Implied Consent: Act III, Scene II

A Play on the Sanctity of Human Life, in Four Acts

This is a part of Mr. Stolyarov's play, Implied Consent. To navigate through the various parts of the play, go here.

(Enter MARK and VICTORIA into VICTORIA's residence, from which they are making preparations to depart for the trial.)

MARK: Victoria, dearest, have you changed your mind on which side you will support in this case?

VICTORIA: Edward, dearest, have you changed yours?

MARK: Using the very philosophical base you had conferred on me, I have made a firm decision to stand by the Estate. I am surprised that you have not come to the same conclusion, the fact that what the prosecution is proposing is the termination of a great man.

VICTORIA: Your arguments make the flawed presumption that a brain dead individual on life support is alive; if everyone on life support were alive and had the inalienable rights to life, nobody would ever be able to disconnect life support from anyone.

MARK: Perhaps nobody should be able to disconnect that life support from anyone without that person's explicit consent.

VICTORIA: But that person is not able to give his consent. Otherwise, he would not have needed life support!

MARK: You yourself claimed that, if somebody assumes guardianship over an individual, he can only act in the interests of that individual's life. An infant is, too, not able to give his explicit consent to whether he wants to live or die, so the guardian must assume that he wants to live, and do his best to facilitate that aim.

VICTORIA: Well, at least you are consistent in what you say. I think Mr. Roberts will be able to give an ample refutation to your claims at the trial, though. But, as much as I agree with his opinion, I am not at all fond of either him or Oswald, and I still love you just the same. And I think our marriage will be absolutely splendid no matter which way this trial is decided.

MARK: I am certain that it will, yet I will still be quite persistent in convincing you that my side is right.