REFUGEE BOY

Alem wakes. He gets out of bed. He tries the door of the bedroom. It’s locked. He

asks for his father in Amharic “father”. Alem is tired. He looks out of the window.

In Amharic “father”. He checks the door. In Amharic “father”. It’still locked. He

puts his ear to the wall, to the floor. He tries the door again. His panic grows. In

Amharic “Father” he goes to the window again and shouts in Amharic “father

father father”. The door bangs. Bang Bang Bang. A muffled noise comes from

outside the room. In Amharic Alem is silent. Bang Bang Bang. Silence. The sound of

a door unlocking. Alem backs away. The door swings open.

MR HARDWICK

Right. What’s going on here then. Right come on. We’ll have no noise in here. Mr

kelo? Mr Kelo?

ALEM: (in Amharic)

Where is my father

MR HARDWICK

Don’t tell me it were you making all that noise. Mr kelo? Mr Kelo? Where’s Mr

Kelo? In the bathroom? Mr Kelo?

ALEM (In Amharic)

Where is my father

MR HARDWICK

Do. You. Know. Where. Mr Kelo. Is.

ALEM (In Amharic)

I want my father.

MR HARDWICK

Where is Mr Kelo? Mr Kelo? Mr Kelo?

ALEM Screams

MR Hardwick

No no no no no . Shhh Shhh… Shhhhh Shutup! Shutup! I’m not going to hurt. I’m not

going to hurt you. Where’s Mr K…

1

MR HARDWICK Sees letter on mirror of bed table and picks it up.

Where is he?

Alem is fearful and tired. Is he dreaming...he needs to wake up Mr Hardwick reads

MR HARDWICK

Are you piggin’ serious? Not again.

ALEM (In Amharic)

He’s coming back. You lie. He will be back You lie. You lie.

MR HARDWICK

Bloody ‘ell. Of all the things.

ALEM (In Amharic)

He will be back?

MR HARDWICK

Just calm down a minute son.

ALEM (in Amharic)

I am not your son.

MR HARDWICK

Calm down. You understand me don’t you. You bloodywell understand.

ALEM

I m not you’re son. Do not call me your son.

In Amharic:

I will wake up. I must wake up. I will wake up. Wake up Wake up.

MR HARDWICK

Shhhhh Shhhhh you’ll you’ll wake the whole bloomin house up, carrying on like

that…

Mr Hardwick moves towards Alem Alem backs off

Come on

Mr Hardwick moves closer

ALEM (In Amharic)

wake up wake up wake up

Mr Hardwick holds out the letter steps forward

MR HARDWICK

From Mr Kelo.

2

ALEM moves back stares

MR HARDWICK

It’s for you lad.

MR HARDWICK MOVES TOWARDS HIM LIKE HE”S A SNARED TIGER CUB

MR HARDWICK

It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. Do you hear me. I’m not going to hurt you. I’ve a

a son myself, alum. Just like you. Not like you. But you know. Like you. Here you

are.

MR HARDWICK places the letter on the ground Alem puts the kettle down

MR HARDWICK Leaves.

ALEM

“My dearest son,

(In Amharic)

You have seen all the trouble that we have been going through back home - until

fighting stops and our persecution is over,

MR KELO

Until the fighting stops and persecution is over, your mother and I think that it would

be best if you stay in England.

ALEM

Your mother and I think that it would be best if you stay in England.

We just cannot afford to risk another attack

MR KELO

on you; we value your life more than anything.

ALEM

We may be joining you soon.

MR KELO:

If things get better, you will be joining us. Remember to love your neighbours

because peace is better than war, wherever you live.

ALEM

Your loving FATHER ……No No No No No No.

3

Alem first day in Childrens Home Dining Room

MUSTAPHA

Pisses me off man. Pisses me right off. They always give us a few chips and a load of

peas. A load of peas and how many chips is that. How many chips is that. Right. One

chip. Two chips. Three chips. Four chips. Five chips. Yeah. Six chips. Seven chips.

Seven chips. Right. Seven chips and how many peas right. One pea. Two peas. Loads

of peas man. Loads of peas. Tons of peas. And no chips.

