LibraryofCongressRegistration#1-1723062226WGARegistration#1739972

HONORKILLING

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ACTORBREAKDOWN:Note:HONORKILLINGcanbeperformedwith6Actorswhendoublingisrequired.Thebelowlistingistheplaywrightspreference(withoutdoubling)ACTOR1:AllisynDavis:35,CaucasianAmerican.Afree-lancejournalist;worksfortheNYTimes.GraduatedcumlaudefromVassar,andhasaPHDinjournalismfromColumbiaUniversity.Attractive,determined,intelligent,educatedandprivileged.Welltravelled,worldly.Appearsconservative,buthasanopenmind.Hideshervulnerability.Defiant,strong-willed,curious,andnoteasilycontained.ACTOR2:BenAdams:36,CaucasianAmerican.Journalist.Harvardgrad;doublemajorinbusinessandjournalism.HailsfromawealthyfamilyinGeorgia.Incrediblydriven,he'squicklyclimbingtheranksatTheNewYorkTimes.Anattractive,ambitious,hardworker-seeminglyopen-mindedanddemocratic-despitehisupbringing.Strong-mindedandincrediblycapable-heisAllisyn'strueequal.ACTOR3:FEMALEMehreen:35,Pakistanilawyerandactivist.(FEMALE)ImmigrationOfficer:35-40,PakistaniImmigrationOfficerattheAllamaIqbalInternationalAirportinLahore,Pakistan.ACTOR4:MohammadIjaaz:45-55,Husbandofthedeceased,SamiraTasneem.Seeminglybereft,wifewasbrutallymurderedinfrontofhim.Pakistani. Abbas-35-45,PakistanistringerACTOR5:MuzaffarKhan,40,Samira’sLawyer.Pakistani.Educated-butnotelite.Thepeople’slawyer.RajaMahmood(ConsularAgent):35-40,Pakistani.AnswerstoConsulGeneral,ShahreyarZasar.ACTOR6:ShahreyarZasar:40-50,PakistaniConsulGeneraltoDubai.Elegant,educated,diplomaticandcutting.Atraditionalist.ACTOR7:MelissaDavis:37,CaucasianAmerican.Allisyn’ssister.Pretty,reserved.Isstrongerthanshelooks. BBC-News-reporter:Female,BritishACTOR8:EdwardEvans,50-65,NYTimesBureauChief(London)*Mustreadindicatedstagedirections(BOLDED)forreadings/presentations

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Scene1LightsupontheapartmentofALLYSINDAVIS,35.Thestageisfilledwithcurrentcommunicationtechnologyandmultiplescreens.AlargeworkdeskisDSC–whereALLISYNsits,facinghercomputer.Newspapersandnotebooksarestrewnabout,thoughthereisstillanairoforderandcompetenceaboutthespace.OnescreenshowsliveBBCcoverage,whileanotherislinkedtoAllisyn’scomputerandshowsherairlinereservationandflightconfirmationtoPakistan,viaDubai.Skyperingsthroughhercomputer.Allisynanswers.

ALLISYN:Abbas?

AscreenshowsABBASlive,viaSkype.

ABBAS:Salam,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:

Hi-Igotyourtext.Thishappenedthismorning?

ABBAS:Herbody’sbeenlyingoutsidethecourthousesinceearlythismorning.Noone’s

movedityet.

ALLISYN:Whatthehellaretheywaitingfor?Thepolicehavebeennotified?

ABBAS:

Thepolicewerethere,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:Howlongaftershewaskilled?

ABBAS:

Whenshewaskilled.Theyweretherewhenithappened.ALLISYNsitsdownabruptly.

ALLISYN:Andtheydidnothingtostopthem?

ABBAS:

Notaccordingtoherlawyer,MuzaffarKhan.

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ALLISYN:I’vegottagethimonrecord.

ABBAS:

Itextedyouhisnumber.He’swaitingforyourcall.

ALLISYN:I’mbookedonthered-eyeoutofJFK--I’llcallhimnow.You’llmeetmeatthe

airport?

ABBAS:I’llbetheretocollectyou.

ALLISYN:

WeneedasafehouseneartheHighCourt.

ABBAS:It’sallarranged,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:

I’llreachouttoMehreen.

ABBAS:Ispoketoherearliertoday.

Butbyallmeans,micromanageaway!

ALLISYN:(Shesmiles)

I’llseeyouinthemorning,Abbas.Thankyou.

ABBAS:AllahHafiz.

Allisynturnsupthevolumeonthetelevision-whichplaysonthescreen.TheBBCNewsreporterreports:

NEWSREPORTER:NowcomingtoyoufromLahore,Pakistan.ThereappearstobethebodyofayoungwomanoutsidetheHighCourthouseofLahore.Shewasapparentlykilledearlythismorning.Wedon’thaveanyadditionalinformationforyouatthistime,butwillbebringingyouupdatesasfurtherinformationbecomesavailable.NicolaKay,BBCNews.

ALLISYN:Damnit.

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Allisynopensthedeskdrawerandpullsoutherpassportandpaperwork.ThescreenstaysconnectedtohercomputersowewatchasshepullsupthePakistaniEmbassywebsiteandconfirmsthatherVISAtoLahore,Pakistanisvalid.SheisfacingtheaudiencewhileusingherMACandweseeherveryquicklynavigatearrangingacarservicetopickherupandbringhertotheairport.Acountdownclockforboththeflightandthecarserviceticksdownonthescreensothatweareawareofexactlyhowmanyminutesshehasuntilherflightdepartsandhowmanyminutesuntilthecararrives.ShechecksthetimeandSkypedialsEDWARDEVANS,theNYTimesBureauChiefbasedoutofLondon.EDWARDappearsonSkypevideo-feed.

EDWARD:

Allisyn-what’shappening?

ALLISYN:Thebodyofayoungwomanhasbeenlyingdeadoutsidethehighcourthousein

Lahoresincethismorning.Wordonthestreetisitwasanhonorkilling.I’mflyingouttonight-viaDubai.

EDWARD:

You’reawarethattheymayhaveblacklistedyou?

ALLISYN:Itwasthreeyearsago,Edward.MyVisaissolid.

(Pause.)Iamawareoftherisks.

EDWARD:

Understandthere’slittleIcandotoprotectyouifthingsgodownhill.

ALLISYN:Edward,pleaseallowmetodowhatyou’vehiredmetodo.

EDWARD:(Hepauses.)

Getthestory,Allisyn.Beincontactwithmeassoonasyouland.

ALLISYN:That’swhatIwantedtohear.Willdo.

ALLISYNhangsupwithEDWARDandimmediatelypullsupKHAN’sinformationandSkype’shim.ShespeaksinUrdu.ThescreenscontinuetoshownewscoverageoutofPakistan.Khan’simageappearsonSkype.

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ALLISYN:(inUrdu)Mr.Khan?

MUZAFFAR:

Yes.

ALLISYN:I’mAllisynDavisoftheNYTimes…AreyoucomfortableinEnglish?(Henods.)Mr.Khan,Abbastellsmeyouarewillingtospeaktomeontherecordaboutyour

client?

MUZAFFAR:Samira.

ALLISYN:Samira?

MUZAFFAR:

SamiraTasneem.

ALLISYN:CanyoupleasetellmewhenyoufirstmetSamira?

MUZAFFAR:

SamiracametomyofficeandaskedmetohelpherregisterhermarriagetoMuhummadIjaaz.Thatwasabouttwomonthsago.

ALLISYN:

Thatisstandardprocedure,isitnot?

MUZAFFAR:Samira’smarriagetoIjaazwasarrangedlastfall.Theywerescheduledtomarryinthespring.Hegaveherfamilymoneyandjewelry.But,herfamilychangedtheirmindsandinsistedshemarryhercousininstead-whoshedidnotwanttomarry.SheandMr.Ijaazwereinlove.Sotheyeloped.ThisgreatlyangeredSamira’sfamily.TheydemandedthatMr.Ijaazpaythemmoremoney,buthedidn’thavethisadditionalmoneytogive.

ALLISYN:Soyouhelpedherfilethenecessaryforms-andthenwhat?

MUZAFFAR:

ThenSamira’sfathercametothecourthouseandfiledalawsuitagainstMr.Ijaaz.HeclaimedthatMr.IjaazhadkidnappedSamiraandforcedhertomarryhimagainst

herwill.

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ALLISYN:Whichwasnottrueinyourestimation?

MUZAFFAR:

Nottrue.Samirawantedthismarriageandhadclearlychosenitforherself.

ALLISYN:So,inyouropinion,thefamilyinventedthekidnappingtogetSamiraback?

MUZAFFAR:

TheyneverwantedSamiraback.Theywantedmoremoney--compensationfortheshameshecausedthembydisobeyingthem.

Shecontinuespreparationstodepartwhileshespeakstohim.

ALLISYN:CanyoutellmeanythingaboutSamiraherself?Likeherage-wassheinschool?

MUZAFFAR:

Samirawas25.ShewasfromFaisalabad.Idon’tthinkherfamilyallowedhertogotoschool.(Hepauses.)

Samiratoldmethismorningthatshewaspregnant.

Shestopsmovingforamoment.

ALLISYN:Shewaspregnant?

MUZAFFAR:

Yousee-thiswasnotasingle,butadoublemurder.

ALLISYN:Howfaralongwasshe?

MUZAFFAR:

Shesaidafewmonths.Mr.Ijaazwouldbeabletotellyou.

ALLISYN:Icanalsocontactthemedicalexaminertoconfirmhowfaralongshewas.

MUZAFFAR:

Thatwouldbebetter,yes.JusticemustbehadforbothSamiraandherunbornchild.Thereisnohonorinthesebrutalmurders.

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ALLISYN:Let’sgobacktothismorning.Whatcanyoutellmeaboutthecircumstancesof

Samira’sdeath?

MUZAFFAR:Shewasstonedbyherownfamily.Awholemobofthem.20people-father,

brothers,evensomefemalecousins.Iwasthere.InfrontoftheHighCourt.Withpolicemenstandingrightthere.Theyjustletithappen.Theyletherdie.

ALLISYN:

Mr.Khan,I’monthemidnightflighttoPakistantonight.WouldyoubewillingtomeetwithmeinpersontodiscussthedetailsofSamira’sdeath?

MUZAFFAR:

Yes,madam.Iwill.I’vealsofiledareportwiththeMahzangpolicestation.

ALLISYN:Areyouafraidforyoursafety?

MUZAFFAR:

IowethistoSamira,madam.

ALLISYN:Thankyou,Mr.Khan.You’llhearfrommetomorrow-assoonasIland.

MUZAFFAR:Ok.AllahHafiz.

Allisynhangsupthephoneandimmediatelybecomeslightheadedandhastositdown.Sheleansforwardandputsherheadbeneathherknees.Shestaysthereuntiltheepisodepasses.Shestandstentatively.Shegoestotherefrigeratorandtakesalongdrinkofwater.Oncesheiscomposed,shegoestoherdesk,pullsoutaseparatephone.Sheplugsitintoherlaptop,whichconnectsbacktothescreen.ShechecksherwatchandsendsoffatexttoABBASinPakistan,whichappearsonthescreen.EverytimeshetypesorspeaksinUrdu,weseetheEnglishtranslationononeofthescreensbehindher.AllisyntypesinUrdutoABBAS.Atranslationappears:“Headedtoairport.Seeyouat8am.Confirm.”کلصبح8بجےپہنچنےکی۔کریںتصدیق۔حوالگی

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Sheleavesthephonecharginginthecomputerandlooksattheminimizedframestoseehowmuchtimeshehas.Shesitsforasecondandthencloseshercomputer.Allisyn(She)receivesatextfromthecarservice-whichpopsuponthescreen:“Car#555toJFKhasarrived.”Shecollectsherbelongingsandsystematicallyshutsdownherelectronics,takingthechargers,thetwoseparatephones,andhersuitcase(passportetc.);thereisnoscrambling.AtextresponsefromABBASonthesecondaryphonereads:“Ayay,captain.”WeseethisinbothUrduandEnglishonthescreen.Shesmiles,closesbothphones,collectsherbags,andexiststheapartment.Lightsgotoblack.

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Scene2AllisynisnowattheAllamaIqbalInternationalAirport(inLahore,Pakistan).She’schangedintomoreconservativeattire-longsleevesandpantsandwearsascarf.ShepausestoswitchtheSIMcardintoherphone.SheapproachesCustomsandanIMMIGRATIONOFFICERappears.

IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:Papers,please.

Shehandsoverherpassport,visaanddocuments.

IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:Press?Youarejournalist,madam,yes?

