Plays

Leap of Faith...!

[Opera, thundering of clouds and light flashing]

The soul of granny comes in sad mood and says in a shivering voice,,,

“once there was a time when I was there among my people, the family of  such innocent people…. Oh my Lord! My Johnny (asim) , my Jenifer (ujala), my Fredrick (faisal, husband of Jenifer) and the only support of my lif, my   Joseph (ammaar, grand paa)… I have come to my people to show you ( the audience) how innocent is my family..the people of today.. childish childish childish…”

[Back ground sound stops, and comes Johnny in a hurry , grand paa is sitting on sofa bussy in some study ]

Johny: hey ma grand paa! (Rushes to grand paa and hugs) em much too happy today!!! Sooo much I am!!!

Grand paa:  (coughing) oh God bless ma child, let me know about the relishing reason!

Johny: (moves while hugging) grand paaaaaaa I got A grades in all of my subjects!!

Grand paa: oh that’s a great news ma Johan! ( laughs and Coughing) God bless God bless!

Johny: (releases hug) yeah I got it! My grand paa seems happy with me, oh Thanks my lord bundles of Thanks!! Granny now me goanna do hurry in searching a good job for me to get stable as soon as possible! ( lots of smiles on face and fisty hands swayed in air)

Grand paa: ( putting the hand on the shoulder of johny) won’t you wish to celebrate it first and then go searching for a job?

Johny: yeah you er right my shelter! But I wish to start a handsome job and celebrate with my first pay.

Grand paa: (laughs and coughs) that’s like my child! God bless you every moment.

Johny: (collecting his documents) oh pleasure my shelter! Ok grand paa me now going to search for the cause of treat (smile and walking down the stage) bye grand paaaa (rising voice in please) see you later

[Grand paa still similing and opens up the newspaper again, setting the glasses on his nose]

[comes friedrick with his laptop and seems bussy in some work]

Frederick: (without looking on father) hi father! How’s you feeling now?

Grand paa: smiling ( no response)

Frederick: (stares on grand paa, clears thought and says) is everything all right here?

Grand paa: (steering in a taunting way) don’t you know about the Johnny’s achievement?

Frederick: (questioning) hamm? What sort of?

Grand paa: (breathing deeply) haassshhh!! He has got….

[Jenifer comes with a bundle of shopping bags and looks distressed, throws them on a sofa and shouts]

Jenifer: huh! ( in a sick manner) is there anyone who is gonna do some right job in the home ?

Oh ma God! What a lots of things I’ve missed there in the shopping mall, my friends were really in a teasing mood on my refraining there! Ooofff!!

[grand paa still pretending to be busy in reading while Frederick becomes stressed on the arrival of Jenifer]

Frederick:  (frowning) will you tell me now what has happened to ya there? I don’t think that you can come back with an incomplete shopping..

[ grand paa coughs in a mocking way and put up the news paper to cover his face when Jenifer catches a sight of him]

Jenifer: (putting up a fisty hand to the waistline) alright ( in affirmation tone) saoo! Every one here is , I guess on a job to moke me. (exhales in disgust)

Frederick: ( in eccentric tone, with a handy movement) jenny! Now please stop here ok? Just relax and tell me what has happen to you?

Jenifer: you? Just shut now! just gave me a few thousand dollars? And thinking its enough now? oh! Why don’t you go to be the peon of some recog company and earn more than you are doing now?

[intrupts, having a controlled smile]

Grand paa: here is like a servant of wife there would be a peon, not that much difference in job,,

Jenifer: whaat?

Frederick: (interrupts) aaakkkhhhh! Listen to me jenny! Em not inherited a state bank to provide you enough to waste ok??

Jenifer: whaat? You mean to waste?? Don’t be so middle class thinker Fred! It’s a social need!

