Before reading

VICTOR

You’re vile. Did you know she died because of you? Hung! Dead! My family’s closest friend, Justine.

CREATURE

Justine. That’s her name then. 

VICTOR

You’ll burn in hell.

CREATURE

Yes. So you keep telling me. At least that would tell me I’m something like a human.

It pauses.

After everything that happened I decided to leave Geneva that night. I planned to return to find you sooner or later, but lo and behold there you were in Plainpalais only a few days later. 

VICTOR

That night I saw you, you didn’t say anything.

CREATURE

I understood you were my creator—right when I saw you. So odd I felt such a connection—just like with the De Lacey’s. 

VICTOR

There is no connection between us. You’re an experiment gone horribly wrong. And now you’re hideously alive! That’s it. 

CREATURE

I wonder, were you an experiment gone wrong?

VICTOR

Is this why you came to me? To tell me the sob story of a murderer? 

CREATURE

Partly, yes.

VICTOR

Then why else?

CREATURE

I am lonely.

VICTOR

So, am I to be your friend?

CREATURE

No. Something tells me that wouldn’t quite work out.

VICTOR

The only way I can help you with that is to kill you.

CREATURE

You don’t need to kill me. You can just help me. 

VICTOR pauses.

VICTOR

How?

CREATURE

I need a companion. 

VICTOR

A what--?

CREATURE

A second me. An Eve to my Adam. Someone who will never run from me. You’ve done it once you can do it again, Frankenstein. 

VICTOR

But how would I even--

HENRY enters, suddenly.

HENRY

Victor! There you are!

He rushes over to VICTOR and embraces him. THE CREATURE is startled briefly. HENRY locks eyes with THE CREATURE and pulls VICTOR back.

What the hell is this thing? Are you alright?

CREATURE

Who are you?

VICTOR

Henry? How did you know where I was?

HENRY

I went back to Geneva. Elizabeth told me you’d gone to Chamonix.

VICTOR

Okay, sure. But you must leave. Now.

HENRY

Not until you tell me who this is?

CREATURE

I am--

VICTOR

It’s my creation, Henry. That thing I worked on for months at Ingolstadt.

HENRY

You mean this was your project? Creating a life?

VICTOR

Not a life, Henry. Life! But it doesn’t matter. I failed and this is my result. A possessed corpse murderer, now seeking companionship.

HENRY

It wants a friend?

CREATURE

I do.

VICTOR

It won’t get one. Not another--I won’t create another!

CREATURE

Please, Frankenstein. Just listen to me.

VICTOR

I did listen! I listened to every word detailing how you murdered my only brother and killed my friend! 

HENRY

I’ll listen.

VICTOR 

Henry, no. You don’t understand.

HENRY

Well how else am I to understand other than to listen?

CREATURE

Thank you. 

VICTOR

I don’t--

HENRY

Just do it with me. Okay?

VICTOR stands motionless staring at THE CREATURE.

VICTOR

Only if it makes me a promise.

CREATURE

I’ll do it. Whatever it is.

VICTOR

A promise that, after I make It, I will never lay eyes on you again. 

CREATURE

I swear, if you make me my companion, you will never see me again. Never.

VICTOR

How can I trust you?

HENRY

Victor. Trust me.

VICTOR

Henry. Why are you helping It?

HENRY

I’m helping you. 

VICTOR

You’ll leave Europe then. You’ll never come back.

CREATURE

South America. We’ll go to South America.

THE CREATURE smiles. VICTOR thinks it over and relents.

VICTOR

Fine. You’ll have your companion. Find me a graveyard.

—————————————————————

ACT II, SCENE TWO

Makeshift Lab in Plainpalais & Frankenstein Home

THE CREATURE drags a body onto the stage as VICTOR waits anxiously. He turns to HENRY—

VICTOR

Henry, if I am to do this, I will need my notes from home. 

HENRY

You mean, like, in Geneva?

VICTOR

Yes. I need you to go back to my house and grab them from my luggage. They’re in a large portfolio.

HENRY

Right, right. You got it. What should I tell Elizabeth? 

VICTOR

Just that I miss her, and everything is going well. I want my notes to keep me occupied.

HENRY

Right, okay. I’ll be back. 

HENRY exits.

THE CREATURE continues with the body and Victor helps It lift the body up. VICTOR begins his work as the scene transitions to the Frankenstein home on the other half of the stage.

HENRY arrives outside the Frankenstein home. He knocks and ELIZABETH answers.

ELIZABETH

Oh, Henry!

HENRY

Hi, Beth.

The two embrace for a moment.

ELIZABETH

Here, come in. 

HENRY enters the house and quickly starts for VICTOR’s luggage set up in the corner.

ELIZABETH

Wait. What are you doing back so soon? I thought you went out to find Victor in Chamonix?

HENRY

I just came from Chamonix.

ELIZABETH

Could you find him there? Is he okay?

HENRY

Oh, yes. Don’t worry about him, Beth. I found him--he’s doing well. I’m just here to bring some of his notes back to him.

ELIZABETH

You’re going back?

HENRY

I’m planning on it.

ELIZABETH

I see. What are the notes for then?

HENRY

Just to keep him busy, I suppose.

HENRY grabs the notes after searching through the luggage.

ELIZABETH

Were you not company enough?

HENRY

What?

ELIZABETH

Oh, nothing! Forgive me. I just thought he went to Chamonix to escape everything. You know, not worry about notes or people--just some solitude and peace for him. 

HENRY

He definitely needs it. We all do. How are you?

ELIZABETH

I’ve been better. Thanks. 

HENRY

Yeah. I get it. 

The two sit in uncomfortable silence for a while. HENRY starts for the door.

Well, I didn’t mean to intrude at all. I’ll let you get back to whatever you were up to.

ELIZABETH

Henry?

He stops and turns around.

I’m sorry… It’s just--why are you with Victor? In Chamonix?

HENRY

You told me where to find him. I wanted to offer him some… comfort. Support. I told you.

ELIZABETH

I thought you were just going to check up on him. Offer some condolences and reminisce for a night.

HENRY

I’m not the type of friend to leave after one night.

ELIZABETH

Of course not. But as he told me, and you agreed, he just needs some peace. To be alone for a while.

HENRY

I think loneliness is the last thing Victor needs. 

ELIZABETH

Well, if that were true, don’t you feel like he might’ve stayed? Here, with me?

HENRY

I don’t know why he chooses the things he does. I really don’t. 

ELIZABETH

Why is it that every opportunity he has to get away from me, he takes? But when you show up at his paradise, he invites you to stay? 

He pauses.

HENRY

It might comfort you to know that even when he does invite me to stay, he’s not there with me. Instead, he’s daydreaming about… you. 

ELIZABETH

Well, that’s to be expected. 

HENRY

What’s your point?

ELIZABETH

I think everything that happened with Justine has offered everyone a chance to have a reality check. 

HENRY

And--?

ELIZABETH

Henry, when he’s done in Chamonix, who will he run back to?

HENRY remains silent.

I just don’t want you to be hurt trying. It’s a losing game.

HENRY

I told you. I’m not there for him for just a night.

ELIZABETH

But you won’t be there on that night, Henry. Not the night you’re waiting for.

HENRY inhales, holding back tears. He nods and goes for the door.

He turns back around for a moment and grabs her hand without looking back at her.

HENRY

Victor says he misses you.

ELIZABETH

I miss you both.

HENRY closes the door and exits.