VAKARM

Open Your Mind

ACT 1

Stage setting: the throne. Any other changes to the set are specified in parentheses at the beginning of each scene.

Scene 1: Death in Pennsylvania

(Violent music. Two groups appear, preparing to fight. Raito creates enough noise for an entire riot by himself. VAK then appears, dressed in black and red, and kills everyone onstage in a single attack.)

Monologue.

VAK – I will bring death for as long as living beings remain. I will devastate this planet. I will spill blood and make people fall by the thousands. I will exterminate every form of life on Earth. I will bring chaos to this decaying world. You are at my mercy.

Scene 2: General Assembly of the Leaders

Characters: Ila, VAK, Frédérique, Tim, Rufus, Ju, Elisabeth, Mario, Max

(Four tables are arranged across the stage. Set farther back in the centre is a throne representing the hierarchy.)

(VAK enters and sits on the throne. He spreads his arms as though taking possession and control of the situation. A moment of silence.)

Ila – (takes out a notepad and pen) So, where do we begin?

Frédérique – (stands) I think it is time for us to have a little fun. We might as well combine business with pleasure.

Tim – (produces an enormous die) For this meeting, I suggest we make our decisions at random. We present several options, then settle them with a die or a coin.

Ila – Can I get my Monopoly set out?

Tim – Of course!

Rufus – This is absurd. We cannot make decisions at random!

Ila – Of course we can. It is a very good idea!

Frédérique – It will add a little spice to the meeting.

Tim – It cannot do us any harm.

(The leaders take out dice and board games. One after another, they stand.)

Rufus – No!

Ju – Oh, there is always one killjoy trying to ruin everything. We are not here to argue.

Ila – Let us begin with a problem from our previous meeting, one for which we found no solution. The rate of claustrophobia across the territory has risen sharply, now affecting more than fifty percent of the population. Public spaces will have to be reorganised.

Rufus – No, I disagree. Matitson’s disease is spreading rapidly, and claustrophobia is one of its symptoms. We need to develop a vaccine and address the problem at its source.

Ju – That solution would require far too much funding. I suggest something cheaper: (dreamily) breaking the windows of public telephone booths so their users feel less cramped.

Ila, Tim, Frédérique – (together) Wow!

Ila – That is such a clever idea!

Frédérique – You can tell there is a real brain in there.

(Rufus buries his face in his hands.)

Tim – I propose we choose Ju’s solution. We have more important problems to solve today.

Ila – I agree, and I think most of the council does too.

Frédérique – No problem.

Ju – Okay.

Ila – Now for the main issue. There was a bloodbath during a fight between two gangs. Every person involved was killed.

Ju – If they are all dead, they cannot be entirely responsible.

Frédérique – So someone else, an unknown person X, killed both gangs.

Tim – I agree with Frédérique. When gangs normally fight, the violence is never this extreme. Usually it ends with a few bruises and perhaps two people in hospital. This was different. They cannot have caused all of their own deaths.

Ju – Why are we dealing with it? We cannot do anything for them now. They are dead anyway.

Ila – To address the problem, I suggest winning the gangs over by offering them an alternative to crime and deprivation. That should lead to the dissolution of the groups.

Frédérique – Yes. Even if someone else is responsible for these deaths, the deeper problem is still these antisocial young people with no ambition and no future in our society.

Ila – To solve that, we will, comma, install free peanut vending machines in disadvantaged neighbourhoods!

Tim – Let us roll for it. One, two or three: we investigate the external factor. Four, five or six: peanut vending machines.

(They all agree. Music. They throw the die to one another, then Tim rolls it onto the floor.)

Elisabeth – (rushes in with Max chained to her) Forgive me for being late. I was having a conversation with my husband. A physical conversation, naturally. He kept me at home longer than expected.

Rufus – I can see that.

Ila – Elisabeth, you are at least twenty minutes late.

Tim – It is not that serious. (points to the empty chair on the right) Mario has not even arrived.

Elisabeth – It was undoubtedly a moment of tremendous force and incomparable intensity. I felt the weight of his body on mine. Against his… violence, I discovered an inevitable lightness in myself. (She bursts into tears and collapses in the middle of the stage.)

(Ju takes Max’s leash. He and Tim gather around Elisabeth to comfort her.)

Tim – Hey. Are you all right?

Frédérique – Do you want me to get you some water?

Elisabeth – No, thank you. (gets up) No! I do not need you. Forgive me for interrupting the meeting. I do not need anyone. Leave me alone. You would not know how to help me. You cannot help me. Nobody knows who I am! (She collapses, unconscious. Ju catches her. Tim lightly slaps her cheeks to wake her.)

Ila – Hey, are you all right?

Elisabeth – (coming round) Yes. Yes. I am going to sit there. (points to the chair) I will watch you. I do not think I am in any state to work today.

Ju – Okay. But tell us if you need anything, all right?

Frédérique – Let us continue, please.

Ju – (returns Max to Elisabeth, who sits down) Back to the matter at hand. We received a letter containing revelations about the unexplained deaths in Pennsylvania. It may tell us something about the murderer’s identity and motives. (He produces a small sealed red envelope.)

Ila – I want to read it! Please, please!

Ju – No.

(He opens the envelope and removes the letter. VAK rises from his throne and stands beside Ju with his arms folded. Everyone else returns to their seats.)

You have probably noticed the unusual deaths in the rougher suburbs recently. I know who is responsible. He is here. You cannot see him, but he can see you. He influences you. He takes possession of your body. His name is VAK…

Frédérique – That sends a chill down my spine.

Ju – He wants to watch this Earth slowly die. VAK is responsible for the chaos that reigns, and that will continue to reign, across this world. I am helping him. The population will tremble before the VAK wave!

Ila – So we have our factor X.

Frédérique – Yes. X is none other than VAK.

Ju – Wait, it is not finished. (continues reading) I am his representative on Earth. I will help him commit his crimes. I will move so quickly that nobody will be able to stop me!

Tim – But who is it?

Ju – It is signed CAMY.

Frédérique – That frightens me!