ALLISYN:

Yes,NewYorkTimes.Sheshowshervisaandbadge.TheIMMIGRATIONOFFICERtakestheitemsandstudiesthem.Shescansthepassportintothecomputerandbecomesvisiblyirritated.

IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:

Youarrivedfromwhere-NewYork?

ALLISYN:Via,Dubai,yes.

IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:Visadenied,madam.

ALLISYN:

(SheswitchestoUrdu,sweetly)Theremustbesomemistake.MyvisawasverifiedbeforeIboardedtheplanein

Dubai.

IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:PerhapsVisawasvalidthen,butVisaisnolongervalidnowforyourentryintoPakistan.Youwillstepoverhere,madam.AnISIOfficerwillarrivemomentarilytoescortyouontothenextflightbacktoDubai.

ALLISYN:(ShowninUrdu,statedaggressively:)

Idon’tunderstand.Itwasvalid6hoursago.HowcouldthestatuschangewhileIwasintheair?

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IMMIGRATIONOFFICER:YouwillbedeniedentranceatalldomesticandinternationalairportsinPakistan.

Indefinitely,madam.

ALLISYN:(Toherself.)

Shit.ShestepstothesideandawaitsthearrivalofherescortShetakesthememorychipoutofherphone.ShetakesoutherAmericaniPhoneandattemptstoconnecttotheWi-Fifromtheairport.Wewatchtheconnectionattemptonthescreen.AssoonastheWi-Fibarsconnect,shetextsABBAS:“Beingre-routedtoDubai.”ABBAScallsherphoneinresponse,sheanswers:

ABBAS:Immigrationishavingfunwithyou?

ALLISYN:

Don’tevenstart,Abbas.

ABBAS:Theyhaven’tinvitedyouforchai?

ALLISYN:Veryfunny.

Helaughs.

ABBAS:OK,justkeepmeinformed.

Listen,Iwantedtotellyouinperson-butitseemsthisisascloseaswearegoingtogetatthemoment.

ALLISYN:Nowwhat?!

ABBAS:

No,no…goodnewsforyou.FaryalandIgotmarried.Thispastsummer.

ALLISYN:Seriously,Abbas?

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ABBAS:

Wewantedtosurpriseyou.

ALLISYN:Ican’tbelieveyoudidn’ttellme…Thanksfortheinvitation?

ABBAS:

Yourrecordisn’texactlyImmigrationfriendly,Allisyn.AndFaryal’sfamilywasn’tparticularlykeenonadestinationwedding.

ALLISYN:

(Rhetorically)NoonewantedtoattendasummerweddinginDubai?

ABBAS:

IhadtopersuadeFaryalthatyou’dunderstand.

ALLISYN:OfcourseIdo.Congratulations,younut.

ABBAS:

Nottoworry-Americanssayyouhaveayeartogiveagift,yes?

ALLISYN:(shelaughs)

Somethinglikethat.I’mhappyforyou.

ABBAS:Thankyou.

(beat)

ALLISYN:I’llletyouknowwhat’shappening.

ABBAS:

OK,standingby.Shehangsupandtextsboss,EDWARD:“Deniedentrance–Visa“notvalid”.BeingescortedbacktoDubai.WillworkfromDubai-willfiguresomethingout.”

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Scene3

LightsuponAllisynenteringahotelroominDubai.Shethrowsherbagsdownandimmediatelyturnsonthenews.ShetextsEdward:“ShewaskilleddirectlyinfrontoftheHighCourt.Itwasbroadday-light”.Edwardtextsback:“Dowhatyoucanfromthere.I’msendingyouaMiddleEastcorrespondenttogoinontheground.He’llbeinDubaiinafewhours.”Sheresponds:“Who?”SheflipsthechannelbacktothenewsoutofPakistanandstudiesherphone.Shetextsagain:“PakistanisnottheMiddleEast,Edward.”Heresponds:“BenAdams-he’scominginfromCairo.”Allisynputsherheadinherhands.

ALLISYN:Ofcourse,heis….

Shestartsunpackingherbelongings,plugsinallherelectricaldevices.Sheturnsupthevolumeonthenews,goestothebathroom,andturnsontheshower.LightCue(change).

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Scene4

Itisnownighttime.Allisynhassleptalittle,showeredandchangedintoslightlymorewesternclothing.

Herphonebeeps.AtextfromBENADAMScomesin:

“Edwardsentme.I’minroom220.Whereareyou?”Shecollectsherselfandtextsback:“310.Comeonup.”

ALLISYNchecksherappearanceinthemirror-thengoestothedoor–waitingforhisknock.Sheopensthedoorandgesturesforhimtoenter.BENentersherhotelroom.Hewaitsforhertosaysomething-andwhenshedoesn’t-walksallthewayintothehotelroomandsetshisbagsdownonthebed.

ALLISYN:Doyouwantsomethingtodrink?Water?Whiskey?

BEN:

Water’dbegood.

Shegetshimawaterbottle.Handsittohim.Hetakesitfromher-sitsonthebedandsmiles.

BEN(cont’d):Hi,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:

Thatwasfast.TogetherefromCairo,Imean.

BEN:It’snotbadifyouflydirect-fourhours.IguessEdward’sjusthopingI’llpissoffless

peoplethanyoutendto.

ALLISYN:Ididn’tmeantoinvolveyou-trustme.ThelastthingIwantedwastohandthestory

overtoyou….

BEN:You’renothandingitovertome.They’reyourcontacts.

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ALLISYN:That’sright.Theyare.Mycontacts.

BEN:

WasInotsupposedtocome?Ifyoucan’tcoverityourself,nooneshould?Anyway-I’monthefirstflighttoLahoreinthemorning.

ALLISYN:

Thevictim’slawyer,Khan,wasaneyewitness.Hewasexpectingmetoday.

BEN:TheBBCandCNNarereportingit?

ALLISYN:

Nofactsorfootageyet-justtheheadline.

BEN:Right.

Helooksaroundtheroom.Beat.

ALLISYN:So.You’restillinEgypt.Haven’thadyourfillofArabiannightsyet?

BEN:

ActuallyIrodehereonmyhorse.

ALLISYN:Whateverhappenedwiththepromotion?EditorInChief,right?BackintheStates?

BEN:

EdwardgaveittoDianeAbramson-whodoesn’thavehalfthereportingexperiencethatIdo.She’sspentthelastyearasaculturalnewseditor-

ALLISYN:

Yes…butshewastheDeputyForeignEditorforfiveyearsbeforethat.AndtheExecutiveEditoroftheInternationalHeraldTribunebeforethatand….

BEN:

(Interruptingher)Youknowwhat?Let’s….stayonsubject:Pakistan.Youactuallythoughttheywouldletyouin?

ALLISYN:

Iwascautiouslyoptimistic.

BEN:Allisyn-youwroteanop-edonShariaLawfortheTimeslastmonth.

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ALLISYN:

ItwastheWashingtonPostpiecefromthreeyearsagothatpissedthemoff,Ben,notthedamnop-ed.Apparentlygovernmentofficialsgetalittletestywhenyoucall

themoutontradinggirlsforsex.

BEN:Nothinglikethrowingfreshfuelonthefire--withanopinionpieceonIslamicLawin

theNYTimes?(beat)

Youknowwe’vealreadygotstringersonthegroundinLahore.

ALLISYN:Theyaremycontacts,Ben.Thisismyarea-youknowyouwoulddothesame.

BEN:

Hey,let’sstartover?I’llknockonthedoor,andyou’llopenitandsay,

“Ben!I’msogladtoseeyou…Thankyouforcoming!I’msorryEdwardhadtocallyoutomyrescue,andI’msorryIdisappearedandneverreturnedanyofyourcalls,

emailsortextsafter10daysofprettyawesomelovemakingontheSuezlastsummer….

(Beat)

ALLISYN:Youweren’tcalledtomyrescue.

BEN:

Really,Allisyn?

ALLISYN:I’msorry.Iam.Sorry.

BEN:

Areyou?

ALLISYN:Yes.

BEN:Forwhichpart?

ALLISYN:

Therunningawaypart.Andthenotreturningyourcallspart.Youdidn’tdeservethat.

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BEN:No,Ididn’t.

ALLISYN:

I….Ineededtogetbacktomywork.

BEN:Wewereonassignment,Allisyn.Iwasn’tkeepingyoufromyourwork.

ALLISYN:

Ijustmean,Icouldn’tstaythereinyourworldwithyou. Anyway-IwasofferedapositionontheClintoncampaign.ItwasimportantthatIbethere.Youknow-pussygrabsback.

BEN:Jesus-Iwasn’tholdingyouhostage.Youwerefreetoleaveatanypoint.Iwasjust

expectingyoutohavethedecencytotellmeyouwereleaving.

ALLISYN:Iknow.

BEN:

Thingswere-good,weren’tthey?

ALLISYN:Iknow.

BEN:

Imean-Ithoughttheywere.Ithoughttheywerereallygood-andyou--

ALLISYN:Iknow.

BEN:So?

ALLISYN:Ijust-couldn’t.

BEN:Why?

ALLISYN:I…snuckoutofyourhotelroomandaskedEdwardtoreassignme.

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BEN:Well,thatmuchIgathered.Butit’sgoodtohearyousayit.Icalledyouforweeks,Allisyn.Ihadnoideawhereyouwent.

ALLISYN:

IsaidIwassorry.

BEN:DidIdosomethingwrong?

ALLISYN:

No!(beat)Thatlastnight.Afteryoutoldmeaboutyourfamily…Iwaswatchingyousleep.Youwere-sweaty.Itwassofuckinghotthere.Andthewayyousmelled---Iwantedyou.AndIwasafraidthatIwouldchoosethatovermyworkifIhadto.SoI

hadtoleave.

BEN:You’dchoosethat.

ALLISYN:It.Us.

BEN:

Me.Youwereafraidyou’dchooseme.(beat)Ineverwouldhavestoppedyoufromworking.

ALLISYN:

Youwouldn’thaveaskedmeto,no.

BEN:There’sroom,Allisyn.Tobeanddowhateveryouwant.

ALLISYN:

Wantingyou-isnotanoption.

BEN:Ibegtodiffer.(Hekissesher.)

Putyourworkfirst.I’mveryself-sufficient.

ALLISYN:Imaydisappointyou.

BEN:

Icanlivewiththat.

Shekisseshim.Herespondspassionately.Theymovetothebed.

19

SCENE5:Anhourlater.They’restillinbed.

BEN:So,whoknowsyou’rehere-justEdward?

ALLISYN:Yes.

Hekissesher.BEN:

Notyoursister?

ALLISYN:JustEdward.

Theycontinuetokiss.

BEN:She’solder,right?

ALLISYN:Twoyears.

BEN:

Isshelikeyou?

ALLISYN:Sortof.She’sjust…bossierthanme.

BEN:

You’reprettybossy.

ALLISYN:Ihaveotherfineattributes.

Hesmirksalittle.

BEN:Yes-yes,youdo.

So,yourbigsisterbossedyouaround,huh?

ALLISYN:Iusedtostealherclothesandshit-justtodrivehercrazy.

BEN:

Yeah,boysdon’treallydothat.

20

(beat)Yourpoordad.Twobeautiful,smartgirls.

Shepullsawayfromhim.

ALLISYN:

Howcomenooneeversays,thosepoorlittlegirls…Ihopetheyhaveagoodfather?

BEN:Hey,yougetwhatyouget.Iworkedmyassofftogetawayfrommine.

Sheturnsonthenews.Reportingplaysonthescreens-livefootagecomingoutofPakistan.BenflipsittoCairo.

BEN(cont’d):Haveyoubeenfollowingwhat’shappeningtotheChristianssinceyouwerethere?

ALLISYN:

AdozenhoseddownattheCopticChurchinCairo.

BEN:Anothertwenty-onebeheadedinLibya-

ALLISYN:

Isn’tthattheonecommondenominatorbetweentheMuslimBrotherhoodandIsis--thattheybothhatetheChristiansasmuchtheyhate

Americans?

BEN:Onlyifyou’regrosslyuninformedandoversimplifyingthesituation.

ALLISYN:

UnbelievablethatEgyptwasn’tincludedinthe“MuslimBan”.

BEN:OrPakistan.Anditwasn’taban—itwas“ninetydays”.

ALLISYN:Right.

SheflipsthenewsbacktoPakistan.

ALLISYN:So,tomorrow….

BEN:

Igetontheflightinthemorning.

21

ALLISYN:

Abbaswillmeetyouat10:45andbringyouintoLahore.Justspeaktoasmanypeopleonthegroundasyoucan.AnddoyourbestnottogetcapturedbyAlQaeda

ortheTaliban….

BEN:That’salittleharsh.

