Murder at Club Se7en

By
Eshah Shakeel and Hassan Raza

The City School Central Region

Academics Department
 2.

ACT 1
Curtains open, instrumental version of Muskaanein
Jhooti Hai starts to play in Club 7, in between
the song you can hear some voices
BRITISH OFFICER 1:
and then i told baghat singh, he can kiss my feet.

music continues
BRITISH OFFICER 2:
(throws a newspaper)
his name is Jinnah and right now he is the GOD damn
best lawyer money can buy

music
BRITISH OFFICER 3:
Winston Churchill is 100% right, we need to take care
of that Gandhi **spits**

music
BRITISH OFFICER 4:
Indians are breeding like rabbits, they are beastly
people, rascals and rogues

spotlight turns on sophia

SOPHIA:
aur ab khawateen o hazrat, ap k samny paish e kidmat
hai, British Lawrence award winning dance group, talio
k saath please welcome "The Bullet brunettes"
Gimme Gimme starts to play, curtains are closed as
soon as the song ends
Dr. Ruth enters

THE COURT REPORTER:

g kon?
DR. RUTH:
Dr. Iris Ruth
THE COURT REPORTER:
baap re baap! The Dr. Iris Ruth, oh my god! oh my god!
ap? mjy pta hai ap kon ho, you are dr. ruth, doctorate
of criminology, pichly panch saal sy you are being
ranked as the best detective in the world, ap new york
sy yaha hamary pass british india aye, mjy to itni
khuhsi ho rahi hai, itni khushi, itni khushi itni
khushi..............
 3.

Dr. Ruth loudly whistles to shut him up

DR. RUTH:
you must be the court reporter, (throws bag at him) is
interrogation ka hi rule hai, i will do the talking,
you will do the writing, har ek chez, har ek sawal, har
ek activity, you will note each and everything, kon kis
trah betha hai, kis trah khara hai, kis trah sans ly
raha hai, i want each and every detail, am i clear?
before the court reporter can talk, he whistles
again
DR. RUTH:
am i clear?
the court reporter shakes head in yes

DR. RUTH:
good! pori interrogation k doran you will get three
questions, every time you need to ask a question you
will raise your hand and you can only ask them jb hum
dono akely ho, clear? now lets see 1881 sy 1920 k
darmayan British policies ki waja sy 100 million sy
zaaida Indians were killed but no one cared, no one
bated an eye but here tonight one white man is murdered
and they have called me all the way from new york to
solve this, white people and their white lies i tell ya

the court reporter raises his hand

DR. RUTH:
are you sure you wanna ask your first question right
now?

the court reporter shakes his head in yes

THE COURT REPORTER:
so mjy aisa lagta hai apko goray log koi hass zaida
pasand nai hai

DR. RUTH:
bag sy notes nikal k do
janty ho white man ki nazar mein, Indian sy bura kya
hai? half Indian
to answer your question, i don’t like anybody but i
hate white people, Calcutta mein British Raj ka sab sy
famous club 7, Sunday, July 4, 1926 Lord Irwin wood who
has been appointed as the new president of Agriculture
Minstery is murdered and this (curtains open, everyone
is freeze in their positions) is the official FIR which
tells us what happened few hours ago, it says..........
 4.

Dr. Ruth leaves the stage while talking, we see

what happened visually, the grace sisters are
performing on Hit the road Jack, Lord Irwin is
enjoying with his wife, as soon as the song ends,
there is a black out, we hear a gun shot, screams
of Madison and Elena can be heard, when lights
come back, Lord Irwin has been stabbed and Elena
is hurt by falling on the ground

DOROTHY WOOD:
dear god! he is dead, HE IS DEAD!
VICTOR;
Elena? elena? are you fine elena?

JULIA:
he was just sitting right here, now he is dead, he is
dead
VICTOR;
Lord Irwin has been murdered

everyone is screaming and curtains are starting to

close
DR. RUTH:
hmmmm, sahi!
sure!!!!
(starts to torn the FIR) It’s a basic truth of the
human condition that everybody lies. The only variable
is about what
Usually to solve any crime, we just need one lead, one
motive but in this case, we have 8 leads, 8 motives but
only one murderer
(curtains open, all suspects are turning towards the
audience imitating mugshots)
Congrats on making it this far but as you know there
can only be one lord Irwin’s murderer. I am looking for
motive, I am looking for means, but most of all I am
looking for moxie. Love and happiness are nothing but
distractions but people call marriage a miracle of love
isn’t it right Mrs. Wood?
DOROTHY WOOD:
i killed him
i killed my husband
poor guy ran into my knife
He ran into my knife ten times
DR. RUTH:
huh, Miracle of love? you are over twice as likely to
be killed by the person you love than by a stranger.
The most successful marriages are based on lies
 5.

DOROTHY WOOD:
If you’d have been there
I betcha you would have done the same!
DR. RUTH:
well, that’s debatable, go back in the line, If nobody
hates you, you’re doing something wrong, mein sahi keh
raha hun na, FUNNY Faraz, tmhary maa baap were
murdered, brutally killed by the british, you were
adopted by Mr. sophia

SOPHIA:
hello mein hun mr. sophia
DR. RUTH:
chup bay, thats the only reason you are doing comedy in
this club, agr mein andaza lagna chao, to kuch aisa ho
sakta hai hoa ho
LORD IRWIN:
tm sala ghulam log hamari joti k neechy rahy ga
(faraz stabs lord iwrin)

DR. RUTH:
STOP! bikul b believable nai, back in the line! lets
solve this puzzle one by one.
music plays everyone leaves only elena and Dr,
ruth is present

DR. RUTH:
Elena, leading lady of the bullet brunettes, daughter
and only blood child of sophia gupta, future owner of
Club 7, you were injured during the blackout

ELENA:
Yes.
Silence for a while.

DR. RUTH:
Well, thankyou. You have been alot of help. You can
leave now.
Elena is confused and starts to get up to leave

DR. RUTH:
SIT YO ASS BACK DOWN ON THAT CHAIR! aur aik aik detail
batao. Shuru se.
Elena sits back down on the chair and begins to
talk as it is reenacted in the background.
 6.

ELENA:
Well, I was born on 1st January 1901, which makes me a
Capricorn and as you know us Capis are great leaders.
Perhaps that’s also why I was chosen to be the leader
of our dance group.

As Elena speaks, a young mother with a newborn in

her arms enter the stage from the wings.
DR. RUTH:
Oh my. Main sadqe jaun. Aur batao apnay sitaron ka.

ELENA:
Well, I think because Capricorns are so headstro-
DR. RUTH:
shut up! just shut up! mjy btao lord Irwin k murder
wali raat kya hoa tha
ELENA:
(scared)
Uhm. I’m sorry.. Okay.. Well. Let me get to it. For
that, you need to know about me, Elena, the girl
wonder! there are so many faces in this club, but only
one star, I wasn’t born to be a star - I fought to be
star, everytime i perform, i perform with elegance,
style and perfection and that perfection comes with a
cost of hard work and constant rehearsals, It was a
normal day,we were doing our warm-ups..

Elena begins to speak as her narration begins

visually. Elena is warming up as Faraz enters.
FARAZ:
Joke, joke, joke, joke.
ELENA:
What?
GRACE:
haha! that is so funny!
FARAZ:
Explanation, explanation.
ELENA:
I don’t think that’s funny.
MADISON:
Rather it’s offensive.
 7.

FARAZ:
Another joke, another joke-

MADISON:
aby is ka koi mu band karye warna yeh gya mery haath sy
FARAZ:
apny ander ki insecurity ko chupany k lye ek aur joke

MADISON:
tu bach mery haath sy.
as madison tries to attack Faraz and everyone
tries to stop her, sophia enters all panicky.

SOPHIA:
Stop everything. RIGHT NOW! LORD IRWIN JUST CONFIRMED!
wo aaj raat yaha aa rahay hai. yaha. CLUB SEVEN
MEIN! O my God, O my God. itni khushi haha itni khushi
All of them make bad faces and disappointed noises
at this.
MADISON:
Not again Mr. Gupta!
GRACE:
I don’t think I can perform.
FARAZ:
I quite agree with her. Mein bhi perform nahi karun ga.