Tim – Nobody will be able to stop him!

Ju – He is going to use an evil weapon!

Ila – Perhaps some kind of nuclear bomb!

Frédérique – We know nothing more. There is no point dwelling on speculation. VAK is the important part, and we must focus on him.

Elisabeth – VAK! Even the name gives me chills.

Tim – VAK!

Ila – VAK!

(The members of the council whisper “VAK” one after another. Deafening, low music begins. Mario enters from stage right. Everyone screams, then calms down when they realise it is not VAK.)

Mario – Well, kids? Still working?

Tim – You frightened us!

Ila – Not true! I was not frightened!

Frédérique – I thought you were VAK!

Ju – No, it is only Mario.

(A ripple of laughter passes through the assembly.)

Mario – I have just returned from a magnificent island filled with beautiful women, and I learned how to shake my body with them. I want to see you dance to salsa rhythms. I want to see those bodies move!

(Music. Everyone dances and leaves in a conga line behind Mario, with Max at the end. When Mario’s music stops, VAK’s music and piercing laughter return. Rufus leaves separately, furious.)

Scene 3: Who Are You?

Characters: Leene, Léo

(Alternating lighting.)

Léo – No! Stop! What have I done to you? Why are you hurting me? Stop! No more blows! Why so much violence? Am I your punching bag because I am different, smaller, new? Is that why you treat me with such hatred?

Leene – (enters, pulls Léo up from the floor and walks with him) Are you all right? Wow, they really did a number on you. What is your name? You do not want to answer? That is fine, I have your wallet. (She opens it and removes his identity card.) Léo? That is a sweet name. Still do not want to talk? Do not worry. I am here. Get some rest.

Scene 4: Bodies in Motion

Characters: Rufus, Morgane, Elisabeth, Camy, Leene, Léo

(Couples enter, walking across the stage.)

Rufus – (runs after his wife) Sweetheart?

Morgane – (keeps walking, carrying piles of marked papers)

Rufus – (grabs her arm) Hey! Darling! Morgane?

Morgane – Oh. Hi.

Rufus – I have a problem, darling. I cannot take it anymore.

Morgane – Good. Neither can I.

Rufus – You first, then. Go ahead.

Morgane – I was supposed to leave these papers on the headmaster’s desk the day before yesterday!

Rufus – That is not a problem. Your headmaster can wait. At the council—

Morgane – (shows him her watch) Look, Rufus. See the second hand? When it has made one full turn, your allotted time will be over. Ready? Go.

Rufus – I cannot take it anymore. Political, social and economic decision-making at the council has become completely chaotic.

Morgane – Has become? Listen to yourself, as though it had ever been anything else.

Rufus – No, it has got worse. It is as though my colleagues are… possessed.

Morgane – I do not have time for your stories, and your minute is over. But if you need to talk, there is a speed-dating event tonight. You can say whatever you want and meet new people. It will do you good, I am sure.

Rufus – I do not need to talk. We need to act and—

Morgane – (cuts him off) I told you to see my therapist. It would help you let go. He listens, takes time for you, and he has the solution to every problem. He prescribed one pill in the morning, one at midday and one at night. Now I can keep going all day and I do not even need to sleep. It is wonderful. I can get ahead with my work all night. (checks her watch) Speaking of which, I have to go. Do not forget the speed dating. (She moves aside and makes a phone call.)

Rufus – I do not need her therapist or his mind-numbing medication. I do not need to confide in anyone. I just want to find out what is wrong with this damned world. I do not want drugs. They are useless. I want to stay lucid in the middle of all this rot. Sanitised visions of the world are for other people, not me.

(Max gallops across the stage, chained to his mother.)

Elisabeth – Hey! Calm down! Max! Slow down! (holds him and kneels beside him) Here, take this. It will make you feel better. It will calm you down. (gives him a pill) Open your mouth. Yes, good boy. Oh, little Max is so sweet, so handsome, so well behaved. (scratches behind his ear) Give me your paw. Yes, that is it. (She continues petting him, then resumes walking.)

Camy – (enters from stage left, dressed entirely in black: a balaclava with holes for his ears, jumper, gloves and trousers. He dances while holding a digital music player and earphones. He steals Leene’s bag, Elisabeth’s bag, and Morgane’s papers and pills.)

Leene – By the way, I am sorry. I asked your name and never introduced myself. I am Leene. Why do you look so miserable? You look like a sad little dog. Even that one over there has a friendly face. (points to Max) Come on, smile. Do not let those idiots take it away from you. We are going to have fun tonight. I am inviting you to the speed dating. It will take your mind off things.

Elisabeth – Thief! Someone stole my bag!

Morgane – No! My papers for the headmaster. They have been stolen. What am I going to tell him? What will become of me?

Elisabeth – Max, sniff! Find the nasty thief!

Morgane – (offstage) My pills. Where are my pills? He even stole my pills. What am I going to do? I am nothing without them!

(Max escapes from his mother and runs backstage.)

Morgane – (offstage) My appointment with the headmaster is in three minutes and thirty-seven seconds. I will never recover eight months of work reduced to nothing!

Elisabeth – Max! Max! Where are you?

Leene – I was robbed too, Léo. I have nothing left. No money, no identity card, no phone, and worst of all…

Léo – What?

Leene – I do not have a condom anymore. In times of crisis, it is better to stay protected.

Léo – You are probably right.

Leene – Sex always brings surprises.

Léo – Leene?

Leene – Yes, that is me.

Léo – I will come to the speed dating. It might help me understand your customs.

Leene – Right, you are new. That explains what happened earlier— (realises what she has implied) Well, it explains why you look so lost. Do not worry. I will introduce you to life’s pleasures in all their forms.

Léo – Yeah… (unconvinced)

Leene – (takes his hand) I promise, not everything on this Earth is horrible. We are not all idiots. There are wonderful people here. You need to see our little corner of paradise from another point of view.

Léo – I have only seen hell.

Leene – Then I will show you paradise, and you will soon forget hell. I will show you things no man has ever seen. I will offer you a great deal, but…

Léo – But what?

