Hell's Betrayal

[VICTOR is led through a cold, dark tunnel beneath the earth by a man hidden by a red cloak. Icy water slithers down the walls from the moist ceiling. Faintly flickering torches are mounted with sculpted metal to the stone walls. The red-cloaked man stops abruptly and leaves VICTOR to walk through a thick door of dark wood and into a room glowing with fire. It is engulfed in the colors of red, orange, and yellow. The floor is covered in burning coals and there are colossal flaming torches on the walls. VICTOR begins to sweat from the heat and pressure. Stealthily a dark man emerges from behind the flames. He is also hidden by a red cloak, but his has a black circular symbol on his heart.]

VICTOR: [visibly frightened] Why have you called me here, Master?

RED-CLOAKED MAN: [quietly and calmly] You have betrayed your brethren.

VICTOR: I have never–

RED-CLOAKED MAN: SILENCE! [although nothing moves but his eyes, which flash red, VICTOR starts to sputter and choke as though the man’s hands were around his neck] By pledging yourself to us, you have sworn your life to this brotherhood. You have broken your promise.

[VICTOR is clutching his throat and gasping for breath. He cannot speak to answer.]

RED-CLOAKED MAN: You have given me the power to determine whether you live or die. [his wicked smile is just visible from beneath his hood] I would not hesitate to squeeze a bit [his eyes flash red again and VICTOR flinches, squirms, and moans in agony] harder.

[The hold of the RED-CLOAKED MAN on VICTOR is released with another red flash of his eyes. VICTOR falls to the floor gasping. He is laying amid the flames, and they slowly start to burn his body.]

VICTOR: [voice starts out weak] He is all powerful.

RED-CLOAKED MAN: [livid] I am all-powerful! I am your master! [the flames suddenly explode to twice their height and the room thunders with the sound of the powerful fire.]

[VICTOR rises unsteadily to his feet. He is burned on his arms, legs, and face and his flesh is raw and red.]

VICTOR: [voice becomes strong and challenging] You are nothing compared to him! He has more power than you will ever have!

RED-CLOAKED MAN: He LIES! What did he promise you?!

VICTOR: [smirking] He offered me things you could only dream of!

RED-CLOAKED MAN: You fool! You dare to challenge me? [he lowers his voice and the hint of an evil smile can be seen beneath his hood] As commander of Our Lord Lucifer I sentence you to an eternity spent in his paradise.

VICTOR: [the smirk leaves his face and is replaced by an expression of terror] Not the Inferno, Master... I beg you...

RED-CLOAKED MAN: Possibly a few thousand years spent amid the flames of Hell will help you grasp the full extent of my powers.

[A pit slowly begins to open in the floor beneath VICTOR. It is bright red and angry yellow flames jump up through the hole. The roar of the raging fire is deafening. VICTOR jumps aside but it only widens and his pants catch fire. His skin begins to melt. The RED-CLOAKED MAN is merely amused by VICTOR’s pain. He stands and happily watches VICTOR’s futile attempt to escape.]

VICTOR: [desperately] No! Please no! [as he is sucked into the pit and engulfed by the flames he gives out a last cry] NO!

RED-CLOAKED MAN: Send Lucifer my greetings will you? [begins to laugh] My Lord will certainly be pleased with your arrival...

END SCENE