by Tanika Gupta
RANI:
It’s a horrid place.
FIROZA:
A bit rowdy…and filthy…and full of rats. No place for a nice young girl. This sailor…did he…are you alright?
RANI nods.
That’s a relief. I’ve slept out in the open here before. Twenty years ago. Some of those English employers – morals of a ten-headed demon. After all – they’re a nation of slave runners. It’s in their blood. I think it’s different from ours – cold …
RANI:
Have you lived here for twenty years?
FIROZA:
I come and go. I’m about to set sail again. Been working for an engineer’s family in Hampstead for the last year. He’s just got a job in Calcutta and I’m escorting his family back.
The baby in FIROZA’s arms starts to whimper. She rocks the baby.
RANI:
(Disappointed.) Oh. Leaving today?
FIROZA:
In an hour.
RANI:
Everything is so strange here! The cold, the streets, the people…
FIROZA:
The people are alright. Just got to get to know their ways.
RANI:
This morning I thought I might die here.
FIROZA:
Don’t speak like that.
RANI:
You think people like me can survive in this city?
FIROZA:
You can not only survive but flourish! Make your own destiny.
RANI looks hopeful.
RANI:
As I was coming here I looked into people’s faces. They looked back at me with such coldness. Some of them laughed at me.
FIROZA:
They are not used to seeing your dress, that’s all.
RANI:
I kept wondering how I could become friends with them. I have so many questions that I would like answered.
FIROZA:
Questions?
RANI:
The street lamps! How are they lit? They look so pretty in the dark, like misty stars. Where are the stables for the horses that pull the carriages? Are there any fruit here? Bananas? Mangoes?
FIROZA:
This is what you have to do.
You have to be brave, be bold and approach people and say: ‘Excuse me ma’am, I am an experienced ayah. I am looking for work. I can dress hair, cook plain victuals. I am looking for service. I can wash well and will endeavour to make myself useful to any lady.’ Understand?
WOMAN:
(Offstage.) Firoza! Are you still alive!
RANI nods.
FIROZA:
Make sure you curtsey a lot. They like that.
It shows deference.
WOMAN:
(Offstage.) Firoza!
FIROZA:
And go back to Lascar Sally’s if you need to stay overnight. It may be dirty, but she has a heart of gold.
FIROZA expertly ties the baby in a sling around her.
FIROZA:
(To the baby.) There you go – all snug now?
FIROZA gets up and picks up her bag.
FIROZA:
I am sorry to leave you like this. But I must go.
FIROZA embraces RANI.
Have faith in yourself.
FIROZA bustles off. RANI remains seated for a while and then she produces a comb from her bag and combs her hair. She smooths her sari down and gets up when she sees an English woman passing by.
RANI:
Excuse me ma’am…I am looking for work…
WOMAN 1:
No I am not looking for a servant…
RANI:
I can dress hair, cook plain victuals, make bread…
The WOMAN walks away. RANI tries to stop another English woman.
RANI:
Ma’am – I am a native of Bengal and I want a place as a servant to a family.
WOMAN 2:
What happened to your last job?
RANI:
I did not leave her place for any fault, but because it no longer suited the Lady to keep me.
The WOMAN shakes her head and walks away. RANI approaches another woman.
RANI:
Please…lady…ma’am, I need work…
WOMAN 3:
You from India?
RANI:
I lost my last job…I was hoping to work my passage back home.
WOMAN 3:
You and every other black woman ’round here. Dunno why you all come in the first place. Why’d your mistress dismiss you?
RANI:
She…she…
WOMAN 3:
Threw you over? Fickle lot those toffs. I’m sorry I can’t help you. Looking for work myself. Good luck though love.
RANI watches the woman as she approaches a group of sailors. They all look her up and down. RANI watches the WOMAN as she walks off with one of the sailors arm in arm.
RANI sits by the dockside and looks out to sea mournfully. She watches as people go by. Time passes. An English woman (GEORGINA) approaches RANI. She seems in a rush.
GEORGINA:
Excuse me young lady…do you speak English?
RANI stands and curtseys.
RANI:
Yes ma’am.
GEORGINA:
Well, at least that’s a start. Are you an ayah?
RANI:
Yes ma’am.
GEORGINA:
What is your name?
RANI:
Rani.
