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3 m, 2 f
THREE AREAS.
MR. AND MRS AMIN ARE EATING DINNER. THEY ARE PRESENT
APPROPRIATELY.
STUDENT, INTELLECTUAL.
ARRIVAL.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. May I take this rather belated
A CHUCKLE
a week or so after you've all arrived and hopefully settled into the routine of
about your course with me this year; your work will of course include
intended, sorry.
MILD LAUGHTER
But the area in which I hope to spend most of our time together, will be with
the essential fluid that flows through them: blood. We will examine closely
endeavour to explore any progress in the role of blood since its discovery by
Harvey in 1628. By the word role I am to mean the effect it has on the body's
mechanisms, contrasted with the beliefs people have carried with themselves
HIMSELF TO KALPANA.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
Yes.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
Yes. I'm glad I came here. I wasn't sure if I would. You are
ASIF:
medicine.
KALPANA:
INTERESTED
Oh, really?
ASIF:
Yes,
LAUGHING
KALPANA:
ASIF:
SHRUGGING
KALPANA:
ASIF NODS.
PAUSE
ASIF:
KALPANA:
Yes.
PAUSE
ASIF:
ASIF:
Have a seat.
KALPANA:
LOOKING AROUND
The university? It's okay. I didn't realise they were so big. Have you
ASIF:
you say, the place is very big. It's like living in a small city, in a way.
KALPANA:
ASIF:
PUZZLED
Yes, of course.
REALISING
KALPANA:
ASIF:
Yes? The government has recently put up charges for foreign students
KALPANA:
I hope to stay here afterwards, and get some kind of work permit,
KALPANA A MUG
ASIF:
Sugar?
KALPANA:
Um .. no thanks.
ASIF:
somewhere.
KALPANA:
ASIF:
UNDER THE BED
Yes.
KALPANA:
LOOKING AROUND
ASIF:
RETRIEVING HIMSELF AND LOOKING AROUND AT
THE MESS
Yes, well, I moved in a week be fore the term started. Do you think I
KALPANA:
CHOCOLATE BISCUITS.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
Yes. They've lived here since ... the nineteen fifties. I think I was one
or two.
KALPANA:
ASIF:
Yes. I wish I could stay here though. Parents are so oppressive. Well
KALPANA:
ASIF:
Oh I do, but you can never do what you want, can you?And he's a
decorator!
KALPANA:
ASIF:
after all. Still, why am I telling you all this, anyway!? Tell me about
your parents.
KALPANA:
My father's a headmaster.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
LAUGHING
KALPANA:
PAUSE
ASIF:
KALPANA:
I hope so.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
SMILING
ASIF:
KALPANA:
A disco?
ASIF NODS
ASIF:
KALPANA:
LAUGHING
ASIF:
SMILING
Become ...?
detected by analysis - but how far can we take this distinction? I would
like to think we have come a long way from the primitive ideas of, say,
their skin colour. Even I can recall, and I assure you young students,
extreme octogenarian, and thus a relic from the Victorian age - I can
assure you that until quite recently arguments were put forward to
suggest that coloured peoples has less brain power due to lack of oxygen
A MILD CHUCKLE
HOURS.
MR. AMIN
ASIF DOES SO
MR. AMIN:
Good, good. Have you given any more thought to where you are going
to transfer to?
PAUSE
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
LAUGHING
I can struggle through the work, but sometimes ... I think I'm just not
capable.
MR. AMIN:
MR. AMIN:
Specialise in blood!
ASIF:
ENTHUSIASTICALLY
instance what percentage difference from the half million platelets per
cubic millimetre norm can be allowed before you run into problems.
PAUSE
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS. AMIN:
Is it a big class?
ASIF:
No, quite small, there's only a few of us. And I've met a girl who's
quite nice.
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF.
Kalpana.
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
Delhi.
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS. AMIN:
That's good.
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
Hindu.
PAUSE
MR AMIN:
ASIF:
Yes, I know we've talked about it before. But I feel ... we're in England
now.
