Players
Sami: A 19 year old Muslim college student
Mona: Sami’s Mother
Angel Ramadan: An angel
Mr. Lipton: Sami’s neighbor
Scene: In the front of Sami’s house; Sami is washing his 1977 Pontiac Firebird
Part 2
Sami: Isn’t she beautiful? (rubbing the hood of the car)
Angel Ramadan: The only real beauty is God. (An old man on a cane exits the house next to Sami’s. He proceeds to the entrance of his fence, and stands staring at Sami)
Sami: (under his breath) Not that guy again. He doesn’t have anything better to do in his retirement than to patrol me and my family. What a geezer….(Angel clears his throat)
Sami: And besides look at the load of junk he drives, and the…. (Angel clears his throat) Need water?
Angel Ramadan: No…angels don’t drink.
Sami: Oh…yeah I forgot.
Angel Ramadan: Perhaps your neighbor might like some water…or better yet maybe his car washed.
Sami: (laughing) I don’t think so. After all he thinks I’m a terrorist.
Angel Ramadan: Our beloved Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, went one day to visit a man who was sick, a man who use to throw garbage on his doorstep.
Sami: Are you trying to tell me something?
Angel Ramadan: He is the best of creation, an example to humankind.
Sami: I know but this is the 21st century. No one can be like him anymore.
Angel Ramadan: I’m only here to suggest. God has given you the ability to choose.
Sami: (pausing to look at him) You are supposed to be helping me this Ramadan.
Angel Ramadan: In the most difficult is the good.
Sami: (throwing the rag into a pail and walking towards his neighbor) Good morning, Mr. Lipton. (Lipton is silent)
Sami: (trying to smile) Nice afternoon isn’t it? (Sami pauses but Lipton still says nothing) So I was washing my car and wondering if you wanted me to wash yours?
Lipton: (poking his cane at Sami) If I ever catch you touching my car I’ll call the police. I have my eyes on you. I’m watching for terrorist cells. (He spits on the sidewalk then hobbles away to his house)
Sami: You old gee….
Angel Ramadan: Ahem….
Sami: What! You see what he said. Trying to do good and he threw it back in my face.
Angel Ramadan: Anger is one of the ugly traits of the heart except when it is for the sake of Allah, against oppression and injustice.
Sami: This is oppression!
Angel Ramadan: (smiling) Ah…oppression of the ego does not count. You are upset because your ego was stung. Do not give in to anger my brother. There is more to Ramadan than food.
To be continued…
