DIEUPONAKISS AGUNDAMWINGFICBYSANDRADERMARK BASEDUPONSHAKESPEAREANWORKS ActZero:ThePlayandCast. DIEUPONAKISS ARETELLINGOFSHAKESPEARESOTHELLO REWRITTENBYSANDRADERMARK Dramatispersonae(thatis,cast): Othello:ZechsMerquise,nMilliardoPeacecraft Desdemona.

LucreziaNoin Iago:TreizeKhushrenada Emilia:LadyUne Cassio:QuatreRaberbaWinner Bianca:DorothyCatalonia RandomCatholicPriest:DuoMaxwell RandomWaitress:CatherineBloom RandomWaiter/Roderigo:TrowaBarton Setting:Randomoutpostcutofffromtheoutsideworld. ActOne:AWedding,APromotion,AndAComplicatedScheme Thedoorsofthechapelwerefirmlyshut,andTreize,whohadchosennottoattendthe ceremony,waslisteningtothebaroquehymnsthatweresungwithin.Hepersonallyrelishedall thatGermanchanting.But,nomatterwhat,hecouldntforgetlastweekstrauma. ItwasattetteinZechssoffice,consideringthegeneralschoiceofarighthandman.The curtainsweredrawnandarayoflightwascastontheveteransinexpressiveface.Hewassure hewasthemanforthepost.Butthen,Zechsstoodup,lookedatTreizewiththosesteelyeyes ofhisandtoldhimcoldly: Pardonme,Khushrenada,butIhavealreadychosenmyofficer. Andprithee,whoisthatofficer? TheresponsemadeTreizenearlyfaintwithshock.QuatreWinner.Theothercandidate.The onewiththecutelooks,whoneverhadprovedhisworthonthebattlefield.Thatpositionwas madeforTreize.Andifthatusurpatorthoughthimselfworthy,hewouldhavetopay. Ido,TreizeheardZechsthroughtheshutdoor,sincehewasthebridegroom. Ido,thebridereplied. Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwife,ReverendMaxwellconcludedbeforethekisssegued intothehymnsagain. Onehourlater,thedoorsopenedandthenewlywedsleftthechapel.Zechs,wearinghismess uniformwiththeswordandepauletsandthebrideinawhiteempirewaistgownthatcontrasted withthecolorofherhairandeyes. LucreziaNoin,thoughtTreize. TheywerefollowedbyQuatre,whohadbeenthebestman,andthenbytherestofthe

congregation,theirbestwishesbeingmadetothenewlyweds.Treizefeltawarmhandonhis rightshoulderandpretendedtobelistening.ItwasLadyUne,hisownwife,forwhomhe cherishednofeelings:theirswasamarriageofconvenience,andhewasntpleasedwith women.SomethingunknowntoUne,who,likeeveryoneelseinthatsecludedoutpost,saw Treizeasthereliablekind. Aschemewithoutpossiblefailurehadbeenhatcheduponlisteningtothosebaroquehymns,and Treizewouldmakehismovethatevening,duringtheweddingcelebrations,becauseithadbeen disposedthatQuatrewouldbeonguardduty...