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
MRS. AMIN:
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
But they all say that! And besides, I am a Muslim. Don't I worship like
MR AMIN:
MRS AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
University. But father, this is all wild speculation, I hardly know the girl.
MR AMIN:
Well you can't bring her here. And I'm shocked that you've become so ..
MRS AMIN:
ASIF:
STANDING
Well of course I will. But if I fall in love with her, and only if, then
you can't expect her religion to stand in our way. It's not like that
MR AMIN:
ASIF:
and I will certainly endeavour to have the lot of you positively vetted for
political correctness before I will let you into my lecture room. Rhesus D
positively vetted!
MILD LAUGHTER
Because, although one may argue that Negroids are more prone to, say,
the propensity to affect ten per cent of Negros, this does not, of course,
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
Your lady?
ASIF:
NODDING
MARC:
Yes? I suppose that was one of the reasons I fell in love with her.
MARC:
How unreasonable.
ASIF:
What? Oh yes - you think I should love her for other qualities? Well
of course I do.
PAUSE
MARC:
ASIF:
PUZZLED
MARC:
Thank you.
ASIF:
PAUSE
MARC:
Well, it's about Kalpana, who is a Hindu, and myself, being a Muslim.
MARC:
ASIF:
But it doesn't bother me, it's my parents. They're very strict. Very. It's
hard to get over their sense of disaproval about Kalpana, to you that is.
MARC:
ASIF:
It's funny really. They're the ones living in India, but it seems they don't
object. Kalpana's told them all about me in her letters. Naturally they've
me.
MARC:
ASIF:
Well, I don't know about that. It's just that here, I'm meeting such a
MARC:
Ha, yes! And I can give you another one, her parents are teachers,
MARC:
reasonable?
ASIF:
MARC:
Do you think that because they do not object to the two of you being
ASIF:
MARC:
Sorry. So, anyway, what's your problem? If the situation ever arise
that you want to live with her, or even get married, what's the problem?
ASIF:
going ...
MARC:
Do you? As I've said, the family ties are very strong. I don't really
know what would happen if I definitely told them Kalpana was the one.
PAUSE
MARC:
ASIF:
Yes.
MARC:
ASIF:
NODDING
We've been going out together since the beginning of the year.
MARC:
ASIF:
about it.
MARC:
Why not?
ASIF:
LAUGHING
MARC:
SMILING
ASIF:
MARC:
Where would you live if you ever did get mar ried to her?
ASIF:
I don't know. My parents house would be out - they wouldn't even let
Kalpana into the house! And I don't fancy moving to India. We could
just rent a room for a while, I suppose. Yes, my father certainly made
MARC:
ASIF:
No. My father earns enough to put him into a higher tax bracket. Why
do you ask?
MARC:
ASIF:
WITH A START
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
Tell me anyway.
MARC:
My reasoning? Well although you've spent the majority of your life with
your parents, your future doesn't lie there. If I may be blunt or crude, it is
inevitable that offspring find their own feet and leave their original fold.
Isn't that nature's law? You, having perhaps found your mate and sexual
cannot stop you. Except by financial blackmail. From what you've told
ASIF:
MARC:
But remember, I think what I've said only applies to westerners. In this
country it's normal to set up on your own, but I understand Indians have
different traditions, like sharing a house with your parents - I think that
ASIF:
Yes. It's normal to us. But one thing you've said, about sexual
from India.
MARC:
I hope you didn't think I was too rude, or infer anything about the
character of Kalpana.
ASIF:
have you?
MARC:
No. I'd like to talk to her some time. From what you've told me she's
some lady.
ASIF:
Oh she is, she is. I'll ask her to come and visit you one day.
MARC:
Yes, do that.
A red enzyme deficiency, G.6.P.D., which to the less initiated of you mean
- all these spurious arguments have been put forward to argue cases for
segregation. They are spurious because they ignore the fact that we, if ' we'
exist, have other diseases which are just as isolated within ourselves, and just
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
PAUSE
KALPANA:
Yes?
