Gyges, The Play
By Randy Richards
Copyright 20001, all rights reserved
Scene One
(The set opens with Gyges getting out of canoe on an island in the front and middle of the stage. In the distance we hear thunder and flashes of light to indicate a distant but approaching storm. We also hear the sound of wind over the island. The audience senses an approaching storm and trouble.)
Gyges
Thank god, I; made it to this small island. It’s not much but it should give me some shelter from the storm. It’s coming faster than I guessed.
(He takes out his paddle and fishing gear, pulls it all the way onto the island and turns it over. He uses the paddle to prop up the front end and crawls underneath it for cover. Then he looks out at the audience and speaks.)
Gyges
I need protection from the forces of nature. I hope this canoe will be enough.
(The sound of thunder increases in frequency and intensity, as do the flashes of lightening. More wind.)
Gyges
(Looking up at the sky)
I got off the damn lake just in time. If I got caught out there in the storm, I would have been swamped and drowned.
(An especially loud thunderclap has him hide his head under his arms. More wind and thunder. He takes out the oar so now he is completely covered by the canoe.)
Gyges
(Shouting from under the canoe)
Damn that was close!
(Another lightening and thunderclap explodes over him.)
Gyges
(Still shouting)
So was that! I am really at the mercy of the forced exposed out here with precious little to protect me.
(The set now gets darker and darker indicating the storm is right over the top of him. He raises the canoe with one hand to peek out.)
Gyges
My god, it is almost as dark as night. This storm is raising hell all over the lake. And all I have is this canoe.
(Now the set really rocks from the storm, more wind and thunder and lightening. It is not completely dark and illuminated only by the frequent flashes of lightening. One of the flashes reveals a heretofore-unseen white form on the island several feet from where Gyges hides under his canoe. A couple of more flashes and claps and the storm begins to abate and the set lightens slightly but not a lot. It is still dark. Just dark enough for Gyges and the audience to see the form but not be able to positively identify it. Gyges peeks out of his canoe by raising it with one arm.)
Gyges
God, I hope the worst is over. That was really scary. I thought I might be blown away or electrocuted!
(He looks around outside the canoe to survey his surroundings and his eyes fix on the white form washed up in the storm.)
Gyges
(With mild concern)
What is that? What has this storm washed up on shore with me? Is it a big fish? Damn big if it is a fish? Maybe a monster channel cat? It’s white the cat’s underbelly. Or a sturgeon. Yes, more likely it’s sturgeon, those ugly monsters from extreme depths.
(The storm abates; lightening and thunder move off to the distance but do not disappear entirely. The set lightens up a bit more. Gyges surveys the sky and crawls out from under his canoe. He sits next to it first studying the sky and then the form on shore.)
Gyges
I don’t know what that damn thing is. Is it still alive? . Or is it dead? I don’t see it moving at all. Could it be some kind of animal and not a fish? A dead otter or maybe a deer? I’m afraid to go look, stuff that’s been in the water for a while is gross to look at and smell.
(Pauses)
Gyges
Yet I can’t take my eyes off it. I’ve got to know what it is.
(He gets up and takes a few halting steps closer. By now the set has lighten enough to see the form clearly. Both Gyges and the audience can now see it is the naked body of a man with his back turned to the audience and curled up in a kind of fetal position with his face hidden by his arm flung over his head. )
Gyges
Oh my God, it’s a man! The body of a man not a fish or otter. Holy shit. He has not moved. He must be dead. Christ I should go look but I am afraid of what I’ll find.
(Picks up a rock and throws at the body. It doesn’t move. He picks up a stick and moves close enough to poke it with the stick. No movement. But Gyges recoils at the his knowledge.)
Gyges
I knew it was. Dead. Goddamn. How did he get way out here?
(Looks out over the audience. Cups a hand over his eyes and scans the horizon.)
Gyges
Maybe he fell of a boat and drowned in the storm, but I don’t see one anywhere around here.
(He moves over and stands next to the body. He looks down.)
Gyges
If he fell off a boat, why is he naked? That doesn’t make any sense.
(The set starts to darken again and the thunder and lightening that has been in the distance becomes more pronounced. The wind rises again. Gyges looks skyward.)
Gyges
Shit another storm is going to roll through here.
(He looks down again at the body. Nudges it with his foot and then kneels next to it. He slowly reaches out his hand and touches its shoulder.)
Gyges
Cold as hell. He must have been in the water a long time but he’s not bloat or discolored. Very weird.
(More thunder and lightening, the set is getting darker and windier again)
Gyges
(Looking upward.)
Here it comes the storm again. I was wrong the worse is not over. I’d better crawl back under the canoe. You’ll have to fend for yourself pal.
(One last look at the body over his shoulder as he turns to the canoe.)
Gyges
Wait, what is that on his hand?
(Turns back and reaches out to the hand. Picks it up.)
Gyges
A ring. Look at the size of it. It’s big and damn, expensive. I think there are diamonds all over it. Well pal you won’t be needed this any more. No sense leaving for the fishes or somebody else to find.
(He takes the ring off the dead man’s hand and puts it on his.)
Gyges
A perfect fit. What are the odds!
(Just them a terrible thunder claps and flashes of lightening send Gyges scrambling for his canoe. He scurries under it and pulls it completely over his head. The set goes completely dark once again except for the lightening flashes. In those flashes we see the body drift back of the island and out of sight. The set slowly brightens, the thunder and lightening abate. Gyges looks out and see the body is gone.)
End of scene
Scene Two
The scene opens at a resort lodge bar. Knotty pine abounds. There is one table front and center with one man at it, Oscar Neigh. People come and go from back stage and there is a bar to stage right where drinks and beer are served.
(The scene opens with Oscar sitting alone at the table. Enter John Kelson from the back of the bar.)
Oscar
(Waving)
Hey, John, over here
(John joins him and sits down)
Oscar
How was the fishing?
John
Excellent right before the storm. I picked up several 3 pounders. But after the storm, it seems like they just shut off, so I came in early and got a nap. And you?
Oscar
About the same. I even managed to catch a one that must have run about 4 or 4 and a half along with the 2's and 3's I was catching. The fish up here are very scrappy. Did you get caught in the rain and the wind?
John
Wind yes, rain no. I saw the lightening in the distance but all that was west of me. What about you? Where were you fishing?
Oscar
In Pilot's Cove so the storm moved north of me. Have you seen Ted or Gyges yet? Ted was fishing to the south of here but I think Gyges went west to his favorite spot off the Hook and those small islands out there. He always goes out there, claims to have some great spots but whenever I go out there with him, we get bumpkus. On his own, he tells some great stories about fishing out there.
(John Laughs)
(Ted enters)
John
Teddy my boy we were just talking about you.
Ted
And what were you saying?
Oscar
We wondered how you did and if you got caught in the storm?
Ted
Good and no. The storm missed me. I was south of it, fishing the mouth of Nizza's Creek I was doing real well too. The bass were chasing the shiners coming out of the creek and I was wrecking them on silver Rappalas. I caught several 3 and 4 pounders. I had a great time.
John
What about your buddy? Wasn't Gyges north of you, right in the path of the storm?
Ted
He is NOT my buddy.
John
Well I thought he was since he works for you.
Ted
(Sharply, clearly irritated)
That makes him my sub - or - din - nate, not my buddy.
Oscar
Easy Ted. John was just kidding you. What are you so touchy about?
Ted
I don't have ass-kissers for friends and Gyges is king of the ass-kissers. So he is not my buddy, chum, pal, compadre, amigo,. ..
Oscar
All right already, we get the picture.
Ted
I did see the sneaky little brown-noser. He came paddling exactly when I did. He got caught out in the storm and was all wigged out about. He said he had to beach his canoe and hide under it to keep from blowing away. What a putz.! He should have seen that storm coming from miles away and come in ahead of it or changed spots or something. It's all the same patterns with him. He doesn't pay any attention to what is goin' on around him and then he has to scramble to avoid disaster. Fishing or work it's the same with him.
John
Ok, ok. We get the picture - you don't relish his company.
Ted
I don't why we invited him up here with us in the first place.
Oscar
In the first place we didn't, he did. He brought us up here not the other way around. Remember?
