PROPHET AND LOSS libretto by Julian Grant

PROPHET AND LOSS opera in two acts libretto and music by Julian Grant

libretto © Julian Grant 2010-11 jmgprl@mac.com www.juliangrant.net

PROPHET AND LOSS Opera in two acts Commissioned by the Oundle Music Trust for the 2011 Oundle Festival Duration 82’

CAST PRINCIPAL ROLES Rolfus Husk –

chairman mentor of Husk Inc., an oil company (bass)

Nessa Husk –

his daughter, active chairman of Husk Inc. (mezzo-soprano)

Syke and Fracto – Nessa’s two teenage sons, 18 and 16 (baritone/tenor) Mattie –

Nessa’s assistant, her maternal instinct and her personal shopper (soprano)

Naya’il –

an enigmatic figure (counter-tenor)

SMALLER ROLES (* denotes one line) 1. Adult A Secretary [Act 1 sc 3-4] Two tourists [Act 2 sc 1] * Three women [Act 2 sc 2] * A man [Act 2 sc 2] *

2. Children Young Syke and Young Fracto [Act 1 sc 2] Four board members [Act 1 sc 3-4, Act 2 sc 4]

Gili – (pronounced Geeli) A mountain village child [Act 2] A child [Act 2 sc 2]

(CHORUSES) SATB chorus (offstage): (referred to as CHORUS in the text) Unison chorus (onstage): (referred to as SEMICHORUS in the text) Children’s chorus: (referred to as CHILDREN’S CHORUS in the text)

ORCHESTRATION 2 violins viola ‘cello double bass accordion guitar harp piano percussion

ACT 1 Scene 1 A coffee shop. NESSA, headphone in ear, is absorbed in her Blackberry and perusing a newspaper at the same time. She snaps her fingers. A waiter (NAYA’IL) hovers, though he is also busy, attending to others. NESSA:

Waiter! Carrying on phone conversation with a PA No, no – set up a meeting, End of the week. Yes….yes…..yes Out of the question. When is the enquiry? Pain in the neck! Waiter! More coffee – decaf, soy milk

The waiter approaches Wait - another call.

He holds back. Her tone changes – she is talking to a child.

Brusque.

Slow down, dear - take a breath. Is Mattie there? Ask her. Don’t talk to your mother like that! I know – I know – it’s difficult I’m at work. Sorry, I must go.

Back on the first call I’m back. I have to be there in person? Exasperated: Ugh! Arrange the flights. Wait - that’s the day I have a breakfast – right? Impatient Waiter! The waiter is unsure whether to approach, or not. I’m calling you! NAYA’IL: with a mysterious accent: You tell me wait. NESSA:

I’m calling YOU!

NAYA’IL:

You tell me wait.

NESSA:

My coffee.

NAYA’IL:

I come now?

NESSA:

Yes.

NAYA’IL starts to advance, but holds back. NESSA: back on phone: No – no press conference. Wait till after the enquiry.

NAYA’IL turns away. To waiter:

Are you stupid?

NAYA’IL:

From Baluchistan.

NESSA:

Baluchistan, that’s oil country. They don’t teach English there?

NAYA’IL:

Family too poor. I need to learn. You teach me.

NESSA: amused at his cheek: What? NAYA’IL:

Give me e-mail. We write.

NESSA:

Fresh! Impatient, exasperated: Coffee….

NAYA’IL:

I no wait? He hesitates, produces coffee.

NESSA: On phone:

Just a minute. No –no compensation yet. Get that science guy who knows about leaks Fly him in. Use the jet.

NAYA’IL:

Decaf coffee with soy milk for lady

NESSA: brushes him away: Wait. Absolutely not! Tell the lawyers. No statement. After I visit dad. Yelling at waiter: I said ‘wait!’ NAYA’IL:

I come.

NESSA:

No!

She makes an exasperated gesture, which sweeps the coffee to the ground. NAYA’IL starts back. There is a sudden burst of offstage elemental choral music. Others in the café look around, but NESSA is unaware. NAYA’IL scurries around, tidying NESSA:

Idiot. 6

NAYA’IL:

I tidy you.

NESSA:

Stop. Go away.

NAYA’IL: suddenly holding NESSA’s head and looking searchingly into her eyes Madam very mixed up. Big trouble. NESSA:

What? How dare you.

