A Short Play in One Act
Characters:
ANTONIO: A proud crypto-investor.
SHYLOCK: A Jewish data broker and moneylender.
BASSANIO: Antonio's friend, a young gambler.
PORTIA: Bassanio's clever fiancee, disguised as a lawyer.
[SCENE START]
SCENE I
A sleek, high-tech Venice cafe overlooking the canals. ANTONIO and BASSANIO are seated.
BASSANIO
My noble Antonio, my funds are locked in alt-coins,
Illiquid and in peril of the dip!
I need a loan, a mere three thousand bitcoin,
To hedge my bets and chase my fortune fair.
ANTONIO
My assets are all venture-locked as well,
Tied fast in ventures for the new quantum chain.
I have no cash at hand. But we can borrow
Upon my credit with the usurer, Shylock.
He is a data broker, sharp and cold,
But his funds are liquid.
BASSANIO
I fear that Jew. He hates our Christian ways
Of generous risk and market speculation.
ANTONIO
He hates me for my lending without interest.
No matter. We shall secure the loan. Go fetch him here.
(Bassanio exits. Shylock enters a moment later, a figure of sharp calculation.)
SHYLOCK
Signior Antonio. The market’s moving fast.
You seek a loan?
ANTONIO
Three thousand bitcoin, for three months.
The bond secure on my good name.
SHYLOCK
(Musing)
Three months. The price of crypto is a storm.
A volatile, an unpredictable beast.
You are a good risk, sir, but risks must pay.
You often rail against my brokering fees,
And spit upon my faith’s integrity.
Now you need my ducats, or rather, coins.
ANTONIO
I need them now. The past is but the past.
SHYLOCK
I will lend it. But upon one condition:
A merry bond! If you repay me not
By the agreed date, in your central wallet
You shall deliver me a pound of flesh!
A pound of flesh, nearest your heart, Antonio!
BASSANIO
(Rushing in, having heard the end of the offer)
Nay, sir! Refuse this monster’s cruel request!
ANTONIO
(Proudly, dismissing the danger)
'Tis a jest! My ships shall all return to port
A month ere the date. The sum is safe.
I sign the bond! A pound of flesh is nothing!
(Antonio signs the digital contract with a flourish.)
SHYLOCK
(Smiling a grim smile)
Then go and prosper with my liquid funds.
Ensure the date is met. My bond is true.
(Shylock exits.)
[SCENE END]
SCENE II
A courtroom. The Duke presides. ANTONIO stands accused. BASSANIO wrings his hands. PORTIA, disguised as a young lawyer, enters and takes her place.
DUKE
Antonio, the Jew doth claim his bond.
All thy investments failed. The time is up.
He asks for justice, and the law must grant it.
ANTONIO
I am prepared to pay the price of ink.
PORTIA
(To Shylock)
We know your mercy is a thing unknown.
But here is thrice the sum, thrice the bitcoin!
Take it and let this man go free!
SHYLOCK
I will have my bond! My pound of flesh!
The contract is signed, sealed in digital stone!
I seek no coin, only what is my due!
A pound of flesh is mine!
PORTIA
(Feigning agreement, examining the contract)
A pound of flesh is thine. The law allows it.
The court awards it. Take thy knife, O Jew.
But wait! The bond doth give no drop of blood!
The contract specifies the flesh alone!
If in the cutting of this pound of flesh
Thou dost shed one drop of Christian blood,
Thy lands, thy goods, thy digital assets all
Are confiscate unto the state of Venice!
(Shylock freezes, then looks at the contract in horror.)
SHYLOCK
Is that the law? O wise young judge!
PORTIA
Moreover, thou didst plot against a life,
Which by Venetian law strips thee of all
Thy worldly goods. The Duke is merciful,
And spares thy life, but half thy fortune goes
To the state, and half to this Antonio!
ANTONIO
(To Shylock)
Nay, I shall show you Christian mercy, sir.
Keep half your wealth, but you must change your faith,
And sign a deed to leave the rest to your daughter
When you die.
(Shylock, broken and defeated, signs the papers.)
SHYLOCK
I am content. I sign and take my leave.
My heart is broken, and my venture lost.
(Aside)
A pox on digital ink and lawyer tricks!
(Shylock exits. Bassanio embraces Antonio and Portia (the lawyer).)
BASSANIO
My friend is saved! My love, you are a marvel!
PORTIA
(Smiling)
The law is sharp when wielded by the just.
Now to the wedding, where our loves unite!
The crisis passes, and the ledger’s clear.
[SCENE END]
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