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Nothing But Ashes Adapted from William Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet Written & Directed by: Runcil Rebello Story: Runcil Rebello, Sabin Castelino Characters: Rafael Machado: Zeon D’souza Janelle Carvalho: Felicia Nazareth Titus Carvalho: Leroy Mendonca Maximilian (Max) Thomas: Francis Gomes Audrey Furtado: Rochelle Gomes Cedric Carvalho: Hansel Henriques Annie Carvalho: Goldie D’mello Ralph Machado: Jason D’souza Margaret Machado: Nedra Moraes Benjamin Machado: Alex Chettiar Fr. Lorenzo D’cruz: Sabin Castelino Rachel Colaco: Henrietta Fernandes Elaine Pinto: Brynel Coutinho Pablo Pinto: Jonathan D’souza Alice Machado: Dale D’souza Gracy Carvalho: Sansya Fernandes Simon Carvalho: Andrew D’souza Dr. Anne Augustine: Ninian Nunes Backstage:
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Nothing but ashes - the play

Nov 04, 2014

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a play on the lives of two star crossed lovers... Janelle Carvalho- a well educated girl and Rafael Machado - a roadside romeo... their family fights over a well and here they are in love... read on what happens when their families find out the truth..
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Transcript
Page 1: Nothing but ashes - the play

Nothing But Ashes

Adapted from William Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet

Written & Directed by:

Runcil Rebello

Story:

Runcil Rebello, Sabin Castelino

Characters:

Rafael Machado: Zeon D’souza

Janelle Carvalho: Felicia Nazareth

Titus Carvalho: Leroy Mendonca

Maximilian (Max) Thomas: Francis Gomes

Audrey Furtado: Rochelle Gomes

Cedric Carvalho: Hansel Henriques

Annie Carvalho: Goldie D’mello

Ralph Machado: Jason D’souza

Margaret Machado: Nedra Moraes

Benjamin Machado: Alex Chettiar

Fr. Lorenzo D’cruz: Sabin Castelino

Rachel Colaco: Henrietta Fernandes

Elaine Pinto: Brynel Coutinho

Pablo Pinto: Jonathan D’souza

Alice Machado: Dale D’souza

Gracy Carvalho: Sansya Fernandes

Simon Carvalho: Andrew D’souza

Dr. Anne Augustine: Ninian Nunes

Backstage:

Hayden Machado

Choreography:

Page 2: Nothing but ashes - the play

Veon Henriques

Sound:

Samuel D’mello

Lights:

Samuel D’mello

Score:

Bennet Chettiar

Page 3: Nothing but ashes - the play

Cue opening credits to Turn! Turn! Turn! by The Byrds.

Scene 1: Lights off. Once lights on, well in the center, two different colours. Something like two different courtyards around it, differently dressed up.

Characters: Audrey (voice), Rafael, Max, Titus, Benjamin, Simon, Gracy, Elaine, Alice, Rachel

Audrey (offstage):

Two families, separated by a well,

Lived in hatred since a time forgotten

Yet you’d never find someone to just tell

Their tale, how so complex it had gotten.

The well – the only sign of unity

Into two colours, the clans divided.

Things could never be peaceful and pretty,

Unless, into each other they married.

This point is where, you, the audience come in,

Meet Janelle and Rafael, the clans’ offspring.

Lost among themselves, in their families’ din

Once together, their hearts will only sing.

Bringing peace, for today and tomorrow,

Even if they end in joy or sorrow.

Benjamin is pulling water by the well and Alice is helping him. Rafael and Max are around talking. On the other side, Titus, Gracy and Simon are looking on.

Titus: Oh, wait. Wait, wait. You pulled water from our side of the well.

Benjamin: Your side? Haven’t you learnt that water flows? Or did you not pay attention at school?

Titus: Yes I did know that. What I’m saying is that you pulled the water when it was flowing in my side.

Alice: Ridiculous. Anyway, what will you do about it?

Simon: I suggest you put that water back where it belongs: our property.

Alice: You want the water back in your property?

Simon: Didn’t you hear once? Should he repeat once more?

Alice: No need. Here’s your water. (Alice takes the bucket from Benjamin and throws it on Titus.)

Things move quickly. Titus shouts and rushes off to get his koita. Max gets a koita too. Gracy and Simon get swords. Alice and Benjamin get swords too. Rafael is the only one who stands in his place. Fight scene ensues. Halfway through, Rafael has to join in. Fight is probably set to The Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop, which starts at the point Alice finishes her last dialogue. At the end of the fight, Elaine enters.

Elaine: Stop it! (No one listens, shouts louder) STOP! (Yet no one listens, decides to take water from the well and pours it on everyone. They stop.) Do you want to go to jail?

Page 4: Nothing but ashes - the play

Max: Not at all! That’s your home. Ours is here.

Elaine: Don’t you back-answer me!

Titus: Yes, Max. Hold that tongue of yours or Elaine here might cut it off.

Max: Hey Titus, why don’t you mind your own business eh? Oh wait, that’s because you don’t have any. (Rafael’s side laughs.)

Elaine: Enough! Titus, I shall talk to your father.

Titus: Oh well. He very much wants to meet you, you know, for other reasons.

Benjamin: What are these other reasons?

Gracy: You see, Mr and Ms Carvalho have a cordial relationship with Elaine here, unlike your parents, Benjamin.

Benjamin: Hey, mind what you speak!

Elaine: Shut up! Simon, no, I don’t share any special relationship with Cedric and Annie. I need to speak to them about such misgivings. Now Titus, come with me. And get Gracy and Simon along. Don’t want no more fights. Or it’s the jail for all of you. (Elaine takes all of them in.)