Ted
Whatever, I don't remember. So why do we keep asking him to come?
(From the back of the stage, Gyges enters)
Oscar
Chill it. Here he comes.
Ted
Yeh, ok if you say so.
Gyges
Hey guys, one helluva storm huh!
John
From what Ted says you got the worst of it. It missed all of us. You were right in its path weren't you?
Gyges
Smack in the middle. I got blasted. Wind, rain, lightening, the whole nine yards. I had to paddle for my life just to make land and get off the lake. Too bad, too cause I was doing real, real well. The bass were feeding on crawdads near the islands off the hook and I was wasting them all morning. Not real big ones but lots of 'em. Not stop action. That is until the storm and then nothin'. Just plain nothin'.
Oscar
Same thing happened to us to, they shut off after the storm.
Gyges
Did I tell you I just barely made it off the lake. I had to paddle like my life depended on it just to make that last island. I hate being on the lake and waving that rod around when it's lightening. It's an invitation to get fried.
Oscar
Ted, said you had to hide under your canoe?
Ted
(Under his breath)
Great, I get to listen to this story again
Gyges
Yeah, I had to pull it over on top of me to keep from getting drenched to worse. I stayed near the shoe line to because I wanted to be as far away from the trees as I could.
Ted
Hey, bud, it’s your own fault for going way out there off The Hook anyway. Everybody knows that when the storms come rolling through here on summer afternoons that they usually hit out there on The Hook. So you got no one to blame but yourself.
Gyges
I wasn’t blaming anyone. I was just sayin’ what happened. I like it out there. I know some real . . .
Ted
(Interrupting, sarcastically)
Hot spots. Yeah we’ve heard this story before but whenever we go with you nothing happens. Now why is that?
Gyges
I don’t know it just works out that way. Besides I had even better luck out there than usual.
Ted
We know you already told us.
Gyges
No, not about the fish. About this.
He extends his hand and shows them the ring. I found this ring out off The Hook.
Oscar
(Impressed)
Really? You found that out there? Where at?
Gyges
On the island when I hid from the storm.
Ted
Let me get a better look. Give it here.
(Tries to take it off Gyges hand, but he pulls back before Ted can get it off.)
Gyges
Hey, hey don’t touch the merchandise.
John
Let me see it again. It looks like it has diamonds on it.
Gyges
(Showing it to John and shielding it from Ted)
It does have diamonds. Look at these.
(He points.)
Ted
(Takes a peek)
Those are fakes. They’re zirconium or somethin’.
Gyges
No there’re not. These babies are the real deal. I’ll prove it. Watch this.
(He takes Oscar’s glass and with the back of his hand, runs the ring over it. He shows the glass to John.)
John
He scratched Oscar’s glass. Shit, they really are diamonds.
Ted
(Shaking his head)
It is a trick. I know that. . .
John
(Interrupting him)
What is that emblem they’re surrounding?
Gyges
I don’t know. It looks like some kind of cloth. I have not been able to figure it out.
John
I think it is a veil or some other kind of covering.
Oscar
It looks like a cape to me.
John
And you found this on the island out there?
Ted
It is a shroud.
Gyges
I told you I found it on the island. Right when I paddled up. I saw it right away lying in there among the rock right at the edge of shore. I could not believe my good luck.
Ted
How did it get out there. You’re the only one that ever goes out there. I’ve never seen any of the locals out there. So how’d it get there.
Gyges
I don’t know. I guess it just washed up out there. How knows how old it is? It could really old. Maybe it’s from an old ship or something. Why would I make this up?
Ted
To try and impress us? There’s something odd about this story of your. It just doesn’t ring true if you get my drift.
(He laughs at his own joke. John and Oscar laugh too but not as hard.)
Gyges
Hey Ted, you can believe what you like. You’re just jealous ‘cause you didn’t find it and I did.
(looks around the table)
Say how come there’s no beer here? You know what to celebrate my good fortune in finding the ring
(waiving in front of Ted’s face, he slaps it away)
Tonight the beer is on me.
Ted
Say this is a first.
(Gyges gets up to leave to get the beer. He takes a couple of steps toward the bar. He stops to admire his ring again. He holds his arm at full length with front of his hand facing the audience. As he does this, he turns the ring around and then looks at the rings again. As soon as he turns the ring, he is hit by a red spot light.)
Gyges shakes himself.
Gyges
God what a weird feeling that was. I forgot to ask the guys what kind of beer they wanted. I better check. I don’t want Ted get more pissed off at me.
(He turns to go back to ask them but before he can say anything he overhears them talking about him. As they talk he wanders around the table. After a couple of minutes, he passes his hand in front of their faces and they don’t notice.)
Oscar
(Looks over toward the bar.)
Where did Gyges go? I thought he went over to get us some beer. I wonder where he disappeared to now.
Ted
If we are lucky, he’ll disappear altogether. Man, what a loser and what a bullshit story. Can you believe what he said about finding the ring.
Oscar
Hey Ted, maybe he did find it out there. Why don’t you cut the guy some slack?
Ted
I’d like to cut him loose that’s what I’d like to do.
Oscar
You mean fire him?
Ted
Of course I mean fire him. He is absolutely worthless around the office. He doesn’t know anything and he screws up on a regular basis. I have to create make up projects for him to work on ‘cause he screws up the real stuff.
Oscar
Why don’t you fire him then, if he such a screw up?
Ted
I can’t because he’s covered.
Oscar
What do you mean covered?
Ted
My boss Tommy O hired him. He’s tight with Tommy’s kid. To hear Gyges tell it he practically grew-up with the O’Briens. He was at their house all of time, they went everywhere together, they blah, blah, blah.
Oscar
So what?
Ted
So what? Whadaya mean so what? I can’t fire him because Tommy would have a fit and Tommy is the Old Man’s brother. And right now, I definitely do not want the Old Man mad at me. Look Tommy is retiring soon and I expect that the Old Man will promote me into his spot. I’ll be the first one outside of the family to move to the top floor and I ain’t even a Mick! After I’m promoted then. I’ll fire Gyges. Why rock the boat now. Without Tommy to protect him Gyges‘ll have no cover. Even crawling under a canoe won’t save him.
(They all laugh at the joke.)
Ted
The end of my troubles with Gyges is near at hand, boys, near at hand.
(At that moment, Gyges standing next to Oscar turns the ring back around and reappears. The spot goes off him. Oscar jumps, startled by Gyges sudden appearance.)
Oscar
Holy Mother God Gyges where the hell did you come from? You scared the crap out of me appearing out of nowhere like that. Where’s our beer. I thought you went to get us some beer.
Gyges
Well, I ah ah did go to get some beer but I ah ah forgot to ask you what kind you wanted.
Ted
Christ, we want colds ones. Now hurry up and stop trying to chisel out of your offer to buy us beer for the night.
Gyges
Yeh sure I’ll be right back.
(He leaves to get the beer.)
Ted
(Watching him leave)
Yes his ass is grass and I’m a lawn mower.
John
OK Ted so you don’t like the sorry son-of-a-bitch. Can’t we talk about something other than your problems at work? God we came up here to have a good time and all you want to do is piss and moan about office politics.
Ted
Oh Ok Johnny why don’t you tell us about all of the fishies you caught today.
John
(Gets up)
Look you little prick, don’t start in on me.
(Moves into Ted’s space)
Or I will kick your ass. I don’t work for you like Gyges so I don’t have to take the shit you hand out to him.
(Puts his hand on Ted’s shoulder.)
(Ted slaps it away)
Ted
Sit down don’t play tough with me.
Oscar
Hey hey you two knock it off. God, you’d think you were still in high school. Grow up.
(By now Gyges has returned.)
Gyges
OK boys, here’s one for each of you and don’t hold back on my account.
(Pours a glass for each one of them.)
I’m feeling extra great tonight I know this ring is going to prove even more valuable than I thought it was.
John
Here’s to your good fortune, Gyges
(They all raise the toast and drink.)
Gyges
Say I’ll be right back. Got to hit the head.
(He leaves and looks back to see if they are watching him. They are not so he turns the ring around and returns quickly to the table. Ted is raising his glass for another drink and Gyges slaps it all over him.)
