Scene 7: IN THE DUNGEONS OF SYRIA

Click here to hear the sound clip for the beginning of Scene 7

Loop this clip throughout Scene 7 for icky dripping sounds

<SFX: Dungeon sounds, like water dripping>

(Women crying and calling out the names of their deceased)

Leila: Ali Akbar, Ali Akbar...

Sukayna: Abbas....

Ruqayyah: (more sadly than others) Baba....

Zainab: Dear Ruqayyah, your father wouldn't want you to suffer like this. He would have wanted you to bear the trials of Allah with strength.

Ruqayyah: I can't... and I won't.

Zainab: What do you mean?

Ruqayyah: Baba won't leave me here. He told me so, in a dream.

Zainab: Oh Ruqayyah, unless Allah wills, we cannot leave this wretched place.

< Sound of guard approaching>

Zainab: Cover yourselves... as best as you can. (Some women cover faces with arms)

(Guard enters)

Guard: A gift from the master.

Ruqayyah: We're not hungry!

Zainab: Shhhhhhh.

Guard: The master has sent you a special treat today. (Pulls cover off tray to reveal the head of Imam Husain. All gasp in horror. Ruqayyah screams)

Ruqayyah: Baba? (touches it gingerly) Is that you? Baba, your face feels so strange.... (begins crying, collapses crying)

Zainab: Ruqayyah, my dear, please, let go.... (looks at head momentarily, transfixed by her own memory) O Husain, I wish you were here with us now... (back to reality) Ruqayyah, come on Ruqayyah... Ruqayyah? Ruqayyah? (Shakes her) She's dead!

Sajjad: May God have mercy on her soul. These tyrants know no bounds. (Lowers face)

Zainab: O Allah, here is another sacrifice for my brother Husain. When will this ever end?

Click here to listen to the sound clip at the end of Scene 7