Bentakesthepapersshehasgivenhim.Heentersthephonenumbersintohisphone.

ALLISYN:

Oh,c’mon.Don’tgoallsoftonmenow.

BEN:(Sarcastically)

HopefullyIcangetthemtotalk.

ALLISYN:You’renotasverboseinUrduasyouareinEnglish?

BEN:

YoushouldtrytoshutmeupinArabic.

ALLISYN:(Shesmiles)

Abbashasbeenwithmeoverfiveyears.You’reingoodhands.(Beat)

BEN:Listen–ifsomethinghappenstomewhileI’mthere,Idon’twantyoutofeelinany

wayresponsiblefor-

ALLISYN:Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyou….

BEN:I’mjustsaying-

ALLISYN:

(Sheinterruptshim)Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyou.

BEN:

Ijust---wantyoutoknowthatitwasmychoicetocome.

22

ALLISYN:Edwardcalledyouspecificallybecauseheknewyou’dcome.Nooneforcedyou-I

knowthat.

BEN:Ok…IseeIcanrelinquishanyconcernsaboutthat…

ALLISYN:

Howabout--Idon’tfeelresponsibleforyourdecisionsandyoudon’tfeelresponsibleformine?

BEN:

Oh,Idon’t.Evenwhenyou’remakingbadones.

ALLISYN:Iwasdeported-notbeheaded.

BEN:

Iwasn’ttalkingaboutPakistan.(beat)Benthrowshisboxerson,getsupandgrabsbothoftheirlaptops,handinghersofftoher.Theirvariouslaptopinteractionsareshowbehindthemonthescreens.TheybothpullupimagesandresearchSamira’sstory.WeseeSamira’simageshownonthescreenconnectedtoALLISYN’scomputer.ALLISYNreferstothephoto.

ALLISYN:

Samira’slawyer,Khan,sentthis.It’sherIDfromtheCourthousepaperworkhefiledforherandherhusband,Ijaaz.Khan’sarrangedforyoutomeethimtomorrow.

Skyperingsonhercomputer.SheseesthatitisMELISSA.

ALLISYN:

I’msorry-Ineedtotakethis.

BEN:Noproblem.

BENputshislaptoponthetableandgoesintothebathroomtotakeashower.ALLISYNanswers;thescreensshowaverypregnant,MELISSA.

ALLISYN:Hey,there.

MELISSA:

Hi!DidIwakeyou?

23

ALLISYN:No,no-itjusttookmeaminutetogettothephone.Howareyou?

Feelinganybetter?

MELISSA:Whoeversaidthenauseapassesafterthefirsttrimesterlied.

ALLISYN:

I’msorry.Hey,rememberwhenwewereontheGravitron-atthefair?

MELISSA:Oh,God.

ALLISYN:

Itwasspinningaroundsofast-andyouwerescreamingyouweregonnapuke-

MELISSA:Pleasedon’tremindme-

ALLISYN:

andIwasbeggingyounottosoitwouldn’tflystraightbackinourfaces.

MELISSA:Ally-youaremakingitworse!

ALLISYN:

Yourfacewastotallygreen.

MELISSA:Likeitisrightnow?

ALLISYN:(Smiling.)Sorry.

MELISSA:Brat.

(beat)Youlookgood.Uncharacteristicallyrelaxed.

ALLISYN:Oh?

ALLISYNscramblestoappearnormal,andnotinbed.

24

MELISSA:Areyouinahotel?Whereareyou?

ALLISYN:

Uh-I’minDubai,actually.

MELISSA:Dubai?Whatfor?Youdidn’ttellmeyouweregoing?

ALLISYN:

Iknow.Itcameupkindofquickly.

MELISSA:Well,whatareyoudoingthere?

ALLISYN:

I’msupposedtobecoveringastoryinPakistanbuttheyre-routedmehere.

MELISSA:Ally,Jesus.(beat)

Theydidn’tletyouin,didthey?

ALLISYN:It’sfine-ithappenssometimes-

MELISSA:

Ithinkwebothknowwhy“ithappened”thistime.Couldn’ttheysendsomeoneelse?

ALLISYN:No.

MELISSA:Whynot?

ALLISYN:

BecausePakistanismyarea.

MELISSA:Iknowthat,Ally.That’snotwhyIaskedyouthat.

ALLISYN:

(Sheexhales.)Iknow.Sorry.(beat)

25

Melissadoesn’tsayanything.Bencomesoutofthebathroomandsitsatthetablewithhislaptop.

ALLISYN(cont’d):

Look,I’msorry.IwantedtotellyouIwasleavingbutIdidn’twanttoworryyou,so.Ifiguredyouhadenoughonyourplate.

MELISSA:

I…Howlongwillyoubegonethistime?

ALLISYN:

Idon’tknowexactly.

MELISSA:Willyoubebackforthebaby?

ALLISYN:Of,course.

MELISSA:

Imean,Icoulddeliveranydaynow.

ALLISYN:It’sanotherhonorkilling.

MELISSA:

AndI’mhavingababy.

ALLISYN:I’llbebacksoon,Ipromise.Listen,I’vegottarun.

MELISSA:You’renotevenintherightcountry.Can’tyoujustcomehome?

ALLISYN:

Ihaveacolleagueherewho’sworkingwithme,ok?Itwillbefine;I’llcoverthisonestoryandI’llbeback.

MELISSA:

Youdon’thavetodothis.

ALLISYN:Actually,Ido.(beat)

26

ALLISYN(cont’d):

I’llletyouknowwhenI’mback,ok?Iloveyou.

MELISSA:Iloveyou,too.

ALLISYN:Ok,bye.

Shegoestohangup.MELISSA:

Ally?....Pleasebecareful.

ALLISYN:Iwill.Don’tworry.Bye.

MELISSA:Bye.

SheturnstoBen.

ALLISYN:Sorryaboutthat.

BEN:

She’spregnant?

ALLISYN:Almostninemonths.

BEN:

Firstbaby?

ALLISYN:Yea.

BEN:Nowonder;shemustbeawreck.

ALLISYN:

HerhusbandisanOB-GYN.

BEN:Wow,OK.

ALLISYN:

Imean,he’snotherOB-GYN…

27

BEN:

That’sprobablyagoodthing-

ALLISYN:Yes-I’msureitis.

BEN:

Butstill….That’sgottabeamazingforthem.ALLISYNisquiet.

BEN:Right?Imean,nowondersheisworriedaboutyou.

ALLISYN:

Anyway,I’mhopingshe’llhavedeliveredbythetimeIgethome.

BEN:Why’sthat?

ALLISYN:

Oh,it’salongstory.

Bensmiles,patsthebed–gesturingforhertojoinhim.

BEN:Idon’thaveanywhereelsetobe….

ALLISYNjoinshim,reluctantly.

ALLISYN:Shejust-spentalotoftimeinthehospital.

Melissa.I’mnotanxioustoseeherthereagain.

BEN:Shewassick?

ALLISYN:

No,no.Shewas….drugged.Roofied.

BEN:Jesus.I’msorry.

SheswitchesthenewsbacktocoverageofSamira.

ALLISYN:

Anyway.Samira.

28

BEN:

Wait,Allisyn.Sheignoreshim.

ALLISYN:SoKhanwaswitnesstoherdeath.

BEN:

Weweretalkingaboutyoursister---

ALLISYN:ItlookslikehisofficeisalmostdirectlyacrossthestreetfromtheCourthouse….

BEN:

Wassheatabar?

ALLISYN:SoheprobablyescortedthemfromhisofficetotheCourthouse…

BEN:

Allisyn…

ALLISYN:Andsomehowsheendsupmurderedbyherownfamilyinbroaddaylight?

BEN:Allisyn!

ALLISYN:

Shewasraped,ok?Shewasgangraped.

BEN:

Whatthehellhappened?

ALLISYN:Itwasagroupofboys.SheandJulie-herfriendJulie-wereatapartytogether.I

wasinvitedtogo,too,butIdecidednotto.

BEN:Wherewereyourparents?

ALLISYN:

Awayfortheweekend.

29

BEN:So,whydidn’tyougowithher?(Beat)Al?

ALLISYN:

We’dhadafight.IborrowedhernewPinkFloydt-shirtwithoutaskingher.

BEN:So…?

ALLISYN:Soshecaughtmestealingitfromherclosetandfreakedout.

BEN:

Youstolehershirtand-

ALLISYN:Shecalledandsaidthepartywasablast.ThatitwastoobadIcouldn’trespect

hershitoritwould’vebeenfuntogotogether.SoItoldhertopissoff-andhunguponher.Andunpluggedthephone.

Thepoliceknockedonourdoorinthemorning.They’dfoundherpassedoutonthestreet.They’dbeentryingtocall.

BEN:

Wow.I’msorry.

ALLISYN:Mydadstoppedtalkingtoherforawhileafterthat.

BEN:

Whywouldhedothat?

ALLISYN:Itseemedlikehewaspunishingher.

BEN:

Didhethinkitwasherfault?

ALLISYN:Idon’tknowwhathethought.

BEN:

Whataboutyourmother?

ALLISYN:Shewantedtogotothepolice-butheinsistedMelissa’dbeenthroughenough.

30

BEN:Yourparentsneverpressedcharges?That’sabsurd.

(beat)Allisyn,thiswasnotyourfault.(beat)

Didyoueverfindoutwhatactuallyhappenedthatnight?

ALLISYN:So…theywereattheparty.ApparentlyMelissawantedtostayandhangoutwith

Phil-thisguyshe’dbeendating.HewasgonnawalkhertoJulie’s.

BEN:Hewasoneoftheguysthatattackedher?

ALLISYN:

Idon’tknow,Ben.

BEN:Wasn’tsheexaminedatthehospital?

ALLISYN:

Shewas,yes.Butsheadmittedthey’dbeensleepingtogetherforawhile.

BEN:Howoldwasshe?

ALLISYN:Sixteen.

BEN:

Shestartedyoung.

ALLISYN:Howoldwereyou?

BEN:Fifteen.

(beat)

ALLISYN:Anyway-shewasgettingalotofattention.

BEN:

Andshelikedit?

31

ALLISYN:Whodoesn’t?

(beat)

BEN:So-Philwasoneoftheguysbut-

ALLISYN:

Butbecauseshewasdatinghim-noonebelievedthathewaspartoftherape.

BEN:Butsheclaimedhewas.

ALLISYN:

Melissasaidheforcedhimselfonherandtheninvitedseveralofhisfriendstohaveher,aswell.

BEN:

Whatapieceofshit.Theseotherguys-youknewwhotheywere?

ALLISYN:Theywerefromourschool.She’dactuallybeenoutwithacoupleofthembefore.

BEN:

She’dsleptwiththem?

ALLISYN:ShewasallaboutPhil.Theywerespendingalltheirtimetogether.

BEN:

Soshewasn’tsleepingwithanyofotherguys?

ALLISYN:IjusttoldyoushewasonlydatingPhil.

BEN:

OnlyPhil?Imean,doyouthinktheresomeconfusionaboutwhatshewasupfor?

ALLISYN:I’msorry?

BEN:

I’mjustwonderingifmaybeshewasalittlemoreinterestedintheotherguysthanyoumighthaverealized.Imean-itsoundslikemaybe-

32

ALLISYN:(Interruptinghim)

WhatIsaidwasthatshe’dhadsexwithPhil.Whichyouobviouslyhaveajudgmentabout-

BEN:

Ididn’tsayitwaswrong-Ijustsaidshewasyoung.

ALLISYN:Pleasetellmeyouaren’taskingmetoexplainthedifferencebetweenchoosingto

havesexandbeinggangraped….

BEN:I’msimplyrestatingthefacts.Shewasasexuallychargedgirl.Shewasalreadydatingafewofthem….I’mjustaskingifit’spossiblethattheguysweregetting

mixedsignalsfromher?

ALLISYN:Youarenotserious.

BEN:

I’mjusttryingtounderstandwhathappened.

ALLISYN:Ialreadytoldyouwhathappened.

BEN:

I’mnotdefendingthem…

ALLISYN:Areyousure?

BEN:Allisyn.Iamareporter.Iamjusttryingtogetthefacts.Thisiswhatwedo…

ALLISYN:

Inmyentirelife,Ihaveneverregrettedtellinganyonethisstory-morethanIdorightnow.

BEN:

It’sahorriblethingthathappenedtoMelissa-Ijustthought…

(beat)

BEN(cont’d):Listen,Iusedtohavethisgirlfriend.Weplayedthesegamesinbed.She’dtakeoffallherclothesandclimbontopofme,andthentellmenottotouchher.She’dkeep

33

BEN(cont’d):teasingme,sayingyesandthenno,andthenbegmetoover-powerher…She’dget

soworkedupandaskforitharderaftershe’dsaidno…Itwashot.

