ACT I, scene IV
The Police
(PETER runs as fast as he could, until he found the police near the prison court yard.)
PETER:
I have to tell somebody what I have found.
That was three days ago. Then the police called me to testify.
(PETER stands near the edge of the stage. He knelt on the sand of the prison courtyard.)
Yes, sir. It was I who found the body first.
(Pause)
POLICE AGENT:
Was there anything strange? Was there a sword?
PETER:
Was there a sword or anything? No, sir. Nothing at all. Only a woman's hat, caught on a branch... and a man's hat that had been trampled on. And a piece of rope... and further off an amulet case of red brocade.
(Pause)
Yes, sir. Yes, that was all I saw.
I swear it.
(He bows.)
(JANOSh moved forward and knelt. Behind him is Peter. JANOSH is testifying.)
JANOSH:
Yes, sir. I saw the murdered man when he was still alive. Well, it was about three days ago. It was in the afternoon. Yes, it was on the road between Sekiyama and Yamashina.
POLICE AGENT:
Did you see anything else?
JANOSH:
I was walking along a road which winds through a bamboo grove. I stop. From the opposite direction a samurai approaches, leading a horse by the bridle. On the horse is a woman, sitting sidesaddle. I stepped back to make them room.
POLICE AGENT:
Did you sense anything at that moment?
PRIEST:
No, but later I did.
POLICE AGENT:
Did you see the woman's face?
PRIEST:
No, her hat had a veil. I couldn't see her face. The man was armed. He had a sword, bow and arrows.
(A gong sounds.)
PRIEST:
I never thought I would see him again; then, to see him dead like that. Oh, it is true-life is ephemeral, as fleeting as the morning dew. But the pity of it. What a pity that he should have died like that.
(He bows.)
POLICE AGENT:
You may go.
(The police continued to search for the murderer, but no avail. There were things that they didn't know in this strange case, but the strongest of them all was that the ancient border that divided the faerie kingdom from the normal world was deactivated.)
(Curtain)
(END)