Artificial garden

Scene 9: Forest memoir

(The next scene starts with Marie straitening her clothing and fastening her apron before opening the envelope that was addressed to her from Aiden. She has now made it to Eterna forest, the last place she saw Aiden)

(She begins to rip up the sealed envelope to read out the letter contained inside)

Marie: "Marie, I know you'd be upset about all of this but, you have to listen to me. We've lived here for so long that we didn't even realise what was under the surface of this, so called "village". I'm talking about the truth. You don't even know what the hell has been going on here and I don't have the time to explain right now. There's a map that should be with this letter. Its best if I just show you rather then tell you anyways... just be careful okay, watch out for the nice ones, you don't know who to trust until you've trusted them." I don't understand, what do you mean?

(Marie places the letter into her apron and pulls out the map and opens it. A flash back occurs behind Marie, showing a younger version of her and the old lady Madame crone)

Madame Crone: ah, Marie, you're such a bright girl are you not? Why, please tell, are you out here in this wilderness, and not at home with mummy and daddy hmmmm?

Marie: oh, a, M-Madame crone! 'I'm just here to see the forest flowers. They're ever so pretty you see and I thought I could take some home with me.

Madame Crone: now, now you should not mess with nature Marie. Come, smell the flowers instead of ripping them from their home.

Marie: right, yes, I'm ever so sorry Madame.

Madame Crone: yes, yes, it's quite alright child, at least you are learning from you mistakes. Unlike that brother of yours.

Marie: oh, Madame Crone, he is certainly trying his best. Yes, he can be a little difficult sometimes but, but he is trying.

Madame Crone: well, I suppose we will have to agree to disagree, won't we Marie.

(Silence)

Madame Crone: come now child. There is no need to give a poor old lady the silent treatment. I believe everyone should be treat equally. That includes myself and you.

Marie: yes, of course. I'm sorry for my rudeness Madame. Madame, what do you mean by "everyone should be treat equally" exactly?

Madame Crone: my child, I'm so glad you asked such a question.

Madame Crone: as the village, elder, and one of the first residents here in Eterna village, I believe that everyone who lives here should be equal no matter who or what you are. Whether a man or woman, child or elder, no matter what we should have the same things. Same economy. Same life style.

Madame Crone: we are one mind in many bodies, we are the same colour in many shades.

Marie: Madame? What about those on the streets? Or those who live in the grandest of houses? Like you do.

Madame Crone: allow me to elaborate. Those on the streets have placed themselves there. They do not deserve to be...privileged because they did not want to work for the village. They did not want to cooperate and work with us for the sake of Eterna, for the sake of our home. As for myself and others like me, we have strived to make this village what it is today, we had built this place from the ground up. Put our blood, and sweat into this village. And therefore we deserve the best in life, do you understand me?

Marie: yes, of course.

Madame Crone: good, good.

Marie: do you think I could live like you?

Madame Crone: mahahahahahaha, of course! Once you begin to work and if you work hard enough. Perhaps you could be a florist maybe.

Marie: could I ask you something else?

Madame Crone: why, of course.

Marie: why are we not allowed to leave the village.

Madame Crone: ...the outside is an awful place Marie.

Marie: how so? Please tell me?

Madame Crone: the outside is truly horrible. Discrimination, murder, war. Not to mention the swarm of 'monsters' who wish to have their way with the innocent. Such horrid things. There is so much that I cannot describe to you. I don't want to taint your very soul with such corruption. There is a barrier made of pure steel that encases our village, protecting us from the sins of the world, though, residents are not allowed to leave this place. In truth, they cannot leave this place as there is no way over the barrier. And even then, you must face treacherous terrains and a swarm of the dammed. It's a dog eat dog world out there.

Marie: I see, thank you for telling me. I didn't realise how harsh it is out there.

Madame Crone: good, good my child, now be on your way, I believe your brother needs some sense talked into him. I believe with the knowledge you have just obtained, you can make sure he understands the nature of the outside.

Marie: yes, I'll make sure he understands.

Madame Crone: till then, Marie.

(The flash back ends and present Marie is no longer in a tableau. She gives the map a good look and attempts to start walking until she hears a familiar voice)

Izabella: I did it Marie.

Marie: Izabella? What are you doing here? Why are you not with Crone?

Izabella: why do you think? You are not supposed to be here, are you?

Marie: what?

Izabella: just as I thought, you are not supposed to be here. I knew it. You really thought you could just, I don't know, lie about finding something. I know what you're trying to do.

Marie: what is wrong with you!? Have you gone mad? I am looking for something, I just really need to be here.

Izabella: you are lying again. Are you proud of yourself? Being a liar and all. You thought you could just prance around the village like the little 'daffodil' you are without second guessing whether someone is onto you.

Marie: I don't understand, I thought you were going to help me. I thought you were different! I trusted you!

Izabella: different? Everyone here should be the same! Everyone is equal. That is how it has to be, how Madame Crone taught us. And here you are, being the special little flower of Eterna, thinking you're better than us. Well, guess what? You don't run this place. We're not going to let you ruin our perfect lives just because you want to be different.

Marie: shut up.

Izabella: do you think you have the right to t-

Marie: just shut up! You don't know what the hell I've been through this past three years! I have endured consistent emotional-agony since Aiden left me here, and for what? So I can cower away, wrapped in the chains of Crones ideals until I wither away? No I am sick of playing this 'game' she and everyone else wants me to play. God I was so naïve...so blind. It took my own flesh and blood to open my eyes yet...

Izabella: what a moron you really are, just a selfish moron.

Marie: yes, yes I am. I am the biggest, most selfish moron to have ever lived and I will never forget it. Never. Because this idiot, right in front of you, will never change her decision and will continue to life of mental solitude unless I get out of here.

Izabella: best of luck Marie because you won't get very far. Right Madame?

Scene ends

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