ALLISYN:Melissawasateenager-notagrownwoman,role-playingwithyou.

BEN:

I’msorry-Ijustthoughtmaybe-

ALLISYN:MaybeWHAT?Haveyoueverseensomeonewho’sbeengangraped,Ben?Causeletmetellwhatthatlookslike.Unconscious.Withablackeyeandswollenjaw--bruisesontheshouldersandarms.Therewerethesecrusty,bloodypartsofherhead.Thesurgeonstoppedtheinternalbleedingsoaslongastheswellinginherbrainhadn’tcausedbraindamage,theDr.saidshemightjustpullthroughOK.Shesitsdownabruptly.Fightsthroughthelight-headedness-butisclearlythrownoff.

ALLISYN(cont’d):

Isthatwhatyouneededtohearmesay?Youneededmetoexplainthewaytheyalmostkilledherbeforeyouboughtit?Becauseshemighthavehadsexwithoneofthembefore-thathersayingnothistimedoesn’tcount?!

BEN:Ididn’trealize…Ihadnoideashe’dbeenhurtsobadly.Thatisnothowyou

presentedit.YoutoldmethishistorywithPhilandtheotherboys-Ijustthoughtitwaspossiblethatshewasmoreinvolvedinittobeginwithandthen

itturnedintosomethingelse.Andfortherecord-yes,Ihaveseenwomenwho’vebeengangedraped.Let’snothaveacompetitionoverwhoseseenworseshit.

ALLISYN:

It’snotacompetition.I’mtalkingabouthoweightboysdrugged,beatandgangrapedmysister-athomeintheU.S.,Ben.

(beat)HowcouldIbesostupid?It’sthesameold,Goddamnstory-everywhere.SpewingfromthemouthofthePresidentoftheUnitedStatesorcamouflagedinsideaHarvardeducationwithaNYTimesbadge.

(beat)Sotomorrowyoumeetmycontacts.AndyousaythethingsItellyoutosay.

ALLISYN(cont’d):Whatdidyoucomeherefor,Ben?Tosendmebackhomesafeandsoundwhileyoucovermystory?

34

BEN:Icamehereforyou,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:

AndIcamehereforSamiraTasneem.Nottogetlaid.Benwalksoutofthehotelroom.Blackout..

35

Scene6

It’sveryearlythenextmorning-5:30am.Allisynisonhercomputer.Sheisdressedandalreadyworking.Skyperings.ThescreensbehindherswitchtoAl-Jazeera-theriotsinLahore.ALLISYNanswersthecall.

ALLISYN:Mehreen?Hello?

MEHREEN:

Hithere,MisshotshotNYTimes.GuessyourWashingtonPostarticleswentoverabitbetterinNYthantheydidhereinPakistan…

ALLISYN:

Yeah.Itwould’vebeennicetohaveaheadsupaboutthatbeforeIgottoImmigration.

MEHREEN:

Well,it’sbeenalongtimesinceI’veheardfromyounow-what,threeyears?

ALLISYN:Aboutthat,Iguess.Andyou’refreelancingwithTheDawnnow,right?

MEHREEN:

Ihaveamonthlycolumn.It’snottheWashingtonPost…

ALLISYN:It’sthelargestEnglishspeakingpublicationinPakistan,Mehreen.Congratulations.

MEHREEN:Well,I’mmostlyinthecourtroomthesedays.

Iguessitsgoodwegotyououtwhenwedid.YourmessagesaidtheysentyoubacktoDubai?

ALLISYN:

I’minahotelhere–workingwithacolleaguewho’sarrivingtodayinLahore.IwonderedifIcouldconnectthetwoofyou?

MEHREEN:

Forwhatpurpose,Allisyn?

ALLISYN:We’recoveringthehonorkillingofSamiraTasneem.He’sontheground.Ithought

maybeyoucouldgivehimthelayoftheland?

36

MEHREEN:WhathappenedtoAbbas?

ALLISYN:

We’restillworkingtogether.Ijustthoughtyoumightbeinabetterpositiontocorroboratesomeofthefacts-orfacilitateameetingwiththepoliceofficerswhowereinvolvedattheMahzang

station?

MEHREEN:Towhatpurpose,canIask?

ALLISYN:I’msorry?

MEHREEN:

Imean,sorrytobeblunt,butwhatisyourangle?Anotherepisodeofthenoble,whiteAmericansweepingintosavethepoorbrownpeople?Brownwomen,more

specifically?

ALLISYN:Jesus,Mehreen….That’salittleunfair.

MEHREEN:

Youknow,Allisyn.It’sfunny...WhenweexposedthesextradehereandyoupublishedthosearticlesintheWashingtonPost-IactuallybelievedthatyouhadPakistan’sbestinterestatheart.Butinstead,youbecametheposter-childfor

Pakistaniwomen.

ALLISYN:DidImisrepresentyouinsomeway?

MEHREEN:

Youwereherefor11months.Thatdoesnotgiveyoutherighttobethevoiceofourpeople.

ALLISYN:

Iwasn’ttryingtobethevoiceofyourpeople,Iwastryingtocontinuewhatwestarted.Youcould’vepickedupthephoneifyoudidn’tlikewhatIwaswriting.

MEHREEN:

YouwroteanOp-edintheNYTimesonhowShariaLawaffectsthelivesofPakistaniwomen,Allisyn,andneglectedtoincludeonesingleon-the-ground,female

37

MEHREEN(cont’d):Pakistaniperspective.Thatisnotcontinuingwhatwestarted.That,isself-

aggrandizingAmericanpropaganda.

(beat)

ALLISYN:Youhelpedgetmeoutofthecountry.Ithoughtwewereonthesamepage…

MEHREEN:Idon’tknowifyoucanheartheralliesbehindme,canyou?Maybeyoucansee

them?

ALLISYN:It’sonAl-Jazeera-

MEHREEN:

We’renotpeoplewithoutvoiceswhoneedyoutoswoopinandturnthisintoanotherOp-EdintheSundayTimes.

Becausewearenotallvictims,here,youdoknowthat,right?

ALLISYN:Well,Samiracertainlywas.

MEHREEN:

ThatiswhywearegatheredheretochallengetheinterpretationofsomeofourIslamicteachings,andtore-writethem-ifnecessary.Butthisissomethingthatonly

thepeopleofPakistancando.

ALLISYN:Idon’tseehowmycoveringthisstoryinanywaybelittleswhatyouareworking

towards.

MEHREEN:Intheory,Allisyn,itdoesn’t.Butinpracticality,itdoes.It’sinthewaythisnewsandmediaispresentedtotheAmericanpeople.LikeyourShariaLawOp-ed....Allitdidwasreinforcetheideaweareallvictims.Thatwehavenovoice,noeducation,noabilitytoresolveourowncountry’sissueswithoutWesterninfluence.Andquite

frankly,Iamsickofit.

ALLISYN:Soletmegetthisstraight.YouwouldratherthestorynotrunintheTimesatall,

thanhavemewritemyversionofit?

38

MEHREEN:WedonotneedWesternerstocomeinandfixourcountryforus.Ortofeelsorryforus.It’seitherthat,orweareallsuicidebombersandterrorists.I’msorry,Allisyn,butyourcountrydoesn’tseemtounderstandthatthereisanythinginbetween.

ALLISYN:Ithinkyouhaveforgottenyourobjectivityhere,Mehreen.

MEHREEN:

Wealllostthatyearsago.

ALLISYN:Look.I’mcoveringthisstory.Benisalreadyonhiswaythere.Ifyoudon’twantto

beapartofthat-whatcanIsay?

MEHREEN:Wedon’tneedtobefodderforadinnerpartydebate.Youwanttodosomethingaboutit-thencomebackhere.Oh,youcan’t.Youcan’tcomeseeforyourself,canyou?Andthereisareasonforthat.MaybeSamira,asyousointimatelycallher,doesn’tneedtobesaved-thewayyouthinkshedoes.Maybeyoushouldfocusonthepeoplewhoarespeakinguphereonherbehalf?

ALLISYN:

That’swhatI’mtryingtodo,Mehreen.

MEHREEN:Well,IguessPakistanhasdecidedyouarenottheonetotellit.Itjustgetstoo

twistedinthepresentation.Thecrowdbehindhergetslouder.

MEHREEN(cont’d):

Anyway,Allisyn.…I’vegottogo.Goodluck,ok?I’llseeyouwhenIseeyou.

Theyhangup.Sheisflummoxedbythiscall.Themonitorsshowwhatsheseesonherlaptop;riotingcontinuedonthenewsinPakistan,andherownmapsofachronologicaltimelineoftheeventsassheknowsthemtohavetranspired.ShelooksatGoogleearth:mapsoftheHighCourtHouse,theMazhangPoliceStationandthelawyer’soffice.Allisyn’scellphonebeeps-it’sBen.Thescreenshowshistext:“ArrivedinLahore.”Sheisvisiblyrelieved.Shetextsback:

39

“HaveAbbasbringyoutotheHighCourtHouse.Sendmewhatevershotsyoucanget.”

40

Scene7Thesameday,severalhourslater,thetimeisnow1:05pm,localtimeinDubai.AllisynissittingoutsidetheofficeoftheConsulGeneral,ShahreyarZasar,waitingtobeseen.AconsularAgent,RajaMahmood,greetsher.

RAJAMAHMOOD:Ms.Davis?

ALLISYN:Yes?

RAJAMAHMOOD:

TheConsulGeneralwillseeyounow.

HepresentstheConsulGeneral,ShahreyarZasar,andremainsstandinginsidethedoor.Zasargesturesforhertohaveachair.

SHAHREYARZASAR:

Ihearyou’vebeenbusysinceyourarrival,MissDavis.

ALLISYN:Thankyouforseeingme,Mr.Zasar.

SHAHREYARZASAR:

We,attheConsulate,werenotifiedofyourdeniedentrancetoPakistantwodaysago,andyoursubsequentre-entranceintoDubai.

ALLISYN:

Yes,itseemsthatwhilemyLahoreVisawasingoodstandinguponboardingtheplaneinDubai,itbecameinvalidoverthecourseofthe4-hourflightfromhereto

Pakistan.Thatisindeedinteresting,isitnot,Mr.Zasar?

SHAHREYARZASAR:WearewellawareofyourarticlesintheWashingtonPostfromyourlastforayinPakistan,whatwasit-threeyearsago?Severalofmycolleagueslosttheirpositions

asaresultofthem.Andthenthere’syourmostrecentShariaLawOp-edintheTimes.Seemsyouhavea

fairlyonesidedopinionofourIslamicLaw.Pakistan,asyouknow,maintainstherighttodisallowanyonetheywishfromenteringitsdomain.Thosepeoplewhocommitactionsthatareanti-Pakistani

shouldbepreparedtobedeniedentrance.

ALLISYN:Ajournalist’sjobistopresentthefacts,sir.Ifyourgovernmentchoosestoviewthatasmybeinganti-Pakistani-well,Idon’thavecontroloverthat,doI?

41

SHAHREYARZASAR:No,madam.Indeedyoudonot.

(Beat.)Howlongdoyouintendtostayhere,inDubai?

.ALLISYN:

IhadhopedyoumightassistmeingettingbackintoPakistan.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Oh,Idon’tthinkso.

ALLISYN:

ThenIsupposeI’llbehereaslongasittakes,sir.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Toaccomplishwhat,Ms.Davis?

ALLISYN:

TotelltheunbiasedstoryofthekillingofSamiraTasneem.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Youthinkyoualreadyknowwhatthatis,though,don’tyou,Ms.Davis?

ALLISYN:

I’vecollectedafewfactssofar.Myintentionistofullyunderstandwhathappened.

SHAHREYARZASAR:WhenIwasalittleboy,Allisyn,Iwasacricketer.WelivedjustoutsideLahore-soourteamwouldoftenplayagainstsomelocalboysfromIndia.Mymotherusedto

takemybrotherandmetoplayeveryweekend.Sheinsistedweplay.Goodcompetitiverivalry.Andthenoneday,myfatherfoundoutthatmymotherhadbeenlyingtohim.She’dbeentellinghimthatwe’dbeenvisitinghersisteroutsideof

IslamabadwhenwewereactuallyplayingontheIndianborder.Wehadnoideaweweredoingsomethingwrong.Soyouknowwhatmy

fatherdid?HewaiteduntilmybrotherandIwereatschool,andhethrewacidonmymother’sthroat….Notherface,mindyou,butherthroat.Hedisfiguredherfromthechintothecollarbone.Justherneckandthroat.Carefulnottodisturbherbeautifulface.Andhetoldus,“Youseesons,thisiswhathappenstoawifewhen

shelies,andgoesbehindherhusband’sback.”Shesitsabruptly.

