Iris

ACT NINE - Tracking Magic

Characters: Iris Ash, Sashique, Odrithin, Sara

Sashique is pacing in her office, talking on the phone.

SASHIQUE: I - calm down - yes, I understand the gravity of the situation - Iris, listen to me.

Every time she is cut off, she huffs or closes her eyes in what is obvious annoyance. She takes a deep, calming breath, obviously having gotten Iris to stop talking.

SASHIQUE: Thank you. Now, I understand that this is upsetting - Iris. Iris! Listen! You're going to find her. You're going to get Sara back. But you aren't going to do that by throwing tantrums at the slightest setbacks! [pause] Yes, I understand that this is maybe not the "slightest" setback. I spoke hastily. But I need you to calm down and focus. You like to think you are emotionless, Iris, but that's not the case and you always let them get the better of you - you always have! And that's what's happening this time. So please, for the love of God, calm down and try to think about this with a level head.

She pauses for a second, listening to Iris's response.

SASHIQUE: [relieved] Okay. Thank you.

The scene changes to show Iris hanging up and staring angrily at her cell phone. She slips it back into her pocket and stares broodingly into the distance.

The halfbreed is seated on a rooftop in a rather large city, looking out at the other buildings. Her legs dangle carelessly over the edge.

Sighing, Iris stands.

IRIS: [murmuring thoughtfully] I can only track you here, Sara - why won't you just think about me?

She stares out over the city for a moment longer before shaking her head slightly and leaving.

The scene changes to show Odrithin strolling unhurriedly down a hallway. He pauses to unlock a metal door at the end of the hall with a large key from his pocket and pushes his way inside.

The room beyond is a cell, one that in appearances is straight out of a dungeon from the dark ages. Sara is shackled to the back wall of the cell. The only source of light is from the open door and the tiny barred window set high in the right wall of the room.

Sara is in incredibly bad shape. Her hair is dirty and tangled, her clothes are ripped, and there are several bruises and cuts marring her face. She raises her head disorientedly as Odrithin enters, adjusting her head to stare at him from her right eye. Her left eye is completely swollen shut.

SARA: [slurring slightly from lip injuries] Now whaddya want?

ODRITHIN: [casually] Are you aware of how tracking magic works?

Sara spits a gob of blood at his feet. Odrithin glances at it distastefully.

ODRITHIN: I'll take that as a no.

He looks away and walks over to the window. He is just tall enough to peer out of it, which he does as he talks.

ODRITHIN: Only incredibly strong demons are able to use tracking magic, or so I thought. It's a form of mind reading, one might say - [with contempt] I'm sure most of you humans would certainly think so - but it's far more refined than that. It's a physical...feeling whenever someone merely thinks your name. For example, I can feel that you're thinking about me, Sara, although I can't tell what you're thinking. [glancing wryly at her] All good things, I hope.

SARA: [bitterly, drawn out] Screw you.

ODRITHIN: [condescendingly] Calm down. Now, as I was saying...I didn't think Iris could use this particular magic, seeing as her blood is diluted by that [furiously] disgusting angel. But I now have reason to believe that she can, as a matter of fact. She's been following us, you see. I don't know how she's so powerful, but somehow, she is - and you're leading her right to us.

Sara's eyes widen and realization dawns on her face.

ODRITHIN: [coldly] So I have to find a way to make you stop thinking about her.

A slight smile curls his lips.

ODRITHIN: I'm creative. I'm sure I'll think of something.

Sara's eyes widen again - this time, in fear.

The scene changes to show Iris in a modest hotel room. She is sitting cross-legged on the single bed, eyes firmly shut, concentrating hard. Finally, she opens her eyes with a sigh of frustration.

IRIS: [groaning] Sara, come on! Just think about me for two goddamned seconds!

She runs her hands through her hair and stands, striding into the room's connected bathroom. There, she splashes water over her face. She grips the side of the sink and meets her own gaze in the mirror as water drips off of her face.

After a few seconds of this silent contemplation, she reaches into her pocket and fishes out the blank, black card Odrithin left her in the barn.

IRIS: [muttering thoughtfully] Now, how do I activate you?

She pauses, thinking. Then, she haltingly holds the card centimeters from her mouth.

IRIS: Open sesame.

She pulls back hopefully. Nothing happens. She once again places her lips close to the card.

IRIS: Hello?

Nothing.

IRIS: [singsong, annoyed] I'm ready to meet with Odrithin.

She pulls back and watches in awe as golden letters slowly etch themselves into the card. It is a street address. Iris lets out a whoop of delight and dashes from the bathroom. Within seconds, the slam of the hotel room door can be heard.