The free
mirror.

The throne room. A merchant wheels in a tall mirror. The king checks his reflection. The fool checks the back.

The king has already tried the mirror in private; today the merchant presents it to the court.

KINGWhat does it do?

MERCHANTLetters. Accounts. Petitions. It can explain a tax notice to someone who cannot read.

KINGCan it explain one to my treasurer?

MERCHANTWe offer a larger model.

FOOLWhat does it cost?

MERCHANTNothing.

The fool pulls up a chair.

KINGWhy are you sitting down?

FOOLThis part usually takes longer.

MERCHANTIt remembers those it helps. A widow should not have to explain her husband's death to six clerks. The mirror finds the form, checks the signature, and gets her claim in before the rent is due.

FOOLAnd keeps her story.

MERCHANTYes. Otherwise tomorrow she must start again. You may refuse it. The deadline will not wait while you decide.

The fool takes a folded paper from his sleeve.

KINGWhat is that?

FOOLMy sister's claim. Returned twice.

KINGWhy didn't you ask me?

FOOLI did. You said to follow the proper channels.

The king studies the mirror.

KINGLet us try it. Mirror, what do you know of me?

MIRRORYou fear your daughter visits only because she needs your signature.

The king looks toward the servants.

KINGI told you that in private.

MERCHANTYou asked it to remember.

KINGNow I ask it to forget.

MERCHANTCertainly. Shall everyone have that option?

KINGEveryone?

FOOLThere are several of us, Majesty.

KINGNaturally. Any subject may erase a private confidence.

MERCHANTThen we will need another way to pay for the mirrors.

KINGYou said they cost nothing.

MERCHANTI charge lenders and merchants for predictions. Who needs money. Who may move house. I need not sell the conversation itself.

FOOLMy sister gets her pension and three offers for a loan.

MERCHANTOr the treasury pays me, and I sell no predictions.

KINGHow much?

The merchant hands him a small card. The king sits down beside the fool.

KINGWe could keep the clerks.

FOOLWe have kept them. Here is their work.

He unfolds the rejected claim. The king reads it.

KINGHer husband signed in the wrong box.

FOOLHe was alive when he signed. They have asked him to do it again.

A long pause.

KINGA trial. One office. The treasury pays. No selling predictions. People may still use a clerk.

MERCHANTAnd who checks that I keep my word?

The king looks at the fool.

FOOLSomeone who doesn't need you to approve his sister's claim.

He places the paper before the mirror, but keeps his hand on it.

FOOLFirst, tell me what you will remember.

Blackout.