By: Ben Padgette
Setting: Emirate of Dubai (دبي), summer of 1900
Major Characters:
Wellington Family: Captain Wellington, Ryan Wellington, and Harry Wellington (Close cousin)
Al Ketbi Family: Sir Ali Al Ketbi, Gala Al Ketbi, and Hamad Al Ketbi (Close cousin)
Other Characters: Prince of Dubai, Housemaid, Cloaked Man, Jacques, British Navy men and Dubai townspeople.
The Tragedy of: Ryan and Gala - وغلا ريان
Act I:
Scene 1:
[Mid-Morning, Thursday]
[A room in the Wellington’s home, on Dubai’s shore]
[English]
Harry: So tell me, Ryan; when will you forget Laura?
[Looks toward the street at the townspeople]
Surely one of these beauties can make you forget her...
Ryan: Harry! Let me be! Do any of your beauties even speak the King’s English?
Harry: They speak my language and that’s all that matters. Hah!
[Harry exits; Ryan watches Harry walk down to the street]
Ryan: Why am I here! In the burning Arab sun- surrounded by those who curse the Union Jack! I could be near her and her loveliness but I must suffer here!
[Ryan looks down to Harry, who is now speaking to the girls on the street]
[Hamad grabs Harry and pulls him back]
Hamad: A weed should know better than to walk up to the flowers of Dubai and try to pull them into his wicked ways!
Harry: Hah! You can speak?!
[Hamad strikes Harry]
Hamad: You seem to think we live like animals! I think you need a lesson on Dubai’s culture!
[Harry breaks free and pulls a dagger out]
Harry: I’m London in London! I’m London in Dubai!
[Harry and Hamad begin to fight; Hamad is backed by Dubai’s townspeople and Harry is backed by nearby British Navy men]
[Prince of Dubai enters, fighting ceases for the Prince’s guards]
Prince: Silence! I remind the British of our agreement! Never! Were you allowed to fight the people of Dubai! When we were freed from our western neighbors eight years ago a wind of peace was meant to cover Dubai- But brawls have hindered our peace too many times! The next one to hinder our peace will pay with his own life! I wish to speak with Captain Wellington now, and I will speak to your uncle, Hamad, in the evening.
[Reverently]
Hamad: Your majesty, Sir Ali will hear of this.
Prince: What are you waiting for! Move people!
[Prince exits, End Scene]
Scene 2:
[Al Ketbi home, Gala’s chamber]
[Arabic]
Gala: Why has father opened our home for a feast tonight?
Housemaid: It is for the Europeans who wish to trade with Abu Dhabi, your father called them here to set their minds on Dubai.
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