SOPHIA:
What the hell? (pacing around them, emotionally) You
can’t say that!! Please guys!
ELENA:
We very well can mom! I told you last time as well. No
more private parties!
SOPHIA:
Half of our income comes from such bookings missy-
ELENA:
mom I don’t care.
SOPHIA:
Well then let me remind you who the owner of this club
is!

ELENA:
And who is the future owner? And the SEVEN who make the
club 7? Right fellas?
 8.

MADISON:
Mr. sophia I guess Elena is right, hum ksi badshah k
madari nai, we are artists

SOPHIA:
dekho, Lord irwin is celebrating his new appointment as
President of Agricultural Ministry, agr ksi ne meri
baat na mani to there will be no more Bullet brunettes

FARAZ:
Come on you guys, don’t start again-
ELENA:
Iss jagah k liye mainay itnay khwab dekhay huay hain
(walking around with dreamy eyes) Isko main artists ka
garh banaungi. Yahan pr kisi ko koi zaat, rang, jins
nazar naheen aigi, sirf art nazar ayega.
SOPHIA:
Art bhookay ka paet naheen bhar sakti. Tum bhool rahi
ho k ye angraiz hum par hukoomat krtay hain aur unki
khushi hi main humari khushi hai. Faraz, tum tou
samajhtay hou na beta.
ELENA:
Ugh, don’t use Faraz for your emotional blackmail now!

Silence for a while as sophia is pleading Faraz

silently.
FARAZ:
Come on Elena! mom is right. Unke liye hee sahi, we
have to perform.

Elena sighs and nods as sophia tries to hug them

in excitement.
ELENA:
mom, please
SOPHIA:
I love you, I love you, I love you guys!!!
ELENA:
Okay go now, humein bohot kaam hai. Rehearsals karni
hain, looks finalize karni hai, line-up tayaar karna
hai-
SOPHIA:
Yes okay darling!!

Takes a step back and addresses everyone,

clapping.
 9.

SOPHIA:
Come on now, I want everything to go perfectly today!!
Sab kuch bilkul theek hona chahiye. OKAY my talented
darlings!

He turns around to go and sees Lata sitting in the

corner.
SOPHIA:
Lata, better start gargling your throat!

He keeps spitting out orders as he leaves

GRACE:
she is our director, not our boss, hamary lye decisions
nai ly sakti wo

ELENA:
(interrupting)
okay, boys, girls, lovers and dolls, We need to start
our rehearsals (calling out) Grace, Madison!! Come on!!
(snapping) 5, 6, 7, 8..

Grace and Madison enter, following her orders. "Ko

ko rina" starts playing. Dance sequence.
ELENA:
Well Lata has always been an odd girl. Honestly, I
don’t even know why she is in club 7! She hardly talks
to anyone. In fact, she is quite rude and often upsets
guests with her standoffish behavior. That’s what she
did with Lord Irwin too.
Lata crosses them, upset as they hear sophia’s
announcement.
ELENA:
(to Madison and Grace)
Uhh, pata nai isko kya masla hai.

MADISON:
such a drama queen, i tell you, ek number ki diva hai
GRACE:
she has always been an attention seeker, attention
chahiye madam ko hamesha

MADISON:
bloody unprofessional
SOPHIA:
NEXT UP WE HAVE THE ULTIMATE PRIDE OF THE CLUB 7, TRUE
TO THEIR FAME, THE BULLET brunettes!!!!
 10.

Dr. Ruth has gone as Elena is joined by Grace and

Madison. They start their performance on "All That
Jazz". As it finishes, Lord Irwin and his wife
clap for them. And then begins "Hit the Road
Jack". Dr. Ruth interrupts. she enters with
popcorn
DR. RUTH:
Alright okay. I know that part. Tell me what happened
during the blackout?

ELENA:
Dr. Ruth... Some members of this club are jealous of
me. And I... I felt a hand..when the lights went out.
Not the accidental kind. Kisi ney mere kandhay pey
haath rakh ke (points to her left shoulder, the injury
is on the head of the same side) dhakka diya. Pushed me
hard. (starts to cry) Like they wanted to kill me.
Which is why I hurt my head. It was no accident.
Someone wanted to..wanted to...Kill me!! (Sobs) If the
lights hadn’t come back, you would have been
investigating two murders. I don’t know what would have
happened with me!!

Dr. Ruth rolls her eyes at her. Ruth looks at the

Court Reporter.
DR. RUTH:
Whats wrong with you?

COURT REPORTER:
(sobs)
Bechari has gone through so much. I cant, I cant even
begin to think whatsvdasdnasd- (his sobs make his words
unclear)

DR. RUTH:
Yeh lo tissue and wipe that snot off please. It’s
disgusting. (to Elena) Very well dear, ab aap jaa sakti
hain. Thank you for your valuable
information!(signalling her to go)

Elena exits as faraz enters

DR. RUTH:
AB chalty hai opening act per, faraz the comedian

FARAZ:
meharban, qadardan, bhabi aur bhai jan, mein hun apka
host, apka dost, apka chota bhai faraz
 11.

DR. RUTH:
funny faraz, kaisy lagta hai unhi logo ka bandar ban k
jinho ne tmhary parents ka qatal kiya hai
FARAZ:
arry dost, jo hoa, ussy bhool jayi, yeh sab purani
baatain hai, ab mein ek comedian, mera kaam logo ko
hasana hai, waisy b pichly 20 saal sy sophia aur elena
hi meri family hai, wo kehty hai na Banen Meri Vadhiya,
Banen Meri Top Di, Vaddian Noo Poori Aaye, Nikeyaan De
Naap Di

DR. RUTH:
mjy btao, kya hoa tha jb Lord Irwin aye?
FARAZ:
hona kya hai? hamesha ki trah mein tha opening act,
ladies and lords, welcome to a very special night of
passion, music, dance and comedy, we are gathered here
tonight to celebrate Lord Irwin’s newest ministry, Lord
Irwin’s motto is Don’t be racist because racism is a
crime; and crime is for black people.

ELENA:
faraz no!
FARAZ:
What did God say when he first made the black person?
Holy shit I have burned one.
Ever seen a blind man swim? He probably hasn’t either.
MADISON:
oh god this guy

FARAZ:
Your indian mama is so ugly when the devil saw her, he
started praying.
My girl left me for a Hindu guy.
It’s okay though, he’ll treat her better. They worship
cows.
What do you call a Hindu who rejects the gods and prays
to a slice of bread?
A Naan Believer.
Why can’t Hindus get in fights?
They’re not allowed to have beef

lord irwin gets up laughing and comes to stage

LORD IRWIN:
what a funny guy! Faraz, right? I must say this young
man.. You have come a looong way in such a short time.
You have entertained us tonight. Now, I got one for
you. What hangs like a fruit but isn’t a fruit?
 12.

Faraz thinks.
LORD IRWIN:
Your parents!!
Lord Irwin claps and laughs as Faraz’s expressions
change.
LORD IRWIN:
Oh come on now! I thought you could take a joke! You’d
think I didn’t remember. But I do! It was their fault
after all, joining with all those rebels. They were
rightly punished. (laughing)I remember his father
begging for his life, I remember you, crying like a
monkey! Watching your parents being slowly pulled into
death as they struggled. I bet you wanted to be strong
enough to help them back then. help your poor parents,
But what could you do? Other than watching your mother
and father die! Bloody Indians, ungrateful bastards
like your parents deserve to die. But you young man,
you have brains. You decided to be with the right side.
And I see a bright future ahead for you, you agree? you
are a white man now

faraz hits Lord Irwin and starts stabbing him

Faraz steps towards Lord Irwin as he tries to
escape. Lord Irwin throws an object towards Faraz
which he dodges. He keeps charging towards him. A
mime that shows their fight which Faraz wins when
he stabs Lord Irwin, repeatedly.
Dr. Ruth enters, shocked.
DR. RUTH:
Hold on, what?
COURT REPORTER:
urri baba, urri baba, yeh kya keh raha hai

FARAZ:
zahir sy baat hai mein ne yeh nai kiya, karna chata tha
likin nai kiya
DR. RUTH:
Can’t believe I have to spell it out but please tell
what actually happened! jo hoa wo btao, now lets rewind
Things start rewinding. Mime, Faraz’s monologue.
DR. RUTH:
Yes, stop right there.
 13.

