The Black Album

SCENE ONE

Rural, suburban sounds, late afternoon. Lights fade up on a map of the world, followed by the legend HASAN TRAVELS. Shahid enters, wrapped in an overcoat and carrying two suitcases. He puts them down and looks at the map and the legend. Mother enters.

Mother Arey, Shahid …!

She pulls a handkerchief out of his pocket, spits on it and proceeds to wipe his face.

Going to college in London and so not smart.

Shahid (protesting) Ammi …

Mother How happy your papa will be in paradise when you return with a college degree.

Shahid HND, Ammi –

Mother (dismissive) Degree is a degree. (Exclaims.) My one son charms a beautiful girl like Zulma from Karachi –

Shahid Not exactly difficult.

Mother Don’t argue. Chili and Zulma are a golden couple. And you are about to charm books into a degree! Have you packed toothpaste? All-Bran? Wake up, brush your teeth, have All-Bran with yoghurt and straightaway you will have perfect motions, smooth as the day is long. Promise me.

Shahid Yes, Ammi.

Mother And ring. Every evening I want to hear progress report, just like your papa used to. Socks — have you packed enough?

Shahid Yes.

Mother Here’s a kebab roll to eat on the train –

Shahid I’m only going to London –

Mother You’ll get hungry — why waste money? I’ve also precisely told Chili to take good care of you. He will visit often –

Shahid Oh, no.

Mother Listen to what he says. Packed the computer Papa bought you?

Shahid Of course.

Mother Papa will be so pleased. And Shahid?

Shahid What?

Mother Don’t talk to strangers.

Shahid picks up his cases and leaves. Mother hides her face in her sari and starts crying. As he walks off, soundscape gradually shifts to polyglot and frenetic late-eighties London, and we see him journey to his north London digs. Strapper bumps into him.

Strapper Want some E?

Shahid (surprised) What?

Strapper (urgent) E, man — ecstasy! Want some?

Shahid No!

Strapper Keep your shirt on, Paki!

Strapper runs off. Shahid arrives at his digs, unpacks his new Amstrad computer and sits down to work.

As he works, London day and night life passes by in the rooms around him — lodgers variously dancing, smoking dope, praying. Shahid is seen going between his computer and his bed, eating, reading, working and having a wank. The light in his room flickers off.

SCENE TWO

Shahid’s digs. There is a knock, followed by a door opening.

Riaz (in Urdu) Khariat hai? [All okay?]

Shahid (startled, in Urdu) J-ji … Aur aap? [Yes … And you?]

Riaz (in Urdu) Jho Allah-tala ko manzoor … [Whatever Allah wills.] (Introducing himself.) Riaz Al-Hussain.

Shahid (introducing himself) Shahid Hasan.

Riaz You speak Urdu well.

Shahid Rusty.

The light flickers back on.

Riaz Have you eaten? When I am studying and writing I forget for hours to eat and then I remember that I am ravenous. Are you like this?

Shahid Only when reading a good book.

Riaz You are searching for something.

Shahid Am I?

Riaz (clears space and settles himself in the room) Come.

Shahid (confused) Where?

Riaz Sit, sit. I’ve ordered food from an excellent Pakistani takeaway near here.

Shahid Thank you.

Riaz The boy will come soon. Where are you from?

Shahid Sevenoaks, Kent.

Riaz I am from Lahore originally.

Shahid That ‘originally’ is a big thing.

Riaz You recognise that, eh? You are a Pakistani at heart.

Shahid Well … not quite.

Riaz But yes. I have observed you before.

Shahid Have you? What was I doing?

Riaz You are hard-working. We all are who come here. I am without a doubt over your earnestness.

Shahid I’m desperate for good Indian food.

Riaz Naturally you miss such food.

A knock on the door.

Ah, here he is.

He opens the door to Hat, bringing the takeaway.

Meet Shahid — he’s been living quietly in the room next to mine. A proper student!

Hat Salaam-a-leikum. I am Hat.

Shahid Shahid.

Riaz His father owns the takeaway. He is paying for him to study at the college.

Hat (to Shahid) Nice room, brother.

Riaz (to Hat) Have you brought your abha’s famous brinjal pakoras to start with?

Hat (putting the takeaway cartons on Shahid’s computer table) Everything exactly as ordered. Kebab rolls as well.

Riaz (exclaiming) Masha-Allah!

He sits on the floor and opens the cartons.

Come, Shahid — eat!

Hat (to Riaz) Papa very annoyed — he say definitely no more meetings in our café.

Riaz (reassuring as he eats) We will respect his wishes. Don’t worry — now go.

Hat hesitates.

(Realising.) Ah! The money, of course. Take out a note from my pocket. Come, come, Shahid — this is the best food in London!

Hat fishes a fiver out of Riaz’s pocket, as Shahid joins him in eating.

Shahid Are you a student too, Riaz?

Riaz Yes, of the law. Before, I gave only general and legal advice to the many poor and uneducated people who came to see me in Leeds. But now it is time to make a proper study. So, here I am in London — the mecca for all students, no? (Notices Hat standing by.) You need more money?

Hat (brandishing the fiver) I have no change!

Riaz Arey, give it to me later. (To Shahid.) Your family name is Hasan, am I right?

Shahid Yes.

Riaz (glowing) A family that bears the name of the martyred son of Ali can only be of great distinction.

Hat browses through Shahid’s bookshelf.

Shahid I’d like to think so.

Riaz How, then, did they let you come to such a derelict college?

Shahid Because I met a lecturer called Deedee Osgood. I really liked her. So I enrolled. Do you know her?

Riaz Oh, yes, she has a reputation at the college.

Shahid At my interview, she only asked what I liked to read and the music I listened to. I talked of Midnight’s Children — have you read that?

Riaz (indicating Hat browsing Shahid’s shelf) Hat has never seen a book before — he is an accountant. (Returning to Shahid’s question.) That book was accurate about Bombay. But this time he has gone too far.

Shahid When that writer got on TV and attacked racism, Riaz, I wanted to cheer. He spoke from the heart.

Riaz My abha spoke from the heart. He set me on the path of showing our suffering people their rights.

Shahid That’s exactly what the man argued on TV — our rights against racism.

Riaz How do you like the pakoras?

Shahid They taste just like my ammi’s.

Hat Wicked, yaar! I’ll tell my abha. He be dead pleased.

Riaz (to Shahid) What does your abha do?

Shahid Travel agent. He bought the agency where he worked as a clerk when he first came to Sevenoaks.

Riaz (exclaiming, with satisfaction at having polished off a kebab roll) Al-hum du’lilla — he found his right path.

Shahid Mum runs the agency now with my brother Chili. His wife Zulma’s from Karachi.

Riaz While your papa enjoys a well-earned retirement!

Shahid (matter of fact) He died six months ago.

Riaz (sympathetic, as he wipes his fingers on a handkerchief) To pass your last days so far from home must have been very painful for him.

Shahid Not Papa. Every evening he’d lie in bed in his smoking jacket and entertain visitors like some pasha. His ‘centre of operations’, he’d call it, swigging whisky and soda in a long glass, with Glenn Miller on the turntable.

Riaz looks at him.

Him and Ammi — they’d never go anywhere themselves, apart from Karachi once a year.

Riaz Your brother, he is in charge of the business now?

Shahid Chili? He has a looser attitude to work.

Riaz Is he a dissipater?

Shahid bristles.

(Urging him on.) Eat, eat!

Shahid complies.

What do our people really have in their lives?

Shahid Some have security and purpose at least.

Riaz They have lost themselves.

Shahid They’ve certainly lost something. My parents always despised their work and laughed at customers for boiling their bodies on foreign beaches.

Riaz Precisely right! No Pakistani would dream of being such an idiot by the seaside — as yet. But soon — don’t you think? — we will be parading about everywhere in these bikinis.

