Anne, John, Luke, Marc, Mathew

On the stage hardly do we see the figures of two persons tied on the chairs. They seem utterly dejected; their heads leaning in misery towards cold floor. Silence. Suddenly, ice-cold water is thrown against them. They recover abruptly. At the same time a bright light is shed on them.

Anne

Is this the end?

John

No, it is the beginning!

Anne

So, this is never going to end.

John

They want us alive… Time.

Anne

What for?

John

If we die, the others will remember us… Time. They want us to forget!

Anne

But how is a genocide forgotten?

John

Some have already done so, and others will do it also.

Anne

It is indecent!

John

There is no need for dignity to be able to live. 

Anne

My God! She leans her head.

John

Straighten up, they are looking at us.

Anne

Our executioners do not intimidate me, it’s our bodies that I am scared of.

John

They want nothing but our spirit!

Anne

Admitting to oblivion… Silence

John

As long as we are here, the others will fight for us.

Anne

We are not alone, then?

John

We are always alone, but the others share the same solitude.

Anne

The humans with the broken wings.

John

They are not entirely broken… Time

Anne

As long as one of us remains alive, oblivion will not win.

John

No, as long as one of us will not consent to the death of memory.

Darkness covers them.

Anne

John! John!

John

I’ m here, beside you.

Anne

Will they hit us again?

John

Yes, but we will resist. Time.  Above all do not open your mouth…

Thuds and hollow noises are heard. Then the second movement of the seventh symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven. Allegretto (Marcia funebre).

Absolute darkness.

At the edge of the stage. Lights off. Three persons are talking to each other low-voiced.

Mathew

Two of our own have been arrested… Silence. Anne and John.

Marc

We have to do everything to set them free.

Luke

Do you know where they are kept?

Mathew

No, not yet…

Marc

They must act quickly.

Luke

They are doing what they can… Don’t be harsh on them…

Mathew

Tomorrow we will know where find them.

Marc

We have to find them alive.

Luke

They will be alive.

Marc

What do you mean?

Mathew

Luke is right, they will definitely be alive.

Marc

Then, I don’t understand…

Luke

Consent… That’s all they want.

Marc

But, consent to what? Time. Truth is known to all.

 Mathew

Known to all and forgotten by most.

Marc

Brainwash…

Luke

Death of memory is their single aim.

Marc

Genocide was not enough for them.

Mathew

No! Time. It had to be forgotten.

Luke

None of us will accept it.

Mathew

Then, we, too, will have to be forgotten.

Marc

So, this is their aim. Time. Removing any trace of memory.

Mathew

It is only in this way that they will pursue their invasion…

Luke

As if people listen only to executioners.

Marc

It is in this way that victims are trapped. Time. We have to find them as soon as possible.

Mathew

This is what we will try to do.

Luke

Give them some time.

Marc

How much time do Anne and John have? 

Mathew

They will endure the strike.

Luke

Yes, I m sure of that…

Marc

How many sacrifices are needed so that memory of the peoples live?

Luke

As long as there are military regimes, we will have to fight.

Mathew

Fight in general indifference…

Marc

And in social isolation.

Luke

It’s the only way to become humans.

Marc

Memory is a piece of humanity in the man.