Eternal Feminine, Act One, Scene Four

That evening. The city square. Every so often, someone scurries, cloaked, through streets. Various objects with dark purposes fill the shadowy corners of Samir’s booth. Samir is occupied with one of his sinister alchemy experiments.

Samir. Now I know the secret whisperings
Of the infernal underworld.
The spawn of hell has given me the key
With which to unlock the powers held back
The ancients knew the authority
Trapped in one word:
And now I have the ability
To command you by your name!
Come forth, Aubrey, king of the Elves!

As he says this line, Samir adds the final ingredient to his potion, which bubbles and explodes menacingly. Sebastian falls from the sky, stumbling, into the middle of the dark room.

Samir. There’s no need to be so sullen.
I merely want you to do a favor for me—
It’s a simple affair, really.

Sebastian. Who are you that commands me?
And where did you learn my name?

Samir. Neither of those is of any importance.
You need simply kill a man for me.

Sebastian. Why not kill him yourself?

Samir. I’m not a fool. I know that you
Are stronger far than I.
And you can kill with impunity!
He is a student at the university.
His name is Cato.
Leave his body in the woods—
I will gather his blood and bowels
To feed my fire.

Sebastian. I will not do this for you.

Samir. I know your name.
Would you like a taste of what will happen
When I speak your name with pain in mind?

Sebastian. I understand you completely.

Samir. I’m going now; I have a meeting
With the Princess Marta.

Samir disappears in a puff of foul-smelling smoke. Sebastian is left alone in the room. He angrily searches the room, looking for a clue as to how Samir discovered his name.

Sebastian. Damn it! How is it possible?
This is disgustingly, indescribably awful.
My fury threatens to overwhelm me!
I’ll never be able to think straight.
I will not be commanded!

He attempts to calm himself. With a bang, Nixie drops into the room the same way Sebastian did.

Nixie. Here you are! I thought I’d never find you.
What on earth possessed you to suddenly disappear?
But this is a fun game; next time I’ll hide and—

Sebastian. Don’t be ridiculous. I was summoned!

Nixie. What?

Sebastian. Someone knows my name.

Nixie. Your real name?
Who?

Sebastian. His name is Samir. The sorcerer in the square.

Nixie. But who could have told him? No one in the fairy kingdom
Could be so malicious.

Sebastian. Oh, they could be so malicious—
I have hateful enemies everywhere—
But they would never be so foolish.
Can you imagine the chaos that will ensue
When the mortal maggots can command our every thought?
Everyone knows this story;
Everyone has heard this tale of woe.
Who could possibly be so stupid
As to risk his or her own life along with mine?

Nixie. When we find out, we can punish him or her.

Sebastian. But first I have to get out of this mess.

Nixie. Isn’t there any way to make him forget your name?

Sebastian. Of course—the gods would never be so foolish
As not to provide for this very situation.
All I need is the blood of one of his children.
I have to drink it. And I’ll have to use one of his knives.

Nixie. That’s disgusting.
But you’re in luck!
I’ve found out something wonderful this morning!
I forgot to tell you earlier, because the dandelions were interesting,
And I didn’t think it would mean anything to you.
At any rate, this very Samir
Is going to have a child!
He doesn’t know it yet—
The Princess Marta is the mother, and she’s afraid to tell him—
And so he won’t protect it with any spell.
All you have to do is get the baby when it’s born.

Sebastian. And somehow acquire one of his knives.

Nixie. That will be easy. Can’t you steal one now?

Sebastian. Don’t be stupid. He would know.

Nixie. Well, then, how will we get one?

Sebastian. You can buy one from him.

Nixie. But how will you get the baby away from its mother?

Sebastian. If you haven’t noticed,
I’m quite accomplished at stealing children.
Have you never seen the ranks of child-slaves
That populate the dank tunnels of the mound?
I will merely sing a song:
You wonderful, sweet, beautiful child,
Come with me.
I promise to play
Many wonderful games with you!
I promise you will see
Many colorful flowers at the beach!
My mother has many golden outfits!
Sweet child, will you come with me?
My daughter will make sure you have the best!
My daughter also leads the nightly dance!
She will hold you in her arms,
Dance with you, and sing you to sleep!
I love you, and I long for your beautiful shape.
If you will not come with me to play,
I shall take you by force!