THE ROLE

A great story in two acts

    MAX.- Since the time when Grace Kelly appeared in Monaco, the interest to that tiny country grew incredibly. There was a dramatic influx of tourists which influenced significantly the financial situation of the principality. The Americans who recently could have confused Monaco and Morocco suddenly found out that here the sun was shining three hundred days a year. Low tax rates attracted capitals and their owners. As is the custom, after the wealthy all kinds of adventurers and swindlers rushed there. But the system of total security, organized by Rainier, made the streets less vulnerable than the storerooms of Fort Knox. Local jewelers claimed that only here you could wear jewelry while walking about town instead of keeping it in safes. Prince Rainier, the only monarch who managed to extend his lands without resorting to military operations. For the time of his rule the territory of Monaco grew one-fifth mainly due to the developing of the coastal waters. He managed to draw here considerable means. World-famous financial service and high technology companies set up here. Rainier's opposition called Monaco "a light place for shady characters". His supporters who were much more numerous scanned in a choir: "Thank you for our Monaco!"

   RAINIER. (in one of the boxes) - Real deeds are above titles, ladies and gentlemen! The things we've done are hard to estimate until we leave the stage. If the applause is still resounding after the curtain falls, then we've really managed to do something in life.
   MAX. - You hope to remain in your descendants' memory, Your Highness?
   RAINIER.- I would palter if I said no!
   MAX. -Monacoв- The most famous square mile on earth where all dreams come true!.. Of course, with certain means in possessionв- A paradise for the chosen!
   RAINIER. - Perhaps you could tell the address of a paradise for everyone, Max?
   MAX.- Democracy and civil liberties were interpreted by the members of Grimaldi-Kelly family after their own fashion. The female genotype in the family distinguished itself with a powerful nature, bright beauty and total disregard for public opinion. The women were provokingly beautiful, independent and invulnerable to gossip. The son grew up and focused his attention on education, traveling and sports. The daughters grew up and turned into irrepressible adventurers, recognizing no conventionalities. Their parents' interference was needed only when a regular scandal was brewing. It was certainly hard to withstand, but Princess Grace kept playing her part with enthusiasm. Her doubts and torments remained beyond the screen that daily showed the most romantic tale of the century. Various matters overcame soul miseries. Princess's warm-heartedness was needed not just by her children. Grace's generous charity was blessed at the old people and orphans' homes. Her activity as the president of Monaco Red Cross was known all over the world. As her children were growing more independent she got more free time and the wish to fill it up was growin as well.
   GRACE.- (in the box) I have always loved flowers and now I have begun making flower compositions, dried them up and stuck them to cardboard. Someone liked these compositions. Someone suggested organizing an exhibition. It made a staggering success, which in its turn staggered me. I was deprived of the cinema screen, but the stage remained. We staged a few poetic compositions that received an enthusiastic welcome in dozens of countries. Unfortunately, neither exhibitions nor concerts interested Rainier.
   MAX. - Did Rainier love Grace in those years? To answer this question is much easier than you think. A meeting, a break out of feelings, delight, passion, coolness caused with the influence from outside and those contradictory forces that hide within the soul - isn't all of it familiar to each of us? But can a story be considered astonishing if its main characters are you and me, and not a film star and a Prince? There is a legend of Grimaldi's curse. In the thirteenth century one of the Princes dishonored and abandoned a girl. The girl cursed the offender having declared her dark sentence: "No Grimaldi will be happy in marriage". Rainier managed to refute the prophecy. But, alas, not in everything. Every serious gambler knows well the "Monte Carlo effect", which says: "He who lost twenty times on end will win the twenty-first time". And what if it's on the contrary? How long can a lucky series last, which table, when you must stop the game and can one win back after losing everything? The answers to these questions are under Destiny's jurisdiction, and as everyone knows, it associates with no one directly. Life is a movement form one point and to some other point. You may try to change the trajectory of that movement but after all you'll end up in the same point you were inevitably drawn to. The illusion of our control over the process gives us strength to live. Remove this illusion and the world will fall apart.