Shahid That’s what my mother and Chili are waiting for. I’ve got to tell you, Riaz — after Papa died — this is the truth now –

Riaz Anything less is worthless.

Shahid I lost it for a while. Did badly at school. I’d, uh, got my girlfriend pregnant, and she’d had to have a late abortion. I started hitting the clubs after that, just bumming around. I couldn’t concentrate on anything. I wanted — wanted to — uh –

Riaz Yes, yes?

Chad enters.

Chad Riaz, brother –

Riaz gestures for Chad to keep quiet.

Riaz (to Shahid) Speak openly — he is one of us.

Shahid I wanted to be a racist.

Chad What kind of thing are we talking about here?

Shahid Go around abusing Pakis, niggers, Chinks, Irish, any foreign scum. Slag them under my breath. Kick them up the arse.

Riaz Open your heart.

Shahid The thought of sleeping with Asian girls made me sick. I wouldn’t touch brown flesh, except with a branding iron. Even when they came on to me, I couldn’t bear it. I thought, you know, wink at an Asian girl and she’ll want to marry you up.

Riaz Oh, how is this done?

Chad You didn’t want to be a racist. I’m telling you that here and now for definite. And I’m informing you that it’s all all right now.

Shahid I am a racist.

Chad You only a vessel.

Shahid I wanted to join the British National Party. I would have filled in the forms if they have forms. How do you apply to such an organisation?

Chad Would the brother know? Listen. It been the longest, hardest century of racism in the history of everything. How can you not have picked up the vibe in this distorted way? There’s a bit of Hitler in all white people — they’ve given that to you.

Riaz Only those who purify themselves can escape it. Racism turns us away from ourselves. But there is another way. I am honoured to know you, Shahid.

He hugs him.

Shahid I’m pleased to have met you tonight.

Riaz Thank you. I too have learned.

Chad (to Shahid) I am hearing every moment of your soul cry. Call me Chad.

They embrace.

(To Riaz.) We need to sort things for the meeting.

Riaz Hat’s papa doesn’t want us to meet in his café any more.

Chad But Tahira’s bringing all the petitioners there!

Riaz Tell her to delay until we find another place — I have too many petitions and letters to work on for everyone to meet in my room.

Shahid You can meet here.

Riaz (delighted) Al-hum du’lilla — you are a Pakistani at heart!

Shahid I’ll just put my books and Prince collection away and –

Chad (quickly) You say Prince?

Shahid Yeh, I’ve got all his records — even the Black Album.

Chad No way, man — I mean brother — that bootleg.

Shahid Picked it up in Camden Market.

Chad Right. Right. It good for bootlegs.

Shahid Want it?

Chad Never! We are slaves to Allah! He the only one we must submit to.

Shahid It’s only music.

Riaz Only those who purify themselves can escape it.

Chad (to Shahid) The brother mean your soul — you got to clean yourself inside from all that white shit.

Shahid Prince is black.

Chad There’s more to life than entertaining ourselves! Brother, you got a lot to learn.

Riaz gets up.

The brother need fresh air. We all do. Phew.

Riaz We are pleased to have you with us.

They leave.

Shahid returns to his computer. Music. The college bell rings.

SCENE THREE

Morning. A run-down, inner-city further education college. Noisy class. Wolf whistles and comments fly as Deedee strides through the room.

Deedee Our subject today is the Black struggle in America –

Various excited comments fly around the class.

— as reflected in popular culture.

She clicks on a slide: a photo of young Emmett Till. Comments fly around on the look of this young, fresh-faced Black young man.

Fifteen-year-old Emmett Till — a boy living in Chicago in the 1950s. One day, he went to visit his relatives who lived in a small town in Mississippi. On the High Street, he saw a young white woman –

Someone in class lets out a wolf whistle.

Stop that! He did it for a dare. That night, the woman’s husband and brother paid him a visit. They took him to a warehouse, broke his wrists and ankles, gouged out his left eye and shot him through the head. Then, they tied his neck to a seventy-pound fan used for winnowing cotton and dumped the body in a nearby river — where it was found by fishermen three days later. This is what Emmett Till looked like after his trip to the South.

She clicks on another slide — photo of Emmett Till in his coffin.

Emmett Till’s mother wanted the whole world to see what had been done to her baby. So she insisted on an open coffin at his funeral.

Tahira How did the whites react?

Deedee Many accused her of being eager for publicity –

Tahira That’s blaspheming, right?

Deedee Only in the sense that it blasphemed the reality of what happened to her son.

Tahira So the blasphemers were racists?

Deedee You could say that.

She starts another set of slides, depicting the Civil Rights movement and popular Black musicians, writers, sportsmen and other artists.

I want you to focus on the extraordinary creativity that emerged from America by artists questioning segregation.

Shahid How’s the music of Prince relate to the Black struggles, miss?

Tahira Prince? He’s a total dushman!

Hat Yeah — he ain’t apna.

Deedee Good question, Shahid. We’ll make that the assignment for next week — how Black musicians responded to racism.

Tahira Why you shoving us always to music and them fripperies — what about the Nation of Islam?

Deedee Let’s have an essay from you on Malcolm X and how the Nation of Islam helped in the Black struggles, Tahira — when you can get your head out of Khalil Gibran. The rest, concentrate on Black musicians. On my desk by next week. And as the mathematicians say, go forth and multiply.

Hat (emulating a move of Michael Jackson’s) Thriller! I’m bad!

Tahira whacks him. Laughter from the class as they disperse while Deedee picks out Shahid.

Deedee Why do you like Prince?

Shahid Well, the sound.

Deedee Anything else?

Shahid He’s black.

Deedee And half white, half man, half woman –

Shahid Half size –

Deedee Feminist –

Shahid But macho too.

Deedee He can play soul and funk –

Shahid And rock and rap.

Deedee How are you coping?

Shahid Never been so alone before. But I’ve run into people who excite me. Your lectures fire me up to spend the time reading and writing.

Deedee You’re a good student.

Shahid (diffident) Could you — have a look at something I’ve written? About a friend?

Deedee (offhand) How sad! (Beat.) Some of my other students are coming by later to eat and talk — why don’t you join us? You can pore through my Prince videos.

Shahid I’d like that. Thank you.

Deedee pulls from her bag a copy of Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses and hands it to Shahid.

Deedee Have you read this?

Shahid (taking it) Oh wow! Just the writer I’ve been talking about with my friends! Thanks.

He heads off to the canteen with the book. She lingers, watching him as he joins Riaz, who is in discussion with Brownlow, flanked by Chad, Hat and Tahira.

Riaz Communism has been a good idea to bring into the world, Dr Brownlow. But its repressive championing of atheism goes against fundamental human impulses, don’t you think?

Chad Right. Atheism only a tiny minority thing. Like transvestism.

Brownlow Y-y-you are confusing the p-p-practice with the ideal. That’s like equating the Ch-Ch-Church with the Bible.

Riaz The idea can only be as good as the practice. You have to admit Communism everywhere has failed to wipe out the base human disease of racism. Without God people think they can sin with impunity. There is no morality.

Chad Only extremity, ingratitude, hard-heartedness, like Thatcherism.

Riaz Capitalism in a nutshell, will you agree, Dr Brownlow?

Brownlow Oh, wh-wh-wholeheartedly! Her destruction of the working classes is one of the crimes of the century.

Chad They been saying God dead. But it being the other way round. Without the creator no one knows where they are or what they doing.

Riaz Allah-u-Akbar!

Deedee leaves.

All (except Shahid) Allah-u-Akbar!

Riaz We should pray.

Shahid Here?

Chad Allah’s command overtop all others, brother.

Riaz Will you join us, Dr Brownlow?

