(The room of the First and the New Student. A little after 10pm. A knock on the door. The Caretaker enters.)
The First StudentGood evening, Ma'am.
The CaretakerGood evening, you two.
The New StudentGood evening.
The CaretakerYou two had a good time in C—?
The First StudentWe learned a lot.
The New StudentIt was a real treat.
The CaretakerI'm so happy to hear this. What was your most important takeaway?
The First StudentHow important it is to be focussed 100% of the time.
The New StudentAnd that you have to listen to your gut.
The CaretakerGood, good. Both are important. But tell me, how did it feel to be so close to the action?
The New StudentIt felt awesome.
The First StudentIt felt right.
The Caretaker"It felt right." That's a lovely answer.
The First StudentThank you, Ma'am. It just did.
The CaretakerSo I imagine.
(A beat.)
The CaretakerDid he take you to one of the chambers?
The New StudentHe did.
The CaretakerHow did this make you feel?
The First StudentIt made me feel privileged. And alive.
The CaretakerAlive. A good word. But not just a word.
The New StudentWhat do you mean, if I may ask?
The CaretakerAlive is a state a being can be in.
(A beat.)
The CaretakerOr not.
The First StudentTrue. But what I wanted to say, was—
The CaretakerI know what you wanted to say. You felt more than just merely alive and that is a good feeling, is it not?
The First StudentIt certainly is.
The CaretakerSo, you felt a little more than merely alive when you watched a prisoner being tortured?
The First StudentYes.
The CaretakerI like your honesty. Did you then perhaps feel even more alive when you watched the Most Senior Student die on that boat?
The New StudentIt was horrific.
The CaretakerWas it?
The New StudentYes, but—
The CaretakerBut what?
The New StudentThere was also a little thrill.
(The Caretaker looks at the First Student.)
The CaretakerFor you as well?
The First StudentFor me, too, Ma'am.
The CaretakerAnd were you even more thrilled when you slit the throat of his younger brother?
The First StudentI don't know what you mean.
The CaretakerDo not fucking lie to me. You are both very talented students. You have what it takes. But you must understand that you cannot lie to me.
(A beat.)
The CaretakerI shall forgive you this one. It came from your not yet so finely attuned gut. That is okay. But only once.