[grand paa interrupts from behind the news paper ]

Grand paa: and we do it like shopping animals oh I mean like social animal umph! (coughing)

[ soul comes: (no body can listen to her) stop my child! Stop fighting here, (coming to jenny) be contended my daughter.. alas)

Frederick :( interrupts) no it isn’t! now don’t make it a social issue here! I think I  can’t stay anymore here! (Folds up the laptop and rushes to the door in disgust)

[jenifer stamps her foot and leaves the sight)

Grand paa: who cares for my li’l Johnny’s (coughing)  achievements... ah! ( again busy in reading)

[Soul is there roaming and saying: what is happening with my people… no cares for the achievements rather fights and fights on li’l issues… no contentment…]

(while granny is saying all this behind the scene changes to that of an office)

Scene changes:

[Johnny has reached the office in excitement and is sitting before the lady officer; (sundus) officer is busy on a call]

Officer: (attending to Johnny) yes Mr. how can I help ya?

Johnny: (attending with a smile) greetings ma’am! I am Johan , Johan Frederick ! I read about a job offered by your company in a news paper. Now I am here.

Officer: (holding a pen in her hand and supporting face on it, in attitude) ok! I got it! Have you brought your c.v and the required documents with you?

Johnny: (with a smile and confidence) yes ma’am here they are (and puts all documents before the officer).

Officer: (frowning and viewing the documents) hmmm ( getting impressed) so you got A in all your subjects?

Johnny: ( with a smile) yes ma’am I did!

Officer: good! Thumbs up man!

Johnny: pleasure!

Officer: (leaves the documents on the table and having relax sitting on the chair) saooo! You seem to be eligible for this job. (Smile)

[Phone call interrupts] excuse me!

Hellao! Yeah Sir! (Pause) yeah Sir! (Pause) pardon (act as couldn’t understand) Mr. Horner? (Li’l pause) sure sir! But sir here is also a competent applicant for the job (pause) ok sir! Yeah sir I got it! Thanks for calling sir. Have a good day!

Johnny: (relaxed with a smile) so ma’am is it done to me?

Officer: (looking somehow embarrassed) aaaahh! Yes the company have done to you but Actually Mr.(pause) we cannot heir you for the job right now.

Johnny: (stunned) sorry! I couldn’t understand ya ma’am.

Officer: (this time somehow confident) Mr. no doubt that you seem to be competent but without any job experience as I have already said that we cannot heir ya right now. I hope you can get it!

Johnny: ( bends his neck a bit and takes a deep breath) but why not me ma’am?

Officer: sorry to say but the deputy has already nominated someone for the job.

[Again phone call] excuse me!

Mathilda here! How can I help ya? (Pause) yeah! Sure we have a seat for the branch manager. (Pause) ahan1 nobody there for the interview? (Pause) all are rejected?  (Pause) don’t worries about, we’ve got an alternative. Thanks for informing! Have a good time! (Call disconnect)

Johnny (sitting with a bent neck)

Officer: (with an enthusiastic tone) young man! We are in need of a branch manager, can you serve us regarding?

Johnny: (in excitement) yeah ma’am sure! I can do it well I have an experience of for 2 years during my study.

Officer: (joins her hand like that for clap) well! (Now opens hand) here comes an opportunity for you to continue as a branch manager right? (Smile)

[Interruption a girl (zainab) comes in the office in a casual manner and sits on the chair besides Johnny]

Girl: good evening ma’am!

Officer: (In li’l disgust) may I know who are you? Here in ma office without permission?

Girl: (in a teasing manner) Em…. (Watching her nails) em Stefanie! Stefanie Collay! ( and puts a letter before the officer)

Officer: (in a flattering mode) ohh! Miss Collay! Good to see ya in ma office. ( leaves the rest from chair) how can I help ya ma’am? How are you here?

Girl: ( attitude and releases the breath) haaahh! Actually em  here in the need of a job to get some experience for my future professional life. You may open the envelope and have the directions about.

[ Johnny , during all their discussion, having a look sometime of that girl and then that of the officer in a bit confused and tensed way ]

Officer: wait ma’am ( calls for a cup of coffee for Stefanie, and opens up the envelope ) 

Johnny: (in a confused tone, talks to Stefanie ) if em not wrong you were my senior, and were repeating the standard.

Girl: ( in rude manner ) none of your business ok! (Hangs up her bag and dialing a number on mobile) ok ma’am I have to leave now ( and puts up the mobile on ear to answer the call )

Officer: please have a seat for few moments I have called for a cup of coffee

Girl: no need for that, thanks ( call picked ) Hellao! Yeah em coming jams  ( and leaves )

[ Johnny’s eyes chase the girl till her exit, when the girl has left he continues ]

Johnny: ( clears throught ) so ma’am from when I am gonna start my job?

