The Great Machine

By Roberto A. Martins

Translated by Juliano Siqueira

Second Act: Scene 1

[The three BUFFOONS.]

BUFFOON#1: The Research Center for the Construction of the Great Machine was established.

BUFFOON#2: A team of specialists in decision theory was nominated in order to ascertain the purpose of the equipment.

BUFFOON#3: The first step was to decide the aim of the Great Machine.

BUFFOON#2: But before that, it was necessary to define the method that was to be employed in the discussions.

BUFFOON#1: The team of decision experts set up a study group on the theoretical aspect of decisions.

BUFFOON#2: The philosophers, sages and politicians of the village were invited to compose that group.

BUFFOON#3: The next step would be to decide the criteria for choosing an objective.

BUFFOON#2: But before that, it was necessary to decide the values on which the selection of an objective would be based.

BUFFOON#1: The Professor stepped in and demonstrated that one should not require a foundation for everything.

BUFFOON#3: It was necessary to start with a preliminary tacit and conventional agreement about the values to be employed.

BUFFOON#2: The commission made a plebiscite to verify the values that should be employed.

BUFFOON#1: The public poll would allow to establish a base ground on which all would agree with.

BUFFOON#2: There were no points on which all agreed.

BUFFOON#1: Parties were established in the village, defending their opinions on the utility of the Great Machine.

BUFFOON#3: There were public debates and rallies.

BUFFOON#2: There was violence and fights.

BUFFOON#3: The order was disturbed and the police forbade public discussions.

BUFFOON#1: An Academy was created where it was allowed to present theses regarding the theory of values.

BUFFOON#3: There the utility of the Great Machine was discussed without fights, in a rational way.

BUFFOON#2: The professor proposed that the necessary scientific researches should be done at that same time; also, technicians and other specialists should be trained.

BUFFOON#1: For that purpose an University was created.

BUFFOON#3 There, all subjects were researched.

BUFFOON#1: Since an agreement on the objective hadn’t been reached, any research was considered important and valuable.

BUFFOON#3: There, everything was taught.

BUFFOON#2: Since all knowledge could be relevant in the construction of the Great Machine.

BUFFOON#1: They researched the protein value of the manioc on the color of the eggs laid by Guinea fowls.

BUFFOON#2: They researched the annual fluctuation of the number of geckos in the village museum.

BUFFOON#3: They researched the theoretic consequences of the possible existence of angels who couldn’t do mathematics.

BUFFOON#1: They taught the history of the creation of the village.

BUFFOON#3: They taught the rules of accentuation and punctuation of a pre-historic language called "capui."

BUFFOON#2: They taught the way to calculate the number of possible disposition of all the villagers around a triangular table.

BUFFOON#1: Gradually everything was normalized, and a constant rhythm of work was established.

BUFFOON#2: The debates at the Academy were on Saturday night.

BUFFOON#3: The classes during the mornings of weekdays.

BUFFOON#2: The researches in the afternoons of those days.

BUFFOON#3: Nobody rushed because they trusted in the inevitability of the victory.

BUFFOON#1: Everyone trusted on the members of the University and the Academy, but they knew it would take long to build the machine.

BUFFOON#3: Three years had passed and the first class of teachers was graduated.

BUFFOON#1: Four years had passed and the first class of philosophers was graduated.

BUFFOON#2: Five and six years had passed and the first engineers and physicians were graduated.

BUFFOON#1: Eight years had passed and the first group of contestants in the village was born.

BUFFOON#3: They criticized the Academy and The University and said that nothing would be obtained.

BUFFOON#2: Nine year had passed and the Professor requested a general assembly of the community.

BUFFOON#1: And discoursed like this:

 [BUFFOON #3 reads the discourse imitating the PROFESSOR’s manners in caricature form.] BUFFOON#3: Honorable authorities here present; colleagues, sacred Academy and venerable University; ladies; gentlemen. Many years ago, a hope of renewal agitated this village. Three boxes with pieces and gears, today rusted and thrown in the museum, were brought from the other world by two madmen. This gave us the hope of building the Great Machine to break the barriers and to put us in contact with the New World. Up to now we haven’t reached that goal. Partly because the path is long. We can’t eliminate this problem, which originates from the nature of things; but we could overcome a second one; the fights and dissidence that consume most of our energies. Since diverging positions exist, I propose that each party congregate its followers and construct the machine that they fancy. All the groups may use the knowledge of the University. Instead of mutually disturbing our projects, each one shall work for his ideal. As far as I am concerned, everyone already knows: my goal is to construct an instrument capable of modifying the human mind so that we’ll become as intelligent as electronic computers; and in this way we’ll reach happiness. I invite all those who accept such an ideal to join me and to work in this great project. And I suggest that all others with diverse opinions should congregate in similar groups, and work for their ideals.