Leene – You have to talk. I want to know everything about you. For example, that symbol on your clothes. What is it?

Léo – A very long story. A memory from the past. But it no longer matters. I am beginning a new life here. Come on. (They leave.)

Scene 5: Something Revolutionary

(Wells and his assistant stand at centre stage.)

Wells – I completely disagree.

Assistant – Wells, you are imagining a dramatic science-fiction film with a classical soundtrack. Please be logical. It does not fit.

Wells – And you think deafening rock would be better? Metal? Is that your solution? I refuse to believe Tim Burton would put that in his remake of Snow White.

Assistant – Imagine… He could find an alternative. Something in between.

Wells – You took the words right out of my mouth.

Assistant – A fusion of…

Wells – The softness and delicacy of violins…

Assistant – With the force and brutality of a distorted electric guitar!

Wells – Back to serious matters. We are about to do it. I am about to fulfil my childhood dream, cross previously unknown boundaries and perhaps transform the world, blasting the scum away with a pressure washer. My life will finally have meaning when we complete this work. This breakthrough will reveal new truths and help renew our entire society.

Assistant – Do not get carried away. Nothing is certain. The work is not finished.

Wells – Do not be pessimistic, my assistant. We have worked on this project for a very long time. It is reasonable for me to believe our efforts will bear fruit. We have already discussed your objections.

Assistant – This is not trivial, sir. I myself—

Wells – (cuts him off) Stop for five minutes. Close your eyes.

Assistant – My eyes are closed.

Wells – Empty your mind of every thought.

Assistant – Done.

Wells – (accompanies his explanation with sweeping gestures) No! Do not answer. That means you are still connected to the real world. I want you to hear my voice as an echo, as your conscience inside an empty mind. (waits) Imagine yourself carried far away into a world completely unlike the one you know. A utopian land inhabited only by blond, blue-eyed people with shining muscles, all peacefully ruled by me. Open your mind! Fear neither cold nor heat, wind nor rain. For a few seconds, you are invincible. Yes, like that. Do you feel like a new man? Feel the innovative power of a superhuman force rising inside you. Yes, exactly! (looks surprised, then slaps him awake) Come back to Earth. I think the speed-dating venue is nearby.

Assistant – At last, a chance to clear our heads. Seeing people can only do us good.

Wells – I agree. (aside) For once. A little socialising will be good for us.

Assistant – Yes. It is my first speed-dating event too.

Wells – I believe we have arrived.

(They exit stage right.)

ACT 2

Scene 1: Everyone to the Speed Dating!

Characters: Raito, Mario, Assistant, Léo, Max, Wells, Fortune Teller, Leene, Rufus, Camy

Raito – (takes his role as host extremely seriously) Ladies and gentlemen, come closer, please. Do not be shy. Tonight, especially for you, (points to the audience) a wild speed-dating session featuring stars whose names nobody knows!

Before anything else, I must mention the subject that is undoubtedly on everyone’s lips. Information from the council meeting held earlier this afternoon has leaked. (gravely) The news spread like wildfire, and VAK is now considered the greatest threat this planet has ever faced. He is a freezing wind that licks your body and traps you in horror and despair. (brightens again) Beautiful, is it not? I wrote it myself. Yes, I know, hidden talent. (silly smile)

I therefore suggest we organise tonight’s conversations around the deaths and thefts that have multiplied over the past twenty-four hours. Here are tonight’s participants.

(Super Mario music.)

Mario, in the flesh! I have always wondered: how long did it take you to accept that name?

Mario – How dare you!

Raito – Mario is a member of the governing council. Applaud Mario!

Léo, a dark and mysterious newcomer. Nobody knows where he came from, but he arrived with a delightful young woman. Applaud Leene and Léo!

Our second pair consists of two men. Are they heterosexual? That is the question. Professor Wells is a mad scientist who, according to an extremely reliable source, is building a machine capable of overturning all humanity. His assistant helps with the research and, presumably, other things. (winks at the audience)

Assistant – Calm down!

Raito – (ignores him) Applaud Wells and his assistant!

Rufus washed up at this event like a corpse on a desert island, carried by the currents and pushed here by his wife. Applaud Rufus!

Max is a child who escaped his mother’s grip and somehow found his way here. Applaud Max the fugitive!

And another charismatic guest: a celebrated fortune teller who may predict VAK’s next exploits. Applaud the fortune teller!

The rules are simple. Sit in pairs around the tables and open up to one another. At my signal, change partners. If you run out of things to say, take a card from the middle of the table. Let us begin!

Léo and Max

Léo – Wow. You do not look like everyone else.

Max – That is my mother’s fault.

Léo – What did she do to you?

Max – She made me into her possession. I have to obey her stupid rules. Worse, she bought me a leash, supposedly to protect me, and walks me like every dog in the neighbourhood.

Léo – You are lucky to have a mother. Mine is no longer in this world.

Max – What happened to her?

Léo – She is… She is…

Max – Yes, I understand. She died. But how?

Léo – My father… (mimes bringing down a dagger)

Max – Oh. Not very nice.

Léo – I hate him. I will take revenge and end his life because he ended my mother’s.

Max – Is your father known around here?

Léo – I am new. He does not live nearby, but everyone knows him. Everyone has heard of him without ever seeing him. Everyone fears him, but nobody stops him.

Max – Wait. You are frightening me. Your father sounds like VAK.

Léo – More than you realise.

Raito – Time to change! New seats, new partners!

Rufus and the Assistant

Assistant – Hello!

Rufus – Hello.

(A long silence.)

Assistant – I will take a card. “What do you think of the decisions made at government meetings?”

Rufus – You are direct. I sit on the governing council. I am there to express my view and offer intelligent, reasonable solutions. But nobody listens anymore. I am nothing more than a spoon left in a cup of coffee that has already been drunk. They make decisions without even consulting me.

Assistant – Perhaps they are corrupt.

Rufus – Bribes would not make people this strange. No. They think they are being manipulated. They believe something is occupying their minds. I cannot help them. It is as though I no longer exist in their eyes. I cannot take it anymore. I am going to crack.