ActTwo:AnOffer,AnOfficer,AndIroniesOfLife Yes,sir!repliedQuatretohiscommandingofficerswarnings,beforethelatterdeparted upstairs,towardshisbedchamber,takingNoinbythehand.Thenewlyappointedlieutenantand bestmanwatchedthembothwalkaway,staringateachotheranddisappearingfromhisview. Astheyleft,Treizeenteredthehallwithhisusualconfidentgait. Iseeyoureratherconcerned,Lieutenant.Whydontyoutakepartinthecelebrations?,the veteranofficeraskedQuatreinawarm,sinceretone. Excuseme,butIhaveorderstogiveandtake.AndImalsoquitealightweight,wasthe responsehereceived.Indeed,thelieutenanthadbetrayedhimselfbyexplaininghisownflaws. Withsuchalightframe,itwouldtakeasingleglassofliquortotakehisreasonaway! Aw,itsjustoneshot!Thatwouldntkillyou!Treizeguidedtheyoungblondtoatable,anda sexy,nutbrownwaitressshoweduptoservethemandtooktheorder. Thoughitwaslateintheevening,Quatrecouldntbuthelpbeingwornoutandthirsty,partly becauseoftheuniformhewasforcedtowear,partlybecausehehadtostandupthroughoutthe weddingthatafternoon.Besides,Treizehadbeenforcountlessyearsintheregimentandcould teachhimtheropeswiththatplainspeechofhis.So,whenthewaitressreturnedwiththe officersglassesofsparklingchartreuse,shereceivedthanksfrombothofthem. Thereyouhaveit,Lieutenant.Drinkfirst,askquestionslater,Treizeadvisedtheyounger officer,asthelatterputtheglasstohislips.Thelevelsankabouthalfaninchasthesewords werespoken.Soon,Quatrefeltawarmsurgespreadingfromhisstomachallthewaytohisfair cheeks,asifhehadswallowedalivingflame.Asecondsipfollowedthefirstone,andsoonthe glasswasdrainedtothedregs. Youcanhavemine,Lieutenant,ifyouplease.ImnotinthemoodTreizehandedoverhisown glass,andtheliquorinithadsoondisappeared.Theotherofficersblueeyeswerebloodshot, andhischeekswerelitwithcolor.However,hedidntstaggerorshowanysignsofmoresevere intoxication. Then,awaiterwhoresembledamaleversionofthewaitressshoweduptoservethemand withdrawthoseemptyglasses.Helookedratherconcerned. QuatreWinner?Shouldntyoubeonguardduty? Letsgo,then!thelieutenantaddressedthewaiterwithunusualvehemence. AnofficerondutymustkeephimselfsoberDontyoulooksomewhatintoxicated? Imnotdrunk!QuatreseizedTrowabythecollarwithhislefthandandpulledouthisswordwith therightone.Thewaitresswhohadpreviouslyattendedtothemrushedforth.

Aworthyofficer,ifhedidntsufferfromthatdespicableaddiction,Treizeinformedher. Catherinewasalarmedandrushedinbetweentheopponentstoseparatethem.Upondefending heradoptivebrotherfromthedrunkenofficer,shesustainedaslashwoundtotheleftshoulder. Soonthealarmwasrunginthebanquethall,andahalfundressedZechsmadehisappearance asQuatrewascomingtoandchancedtothrowup,halfconscious,onthefloor.Thewounded waitresswasclutchingherbleedinginjury,herbrotherandTreizeapplyingfirstaid. WhatonEarthisgoingon?,thecommandingofficerinquired.Hefirstaskedhisrighthand man,wholayonthefloor,comingtohissenses.ButQuatresmemoriesofthateveningwere toovagueforhimtoexplainwhathadhappened. Khushrenada?Zechsinquired.Andtheresponseheobtained,inTreizesusualreliabletone, wasthefollowing: Itriedtowarnthelieutenantnottodrinkstrongliquorinexcess,butIobtainedtheopposite result.Then,bereftofinhibition,hedrewtooclosetoMissBloomhere,andafightwithher adoptivebrotherhereensued.Shetriedtomakepeace,butafleshwoundwaswhatshe receivedinexchange. Quatrewasuponhisfeetagain,standingfacetofacewithhiscommandingofficerssteeleyes andfirmresolution,toreceivethosecold,sternwordsinexchange: QuatreWinner...Ilovethee,butyoucanneverbemyrighthandagain. Treizestoodback,listeningtothatexchangeandwatchingQuatreturnpaleandturnawayfrom Zechs.Solong,theschemehadsucceeded,andhewouldsoonbeappointedhiscommanders righthand.Butthateveningseventswouldbeputtomoredisastroususe. QuatrethrusthisheadonthetableashefeltapatonthebackandTreizesreassuringwords: Areyouhurt,Lieutenant? ShouldntIbe?,wasthereplytheyoungblondcoldlygave. Thecommanderswifehaspoweroverhim.Ifshehelpedyoutomakepeace... Thankyou!QuatreapproachedTreizeandsoonsetoffforthecourtyard,whereNoinandher handmaidsUneandDorothy,thelatterhisfiance,wereatthemoment. AsTreizewatchedhisvictimconfidentlyturnaway,hethoughtofthenextphaseoftheplan. Then,hesetoffforthebedchambertoencounterZechs.