ALEM

My name is Alem

MUSTAPHA

Six chips. Dya think they count them. They don’t just scoop them up and put them

on the plate. Six chips man. It’s not even funny. Do you want your chips? Dya think

they have like a plate with your name on it and if you’ve been good you get like say

seven chips and if you’re bad you get like six chips.

Mustapha stands

MUSTAPHA

In Emergency Break Glass

ALEM

Hello my name is Alem.

MUSTAPHA

Alem, right, Alem. Yeah. So Alem, Alem…… do you want those chips

ALEM:

What is your name?

MUSTAPHA

Do. you . want. Those. Chips.

ALEM

Do you want those chips is a strange name.

MUSTAPHA

Are you? Are you taking the…? Do you know who I am?

ALEM

No that is why I am asking you.

4

Mustapha stands

MUSTAPHA:

yeah miss. No miss. I was asking miss. I was just asking miss. It’s just that there’s

loads of peas and there’s never…..chips miss. No miss. Yes miss. Get what I am given

miss. Some people don’t have food miss. I am lucky miss. Yes miss.

ALEM

He didn’t do anything wrong. We were talking. I was asking about chips. I’d said I

did not want my chips. I offered them to him.

Alem Stands

Yes miss no miss. Sorry miss.

MUSTAPHA

Be careful in here alright.

ALEM

I am only here a short while.

MUSTAPHA

Humph. dribbler thought he was here a week…..

ALEM

How long has he been here.

MUSTAPHA

Ahh it doesn’t matter. Look at him man. Dribbles everywhere. Nasty. Na-a-sty. .

SWEENEY enters

SWEENEY

hey guys. What’s going on?

MUSTAPHA

not much.

SWEENEY

Wanna play table tennis later. Tournament on. Dribbler’s a mess but he’s a demon

on the table man. Aren’t you dribs. Aren’t you a demon on the table. I’m gonna

thrash him. You playing musty.

MUSTAPHA

nah.

SWEENEY

5

Come on man. You playing or what?

MUSTAPHA

naah

SWEENEY

Cause you know you’d get beat innit. I’d thrash you though…

MUSTAPHA

yeah you’d thrash me man.

SWEENEY

yeah…. So who’s this then.

MUSTAPHA

Alem.. it’s alem right

SWEENEY

you what?

MUSTAPHA

Alem

SWEENEY

You wanna play table tennis later

ALEM

y… no thankyou.

SWEENEY

Come on

ALEM

I do not know how to play

SWEENEY

I’ll teach you. I’ll teach him won’t I Musty. Best teacher me.

MUSTAPHA

We got chores

SWEENEY

What’s his name.

ALEM

My name is Alem. What is your name?

SWEENEY

6

You need a nickname man. How about Ali.. yeah Ali… Ali… and musty…. ali way…

haha

ALEM

My name is Alem.

SWEENEY

right Ali it is then. Ali, like Ali way. Does he know what an alley way is?

ALEM

My name is Alem.

MUSTAPHA

Sweeney it’s Alem. Like A lem.

SWEENEY

A lemon !! hahahaa. A lemon… no no right yes I get it now Alem… Alley yes okay I get

that now. You are a lem on. Gimme your chips Musty.

MUSTAPHA Gives his chips

ALEM

But you said you wanted more chips

MUSTAPHA

Shut up. Here you go.

SWEENEY

Just so you know Ali. My name is Sweeney. No nickname. It doesn’t get shortened. If

anyone calls me anything else but Sweeney I break their fingers and I slice them. You

understand that. Yeahh.. Ali great name. We’re gonna be mates you and me Ali!!

Mustapha and Ali on the verge by the BUS STOP

Mustapha Loves Cars

MUSTAPHA

Volvo. You got to be careful. Hatchback.

ALEM

father and mother will be coming for me soon.

MUSTAPHA:

7

Father? Long time since I heard “father”. yeah all our dads’ll be here soon man.

Ethiopia and Eritrea? Wow. Astra….There’s like loads of people from all over the

world in the home you know.

ALEM:

Why?

MUSTAPHA

some for trials some for family reasons. BMW series three. Just be careful, do your

chores. Keep your head down and everything will be all right. Peugot 206.

ALEM

no why do I have to be careful… why are you in here..