Assistant – It is terrible for me too. My boss never lets me crack my fingers or my neck, so I only let myself go when I am alone and nobody can see me.

Rufus – Tell me about it. My problem is my wife. I cannot speak to her. She is always buried in marked papers and lesson plans. You would think she was the president, with the schedule of a cabinet minister, but she is only a civil servant. She is a teacher!

Assistant – Mine is worse. My employer is ruled by dreams and desires. I am afraid of destroying those dreams by confronting him with reality, but one day he will have to face the truth.

Raito – Come on, move!

Fortune Teller and Mario

Fortune Teller – Hello. I am a fortune teller seeking a handsome mature man, starved of affection, to comfort me beneath the sheets.

Mario – You get straight to the point.

Fortune Teller – You noticed.

Mario – Sorry, I am not interested. I have a wife and—

Fortune Teller – But I sense other ideas at the back of your mind.

Mario – How do you know that?

Fortune Teller – Have you forgotten that I am a fortune teller?

Mario – Oh. Right. Sorry.

Fortune Teller – Honestly, I know because every man has ideas at the back of his mind. (suggestive wink)

Mario – I am not that kind of man. Still, I will take your number. I may need your services.

Fortune Teller – With pleasuure! Here is my card. (She pulls it from her cleavage and throws it to him.)

Raito – Rotate!

Léo and the Assistant

(A long silence.)

Assistant – I will take a card. “Talk about what you do in life.”

Léo – I am looking for someone.

Assistant – That is rather vague.

Léo – Reveal part of yourself, and I will reveal part of myself.

Assistant – I am helping to build a revolutionary machine that—

Léo – Can it kill?

Assistant – If misused, yes. It could kill its user. Why? Are you planning to kill someone?

Léo – Yes.

Assistant – Then you will do it without our machine. I do not want trouble.

Léo – I will pay. A briefcase containing five thousand euros in small notes is waiting at a secret location.

Assistant – In that case, everything is different. There is no problem at all.

Léo – I will deliver my father to you on a silver platter, and you will make him disappear.

Raito – Next partners!

Max and Mario

Mario – Wait, I know you, little fellow. You are poor Elisabeth’s son.

Max – And you are the man who danced on the tables at the council, right?

Mario – Do not get cheeky, young Max. Your mother is worried. She is already unwell. From what I understand, things are bad between her and your father. If you abandon her now, she will not cope.

Max – Do you even know how she treats me?

Mario – I can see she is not the mother everyone dreams of having, but she loves you. She is always there for you.

Max – I cannot stand her mood swings anymore. She suffocates me.

Mario – These are dangerous times. You should not wander the streets alone. I can feel VAK preparing new attacks.

(Camy enters, removes Mario’s chair and leaves. When the music stops, Mario falls.)

Raito – What happened, Super Mario? Missed a jump?

Mario – See? I warned you. Stay at my house tonight. Things will look clearer in the morning, and I will take you back to your mother.

Raito – I want new faces! Rotate!

Leene and Rufus

Leene – Hello. My name is Leene, I am eighteen, and I am in my final year of secondary school, studying literature. I love energetic music, salsa, dancing, anything that moves and makes me feel alive.

Rufus – You would get on well with Mario.

Leene – Sorry?

Rufus – Nothing. I said I have trouble with my voice. I will take a card. “What is your favourite colour?”

Leene – Pink. And yours?

Rufus – Black.

Leene – People always tell me black is not a colour but a value.

Rufus – (on edge) Who cares?

Leene – Are you all right? You do not look well.

Rufus – True. You are rather perceptive.

Leene – What is the problem?

Rufus – Sorry, I do not discuss my private life with girls your age.

Raito – Well, everyone, I hope the fishing was good, you collected plenty of telephone numbers, and tonight leads to many wild nights of love. Thank you for taking part. Before you leave, remember not to walk alone. The threat still prowls our streets. Perhaps VAK is hiding in the darkest corner, ready to leap like a starving beast. Good night, and thank you!

(He leaves carrying the microphone and stand.)

Scene 2: She Cannot Help Everyone

Characters: Leene, Léo

(Everyone leaves except Leene, who remains at the front of the stage.)

Leene – Did you see how that old man treated me? I wanted to help him and understand him, and he laughed in my face. I want to make the world better, but people call me a child. I used to be able to help people, I think. I could erase their pain with a look and brighten their lives for one night. But now it is too much. Perhaps I have lost whatever made people trust me. Perhaps I no longer attract people who need to confide in someone.

It is VAK’s fault. Yes, VAK. I heard he changes people, makes them lose their minds, disorients them until they kill themselves. Perhaps I am one of his victims. I cannot even understand Léo. He is lovely, though shy, but he is hiding something. I know it. I am drawn to him. There is something mysterious about him that makes me… happy.

Léo – (enters from the right) I have been looking for you for ten minutes. The host said nobody should go out alone. I could walk you home.

Leene – I would like that.

Léo – You were right. Tonight was a very good idea. It cleared my head. Thank you for showing me all this.

Leene – You are welcome. I like you too, you know.

Léo – My turn next time. I will show you a beautiful place I discovered when I arrived here.

Leene – Whenever you like.

(They leave.)

Scene 3: In the Laboratory

Characters: Wells, the Assistant

Assistant – (knocks)

Wells – (busy at his desk) Yes, come in.

Assistant – Thank you for abandoning me the other night. It was very considerate of you to warn me.

Wells – I am sorry. I met a delightful woman.

Assistant – The fortune teller dressed like a sack of potatoes? I spoke to her. You are right, she is exactly your type. She has strange taste.

Wells – How dare you! She is wise and cultured. I am lucky to have met her.

Assistant – Luck and a fortune teller. That is almost redundant.

Wells – We are going to a restaurant together this week.

Assistant – More importantly, I have good news. I found a pleasant little man who can put us back in business. He will provide enough money to develop other projects, such as that mattress that cures every illness, which you abandoned through lack of time and money.

Wells – Forget other projects. We must finish this one. What exactly is this arrangement? How can we help him?