Max: Arre, kya beep beep insaan hai yaar!

Benjamin: Arre leave it. Elaine has her hands deep in Carvalho’s pockets.

Alice: Looks like you don’t know the entire issue.

Max: What issue?

Alice: Haven’t you heard? Janelle is back.

Max: Who’s Janelle?

Rafael: Titus’ sister.

Max: Didn’t know he had a sister.

Alice: Hardly anyone does. You came here recently. But we ourselves haven’t seen her for ten odd years now. She was sent to another city for college, and guess she continued working there too. And she’s back now.

Benjamin: Anyway, screw all that. What does Elaine have to do with her?

Alice: Arre, dumbos. She’s of marriageable age. And Elaine has a younger brother Pablo?

Max: Ooohhh. No wonder she never does anything to them. Anyway, forget that. What does this girl look like?

Alice groans.

Max: Oh, come on. I’m not asking for me. I’m asking for Mr. Roadside Romeo here. (points to Rafael)

Rafael: Oh, thank you, my dear friend. I would have been loveless without… (Interrupted by Rachel walking in.)

Rafael: Oh my! Rachel!

La la la music plays in background. Everything goes in slow motion, except Rachel. Rafael running to her. She gets impatient.

Rachel: Now, will you hurry up? I’m getting late for mass. (Everything goes back to normal. Rafael rushes to her.)

Rafael: Oh meri jaanemann, oh meri chammak challo, oh meri dilruba, oh meri…

Rachel: Bas bas. If you don’t stop now, you might even call me Munni Badnaam and Sheila Jawaan, and I don’t know what not. Tell me what’s up.

Page 5: Nothing but ashes - the play

Rafael: Arre, nothing yaar.

Rachel: Nothing? Then I’m going. Getting late for 7 pm mass.

Rafael: Arre. Wait no. I wanted to ask you something.

Rachel: Ask no.

Rafael: Sharam aa rahi hai.

Rachel: Oh my. Listen, tell me quick otherwise I’ll miss entrance hymn. Today they’re singing my favourite Ring Out Your Joy.

Rafael: Okay. (Hesitates a lot. Moves around a lot.) WillYouGoWithMeToTheChristmasBall?

Rachel: What?

Rafael: WillYouGoWithMeTo…

Rachel: Wait, slow.

Rafael (very slowly): Will you go with me to the Christmas ball?

Rachel: Ohhh. The Christmas Ball… Well, uhm… (Looks at watch.) Oh. I have to run. I’ll get late, bye.

Rafael: Okay bye.

Max: Dude, you’re trying too hard!

Rafael: Arre, she’ll say yes re, you see!

Alice: When re? The Ball’s after Midnight mass tomorrow. And only couple entry. You know that no?

Rafael: Yes, I know everything. You see, I’ll make a grand entry with Rachel tomorrow and everyone will just be staring in awe at us.

Max: Okay. (Everyone goes off, while Rafael basks in his daydreaming. He finally opens his eyes and runs after them. Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Rafael (voice): Idiotes. Left me there alone! Anyway, I do want to know who this girl is. Janelle.

Max (voice): Ek se dil nahi bhara? Rachel + Janelle, combo offer or what?

Rafael (voice): Arre, no men.

Benjamin (voice): Maybe you should keep your distance.

Rafael (voice): Of course I will. I know better than to like anyone from that family.

Max (voice): Even if you do like her, it’s no use. The big boss of our village has already set her eyes on Janelle for her little brother. Anyway, better to avoid, no? Why die loving someone?

Rafael (voice): So many have died hating each other here, would be refreshing if someone died by loving.

Max (voice): Such a lovefool.

End of Scene.

Page 6: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 2: A posh room. Sofa, paintings, whiskey glasses on table with bottle

Characters: Cedric and Annie Carvalho, Titus, Elaine, Audrey, Janelle (voice)

Elaine: You do realise, Mr. Carvalho, that this gundagiri can’t work. You have a name.

Cedric: Arre, naam se kya hota hai Elaine? I feel you’re scared for other reasons.

Elaine: What other reasons?

Titus (still wet): As if you don’t know.

Annie: Titus!

Cedric: I think you should go dry yourself, son. (Titus doesn’t move.) Titus, will you go or do you want beating with the cane I brought from Bandra Fair this year? (Titus leaves.)

Elaine (in shock): You really hit him with canes? At this age?

Cedric: Maybe you should stop asking questions that are not about you.

Elaine: Sorry, sir.

Cedric: Haha! Cheer up, I’m kidding. So tell me, what were you saying about these kids?

Elaine: Too many fights, sir. Cause problems everywhere. Why don’t you stop them?

Annie: But Ms. Elaine, why don’t you tell the Machados too? Today it was that girl from their family who threw water.

Elaine: I will speak to them too, but thought I’d meet you first because…

Annie: Because?

Elaine: Because we could be relatives if Janelle accepts Pablo’s proposal.

A sound is heard offstage. Everyone looks in that direction.

Janelle (voice): And don’t come in here wet again, Titus! This is my room, understand? Idiote.

Cedric: Now, now. You really think Janelle will say yes to Pablo? (Elaine doesn’t say anything.) See, Elaine, you are a dear friend. But we’d like to give Janelle her space. She’s still young.

Elaine: With all due respect, sir. She’s of marriageable age.

Cedric: Well, and who are you to decide that she can be married? She’s my daughter and she’ll decide when and whom she wants to get married to.

Annie: Yes!

