BlackFaceless

Scene i   The scene opens in a moodily-lit outdoor cafe terrace. Five tables are set, all in especially dim light and slightly receded save one. The odd table out is furthest stage right, illuminated more than the others, and slightly closer to the audience. Matthew sits at the illuminated table, drinking a tiny cup of coffee, reading a book. At the other tables various numbers of people chatter quietly and busy themselves.   Jeane enters stage left, tall and slender, dressed in a dark blue dress, a faux fur jacket and large dark sunglasses. She approaches Matthew's table slowly, looking about herself all the while suspiciously.

Michael awoke somewhere foreign. Barely conscious, he was aware of a cold white light over his head, and something icy and hard pressing against his back. Lethargically he tried to feel what it was, but his hand didn't what to move. Slowly, as he became more aware, he began to see figures in the darkness beyond the chilling light. He tried to move again, but his limbs still wouldn't cooperate, this time, though, he felt the tug of restraints. Weakness wasn't impeding him, leather straps were. Michael turned his head onto its side, looking for what it was pressing against his back. Stainless steel. He was on an operating table. Michael bega