Assistant – With our machine. It is nearly ready. He wants someone to disappear and is willing to pay.

Wells – Risky.

Assistant – But worth it. With five thousand euros, you could invite your fortune teller out as often as you like.

Wells – Do we know the father?

Assistant – You will never believe it.

Wells – Eddy, the baker?

Assistant – No.

Wells – Ruyzaki, the bookseller?

Assistant – No.

Wells – Then who, for heaven’s sake?

Assistant – VAK.

Wells – What?

Assistant – VAK. You heard correctly. Léo is VAK’s son.

Wells – Your little man is VAK’s son?

Assistant – The very same.

Wells – How do you know?

Assistant – I saw Léo at the café. He told me his story, though he would not name the person he wanted to kill, so we had a drink…

Wells – VAK, VAK, VAK. Imagine what people will say when they learn I killed the great VAK!

Assistant – And what am I, an extra?

Wells – Build a file on Léo. I want a full investigation.

Assistant – Very well.

Wells – I want everything, from what he eats for breakfast to his deodorant brand, his friends, his habits, and above all…

Assistant – Above all?

Wells – Everything about his father. Search the archives. Visit his home if necessary. I want absolute control of the situation. You may go.

(The Assistant exits right. Wells tidies his files to lively classical music.)

Wells – (stands) Just you and me, you magnificent madwoman. (exits left)

Scene 4: On the Bench

Characters: Léo, Leene

(Léo brings Leene to a secluded place. They enter from the left and sit on a bench positioned off-centre to the right.)

Leene – Wow. It is beautiful. (points) All those colours: red, black, green, orange. Shapes that are soft and angular at the same time. It is like standing inside a painter’s studio.

Léo – You can connect the shapes to objects and people you know. Over there is a rabbit.

Leene – Yes, and beside it, a marmot. And the marmot is… is…

Léo – (embarrassed, then laughs) Yes. Very funny.

Leene – And there, can you see the hawk eating a bison carcass?

Léo – Yes. I see something else. (takes her hand) A feather carried by the wind, escaping from a quilt, finally free.

Leene – When are you going to tell me about yourself?

Léo – Me? I am a little like that feather. I flew away on my own wings.

Leene – What about your family?

Léo – I have none. Or I wish I had none.

Leene – That is sad. I have a family. It is not always easy, but they do what they believe is best for me.

Léo – Do you believe that? I know a boy whose mother treats him like a dog. She keeps a leash around his neck.

Leene – There are exceptions.

Léo – True. Exceptions prove the rule.

Leene – I feel safe with you. You are kind to me. The men I knew before never listened. Or they pretended for five minutes so they could act interested.

Léo – I like hearing you speak. It clears my mind. I lose myself in your sentences, as though your voice had a magical power that could soothe every sorrow.

Leene – Thank you.

(Their lips slowly move closer.)

Assistant – (interrupts them) Hello, young man. I have spent two hours looking for you. We need to talk.

(Léo and the Assistant leave.)

Leene – (her phone rings; she answers) Hello?

Morgane – Hello, Leene. I wanted to invite you to a restaurant to celebrate your promotion.

Leene – Oh.

Morgane – Tuesday at the Never-Dream. Does that suit you?

Leene – I will be with a friend on Tuesday. Would you mind if I brought him?

Morgane – Not at all. See you Tuesday.

Leene – All right.

Scene 5: General Assembly of the Leaders

Characters: Rufus, Frédérique, Tim, Ju, Ila, Elisabeth, Mario, Max, Fortune Teller

Rufus – (stands) This is serious. Theft, vandalism and social corruption are multiplying.

Frédérique – Serious? You must be joking.

Rufus – Camy is committing more crimes and—

Tim – And? It is magnificent.

Ila – First, VAK is responsible for all of it.

Ju – Yes, VAK.

Ila – Camy is merely one of his victims.

Tim – Like us, for that matter.

Frédérique – (points to Rufus) Do not tell me he does not know.

Ju, Ila, Tim – (together) Well… no.

Rufus – Know what? What is happening?

Ju – We created the VAK brand.

(Rufus sits and puts his head in his hands.)

Ila – Merchandise. VAK T-shirts, VAK caps, VAK trainers…

Frédérique – We even thought of elderly people and created VAK Scrabble.

Ju – For the mass market, there is the VAK toaster and the VAK stereo system.

Ila – VAK is the name on everyone’s lips. Rather than treating it like Voldemort, or Maltazard the Cursed, we decided to cultivate the concept.

Tim – More than a concept. In a few days, VAK became a social phenomenon.

Frédérique – And the merchandise is selling like hot cakes.

Rufus – You are exploiting mass panic to rob the population.

Frédérique – Better than that, Rufus. We are reviving the economy.

Ila – This is an exceptional opportunity.

Ju – The profits will wipe out the national debt.

Tim – Thank you, VAK!

Elisabeth – (enters carrying a flowerpot) Excuse me? Thank VAK? VAK made me lose my son, and now my husband is leaving because of him. This morning he threw the divorce papers in my face.

Ju, Ila, Tim, Frédérique, Rufus – (together) Yes, Elisabeth…

Elisabeth – To limit the broken pots, I brought mine. My mother gave it to me. I remember the evening clearly. I was amazed and moved by The Little Prince, especially the love story between the prince and the rose. One day, she grew on his planet and gave his life meaning. Then the prince left. He abandoned the proud rose on that tiny planet. It is sad.

Frédérique – What lesson do you take from it?

Elisabeth – I am not sure. The Little Prince was not very kind to leave the rose, even if she was unbearable. They loved each other. It was foolish to break that love. (her face lights up) I know!

Frédérique – What are you going to do?

Elisabeth – I will win my husband back while there is still time. (leaves, then returns) Thank you. (sets the flowerpot on the table) I will leave this here, just in case.

Ju – (puts it on the floor) Where were we?

(Mario, Max and the Fortune Teller enter.)

Ila – This is not a railway station. People cannot wander in whenever they please.

Tim – Could you not arrive on time?

