FISHERMAN – (With a smirk) If Gelo completes his heroic act then there will be a lot of people who will insist to share his glory with him.
LIZY – Who cares about glory! The only important thing for me is that Gelo is alive. I’m so scared for him!
FISHERMAN – Often people are more scared of their imagination than real life. And all these fears live and breed in their souls, don’t let them sleep at night by stirring their minds. Answer me, what are you more afraid of: Gelo finding the MIRACLE or not?
LIZY – (Thinks about it very carefully) I’m not really sure … If he does find the MIRACLE, then he will become a great Wizard and won’t have time for me at all. He will work even harder, try to solve the world’s problems by himself. He will battle with people’s tragedies and troubles… But if he doesn’t get the MIRACLE then he will remain unhappy for the rest of his life, he could even die because of it, because his sense of duty and vocation is more important than life itself. I don’t even know what is better.
FISHERMAN – You are like all other women – very contradictive, even when choosing jewelers. (Drained) Think about it – if silence is golden, then why do women seldom use it?
LIZY – (Bashful) Do you mean I am talking to much?
FISHERMAN – No, it’s not about that. You want to help Gelo?
LIZY – Of course!
FISHERMAN – Then you should stop thinking about what you want and start thinking about what your loved one needs!
LIZY – Fadrius, the court Wizard said the same thing.
FISHERMAN – Strange, that means that those who are in power still have some sense. That’s good. Your Gelo, is still very young and inexperienced. I didn’t have enough time to explain to him what genuine happiness all is about. I’m afraid that when he finds this MIRACLE, he won’t know how to use it properly. That’s why I probably should go into town. When he comes back, I can give him my advice. I don’t believe in these cunning courtiers. They will trick him. It would be a great pity if all your hard work and depravations went to waste. And now let’s go. I will get you to the other side of the river.
Fisherman and Lizy walk off stage.
Music plays. Blackout. Curtains.
* * * * *
Act Two
Scene Five.
Castle of Vedalia – owner of ‘Store of Temptations’. Vedalia sits in front of a big, beautiful mirror, and thoughtfully looks at herself. She is old and crooked. The mirror is a position so that the audience can’t see the reflection. Gelo walks in. She transforms into a younger self when she hears him coming.
VEDALIA – Oh, my young friend! I’m glad to see you looking fresh again. Did my servants clean and feed you?
GELO – I’m very grateful to you, madam. Now I’m ready to go.
VEDALIA – Don’t hurry. Your journey is very difficult. The place where you are going to, you will need lots of strength.
GELO – (Surprised) How do you know who I am and where I am going? We haven’t even been properly introduced yet.
VEDALIA – You’re – Gelo, Wizard’s apprentice. And you are travelling to get the MIRACLE. (She laughs with self-satisfaction) Let me introduce myself. I own the ‘Store of Temptations’. I also practice magic. So, you could say that we are kindred spirits.
GELO – So you’re a Sorceress?
VEDALIA – (Unhappy) I don’t like this word. Just call me Vedalia. Everybody calls me that.
GELO – What is the ‘Store of Temptations’?
VEDALIA – Well, it is a very enchanting place where people can acquire happiness.
GELO – (Surprised and interested) Is that so?! I dream of making the whole world happy too, that’s why I am hurrying to find the MIRACLE. Will you help me? Do you know where it is?
VEDALIA – To make a person happy it is not necessary to get the MIRACLE. It is easier to take something away from them, and then give it back to them. And they will immediately understand that they were happy before but just didn’t realize it.
GELO – No, you didn’t understand me. I want to make everybody happy and forever. I want people to stop suffering from poverty and illnesses, so that all malice and envy will be replaced with love and sincerity. I want to stop all the wars and injustice, so that peace and beauty would rule the world. My intentions are pure and kind…
VEDALIA – (Laughs) And very naive! Dear Gelo, people do not care about good intentions, they only care about what they will get. So, it’s not important what motivates your actions, the important thing is what people get out of them. If it benefits them, then you are safe. But if it is unpleasant and useless then you should run as fast as you can. Nobody cares about good intentions. Your actions will be declared evil; you will be condemned and maybe even killed, so that you wouldn’t disturb their life. That’s why I give people what they want and ask for, and they are satisfied and happy by that. And in return I take a part of their soul. Since nothing is free in life. Just take a look at my splendid collection.
(Vedalia leads him to the mirror and with a movement of her hand shows him the pictures of life)
This is a high-ranking official, who serves in a neighbouring province. He sleeps very well, that’s why his work hours fly by. He doesn’t give a damn about the affairs in his department. The only thing that interests him is his own well-being. His happiness is money and personal safety. And for that he is willing to risk everything.
Here is a Judge of a county which lies near the river. He is so stupid that he still doesn’t know the difference between his right boot and his left one. But that doesn’t get in the way of him judging other people. His happiness consists of him stuffing himself with delicious food. I sometimes feel that he thinks with his belly, that is the only part of his body that works well.
And here is a famous general. A very brave man. With any danger in site, he is courageously ready to jump behind some bushes. And oh, so loving! He would chase after any bit of skirt. I had to supply him with a harem of girls, to satisfy his sexual appetite.
Here is a minister – who suffers from bad nerves and is also power-hungry. Take power away from him and he would die in hysteria. And he doesn’t even hesitate to rule others, without knowing how to rule himself, his feelings, and his desires! But I give him the possibility to rule. Or take a look at the Prime minister of the neighbouring kingdom. I like him very much.
GELO – What do you like about him?
VEDALIA – He is very cunning and always comes on-top out of any bad situation. And he always has the best laugh because he laughs last.
GELO – Maybe he laughs last because he is slow?
VEDALIA – Hmm… I didn’t think about that.
GELO – But all the things you give people are awfuclass="underline" gluttony, lust, and greed…
VEDALIA – You shouldn’t judge everyone by your own standards. The world has normal people too. Maybe it is awful to look at it, but it’s so delightful to indulge in these sins. Try it and you will love it.
GELO – I don't want to! I have my own weaknesses and defects. But I am trying to rid myself of them.