ALLISYN:Areyouthreateningme?

42

SHAHREYARZASAR:Tothecontrary,MissDavis.Mymotherisverydeartome.Iwasveryupsetby

whathappenedtoherskin.ButIamtryingtoexplaintoyouthatthereareacceptablelimits.

ALLISYN:

Forwhom?Allwomen-orjustPakistaniwomen?

SHAHREYARZASAR:ThisisnottheUnitedStates.Therearesystemsinplacethatpreservetheeconomicandsocialorderofourcountry.Wemustallplayourdesignatedroleswithinthis

system.

(beat)

ALLISYN:Whatbecameofyourmother,Mr.Zasar?

SHAHREYARZASAR:

Sheisperfectlywell.Theyarestillmarried-many,manyyearsnow.Sheisstillbeautiful.

(beat)

ALLISYN:

YouwentontobecomeaConsulGeneral…surelyyourmotherhadsomethingtodowithyourinterestineducationanddiplomacy?

SHAHREYARZASAR:

Thatisthepoint,Ms.Davis.Mymotherknewtheriskshewastakingandtheconsequencesofheractions.Sheacceptedherpunishmenthumbly.DoyouthinkI

couldcomeintoyourcountryandunderstandyourpeople?Yourtraditions?

ALLISYN:

WereyounoteducatedintheWest,Mr.Zasar?London?AndthengraduateschoolintheU.S.?

(Henods.)

ALLISYN:(cont’d)

You’retellingmethatyouunderstoodnoneofthetraditionsyouwitnessedandparticipatedinthere?

43

SHAHREYARZASAR:Iwitnessedsome,yes.ButIdidnotunderstandthemall,nordidItry.IamPakistani,andarepresentativeofPakistan,nomatterwhereIam.JustasyouareanAmericanjournalist.ThereforeyouvieweverythingthroughtheeyesofanAmerican.

ALLISYN:Factsarefacts,Mr.Zasar.Noteverythingissubjective.

SHAHREYARZASAR:

Youareincorrect,MissDavis.Everythingisindeedsubjective.ThereisgreatjoyandprideinPakistan.NeitheryourWashingtonPostnorNY

Timesarticlesmentionedthis.(beat)

Thiscountrygirl,withhersimplelifeandherlimitedbrain-whyissheimportanttoyou?

ALLISYN:BecauseIdon’tthinkshehadalimitedbrain,sir.Ithinkherfamilylikelybeathertodeathinbroaddaylighttoinsureshewouldn’thavetheopportunitytousethis

brain.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Iunderstandyou’vespentafewmonthsinLahorebefore?(Shenods.)

Yes,Iknow.WhenyoudrovethroughourSaltRange,likeyourmalereporterfriend,Ben,mightbedoingrightnow….Yousawmanybirdsonthisdrive,no?

ALLISYN:

Somebirds,sir,yes…

SHAHREYARZASAR:Oneseesmanybirds.Andtheurialandtheibex,aswell,yes?

ALLISYN:

Ihaven’tnotedthoseanimalsmyselfbutIamsuretheyarethereifyousayso.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Thisibex,hasamuchbiggerbrainthanthisgirl.Thisgirlhaslessvaluethanthisibex,thisurial,thisbird.Atleasttheseanimalscanbekilledandeatenfornourishment.Theymakeusstrong.Thisgirl,wasnothing.Thisgirlshamedherpeopleandherpeopledidwhatwastheirright,whatmustbedone.Thatistruth.

ALLISYN:

Well,that’sclearlyyourtruth.ShegesturestotheTVscreenshowingtherioters.

44

ALLISYN:(cont’d)Yourpeopleareriotinginthestreets.

SHAHREYARZASAR:

Itwillallquietdowninadayortwo.

ALLISYN:Backtowhereeveryoneplaystheirdesignatedroleswithinthesystem?

SHAHREYARZASAR:Correct,Allisyn.

(beat)

ALLISYN:

MayIaskyousomething?

SHAHREYARZASAR:Asyouwish.

ALLISYN:

Isthatyouropinionofmybrain,aswell,sir?ThatmybrainislimitedandsmalllikethewhitebirdoftheSaltRange?

ShahreyarZasarlaughs-andthenthinks.

SHAHREYARZASAR:

No,MissDavis.Yourbrainismorelikethejackal’s.Itisatrickybrain.You’resneakyandmanipulative.Andyourskinistoughandthin,notlikeourbeautifulbirds.“Jackal-lady”.Thatispreciselywhyyouwerenotgrantedentranceinto

Pakistan.WehaveenoughjackalsinourSaltRange,already.

Hercellphonebeeps:it’sanewtextmessagefromBen.Theybothhearit,butAllisynintentionallydoesn’tacknowledgeit.SHAHREYARZASARcockshisheadslightly.

SHAHREYARZASAR:Imightremindyou,Ms.Davis,thatanti-Pakistaniactivitiesarepunishedbythe

deathpenaltyinPakistan.Pleaseaskyourfriend,Ben,tobearthisinmind,aswell.Goodday,MissDavis.

TheConsularAgentopensthedoorforherimminentdeparture.Herphonebeepsagain.Heturnshisheadandacknowledgesit.

45

ALLISYN:Goodbye.

Sheisguidedoutoftheoffice.Backinherhotelroom,Allisynshutsthedoorbehindherandimmediatelypassesoutcold-landingonthefloorandlosesconsciousnesstemporarily.Thephoneringsonherlaptopasshelaysonthestage.Textsbuzz.Whenshecomestoshesitsonthestage,andtouchesherhead.

ALLISYN:(Gettingherbearings)

Shit.(RealizingshemissedBen’scall)

Shit!Sherunstothephone,andopensherlaptop.BenhastextedphotographsoftheLahoreHighCourt.Shetexts:“HaveAbbascallmeonthislinenow.”Abbascallsonthelocalline.TheyconverseinUrdu-withEnglishonthescreen.

ALLISYN:Abbas?

ABBAS:Yes?

ALLISYN:

I’mgettingsomeseriouspushbackfromZasar.Doyouknowhisguysonthegroundthere?

ABBAS:

We’reOK,Allisyn.Igrewupwiththesemen.

ALLISYN:Good.(beat)

SpeaktothepoliceofficersattheMazhangstation.MakeanintroductionforBen,Ok?Passthephonetohim,please.

AbbaspassesthephonetoBen.

BEN:Yea.

46

ALLISYN:Abbasisconnectingyoutothepolicemenwhoofferedtospeaktous.

Youneedtowatchyourass,Ben.IjustmetwiththePakistaniConsulGeneral.

BEN:Zasar?Whatfor?

ALLISYN:

Ithoughthemightpullsomestringsforme-getmebackinontheground.

BEN:And?

ALLISYN:No-go.Listen,heknowsyou’rethere.Heknowswhatyouaredoing-andheisnot

impressed.HesuggestedverystronglythatyougetoutofPakistan.

BEN:We’llbeinandoutofhereinafewdays.Nowlet’sjustgetthisdone.

WhathappenedwithSamira’shusband?

ALLISYN:Abbasistakingyoutohimthisafternoon.

Sheisquicklytypingnotesashespeaksanduploadsthephotoshesentontoherlaptop.

ALLISYN(cont’d):TrytofindsomewitnessesbytheCourthouseuntilthen.Andmakesureyougetsomefootageofthedemonstrators,too.ForgetMehreen.She’snotanoption-just

seeifthereareanyrioterswillingtotalktoyou,ok?

BEN:YouaregettingwhatI’vetakensofar,yes?

ALLISYN:

It’suploadingrightnow.I’llspeaktoyousoon.Theyhangup.Sheimmediatelystartstodissectthephotossenttoherofthecourthouse.Thereisaknockonthedoor.Allisyncollectsherselfphysicallyandgoestothedoor.

ALLISYN:Yes?

47

Wehear,“RoomService?”Allisynheavesasighofrelief.Sheopensthedoorandtakesatrayoffood.Shegesturesandthankshim.Shetakesthetraybacktothedeskandkeepsworking.

48

Scene8

Lightscomeup;severalhourslater;Allisynisstillworkinginherhotelroom.BehindherisamapoftheHighCourtinLahore.Shehasblownitupandshownwherethepolicemayhavebeenlocated.AtextfromBencomes:“ArrivinginJaranwalatointerviewthehusband.”Allisyntextsback:“Standingby.”

Theyhangup.SCENECHANGE.BenisnowinthehomeofMr.Ijaaz.ThescreensshowBeninthehomeofMr.Ijaaz.Ben’sshootstheinterviewthroughoutthescene.AllisynwillconductthesequestionsinUrdu.ThescreenswillshowherquestionsandhisanswersinEnglish.BenappearsonSkypewithhisvideocamera.

BEN:He’sallset,Allisyn.Ihaveshownhimyourlistofquestions.I’llshootandyouask

away.Askintheorderthat’sonthepaper.Heseemsreadytotalk.

ALLISYN:Ok-letmeknowwhenwearerolling.

ThefootageshiftssothatweareseeingMr.Ijaazup-close.Bengesturesthatsheshouldbegin.

ALLISYN:Mr.Ijaaz,mynameisAllisynDavis.IamajournalistfortheNYTimes.Canyou

hearmeOK?

IJAAZ:Yes,Icanhearyoufine.

ALLISYN:

You’vemetmycolleague,Mr.Adams?He’llbevideotapingthisinterviewwithyourpermission?

IJAAZ:Iunderstand.

ALLISYN:

I’dliketoexpressmysincerestcondolencesforthedeathofyourwife,Samira.

49

IJAAZ:Thankyou.

ALLISYN:

Myhopeistohelpbringsomejusticetoher,toyou,andyourfamily.

IJAAZ:Thankyou.

ALLISYN:

Wouldyouliketotellmealittlebitaboutyourwife?HowdidyouandSamirameet,Mr.Ijaaz?

IJAAZ:

Weareneighbors.MyfarmisrightnexttotheirhouseinFaisalabad.Shewouldpassbyonherwaytothevillage.Isawherveryoften,sinceshewasayounggirl.I

likedSamirasinceshewasachild.

ALLISYN:Isee.

IJAAZ:Shewasgoodwife.Beautiful.Wewerehappy.Mysonslovedher.

ALLISYN:

Mr.Ijaaz,canyoutellmealittlebitaboutwhathappenedatthecourthouse?

IJAAZ:WewenttotellthejudgethatIdidnotkidnapSamira,likeherfamilywassaying.Wewentveryearlyinthemorninginordertoavoidanyproblem-sincetheyhad

attackedusbefore.

ALLISYN:Therewasapreviousattack?

IJAAZ:

Yes-afewweeksago.Buttheysaidthatifwegavethemanother10,000rupeestheywouldleaveusinpeace.Iamafarmer;Iliveaverymodestlife,soisnoteasyto

comeupwithsuchalargesum.Butweweregoingtogetthemthemoneysomehow.

ALLISYN:

WereyousurprisedwhentheyattackedSamirayesterday?

50

IJAAZ:Surprised,no.Samirahadbeennervousthattheymighttrythisagainbutweboththoughttheyweregoingtoleaveusinpeaceassoonaswegavethemthemoney.

Thatwecouldliveourliveswithoutthisonourheads.

ALLISYN:Whatisittheywanted,Mr.Ijaaz?

IJAAZ:

Theywantedtopunishherfornotobeyingherfather.Thewholefamilywasagainstourmarriagesotheywerethreateningtokillher.

ALLISYN:

Andyet,shediditanyway.

IJAAZ:Yes.

ALLISYN:

Shemusthavebeenverybrave.

IJAAZ:Samirawasbrave.Verystrongminded.

ItriedtoprotectSamira,I…therewerejusttoomanyofthem.

ALLISYN:Ok,Mr.Ijaaz.CanyoutellmespecificallywhathappenedoutsidetheHighCourtin

Lahore?

IJAAZ:WewerewaitingbythegatesoftheCourtHouse.Weheardgunshots.Samira

screamed–rightaway,sheknew.Itoldherno,no-itwasgoingtobeOK-Isawthepolicemenlookingrightatusandlookingtoseewherethegunshotscamefrom.Whenweturnedaroundwecouldseeagroupofangrypeoplecomingtowardus.

ALLISYN:

Weretheypeopleyouknew?Whowasthismobofpeople?

IJAAZ:Ofcourse,yes.ItwasSamira’sfamily.Itwasherfather,herbrothers,manycousins.

Weknowthesefaces.

ALLISYN:Sowhatdidyoudo?