Mario – Sorry. I went to collect the fortune teller, and the boy stopped at a shop on the way. Speaking of him, where is Elisabeth?

Frédérique – You just missed her. She left to win back her husband.

Mario – What a shame. She would have been delighted. I found her child.

Ju – (points to the Fortune Teller) And what is she doing here?

Mario – Rather than relying on chance like last time, I propose we rely on destiny.

Frédérique – Excellent idea.

Tim – She can guide our decisions and advise us. (The Fortune Teller sits at the front centre.)

Mario – I will catch Elisabeth and return her boy. Come on, lad. (They leave.)

Ju – Back to VAK.

Frédérique – We know he manipulates us and chooses for us. We might as well profit from it and—

Fortune Teller – (falls into a trance)

VAK is the name of sorrow’s lord, Who drives through every heart a sword. He wakes the sinner and the thief, The demon born of fear and grief.

There was a distant, former age, Before corruption took the stage, Before our nightmares found a name, Before the world embraced its shame. Now crisis rules and goodness dies, And I hold futures in my eyes.

Frédérique – Yes, but can you actually help us?

Fortune Teller – Without a doubt, I must confess, I face these facts with great distress.

Tim – So you can see the future?

Fortune Teller – The future falls like hawks through night, An ancient past in search of light.

Ju – I brought cards if anyone wants a game.

(Tim and Ju begin playing.)

Ila – (to Frédérique) Ask her.

Frédérique – Why do I always get the unpleasant jobs? (The others stare.) Fine. I will do it. (prepares herself) Tell me, what future awaits humanity?

Fortune Teller – The future waits in endless gloom, A blast that seals our common doom. It multiplies the ranks of dead And buries all beneath the wreckage. The lifeless Earth will cease to be, Our bodies lost to memory.

Ila – Are we all going to die?

Fortune Teller – (leaves the trance) That is one way of putting it. I have another appointment. The session is over. That will be twelve hundred euros. How will you pay? Cheque? Card? Visa, Mastercard, American Express?

Ila – What? That is all? Three pretty rhyming speeches and you leave?

Fortune Teller – I am in a hurry. I will return for my fee. (She leaves.)

Tim – Whoever wins the next hand may make a decision.

Ju – I won. You are lucky. I feel inspired today.

Tim – Go on, then.

Frédérique – Hurry up, or I will suggest something. I have plenty of ideas.

Ju – I propose that everyone invite a stranger to dinner at least twice a year to encourage interpersonal communication.

Ila – Thief! That was my idea.

Tim – Three times a year.

Frédérique – Seven. Seven is my favourite number.

Ju – We agreed the winner would decide.

Mario – (enters) Well, kids? Productive meeting? I am exhausted. I returned the boy to his mother while you listened to the fortune teller. I am going to the bar for a drink. Follow me and the first round is mine.

(They all leave behind Mario.)

ACT 3

Scene 1: It Is Finished!

Characters: Wells, the Assistant

Wells – (wearing his welding mask and working on the machine) Pass me one green diode and one red diode, please.

Assistant – Very well. (hands them over)

Wells – Do you have the flux capacitor?

Assistant – Right here. (hands it over)

Wells – Look. It is beautiful.

Assistant – (his face lights up) You are right. Magnificent.

Wells – We have almost reached the end of our dream. Soon the world will be within our grasp.

Assistant – But it will never work.

Wells – Do you remember the mathematical representation of space?

Assistant – Yes, Professor.

Wells – Space has three dimensions through which we can move: length, width and depth. X, Y and Z.

Assistant – A body also has a fourth dimension: time. Duration is that fourth element. Yes, I know all this. I remain unconvinced.

Wells – It is within our reach now.

Assistant – Building a time machine is science fiction. I do not think this machine will work. It is an illusion, Wells. A fantasy.

Wells – (indignant) Please, calm down.

Assistant – Where will this lead us?

Wells – To glory, obviously. I am calling Léo immediately to settle the final financial details. You stay here.

Assistant – No problem.

Wells – Hello, Léo? The machine is ready. You can come over and settle a few financial matters. (winks at the Assistant) You are nearby? Coming immediately? Excellent. The sooner we settle this, the sooner we act. Léo is coming.

Léo – (knocks and enters)

Wells – That was quick.

Léo – (shakes Wells’s hand) Professor. (shakes the Assistant’s hand) Sir.

Assistant – Professor, the file—

Wells – (cuts him off) Later. Later. (puts an arm around Léo and leads him toward the exit) You know, my father once told me, “You must challenge one or two ideas that everyone accepts as universal.”

(Wells and Léo leave. The Assistant suddenly becomes dizzy, staggers, and dies at the back of the stage.)

Leene – (witnesses the scene) He killed him! (runs away)

Scene 2: At the Never-Dream

Characters: Fortune Teller, Wells, Morgane, Leene, Léo, Max, Elisabeth, Rufus, Camy, Ju, Tim, Raito, Waiter, Pianist

(Four tables are arranged around the stage. A pianist enters from the right, sits at the left and begins playing. A waiter enters and prepares the tables.)

Wells – (with the Fortune Teller) Please, madam, take a seat.

Fortune Teller – Such manners!

Wells – I insist.

(Elisabeth and Max silently sit at another table. Elisabeth pulls out his chair.)

Max – Thank you.

(Leene, Morgane and Rufus enter. Rufus leans against the bar while the women sit.)

Léo – (enters happily from the left) Good evening, Leene.

Leene – (stands and confronts him) You dare come here and mock me?

Léo – What is wrong?

Leene – One question: why are you not wearing your usual clothes?

Léo – I dressed well for you.

Leene – Liar! You are VAK. I saw you kill Wells’s assistant. I recognised your cape. That is why you are not wearing it today. You manipulate us, our bodies, my body, my heart. Leave. I never want to see you again.

(Léo leaves. Leene sits.)

Morgane – Leene, was that the young man you told me about?

Leene – Yes, but it does not matter.

Wells – The salad of the day, please.

Waiter – With or without pepper?

(The Fortune Teller writes “with” on a scrap of paper, folds it and places it in the middle of the table.)