ActThree:Temptation,TheHandkerchief,AndIllPlacedTrust ThehandmaidswalkedawayasQuatreenteredthecourtyardintheclearsunrise.Lockingeyes closetohim,Noinreassuredhimgently: Trustme.Youcancountonme. Asthesewordswerespoken,ZechsandTreizeenteredthecourtyard.Uponseeinghis commandingofficer,Quatrewentinagainfullspeed,lookingnowandthenoverhisshoulder,not beforehavingthankedNoinforsuchagenerousoffer. Thedarkhairedyoungwomansatonabenchwithherhusband.Calmlyandgently,shepleaded forQuatressakewhilestrokingZechssflaxenhair.Forawhileheremaineddoubtful,untilhe finallygaveinandapprovedthereinstatement. Noinwentbackin,insearchofQuatre,toinformtheyoungblondofhersuccess.Inher excitement,sheforgotahandkerchieflinedwithlaceonthecobblestonepavement.Asher

mistress,ZechsandTreizereenteredtheguardhouse,Unepickedupthepieceofwhitecloth andhiditquicklyinherpocket. Now,whatdidyoudo?Dorothyinquired,toobtaintheresponse: Myhusband.Hewantstostudythatveryhandkerchiefformetomakesimilarlace. IdidntknowstonecoldTreizewassuchagentleman! Then,Uneenteredtheguardhouse,followedbyDorothy. Meanwhileinacorridorwithintheguardhouse,Zechsandhissecondincommandhad establishedarelevantconversationwhenthelattersoftlymused: WasntthatQuatrewhoranaway?Ididntlikethelooksofit. Excuseme?theofficerwithlengthy,fairhairaskedcuriously. Nothingatall,justafewintrusivethoughts,Treizemadehiswordsseemlessimportantto attracthiscommandingofficersattention. Khushrenada...areyoutryingtoinsinuatesomething? Didsheknowhimfromthestart?YouknowIknowNoin,andQuatre... Why,weareallacquaintedwitheachother... Dotheykeeparelativedistance?Youknow,inconversation? Iwouldntcallthatarelativedistance,Zechsreplied.Theglitteringtwinklesinhiseyes betrayedaslightinternalagitation. Andfindingouttheirsignsalsokeepsmeincheck,theveteranofficeradded. UpongivingTreizesaidinformation,Zechsremainedsilentbeforeaskingonequiveringand doubtingquestion: AreyoutryingtoinsinuatethatmywifeisbetrayingmewithQuatreWinner?Isthatperchance whatyouretryingtotellme? Andpritheewhy?Shesingswell,dances,paints,bakes,makeslace,speaksfluentFrenchand German,canalsodefendherselfwithaloadedgunandhisdismissalwasduetoanunfortunate mistake,theolderofficerreplied.WhyonEarthwouldtheybetrayyou? Thoseseeminglyhonestwordssanktothecommandingofficersheart,andhecouldhardly restraintheinternalagitationtheyhadbroughtuponhim.Withrestrainedtearsandtroubled expression,hetookTreizebythecollarandspatuntohisface: Idoubtso.Ineedproofoftheirbetrayal,orelse...hedidthecutthroatgesturewithhislefthand rightbeforeTreize. Andsomemoreadvice:bewareofthegreeneyedmonster,thatpoisonsfromwithin. Lettinggooftheveteranscollar,Zechswanderedwithoutaimintheoppositedirection.Hedid trustNoin,forhelovedherandhadthuswedherbuthealsodidtrustTreize,whohadsavedhis lifeandwasesteemedanhonestperson.Tornasunderbydoubtandrestlessness,hecouldnt sleepthatnightatall. Thatveryevening,inTreizesbedchamber,thekerchiefwasbroughttolight.However,hiswife couldnolongerrestrainherthoughts: YouscoundrelhaveforcedmetostealfromMistress!Nowyouwanttokeepthatcloth! Isthathowyoutreatyourbetterhalf?Youweremeanttoobeymyorders! Imyourspouse,notoneofyoursoldiers!,shebeggedformercy,buthedidntlistentoher pleasandbeatherinthebackwithhisrapiersscabbard. NowthatsmyUne.