51

IJAAZ:ItriedtoshieldSamirafromthem–buttheycameandrippedherfrommyarms.Theyhadbricksandrocksfromthetown.TheyheldmebackandIcouldn’tgettoher.Shewasscreaming.Itriedtotellthem-please,please!Wait,wait!Wewillgetyouthemoney.Weswear!Samiratriedtotellthem,too.Buttheywouldn’tstop;

theybeatherwiththesebricksonherheadandtheykilledher.

ALLISYN:Iamsosorry,Mr.Ijaaz.

Hecollectshimself.

IJAAZ:Thankyou.

ALLISYN:

Werethereanyotherpeopletherewithyou?Anyonethatwastryingtohelp?

IJAAZ:Therewerepolicemen,severalpolicemen.Buttheyjustwatched.Itookoffmy

shirtandbeggedthemtosaveher.Buttheysaid,“Thisisnotourduty”.

ALLISYN:Doyouknowwhothesepolicemenare?

IJAAZ:

Iwouldknowtheirfaces.

ALLISYN:Havetheybeenarrested?

IJAAZ:

No.NotthatIknowof?

ALLISYN:Whatabouttheothermembersofherfamilythatkilledher?Wherearetheynow?

IJAAZ:IbelieveeveryonehasescapedexceptforMuhummad,herfather.Theresthavegonetodifferenttowns-ortheSaltRange,Isuppose.

Allisynreferstohernotesforamoment.

ALLISYN:Youmentionedyourson,Mr.Ijaaz?

52

IJAAZ:Yes.Ihavethreesons.Arsalanistheoldest.

ALLISYN:

Howoldishe?

IJAAZ:Twenty-four.

ALLISYN:

Howishedoingwithallthis?HeandSamirawerealmostthesameage.

IJAAZ:Theykneweachotherfromthevillage,yes.

ALLISYN:

AndhowdidArsalanrespondtohavingSamiraasanewmother?Iknowshewasn’thisstepmotherforlong.

IJAAZ:

Helikedher.Heisveryupset.

ALLISYN:Arsalan’smotherdied,yes?

IJAAZ:Yes.

ALLISYN:

Howlongagodidshedie?

IJAAZ:Fouryearsago.

ALLISYN:

Ifyoudon’tmindmeasking,howdidshepassaway?

IJAAZ:Ikilledher.

ALLISYN:

(Allisynpauses.)Excuseme?

IJAAZ:

Ikilledher.

53

ALLISYN:Youkilledher?

IJAAZ:

Yes.IwantedtosendaproposaltoSamira,soIkilledmywife.

Weseethevideocamerashiftforamoment-asifBenhasmomentarilyletthecameraslip.ThenthecamerafocusesincloseronMr.IJAAZ’sface.Allisynlowersherheadtemporarily-composesherselfandcontinues.

ALLISYN:Canyoutellmealittlebitmoreaboutthis,Mr.Ijaaz?Wereyouconvictedofmurder

foryourpreviouswife?

IJAAZ:Yes.Iwenttojailforoneyear.

ALLISYN:

Youwereincarceratedforoneyear.

IJAAZ:Yes.InKotLakhpatJailinLahore.

ALLISYN:

Youhadatrialforthismurder?

IJAAZ:No,no.Notrial.Myson,ArsalanwasupsetabouthismothersohetoldthepoliceIhadkilledher.Andtheyarrestedme.ButheforgavemesoIwasreleased.

ALLISYN:Heforgaveyou?

IJAAZ:

Yes.ThelawofDiyat.

ALLISYN:Canyouexplainthislawtome?

IJAAZ:

Thislawsaysthatifthefamilyforgivestheperpetrator,thanyouarereleased.ArsalanforgavemeoneyearlatersoIcomehome.Wemadeacompromise.AndthenImadearrangementswithSamira’sfather,Muhummad,tomarryher.

ALLISYN:

Isee.Mr.Ijaaz,mayIaskhowyoukilledyourfirstwife?

54

IJAAZ:Justwithmyhands.

ALLISYN:

Youbeather?

IJAAZ:No-Istrangledher.

ALLISYN:

Doyoufeelanyremorseaboutthiskilling?

IJAAZ:No.IwasinlovewithSamiraAndIkilledmyfirstwifebecauseofthislove.

ALLISYN:

Isee.MayIaskhername,yourfirstwife?

IJAAZ:Aafiya.

Allisynmovessomepapersaround;shiftsherbody.Sheisvisiblythrownbuttryingtokeepittogether.

ALLISYN:I’dliketogobacktoSamiraforthemoment,Mr.Ijaaz.I’vespokenwithyourlawyer,Mr.Khan.HetoldmethatSamirasaidshewaspregnant.Canyouconfirmthis?

IJAAZ:

Samira?Yes.Samiratoldmeshewaspregnant,yes.

ALLISYN:Doyouknowhowfaralongshewas?

IJAAZ:

Afewmonths.Shetoldmethebabywouldcomeinwinter.

ALLISYN:WhathappenedtoSamira’sbody?Willamedicalexaminerhaveherremains?

IJAAZ:

No,no.Iburiedherinavillagegraveyardinourregion,Punjab.Itwasverylateatnight.Around2am.

ALLISYN:Whysolate?

55

IJAAZ:Becauseherbodywasinaverybadstate.Itwasn’tcorrectforpeopletoseeher

bodylikethis.

ALLISYN:Isee.Alright,Mr.Ijaaz.Iwanttothankyouforyourtime.IthinkIhaveallIneedrightnow.Mycolleague,Mr.Adams,willbeintouchifweneedanythingfurther.

Ben,wecancuttherecordingnow.

BEN:Copythat.

ALLISYN:

Thankyou,Mr.Ijaaz.

IJAAZ:Thankyou.

Benstands,putsthecameradown-andhisscreengoesfuzzy,thensilent.Allisynclosesherelectronicsandsitsaloneintotalsilence.Blackout.

56

Scene9Thescenestartsinsemi-darknesswithhalfdimmedlights.ALLISYNisinthebathroom,leaningoverthesink,withthefaucetrunning.Thephoneringsandrings.Eventuallysherunstocatchit.ShemissesitandherSkypestartstoring.ShethrowsopenthecomputerandweseeBenonthescreen.

ALLISYN:Hello?!Ben?

BEN:

Holy,shit.

ALLISYN:Yougotitallrecorded,yes?

BEN:

Everymoment.

ALLISYN:I’muploadingallthisintoafileforEdward.It’salittleearlytocallhimnow.I’llget

itallpreppedandcallhiminanhourorso.

BEN:OK.

ALLISYN:What’shappeningwiththepolicemen?

BEN:

Therearetwoofficerswhoarewillingtotalktous.They’refaxingoveracopyofthefirstreportthatwasfiled.Youshouldhavethatbytheendoftheday.Hopefully

they’llcommentonit.

ALLISYN:Good.Let’sincludeherfather’sstatement,aswell-thatshouldbeinthereport.Is

Abbaswithyounow?

BEN:No,he’swaitingformytext.IthoughtImightheadtotheburialgrounds-seeifI

couldgetsomeshotstherebeforeitgetsdark.

ALLISYN:HecantakeyoutothesafehousejustoutsideLahore.

57

BEN:Ok,I’llgetasmanyshotstonightaspossibleandwillheadbackoutfirstthinginthe

morning.Youhaven’theardanythingelsefromZasar,haveyou?

ALLISYN:No,butI’msurehe’smonitoringoureverymove.Youneedtowatchyourback.

BEN:

Let’sjustseethisthrough.AndI’llsendyouthenewshotsfromtonight.

ALLISYN:OK.

BEN:Ididn’tseethatcoming.

ALLISYN:

NeitherdidI.(beat)DoyouthinkSamiraknew?

BEN:

Thathekilledhisfirstwifetobewithher?Idon’tknow,Allisyn.Woulditchangeanythingifshedid?

(beat)Hethankedmeonwayout.OnSamira’sbehalf.

ALLISYN:(Shescoffs)

OnSamira’sbehalf.NotonAafiya’sthough,right?

BEN:Hegavemeoneofherscarvesforyou.

Agift-toexpresshisgratitude.

ALLISYN:(Sheexhales)

Idon’tknowwhattosay.

BEN:Well.I’llkeepitsafeuntilIseeyou.

(Beat)

BEN(cont’d):

Whenyouaskedmeaboutthepromotion,lastnight….Youknewalready,didn’tyou?

58

ALLISYN:ThatEdwardhadgivenittoDiane,yes.

BEN:

Didheaskyouyouropinion?

ALLISYN:Ididn’tadvocateforher,Ben.

BEN:

Youknowthatwould’veputmeinDC.Anhourflightfromyou.

ALLISYN:He’sourboss,Ben.

BEN:And?

ALLISYN:Edwarddoesn’tneedmyinputtomakedecisions.(beat)

ItoldhimIthoughtshewasastrongchoice.

BEN:Ijustgotit,Allisyn.

Theonlypersonyou’reactuallyprotectingisyourself.Beat.

BEN(cont’d):Anyway-Abbasjusttextedme.He’sonhisway.

Theyhangup.Blackout.

59

Scene10

Allisyncontinuesworkingfuriously.Thefoodsitsuntouchedonherdesk.It’slate.Shehastranscribedallthetestimony.ThescreenbehindhershowshersecuredlinetotheNYTimessiteforautomaticupload.Herfilesarealluploading.ShetextsEDWARD:“Pleasecallassoonasyouareawakeandhaverevieweduploads.”Thereareseveraldifferentwindowsopenonhercomputer,shownonthescreens,thatshe’snavigating:theNYTimesupload,someinformationonlawofDiyat,preparationofquestionsforthepoliceofficersforBen’sinterviewinthemorning.Shelooksatthetimeagain.ThescreenturnstoSkype.ShethenSkype’sMelissa.SkyperingsuntilMelissapicksup.ItismorningintheUS.

MELISSA:Ally?

ALLISYN:DidIcalltooearly?

MELISSA:

No,I’mup.I’msogladyoucalled.Iseverythingok?

ALLISYN:Yes…IjustthoughtI’dcheckin.Seehowyouare.

MELISSA:

Well….ThebabyisnowsquattingdirectlyonmybladdersoIhavetopeeevery30seconds,IjustgotmyfirsthemorrhoidandIhavehivesallovermyback-butotherthanthatwearestatusquo!(beat)MomandDadcalled.Ididn’ttellthemyou’dgoneback.Ifeltkindaweirdaboutnotmentioningit,butIunderstandthatyou

don’twantthemtoworryand…theydidn’task,so.

ALLISYN:Thanks,Mel.Iappreciatethat.

(beat)I’msorryI’mnotthere.

MELISSA:

You’restayingbecauseofwhathappenedtothatgirlinLahore,right?(Allisynnods.)

60

MELISSA(cont’d):Ally.Howlongareyougoingtokeepdoingthis?

ALLISYN:

Keepdoingwhat?

MELISSA:I’msorry,Ally…butenoughisenough.

ALLISYN:

Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?

MELISSA:Listentomeverycarefully,please.Youhavegottoletthisgo.

ALLISYN:Letitgo?

MELISSA:

Yes.Itwas20yearsago.Stoppunishingyourself.Just-stop.

ALLISYN:

Melissa-thisismyjob.

MELISSA:ForGod’ssake,lookatyourself.You’reputtingyourlifeatrisk.

Youneedtoaskyourselfwhyyouaredoingthat.Reallytruly,why.

ALLISYN:Iknowwhy.

MELISSA:

Allright,why?

ALLISYN:ThisisonethingIcando.

MELISSA:

Honey.Itisnotyourjobtofixit.

ALLISYN:Howcanyousaythat?

MELISSA:

Youhavegottostoppunishingyourselfandforgivethem.

61

ALLISYN:

What,likeyoudid?

MELISSA:Yes.

ALLISYN:Well,I’msorryifI’mnotasevolvedasyouare,Melissa.

MELISSA:

Youthinkthatwaseasyforme?

ALLISYN:WhoamIsupposedtoforgive?Momanddad?Theboys?

MELISSA:

Allofthem.Andme.Andyourself.(beat)

It’sgettingold,Ally.We’regettingold;wearenotlittlegirlsanymore.Allisyncries.

MELISSA(cont’d):Therewasnothingyoucould’vedone.

(beat)Isitbecauseofthebaby?Isthatwhyyouleftnow?

ALLISYN:

No.

MELISSA:Areyousure?

ALLISYN:

No.

MELISSA:CauseIthinkitis.Ithinkitspartofit,Ally.

Youdidn’tneedtobethereforthedelivery.Iwould’veunderstoodifthatwastoomuchforyou.