Brownlow (to Riaz) It w-w-would be an honour. I have papers to mark. This e-e-evening? If you w-w-would lead me?

Riaz Of course, of course.

Brownlow leaves.

Shahid Who is Dr Brownlow?

Hat Teaches history here. A couple of decades back he was at the Cambridge University –

Chad The top student of his year.

Hat Yeah, I’m telling you. He come from the upper middle classes. He could have done any fine thing. They wanted him at Harvard. Or was it Yale, Chad?

Chad He refused them places down.

Hat Yeah, he told them to get lost. He hated them all, his own class, his parents — everything. He come to this college to help us, the underprivileged niggers and wogs and margin people. He’s not a bad guy — for a Marxist-Communist –

Chad Leninist –

Tahira Trotskyist –

Hat Yeah, a Marxist-Communist-Leninist-Trotskyist type. He always strong on anti-racism. Isn’t that right, brother Riaz?

Riaz Dr Brownlow has a good heart.

Chad Problem is –

Hat (to Shahid) Yeah, listen — problem is — he been developing this st-st-st-stutter.

Shahid It’s a new thing then, is it?

Hat Yeah, it come on since the Communist states of Eastern Europe began collapsing. As each one goes over he get another syllable on his impediment, you know. In a lecture, it took him twenty minutes to get the first word out. He was going h-h-h-he-he … we didn’t know if he was trying to say Helsinki, hear this, help, or what.

Shahid What was it?

Hat Hello.

Chad By the time Cuba goes he won’t even manage that, I reckon.

Tahira You met his wife — Deedee Osgood.

Shahid She’s his wife?

Chad She his wife.

Tahira Keep away from her.

Shahid Why?

Tahira Riaz has evidence that her family are nudists.

Beat, as the others consider the comment.

And she always watching Top of the Pops.

Shahid Really?

Chad Without God-consciousness you can get away with everything. And when that happens you’re lost. Now I know God is watching me. With him seeing every single damn thing, I have to be pretty careful about what I’m up to.

Shahid Like living in a greenhouse?

Riaz Everything you do and think is witnessed. Time to pray.

As Riaz and the others get ready to pray, a student walks through the group.

Chad Oi — this here our multicultural democratic right, so fuck off!

The student hurries off. Bell rings. Music, as they all disperse. Shahid returns to his digs, putting away his copy of The Satanic Verses.

SCENE FOUR

Shahid’s digs. Evening. Shahid is dressing to go out. A knock on the door.

Shahid Come.

Chad enters.

Chad Hey, going somewhere, yaar?

Shahid Na, just a function, you know, student thing.

Chad Good, good. We need the room — expecting many more people coming to our meeting tonight.

Hat barges in.

Hat Hey, Shahid, there’s someone looking for you.

Shahid Who?

Hat He wearing crocodile shoes.

Shahid (quickly) Please, Hat, say I had to go out.

Chad Hat don’t tell no lies.

Shahid Sorry?

Hat No, I’m training to be an accountant.

Enter Chili, smartly dressed.

Chili How you doing, baby brother? Hug me, babe. Toot sweet.

They hug.

Shahid Chad, Hat, this is my brother Chili.

Hat Hi.

They shake hands.

Chili shakes hands with Chad, who then sniffs his fingers and makes a face at Hat, as they leave.

Chili Where the hell to sit?

Shahid gathers the manuscript to take to Deedee’s.

Why are you being in a hurry with me, brother?

Shahid I’m not.

Chili You tapping your foot.

Shahid I got an appointment, Chili.

Chili Pussy?

Shahid No! A tutor from the college.

Chili Ah-ha. You’re starting to pull — the family is delighted. Remember what Uncle Asif always said: ‘Your country’s gone to the wogs, boys! Pakistanis in England now have to do everything — win the sports, present the news, run the shops and businesses, as well as fuck the women. You’ve got the brown man’s burden.’

Shahid Which you take on personally.

Chili Cool trousers. Tartan suits you. They’re not mine, are they?

Shahid No.

Chili Where’s my red shirt?

Shahid What?

Chili Papa would be pleased. He always admired your brains. Got some jimmi hat?

Shahid is mystified.

(Explaining.) Rubbers. Johnnies. You don’t want no baby’s mama just yet, bro. Not still doing that scribbling, are you?

Shahid What do you mean?

Chili I’ll give you a slap if you waste your time like that. How the hell will you ever look relatives in the face?

He feints a slap at Shahid, but turns it into a caress.

That big boy, is he a new friend of yours?

Shahid Chad? Yes.

Chili Tell him if he sniffs his fingers at me again his children’s children will feel the pain.

Shahid Okay. What do you want, Chili?

Chili What is the world coming to, when a man can’t visit his baby brother?

Shahid You haven’t shown much concern before.

Chili You know what Papa said to me before he died? ‘Take care of the boy, don’t let him go down, Chili.’

Shahid He called me a bloody eunuch fool for reading Shelley to Sarah on my first date!

Chili laughs.

Chili I’m widening horizons — expanding the business. Can’t have only you exploiting the riches of this city. When you’re done at the college, I’m taking you on as a partner — that’s a promise. Between us, we’ll hoover up all the money this town’s flashing at whoever cares to look. It’ll be just like Karachi, being chauffeured in Uncle Asif’s Merc. I’ve got a Beamer, now, five series.

Shahid You need serious cash to have a chauffeur.

Chili Bro, if you can’t dream, you won’t get. — I need a place to shack in.

Shahid Some of the friends might be using the room for their meetings.

Chili Can’t see that big boy staying awake after midnight. She a feminist? Bad luck. They tell you your prick’s too small –

Shahid (interrupting) How is your wife, by the way?

Chili (fiercely) What the hell you saying?

Shahid Just asking after Zulma.

Chili You trying to start me up?

Shahid No, Chili, I promise.

Chili Sure?

Shahid It was a family enquiry.

Chili (kisses him) Enjoy, bro. Soon we’ll really party. And remember, no one envies another a wank.

Chili exits. Chad enters.

Chad How is he?

Shahid Who?

Chad Honestly, you are lucky enough to be living here beside him, and you’re asking who? Brother Riaz!

Shahid Not bad.

Chad Good, good. There’s some project special to his heart he has to complete. I know he’ll offer me first look soon — it nearing the end. He’s not working too hard?

Shahid shrugs.

There’s a lot to get done.

Shahid What exactly is he working on?

Chad Pardon?

Shahid I mean is there anything more than normal?

Chad He can’t talk about it, Shahid.

Shahid I know, I know. But –

Chad He up to something with the Iranians, that’s all I can say right now. What you said the other day — it touch my heart right through. A man who speaks is like a lion.

A brisk coded knock on the door.

They’re early.

Chad opens the door to a man carrying a green rucksack, which he holds up to Chad.

Wicked. Ta very much, Zia.

The man drops the rucksack (full of meat cleavers, knives, etc.) on the floor, bows and goes away. Chad places the rucksack within reach and starts rifling through Shahid’s clothes.

Shahid What are you doing?

Chad I was thinking, you know, the brother never have time for his-self. He wearing same clothes now for a week. It’s important he looks good at the meeting — like a chairman. Or general.

Shahid But Chad –

Chad What now?

Shahid I can’t see him in the Fred Perry.

Chad No?

Shahid And this purple number might make him look effeminate.

Chad What?

Shahid Like a poof.

Chad That won’t do. What you got so many books for?

Shahid I love reading stories.

Chad How old are you — eight? Aren’t there millions of serious things to be done? Out there … it’s genocide. Rape. Oppression. Murder. The history of the world is slaughter. And you reading stories like some old grandma.

Shahid You make it sound like I was shooting up heroin.

Chad Nice one.

