An Archaic Modern Play: Play On, Act 3, Scene 3

CHARACTERS IN SCENE:

WILSON: An Independent Investigator from France, in Medi to find out if the Kingdom of Medi has been working against the Kingdom of Albion.

LIA: Princess of Albion, disguised as a servant who is working for Wilson.

ARMENIA/ARTHUR: Princess of Medi, disguised as Arthur, a servant from Albion working with Wilson.

King Medi’s Palace

Enter Wilson and Lia

Wilson:                               Nothing. I have discovered nothing once more. The servants remain silent to the truth, pity, pity.

Lia:                                       It is possible of the innocence of Father’s friend?

Wilson:                               I do not deny his innocence. I just see with eyes that they do not wish to speak.

Lia:                                       How would you know if truth is what they say?

Wilson:                               Judgement. Many years of practice. And a keen sense of justice. Liar can’t be found here Lia, but they do not say truth.

Lia:                                       How would they not tell truth but not have lies? You are most confusing Independent; your words fly around quicker than a canary in its cage.

Wilson:                               I am trapped just as he. Analysis is more profound than you realise young Princess. They tell no lies, but hide the truth by not telling the whole story. Only one side of picture seeps through; I cannot paint with only half a view.

Lia:                                       You are an artist modern.

Wilson:                               But I do not wish to be Lia. I wish to be an artist classique. But this may never come.

Lia:                                       I understand now Mr Wilson why my Father and Medi have remained friends. Both pretend to be entirely different people when in each other’s company.

Wilson:                               By which you mean?

Lia:                                       Medi is dignified, that it what is said, but to servants he shows himself with fits of anger. Father is a Loyal King, yet he only keeps this loyalty by staying away from his family and friends so that he can never have anything ‘gainst them. This pretending is like child’s play, much like the servants questioned play new character in front of you and I than in front of Medi or Prince. Do you see?

Wilson:                               I do see. It is true. Everyone has multiple aliases they must play as at some point.

Lia:                                       Yes. You are never the same from one person to the next. That is why I feel quite comfortable keeping secrets from my Father. His daughter keeps no secrets, just Lia and the Princess.

Wilson:                               You sound as though you are condoning yourself; merely satisfying your guilt.

Lia:                                       I feel no guilt for this.

Wilson:                               If that is correct, why you must be puppet being pulled on a string. The servants appear to be under the control of their own puppeteer. If only there was a way to make them give me their story.

Lia:                                       Perhaps you should show yourself as friend and not as reviewer. You are more likely to confide in those with which you are close.

Wilson:                               Said the witch to the bairns. Maybe you are right Princess, maybe you are right.

Lia:                                       Moiseur Wilson, when you were young, if you were to go behind your Father’s back—

Wilson:                               I have.

Lia:                                       Yes. Well, when you went behind your Father’s back, did you feel guilt?

Wilson:                               Oh, indeed. Guilt was more powerful than anything. Even now I still feel the guilt of not telling my King or Father. But Lia, you do not need to worry ‘bout that; your Father gave you permission for you to come to Medi. It does not matter now.

Lia:                                       Permission, yes.

Wilson:                               Do not fear Princess Servant. Shall’t not be long afore you return home to see him once more. Hopefully Medi will have spoken before we leave.

Lia:                                       I hope for you as well.

Wilson:                               Thank you young girl. Lia.

                                                                                                                                       [Enter Armenia]

                                             Ah Arthur. I and thine Princess have just been discussing the art of truth.

Armenia:                            Such an interesting topic m’lord. Truth is a luxury that must be held tight. Moiseur Wilson, I found this paper wedged under handle outside the room. It appears to be addressed to you.

Wilson:                               Most peculiar. Perhaps a Medi has expressed truth.

Armenia:                            I would not dare doubt.

                                                                                                         [Wilson takes letter, moves far stage]

                                             Lia, my Princess, I have information regarding thy Prince of Medi.

Lia:                                       You do? What is it?

Armenia:                            Thine Prince wishes for you to meet him this night—He sounded most urgent. He assured me you would know where he wanted to go.

Lia:                                       Of course. But—How? Why?

Armenia:                            Perhaps you will find out tonight Princess.

Lia:                                       Yes. I shall. Thank you Arthur; you are a good friend.

Armenia:                            Indeed my Princess. Indeed I am.

                                                                                                                        [Exeunt]