Saturday, August 20, 2016

"OH, HELL!" ('15) for marionette and mask




"OH, HELL!"



Faustus awakens, and stands. Mephostophiles is behind him.

FAUSTUS
Was ist los?! Wo bin ich?!

MEPHOSTOPHILES
The jaws of hell are open to receive thee.

FAUSTUS
(looking about)
Wer hat das gesagt?

MEPH.
It is I, Faustus, Mephostophiles, now thy master.

Faustus looks up, sees Meph.

FAUSTUS
Ach, du lieber Gott in Himmel!

MEPH.
Do not bring Him up here! This is Hell!

FAUSTUS
(looking around)
Was zur Holle?!

MEPH.
This is Hell. Where thou shalt spend eternity.

FAUSTUS
Warum Sie sprechen Englisch?

MEPH.
Because I am an Englishman.

FAUSTUS
Du nimmst mich auf den Arm!

MEPH.
I will only pull thy leg literally, Faustus.

FAUSTUS
Wie, bitte?

MEPH.
I will be tormenting thee, Faustus, for eternity. As is my right and
duty per our pact.

FAUSTUS
Ach ja, daB.

MEPH.
Yes, that.

Faustus tries to run away, but can't get beyond arms length,
and ends up going back and forth.

MEPH.
Thou cannot escape me, Faustus.

FAUSTUS
You dunt zay.

MEPH.
You used English.

FAUSTUS
Ja, I speek Englisch.

MEPH.
I did not know thou spoke English.

FAUSTUS
How doo you dink I know vhat yoo zay?

MEPH.
Oh, right.

FAUSTUS
Dummkopf!

Meph glowers at him a moment, then kicks him in the
stomach, knocking him down.

MEPH.
Watch what thou say, human!

FAUSTUS
(catching his breath)
Heilige ScheiBe!
(standing)
I did not know you vere zuch a delicate floh-er.

MEPH.
It is MY job to torment THEE for eternity, human.

FAUSTUS
(starts pacing back and forth)
All ouwr contrakt zaid vas you vould hafe me body and soul.

MEPH.
Yes, that is true.

FAUSTUS
Und, vere ist my body?

MEPH.
It was torn asunder by devils, then burnt upon a pier by humans.

FAUSTUS
Vich meenz I am a spirit, ja?

MEPH.
Yes, that is so.

FAUSTUS
(waving broadly at him)
Zo, I can do anyding you can do...
(breaking into semi-song)
...better. I can do anyding better dan you.

MEPH.
(rocking back and forth)
OH NO! NOT MUSICAL COMEDY!!!

FAUSTUS
(laughing maniacally)
JA! DIS IST ONLY DE BEGINNING!

Meph. tries to escape offstage, but still connected to
Faustus, who follows, singing.