Episode 7 ( Act 1 Scene 13, 14)
2240 Words
SCENE 13 - MR POWELL’S DIARY
Mr Powell sits at his desk in the dark. A while later, the lights go on. Powell writes in his diary and reads what he writes aloud.
MR POWELL
At this moment I know that nothing will be as before. Everything will change within a few days. My family means everything to me, and I am doing this for them. I do not have much of a choice than to do what Mr. Mason says. In the face of threats against my family and a gun to my head, I gave up. He won. Now I am in his grip. As a raptor, he looks for the next prey with many weaknesses.
Mr Powell stands up to wash his face at the sink. He closes his diary and sits down on the edge of the bed with his face in his hands. A change in light indicates the passing of a day. Mr Powell picks up the diary again and continues to read what he writes aloud.
The darkness and hopelessness are the loneliness companions. Because now when my friend here is not herself is the loneliness, shame, guilt, hopelessness and darkness are your only friends. My family lives several miles away, and my best friend has passed away. What is the point of living? My family. What if I cannot fight the darkness or the evil? It is my responsibility to show my children the right path. How could I allow this to happen?
Mr Powell closes the dairy again. Mr Powell puts it on his desk. He turns around to the audience.
MR POWELL
I admit that I have never kept a diary. It feels silly but since Miss Miller started her treatment she has not been previous. It is like talking to a wall that speaks gibberish. Her state of mind is worse than that of the author of Alice in Wonderland. It's all just nonsense. Imagine a world without logic and meaning where there is a talking rabbit that can jump around and talk. It's insane. Imagine what it would be like? All of a sudden, your rabbit would talk a lot of nonsense. The only thing missing is that it rains kittens. In which case there are not many to talk with here. Other than myself lately and then decided to write a diary.
Mr Powell goes silent. Mr Powell turns away from the audience. He goes to the mirror in his cell and looks at himself. After this, he stands to look out of the little window. Lights mark the passing of two days. As Powell sits on the floor of the cell with his diary, he writes and then reads aloud what he has written.
Do I not have someone to share my humour, my demons, or my thoughts with? It seems that Miss Miller has lost herself in the madness country. I would not be surprised if Mr. Mason was involved. I can only describe my life in prison as living in darkness, not just because I murdered someone who meant the most to me. I lost control and became lost in a great black darkness. It is a darkness that only gets worse. I will never be able to escape Mr. Mason's experiments.
The lights are turned off
SCENE 14 - HAVE I LOST A FRIEND AGAIN?
The lights are turned on. Mr. Powell and Mrs. Wheeler sit at the lunch table. For a while, they sat in silence. Until Mrs Wheeler breaks it.
MRS WHEELER
We seem to be the only ones that have not lost our minds. How do you feel about it? Miss Miller and you were close friends, I assume? Oh dear. I hope she gets better soon. She is still so young and has her whole life ahead of her.
MR POWELL
She only needs a reminder that she does not live on the island of madness. She lives in a world without talking animals, magical spells, or running cards.That she is Miss Miller and not Alice in Wonderland.
MRS WHEELER
Mrs Raffery have never been violent. In her tone, she sounded a little aggressive. It is like she went from the one who planned the strategy to someone who does not have one. She seems to have forgotten who she is and…
MR POWELL
That woman has never made sense to me. She could have realized that she is not better than anyone else here.
MRS WHEELER
Probably not what happened. It was more like she was lost in another world. A world where she is unsure, anxious and aggressive. My gut feeling tells me that there is more to this than that she landed in reality. It is strange that both Miss Miller and Mrs Raffery at the same time were in the same state that they did not remain in this eart but in another reality.
MR POWELL
While I do not personally know Mrs Raffery, I do know Miss Miller. Miss Miller is a person who daydreams away and does not engage in social activities. That she is withdrawn and shy. However, she at least did not speak with the air... She has always been unique in that she was always found in the background, but she was at least present. Not in another world where you cannot reach her. What person would not go crazy from all the guilt and shame she carries?... I do not understand it. It is as if she believes she is worse than the worst criminal. Even though everyone here knows she would not hurt a fly.
MRS WHEELER
Even the kindest of humans can do horrible things under the right circumstances. What is most important is that you do your best in a bad situation. We live in a world full of darkness that can lead us astray. Although everyone has their own path, I believe that Jesus leads me on the right path despite my sins.
MR POWELL
Then I will ensure that she follows the right path. I will be like a jeus guide with signs, a reflective vest and uniform. The whistle must not be forgotten. Perfect right? A modern-day Jesus figure. The only things missing are the long beard and the white clothes.
MRS WHEELER
You do not have to hide behind your bad jokes. I see right through them. You do not have to hide behind them all the time, young man. After watching you for a few minutes, I realize that is a survival response.
MR POWELL
Despite my jokes, I am not hiding behind them. As opposed to you, who pretends to be our savior or a Christian counselor. Your heavenly advice is not needed. You treat us like your children. We are adults and can take care of ourselves.