Elaine (rising up): Okay, sir. That’s fine by me. I hope we can reach some conclusion. Meanwhile, please solve your problems in whispers rather than with koitas. (Starts walking to the door)

Cedric: Elaine. (Elaine turns around.) Aise chhote chhote gaanvon mein, aisi badi badi cheezein hoti rehti hai. (Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Audrey (voice): And so Christmas that year came with all its festivities, with the scent of probable love, stench of hatred and the promise of an unknown partnership in the air. Of course, no one knew that Christmas night would change the lives of the two families.

End Of Scene.

Page 7: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 3: Outdoors. Benjamin and Rafael waiting outside in suits, impatient.

Characters: Max, Benjamin, Rafael,

Rafael: Where is Max? Please call him ya!

Benjamin: I’ve tried, men! He’s not picking up only. What to do?

Rafael: Such an ass. Next time, we’re not listening to his 5 minutes talk, and we’re picking him up from his home, even if he’s only in his undergarments. (Max comes running.)

Max: Hey guys, good to see you both on time for once. (Starts moving right in.)

Rafael: Hey, wait a minute.

Max: What? We don’t wanna get late for the party, do we now?

Rafael: Excuse me? You’re the one who made us late.

Max: Hey, cool it, okay. We’re on time. The party begins when I enter the party.

Benjamin: Yes, of course. You’ll dance like Michael Jackson and John Travolta and Prabhu Deva and that Gangnam fellow combined na, but us? We’re such terrible dancers ya.

Max: Arre, what you’re saying ya? Y’all can dance too!

Benjamin: Na.

Rafael: Not as good as you, man!

Max (in shock): Not as good as me? (claps hands) Listen to me guys, because I will not repeat again.

You can dance, and so can you.

There isn’t a single dance you guys cannot do!

Dance is slippery, dance is sleek,

It is for the mighty brave and the humble meek.

Express yourself, flow, jump around, glow!

Dance fast, dance slow, but leave them wanting more.

Dance alone, dance duo, dance in groups

Dance in frocks, heels, or birthday suits!

Out of breath at the end of it, tired yet fun

Leave inhibitions, fire on all guns!

My friend, this could be your very last chance,

My friend, this could be your very last dance!

(Rafael and Benjamin stare at him in surprise and then burst out laughing.)

Rafael: Abey, rulayega kya pagle? Chal, now phekuchand, don’t praise yourself so much. We know how much you know to dance. Now tell how do you intend to get us in without partners?

Max: Y’all never listen to me at all. Anyway, doorkeeper is my mother’s student re. I’ll threaten him that my mother will fail him. All sorted, man! (Rafael and Benjamin look on, wide-eyed.) Let’s go now. (Max goes in. Rafael behind him. Benjamin stops him.)

Benjamin: Arre, Rafael.

Page 8: Nothing but ashes - the play

Rafael: What happened yaar?

Benjamin: Apna Max toh is an orphan. (Realisation dawns upon Rafael.) Then how can his mother teach anyone?

Rafael: Tujhe wapas banaya. (Benjamin shows surprise.) And today is Christmas, not even April Fool’s. Kya yaar, chal now.

End of Scene.

Page 9: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 4: Hall. Party. Christmas Ball

Characters: Max, Benjamin, Rafael, Janelle, Titus, Rachel, Pablo, Audrey, Dancers,

Max (dramatic): Finally in. Now to find the dance floor.

Benjamin (dramatic): Now to find the food.

Rafael (dramatic): Now to find the Rachel…. Er, I mean, Rachel! (Max and Benjamin look at each other. They hold him back.)

Benjamin: You know what you’re doing, right?

Max: Normally, I’d not stop you, but this girl doesn’t give me good vibes. Are you sure she likes you, man?

Rafael: Of course, she likes me. What kind of a dumb question is that?

Max: Just. She doesn’t seem interested in you.

Rafael: No, you’re mistaken. She’s a townie. You can’t read her properly.

Max: What’s a townie?

Benjamin: Arre, means she’s from Colaba, Mazgone, Dadar, that side area.

Rafael: Hey, it’s Da-Duh.

Benjamin: Okay, village boy fallen for a Da-Duh girl!

Rafael: I think I should stop talking with y’all and find… There she is! (Rachel comes walking in, bubbly. As she walks, all guys turn to look at her, and all girls look in jealousy.) Now is my chance. (He comes ahead.) Stop! (Silence everywhere.) DJ, music!

Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl starts playing. Half the song, he’s trying to woo Rachel with Max dancing and singing along. Midway through the song, Rachel leaves with Titus. And towards the end of the song, he sets his eyes on Janelle, who is initially being talked to by Pablo. Audrey is with her. It’s love at first sight. As the song ends, he takes Max’s drink and offers it to Janelle. The Corrs’ Runaway.

Rafael: You’re a beautiful lady.

Janelle: Ah! I know. (smiles) Oh, and you’re handsome too.

Rafael: Thank you. Are you new here? I’ve never seen you before.

Janelle: Not really new. Just been away. Nothing much has changed from what I’ve gathered.

Rafael: No, this place is stuck in time. Stuck to its rules, culture, tradition, though that’s not always a bad thing, actually.

Janelle: Of course not. But things need a little shaking up, don’t you think?

Rafael: Maybe.

Janelle: Maybe? Don’t you want a newer, better town?

Rafael: What’s wrong with what we have?

Janelle: Have you ever travelled widely?

Rafael: I was at college in town.

Janelle: And? Besides that?

Rafael: That’s basically it.

Janelle: No wonder. Travel! That’s the secret to everything. You think your home is everything, when in actuality you’re just a drop in the ocean. Open your eyes, maybe you’ll see!

Page 10: Nothing but ashes - the play

Rafael: Who are you?

Janelle: Really want to know?

Rafael: Of course!

Janelle: Then, come, follow me. Too many people will see me here. I stay by the well. I’ll meet you there. (Leaves him and walks away. Rafael is left looking surprised and confused. Max approaches him with two drinks.)