ASIF:
KALPANA:
Hm.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
Please don't.
ASIF SIGHS
ASIF:
KALPANA:
SMILING
KALPANA:
Did you ever make up your mind whether you were going to transfer
to medicine?
ASIF:
I did, and I'm not. I don't think I could cope with the course.
KALPANA:
No?
ASIF:
KALPANA:
I have been thinking about that. I don't want to be responsible for any
ASIF:
No, I'd already made the decision before I met you. I really don't think I
could manage it. And anyway, what's all this about - 'it might not work
KALPANA:
ASIF:
NODDING
Yes, yes...
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
NODDING
Yes, I think so. I took the wrong 'A' levels. It's strange but at the
KALPANA:
ASIF:
I don't know .. It's just that sometimes I feel that I've been left to work
KALPANA:
ASIF:
LAUGHING
I'm not! And, if you look at it like I do, it has fortunate consequences,
HER
ASIF:
MR AMIN:
ASIF:
Very well. I love my course. And my tutor, he's an old man, and funny
MR AMIN:
MRS AMIN:
Why not try, Asif? You can't know until you try.
ASIF:
No. I don't think I have the right background, the right exam results.
MR AMIN:
MRS AMIN:
Look, Asif, I've bought you an Easter egg! I know how you love
chocolate.
MR. AMIN:
TO MRS. AMIN
You bought that just to please him - because of what he said last time
he was here.
TO ASIF
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
ASIF:
MR. AMIN:
That is why you don't want to become a doctor! Because it would mean
leaving her!
ASIF:
Yes, well, that was a reason, but only a minor one. We've talked-
MR. AMIN:
Talked!
ASIF:
I'm not going to. I knew you'd mention it, when I came to visit you
today. It's just that you don't seemed concerned about me!'
MRS.AMIN:
ASIF:
But isn't it true? You've never met Kalpana - how can you judge,
without even meeting her?
TO MR. AMIN
MR. AMIN:
HIS ANGER
Asif, I will not have it said that I am intolerant to other religions, races,
or peoples. I will not. If you want this girl you can have her.
PAUSE
PAUSE
I will even increase your allowance, to support the two of you, if she
agrees.
PAUSE
But if she doesn't, then you must not see her again.
ASIF:
PAUSE
You want her to become a Muslim? How can I ask that of her? How
can I?
MRS. AMIN:
ASIF:
Are you? When behind your concern is the wish to break the two of us
PAUSE
How can I be sure, any longer, that that is your only reason? You've
talked of religion, and of our tradition, and tried to strike this bargain
with me, but what of Kalpana? You've talked of religion and tradition,
Well, is it?
ROOM TALKING
KALPANA:
LAUGHING
You westerners! I said caste, not class! They're not the same, you
know! And you being an economist! Well, of course, it's quite complex
but it definitely isn't the same as the class system her. Here, the classes
are seen to be in conflict, but in India, it's different; the four different
castes are seen to .. interrelate, I suppose an analogy would be to say
like the parts of a watch; each has their function, but without the other...
MARC:
KALPANA:
at first.
MARC:
Anuloma?
KALPANA:
MARC:
KALPANA:
No, not really. My parents are Brahmins, but being teachers, I suppose
MARC:
KALPANA:
Well, I've already said - the idea of ranking isn't what it's about. But
MARC:
KALPANA:
MARC:
But Kalpana, does any of this affect you now, here, today?
KALPANA:
anyway. And others, go to the opposite extreme, and describe the castes
MARC:
KALPANA:
Well these scriptures go back two thousand years or more. And Marc,
smile.
MARC:
PAUSE
Opps, oh, sorry. He told you about that did he? The trouble is ..
all you foreigners look alike to me.
KALPANA:
Be careful ..
MARC:
KALPANA:
Yes. The pratahkriya and sandhya are daily, although I don't pray
myself.
MARC:
No?
KALPANA:
No. Being a Hindu I think I can worship God in my own way. Our
MARC:
You've really thought it out haven't you? Have you talked to Asif about
this?