Oscar
Shit Ted you got it all over me.
Ted
God damn what was that?
John
Having a little trouble holding your liquor tough guy?
Ted
Screw you.
(He reaches out to get a napkin to clean up and Gyges kicks his chair out from under him and Ted goes sprawling across the floor.)
(Oscar and John break out laughing)
John
Damn Ted what is the matter with you? You can’t be that drunk already.
(As Ted is getting up, Gyges leaves the room. On his way out he notices a woman standing at the bar. He goes out of his way to pat her on the ass before exiting. She turns to see who did it.)
End of scene
Scene Three Gyges new office
(Enter Danny O’Brien, likeable, affable, but tough. His Irish accent is noticeable and distinct. Gyges trails behind him.)
Danny
(Turns on the lights)
Well, here ‘tis, Peter me boy. Tommy’s old office. It’s yours now. Welcome to the top floor.
(Hands Gyges the keys and shakes his hand.)
Gyges
Thank you sir. It’s quite an honor for me to be up here with the O’Briens.
Danny
You deserve it after all you’ve accomplished in the last six months. Now you can have this done over so it’s more to your likin’. But don’t be goin’ hog wild now. Be sensible, but make it your own. I trust your judgment on that.
Gyges
Mr. O’Brien, that won’t be necessary. It’s fine he way it is. More than fine, sir. No need to change a thing. Why waste the family’s money on mere cosmetics.
Danny
(Pats him on the back)
I appreciate your concern for the family’s business, Peter.
Gyges
I see this business is something to be treasured. You and Tommy and the boys have built it into something special. I known your father would be really proud of how his sons and grandsons grew it out of its humble origins from that little shop he started with down on Flaherty Row.
Danny
God bless my old man. He worked in that old shop ‘til the day he died. Never took a day off in his life. And I spent more time on damn Flaherty Row than any school.
Gyges
Well sir, you made all of this possible.
(Moves his arms to indicate everything around them)
Danny
And now it’s your turn to help us continue the old man’s legacy. I have to tell you that you certainly have surprised all of us with your performance in the last six months.
Gyges
Thank you sir. It was great of Tommy to give me an opportunity to contribute.
Danny
We were really in a tough spot after Ted’s death. He had that acquisition of Domino Textiles at the critical point. Then right in the middle of the final negotiations, he gets killed. We thought for sure the deal was finished but then you stepped into his place and without missing a beat closed it to our great advantage. Tommy said you had anticipated their every strategy and tactic. Uncanny was the word he used when talking about how you outmaneuvered them.
Gyges
Nothing uncanny about hard work. I learned that from watching you and Tommy I just did my homework. Thorough preparation, that’s all it was, just simple preparation.
Danny
Tommy thought you got an even better deal for us than Ted was going to get.
Gyges
It is gracious of him to say so. I knew it was finally my chance to show what I was capable of. Tommy hired me originally and I wanted to show him that he hadn’t made a mistake. I had always worked in Ted’s shadow behind the scenes so I’m not Tommy thought I could even pull off the Domino’s negotiations.
Danny
We were really desperate. So desperate we put you in charge! No offense son, but none of us gave you much of a chance.
Gyges
No offense taken sir. I completely understand why you thought that. If I were in your place I would have thought the same thing. I’m sure I looked like Ted’s go – for but it wouldn’t have been right for me try to outshine Ted as long as he was my boss. So I did my work and waited for an opportunity. Of course, I never imagined it would come about in the tragic way it did.
Danny
When my father died from a heart attack, I was the oldest son so he left me the business. I had to scramble to make it work. I had lots of ideas about things we needed to do to get out of that dump on Flaherty Row but the old man opposed them all. While he was alive, it was his call. It is a hard thing to say, but honesty requires it, his death gave me the chance to make the business my own. Son, life is uncertain. Who knows what the fates have in store for us. But whatever it is, we must be prepared to seize the moment.
Gyges
Those are exactly my feelings sir. We must be prepared to seize whatever opportunities appear before us – even those we that come from the untimely death of others. You are right life is extremely uncertain, who knows what the next turn of events will bring.
Intercom
Mr. O’Brien your wife is outside waiting for you to take her to lunch.
Danny
Have her join Peter and me in here.
(Enter Elizabeth. She is impatient and irritated that her husband is not ready to go.)
Elizabeth
Dan, we’re going to be late. You know how crowded it gets at Chez Paul’s for lunch. They don’t take reservations and I hate waiting in line.
Danny
(Terse and scolding)
Hello Elizabeth. It’s good to see you too. Aren’t you going to say hello to Peter Gyges. I believe you two have met before.
Elizabeth
(Reaching out to shake his hand)
I’m sorry Mr. Gyges. I didn’t see you when I came in.
Gyges
And you too, Mrs. O’Brien. It’s been awhile.
Elizabeth
(Looks at him very carefully, trying to remember where they met.)
Ah yes . . . yes it has.
Danny
Peter here is taking over Tommy’s job. He worked for Ted before Ted died. He’s been working for Tommy directly since then and done a helluva job for us.
Elizabeth
Congratulations Mr. Gyges. It is Gyges, right?
Gyges
Yes, that’s right Gyges.
Elizabeth
Gyges, That’s not an Irish name is it?
Gyges
No. It’s Greek.
Elizabeth
(Bitterly, slowly)
Not an O’Brien. Not even Irish and you’re getting Tommy’s job. You must be very good Mr. Gyges to break through the Shamrock Ceiling. When I worked here the rule was only the Irish move up.
Danny
(Very angry)
Elizabeth Ellen! What a terrible thing to say! You know that’s not true.
Elizabeth
(Coldly)
Do I?
(Irritated)
Say are you ready or not. I’m starved and I don’t want to stand in line. Let’s go.
Danny
Alright. I’ve got to get my coat and make a fast phone call. Wait here and talk with Peter. I’ll be back shortly.
(Dan heads out the door.)
Elizabeth
(Calling after him)
Very shortly Dan. Very shortly.
Gyges
(Slyly)
You don’t remember meeting me, do you?
Elizabeth
What do you mean? Of course I do.
Gyges
Really. Where was it?
Elizabeth
Pauses and looks at him closely
Alright Mr. Gyges. I don’t remember meeting you. I’m sorry but I just don’t remember.
Gyges
It was at Tommy’s house last company Christmas party.
Elizabeth
If you say so. I am sorry, but I honestly don’t remember.
Gyges
No need to apologize. I was not very noticeable back then. But you certainly were. You were wearing a lovely black dress and a beautiful string of white pearls.
Elizabeth
(Flirting)
Why Mr. Gyges. You are a most observant man.
Gyges
(Returning the flirt)
Observing people is one of the things I do best.
(Closes the distance between them)
Elizabeth
Is it really? Tell me what else you have observed about me.
Gyges
I notice that you were angry that I had gotten Tommy’s job.
Elizabeth
Abrupt
Not angry, surprised. That’s all. The family is very tight. Surprised, that’s all.
Gyges
I don’t think so. There’s more to it than that. Mrs. O’Brien, you’re not being honest with me.
Elizabeth
(Angry)
What?! What did you say to me?
Gyges
I said you’re not being honest. There was more than surprise in your reaction. There was genuine anger. You were angry that I got Tommy’s job.
Elizabeth
(Defensively)
Angry, why in the world would I be angry that you got Tommy’s job? I don’t even know you Mr. Gyges, so why would something that you got make me angry?
Gyges
Exactly my thoughts, too. So I’d guess that when you worked here, you were on the wrong side of the Shamrock Ceiling. By the way, that is a very clever phrase. But then I’m puzzled because you did end up as Mr. O’Brien’s partner.
Elizabeth
coolly
Wife. I am his wife, not his partner.
Gyges
Needling
Oh, his wife, but not his partner. I’ll bet your life’s ambition was not to be a trophy wife to some corporate executive. Is that it?
Elizabeth
Trophy wife. Go to hell. I hate that term ‘trophy wife’.
Gyges
I’m sure you do. I’m just commenting on what everyone can observe.
Elizabeth
Well everyone can just go to hell right along with you. I’ve got a degree from the London School of Economic. I’m no one’s trophy wife.
