Title: Unattainable Dreams

Prologue:
(Sarima and Maiya are sitting to each other, with a sewing machine in front of them.
They are both working on sewing fabric)
Sarima: How much do you have left?
Maiya: Only this last corner, thank God. I feel like Ive been working on this forever, my
fingers are cramping up.
Sarima: (Sarima stops what she's doing and stares at her hands) Mine too. It feels like
its been an eternity working here! This is not how I want to spend my Saturday!
Maiya: I know what you mean. Sometimes I dont feel like Im a human, I feel like Im
just a robot programmed to work, eat, sleep, and do everything over again. Don't you?
Sarima: Yeah, I definitely know what you mean! But there has to be more in life. Don't
you think we deserve a change? (Face down and lower your voice) I don't want to sit
here in this life-less hell hole and rot my life away. (Voice steadily raising) Theres things
to do out there, things to experience and well never be able to experience them, just
because we are girls!
Maiya: I know where youre coming from. But you know, this is what we are meant to
do. Every girl in Nepal has to go through this, were not the only ones. This is just how
things are, and we have to accept things the way they are.
Sarima: But its not fair! Our brothers are so lucky, they get a chance to attend school
and earn an education, while we sit here slaving away all day. (Starts counting on her
fingers and raises her voice) My brother doesnt even pay attention in school! He never
does homework, never studies, and gets bad grades! Think about it. What have you
always wanted to do? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Maiya: (meekly) Honestly, Im okay with working here. This is what my mom does, this
is what her mom did, this is all Ive ever known. My parents dont expect me to do
anything but this for the rest of my life, so why would I want to do anything else?
Sarima: How could you think like that? My mom works here (point to her mom sitting on
the other side of the stage, away from them), but that doesnt mean I want to work here.
Dont you want to do more than sit in front of this stupid sewing machine for the next 50
years?
Maiya: Of course I do, but Im not like you, no one around here is like you. No one
dreams as big as you, because no one has the capabilities like you do. You have
something to contribute to the world, I dont.
Sarima:(Confused) What do you mean? Of course you have something to contribute.

Maiya: Not like you. Ive seen what you can do, Ive seen how smart you are. Ive seen
the books you read, the way you talk, the way you just think in general. Youre special.
You dont deserve to be in here, and have all of that to go to waste. But for most of us,
this is all weve got.
Sarima: You dont even know that this is all youve got, because youve never seen
anything else in the world! You dont know what else is out there! You havent
experienced anything! Because you havent had the chance to.
Maiya: I know, you dont think Ive thought about this thousands of times before? But
sitting here and whining isnt going to help anything. We should just not complain and
try to finish this so we can go home.
Sarima: But sitting here and letting our lives pass us by isnt helping anything either! We
have to stand up for ourselves! Make them hear what we think!
Maiya: (interrupts, and yells at Sarima) SARIMA! I am done with this conversation. You
need to finish working.
Sarima: (turns away from Maiya and whispers to herself) Fine.
Parados:
(3 girls walk onto stage dressed in tattered clothes)
Girl 1: Nepal.
Girl 2: Where the girls' dreams are as high as the mountain they stand on.
Girl 3: But then are crushed by ignorance.
Girl 1: By prejudice.
Girl 2: By sexism.
Girl 3: By inequality.
Girl 1: Girls must trade in their dreams of becoming doctors and lawyers for the harsh
reality of working in factories all of their lives.
Girl 2: While men get to live a free life.
Girl 3: And be whoever they want.
Girl 1: But this is just the way things are in Nepal, and sadly girls are forced to accept it.
Scene 1:

(Sarima and her twin brother Dion are sitting at their dinner table. Dion is working on his
homework while Sarima is sitting next to him)
Sarima: Whats taking you so long? Youve been working on this homework for a long
time. (Looks over at the homework Dion is working on)
Dion: Dont worry about it. You wouldnt know how to do it anyways.
Sarima: You dont know that. I just want to see it.