Shahid But don’t writers try to explain that kind of thing? Just now I’m reading The Possessed –

Chad What about the dispossessed, eh? But let’s waste no more time discussing peripheries. We got many real things to accomplish. Hey, where d’you get this Paul Smith shirt?

Shahid (evasive) A shop in Brighton.

Chad Riaz’ll be thrilled. He like Brighton and he look best in red. You big-hearted, too, like a lion. Riaz was right about you.

Another coded knock.

Now what? Everyone’s in a hurry today.

Hat pokes his head round the door.

Hat Hey, Shahid, it for you. Popular guy!

Shahid Is it Chili? Say I’m –

Hat A lady.

Zulma strides in.

Zulma Hello, Shahid.

Shahid Oh, Zulma Auntie, great to see you. What’s up?

Zulma Never call me Auntie, you damn fool. In some quarters I’m a sex symbol. Here — your ammi asked me to bring your favourite aubergine pakoras.

She hands him the pakoras, wrapped in foil. He stashes them away. Chad shuffles out, taking the rucksack and Hat with him.

Shahid She shouldn’t have …

Zulma And leave those brain cells unfed? How are the studies coming?

Shahid Fine, fine.

Zulma Working hard?

Shahid Never harder.

Zulma Making friends?

Shahid The best ever.

Zulma Have you seen my beloved husband?

Shahid Yes.

Zulma When? Where?

Shahid He popped by to say hello.

Zulma That bastard Chili never said hello to anyone. Did he borrow money? What’s his number? My pen is hanging! Where’s he staying at the moment in London? Quickly.

Shahid Don’t you know?

Zulma I’ve chucked him out until he cleans up. If he can, or wants to.

Shahid What do you mean, ‘cleans up’?

Zulma Let’s just say your ammi worries about him.

Shahid He’s with his friends. Playing poker all night.

Zulma What the hell, Shahid, which damn friends? You better tell me or I’ll string you up by the balls, okay?

That brother of yours — Papa’s barely got cold and he’s off dreaming.

Shahid I must run to the library. You know Chili doesn’t tell no one what’s what.

Zulma What are you studying?

Shahid Post-colonial literature.

Zulma No finer qualification for a travel agent. Are we still colonial after so long, ‘post’ or not? Get a degree — whatever else, make sure you come out qualified, for your ammi’s sake. You haven’t got in with a rotten crowd, have you? Intellectuals or some other such fools?

Shahid (ushering her out) I’ve got to hand in an essay tomorrow, Auntie.

Zulma (forceful) Shahid! Your ammi is worried. Get Chili to ring her. He hasn’t been home for weeks.

Shahid I’ll tell him.

Zulma Remember what Papa always said — working your arse off is the only religion worth the name. Do that, and then go home.

Shahid (ushering her out) I’ll let you know as soon as I hear from Chili, Auntie. Bye.

Zulma exits. Shahid puts the pakoras away and switches on some music as he does his yoga exercises. Chad enters. For a moment, he’s entranced by the music.

Chad What you doin’?

Shahid Yoga. It gets me in the mood.

Chad That Hindu shit will infect your mind.

He turns off the music.

They listen to that Ravi Shankar shit and burn joss sticks. You don’t want to end up like George Harrison, do you? Shahid, I tell you, I used to be an addict — a music addict like you. I listened to it day and night! It was overtaking my soul!

Shahid You were controlled by music?

Chad I’m talking of the music and fashion industries. Telling us what to wear, where to go, what to listen to. Ain’t we their slaves?

Shahid I’m not living without music. Tell me the truth — you miss it too.

Chad (pointed) Don’t you want to swim in a clean sea and see by a clear light? Imagine the warm water holding you up!

He hugs Shahid.

Are we dancing monkeys? We have minds and sense. Gimme those Prince records!

Shahid Some of them are imports!

Chad Allah is the only one we must submit to! He put our noses on our face –

Shahid As opposed to where?

Chad Our stomach, for instance. How can you deny his skill and power and authority?

Shahid I don’t, Chad, you know I don’t. And you know I respect you as a brother too, that’s why I’m asking you to stop!

Chad We think we cool but we break our trust with Allah. Listen to Riaz. Don’t he say we becoming Western, European, Socialist? We must not assimilate, that way we lose our souls. Like that blaspheming writer! We are proud and we are obedient. It’s not we who must change, but the world!

Shahid Here — keys to paradise. Have a good meeting.

As he’s about to leave, Tahira enters.

Chad This wonderful sister is Tahira.

Chad picks up the foil-wrapped parcel Shahid stashed away.

Shahid (to Tahira) Hi. Did you meet my aunt on her way out?

Tahira (holding his hand) That air hostess wear sunglasses to hide her evil eye! Don’t worry — we all have auntie problems. One day all aunties will be under our control.

Shahid leaves, as people begin to gather to meet Riaz. Music. Shahid makes his way through night-time London to Deedee’s.

SCENE FIVE

Deedee’s house. Night. Deedee has had a row with

Brownlow. He storms off into the bedroom. Shahid enters.

Shahid Thanks for inviting me to look at the Prince videos. I wouldn’t be able to write my Prince paper without it. Where are the others?

Deedee I’ll heat some soup while you watch.

Deedee goes to the kitchen. Shahid watches the video. He is emulating Prince’s moves, gestures, etc., when Deedee returns.

Find him sexy?

Shahid quickly checks his notebook.

Shahid His work is … seamless … seamless and not a little cathartic, wouldn’t you say?

Deedee I hate this fucking house.

Shahid Pardon?

Deedee We’re trying to sell it. Sorry, what did you say?

Enter Brownlow, putting on his tie. Stops on seeing Shahid. He holds out his hand.

Brownlow H-h-hello, Tariq. I’m Andrew Brownlow.

Shahid I’m Shahid.

Brownlow O-o-of course. Extra lessons, hmm?

Shahid (agreeing) Prince.

Brownlow Charles?

Shahid No, the sex symbol.

Brownlow Of course. F. R. Leavis would be reassured and so would Queenie.

Shahid Who?

Brownlow What?

Shahid Queenie?

Brownlow It’s true I’m not feeling that heterosexual at the moment. (To Deedee.) W-w-well. S-s-see you. B-b-bye.

Deedee (cutting him off) Yes, all right, see you tomorrow.

He leaves.

‘Yes’ is a lovely word. I love ‘yes’. Yes, yes, yes. No victims, no victors, just ‘yes’.

Shahid My brother Chili lives by the word –

Deedee It was discovered in South America. Chilli only came to India in medieval times.

Shahid I didn’t know that. We’re from Pakistan.

Deedee Once, years ago, Andrew came home from a party and described kissing a woman.

Shahid Dr Brownlow?

Deedee I had never felt so let down — couldn’t sleep for two nights. You would hope that intimacy would leave more of a mark. But now I think, who is this person? I want a smoke.

Shahid (apologetic) I don’t smoke.

She shows him a spliff.

Whoa! I’ve only smoked that once before. In Brighton.

Deedee Enjoy it?

Shahid The person who gave it me said I should come and see you.

Deedee Well …! What do you say? It’ll make you laugh.

Shahid It’s okay, I laughed earlier. Could you have a look at this?

Offers his rolled-up manuscript.

Deedee Interesting …

Shahid You haven’t read it yet.

Deedee Give me a few years.

Shahid Thanks. (Quickly, referring to the spliff.) I want it.

Deedee Sure?

Shahid takes it, draws mightily and passes it on.

Shahid What is this?

Deedee Moroccan.

Shahid takes his leather jacket off.

What’re you doing?

Shahid Feeling good too.

She starts laughing.

What?

Deedee If my friends could see me now …! Kids, mortgages, this would not even register in their dreams! What do you want to do when you grow up?

She turns up the music while Shahid takes another long draw.

Shahid (affecting a Chili-like nonchalance) Whatever you want me to do, babe.

