SCENE THIRTEEN: THE ROOF-TOP OF THE THEATRE
Establishing Photograph: Theatre of the Vampires Rooftop
(LESTAT stands on the flat roof of the theatre. He holds his hand in the air, then opens it to release the ashes. He turns to watch them blow away in the wind and sees ARMAND standing nearby.)
[Lestat:]
Why? Why destroy her? Claudia was nothing to you. Why, Armand?
(ARMAND laughs and holds his hands up as if to freeze the picture of LESTAT in his mind forever.)
[Armand:]
For this moment… for this beautiful moment…
Song: After All This Time
What taste is this upon my lips?
A taste so sweet, what can that be?
What is this scent upon the air?
That fills my lungs and comforts me
And whispers low, «how does it feel»
To savour of such just revenge
To smell the flagrancy of loss
And drunkenly inhale his pain
Oh can it be your countenance
Is stripped of all its dash and dare
And what of your bold confidence
Could it have drowned in your despair?
And after all this time
I'll wash my hands of your charade
And celebrate your fall from grace
Preserve that sad look on your face
And praise what god might manifest
Himself to beings such as us
For vengeance that at last is mine
Comes sweetly after all this time
[Lestat:]
You never meant to help me, did you?
[Armand:]
You who destroyed all of it. You who took everything. Whatever made you think that I would help you?
If you'll allow me to recall
How my requests were swept aside
In every instance I beseeched you
I was shut out and denied
You shattered what I once believed
From the moment you arrived
And now you wonder why I gloat here
Revelling in your grand demise
You're arrogant beyond contempt
You begged to share my precious blood
I'd no sooner you in my veins
Than to see you with the ones you love
And after all this time
I'll wash my hands of your charade
And celebrate your fall from grace
Preserve that sad look on your face
And praise what god might manifest
Himself to beings such as us
For vengeance that at last is mine
Comes sweetly after all this time
[Lestat:]
I want you to know that it was not the blood of Magnus. It was not his ancient blood that enabled me to survive.
[Armand:]
Whose then?
[Lestat:]
Marius. I found him. I have spent time with him. I have drunk from him.
[Armand:]
Lies!
[Lestat:]
He spoke to me of many things. He spoke of you.
[Armand:]
Of… me? What did he say?
[Lestat:]
He told me that making one as young as Armand was the worst crime he ever committed against his own kind. Armand has no substance, he told me. He is a dead thing… empty. He believes nothing. He loves nothing. He exists in a void of deepening despair…
(ARMAND lets loose with a howl of pain and rage. He strikes LESTAT, knocking him backward off the rooftop. LESTAT falls through the air down onto the stone walkway below.)
(LESTAT lays on the ground without moving, without making a sound. After several moments, a tall figure in a long red velvet cloak approaches. MARIUS stands over LESTAT‘S broken body. He reaches down and lifts him up as the set transforms to an island fortress in the Aegean sea.)