(Dion passes her the paper)

Dion: Im just not gonna do it. I dont care if I get a bad grade, that teacher sucks
anyways.
Sarima: You should want to get a good grade. Getting good grades determines your
future. If you want a good paying job and a bright future, you should do good in school.
You know, girls dig smart guys. You should probably head in that direction, to make up
for your lacking in the looks department.
Dion: (Sarcastically, in a serious tone) Ha. ha. But its so boring. I never know what to
do, so I just zone out while everyone else is working. I dont want to be there half the
time, Im just there to hang out with my friends.
Sarima: (Yells) Wow, your stupidity amazes me sometimes. There are some people, me
being one of them, who dont get the opportunity to go to school. People that would be
glad to go to school. I sit in a factory all day long, working my butt off, for basically
nothing, while you get to go to school and do whatever you want. Youre the lucky one.
You should take advantage of school, because most people dont get that privilege.
Dion: Oh god, I dont need a lecture from you, nerd. I get enough of that in school.
Hours and hours of it, enough to last a lifetime.
Sarima: Fine, I wont bring it up anymore. Lets just get started on this homework.
(Looks at paper) Math?
Dion: Yeah.
Sarima: (While looking at the paper, she makes a face of confusion, but it quickly
changes as if she remembers something) Ohhh, I know what youre supposed to do.
Just isolate the variable by dividing two from both sides.
Dion: How do you even know this? Where did you learn that?

Sarima: I always look at your homework when youre playing outside. You know; the
homework you never do. (Rolls eyes)
Dion: Do you know how mad dad would be if he found this out? You know youre not
supposed to be doing math. Youre supposed to be doing your girly work at the factory.
Sarima: Thats not the point. Do you want help or not?
Dion: (speaks quickly) Okay, okay! I wont tell dad. Thanks for the help, I didnt even
know you were this smart. You know, you should help me out with my math more often.
Chorus 1:
(Three girls walk onto stage towards the middle dressed in ripped clothings)
Girl 1: Dion
Girl 2: And Mobo
Girl 3: Are stuck like glue
Girl 2: Always there for each other
Girl 3: Risking their lives for each other
Girl 1: Sometimes
Girl 3: their father Mobo gets in the way
Girl 2: but somehow
Girl 1: They both find a way to go around him
Girl 2: To continue to help each other
Girl 3: Right now
Girl 1: Sarima and Dion
Girl 2: Are in this situation
Girl 3: But this time
Girl 4: Will they be able to help each other?
Scene 2:

(Dion walks on stage with his backpack on his back. He looks very annoyed and
frustrated, and plops down on his chair and throws his backpack to the ground and
sighs loudly)
Dion: (talking to himself) Why do I even try?
Sarima: What's up? What wrong?
Dion: I have this huge test coming up in two days, and I havent even started studying
for it. This test determines if I get into the University. You know how dad is, if I fail this
test, Im screwed. And since, you know, youre all smart now, I was wondering if you
could help me.
Sarima: (skeptical) Whats in it for me?
Dion: Come on, Sarima. Im asking you for help. I really need it. Just this one time, and
I promise Ill start trying harder in school. You know, if you dont help me, then I will fail,
its just gonna be bad for everyone. It will put dad in a bad mood, and you know how he
gets. (Looks at Sarima knowingly)
Sarima: (thinks about it, then exhales deeply) Fine. Ill help you. Just so dad wont get
mad.
Dion: (relieved) Whew, thank God. (Takes out a packet of papers from his backpack)
Sarima: Okay so(Sarima is cut off by her Father Mobo as he walks in the room)
Mobo: Dion, leave Sarima alone to finish her work. Don't you have a test in a couple
days that you should be studying for?
Dion: Yes I do. Sarimas helping me. Shes really smart, you know.
Sarima: (Makes a face at Dion) What are you talking about Dion? Why are you lying to
daddy?
Mobo: Good. You shouldnt be doing that stuff anyways. Thats for boys to do. You just
worry about helping your mom at the factory.
(Mobo walks out of the room and Dion turns right back to Sarima)
Sarima: Thanks for ratting me out. I thought you said you werent going to tell dad?
(Rolls eyes)