NAYA’IL: submissive: Sorry, no English. You teach me. NESSA:

I still don’t have my coffee.

NAYA’IL:

Your e-mail?

NESSA:

My coffee.

NAYA’IL:

It’s a deal.

NESSA:

What?

NAYA’IL: produces a pad and pen with a flourish: Write. NESSA:

No.

NAYA’IL:

Write.

NESSA:

No.

NAYA’IL:

Write. Then coffee.

He fixes her with his eyes for a second. Choral music flares up suddenly. NESSA acquiesces and writes. The coffee appears at her elbow. NAYA’IL:

Madam, be careful. Coffee is hot. You must wait.

She is hypnotized for a moment, then breaks off and resumes her phone call. NESSA: on phone:

No, no problem. A mix-up.

She looks up, after the retreating waiter, slightly fascinated, then resumes on phone. Mattie! Mattie, is that you? Good. The fitting. Before the board meeting A power suit. Navy blue. Beef up the shoulder pads. Accessories? That’s your department. Here’s my car. Another call. I’m on my way. I’ll dictate – ready?

Interlude During this, we see HUSK Incorporated at work. Board Members, flow charts, men in suits CHORUS:

Husk. Husk. Husk Incorporated. Oil. Research. Green initiative. You can fill up on every corner. Profit share 40% of the market. Share price: stable. One year after Rolfus Husk, Founder chairman, Handed the reins to his daughter, Nessa. Second quarter and half year results due tomorrow. A new state-of-the-art rapid response system Developed after this year’s unfortunate accident. New environmental focus group to visit affected areas. Research. Four billion pledged to new escrow account. Legitimate claims only. Husk. Sustainability. Husk. Accountability. Husk. Profitability. Husk.

Scene 2 NESSA, then ROLFUS HUSK is wheeled in on a hospital bed, all wires and tubes ROLFUS:

Minutes. The minutes. I didn’t get the minutes.

NESSA:

Daddy, you’re sick. It’s not your concern now.

ROLFUS: blazing, scathing: Little girl, I made it plain: I gave you my company, Husk Incorporated But don’t think that the daily business can be kept from me. NESSA:

We agreed a title: Chairman Mentor.

ROLFUS:

I don’t care what I’m called! See I get minutes of all the meetings!

NESSA: pacifying:

You do, daddy, you do. A message signal from her Blackberry. Wait, a message.

NAYA’IL’s voice is heard, echoed by the CHORUS:

NAYA’IL /CHORUS: I wait on those who can’t hear. NESSA:

‘I wait on those who can’t hear’.

NAYA’IL:

I use verb right?

NESSA:

What is this?

ROLFUS:

What can’t I hear? Who’s babbling? God, to have come to this! The agenda!

NESSA:

What?

ROLFUS:

The emergency board meeting. The agenda.

NESSA:

They’ll send it round from the printer. The think-tank requested changes.

ROLFUS: imitating her, unpleasantly ‘The think-tank requested changes’. Pfah! Are you running the meeting? Is it your company? You are supposed to be chairman. It’s your agenda. NESSA:

The shareholders, daddy.

ROLFUS:

Weak, weak, weak…..

A message signal from NESSA’s Blackberry. NAYA’IL/CHORUS: repeated by NESSA: Do you know what you looked like Before your parents were born? ROLFUS:

Why are you babbling?

NESSA: distracted:

What? – I’m not….

ROLFUS:

Pay attention! Little girl….

NESSA:

I do pay attention. I’m not a little girl. You drive me too hard I’m at your beck and call. I never see my family

ROLFUS:

I wanted a son. Your mother was weak. I trained you up instead.

You were a good pupil, Ahead of the game. I founded this corporation The largest multi-national in the world From nothing. Nothing! A bare-knuckle scrap and scrape up the ladder. I bloodied myself, compromised myself, but I won. I schooled you in all the cutthroat ways. Honed your instincts to keep your friends close And your enemies closer. I cast you in my own image. You alone are my legacy. So why then, did you defy me? You ran away with a manikin, a zip, a weakling. NESSA:

He was my manikin, my zip, my weakling, daddy, Mine, not yours.

