CANNIBAL – So what? Why should my head hurt because of others? Since their heads don’t hurt because of me!
GELO – No you don’t understand anything. I have to make everybody happy.
CANNIBAL – That means you’re a liar. It is impossible to make everybody happy! How can a man be happy knowing that his next-door neighbour is richer than him? How can a man be joyful knowing that his friend’s wife is better than his own? What feelings must a woman experience knowing that her rival has more expensive jewelry and a more extravagant outfit than her?
GELO – You’re talking about envy. But there are other feelings like kindness, generosity, and unselfishness …
CANNIBAL – I’m talking about, that there will never be enough gold and wealth for everyone in the world. And there will always be those who get less than others. I’m talking about, that not everyone will have beautiful and kind wives. I’m talking about, the demands and requests of women which are endless, but the ability of men to satisfy those demands and requests are limited. I’m talking about, that in life one’s happiness is often built upon another’s unhappiness. I’m talking about, that only one of us can be happy. Either I will be happy, if I eat you or you will be happy if I remain hungry!
Cannibal tries to attack Gelo. Gelo jumps out the way and is quick enough to execute a magic spell.
GELO – Shumbo, Tumbo, Bumbo! Freeze!
Cannibal stops and freezes. Gelo breathes a sigh of relief and looks with sympathy at Cannibal.
GELO – I’m sorry I had to cast a spell on you. I didn’t want to; you brought it upon yourself… But you’re probably right about something. Perhaps you cannot make everybody happy. On my journey I will think about this. But now I have to go and search for the MIRACLE …
CANNIBAL – (Anguishly moans) M-M-M-M …
GELO – Don’t worry, the spell won’t last forever. The spell will wear off when you encounter human kindness. Until then have a think about your unrighteous thoughts and wrong doings. Farewell.
There is a sound of a gong.
Music plays. Blackout.
Cannibals room is the same as it was when Gelo left. Cannibal remains in his position.
Lizy comes in. Walks over to the hourglass and turns it upside down. Some time has passed since Gelo left. She looks around the room and stumbles upon a frozen Cannibal. She touches him with curiosity, and he comes to life. Lizy, who is scared, jumps back.
CANNIBAL – B-r-r-r-r! How awful it is to be under a spell.
LIZY – Excuse me, but I didn’t mean you any harm.
CANNIBAL – You didn’t harm me. By touching me you have broken the spell. I’ve been standing here for a few days, like a stone. All because of my kind and trusting nature.
LIZY – Who upset you?
CANNIBAL – That’s putting it lightly! I’ve been insulted to the core of my soul. There is so much hypocrisy and lies in the world, even I can’t deceive people anymore. Nobody trusts each other anymore. You probably want to deceive me too?
LIZY – Of course not! I never think that way about people.
CANNIBAL – Yeah, I don’t like thinking too much either. One shouldn’t allow himself to be introspective for too long, because one could lose himself in a labyrinth of thoughts… And if you track back, you’ll find that you have lost something valuable, because we are surrounded by thieves and scoundrels. (Walks around Lizy and looks at her strangely) Nowadays it is hard to live for an honest man, like me.
LIZY – Why are you looking at me as if I was naked?!
CANNIBAL – Because I’m hungry!
LIZY – I have some leftovers in my knapsack. (Offering it) Please have some.
CANNIBAL – What’s this filth you’re offering me? And so little of it! If this is food, then I’m a fool!
LIZY – It’s food! Of course, it’s food.
CANNIBAL – Hmm! Let’s not argue.
LIZY – Why are you looking at me so strangely again?
CANNIBAL – You’re such a lovely and mouth-watering girl, so wonderful, you smell so delicious. You must have drunk some rum whilst snacking on onion and garlic?
LIZY – What are you talking about! I don’t drink at all; I only had some stale bread. I spent all day walking in the forest, and I was very afraid. I was told that this forest is very scary because cannibals live here.
CANNIBAL – Why should you be scared of us?!
LIZY – So you’re a real cannibal?!
CANNIBAL – How should I put it… truthfully or as I usually do?
LIZY – Of course truthfully!
CANNIBAL – In that case I’m keeping quiet. As if I didn’t hear the question. It would be better if you told me why you are here in the forest alone?
LIZY – I’m searching for my fiancé. He went on long and dangerous journey, and I followed him so that I could help him, because we love each other very much. Innocently and sincerely.
CANNIBAL – Have you got a big dowry for innocent and sincere love?
LIZY – No. I haven’t got a dowry. Family happiness doesn’t consist of one’s wealth!
CANNIBAL – Possibly. But in family life it is better to suffer in an extravagant palace with gluttony than suffer in a small hut from starvation. If your fiancé has forgotten about you and left, you that means everything is all right with him. Don’t worry about him.
LIZY – He hasn’t forgotten me. He’s a young Wizard to be, and he went to look for the MIRACLE.
CANNIBAL – Ahh! So, your fiancé is the same cheat whom I offered my home to. And in return he cast a spell on me and left me hungry. I’m so mad at him that I’m ready to go find him in your uneducated town. But only when he has found this MIRACLE. What does he need it for? He doesn’t know how to handle it properly anyway. And I could.
LIZY – So Gelo was here?! Tell me where did he go?
CANNIBAL – Where, Where? Why should I know? Probably to the island.
LIZY – Then I have to hurry. Thank you for the hospitality. I shall go.
CANNIBAL – Where are you going?! You want to leave me hungry? No way!
LIZY – I’d liked to make you something nice to eat, but I have to go. I will do it next time. (Quickly gathers her things)
CANNIBAL – I’m getting bored! At first, I was a little hungry. By talking with you I’ve become really hungry. And now i want to wolf you down!
LIZY – How…how do you mean?!
CANNIBAL – That’s how! I will eat you in a rough and perverted way!
LIZY – (Frightened) Oh! Don’t!
CANNIBAL – Don’t what?!
LIZY – You know … rough and perverted…
CANNIBAL – Don’t be afraid, I will do it quickly and it will only hurt a little. At first, I will you eat your right leg, followed by your left one. Then I will gnaw at your little arms. And after that I will finish of the rest.
LIZY – Don’t eat me! I’m against it! … You’re such an interesting man…And such a fascinating talker. Just by talking to you I feel very clever! Please don’t eat me!