Deedee Yes, call me baby. Baby, baby, baby.

She starts moving to the music, slowly, while Shahid watches her dance.

Can’t wait to get a place of my own.

Shahid Why are you splitting up?

Deedee For years I was involved with his politics. Too involved. It all makes you feel guilty. It limits the imagination.

Shahid What d’you like now?

Deedee (holding up the spliff) This. Teaching. Music. When I can, I do a lot of nothing. And make stabs at pleasure. (Pops open a pill box.) Want one?

Shahid What are they?

Deedee E. Ecstasy. It’ll make you see around corners.

Shahid Is this why you invited me over?

Deedee No. Because you’re lonely and I like the way you look at me.

Shahid pops a pill. She offers him a bottle of water to swig with the pill and resumes dancing, after popping one herself.

You’ve got café-au-lait skin.

She recites.

A savage place! As holy and enchanted

As e’er beneath a waning moon was haunted

By woman wailing for her demon lover!

Shahid (continuing the rhyme from ‘Kubla Khan’)

And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething,

As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing,

A mighty fountain momently was forced!

Deedee, impressed, acknowledges Shahid’s participation. She listlessly flicks through his manuscript.

Deedee Tell me your story …

Shahid draws more on his spliff and pops another pill.

Shahid Everybody’s free, everybody’s free with Prince on the gas!

Deedee Cold, wet and worthy — that’s all Greenham Common amounted to.

Shahid I read Shelley to her, sitting by the pond. Papa was so mad.

Deedee Dress like a punk and leave home …

Shahid pops another pill while Deedee resumes dancing.

Let’s go to the end-of-decade party!

Shahid The decade hasn’t ended yet.

Deedee It will feel like it has! See how the under-classes are fighting back against Thatcher’s greed.

She grabs Shahid and they rush out of the door. Strapper is seen dealing drugs to some students on the road. Shahid and Deedee go along with them, shouting ‘End-of-decade party!’

Rave music. Shadows coalesce into a rave scene.

SCENE SIX

Shahid’s digs. Shahid returns. Preparing for bed, he retches and falls.

Riaz, disturbed by the noise, comes into his room, and is alarmed to see Shahid choking on his vomit. He picks him up and lays him to bed. Pulls down his trousers and covers him with a blanket.

Confused, Shahid calls out Riaz’s name. The latter hushes him to sleep.

When he sees Shahid finally asleep, he recites a prayer, cleans the room and slips out.

SCENE SEVEN

Shahid’s digs. Morning. Shahid’s lying on his bed, groggy. Chad enters, excited. Riaz is a pace behind, carrying a folder bearing his manuscript, with Tahira in tow.

Chad You’re definitely the lucky type. The brother asked for you particularly.

Shahid mumbles incoherently.

Riaz How are you feeling, Shahid?

Shahid continues to mumble.

Chad Shahid!

Shahid Huh? What is it?

Riaz Please.

He places the folder in Shahid’s hand.

Chad (bending over Shahid and reading the cover page) ‘The Martyr’s Imagination’ …?

Riaz Yes. It is my little book.

Tahira (excited) It’s finished?

Riaz Pen-written only until now.

Tahira Is it an attack on that blaspheming writer?

Riaz (continuing, to Shahid) Please, would you do one thing for me?

Shahid Whatever you want, Riaz.

Riaz Will you convert it to print?

Shahid Of course.

Riaz Many others have volunteered but you are the right person for this task.

Shahid listlessly looks through the manuscript.

I am from a small village in Pakistan. They are basically … songs of memory, adolescence and twilight. But perhaps they will change the world a little too.

Shahid I didn’t know you –

Riaz It’s God’s work.

Shahid With your name on the title page.

Riaz (laughing) Yes, I am entirely to blame.

Tahira (to Riaz) What message does the book have, brother?

Riaz (holding her face tenderly) The message — and all good art must have a message — is of love and compassion.

Chad Beautiful.

Shahid Brother Riaz, thank you, thank you for everything!

Riaz No, no.

Riaz and Tahira leave.

Chad Wow, that’s incredible! I offer you one warning — you must be strictly confidential about this.

Shahid Are you saying I’m not trustworthy?

Chad No, no, brother. But many important people in the community wouldn’t like him being too creative. It too frivolous for them. Some of those guys go into a supermarket and if music playing, they run out again. Why don’t you enjoy some rest before you begin such important work?

Shahid lies down, Chad reads the manuscript.

(Reading.) Magnificent, ‘Gibreel’s fragrant green sword will veil the unveiled …’

Shahid sits up and reaches for the bowl beside his bed.

‘Wet bodies and captivating tongues reek of Satan’s hot breath, Gibreel’s fragrant green sword …’

Shahid whimpers.

You know, Shahid brother, there’s something else Riaz wants you to do. He was shy of asking you, I know.

Shahid What is it?

Chad He needs your help to get the book published.

Shahid retches into the bowl.

Shahid He saved my life.

Chad He intuitive — you owe him the lot.

Shahid I’ll do whatever I can to repay him.

Chad You’ll help him find a publisher for the book?

Shahid Sure.

Tahira bursts in, followed by Hat and an Old Man.

Tahira We need clear space here. (To Shahid.) You going to help or lie there all day?

Shahid What now?

Shahid gets up wearily. He is in his underpants. Tahira looks at him, then Hat positions himself to hide Shahid from her view. She seats the Old Man on a chair. Riaz comes in.

Hat (to Shahid) Now you’ll hear something about how nice your little England is.

Riaz makes the Old Man sit at ease and listens attentively.

Old Man These boys, please, sir, are coming into my flat and threatening my whole family every day and night. They have punched me in my stomach, spit all the time at my wife when she goes out for shopping, make rude signs at my daughters when they go to school. Five years I have lived there, but it is getting worse. I am afraid.

Riaz (considers) What do you suggest we do to help, Shahid?

Shahid (offhand) Teach the beggars a lesson.

Riaz Excellent. We’re not blasted Christians. We don’t turn the other buttock. We will fight for our people who are being tortured anywhere — in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, East End! (To the Old Man, reassuring, as he ushers him out.) Action will be taken very soon. That is my promise to you.

Old Man exits.

Tahira Self-defence is no offence.

Shahid What are you talking about?

Riaz We want you with us tonight, Shahid.

Chad Shahid’s always with us.

Shahid I have to see someone on family business later — after working on your poem …

Riaz Work on the poem can wait. It is our duty to make sure this man can feel free again.

Chad No degradation of our people. Anybody who fails to fight will answer to God and hellfire!

Shahid I’ll be punished if I don’t take part?

Riaz Punishment is only for those who degrade our people. I’ve written a poem on this subject. ‘The Wrath’. Have you reached it yet?

Shahid Which one? Is it at the end?

Riaz No! It’s the second one — ‘The Wrath’. ‘The Wrath’.

Shahid No, not yet. (Sarky.) Why not call ourselves the Foreign Legion?

Chad I knew you were with us.

He picks up the holdall.

This is it, brothers and sisters. Grab something warm to wear, Shahid — it be chilly in the East End.

Tahira (chanting) Foreign Legion! Foreign Legion!

Hat (picking up the chant) Foreign Legion! Foreign Legion!

As they leave, Chili enters.

Chili Hello — where’s the bad posse headed to?

Chad (to Shahid) Catch you outside.

Chad, Riaz, Hat and Tahira leave.

Chili (to Shahid) What shit you getting into, bro?

Shahid Nothing.

Chili Where’s my Paul Smith?

Shahid What?

Chili The red Paul Smith shirt I gave you.

Shahid (quickly) You won’t believe it — coming back from Deedee’s last night –

Chili You did her?