FLASHBACK. NESSA is surrounded by a wedding party. Her husband is either inflatable, or a scarecrow. The CHORUS sings a wedding anthem. CHORUS:

This is the happiest day of your life. The dutiful daughter becomes a wife. Moves on, matures, makes other ties. This is your manikin zip weakling, not your daddy’s.

NESSA bursts into tears ROLFUS: apart from the tableau – still in the present. Honour and obey THAT? Pfah! How is this possible? How he managed to give you children is a mystery to us all.

Two small children appear, NESSA’s sons, SYKE and FRACTO SONS:

Mummy, mummy, come and play Why must you work every day?

SEMICHORUS:

Motherhood. Motherhood. These are the best years of motherhood.

NESSA:

I need help!

SEMICHORUS:

Every young mother needs some help.

SONS:

Mummy, mummy, come and play Why must you work every day?

MATTIE appears, a reassuring, sympathetic presence, but well turned-out and efficient looking. A job interview takes place.

SEMICHORUS:

Every young mother needs some help.

MATTIE:

Let me get this clear You want me to become you?

NESSA:

Yes, you will be mother

MATTIE:

I will be…..

NESSA:

…..Me, but only at home. I don’t have time for a maternal side.

MATTIE:

But, at bedtime?

NESSA:

I’ll try. But I’m usually too tired.

MATTIE:

So, it’s a full time job?

NESSA:

Naturally.

MATTIE:

All benefits, health insurance?

NESSA:

Absolutely.

They shake hands. MATTIE enfolds the young boys to her bosom: MATTIE:

Angels!

SONS:

Mummy must really love us She bought us a new mummy One that doesn’t go to work

MATTIE:

Poor wee things. You can do whatever you like.

The two SONS are replaced by their adolescent counterparts, SYKE and FRACTO. They are fast becoming unmanageable: SYKE is hyperactive, and FRACTO is inert and hypnotized by a laptop computer. We witness SYKE, attempting to communicate with his dad, and his frustration boils over into violence. FRACTO retreats into a computer screen. MATTIE tries to keep the peace. Manic ensemble. SYKE/FRACTO:

Mum doesn’t really love us She bought us a fake mummy To do all her dirty work

MATTIE: fussing, trying to control them: Darlings..! SEMICHORUS:

Motherhood. Motherhood. These are the best years of motherhood. 11

SYKE:

Dad, oi!, play with me Mum dumped us out to foster I don’t like this thick imposter.

FRACTO: stuttering: I…. MATTIE:

That’s not polite, young man.

SYKE:

What kind of dad are you?

FRACTO:

….don’t…..

NESSA: always on the phone, like a mantra: Flight. Meeting. Flight. Meeting. FRACTO:

……think……

SYKE: unruly

Daddy doesn’t notice me He’s a kind of freak

FRACTO:

….you….

MATTIE: to SYKE: Come to me SYKE:

Naff off!

ROLFUS: apart, to NESSA Vermin. Feral boys. Useless, like their father. FRACTO:

….should…..

SYKE: to his DAD: Grandpa’s right – you’re a weak geek freak!

Climax. SYKE jumps on his manikin father, and dismembers or punctures him. FRACTO:

Dad…went….away

ROLFUS: to NESSA: Good riddance! Though you couldn’t even keep a half man like that. Smarten yourself up!

NESSA in tears, weeps on MATTIE’s shoulder. MATTIE:

You need help. A personal shopper

NESSA:

I need a new look?

MATTIE:

Alluring, yet powerful. I should add this to my duties?

NESSA:

Thank you – you’ll get a raise.

MATTIE:

Benefits?

NESSA:

Absolutely

During the chorus, we see MATTIE fix NESSA up, and, possibly, a handover of the company. CHORUS:

Husk. Husk. Husk Incorporated. Oil. Nessa Husk Takes over the reins as chairman Rolfus Husk Founder Chairman Mentor Retires citing failing health.

ROLFUS: (to NESSA) I am old. The company is now yours. But, I still get to read all the minutes. suddenly quiet, solemn: But first, you’ll need me to brief you

ROLFUS produces a file from a secret place. HE and NESSA examine it. NESSA: after a lengthy perusal of the papers - appalled: Daddy, you authorized this without my consent? ROLFUS:

barking

Some things stop at the top Now you’re up at the top They stop at the top with you. Remember that.

During this SYKE stares at the floor, venomously. FRACTO: to SYKE: You drove our daddy away. SYKE: You’re just like him, you weak geek freak. MATTIE:

Boys!