KALPANA:
A little. Muslims are much stricter than us. They, his parents, don't like
MARC:
How will you resolve the problem?
KALPANA:
There's no problem for me, I love that man, I think he's not realising his
full potential, but I can't advise him over what to do. It's up to him.
MARC:
KALPANA:
LAUGHING
MARC:
Why not?
KALPANA:
MARC:
KALPANA:
Yes.
MARC:
KALPANA:
MARC:
Ah ...
MARC:
Oh, hello.
KALPANA:
Hello love.
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
Yes?
KALPANA:
You look a bit worried Asif. Didn't you have an enjoyable time with
your parents?
ASIF:
No.
KALPANA:
Listen, Kalpana, I want to talk to Marc about it. I'll tell you later. Would
you mind?
KALPANA:
No of course not. If you feel it's important. I'll see you soon.
TO MARC
MARC STANDS
MARC:
MARC:
ASIF:
PAUSE
MARC:
MARC:
ASIF:
What else?
PAUSE
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
time you were here. I haven't had time to go into it, but Kalpana was
ASIF:
PAUSE
What did you talk about?
MARC:
Hinduism, the caste system, and earlier, even the work the two of you
are doing in the blood department! I now suspect that there is a similarity
were forced northwards and eastwards, and the Aryan invasion of India,
ASIF:
MARC:
I think I'm trying to get at the idea that groups of people, separated by
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
Oh yes - I haven't told you the latest development! My father has agreed
to Kalpana and myself, provided she changes her religion to the Muslim
faith.
PAUSE
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
No.
ASIF:
Of course not. And who am I to ask her? Being a Hindu seems far more
unbreachable.
MARC:
Your parents would definitely not agree to you associating with a Hindu?
ASIF:
No.
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
next to a Negro - his very words were; 'You'd get on well with someone
of your own colour.' Some English people even think coloured people
have a natural sense of rhythm, I mean, I ask you, have you seen me
dance?!
MARC:
No I haven't - you can't dance. But I think you're missing my point. I'm
ASIF:
PAUSE
Yes, of course you are. I'm sorry. But I still can't help feeling bitter
me and say, 'Go back to your own country.' I could never understand
them - I only lived down the road in sunny Letchworth! And we even
used to get comments about the number of people living in our house:
the English that we find you strange: the way you seem to desert
MARC:
SMILING
Yes, we don't seem to have the same ideas about filial responsibility.
ASIF:
Yes, you can never understand why we want to live together, when all
MARC:
I think an economic reason is tied in, somewhere; the fact the England
has a smaller population, therefore more land, more space, and hence? -
money?
ASIF:
MARC:
More wine?
ASIF:
The atmosphere was slightly tense the last tine I went home. It's always
MARC:
To medicine?
ASIF:
MARC:
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
I'm sure you're doing fine. But Asif, is it true?- that you can't handle
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
It is! Where would I get the money to survive the extra year, if my
MARC:
ASIF:
I couldn't do that!
MARC:
Why don't you ask her how she feels? And if she rejects you you can
play the spurned lover and transfer to your medicine course anyway.
ASIF:
Ha, it's all very well for you to say that, but I think I know her feelings.
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
From what you've said, you see your future together, yes?
ASIF NODS
So why should she object to moving in with you? As a doctor you still
would earn much more than any scientist. Have you asked her?
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
Very.
MARC:
But it seems to me you have a lot to lose, your family ties, a career in
allowance from your parents ... all for the love of a girl with a lovely
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
ASIF:
Yes. Yes, it is. But you're right - I needed your objective view. And
really, I know what you say is true. We will have to decide our futures,
MARC:
PAUSE
Even in this country we haven't shed all our traditions. It's still left up
is only waiting for you to ask her, to move in with you, live with you,
who knows?...
ASIF:
MARC:
No.
ASIF:
Hm. Well yes, I've known her for several months, and we have a good
parents...