Dion: Sorry! I didnt know what to say, and I got nervous. Okay well back to the point...
You can help me right?
Sarima: Yea. Lets get started. (They both look at the paper)
Dion: Okay so were supposed to do all of these math problems, but I dont get them. I
dont even remember doing this in class.
Sarima: Well, its simple. Just find the fraction that needs to be plugged in to make both
sides of the equation equal.
Dion: (Whines) Ughh, but I hate fractions.
Sarima: Well just try it.
(There is a long pause while Dion works on the math problem.)
Dion: (Yells suddenly) I just cant do it!!!
Sarima: You didnt even try! Of course youre not going to understand it if youre not
willing to try.
Dion: I just give up. I cant do it.
Sarima: Well, theres not much I can do to help you. No matter how hard I try, theres no
point if youre not willing to cooperate.
Dion: Fine, then I dont want your help. (Picks up paper and stomps off stage.)
Chorus 2:
Girl 1: Dion
Girl 2: A helpless boy that keeps on asking for help from Sarima.
Girl 3: Sarima accepts, even though its against Nepals culture.
Girl 1: Without Dions cooperation, Sarima is unable to teach Dion the concepts he
needs help with.
Girl 2: Dion doesnt care he just wants to have fun.
Girl 3: Sarima should care about his brothers problems, but in a country like this, the
girls have to be the responsible ones.
Scene 3:

(Sarima is in the factory working with the sewing machine. She is sitting by herself. Dion
walks onto stage and sits on the empty chair next to Sarima.)
Sarima: (startled) Jeez, you scared me. What are you doing here? Arent you supposed
to be in school?
Dion: I thought I would pay you a visit. I left before my second class started.
Sarima: (Interrupts and rolls eyes) Predictable.
Dion: As I was saying, before I was interrupted, I had this bulb light up in my head while
I was in class. I need to take this test tomorrow, but I dont know how to do any of the
problems. Luckily for me, however, my amazing sister does know how to do it, and
could probably do it better than half the people in my class.
Sarima: Enough with the flattery. What do you want? I already tried helping you with
your homework, and you still couldnt do it. Youre a lost cause.
Dion: Exactly. Thats my point. Theres no way I could ever pass this test by myself.
Thats why I need you to help me during the test.
Sarima: (Sarcastically) Awesome idea!!! One problem though, I wont be there with you
to take the test.
Dion: Thats where the tricky part of this plan starts. Me and you are basically the same
person. Same age, same face, same height, everything. The only difference is that
youre a girl. But with a simple wig, maybe some boys clothes, you could for sure pass
for me.
Sarima: How does me dressing up like you help you remember stuff for your test?
Dion: (frustrated) You know, for a genius, youre pretty darn stupid. You can dress like
me, and then go into my school and take the test for me. Then youll come back here,
and no one will even notice you were gone.
Sarima: I dont see why you have to go through all of this trouble just to get you a good
grade. Dont you think it would be easier just to do what youre told and study once in a
while?
Dion: Easy for you to say. Not everyones a genius like you. Ive tried studying, theres
no point. I study, but then by the time I have to take the test, I forget it all. (turns serious)
Please, Sarima. Im just asking for this one thing.
Sarima: Well, I dont know. It seems a little risky.

Dion: Think about it. Havent you always wanted to go into a classroom? Youre always
talking about how you want to experience new things, and prove people wrong, and
show them that girls can do just as much as guys can. This would do all of that, its the
perfect opportunity.
Sarima: (Starts considering the idea) Thats true, but what if I get caught?
Dion: But you wont get caught. Youll be back before anyone notices you.
Sarima: I guess you make good points. Well, I have work to get back to. I cant promise
you anything, but Ill think about it.
Chorus 3:
(Three girls walk on to stage from the left side)
(Girl 1 walks to the left side of stage, Girl 2 walks over to middle of stage and Girl 3
walks over to right side of stage)
Girl 1: Sarima,
Girl 2: Unsure on what she should do.
Girl 3: Should she help her brother,
Girl 2: succumb to his pressure
Girl 1: and risk her life for his grades.
Girl 3: Or continue to work that day
Girl 1: and take no risks.
Girl 2: Knowing she could be living her dream
Girl 1: just by attending school for a day.
Girl 3: Sarima is lost and confused
Girl 2: on what to do.
Girl 1: Torn between doing what she wants,
Girl 3: and what is right.
All the girls: What would you do if you were in her shoes?