SYKE punches FRACTO. Their altercation distracts NESSA and ROLFUS ROLFUS:

Vermin. Spawn of their idiot father. They’ll never get their hands on my company.

A message signal from NESSA’s Blackberry. NAYA’IL/CHORUS: repeated by NESSA: To know you is to trust you

NESSA:

What is this?

NAYA’IL/CHORUS: repeated by NESSA: To trust you is to hold you Do you need to be held? SYKE: seizing NESSA’s Blackberry and showing it to FRACTO: What is this rubbish? NESSA:

No!

NAYA’IL/CHORUS then SYKE: To trust you is to hold you Do you need to be held? SYKE:

Filth! This is filth! You told us you were busy. For this we get a proxy mum, A cardboard dad? So you can fool around? Why didn’t you drown us at birth?

ROLFUS:

Dimwits! Spawn of their idiot father.

NESSA/MATTIE: pleading: Boys! SYKE:

Why were we ever born? I hate you

FRACTO: covering his ears, Ma…..ma SYKE:

I HATE YOU!!!

CHORUS:

Husk. Husk. Husk. Husk. A new state-of-the-art rapid response system Developed after this year’s unfortunate accident. Second quarter and half year results slide. Husk. Sustainability. Husk. Accountability. Husk. Profitability. Husk. Pollution. Pollution. Pollution. Just who is holding the reins at Husk? Is Husk to become a shell of its former self?

Scene 3 The board meeting. BOARD MEMBERS (children’s chorus) assemble BOARD MEMBERS: Husk. We’re the board. Husk. We’re on board. Is this ship sinking?

Husk. We’re the board. Husk. We’re on board. That’s what we’re thinking. Our new captain has no rudder Watch this vessel stall and shudder. Rolfus held the firm in place Now we’re heading for disgrace. Shares are plummeting. NESSA:

Honorable members, calm yourselves. We are too big to fail.

BOARD MEMBER 1:

Who authorized this enterprise?

NESSA:

An internal policy check is in place

BOARD MEMBER 2:

That’s not an answer

BOARD MEMBER 3:

Was there scientific research done?

BOARD MEMBER 4:

Before the disaster?

A message signal from NESSA’s Blackberry, followed by a wave of offstage choral music, which NESSA hears NAYA’IL/CHORUS:

Standing at the tiller does not sail the ship

NESSA: repeats, as if in a trance: BOARD MEMBERS:

Standing at the tiller does not sail the ship

Will you please answer! Was there scientific research done Before the disaster?

BOARD MEMBER 1: (to NESSA)

Or should we ask your daddy?

NESSA: stung:

Don’t cross me!

BOARD MEMBER 2:

Who authorized this new endeavour?

BOARD MEMBER 3:

Why was the board not informed?

NESSA:

We are on course.

BOARD MEMBER 4:

You are accountable to us.

BOARD MEMBER 1:

You are accountable to the shareholders.

BOARD MEMBERS:

Accountable, ‘countable, ‘countable! Who authorized this new endeavour?

NESSA:

There was an opportunity, so we grasped it

BOARD MEMBER 1:

Who is ‘we’?

BOARD MEMBER 2:

Was it you?

BOARD MEMBER 3:

Is this the royal ‘we’?

BOARD MEMBER 4:

Or you and someone else

BOARD MEMBERS:

Shares plummeting, plummeting, plummeting.

A message signal from NESSA’s Blackberry, and choral music, as before NAYA’IL/CHORUS:

Chart your own course Who is captain of the ship?

NESSA:

What is this music?

BOARD MEMBERS:

She is going mad. No one’s in control.

NESSA:

Daddy, what have you done to this company?

BOARD MEMBERS:

She is going mad. No one’s in control.

BOARD MEMBER 1:

I’d like to call a vote No confidence in Madam Chairman!

ALL:

No confidence in Madam Chairman!

A SECRETARY rushes in, distraught. SECRETARY:

Madam. Madam. A memo. Urgent! She bursts into tears.

NESSA reads, drops the memo, and buries her face in her hands. The BOARD MEMBERS scramble for the memo, read and brandish it BOARD MEMBERS:

Rolfus Husk has passed away. Rest in peace.

NESSA:

Oh daddy, not now!

