The Unsuccessful Puppets (english version)

THE NUMBER OF CHARACTERS IS 13 MISS MILLER (RUBY) - PRISONER 50 TE MR POWELL (WILLIAM) - PRISONER 23 TE MRS POWELL(MELANIE) - MR POWELLS WIFE MISS COLLINS(LYNDA) - NURSE MISS WELSH(BRIDGET) - NURSE MISS FISHER(CLAIRE) - TRAINEE FROM THE UNIVERSITY MRS RAFFERTY(STEPHANIE) - PRISONER 200 TE MISS CARTER(JEANNE) - DOCTOR MISS WAGNER(ROXANA) - PRISON GUARD MRS HOFFMAN(MATHILDA) - PRISON GUARD MRS WHEELER(GERTRUDE) - PRISONER 199 TE MR MASON(GEORGE) - PSYCHIATRIST MRS THOMSON(ISABELLE)- PRISON GOVERNOR VOICE 1 - PRE-RECORDED VOICE 2 - PRE-RECORDED VOICE 3 - PRE-RECORDED ACT 1 SCENE 1 - THE WITNESSES TESTIMONY Mrs. Raffery, Miss Collins, Miss Welsh, Miss Wagner, Mrs. Hoffman, Miss Carter, Mrs. Mason, and Mrs. Thomson are scattered around the stage. Each takes a turn addressing the audience from the rostrum in the middle of the stage. MISS MILLER I felt like I…. had lost my mind... MISS FISHER I practiced at the Tennessee State Prison during my time at the medical university and what I witnessed there... MRS RAFFERY To avoid the experiments, I would pay anything. MISS COLLINS All of the prisoners have committed at least one murder and deserve a punishment that suits their crimes, but... MISS WELSH I was afraid of the outcome. If challenged Mr. Mason and Mrs. Thomson. Losing my job was not an option... MISS WAGNER The psychiatrist used methods from concentration camps in Nazi Germany, he passed all boundaries. MRS HOFFMAN Prisoner 200 TE has committed homicides, kidnappings, and illegal drug sales. She is one of the most dangerous prisoners we have here. She has, in my opinion, robbed herself of the opportunity to be spared for her crimes... MISS CARTER Mason has never given me a feeling of trust. He had an unpleasant energy, and the fact that he worked with the American government did not help to lessen my concerns. MR MASON The call from the U.S. government was the beginning of everything. The promise I received was money, influence, and to contribute to medical studies here in this country. Such an offer could not be refused, could it? MRS THOMSON There is a chance that it would not be morally right to allow Mr. Mason to continue his experiments. The majority of countries have experimented in this manner. As a woman in the most powerful seat, I was vulnerable. It was impossible for me to refuse the government's money... The lights go down. SCENE 2- THE NEWCOMER Miss Miller and Mr. Powell sits in their cells and talks to each other as the light comes up. Mrs. Wagner and Mrs. Hoffman then comes on stage and leads a new prisoner to their cell. Powell and Miller both see this. MR POWELL I think we have a new member. I wonder how she ended up here. She may have robbed a bank or I know now. She was a regular drug dealer. MISS MILLER I know you are trying to be funny. First of all, you do not end up here for such things. Second, you could be imprisoned for a crime that someone else committed. Lastly, the joke was terrible. MR POWELL It was just a joke. What makes you think she is innocent? MISS MILLER However, I have no idea whether she is innocent or guilty. You should not joke about someone you don't know. MR POWELL What have I done to annoy you this time? Usually, you enjoy my jokes. MISS MILLER Rather than being irritated, I am concerned. Young man, those are two entirely different things. MR POWELL What are you concerned about? Raffery does not frighten me. Raffery listens in on Miss Miller's and Mr. Powell's conversation in her cell, standing near her grid. MRS RAFFERY Hi young man, I'm Mrs. Raffery What am I capable of? Do you really want to know that? You should not underestimate me. What was your name, young man? MR POWELL It was not meant to be offensive. I apologize if it came across that way. How did you get here? MRS RAFFERY In the same way as all other prisoners. You were found guilty of  a crime. Who is that woman in the other cell? MR POWELL That is Miss Miller. Most of the time, she talks to me, otherwise, she draws in her cell. MRS RAFFERY She does not seem like the type of person who ends up in a prison with high-security measures. What does she sit here for? MR POWELL No idea, she avoids discussing it. MRS RAFFERY Anyhow, I probably will not remain here for so long. MR POWELL How can you be sure of that? If you end up here, you have at least 30 years to serve. MRS RAFFERY It is all about who you know. Mr. Powell. The spotlight on Mrs. Raffery turns off. Miller and Powell stand still, surprised at how Mrs. Raffery can put them in their place. MR POWELL That woman is probably not someone you want to enrage. MISS MILLER It appears that she is very certain of her cause. When it comes to being polite, she does not waste any time. I am probably going to bed now. I hope you have a good night. MR POWELL I hope you have a good evening as well. However, I will probably stay up a little longer. In response, Miss Miller nods and goes to bed. The position of Mr. Powell remains unchanged. Mr. Powell's spotlight goes out.