(Lights dim out and girls walk off stage)

Scene 4:
(Sarima and Maiya are at the factory sewing, but this time without the sewing machine.
They are using a needle and thread.)
Sarima: (jumps out of her seat suddenly, holding her finger) Ow! I just stabbed my
finger!
Maiya: Are you okay? Be careful and pay attention to what youre doing, so it doesnt
happen again.
(Sarima is staring into space, not listening to Maiya)
Maiya: (Leans towards Sarima, lightly hits her shoulder) Hello?! Anyone in there?
(Sarima is startled, and jumps in surprise) I was talking, you know.
Sarima: Sorry, what were you saying?
Maiya: Sarima, are you okay? You seem a little out of it.
Sarima: Yeah, Im fine. Just have a lot on my mind.
Maiya: Wanna talk about it?
Sarima: So, you know how Im always talking about new opportunities? How I want to
get out, see the world?
Maiya: Of course, but what about it?
Sarima: Well, Dions got this huge test coming up tomorrow, and you know him, he
never studies. So of course, he doesnt know how to do anything on the test, and is
worried that hes gonna fail and our dad will get mad at him.
Maiya: Understandable.
Sarima: Well, he wants me to help him and take the test for him. He says that we look
enough alike to pull this off. He wants me to wear a wig and wear his clothes, take the
test, then change and come back to the factory.
(Maiya and Sarima just look at each other for a few seconds, waiting for the other to
speak)
Sarima: On a scale from one to ten, how crazy did I just sound?

Maiya: Um Youre kinda tipping the scale at a 12.

Sarima: I know, I know. But he was telling me all this stuff, and I couldnt help but think,
Wow, this is my chance. This is what Ive been waiting for.
Maiya: You dont have to go to this extremity just to prove a point. Are you willing to
break all of these rules for what? Just to be in a classroom? To take a test? What do
you gain from that?
Sarima: I dont know. It just feels like something I have to do. I want to prove my dad
wrong. If I can do a good job on this test, I can show my dad. Of course, hell be mad at
first. But then hell see what Im capable of.
Maiya: Okay, but then what? Its not gonna change anything. So you take this test, and
then lets say your dad is proud of you, whatever you think is gonna happen. Then
what? Hell be happy for one day, then forget about it. Youre still gonna have to work
here at the factory. Nothings gonna change, hes not gonna send you to school or
anything. Whats the point?
Sarima: Im okay with that. Im not only doing this for my dad, Im doing it for myself. I
want to see if everyones right, see if girls really arent smarter than guys. If I see that
Im wrong, and Im not smarter, then I just go back to the factory. But I at least have to
try. I have nothing to lose.
Maiya: Nothing to lose? What happens if you get caught? Do you know how much
trouble you would get in? Have you thought about that?
Sarima: Of course Ive thought about that. But how could I get caught? Who would
notice? Dion has 30 kids in his class, I doubt his teacher pays that much attention to
each student in her class. We look enough alike, even my mom gets us mixed up when
shes looking at us from the back.
Maiya: I dont know There are a lot of things that could go wrong. Are you just not
going to show up to the factory? What if the boss sees youre not here?
Sarima: They wont even notice that Im not here. Ill be gone for an hour, max.
Maiya: I really dont think you should do this Sarima. It can be dangerous.
Sarima: I know youre just looking out for me, but I want to do this. Theres nothing you
can do to change my mind:
(They both go back to sewing.)
Chorus 4:
Girl 1: Sarima

Girl 2: Faced with a decision.

Girl 3: Helping Dion
Girl 1: Will give her the chance to do something shes always wanted to do
Girl 2: But to do it, Sarima has to risk it all
Girl 3: Risk losing her parents love and affection
Girl 1: Risk her job at the factory
Girl 2: Risk everything shes worked so hard to complete for all of her life
Girl 3: She must go against what everyone else thinks is right
Girl 1: To do what she thinks is right
Girl 2: Sarimas brain is getting pulled 100 different directions
Girl 3: She knows Dions plan could backfire
Girl 1: But Dions plan has already lit a fire underneath her that cant be extinguished
Girl 2: After forever of going back and forth in her mind
Girl 3: The day of the test coming closer and closer,
Girl 3: Sarima decides to
All girls: Follow her heart
Exodus:
(Sarima is in front of the school with Maiya. Sarima is dressed in boy clothes, has a wig
on, and is wearing a backpack. Both girls are whispering, and every so often look
around to make sure no one else is listening to their conversation. There are about 6
other boys scattered around stage wearing backpacks.)
Maiya: Are you ready?
Sarima: (slightly bouncing up and down) Yes, Im nervous though.
Maiya: Well, its too late for that. Just go in there, and take your test, then hurry and
change and get back to the factory. Dont get too close to anyone, or look them in the
eye. (Sarima nods)

