EPICENTER A Psychodrama of Paradigm Shifts
From Scene 3 – Complication
Slide: November 5th
JASPER: I’m going to make this quick.
HENRY: Who are you?
JASPER: It doesn’t matter. Two days ago you were contacted by Terrance Mcarthy. The two of you had a brief conversation and now you work for him. If you do not comply with his wishes he will order your wife killed. This morning you received a postcard from me.
HENRY: My first question stands.
Jasper crosses into the light.
JASPER: I imagine he’s taken you on as a specialist regarding the S.E.C.S project, which was shut down three months ago, by your corporation. I also imagine that everything you’ve learned about S.E.C.S is information gained in the last few days. I imagine Terrance contacted you as the result of your inquiries.
HENRY: You have a vivid imagination.
JASPER: I understand you’re forbidden to mention a word of this to anyone.
Henry is silent.
JASPER: Are you enjoying the solitude, Henry?
HENRY: What do you want.
JASPER: I’m going to help you. As my postcard says.
HENRY: Where did you get this information?
JASPER: It doesn’t matter. Understand this: the accuracy of my information is the only evidence of my Authority. I’m going to make this quick. I’m going to tell you what’s going on.
HENRY: And I should take your word for it.
JASPER: That’s up to you.
Pause.
HENRY: Alright.
JASPER: Listen carefully. You’ve concluded that you’ve involved yourself in a criminal organization.
HENRY: Yes.
JASPER: That’s the layman’s interpretation. It would be more helpful if you think yourself as being involved in one or more Secret Societies.
HENRY: Secret Societies?
JASPER: I like to think of them as non-local information systems. And there are hundreds. Many of which operate branches right here in
HENRY: Non-conventional. You mean criminal.
JASPER: No. The Freemasons. The Scientologists. The Klu Klux Klan. Although relative to what you’re involved in those three are fairly harmless. I’d go as far as to say the Republican and Democratic parties are secret societies - if they exhibited any sort of internal unity at all, which they don’t.
HENRY: My wife and I are democrats.
JASPER: Fine then. Imagine the democratic party unified and effective. Imagine what they would do. Each party is an individuated system of codes and conduct meant to unify and alter the material world. Imagine how much more effective a smaller, more cohesive group would be, if it had the right connections. Imagine if the US military decided to secretly take over the country. It might have happened back in 1945. And then we had
Pause.
HENRY: Go on.
JASPER: Most of what you know is something that’s been told to you by someone else.
Slide: November 5thBerkeley. Lights up Left. Carse’s office. Carse at desk. Charise sitting in chair.
SHAR: So how accurate is
CARSE: Honestly, Charise, you would have to ask him yourself. I haven’t seen what he’s seen. I’m really more interested in what his accounts have made me think about. Is the country being controlled by some invisible organization - Well, maybe - which one? I don’t pretend to know.
SHAR: I’ve been meaning to ask you, Alex. For someone who knows so much - and I believe you when you say I’m only grasping the tip of the iceberg - I’d think you would have integrated yourself long ago.
CARSE: That’s a very wise observation, Charise.
Pause.
SHAR: I’m beginning to regret my decision to jump on this so soon.
CARSE: It wouldn’t be hard for you to pull out. I’m sure the Clear Sight Collective scares off potential members all the time.
SHAR: Pull out and go back to what?
Focus shift. Slide: November 5th
HENRY: It’s a fascinating story, but I don’t see what it has to do with me.
JASPER: I’m trying to tell you the rules of the game you’re playing.
HENRY: You think this is a game? My Wife is at home right now waiting for her husband with no idea whatsoever that if I slip up her life is over!
JASPER: If you call it a game, you stand a chance of winning. I’ll say it again: Information is power. The master players stand at the top of the pyramid disseminating information. Collectives are led by individuals. Society is led by secret societies. You want to save your wife? Build your own ammunition of information, Find out which voice you’re obeying.
HENRY: Who am I obeying?
JASPER: Terrance is involved in an organization named The Eye.
HENRY: And who is “The Eye” obeying.
JASPER: Oh, I have no idea. One follows another after another without realizing it. It all leads back to the source.
HENRY: So who moves the world?
Pause. Jasper considers.
JASPER: The Illuminati.
Focus Shift. Slide: November 5th
SHAR: Tell me about the Illuminati.
CARSE: The Illuminati?
Carse laughs.
CARSE: Have you seen the trading card series?
SHAR: What?
CARSE: The Illuminati are nothing. That name has become one more product sold to the consumer culture.. After
SHAR: So none of it’s true?
CARSE: Of course it’s a recorded “fact” that the Ancient Illuminated Seers of Bavaria were an active group during the late eighteenth century, and that they officially subsisted for about fifteen years, causing all sorts of political mayhem.