Shahid Met some of her students who were off to an end-of-decade party — took me to this rave in a white house out of town. Man, ecstasy was flowing like confetti. I had your famous King’s Road sandwich — shagged three girls who I didn’t even know — puked all over the red Paul Smith I was wearing and had to take it to the laundrette –

Chili You shitting me?

Shahid No, I swear, Chili. I wore it to impress her up, like you said.

Chili (suddenly hugging him) I’m proud of you, baby bro. Papa will be smiling up in paradise.

Shahid Business okay?

Chili Why?

Shahid I may not get back tonight –

Chili Still haven’t told me what shit you’re getting into.

Shahid I’ve got to rush — they’ll be waiting …

Chili (fierce) I’m your brother, for Christ sakes!

Shahid I’m helping some people out, that’s all. It’s a charity thing.

Chili (dismissive) Charity! You’re still a baby, bro. There’s only one thing that matters in the world, that’s number one and money. Got myself a partner to keep an eye out for supplies while I meet demands of my varied customers.

Shahid What work are you really doing? Zulma came round.

Chili What you tell her?

Shahid You were at friends playing poker.

Chili Good boy!

Shahid She chuck you out?

Chili Temporary loss of facilities, as they say in the trade.

Shahid You’re the golden couple of Sevenoaks.

Chili laughs.

(Insistent.) Go home.

Chili You can’t never go back home.

Shahid Ring Ammi at least.

Chili (admonishing) Don’t they teach you respect at college?

Shahid I’ve got to go.

He leaves Chili looking around the room. Chili sees the copy of The Satanic Verses,flicks through it nonchalantly, then shuts the book and lays out a line of coke. After snorting, stuffs his remaining stash in the book and puts it away carefully.

Music, as Shahid and the gang, carrying rucksacks, make their way to the East End flat.

SCENE EIGHT

A high-rise flat in the East End. Night. The gang tip out knives, cleavers, etc. from the rucksacks they’ve been carrying.

Chad Weapons training.

Chad demonstrates, to the accompaniment of rousing quwaali music from his boom box. Shahid, Hat and Tahira go through a drill. Chad starts to weep.

Shahid What’s wrong, Chad?

Chad I’m moved by my people’s suffering. Can’t keep it together.

Shahid If you keep blubbing, the old man is not going to have much confidence in us.

Chad You’re right. (Blows his nose.) You stubborn but sensible. We here to defend the man terrorised by racists. Bring ’em on! United in defence of West Compton Estate!

They finish their drill. Tahira clears a study area for Hat as the guys lounge after the work-out. Shahid looks to slip away but Chad holds him back.

(To Shahid, watching Tahira at work.) This great sister here, Tahira, she been with us from day one. Riaz like a father to her. Her old man threw her out because she wanted her mum and sisters to cover up.

Tahira Park yourself here, Hat.

Hat Ta, Tahira.

He moves to the space Tahira’s cleared for him, takes out his books from his duffel bag and starts on his homework. Tahira sits with the others.

Tahira (to Shahid) Hat always studying. His father — he’s putting too much pressure on him to be an accountant.

Shahid He’s here with us tonight.

Tahira But the father thinks Hat visiting his auntie in Sunderland today.

Chad He think we stopping Hat being an accountant. But we ain’t. We only say accountants have to meet many women. And shake hands with them. They expected, too, to take alcohol every day and get involved in interest payments. We not sure Hat won’t feel left out, you know?

Tahira And you’re expected to take drugs in the City. And meet strippers at lunchtime. Chad, could you close your legs, please?

Chad brings his knees together.

Tahira I see you like wearing tight trousers.

Chad I do, yes.

Tahira Can’t you wear something looser? We have to look modest. Think it’s easy wearing the hijab? Yesterday a man on the street ripped my scarf off and shouted, ‘This is England, not Arabia.’

Chad (sheepish, looking at Shahid) I’ve been looking out for some Oxford bags for a while.

Tahira That will be progress. And aren’t you thinking of growing a beard? Look at Hat, his is really coming on now. (Feeling Shahid’s smooth-shaven chin.) Even Shahid has got something bushy on the way.

Chad My skin needs breathing space, otherwise I develop an itchy rash.

Tahira Vanity should be the least of your concerns.

Chad (to Shahid) I’ll put something bushy in your face if you don’t stop smirkin’!

Shahid Sorry, brother. How long is this vigil going to last?

Chad Could be days, you know — them racists sometimes clever.

Shahid I have to go off for a few hours — family business.

Just as Shahid is about to leave, Riaz enters, wearing the red Paul Smith shirt and jeans. The gang stare at him.

Chad All present, brother Riaz.

Riaz I am very happy you are with us, Shahid.

Shahid (appraising Riaz) Suits you.

Riaz is puzzled. Chad steps in to explain.

Chad (to Riaz) Your clothes needed washing, brother. Shahid lent his shirt and trousers. (With pride.) Brother Riaz look smart, eh!

Riaz Thank you. Thank you. (Diffident.) I just picked up what I saw on my chair — fashion passes by me.

Tahira You look like a general.

Chad Or a chairman. When the racists see the brothers strong, they whimper like dogs with tails between their legs!

Riaz Time for prayers.

There is a loud bang on the door. Startled, they pick up their weapons, as Chad pushes Shahid forward.

Chad Check it out. Don’t fear — you reinforced up!

Shahid opens the door and sees an eager Strapper, looking around curiously.

Strapper Want anything?

Shahid What?

Strapper Skunk, trips, E? Don’t worry, all the Pakibusters are indoors watching the match.

Shahid Show us where they live, then. You know who they are.

Strapper What’re you gonna do, burn them out? I can fire places up, if you like.

Shahid Who are you?

Strapper Strapper. An Asian family left their flat and I’m squatting here for my business.

Shahid What business?

Strapper You name it, man, I’ve had experience of it. Police, courts, kids’ homes, rehabilitation centres, social workers. I tell you, Blacks and Pakis, the people put down, and outside, they generous and loving. My partner — he a Paki like you — he takes me to all kinds of hip apartments in his cool car, full of birds. Keeps saying this place’s too small for him. If you’re not buying nothing, I gotta swing over to him in north London — our new base of operations!

Shahid Where are the racists, Strapper? Just point at their door and we’ll do the rest.

Strapper laughs.

Strapper You wanna find someone who hates another race? Just knock on any door. Course I used to be a skinhead, myself.

Shahid What?

Strapper Supported Millwall, see. Me Black mates were always chasing me. One time they tied a noose round me neck and tried to throw me over a bridge.

Shahid drags him back into the flat. Frosty atmosphere.

Shahid This is Strapper. Maybe he can help.

Strapper How you doing, Trevor, mate? Respect, eh?

Chad Fuck off! That’s not my truth!

Strapper Just being polite.

Chad (to Shahid) What the fuck you bring him here for?

Strapper You a Paki, me a delinquent. How does it feel to be a problem for this world?

Chad (pushing Strapper) I’m a solution, not a problem! Diseases like you need sterilising.

Strapper Don’t touch me, man — I got rights too, you know.

Shahid (to Chad) He could point out the racists — we’d seize the initiative then.

Chad He can only point to his arse. We got our sister here to think of.

Tahira Chad can be fierce when his blood races.

Brownlow rushes in.

Brownlow Comrades! Any sign of the lunatics?

Strapper Not till now!

Riaz welcomes Brownlow in.

Riaz We are so happy you received the message and are able to provide support, Dr Brownlow. So many immoral people surround us here.

Brownlow Ghastly — this estate! What has been done to these people! Crimes against humanity. Important to visit wastelands regularly. Lest we forget. Seeing them, one understands a lot. It’s obvious, not surprising –

Riaz I beg your pardon? What is not surprising to you, Dr Brownlow, my friend?

Brownlow is leering at Tahira. She moves closer to Hat.

