So grand as a difference.
Iphigenia walks toward her betrothed slowly, proudly. Even when she sees the sword, she carries on.
I knew.
I never knew
I knew.
A hunt, a war, a wedding night,
And here, my aisle,
All end in blood
For that is all a man can bestow.
When Iphigenia sings, Claudia wants to run up there and snatch her away. She wants to save her from a terrible fate and ask for nothing in return. No bargains, no soul-bites, no nightmares. Just a safe place to be and to rest.
The daughter drops to her knees. The sword hangs over her head. She looks into the audience. Her eyes seem to lock onto Claudia.
My goodness is a wound.
My prize is
Nothing
But a scar.
Agamemnon closes his eyes and drops the sword. The lights go out before it pierces Iphigenia’s neck. The entire audience gasps, sucking all air out of the room and leaving behind nothing but unmoving darkness.
When light returns, it is Artemis who holds the sword a breath away from Iphigenia’s neck.
“Stand,” she sings. “Give me your hands.”
Iphigenia obeys, and the goddess of the hunt slices the blade across Iphigenia’s skin. A red ribbon appears in her palms. Iphigenia wraps it around Agamemnon’s neck.
In unison, Artemis and Iphigenia sing.
A King cannot fear blood,
For blood is all he reaps.
To know you sold your daughter’s life,
No wound shall be as deep.
A King will rot with loss
And he will end in ash
A King cannot fear blood,
For blood is all he has.
Here is where the curtains close.
THE MAN IN THE MASK