(School bell rings)

Maiya: Okay, you better get going. Go ace that quiz, girl. (bumps her shoulder playfully)
(Sarima and the other boys walk off stage, showing that they are walking into the
school. The lights dim, and when the lights turn on the stage is split in half. On one half
we are back in the factory, and Sarimas mom, Lydia, and Maiya are sitting in front of
sewing machines, on opposite ends of the stage. There is an empty sewing machine in
the middle of them, which is supposed to be Sarimas. On the other side, Sarima is
sitting at a desk working on a test. The light shines on the factory side, and a man in a
suit walks on stage from the side that Sarimas mom is on. )
Lydia: Hey boss, what are you doing here? I thought you were out for the day.
Boss:(Sternly, examining the fabric Lydia is working on) Where I am at a given time is
not any of your business.
Lydia: Sorry, sir.
Boss: (looking around) Wheres your daughter? Is she sick? You didnt call in for her.
(Maiya overhears Boss and quickly snaps her head up to listen to the rest of their
conversation.)
Lydia: (not looking up from her work) What do you mean? Shes sitting right th--(goes
to point at where Sarima should be sitting, makes a confused face when she doesnt
see her. Maiya, who has been listening to their conversation, gives her a look telling her
to lie to the boss) Oh, she must be in the bathroom. (Sheepishly)
Boss: Oh, well, when she gets back tell her to let me know next time. I dont want her
thinking she can just get up and leave whenever she wants.
Lydia: Of course, sir. (Boss walks off stage. Hurriedly, Lydia gets up from her seat and
walks to Maiyas desk) What was that about? Where is Sarima?
Maiya: (Badly lying) I dont know. I thought she was coming today.
Lydia: What do you know that I dont? You know I can tell when youre lying Maiya.
Maiya: Fine. Sarimas at Dions school right now, pretending to be Dion, so she can take
the test for him. He was worried that he wouldnt be able to pass, and your husband
Mobo would be really mad at him.
Lydia: (Shocked) Oh my god.

Maiya: (talking fast) But she only did it for her brother. She should be back in any
moment, she said shell take no more than an hour.
Lydia: (Still shocked) Oh my god, how could you let her do this?!
Maiya: I tried to tell her that it was wrong. But you know her, shes stubborn, she
wouldnt listen to me. Once she made up her mind that she was gonna do it, she
wouldnt even consider all of the things that could go wrong.
(Their boss walks on stage again, and looks mad. Sarimas mom runs back to her
station.)
Boss: I didnt see Sarima in the bathroom. Is she not back yet?
Lydia: (Stuttering) Wha- I- She- Shes coming soon.
Boss: Are you lying to me? (gets more stern) Where is she?
Maiya: (walks over to Lydia and the boss and speaks nervously) Whats going on here
guys?
Boss: (taunting Sarimas mom) Well, it seems as if Miss Lydia here has something to
hide. Something she doesnt want me to know.
Lydia: (stuttering) Sir, I-I-I, dont have anything to hide, Im telling the tru- Shes coming,
she said shed be here! (The boss interrupts her by slapping her across the face)
Boss: (yelling) ENOUGH! STOP TALKING IF ALL YOURE GOING TO SAY IS LIES!!!
(long pause. When the boss starts talking again, he is calmer than before) You know
what, since your daughter doesnt want to be here, you can go home and tell her that
she can never come back. And you can join her.
(Lydia is stunned. She starts sobbing in her hands uncontrollably.)
(Lights move back to Sarima, who has been working on her test. She stands up
excitedly, and picks her test off the table)
Sarima: (to the audience) Everything worked out perfect!