BUFFOON#2: Half of the population though the Professor’s idea was correct.

BUFFOON#1: The other half thought it was absurd.

BUFFOON#2: Because they were afraid that some of the groups would use the knowledge of the University in evil projects

BUFFOON#1: Even the Professor’s goal wasn’t accepted by the majority of the people.

BUFFOON#3: But the Professor formed a secret work group.

BUFFOON#2: Forty-two people joined the Professor to construct the machine to remodel the human mind.

BUFFOON#1: The work was planned and distributed.

BUFFOON#3: Some people accomplished their missions; others didn’t.

BUFFOON#1: Some people quit, others stayed.

BUFFOON#2: In order to suit the members of the group and their new discoveries, the working plan was modified many times.

BUFFOON#3: They seemed to progress at baby steps, but many people quit.

BUFFOON#1: Six years after the founding of the secret group, there were only 12 people left with the Professor.

BUFFOON#2: They met at the planed schedule and did what was intended.

BUFFOON#1: Everything was done with seriousness.

BUFFOON#3: Three years later there were five people with the Professor.

BUFFOON#2: They were Marta, the Mechanic, and three other villagers.

BUFFOON#1: One day, those three went to talk to the Professor, outside a formal meeting.
Second Act: Scene 2

[Comes the PROFESSOR; the three BUFFOONS become the three villagers who come talk to the PROFESSOR.]

VILLAGER#1: You know, Professor... the three of us will have to leave the group. We have nothing against you or against the project. We still believe that the most noble of all goals is this one, that kept us in excitement during these nine years.

VILLAGER#2: That’s right Professor. Sometimes we felt discouraged and we wanted to quit; we wished we were just normal people, like the other villagers, who don’t strive for anything. But as soon as we talked to you, Sir, our motivation would come back. From listening to your ideas we felt part of another world, a renovated society. That made us proceed.

VILLAGER#1: Even though we now decided to leave this group, we don’t consider this whole work a lost cause. Somebody will continue it. Who knows, with other people, it might be able to take off...

VILLAGER#2: I heard that the Electrician was thinking of joining the group. And the Ice-cream man too, I think.

VILLAGER#1: The group will not die. But each of us has his own problems. I haven’t had enough time to devote to my family; and I see that the only thing that I can quit in order to have that time is our work. If I were single that would be easier... I can’t stop working, I need to make money. If our work was paid, and if we had the time to dedicate ourselves only in this cause...

VILLAGER#2: Of course I shouldn’t interfere in your private life, Professor. But I think you should also think about your family more often. Can’t you see that Anita is still waiting for the completion of the project to get married with the Mechanic?

VILLAGER#3: We all have been struggling to keep united. But it’s so hard. He [points to VILLAGER#2] has been much criticized at work, by the colleagues who don’t agree with our plan.

VILLAGER#2: Of course that’s not the reason why I was discouraged. The recent illness of mine made me feel very weak. And since that I don’t feel capable of doing anything anymore, except fulfilling my obligations at home and job. Who knows, when I recover, maybe I can join the group again...

VILLAGER#3: You know, Professor... the most important thing to us has always been this project. Several times I have sacrificed other interests, you know that sir, for the sake of our work. It was the first thing that I ever treasured in my life. But I see that everything is so difficult that I no longer have strength... And now to make myself happy I must do something that only depends on me; and that I should be able to take all the way to the end. Some near goal, palpable, and not as obscure as the one we’ve had. For that reason I decided to study law at the University. I think it’s better this way. At least I will reach the end. I haven’t told you this yet, but I’ve already applied and I was accepted. Now I need all my free time to study. But I am still interested in the project, and you can count on me any time you need me. I just can’t participate in the meetings any longer, but I’ll still be with you, in spirit.

 [The VILLAGERS slowly move away from the PROFESSOR.] VILLAGER#1: Anyhow, there are still left Marta and the Mechanic.

VILLAGER#2: Yes, you can restart the group. You might bring in more people.

VILLAGER#3: We are with you. You can count on us.
Second Act: Scene 3

[The VILLAGERS leave stage. During the monologue, only the PROFESSOR is strongly illuminated.]

