Scene 10: The First meeting
(Lights up as JACOB sits alone at a table CENTER STAGE, fidgeting with his hands as he waits. He glances at his watch multiple times before finally MEPHISTOPHELES 1 enters the scene)
M1: Sorry I’m late Jacob, there was another matter that I had to deal with before I arrived.
JACOB: You’re fine, M was it? Sorry I’m not the greatest with names.
M1: Mephistopheles, but everyone else just calls me M since my name can be a bit of a pain. Now, let's jump straight into it if you wouldn’t mind. I can’t stay for too long. Can you tell me a little bit about your project, what was it called again?
JACOB: The Miracle Machine.
M1: Ah yes, the Miracle Machine, and what exactly does this machine do?
JACOB: Well it’s my hope that once it’s finished the machine can be used for any number of things. To help spread resources out to places that need them, to help transport people as they go from one area to the next. To cure illness, and to maybe stop death itself if we can make it happen. This machine was designed in order to help make this world a better place by performing, well, miracles.
M1: Now Jacob, you’re a bright boy, but what makes you think that you can conquer death? The greatest scientists and magicians of the world have been trying since the dawn of time, and yet we all march towards it all the same. Even the gods couldn’t escape death!
JACOB: But they didn’t have my secret! I know what the key is!
M1: And what would that be?
JACOB: Souls, M!
M1: Souls?
JACOB: Well, not the souls themselves. But the energy generated by splitting a soul from its body. At the precise moment where a soul breaks free from its bonds, a massive wave of energy is released, energy great enough to break down the barrier between worlds. With enough energy we can even break through the time stream!
M1: Jacob, this all sounds well and good, but what makes you think such an operation, even if what you’re saying is true, is viable on such a large scale as you described?
JACOB: Because it happens every day, and people like you don’t even notice. I can see it happening all around us M, the flow of time as we go about our day, the strands of reality holding everything together as the world constantly changes around it. Ever since I was young, I could see the Tapestry in all of its clarity. I can see where one timeline splits apart, and where three others might merge, each one like a different stream that I can sit at as I choose. I know it’s possible because I watch every night as invisible men race against the clock, jumping across from world to world doing their best to keep things from falling apart, all without knowing that I am watching while they work. The powers they have could do a world of good M, and I don’t know if they aren’t shared because they are afraid or if it’s because they don’t have enough of them, but I know that I can help to share these miracles with the rest of the world.
M1: If all this is true, what makes you think you can do anything that those “invisible men” can’t do?
JACOB: Because I don’t just have the ability to jump across worlds and realities like they do, visiting different places and versions of the Tapestry. I can travel backwards through the strands, and into the past M. My machine wouldn’t just fix the world's problems, it could let us go back to the source and stop it from ever happening outright.
M1: Yes, yes, but how do I know that what you’re even saying is true?
JACOB: Because when I look at you, the strands I see connecting you to this world are very different from everyone else’s. They are frayed and old, many snapped, others cut intentionally but from the strands that survive I can see that you know all about this. All about the other worlds M. Because for the first time in my life, I have the ability to talk to someone like me. I knew that you would play dumb in order to protect yourself, you have no idea who I am or what my intentions are. So, I took the liberty of setting up a little demo of sorts.
(JACOB takes a second before pulling out a small black bag. He grabs inside and pulls out a pair of black sunglasses)
JACOB: I believe these are yours
(M1 erupts into a mountain of laughter. It takes him a minute to settle down before he continues)
M1: Very good Jacob, very well done. Oh, me and my employer will happily fund your little Miracle Machine no matter what the cost. Brilliant, simply marvelous.
JACOB: So, I got the grant?
M1: Oh Jacob, you got so much more than the grant. After today you’ll be able to do everything you’ve ever dreamed. First this project, then the next, and the next. You’ve opened up your future to the infinite my son, and with my help you’ll soar above everything. I’ll make sure of it. And when you’re finally ready, you’ll meet my employer and together we really will perform miracles.
JACOB: That’s wonderful to hear! I’m so excited to be able to work with you guys! We’re going to be able to do some real good for the world. I can’t wait to tell Elizabeth! And to think she was so worried about me taking the grant. I’m so happy she changed her mind though; I never would have come if she hadn’t let me.
M1: You can tell Elizabeth that nothing will happen that she doesn’t approve of. And if she has any concerns, she can come and see me personally. Now, to that end, you’re aware of the requirements for the funding, correct?
JACOB: Yeah, yeah. All I have to do is a few odd jobs for you every now and then, and the checks keep coming.
M1: And these jobs are nonnegotiable. Think of this like a contract Jacob. Each party is invested in your project, but we each have to put a little work into it. We give you the necessary money to continue working on your Miracle Machine, and in return we expect full obedience.
JACOB: That’s fine with me. I’m not afraid of putting in a little extra work if it means watching my dreams come true. In fact, I’m a little excited.
M1: That’s good to hear! Then we can get started immediately. Just give me the location of where you work, and I can drop by after I handle this other matter.
JACOB: Good! Then we can start scheduling and going over expectations. Be warned, I don’t know how quickly we will be able to move at first. I’m a little concerned with the ethics involved and I want to make sure we do everything right.
M1: Jacob, don’t worry. We have plenty of time to go over those hurdles as they come up. Until then relax. We’re going to do some good work together, you and I. Oh, and here, take this card.
(M1 hands JACOB the business card from the previous seen it was used in. However instead of being the normal business card, it is the one that was used in the game)
M1: This card acts as the physical embodiment of our contract, it’s a reminder that no matter where we may go, we are still bound together until we have both fulfilled our ends of the deal. Should you ever need to get into contact with me, simply hold the card and say my name aloud. I will come.
(JACOB takes a second to look over the card)
JACOB: Why do you use the raven as your symbol? They haven’t been around for thousands of years.
M1: I use it to show that I won’t give up on things that might seem impossible, like with your machine. And besides, who knows what the future holds. Between you and me, I don’t think that the ravens ever truly went extinct. They’ve just been laying low and biding their time. They’re very smart after all. They know when a storm’s brewing. I have a good feeling that they’ll be back one day. Just you wait.
(BLACKOUT)