SHAR: Assassinations.
CARSE: So we’re told. But as to your position. The illuminati are a fantasy constructed to convince the public that there’s nothing to find out - it’s bait for the fanatics and proof for the skeptics that everything is as they already perceive it to be. If the original Illuminati still exist, they have better sense than to go by that name any longer. I’d be more worried about the Freemasons.
Focus Shift. Slide: November 5th
HENRY: So what about the Freemasons?
JASPER: Are you kidding? They advertise! Congress is a more effective secret society.
Focus Shift. Slide: November 5th
SHAR: I received my freemasonry information packet today.
Holds up, “What is Freemasonry?” Pamphlet.
SHAR: Have you read this garbage? These were made to be passed out on the street. Or at bible study. It’s meaningless.
CARSE: That’s just the ploy, don’t you see? So long as they stand in the public light the media will leave them alone. It’s the media that’s to be feared, it’s the great cache basin of information.
SHAR: And information is power.
CARSE: That’s rule number one. Besides, the freemasons get countless hordes in the first degree with no idea what they’re getting into. Imagine what you learn - and how powerful you feel - by the time you reach the thirty-third degree.
SHAR: Or, Alex, imagine what everyone will think I’ve learned if I’m elected as a the Clear Sight Council leader. Doesn’t change the fact that I know nothing.
CARSE: You’d be surprised.
Focus Shift.
JASPER: It doesn’t matter who pulls the strings in the end. It matters who’s pulling your strings.
HENRY: Terrance is pulling my strings.
JASPER: So start pulling his.
HENRY: How?
JASPER: I’m not you, am I? I won’t tell you what to do. That’s up to you. Henry, beware anyone who tells you what to do.
CARSE: Trust me. I’ll tell you what to do.
HENRY: Why are you doing this?
JASPER: We all deserve a proper initiation. Whether we think we want to play or not.
Jasper recedes.
HENRY: Why should I trust you?
JASPER: You shouldn’t.
Goes.
HENRY: Wait!
Pause.
HENRY: What’s you’re name?
Pause.
JASPER: Call me Jasper.
Henry steps forward. Jasper Exits. Light’s down left.
SHAR: I’ve done quite well for myself. The Clear Sight think I’m their dream come true. As much bravado as they put forward, I don’t think most of them have any idea what’s going on.
CARSE: Well, be gentle with them, they’re fledglings. Most of them know that something is happening, but are terrified to admit that they don’t know what. It’s a spell, Charise.
SHAR: That I have to cast.
CARSE: Yes.
SHAR: I’m doing my best Alex. And for the most part, they’re easy. It’s just a bunch of curious kids who feel like they’ve been lied to. But they want proof.
CARSE: Keep up what you’re doing. Leave the proof up to me.
Pause.
CARSE: Tenure has it’s benefits.
From Scene 5 – Vision
[Having recently lost a dangerous microchip, Charise tracks the man who took it, Henry, to his home, and threatens to tell his wife, Melissa, about his extra-curricular activites. Five hours earlier, Melissa is approahced by Jasper in her hospital room, where she is recovering from being given LSD by a third party...]
Blackout. Slide: November 24th
HENRY: What are you doing?
Charise turns.
SHAR: Hello Henry.
HENRY: What are you doing here?
SHAR: I’m here to get back what’s mine.
HENRY: You gave it to me, remember?
SHAR: You stole it against my wishes, remember?
HENRY: I had no choice.
SHAR: So you’re a victim, then.
HENRY: Yes.
SHAR: I detest victims.
HENRY: Then I’ll remember not to let you victimize me.
SHAR: Give me back the S.E.C.S chip, Henry.
HENRY: How do you know my name?
SHAR: I know everything.
HENRY: I don’t have it any longer.
SHAR: Who does?
Silence. Charise turns.
SHAR: Perhaps your wife will be more helpful.
HENRY: Stay away from her.
SHAR: How much does she know Henry? I could tell her quite a bit.
Charise steps forward. Henry lunges, grabs her. They struggle.
SHAR: Let go of me.
HENRY: Stay away from her or I’ll kill you.
SHAR: Let go of me or I’ll scream. She’ll be out here in two seconds.
Pause. Henry recedes. Light’s down right.
SHAR: Thank you. Although I know you aren’t armed.
HENRY: Oh really.
SHAR: To my knowledge they don’t issue handguns to computing executives.
HENRY: You assume too much.
SHAR: We’ve already had this conversation.
Pause. Stands before her.
HENRY: Fine. Listen to me. My wife knows nothing. My sole aim in everything I’ve done has been to protect her. I’m still going only because I haven’t let go of the illusion that somehow I’ll get out of this and my life will go back to normal. If you have a shred of decency you’ll leave her alone and deal with me.