Officer: ( rude) I don’t know.

Johnny: ( worried, listens with care) sorry?

Officer: (a bit shouting voice) I said I don’t know you may leave to search for a job coz your miss Stefanie is now appointed for the job of branch manager!

Johnny: ( questioning gesture and grieved + angree ) but why?? Only for she is the daughter of mr. mair while em that of a middle class family??

Officer: ( rude again) no need to shout in my office ok! You may leave now, first try have the manner and then apply for the job. You may go now. ( again takes up the letter and starts reading it)

Johnny: ( grieved) ok ma’am! Em leaving… em leaving….. ( leaves with a bent neck)

[ granny appears in the office near the officer and says… don’t you have the fear of God! Can’t you practice justice oh people! You are more scary of the people rather than that of God??? ( coming in front to the stage, and scene changes behind) granny : oh you people! Come to the right path, you are lost in the charms of this world, don’t have a fear of God.. oh you people.. oh you people… oh you people….]

Scene changes:

[Johnny has come back to home silently and looks tired.. throws the document on a table and unties his tie, while grand paa is taking a rest on sofa ]

Grand paa: hey young man! Looks tired? ( coughing)

Johnny: ( much tired) evening grand paa…

Jenifer: ( comes in a stylish way with a nail polish in hand) oww my son! You came back? Where you have been?

Johnny: ( tired) no where mom! Was just searching for a li’l job..

Jenifer: ( putting the finger on her chin ) jaaabb?? Ba why? You got that?

Johnny: ( releases the breath) haaahh! Not yet mom…

Grand paa: umph (coughing) no worries my boy! Soon you will get it, don’t lose hope.

[ comes Frederick ]

Frederick: good evening my people!

Johnny: good evening dad!

Grand paa: good evening

Jennie: ( stylish attitude) good evening Fred! You are late tody? Waaahy?

Johnny: sorry people em feeling tired, will see you tomorrow. ( and walks down the stairs)

Fred: ( yawining, untying the tie ) no where! Was just stuck in traffic.

Jennie: (closing the nail paint bottle in some style ) and what about our dinner at the new restaurant?

Fred: (slow tone, questing)  dinner?

Jennie: now don’t back out of your words haaann!! You promised me for that, now  go and get ready for going to the restaurant ok? Em ready at my part.

Fred: but I’ve go with father to his doctor, we have an appointment there and that’s important/

Jennie: (gating louder in voice) you father, your son and your office.. just stick to them and be of them you’d better not to marry me Fred! Will remember your words ahead!

Fred: ( stands up) em sorry Jennie! Come on father lets move. ( and leaves along with father )

Jenifer: ( badly loses temper ) wot the hell! He is really gonna neglecting me day by day! I’ve to manage something for this.

[Rebecca ( zainab) the friend of Johan comes ]

Rebecca: ( with a pretty smile ) good evening aunt!

Jennie: ( sets up the mood ) good evening my child ( and hugs) have a seat.

Rebecca: ( smile ) thanks aunt, actually em in a bit hurry.

Jennie: why? Is there everything all right to you?

Rebecca: sure aunt! Johan is not finding around, is he at home?

Jennie: yeah sure! He is taking rest in his room.

[ johan comes then and looks tired]

Jennie: ( nodding ) oh look johan has come ( smile)

Rebecca: ( smile) good evening Johan!

Johan: ( serious tone and sits beside ) good evening rebbi, nice to see you here.

Jennie: both of you have a talk and I’ll be here with coffee for you people.

Rebecca: ( smile) thanks aunt! ( attends to johan) hey Johnny you don’t seem well, is there something wrong to you?

Johnny: (takes a deep breath) nothing is…

Rebecca: mean? Explain to me.

Johnny: I was there in a company applying for the job, but em rejected just because I have no ways and means to fix my abilities… em not a mare’s son, em not that a wealthy person, em not having my father at a higher rank to back me…. Haaahh these materialistic people…

Rebecca: o o! so sorry to about. But I’m here with good news!

