The Testing of a Wizard. Viktor Gitin

– Fadrius! If your plan will not help me to find money to buy new outfits, then why do I need it? What’s the point?!

      FADRIUS – There are more important things in the Kingdom than balls and new dresses.

      QUEEN – Don’t talk such nonsense! I thought you were a smart Wizard. But I guess I was wrong about you.

      FADRIUS – I won’t argue with you. But anyway, let me explain my plan.

      QUEEN – Oh! How boring and frustrating this is… Ok, I’m listening.

      FADRIUS – My dear Queen, I have been thinking for a very long time, what can help our Kingdom from the disastrous events, which preceded us after the Kings death. I wanted to find one solution to all the problems. For days and nights, I was restless trying to find the answer…

      QUEEN – Fadrius, can you get to the point. I feel my migraine coming back.

      FADRIUS – I think I have found the answer. The only thing that will help us is a MIRACLE. There is a mention of it in a very old magical manuscript. This MIRACLE is hidden very far away, near the edge of the earth.

      QUEEN – What is this?

      FADRIUS – It is a certain magical substance able to grant the wishes of the beholder. But unfortunately, only one wish is permitted.

      QUEEN – (Disappointed) Only one! That’s a disgrace. I’ve already accumulated a thousand different wishes.

      FADRIUS – That’s not the biggest problem my Queen. I think I will be able to create a formula that can grant all the thousand wishes you have. Especially since most of your wishes are not very varied or original.

      QUEEN – If this is true, why haven’t you brought this MIRCALE to my palace?

      FADRIUS – That’s my biggest problem. I cannot do this.

      QUEEN – Here we go! You’re trying to upset me again.

      FADRIUS – The problem is that my powers aren’t what they used to be. And not everyone can get to the place where the MIRCACLE is kept. But even if one can overcome all the hurdles and get there, there is still the problem to actually obtain it. The only one who can possess this MIRACLE is someone with a pure soul and elevated intentions.

      QUEEN – Someone like me?

      FADRIUS – (With light irony and sarcasm) I’m afraid neither you nor me will be suitable because we’re not young and innocent as we used to be. Our souls are not pure enough to possess this MIRACLE.

      QUEEN – Nonsense! My soul is pure and untainted, like a child’s tears. Just because I helped my mother in-law to an early grave, surely that doesn’t mean that I’m a sinner? That’s how everyone acts. And it wasn’t my fault that my brother in-law walked into a cage with tigers; I just informed my husband that his brother was plotting against him. I don’t know why he thought it was a good idea to go into the cage with a hungry predator, when he was drunk. And after all I’m a woman! And women are forgiven for being mischievous. So, after all I’m aloud to be in control of this MIRACLE.

      FADRIUS – I’m sorry Your Majesty but the Wizard’s law is very strict. If your soul wasn’t pure enough and your intentions weren’t elevated enough you could die just by touching it.

      QUEEN – (Scared) Then I don’t need any miracles!

      FADRIUS – That’s why I want to send my apprentice to get this MIRACLE. He is still young and pure enough. You saw him when you came in.

      QUEEN – Oh, that nice young man. But what do we get out of it? If he gets the MIRACLE, then I won’t be able to use it?!

      FADRIUS – He will obtain the MIRACLE so that he can pass the test in order to become a real Wizard. Gelo will bring the MIRACLE to the palace. And I with his help will formularies this MIRACLE. Only then will Gelo become a real Wizard.

      QUEEN – And then I will be able to get new dresses and throw extravagant balls every week?

      FADRIUS – (Looking at her with pity) I should think, much more than that.

      QUEEN – You’re not as stupid as you make out to be, Fadrius! How crafty you are. You want someone else to get the MIRACLE for you. But remember the important thing is that all my wishes come true. Don’t waste the entire MIRACLE for the Kingdoms stupid affairs, so that nothing will be left for me.

      FADRIUS – Don’t worry Your Majesty, If Gelo brings back the MIRACLE I will try to use it wisely.

      QUEEN – Well then, call your apprentice. I personally want to see his departure.

      Fadrius walks to the side and calls Gelo. Gelo walks in and humbly waits for further instructions.

      FADRIUS – Gelo! You have a great privilege. I, as your teacher have chosen your test so that you can become a real Wizard. You’ll have a long and dangerous journey. There you will find a magical substance called the MIRACLE. With its help, one can achieve any magnificent magic.

      GELO – (Excitedly) Even to make all of humanity happy?

      FADRIUS – (Unhappy that he was interrupted) Perhaps, even that.

      QUEEN – What nonsense! A good subject would want to make his Queen happy first.

      FADRIUS – Your Majesty, that’s exactly what Gelo meant. (Talking to Gelo again) Here I have prepared instructions and extracts from old magical manuscripts. They will help you find the way and acquire the MIRACLE. (Gives him instructions and extracts) You must go straight away.

      QUEEN – Yes, yes. I’m tired of waiting for my wishes to come true. I have too many of them. That’s why you should hurry.

      GELO – Can I say goodbye to my fiancé?

      FADRIUS – Your Majesty I think you would be magnanimous to let the young ones to have a kiss goodbye. In our Kingdom you never restricted anyone to love one another.

      QUEEN – (Unhappy) You use my kindness so skillfully. Ok then – Say goodbye, but not too long. (Tired and coquettishly) Everybody knows how easy it is to get along with me. One just has to agree with me. Show me to my quarters, Fadrius.

      Everybody walks off stage Fadrius and the Queen to one side and Gelo hurriedly goes to the other. There is a sound of a gong.

      Music plays. Blackout.

      Fadrius comes on stage. He turns over the hourglass symbolizing that some time has passed. Then sits at the table and shifts through some papers. Lizy takes the stage. Lizy appears shyly.

      LIZY – Dear Wizard, can I ask you something.

      FADRIUS – (Hides grin and pretends to be dissatisfied) I’m listening, Lizy. What’s the matter?

      LIZY – Mr. Fadrius, It’s been a week since Gelo left. And I’m sick with worry! I don’t know what to do with myself…

      FADRIUS – So what?! What do you want from me?

      LIZY – Can you tell me in all honesty how dangerous his journey is?

      FADRIUS – Very dangerous. I’m not even sure if he will be able to complete the task at hand.

      LIZY – Then why did you send him on this horrific journey?!

      FADRIUS – Well, Lizy it wasn’t me who sent him. He chose his own destiny. Gelo