YOUR ROLE IS FATHER

HOME (father, Jamal)

FATHER: ... snoring …

JAMAL: … breathing tired …

FATHER (unsure): “Wh..what happened?” 

JAMAL (determined): “Airstrike... we need to take her to hospital, right now.” 

FATHER (sad, please say it quickly): “Jamal, you know we just sold our car so we have money for food… for us, there is no way how to get her there.” 

JAMAL (hopeful): „Maybe I could ask Nabil? He helped get her here, maybe he would take her to Sanaa hospital as well?” 

FATHER(angry, please say it quickly): “No! I already told you can’t spend time with Nabil and other militants like him! They are the reason why is all of this happening! And do you think he would help you for free? NO…  he would want you to fight for them, and you cannot do that, never! DO you understand?“ 

FATHER(regretful): ”Oh Jamal, I am sorry… there is one more thing we can do… wait me here and take care of her. I will ask the elders… I’ll be back at midnight“ 

NIGHT (elder woman, father)

ELDER WOMAN (Slowly, mystery): I know why are you here… your daughter… spirits are calling her. There is only one thing which can help her…. fire. Fire will take all the evil spirits away. 

FATHER (sad, whispering): “No…” … sad sigh…

HOME (Jamal, father, sister)

JAMAL (very quietly, unsure): “What…?“ 

FATHER(devastated): “I… am sorry… so sorry... no… (breathing rapidly)… I have to... “ 

JAMAL(surprised, scared): “What are you doing? Dad?“ 

FATHER(talking quietly): ”It’s the only way…“ 

JAMAL(louder): “Dad? No, dad! She needs to go to a hospital! To see a doctor!“ 

FATHER(dramatic): “I… I can’t…“ 

JAMAL (desperate):  “she… she has probably broken ribs… she needs help…“ 

FATHER (determined): “And I will help her!“ 

JAMAL:  “No!“ 

FATHER (shouting): “LET IT GO!“ 

FATHER: …grunt angrily…

JAMAL (fighting):  …EGH…

JAMAL (hurt while falling): “Aah.” 

SISTER(confused): “Dad?“ 

FATHER (crying): “I-I am sorry”… 

JAMAL “I know someone who could help us… hopefully“