Johnny: (surprised a bit) good news? Mean you are going to say me the three golden words (smile)

Rebecca: (nodding and smiling) shaat up Johan... You are still naughty as were in your childhood…

Johnny: (serious smile) and you still don’t understand me so you did since your child hood J

Rebecca: (squeezed face) stop it Johan! And the good news ieeezzzz… em gonna get married by the end of the next month (bends head and smiles)

Johnny: (stunned) whaattt???

Rebecca: (pointing with her finger towards Johan) I was sure em gonna make you surprised! Yeahhh I did that! J

Johnny: no.. you ain’t gonna do this… never! (Shouts) never you can! Got it!

Rebecca: (puzzled) just relax Johan! What’s wrong with you?

Johnny: Rebecca! You can’t play with my life, can’t play with my emotions, no! Em never gonna let you do this at all! I will (makes a fist) never let you go anywhere ( puts down his hand with a jerk and runs down the stairs)

Rebecca: (bends her head into her arms) oh my God! How could it happen? Johan thinks like this about me?? No! (Stands up) how? Oh my lord! (Nodding in disguise and walking down the stage).

[ soul comes : oh my lord! My li’l innocent Johan… what would happen to him now,, he is facing the failure in continues…. Oh my Johan! Be patient my child, don’t do anything wrong, don’t my child.. oh my Lord! Shower upon him your grace…..]

Scene changes:

[ Mary disoza is sitting on a chair with magical stick in Mary’s hand and a table before, which is having a crystal bowl upside down and a few papers of different colors, an ink pot and a paint brush]

[Mary is whispering some cantrip and circling the magical stick over the bowl, when Jenifer comes]

Mary: ( with closed eyes ) sit here Jenifer! ( points on a chair before her )

Jenifer: ( spell bounds ) how.. how do you know I am here Mary disoza?

Mary: ( laughs) ha ha ha ha ha ha… how innocent you are, you don’t know about the powerS of Mary?? ha ha ha ha ( suddenly serious and opens her eyes in anger) then why have you came here poor woman?

Jenifer: (feared) no.. no marry! I I I I didn’t mean that I know about your powers.. yes you have much of powers.. I admit! Pardon… pardon Mary! (Binds hands for begging pardon)

Mary: (attitude) okhey, okhey! Now tell me why are you here? (Opens up mouth wide) why… (And starts moving the stick)

Jenifer: (engulfs the saliva) actually Mary my husband is not going well with me rather he is caring more about his father than me…

Marry: (nodding her head up and down with closed eyes)

Jenifer:  and my son is not getting a good job even after he is trying to have it!

Marry: ( stops nodding and opens up her eyes slowly) Hamm…. I already know that it is happening to you for so long…..

Jenifer: (in a tensed tone) now what to do Mary?

Marry: ( slowly speaking) need not to worry about Jenifer! Mary will do some radical with her powers…

Jenifer: ( again binds her hand) thank you marry disoza! Thank you so much!

Mary: ( focuses on the bowl before her and pits up her stick on that with a stiff arm) you don’t look on the bowl, you cannot bear up the happening poor women… close your eyes… and bind your handzzz….

[Jenifer closes her eyes]

Marry: ( holds and open book in left hand and speaks up in loud a cantrip from it) squeeda squeeda black and black…. ( pause, starts rolling the stick over the bowl) squeeda black and more black it can… squeeda! shocks them bend them to her… squeeda make her the princess of them… squeeda squeeda blackin the leeza squeedi toliph and do that the leezaaa… ( then blows on Jennifer fooo foooo fooo fooo fooo) (and says in a strict voice) open your eyes slowly and watch the light in the magic bowl,,,,

(Jenifer looks in the bowl, but no light is there)

Jenifer: (feared voice) I.. I can’t see the light mary!

Mary: (opens up mouth wide) haha ha ha ha ! you are a sinner that you can’t see the blazing light in the bowl.. only the sacred like Mary disoza can seeee…..

Jenifer: ( engulfs the saliva) Mary! Now what would happen?

Mary: don’t you worry about poor lady, Mary is here to make the dreams of the people like you come true.. my powers need some wealth to drive the hidden creature for getting your desire achieved poor lady!

Jenifer: ( starts opening her purse and asks in hesitation) how much would they require?

Mary: (making Jennie feel scary, and looking around) how much would you require my people?

