The Testing of a Wizard - Viktor Gitin

nets. Onstage appears Lizy. She cautiously walks up to the Fisherman. He is surprised when he sees her but smiles warmly at her.

LIZY – Hello. My name is Lizy. I am looking for my fiancé Gelo. Has he passed through here?

FISHERMAN – Hello Lizy. Yes, he was here. I helped him to cross the river.

LIZY – (Sad, almost in tears) What a pity, I’m late again. I just can’t catch up with him.

FISHERMAN – Don’t despair, have some rest. Let me finish what I’m doing here, and I will help you to cross the river. If you hurry you will definitely catch up with your fiancé. Meanwhile tell me about yourself.

LIZY – Why about me? Let’s talk about something nice and pleasant, for example Gelo. He’s so wonderful. I love him so much. And he could die. Gelo went on this dangerous journey, which he might never return from, and only because he wants to help people so much. He has a very high goal in life. He’s so clever; you couldn’t even imagine how clever he is. Sometimes I get scared for him! So clever. Also, he has very kind heart. And he is sweet and brave.

FISHERMAN – You talk about him as if this was his eulogy. Just you wait he still might survive.

LIZY – (Distressed). You don’t know Gelo. He always goes where it is dangerous and complicated. He is always drawn into all sorts of troubles!

FISHERMAN – Your Gelo, is a man who has wings. And people with wings can’t crawl on their belly. Life will always be hard for him.

LIZY – (Sad). I have come to understand this. Why couldn’t they have sent someone else, to get this MIRACLE? Who needs it anyway?!

FISHERMAN – (With a smirk) If Gelo completes his heroic act then there will be a lot of people who will insist to share his glory with him.

LIZY – Who cares about glory! The only important thing for me is that Gelo is alive. I’m so scared for him!

FISHERMAN – Often people are more scared of their imagination than real life. And all these fears live and breed in their souls, don’t let them sleep at night by stirring their minds. Answer me, what are you more afraid of: Gelo finding the MIRACLE or not?

LIZY – (Thinks about it very carefully) I’m not really sure … If he does find the MIRACLE, then he will become a great Wizard and won’t have time for me at all. He will work even harder, try to solve the world’s problems by himself. He will battle with people’s tragedies and troubles… But if he doesn’t get the MIRACLE then he will remain unhappy for the rest of his life, he could even die because of it, because his sense of duty and vocation is more important than life itself. I don’t even know what is better.

FISHERMAN – You are like all other women – very contradictive, even when choosing jewelers. (Drained) Think about it – if silence is golden, then why do women seldom use it?

LIZY – (Bashful) Do you mean I am talking to much?

FISHERMAN – No, it’s not about that. You want to help Gelo?

LIZY – Of course!

FISHERMAN – Then you should stop thinking about what you want and start thinking about what your loved one needs!

LIZY – Fadrius, the court Wizard said the same thing.

FISHERMAN – Strange, that means that those who are in power still have some sense. That’s good. Your Gelo, is still very young and inexperienced. I didn’t have enough time to explain to him what genuine happiness all is about. I’m afraid that when he finds this MIRACLE, he won’t know how to use it properly. That’s why I probably should go into town. When he comes back, I can give him my advice. I don’t believe in these cunning courtiers. They will trick him. It would be a great pity if all your hard work and depravations went to waste. And now let’s go. I will get you to the other side of the river.

Fisherman and Lizy walk off stage.

Music plays. Blackout. Curtains.

* * * * *

Act Two

Scene Five.

Castle of Vedalia – owner of ‘Store of Temptations’. Vedalia sits in front of a big, beautiful mirror, and thoughtfully looks at herself. She is old and crooked. The mirror is a position so that the audience can’t see the reflection. Gelo walks in. She transforms into a younger self when she hears him coming.

VEDALIA – Oh, my young friend! I’m glad to see you looking fresh again. Did my servants clean and feed you?

GELO – I’m very grateful to you, madam. Now I’m ready to go.

VEDALIA – Don’t hurry. Your journey is very difficult. The place where you are going to, you will need lots of strength.

GELO – (Surprised) How do you know who I am and where I am going? We haven’t even been properly introduced yet.

VEDALIA – You’re – Gelo, Wizard’s apprentice. And you are travelling to get the MIRACLE. (She laughs with self-satisfaction) Let me introduce myself. I own the ‘Store of Temptations’. I also practice magic. So, you could say that we are kindred spirits.

GELO – So you’re a Sorceress?

VEDALIA – (Unhappy) I don’t like this word. Just call me Vedalia. Everybody calls me that.

GELO – What is the ‘Store of Temptations’?

VEDALIA – Well, it is a very enchanting place where people can acquire happiness.

GELO – (Surprised and interested) Is that so?! I dream of making the whole world happy too, that’s why I am hurrying to find the MIRACLE. Will you help me? Do you know where it is?

VEDALIA – To make a person happy it is not necessary to get the MIRACLE. It is easier to take something