Gyges
London School or not you’re still Mrs. Daniel O’Brien Trophy Wife. Too bad for you I’d say because I’d guess that you could have made a name for yourself around here. I mean a name other than Mrs. O’Brien.
Elizabeth
You’re damn right about that. I could have too except for that damn Irish family bullshit. I should have moved into the boardroom not Dan’s bedroom.
Pauses
I don’t get how you got past the Paddy Preference.
Gyges
To be honest, they were really desperate when Ted died. They had no where else to turn. No one gave me any chance to pull off the Domino acquisition. But I surprised them and I’ve kept on surprising them ever since.
Pauses and moves closer to her
I’ll pass something I’ve learned that they may not have taught you at the London School.
Elizabeth
I’m listening.
Gyges
It easier to get the better of people when they underestimate you. If they don’t see you coming then you can overtake them before they realize what’s happened to them.
Elizabeth
Why are you sharing your tidbits of street smarts with me?
Gyges
I think in your current situation you’re being underestimated and I have a feeling that soon you’ll come across an opportunity where being underestimated could be to your advantage.
Elizabeth
Really? That’s sounds intriguing. Are your feelings usually accurate, Mr. Gyges?
Gyges
Usually. In this case, I may have just such an opportunity for a woman of your talents and interests. If I did would you be interested in hearing about it?
Elizabeth
I would.
Gyges
Perhaps I should stop by the house sometime and reveal my business proposition for you.
Elizabeth
Would this proposition be for just me or would you want Dan to be involved?
Gyges
Danny is very busy these days. And this is the kind of proposition I don’t think I’d he’d be interested in.
Elizabeth
In that case, perhaps you should call first before you just show up at the house. After all we wouldn’t want to cause Dan any extra anxiety or worry.
Gyges
No we would not. You are such a thoughtful wife.
Elizabeth
Thank you Peter. You don’t mind if I call you Peter do you?
Gyges
You can if you like. Although everyone just calls me Gyges.
Elizabeth
I like Peter better.
Moves next to him and puts her hand on the back of his neck.
Gyges
Then for you Peter it will be.
(The sound of Danny’s voice from outside the office causes them to move apart.)
Danny
Outside
I’ll be back in a couple of hours.
(He enters)
Danny
Ok, Elizabeth. Let’s go. Peter, when I get back let’s talk about something I want you to work on while I’m out on the coast.
Gyges
Fine, call me when you get back from lunch.
Elizabeth
Nice to see you again Mr. Gyges. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of you now that you are on the family floor.
Gyges
I look for to it, Mrs. O’Brien. I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of each other.
(The O’ Briens exit.)
Gyges
And less of me as well.
(Laughs)
(Walks across the office, surveys his surroundings. Sits back down.)
(Mimics Danny’s accent)
Yes we want to be ready to take advantage of life’s uncertainty even the untimely death of a colleagues.
(Set darkens and we get a spotlight flashback scene at the front edge of the stage.)
Ted is shaving in the mirror. Behind him we see Gyges enter invisibly. He holds a knife under his coat. He moves quickly and quietly behind Ted. He stabs Ted in the back. As Ted collapses on the floor, Gyges turns the ring around so he can be seen. He leans over and grabs Ted’s face with his hand and shoves the ring in Ted’s face.
Gyges
Teddy old pal I told you this was a special ring. Now you know just how special it is.
(Flashback scene fades)
Gyges
(Back at his desk in the present)
Yes the sad unexpected tragic death of a valued colleague open the door of opportunity for me. But there are other doors out there with plenty of opportunity behind them too. Fortunately, I have a key for all of them.
(Holds up the ring, turns it, becomes invisible and then leaves the office.)
End of scene
Scene Four
O’Brien’s Home, Elizabeth’s bedroom
Elizabeth comes through her bedroom door. An invisible Gyges follows her. She sits on the bed and takes her shoes and earrings off. She gets up and goes to the closet. She starts to unzip her dress. Gyges turns the ring around.
Gyges
(By the door)
Would you like some help with that?
Elizabeth
(Startled)
Jesus Christ! What the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?
Gyges
I walked through the front door. It was open.
Elizabeth
It was not open. I locked it myself when I came in.
Gyges
Yes I know. I came in before you locked it.
Elizabeth
Bull shit. What are you doing here? You shouldn’t be here.
Gyges
Why because Danny’s out of town on business? Why I would think this would be the perfect time to discuss my business proposition I mentioned this afternoon. You said I should feel free to see you about it.
Elizabeth
Well I certainly didn’t mean tonight.
Gyges
Do you often say things you don’t mean? Did you mean it when you said you’d like to make a name for yourself, I mean other than Mrs. O’Brien.
Elizabeth
What are you getting at?
Gyges
I’m just checking your integrity level.
Elizabeth
Integrity level?
Gyges
Yeh, do you mean what you say or do you just say things to keep the conversation rolling, you know to help entertain and amuse Danny’s business clients?
Elizabeth
Snaps
That’s not my role here.
Gyges
Really? I guess everyone is mistaken then about what it is that you do. I wonder why that is.
(Pauses)
Or maybe we’re not the ones who are mistaken about your role?
Elizabeth
Shouldn’t you be leaving now? What if I told Dan you’d come here uninvited while he was gone?
Gyges
I’ll leave if you like. I’m not trying to force anything on you. I’ve learned what I needed to know.
Turns to go
Elizabeth
What? What are you talking about?
Gyges
I learned that all of your talk about being something more than a trophy wife was just empty talk. So I’ll be going now. I’ll remember this the next time we have to deal with each other.
Elizabeth
Remember what?
Gyges
I’ll remember that I don’t have to take anything you say seriously. You’re just around to keep the conversation going - something light and entertaining but not to be taken seriously.
Elizabeth
You said you have a business proposition for me. What is it?
Gyges
Before I tell you what it is, let’s play a little game of ‘hypothetical’?
Elizabeth
Hypothetical? You mean what if?
Gyges
Yes, excellent, London School, very smart, what if exactly.
Elizabeth
Go ahead. But cut the London School shit.
Gyges
What if Dan were to have a heart attack and die early like his old man? Who would get the business?
Elizabeth
Patrick, of course.
Gyges
(Chiding)
Patrick and not you?
Elizabeth
Yes, the oldest son gets the business. Patrick’s in the will to run the company. I’m not in the company part of the family – remember.
Gyges
What if I could change that? Would you be appreciative?
Elizabeth
Change what?
Gyges
What if I could help change things so that you ran in the company? Would you be grateful and appreciative?
Elizabeth
Well I’m sure I would be. How appreciative would I have to be?
Gyges
Well beyond the obvious, you’d have to appoint me as your chief operating officer. You’d find me indispensable as your chief operating officer.
Elizabeth
Ok, games over, tell me what all of this means.
Gyges
One more thing, to make all of this you have to fix it so that Patrick does not inherit running the company.
Elizabeth
How can I do that? He’s Dan’s oldest boy. I can’t change that. There’s no way Patrick is not going to run the company after Dan dies.
Gyges
Perhaps you are not as clever as you think you are. Unless you figure out an answer to that problem, then I can’t help you. I can only do so much. I’m still a mere mortal.
Elizabeth
What does that mean?
Gyges
It means if you what something then either you grab it or you shut up about it. I’m offering to help you get something you want. The question is evidently how bad you really want it. To get it, you have to get Danny to change his will. Look Danny boy is a heart attack waiting to happen – over weight, no exercise, smokes, high stress job, family history. Right now he says Patrick gets the business, if that does not change there is no reason for me to help Danny depart sooner rather than later. And until that changes, you will remain nothing but his trophy wife whose getting older all the time. Has it ever occurred to you that Dan swapped in older wife for a younger one once. It will be even easier for him to do it a second time.
Elizabeth
Yes that has occurred to me. But look as soon as Dan dies of anything other than a natural cause or obvious accident, I will be the first person the police suspect. Me, not you. I have the most to risk here.
Gyges
And the most to gain. This is exactly why you need me in the first place because I can make certain that Danny’s death will be seen as an accident.
Elizabeth
How can you be so sure it will be seen as an accident?
Gyges
Because it will be seen as an accident. I will make sure there are plenty of witnesses and you will be nowhere in sight with a clear alibi.