LORD IRWIN:
And I see a bright future ahead for you, you agree? you
are a white man now

Faraz smiles and nods.

FARAZ:
Mein chup chaap stage sey chala gaya aur Lord Irwin
waapis apney throne pey. Hamesha ki tarhan, the English
man won!
DR. RUTH:
Well, if anything, your "prophecy" won. Uske baad? Jab
murder hua, tab tum kahan thay?

FARAZ:
I was outside.
DR. RUTH:
Uh-huh, doing what?

FARAZ:
Nothing.
DR. RUTH:
Nothing?

FARAZ:
Nothing.
DR. RUTH:
Nothing?

FARAZ:
Nothing.
COURT REPORTER:
Nothing???

DR. RUTH:
I’m sure you know Faraz that this puts you in a bad
light. You were just conveniently outside doing
nothing, you can very well have been beside Lord Irwin
and stabbed him.

Faraz starts laughing.

FARAZ:
Dr. Ruth, aap bhi achay jokes karti hain. Mein raha
bechara comedian, logon kou hasana mera kaam hai. Zyada
der kuch dil pey nai leta mein, mujhe kya zaroorat hai
kisi ka murder karney ki... Well, if you must know.. Ek
minute, yeh baatein humarey beech hee rahein gee na?
 14.

DR. RUTH:
Ofcourse...unless you’re the murderer. Uss case mein
apko life sentence hogi ya death penalty. Do you want
that?

FARAZ:
(getting agitated)
Well.. I was just, having a smoke. But please, mom ya
Elena kou pata na lagey, warna unka lecture shuru hou
jaaye ga. Whenever I feel disturbed, mein smoke kar
leta hun. apko yakeen nai atta yeh dekhiye ada buja hoa
cigratte
DR. RUTH:
That is quite convenient! You may leave.
Faraz starts to go.

DR. RUTH:
But I know tum ney sab kuch nahi bataya. You are hiding
something. Now, I really want information that can be
of some importance. Or at least someone who thinks they
are important!

Lata unfreezes as the spotlight goes on her. (song

suggestion: Mehki fizayein) A small sequence in
which everyone is on their knees as they make way
for Lata who waves like a celebrity. As it ends,
Lata looks around disinterestedly.

LATA:
Investigation shuru kary
DR. RUTH:
Indeed Ms. Lata, please have a seat. Would you like
some tea or coffee? Some dinner, perhaps?
Lata sits down and says nothing. Court reporter
laughs at her sarcasm.

DR. RUTH:
So Ms. Lata Mirza, ap hai nawab sahib ki daughter, Must
have been leading a lavish life before bloody Lord
Irwin had that business deal with your father. Ghussa
tou aata hoga apko Lord Irwin pey. unho ne ap k baap
bary bazaar, pory gao k samny gaseeta, gusa to atta ho
ga
LATA:
Bohot.
 15.

DR. RUTH:
Kaafi mysterious hain aap. You don’t have any friends
here too. Must get lonely?
LATA:
Nai, mery pass mera music hai aur ksi chez ki zarorat
ni
DR. RUTH:
Indeed. Which brings me to your very weird obsession
with "Aaj Jaaney ki zidd na karo". Kya hai iss gaaney
sey apko?
Lata doesn’t answer. Meanwhile, her mother enters
and starts singing the song like in a mehfil,
little Lata sitting beside her. Dr. Ruth
interrupts after a while.

DR. RUTH:
Ms. Lata this attitude will not be acceptable here.
Mein Elena ya Club 7 ki koi aur member nahi hun ke tum
iss tarhan behave kar sakti hou. You will answer ALL MY
QUESTIONS, UNDERSTOOD?

LATA:
My mother used to sing that song. Har mehfil ki
shuruwaat issi gaaney sey hoti thi. Aur meine bhi yahi
pehla gaana seekha tha.

Lata’s eyes fill with tears as the court reporter

looks at Dr. Ruth.
COURT REPORTER:
You know a little empathy doesn’t hurt. You’re making
people cry!

DR. RUTH:
Shut the hell up! Have you forgotten your instructions?
Get back to writing.

DR. RUTH:
Could you tell the events of the day Lord Irwin came?
A song begins to play. Through Lata we see the the
day like a slow motion mime. Because in her mind,
there is always some music. She sees the Grace
sisters rehearsing and feels left out, not seen.
We hear Lord Irwin’s last sentence to Faraz. He
comes backstage as we hear sophia’s announcement.
SOPHIA:
Thank you Faraz, that was indeed a great opening
performance. And now in your honor Lord Irwin, PLEASE
(MORE)
 16.

SOPHIA: (cont’d)
WELCOME OUR NEXT PERFORMER, THE SWEETEST VOICE OF THE
SUBCONTINENT, MS. LATA MIRZA!!
Lata enters the stage and takes her position. She
starts singing. As per her routine, "Aaj jaaney ki
zidd na karo". Lord Irwin interrupts.
LORD IRWIN:
Stop, stop it!

DOROTHY WOOD:
What’s the matter dear?
LORD IRWIN:
The matter? What are these words? I don’t understand
bloody Indian music. Sing something in english!

Lata looks at him with cold eyes.

LATA:
No.

There is silence.
ELENA:
Yeh kya kar rahi hai?
MADISON:
What she always does!
Lord Irwin gets up.
LORD IRWIN:
What did you say?

LATA:
No. This is my routine, my performance. I will do as I
please. This is the song with which I start my
performance. Always. And it will not change for you!

DOROTHY WOOD:
Oh let her perform the way she wants Irwin!
sophia comes to the rescue.

SOPHIA:
Oh I am really really sorry Lord Irwin! Please, forgive
Ms. Lata. She shall sing whatever you please. (in a low
voice to Lata) Lata, kya kar rahi hou, jaisa keh rahey
hain waisey karlo please. Mere. Humarey club ka sawaal
hai!
 17.

LATA:
Sorry sophia, I don’t care. Mein iske liye apni
performance kharaab nahi karun gee. I will sing my
song. Kisi kou pasand aaye na aaye.

Lata starts singing the song.

LORD IRWIN:
(over the song)
Ms. Lata! This is not your private show anymore. Leave
that life behind. Now, whatever I please shall be
performed! Your father is in prison, jail mein!
Possibly for life. It’s better you get accustomed to
this lifestyle.
Lata keeps singing. Lord Irwin gets angrier.
sophia is scared.

LORD IRWIN:
Ms. Lata! This is your last warning! If you don’t stop
singing these filthy words, I will not even hestitate
to use harsh means. And you very well know I can!

Lata keeps singing.

SOPHIA:
Please Lata, stop it!
LORD IRWIN:
You Indians can never learn the meaning of respect! And
then you cry when we make you learn it. It’s in your
blood, to disprespect. GUARDS! Get ready to fire! Lata,
do you really want to waste your life for this?

SOPHIA:
FOR GOD’S SAKE LATA HE WILL KILL YOU!
Lata is still singing.
DOROTHY WOOD:
(standing up)
Oh dear Lord, Irwin stop this please!
LORD IRWIN:
Shutup, don’t speak in between! (to guards) HOLD YOUR
POSITIONS! (guards point the gun at her)

SOPHIA:
Lata bas kardo!!!
LORD IRWIN:
LOAD AND F-
 18.

sophia snatches the mic from Lata

SOPHIA:
STOP IT!!!!
There is silence as Lata stops singing. Lord Irwin
gives a satisfied smile. Lata gets upset at this.
She goes off stage as sophia looks at Lord Irwin
apologetically. Lata hears Elena’s comment at her.
ELENA:
Uhh, here she goes again! Pata nai isko kya masla hai.
Ajeeb hee larki hai. Bloody snob!
MADISON:
such a drama queen, i tell you, ek number ki diva hai

GRACE:
she has always been an attention seeker, attention
chahiye madam ko hamesha
Lata gets even more upset at this.