MARC:
ASIF:
STANDING
MARC:
ASIF:
MARC:
SMILING
I think you should ask her first. She might say no.
ASIF:
groups - the end result may well be death even if the donor was
KALPANA'S EYES.
ASIF:
Guess who?
KALPANA:
I can't imagine.
ASIF:
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
I am.
ASIF:
LAUGHING
PAUSE
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
OF VOICE
ASIF:
Yes.
KALPANA:
Hm.. We had a talk. My father came up with the idea that we could
marry if you changed your religion to Muslim. But don't worry: - I have
to you?
KALPANA:
ASIF:
Well we did talk about whether I should ask you, and he said you
KALPANA:
No, it wouldn't.
ASIF:
No. But talking to him helped to ... solidify my feelings towards you,
PAUSE
KALPANA WAITS
I will transfer.
KALPANA:
PAUSE
I see.
ASIF:
But I want you to come with me. We could easily live in a flat.
KALPANA:
I'll have to write to my parents about it, but I don't think I could live
ASIF:
But you know they won't disagree. And I think it would be a good idea
to live together for a while, just to make sure, if you like, that we are
good for each other. Then, if we're still together, - and can put up with
KALPANA:
ASIF:
About my transfer, that was one thing. I know the course will be hard
for me, a bit of a struggle, but I can try. And I would earn more money
separately. But I want you to come with me. You can always transfer
your course.
PAUSE
I'm glad you told me this. I was never quite sure how you saw
the two of us, our relationship. You've never actually said before how
you feel. I always thought ... well, I never knew what to think, really ...
ASIF:
Yes, I know, I know. I'm sorry. One never does. But you do matter - you
do matter to me. I'm not going to get down on my knees, but ... will you
KALPANA:
PAUSE
ASIF:
PAUSE
Yes, probably.
KALPANA:
ASIF:
KALPANA:
It would be better if I took a year or two off and find a job to support us?
ASIF:
PAUSE
ASIF:
Marc was right - you are a wonderful lady. I think I've done well for
myself.
KALPANA:
SMILING
ASIF:
Then we'll tell my parents? I'll tell them I'm going to transfer. And that
you're coming with me. I don't see how they can complain really, they
PAUSE
So we'll transfer, yes? And we'll tell them? You'll come with me, won't
you?
KALPANA NODS
effects of diet: the vegetarian diets of Asians in this country which leave
Iron and Folate deficiencies within the body. Arguments there may be
ASIF:
MRS AMIN:
ASIF:
MRS AMIN:
Yes.
PAUSE
MRS AMIN:
PAUSE
I see.
ASIF:
PAUSE
SILENCE
MRS AMIN:
ASIF:
Just that what?! I told you last time - we are no longer in India! Why
MOTHER:
ASIF:
HAND
STAGE
Can't you see? why are people like this? Why!? The English hate the
blacks, the browns, anything they feel threatened by but can't you see?
It's the same as you cutting yourself off from the Hindu's and the
Seikhs. But there's no reason for it, for this vindictiveness - you just hide
behind this mask of religion, just as the English hide behind the idea of
slave labour - that their jobs are threatened. But the truth is, the truth, is
that all the European countries have a large surplus immigrant work
force. They've all got legalized slavery! I can see what Marc was saying,
I can begin to understand, humans have fear, but they blame anything,
everything, to avoid the responsibility of facing this very fear. There are
TO PARENTS
What do you want me to say, after you've cast me off because I love
someone? What do you want me to say?! That I'm English? That I'm
All right, then I will shout it out, Yes, I'm English, English, Can you
hear me: English! And white! Does that make you feel better?! I'm
white, Do you hear me?! white! I'm English and I'm white!
AS AUDIENCE LEAVE,
TAPE CONTINUES
course you will study with me throughout the coming year. We have
covered only the most basic analysis of the types of blood, and of the
dear students,
A CHUCKLE
that this is only the introduction to our terms of study, however, I hope
you can retain some of the information imparted today - I'm sure it will
stand you in good stead in the weeks to come. Good day to you all.
END