GEORGINA:
Rani? That’s easy enough.
I understand you are looking for work? The others told me. My mistress has lost her Nanny. Stupid girl went and got herself in the family way and I had to dismiss her. I need someone to start work immediately.
RANI:
You have children who need looking after?
GEORGINA:
Yes…but they’re not mine…my mistress’s, you understand? Four little ’uns. Very spirited but well-behaved. I am the Housekeeper.
RANI:
I see.
GEORGINA:
My mistress always favours an Indian ayah. Says you people are more obedient, don’t mess around with men and that you are good with children.
Are you good with children?
RANI:
Yes ma’am.
GEORGINA:
Do you have references?
RANI:
Yes ma’am.
RANI eagerly produces her references from her dress.
GEORGINA:
Well, let’s have a look at you. Stand up straight.
GEORGINA makes RANI stand in front of her and she has a good look at her eyes, her face; she walks around her and appraises her.
GEORGINA:
Age?
RANI:
Sixteen.
GEORGINA:
Constitution?
RANI:
Erm?
GEORGINA:
You’re not sickly or anything?
RANI:
No, I am strong and I can dress hair, cook plain victuals, make bread…wash well and will endeavour to make myself useful to you and the children…
GEORGINA:
Can you cook curry?
RANI:
Yes…if it is your wish…
GEORGINA:
Not my wish – my master’s.
RANI:
I can cook curry.
GEORGINA:
You’ll do. Trial period for a month. You get paid at the end of the week. And you’ll have your own bed in the servant’s quarters.
My name is Georgina Philpott.
RANI:
Yes ma’am.
GEORGINA:
But you can call me Georgie. Everyone does.
RANI:
Yes. Yes. Oh! Thank you…thank you Georgie.
May I ask – who will be my employers?
GEORGINA:
Lord and Lady Oakham. Well, come along then.
RANI follows GEORGINA as they both exit.
HA
RI comes running up, in a panic.
HARI:
RANI! RANI!
He looks around him wildly, out of breath.
Where is she?
(Calls again.) Rani! Rani?!
SERANG enters.
SERANG:
(Mimics HARI.) Rani! Rani!
HARI:
Ali…I’ve lost Rani.
SERANG:
Ahh…the girl that got away. Safe from your filthy clutches at least. She open her legs for you last night?
HARI:
She isn’t like that.
SERANG:
Yes, but you are like that.
HARI:
You don’t understand. She’ll be lost. She needs help.
SERANG:
I’m sure she will survive and even thrive without you.
HARI:
She won’t.
HARI is distressed.
What have I done? I was useless. I should have been…
SERANG sniffs HARI.
SERANG:
Filthy rascal. You stink of cheap gin…if you ask me, the girl had a lucky escape. Now follow me. The ship is loading now.
HARI:
I can’t, I have to find her.
SERANG:
You are turning down work?
HARI:
No, it’s just…
SERANG:
If you refuse to come with me immediately, I will make sure that no other captain or Serang will give you employment ever again.
HARI:
Please Serang Ali, just give me one more day.
SERANG swears under his breath in Hindi.
SERANG:
Let me remind you that you are under contract with the Clan Line. You must report to work now not chase after some bit of young skirt.
SERANG turns and gives HARI a hard look. HARI has no choice. SERANG pushes and thumps HARI on. HARI looks back forlornly one last time, follows SERANG and exits.
SCENE 9
London.
GEORGINA is dressing RANI in an English dress/uniform of a nanny. RANI’s hair is pinned up tidily.
GEORGINA:
You have such a lovely figure. And you suit this dress very nicely. It’s a bit sombre, I know…
RANI lifts her dress to examine her petticoat beneath.
RANI:
Such pretty petticoats.
GEORGINA:
Oh Lordy! You mustn’t go around showing off your petticoats!
RANI swishes around the room in delight in her dress.
GEORGINA:
Come back child! (She laughs.)
RANI:
I feel like dancing in this.
GEORGINA:
I have to put this apron on you.
RANI:
Do I look English?
GEORGINA holds up a white pinny.
GEORGINA:
Hurry up! The Master will be waiting for his dinner.
RANI:
Do these shoes make me walk funny?
RANI allows GEORGINA to tie the apron around her waist.