A strangely dressed EMISSARY enters, it is NAYA’IL, accompanied by unearthly choral music NAYA’IL:

Madam, the Prime Minister summons you For an emergency meeting

NESSA: prostrate, distraught. O daddy, not now. What is this music? Why won’t it leave me alone? Leave me alone……leave me alone…….

NESSA is led away

Scene 4 A sudden change of ambience: Funeral service. An open coffin is revealed, with mourners filing past. A front row of mourners consists of SYKE, FRACTO and MATTIE, with a conspicuously empty chair for NESSA, who is late. Further back is the SECRETARY. There is a smattering of PRESS among the onstage mourners. The BOARD MEMBERS are also present. CHORUS:

We bring nothing into the world And we take nothing out The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away

Behind a pulpit appears NAYA’IL, officiating as clergyman NAYA’IL:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. Mourning and crying and pain will be no more, For the first things have passed away.

NAYA’IL/CHORUS: Thy humble servant Rolfus returns to you

During this the row of seated mourners, PRESS and BOARD MEMBERS rise and pass by the coffin – Ensemble, combined with the above SYKE:

Humble? Who’s in the box? That old horror, thank God he’s gone.

FRACTO:

Grandpa didn’t like us

SYKE:

He didn’t like anything

MATTIE: to SYKE: Shh dear, be careful – the press… SECRETARY: distraught: Rolfus, my lover, What old-fashioned male magic you had, you rogue. MOURNERS: BOARD MEMBERS: PRESS:

Where’s the daughter? Was there a rift? The government enquiry over-ran. She’s late for her old man’s funeral. This will make the late edition.

MATTIE:

Poor boys. Poor Nessa! This looks bad.

BOARD MEMBERS: He’s dead? He’s really dead? Truly dead? Dead? Find out.

One them creeps up to the coffin, and sticks a pin inside He’s dead.

The service is interrupted by the late arrival of NESSA NAYA’IL/CHORUS: Our eyes, Lord, are wasted with grief. Have mercy on us and heal us…..

Space is laboriously made for NESSA. NAYA’IL is interrupted in full flow as NESSA’s mobile phone rings, loudly. She rummages in her bag for it, apologetic, agonized, while all look on disapprovingly. Finally she finds it, and brandishes it – a sudden lighting change. ROLFUS sits up in his coffin, holding a phone. The others in the congregation are unaware and just register NESSA’s reaction. ROLFUS:

Nessa – daughter Light of my life Flesh of my flesh. Hold the torch Brandish it well You are Husk! Never compromise Never apologize.

NAYA’IL/CHORUS: In the midst of life is death ROLFUS:

Remember, I am watching you Hold the torch Brandish it well Never atone Never alone

NAYA’IL/CHORUS: In the midst of life is death

NESSA jumps to her feet in a panic, as ROLFUS lies down. Consternation. PRESS rush up and photograph her. NESSA:

Let’s get out of here. Now! Now! Now!

She grabs SYKE and FRACTO and rushes to the front Taxi!! ALL:

Catch them! Catch them! 18

ACT 2 Prelude In complete stillness, we hear NAYA’IL’s voice singing unaccompanied, as if from a great height.

Scene 1 A cacophony of bicycle bells and horns. Teeming chaos. A street scene in a mountainous Asian city. Stall holders, beggar children, tourists with cameras. SEMICHORUS:

Sir! Sir! Lady! Lady! You want to see my shop? Finest cloth. Bicycles. Carvings. You said you’d come and see my shop. Take a tour. You’ll see the sights.

TOURISTS: huddled in a group: Keep walking in a straight line Don’t catch their eye Look breezy, look away Or you’ll have to buy. BEGGAR CHILDREN: Take pity on us please May the gods protect you.

A little child is playing, getting under everyone’s feet. GILI:

Did you see? Did you see? There’s a big cloud watching me All the gods on the mountaintop If I look up, down they drop

BEGGAR CHILDREN: taunting and pinching her Gili, Gili, dim and silly Even though she’s seven Says the gods talk to her All the way from heaven TOURIST 1:

Shouldn’t that child move?

TOURIST 2:

Don’t get involved, Daphne.

SEMICHORUS:

Sir! Sir! Lady! Lady! You want to see my shop? Finest cloth. Bicycles. Carvings.

You said you’d come and see my shop. Take a tour. You’ll see the sights.

