Play With a Tiger and Other Plays. Doris Lessing

PRECEPT: Just a minute. We were arrested because you believed us to be party to this demand, or conspiracy.

      CHAIRMAN: You haven’t been arrested.

      FIFTH PRECEPT: Thank you.

      [He and the other three attempt to leave the group of DOCTOR and MEDICAL ATTENDANTS, but they are forcibly restrained.]

      FOURTH PRECEPT: We are being wrongfully held. On two counts. One, we knew nothing about this conspiracy. Two, it is now apparently not considered a conspiracy.

      CHAIRMAN: Precept Doctor, we have not yet had your report.

      FOURTH PRECEPT: There is no need of any report. We are all perfectly well.

      DOCTOR: Of course this is only a provisional diagnosis, but in my opinion these patients are not fit to leave medical care.

      FIFTH PRECEPT: We aren’t patients.

      DOCTOR: There. Come now. Relax. Take these pills. You are getting over-excited.

      [The two PRECEPTS, then the other two refuse the pills, as the DOCTOR threatens force.]

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: What’s wrong with them? Who are they?

      CHAIRMAN: You mean you don’t even know your champions? Those are the famous Fighting Precepts.

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: Champions!

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: I think I’ve seen their pictures.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: Liberals!

      FOURTH LOW-LEVELLER: Vacillating temporizers!

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: Compromising timeservers!

      CHAIRMAN: Well, well. And these are the people you have been fighting for.

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: But what’s wrong with them?

      FIFTH PRECEPT: We are under medical care because we insist on discussing Item 99. Tonight.

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: Never heard of it.

      FIFTH PRECEPT: The Door is going to open. It is going to open.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: Oh I see, they’re nuts.

      GUARDIAN: I do so hope that you young people are not unbelievers. For while I deprecate the emotional extravagance and wrongheadedness of officers like the Fourth and Fifth Precepts, I find it in my heart to prefer that to total nullity.

      FIFTH PRECEPT: But it is going to open.

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: Well, of course it is. Who said it wasn’t?

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: We’ve all been taught that in school.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: Whether we liked it or not.

      FOURTH LOW-LEVELLER: I didn’t mind the Door lessons. I love those old myths.

      GUARDIAN: Myths, indeed! Then why do you want to take part in the Door Ceremony?

      FOURTH LOW-LEVELLER: It is a question of political equity.

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: Justice.

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: Liberty.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: Freedom.

      FIFTH PRECEPT: But it will open. The Door will open. [shouting] Let me go. I must be free to tell everybody. I must …

      [The MEDICAL ATTENDANTS grab him. The DOCTOR deftly injects him, an ATTENDANT crams pills into his mouth. He passes out, and is laid on the stretcher. The DOCTOR tries to inject the FOURTH PRECEPT, who mimes submission, contrition, humility. As this is seen to work, the DOCTOR becoming avuncular and bland, the other two copy the FOURTH PRECEPT. Meanwhile FOURTH PRECEPT goes forward a little way to examine the big Door. He is joined by the two who have now mollified the DOCTOR. Do we imagine it, or is this Door brighter than it was?]

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: There have been a lot of pretty funny rumours down in the Levels recently.

      CHAIRMAN: I would hardly describe a revolution as a rumour.

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: No, about the Door. Rumours about the Door.

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: More than rumours. There’s a new sect.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: The main one calls itself ‘The Door Will Open Soon’ Society.

      GUARDIAN: Indeed?

      SECOND LOW-LEVELLER: There’s been some rioting.

      GUARDIAN: Very true. I had them arrested and imprisoned.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: I heard some escaped. We thought they might be here.

      [FIRST and SECOND LOW-LEVELLERS look suspiciously at THIRD and FOURTH LOW-LEVELLERS, while moving closer together. THIRD and FOURTH do the same. At the same moment, the two couples aim their grenades and their rifles at each other.]

      CHAIRMAN: Now, now. There’s no need for that.

      [A fresh commotion outside left exit. ATTENDANT comes running over.]

      ATTENDANT: Second Hereditary Attendant of the Gate to the …

      CHAIRMAN: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

      ATTENDANT: There’s another lot.

      CHAIRMAN: Then let them in, by all means.

      [This time there is a group of varying ages, and variously dressed. They are unarmed, and they walk quietly.]

      CHAIRMAN: Delighted to see you all.

      GUARDIAN: Do come in.

      SECRETARY: You are more than welcome.

      DELEGATES: Hear, hear. Yes. Of course. Welcome.

      ONE OF THE GROUP: Oh, I’m so glad. We thought we might not believe it.

      CHAIRMAN: No, no, we think every Level should be represented. Every one, mark you, including Levels 50 to 100. You will all be welcome at the Ceremony. And indeed, we were just about to start the rehearsal for tomorrow.

      GUARDIAN: And it is time to start. Do join us.

      [He stands facing the pile of machinery, as if heading a procession. The DELEGATES and officers start forming behind him.]

      ONE OF THE GROUP: But why does there have to be a Ceremony? Aren’t we just going to walk right out?

      [This person, then others of the group, look at the Door propped up on the altar, look at each other, shake their heads, then start looking around. One sees the big Door right, indicates it to the others. This group moves over towards it.]

      CHAIRMAN: Doctor, you have some more patients.

      FOURTH PRECEPT: I’m glad you made it. But be quiet. Don’t argue. Don’t fight.

      [This new group, the FOURTH PRECEPT, his two allies, are now close to the big Door. It is hard now to doubt that it is brighter. And surely the humming sound is louder.]

      FIRST LOW-LEVELLER: I’ve never seen any of that lot before.

      THIRD LOW-LEVELLER: I wonder what Level they are from?

      ONE OF THE NEW GROUP: We come from all the Levels. Not just from one.

      FOURTH LOW-LEVELLER: Are you from ‘The Door Will Open Soon’ Society?

      ANOTHER OF THE NEW GROUP: From all the societies.

      ANOTHER: Or from none.

      GUARDIAN: Shouldn’t we be getting on? Chairman?

      CHAIRMAN: Of course. Assistant to the Guardian of the Door …

      [One of the DELEGATES whose function this is starts shepherding members of the Conference, and the LOW-LEVELLERS, into a neater line behind the GUARDIAN. He hands them garlands of plastic and paper flower.]