Виктор Гитин - The Testing of a Wizard

QUEEN – If this is true, why haven’t you brought this MIRCALE to my palace?

FADRIUS – That’s my biggest problem. I cannot do this.

QUEEN – Here we go! You’re trying to upset me again.

FADRIUS – The problem is that my powers aren’t what they used to be. And not everyone can get to the place where the MIRCACLE is kept. But even if one can overcome all the hurdles and get there, there is still the problem to actually obtain it. The only one who can possess this MIRACLE is someone with a pure soul and elevated intentions.

QUEEN – Someone like me?

FADRIUS – (With light irony and sarcasm) I’m afraid neither you nor me will be suitable because we’re not young and innocent as we used to be. Our souls are not pure enough to possess this MIRACLE.

QUEEN – Nonsense! My soul is pure and untainted, like a child’s tears. Just because I helped my mother in-law to an early grave, surely that doesn’t mean that I’m a sinner? That’s how everyone acts. And it wasn’t my fault that my brother in-law walked into a cage with tigers; I just informed my husband that his brother was plotting against him. I don’t know why he thought it was a good idea to go into the cage with a hungry predator, when he was drunk. And after all I’m a woman! And women are forgiven for being mischievous. So, after all I’m aloud to be in control of this MIRACLE.

FADRIUS – I’m sorry Your Majesty but the Wizard’s law is very strict. If your soul wasn’t pure enough and your intentions weren’t elevated enough you could die just by touching it.

QUEEN – (Scared) Then I don’t need any miracles!

FADRIUS – That’s why I want to send my apprentice to get this MIRACLE. He is still young and pure enough. You saw him when you came in.

QUEEN – Oh, that nice young man. But what do we get out of it? If he gets the MIRACLE, then I won’t be able to use it?!

FADRIUS – He will obtain the MIRACLE so that he can pass the test in order to become a real Wizard. Gelo will bring the MIRACLE to the palace. And I with his help will formularies this MIRACLE. Only then will Gelo become a real Wizard.

QUEEN – And then I will be able to get new dresses and throw extravagant balls every week?

FADRIUS – (Looking at her with pity) I should think, much more than that.

QUEEN – You’re not as stupid as you make out to be, Fadrius! How crafty you are. You want someone else to get the MIRACLE for you. But remember the important thing is that all my wishes come true. Don’t waste the entire MIRACLE for the Kingdoms stupid affairs, so that nothing will be left for me.

FADRIUS – Don’t worry Your Majesty, If Gelo brings back the MIRACLE I will try to use it wisely.

QUEEN – Well then, call your apprentice. I personally want to see his departure.

Fadrius walks to the side and calls Gelo. Gelo walks in and humbly waits for further instructions.

FADRIUS – Gelo! You have a great privilege. I, as your teacher have chosen your test so that you can become a real Wizard. You’ll have a long and dangerous journey. There you will find a magical substance called the MIRACLE. With its help, one can achieve any magnificent magic.

GELO – (Excitedly) Even to make all of humanity happy?

FADRIUS – (Unhappy that he was interrupted) Perhaps, even that.

QUEEN – What nonsense! A good subject would want to make his Queen happy first.

FADRIUS – Your Majesty, that’s exactly what Gelo meant. (Talking to Gelo again) Here I have prepared instructions and extracts from old magical manuscripts. They will help you find the way and acquire the MIRACLE. (Gives him instructions and extracts) You must go straight away.

QUEEN – Yes, yes. I’m tired of waiting for my wishes to come true. I have too many of them. That’s why you should hurry.

GELO – Can I say goodbye to my fiancé?

FADRIUS – Your Majesty I think you would be magnanimous to let the young ones to have a kiss goodbye. In our Kingdom you never restricted anyone to love one another.

QUEEN – (Unhappy) You use my kindness so skillfully. Ok then – Say goodbye, but not too long. (Tired and coquettishly) Everybody knows how easy it is to get along with me. One just has to agree with me. Show me to my quarters, Fadrius.

Everybody walks off stage Fadrius and the Queen to one side and Gelo hurriedly goes to the other. There is a sound of a gong.

Music plays. Blackout.

Fadrius comes on stage. He turns over the hourglass symbolizing that some time has passed. Then sits at the table and shifts through some papers. Lizy takes the stage. Lizy appears shyly.

LIZY – Dear Wizard, can I ask you something.

FADRIUS – (Hides grin and pretends to be dissatisfied) I’m listening, Lizy. What’s the matter?

LIZY – Mr. Fadrius, It’s been a week since Gelo left. And I’m sick with worry! I don’t know what to do with myself…

FADRIUS – So what?! What do you want from me?

LIZY – Can you tell me in all honesty how dangerous his journey is?

FADRIUS – Very dangerous. I’m not even sure if he will be able to complete the task at hand.

LIZY – Then why did you send him on this horrific journey?!

FADRIUS – Well, Lizy it wasn’t me who sent him. He chose his own destiny. Gelo wants to become a real Wizard, a great Wizard. And because of this he will suffer many trials and tribulations. This is the first of many. And if you really do love him then you should know the truth.

LIZY – What truth?

FADRIUS – For example, every woman can achieve someone’s love, but that doesn’t mean that love will last forever.

LIZY – I don’t understand you…

FADRIUS – Just because a man tells his woman that he loves her, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he loves only her. For every intelligent, creative, energetic man his dedication and love for his work can be greater than his love for a woman. Not all women understand this. Some of these women are even stupid enough to be jealous of a man’s work. And in the end, they make themselves and their loved ones unhappy.

LIZY – But how can one compare our love to Gelo’s passion and dedication for work?

FADRIUS – Of course you can’t! Vocation is more important! That’s why you shouldn’t get in the way of his vocation. Don’t be an obstacle in his work. You want all his attention and love; you want him to belong to you entirely, but for a determined and dedicated man it is impossible. If he doesn’t succeed in his work, he will die.

LIZY – Without our love he will die as well.

FADRIUS – (With a grin) Possibly, but I doubt it. But without his work he certainly will. Not physically. He will live like a plant. Like withering grass, he will dry up. You can even teach him to take out the rubbish or to knit. But this won’t be the real Gelo; this will be his pale shadow. In the end he will drink himself stupid or dumb-down and waste away. Gelo is the kind of man for whom work is his life. He is a man of duty! Your love is essential to him but it’s not enough for his happiness. That’s why if you wish him well, never stand between him and his work, his duty and vocation. To be prohibited to do one’s vocation is the worst thing for men. And no love can change this. Believe you me. If you mix a barrel of goodness and a barrel of evilness, you wouldn’t get two barrels of goodness. You would get two barrels of diluted evilness.

LIZY – I don’t want Gelo to be unhappy.