your destination is.
CANNIBAL – I’m looking for that young brat, Gelo. Where is he?
FADRIUS – He isn’t here yet; we’re still waiting for him. Are you his friend as well?
CANNIBAL – Well… not exactly. Actually, he owes me something.
FADRIUS – What exactly if it’s not a secret?
CANNIBAL – And who exactly are you, old man?
FADRIUS – I’m his teacher, The Court’s Wizard – Fadrius.
CANNIBAL – (Alerted) Ah…another Wizard. It’s best to stay away from your sort…
FADRIUS – Why is that?
CANNIBAL – WHY! Because I opened my heart to him, let him in my house and made him feel at home, looked after him… And he paid me back with ingratitude.
HERMIT – It can’t be! Gelo couldn’t have acted that way. He’s, my friend!
CANNIBAL – How unlucky for you. You wouldn’t wish a friend like that to your worst enemy! For my kindness he put a spell on me: he froze me for a few of days…
HERMIT – I don’t believe it. You were probably trying to harm him. He couldn’t have acted that way without a reason.
CANNIBAL – (Dissatisfied and irritated) I didn’t do anything bad! I was just very hungry. And he is so young and appetizing. I simply couldn’t control my hunger. It is easier to control a woman than my stomach. It’s only a myth that we cannibals are lazy and spoiled. In truth our digestive system is always asking and waiting for some work. Like now…
Cannibal looks attentively at Hermit. Hermit is stunned and takes a few steps back.
FADRIUS – So you’re a cannibal?!
CANNIBAL – Why are you so surprised? In essence all people are cannibals. But only some of them are honest and do it in a physical way, like me. And others pretend and lie, and eat one another: financially, mentally, and spiritually, hiding behind their big and fancy words. And nobody knows which is worse!
FADRIUS – Then it is understandable why Gelo put a spell on you. He just didn’t want to be eaten by you. And now you have come to eat him?
HERMIT – What horror! We should call the guards.
CANNIBAL – There is no need to call the guards. I won't eat your beloved Gelo. He owes me: he promised to make me happy. And one should keep one’s promises. And here I am to collect my portion of happiness.
FADRIUS – Oh I see. Unluckily for you, Gelo hasn’t come back yet. You can go home now…
CANNIBAL – No way! If I go away, he’ll come back with the MIRACLE, and you will share it without me. I better wait.
Cannibal sits down as an act of protest. Fadrius frowns.
FADRIUS – I’m asking you nicely, will you please leave!
CANNIBAL – (Cautiously looks at the Wizard) It’s not fair! Gelo promised to make me happy, and you want to steal my happiness.
FADRIUS – If you won’t leave now, I will have to cast some spells on you. For example, I can turn you into a toad. Do you want to be turned into a toad?
CANNIBAL – (Jumps up frightfully) Stop your silly tricks. I too have my human rights. There’s no need for high-handedness or bullying. Just because you are a Wizard, it doesn’t mean you can do whatever you like! I’ll sue you! I will appeal to the international community. I’ll set human rights organizations against you! And the press will support me. You think just because you are surrounded by powerful people you can do whatever you want to honest citizens!…
The Fisherman walks on stage. He sees an angry Fadrius and addresses him cautiously.
FISHERMAN – How do you do, Sir? Could you please tell me where I could find Gelo?
FADRIUS – (Cross) And who are you? What do you need?
FISHERMAN – I’m simply a fisherman. We met each other when he stayed at my house… I don’t actually need anything. It’s just we didn’t have much time to talk, and I didn’t explain to him what happiness is. And now I have come to help him handle the MIRACLE properly and prevent him from making any mistakes.
CANNIBAL – I see! You’ve come to snatch my happiness from me. Lovely!
FISHERMAN – Not at all! I’m not going to snatch anything from anybody. I’m happy without the MIRACLE. I have a wonderful family: wife and children…
CANNIBAL – Why in the hell did you come here then?
FISHERMAN – I want to help Gelo…
FADRIUS – I think your desire to help is noble but unnecessary. I as his teacher can help him to handle the MIRACLE properly.
FISHERMAN – But you are a courtier. And it is well known courtiers and bureaucrats know little about what makes ordinary people truly happy. Your knowledge about happiness is limited by the palace’s walls, dreams of power, glory, and wealth.
FADRIUS – One shouldn’t make such hasty assumptions.
CANNIBAL – Hey, wait a minute, who’s happiness is you talking about? Mine or yours?
FADRIUS – You better be quiet. Just remember what I said about the toad.
CANNIBAL – You’re such a rude and unrefined little old man! Even though you’re a Wizard.
HERMIT – I think the more helpers Gelo has the better. So, it’s good that the Fisherman came to town. His advice might help Gelo.
CANNIBAL – I don’t like the fact that so many people will manage my MIRACLE.
Vedalia suddenly appears on stage. Everyone looks at her in amazement.
VEDALIA – Hello, dear men. Can you tell me what you are arguing about with such enthusiasm in absence of ladies? You must be gossiping.
FISHERMAN – Hello. Are men capable of gossiping? I always thought gossiping is a women’s domain.