SCENE 1 — THE FILE (PRESENT DAY)

(The Investigator enters holding a thick file. The other actors are already on stage, frozen, facing
different directions — visible but not yet “in the scene.”)

INVESTIGATOR (to audience):

This is a true story.
Or rather—
a version of a true story.

(Holds up file.)

This file contains names.

Some are missing.
Some were removed.
Some were never written down.

(Opens the file slowly.)

INVESTIGATOR:
The case concerns a man with money,
connections,
and a private island.

(Points without looking.)

A girl.
A guest.
An employee.
A system.

INVESTIGATOR:
We begin at the end.

INTERROGATION

INVESTIGATOR:
State your role.

ASSOCIATE (flat):
I worked for him.

INVESTIGATOR:
Doing what?

ASSOCIATE:
Arranging things.

INVESTIGATOR:
What things?

(Pause.)

ASSOCIATE:
Whatever was required.

INVESTIGATOR:
Did you ever question it?

ASSOCIATE:
No.

(turning slightly to audience:)

Not out loud.
(The Guest steps forward casually, adjusting a watch.)

ASSOCIATE (pause):

No…

I did question it

But—not in a way anyone could hear.

(A dry, weak laugh)

You’ll soon understand which questions…are allowed.

At first, I told myself:

“This is only temporary.”

“I’m just doing someone a favor.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.”

(Looks at the audience)

But then. She breaks it into pieces. Do her part. She Ignores the rest.

(Pause, looks at the audience)

That’s how she lives with it.

INVESTIGATOR:
And you?

GUEST:
I was invited.

INVESTIGATOR:
To what?

GUEST (shrugs):
A place where nothing follows you.

(Looks at audience.)
No cameras. No consequences.

(Jeffrey steps forward last, calm and composed.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Your name?

JEFFREY (smiles slightly):

You already know it.

INVESTIGATOR:
Explain the island.

JEFFREY:
There is nothing to explain.
People came.
People left.

People enjoyed themselves.

(Silence. The Victim steps forward.)

VICTIM:
I didn’t.

(All freeze except the Investigator.)

BREAKING THE SCENE

INVESTIGATOR (to audience):

At this point in the story,
we are supposed to ask:

“What happened?”

(Closes the file halfway.)

But that is the wrong question.

(Looks directly at audience.)

The better question is:

“How was it allowed to happen?”

(Walks slowly across stage. The actors begin to reposition mechanically, preparing for the island scenes —
visible to audience.)

INVESTIGATOR:
We will now return
to the island.

Not as it was reported—

but as it functioned.

INVESTIGATOR (quietly):
Watch closely.

(Lights begin to shift warmer. The actors fully transition into new positions — the start of the flashback.)

Immediate transition into Scene 2

SCENE 2 — THE ISLAND (FLASHBACK: ARRIVAL)

(Lighting shifts to warm, artificial “paradise.”)

(A simple sign or projected text: “THE ISLAND”)

(The Associate stands center. The Guest lounges to one side. Jeffrey is not yet present.)
(The Victim is led in by the Associate.)

ASSOCIATE (put on a blanket for Jessica):

Welcome. Jessica You’ve had a long trip.

VICTIM (looking around):

Where am I? Wait, how do you know my name????

ASSOCIATE:
You’re at somewhere special. It is private. Secure. And important people come here.

(The Guest watches silently, then steps forward.)

GUEST:
Is she the new one ?

ASSOCIATE:
Yes. (Whisper) just came out from high school, doesn’t know anything.
GUEST (Nods and smile, Victim):
You’ll like it here.

VICTIM:
I am confused, where am I ? Can I have my phone back?

(The Associate ignores the question.)

ASSOCIATE:
No, no, no, not yet. There are rules. You follow the instructions. And you don’t ask unnecessary questions.

(The Victim turns to the audience.)

VICTIM:
Notice how the rules come before the explanation.

(The Guest chuckles lightly.)

GUEST:
It’s alright. Everyone asks questions at first.

(Steps closer.)
But then, they stop.

(Pause. The Associate hands the Victim a contract.)

ASSOCIATE:
You agreed to be here, right?

VICTIM:
Yeah but I agreed to a job.

ASSOCIATE (quickly):
Yes. Exactly.

(Jeffrey enters quietly. No dramatic music — just presence. The others subtly adjust.)

JEFFREY:
Is everything ready?

ASSOCIATE:
Yes.

JEFFREY (to Victim):

Are you comfortable?

VICTIM:
I just arrived. What do you want me to say?

JEFFREY (smiles):
you’ll adjust.

(He circles slightly, observing her like an object rather than a person.)

JEFFREY:
Do you trust us?

(Pause.)

VICTIM:
Why? Should I? I need my phone!

(The Guest laughs softly. Steps forward towards Jessica)

Jeffrey:
That’s not how this works. Be patient.
(The Associate steps in quickly, controlling the moment.)

ASSOCIATE:
What matters is that everything here is… arranged.

(The word “arranged” hangs. The Victim repeats it quietly.)