Max: Who’s that? You really hit it off with her, man!

Rafael: Hold my coat, man. See you later. (Audrey approaches Max.)

Audrey: Hey, your friend was dancing with my friend. Where did they run off to?

Max: I really don’t know. But I wouldn’t mind running off with you.

Audrey: Oh my…

Max: Hey, at least a dance? (Pablo comes to him.)

Pablo: Hey, where did Janelle and your friend go?

Audrey: The same place where I’m going. Away from you. (Audrey leaves)

Max: Sorry dude. Here, have a drink, next time you try dancing on song. It impresses the womankind. (Max leaves too. Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Rafael (voice): This girl did not even tell me which well. How do I find her? Why does my life always revolve around wells?

End of Scene.

Page 11: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 5: Well.

Characters: Rafael, Janelle, Annie

Janelle is waiting by the well. Rafael comes tired.

Janelle: How long?

Rafael: Hey, I know you said you haven’t been here for long, but that doesn’t mean there’s just one well here. I roamed the entire village searching for you.

Janelle: Oh. I’m sorry. But you went to that length for me? I thought you would give up.

Rafael: Not so easily. (smiles) So where were you all these years?

Janelle: I studied in Calcutta. Got a job there too, immediately after college. Then even shifted to Bangalore for a couple years for another job, and have come back home now.

Rafael: That must be a very long time.

Janelle: Of course, but it was an all-new world out there. Something new to discover every day. Better than being stuck here and going through a routine.

Rafael: Hey, it’s not that bad. And anyway, why did you come back then?

Janelle: Because I was missing home, missing the routine.

Rafael: You’re weird.

Janelle: What do you do?

Rafael: Family business.

Janelle: Oh, a lot of people over here are into family businesses. Even my brother.

Rafael: Who’s your brother?

Janelle: You may not know him. Titus.

Rafael: Okay… Wait, who Titus? Titus Carvalho?

Janelle: Uhm, yes.

Rafael: So you’re Janelle Carvalho?

Janelle: Yes, very much. How do you…

Rafael: A plague on your house! You’re of the rival family!

Janelle: Can you keep your voice down? Don’t want my people coming out.

Rafael: Oh yea, neither do I. They’ll behead me after they see me with you.

Janelle: But why? Who are you?

Rafael: I’m Rafael. Rafael Machado. (points to his house behind)

Janelle: Oh, you’re the one who fought with my brother that day.

Rafael: Yes, you can say that.

Janelle: Oh, that’s good. Need someone to poke some sense into his head.

Rafael: Er, what?

Janelle: Yea, Titus is a hot-headed idiote. Like my parents for that matter. I mean, who fights over a well. It’s just so stupid.

Page 12: Nothing but ashes - the play

Rafael: What do you mean “who fights over a well”? It’s a matter of family and honour and worth so many generations!

Janelle: And why does that matter? Dust we are and to dust we shall return. We’re nothing but ashes and in the end we won’t take anything along with us except the relationships we had.

Rafael (cautiously): You’re Titus’ sister only, no? Or is this some scheme to get me caught? Are there CCTV cameras here? (looks around)

Janelle (laughs): No yaar. Come on. There’s always a black sheep in the family. I’m the one in mine. (smiles)

Rafael: Sigh. I had to go and fall for the daughter of my family’s enemy?

Janelle: Oh-ho. Fallen for my charms, have you? Well, I haven’t fallen for you.

Rafael: That doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.

Janelle: On the risk of your own life. You don’t blame me if my brother and father land up at your home with koitas and swords.

Rafael: Oh, I’ll handle them, you…

Annie (voice, offstage): Why is Janelle not picking up my call? (Rafael hides behind the well.)

Janelle: I really want to see how you’ll handle yourself. Anyway, I have to go.

Rafael: Oh yea. I should go too. I’ll somehow get in touch with you. Maybe throw chits from my window to yours…

Janelle: Uhm, wow. That’s so smart. How about you just add me on Facebook?

Rafael: Oh… Oh yea.

Annie (voice, offstage): Cedric, I’m going to see where she is.

Janelle: Bye, then.

Rafael: Bye. (Janelle’s door opens. Janelle quickly turns around. Rafael crawls.)

Annie: So there you are. Why weren’t you picking my call?

Janelle: Was coming home, na mumma. (Annie moves in. Janelle at the edge, turns around. Rafael at his edge turns around. Both say bye.)

End of Scene.

Page 13: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 6: Montage.

Characters: Rafael, Janelle, Max, Benjamin, Audrey, Cedric, Ralph, Margaret, Titus, Rachel, Pablo

A montage set to The Turtles’ So Happy Together. Show scenes of them sitting on a laptop opposite each other typing and acting out at the same time. Them meeting: Audrey also meeting Max and Benjamin. Whenever Rafael and Janelle meet, the three of them would keep watch so that if anyone enters, they can hide them. Meanwhile, also show that parents are still fighting. Yet Rafael is a little adamant to fight Titus now.

End of Scene.

Page 14: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 7: Carvalho’s Home

Characters: Cedric, Annie, Pablo, Elaine, Titus, Janelle, Simon, Gracy, Audrey

Cedric, Annie, Janelle and Titus are seated along with Elaine and Pablo for lunch. Gracy and Simon are standing at the side.

Cedric: It is good to have such a lunch together, isn’t it?

Elaine: Of course, Mr. Carvalho.

Annie: How’s the food?

Pablo: Excellent, aunty.

Elaine: Haven’t tasted such good food in a long, long time.

Annie: Add a little salt to the salad. Will make it even better.

Elaine: Sure.