SOPHIA:
Lord Irwin, please, she might be in a bad mood or
something. Please do not ruin your mood and your
celebratory night because of her! Give me another
chance with our next performance.

DOROTHY WOOD:
Yes sophia you may go on. Irwin, please sit, let’s
enjoy the night!
LORD IRWIN:
Woman! I have told you not speak in my matters. Stay in
your place, decent woman do not cross the limits set
for them.
Lord irwin sits, cooling down as Dorothy also
sits, feeling embarrassed. sophia breaks the
awkward silence.
SOPHIA:
NEXT UP WE HAVE THE ULTIMATE PRIDE OF THE CLUB 7, TRUE
TO THEIR NAME, THE BULLET brunettes!!

Dr. Ruth enters, interrupting.

DR. RUTH:
Aur tum? Tum kahan gai?
 19.

LATA:
Changing room mein.
DR. RUTH:
Tumhein tou kaafi ghussa araha hoga Lord Irwin pey!

LATA:
(smiling)
It’t not the first time a white man has done this Dr.
Ruth. Bas ek hee baat ka ghussa tha.. Mera gaana poora
nahi honay diya usne. Anyway.. Kuch der baad light
chali gai aur gunshot ki awaaz sey ghabra kar mein
bahir aayi, gunshot ki awaz sune k baad, dono lovebirds
grace aur faraz b bahir sy bhag k ander aa gye
DR. RUTH:
lovebirds

LATA:
ha! btaya nai apko, grace bahir faraz k pass hi gyi
thi, apko jo mein ne kehna tha keh dia hai, ab mein
jao?

DR. RUTH:
ap ja sakti hai! apna gana khatam kar k
Lata looks at her, surprised.
Lata smiles, takes her position and starts
singing. After the song, she nods a "thank you" to
Dr. Ruth. Lata gets up
Curtains close. sophia and other members are
present as Lata joins them.

SOPHIA:
Tumse kya poocha Dr. Ruth ney?
LATA:
Kuch naya nahi. Wohi jou tum sab sey pooch rahi hain.
Events of the day and all.
SOPHIA:
Ugh! My precious club’s name is being dragged through
the mud!

ELENA:
mom aap hee kou shouq tha, to invite Lord Irwin. I was
against this from the start.
SOPHIA:
How would I have known that he would be murdered!
 20.

FARAZ:
It’s definitely Dorothy! Tum sab ney dekha hee tha ke
Lord Irwin kis tarhan sey baat kar rahey thay unse.
MADISON:
Obviously it’s none of us!
LATA:
Huh, who knows?
GRACE:
What is that supposed to mean?
LATA:
Matlab, humein kya pata. Koi bhi hou sakta hai, tabhi
tou investigation hou rahi hai.

ELENA:
That is just standard procedure!
GRACE:
And obviously they want to pin it on some Indian
anyway!
FARAZ:
Exactly!
MADISON:
Unless. It’s actually one of us! Right, Grace?
ELENA:
Madison? Are you implying Grace ney murder kiya hai?
MADISON:
Tumne sab kuch nahi bataya Dr. Ruth kou kya?
FARAZ:
I would shutup if I were you!
LATA:
Obviously, YOU would!
FARAZ:
Kya matlab? Tum mujh pey shaq kar rahi hou! Jitni
larayi tum ney Lord Irwin sey ki thi, it’s very
plausible you could kill him!

LATA:
You guys just want to get rid of me.
They start fighting with each other, no one is
heard properly as they keep pinning the murder at
each other.
 21.

SOPHIA:
SHUTUP!!!
Silence.
SOPHIA:
Sharam aani chahiye tum sab kou! Instead of supporting
each other at this time, you guys are blaming each
other? Disgusting!
COURT REPORTER:
(from behind)
Mr. sophia Gupta, may we have you here please.
SOPHIA:
I’m going. None of you should even utter a word against
each other! Understood?

They all nod as sophia goes. Curtains open. sophia

enters, all goofy.
SOPHIA:
Hello hello, good morning Dr. Ruth, how are you today?

DR. RUTH:
It’s night, Ms. sophia!
SOPHIA:
Ah, you look grumpy. I have something. A joke, to cheer
you up! What do you call an alligator in a vest? An
investigator!!!
DR. RUTH:
Mr. sophia this joke is old. Even for the 1920’s. Could
you please just tell me what happened the day Lord
Irwin came?
SOPHIA:
Well, us din hoa kuch aisa tha

Song begins. As sophia gets up in the morning, all

happy, stretching. He open the curtains and
welcomes the fresh air and sunlight. He gets
ready, slipping into his "owner" costume. Stepping
into the next room, he sits to eat as Elena and
Faraz are dancing.

SOPHIA:
Lord Irwin 9 bjy hamary club aye, likin mjy un k ane ka
dophar 2 bjy pta chala
 22.

ELENA:
Idher udher ki baatein.
GRACE & MADISON:
Waghera waghera.

FARAZ:
mom is the best
SOPHIA:
OMG YOU GUYS!!! ARE YOU READY? LORD IRWIN JUST
CONFIRMED HE IS COMING TONIGHT!
ELENA:
But mom, something about artist institute or art
institute..artist or art? Something of the sort.

SOPHIA:
Do you want to die poor? Hain Faraz?
FARAZ:
No! mom is the best

SOPHIA:
So now tell me, ARE YOU READY??
ELENA:
Yes mom, actually we are a weee bit too excited, right
girls?

GRACE & MADISON:

YASSS!
FARAZ:
mom is the best!

LATA:
I better start gargling my throat!
DR. RUTH:
Ugh, stop it! Aisey bilkul nahi hua tha. Elena, Faraz,
Lata, aisey baat nahi kartey.
SOPHIA:
Well for me, it is like this. Har kisi kou ek hee cheez
dekhne ka different nazariya hota hai. We see things
the way we are, right Dr. Ruth?
DR. RUTH:
Fair point, continue!
 23.

sophia orders around as the girls start

rehearsing. He cleans everything, getting excited.
Taking out his new suit. Dr. Ruth interrupts
again.

DR. RUTH:
Stop this nonsense.
sophia stops as there is silence.
DR. RUTH:
It is disgusting, the way you dance around like a
monkey for the white man. You and I are cut out from
the same cloth. Half Indian, Half British. Aur hum dono
kou pata hai ke angraiz humein kis tarhan treat kartey
hain. Like filth! Phir bhi tum aisey unke qadmon mein
parrtey hou? It’s just shameless!

SOPHIA:
Tum bhi tou itni durr sey aayi hou na. Ek angraiz ka
muder solve karney.
DR. RUTH:
That’s just my job!
SOPHIA:
So this is mine! Entertaining. Aagey jou bhi hou, iss
sey mujhe koi gharz nahi.

DR. RUTH:
You know I have no interest in really solving this
murder. All they want is an Indian murderer to make
this look like a hate crime. Woh egomaniacs aur Indians
kou maarney ke bahaney dhoond rahey hotay hain.

SOPHIA:
And you will provide them one, no?
DR. RUTH:
Koi bhi Lord Irwin ke saamney perform nahi karna chah
raha tha. Lekin tumne sabko force kiya!
SOPHIA:
Oh God, it’s not like i’m a fan of Lord Irwin! Mein tou
chah bhi nai rahi thi ke wo aayey.
DR. RUTH:
What do you mean? Agar tum nahi chah rahi thi tou
bulaya kyun?
 24.

SOPHIA:
Some things are good for business!

