Dramatic Technique Part 81

Now if you could predict something to him,-- Say that he will find his son again,-- The Sheikh will give you money."

And for this advice Guide and Hajji are to divide money.

Hajji agrees to this.

_Prayers are over._

_The crowd disperses coming from the Mosque.

Sheikh is carried out of the Mosque in his litter._

_Hajji._ Hajji throws himself in front of litter.

Crying out: "Listen to me.

I can see why you have come.

You are looking for some one,--your son.

You shall find him. Give me money."

Sheikh amazed at Hajji's knowledge.

Hajji says his wits have been sharpened through grief and suffering.

"I had a wife and a son.

They were stolen by my enemy.

My son was murdered, My wife carried off.

The swine of a beggar who sat round the corner did it.

He is my enemy. The curse of my life."

Sheikh holds out purse, c.h.i.n.king it.

Hajji blesses Sheikh.

Sheikh bursts out laughing.

Reveals himself to Hajji.

He (Sheikh) is his enemy.

He ran away with Hajji's wife.

[Some of this is And became a robber under her inspiring incorporated in the influence. One of a band of robbers that scene with _Nasir_.] attacked the caravans.

It is their son (by Hajji's wife) that the Sultan captured when he attacked the robbers.

Laughs at Hajji for blessing him.

Thanks him ironically.

Throws the purse and is carried off by his men.

Hajji shouts curses after him.

And kicks away the money.

_Hajji. (Alone.)_ He is torn in two by the hatred for his enemy.

_Young Beggar, in And the love of the money.

corner._ What he could do with the money.

/ He could do so much for Zira (the daughter), The pride of his heart, the consolation of his old age, The one balm to his fatherly heart.

But his enemy's money?

Never.

But Zira? Trinkets for her. Her laughter.

[This was cut Her smile.

rehearsals, as < but="" the="" sheikh's="" money--the="" beast="" who="" robbed="" halting="" the="" action,]="" him="" of="" his="">

Who was Zira's mother? No one. A dancing girl, a pa.s.sing whim. The fancy of a late spring.

But his wife--the one that the Sheikh took-- she was everything. His joy, his pride, the first finding of his manhood.

To the purse: "I'll not touch thee." (_He spits at it._)

_He sees some one coming.

He quickly pockets the purse._

_The Guide reenters_

_Hajji. Guide comes to claim half of his money.

Guide. Hajji does not know anything of the bargain; Young Beggar._ "I saw no purse."

Guide furious.

Hajji laughs at him.

He appeals to young Beggar.

Was there a purse there?

The young Beggar sides with Hajji.

Guide off, furious, vowing vengeance.

Hajji says, "Go thy way in peace."

_Hajji.

Young Beggar._ Young Beggar: "What do I get for siding with you?"

"What?"

"I saw you pick up the purse.

I heard the agreement: you promised him half."

Hajji says the money was given him, not by the Sheikh, but by fate.

We all have a day in life.

This is Hajji's day.

There is a future before him.

The Sheikh rose from the mud to power and riches.

Why not Hajji?

Fortune is smiling on him at last.

He will forsake the seat he has sat on these thirty years.

Go forth into the world.

What shall he give the Young Beggar?

His throne and his beggar's cloak.

(_He instates him in his seat and goes off._)

[Here the Priest is introduced in the play to heighten the effect at the end. Also to make him a friend of Hajji's, as Hajji sends _Curtain_ his daughter to him at the end of the Hareem scene. Act III, Scene 1.]

SCENE 2

_The Bazaar._ (_Large set_)

_Shopkeeper I and Shopkeeper II lying outside of adjoining shops. They are very friendly._

_Crowd._

_Young Sultan (Caliph) rides through the bazaar on a white donkey. His Vizier (Abu Bakr) follows him. Also guards._

_Hajji appears._ Political discussion.

_Shopkeeper I._ Young Sultan just come through bazaar.