Annie: Arre Pablo, have more of these cutlets. Made it myself.

Janelle: Means the cooks made everything else? (awkward silence)

Annie: Of course not, my dear daughter. I helped them.

While Janelle eats, Elaine makes signs to Cedric. Cedric makes reluctant signs to Elaine.

Elaine: Janelle, do you have a boyfriend? (Janelle chokes on her food.)

Janelle: What?

Elaine: No, am just asking. It’s your age…

Janelle: My age to what?

Elaine: Get married?

Janelle: So says a woman who’s elder to me by fifteen odd years and isn’t married herself.

Cedric: Janelle.

Elaine: Arre, I was just being curious.

Janelle: Curiosity kills the cat, Ms. Elaine.

Elaine: Of course. Of course. No, I was just wondering because Pablo himself is of marriageable age…

Janelle: Then Pablo can speak for himself. (Everyone shifts in their places.)

Pablo: Elaine, let’s go from here.

Janelle: Why, what happened? Namak kam pad gaya? (Gets up and leaves.)

Cedric: I’m sorry, Ms. Elaine, but I told you that it’s futile.

Elaine: It’s fine, Mr. Carvalho. It’s fine. (Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Audrey (voice): Of course, that set the alarm bells ringing for Janelle. She immediately set up a meeting with the boy, with all of us in tow.

End of Scene.

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Scene 8: Closed room.

Characters: Rafael, Janelle, Audrey, Benjamin, Max

Scene divided into two. One side: Benjamin, Max, Audrey. The other, Rafael and Janelle. Max enters on the side where Audrey and Benjamin are waiting.

Max: Hey.

Benjamin: Hello. (Audrey lifts a hand.)

Max: What’s going on? Where are Rafael and Janelle?

Audrey: In the room. Discussing something.

Max: What? (Lights shift to the other side.)

Janelle: I want to talk about where we are headed.

Rafael: Uhm, I can’t see any suitcases around, so I don’t think we’re headed anywhere.

Janelle: Rafael, I’m talking about our relationship.

Rafael: Oh, okay. What about it?

Janelle: I’m old. You’re old. I think we should marry.

Rafael (in exaggerated shock): I’m old? (Lights shift to the other side.)

Benjamin: Well, sooner or later they’d have to do something about it. They are of marriageable age.

Audrey: Yea, and it’s been a year of dating. That’s good.

Benjamin: I don’t know. I feel one year is too less.

Audrey: Dude, arranged marriage couples get only one or two months!

Max: Hey, forget all that! I’ll be Best Man! (to Audrey) You can be Bridesmaid. We’ll get to dance together. (Lights shift.)

Janelle: Leave the silly things aside. We need to take a decision.

Rafael: Okay, we could do three things.

Janelle: Let’s hear it.

Rafael: One, break up. (Janelle gives an angry look.) Which is obviously not something we’re considering.

Janelle: Good. You just saved yourself from having a broken head.

Rafael: Thanks. Second, we can run away. And third… (Lights shift.)

Max: I wanna go to the washroom. (Lights shift.)

Janelle: Go on.

Rafael: …we tell our parents we wanna marry. (Lights shift.)

Benjamin: I think these guys should run away, or you know, all of us will be killed with koitas.

Audrey: Uhm, we three will be killed with koitas even if they run away alone. We would need to run too.

Benjamin: Oh yeah. Right. (Lights shift.)

Janelle: We need professional help.

Rafael: We need someone who’s helped people like us out before. (Lights shift.)

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Max: They’ve been inside too long. I think we should go in and help them. (Lights shuffle on both sides. Max, Audrey and Benjamin get up and walk towards the other side. Just as they enter, Rafael and Janelle get up.)

Rafael: Guys, we’ve decided…

Max: Yes?

Janelle: …that we need help.

Benjamin: Yes?

Rafael: And that’s why we’re going to ask…

Max: Yes?

Janelle: Fr. Lorenzo.

Max, Audrey, Benjamin: Who? (Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Rafael (voice): Fr. Lorenzo, yaar.

Max (voice): But why are you going to a priest?

Janelle (voice): Because he’s, uhm, experienced?

Max (voice): But I’m experienced too!

Audrey (voice): In drinking and dancing!

Max (voice): I never get my due, man.

Rafael (voice): You’ll get to drink at my wedding. That’s enough for you. Idiote.

End of Scene.

Page 17: Nothing but ashes - the play

Scene 9: A room.

Characters: Fr. Lorenzo, Rafael, Janelle

Fr. Lorenzo is seated in a chair, reading a book in the center of his room. Someone knocks on the door. Fr. gets up to open it.

Fr, Lorenzo: Oh my! Rafael, aaj tum yahaan ka rasta kaise bhul gaye?

Rafael: Arre, Fr. What no?

Fr. Lorenzo: Come in, come in.

Rafael: Thank you, Fr. (Rafael enters.)

Fr. Lorenzo: Sit down. (Rafael takes a seat.) What brings you here today?

Rafael: My girlfriend does.

Fr. Lorenzo: And that would be?

Rafael: The one who’ll be knocking on your backdoor… (A knock is heard again. Fr. Lorenzo gets up to go open the door on the other side.)

Fr. Lorenzo: Aren’t you Cedric and Annie Carvalho’s daughter?

Janelle: Yes Fr. I’m Janelle.

Fr, Lorenzo: And you both are dating?

Janelle: Is that against the law?

Fr. Lorenzo: No, of course not. This is a miracle.

Rafael, Janelle: Yes Fr.

Fr. Lorenzo: I’m surprised you aren’t dead yet.

Janelle: Well, actually that’s the reason we’re here.

