[The curtains open to reveal a section of the graveyard of Severus. Rafael is standing in the darkness above Sophie’s grave. The Messenger walks out wearing a black tuxedo.]
Messenger: [Addressing the audience.] We are here now at the cemetery of Severus, concealing those that have fallen long ago and those that have fallen unwillingly into the grasps of death. The beating drums and flames of civil disobedience have turned crimson with the scattered blood of the innocent. Rafael has been away fighting against the rebellion, quelling anarchy and misguided intentions. His leavings in turn left his lover—his fiancée—alone with her knitting needles as she knit the finest wedding apparels. But in his leaving came a loss of the van-guarding shield that protected sweet Sophie. The rebellion grew a final time like the fleeting embers of a fire and spreads its plight to Severus. Many others like Sophie perished in a raging fire as they locked their doors to keep it out. No mercy in death, no mercy like the mercy’s of God in all his blight.
[Messenger walks off stage. The lights turn to Rafael who is in the background wearing black pants, a red shirt, a black overcoat and a black cloak. In his hands he has a single red rose.]
Rafael: [Addressing the Fates.] If ye’ be so real then heed my threats of burning Hell, for you shall pay for this soul you’ve taken! Why in all your powers did you covet a soul like hers—a lover’s soul, filled with mirth of marriage to me? [Kneeling down to the grave; shouting] I intend my promise kept! [He places the rose atop the grave and grabs a torch burning near Sophie’s grave] With this torch of burning memories I set this rose aflame again as I had before to show my love through your strange ways. [The lights go out as he holds the rose over the flame, but it will not burn. Lightning flashes] Blasted rose! I must end our love! [Lightning flashes again]
[A figure walks onto the stage wearing a black robe. It’s arms and legs are long and it walks with a limp in its gait.]
Grimace: [Addressing Rafael] Stay your hands, fool of a man!
[Rafael places the rose atop the grave and replaces the torch with shoddy alacrity]
Rafael: [Astonished; stuttering] Wh—wh—who are you?
Grimace: [Clearing his throat and smiling] I am the chill that runs down your spine, the creature of grand design. I am the creeping ember in the fog, the clock with a discombobulated cog; the light that dons the death of tyrants most foul, and the shrieking screech of the owl. But bear not the burden of such description for there is no need for such encryption. Bear the onus of only my name, for Grimace is what I proclaim.
Rafael: Are you a demon? Here to shroud my night in more cover of blackness! Be gone from my sight!
Grimace: [Shouting] Do not order me, mortal! [Whispers] I’ve come from beyond that darkness you speak so sullenly about.
Rafael: Not Hell? By your figures lack of grace, you are no angel from Heaven above. Then are you man? Stricken with some disease?
Grimace: No disease. Not Hell nor Heaven nor man alike. I am a headless horsemen; I am Death; I am a reaper—whichever fits so slightly into your vocabulary.
Rafael: A reaper? Then you’re a demon! The Gods heed my words…my threats of burning Hell as they should?
Grimace: [Begins to walk around Rafael, circling him and the grave staring intently with a smile] Ponder the thought of this thing you sought. The love of this beauty, is it worth this duty? To call to the fates in ire, what is it that you aspire? [Stops, looks down at the grave] This soul that is gone, the soul of your swan; time was not on her side nor was the fire that burned as she cried. [Laughs]
Rafael: [Angrily lunges towards Grimace, reaching for his neck as he evades] Hold your tongue beast! [Steps back as Grimace grins]
Grimace: [Grinning] I did not listen then, yet you order me again. [Looks to the sky then back at Rafael] My time grows short so my plan I will sort. As eve has fallen upon this day I have heard your words that you so bitterly say. Call back your threats for They have paid no debts; as life must end so must you bend to the wills of death and his rotting breath.
Rafael: What point is it that you try to make to me, fool of a demon?
Grimace: [Pointing at Sophie’s grave] Her soul was taken long ago and yet mistaken is the foe inside your mind so quenched of love that you’ve forgotten the rules above. As time does pass so does your youth and grime does steal that petty truth. A means like such must meet a halt, but then perhaps that is the fault. An end that comes of life of love and sin, so sweet considering what it might have been.
Rafael: Enough! This is only a congress of petty insults that further fill me with indignation! What is it that you have come for?
Grimace: [Smiling, pulling a paper out of his robe as he talks] This is why I’ve come.
Rafael: [Takes the scroll. Begins to read] In exchange for a willing soul to sign this deal and bind their soul to demon’s rest shall Grimace resurrect Sophie as she was before her death. All ailments accursed upon the skin and bone shall mend. [Drops the scroll and down to knees] O’ good Grimace, you ask this of me to bring back my Sophie? So easy a task in a world of men that would commit to Satan’s sin?
Grimace: If this task you do not bear, she will never breathe the air. And if this task you do complete then you are in for quite a treat. Sign your name good Rafael and I shall say farewell. And when one years passed we shall meet and this soul I’ll graciously greet.
Rafael: Ask nothing more! [Signing the scroll] I will find your soul and pass your simple task. [Handing scroll to Grimace, looking at Sophie’s grave with pen in hand sheathing his arms to the sky, Grimace steps off stage] I shall see you again, sweet Sophie. You may thank the Fates and good [holding his arms out where Grimace one stood] Grim--. [Searches for a few seconds then laughs] Death cannot wait, I guess.