ALLISYN:

Iwanttobethereforyou,Mel.Ireallydo.

MELISSA:Justcomehome.We’llfigureitout.

62

(beat)

ALLISYN:IthinkIreallyfuckedupthistime…

MELISSA:Why?

ALLISYN:Thisman,Ben.He-workswithme.Imean-he’sbasedinCairo–buthe’shere.

MELISSA:InDubai?

ALLISYN:

No,Pakistan.EdwardsenthimbecauseIcouldn’tgetinandI-

MELISSA:Yes?

ALLISYN:

Iwasawful.Isaidawfulthings.

MELISSA:Whatdidyousay?

ALLISYN:

Ilied.AndIpushedhimaway.

MELISSA:You’reinlovewithhim.

ALLISYN:

DoyouthinkI’mselfish?

MELISSA:Youcanbe,yes.

ALLISYN:Shit,Mel.

MELISSA:

Yourchoicesaresometimes…misguided.

63

ALLISYN:OK,OK.Igetit.

MELISSA:

ButGodhelphim-ifhe’sgotyourheart,he’llnevergetridofyou.Allisyn’sphonerings-sheseesthatitsEDWARD.

ALLISYN:Ihavetogo.Rightnow…I’llcallyoulater.

MELISSA:

Ally-isheinlovewithyou?

ALLISYN:He…was.Ineedtotakethiscall.Sorry-bye---I’llbehomesoon.

MELISSA:

Ihopeso.Bye.

Shecollectsherself.TheSkypeswitchesoffquicklyandsheacceptstheincomingcallfromEDWARD.

EDWARD:

Allisyn?Thisisprettyshockingmaterialcomingthrough.IassumeyouhaveconnectedwithBen….You’rerunningthisoutof

Dubai?

ALLISYN:Iam.He’sinthefieldandI’mtranslating-directingtrafficontheground.

EDWARD:

Theseclaimsareallsubstantiated?Youhaveontherecordstatementsforeverythingyouuploaded?

ALLISYN:

Thesourcesaresolid.Ontherecord.Andlivefootageonmost.Theuploadsarestillcomingin.

EDWARD:

Sowhatdoyouwanttodo?Youwanttoholdthisforthefront-pagestorytomorrowordoyouwanttorunwithwhatwehavehere?

64

ALLISYN:Let’sholdit.Wehavetwopoliceofficersthatarewillingtotalk.They’vefaxedmeacopyofthefirstreportthatwasfiledandI’mjustwaitingonthefollowupquestions

now.

EDWARD:Getthequotes.Uploadthefiles.Iwantthistobethefront-pagestoryintomorrow’s

paperaslongasit’sallcorroborated.Thepregnancy?

ALLISYN:It’sspeculation.Therewasnomedicalexamination.

EDWARD:

Andthepreviousattack?

ALLISYN:Unreported.

EDWARD:

Twooftheunclesandafewofthebrothershavebeentakenintocustody.

ALLISYN:That’sthefirstIamhearingofit.Iwanttoincludethepoliceofficer’stestimonies

andwhateverthey’vereleasedfromherfather’sstatementatthispoint.

EDWARD:Ok,Allisyn.Iamstandingby.

ALLISYN:

IwenttoseethePakistaniConsulate,Edward.

EDWARD:And?

ALLISYN:Itendedbadly.

EDWARD:

What’sthedamage?

ALLISYN:Unclear.Buthedidn’tgivemewhatIwanted.Let’sjustsayhe’snotmyadvocate.

EDWARD:

Aslongashe’snotyouradversary,I’dtakeitinstride.Youwantmetointervene?

65

ALLISYN:

No.I’mjustgivingyouaheadsup.

(beat)

ALLISYN(cont’d):Edward,doesBenknow?WhenIaskedyoutoreassignme?ThatIflewtoLondon

fromCairo---thatIwaswithyou?

EDWARD:Of,coursenot.YouwerealreadybackinNewYorkbythetimehecalled.HeaskedmewhereyouwereandItoldhim.Therestwasonenight.I’mnotabouttoputmy

ownmarriageinjeopardy.

ALLISYN:Good.Thanks,Edward.

EDWARD:

Staysafe,Allisyn.Theyhangup.ThecamerastaysonEdward.BEN(isonstage,)SkypesEDWARD.EDWARDanswershiscall;weseethemenbothonthescreensandliveonstage.

EDWARD:EdwardEvansspeaking.

BEN:

What,there’snocallerIDinLondon?

EDWARD:Sorry,Ididn’trecognizethenumber.

BEN:

I’mjustmessingwithyou-it’sanunlistedline.

EDWARD:What’sup?

BEN:

Listen,Iwantyoutotakemynameoffthispiece.

EDWARD:Why?Didwegetsomethingwrong?

66

BEN:No-no.Thestoryisthere-thefactsaretight.

EDWARD:

SomeconflictofinterestwithyourworkinCairo?

BEN:No,no.It’snothinglikethat.

EDWARD:

Whatisitthen?

BEN:It’sjust…thisisAllisyn’spiece.Ithinkshedeservestotakefullcreditforit.

EDWARD:

Sincewhendidyoubecomesoaltruistic?

BEN:Listen,thisstory’sgonnaknockyoursocksoff.I’mproudtohavebeenapartofit.

It’sjust-

EDWARD:Youspontaneouslydon’tcareabouttheadvancementofyourowncareer?

BEN:

It’snotmypiece.WebothknowIwouldn’tbehereifshehadgottenin.

EDWARD:Butshedidn’t.AndwhenIcalledyou,youaskedbebroughtin.Sowhytheback-

peddling?

BEN:I’mjusttryingtodotherightthinghere,Edward.

EDWARD:Bywhom?

(beat)

EDWARD(cont’d):We’veknowneachotheralongtimenow,Ben.You,me,Allisyn.Ifyouthinkshe’s

goingtoappreciatethegesture,Ithinkyouaremistaken.

BEN:Andwhy’sthat?

67

EDWARD:

BecauseAllisynwantscreditfortheworkshedoes,nothingmore-nothingless.

BEN:

Iwastryingtoberespectful.

EDWARD:You’resmarterthanthat,Ben.TakeofftheGoddamnblindersand

learnwhentobeareporterandwhentobeaman.

(beat)

We’rerunningittomorrow.Letmeknowwhatyoudecide.

Theyhangup.

68

Scene11LightsuponthehotelroominDubai.Allisynisseatedonthefloorwithherlaptop.Shehasshoweredandchanged.Shechecksherwatch.ThescreenislinkedtohercomputerwhichisuploadingfilestotheNYTimessite.ShetextsABBAS:“Areyouawake?”OneofthescreensshowsfootageofThePakistaniPeople’sPartyandtherioters,whileanothershowsfootagefrom2008ofpoliticalactivistSherryRehmangivingthefollowingspeech:

“ThecurrentlegislationonhonourkillingswasbulldozedthroughtheParliamentbythelastregimethatrejectedallproposalstointroduceclausesthatcouldhelpinrootingoutthiscrime.Asitstandsnow,theperpetratorsareabletoobtainforgivenessoreasierpunishmentthroughthenominalpaymentofbloodmoneytotheheirsorwalisofthevictims,viatheqisasanddiyatlawsintroducedn1985.Thisiscertainlyunjusttothevictimswhilealsoputsatrisksthelivesofotherwomenwhocouldbesubjectedtosuchcrimes.Inthepast,thePakistanPeople’sPartyhadmovedconsensus-backedlegislationonHonourKillingintheparliamentonseveraloccasions.Alegislationthatdeniesindemnitytotheperpetratorsofsuchcrimesisthemosteffectivetooltofightthispractice.Weareworkingtofacilitateinstitutionalstructurestoensurethatallourpolicyactionsarebackedbyinstitutionalcapabilitiestorespondtosuchcrimes.“

Skyperings;ABBASappearsonSkype.

ABBAS:OfcourseI’mawake.

ALLISYN:

EverythingOKthere?

ABBAS:Yourfriendissleepinglikeababy,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:

Thatmakesoneofus.

ABBAS:So,what’sup?

ALLISYN:

Abbas,rememberthenightMehreenintroducedus?ItwasjustafteryoutwocamebackfromPindi-whenBhuttowasshot.

69

ABBAS:

Ido!WewenttothatcaféwheretheyplayedtheloudBollywoodmusic.Faryalwaswithus,too,no?

ALLISYN:

Shewas,yes.Youtrustedmesofast,Abbas?Doyourememberwhy?

ABBAS:AnyfriendofMehreen’sisafriendofmine,Allisyn.AndFaryallikedyou.

ALLISYN:

Ilikedher,too.She’ssmart.

ABBAS:Faryalhasverygoodinstinctsaboutpeople.

ALLISYN:

Ipassedoutinthebathroom.

ABBAS:Itwasveryhotthatnight.

ALLISYN:

That’sverygenerous,Abbas….Youknowthat’snotwhy.

ABBAS:Faryalsaysyouhavetheshellofaporcupineandtheheartofajellyfish.

ALLISYN:

Jellyfishsting!

ABBAS:(Dismissively)

Maybe-buttheyaresquishyandsoft.Yougettheidea.Feardoesstrangethingstothebody.Anyonewho’spayingattentionknowsthis.

ALLISYN:(beat)

IneededyoutounderstandthattheWashingtonPostcouldonlydosomuchtoprotectusoncethosearticlesgotpublished.IputyouandMehreenindanger.

ABBAS:Weknewyouwouldn’tuseournames.

70

ALLISYN:Butifanyonehadfoundoutyouwereinvolved–you-

ABBAS:

(Interrupting)I’vebeenanactivistmostofmylife,Allisyn.Thesearemypeople.Ilovemycountry,butIdon’tloveeverythingthathappenshere.Certainthingsarenot

acceptable.Sellinggirlsforsexisnotacceptable.

ALLISYN:Thankyoufortrustingme.

ABBAS:

LikeIsaid,Faryalhasgoodinstincts.

ALLISYN:HaveyouspokentoMehreen?

ABBAS:

Wehadachatearliertoday,yes.

ALLISYN:She’snottoothrilledwithme.

ABBAS:

SometimesMehreengetsstuckonthelittlestuffandmissesthebigpicture.

ALLISYN:Maybeitsnotsolittle-whatshe’sstuckon.

ABBAS:

Perhaps.Tryherbackagain.Ithinkyou’llfindhermorereceptive.

ALLISYN:Oh,yea?

ABBAS:

Thetruth,Allisyn?WhyItrustedyousofast?Yes,IcouldseethatyoucaredverymuchaboutwhatwashappeningtoourwomenhereinPakistan.ButIcouldalsoseeyourfear-anditmovedme.Itmadeyouhumble-andyetyouweredoing

somethingverybrave.Ihavegreatrespectforthis.

ALLISYN:Thankyou,Abbas.

71

ABBAS:Salam,Allisyn.I’mgoingtosleep.

ALLISYN:

Goodnight,then.

ABBAS:Goodnight.

Theyhangup.ALLISYNshootsanemailofftoEdward.Thesubjectlinesays:CheckUploads.AnemailresponsefromEdwardcomesin:“Areyoureadytorunwiththis?”Sheemailsback:“JustwaitingonstatementfromPrimeMinisterSharif.Letsrunassoonashecomments.”

AllisynmutesSherry’sspeech.Shepauses,andthenshepicksupherphoneandSkype’sMehreen.Thephoneringsmanytimes.

ALLISYN:Youanswered.

MEHREEN:

Yes?

ALLISYN:I’vebeenthinkingaboutwhatyousaid.

MEHREEN:

And?

ALLISYN:And-maybeyouwereright.

MEHREEN:

Ididn’tthinkjournalistsdidmaybes.

ALLISYN:Ishould’vereachedouttoyouontheop-ed.Gottenabroaderperspective.

(beat)

MEHREEN:Whatisityouarelookingfor?

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ALLISYN:

Inevermeanttomisrepresentyou,oryourpeople.

MEHREEN:Isthatyourversionofanapology?

ALLISYN:Iguessitis.

MEHREEN:

Well.It’sastart.I’msendingyoualinkI’dlikeyoutotakealookatwhenyouhaveachance.

(beat)

MEHREEN(cont’d):Whatdoyouseewhenyoulookatme,Allisyn?

ALLISYN:

Iseeawoman;alawyer,anactivist.

MEHREEN:WhatyouseeisaPakistaniwoman.

YouseemtothinkI’veaccomplishedthesethingsinspiteofbeingPakistani.Youdon’tunderstandthatwedonotaspiretobeWestern.

ALLISYN:

Ishould’vesaidfriend.WhenIlookatyou-Iseemyfriend,Mehreen.

