Sire's Verdad
A/N: This is another one of my scripts for english, because I had to do another one... Due to unfortunate circumstances... Anyway, this one takes place in a different setting, and is a different passage of Oedipus Rex. It's another modernization! This one is entirely made by me alone. No group. Nada. This time there is a Peon! Yes, a Peon!
Once again, Oedipus Rex and all its characters are owned creatively by Sophocles and not me. The only stuff I own are the changes I made to the original text/names, and the man-eating dust bunnies underneath my bed.
Oh, and in this one, Tiresias is back to a male gender. (lol genderbending!)
Things in (parentheses) and italics are the mood/feeling.
Hope you like!
(If you want a smaller sample of my work, go to my story: Rex's Downfall)
~~Ryn
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RATED T
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Synopsis:
Oedipus known as Sire, Creon as Cray, Chorus as Crowd, Leader as Peon, and Jocasta as Jasta are trying to get to the bottom of the prophet's speech and what it may or may not implicate. Sire has scheduled a press conference, being the governor of Thebes, to see if he can interpret the vague ramblings of the prophet. He ends up arguing in front of the crowd with Cray, and it almost becomes violent. After the death threat on Cray's life, Cray's sister Jasta steps in to try and calm her husband and brother so that they do not create a scene in front of a state wide audience. Sire eventually reluctantly agrees with the crowd and his wife that he should just let Cray go without punishment.
(Crowd enters solemnly below the podium, looking around with slight fear.)
Crowd: Who is the man that the gods curse so violently? It's too horrible to think about. Whose ruthless, bloody hands were they? Well, god will get him. There is nowhere left to hide. He will try to run, but it is useless. He will live in terror until his surrender.
Sire's prophet gives me the creeps! I can't believe what he's said, yet I can't deny it either. I'm at a loss as to what to say. I'm so lost, and can't imagine what will come next…How is Sire related to Laius at all? I don't know, I can't think of anything that would prove him guilty. I will not falsely accuse Sire without cause, not even for the ghost of Laius.
The gods know. But as to whether or not a seer can know more than a normal man we will probably never find out. I will never accuse my leader without proof. Never...
(Cray enters onto the podium, his features relaxed and smooth. He addresses the growing Crowd.)
Cray: (jovial/joking mood) Good people of Thebes, I hear that good Sire is accusing me. I had to come, and I am a tad resentful. If he thinks that I've somehow insulted him in any way, if I've offended him, then I have no reason to go on living, with my reputation in shambles. The injury I'd face from the accusation is in no way simple. There's nothing worse, branded a traitor of this city, to all of you wonderful people.
(Peon comes forward timidly, addressing Cray with only his eyes.)
Peon: (Hesitantly starts to speak)
Yes, but some of what he said might have just been the anger of the moment talking…
Cray: (looks confused)
He said it publicly, didn't he? That I told the prophet to lie?
Peon: (He's reluctant to speak, looking down towards the floor)
Things were said… Though I don't know his intention with them…. Or if there even was one…
Cray: Was he in his right mind when he accused me?
Peon: I really wouldn't know. I'm not the type to question the actions and words of leaders.
(Peon notices Sire and smiles softly in his direction.)
Speak of the devil, here he is now.
(Sire enters—noting the presence of Cray—gradually beginning to fume in the process.)
Sire: You're here?! You'd dare to show your face to me, and this city? You're plotting my downfall! Then you'll steal my title! What do you take me for, an idiot? You think I never would have found out? You're a fool, lacking the power and riches to bring me down!
Cray: (About to roll his eyes at his younger brother-in-law, he interrupts.)
You done? It's your turn to listen, for just as long as you… Lectured me. Hear me out, then decide on a verdict.
Sire: (He frowns, gathering a spiteful tone.)
You're smooth Creon, but I won't listen to you. You're a menace, nothing but a burden.
Cray: (He begins to use a more reverent tone, feeling at risk for being subject to extreme rage.)
Just hear me out. Please.
(Sire holds out his hand in a signal to stop, and pinches the bridge of his nose with his left index finger and thumb)
Sire: Just one minute, don't say you're 'not the enemy'.
Cray: If you think being stubborn is a good quality, you've lost it.
Sire: If you think you can mess with a kinsman and get away with it, then you've lost it.
Cray: True enough, but this crime you accuse me of, what is it?
(Sire pauses, thoughtful in a response.)
Sire: Did you tell me—yes or no—to send for that prophet?
Cray: Yeah… and I'd do it again.
Sire: Ok, then tell me, how long has it been since… Laius…
Cray: Laius? What did he do?
Sire: Vanished…Disappeared… Murdered with no trace.
Cray: It's been many years…
Sire: …Being so long ago, was the prophet a prophet then?
Cray: Just as skilled then as he is now, and just as famous.
Sire: Did he ever say something about me, at that time?
Cray: No, never, at least when I was with him.
Sire: But you did investigate the murder, right?
Cray: We tried our hardest, though we discovered nothing.
Sire: So the great seer never accused me then—Why?