Elizabeth
And where will you be during this accident?
Gyges
I won’t be any where in sight either. So neither of us can be linked to his accident. But none of this does any good unless you can get Danny to change you for Patrick in his will.
Elizabeth
But I can think of any reason why he’d do that.
Gyges
This is up to you to figure out. Work the old angles, ok? Jealousy, envy, greed, betrayal, lust – you’ll think of something you’re smart right? London School and all of that. Then let me know when Patrick’s out and your in and I’ll do the rest.
Elizabeth
Then afterward, I’d run the company and you’d work for me?
Gyges
Yes that’s the plan. With me working for you, you’d have access to information you never dreamed of before. Decision-making will be so much easier and smarter. Look at how far I’ve come in just six months and I never had your expensive educational background. I’m offering you the same opportunity.
Elizabeth
I need to think about this.
Gyges
Sooner is better than later. The window to do this will not be open forever.
Moves to the door.
Call when you’re ready.
Elizabeth
Where are you going? As long as you’re here and no one is watching, why don’t you stay.
Gyges
My philosophy exactly. What can’t be seen, can be done.
The two embrace.
End of scene
Scene Five
Gyges Office
Intercom
Mr. Gyges, a Detective Van Damme from the police department is here to see you.
Gyges
Thank you Mary, send him.
(Van Damme knocks. Gyges goes to the door and opens it.)
Gyges
Detective Van Damme, please come in.
(Gyges extends his hand and Van Damme enters. They shake hands.)
Gyges
Can I get you something? Coffee?
Van Damme
No thank you, had enough already today.
Gyges
Please sit here.
(Motions to a chair in front of his desk. Van Damme sits in the chair. Gyges pulls up a chair next to him.)
Van Damme
I have some questions to ask you regarding the death of Daniel O’Brien. I was wondering if you . . . .
Gyges
What a terrible accident. I’m still shaken by it. I can’t believe he’s gone. He was such a vital and intense man.
Van Damme
You had accompanied him to the Walker Building that day, is that correct?
Gyges
Yes, I went with him.
Van Damme
What was the purpose of your visit?
Gyges
We wanted to look over some new office space possibilities. Danny knew heard that there might be some spaces opening up there and he wanted to look the building over to see if it would be an appropriate setting for expansion. He is . . . ah . . was quite particular about the company image and wanted to see the building for himself.
Van Damme
What time did you arrive at the Walker Building?
Gyges
I’d have to check my calendar to be certain, but I think it must have been about 11:30.
Van Damme
What did you do when you got there?
Gyges
We walked around on the ground floor a bit. Danny wanted to see what our customers would see when they first came in the building. He thought that the building itself must convey a certain impression. It was his philosophy that . . .
Van Damme
How long did that take? This walking around on the ground floor?
Gyges
I don’t know exactly, maybe 30 or 40 minutes. I do know that he liked what he saw so he wanted to see more of the building.
Van Damme
Then what did you do?
Gyges
Danny was hungry so we decided to eat at El Issa. It’s Jordanian restaurant on the first floor. Danny enjoyed lots of different ethnic food so he . . .
Van Damme
Did the two of you have anything to drink at the El Issa?
Gyges
When you go to lunch with Danny O’Brien, you always have something to drink.
Van Damme
What does that mean?
Gyges
Danny liked to drink. Bushnell’s on the rocks.
Van Damme
Where you drinking too?
Gyges
Sure, but not Bushnell’s. I’m strictly a beer man.
Van Damme
How much did Mr. O’Brien have to drink?
Gyges
I don’t know. I was paying that much attention. The usual, I guess.
Van Damme
The usual?
Gyges
Yeah, three or four.
Van Damme
How long where you there?
Gyges
I’d guess about an hour.
Van Damme
The coroner said he had a blood alcohol content of 0.10. That makes him legally intoxicated. Did he usually get drunk over lunch?
Gyges
It may make you or I legally intoxicated but not Danny.
Van Damme
When you left El Issa, what did you do next?
Gyges
Danny wanted to see the roof so he had me get a maintenance guy to show up there.
Van Damme
Why the hell would he want to see the roof?
Gyges
I told you he was a very thorough man.
Van Damme
Yeah but your client aren’t going to see the roof.
Gyges
No but the condition of the roof tells you a lot about how well maintained the building is and what kind of landlord you have. So Danny wanted to see the roof.
Van Damme
So you got the maintenance man . . .let’s see .. .
(Looks in his notes)
Lincoln Jefferson to show you the roof?
Gyges
I didn’t know his name but yeah I had him accompany us up to the roof and unlock the door so Danny could look around.
Van Damme
What happened then?
Gyges
Danny started asking the maintenance guy some questions and they walked around abit.
Van Damme
What where you doing at that point?
Gyges
Following behind them. I don’t know shit about the maintenance stuff so I just stayed out of the way.
Van Damme
Mr. Jefferson said you left just before the accident, is that right?
Gyges
Yeah, that’s right. I had to go to the bathroom. Those lunch time beers. When I got back, the maintenance guy was very shaken and upset he said Danny had fallen over the edge of the building. I couldn’t believe what I heard. I mean I’d only been gone for a couple of minutes and then when I get back Danny’s fallen to his death. I was in shock. This man and his family have done so much for me and now he’s gone. I have suffered such a loss. I don’t really understand why such a thing would happen. I guess I still don’t know what really happened up there? Do you?
Van Damme
Jefferson said he had been showing Mr. O’Brien some repair work near the edge of the building. He turned to walk away and then he heard Mr. O’Brien yell and saw him go over the edge. He thinks he must have tripped or stumbled.
Gyges
If I would have been there maybe I could have caught him or grabbed or done something. I mean I would have been right behind him.
Van Damme
Maybe. Is there anything else you can tell us?
Gyges
No, I can’t think of anything. If I do, I’ll call you. Do you have a card?
Van Damme
(Stands, Reaches into his coat pocket, takes out a card and hands it to Gyges)
Here. Call if you remember anything else. Oh there is something else, I wanted to ask you.
(Sits back down)
Gyges
Yes, what is it.
Van Damme
How well do you know Mrs. O’Brien?
Gyges
Not well. I’ve met her at a company party or two. Until recently, I knew her to say hello. That’s it.
Van Damme
Did you know Mr. O’Brien had changed recently changed his will to leave the company to his wife and not his son?
Gyges
No, Danny did not talk about the family part of the family business.
Van Damme
Well, it wasn’t just about the family part. I mean Patrick O’Brien did leave the company. Surely you knew that.
Gyges
Of course I knew that Patrick had left. But Danny never said word one to me about why. One day, he’s here and the next day he’s not. That was that. I don’t know anything more than that. Danny didn’t say and I didn’t ask. I figured if he wanted me to know, he would have told me.
VanDamme
Were you surprised?
Gyges
Yes, I was.
Van Damme
But not surprised enough to ask?
Gyges
I was surprised enough to ask, but smart enough not to.
Van Damme
Well were you surprised to find that Mrs. O’Brien is going to be your new boss?
Gyges
Not too, who else would it be, She’s was Danny’s wife and it is a family business.
Van Damme
Yes, but until a month ago, Patrick would have been your new boss.
Gyges
So you say, but I have no knowledge of all of that. Detective Van Damme, I am in charge of growth and acquisitions – that’s the business part of the family business I know something about. The family part of it is outside my area of expertise.
Van Damme
Well Patrick O’Brien came to see us and he is very disturbed by his father’s death and deeply suspicious at the timing of all of this.
Gyges
I guess in his position I would be too. Why are you telling me this Detective?
Van Damme
Because you may think of something that didn’t mean anything to you at the time but might be important for us to know.
Gyges
I don’t see anything in all of this Detective except a terrible accident. Do you see anything more to it than that?
Van Damme
It does appear that this is just an accident, Mr. Gyges. But I’ve learned in this work, appearances are not all there is.
(Gets up.)
Van Damme
Call if you think of anything else.
(Van Damme exits.)
(Gyges returns to his desk and looks over some papers. The another knock on the door.)
Gyges
Come in.
(Elizabeth enters)
Elizabeth
Was that the police?
Gyges
Yup.