SYKE and FRACTO are revealed, sitting to one side. From time to time, they look around nervously. FRACTO has a laptop, and is surfing the net. FRACTO:

This is tough

SYKE:

Mum is on top of us

FRACTO:

Things are rough

SYKE:

Now she has no business Her business is us

FRACTO:

I don’t mind

SYKE:

I feel I sort of know her

FRACTO:

When she’s kind

SYKE:

It’s hard to breathe around her.

BOTH:

Now she has no business Her business is us

SYKE:

So what’s going on?

FRACTO is surfing the net FRACTO:

Mama musn’t see…..

SYKE: reading:

International search for missing chairman of Husk. Nessa Husk, last seen at her father’s funeral in a state of some distress, is believed to have fled the country with her two sons. Interpol requests friends and colleagues to assist them with their enquiries. Ms Husk had just appeared before the government to account for the disastrous leak at one of Husk’s drilling stations

FRACTO:

Mama musn’t see – she’ll freak.

SYKE:

Watch it!

They hide the laptop as NESSA appears, dressed incognito NESSA:

Boys, I thought I’d lost you. Stay close.

SYKE:

Sorry mum

NESSA:

That man – that man, he’s watching us. We have to leave.

FRACTO:

No-one’s watching, Ma!

SYKE:

We’re looking out for you.

NESSA: grabbing them and holding them close Oh, my lovely boys. All those years I never looked out for you I exiled myself from your childhood. And after I neglected you, You want to protect me. In wonder How did this happen? You are solid gold. SYKE: mortified, embarrassed.

Cool it, mum, that’s enough.

She rummages for her Blackberry to hide her tears NESSA:

No signal – no signal at all.

SYKE:

Then you don’t need it

He tosses it into the crowd, where it is grabbed by GILI NESSA: her lifeline taken away: Ah! FRACTO:

Now people are staring!

NESSA:

Sorry.

A tour guide has been watching them, and saunters over – it is NAYA’IL. He is over-familiar, presumptuous, knowing, and makes NESSA and the boys uneasy. He is shadowed by a gaggle of BEGGAR CHILDREN, who echo his words. NAYA’IL/CHILDREN: Are things too hot for you here? You do not like our squalid streets Our noise, our smells, our atmosphere? You tourists prefer the higher things Our culture, our history, our natural wonders Then follow me to the stratosphere. Our mountains will be high enough. I’m sure The world at your feet, the wide-open spaces – And yes, We have a car.

He clicks his fingers – a crowd of children, maybe with a prop or two, assemble themselves to be a car. CHILDREN: The world at your feet, the wide-open spaces – And yes,

We have a car. NESSA:

People are gathering

SYKE

He’s causing a scene

FRACTO:

I don’t like him….

NAYA’IL:

Do you have the stomach for an adventure?

+ CHILDREN:

The world at your feet, the wide-open spaces – And yes, We have a car.

NESSA, SYKE and FRACTO are coerced by NAYA’IL to the ‘car’. BEGGAR CHILDREN: You’ll see the palace of the gods NAYA’IL:

Soon enough….

SYKE/FRACTO

I don’t like him

NESSA:

We need to leave…

BEGGAR CHILDREN: A sky burial, feed the vultures NAYA’IL:

Do you have stomach for an adventure?

During the above, GILI, oblivious, is playing with the Blackberry. It rings. GILI:

Did you see? Did you see? The gods! The gods! The gods answered me.

She runs into the path of the car NAYA’IL, SEMICHORUS, CHILDREN: The world at your feet, the wide-open spaces – And yes, We have a car. ALL:

Ah!

Collision. Much wailing, NESSA:

Oh, that poor child! She tends to GILI

GILI:

I see….the home of the gods…. She passes out.

NAYA’IL: scuttling away:

Soon enough!

SYKE/FRACTO:

Stop him. They scramble after him.

NESSA:

Boys! She is grabbed by the people.

ALL:

She did it. She did it. Make her pay. Foreigners walking on us, ripping us off Who do they think they are? Make her pay! Make her pay!

During the above, a policeman intervenes and drags NESSA away.

