COVENTRY

''SETTING/SCENE: A university study crammed with dusty bookshelves, gothic paintings, candles, and witchy bric-a-brac.'' The HEAD MISTRESS sits atop a huge oak desk beneath a stained-glass window. She’s sporting black-rimmed glasses and a sharp business suit, with silver hair pulled into a high, tight bun. A black-and-white CROW is perched in an iron cage nearby, blinking and cawing. ''DIRECTION'': YOU (PLAYER) Enter from LEFT with a nervous smile. ''- EXPRESSIONS: (NEUTRAL) (HAPPY) (SHOCKED) (SAD) (ANGRY) -'' ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Welcome to the Arcane College. I trust your journey was pleasant enough. So, tell me... Why are you here? ''YOU'' (SHOCKED) Umm…no handshake? High tea? Some spa time after all the planes, trains, and automobiles? ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) It used to be steamships and buggies. Consider yourself blessed. I'll ask again… //WHY are you here?// [[NEXT]]

''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) Hey…//you// sent the invitation, remember? My mother taught me never to look a gift horse in the mouth. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Indeed. I’m sure she taught you many things... Like the truth in your //dreams//, perhaps? ''YOU'' (SHOCKED) I…I sleep like the dead, thanks. Egyptian cotton. Thread-count to die for. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (HAPPY) That’s not what Grand Coven tells me, dear. They say you have the //sight//. Your Mother had it. Your Grandmother had it. It's on record. And we are nothing if not //thorough//. We want to know about your ''//VISION//''. [[And I thought Facebook privacy was bad...]] [[My vision's 20/20. No offense...]] [[Alright! I know what you mean...]]

''YOU'' (SAD) And I thought Facebook privacy was bad.... ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) I understand the attitude. You’re scared, you’re skeptical, and the world has suddenly become a lot bigger and stranger. But you’re not alone anymore... Like you, the students here are //gifted//. ''YOU'' (SAD) They say every ‘gift’ can be a curse, right? ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Magic is just a tool. It's neither good nor bad. It’s all in how you //use// it. ''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) And you...the school… You’re going to //teach// me? ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (HAPPY) That’s the plan - it's a //very// comprehensive curriculum. ''YOU'' (SHOCKED) Witching 101, hmm? And to think, I only just paid off my student loans... [[The College Pitch]]

''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) My vision’s 20/20, thanks. But don't be jealous...those glasses really work on you. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (ANGRY) Oh, I see //clearly//, dear. I see power that chooses to //hide//. I see greatness pretending to be //small//. ''YOU'' (ANGRY) I prefer //petite//. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (ANGRY) This could be the most important moment of your life, and you're being a child! ''YOU' (ANGRY) And you’re being a terrible host! (Beat - change expression to SAD) Fine, you win. I SEE things. And yes...I saw //this// place. In a dream. Right before your damn invitation showed up. You want to know //why// I'm here? To find out what the hell is happening, and what you //want// from me. It's not like I have any money... [[The College Pitch]]

''YOU'' (SHOCKED) Alright! It's true! I did see...//something//. Right before your invitation came. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Go on... ''YOU'' (SHOCKED) It…it was just flashes. Fragments. It made no sense. I saw shadows. And fighting. And impossible things... And then//here//. I saw the College. Christ. I thought I was going crazy, until… ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (HAPPY) Until now. We are all //seers// here. Of one sort or another. We can help each other. And then, if fate smiles upon us, the world. ''YOU'' (SAD) This is crazy. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (HAPPY) Use your gift. Look //within//... ...and you’ll see it's true. ''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) And then what? [[The College Pitch]]

''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) The Arcane College is free and open to you. But there is a //price//. We demand a commitment to the program. And to your Sisters who walk the path. You shall become the //best// version of yourself here... ...and then you will join in the fight. ''YOU'' (HAPPY)) For what? Witches’ rights? Smash the patriarchy? That kinda thing? ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Demons and occult madmen to start. ''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) You’re serious. ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) Painfully. ''YOU'' (NEUTRAL) And do I need to //sign// anything, or…? ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (NEUTRAL) We’ll take your word as bond for now. The blood oath comes later. ''YOU'' (SHOCKED) ... ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (HAPPY) That was a joke. //Probably//. ''DIRECTION'': Weary and more than a little frazzled, YOU EXIT LEFT. (beat) ''THE CROW'' //At least she’s not boring. I’m almost rooting for her.// ''HEAD MISTRESS'' (SAD) As you should. Because if the Coven is right..? We're going to need all the help we can get. ''FIN''