(Continues to look at his papers.)
Elizabeth
I brought you something for your office.
(Holds up a statue)
Gyges
(Looks up)
Thank you. What is it?
(Looks back at his papers.)
Elizabeth
It’s Persian. Ahura Mazda, God of Light. May I put it here?
(Points to a credenza opposite the desk?)
Gyges
(Looks up again)
Yes, that’s fine. We can keep an eye on each other.
Elizabeth
(Placing the statue on the credenza)
That’s what I thought too. What did he say?
Gyges
What did who say?
Elizabeth
The cop.
Gyges
Not much. Basically he asked questions about what happened that day. They are just wrapping up the investigation.
Elizabeth
They came to see me last night.
Gyges
Yes, of course, they did. We knew they would. It’s their job.
Elizabeth
They asked a lot of questions about Danny naming me as heir to the business and changing his will.
Gyges
Yes, we knew they would. Elizabeth. We went over all of this. None of this is a surprise.
Elizabeth
I know we did but I was very nervous during the interview. He said Patrick had been to see them and made a lot of accusations about me being the cause of his leaving.
Gyges
He told me the same thing but why should you be nervous? Did you kill Danny?
Elizabeth
Of course not! But we had talked about and then he has an accident.
Gyges
Do you have an alibi?
Elizabeth
Well, yes, of course. I was at the dedication for the new wing at the art museum.
Gyges
So why are you so nervous? You didn’t do it. And even better, you have lots of witnesses from the dedication. So the police know you didn’t do it. Plus there was a witness who has no connection with you whatsoever. So why are you so nervous?
Elizabeth
But we talked about it and then Danny died. That’s why I’m so nervous. And you said, you’d take care of it. And then . . . .
Gyges
And then I didn’t have to because Danny had an accident.
Elizabeth
Are you saying, you didn’t have anything to do with it?
Gyges
I wasn’t there when it happened. Remember, I left for the bathroom. Danny fell while I was gone. The janitor saw the whole thing and he did not see me cause the accident.
Elizabeth
But it seems like such a coincidence.
Gyges
It does, doesn’t it? You know, Danny was a bit of a prophet. He was fond of saying that life is uncertain. Who would have thought he’d fall to his death off the top of a building? What are the odds? Life doesn’t get much more uncertain than that!
Elizabeth
But the police think it is odd that he died right after he changed his will and I inherited the business.
Gyges
Yes, I’m sure they do but they have nowhere to go with that thought. It will remain for them a mere coincidence.
Gyges
The only thing that can change that is you or I telling them something different. And neither of us has a reason to do that, do we?
Elizabeth
No, no we don’t.
Gyges
In fact we have every reason not to, don’t we?
Elizabeth
Yes, yes we have lots of reasons not to.
(They embrace)
End of scene
Scene Six
Gyges Office
Gyges
(On the phone)
Elizabeth, could you come see me. I need to talk to you about something.
(He stands and paces in his office for a minute waiting.)
(Knock on the door.)
Gyges
Come in.
(Elizabeth enters.)
Gyges
(Very terse, cold.)
There’s something we need to talk about.
Elizabeth
OK, what is it?
Gyges
(Walks over to the statue. Picks it up.)
It’s this.
Elizabeth
Yes, what about it?
Gyges
I discovered that this gift is a little more than it seems.
Elizabeth
What are you talking about?
Gyges
I was looking at it more closely yesterday when I noticed that it is hollow on the inside. Did you notice that when you bought it?
Silence
Gyges
Of course you did. That’s why you bought it.
(Shouts)
It makes the perfect place to hide something inside it doesn’t it?
(Pulls out a micro camera)
Elizabeth
(Gets closer)
I can explain.
Gyges
(Shouts)
You’ve been spying on me. You’ve been watching me.
(Grabs her, shouts in her face)
What have you seen? You’ve seen it haven’t you?
(Silence)
Gyges
Answer me!
(Shakes her.)
You’ve seen it haven’t you?
Elizabeth
Stop it. Get your hands off of me.
(Pulls herself free)
Yes, I’ve seen it. I’ve seen you use the ring.
Gyges
(Throws the camera and smashes it with his foot.)
God damn you Elizabeth. No one is supposed to see this work.
(Holds up his ring hand)
And now you have.
(Pauses)
Who else has seen this?
Elizabeth
No one. I’m the only one.
Gyges
(Grabs her)
Don’t lie to me. Who else knows about me? Tell me. Tell me.
Elizabeth
Peter, let go, you’re hurting me. No one else knows. Peter, I swear I’m the only one. I’m the only one who knows what you can do. You’ve got to believe me. I’m the only one who knows.
(He lets go of her.)
Gyges
Did you tape it? Is it on tape?
Elizabeth
Yes.
Gyges
Where is the tape?
Elizabeth
Some place safe.
Gyges
I can’t believe you’d spy on me. I trusted you and you spied on me.
Elizabeth
That’s bull shit. You didn’t trust me. You lied to me. I knew you were lying about not having anything to do with Danny’s death. No wonder the janitor didn’t see you.
Gyges
Yes, yes that’s right. It worked perfectly. Just like we agreed in your bedroom. You had a perfect alibi and so did I. Now you have what you really wanted. So I don’t understand why you were spying on me. I helped you get just what you wanted. Instead of being grateful, you . . .
Elizabeth
I don’t understand the power of the ring? How is it possible?
Gyges
I don’t know. I just know it works and I can use it to get what I want. That’s all I care about.
Elizabeth
Where did you get it?
Gyges
I found it.
Elizabeth
Where did you find it?
Gyges
On an island in the lakes where I go fishing. It was lying on the beach.
Elizabeth
I wonder where it came from. Do you think there are any others like it?
Gyges
I don’t know. Why?
Elizabeth
Just curious. May I see it?
Gyges
See what?
Elizabeth
The ring.
Gyges
(Extends his hand)
Here.
Elizabeth
(Looks at it on his hand closely)
How does it work? Show me exactly how it works.
Gyges
(Steps back and turns the ring, the light shows him as invisible. Then he turns it back again.)
Viola, now you see me and now you don’t.
Elizabeth
Can I try it?
Gyges
(Recoils at the suggestion)
Absolutely not! This is my ring.
Elizabeth
I didn’t ask you to give it to me. I just wanted to try it.
Gyges
No, it’s mine. It’s too valuable for me to let go of it even for an instance. It will never leave my finger. I’m the only one who can use it.
Elizabeth
Ok, ok. I was just curious that’s all. No need to get so upset about it.
Gyges
I want that tape you made spying on me.
Elizabeth
Sure, I’ll give you the tape but you have to do something for me.
Gyges
What? What do you want?
Elizabeth
I want to try on the ring, then I’ll give you the tape.
Gyges
You weren’t listening very well. I said I’m the only one who can use the ring.
Elizabeth
Then I guess I’ll just keep the tape. It’s an open offer. If you change your mind, let me know. I got to go. I’ve got a lot of work to do. And so do you, aren’t you supposed to be getting us the goods on Freeport Industries?
(She starts to leave. She goes over to the credenza. Picks up the statue.)
Elizabeth
I’ll just take Mr. Mazda back with me. I don’t think you appreciate him anymore. And well I’m very fond of him myself.
(She leaves.)
Gyges
Shit! She knows! That’s bad. She has it on tape. That’s worse. I saw right through her trick of letting her use the ring in exchange for the tape. Once she had the ring she could disappear and not give me the tape. Then I would have to hunt her down and get the ring back from her at all costs that would mean I’d have to kill her. But that would be exceedingly difficult when she had the power of the ring. She knows that and so if she got the ring the only way to keep it would be for her to kill me. So I cannot let her even try on the ring.
Even if she gave me the tape and did not try to keep the ring there is no way to know if it is the only copy. Letting her try the ring in exchange for the tape is not an option. I don’t really get anything and I stand to lose the ring and if I lose the ring then I lose my life.
But now she sees how powerful the ring is, she wants a ring for herself. The only one she can have is mine. If I don’t let her try it on, she will find some other way to get it from me. Let’s say she found a way to steal it from me. Then I would still have to hunt her down and get the ring back from her at all costs that would mean I’d have to kill her. But that would be exceedingly difficult when she had the power of the ring. She knows that and so if she got the ring the only way to keep it would be for her to kill me. That way she could keep the ring for herself without fear of me getting it back. The only way to prevent that is to kill her first. Now that she knows about the ring, my only rational choice is to kill her.