Pritheetellmewhatyoureallyintendtodo! Itsnoneofyourbusiness,youmeddlesomemagpie!,heresortedtothescabbardagain,as sheundressedherselfandwenttobed,dreamingthathewerentsosecretive. AsUneshuthertearygreeneyes,herbetterhalfventuredagain,handkerchiefinhand,intothe corridor.Quietly,heenteredanotherroom,whereaflaxenhairedladsleptquietly,hissteady breathingmarkingthetempoforTreizessteps.Theveteran,quietasacatinpace,approached thetableandplacedthekerchiefonit.Thenhewentbacktohisownbedchamber,beforethe changingoftheguardcalleduponhispresence. LadyUnewassobbinginherdreamsasTreizereturnedandgottobedbesideher,herface restinguponhisthrobbingheartandhertearsdrieduponhisnightgown.Hejusthopedthatshe wouldntbecomeawarethathehadleftthatpieceofclothinQuatreWinnersquarters.

ActFour:Doubt,Despair,andDorothysSuspicions Theywerestandinguponabastionsidebyside,thecloudynextday.Zechslookedwornout,in starkcontrasttoTreize,whocoldlymadethenextmovewiththesewords: Justashotinthedark,buthaveyouseenherlatelywithalacelinedhandkerchief? Thecommandingofficerhadntseenhershowingthatfirstgiftofhisforaday,andhesincerely declaredthatsoithadbeen.However,hewasshocked,asifstruckbylightning,byhis secondincommandsfurtherstatement: IsawQuatreWinnerwipehislipswiththatkerchief. Really?ZechsburstoutandgrabbedTreizebythecollarforasecondtime,butthe appearanceofQuatrehimself(speakofthedevil!)interruptedtheirargument. NowletsaskthatQuatreLoserabouthisfiance,Treizethoughttohimself.Zechslistened eagerlytotheirconversation,buthemisinterpretedwhathecouldhear. Soyouregoingtomarryher? Theyoungerofficerlaughedheartily.WhyshouldI?,askedhetakingoutthekerchieffromhis breastpocketandwavingitintheair. Sothatshowthingsare,thoughtZechs,consternated,asheturnedpalewithQuatres statementsofhisfeelingstowardsDorothy.Then,afewtearstrickleddownhischeeksand everythingfadedtoblackbeforehissparklingeyes:hecollapsedonthefloor,lettingforthwhite frothontothecobblestonepavement. Then,surprised,Quatreapproachedhiscommandingofficer,onlytobereproachedbyTreize: ItseemsthatHisLordshipissufferingfromaseizure.Nowdontmoveuntilhecomesto. AndZechscametohalfanhourlater,onlytobeholdhiswifespresumedloverandlaughcoldly intohisface,whichmadeQuatreturnhisback,worriedaboutthecommandingofficershealth andthatcrazystarethathehadgivenhimassoonashehadcomeround. QuatreencounteredDorothyinthecourtyard,buthisfairhairedfiancewasnotinthemoodfor conversation:shehadalsoseenQuatrewiththatlacetrimmedhandkerchiefofNoins. Therefore,restraininghertruefeelings,sheturnedherbackontheyoungblondandreplyingto hisWhyareyousocoldtoday?withapiercingstare.Thismadehimthinkthatitwasadayout oftheordinary,whennotmanyusualandexpectedthingshappenatonce. Thatevening,Zechscouldntsleepeither.Neithercouldhiswifefindherlosthandkerchief.She

