Chicken Poker Act II (Part I)

Act II After confronting the Lady of Shadow, the two friends ambled about in the dark. They waited for morning, and dawn never graced them. Eventually, after much walking and scant conversation, they found themselves at the foot of a back alley club. Scene I Sir Hardun: Why shouldn't we go inside? What are you afraid of, hypocrisy? You've already showed me the value of your ideals, friend! Sir Cadrigan: What does the inside matter? It's light enough out here. Are you hoping to find something in there, in a place like this? Girls? Adventure? Glory? Sir Hardun: Unlike you, I still like to have fun. Come on, the building isn't a prison, and we aren't inmates. We have nothing to worry about except how much fun we can have. Come on, let's laugh a bit tonight! Club goer: Hello chaps! Are you going inside? Plenty room for more! Sir Cadrigan: Actually we were about to- Sir Hardun: walk inside and enjoy ourselves. Lead the way! Club Goer: It's right this way! Sir Hardun: And here goes our gloom, you'll see! Sir Cadrigan: Aside: And here goes our last shreds of decency. [ Club Goer, Sir Cadrigan, And Sir Hardun walk inside. A sea of people fan out before them.] Sir Hardun: Well, would you look at this place! Sir Cadrigan: Where is our guide? Sir Hardun: [looks around] Ha! I don't know. I suppose he got lost in the crowd. My, there are a lot of people in here! Sir Cadrigan: I've always heard Hell was rather crowded. Sir Hardun: Don't be an ass. Here, let's see if these people want to dance! Sir Cadrigan: I'd rather not. Sir Hardun [to dancers]: Mind if two deadbeats join in? Dancers: [...] Sir Hardun: Strange, they seem to be ignoring us. Sir Cadrigan: Capital observation captain obvious! Sir Hardun: Ah, those talkers over there must have something good going on. Come on! Christians: Why do you always ask us these stupid questions about the lord, they're juvenile! Atheists: Why don't you provide enough evidence to prove your god's existence?! Christians: It's a matter of faith! Some things can't be proven! Who are you to tell us what to believe? Atheists: Ha! You can't follow your own advice, hypocrites! How can you expect us to believe any of the drivel spouting from your mouths! Christians: What disrespect! Atheists: What hypocrisy! Christians: What idiots! Atheists: To hell with you! Sir Cadrigan: Let's not get involved- [Atheists and Christians begin brawling] Sir Hardun: Look at them go! Do they really fight like this for their beliefs, or their pride? Sir Cadrigan: Both if you ask me. [Something flashes across the room] Sir Cadrigan: Oh, see that? Sir Hardun: See what? There's too much to see! Sir Cadrigan: I thought I saw a glint of something across the way. Sir Hardun: Don't tell me its the door. Sir Cadrigan: Nothing that luminous, no, not an escape sign. Follow me further into the crowd, friend. Sir Hardun: Alright, this place demands exploring! [Both approach a massive stone table, arrayed with golden eggs] Sir Cadrigan: Incredible. Gambler: Why hello there, chaps. Come to converse with us gamblers? Sir Hardun: That depends... [staring at eggs] do we get to play? Gambler: You have something better, the chance at any of these eggs! Sir Cadrigan: I don't like this Sir Hardun: Do you like anything? Gambler: Ahem... We had a misunderstanding with one of our players. They took our assets, chiefly, playing cards. If you stick around for a bit our circumstances should improve. Sir Cadrigan: A bit doesn't measure time Gambler: Say, until sunrise. Sir Cadrigan: We're doomed Sir Hardun: The sun has to come out eventually, and I think I'd enjoy the company of these people. There will be cards, after all [still eyeing the eggs] Sir Cadrigan: But see, at this rate, we'll never get to play! We'll wait for cards, cards! The very idea sounds ridiculous! Why are we going to wait for cards? Sir Hardun: [Whisper] Because then we'll get a shot at those treasures! Sir Cadrigan: Somehow, I don't trust my eyes when I look at