Cray: I don't know. When this is the case, I stay quiet with my opinions.
Sire: But you do know... You'd say something. That is, if you had a shred of morality.
Cray: Huh? If I knew, I'd say something.
Sire: Just this: if you two had never schemed together, We'd have never heard about my killing spree.
Cray: If that's what he said… Well, you know best. Now I have the right to hear from you as you just heard from me.
Sire: Hear what you want, you'll never prove I murdered Laius.
Cray: Tell me something, you're married to my sister, aren't you?
Sire: (Rolls his eyes at Cray.)
Wow. You are a master of deductions!
Cray: (He continues, ignoring Sire's comment.)
So you rule along with her, with equal power?
Sire: She gets whatever she asks from me.
Cray: So am I the third, are we all equal?
Sire: Yeah, and look how you show your loyalty. You betray a kinsman.
Cray: To the contrary, not if you think rationally like I do. Look at it like this: Who in their right mind would rather have a position of power and live with stress, than sleep in peace? Especially if he has the same amount of authority? I sure don't. Not when I already have the power in my grasp. Who would? I have all I need without the burden! I'm not that crazy. Why would I give that up? Nope, I don't have the motivation for mutiny. It's just not my style. Want proof? Go to Delphi and talk to the oracle. We'll see what happens after that.
Peon: (Enters the conversation carefully.)
Good idea, for anyone who wants to avoid disaster. We shouldn't jump to conclusions.
Sire: (Distractedly)
I must move swiftly, otherwise my enemy—
(Gestures to Cray)
will get the better of me. I lose, he wins.
Cray: What? You want to banish me?
Sire: No… I want you dead.
Cray: (He sighs in exasperation.)
Just goes to show…
Sire: (He's taken aback by Cray's nonchalant reaction)
You don't think I'm serious?
Cray: I think you're off your rocker.
Sire: I'll have you know, I still possess sanity.
Cray: Just not so sure about me?
Sire: Heh. You—my enemy?
Cray: What if you're wrong?
Sire: No problem. I rule.
Cray: Not if you're going to be unfair about it.
Sire: Can you hear him, my city of Thebes?
Cray: (He grumbles)
It's my city too you know…
Peon: (Trying to restore peace to the two men.)
Please, gentlemen.
(Jasta enters warily)
Look, Jasta's coming—just in time—and with her help, you can resolve this petty argument.
Jasta: (She sees the two men's expressions, and her jaw drops in stupefied awe.)
Have you both lost it? Poor guys, so loud! What's with the public scene? You two should be ashamed.
(She addresses Sire:)
Come now, go inside. Cray, go home. Why have such a hissy-fit over nothing?
Cray: (Gains the mentality of a picked on younger sibling.)
Sister, it's horrible… Sire, your husband, he's determined to punish me falsely, using his favorites; Banishment or death.
(Sarcastically)
I just don't know which one to choose! So appealing!
Sire: Exactly. I caught him red handed. He was going to stab me in the back.
Cray: Never! Curse me, let me suffer and wail in agony if I've done anything that you accuse me of.
Jasta: (She's frustrated with their childish antics.)
Jesus, Sire, hear his oath. He's swearing to heaven! Please believe it, if not for me, then for your people.
(Crowd begins to chant)
Crowd: Believe him! Please, we beg you!
Sire: What do you want? Concessions?!
Crowd: Respect him—he hasn't gone wrong in the past, and now he's adamant in his oath to god.
Sire: Do you know what you're asking?
Crowd: We do.
Sire: Then tell me!
Crowd: He's your best friend, your family, he's under oath—don't reject him, disgrace him based on rumor!
Sire: If that is what you really want, then you want me dead or banished!
Crowd: Never! Let us all suffer horribly if that ever crossed our minds! But we are weary from other stress, and now you give us this to suffer under. Both of you are to blame.
Sire: (With an air of sarcasm.)
Great! Then let him free! Doesn't matter if it kills me! I only pity you, not him—your words move me. My hate will follow him wherever he goes.
Cray: (He possesses an almost mocking tone.)
Look at you! You have the appearance of a kicked puppy at the thought of defeat, and a vicious guard dog in your rage. One day you'll push it. Perfect justice: inflicting pain mostly on yourself.
Sire: Go away, get OUT!
Cray: I'm going. You are so wrong. Everyone knows I'm right.
(Cray exits with a egotistical air, Crowd turns to Jasta in disbelief)
Crowd: Why are you doing nothing to help him?
Jasta: First tell me what's happened.
Crowd: Foolish arguing started foul suspicions, and injustice cut deeply.
Jasta: Both sides of the argument?
Crowd: Yep.
Jasta: What did they talk about?
Crowd: Please, stop! We're already so damaged, or so it seems… End it here, where they stopped.
Sire: See what comes of your good intentions? All because you wanted to calm me.
Crowd: We said it once, we'll say it again. We'd be insane to even think about betraying you. You saved us once before! Please deliver us from this hardship!
(Crowd draws away, leaving Sire and Jasta forlornly side by side at the podium)