I should also assume that she is making these exact same calculations and knows that since I know that she knows I have the ring, I will conclude that I must kill her. She must come to the same conclusion and try to kill me before I can kill her. We must both race to kill the other first. In this of course I have the edge because I have the ring. This she knows so she will drop from sight as soon as possible so I won’t know where to find her.
Elizabeth
Shit! He knows I know about the ring. I’ve lost the element of surprise. That’s bad, very bad. What’s worse is that he saw right through my trick of letting me use the ring in exchange for the tape. Once I had the ring I could disappear and not give him the tape. Then, of course, he would have to hunt me down and try to get the ring back from me at all costs that would mean he’d have to kill me. But that would be exceedingly difficult when I had the power of the ring. So if I ever got the ring the only way to keep it would be for me to kill him. He can figure this out so there is no way he will ever let me try on the ring.
Even if I did give him the tape and did not try to keep the ring there is no way for him to know if it is the only copy. So letting me try the ring in exchange for the tape is not an option for him. He doesn’t really get anything and he stands to lose the ring and if I lose the ring then he knows he will lose his life.
But now he knows that I’ve seen how powerful the ring is and I want a ring for myself. The only one I can have is his. If he won’t let me try it on and he won’t, I need to find some other way to get it from him. Let’s say I found a way to steal it from him. Then he would still have to hunt me down and get the ring back from me at all costs that would mean he’d have to kill me. But that would be exceedingly difficult when I have the power of the ring. So if I got the ring the only way to keep it would be for me to kill him. That way I could keep the ring for myself without fear of him getting it back. He will figure this out as well. The only way to prevent me from killing him to get the ring is to kill me first. Now that he knows I know about the ring, his only rational choice is to kill me.
I should also assume that he is making these exact same calculations and knows that I figure he will conclude that he must kill me now that I know about the ring. He will see that I will figure the only way to stop this is for me to kill him first. He must come to the same conclusion and try to kill me before I can kill him. We must both race to kill the other first. In this of course he has the edge because he has the ring. I need to drop out of sight as soon as possible so he won’t know where to find me.
End of scene
Scene Seven
Gyges’ Office
Gyges is at his desk. Pulls a business card from his wallet. He picks up the phone, punches in a number from the card.
Gyges
Detective Van Damme, please.
(pauses)
Yes, Detective Van Damme. This is Peter Gyges over at O’Brien Imports and Exports. You came to see me after the death of Daniel O’Brien, do you remember?
(pauses)
Yes, that’s me. Well you gave me your card and said if I remembered anything that seemed insignificant at the time. I’m not sure if this is even important but I think it might be. I got to thinking about what you’d said about Mrs. O’Brien recently being named as Danny’s heir to the business.
(pauses)
Yes, yes, that’s right. I told you I didn’t know anything about it. And I didn’t. But it got me to thinking. Then I remembered something that didn’t seem important at the time but now I think it may mean something. Do you remember I said that Danny had heard there might be office space open at the Building?
(pauses)
Yes, yes that’s why we went to that specific building. Well, now I recall that Danny told me it was his wife who told him there might be some openings over there. It never made any impression on me at the time but now . . .
(pauses)
Yes, I’m positive he said that she told him to go to the Building.
(pauses)
Well, it was a couple of days before we went over there.
(pauses)
Yes, that’s right but there is something else too. After I recalled this, it got me to wondering was there any space even opening over there. So I called to check to see. And here’s the odd thing, there’s no openings and the building manager says that all the current tenants are locked into multi year leases. So I don’t know why Mrs. O’Brien would have sent Danny over there. Like I said, I don’t know if it is significant or not. I’m not policeman but I figured you would know if this was important or not.
(pauses)
Yesterday, I talked with him yesterday. His name is Dwight Mitchell.
(pauses)
No, that’s it. I hope this is helpful.
(pauses)
Your welcome, Detective.
(Hangs up the phone.)
Gyges
This should keep Elizabeth busy while I’m gone.
(Reaches opens a desk drawer and pulls out a bottle, a lipstick and a small stack of money. Goes over to the credenza and gets his valise. Returns to his desk. Puts the items in his valise. Picks up the phone. Punches two numbers.)
Gyges
Mary, I’m just calling to remind you that I’m leaving today for a week of fishing at Black Pines resort in Minnesota.
(pauses, laughs)
Thank you, I think I deserve the break too. You have my cell phone number in case you need to reach me. You also have the number at the resort. But Mary, unless it’s life and death, I’d prefer not to be bothered.
(pauses)
Thank you Mary, I appreciate it. If I get any, I’ll bring you back some walleye fillets.
(pauses)
Yes, I know you do. I’ll see you when I get back. Bye now.
(Hangs up. Exits the room.)
End of scene
Scene Eight
Elizabeth’s office.
(She’s on the phone.)
Elizabeth
Yes, I am being very particular about the job. I want it done just the way I’ve specified. It’s not necessary for you to know the reasons why I want it done in this way, but have I to stress that it must be done exactly the as I’ve laid out to you.
(pause)
Yes, that’s right, in the next seven days. There is a very small window of opportunity to get this done. After that . . . well .. after that the situation will become extremely complicated and difficult.
(pause)
I appreciate the your sympathy Daniel was a great man. We’ll all miss him, but it is a comfort to know I can rely on his old friends to help me out when I need them. I look forward to hearing from you in a dew days. Bye.
(Hangs up. She starts to work on some papers on her desk.)
Intercom
Mrs. O’Brien, that Detective Van Damme from the police department is here to see you again. He has two other gentlemen with him.
Elizabeth
Send them in Mary.
(VanDamme, Smith and Jones enter without knocking before Elizabeth can get up from her desk.)
Van Damme
Mrs. O’Brien, we have a warrant to search your office and your home.
(Hands her the paper.)
Elizabeth
A search warrant!? For what? What are you searching for?
Van Damme
May we have the keys to the desk and cabinets.
Elizabeth
(reading the paper)
Nothing is locked. What are you looking for? What is this about?
Van Damme
Smith, look through the file cabinet and desk. Jones, search the credenza and the closet.
(The two set about their tasks.)
Elizabeth
(looking up from the paper)
Detective I don’t understand this paper. Who the hell is Lincoln Jefferson?
Van Damme
This morning we found Lincoln Jefferson dead in his office. We are looking for evidence that may indicate you had a role in his death.
Elizabeth
This is nuts! I don’t even know who this Jefferson guy is. You made some kind of stupid mistake.
Van Damme
Mr. Jefferson was the maintenance man at the Building. He was the only witness to your late husband’s death. He is the last one to see him alive.
Elizabeth
Well, I never knew him or his name. So why are you here searching my office and home? I don’t understand what any of this has to do with me.
Van Damme
We have evidence that you were the one who sent your husband to the ??? Building to look for new office space. And that when he . . . .
Elizabeth
What? Me?! I never sent him there. Absolutely not. I didn’t know anything about Daniel’s going over to that building until I got news he’d slipped and fallen off it. Why would I know anything about that?
Van Damme
We understand you told him there was going to be office space opening up that he may want to look at for possible expansion.
Elizabeth
Office space? I don’t anything about office space at the Building or any where else for that matter. Where did you hear this ridiculous story?
Van Damme
We have an active investigation going Mrs. O’Brien and we do not discuss where we get our evidence.
Elizabeth
Well, I’m calling me lawyer. This is just crazy.
(Picks up the phone)
Mary, Call our attorney, James Conway, right away.
(hangs up)
Van Damme
Have you ever been to the Building?
Elizabeth
Yes, of course. Daniel loved to eat at the El Issa. We used to go there often.
Van Damme
Have you gone there recently?
Elizabeth
Maybe a couple of weeks before Daniel’s accident. We went there for supper.
Van Damme
Did you know Mr. Jefferson?
Intercom
Mrs. O’Brien. Mr. Conway is in court. His office said they would have him call as soon as he gets out.