VICTIM:
Arranged?

(She turns to the audience.)

VICTIM:
When something is “arranged,”
it means someone else has already decided.

(Jeffrey steps forward, addressing both her and the audience.)

JEFFREY:
People come here because they want something.
Opportunity. Escape. Pleasure.

In my world everybody wins

(Silence. The Victim responds quietly.)

VICTIM:
Then what do I win?

(No one answers.)

SHIFT IN TONE

(Jessica got her phone from the associate, and she started taking selfies in her rest room. The associate
stares at her for a while, then joins the conversation with Jeffery and guest. Then, they start slowly moving
off the stage)

INVESTIGATOR (to audience):

At this stage,
everything appears normal.

(Gestures around.)
A welcome.
A conversation.
An agreement.

(Steps closer to the actors.)

INVESTIGATOR:
No crime has been spoken.
No action has been shown.

And yet—

(The actors freeze.)

INVESTIGATOR (quietly):
The system is already working.

(Lights dim slightly. The Victim is left lit for a moment longer.)

Victim realizes that the WIFI does not work

VICTIM (soft, to audience):

Something feels wrong
BLACKOUT / transition to Scene 3

SCENE 3 — THE QUESTION OF RESISTANCE

(Lighting: still warm, but slightly harsher — less “paradise,” more artificial.)
(Sign/Projection: “THE ISLAND — LATER”)

(The Guest sits. Jeffrey stands. The Associate brings in the Victim again — this time she resists slightly.)

VICTIM (pulling back):

Wait—

(To Associate)
I don’t understand what’s happening.

ASSOCIATE (low, controlled):

You don’t need to understand.

VICTIM:
I DO need to understand

(Steps forward, louder now.)

What happens if I say no?

(Silence. The question lands. No one answers immediately.)

GUEST (casual, almost amused):

They always ask that.

VICTIM (firmer):
What happens if I refuse?

(Jeffrey studies her. Then gestures slightly. The Handler enters — calm, clinical.)

HANDLER:
Is there a problem?

ASSOCIATE:
She’s asking questions.

HANDLER (to Victim):

That’s not unusual.

(The Handler walks around the Victim slowly — inspecting her like an object.)

VICTIM (uncomfortable):
Why are you looking at me like that?

HANDLER:
Just stay quiet.

(The Guest leans forward, interested now.)

GUEST:
How old are you?

(The Victim doesn’t answer.)

GUEST (repeats, slightly sharper):

I asked you a question.

(Silence. The Victim looks at the audience instead.)

VICTIM:
Does it matter?
(Pause. No one responds directly.)

JEFFREY (smoothly):
Everything’ here is .... appropriate. Don’t you wrong.

VICTIM (to audience):

If no one answers the question,
does that make it disappear?

(The Handler steps closer.)

HANDLER:
You have two options.

Cooperate—
or make things more difficult.

VICTIM:
Difficult for who?

(The Associate looks away. The Guest stands, losing patience.)

GUEST:
This is taking too long.

(Jeffrey nods slightly — a silent decision.)

JEFFREY:
Take care of it, NOW! 😡

(The Associate hesitates for the first time.)

ASSOCIATE (quiet):
Yes sir.

(The Victim steps back.)

VICTIM:
No—wait—

(To Associate, desperate)

You brought me here!

ASSOCIATE (barely meeting her eyes):

I know.

(The Handler grips the Victim’s arm. The Associate helps — not violently, but firmly.)

VICTIM (struggling now):

What are you doing?
Where are you taking me?

(No answer.)

ASSOCIATE (barely meeting her eyes):

Sorry

VICTIM (shouting now, to everyone):

HELP ME!

(She turns directly to the audience.)

VICTIM:
Can you hear me?

GUEST (cold, to Jeffrey):

Next time, control them better.

(The Victim is dragged toward offstage.)

VICTIM (crying out as she’s taken away):

PLEASE—!
DON’T—!
I DON’T WANT—!

(Her voice continues even after she disappears offstage.)

VICTIM (offstage, fading):

HELP ME—!

(Silence.)

AFTERMATH

(The remaining characters reset almost immediately, as if nothing happened.)

ASSOCIATE (straightening, mechanical):

Everything is under control.

GUEST (sits back down):

Good.

JEFFREY (calm):
Carry on.

BLACKOUT

SCENE 4 — THE PARTY

(Lighting: exaggerated gold/warm — artificial luxury.)

(Music can be mimed or lightly suggested.)
(Projection/Sign: “THE ISLAND — EVENING”)

(The Guest and Jeffrey stand with drinks, relaxed. The Associate moves efficiently. The Handler blends
into the background like staff.)

(The Victim enters slowly. She now wears an imaginary “formal dress” — adjusting it, clearly
uncomfortable.)

Everyone: TO SUCCESS

(The Victim moves between them, serving — stiff, mechanical.)

Associate :
Everything here is prepared. Smile. (to Jessica)

(She forces a smile.)

VICTIM (to audience, quietly while moving):

If I perform well,
this ends sooner.