MUSTAPHA

cabriolet that was. CC. Dad’s a mechanic….could listen to the sound of a car and

tell you what make it was what year it was built. .. he could put his hand on the

bonnet when it was running and he could tell what was wrong with it. Why AM I

here. Ford fiesta 2.1… Turbo…. Boiling at school today. Boiling. Did you see Ruth in

3b. Man she is hot.

ALEM

You are all hot today but this is not hot weather to me.

MUSTAPHA

No I don’t mean hot I mean sweet.

ALEM

You have tasted her.

MUSTAPHA

oh man you have to get with the language. You’ve been here from time. You got to

pick it up man. Okay look Sweet means cute . Bad means good. Wicked means

excellent. Yeah.

ALEM

Bad means good. Wicked means excellent. Sweet means cute…

MUSTAPHA

Yeah see that Vauxhall tigra yeah… well that is bad

ALEM

That means it is good.

8

MUSTAPHA

naaaa it’s just bad.

ALEM

so when my dad comes for me it is bad

MUSTAPHA

no that is good. It depends on what you’re describing. You heard anything

Enter Sweeney

SWEENEY:

Musty... Musty Musty Mustapha fa fa fa fa. Mustafakinell…

MUSTAPHA:

fa fa fakoff

SWEENEY:

hey!

MUSTAPHA

Joke. Joking man.

SWEENEY

Saw you checking out Ruth today Musty. Get off. She’s out of your league man.

“ruthy can I borrow your pencil sharpner” She’s out of your league. Way too clever

too. Hey Ali. You two are spending a lot of time together lately. There’s a match on

tonight – you up for it.

ALEM

Can’t do it Sween.

SWEENEY:

Damn it’s hot. Not hot for you though Ali. Is this like winter for you. Where you from

again. Do you like it then. In the home.

ALEM

The food is okay. There’s a lot of rules but

SWEENEY

You get supper though don’t you. I mean, your kinda lucky innit. Cause you get

supper innit and breakfast. And you get pocket money too. That right. Do you get

pocket money? Dya dya…

ALEM

9

yeah I get pocket money. But you know that

SWEENEY:

I mean when I think about it. It’s like being on holiday. You get to live in this place

with loads of other people, pocket money, clothing allowance.

MUSTAPHA:

yeah but what about chores. We get chores. We got to wash up after twenty people.

We got to clean our shoes after school. We got fire exits and fire alarm drills.

ALEM:

We don’t have family

SWEENEY:

Who needs family. You know what family does Ali. Family messes you up. Family tells

you have to be home early. Family takes you to church and then act like sinners.

Family beats you. That’s what family does.

ALEM:

My family don’t act like sinners. My father is a good man. And so is my mother.

SWEENEY:

Woh Woh Woh…… You calling my family sinners. You talking bad about my family

ALEM

You mean good cause bad means good right.

MUSTAPHA : You said it first SWEENEY. No he was just agreeing.

SWEENEY:

I said Are You Calling My family Name

ALEM:

Well the way you are acting.

MUSTAPHA:

Sweeney you know he wasn’t.

SWEENEY:

Shut up Mustapha. Keep it shut. You are in a home Ali. You re in a home cause you

are a useless piece of shit Refugee Boy. Same things gonna happen to you happen to

that other one. Your family don’t want you and they don’t want you because you

are liars and thieves the lot of you. Nobody wants you. Not even the people who

work there. My mum knows one of the social workers and she had a break down

10

cause of you lot. You’re all poison. No wonder you stick together – cause noone else

wants you.

MUSTAPHA

Sweeney

SWEENEY’:

You are Refugee Boy!

ALEM:

No

SWEENEY

You are a Refugee Boy now SAY IT!

SWEENEY grabs Alem.

ALEM:

No.

SWEENEY

I didn’t hear you. Say it.

ALEM

No

SWEENEY

Say it

SWEENEY grabs tighter

ALEM:

I am Refugee Boy

SWEENEY:

I didn’t hear you. Louder

ALEM:

I am Refugee Boy

SWEENEY:

Didn’t hear you. Musty. Musty tell him to say it proper I can’t hear him.

