An old man is brought into the sanctum of God by two guards, he wears a thick tattered cloak with a cowl, and struggles against them. He is lying comatose, covered in bruises and cuts, his skin is charred in places and looks pale, his cloak is in rags, his hood covers his face. The guards toss him on the ground. Around the room, one sees many strange things as they enter, such as the designs of many beings and a candle that never burns out. Suddenly a booming voice echoes from beyond the stage, lights flashing as it speaks. The guards raise one arm each on top of the stranger and lock hands in an arch above his head.
Voice of God(Depressed)
Someone there?
No one is permitted to enter
This place
Without my consent.
Guards kneel.
Guards (Together)
Lord of All and gracious King
Hear me thus;
I found him sneaking ‘round the gardens like a beggar at twilight.
Such an offense cannot go unpunished.
The voice echoes and the lights flash again.
Voice of God (to Hooded Stranger)
Get up.
Identify yourself ere I toss you down the dungeon steps.
Slowly and painfully, with a great deal of trouble, the Hooded old man gets up.
Hooded Stranger
That should be no way to speak to me.
I have come such a long way
To see you brother.
The voice flashes once again, this time confused.
Voice of God
Brother?
I have never had
A familial relation.
Hooded Stranger
Where are you?
I want to see you.
Voice of God
I am afraid
I have no physical form,
I am merely a presence,
Keeping this existence afloat.
Hooded Stranger
Then tell me,
Brother,
Where does your voice
Echo from?
The Voice of God laughs, cold and hollow.
Voice of God
I am everywhere;
I am in all things.
The Hooded Stranger looks up.
Hooded Stranger
Has it ever occurred to you that
Perhaps you are not all that you think you are?
Voice of God
(Insulted) What do you mean?
Hooded Stranger
I mean that there was a time before time,
Brother, when the Gods created
Existence from nothingness.
You were not always what you are now.
Voice of God(Indignant)
I have always been,
Stranger!
I am the being who sits in his realm alone,
Surrounded by servants but never by equals.
Hooded Stranger
Surely you remember the Gods brother,
How they bickered and fought
And how all were caught betwixt.
They have done themselves in
By their own arrogance.
Voice of God (Escalating)
I am the One True God stranger,
you should know
Who you are speaking to!
Hooded Stranger
It is illusion, brother.
You are not what you think you are.
The Gods are gone, and have been gone.
There will be no more Gods, forever and anon.
Voice of God (Booming)
How can there be
No more Gods if I am right here?
Hooded Stranger
Stay calm brother.
Let me tell you a story true.
The Voice is quiet for a moment in ponderance.
Voice of God
Fine, I will let you tell me a story true.
The guards walk to the door and stand guard.
All lights go off.