Scene 2 Prison. NESSA in chains. NESSA:

Here in this filthy cell I finally have some peace I can stop running - stop taking orders, And learn how to think, make my own judgments And face consequences. Looking into that child’s eyes before they closed A whole new world was revealed, A world you can’t divine when you are running, running. Atone. How can I atone? In the crystal light of those fading eyes All the more blinding as the light was dying I see a way, far from the shadows of this wretched refuge

ROLFUS appears as a vision in the darkest corner of the cell. ROLFUS

Nessa, you owe me

NESSA: mumbled, as if asleep

Daddy, I owe you nothing. My life is a sham.

ROLFUS:

…..duty ….to me

NESSA:

My duty is to come out of the shadows And throw off your control

ROLFUS

You need me

NESSA

No, I am needed. My sons, fine sons, need me How can I find them?

ROLFUS

Forget them!

NESSA:

Be still, my daddy, I loved you But you were wrong. Back to your unquiet slumbers, let me be

ROLFUS: groaning fainter and fainter: Nessa! Nessa! CHORUS:

Pray for the child She is growing weaker The breath of life is leaving her

NESSA:

What torment, what torment

The prison guard – NAYA’IL, slips a plate of food to her How is the child? Will she live? NAYA’IL:

She is deathly ill. She needs a transplant.

NESSA:

Set us both free.

NAYA’IL:

My child, do you know what you are suggesting?

NESSA:

Help me help her.

The guard starts to unchain NESSA, as the CHORUS takes over CHORUS:

See! Through the night, side by side, The strange lady, the virtuous child. Who is this man who appeared And worked strange magic in our wretched hospital? A miracle! The mountain gods walked among us today.

A CHILD:

Gili, Gili, do you see the other side?

NAYA’IL:

She might, but her home is here, safe. Let her rest

ALL:

She is saved!

WOMAN 1:

Lady, save my child

A MAN:

Please help my wife

WOMAN 2:

My husband!

WOMAN 3:

My child needs a new heart

NESSA: to NAYA’IL: Do your work I will be your vessel NAYA’IL:

Our saint. She gives herself 24

To help our humble village CHORUS:

The mountain peak descended. A god and goddess walk among us.

Scene 3 Abrupt change of mood. ADULT semi chorus rushes on. Searchlights, PRESS. CHORUS/SEMI-CHORUS: Wanted! Wanted! Someone to blame! A scapegoat. Someone to hate! Nessa Husk, chairman of Husk Vanished. Disappeared. Reported sightings in Dallas. Reported sightings in Norway. Reported sightings in Dubai. Reported sightings in Kuwait, Singapore, Rotterdam, Venezuela, Shetland, Baku, Hong Kong, Mississippi. Husk. Illusion. Husk. Delusion. Husk. Pollution. Pollution. Pollution.

We see ROLFUS, burning on a spit in hell, tormented by little devils. DEVILS (CHILDREN): Burn, Rolfus, burn Turn, Rolfus, turn Bring him on to boil In his very own oil. On earth, in heaven and below There IS justice! ROLFUS:

Aaah! Aaah! Aaah! Aaah!

SEMI-CHORUS:

Oil spill at record levels. Just who is holding the reins at Husk? BBC. CNN. Interpol. Reported sightings in Dubai, Baku, Dallas. Worldwide police search started To bring Nessa Husk to task.

Scene 4 MATTIE has arrived in the village, which is hushed and deserted. She is every inch a tourist, in sensible shoes. The chorus is heard offstage. CHORUS:

The mountain peak descended. A god and goddess walk among us. 25Â

MATTIE:

So this is abroad. The guidebook says ‘the teeming square that never sleeps’. It’s like being in church. Those poor boys in the care of Nessa. They all must need me. What’s that? Natives? I’d better hide.

SYKE and FRACTO appear, armed to the teeth with ropes, rescue gear, pitchforks, even an old gun. SYKE/FRACTO:

This is a game - a true adventure. Keep close and melt in the shadows. Don’t dare to breathe. A careless moment Will compromise our quest and court disaster.

SYKE: (to FRACTO) Couldn’t you get help? FRACTO:

They were too scared. But I paid them for the stuff.

SYKE:

What with?

FRACTO:

The laptop

SYKE:

Your laptop? Your faithful silver slave?

FRACTO:

Too long I’ve gazed into the heart of a machine. Now I am living.

SYKE/FRACTO:

This is a game - a true adventure. (etc).