PROFESSOR: One sets aside for more tangible goals: the family. Another one is defeated by his efforts and is swollen by the dragon of discouragement. The third one escapes for an individualist solution: he will become a lawyer. If those are not their reasons, there might be others, it doesn’t matter. They will all leave. [pause] This is not the first time that such thing happens to me. In other times, there were other people, other situations. But everything ends up being the same. The world is monotonous. [pause] Once we wanted to make a garden – not just a little retreat, but yet to cover this whole mountain with shadows, trees and flowers. [pause] Another time we wanted to distribute in one single day whistling stick suckers to all the children in the village; and in the evening we would put all adults to dance ring-around-a-rosy, all night long, and nobody would feel ashamed; and in the next morning nobody would be able to pretend or to forget they played with the children. There would be no way to go back and destroy the past, since there would still be left the sticks from the suckers on the ground and the worn soles of their shoes; and the marks on the floor from the dances. And then every week the party of the suckers would be repeated again, and again. On another occasion we would build a raft out of palm tree trunks and big oil drums; and we would travel boarding the coast, eating the fish we would pull from the sea and the rice we would plant on the mast, which would also work as the sailing canvas. We would tell stories of serpents and fairies in every harbor we stopped, whether or not there were people to listen. [pause] All those times I was left alone. And why would I alone build a beautiful grove in the mountains and then flood it with my tears in solitude? Why would I make the people dance if I couldn’t be with them? Why should I confront the dark seas and cross the great water, if in there I couldn’t find my mates? Now, once again the dream is over.
Scene Act: Scene 4

[Slowly come the BUFFOONS. The PROFESSOR gradually falls down on the ground.]

BUFFOON#1: A soul is dying.

BUFFOON#2: All hope is gone.

BUFFOON#3: The cherished craving is broken.

BUFFOON#1: There are no more plans.

BUFFOON#2: No ideals left.

BUFFOON#3: It all came into emptiness.

BUFFOON#1: Who knows, start all over?

BUFFOON#2: Shut up! No more attempts!

BUFFOON#3: Who knows, with other partners...

BUFFOON#2: Leave! Free yourself from illusions!

BUFFOON#1: He carried on his back the sins of the world.

BUFFOON#3: He lived the life of the human-hero.

BUFFOON#1: He suffered the curse of the abandoned.

BUFFOON#2: Enough! Impossible desires!

BUFFOON#3: Enough struggling, struggling, struggling...

BUFFOONS: I will no longer struggle for the machine!
Second Act: Scene 5

[MARTA comes.]

PROFESSOR: Marta, my friend; my neck and shoulders are in pain. My back is worn out and bent, I can’t get straight and lift my face. Do me a favor: a little bit of massage here, until these tensed muscles soften, until the mask on my face is loose, until the weight is taken from me, so that I can have dreamless sleep. [While the PROFESSOR talks, MARTA approaches. She massages him a little bit, he lies down; she continues for a little longer. He seems asleep. Marta examines him, as checking if he was dead. Walks away from him and comes closer to the audience.] MARTA: Asclepio is sleeping.

BUFFOON#1: Professor Asclepio felt asleep, he abandoned the struggle.

MARTA: Asclepio is sleeping. He was tired.

BUFFOON#1: He is weak, too. Of course he got tired.

MARTA: Asclepio can do nothing by himself.

BUFFOON#1: Everyone have their excuses. He also has his own.

MARTA: Asclepio strived more than any one else.

BUFFOON#1: For a foolish dream, which now he has abandoned.

MARTA: No, for a noble dream, which he didn’t betrayed.

BUFFOON#1: That now he has betrayed, since he’s sleeping without dreams.

MARTA: The dream that was his own, since he put in eighteen years of his life!

BUFFOON#1: But he killed that dream, Marta, at last he killed it!

 [MARTA with anger turns to BUFFOON#1. Pauses. Then turn back to the audience. The BUFFOONS also walk to the proscenium and stare at the audience.] MARTA: Yes, it’s true. Asclepio is weak. Asclepio has quit the struggle and won’t return to it. He was defeated, yes. But tell me, you: who has ever fought more than him?

BUFFOONS: Who is better than Asclepio? You? [Repeat several times to the audience.]

MARTA: Maybe you have never abandoned a dream, since you’ve never had one.

BUFFOONS: Have you ever tried to build the Great Machine? [Repeats.]

MARTA: Not even for a moment you’ve embraced a noble struggle. Of those who wanted to build it, who hasn’t abandoned it? Who hasn’t betrayed it?

BUFFOONS: By the way, do you live your dream? [Repeats.]

MARTA: Who hasn’t desisted from the machine?

BUFFOONS: [From the stage or invading the audience:] You, also, gave more value to your bourgeois life...You felt lonely and ran after the warmth of the mediocre masses... You quit because you saw you were weak, and the dream was greater than you... You wanted to be different from the others. You wished to rise, to break the barriers, to reach a New World. But you’ve ran off and you’re still here... You backed off, ran away, and tried to forget it all. Pretending you’ve never had a dream, or that they’re worth nothing... You are sunken in mediocrity, lying to yourself, accepting other people’s lies, pretending you haven’t betrayed yourself.

MARTA: Who hasn’t quit the Great Machine? [yelling:] Traitors! Murderess of your own souls! Bastards, sons of a bitch!

 [The BUFOONS and MARTA leave quickly. The other actors walk into the audience giving away popcorn during intermission.]

[if this play is well performed, there will be no applause from the audience.]

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