Dramatic Technique Part 86

_A Dungeon. A ma.s.sive door at the back leads to an endless flight of shallow steps. It is dark: Hardly any light except from one barred window high up: through this come the rays of the setting sun._

_The Sheikh is alone in one corner saying his prayers. He then lies down and goes to sleep._

_The Gaoler opens the door._

_Hajji is thrown in and chained._

_Hajji alone._ Repentance.

Curses every one.

Raves.

If only he hadn't received money that morning, he would not have been tempted to steal.

If he had not stolen, he would not have been taken to the Executioner.

If he hadn't been taken to the Executioner, he would not have been driven to kill the Sultan.

The Sheikh is the cause of all his misfortunes.

He stole his wife.

He killed his son.

Now he is killing him.

Cursed be the Sheikh!

_The Sheikh from the "Who uses my name in vain?"

corner:_

_Hajji. Hajji recognizes him Sheikh._ What is he doing there?

Sheikh says he is condemned to prison by Sultan.

Hajji delighted.

Says this is his only consolation in his trouble.

Never a sorrow without a grain of joy.

Joy to see his enemy suffer.

He could almost feel friendly towards Sheikh, when he thinks how they will be executed together.

[Sheikh's story of the How strangely their lives have been broken coin and his interwoven.

lost son introduced They talk of the dead woman they have shared.

here. See play.

Allusions to wife were She is dead now.

cut as unnecessary to Better so. She would have been old and ugly the story.] now.

Sheikh says: "She developed a bad temper."

Hajji furiously: "That was your fault.

She was the sweetest tempered creature when she was mine. You ruined her, body and soul.

You fiend you--but no matter. You will be tortured tomorrow."

He shrieks with delight.

_Gaoler reenters with a decree and a soldier carrying some instruments of torture_.

_Gaoler. Gaoler says that it has been found that Sheikh. Sheikh did come on a pilgrimage.

Hajji. The High Priest has testified in his favor.

Soldier._ Therefore the Sultan forgives him.

He is free, but must leave the city at once and never return.

Sheikh asks Gaoler to thank Sultan. Would go-- but his limbs are too weak.

Could Gaoler send for his litter?

Gaoler says he fears Sheikh's litter gone, but could procure him a chair out of Sultan's palace used to convey the lesser women of the [Changed to a stretcher Hareem when Sultan travels.

to "carry away the dead." Alteration made Sheikh gives Gaoler money, when play was written.] Gaoler now turns to Hajji.

Says he is to come to him.

Makes him kneel down.

Hajji: "I am free too, am I?"

Gaoler: "Free? Here! (_turns to Soldier and [The torture was cut takes a casket from him and is about to put as too long and too it on Hajji's head_). Sometimes these head ugly. Altered during screws and thumb screws don't fit. There rehearsal.] must be no hitch in the performance tomorrow."

"Head screw?" says Hajji, trembling.

Gaoler tears off Hajji's turban and tries on the torture helmet.

Gaoler: "Does it feel comfortable?"

[All this cut. Instead Hajji: "Comfortable!"

of which, the Gaoler Gaoler: "It ought to. It's just as if it had strikes Hajji with his been made for your Highness."

key which makes Hajji (Takes it off, laughing loudly; the soldier faint.] joins politely.) Gaoler (to Sheikh): "I'll see to your Excellency's chair."

Gaoler and Soldier off with instruments.

_Hajji is on the floor, more dead than alive._

_Hajji. Hajji bemoans his fate.

Sheikh._ Why should he have to suffer, and Sheikh be pardoned, when Sheikh is the cause of all of Hajji's woe?

Here is Sheikh, an old robber chief, forgiven.

Here is Hajji, a simple, honest beggar, to be tortured and burnt.

Who is dependent on the Sheikh?

He has lost his son--has never found him again--he may be dead.

No one dependent on Sheikh.

But Hajji has a daughter dependent on him.

A daughter! And the sun is setting.

And at this hour she is being taken to the Executioner!

The Executioner who has so cruelly forsaken Hajji.

His daughter going to him, with Hajji powerless--and the Sheikh to live.

It is unjust, cruel, not to be borne.

"It shan't be borne--it--"

[When the play was] He gives the Sheikh an awful look.

written, the breaking The Sheikh realizes his thoughts and draws his of the chains was knife.

introduced here.] Hajji springs at him, overpowers him, and cuts his throat.

The Sheikh's last words: "My son! My son!"

A moment's thought--then Hajji wipes the knife on his own turban (torn off by Gaoler).

Quickly he exchanges clothes with the dead man.

Puts on his turban Then rifles pockets.

Finds round the dead man's throat a chain with the broken half of a coin.

Slips it over his own neck.

He puts the dead body into the corner where he (Hajji) lay when the Gaoler left the dungeon.

He hears the tread on the steps.

He a.s.sumes the old man's att.i.tude.

The sunlight has died out: the scene grows quite dark.

_The Gaoler reenters with the Soldier and a chair borne by two porters. They lift Hajji into the chair. Then take up the chair and carry it up the broad stone stairs._

_Gaoler. (Turning to the dead body.) "Why not laugh tonight, Hajji?

Tomorrow morning will be time enough to weep, when you are tortured in the Pleasure Gardens of the Prophet's descendant." (He kicks the body, then goes out laughing, and locks the door.)_