Pause. Eyes. Shar considers. Softly.
SHAR: What do you want, Henry?
HENRY: I want for this nightmare to end.
Charise holds out her hand.
SHAR: I’m Shar.
Henry takes it.
Blackout. Slide: November 24th
Lights up Right. Hospital. Melissa in Bed. Writing. Jasper appears right, at edge of light.
JASPER: What are you writing?
Melissa looks up. Doesn’t recognize him.
MEL: This? I don’t know yet. It’s nothing.
Jasper steps into the room.
JASPER: Are you a writer.
MEL: Oh, no, not really. I’m a publisher. I haven’t written anything since college.
JASPER: Just trying to clear your head out?
MEL: You could say that.
JASPER: I’m Jasper.
Melissa holds out her hand. Jasper takes it.
MEL: Melissa. Are you here visiting someone.
JASPER: Just you.
Pause.
MEL: I’m sorry, do I know you?
JASPER: I don’t know, do you know me?
MEL: I don’t think so.
JASPER: I’m here to talk to you about your husband.
Melissa somber. Jasper sits. Slide: November 24th,
SHAR: How long have you been married.
HENRY: Ten years. Our anniversary was September 23rd. We spent a week in Big
Pause. Shar considering something.
HENRY: I can’t imagine you’re married?
SHAR: What? Oh, heaven forbid. I’m 23.
HENRY: You look older. What do you do?
SHAR: I’m a graduate student at
Pause. Henry laughs.
SHAR: Is that funny.
HENRY: It’s just hard to believe. I was sure you were some kind of international terrorist.
SHAR: Well, that was the role I was playing.
Pause.
HENRY: The thing that still amazes me sometimes is how quickly it all turned around. A month ago I wouldn’t have been able to conceive of all this. It took a couple of days and all of a sudden it felt like everything I knew was made of illusions. The world expanded to ten times it’s size and left me floating alone in the dark.
SHAR: What happened?
HENRY: I was curious.
Shar nods. Henry considers.
HENRY: I was bored.
MEL: Do you know my husband?
JASPER: We’ve talked.
MEL: Are you friends?
JASPER: Possibly.
MEL: What does that mean?
JASPER: Listen carefully, Melissa. Your husband is involved in a game.
Pause.
MEL: I don’t understand.
JASPER: I’m sure you’ve noticed it. I’m sure it’s driving you crazy because you can’t quite put your finger on it. It began November 1st, when he stayed at the office all night, trying to fix a computer bug. And from there the late nights continued. But more than his physical absence, perhaps you’ve noticed that he’s become even more distant, even secretive. You can’t tell what’s changed because it has nothing to do with you. He’s doing it out of habit.
MEL: What habit?
JASPER: He can’t stop playing by the rules.
MEL: Who are you? How do you know all this?
JASPER: I’m playing too.
HENRY: The worst part has been not knowing the rules. I didn’t have anybody but Terrance to start. I thought The Eye was a criminal organization. I wouldn’t have made it this far if Jasper - do you know Jasper?
SHAR: Yes.
HENRY: If Jasper hadn’t filled me in.
SHAR: Henry, if you want to know my opinion, I think everybody is making up the rules as they go.
HENRY: Right. That’s what I figured out. But even so, there are a set practical understandings that make this much easier.
SHAR: Information is power.
HENRY: That’s what Jasper said.
MEL: I still don’t understand what you mean by “game.”
JASPER: It’s like a game of tennis. The ball gets passed back and forth with varying degrees of technique Except that in this Tennis game, the court is multi-dimensional: there are countless players, countless balls, and all the balls are all made up of useful information.
MEL: What are the Tennis Rackets made of?
JASPER: The Will to Power. It will be helpful if you start taking me seriously.
MEL: I’m having trouble taking anything seriously right now.
JASPER: Good. Then you’ll have less trouble believing me.
MEL: Why is my husband playing Multi-dimensional Tennis?
JASPER:… Sometimes players become so involved in the game that they forget they’ve chosen to play.
SHAR: What did Jasper say to you?
HENRY: It was a short conversation. He told me that I was involved in one or more secret societies and that I needed to figure out who was pulling my strings. He told me that everyone is being manipulated by someone else. So I asked him who moved the world.
SHAR: What did he say?
HENRY: The Illuminati.
Pause. Shar Muses. Shar giggles.
HENRY: What’s funny?
SHAR: Nothing. Listen to me. The deeper you get the more it will become clear that the initial duality of black and white has splintered into three-hundred and sixty degree cause and effect - and even then you’re only thinking in two dimensions.
HENRY: I don’t follow.
SHAR: I’m trying to explain to you that it’s even more complicated than you think. And the Illuminati are just a facade. That name means very little to you and I.