DR. RUTH:
Business? Right.Lord Irwin ney Faraz kou itna insult
kiya aur tum wahan kharrey tamasha dekhte rahey. Was it
because he is adopted? Not your blood?
SOPHIA:
(angry for the first time)
I love him more than my own blood Dr. Ruth! Not one
word on my family.
DR. RUTH:
Oh, tou jab Lata ki performance kou tabaah kiya jaa
raha tha aur tum phir sey Lord Irwin ke talway chaat
rahey thay, woh iss liye tha kyunke Lata is not your
family?
SOPHIA:
Club 7 is my family with everyone in it. You dont know
the lengths I can go for each one of them.
DR. RUTH:
No, all you can do, is anything for the white man!
Tumhein sirf unki tareef aur paison sey gharz hai. Baqi
sab jaaye bhaar mein. Self-respect bhi koi cheez hoti
hai sophia! But what would you know?
By now, sophia is quite angry.
SOPHIA:
Yes, I don’t know anything about self respect! You know
why? Kyunke mein sirf 7 saal ka tha jab mera baap
footpath pey thaila laga ke kharra hota tha. Aur koi
bhi angraiz aatey jaatey hum pey thook bhi jaye, mera
baap choon tak nahi karta tha. Sirf muskurata rehta
tha. Mujhe samajh nahi aata tha lekin ab aata hai. Woh
sab mere liye karta tha. Taakeh mein parh likh kar aisi
position pey pohonch jaun jahan angraiz mujhse
farmayish karey. Issi tarhan mere saamney woh kisi
angraiz ki gaari ke neechay agaye. Kuch nahi hua! Just
another Indian losing his forgotten life. I swore then.
Never to be forgotten. I made this club from scratch. I
educated my children to perform professionally. I take
business advice from Elena so she can run it in the
future. I adopted Faraz for his talent and loyalty. I
gave place to people like Lata who suffered because of
the English. And you’re saying that I should be
ashamed? No Dr. Ruth! I am rather proud of myself. And
people like you, working under the English government
cannot make me, a manager of the club that English
people pay to come to, feel an ounce of guilt,
understood??
 25.

sophia storms off the stage.

COURT REPORTER:
End wali line kya thi? Ounce of what? Dr. Ruth, ounce
of what?? Damn. Ungliyaan thakk gai hain, that was too
heavy.
Dr. Ruth doesn’t reply.
COURT REPORTER:
Ounce of something... Dr. Ruth, are you okay? Shall we
call the next suspect?
DR. RUTH:
(composing herself)
Yes.

COURT REPORTER:
Madison-
DR. RUTH:
No. Dorothy Wood.

COURT REPORTER:
Are you sure Dr.? I mean, like, safaid chamri?
DR. RUTH:
So? White people can’t murder? Call her right now and
dont ever use safaid chamri word again
DOROTHY WOOD:
no need dr. ruth, i am already here, Are you really
suggesting that I killed my husband?

DR. RUTH:
Well, everybody present around him that night is a
suspect. What makes you an exception?
Dorothy Wood sits down angrily.

DOROTHY WOOD:
My relationship with him. I am his wife.
DR. RUTH:
So, spouses don’t kill each other? You must look at the
statistics. If I could, I would definitely kill my
husband. He can get really annoying (winking and
laughing)
DOROTHY WOOD:
That’s the difference between you and I Dr. Ruth! I am
a God-fearing and rule-abiding wife. And God has made
certain rules.
 26.

DR. RUTH:
Then you must believe that God wanted it. God wanted
Lord Irwin to die, right? Because everything happens
with His will.
DOROTHY WOOD:
I don’t know, perhaps, i am not sure what you mean, It
certainly must be His will as Irwin is not with us
anymore. To Him we shall all return.

DR. RUTH:
Did Jesus tell you that? fun fact, You talk to God,
you’re religious. God talks to you, you’re psychotic.
well as a matter of fact, I must not even be doing this
investigation as the case is so clear.......

DOROTHY WOOD:
Oh Jesus Christ! You bigot. Take those words back. No
wonder you are half Indian. This filthy blood can make
anyone impure. As a wife, I know my place. I never even
spoke too much in front of him, let alone murder him!

Dr. Ruth smiles

DOROTHY WOOD:
you don’t trust anyone?

DR. RUTH:
trust has to be earned, Faith thats another word for
ignorance isn’t it?
DOROTHY WOOD:
what in god’s name is your problem?

DR. RUTH:
my problem is Mrs. wood is people like you, the whites?
i was born in Lahore, my mother was British and my
father was a Muslim, i was bullied in school for being
half Indian, my grandparents were murdered, my parents
had to leave their home country to save their lives and
my life
DOROTHY WOOD:
i am so sor.....

DR. RUTH:
your husband? Was he good to you?
DOROTHY WOOD:
If a woman is good to her husband, he will be good too!

Dr. Ruth smiles and takes out a handkerchief. In a

swift movement, she wipes off the base from
Dorothy’s eye. Dorothy quickly covers it.
 27.

DR. RUTH:
Ah! So he was a boxer? Did he hit you a lot?

Dorothy looks down, doesn’t answer.

DR. RUTH:
I understand the dagger with which he was killed
belonged to you.

DOROTHY WOOD:
I could never even imagine killing him! I don’t know
how the dagger came here. I do remember that it was
missing that day, but I did not think about it much.
Things get misplaced..

DR. RUTH:
Could you tell what happened the day he died?
We see Lord Irwin in a shadow. Dorothy gets up and
goes behind the screen. Lord Irwin hits her. Then,
he enters the stage. Dorothy is fixing up her
would with base.
DOROTHY WOOD:
Club 7 is one of the clubs Irwin wanted to buy, Sophia
was a stubborn about not selling it, Irwin has mad at
Sophia, so Faraz came to invite us yesterday. The
invitation was from Sophia Gupta. She booked the entire
space for us
Dr. Ruth interupts.

DR. RUTH:
Faraz?
DOROTHY WOOD:
Yes, he came to invite.

Dr. Ruth looks at the court reporter to make a

special note of it.
DOROTHY WOOD:
We came here. There was a disturbance around Ms. Lata’s
performance. But everything else was fine until the
lights went out. The gunshot was scary. But even more
scary was, when the.. (starts sobbing) light came on
and he was lying there, dead..
DR. RUTH:
Tell me honestly, a part of you must be relived that he
is no more...
Dorothy starts crying.
 28.

DOROTHY WOOD:
Have some mercy on me Dr. Ruth, I just lost my husband!
The court reporter gives her a handkerchief.
COURT REPORTER:
Have some mercy, Dr. Ruth!
DR. RUTH:
Fine, you can go. A person who was subjected to
violence and still cries on her oppressor’s death..can
definitely not be the murderer.
DOROTHY WOOD:
(standing up)
But Dr. Ruth! It IS one of them. These Indians are
savages. Make sure you catch the culprit. Anyone could
have done it. Especially that, that Grace!
DR. RUTH:
Why her?
DOROTHY WOOD:
You didn’t know? How could you! Irwin was master at
keeping secrets, So that his reputation remains
untainted. Irwin is the only reason grace is even in
Club 7, Grace was Irwin’s spy. she was sent here to
infiltrate, irwin wanted to make her the director of
bullet brunettes, after all Irwin loved her dearly, she
was his daughter.
DR. RUTH:
what?
DOROTHY WOOD:
yes! you heard me right, She is his illegitimate
daughter! And they will never tell you the full truth.
Ask them where she was when the murder happened, i hate
her, god i hate her, that little

Dorothy storms off. Spotlight on Dr. Ruth, puzzled

with this new information.
DR. RUTH:
Grace Lord Irwin k murder k waqat nai thi, likin yeh
baat elena aur Faraz dono ne nai btai, Grace is Lord
irwin’s daughter aur yeh baat agr sophia ko pta thi to
us ne kiyn nai btai,
COURT REPORTER:
boss, fazool mein time waste kar rahy ho, 16 ane sahi
baat hai Lata g ney murder kiya hai. Ajeeb mysterious
si larki, has clear motive and looks like a murderer,
(MORE)
 29.