Fr. Lorenzo: I’m quite shocked. There your family fights over a well, when this Church needs one for water, and here you are in love. Sit down please. (All three sit.)

Rafael: Fr., we want to marry.

Fr. Lorenzo: Maybe if I go buy a lottery ticket now, I might win.

Janelle: Fr…

Fr. Lorenzo: Children, what’s the problem? Go ahead and marry.

Rafael: Our parents don’t know yet. And if we do tell them, we’ll be killed, I guess.

Fr. Lorenzo: However sad and inhuman that may sound, I can’t help but deny that that’s true.

Janelle: Our other option is to run away.

Fr. Lorenzo: I wouldn’t encourage that.

Rafael: Fr., if I have to choose between running away and getting killed, I definitely wouldn’t choose getting killed, you know?

Fr. Lorenzo: So you have your answer then.

Rafael: Fr.! Is there no way to talk to our parents and not get killed?

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Janelle: Actually, Rafael. I can talk to my parents, and they wouldn’t say anything to me. I’ll even take Audrey along for support. You’ll have to think about something for yourself.

Fr. Lorenzo: I have an idea, but I don’t know if it’ll work.

Janelle: What is it?

Fr. Lorenzo: Suppose I go along with Rafael when he tells at his home?

Janelle: Then they might kill Rafael and you as well.

Rafael: But if anything has a shot of me not dying, this is it. I doubt my parents would harm a priest. Anyway, they love Fr. Lorenzo.

Fr. Lorenzo: Is that so?

Rafael: Yes, they say you’re nice because you give only 5 minute sermons.

Fr. Lorenzo: That’s reassuring.

End of Scene.

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Scene 10: Two families’ homes. Split-stage. Janelle has to wear a long skirt in this scene.

Characters: Annie, Cedric, Titus, Gracy, Simon, Audrey, Janelle, Rafael, Benjamin, Max, Margaret, Ralph, Alice, Fr. Lorenzo

Audrey (voice): Star-crossed lovers. Such a beautiful phrase. Sadly, it has terrible consequences, even more so when these words apply to Rafael and Janelle.

Rafael: I have called you here today…

Janelle: …to tell you about an important decision that I have taken.

Rafael: This is about my life. So I could just go ahead without telling you.

Janelle: But I care about you. So here I am.

Ralph: But Fr. Lorenzo, why are you here?

Fr. Lorenzo: For moral support.

Cedric: Okay, go on.

Rafael: I am dating someone.

Janelle: Been dating that person for a year now.

Rafael: And that person is…

Janelle: Rafael Machado. (Both sides go up in shock, surprise and anger instantaneously.)

Margaret: How could you fall for their daughter?

Titus: That son of a Machado steals all our water!

Ralph: Their daughter wears the shortest skirts.

Annie: He always hangs out with those flirts.

Margaret: To cook, does she even have a clue?

Cedric: He isn’t even educated enough for you.

Fr. Lorenzo: Now, now. Please keep all your years of enmity aside, please.

Audrey: Anyway, you don’t have to live with Rafael. Janelle has to.

Rafael: And the best part will be that…

Janelle: …both our families will get to use the well without any problems.

Ralph: Do you know for how many generations we have been fighting for what is rightfully ours?

Cedric: And should we give that up now?

Margaret: What will people say?

Annie: How will we show our face at church every Sunday?

Ralph: What will be our standing in society?

Cedric: The respect that we have earned over time will all be in dust!

Rafael: But respect doesn’t come with age…

Janelle: …it has to be earned, just like a Bournville.

Rafael: And how does it matter what respect you have…

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Janelle: …if you only spread hatred, division and enmity.

Titus: Janelle, do you know what you are saying?

Fr. Lorenzo: What is said is right, actually.

Janelle: And much more sensible than your mind will ever be able to comprehend, my brother.

Ralph: That’s that. You may leave now, Rafael. No need for you to call this place your home. This is the end.

Titus: The end of him.

Titus immediately leaves the house, followed by Gracy and Simon. Rafael comes out from the other side, along with Max and Benjamin, Fr. Lorenzo stays inside. Titus immediately removes his koita and goes to attack Rafael. Max enters the scene with his koita.

Janelle: Stop!

Titus: Fight like a man, Rafael.

Rafael: Wait, let me get this straight. If I don’t fight, I’m not a man? What?

Titus: Uhm… JUST GET YOUR KOITA READY!

Rafael: No way. I want my future brother-in-law to attend my wedding ya!

Titus surges forward, and Max comes in his way again. Max throws Titus’ koita away with his own and holds his own koita up Titus’ neck.

Max: Try it again, smartie, and you may not have a hand to try anything again.

Titus moves back, turns around, quickly puts his hand into his pocket, removes a knife, turns and stabs Max, who, by then had grown complacent.

Titus: Maybe now Rafael will fight.

Rafael quickly goes and hits Titus furiously. Titus does not get a chance at all to retaliate. Benjamin yanks Rafael off Max with difficulty.

Benjamin: Forget him. We have to get Max to the hospital. (Rafael reluctantly leaves, slowly realising that they could save Max. Benjamin and Ralph lift Max. Rafael helps a little. As they are getting off-stage, he comes back to the Carvalho family that is tending to Titus.)

Rafael: Put him in our car.

Simon: What? You hit him first so badly, and now… (launches himself at Rafael, Rafael gives him one back.)

Rafael: I want you to attend my wedding too. Now put him in my car.

Simon: No thanks. We will get him in our own car.

Rafael: Fine. See you in the ICU. (Rafael walks offstage. Remaining dialogues offstage.)

Rafael (voice): I’m sorry Janelle. I could not stop myself.

Janelle (voice): I understand. I hate my brother for this. I hope nothing happens to Max.

