Act I, scene I

Half-ruined gate, RIN in the rain

(The large gate, RIN saw better days.

Small roof tiles are slowly falling down on the muddy ground; two figures silently sit under the half-ruined gate.)

PETER:

The war ended. There is no more killing.

(His head bowed.)

PRIEST:

True.

(PETER raises his head.)

PETER:

Things are supposed to be different. They always are. The blackness has passed.

PRIEST:

What makes you sure about that?

(He looks at PETER and back again at the rain.)

PETER:

I just can't understand it.

(He was the same as the rain.)

I hope it has.

PRIEST:

Nothing is that easy.

PETER:

I know, but still I wish.

PRIEST:

A man can only wish. Somebody is coming.

PETER:

Are you sure?

PRIEST:

Yes.

PETER:

Where?

PRIEST:

There.

(He points in the other side of the stage.

A man, NEWCOMER, appeared on the side.)

NEWCOMER:

Is there room for me?

PETER:

Yes.

NEWCOMER:

May I join?

PRIEST:

Yes.

(He shows the man to approach.

The NEWCOMER, in the background, turns toward the PRIEST and PETER, who are sitting in the foreground. He enters and sits behind PETER. PETER's face has a painly grimace.)

COMMONER:

What's the matter?

PETER:

I can't understand.

(He looks at the NEWCOMER.)

COMMONER:

What can't you understand?

PETER:

I've never heard of anything so strange.

COMMONER:

Why don't you tell me about it?

(All three men, even the PRIEST in the foreground, are silent.)

COMMONER:

What now? Why don't you tell me?

PETER:

You truly want to know?

COMMONER:

Yes.

PETER:

I will tell you.

(Curtain)