MEHREEN:Lahore’schangedalotsinceyou’vebeenhere.

Mumwentbacktoschool;she’sgotthreemoreyearsofResidency.Bythetimeshe’sfinishedshe’llbetheoldestAnesthesiologistinLahore,butwe’reproudofher.

Dadwasconcernedatfirstbutisnowverypleasedwithhimselfforbeingsoforwardthinking.Womenaremoreempoweredandacceptedeveryday,butweare

stillalsotargets-infiltratedinasocietywhereahugepercentageofthemalepopulationusesIslamicLawagainstus.

Soyousee,Allisyn…weareanationtornbetweenthoseclingingtoouroldtraditions,andthosewhoarefightingtomakenewones.Someofus-atanycost.Mostofusdon’tseeSamiraasavictim.Shefought.Ourangerisnotoverherdeathspecifically,butthatdespiteallwe’veaccomplished,thesemurderscontinuetobea

commonplaceoccurrence.

73

ALLISYN:WhyareSharifandthePeople’sPartyofPakistannotdoingmore?Whyarethey

unabletoenforcethelawsthatareinplacetoprotectyou?

MEHREEN:How?Howdoyouchangethemindsofpeoplewhohavebeentoldthatitistheir

righttotreatwomenthiswaysincethedaytheywereborn?Theybelievetheyarewithintheirrights.Thiskindofviolenceispervasiveallover

Pakistan,Allisyn.Adisregardforhumanlife.

(beat)

MEHREEN(cont’d):You’veseenSharif’sstatement?

ALLISYN:

Actuallyno.Icouldn’tgetthroughtohispresssecretary.Whatdoesitsay?

Allisyncocksherheadholdingthephoneinplacesoshecantypetorecordthestatement:

MEHREEN:Theyjustreleasedit.

(Shereads)“PrimeMinisterSharifhastakennoticeofthe'brutalkilling'inthepresenceof

police.Thiscrimeistotallyunacceptableandhastobedealtwithpromptlybylaw.”You’dthinkthey’dbemoreinvestedinprotectingtheirresidents.Alloftheirresidents…

ALLISYN:TheAnti-HonourKillinglawswentintoeffectin2008-whileIwasthere.Sherry

Rehmanpushedthemthrough--

MEHREEN:Thelawsareinplace,Allisyn.It’saboutgettingpeopletorespectandenforcethem.So,wefight.Wecontinuetoraiseourvoices.Totakeaction.Andwewilllosesome

heroesalongtheway.

ALLISYN:That’sveryDarwinianofyou,Mehreen.

MEHREEN:

Survivingisnotsomethingweallgettheluxuryof.Theheroesarethepeoplewhofight.

(Beat)

74

ALLISYN:Iwanttoincludeyourpointofviewinthispiece.DoIhaveyourpermission?

MEHREEN:

Aslongasyoudon’tpaintitasanotherwhitegirltryingtosavethepoorbrownpeople,itshouldbeok.AndIwanttoreaditbeforeitgoestoprint.

ALLISYN:(Shesmiles)Understood.

TheyhangupandMehreenexits.WeseeAllisyncuttingandpastingSharif’sstatementintothefinalformofherreport.Shehitssaveonherdocument.Skyperings-it’sBen.WeseehimandAbbasonthescreensdrivinginLahore.

BEN:

Hey.I’monmywayback.

ALLISYN:OK.AreyoucomingthroughDubai?

BEN:

Idon’tthinkthat’sthebestidea,Allisyn.Weseeandhearthenoiseofacarpullingupveryquicklybehindthem.Benturnsquickly.

BEN:Shit.I’llcallyouback.

ALLISYN:

Whatwasthat?Ben?Ben?!!Weheargunshotsandthesoundofaspeedingcar.Blackout.

75

Scene12Itisthemiddleofthenight.Allisynpacestheroomhysterically.ShecallsBenandAbbas’scellphonesrepeatedly-tryingtoreachthembySkypeandtext,aswell,butgetsnoanswer.She’sonSkypewithEdward.

EDWARD:Allisyn,Iassureyou-I’mdoingeverythingIcan.

ALLISYN:

TheEmbassy?You’vecalledtheEmbassy?

EDWARD:They’removingasquicklyaspossible.

ALLISYN:

God,damnit-whyisn’tanyonetalking?

EDWARD:Givethemachancetodotheirjobs,Allisyn.

ALLIYSN:

It’sbeenalmostfivehours,Edward.

EDWARD:Trytoremaincalm.

ALLISYN:

IwasonthephonewithhimandthereweregunshotsandnowIcan’treacheitherofthem—howfuckingcalmwouldyoube?

(Beat)

EDWARD:Mehreen?

ALLISYN:

She’scalledhercontactsatthehospital.Nothingyet.

Shortsilence.EDWARD:

I’llcalltheWhiteHouseifIneedto,Allisyn.Let’sgiveittilmorning.There’saknockonthedoor.

76

BEN:(Knocksoff-stage)

Allisyn?

ALLISYN:Ben?!

Sherunstothedoor.BEN:

I’mOK.I’mOK.

ALLISYN:He’shere,Edward.He’shere.

Shehangsupthephone.

ALLISYN:Oh,thankGod.

Sheholdsontohim.

ALLISYN:Whythehelldidn’tyoucallme?

BEN:

Khantoldmetoditchmycell.Hesaidhe’dcallyou.

ALLISYN:

Khan?Hedidn’tcall----.WhataboutAbbas?Whydidn’thecall?Benpullsupachairnexttoheronthebed.

BEN:

Hedidn’tmakeit,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:No….no,no,no.

BEN:

Hewaskilled,Allisyn.I’msorry.

ALLISYN:Wait,wait…Idon’tunderstand.

BEN:

Someguys-theypulledupinacarbehindus.Theypushedusofftheroad.Abbasgotoutandtriedtotalktothem-theyseemedtoknoweachother.

77

BEN(cont’d):Heturnedtogetbackinthecar,theyshothiminthebackoftheheadandspedoff.

Itwasveryfast.Idon’tthinkhewasinanypain.

(Beat).BEN(cont’d):

Al?...Allisyn.(beat)Iknowhewasyourfriend,I’msorry.

ALLISYN:

Youjustlefthimthere?Inthestreet?

BEN:Ofcourse,not…IcalledKhan.Hepromisedmehe’dtakecareofhisbody.

Buthewasgone,Allisyn.

ALLISYN:Theyjustgotmarriedthissummer.

BEN:

Hewasproudtodotheworkhedid.Youknowthat.We’llcallEdwardandseewhattheprotocolisintermsofhelpingthem.

Allisyncollectsherself.

ALLISYN:Youdidn’thavetocomehere.Thankyou.

BEN:

Iwantedtotellyouinperson.(beat)

Itwastherightthingtodo.Benwalkstothetableandfindsaprintoutofthestory.

BEN:YouincludedSharif’sstatement?

ALLISYN:

Mehreengaveittome.

BEN:Mehreen?Ithoughtyousaidshewasout?

78

ALLISYN:Shewas.Wespokeafewhoursago.Shesignedoffonit.

Edward’srunningitonthefrontpagetomorrow.ShepullsupthePDFofthecompletedreportwithbothoftheirnamesonit.

ALLISYN:Wegoodtogo?

(Bennods).

ShehitssendandtextsEdward:“Runit.”Thescreenshowstheup-loadingdocument.

BEN:Listen,I’mgonnaheadbacktotheairport.TrytogetaflightbacktoCairo.

Hereachesinhisbag.

BEN(cont’d):Thisisforyou.

HehandsherSamira’sscarf.

ALLISYN:

Abbasisdead,Ben.

BEN:Heknewwhattheriskswere.Abbasknew.

ALLISYN:

Wetellourselvesthat,don’twe?

BEN:Welivewithit,Allisyn.

Sheholdsthescarfinherhands.

(beat)

ALLISYN:Itwasme.Itwasn’tMelissa.Itwasme.

BEN:What?

ALLISYN:

Itwas-easier.SoIsaidithappenedtoherinstead.

79

BEN:

Allisyn,Allisyn….(hetakesherfaceinhishands)Thewholestoryyoutoldme?

ALLISYN:

Alltrue.Just-theotherwayaround.

BEN:I’m…sosorry.

ALLISYN:Iknow.

BEN:

Iwishyou’dtoldme.

ALLISYN:Iwishalotofthings,too,Ben.

(beat)WhatwasIsupposedtodo?

Letyoufallinlovewithadamaged,defectivewomanwhocan’tevenhavechildren?Whoputsallherenergyintoherworkbecausethat’sallshehas?

BEN:

YouhavenoideawhatIwant.Otherthanyou.That,Ithink,Ihavemadeclear.

ALLISYN:Andyouwould’vestayed?

BEN:

Idon’tknowwhatIwould’vedone,Allisyn.ButI’mhererightnow.

(beat)

ALLISYN:EverydayItakeoffallmyclothesandstandinfrontofmymirror.AndIsearchmybodyforwherethebruiseswere-thepartsofmyskinthatarestilladifferentcolorthantherest.Ididn’twantthemtoleaveme.Thosescarsandbruises.Ineededthemtobethere.TheywereallIhad.Whattheytookfromme-youcan’tseeit.Andthatterrifiesme.

BEN:Youneedmetoseeit?

80

ALLISYN:No,Ineedtoseeit,Ben.Me.SoIdon’tforget.

Shegetslightheadedandhastositdown.

(Beat)

BEN:

Youknow,ImetthiswomaninCairo.Sheshoweduptocoverastorywithme.Andfromthesecondshegotthere,allIwantedwastobenexttoher.Thewayshe

lookedandtalked.Goddamnit-shewassmarterthanme.Wemadeloveforalmosttwoweeks.Shestartedtotellmethingsaboutherlife-herparentsandfamily.

Reallyopenup.Shehadherownshit.Iknewthat.ButIwasmorehonestwithherthananywomanforaslongasIcanremember.Andyouknowwhatshedid?Sheleftme.Shegotupinthenight,withoutasinglewordofexplanation,andsheleft.Didn’tjustleaveme-butleftthecountry.IhadtocallEdwardandaskifsomethinghadhappenedtoher.WhenIfoundoutthatshe’daskedtobereassigned-Iwas

knockedout.AndwhenIrealizedshewasn’tgoingtogivemetheexplanationthatIwaslookingfor-youknowwhatIdid?Iforgaveher.

AndthenwhenIrealizedthatshehadactuallysabotagedthepromotionIbustedmyassfor-whichwould’veallowedustobetogether-Iforgaveheragain.

BecauseasmuchasIwantedher-andstillwanther-Ican’tletthatclaimme.Iforgaveherforme.

Shecries.

BEN(cont’d):You’rethestrongestwomanI’veeverknown.

ALLISYN:

Ididcall.Lastsummer.Icalledfromtheairport.Itwentstraighttovoicemail.Iwashopingyou’dtellmetocomeback.

BEN:

ShouldIstay?

Allisynshakesherheadno.ALLISYN:

IthinkIneedtogohomeforawhile.

(beat)

BEN:TheTimesisluckytohaveyou.

ALLISYN:

No,home.ToMelissa.She’sdueanyminute.

81

BEN:Of,course.

ALLISYN:

Maybeshe’llletmehelpherwiththebaby.Youknow,beanAunt.

BEN:AuntAllisyn.

ALLISYN:

MaybesheandIcantalk.IthinkIneedtotalktoher.

(beat)

BEN:I’mnotproudofhowIreactedwhenyoutoldme,Al.Ikeepreplayingour

conversation.

ALLISYN:That’swhatIlivewitheveryday,Ben.

BEN:

Theyshould’vefoughtforyou.Yourparents.

ALLISYN:Peoplehavedifferentwaysofprotectingtheirkids.

Shereachesthescarfouttowardshim.

ALLISYN:Keepthis,please.Iwantyoutohaveit.

Hetakesthescarf,kissesherforehead.Theyhesitateandthekisslingers.

BEN:Ihopeyou’llcall.

(Beat.)

ALLISYN:Ihopeso,too.

Benexists.Allisynsitsaloneandstaresathercomputerandthecontinuouslyuploadingdocument.SheopensanemailfromMehreen-clicksonthelinkshe’ssent.ThescreenshowsthevideoofabeautifulafternooninPakistan,AbbasandFaryal’swedding.Everyoneisclearlyenjoyingthemselves.Men,women,

82

children-withsuchjoyandsimplepride.Sheturnsthenewsbackon.Thescreensshowamedleyofinternationalviolence;thereportinggrowslouderandlouderuntilthescreensgotoblackexcepttheboldwords:FILEUPLOADCOMPLETE.

ENDOFPLAY