MUSTAPHA

Sweeney

SWEENEY

Tell him or you’ll get it. I’ll tell him why you’re really in there. I’ll tell him.

11

MUSTAPHA:

Tell him Alem. Say it louder.

SWEENEY:

Tell him what! Say it proper

MUSTAPHA

Tell him that you are a Refugee Boy

SWEENEY

You heard your friend say it loud

ALEM

I am a Refugee Boy.

SWEENEY

I said louder, louder

ALEM

I am a refugee Boy

SWEENEY

Louder

ALEM

I am a refugee Boy

Sweeney punches Alem and holds him on the floor and pulls out a knife.

SWEENEY:

You know what this is. Say one bad word about my family again and I’ll kill you.

Refugee Boy. I’ll Kill you! At least I’ve got a family.

Sweeney leaves with Mustapha who returns to check

MUSTAPHA:

You’re okay. You’re okay yeah. I got to go man. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

ALEM runs away from the childrens home and the school

12

THE FOSTER FAMILY

The Foster Family: Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald and Ruth and Alem DINING TABLE

RUTH

what did I do at school today?

MR FITZGERALD:

You found a new division of pi, a cure for cancer and the common cold.

RUTH

Dad!

MR FITZGERALD:

Ok. you designed a new computer programme for the financial markets

RUTH

Right I’m not telling you.

MR FITZGERALD

OK

Silence

RUTH:

I wrote an essay on Dickens is what I did!

MRS FITZGERALD:

Who the dickens was dickens.

MR FITZGERALD:

good question. Ruth who the dickens is dickens.

RUTH:

I am not telling you if that’s the way your going to be.

MR FITZGERALD

OK

Silence

RUTH

Dickens was a writer who wrote books

MR FITZGERALD

“A writer who wrote books”

RUTH

13

like Great expectations and like Oliver Twist. There’s a musical film called Oliver.

Remember Oliver. The song goes “oliver oliver Oliver…..”

MR FITZGERALD:

I remember that Christmas. Those where the days.

MRS FITZGERALD

That’s enough Ruth.

RUTH:

Yeah but I never knew it was Charles Dickens. And now I’m studying him “ Oliver,

Oliver”

MR FITZGERALD:

You can’t remember the words from that film it was so so long back

RUTH

Bet I can.

MR FITZGERALD

Bet you can’t

RUTH

Oliver Oliver/Never before has a boy wanted more/Oliver, Oliver/Won't ask for more

when he knows what's in store/There's a dark, thin winding stairway without any

banistair/Which we'll throw him down /and feed him the cockroaches served in a

canister”

MRS FITZGERALD:

That’s enough!

Ruth sits down sharpish .

RUTH

Aleem - is that how I say his name?

MR FITZGERALD

And anyway the film is nowhere near as good as the book. And it means World

doesn’t it Alem. Your name.

RUTH

I know!

MRS FITZGERALD:

14

It’s Alem. Just practice it. And don’t speak about him speak to him. Where’s the

cheese knife.

ALEM

I like dickens. I am reading Great Expectations.

MR FITZGERALD

Great expections. The film 1946 version. Brilliant.

RUTH

Anyway I didn’t say I like Dickens. Well your with the right family if you want books

that’s all. Al-em cause there’s tons in here. Tons and tons and tons and tons. This

champ is gorgeous. But you know whose champ I love. I love aunty Eileens champ.

MRS FITZGERALD

We should invite Eileen over. Haven’t seen her in too long.

MR FITZGERALD

Ugh. Time to read another book.

RUTH:

And her gravy

MRS FITZGERALD:

It’s called Cholesterol. So Alem…

RUTH

Ahh mum you’re not fat so you’re not! Really!

MRS FITZGERALD

Alem have you enough gravy? Would you like some more. Ruth?

RUTH:

And remember that holiday when dad nearly got stuck in the sea when the tide

came in. No thanks.

MR FITZGERALD

was fishing is all. I will.

RUTH

And aunty Eileen said you did the same thing when you were a kid. We had some

grand champ that night. Aunty Eileens champ

RUTH

You know who he looks like mum.

15

MR FITZGERALD

Was fishing is all I was.

MRS FITZGERALD

No he doesn’t look anything like him. Not for you Michael. Where’s the cheese

knife!!?

