The Alchemist

Face arrives to tell Mammon that the stone is almost ready. Mammon promises Face a grand reward for his efforts and periodically confirms that the stone is almost done, asking, specifically, if it is red yet, as the stone should be blood red. Continuing elaborating on his future plans, Mammon says that he will hire a bodyguard of extreme strength and buy elaborate decorations for his home. His fantasies get more and more extreme: He plans to walk naked among the women he will hire, to offer men money to allow him to sleep with their wives, or even to castrate all the men in town that are loved by women. Mammon will import meats, and eat extravagant and rare foods off precious stones and gems.

As Face leaves to check on Subtle, Mammon describes the clothes he will wear. When Surly comments that only a holy person can acquire the stone, Mammon says that this is why he hired Subtle to make the stone for him. Even though Mammon is not holy, Subtle is—this means Subtle can make the stone, and then Mammon can buy it from him.

Subtle comes out to meet with Mammon. He tells Mammon that his intentions must be pure for the stone to work. Face, in disguise as Ulen, Subtle’s servant, calls out questions from off stage and reports to Subtle. Subtle converses with Mammon and Surly, and Surly periodically voices his skepticism to Subtle and to the audience. When it appears that the stone doesn’t work, Subtle reassures Mammon and Surly that the magical object takes time to perfect. Subtle and Face claim that they need more materials, so Mammon gives them more money. Subtle tells Mammon not to be hasty, and suggests that Mammon send over all his metal goods for conversion to gold once the stone is complete.

Surly makes it clear that he does not believe in the stone, but Subtle proceeds to explain the complicated methods through which alchemy can be done as Mammon periodically interjects to show his support for Subtle. Surly notes that all alchemists claim different methods and use different terms, which shows that alchemy is not real. Subtle counters that alchemists deliberately record their work in code to confuse possible competitors and customers, keeping the secrets for themselves.

Dol appears for a moment, and Mammon is intrigued by her. He pulls Face aside to get more details, but Face pretends that Dol is too secret to discuss. Surly, though, thinks that Dol is a sex worker. Finally, Face ostensibly confesses that Dol, the sister of a noble in London, is a noblewoman who often acts erratically. Mammon convinces Face to arrange a date for him and Dol, giving Face more money to do so. Surly, meanwhile, arranges a meeting with Face, planning to alert the authorities that the house is a brothel. Surly tries to convince Mammon that Dol is a sex worker, but Mammon is too intrigued to listen. Mammon asks Face to tell Dol that he is a Count, not just a Baronet.

Face assures Subtle that they have tricked Mammon and that Mammon’s metal goods will be sent to them shortly. The two tell Dol that she will now have a role to play, and she assures them that she will perform as desired, pretending to be a high-class lady to maintain Mammon’s interest. Face and Subtle agree that Surly may become a problem. At his meeting with Surly, Face intends to trick Surly—another challenge for the group.

Someone knocks at the door, and Subtle says that it must be a representative for the Anabaptists, a Protestant Christian movement that began in Germany. The Anabaptists intend to purchase the metal goods that Mammon will send over for conversion to gold. Subtle notes that the Anabaptists also want to acquire the philosopher’s stone to further their religious movement’s reputation.

When Ananias arrives, Subtle pretends not to know who he is. Ananias tells Subtle that the language of alchemy is “heathen,” as it is not Hebrew. In response, Subtle forces Face to recite a series of alchemical terms and methods, asking Ananias how he can call this intellectual pursuit “heathen.” Ananias is one of the “exiled Brethren,” or Anabaptists, who buy up widows’ and orphans’ belongings. When Ananias admits that he is only a deacon serving under Tribulation Wholesome, Subtle demands to talk to an Anabaptist elder, especially since Ananias did not bring any money. Ananias explains that the Anabaptists doubt Subtle’s abilities and needs, as another alchemist has apparently performed alchemy with much less equipment. Subtle counters that Ananias shares a name with someone who tricked Jesus’s apostles (in the Bible, Ananias of Damascus actually heals Saul/Paul’s blindness and baptizes him). Ananias leaves, and Subtle believes that he will draw in the Anabaptists further into the scheme.

Face gets Drugger to give Subtle some additional money. Subtle explains that Drugger’s birth constellation, Libra, is not sufficient to make a sign for his store. Instead, Drugger should use images of a bell, the letter D in a rug gown, and a snarling dog to represent his name. Face convinces Drugger to give Subtle a pipe of tobacco.

Drugger asks for advice on another issue: A 19-year-old widow living in his building needs assistance because her brother is keeping her from marrying again. She is afraid that people will find out if she visits a “doctor,” namely Subtle. Face and Subtle tell Drugger to bring the brother and sister to Lovewit’s house. Subtle can advise the brother how to get into arguments and fights, which is the brother’s predominant interest. Face tells Drugger to also bring a pound of tobacco and a damask suit for Subtle.

Face and Subtle discuss how one of them might marry the widow, but they agree to wait to find out what kind of woman she is before determining anything. They will keep the widow away from Dol to avoid her criticisms.