1 [ intro music, fading under ] [ establish study ambience ] 2 Assistant: But master, you've got to understand that the Abbot is not interested in *new technologies* -- he's interested in-- 3 Scientist: --I know what he's interested in -- the *old* ways, the *golden* age, the way it *used* to be. But I have a theory that could work *now* -- and furthermore, I'm not convinced that we'll ever be able to reconstruct the old ways of doing things. Too much has been lost -- too much knowledge... buried. 4 Assistant: It's exactly that kind of talk that the Abbot won't want to hear! He'd take away your tenure if he knew how much time you've spent on the phlogiston engine -- instead of trying to unlock the mystery of the great caverns. 5 Scientist: I know. That's why I've got to show him that other solutions might be more viable, more readily accessible, even superior. 6 Assistant: [shocked] ...superior? I can't believe you'd dare to say that. 7 Scientist: I'm sorry. I don't mean any disrespect -- but it might be true. We simply don't know how or even *how well* the old systems worked, and the Abbot, by clinging to reclaiming the past, might be holding us back -- when we should be moving forward. Here, order these papers while I prepare the slate. [Shuffling of papers and writing on a chalk board] 1 Assistant: Master, do you really think this will work? I mean, a phlogiston engine? We've never had anything like this -- the fathers have done nothing like this -- we have no knowledge of any research like this... 2 Scientist: [stops writing] Well, I don't know. I just hope I can show the technique to be promising enough to dedicate more time to investigating it. 3 Assistant: [ slightly accusatory ] ...and less time to rediscovering the old ways. How do you know this knowledge isn't a dark knowledge? [ knock stereo R ] It's the Abbot. 4 Scientist: See him in. [ Assistant's footsteps pan right to door, which is opened. Two sets of footprints walk back to right of center] Hello, Father. 5 Abbot: Hello, Doctor. I understand you desire to show me the fruit of some... new experiments? 6 Scientist: Yes, Father, that's right. [ excited ] I think I may have found a method that could generate more than enough power for the city-- 7 Abbot: Enough power for the city? So you have uncovered the harmony of the spheres? I thought this was something new... 8 Scientist: No sir, it is something new -- and it has nothing to do with resonance or the overtone series. But I think that this might provide-- 9 Abbot: [ almost disgusted ] --nothing to do with "resonance" or the "overtone series"? I assume by these vulgar terms you are referring to the great mystery of the spheres? And how can legitimate technology have *nothing* to do with the ancient ways? 1 Scientist: [ under his breath ] Some things just *aren't* related. It doesn't mean they're *wrong*. 2 Abbot: I'll be the judge of that. [ pulling up a chair ] Doctor, explain this technique to me. 3 Doctor: Thank you, Father. [ tapping on chalkboard while speaking ] Firstly, I think we all know about the mysterious properties of phlogiston. All burnable objects, amongst other things, contain phlogiston [ writes "phlogiston" ] -- which is a substance that is released when a substance is burned. We have also long known about the tall chambers -- the wide caverns with the ceilings too high to measure. It has been postulated that the air currents we see in those caverns are due to the phlogistonic properties of the gases in those chambers. My theory is that if I can condense the lighter, phlogistonic gases in the chambers into my phlogiston engine, I can use the gravities of the condensed gases to drive the engine -- the displacement of the heavier gas by the lighter gas will cause the armature here [ circles on chalkboard ] to topple, at which point the gasses would displace each other again, and the armature would topple again. If this is tuned properly, we may even be able to achieve a sort of perpetual motion machine. [ some kind of chalkboard flourish ] 1 Abbot: [ interested ] So how do you intend to capture these gasses? With some kind of sonic technique? 2 Scientist: No, Father, sound techniques are not used at all -- 3 Abbot: [ disappointed hum ] 4 Scientist: [ continuing ] My assistant and I have discovered that gasses react to magnetic forces; subsequently we have raised tall towers in the cavern with electrical and collection equipment on them -- by using a sustained electrical current, we can collect the gases in special chambers, from which we can condense the gasses and put them into the machine. THe test we would like to perform is merely a test of the collection techniques in the large caverns. 5 Abbot: You want to do these tests in the sacred caverns? I will not allow such sacrelige! 6 Scientist: Abbot, no, I -- 7 Abbot: Forget it, Doctor -- I've long been displeased with your apparent lack of faith in our old ways and in our efforts to reclaim them. But to do this -- I will not allow it. 1 Scientist: Father, I -- 2 Abbot: Not another word, Doctor. Or I will see that your name comes up on the short list for review next time the lords of the city meet. And you might consider practicing your own chants before that date, as a token of good faith. I am not the only one who questions your earnestness. [stands scooting chair] Good day. [Abbot walks off right, opens, and slams the door] 3 Scientist: [dejected] Good day. [pause] 4 Assistant: [unbelieving] That's it? Good day? 5 Scientist: You heard him. He's not interested in reason, or in what I have to say. I'll just find another line of inquiry, if they're not interested in the promise this could provide. 6 Assistant: I'm sorry master, but that is not acceptable -- there is too much promise in your work, and I know that you are not a heretic. I'm not going to let the Abbot's attitude destroy what we've done here! [ runs out of the study] 7 Scientist: Wait... No! [ abbot, walking stereo R, door open faintly far stereo left, fast footsteps approaching from the left] 1 Assistant: Father! ... Father! [catching up] Father... I wanted to talk to you. 2 Abbot: Yes, what is it? Are you here to convince me to let you and your heretic of a master try your blasphemous tests in our most holy places? 3 Assistant: Father, no. We are doing these tests in the tall chambers the doctor spoke of earlier -- the ones too tall for us to measure -- not the holy places. Not even *near* the holy places. 7 Abbot: How close is the nearest chamber? 8 Assistant: The closest chamber is 2 furlongs from the nearest sacred cavern -- there is no possible harm that could come to the great caves, Father -- there's nothing to be afraid of. And my master is not a heretic. 9 Abbot: I'm not so sure about that. And I'm a little disappointed in your defense of him; you realize the effect your defense could have on your own standing with the council. 1 Abbot: And where are you getting your electricity? 2 Scientist: From the public store -- my research is for the good of the city, Father, I thought it would be ok... 3 Abbot: ...well... 4 Assistant: Father, please. If we could generate power like this, think of the resources it could free -- resources we could put towards rediscovering the old ways. Please. 5 Abbot: You already know that I am not elated about your plans, doctor. [pause, lowering guard] But I must admit that I am intrigued by your plans -- especially on the possibility that we could use the newfound freedom to recover our lost heritage.