Rafael (voice): Nothing will. He has to be my Best Man. He can’t leave just like this.

End of Scene.

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Scene 11: Hospital. Waiting room. Most of the two families are seated. Janelle is with Rafael and therefore both of them are away from their families. The families are seated quietly. The doctor comes out from one end.

Characters: Annie, Cedric, Titus, Audrey, Janelle, Rafael, Benjamin, Max, Margaret, Ralph, Elaine, Dr. Anne Augustine, Fr. Lorenzo

Margaret: Dr., how is Maximilian?

Annie: And Titus?

Dr. Augustine: Please be patient. We’re doing our work. (goes back in)

Janelle: It had to come to this. Years of enmity borne by blood will always end in blood.

Annie: Janelle! Shut up. You went and fell for this loafer. This foolish person!

Margaret: Hey, mind what you say. You’re talking about my son. (Doctor comes out.)

Dr. Augustine: Can you please keep quiet? This is a hospital, not a classroom or a fish market. (Dr. leaves)

Rafael: Thank you mumma, but I’ll handle it.

Margaret: Yes, of course. Now you’ve suddenly grown up and will take all decisions by yourself. The family is nothing.

Fr. Lorenzo: Well, it is written in the Bible that a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one.

Ralph: Fr., I really respect you, but why are you supporting this lost cause?

Fr. Lorenzo: Lost cause? Mr. Machado, and in fact every one of you, please get it into your heads that I am proud of Rafael and Janelle. You know they could have just chosen to run away, but no, they decided to stay back and tell you, because they cared about you. But you all are still stuck with your old enmity and not ready to look beyond. Open your eyes and see. (Everyone stays quiet. Dr. comes out. Elaine enters at the same time.)

Dr. Augustine: Okay, firstly Titus will be fine. But… Max is no more. (Rafael breaks down, Benjamin comforts him. Janelle wants to go too, but her mother, closest to her, holds her hand.) I’m sorry. (pats Rafael’s shoulder. Goes back in.)

Elaine: So a death has happened, eh? I told you people to stop fighting but you never understand. Anyway, since I wasn’t there, can anyone tell me who was responsible for his death? It can’t be his best friend Rafael surely, or Benjamin… Let me look at the other side. Titus?

Cedric: Elaine. Listen, you can’t do this.

Elaine: What am I doing, Mr Carvalho? So anyway, Titus did it, eh?

Rafael: No! (Everyone looks in shock towards Rafael.) Titus didn’t do it.

Elaine: Really. So who did?

Rafael: He tripped while fighting with Titus and his own knife pierced him.

Elaine: How should I believe you?

Rafael: Why would I lie? To save these idiots’ skins? I’d rather they burn in hell.

Elaine: And what happened to Titus?

Rafael: I hit him in anger. (Elaine turns to Fr. Lorenzo.)

Elaine: You’re the priest. You’ll not lie. What happened there?

Fr. Lorenzo: I don’t know. I wasn’t witness to the fight.

Elaine: Why are you taking their side, Fr.?

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Fr. Lorenzo: I don’t take any sides. The truth is before you. You want to put someone in because of some grudge. That’s the problem with all of you. Grudges, hatred, enmity… Why don’t you just leave it all behind? (Silence)

Elaine (ponders): I’ll take your word, and your leave. (Elaine leaves. Janelle leaves her mother and comes to Rafael.)

End of Scene.

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Scene 12: A closed room.

Characters: Rafael, Janelle, Fr. Lorenzo, Audrey, Max

Janelle: Why did you do it? Why did you forgive him?

Rafael: He made a mistake!

Janelle: A mistake? He killed your best friend.

Rafael: I know. But as they say, you know, to err is human, to forgive divine…

Janelle: How!

Fr. Lorenzo: I don’t know if what Rafael has done here is right or wrong. But as Jesus said ‘Those who live by the sword die by it.’

Rafael: Yes. I had a chance to finally stop the bloodshed taking place over centuries. I seized it.

Janelle: I don’t know…

Rafael: Max could only die a martyr, the good soul that he is. Nobody’s child, an orphan, yet belonged to everyone…

Janelle: You know he wanted to be your best man, right? (Silence. Lights go off, everyone goes still, except Rafael. Max appears)

Rafael: You had to go early, na?

Max: Hey man. Don’t cry. I don’t like sad endings.

Rafael: Who’s asking you? You’re the one making us sad.

Max: Hey, shut up. Respect the dead, man! I died so that you two could marry. Now go marry her and have cute kids and name one of them Maximilian.

Rafael: You haven’t lost your sense of humour even now.

Max: Even now? What’s different? I’m always there. (Spotlight off. Back to normal.)

Rafael: When should we marry?

Janelle (surprised): Whenever you’re ready.

Audrey: What about your parents?

Rafael: We did our job. They’ll come around, sooner or later.

Janelle: They will.

End of Scene.

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Scene 13: Graveyard. Max will be in the grave/coffin. Titus, Cedric and Annie pour mud. Next Alice and Benjamin go ahead. Ralph and Margaret follow, then Elaine, with Rafael and Janelle coming in last. They lower the coffin.

Characters: Ralph, Margaret, Benjamin, Cedric, Annie, Titus, Alice, Rafael, Janelle, Max, Audrey, Elaine

Rafael: Before we leave, we’d like to tell you that we’re getting married a month from now.

Janelle: And we’d like you to come for the wedding.

Cedric: So you won’t stop because we disagree about this?

Janelle: Not at all.

Cedric: Fine. You can do what you want but don’t show your face in my house again. I wish I had accepted Pablo’s proposal for you.

