SCENE I
A dimly lit office late at night. Four programmers are testing a new dating app called "The Loom." LYSANDER and HERMIA are happily reviewing a screen; DEMETRIUS and HELENA are arguing.
LYSANDER
Our matches hold true, Hermia. Our love's reflection
Shines bright within the 'Loom's' wise algorithm.
A perfect match, by data analysed.
HERMIA
Indeed, my Lysander. The code reflects the heart.
I trust the logic of the Loom entirely.
DEMETRIUS
(To Helena, frustrated)
But I despise the Loom! It pins my fate
To Helena, a woman I find... tiresome.
I yearn for Hermia, whose intellect shines bright!
HELENA
And I for you, Demetrius, though you scorn
The metrics that declare we are a match!
The algorithm sees what you refuse to see!
(PUCK, a sprite-like hacker, appears briefly on a monitor screen, laughing silently.)
PUCK
(Aside, to audience)
These mortals, proud of their creation, "Loom"!
They think they've coded love within a room!
A simple glitch, a single line of script,
Shall twist their perfect matches, well and flipped!
I am the Puck, the error in the wire,
And I shall set their digital hearts on fire!
(Puck "types" furiously on a virtual keyboard and disappears. The screens flicker.)
LYSANDER
What sudden surge was that? A power blip?
No matter. Let us test the live environment.
We shall upload our module to the cloud.
(They all agree to test the module in a "forest" server simulation. They log into their VPNs and put on VR headsets.)
[SCENE END]
SCENE II
A virtual, fantastical representation of a forest grove. The programmers, in VR avatars, wander around, lost.
DEMETRIUS
This virtual glade is thick with bugs and thorns!
I am unmatched, alone, and quite confused!
(Puck appears above him in a tree, an unseen observer.)
PUCK
(Aside)
Now for the mischief! A potent little code
To make the next face seen, a sudden love!
(Puck uses his powers. Helena walks toward Demetrius.)
HELENA
Demetrius, I am lost! The code has failed!
(Demetrius looks up, and the 'glitch' takes effect. The algorithm in his 'mind' flips.)
DEMETRIUS
O vision of perfection! Helena, my queen!
My heart, once cold, now burns for thy fair face!
The Loom was right! I was a blind, base fool!
Forgive my scorn! I love thee!
HELENA
(Confused and suspicious)
Art thou mocking me? 'Twas but an hour since
You called me tiresome and fled my sight!
DEMETRIUS
I was in error! A bug in my own sense!
My code is fixed! I worship at thy feet!
(Lysander and Hermia enter from another part of the virtual forest. Puck zips over to Lysander.)
PUCK
(Aside)
Another fool requires a twist of fate!
(Puck casts the glitch on Lysander. Hermia exits a moment later. Helena walks past Lysander.)
LYSANDER
(Staring at Helena, enchanted)
O Helena! What heavenly light is this?
My Hermia is a common, base-born bug!
I yearn for thee! My life, my love, my all!
HELENA
(Angrily)
Now both of you do mock me! Is this sport?
Is there no honour in the realm of code?
HERMIA
(Returning, seeing Lysander ignore her)
Lysander? Have you lost your very mind?
LYSANDER
Away, small Hermia! My new love is tall
And glorious! A masterpiece of form!
I love but Helena!
HERMIA
Aha! The glitch! The module is corrupt!
You steal my love, you tall and lanky cheat!
(The women begin to argue furiously. Demetrius and Lysander declare their undying, sudden love for Helena nearly coming to virtual blows.
PUCK
(To the audience, laughing)
Lord, what fools these data-mongers be!
Their perfect code is chaos, thanks to me!
(The virtual world starts to flicker and crash around them. The four programmers rip off their headsets, shouting over each other in the real world.)
LYSANDER
The module failed! The algorithm is a mess!
DEMETRIUS
My love for Helena was a logic bomb!
HELENA
The Loom has made me wretched!
HERMIA
We are undone!
PUCK
(Appearing on a main screen, smiling)
If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, and all is mended,
That you have but slumbered here,
Whilst the code went with a tear.
Else the Puck a liar calls.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore your ends.
(Puck disappears. The programmers stare at the blank screen, confused but returning to their original senses.)
LYSANDER
My head feels clear. Hermia, my heart remains with thee.
DEMETRIUS
And I for Helena. The glitch is fixed.
(They exit to fix the code, the chaos resolved by morning light.)
[SCENE END]
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