COURT REPORTER: (cont’d)

honestly. What do you think? kya lagta hai apko kya
lagta hai
DR. RUTH:
mjy lagta hai you have just one more question left.
COURT REPORTER:
Shall I call the next suspect?
DR. RUTH:
Pehle mera ek kaam karo!
COURT REPORTER:
Okay Dr. Ruth!
THE COURT REPORTER:
to phr bulao grace ko?
DR. RUTH:
i dont wanna talk to grace
light turns on, as he turns around, Madison is
ready to be investigated.
DR. RUTH:
i wanna talk to you
MADISON:
so, talk?
DR. RUTH:
is club mein itni koi friendly reputation nai hai apki?
MADISON:
friendly reputations are just over rated Dr. Ruth, that
friendly reputation could not save elena for almost
gettin murdered, am i right?
DR. RUTH:
Lord Irwin aur Elena dono agr tmhary rasty sy nikal
jaye so you will be the lead and director of bullet
brunettes, so motive hi lehaz sy you are the perfect
murderer
MADISON:
haha, tsk tsk tsk, Dr. ruth yehi to difference hai mj
mein and bki sab mein, agr mein ne murder karna hota to
mein andhery ka intezar na karti, if it was up to me i
will forever choose revenge, i will heal in hell
 30.

DR. RUTH:
tell me about your fellows, is club 7 mein koi to
friend ho ga

MADISON:
friends are for losers, when you are the showstopper.
people make an effort to be your friends, you already
know about elena, lata, faraz and sophia, let me
introduce the rest of club 7, Julia and Jim, the
brother sister duo of a single father, in k parents
club 7 ki technical engineers thay, inki mother ki
death k baad, ms. sophia gave them a job here with
their dad, Kabeer juggling both work and his studies,
yaha sy jo b paisy earn karta hai, apni education per
laga deta hai, Victor aur Khan k bary mein koi zaida
nai janta sirf itni hi k they are everyone’s favourite,
bolton is the best performer we have, even better than
grace & elena but obviously not better than me
DR. RUTH:
grace k bary mein kuch nai btao gyi

MADISON:
khoon kholta hai mera us ka naam sun k Dr. Ruth aur yeh
sab, ha! they will never tell you. I’m sure Elena
didn’t tell either.

DR. RUTH:
Tell what?
MADISON:
Grace was not present in the performance during which
the murder took place.
DR. RUTH:
What?
The grace sisters just ended their performance on
"All that jazz". Lord Irwin claps for them.
LORD IRWIN:
Bravo! You girls made the day!
Dorothy looks at Grace angrily.

LORD IRWIN:
Great performance. Elena & Madison!
He sits down again, Dorothy smiles as Grace looks
at him with hope. The music for "Hit the road
jack" begins. The grace sisters start performing
again but Grace can be seen being uncomfortable.
After a few seconds, she goes off stage. Elena
notices but continues performing. Lights go out.
 31.

MADISON:
I didn’t like her from the moment she arrived at Club
7. There was something wrong about her.

Elena and Madison are rehearsing/doing warm-ups.

MADISON:
You know Elena, I was thinking something.

ELENA:
Kya?
MADISON:
Hum 2 hee tou hain. So that kind of makes me the second
lead no?

ELENA:
Haan.. Balkay humein mom sey kehna chahiye ke
officially tumhein second lead hee kaha jaye, nai?
MADISON:
Really?
ELENA:
Haan!! Aur jab tum thori barri hou jao gee aur yahan
pey aur artists aayein gey, maybe you can be the lead
of your own group.

Madison hugs Elena in excitement.

MADISON:
O my God I love you!!!

ELENA:
Hold your horses, it’s just a thought.
sophia enters excitedly.
SOPHIA:
Hello girls!!! I want to introduce someone to you!
Please welcome the second lead for the Grace sisters...
GRACE!!
Grace enters timidly as Madison looks angrily
towards Grace.
ELENA:
Oh, hi Grace! Nice to meet you!
GRACE:
You too!
They smile at each other and have an instant
friendship.
 32.

ELENA:
But mom, Madison humarey saath shuru sey hai..
SOPHIA:
Madison abhi bohot choti hai. She will have so many
more opportunities and chances!

MADISON:
But Mr. sophia! We all auditioned to be a part of this
club. We have taken professional trainings and
workshops. Aisey koi kis tarhan beghair audition ke
group ka part ban sakta hai..
SOPHIA:
Well it’s my club so I make the decisions-
GRACE:
(cutting him off)
It’s okay Miss sophia. I can give an audition!
SOPHIA:
No need Grace. Lord Irwin recommended you-

GRACE:
Please, I insist.
Madison and Grace lock gaze as sophia steps back
and Elena puts on the music. They have a
dance-off. Faraz also enters and is looking at
them. Grace wins the dance-off. sophia, Elena and
Faraz clap for her as she bows.
FARAZ:
(to Elena)
Who is she?

ELENA:
Humarey dance group ki newest member!! We are so happy
to have you Grace.
She takes her off stage as sophia and Faraz
follow. Madison looks at Dr. Ruth.
MADISON:
Aisey log privileged hotay hain. Aur jab unko aisey
disown kar diya jaye jaisey Lord Irwin ney kiya tha,
tou woh badla zaroor lete hain, grace ki qatil hai
DR. RUTH:
That is enough Ms. Madison. Aap jaa sakti hain.
Madison gives a satisfactory smile and leaves.
 33.

COURT REPORTER:
Dr. Ruth, Grace kou bulaun?
MADISON:
bilkul bulaye, aaj doodh ka doodh aur pani ka pani ho
jaye, bulaye grace ko, bulaye us murderer ko

DR. RUTH:
shut up madison. (to court reporter) Jao, call Grace
here.

The court reporter nods and gets up. After a few

seconds he enters with Grace.
MADISON:
Oh look! The murderer is here!

GRACE:
Madison tm sambhal k baat karo!
MADISON:
Itna ghussa kyun araha hai tumhein? chor ki dari mein
tinka

GRACE:
Madison yeh Jo tmhari kenchi jaisi zuban hai kench lo
gyi mein
DR. RUTH:
Guys behave!
MADISON:
bara khoon savar hai tmhary sir per, isi lye apny baap
ka khoon kiya hai

GRACE:
zuban ko lagam do warna mj sy bura koi nai ho ga
SOPHIA:
yeh kya bakwaas hou rahi hai yahan

LATA:
yeh atanak machaya hoa hai tm dono ne
ELENA:
madison & grace tm dono Larny ki awazain bahir tak aa
rahi hai
GRACE:
apni chahiti ko samjao k ilzam lagana band kary
 34.

MADISON:
warna kya mjy b mar do gyi
FARAZ:
chup kar jao warna mj sy bura koi nai ho ga
Noises

DR. RUTH:
silence! Yeh kis ka bag hai
EVERYONE:
Grace, yeh to Grace ka bag hai GRACE?? Gun???
Grace is shocked.
GRACE:
Nahi!! Yeh gun meri nahi hai. I don’t know yeh kahan
sey aayi. Please, Dr. Ruth, it’s not mine, I swear.
sophia aunty?
SOPHIA:
Grace! You were recommended to me. Had I known ke tum
Lord Irwin sey badla lene ke liye mera club badnaam kar
dou gee, I would never have let you be a part of Club
7!
MADISON:
mein to phly din sy keh rahi hun, she can’t be trusted,
likin meri koi suny to

GRACE:
Shutup Madison! Tumhein waysay hee mujh sey masla hai!
Elena, you trust me right?
Elena looks down. Grace is heartbroken. She looks
at Lata. Lata looks away. Finally, she looks at
Faraz.
THE COURT REPORTER:
Ms. Grace, you are under arrest for the murder of Lord
Irwin!

Dr. Ruth signals her officers to move forward. As

they hold her, she starts struggling. She looks at
Faraz. Suddenly, he moves forward.

FARAZ:
Wait grace ne murder nai kiya,
They all look at Faraz now. Dr. Ruth raises her
eyebrows.
 35.

DR. RUTH:
and?

FARAZ:
I mean, the gun didn’t kill him. Agar Grace ke paas gun
hai bhi tou iss sey kya prove hota hai? Lord Irwin ka
murder tou dagger sey hua hai na!
SOPHIA:
Faraz...?
DR. RUTH:
Listen! Yahan koi game nahi khel rahey hum. Grace has
motive, she cannot account for her disappearance during
the murder, she has the gun. Enough proof to take her
to trial and maybe hang her to death-
FARAZ:
I killed him! mein ne lord irwin ka murder kiya hai i
killed him

Everyone gasps and looks at him. Especially Grace.

