// STRAUD MANSION //


When Vincent Marscapone arrives at my home, he’s already been driving for quite some time. He had that hassled exasperation that one might expect from one scaling a mountain.

But this time, I know there’s something different on his mind.

He did not often make social visits and his mood is somber.

STRAUD

SALUTATIONS, OLD FRIEND.

VINCENT

PLEASURE’S ALL MINE.


I step away from the door to allow him entrance. He obliges, swiftly and efficiently, and waits until the door is closed before he begins to speak.

VINCENT

MY SON HAS GONE MISSING.

I HAVE COME LOOKING FOR ANY REASON IT MIGHT NOT BE YOUR OLD RIVAL.

STRAUD

YOUR SON IS MISSING?

MY DEAR FRIEND. MY CONDOLENCES.

VINCENT

I WILL SAVE YOUR CONDOLENCES, THOUGH I APPRECIATE THE CONCERN.

HE IS NOT DEAD YET.

HIS DOORS WERE LEFT OPEN AND HE’S NOT RETURNED FOR HOURS.

MY SON WOULD NOT BE SO CARELESS AS TO RUN AWAY.

I DON’T BELIEVE IT.

STRAUD

HAS YOUR WIFE SCRIED FOR HIM?

VINCENT

SHE BELIEVES HIM CAPTIVE BUT CANNOT SAY BY WHOM.

THERE ARE NO MARKS, NO WORDS, NO CLUES.

AND THEN I LEFT HER TO COME TO YOU.

STRAUD

I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHT THAT I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.

VINCENT

YOU’RE A GREAT DEAL MORE USEFUL THAN YOU SELF-REPRESENT.

I SUPPOSE TO KEEP THE ONLOOKERS AWAY FROM YOUR GRAND CASTLE.


I say nothing, sensing the conversation straying from its original intent.

STRAUD

YOU SAY YOUR SON IS MISSING.

HAVE YOU DETECTED ANY RECENT CHANGE IN HIS BEHAVIOR?

CAGINESS? A RETICENCE TO ENGAGE? AN OVERINDULGENCE IN PRIVACY SEEKING –

VINCENT

NO. NOTHING.

IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL DAYS SINCE I’VE SEEN THE CHILD BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN UNUSUAL.

I ADMIT THE THOUGHTS OF CHILDREN CAN BE FRENZIED, CAPRICIOUS, BUT…

HE IS A CALM, THINKING BOY. I DO NOT BELIEVE HE’S RUN AWAY, REGARDLESS OF MY PERSONAL FEELINGS REGARDING THE MATTER…

REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES I MIGHT HAVE RUN AWAY.

STRAUD

YOUR BOY WOULD BE A PRIZE FOR SOMEONE LIKE MY RIVAL.

I SUSPECT HE’S CAUGHT UP IN THE GENOME PROJECT AND SOMEONE LIKE YOUR SON WOULD BE A FEATHER IN HIS CAP.

VINCENT

AND WHAT CAUSE WOULD HE HAVE TO BRING SOMEONE OF OUR REALM TO HIS?

HE ONLY RISKS THE REVEAL.

AND FOR WHAT, SOME LONG LIST OF ENCODED BASE PAIRS?

STRAUD

HE HAS MORE FRIENDS THAN WE CAN FATHOM.

ALL HE NEED DO IS SEW TOGETHER HIS PATCHWORK QUILT AND ANY MORTAL WILL FORGET ANY QUESTIONS HE’D IMAGINED.

VINCENT

IF HE THINKS HE’S GOING TO EXTRACT –


Vincent stumbles on his words, getting indignant at the thought.

STRAUD

I DO NOT ENTIRELY UNDERSTAND THE PROJECT, BUT I SUSPECT HE’S TRYING TO GLEAN INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUNDANES.

VINCENT

MY SON IS NOT A MUNDANE!!

STRAUD

PRECISELY WHY EXTRACTING DATA FROM HIS GENES MAY HAVE BEEN TOO TEMPTING TO PASS UP.

PERHAPS HE AIMS TO SEPARATE OUT THE INCLINATION TOWARD MAGIC.

VINCENT

HE SHOULD KNOW THAT THE WEAVE IS FAR MORE DISCRIMINATING THAN THAT.

HE THINKS HE CAN CREATE A SENSITIVITY AND STRENGTH THAT WERE GOD-GIVEN.

STRAUD

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT EXACTLY HE WANTS.

BUT I DO NOT THINK HE IS AIMING TO CURE CANCER.


Vincent’s tone takes on a certain deviousness.

VINCENT

SO THEN WE GO IN WITHOUT PROBABLE CAUSE.

STRAUD

IT SEEMS SO.

VINCENT

ARE YOU FINE IN RISKING IT?

YOUR FRIENDSHIP WITH LENARD?

STRAUD

WHAT FRIENDSHIP?