GEORGINA:
Lordy, such a tiny waist! Now, remember, the Master is very formal so always be polite and address him as ‘My Lord’. And for goodness’ sake, don’t prattle on, asking him dozens of questions like you usually do.
RANI:
I can’t believe I’ve been here two weeks and haven’t seen him yet.
GEORGINA:
(Hushed.) Always at his club. Barely sees the children. Gentlemen have an easy life if you ask me. Now stand back and let’s have a look at you.
RANI stands obediently whilst GEORGINA fusses around her.
GEORGINA:
You’ve cooked all the dishes he asked for?
RANI:
Yes Georgie. Cook was a bit annoyed with me though.
GEORGINA:
Never mind her. She’s a bad-tempered old goat at the best of times.
RANI:
Kept complaining about the smell.
GEORGINA:
It is quite pungent.
RANI:
It’s the spices. You must try some yourself.
GEORGINA:
Now don’t take offence, but it’s not really to my liking. The smell. The colour of the food looks all wrong to me. Can’t tell what’s what on the plate.
RANI:
I’m a good cook.
GEORGINA:
I’m sure you are. But the point is, you’re cooking for the Master. Not for me.
LORD OAKHAM calls.
LORD OAKHAM:
Offstage.) Georgie! Where’s the new girl?
GEORGINA:
Coming Your Lordship!
LORD OAKHAM:
(Offstage.) I’m famished. Send her in at once.
GEORGINA:
You’d better go. Good luck.
RANI picks up the tray of food and carries it through.
SCENE 10
During the following scene we see HARI exhausted and lying in a small cramped space. He writes by the light of a candle on a ship somewhere out at sea.
LORD OAKHAM is sat at a table. There are an array of plates, cutlery and curries in front of him. RANI is serving him. LORD OAKHAM is watching her carefully.
LORD OAKHAM:
Tell me what you are serving me Rani.
RANI:
This one is…
LORD OAKHAM:
No, let me guess…
LORD OAKHAM sniffs the food and takes a mouthful.
Hmmmm…
Aloo gobi.
RANI smiles and nods. She serves another one. He tastes.
LORD OAKHAM: Chicken…korma.
LORD OAKHAM eats.
LORD OAKHAM:
It is a shame your mistress refuses to eat with me. She tells me the smell makes her nauseous.
RANI:
It is not to her taste my Lord.
LORD OAKHAM:
She was not brought up with this food as I was.
My ayah Jamila weaned me on rice and every day she would cook for me.
RANI stands back at some distance.
RANI:
Shall I leave you my Lord?
LORD OAKHAM:
What? And leave me to eat on my own? No!
RANI looks bemused.
LORD OAKHAM:
Please, sit down. Stay with me until I have eaten.
RANI sits down obediently.
LORD OAKHAM:
Delicious. Georgie did well to find you. Tell me, my girl, how are you settling in here?
RANI:
Both you and the Mistress have been very kind to me.
LORD OAKHAM:
And your quarters?
RANI:
Very comfortable my Lord.
LORD OAKHAM:
Good. The children already seem to adore you, particularly my little Emily. You have fitted in to our little family seamlessly.
RANI nods.
You have no idea what a treat it is to find an Indian woman who can cook for me. Brings back so many happy memories for me. Freedom, no responsibilities and beauty all around me.
LORD OAKHAM looks at RANI and smiles secretly.
LORD OAKHAM:
I have been fussing poor old cook to make me curry for years…she tried but never succeeded in creating anything as authentic as this.
I grew up in India you know – until the age of fourteen when I was sent back for my schooling.
RANI:
You never went back my Lord? LORD
OAKHAM:
Unfortunately not.
I will pay you a little extra my girl to cook for me every day except for Sundays. I know it may be a little tiring for you after your long day with the children, but it gives me such pleasure to eat the food of my childhood. You are agreeable to this?
RANI:
It would give me great pleasure my Lord.
LORD OAKHAM:
If you need more spices, then you must make a list and I shall pass it on to my man in the colonial offices
. He is in charge of shipping produce and spices from the East so it is fairly easy for me to get hold of.
RANI:
Thank you my Lord.
LORD OAKHAM:
Thank you Rani. Do you not have any clothing with you?
RANI:
My Lord?
LORD OAKHAM:
I notice you are wearing that rather dull uniform. Don’t you wear saris?