Brownlow That they’re violently in love with beauty. I’ve been wading around, you know, an hour or two in Hades, lost in the foul damp. Breeding grounds of race antipathy — infecting everyone, passed on like Aids. Often wished in my adult life, that I could be r-r-religious.

Riaz It is never too late for higher wisdom.

Brownlow (apologetic) Read Bertrand Russell at fourteen. Expect you know him, don’t you, T-T-Tariq?

Shahid My name is Shahid.

Brownlow Of course. Does Deedee only make you watch Prince videos?

Shahid She’s a good teacher.

Brownlow Not a patch on Russell, I bet. Put the deity in his place, Russell. Said that if He existed He would be a fool. God is man’s greatest creation. (To Riaz.) Surely the act of believing is — of no practical use on these estates, to this class. It — it is — dishonest! Yes, d-d-dishonest! Even the lowest class must decide good and evil for themselves.

Riaz Please excuse me, but you are a little arrogant. First you ask these poor people to believe in the brotherhood of classes. Now, when your Communist dream has been shown to be just that, you set them adrift to think for themselves. You see now how Western civilisation is proving to be a hoax?

Brownlow But this civilisation has also brought us –

Strapper Drugs, mate — and the police.

Brownlow (ignoring the interruption) — science, psychoanalysis, a stable political culture, organised sport — at a pretty high level, mind you, e-e-except for England. And all this hand in hand with critical enquiry. Which means steely questions. And ideas. Ideas being the e-e-enemy of religion.

Riaz Why must they be? My dear Dr Brownlow, revolution everywhere has been an act of faith.

Brownlow No — that is how the working classes have been exploited. More than any other class they must be f-f-free to think for themselves.

Riaz And what did free thinking bring them with your Communism? The great gift we offer our poor uneducated — (indicating Strapper) yes, even this uneducated poor boy — is the example of our Prophet — peace be upon him! — who brought about a revolution of equality in Arabia by the simple act of belief.

Brownlow I must admit not having associated revolution with I–I-Islam. I suspect that is what F-F-Foucault discovered in the Iranian revolution in ’79.

Riaz I do not know the man personally, my friend, but he sounds like a good man whose heart has been changed by simple belief. And don’t we all strive to be good?

Brownlow Foucault saw in the revolution a clear triumph of the Iranian working class.

Riaz Precisely what we can achieve here. Come now, it is time to pray. I will be your guide.

Strapper leaves. Riaz unfurls his prayer mat and kneels on it. The others clear space and follow his example. Shahid stands awkwardly by, before Hat guides him. The ‘azaan’ is heard. When they finish, Riaz sits, with the others fanned around him.

Now I am calm. So, my subject today. Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

Laughter.

Allah in his mercy has given us another sign of his continuing magnificence, through the disease that has now taken over the West — Aids. A name through which Allah reveals his warning — Adam is definitely Satan! For it is when Adam and Steve come together that the West is shown by Allah to have cancer in its feet — those very feet that help it to stand on the necks of the poor the world over. So what should we do with Adam and Steve? When you go to hospital to meet a cancer patient, do you argue, do you shout? No, you take the person sweet grapes and bright flowers. Gentle persuasion, reciting the words of Allah as revealed in the Koran, will help Adam turn away from Steve and start looking at Eve.

Riaz’s sermon above is interrupted by a brick crashing through the window and grazing Tahira’s forehead. Hat instinctively guards and comforts Tahira. Riaz is shocked. A stream of rubbish bags and bottles, accompanied by chants of ‘Paki go home’, follows. Chad rushes out, brandishing a cleaver, followed by Shahid. A Young Man with two others can be seen with bricks in their hands. The two racists scarper at the sight of Chad, while the Young Man is momentarily too stunned to move. Chad floors him and is about to hack at him with the cleaver when he is stopped by Shahid.

Shahid (to Chad) No, Chad! No!

Young Man (spits at them) Paki! Paki! Paki!

Shahid (to the Young Man) What the fuck has this family ever done to you? Have they come to your house? Abused you? Thrown stones? Did they make you live in these stinking flats?

Young Man (grows more venomous) Paki! Paki! Paki! You stolen our jobs! Taken our housing! Paki got everything! Give it back and go back home!

Chad Come here again and I’ll hack your head off in the halal way!

He swings his cleaver down powerfully and the Young Man scarpers.

(To Shahid.) Thanks, brother. If you hadn’t held me back, I might have done something powerful, you know.

Riaz comes up behind the boys, with Tahira, Hat, Brownlow in tow.

Riaz It takes courage to hold back. In the fierce heat of battle, you kept your head, Shahid. The true mark of a leader.

Chad He a lion — my lion!

Riaz (complimenting Shahid) Sher-e-Khan! Come, come, we must eat to mark the occasion!

Chad (to Riaz) Shahid’s ammi sent some pakoras, brother.

Riaz What better at this moment of triumph!

Chad (offering Shahid’s pakoras) Right tasty, these aubergine pakoras.

Riaz (taking a pakora) Nothing ever compares with mother’s cooking, eh, Shahid?

Shahid She used to make them for Papa.

Chad (handing Shahid a plastic bag) For you.

Shahid What is it?

Chad Look.

Shahid (extracting a white cotton salwar kameez) It’s beautiful.

Chad Yeah!

Shahid For me?

Chad Course. Put it on.

Shahid Now?

Riaz Yes, yes, come, Shahid — Tahira will turn her back while we help you change.

Shahid changes, helped by the others. Chad fits a white kufie (Muslim prayer cap) on him as the final act.

Hat Brother, you look magnificent!

Shahid Thanks, Hat.

Chad How d’you feel?

Shahid A little strange.

Chad Strange?

Shahid But good, good.

Chad What do you think, brother Riaz?

Riaz (complimenting) Now our Shahid Hasan looks a proper Muslim saint! Do you see, Tahira?

Tahira demurely offers Shahid the pakoras.

Tahira May our very own Sher-e-Khan continue to show wisdom and strength!

Riaz Have some, to mark the occasion, from the hands of your own sister.

Shahid After you.

Hat takes a pakora from Tahira, followed by Riaz.

Hat These pakoras are better than my dad’s! (To Tahira.) Hey, you think they like spinach for Popeye?

Chad You a fool, yaar, if you think saag will give you strength like Shahid’s!

Tahira That inborn, cos he is a Hasan, like the Blessed Martyr’s son!

Riaz looks at Tahira, then at the pakora.

Riaz (to Shahid) Your ammi made these?

Shahid Yes.

Riaz Are you sure?

Shahid The only thing Zulma ever cooked was Chili’s … you know what.

Riaz (expansive) Mash-a-Allah! This is a miracle. The mother of Shahid Hasan is blessed! Chad, look, look at this.

He holds out the pakora on his palm for Chad and the others to consider.

Chad What am I looking at, brother? I mean — it’s a very well-made pakora.

Riaz Can’t you see — there, running along the length of the pakora — from right to left. Tahira — can you see it?

Tahira Yes! I can make something out — dark — coming through the batter.

Riaz It is aliph — the first letter of the holy language in which our blessed Koran is written. We have been granted a sign! Through Shahid here.

Shahid What sign, Riaz?

Riaz (urgent) Dr Brownlow — we have a miracle in our hands! Allah has sent a message.

Shahid Is the message to carry on the vigil?

Riaz The racists all know now what to expect if they continue to abuse our friend.

Shahid They might return with greater force.

Riaz Then we shall be ready for them, insha’Allah. But news of this miracle will bring many more people to our side for the great work yet to come. The Iranians will hear of this. And then all will see how we stand strong when the wrathful sword of Allah slices through the air of injustice Mussulmans breathe everyday in this country.