(She hands an imaginary drink. Her hands tremble slightly.)

JEFFREY (observing):
You see?
Everything functions.

(The Guest circles the Victim slightly.)

GUEST:
Much better.
(The Victim flinches slightly but continues serving.)

VICTIM (to audience):

If I disappear inside the role,
maybe I won’t feel it.

(The Associate watches her — a flicker of guilt — then looks away.)

ASSOCIATE (quiet, almost to self):

Just keep it moving.

DISTORTION MOMENT

(The music stops suddenly.)

(Lighting flickers slightly — the illusion cracks.)

INVESTIGATOR (voice, offstage or stepping in):

This is what success looks like.

(All actors freeze mid-action.)

INVESTIGATOR:
A party.
Power.
Silence.

And no consequences.

(Lights snap back. The party resumes immediately, faster, more artificial.)

THE INTERRUPTION

(Suddenly — a loud knock or sharp sound.)

VOICE (offstage):
Open up!

(Everything stops.)

ASSOCIATE (tense):
What’s going on? That’s not scheduled.

GUEST:
What is this?

(Another knock, louder.)

VOICE:
Authorities!

(Silence. Jeffrey remains calm.)

JEFFREY:
Stay composed.

(The Investigator now enters fully — no longer just narrator, but part of the action. This is intentionally
Brechtian: roles overlap.)

INVESTIGATOR:
This operation is under investigation.

GUEST (immediate denial):

There must be some mistake.

ASSOCIATE (panicking slightly):

We followed procedures—
INVESTIGATOR:
How can you not understand that this is crime?

(The Victim stands still, watching — not rescued yet, just present.)

JEFFREY (controlled):
You have no proof.

INVESTIGATOR (holding up file):

We have enough proof

ASSOCIATE (panicking slightly):

That’s not what I meant to do!

(The Associate is “taken” first — steps forward, almost relieved.)

ASSOCIATE (quiet):
I can explain.

(The Guest resists slightly.)

GUEST:
Do you know who I am?

INVESTIGATOR:
No. And it does not matter

(Jeffrey finally steps forward.)

JEFFREY:
This won’t last long.

(Jeffrey is “taken.” The Guest follows, still protesting.)

(Now only the Victim remains center stage.)

AFTERMATH

(Lighting shifts — colder now.)

VICTIM (to audience):

This is the part where it ends.

Isn’t it?

(She looks around the empty space.)

VICTIM:
They are gone.

(Pause.)
But nothing feels finished.

(The Investigator steps beside her, but does not touch her.)

INVESTIGATOR:
A system does not disappear
when a few people are removed.

(The Victim slowly removes part of the “performance” — like the idea of the dress — mimed.)

VICTIM:
Then what changes?

(Lights dim slowly.)

BLACKOUT → leads into final scene

SCENE 5 — THE FILE (AGAIN)

(Same staging as Scene 1: table, chair, file.)

(Lighting: stark white, no warmth.)

(The Investigator sits. The file is open again.)

(The Associate, Guest, and Jeffrey stand separately — not together this time.)
(The Victim stands apart.)

INVESTIGATOR (to audience):

We return to the file.

(Flips a page.)

Names were recorded.

Names were removed.
Names were never written down.

(Points to Jeffrey.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Primary suspect.

(Points to Associate.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Employee.

(Points to Guest.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Visitor.

(Beat. Then gestures to the Victim.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Witness.

(Pause.)

VICTIM (firm):
Victim.

(Silence.)

QUESTIONING AGAIN

INVESTIGATOR (to Associate):

Why didn’t you stop it?

ASSOCIATE:
It wasn’t my place.

INVESTIGATOR (to Guest):

Why did you go?

GUEST:
Because I could.

INVESTIGATOR (to Jeffrey):

Why did it continue?

JEFFREY:
Because it worked.
(Each answer lands bluntly — no emotion.)

BREAKING THE STRUCTURE

(The Victim steps forward, interrupting.)

VICTIM (to Investigator):

Why are you asking them?

(Turns to audience.)
You already know the answers.

VICTIM:
Ask something else.

(Silence. The Investigator slowly closes the file halfway.)

INVESTIGATOR (to audience):

Very well.

(Steps forward, leaving the table behind.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Who protects power?

(No one answers.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Who looks away?

(The Associate lowers their eyes.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Who benefits?

(The Guest shifts slightly.)

INVESTIGATOR:
Who speaks?

(The Victim remains still.)

FINAL BRECHTIAN TURN

(All actors now face the audience directly.)

JEFFREY:
I built the system.

ASSOCIATE:
I maintained it.

GUEST:
I used it.

VICTIM:
I survived it.

INVESTIGATOR:
And you—

(Steps closer to the audience.)

INVESTIGATOR (final):
Where were you?
(Long silence. No music. No movement.)

(The Investigator slowly closes the file.)

SOUND: a sharp “CLICK”

(Lights begin to fade… but before blackout—)

VICTIM (in the dim light):

The file is closed.

The story isn’t.

BLACKOUT

End