alsowonderedathisstateofhealth,evidentinthewayheacted:nolongercoolandcalm,but stirredandrestless,betrayingintenseinternalagitation.Soshegentlyandsincerelyaskedhim abouthisfeelings.Thiswas,forZechs,thesparkthatburstthepowderkeg: Shouldntyouknowitbetteryourself,youpoisonouswildflower?,hescoldedheratthetopof hislungs,holdingbackhistearsandpunchingherinthemiddleofthechest.Thenonhewent withhisfalseaccusation,thatsurprisedNoinandmadeherwonderaboutwhyitshouldbeso. Soon,aconsternatedZechsspentallnightlongwideawake,disturbedbyhersteadypulseand equallysteadybreathingasshehadequallythrustherheaduponhisthrobbingheart,thatlulled herintoinnocentlyspendingthenightinherowndreams. Nextday,thecloudshadflockedevenmore,asiftoeclipsethesun.Thewornoutcommander hadcalledforhisrighthand,andhewasimpatientlywaitingforTreizetoarrive.Finally,soit happened. Andprithee,whydidyousendforme? Itisconcerningtheexecutionofthosewhokeepmythoughtsincheck.IthoughtmyselfthatI wouldratherbeinchargeofthatlovablesuccubus.Zechsseemedcoolerthantheprevious day,butitwasmerelybecausehehadntsleptfortwonights. AsforQuatre,letmebehisundertaker,repliedTreize,inanequallycooltonethatdidntbetray anysinisterintentions. Thehourspassedon,andthateveningQuatrewaschargedagainwithguardduty.Lookingup thebrownhairedwaiterandremindinghimofCatherinesinjurywasntthatcomplicated,and soonTrowawaspersuadedthatsuchanaffrontshouldbepaidwiththebloodoftheofficer whosesteelhadpiercedherflesh.Thus,hefollowedTreize,guninhand,tothecornerofa bastion,whereQuatrewasgoingtopassatanymoment. Thebrownhairedladaimedfortheblondofficersleftbreast,squeezedthetriggerandsawhis victimcollapse,unconscious,beforehisveryeyes,onlytofeeltheolderofficerplacehisguns muzzleinhisveryquiff. Anyway,yourefullyexpendableTreizecoldlysaidashepulledthetriggerandTrowapleaded formercyinadesperate,sinceretone: Ididntknowyouwantedhimkilled!IdiditforCath...then,agunshotinterruptedhislastwords. Fromhisoffice,Zechsheardthegunshots.Treizehaskepthisword,andnowIshallkeep mine,hethoughtuponleavingforhisownbedchamber.Buttherewassomethingwithinthat madehisresolutionfalter,andhisstepsturnlesssteady. Noinalsoheardafirearmbeingdischargedinthedistance,andLadyUnereassuredhershe shouldntworry.Thedarkhairedyoungwomanhadsteppedintohernightgownandwassoon givenagoodnightkissbyherhandmaid,whoobservedherhugherpillowandshuthereyesas shequietlyshutthedoor. Then,sheencounteredthecommandingofficer,whoviolentlyshovedheraside.

ActFive:Deaths,Resurrections,AndOneLastKiss Zechsenteredabedchamberlitbyaflickeringcandleclock,togazedoubtfullyandin consternationuponhisbetterhalf.Noinssteady,calmbreathingandherbeautifulappearance madehimfalter.ShouldIkillherornot?Finally,hegaveintodespair.Asheputthecandleout,