Wells – With pepper, please. (She signals for him to open the paper. He looks astonished.) You predicted whether I would put pepper on my salad. You never cease to amaze me.

Fortune Teller – You flatter me.

Wells – I mean it.

Fortune Teller – It comes naturally. I am a fortune teller.

Waiter – And for madam?

Fortune Teller – Two roasted wild boars seasoned with fine herbs.

Waiter and Wells – Excuse me?

Fortune Teller – No, only one. (aside) I am on a diet.

Waiter and Wells – Ah. (relieved)

Waiter – Would you like an aperitif?

Wells – Two glasses of Chardonnay, please. That will be all.

Waiter – Very good. (moves to Elisabeth’s table)

Elisabeth – (coldly) Have you chosen?

Max – Yes, thank you. Spaghetti carbonara, please.

Elisabeth – I would like the leek tart.

Waiter – Will that be all?

Elisabeth – Yes, thank you.

(The Waiter moves to the bar.)

Rufus – Whisky!

(The Waiter serves him and goes to prepare the food. Camy enters dancing. Everyone freezes.)

(The scene moves into slow motion.)

Fortune Teller – That man is connected to VAK.

Max – (barks) That is Camy, the thief!

Elisabeth – Stop him!

(Camy tries to leave, but the Waiter blocks him and Max pins him down.)

Raito – Stop. We have a problem.

Pianist – (steps forward with a remote control and repeatedly presses a button)

(Normal speed resumes.)

Elisabeth – (scribbles a number on a piece of paper) Call the council. Tell them we have Camy.

(The Waiter runs to the bar and takes the telephone.)

Waiter – Good evening. Sorry to disturb you. This is the Never-Dream. We have Camy. Yes. Very well. Thank you. (hangs up) They told us to wait. They will be here within a minute.

Elisabeth – Good.

(Tim and Ju enter, take Camy by the arms and leave with him.)

Leene – (notices Wells and stands) Excuse me. I am going to greet a friend. (approaches Wells) Good evening, Professor. My condolences. I heard about your assistant. In fact, I am afraid I know who murdered him. (takes him aside)

Wells – Really? Who?

Leene – Léo. It is over between us. I will never speak to him again.

Wells – (places a hand on her forehead) Are you ill?

Leene – No. Well…

Wells – VAK killed my assistant. It seems VAK has scrambled your mind too.

Leene – No, Wells. Léo—

Wells – Nonsense. What makes you so certain?

Leene – I saw him.

Wells – Listen, child. When my assistant died, I was with your friend Léo.

Leene – What? I understand nothing. VAK, or whoever I saw, wore the same robe as Léo.

Wells – That explains a great deal. Léo told me VAK was his father. The cloth may be the emblem of their family line, the Noirdéden family.

Leene – Then I was completely wrong. I am an idiot. Thank you, Professor Wells. (returns to her seat)

Morgane – You look devastated.

Leene – I have reason to be.

Morgane – I do not understand.

Leene – I called a friend a murderer, to his face. I feel awful.

Morgane – The young man who ran away?

Leene – I never know where I am going with him. One moment he says nothing. The next, I hear him discussing large sums of money in small notes. Then we share wonderful moments, and then…

Wells – (to the Fortune Teller) Beyond the clouds and all those stars lie magnificent constellations. At night, when my mind wanders into the unconscious, I dream of crossing space, visiting the universe and every fragment of its matter.

Fortune Teller – Professor, you make me dream.

Wells – I live for those dreams. I am convinced that one day we will travel across the Milky Way as easily, and as quickly, as I can wink. (winks)

Fortune Teller – I am certain of it. (They smile.) May I ask you something?

Wells – Of course.

Fortune Teller – Why do you always carry that welding mask?

Wells – (defensive) Do I ask why you wear jewellery?

Fortune Teller – (smiles) Because it makes me beautiful. What is the connection?

Wells – The same applies to me, and perhaps more. It is my tool, my lucky charm and an object of great value.

Fortune Teller – How so?

Wells – My grandfather gave it to me long ago, when my feet did not touch the floor from a chair.

Elisabeth – Max, I need to tell you something. It is difficult. I am sorry I was not there for you as I should have been. I have decided to change. I finally understand how foolishly I treated you.

Rufus – (extremely drunk) VAK does not exist!

Elisabeth – You mean so much to me, Max. I am sorry I treated you like a dog.

Rufus – VAK does not exist. I am certain. I will say it loudly: VAK is nothing but a product of our imagination!

Elisabeth – I am taking control of my life. I am removing your father from it and giving you the place you always deserved in our family.

Max – Mum!

Rufus – VAK. What kind of name is that anyway? It sounds like a toilet-paper brand.

(Rufus staggers and falls. The Pianist and Waiter throw him offstage. Everyone leaves except Leene, who addresses the audience.)

Leene – What have I done now? Every time something good happens, I destroy it. I must repair this, if there is still time. I have to find Léo.

Scene 3: Father Mabraise Cemetery

Characters: Wells, Léo, Rufus, Max, mourners

(A crowd dressed in black forms a queue. Max places a flowerpot. The others wait silently.)

Wells – (speaks to the grave) I was your only family. I took you in as though you were my son. When you were young, you asked ridiculous questions: “Professor, why does the sun shine?” “Why do I yawn?” “Why do you have black hairs and white hairs? It looks as though someone sprinkled pepper on you.” You were impertinent, and I had to give you private lessons in natural science.

With time, you calmed down. You became rebellious in adolescence, but also perceptive, eventually more perceptive than me. The pupil surpassed the master.

(He takes a handkerchief, blows his nose and puts it away.)

Wells – The years passed, and now you have gently fallen from life into death. I thought you would watch me die, not the reverse. Still, what is done is done. I found the file on my desk, your investigation into Léo. I believed VAK was responsible for your death, but that is not the case. According to your report, Léo is not VAK’s son. VAK is not his father. So who is VAK? Who is VAK?

Léo – (enters, runs to Wells and greets him) I am sorry I missed the ceremony. My condolences.