them. I think this is a sham. Sir Hadrun: So what isn't a sham then? Do you trust anything? Sir Cadrigan: Skepticism doesn't look kindly upon trust. It's like a sheep eyeing a wolf in sheep's clothing Sir Hardun: Why did you even come out tonight if you're just going to ruin all the fun? Sir Cadrigan: I'm keeping you safe, friend Sir Hardun: That's a laugh! Say, where were you when that Mad Raver tried to jump us? I think you were well ahead of me when we retreated. Sir Cadrigan: As I recall, you ran with me! I was close by your side, that's where I'm needed most. Sir Hardun: Really? Were you by MY side when you insulted that lady back in the street? I think you were quite content berating her by yourself Sir Cadrigan: Friend, she was an insult to everyone, an affront to my sanity. What could I do? Sir Hardun: If you cared about anything, you would have done nothing, like you preach with your "skepticism" Sir Cadrigan: You make my reality sound fake Sir Hardun: That's because it is! Your "reality" doesn't exist! Sir Cadrigan: Why you- [Sir Cadrigan clamps a hand over his mouth, stands up, and walks away] Sir Hardun: You really can't do much of anything, can you? Can't even stay by my side, dear friend? Can't even defend yourself? Fine! I don't need you. Stay away from me! (Aside: So much for friendship!) [Exit Sir Cadrigan] Gambler: Ah, where did your friend go? Sir Hardun: He left. Couldn't stand the place. I can't stand him. Gambler: I'm sorry to hear that. This place isn't really suited for some people. There's too much to see here, am I right? Sir Hardun: Yes, yes there certainly is Gambler: If you want, a few us are having a talk while we wait for cards. Care to join? Sir Hardun: Yes, yes I would [Exit Gambler and Sir Hardun] Scene II [Sir Cadrigan is amongst the dancers] Sir Cadrigan: My skepticism is wrong, really? True skepticism doesn't rely on absolute truth in anything! Skepticism shouldn't even take itself seriously! The nerve he has! Gah! Dancer: Did you say something? Sir Cadrigan: Hmm? Oh, not really... What's it to you? Dancer: Just thought you were upset, nothing more. Sir Cadrigan: Truth be told, it's just some stupid quarrel between peeved friends anyway, I bet it'll blow over by the end of the night. Dancer: Yes, when the night is over... Sir Cadrigan: Shit! Dancer: What? What? Sir Cadrigan: I almost forgot, night doesn't end here, does it? It doesn't seem that way, anyway. Dancer: It's not over yet, I guess. I lose track of time here. Sir Cadrigan: Do you come here often? Dancer: You only have to come once to be a regular. Sir Cadrigan: Ha! you make this place sound like a bad drug. Hahahahaha! Dancer: What? Sir Cadrigan: I'm just thinking, this would all seem like a bad trip to an outsider! Some clever joke by a cynic! Dancer: I don't see what you mean. Sir Cadrigan: Don't think about it. Just a little bit of my madness, nothing more. Say, how long have you been here? Dancer: I don't really know. Hard to say. Sir Cadrigan: Come on, you must have some idea. What about purpose, why are you here? Dancer: I suppose I didn't like it much outside, so my friends and I came in, like you and your friend. We wandered about for a while until- Sir Cadrigan: Until what? Dancer: Until we ran by a table. The gamblers were going to play some game- Sir Cadrigan: Let me guess, they didn't have any cards? Dancer: Yes, that was it! There were no cards for Chicken poker! Sir Cadrigan: Chickens? All I saw were the eggs. Dancer: The eggs? You should have seen the chickens. Heard they came from another club quite a while back. They were so much more valuable, they could lay those eggs! Sir Cadrigan: Now don't tell me chickens lay golden eggs. Dancer: Can anything really be logically explained in a place where the sun doesn't shine? Sir Cadrigan: Indeed! Say, friend, would you mind teaching me to dance a bit? I like your company. Dancer: Why not? We have time, don't we? [Sir Cadrigan and Dancer start dancing, eventually melting into the crowd]