Scene 15- The Night of Wishes 8 mins.

Scene Summary :

Sinjah reveals to Maice the upcoming revolution – led by the Athenians -

and the need to help, then reinjures her wounded leg -- trying to keep Maice

from leaving. Maice tells Sinjah to return to the "House of Healing"--  as Theseus arrives to ask for Maice's support. But Maice appears to reject him and all other

nobles, finishing with the solo/destiny song: " In Sparta"

 

Setting : Music - The Nite of Wishes – track 15 – CD

Sinjah appears in the starlight shadows of the empty practice arena,

waiting for Maicedonia, then gracefully exercising the injured leg,

dancing -- Maice enters but hesitates behind pillar in foreground before

stepping out, then Sinjah sees him, runs to him, embrace --[ as music fades ]

 

Sinjah: Maicedonia, I am so scared you do not come tonight (affectionate

scolding) will you always make me wait and worry for you?

Maicedonia: (hesitant, serious) Your leg, I'm not sure it's all right yet.

Sinjah: (romantic, exuberant still) Of course it is all right, as everything will be

all right. (beckoning now)  Look, Maicedonia--- (gesturing to the high windows) the moon is out, and the stars ---  it is a ‘Night of Wishes.”

Maicedonia: (obviously upset, but restrained)   It's not even spring yet….

Sinjah: Why do you speak this way -- when there is so much I have to tell you?

Maice: And there’s something I have to ask you - there's a rumor about an escape

-

Sinjah: Escape? And -- you think I could leave this place without you?

Maicedonia: (harsh, anguished) It’s planned by Theseus!!

Sinjah: (confused, urgent) Theseus? But...it...is not...an escape --

Maice: What?

Sinjah: Maicedonia -- there is to be ... a revolution in this place --

Maice: . . . Revolution!? -- What ? -- what are you talking about?

Sinjah: (searching for the words, urgently) There is a new empire coming. We

would not be free, (blurting out now) and then they would go to the main-land --

Maice: Theseus and his friends -- they told you this?

Sinjah: They would not lie -- I trust my life with them.

Maice: And what about our life? Our future?

Sinjah: He said it was the only way, the right way, if all of us help --

Maice: Oh, and you want me to help-- Send a hundred people to follow him? And

what if they all die? Is that the right way?

Sinjah: I do not know what is the right way. -- If there is a way to be together --

then that is the right way.

Maice: Don't you see? We could have been together! -- If they do this, then

nobody gets out of here --

(Maice turns away, thrusts her with the last impassioned word. Sinjah stumbles with a whimper on the leg).

Sinjah: Please, Maicedonia. [ Maice turns back as she falls into arms)

Maice: What's wrong!? What’ve I done ??—It's your leg !!.

(Stoops down immediately. Frantically examining bandage)

Sinjah: It is nothing . . .

Maice: It's opened up again -- Almost to the muscle --

Sinjah: It is alright -- I cannot even feel it  now --

Maice: Can’t even feel it ??---(looks up) -- I'm not letting you dance like this

tomorrow --

Sinjah: (feminine, brave) But -- I would have to ask --

Maice: You're not dancing on one leg -- I'm taking your place. Do you

understand?

Sinjah: (quickly) But what -- what will you tell Theseus?

Maice: I'll tell him what he needs to hear -- Now you’ve gotta to get back to the

House of Healing----

Sinjah: Then...Promise you meet me here tomorrow. Promise we find a way --

Maice: (hand to head) Yes-- No -- .... I'll try.

Sinjah: (urgently,) Promise me!

Maice: Yes, I promise!  Now you have to go back -- don't put your weight on it --

(Sinjah withdraws maintaining eye contact --- then quick turn and exit.)

Maice: (Calls after her...) And tell them to use the double bandage --

 

(Long shadow of Theseus falls across stage now, Maice turns to face:)

Theseus: Well, I wasn't sure you'd come --

Maice: ( barely constrained) I’ve heard all I want to hear --

Theseus: Sometimes it pays, to stay a little longer ......

Maice: And just why would you say that? --

Theseus: Well …once I traveled near Sparta -- heard of a student in the city --

swordsman -- He could beat all of the teachers and all of the masters ---

and all the people said ‘oh yes, greatest athlete the city’s ever seen --’

Wish I could have stayed to hear more --

Maice: [pause, searching for response]....And so ? [ borrowed from Sinjah ? ]

Theseus: So now the time and place are different, but still they say:

“greatest athlete the city’s ever”-- [cut-off]

Maice: { interrupting] Well, maybe you should’ve stayed -- they would’ve told

you he was no good -- to the city or anyone else -- that he followed his

own music, not -- somebody else’s drum -------

I don’t want her in that stadium tomorrow -- I take her place !!--

Theseus: (pause) Maybe -- could be arranged -- for tomorrow --

Maice: And as long as it takes --

 

Theseus: And what if I told you it doesn’t matter then -- When the new order comes, everything they promised’ll be swept away -- And when they come to the

mainland, worse than all the nobles put together, for all of us -

Maice: All of us? And what do you know about US ? You and your -- ‘Leaders’--

You’d say anything to get what you want --

Theseus: What do you mean?

Maice: [bitter, sarcastic] Every couple of years -- “Save our country", “ Save

our people”-- for what? To see which one of you lives in the castle --

That’s all -- (renewed) And no proof of  but your own guarantee. Well, who are you to ask? -- In fact, I’d like to know who the hell you think you are?

Theseus: Who do I have to be? By the time I had proof it’d be too late.

(passionate) I'm telling you we need you. And oh yes, -- everybody's free

to make their own choices in this world --

Maice: You’re damn right they are ! ..

Theseus: But if the right people don’t step up at the right time, then there’s

nothing worth having--!!- and I think you know that better than anyone --

Maice: [ silent reaction ... turns away ]

Theseus: So maybe you’re not even asking who I am -- not really --(gets sword]

Maybe... the real question is --- Who --(throws sword) .... are you?!

Maice: (catches sword, but indignant) You can go to hell!

Theseus: (walking away, turns) I know what I believe --

Maice: Oh, don't put that on me -- (gesturing with sword)

Theseus: [cool, crisp) I need an answer -- by tomorrow night ...(exiting)

Maice: You’ve already got one --you hear me !?--- You’ve already got one !!--

 

(Lights go down -- Maice still has sword, then ----at centerstage ... music starts )

Maice: Oh, how they would love you in Sparta, Theseus -- you are so like them -

How you draw your lines for men to fall one side or the other --

 -- while you call the tune --

Song - My Friends in Sparta Track 13 - CD

 

Maice has the sword for opening flourish – but then lays it down at center before going to lyric. Very pensive movement in 1st half – going to one knee or crouch at edge of stage --  like a‘story-teller’ to the audience just before instrumental – during which he will pick up the sword for dramatic ‘sword-dance’ ---

which must convey both the athletic flash and skill – but mostly the anguish and shame he actually feels for the ‘facts of war’. He drops the sword at ‘the foot of the audience’ at the end of this display – then continues lyric expressively, sometimes looking at ‘the stars’ – but will pick up the sword one more time at center for the very last lyric……and lites out