DR. RUTH:
(sarcastically)
Sahi.

FARAZ:
Yahi sach hai, Dr. Ruth. (starts crying) Meine hee Lord
Irwin ke ghar sey dagger chori kiya tha, i killed him,
Dr. Ruth. I had to. You can arrest me. mein hi khooni
hun

GRACE:
NO! Dr. Ruth, he is lying.
FARAZ:
Grace!

GRACE:
He is lying. I can prove it-
FARAZ:
Grace, no!

GRACE:
Faraz mere saath tha. Hum dono saath chat per thay jab
murder hua. hum dono mein sy koi murder kaisy kar sakta
hai

SOPHIA:
What??? Yeh nahi hou sakta! Faraz? yeh baat tm ne mj sy
kiyn chupai, tm ne to kaha tha tm apny make up room
mein ho
 36.

DR. RUTH:
Aur mujhse kaha ke you were outside for a smoke?
FARAZ:
(looks down)

ELENA:
madison sahi kehti thi, grace tm hi ho sari fasad ki
jar
GRACE:
elena how could you say this?
There is silence for a while as Dr. Ruth scans
around. Then, he starts clapping and laughing.
DR. RUTH:
Bohot achay! I have an advice for you all. Tum log
performances tayaar karney pey hee focus karo kyunke
ilzaam lagana tumhein nahi aata. Whoever did this must
think I’m some kind of a dumb that I would believe ke
koi murder kar ke gun apnay hee bag mein rakh dey ga. I
think I know who murdered Lord Irwin.

There is tension as Dr. Ruth moves about.

DR. RUTH:
I just need to confirm one thing. no one leaves the
premises, we will resume our investgation in some time,
i need to be alone, leave everyone
Dr. Ruth exits as her officers and court reporter
follow. Everyone exits, scared. After a few
moments, Grace comes on stage, screaming.

GRACE:
WOH MAR GAYA. USKO MAAR DIYA!!! sophia, Elena, Madison,
Lata!! Dr. Ruth!!!
Everyone enters, panicking.

DR. RUTH:
What the hell happened?
Grace points towards the corner of the stage,
where Faraz is lying down, dead.

GRACE:
(crying hysterically)
Someone killed Faraz!!!
 37.

ELENA:
WHAT!!! NOOO!
Elena runs to Faraz as sophia also walks towards
him, shocked. Everyone moves towards him as Dr.
Ruth looks towards them, dead serious.

DR. RUTH:
All right people, listen up! I have no sympathy for the
white man. Lord Irwin ney tumharey saath aur pata nahi
kitnay logon ke saath bura kiya tha! But this young
boy? this young poor muslim boy, an innocent boy! NOT
ON MY WATCH! I will make sure ke iske murderer kou
karri sey karri saza milay.
By then, sophia pulls out a paper from Faraz’s
hand, which he is reading.

SOPHIA:
Tou apnay aap kou saza dein. Dr. Ruth!
Dr. Ruth looks at him as he waves the paper,
crying.

SOPHIA:
Khudkushi ki hai mere bete ney! Jail jaaney ka daar tha
usey. Aap hee ney darraya tha na usey?
DR. RUTH:
(taking the paper)
Kya bakwaas kar rahi hou sophia.
She reads the paper as her eyes pop out.
GRACE:
(crying)
Dr. Ruth! You are heartless!!
DR. RUTH:
sophia! You are lying!

ELENA:
(while crying)
Are you crazy Dr. Ruth? You think everyone is lying all
the freaking time!! Mere bhai ney apki wajah sey apni
jaan ley lee!

DR. RUTH:
Say that to your mother missy. The murderer!
MADISON:
What?
 38.

DR. RUTH:
Yes, she killed Lord Irwin!! Isn’t that right sophia?
ELENA:
mom..??

DR. RUTH:
Aur phir usne Faraz kou istemaal kiya taakeh shak ispe
na jaaye. She made him steal the dagger. Aur ab tumhein
darr tha ke mein uss sey sach ugalwa loon gee. Isn’t
that true?

SOPHIA:
No Dr. Ruth, aisa kuch nahi hai-
DR. RUTH:
(charging on her)
Tumne Faraz kou issi liye adopt kiya tha? Bohot mahaan
banti hou tum ke tumne iss larkay ke talent kou chance
diya. Lekin asal mein tou tum sirf uske kandhay pey
bandooq rakh ke chalana chahti thi-
SOPHIA:
Stop it Dr. Ruth, meine kaha na aisa kuch nahi hai..
DR. RUTH:
Tum ney kabhi Faraz kou pyaar kiya hee nahi. Shayad
angraiz theek hee kehte hain. We are the filth. And
you, sophia, are the filthiest of them all. Beychara
Faraz, tumhein apni maa samajhta tha-
SOPHIA:
I am begging you Dr. Ruth, please, please-
DR. RUTH:
Uss kou kya pata tha ke yeh sab ek dikhawa hai. Yateem
tha woh Sophia! Love, kindness, care. Inn alfaaz ke
matlab bhi nai pata tha usey. Usney yeh sab tumse
expect kiya tha. Bas sirf yahi chaha tha tumse.

SOPHIA:
Stop it stop it!!
DR. RUTH:
Kabhi koi demand nahi ki usne, kuch maanga nahi. In
fact, tumhari baatein manwaata tha baqi sab sey. Aur
badlay mein tum ney usko kya diya? Istemaal kiya
beychaarey ka-
SOPHIA:
No, no, no.
 39.

DR. RUTH:
Usko laga ke tumne usme talent dekha, lekin tumne sirf
ek opportunity dekhi. THAT’S WHAT HE WAS TO YOU!
SOPHIA:
Aisa nahi hai-
DR. RUTH:
Aur aakhar mein tumne uss beychaarey ki jaan bhi nahi
bakhshi. Kis beydardi sey usko maara tumne? Ek lamhe ki
bhi hichkichahat mehsoos nahi hui tumhein? Jaan ley lee
uski! Maa ke pyaar ki misaalein di jaati hain. Kaunsay
pathar ki bani hou tum ke tum apnay bete par thora sa
tars bhi nahi aaya? Jab uska gala dabaya, jab usi jaan
nikal rahi thi, tumne khud kou roknay ka socha bhi
nahi-

SOPHIA:
SOCHA MEINE! Bohot tars aaya!! Bohot hichkichahat bhi
mehsoos hui!! Tumhein kya lagta hai, apnay pyaray sey
bachay kou maarna asaan hai?
Everything goes silent.

ELENA:
mom!! What are you saying..
SOPHIA:
I am not a bad mother, please.. Meine faraz kou bohot
pyaar diya hai. Tum soch bhi nahi saktay ke mujh par
kya beet rahi hai. He was...is my son. He will always
be my son. My dear, dear Faraz. Sab plan ke nutaabiq
jaa raha tha. Lekin usne... (looking at Grace) aur iske
liye? Tumhein kabhi club 7 mein lana hee nahi chahiye
tha. Mera bas chalta tou tumhein bhi maar deti!
ELENA:
Mom.. Did you really...kill Faraz?
sophia starts crying. Flashback begins. Faraz is
pacing around. sophia enters slowly.
FARAZ:
mom, mom, mujhe maaf kar dein please. Mein ghabra gaya
tha.

SOPHIA:
Faraz? Grace ke baarey mein tumne tab kyun nai bataya
when we planned everything?
FARAZ:
Sorry mom.. I thought.. It wouldn’t affect me.. Lekin..
 40.

sophia looks down in disappointment.