Shahid I have to go — family business …

Riaz (expansive) Of course, of course. Take Tahira with you. We will make all preparations to unveil this miracle before the unbelieving world. Chad, inform Moulana Darapuria we must meet urgently.

Shahid puts his jacket on and rushes out. Tahira follows him out. Strapper is lounging by the door.

Tahira Where are we going?

Shahid Personal business — family, you know. I’ll be back soon.

Tahira But you mustn’t be alone at this time.

Shahid I will be all right.

Tahira I’m really not afraid.

Shahid But I’d be afraid for you.

Tahira (simpering) You are a true Hasan!

Shahid ushers her back in and walks off, followed by Strapper.

Strapper I could fix you up, you know.

Shahid I’m not buying anything from you.

Strapper Why not? I fixed you up at the rave, didn’t I? Weren’t my shit the best you had? Straight up, we got suppliers that don’t do dirty.

Shahid Listen, I got no charity, okay?

Strapper Zakat.

Shahid What?

Strapper That’s what them Muslim brothers call it, giving charity to the needy.

Shahid You don’t look needy to me and I’m not in the giving mood.

Strapper Stop running from your own — they’s the only ones to depend on, when the shit hits the fan.

Shahid I’m not running from anyone. Except you.

Strapper No need to insult, Paki.

Shahid I’m not a Paki!

Strapper Course you are. We all are, those who’ve been left behind.

Strapper runs off, as Shahid heads to Deedee’s. Music, as he rushes through a wintry London night.

SCENE NINE

Deedee’s house. Deedee has prepared a candlelit dinner. Shahid rushes in.

Shahid Sorry, sorry, sorry.

Beat, as Deedee looks at how Shahid is dressed.

Deedee In your pyjamas already?

Shahid You don’t know what’s happening out there — urgent brother business! Chad was this close to carving some serious meat.

Deedee No surprise there — he wanted to chuck a bomb on his parents. That’s after he met Riaz, of course. Changed his name from Trevor Buss to Muhammad Shahabuddin Ali-Shah.

Shahid What? Chad?

Deedee He was brought up by white foster-parents. Foul-mouthed and racist to everyone but their son. No wonder he became a shooter. Riaz took him under his wing. Insisted everyone call him by his whole new name, even when playing football. His mates got fed up shouting, ‘Pass the ball, Muhammad Shahabuddin Ali-Shah — on my head, Muhammad Shahabuddin Ali-Shah.’ So he became Chad.

She offers some wine. Shahid makes a face.

Are there any pleasures you don’t eschew? Or is it only salted lassi you drink?

Shahid What about fighting racism?

Deedee Is that what you think Riaz does?

Shahid He is pure of purpose and risking his life guarding the flat of a persecuted couple right now.

Deedee Riaz denounced his own father for drinking alcohol and praying in his armchair and not on his knees. He made you wear that, didn’t he?

Shahid What’s wrong with them?

Deedee Didn’t take you for a disciple.

Shahid Can’t I admire him for his courage?

The doorbell rings. Deedee opens the door to Chili.

Chili What are you called when someone’s asking?

Deedee Deedee. Deedee Osgood.

Chili (kissing her hands) Tell me, Deedee Osgood, is my baby bro safe in your hands?

Deedee (appraising him) You must be Chili.

Chili At your service.

Deedee One Hasan at a time is more than enough.

Chili Are you sure?

Deedee laughs

A woman’s laugh — better than any rush known to man.

Deedee Quite the priest. I can’t imagine you giving a sermon.

Chili I could be a very Jesus in bed.

Shahid What you doing here, Chili?

Chili I was concerned, bro. Thought that bad posse might have messed with you.

Deedee They have.

Chili (to Shahid) Just say the word, and Chili will have a friendly chat.

Shahid I’ll take care of myself.

Chili Just take her in your arms. Want me to demonstrate?

Deedee I’m not clean enough for him. I’ve become a sort of pork chop.

Chili But his knees used to go weak at the sight of a bacon sarni. (To Shahid.) If Papa were alive, he’d have a fucking heart attack seeing you dressed like Ali Baba.

Shahid That’s who we are, bro! (To Deedee.) We don’t sit swigging wine all evening!

Deedee What alternative are you offering?

Chili And you two not even married yet …!

He picks up a beer and leaves. Pause.

Deedee It’s very original, the way you weave Scheherazade into your story. The Arabian Nights in Sevenoaks. No one’s written like this about England — you have a voice and a future, Shahid.

Shahid is speechless.

This is the new literature — when stories from elsewhere slice into conventional England. Rushdie showed there’s a gap in modern writing that can only be filled by stories like yours. You could be the real deal. You could be published by Faber and Faber and go to literary parties, accompanied by me.

Shahid Yeah?

Deedee If you don’t get distracted.

Shahid You look ravishing, you do.

Deedee Thank you.

Shahid Deedee …

She slips his kurta off and sits him on her sofa. Puts on some music and starts applying make-up to turn him androgynous, à la Prince. She talks as she works.

Deedee London was full of Arabs in the seventies. They thought they liked girls. Didn’t treat us badly but wouldn’t talk. So we’d sit in their apartments all night, snorting coke and waiting to be pointed at … Happiest day was being accepted for university. My old man said someone common like me didn’t deserve an education … Met Brownlow there. Off to picket lines, demonstrations and Greenham Common — activists together … When I think about how far I’ve come, I’m proud of what I’ve done.

Shahid Why are you sad, then?

Deedee Am I?

Shahid A little.

Deedee The price might have been too high … I gave up the possibility of children for what?

She invites him to parade.

Shahid Now?

Deedee There’s only now. Let’s see how well you know your Prince.

He parades to music from Prince’s Black Album.

Shahid (with a flourish, quoting Prince’s songs) Aw! Lovesexy! Baby I’m a Star!

Deedee Still like Prince? Your friend Chad?

Shahid U Got that Look …! Na — he’s Rockhard in a Funky Place.

Deedee (joining in the game) I knew him with a Raspberry Beret on his head.

Shahid (concerned) Condition of the Heart?

Deedee No. Sign o’ the Times. Purple Rain. He was a One Man Jam!

Shahid Hot Thing! That’s action to the max. Like when you were on picket lines.

Deedee Our cause was clearer then. We questioned. All authority. Religion.

Shahid (jibing) Now you teach post-colonial literature.

Deedee Thatcher’s worn everyone down. (Defiant.) So let’s just Dance to the Music of the World!

Shahid You Can Be My Teacher, driving a Little Red Corvette!

Deedee I Wanna Be your Lover!

Shahid Let’s do Le Grind!

Deedee Let’s Go Crazy!

They dance.

Shahid Can’t stay tonight.

She stops.

Deedee Why?

Shahid Brother action, you know.

Deedee No, I don’t.

Beat.

Shahid Riaz has seen a miracle.

Deedee Fuck!

Shahid Can’t you just make me come?

Beat.

Deedee You know what you want — that’s something at least. Would your friends say you’re a hypocrite, coming here for a fuck after God’s shown Riaz a miracle?

Shahid I do want to be with you.

Deedee There’s quicker ways to get relief.

Shahid Don’t put me off, Deedee.

Deedee Why not? Do you really understand what’s going on with Riaz?

Shahid Please, Deedee …

Deedee You want me — fine. What’re you going to do for me?

Shahid What do you want me to do?

Deedee Thinking for yourself will be a start. He’s using you for his own ends.

Shahid Aren’t you?

Deedee You came to me with your writing, remember? Do you want Riaz to destroy your creativity?

Shahid Why do you assume he’ll do that? He’s given me his poems to work on.

Deedee I don’t trust him.

Shahid You don’t like him.

Deedee He’s dangerous.

Shahid He needs me — I’m going back.

He picks up his jacket and exits.

Deedee (shouting after him) You’ve got to decide, Shahid — who really are your people?

Interval.