The silence settles in the room. Mrs Wheeler looks a little hurt.
MR POWELL
Sorry, I meant... I apologise. It was not my intention to take out my anger on you.
MRS WHEELER
You should not let yourself build up so much anger. You are under pressure, I know. Do not forget, however, that your words can still hurt your loved ones. You are a young man mourning the loss of a friend. You must find a better way to deal with your anger. Because your facade will not help you. In this difficult time, isolating yourself from those who are trying to help you will not help either. Believe me, I lived in a facade almost my whole adult life. Until I found my faith...
Mr Powell sits in silence and takes in what Mrs Wheeler said.
MR POWELL
I apologize for taking my anger out on you. I was taken over by it. Mocking your faith was not right.
MRS WHEELER
Your apology is accepted. You are a young man who has lost a close friend. Life will always come with setbacks. How you deal with them is up to you. When you realize there is nothing stopping you.
Mrs Wheeler lands in a frozen pose and Mr Powell turns around to the audience.
MR POWELL
She is right. I have a facade. How would it be if I showed how darkness and hopelessness had taken over? That I had given up… My family would be disappointed. I must be the family's pillar of strength. I cannot tell my wife that I wish to end this nightmare life of suffering. A life of suffering, loss, and failure. Every day I wake up and see myself in the mirror. Do you know what I see? I see a weak little man that does not manage to do anything. A father who cannot be there for his children. A man in prison for murdering his best friend. There is no one more disappointed than me. By telling jokes, I keep the world from seeing me for what I am, a fraud. I am a fraud, a failed husband and a failed father. Even Jesus cannot save me from myself.
Mr Powel sits a while in silence before he turns to Miss Wheeler.
MRS WHEELER
Let's play cards before lunch ends. It is always a good time. Because I always win.
MR POWELL
Fair enough. Do not be so sure that you will win this time, Mrs. Wheeler. Since we played last time, I have actually practiced.
MRS WHEELER
This is your chance to show what you can do, young man. Perhaps God is with you today.
MR POWELL
Just wait. Mrs Wheeler because you will get off.
Mrs Wheeler and Mr Powell play a few rounds, and Mr Powell wins the last one. Jubiles and gestures of victory.
MRS WHEELER
Since our last game, you have been practicing. Mrs. Raffery's analysis of your strategy led to this moment?
MR POWELL
What is it with you all? Why does everyone want to involve Mrs. Raffery in everything? My new strategy has nothing to do with her.
MRS WHEELER
I am only kidding, Mr Powell. Do you know when your wife will be back?
MR POWELL
It may take time. The last time we talked. She promised to come back as soon as she could. I hope it is soon because I miss her. However, I miss my children the most. It has been four years since I last saw them.
MRS WHEELER
You should be grateful for your family, Mr. Powell. Despite being in prison, they are still here for you. Some of us are not so lucky. Do not take them for granted. You never know when they will disappear from your life.
MR POWELL
I have a hard time showing my family how much I care for them. I hope they understand that my biggest dream and wish my passing, the whole family will be reunited again. Maybe it is just a dream that gives a little hope in the darkness. I even miss the times the children when they drove me insane.
MRS WHEELER
Few men at your age value their families as much as you do. Do not forget to tell them how much they mean to you. I see potential for you to be a great father figure who the children will follow in your footsteps with pride.
MR POWELL
No one wants more than I do to be a great father figure for my children. However, I probably burned that chance a long time ago. Good deeds, forgiveness, or punishment cannot compensate for the guilt and shame I deserve for my crimes. Even your god or Jesus cannot save me.
MRS WHEELER
All of us are sinners, but the first step to forgiveness is confessing your sins and showing God that you are willing to do good. Even the biggest sinners can be forgiven then.
MR POWELL
How can you still have a strong faith?
MRS WHEELER
My faith is my biggest security and source of hope. I trust God has a plan for me and my trials exist so that I can learn something from them. Have I nothing to lose by following my faith? Our lives have no meaning if we were simply thrown into this world by chance. That would not only be lonely and meaningless, but it would be suffering without end.
MR POWELL
You are right. However, I find it difficult to understand why God would expose his own creation to suffering, loss, and evil. When you need him most, why is he not there?
MRS WHEELER
You must understand Mr Powell that he is always with us. It is hard for us humans to see what God does for us. Sometimes, as humans, we have a hard time seeing our best. Therefore, it is easier to blame God for our failures and condemn him.
MR POWELL
Will Miss Miller ever be the same? Or have I lost her for good?
MRS WHEELER
If you value your friendship with her very highly and are there for her, you probably wo not lose her for good. Then it does not matter where the roads lead. You two will find a way back to each other if your friendship is strong enough.
MR POWELL
How can you tell if a friendship is strong enough?
MRS WHEELER
You just have to be brave enough to believe, Mr. Powell.
MR POWELL
Then we all are lost in life's darkness.
The lights are turned fo slowly.
.
- Writer
