Philosophy Theatre

As you are sitting at the interview to become a part of the Demon Hunter Association, waiting for the next section of questions, you hear a voice calling to you “Anon…” Startled you look around, but you can’t find the source. Just when you think you are imagining things the voice speaks again, “You are called upon to be a part of this play. The choices you make will impact your future and that of others. Are you prepared to face the consequences of the choices you make?”

You feel the room shift and spin as your soul is ripped out of you, your name forgotten, and your only friend on this world is ripped from your memory. You find yourself standing in front of the theatre of philosophy. You realize that you are being judged, and the force behind the decision is something so powerful that it’s difficult for you to resist it. You sit down in silence to observe the next chapter in this story, and as it comes to an end, you see the audience standing up and leaving, while you remain sitting there, alone.

The theatre door opens, revealing a new person who looks very similar to your old self, but whose eyes look alive. “ㅤ, why haven’t you left yet?” You look at him stunned, wondering how he knows your name, and what his intention is. You take a deep breath and answer, “I’m waiting to see who has been chosen to fill the empty chair.” You feel a strong wave of anger wash over you.

The person walks over to you and sits down on the chair, turning it so you can see him face to face. “Well, we’ll just have to see about that.” His voice sounds like a man who’s seen too much, too soon, and who’s learned a bitter lesson or two. He asks you, “Are you Anon?”

You nod your head.

“Anon, this is Oz, the man behind the curtain. And I’m here to offer you a deal, if you are willing to listen.”

You stand up in front of the empty chair, and with a smile you say, “What’s the catch?”

“The catch is that you have to accept me, the world I have built, and the role that I have given you, whether you agree with it or not. If you refuse my offer, you will be condemned to live in this place for the rest of eternity.”

You look at the empty chair again, “So I can have my old life back?”

“You will have all your memories back, but if you choose to stay here, then you will lose them once again. Do you accept or not? Think carefully before answering.”

The theatre is silent as you look around at the empty seats. You notice that the doors are still open, allowing others to come and go as they please. You lean over and whisper in Oz’s ear, “Why do I need to answer right now?”

Oz nods his head, “Because this is reality, and your time is running out. The curtain is about to rise on your next adventure.”

You swallow hard and stare into the empty chair. “Why am I here?”

Oz smiles and looks up at the ceiling, “Let’s just say that this chair was invented by someone who felt very strongly that we needed a new character to play on stage, one who had never been seen before.”

He smiles and leans closer, “Sucks, doesn’t it? We could have so much fun together, but you would rather spend eternity alone.”

You shake your head, “Who are you, really?”

“I’m just a guy who doesn’t think it’s fair when good things happen to bad people, and I believe that the world needs to be changed,” he says as he looks up at the ceiling.

“Change it how?”

Oz laughs, “You’ll find out in the end.”

You step back, “Let me ask you something.”

He nods his head, “Anything you want.”

You raise your eyebrow as you glance around the theatre, “Don’t I get a choice in all of this?”

Oz shakes his head, “No. You have to decide whether you want to enter my world and see what you can change, or keep living in the real world and see what happens.”

You continue to look around at the empty seats, “And if I choose the real world?”

Oz looks sad, “Then we’re done here. The curtain will come down, the lights will dim, and you will never know what it is like to be in my world. No one else ever will.”

You close your eyes and take a deep breath, “I guess I’d better choose here then.”

Do you stay in the real world, leave and enter Oz’s world, or do you try to negotiate the deal? Answer in the comments below.