FARAZ:
(starts crying)
mom, Dr. Ruth bohot chalaak hai! She is like a fox!!
Woh sab kuch figure out kar lein gee. mom, mujhe darr
lag raha hai.. I’m sorry mom, saara plan kharaab
hogaya. Mujhe nai pata tha ke mein..uske liye itna feel
karta hun.. I tried my best mom, I tried my best. Like
always...
Faraz hugs sophia as sophia consoles him.
SOPHIA:
It is okay beta. Sab theek hou jaye gee. Ghabraney ki
koi baat nahi hai. Sshhh!
Faraz smiles a little, relaxing.
FARAZ:
Mom. Apko koi malsa tou nahi ke mein..aur Grace.. It’s
a real feeling mom..
SOPHIA:
Hmm, obviously, mein samajhti hun beta. Koi baat nahi.
FARAZ:
Mom you’re the best.. I love you..
SOPHIA:
Ssshh..relax..

Slowly, her hands go around his neck and she

presses it with all force and sees life leaving
from Faraz as he cries. He has a moment of
weakness as Faraz gasps; but then continues
pressing. Faraz falls down. sophia is crying. We
come back.

ELENA:
You killed my poor brother! Oh dear Faraz. mom, I hate
you!
DR. RUTH:
Ek hee cheez hai jiske liye insaan kisi bhi qisam ki
qurbani dene ke liye tayaar hota hai.
Dr. Ruth starts moving towards Elena.
DR. RUTH:
Aulaad! Apka apna khoon!
Slowly everyone starts to step aside from Elena.
Elena looks up.
 41.

DR. RUTH:
Sab tabaah o barbaad hou jaaye. Lekin aulaad theek
rahey, tou everything is fine.

Elena slowly stands up.

ELENA:
Kya kehna chah rahey hain aap? Ke murder meine kiya
hai?

In a swift motion, Dr. Ruth pushes Elena from her

left shoulder. Everyone gasps as she falls and
looks at him with anger.
DR. RUTH:
Achi acting kar leti hou tum, lekin hisaab ki thori
kamzor hou.. Left kandhay sey dhakka lagey tou chot (he
picks her up) right side pey lagey gee na?
Lata, Madison and Grace gasp.

DR. RUTH:
Ek choti si bachi, Elena. Lekin uske khuwaab bohot
barray thay. Iss club kou institute banaun gee, logon
ke talent kou platform dungi. Lekin, beech mein agaya
that bloody Lord Irwin. Woh Club 7 khareedna chahta
tha. Aur jab white man kou kuch chahiye hou, woh ley ke
hee rehta hai. Kya kartey? Rastey sey tou saaf karna
tha na. I honestly don’t blame you ke apnay khuwaab ki
khaatir tumne unko maarney ka socha. Lekin haath ganday
kiye beghair kaam kaisey hota? (snapping) Idea!! Lure
your prey here. Sophia kou kaha ke Lord Irwin kou
invite kiya jaye. But it was hard. After all, she is
not a fan of Lord Irwin aur business advisor tou Elena
hai, some things are good for business, right Sophia?
Sophia looks down as Elena starts to walk very
slowly. Dr. Ruth blocks her.

DR. RUTH:
Club ki director Ms. Elena sab ki ragh ragh sey waaqif
hain, iss liye bohot soch samajh ke performance line-up
banaya gaya. Pata tha ke Lata koi na koi bakhera
kharrey gee. Sab pey shaq jaye ga.. Power makes you do
things you never thought, even if they are your best
friend.. (looking at grace) Elena kou darr tha ke kahin
Lord Irwin Grace kou club ka director na bana dein! Iss
liye ek teer sey do shikaar. Choti Elena kou ehsaas
hogaya ke barray khuwaabon ki qeemat bhi barri hee hoti
hai.
Lekin ek cheez Elena bhool gai.. Human emotion! She is
the master of predicting but went wrong in the
prediction of that age old emotion called "love". Jisne
Faraz kou plan sey hatta diya.
 42.

Elena looks down, like she has lost everything.

DR. RUTH:
Lekin kya faida hua Elena? Kuch bhi nahi raha ab
tumharey paas. You lost everything.. Your family, this
club, your plans, your friendship and even your
respect.
Elena looks up with difficulty as everyone is
looking at her like they hate her. She starts
crying. This time, it’s genuine. She walks towards
Grace.
ELENA:
Grace, meri dosti mein koi khot nahi tha. I always did
consider you a friend-

GRACE:
Go to hell, Elena!
Grace looks away as Elena looks around and feels
alienated. She looks at Faraz’s dead body and
starts crying more, looking at Sophia who looks
almost dead.
ELENA:
I never wanted it like this.. Mein tou bas..iss club
kou kamyaab hotay dekhna chahti thi..artists kou yahan
kaam kartey, perform kartey dekhna chahti thi.. That is
all I ever wanted. Iss rastey mein jou bhi aaye ga,
mein usey khatam kar dungi. I will finish you. I will
finish all of you. Aur sabse pehle tumhein Dr. Ruth!!
She’s almost maniacal as she charges towards Dr.
Ruth. Everyone holds her and pulls her back as Dr.
Ruth steps back and straightens himself. He starts
packing up.
DR. RUTH:
(with satisfaction)
My work here is done.
Elena falls down weakly. The court reporter looks
at Dr. Ruth and raises his hand. Dr. Ruth smiles
and nods.

DR. RUTH:
Han, tumhara aakhri sawaal reh gaya hai!
COURT REPORTER:
Dr. Ruth, you are just amazing. Lekin kya ivestigation
sey pehle apka shaq zara sa bhi Elena pey tha?
 43.

DR. RUTH:
(smiles and pats him on the back)
She’s a murderer. I knew it. (he almost whispers to
him) Takes one to know one!

He smiles and leaves. The court reporter is

puzzled with this answer.
Moon River scene.

After a few seconds, someone enters, looking all

official, with a couple of British officers.
OFFICIAL:
Attention everyone. The investogator Dr. Idris Ruth has
arrived from New York to catch the culprit of Lord
Irwin’s murder that has taken place at Club 7.
Everybody looks at him confused.
GRACE:
Kya matlab? Dr. Ruth was just here..

OFFICIAL:
Lady, he arrived just an hour ago and has directly
reached here for the investigation.
The real Dr. Ruth comes forward and extends his
identity card.
DR. RUTH:
Dr. Idris Ruth.
He looks at the puzzled court reporter.

DR. RUTH:
You must be the court reporter. I need the official
report of the incident.

MADISON:
agr yeh Dr. ruth hai to wo kon tha?
Everybody is confused. Lights go off. As they turn
back on, "All that jazz" is being performed in the
background. The pretend Dr. Ruth, Amir, is
standing, looking restless and scared as Rajesh
approaches him.
RAJESH:
Mat kar Amir. Tere sar pey kya khoon sawaar hogaya hai?
 44.

AMIR:
Mein faisla kar chuka hun! Yeh waqt darrnay ka nahi
hai. Inke khilaaf hum nahi uthein gey, tou kaun uthay
ga? Bhagat Singh humarey liye sooli pey latak gaye, hum
apne logon ke liye itna nai kar saktey?

RAJESH:
Kya faida hoga! Tu jail chala jaye ga..
AMIR:
Mein humarey kisaano kou iss angraiz kuttay ke haathon
zulm sehte nahi dekh sakta. Woh ab agriculture minister
hai!! Tumhein pata bhi nahi hai iss janwar mein
tashadud karney ki kitni salahiyat hai. Aaj ka mauqa
phir kabhi haath nahi aaye ga. Woh khud chal ke aaya
hai. Poori jagah reserve karke! Agar woh aaj haath sey
nikal gaya tou hum kahin ke nahi rahein gey Rajesh.

RAJESH:
Lekin-
But, Amir has already left. "Hit the road jack"
starts. The lights go off but we can see
everything this time. There is a gunshot. Elena
moves towards Lord Irwin. She puts a dagger
through his heart and in the struggle she hurts
her head. Amir enters; to his shock, he sees that
Lord Irwin is already dead and people are
scattering about.

DOROTHY WOOD:
dear god! he is dead, HE IS DEAD!
VICTOR;
Elena? elena? are you fine elena?
JULIA:
he was just sitting right here, now he is dead, he is
dead

VICTOR;
Lord Irwin has been murdered
Curtains close.
END.