SYKE spots MATTIE SYKE:

O God, it’s proxy mum! How did you find us?

MATTIE:

My mobile phone started singing to me.

FRACTO:

Oh.

MATTIE:

It sent me an album of pictures of this square. I googled it, and here I am. What are you up to?

SYKE:

Keep silent, and follow.

CHORUS:

The mountain peak descended And a god and a goddess walk among us. Hail to them, wisdom and goodness combined.

SYKE: (looking around for the music, to MATTIE) Is that your phone?

MATTIE:

No, but it’s the same music. I know Nessa’s here.

FRACTO:

She’s in prison.

MATTIE:

Then I must be your mother again.

SYKE:

Go away. You’re out of a job. This is not your family.

MATTIE:

How harsh!

NESSA’S voice is heard in the distance, singing wordlessly. SEMICHORUS:

What a serene and enlightened voice.

The BOARD MEMBERS from ACT 1 appear – their corporate clothes are dusty and they are hot. SYKE:

What on earth?!

FRACTO: to MATTIE MATTIE:

They must have followed you.

Impossible.

BOARD MEMBERS: Husk. We’re the board. Husk. We’ve been gored. Rolfus held the firm in place Now we’re liable and have lost face. Shares plummeted. FRACTO/SYKE/MATTIE: How did you find us? BOARD MEMBERS: Our mobile phones started singing to us. FRACTO/SYKE/MATTIE: Oh. BOARD MEMBERS: They sent us an album of pictures of this square. BOARD MEMBERS/FRACTO/SYKE/MATTIE: We/You googled it, and here we/you are.

The VILLAGERS are gathering. SEMICHORUS:

Blessed lady, heal us Save us, cure us Appear to us!

NAYA’IL appears, holding GILI by the hand. SYKE:

I recognize that man. He was our guide. 27

FRACTO:

And that child…. Was this a scam?

GILI:

Did you see? Did you see? There’s a big cloud watching me The gods have left the mountaintop

SYKE/FRACTO: confronting NAYA’IL NAYA’IL:

Where is our mother?

Prepare yourselves for something wondrous strange

A huge burst of choral music. NESSA is wheeled on – she is now just a head, fed with tubes. ALL:

Ah!!

SEMICHORUS:

Blessed lady, heal us, Save us, cure us

SYKE/FRACTO/MATTIE: What on earth has happened? BOARD MEMBERS: It’s Nessa, our missing chairman. MATTIE:

But most of her is still missing.

BOARD MEMBERS: She is the head of a large corporation, Wanted by Interpol FRACTO:

Mum looks so calm…

NAYA’IL:

Wise boy of few words, there you have it.

NESSA:

My boys, my life, I see you now And I am proud You have transcended your troubled youths And now I bequeath to your wise hands The reins of power.

SYKE:

But mama…..

NESSA:

Trust your brother. He is silent, but resourceful Take guidance from him, as he will from you And you will be the public face of Husk And you, my proxy, my dear Your work is here. My children are grown, But all these need your care and nurture… Your work will never be done

To MATTIE:

NAYA’IL leads GILI to MATTIE. The other children approach her cautiously NAYA’IL: to SYKE and FRACTO

Your mother has achieved greatness late in life And she has handed you your destiny The two of you, inseparable, will steer the name of Husk To greatness, and enlightenment. SYKE: (to NAYA’IL): And who are you? NAYA’IL:

You do not need to ask that question. Look into my eyes.

SYKE:

Ah! It burns, it burns! And all is clear. We return at once. Start afresh. Get rid of this board.

BOARD MEMBERS: Oh!! SYKE/FRACTO:

We have to cleanse the stain on the name of Husk!

NAYA’IL:

A final donation – Nessa, my child, Are you sure?

NESSA:

Yes, my father. I’m sure.

NESSA is wheeled away and her head covered with a cloth. CHORUS/SEMI-CHORUS: See! A miracle. A white light – She has given herself to the gods No earthly trace remains NAYA’IL:

Nessa, I set you free!

An extraordinary luminescence, like a shooting star flares up and away. We hear NESSA’s voice (wordless). CHORUSES

Though the night be long and dark, Though the road be rough and harsh Though we fail along the way We have a spirit guide to light our path

NAYA’IL and NESSA’s voices intertwine. At the end, NESSA’s is left, resounding in the empty spaces. THE END