HENRY: Then why did Jasper say they were at the top.
SHAR: I think because he felt that you needed a bad guy.
MEL: My Husband is a computing executive.
JASPER: He still is. He’s a computing executive who for one reason or another found out too much. And now he’s playing a game.
MEL: Against his will.
JASPER: Not really. That’s just what he thinks. Deep down I’m sure he’s enjoying himself.
MEL: Is this some kind of role playing game?
Pause.
JASPER: You could call it that, yes. Do you remember kids playing Dungeons and Dragons when you were a kid? It’s like that, except it’s real. And everyone is both the game master and the player. The game continues as everyone tells stories to everyone else. The most convincing story wins.
MEL: I don’t understand.
JASPER: Think of it this way. I’m telling you a story right now.
MEL: Does that mean I’m playing too?
JASPER: If you want to. Everyone deserves a proper initiation.
SHAR: The man who got me started in this told me to think about the rules of engagement as the laws of physics. Unavoidable but open to interpretation.
HENRY: That’s not very comforting.
SHAR: What do you mean?
HENRY: Well, if you’re going by
SHAR: But that’s what I mean when I say it’s all more complicated than you can imagine. Quantum physics implies - among other things - that everything that can happen does happen. Every possibility occurs in it’s own universe. And there are infinite universes. One for every decision we make.
HENRY: But that’s meaningless to us. We only live in one universe at a time.
SHAR: Unless - and I’m only speculating here - somehow our brains can become so attuned that we can pick up on quantum vibrations in matter. It’s a popular fact that we only use 5% of our brains. And that the unconscious mind exists and operates regardless. What do you suppose the other 95% is doing? Who’s to say that if we pay attention we can’t choose which quantum reality to move into? Who’s to say that’s not what thinking is?
HENRY: That’s impossible.
SHAR: That’s what you’ve been told Henry. And look at you. You insist that this situation has been forced upon you. But if you were paying attention to what was really happening - who’s to say you couldn’t decide which world you enter.
HENRY: You’re talking about creating reality. If that’s possible, why don’t you do it?
SHAR: I’m trying. And maybe I am.
HENRY: You’ve chosen this life?
SHAR: Yes, Henry, I have.
HENRY: Tell me.
Pause.
SHAR: On September 23rd I realized something was happening.
Quantum Shift.
MEL: Why hasn’t Henry told me about any of this?
JASPER: He was afraid you couldn’t take care of yourself. He was afraid you wouldn’t believe him.
MEL: Do you honestly expect me to believe you?
JASPER: That’s up to you. If you don’t want to believe me, stay confused in your hospital bed. My life goes on.
Jasper stands.
MEL: Where are you going?
JASPER: I’m going to look for your husband.
MEL: Why did you tell me this?
JASPER: I assumed you wanted to know. If you don’t, I apologize. Feel free to think of me as a fanatic.
MEL: And if I choose to believe you?
JASPER: Learn to play the game.
Silence.
JASPER: I have to ask you a question.
MEL: Yes.
JASPER: Did your husband give you something? Did he ask you to hold on to an object?
MEL: No. No, he didn’t.
Light’s down right. Slide: November 24th
SHAR: The practical application of Quantum research was the atomic bomb. And then
HENRY: We won, didn’t we?
SHAR: The problem was that we were trying to win. Listen. I’m just making all this up. I don’t even know if I believe it. But the truth of the matter is that mathematically, the only way to account for Quantum theory is the existence of a non-local energy source.
HENRY: Go on.
SHAR: Einstein postulated that the non-local energy source is information itself. Information exchange is the fifth natural force. Communication is everything.
Pause.
HENRY: And where do you get your information, Shar?
SHAR: I read a lot. But one of my professors in particular - Alexander Carse.
HENRY: Carse?
SHAR: You know him?
HENRY: Look, I don’t - Don’t take my word for it. But before Terrance contacted me - during my initial research on the S.E.C.S. project - the name Carse appeared five times.
SHAR: That’s not possible.
HENRY: I only know what I saw. But from what I understood, Carse was directly involved with the S.E.C.S. Microchip. He was one of the coordinators of the project.
SHAR: You’re sure.
HENRY: I know what I saw.
Shar stands.
SHAR: I have to go.
HENRY: Have I told you something important?
SHAR: You’ve told me something I didn’t want to know.
HENRY: I’m sorry.
SHAR: No. Don’t be. Thank you.
HENRY: You’re welcome. When will I see you again?
SHAR: Soon. Take care of yourself, Henry. Be careful.
HENRY: You too. Thank you.
Pause. Shar considers.
SHAR: Henry. No matter what happens. Think for yourself.
Blackout. Slide Down.