Town of Dissident
Act I: Scene V
(Scene opens on Adam climbing into a barred carriage. The door is shut by an armed soldier. He locks the door with a large padlock, then places the key in a leather pouch hanging around his neck. Several bolts locks are also secured. The door has one small square that can be opened from the outside, and this is bolted shut as well. The driver climbs up on the front of the cart, and Adam hears him crack a whip. The prison carriage moves off through the town, pulled by two large steeds, then comes to a brief stop in front of the town’s general store. The soldier quickly makes his way into the store, leaving the unsupervised containment behind.)
Adam: [Sits chained on the dark floor, his head in his hands.] Frail is my joy, and restless my soul. How cursed must I be for such fate?
(The small hinged square on the door suddenly is being unbolted, and is opened. Adam is temporarily blinded by the sudden burst of sunlight.)
Adam: (Squinting, and putting his hands in front of his face.) Who be thou? Will thou gloat in my peril.
Voice: Art though condemned?
Adam: Woman, death is a blessing they refuse to show. ‘Tis an act of mercy that none shall provide. Please, pity me not, but be on thy way.
(The square is slammed shut, and Adam begins to rest his head in his hands again, but he suddenly hears the bolts being quickly undone. He hears the stranger struggling as the padlock rattles but does not come loose. The small door square opens, revealing the barred window and beyond it...)
Voice: Adam, Adam, what hast thou done to burden thyself so?
Adam: (Suddenly surprised.) Kas? Be it you?
Kas: I will not have you suffer.
Adam: Kas…. Oh caring God. How blessed am_
Kas: We haven’t time. Where at rest, lay the key?
Adam: In possession of the guard, who has gone in.
Kas: (Suddenly holding a dagger.)
Adam: Kas, do not attempt such acts! The man is of innocence.
Kas: (Begins fiddling picking at the lock with the tip of the dagger.) Peace, Adam, for murder is of no question.
Adam: (Presses his face against the bar window, barely able to see her progress. He looks up and sees two soldiers at the far end of the street. One is watching Kas, and points. Both guards begin hurrying towards the cart.)
Kas: God be my speed, I have naught to progress.
Adam: Kas! Be away, 'tis futile.
Kas: (Looks back and spots the soldiers, now beginning to run towards them.) Oh father, if thou didst ever have to bless me be it done now.
Adam: Flee!
Kas: (Begins hammering at the padlock with the dagger’s tip.)
Adam: It is futile, Kas, now be gone! (Reaches between the bars and grabs her wrist.)
Kas: (Pulls away, and resumes.) Nay, I will not have this be the last I see you.
Adam: I will not have the last of moments with you rest in pain. Away!
Kas: (Begins sobbing with frustration, hacking harder at the completely intact lock.) Nay, you will surely be done with as an animal, ignored and slaughtered. (She turns to see the soldiers only a few feet away. She begins sobbing hysterically, and working at the lock. She suddenly gives up and pushes Adam‘s face away from the barred window. She slips the dagger through, then shuts the square and bolts it.)
(Adam hears the guards laughing, and the bolts being rapidly done up. He also hears a slight struggle.)
Adam: (Banging on the door, and shouting.) Kas!? (He stops and listens, but there is no noise.)
(The cart suddenly lurches into motion, and Adam freezes. He sinks to the floor, his head in his hands. He grabs the dagger from the floor and clutches it as hard as he can. Then leans lays cross the floor in anguish.)
