Anne, John, Luke, Marc, Mathew, The silent figure and Sophia

In a small house, a room is illuminated by a sweet light. There, we see a shadow accompanied by Silence. A sound of a bell is heard.

Sophia

It’s them!

The silent figure withdraws and comes back with the group.

Marc

We didn’t wish to bother you, but we had to see you.

Sophia

You did well, my children.

Marc

We want you to help us.

Sophia, Showing her chair

It’s been long time that I can’t help anyone any longer.

The silent figure reaches out the hand touches Sophia on the shoulder and she lets a smile.

Without the support of the silence, I wouldn’t exist.

Marc

Don’t say that… Time. Especially now…

Sophia

Why now?

John

Because we have a struggle to bring to an end.

Sophia

A struggle?

Luke

To create a work… Silence

Sophia

My life ends.

Anne

But your work must be saved.

Sophia

I am the survivor of a non-recognized case of genocide. Time. My work does not exist.

Mathew

No, it’s not true!

Sophia

Yet, I sink in oblivion and general indifference. While the others negotiate on the future of our children with the executioners of the past.

Marc

This is why we are here!

Sophia

You arrived too late, my children.

Marc

Too late?

Sophia

All the rest is dead. Time. I am the last of the survivors. After me nobody will be able to accuse them.

Luke

We will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Sophia

Without documents, they will not be able to…

Mathew

But you are our document! It is in you that memory of genocide lives.

Sophia

It lives, like a note in a requiem.

Anne not being able to hold herself any longer embraces Sophia, while John is going close to her.

John

If only we could come earlier…

Sophia

You must live, my children. Many people did not know of anything but death.

Marc

However, now it’s about the invasion of oblivion.

Sophia Letting a short cry.

No! Oblivion will not pass!

Marc

Then, I am begging you, help us!

Sophia

What shall I do?

Luke

Narration of every fact.

Sophia

You ask me to experience death again… Silence.

The silent figure bows to whisper a word in her ear. The rest are waiting for her reaction.

I will do it under one condition.

Mathew

We will do whatever you want.

Sophia

I want you to continue this struggle after my death. Silence. From now on you will be my memory.

Anne

You are our humaneness.

Sophia

When do you want us to start?

John

As soon as possible.

Sophia

Then let’s start today.

She nods to the silent figure which is exiting the scene right away.

Silence.

Nobody dares to intervene. They are all waiting for her return.

Silence.

The silent figure returns wrapped in a huge black sheet. Hardly does he drag it. They are all raised. He continues walking calmly without paying attention to them. He finishes by having covered the whole scene with this black sheet.

Sophia

In this sheet all the names of the victims of genocide are written. The only one missing is mine. Time. Take it; from now on it is yours. What I am asking from you is not to forget us, because what we are is this black sheet and only this.

Each in turn lifts the black sheet. The silent figure is walking and exiting the scene. He walks among the audience. The whole group follows him trying hardly to hold their tears. They exit the scene leaving Sophia alone.

My God, now that I’ve done my duty, take me with you.

She leans her head and closes her eyes. The silent figure accompanied by the group returns and they lay her on the floor, by covering her with the black sheet. They are all on their knees.

Shadow.

Darkness.

Black.