MR FITZGERALD

You know siobnhan he has got a look of Themba

MRS FITZGERALD:

he doesn’t look anything like him. Can everyone just calm down. Just calm down!

RUTH:

Mum I was just saying! Can’t I even say anything!

ALEM:

At school they said I do.

RUTH:

Really!!

MRS FITZGERALD:

Oh I am sorry.!!

ALEM.

They said I do look like him. Who is this Eddy Murphy?

RUTH/MR FITZGERALD /MRS FITZGERALD /

Hahahahahahahaha

RUTH/ MRS FITZGERALD

Hahahahahaha

RUTH

hahahaha

MRS FITZGERALD

Alem… Alem…..

HOTEL BEDROOM

Father and Alem are looking through the window.

FATHER

16

It is the north star

ALEM

But where are the other stars

FATHER

In England the stars have to sleep. They take it in turns to shine. To save energy

ALEM

No

FATHER

Yes. Because if they shine for too long they get tired and when they get tired their

power goes out. The North Star decided he would always shine because he is more

powerful than the rest…Ok.

ALEM

Can I come. Please.Please. Can I. Can I.

FATHER

Alemiye Alemiye. It is May I, not “Can I”

ALEM

“may I” come for a walk

FATHER

No. Alem I am going for my walk

ALEM

Aww. There no stars in this country.

FATHER

There are. They only shine when small boys have studied, pass their exams and

speak very good English. Okay-okay-okay . Ishi! there are stars in this country. The

reason you can’t see them is because of what is called Light Pollution.

ALEM

Light Po-llu-tion?

FATHER

That’s good. And Light Pollution is when Light pours upwards into the sky which

stops you seeing the stars. Hmm. It is difficult to see the stars because of the light on

the earth.

ALEM

17

hmmmm... Light stops me seeing in the dark. Stars need darkness to shine their light.

So light stops the darkness and then because the darkness has stopped, the stars can

not shine.

FATHER

Alem that is right. Well done okay....

ALEM

So where do the stars go

FATHER

hmmmmm. They are still there.

ALEM

So why can’t I see them.

FATHER

hmmm....You need to see the dark to see the light from the stars. It is a difficult idea

to.... If you cup your hands around your eyes and stare at the sky slowly slowly you

will see them.

Intimately Mr Kelo cups Alems hands around his eyes

You must look hard hard Alem. Concentrate.

ALEM

Datchet. We are in Datchet

FATHER

Concentrate

ALEM

This is the best holiday I have ever, ever ever…. Of all the holidays I have ever had

and put them all together none of them would be as wonderful as this one. This is

England father. It is cold, it is wonderful and the buldings and the streets and...I see

one. I see one...

FATHER

Who loves you?

ALEM

You do. And mother. I see one. I see another

FATHER

And count them. If I turn the light off you will see even more. Count them.

18

The light switches off

ALEM

WOW.......wow.... and, wulet, sorce, arat,

FATHER

AH!

ALEM

One two three four... twenty one....twenty two..... twenty three...

FATHER

That's better

and the door gently shuts and then bangs

bang bang bang

FITZGERALDS KITCHEN

Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald Alem and Ruth

MRS FITZGERALD:

Alem

MRS FITZGERALD is banging on the table

Alem… Alem… Alem….

RUTH

You know who he looks like mum

MRS FITZGERALD:

Alem Alem

MR FITZGERALD

Themba?

MRS FITZGERALD

Enough!!!!

Alem sucks in air and is back with us

COURT

Miriam whispers to Alem

19

MIRIAM

Tena yestelen Alem

Alem is silent

Tena-yestelen. I am from the refugee council. My name is Mariam.

Alem the child speaks very fast in Amharic and English: splurges

ALEM

My name is Alem kelo. My age is fourteen. I was born in an area called Badme. Some

people think this area is part of Ethiopia and some people think this area is part of

eritrea. My father taught me it was a part of Africa. In 1991 when the big war was

over, I was five. My father and my mother and I went to live in Asmara. Asmara is a

large city, the capital of eritrea. My mother said we moved there so I could go to a

good school. My father can speak six languages from three continents. Six. Arabic,

Afar, Tigrinya, Italian English and Amharic. My mother can also speak these

languages. But I can only speak Amharic Tigrinya and English. I did like Asmara. I had

many friends there. When I was ten years old we all went to live in Harar. Now

Harar is in Ethiopia, high in the hills, the sun shines brigt but t is cool. I found a new

school. My mother found a job at the bank and my father as the general manager of

the post office and and and and....

