Occupation Stories

A collection of plays by Palestinian theatre groups about the daily lives of people in wartime in their homeland'

SCENE 5: NOTHING 

I had some things. Where are they? Where are my things? Where are they? Where are my things? Ah, I had . . . I had some books. I took the books. I had four books. I took four books from our home. Our home? Oh, yes, our home . . . ! (She imagines her home.) Our home had a blue gate, stairs and handrail, I used to go up the stairs. Hey . . . no! Our home was on the first floor. I used to go out of my room straight to the garden. I remember the dog that I used to play with. I used to pet it with these hands. These are not my hands. My hands were full. They were full with gold and bracelets. My father bought me a ring. (Looks for her father.) My father! My father! My father! I used to sit in his lap and play with his mustache. He had such a moustache. I can’t remember how my father looked. I can’t remember? How did this happen to me? How did I lose all those things? What does this mean? I’m not me anymore! Did I disappear? I’m nobody . . . I . . . I’m nothing, a persona non-grata. I am less than an unknown. I am nothing.

SCENE 7: SUITCASE AND CHECKPOINTS

ISMAIL. You should be proud that you are carrying the most important thing in my life. You are carrying the smell of my homeland, my village, the dreams of my people, their pains, struggles, longings, exile, and tears. Tomorrow, you will see when we return to the village. You’ll see how beautiful life is there. You’ll be euphoric. All the people will welcome you at the entrance of the village. They’ll say: This is the most important suitcase in the world. The most important suitcase!

SCENE 12: KING SOLOMON KAMEL.