Wells – Your timing is good. I wanted to speak with you privately.

Léo – About what?

Wells – Your father.

Léo – VAK?

Wells – Exactly.

Léo – Is the machine broken?

Wells – That is not the problem.

Léo – Do you need more money?

Wells – No.

Léo – Then what is wrong?

Wells – Your father is dead.

Léo – VAK is dead?

Wells – VAK is not your father. Your father was Charles Tornado. He died in a car accident two years after your birth.

Léo – How do you know?

Wells – We took one of your hairs and ran DNA tests. I like to know whom I am dealing with. My assistant conducted the investigation.

Léo – Then…

Wells – Everything is different.

Léo – Incredible.

Wells – To say the least.

Léo – Astonishing.

Wells – I would even call it a complete reversal.

Léo – This is impossible. I always believed my father killed my mother.

Wells – Your family records show your mother died five years after your father.

Léo – I wanted to kill VAK, whom I believed was my father, to avenge my mother. My quest has no meaning now. I can devote myself entirely to—

Rufus – (enters hesitantly) Professor, my condolences. Young man. (shakes Léo’s hand) I was passing on my way to the council when I heard VAK’s name. I heard there was a family connection between you and VAK. Is that true?

Léo – I thought so.

Rufus – Tell me more.

Léo – I believed VAK was my father, but Wells investigated my family and proved I have no connection to him.

Wells – I demonstrated conclusively that—

Rufus – (his face lights up) Then everything makes sense!

Wells – Excuse me?

Léo – What?

Rufus – Later. I must reach the council. (runs off)

Wells – Léo?

Léo – Yes?

Wells – I have a confession. I spoke with Leene. You seem to have had a serious disagreement.

Léo – A misunderstanding.

Wells – I know. I untangled it by giving her your alibi for the time of my assistant’s death.

Léo – Professor, thank you. I have to go. (leaves)

Wells – (places his welding mask on the Assistant’s grave) Here, Mathieu. You will need it more than I do. (leaves, then returns) Actually, you are dead.

Scene 4: General Assembly of the Leaders

Characters: Elisabeth, Ila, Tim, Frédérique, Ju, Mario, Rufus, Camy, VAK

(VAK sits on the throne. Elisabeth, Ila, Tim, Frédérique, Ju and Mario sit in their council chairs. Camy sits in a chair at the front centre.)

Tim – For once everyone else is here, Rufus is late. And this is Camy’s trial.

Elisabeth – We must wait for every council member during an extraordinary meeting. That is the rule.

Frédérique – You look much better, Elisabeth. It is good to see you like this.

Rufus – (rushes in) Sorry I am late.

Mario – Good. Let us begin.

Ju – (to Camy) State your name.

Camy – Camy Bart Pear.

Ju – Do you know the charges against you?

Camy – Theft and assault. I am sorry to insist, but could I have my VAKpod back? I feel empty without it.

Ila – (strikes a small gavel once) Silence!

Camy – I am nothing without it.

Ila – (strikes twice) Silence!

Ju – We want everything you know about VAK. Where is he?

Camy – I do not know.

Tim – Where is he hiding?

Camy – I have no idea.

Frédérique – We have ways of making you talk. (Tim and Ju stand and move threateningly toward Camy.)

Camy – Calm down.

Rufus – Sit down. (They continue.) Sit down! (They sit.)

Camy – Thank you.

Rufus – I am not finished. (takes a letter from the table) In the letter you sent us, you explicitly described communicating with VAK.

Camy – Yes.

Rufus – My question is simple. How did you speak with him?

Camy – One night, I dreamed. VAK spoke to me in the dream.

(The council is stunned.)

Rufus – Camy is the only person who claims to have seen VAK. After questioning him, I discovered that the encounter happened in a dream. Do you understand what we are using as proof of VAK’s existence?

Frédérique – But VAK—

Rufus – You blame others when the responsibility is yours. Perhaps I lost control. Perhaps I allowed events to overwhelm me. My behaviour with alcohol was unacceptable, and I admit it. But VAK did not make me drink. VAK did not make me behave that way. I take full responsibility for my actions. In that respect, I am more mature than all of you, who accuse VAK, God or society of corrupting you.

You have nobody to blame but yourselves. Your fate is in your own hands, not in the hands of some imaginary concept.

(The council reacts with indignation.)

Rufus – VAK is your inner voice. Every one of you carries a VAK inside. It is the malicious little voice that appears at the worst moments of our lives. VAK is not a living being like you or me. VAK is part of your mind.

(The council is crushed.)

Rufus – What this council lacks is hierarchy: someone to govern the governors, a wise man who can make everyone agree. (walks to the throne) And that man… (sits) is me. What sentence do we give the prisoner?

Elisabeth – Two years, suspended.

Ila – Fifteen years in prison.

Tim – Ten.

Frédérique – Seventeen.

Ju – Six.

Mario – Ten.

Rufus – (takes out a calculator) Two plus fifteen plus ten plus seventeen plus six plus ten, divided by six… ten. I therefore sentence Camy to ten years in prison. Take him away.

Ila – Meeting adjourned.

(They all leave.)

Scene 5: The Beginning of the End

Characters: Léo, Leene

(Léo sits alone on the bench.)

Leene – (enters from the right) Léo!

Léo – Leene! (stands) I looked for you all day. I am sorry.

Leene – I am the one who should apologise. It was foolish to believe you could be a murderer.

Léo – Without you, I might have become one.

Leene – Do not say that. (sits) I knew I would find you here.

Léo – (sits beside her) This is where I come to be alone, think and take stock.

Leene – I have taken stock too.

Léo – What do you mean?

Leene – Professor Wells explained everything. VAK is only the evil part inside us, the part that obstructs our happiness. We alone are responsible for our suffering.

Léo – And now nothing remains to make us believe we cannot be happy.

Leene – Yes.

Léo – VAK represented my desire to kill. I needed someone to blame for my mother’s death. But something freed me from that thirst for revenge.

Leene – What?

Léo – You.

(They stand and leave together, in love.)

END