MARIAM

Hey… hey…… hey…. We need to speak in English here.

ALEM

I Don't want to stay here. My father is coming.

ADJUDICATOR

On this date January 7th The state asserts that the appelant faces no personal threat

if he were to be returned to his country. We are of the belief that if he were to

return he would live a relatively peaceful life

NICOLA MORGAN.

My client believes he has much to fear if he were to return home at this time . He

has in fact suffered persecution there in the past and the political circumstances in

both ethiopia and eritrea have not changed since then.

ADJUDICATOR

20

What I am going to do is adjourn this hearing so that reports can be prepared. Do

you understand Alem Kelo.

ALEM KELO

yes

ADJUDICATOR

Until you come back before me you will stay with the foster parents at 202 meanly

road. Is that agreeable. Good and then we shall se you all on January 5th

NICOLA MORGAN

very well. Do you have anything to say?

ALEM/MRS FITZGERALD

Yes/No!

MRS FITZGERALD

No Alem

ALEM

Yes. I would like to wish you all a merry merry Christmas because Christmas in

Ethiopia is today.

VERGE OF BUS STOP

MUSTAPHA

Sorry man. Friends are better than family any day. My family is full of ..shshhhine a

light That was a Cortina turbo with wing fins!!! . That’s why I’m in the home innit.

Want a fag

ALEM

Nahhh.

MUSTAPHA

Mustapha lights his cigarette and smokes like an amateur and coughs like a pro

You know what? You wanna know a secret? I like school I do.

ALEM

I like the school very much. It is very good. Full of possibilities. facilities are good, the

building is structurally sound, and I think that the students here have a great

opportunity to advance, physically, intellectually, socially”

MUSTAPHA

21

Right. Ok…. Hold on. It may be good but it's not that good. We got some okay

teachers. And some okay girls. And then there's me but don't make it sound like

some kinda posh university. Or something.

ALEM

Posh?

MUSTAPHA

that's funny. You're funny man. Can’t believe you’re staying with Ruth!!!! Do you

get to see her when she’s… ASTRA… The Fitzgeralds they had another kid a while

ago y’know . Themba. Came to The Home and he was my mate, so I thought.. you

know .. you’d be like a mate too…. Do ya play footbaaaaaa….Vauxhaaaaal ! dya?

Eh?

ALEM

I know they did. Not really

MUSTAPHA

Boy It's easy. You just kick the ball, do a bit of dribbling, try and get it in the net.

ALEM

I know how to play it but the question you asked was do I play it.

MUSTAPHA

Okay okay. That has just officially confused me. Saw you in class diggin’ on Charles

Dickens. Are you serious!!?

ALEM

Why?

MUSTAPHA

Boy that stuff is diff-i-cult!

ALEM

Mrs Kumar is a good teacher? You call me Boy and Man and guy. Please don't. .

MUSTAPHA bursts out laughing

MUSTAPHA

Oh man. That's funny. You're funny guy. Hey when I say your funny guy. I don't

mean you are a guy. When I say “boy I got to scoot” it means hey I got to go. See.

Hey boy I gotta scoot man and look I'll check you later, which like means I'll see you

later which means like until next time I see you.... er.... yeah....

22

ALEM

I do not know what you mean.

MUSTAPHA

That's sick man. Like you are a project. Like you got to wise up so you got the

language and everything. Aiight. Cause the, like the school the whole school’s

gonna get behind you.. you know… we gonna make a campaign and everything

Laterzzz

ALEM

Campaign for what?

MUSTAPHA

For you man. For you. For you Alem. So you can stay here forever!!

KITCHEN OF FITZGERALDS

MRS FITZGERALD:

But we need to help you and the only way is to make a campaign. And it is your lucky

day.