Ralph: First you forgave that fool there (points at Titus) and now this. Would Max want this?

Rafael: Max was my friend. He knew about us from the very start. Of course he’d want this.

Max (voice, breezy): Yes. (Everyone shocked.)

Alice (hesitant): What was that?

Titus: I don’t know.

Fr. Lorenzo: Maybe it’s just a sign from above. (everyone looks at him)

Max (voice, breezy): It’s a voice from below, actually.

Audrey: He’s really dead, right?

Ralph: Let’s finish this and leave.

They finish the burial and begin to leave. Titus waits back, and so do Rafael and Janelle by the grave. Titus walks up to Rafael.

Titus: I want to speak to you. (Rafael looks up at him.)

Janelle: Will you be fine? (Rafael nods his head.)

Titus: I’m not the kind to do this, but… I’m sorry. Forgive me, Rafael. I wasn’t in my senses that day.

Rafael: Are you really feeling sad, or is this because I saved your life?

Titus: No, no. I am depressed...

Max (cutting in): Lies!

Titus: Okay fine. Yes, it’s also partly because you saved me, but I do know what I have done with Max is wrong. (pause)

Rafael: I forgive you, Titus. (Titus looks up, relieved.) But there is a small price you will have to pay.

Titus: What’s that?

Rafael: Over to you, Max.

Max: My ghostly self will be making a lot of visits to you at night. Be prepared, my friend.

Titus: Is this really necessary? I mean, he’s not even Casper or Bhootnath. (Rafael leaves.) Hey, don’t leave me alone with Max here.

Max (voice, breezy, whispery): Don’t worry Titus, wherever you go, I follow, like faithful kuttas.

End of Scene.

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Scene 14: Church. Wedding.

Characters: Annie, Cedric, Titus, Gracy, Simon, Audrey, Janelle, Rafael, Benjamin, Margaret, Ralph, Alice, Fr. Lorenzo, Rachel, Max (voice)

Audrey (before lights come on, voice only): And this is how the story ends, with a marriage. Shouldn’t all stories end with marriages? Everyone’s happy. Of course though, this one wasn’t a normal one. As soon as Rafael and Janelle made it public that they were going to marry, news spread like wild-fire, like it does in small villages like ours.

Few people will be standing randomly on the stage. One whispering into another’s. The second goes to third, third to fourth and so on.

Audrey: And then when the time for marriage did come... Let’s just say, it wasn’t the simple ceremony…

Rafael and Janelle dressed in marriage dress at the altar. Priest reading to them. Audrey on one side (bridesmaid), Benjamin on other (Best Man).

Fr. Lorenzo: You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide. We shall now have the exchange of rings.

Suddenly the Carvalho and Machado family walks in together from opposite directions.

Ralph (dramatic): Yeh shaadi nahi ho sakti!

Titus (laughs): So Bollywood!

Cedric (turning to him, slaps him): Shut up, fool. We want to say the same thing. (to the couple) Yeh shaadi nahi ho sakti!

Audrey: What?

Alice: You didn’t understand? Okay, let me say it in different languages. In English, “This marriage can’t happen.” In Marathi, “He lagna hou shakat naahi.” In Konkani, “He cazaar zaunk zaina.” In Tamil, “Inthe kalyanam nedkathe.” And in Bhojpuri, “Ee biyah nahi ho sakat.”

Janelle: You all came right on time. What if we had exchanged rings, we would have been married by then.

Ralph: Well, yea. We thought the mass was at 9:30…

Annie: At least we’re here on time. So we can halt this marriage.

Margaret: Yes, let’s stop this!

Rafael: For once, both the families are on the same side. Astonishing. (Both families thrown in confusion.)

Cedric: You’re right. This can’t be. I say, this wedding should happen. (everyone in silence.)

Annie: Yes, this wedding should happen.

Titus: Yes, this wedding should happen. (pause) Even though I hate Rafael.

Ralph: Hmm. Then I’ll also be fine with the marriage if they give us the well in dowry!

Rafael: Daddy!

Margaret: Ssshh, Rafael, let daddy handle this.

Cedric: Never! If we can’t have that well, neither can you.

Janelle: In that case, I have a better suggestion.

Cedric, Ralph, Margaret, Annie: What?

Rafael: Why fight over something that someone else can benefit from?

Janelle: Let’s donate the well to the church in thanksgiving. The church needs one, anyway. (Everyone thinks.)

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Margaret: But will our name be announced in notices?

Ralph: Yes, my dear.

Annie: But it will be a joint donation.

Cedric: Yes, agree.

Ralph: Okay, I’m good with it.

Max (voice, breezy): I’m good with it too. (everyone shocked.) And hey Benjamin, I said I was going to be the Best Man! Cheater! Anyway, continue Fr.

Audrey (as Fr. continues with the exchanging of rings): And that’s how the ages-old feud between the two families ended. Of course, they still used to quarrel over petty issues…

Annie (to Margaret): Your son is giving my daughter a gold ring. My daughter deserves nothing lesser than a diamond!

Janelle: Mumma!

Fr. Lorenzo: Sssh. Now that they have exchanged their rings… Rafael, you may now…

Alice (to Benjamin): Will he tell him to kiss the bride?

Fr. Lorenzo: Sssh. Rafael, you may now update your Facebook relationship status. (Everyone sighs in approval.)

Audrey: …but at least the well was nowhere in question now.

As you all would say, all’s well that ends well

Even if none ends up sharing the well.

Because in the end, love triumphs o’er all

And peace prevails inside these hallowed walls.

No one could so much happiness foretell,

For young Rafael and his lady Janelle.

Max (voice, breezy): Bring on the party!

Cue song The Masala accompanied with dance and final bow.

The End.