SURPRISE
Based on the video game series, Hylics, created by Mason Lindroth
DESMUND'S HOME - EVENING
Lights come up center stage to reveal the modest living room. A couch sits center stage with a coffee table that holds a plant and PONGORMA'S HELMET. Upstage is a wooden privacy screen. This is the apartment of a scientist with decent taste.
DESUMND and PONGORMA enter, PONGORMA carrying DESMUND bridal style to the couch as they laugh.
DESMUND
(teasing)
Oh unhand me you brutish knight!
PONGORMA
(teasing)
Never! The Sages shall hear about the scientist that refused to go to their gala from the scientist themselves! I have been tasked to bring you to them, whether you like it or not!
DESMUND dramatically flops in PONGORMA'S arms
DESMUND
But Sir Pongorma! I had planned on diving into my studies regarding what makes the dread knights so powerful and now you tell me I must delay?
PONGORMA chuckles and plops DESMUND on the couch. He plants a kiss on their cheek.
PONGORMA
It is only for one evening, my flower.
DESMUND
Yes, but-
PONGORMA
And I was called to bring you so unless you were planning on studying another dread knight-
DESMUND pouts.
DESMUND
I was hoping I could persuade you into being truant with me.
PONGORMA laughs heartily and embraces DESMUND.
PONGORMA
While the Sages of Accretions and Satellites may be forgiving, I doubt the others would look too kindly on being snubbed.
DESMUND sighs dramatically.
DESMUND
Is Lord Gibby going to be there.
PONGORMA
That I do not know.
DESMUND
If he is there, I will refuse to go in. Did you hear he wants to cut funding to my department! I keep stating that biological control will be more effective in the long run than the gestural control methods he is planning.
PONGORMA
Desmund ...
DESMUND
Ten years, Pongorma. Ten years of working on this, studying their life cycle and determining what their role is ecologically to see what can limit their spread ... and just because of how highly adaptable they are, we're just putting a more effective long term strategy on the back-burner in favor of a much riskier and dramatic short term plan?
PONGORMA
Perhaps the Sages will restore your funding if you make an appearance?
Silence stretches between them. DESMUND gently takes PONGORMA'S hand.
DESMUND
Do you think I'm foolish? Do you think it's a waste of resources to be pursuing this path? Do ... Pongorma, do you think I should give up?
More silence.
PONGORMA
I ... I don't feel that you should but ... I also know that when Lord Gibby has his mind set on something, it's hard to steer him away from it.
DESMUND looks to PONGORMA.
DESMUND
Pongo ...
PONGORMA
You're not the only one who has started to question him. I do not know exactly what Gibby is planning but the last briefing I had with him was ...
PONGORMA trails off.
DESMUND
Is everything alright, Pongorma? You ... you were distant all week and now ...
PONGORMA is unresponsive.
DESMUND
It's alright, I understand. There are things you're unable to share.
PONGORMA
Yes ...
DESMUND rests their head on PONGORMA'S shoulder.
DESMUND
Perhaps we can just make an appearance and then we can come back here and have an evening alone. It has been a long time since we have had any time to ourselves.
PONGORMA nods.
PONGORMA
Does that mean you're going to the gala then?
DESMUND smiles.
DESMUND
Of course, Pongo. I'll just complain the entire way there. Let me go change into something more appropriate though. I can't go to a gala in my work clothes. Oh and I have just the outfit!
PONGORMA
Is it that red tunic with the gold trim?
DESMUND
Oh it is so much more extravagant than those old rags! I have been waiting for a reason to show it to you. I was hoping that it would be in a more ... hmm ... sentimental setting? I suppose a gala for the Sages shall have to do.
They rise as PONGORMA stays on the couch.
PONGORMA
Do you need any assistance?
DESMUND
I'll just be a moment.
They kiss and DESMUND retreats behind the privacy screen. PONGORMA picks up his helmet and rises, crossing stage left as the lights fade, save for one light on PONGORMA.
PONGORMA
I ... I wish I could tell you, Desmund. I know we said no secrets but ... There's something I need to do. I did something horrific and I need to atone ... Desmund ... there were children there when we went under Gibby's orders - Children, Desmund. And I thought of you and our dreams and I realized I can't ... not yet. The Sages ... they wouldn't grant me their strongest gesture. They claim I do not have the will to wield it. Tomorrow morning I will be leaving to begin to train and increase my will in order to prove that I can wield it. That I can destroy Gibby before he destroys any more lives. I no longer wish to be an instrument of war but if I can do this one last thing ...
He considers his helmet.
PONGORMA
The other Dread Knights do not know. They do not know there were children. They do not know they were hidden. I pray that they never do ...
DESMUND
(behind the screen)
Sorry Pongo, I'll just be a little longer! Oh you'll be so surprised when you see this outfit!
PONGORMA
(smiling)
Take your time, my flower.
PONGORMA'S smile wavers.
PONGORMA
I don't know how long I will be away but I promise ... I will treasure every moment I have with you and I promise it will be worth the wait when I return. After tomorrow, when you see me next, I will finally have the will to make everything right.
DEDUSMULN
Pongorma?
PONGORMA
Sorry, Desmund, I was rambling-
The lights come back up on center stage to reveal that what was once a couch with a plant and a privacy screen is now a tent panel and a cot. This is no longer DESMUND'S HOME. This is now:
DEDUSMULN'S TENT - EVENING
DEDUSMULN comes out from behind the screen as PONGORMA turns to see them, confusion on his face.
DEDUSMULN
Desmund? No, no, my name is Dedusmuln, remember? Sages, I didn't think that we had been working so hard that you'd forget your dear friend's name! Is it water? I can get you some -
PONGORMA is silent for a moment, his heart shattered as he remembers that the world around him has changed while he has stayed the same. DEDUSMULN notices the change in demeanor
DEDUSMULN
Oh slip, I did not even realize your helmet was off! I apologize, Pongorma. I can go back outside. I did not mean to intrude on an intim-
PONGORMA
N-no, Dedusmuln ... it is fine. I was just ... Remembering someone.
DEDUSMULN walks over to PONGORMA and gingerly takes his hand.
DEDUSMULN
Was ... who was Desmund?
They meet eyes. PONGORMA sighs and squeezes DEDUSMULN'S hand before placing his helmet on his head.
PONGORMA
Someone who you remind me of ...
DEDUSMULN
From before the Accretion?
PONGORMA hesitates and then nods.
DEDUSMULN
I'm sorry ...
PONGORMA
No, don't be sorry, Dedusmuln. It has been ... it has been ages since I last saw them and they ... they wouldn't remember me anyway.
Silence stretches between them.
DEDUSMULN
I ... I am so-erm. Should we go out and I can show you the new dig site?
PONGORMA chuckles.
PONGORMA
I'll be right behind you.
DEDUSMULN smiles and exits behind the tent panel. PONGORMA watches after them.
PONGORMA
I wish that it was possible for you to remember, my flower ... Or that it was possible for me to forget.
END