Mrs meanly gives Alem a letter

ALEM:

A campaign is for me to stay!! I don’t want to stay. My father is coming for me

MRS FITZGERALD

No no it isn’t. It is so that you can have refugee status.

ALEM:

A refugee Boy!

Alem reads the start of the letter TO HIMSELF.

ALEM:

My dearest son, I do hope this letter finds you soon and that you are as well as can

be. War is such a terrible thing, my son. Sadly I must tell you I have bad news.

To MRS FITZGERALD

ALEM

I am NOT a refugee.

Enter Ruth bounds in

23

RUTH:

Yes you are. Because you’re worth it. apparently That’s an advertising campaign.

MRS FITZGERALD

No but you will be.

ALEM:

I don’t want to be a refugee.

RUTH:

It’s refugee boy status and it’s the only way you can stay here.

Alem reading letter to himself

ALEM:

I have been searching but I can not find your mother.

ALEM to MRS Fitzgerald

ALEM

But I am not a refugee!

RUTH:

I never get letters. But that’s okay. That’s okay Alem. Mum let him read the letter.

ALEM:

No I want to talk about it now.

MRS FITZGERALD:

We need to get you refugee status so you can stay here. This is why we went to

court with that nice woman.

ALEM:

Marian. Nice woman? Where is Marian?

ALEM reads the letter to himself .

ALEM:

“Some said she was in Ethiopia, some said she was in Eritrea. I tried everywhere.

The organisation, the organisation she began, of EAST has fallen apart. There is not a

single organisation working for peace in the region.”

MRS FITZGERALD:

We need to be organised Alem. Otherwise they will send you back and there is a

reason, a reason your father brought you here.

24

RUTH:

Mum where is my laptop?

MRS FITZGERALD:

It’s in ALems room!

RUTH:

Ugh!

MRS FITZGERALD:

Ruth.

RUTH:

My laptop is my office.

Alem is reading to himself

ALEM

“Our Eritrean office has been raided and our Ethiopian office has been raided. It is so

sad. Our only surviving branch is in London. Alem my dear Alem. She has passed

away

bang bang bang a loud noise. Only Alem hears the banging

I will be coming to you soon.”MRS FITZGERALD:

Alem

ALEM

He will be coming soon. My father is coming soon

Alem tears up the letter and bins it

MRS FITZGERALD

But don’t you want to keep the letter.

ALEM:

In my culture we don’t keep letters….

MRS FITZGERALD

Oh…

ALEM:

What is this campaign. What do we need to do. What do I need to do.

COURT

25

with Alem and Mariam

ALEM:

Alem

MARIAN

You’re full name

ALEM:

Alem Kelo.

MARIAN:

Tell them your school

ALEM:

I am studying at Broadway High School

MARIAN:

And your address

ALEM:

In Eritrea or Ethiopia?

Marian:

Here Alem.

ALEM

Alem Kelo, 202 meanly Road

MARIAN:

And that you are applying for Refugee Status

ALEM:

My application is for Refugee Status

MARIAN:

And where you have come from

ALEM:

ummm… I came from E.. from Asmara

MARIAN:

Your age

ALEM:

I am fif.. I am fifteen.

MARIAN:

26

And your fathers name is

ALEM:

My fathers name… is Wolde Kelo

MARIAN:

And my father is. And say where your father is.

ALEM:

My father is in Eritrea or Ethiopia I am not sure

MARIAN:

Your honour his father is coming here to claim exile. And your mothers name…

Alem….

ALEM:

And my mothers name is.

There is a loud bang at the door

My mothers name is

There is a loud bang at the door We are in Ethiopia in Alem’s home. His mother is

sat his father stands Alem is stood. The door bangs again….

ETHIOPIAN HOME father and Alem

FATHER

Stay still Alem!

ALEM

There was my father my mother and I.

Loud bangs at the door

We were in Addis. The first I heard was the splitting door. And the soldier screamed

at my father What kind of man are you!! Are you Ethiopian or are you Eritrean. Tell

us”

Father

“I am African”

ALEM

The soldier pointed the weapon at my mother “then she is the enemy” And then

pointed the gun at me

FATHER

27

“And he is a mongrel”

ALEM

One turned to my father “Leave Ethiopia or die! Or die”.