hemused:Putoutthislight,thenputoutthelightofherlife.Butwhichkindoffirecouldrevive thelatter? Inutterdarkness,hegaveintothetemptationofakissfromherlipsbeforeEternity,andhisown hands,madethemtoocoldtobepleasant.Andshewaswokenbythatkiss,afraidofhim,but stillhopefulthathesoonwouldbepleasedwithheragain. Isthatyou?sheinquired,tohearherspouseburstintotearsandinsultsagain. Iswearwerejustfriends!,shedeniedherpresumedaffair,defendingherinnocence.Ask Quatrehimself! Imsorry,butthatisimpossible.Hewillnotanswer. Quatre...shot...?sobbedNoin,astearsstartedtotrickledownhercheeks. Meanwhile,UneandDorothyweredrawntothebastionbythesoundofgunshots,toencounter, lyingonthecoldcobblestones,TrowaBartonwithaseriousheadshotthathaddeprivedhimof lifeandQuatreWinnerstandinguptotakeapocketwatchwithabulletonitslidfromhis piercedbreastpocket.Thelatterwasshockedbythesightthatappearedbeforehimupon comingto,andadropfellfromtheskiesuntohisflaxenhair.So,hewasledbackintothe guardhousebythehandmaids,forithadstartedtodrizzle. Inthemeantime,Noinsdisappointmenthadseguedintodespair,asshepleaded,shedding tears,formercy.ButZechsremainedfirmandsteadfast,andhetightenedhisgriponherthroat evenmoreforeachsecond. Istillloveyou!Ineverhadthataffair!,aloudclickandsearingpainsignalledthathehadbroken herairway,andhertruevoicewasstifledforever.Turningblueanddesperateuponnotbeing abletobreathe,shesufferedthelethalandacuteconditionofsuffocation,afterwhichdeath cameasareliefwhenshelostconsciousness. Then,Zechslethergo,asheheardaknockonthedoorandopeneditquietly.ItwasUne, followedbyQuatre.Wasnthesupposedtobedead?Treizewillhavetopayforsuchfailure,he quicklythought.Thehandmaidturnedpaleuponseeinghermistressbereftoflifeandhalfoutof bed,wearingthepurplecollarofstrangulation.ThensheaddressedZechsinafitofrageand despair: Youhavebeendeceived,YourLordship.Andallforaseriesofliestoldbyyourconfidant,my spouse,TreizeKhushrenada.AsforMistress,sheisinnocentofthedeedyouhavepresumed.It wasTreizewhoenticedQuatreheretodrinkliquor,andalsoTreizewhoforcedmetostealthat handker...agunshotwasheard,andUnefeltablazingobjectenterherbackattheheightofthe rightshoulderblade,beforecollapsing,lifeless,onthepavementbesidehermistress.Thebullet holeinherbackcametoview. OnthethresholdstoodTreize,sheathinghisgun.Zechslungedattheolderofficerandpunched himonthehead,causinghimtoloseconsciousness.The,heburstintotears,tearsofsorrow anddespair.Shewasinnocent,andIhavekilledher!Nowshecantcomeback!Kneeling beforeQuatre,heforgavetheyoungblondandorderedhimtohaveTreizearrestedforlifetime,a punishmentheesteemedworsethandeath.Then,heunsheathedhisrapierandthrustitallthe waytohisheart,ashecaressedthelifelessfeaturesofhisbelovedandgaveheronelastcold kiss. Ashelaydying,anewdaybrokeandtheominouscloudswerescattered. Thedoorsofthechapelwerefirmlyshut,andRelena,whohadchosennottoattendthe

ceremony,waslisteningtothebaroquehymnsthatweresungwithin.Allshewantedwasto havebeenabridesmaidlikeSallyandCatherine. Ido,sheheardQuatrethroughtheshutdoor,sincehewasthebridegroom. Ido,thebridereplied. Inowpronounceyouhusbandandwife,ReverendMaxwellconcludedbeforethekisssegued intothehymnsagain. Onehourlater,thedoorsopenedandthenewlywedsleftthechapel.Quatre,wearinghismess uniformwiththeswordandepauletsandthebrideinawhiteempirewaistgownthatfitthecolor ofherfairhairandblueeyes. TheywerefollowedbyHeero,whohadbeenthebestman,andthenbytherestofthe congregation,theirbestwishesbeingmadetothenewlyweds.Relenafeltawarmhandonher rightshoulderandpretendedtobelistening.Itwasthebestman,herownfianc,forwhomshe cherishedthewarmestoffeelings. Nooneinthatsecludedoutpostseemedtorememberthatafivefoldfuneralhadtakenplacein thatverychapelafewhoursbefore. TheEnd. CurtainCall.