Red Sign: The Mini-Musical
ACT IV
THE RITUAL
or ORIGINAL SINS OF THE KINDRED AS
INTERPRETED BY ONE PHILIPPE DE MARSEILLES
The preprations are finished and the ritual may begin. Philippe is standing alone on the stage, barefooted and dressed in a hospital gown. Mages (minus Cecilia) are standing on the edge of the stage and vampires (minus Ambrogino and Themistocles) sit on chairs around the stage. Mendel is wearing a director's headset
MENDEL
OK, folks, let's go over this one more time! The ritual takes form as a play. The head role is played by Mr. de Marseilles, and we are extras. Whenever I call someone's name, it's their time to join him on the stage. Remember, the events are not real, they are simply vampire myths projeceted through his conciousness. Agent Revere, was implementing the King in Yellow succesful?
REVERE (supressing an insane giggle)
Yes sir. I made the wish to the Man in the Pallid Mask. And may I say, sir, it was quite a feat. (wipes off sweat)
MENDEL
I'm sure. De Calice, are there any problems with Ex Libris Necro?
PIERRE
I assure you, it blends with the main ritual seamlessly.
MENDEL
Great. Super. (slaps hands together) OK, people, let's do this! Lights! (a spotlight focuses on Philippe) Chanting! (mages start to chant) Let's make us some mortals!
The stage begins to warp and slowly turns into an archaic city at night. Philippe's skin begins to ripple and he morphs into a gorgeous young woman, Arikel, the Toreador Antediluvian
MENDEL
Mr. Joreau! You're first!
Jean-Paul struts on the stage and morphs into a vicious- looking pretty boy, Absimiliard, the Nosferatu progenitor. He adresses Philippe/Arikel
JEAN-PAUL/ABSIMILIARD
Those three act like fucking messiahs
Let's burn them in gigantic fires!
And Caine is not here
So why should we care?
C'mon babe, let's destroy our sires!
Philippe/Arikel looks at her lover sadly
PHILIPPE/ARIKEL
No, Abs, that I can't allow
You have to comprehend:
If we start this Jyhad now
It will not ever end!
Jean-Paul's/Absimiliard's face twists with anger. He raises his hand to strike, but reality warps again and the city disappears with it's tenants. Philippe bends over in pain and when he rises he has transformed again. He is Caine, standing in the wastes near the First City
MENDEL
Agent Revere! Go!
Revere enters the stage and turns into a regal young man, Ynosh [or Enoch, whatever] He approaches Philippe/Caine
REVERE/YNOSH
True paragon of human race
With perfect body, mind and face
But destined to die
When years pass me by
Unless you grant me the Embrace!
Philippe/Caine shouts angrily at his very first potential Childe-to-be
PHILIPPE/CAINE
Lonely though I'll get, I must
not ever spread my curse
Flee, you fool, don't put your trust
in those who'd make you worse!
Revere/Ynosh shrugs and off he goes. The scenery turns funny again. Now Philippe/Caine is in the land of Nod, on a clear starry night
MENDEL
Mrs. Dodd! Stage is yours!
Emma leaps on the stage and becomes Lilith. Yes, the slutty bitch queen of the universe. She proceeds to paw and fondle her nephew, Philippe/Caine
EMMA/LILITH
It's me love, your father's first bride
I'll grant you a safe place to hide
I'll teach you my powers
And under my covers
We'll have extra fun on the side...
Philippe/Caine looks tempted, but then grimaces and pushes her away
PHILIPPE/CAINE
I don't need your comfort
Nor indebtment to a witch
I refuse your support
Keep your filthy hands off, bitch!
Emma/Lilith looks offended. Then she defiantly snaps her fingers twice and takes her booty off the stage
MENDEL
I'll handle this part!
He enters the stage and is split into three glowing forms: the angels Michael, Raphael and Uriel. They begin scolding Philippe/Caine mercilessly
MENDEL/ANGELS
You've done a horrible thing
We urge you: Repent for your sin!
God would have you back
Despite this attack
Just ask Him and He'll let you in!
Philippe/Caine starts weeping bloody tears
PHILIPPE/CAINE
It was a dreadful act
I can never make it right
But I'll accept this pact
And I will lay down my pride!
The angels nod at each other, smiling approvingly. Suddenly there's a bright flash and the stage reverts to normal, leaving Philippe weeping on the floor. Pierre looks anxious and rushes towards him
PIERRE
Did it work? Did we do it?
Philippe raises his head, panic in his eyes
PHILIPPE
No, wait! It's not finished! Stay away!
But it's too late. The stage morphs once again - this time into a large field - and Pierre is struck down by an invisible hand. Philippe stands up and hurries to his side. A primitive farming tool is stuck on Pierre's back. Philippe looks at his hands: they are bloody. He is once again Caine, and Pierre is his dying brother.
PIERRE/ABEL
Sweet brother, I don't understand
This happened to me by your hand?
And strike down you would
Your own flesh and blood
In anger? Or was it all planned?
Philippe/Caine stands wordless. Then, with a horrible scream, he pulls the tool out of Pierre's/Abel's back. A blinding light pours out of the wound, enveloping the entire stage. All sounds are drowned by an angelic choir. Then, suddenly, everything falls silent. Pierre is lying alone on the stage.
PHILIPPE
It... It worked. I can't believe it. It worked!
He stands up and looks around, noticing the vampires look shocked. Then he realizes why:
Every single mage in the hall has vanished completely
END OF ACT IV