Elizabeth
Thank you Mary. Send it through right away when he calls.
Van Damme
Did you know Mr. Jefferson?
Elizabeth
I’ve already told you I did not know the man. Why would I have any business with a janitor at a building across town? Detective, you . . .
Van Damme
You never met him? Or spoken with him over the phone? Never made a call to his office? We will check this Mrs. O’Brien, the warrant covers phone records.
Elizabeth
No, no of course not. How many times do I have to tell you this? I never met nor talked to this man.
Van Damme
(Reaches in his pocket and pulls out a plastic bag with a tube of lipstick inside it.)
Do you recognize this, Mrs. O’Brien?
Elizabeth
Yes, it’s a lipstick tube. So what?
Van Damme
We found it in Mr. Jefferson’s office under his desk. We’re checking it for prints. Yours would happen to be on it, would they?
Elizabeth
Don’t be stupid. Why would my prints be on it? . . Wait.
(Grabs bag from Van Damme.)
Shit. This does look like the kind I use. But it’s not mine, mine is home in my evening bag.
(Pauses)
Oh my god. Gyges. Gyges you son of bitch.
Van Damme
Gyges. Would that be Peter Gyges?
Elizabeth
Detective, I’m afraid I have not been completely frank with you. I should have mentioned this before but I didn’t have any real proof.
Van Damme
Yeh, what’s that?
Elizabeth
I think Peter Gyges may have been involved in my husband’s death and that he now trying to frame me for it. That’s the only explanation for the lipstick.
Van Damme
You’re saying Peter Gyges killed your husband and now he’s trying to frame you for it. And just now you decided to share this with us after we have evidence that you may have been in the office of the last person to see your husband alive. Do I have that right, Mrs. O’Brien?
Elizabeth
Yes, yes. I know I should have said something earlier but I know he ‘s involved.
Van Damme
Why do you say that?
Elizabeth
Well . . .ah . .ah . . because of something he said to me the day after Daniel’s death. He said I should be grateful to him for the accident.
Van Damme
That’s it? That’s your proof of the frame? Tell me, how would Peter Gyges come to have access to the lipstick you keep at home in your evening purse?
Elizabeth
Well . . . maybe . . .
Van Damme
Did you invite Peter Gyges to visit the house since Mr. O’Brien died?
Elizabeth
No, no of course not.
Van Damme
Did you invite Peter Gyges to visit the house before Mr. O’Brien died?
Elizabeth
Detective Van Damme, you are an insulting bastard.
Van Damme
Is that a denial?
Elizabeth
Maybe Mr. Gyges, just got in the house when I was gone. Just last week, I got home on Tuesday night and the back door had been forced open.
Van Damme
Have you reported this to the police?
Elizabeth
No because nothing was missing. Or I thought nothing was missing until I see this lipstick tube.
Van Damme
Peter Gyges had nothing to gain from your husband’s death. But you did. You had a lot to gain from it. You inherited the company. Mr. Gyges already worked here. You had a very good reason to kill your husband.
Elizabeth
I wasn’t anywhere near the building when Daniel fell. Gyges was there! He was even on the roof with Daniel and the janitor. He could have done it then.
Van Damme
Yes, but Gyges said he’d left right before the accident and Mr. Jefferson corroborated his story – that is while he was still alive. Either your husband fell of Jefferson pushed him. But until recent we could see no reason for Jefferson to do that. No we think differently. And that’s where you come in.
Elizabeth
Me? Why me?
Van Damme
Because you profited by your husband’s death.
Elizabeth
But I didn’t do. I wasn’t there. Ask anyone who saw me at . . .
Van Damme
At the museum? We did, yes you were not on the roof. But you had Mr. Jefferson doing your dirty work for you.
Elizabeth
What! Now you are nuts.
Van Damme
We found something else at Mr. Jefferson’s. Hidden away in his drawer was a bag with $5,000 in cash in small bills and a newspaper clipping about your husband’s wealth and company. That’s a lot of money for a janitor to have laying around, don’t you think Mrs. O’Brien?
Elizabeth
I don’t know. But so what. So what he kept a little slush fund at work. Maybe he hit the lottery, or won it on the horses who knows –what the hell does that have to do with me.
Van Damme
We think the money was your payoff to Mr. Jefferson for pushing your husband off the roof. Later, Jefferson sees that the $5,000 was chump change and he comes back for a second bite of the apple so to speak – he asks you for more. You’re afraid that this will be another version of the Never Ending Story so you tell him ok and then kill him.
Elizabeth
This is sheer nonsense, a complete fabrication. You’ve got no evidence of this whatsoever –beside that lipstick tube.
Smith
Hey Van Damme. You’ll want to see this.
(Brings him over the statue of Ahura Mazda. Turns it upside down.)
It’s hollow. Look inside.
Van Damme
(Peers inside, looks at Elizabeth)
Ah what have we in here? I think we may have the proverbial smoking gun.
9Puts on a glove and pulls out a vial. Shows it to Elizabeth)
Elizabeth
Doesn’t look much like a gun to me Detective, let alone a smoking one. I don’t guess that’s what shot Mr. Jefferson.
Van Damme
Mr. Jefferson wasn’t shot he was poisoned.
(Looking at the vial.)
Mrs. O’Brien, I was speaking metaphorically. Cuff her and Morandize her.
(Jones handcuffs Elizabeth and leads her out of the office. On the way out)
Jones
You have the right to remain silent . . .
Elizabeth
Gyges, god damn you.
Jones
You have a right to . . .
(As they exit the stage)
Van Damme
Jones, check with the receptionist on when exactly Gyges is supposed to be back. We want to have a serious talk with him. I think there’s more going on between these two than meets the eye. Let’s see if we can get to the bottom of it.
They exit
End of scene.
Scene Nine
(On the lake, two men in a boat. They are angled slightly away from the audience. Fishing rods stick out but neither one is fishing. They are looking to the back of the stage off in the distance. One man has binoculars.)
Michael
Colin, do you see anyone else around?
Colin
Not yet, but I’m still checking.
(He scans the area in a complete sweep with his binoculars.)
No one but our boy. He’s alone off the point of that island.
(Points to the back of the stage)
Can you see him?
Michael
Yeah just barely. Good enough though.
(Reaches in the bottom of the boat and pulls up a rifle with a scope. Aims the rifle toward the island.)
Ahhh, that’s much better. Nice and still he is. He’s just drifting out there.
Colin
It’s not too choppy for ya, is it Michael? Can you make the shot? Do you want me to get ya’ a wee bit closer?
Michael
(Puts down the rifle)
Can I make the shot? Colin McDougal who do you think your talkin’ to! I’ve made much tougher shots than this. Do you recall the time I killed that British Captain shooting from the back of the van while you were driving over that god forsaken road outside of ‘Derry.
Colin
I do indeed. It was a great shot, 300 yards away if it was a foot. Straight through the heart. He was dead before he heard the shot. A real fine piece of shooting it was. One of your best kills.
Michael
Alright then, let’s have no more talk about me makin’ the shot. I been makin’ shots like this for 20 years.
(Re-aims the riffle.)
Colin
Remember now this is to be a head shot.
Michael
(Looking through the scope)
Colin, you’re startin’ to get on me nerves. I know what the fuck I’m doing here. I don’t need no promptin’ from you.
Colin
Just tryin’ to be helpful, Michael. We got real specific instructions for this hit.
Michael
(Looking through the scope)
Just about there. I’m waiting for our boy to look up just a bit. . more…more…more
There it is.
(He squeezes the trigger and a shot rings out.)
(A moment’s pause as Colin looks through his binoculars.)
Colin
You blew his fucking head clean off. Great shot Michael.
Michael
(Still looking through the scope. Slowly lowers the gun.)
That one’s for our friend Danny O’Brien, you Greek bastard. May the devil roast your murderous soul in hell!
Colin
OK, now for the clean up work. Mrs. O’Brien wanted the body stripped, weighed down and sank into the deepest part of the lake. We are to burn the wallet and anything else that might identify this guy. And she wanted us to bring back his ring as proof that he’s dead.
Michael
Let’s get movin’ then before anyone else comes out here.
(Boat moves slowly toward the back of the stage)
End of scene and play