Scene 9

As the lights turn on, the stage is set to look like a small tree grove. Nate and Jason are just outside the secret entrance to the Pit of Despair.

Nate: Your princess is quite a winning creature. A trifle simple, perhaps. Her appeal is undeniable.

Jason: I know, the people are quite taken with her. It's odd, but when I hired Vizzini to have her murdered on our engagement day, I thought that was clever. But it's going to be so much more moving when I strangle her on our wedding night. Once Guilder is blamed, the nation will truly be outraged - they'll demand we go to war.

Nate: *snickers, then examines a huge tree* Now where is that secret knot? It's impossible to find..*he finds it and the tree opens to reveal a hidden passage* Ah. Are you coming down into the pit? Westley's got his strength back. I'm starting him on the machine tonight.

Jason: *sincerely* Tyrone, you know how much I love watching you work, but I've got my country's 500th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it; I'm swamped.

Nate: Get some rest. If you haven't got your health, then you haven't got anything. *smiles halfheartedly*

Nate enters the pit, and Jason leaves the tree grove. The stage goes black, and when the lights return it shows the inside of the Pit of Despair where Brandon is still strapped down to a table. There is a giant machine resembling a water pump attached to him.

Nate: *admiring his torture contraption* Beautiful isn't it? It took me half a lifetime to invent it. I'm sure you've discovered my deep and dividing interest in pain. Presently I'm writing the definitive work on the subject, so I want you to be totally honest with me on how the machine makes you feel. This being our first try, I'll use the lowest setting.

Nate activates the water powered torture machine. Brandon writhes in great pain.

Nate: *calmly* As you know, the concept of the suction pump is centuries old. Really that's all this is except that instead of sucking water, I'm sucking life. I've just sucked one year of your life away. I might one day go as high as five, but I really don't know what that would do to you. So, lets just start with what we have. What did this do to you? Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity so be honest. How do you feel?

Brandon cries and whimpers in pain.

Nate: Interesting. *begins to write notes*