The Finding

Cast The Director · The Swiss Officer · The Swiss Journalists
The Glasnik Correspondent · The New York Globe Correspondent

(A packed conference room at the Institute for the Advancement of Dictatorships. The Director sits at a raised table, the Swiss Officer beside him, facing the journalists, who occupy several rows of chairs.)

The DirectorThank you for joining us today. As you can imagine, the last four months have been difficult for the institute.

(A beat.)

The DirectorBut I am glad that the investigation into the, um, unfortunate deaths of our two students has been concluded.

The Swiss OfficerWe conducted a very careful investigation. We left nothing unturned — which is why it took so long. We proceeded with Swiss thoroughness. We reconstructed both events. We examined all the forensic evidence, including the DNA. The investigation was conclusive. Only one ruling remained possible: both deaths were suicide.

The Swiss JournalistsSuicide.

The DirectorWe open the floor for questions now.

The Glasnik CorrespondentHow did they do it?

The Swiss OfficerThey both slit their throats.

The Glasnik CorrespondentIn their rooms?

The Swiss OfficerOne on a boat on the lake, the other near the stables.

The Glasnik CorrespondentDid you find the knives?

The Swiss OfficerWe found both. They were both in situ.

The Glasnik CorrespondentAny fingerprints?

The Swiss OfficerYes. On the knife we found on the boat, the fingerprints of the older brother.

The Glasnik CorrespondentAnd on the other knife?

The Swiss OfficerOn the other, none at all — consistent with the younger brother being found wearing gloves.

The Glasnik CorrespondentGloves in spring?

The Swiss OfficerIt's a well-known psychological mechanism.

The New York Globe CorrespondentTalking of psychology — this is a question for the Director. Are you taking enough care of your students' well-being? It looks like —

The DirectorOf course we do. Feel free to talk to some of our students this afternoon. They are all happy. Very happy.

The New York Globe CorrespondentYet two of them killed themselves.

The Swiss OfficerWe found these dark traits to have ancestors in the deceased's family. Their mother had committed suicide when they were three and eight. One of their grandfathers had shot himself in the 1970s.

The New York Globe CorrespondentSo you admit students too fragile for your own curriculum?

The DirectorOur curriculum is guided by science and nothing else.

The New York Globe CorrespondentThat was not my question.

The DirectorRemind me of it?

The New York Globe CorrespondentHow do you make sure the students you admit can cope with what you teach?

The DirectorWe do very careful interviews, with a world-class psychologist by our side.

The Glasnik CorrespondentCan we have that person's name?

The DirectorI'm afraid you cannot. The psychologist works for us out of compassion for our cause. He does not receive a fee. But he insists on staying anonymous.

The Glasnik Correspondent(looking at the Swiss Officer) But you do know his identity?

The Swiss OfficerOf course we do. He is a world-renowned scientist with much experience in guiding admission processes.

The New York Globe CorrespondentSo this scientist of yours advises other institutions as well?

The DirectorOther teaching institutions, but also corporations. Global corporations.

The New York Globe CorrespondentWhat do we know about suicides at those other entities?

The Swiss OfficerOf course, we looked into this as well. There are no patterns to speak of.

The Swiss JournalistsNo patterns.

The DirectorLadies and gentlemen — if there are no further questions —

The New York Globe CorrespondentThere are further questions. Here is one. How are your students coping with the dread of what happened here?

The DirectorIt was, of course, um, not easy for them. But we have provided much counselling, and they are all doing okay now. As I said earlier, feel free to approach some of them before you leave our premises. They have a day off today, and with this lovely weather we are having, you will find many of them strolling along.

The Glasnik CorrespondentI would be interested in talking to my Prime Minister's son.

The DirectorAnd who would that be?

The Glasnik CorrespondentI'm from Glasnik, in New M—.

The DirectorI cannot force any student to speak to a journalist. But if you stumble across him — sure. Ask him how he's doing.