The Explosion
The New Student · The First Student
(A classroom at the Institute for the Advancement of Dictatorships. The students sit at their desks. An exam is in progress. Silence, broken only by the scratching of pens. The Instructor stands at the front, looking out of the window at the lake.)
(Suddenly, there is an explosion.)
(A brief, absolute silence. Then dust. A window has shattered. The students look up from their papers.)
(without turning from the window)
You may continue.
(The students look at one another. Then they lower their heads and continue.)
(The Director's office. The Director sits behind his desk. The Instructor stands opposite. Between them, a tray with two cups of coffee.)
(The Director picks up his coffee.)
(A pause.)
(He sets down his cup.)
(A reception room at the Institute. The Director sits. Across from him, a Swiss Officer in a neat uniform.)
We have apprehended two individuals. A man and a woman. They were found in possession of materials consistent with the device.
Fingerprints have been taken. Statements recorded.
The file is complete.
(He places a folder on the table.)
(A pause.)
(The Swiss Officer rises. They shake hands.)
(The Swiss Officer leaves. The Director looks at the folder for a moment.)
(The room of the First and the New Student. They stand side by side looking out of the window.)
(Two handcuffed figures are led by the Instructor across the courtyard below. They enter the building.)
(A pause.)
(The First Student looks at the closed door.)
(The meadow outside the Institute. The lake is still.)
(In the centre of the lawn, a guillotine stands in the morning light.)