(Nodding) okay okay! You will get it all but should do the tokeee mu quara leee okay?

(Attending to Jenifer) you are having relaxation in payment, you only have to pay 2000 dollars!

 Jennie: (stunned) 2000 dollars?? Mary I can’t afford this much…

Mary: ( in anger, pointing towards the door) here lies the door lady! You can leave, if you can’t afford!

Jenifer: ( again binds her hand being deprived) no! no Mary please don’t do this I need it badly! Okay ( releases hand) I’ll pay it to you, please get my husband turned to me..

Mary: ( closes her eye and nodding) hammmmm….. pay it first! And you are going to have your dreams coming true..

Jenifer: ( wiping her tears) and takes out 2000 dollars from her purse.

Mary: ( pointing to the table) put it on the people my people will get it themselves.. and leave now!

Jenifer: ( hangs up her bag in hurry and leaves)

[soul comes and says: oh my childish Jennie what you have done? Paid up money for the fake reasons to make your dreams come true?? Wasted the money of my son, which he earns in a strict sort of job?? Why? Why don’t you people understand that only Almighty God can make your dreams to reality.. without paying even a penny, just believe on Him.. leave these fake people and their illusionary powers… oh people.. oh you innocent ones… ]

Scene changes:

[ Jennie comes back to home, there is a hustle and bustle in home, Johnny in faint condition is lying on a sofa and a doctor is near him and injecting him, there is a bandage  on Johnny’s wrist

Grand paa and Fred are sitting besides, all are praying for his health]

Jenifer: ( throws the bag on a side sofa and pounce upon Johnny,) what is happening here?

Johan? ( asking Fred ) Fred? What is this happening in my home?

Jenifer: ( sits besides the sofa on which Johnny is lying) (slow voice) Johan! (Bit louder) Johan! Wake up Johan! Wake up my son! Johan! Johan!

Fred: (consoles Jenifer) Jennie! Jennie hold yourself, he is now out of danger…

Doctor:  ( turning to Fred and Jennie) I have giving him injection and try to let him free from any kind of tension.

Fred: thank you doctor

Doctor: ( collecting his tools and going) I should leave now, in case of any problem inform me than. Have a good time.. (and leaves)

[Rebecca comes inside with a paper in her hand]

Rebecca: good evening people (smile) here is a good news for Johnny, where is he?

Fred: he is taking rest in his room.

Jenifer: (wiping her tears) what sort of my child?

Rebecca: (with questioning eyes) is there anything wrong aunt?

Jenifer: (hugs Rebecca) Johnny hurt himself

Rebecca: (interrupts) what?? Hurt? Why? How?

Fred: (pats Rebecca) relax my child, he is out of danger now.

Jenifer: (sad) he cut his left wrist that bleed much…

Rebecca: (questioning in high voice) suicide attempt? (and rushes to Johnny)

[Johnny is lying faint]

(Rebecca shouts) you stupid! Duffer! Bluffer! Get up! (stretching) get up I said!

Johnny: (opens his eyes slowly, and see Rebecca with half opened eyes)

Rebecca: (shouts) see this you idiot! (And shows fax to asim) do you know what is it??? This is the job confirmation fax for an idiot like you! (pause) How can you be so hopeless?? Want to leave us? (in a bit weeping tone) but we don’t want to lose you damn!

[Grand paa enters]

Grand paa: (stands beside Rebecca) see Johan! You are blessed with such a caring people all around you, your mom, dad, me and (pause) (pats on rabbi’s head) this pretty caring friend...

Rebecca:  (looking at grand paa) and grand paa you know this fax is of such a job which this stupid was even not expecting to get yet.

Johnny: (tries to get up, and sits with resting back on sofa) today life has given me a lesson…

I was not perfect in my choice but the thing which Almighty has written in my fate is the best, (turning to Rebecca) its to hard to say but may be we are born to remain in a relation of sweet friendship, and may what I was planning for my future with you could harm you, which  I can’t bear, that a person I love could suffer any pain and specially not from me… yes rabbi we ll be like friends…

(silence)

So call me earlier for getting help for you wedding ceremony ( sweet laughers )

[soul comes smiling: and that day my people brought the leap of faith… smile]