"Man: Biology of a Fall" Music by Evan Hause, Libretto by Gary Heidt Act II, Scene 4 Performed 10/7/07 at Kumble Theater in Brooklyn, NY Directed by Jyana S. Gregory Conducted by Evan Hause Sets: Rumiko Ishii Costumes: Jessica Ford Lights: Matthew Richards SYNOPSIS After a brief orchestral interlude, Frank Olson (Steven Ebel), Vin Ruwet (David Gordon) and Robert Lashbrook (Darren Lougee) visit the oracle, otherwise known as magician John Mulholland (Countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum) in NYC. (His assistant is played by Yuval Boim.) RUWET This might cheer you up. OLSON Mirth! Chuckles! Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. LASHBROOK Are we a little tense? OLSON I'm going back to Abramson's, Abramson's, Abramson's, I'm going back to Abramson's at four o' clock today. RUWET Just play it cool. OLSON He's going to drive me crazy. LASHBROOK That's a good one. The shrink's going to drive him crazy. OLSON He's not a therapist, he's an allergist. RUWET He's highly qualified... LASHBROOK he's an M.D.! OLSON An M.D. with a brain of cheese. MULHOLLAND (unseen) Greetings, gentlemen. As you can see, I'm really not here. OLSON (marveling at the mysterious effect) Fascinating! MULHOLLAND Dr. Olson, I'm glad you came by. OLSON Well, thanks. I read your book when I was in the service. Learned the cigarette tricks. MULHOLLAND Maybe you'll learn something else today. OLSON Like, why you're working for the C.I.A.? MULHOLLAND Aren't you? OLSON I'm afraid I cant say. That's why Im here. MULHOLLAND You seek an oracle? I can summon one. RUWET Well, I'm flabbergasted! OLSON What be my fate, oracle? MULHOLLAND I cannot see what depends on thee, When thou decideth must. OLSON It's all in my hands? I dont understand. MULHOLLAND You must choose between your pride and your family. OLSON My family? MULHOLLAND Stand your ground now and you stand to lose them. OLSON You fraud! Leave them out of this! MULHOLLAND I am indeed a master of deception. My magic is mere illusion; yours is real, yours can kill. OLSON Science isn't magic. MULHOLLAND Science is successful magic. The magic of deception is a compromise with failure. The power of science is greater than that of deception; but it is newer, and deception is integral to the exercise of power. OLSON You've got Gottlieb hooked, I bet. MULHOLLAND Mad! Drunk! Chained! Owned! OLSON Well congratulations, John, you hooked a fine one. This has been real fun but I think I'll head out. MULHOLLAND Hold on... you'll be wanting this. OLSON I should belt you. RUWET Come on, let's go. OLSON He's so...atavistic. (They exit) LASHBROOK to MULHOLLAND I think he's gonna crack. -------- Cameras: Orin Buck & Michael Sandoval Sound: Dan Gaydos Video editing: Evan Hause www.manbiologyofafall.com This opera is a work of fiction based upon true events and people. Copyright Evan Hause & Gary Heidt