FATHER

Yes yes we will leave…

ALEM

Our neighbours didn’t speak to us. They were dead eyed and father took us to

Eritrea, to the capital city Asmara

CHILDRENS HOME WITH MARIAN

MARIAN

They have to punish you. You can not runaway. If they don’t then all children would

run. …. tea

ALEM Says Nothing

Biscuits

ALEM says nothing

We’ve found you a foster family. A place where you can stay which is more like a

family instead of this, place. They’re good people and you’re going to have a good

time. It might be difficult at first but it’ll be better than this.

ALEM

When is my father coming .

MARIAM

But you know why your father and mother had to get you out?

ALEM

But when is he coming?

MARIAN

We don’t know Alem. We don’t know when he’ll be coming.

A loud bang at the door Bang bang bang. ALEM remembers again FATHER AND

ALEM in Eritrea

ALEM

28

But in Eritrea word had spread that father was Ethiopian

FATHER

A spy they said

ALEM

A spy! The door split as bullets thrashed through

FATHER

Stay still Alem. Stay still.

ALEM

One Kick. Two Kicks

Bang bang bang

FATHER

Don’t shoot. Please don’t shoot. We do not have arms. We are peaceful.

ALEM

The Soldier screamed at my mother

FATHER

“What kind of woman are you.”

ALEM

The soldier hit my father with the butt of his gun.

FATHER

Aghhh…

ALEM

The Blood from his cheekbone splashed out onto my face. The Soldier raised his gun

and pointed it at my mother and screamed “You are a traitor”.

FATHER

No please. Don’t shoot Don’t Shoot Don’t shoot

ALEM

“TRAITORS Leave Eritrea or die!”

Mrs Fitzgerald and Miriam in Kitchen

MIRIAM

He's carrying unopened baggage and soon he will have to open the baggage and deal

with the contents.

29

MRS FITGERALD

What do you mean “deal with the contents”

MIRIAM

He's like a timebomb waiting to go off. I've seen it many times before

MRS FITZGERALD

You have? Are you sure?

MIRIAM

Yes. He's bottling it all up and one day he may explode, emotionally. He may cope

with the stuff in his cup now but one day his cup will runneth over.

MRS FITZGERALD

Oh and you think he will explode when, tomorrow, today, next week

MIRIAM

We don't know. We just don't know Siobhan. He's a particularly isolated case .

The News is not good. Just to say….I knew about Themba... and it wasn’t your fault.

MRS FITZGERALD

Alem is a good boy.

MIRIAM

Yes.. But if you ever need to talk.

Alem walks in

ALEM

What's wrong?

MIRIAM

And you’ve made friends at school?

ALEM

uhu

Ruth Enters

RUTH/MRS FITZGERALD

Hi.....Can I go to my room/ Alem's made friends

Thanks/yes,no

MRS FITZGERALD

30

this in country application. Excuse me everybody.

RUUUUUUUUUUTH!

MIRIAM

Nothing’s wrong.

MRS FITZGERALD

How are we on this in country application.

MARIAM

We’ve spoken to Croydon and received a reply. The Home office as you know

refused the asylum request

ALEM

So I can go to my father?

MRS FITZGERALD

we must appeal. Apeal again.

RUTH enters

RUTH

What?

MRS FITZGERALD

Ruth you need to be here for this

RUTH

Nugh!

MIRIAM

There is a gathering campaign for Alem. Particularly at the school. It’s lead by Mrs

Kumar… Mustapha is the student laison… and we are meeting to grow political

support. We have the local opposition MP on side we think. We even think the

London branch of EAST are going to be involved

ALEM

East!!

MIRIAM

Yes. It is they who will meet your father when he comes.

RUTH

Mum we’ve been here before!! And then look what happened. I looked after him

and you did and dad did. Why do we have to do it again. It’s not fair! It’s not fair.

31

MR FITZGERALD: She’s got a point Siobhan

ALEM

Siobhan... Geroid Miriam ... Look Look

MR FITZGERALD

Yes. What

ALEM

Look look

RUTH:

What!!?

MR FITZGERALD

Snow

ALEM

snow snow!

RUTH

It’s gonna get worse and then dad can't drive the car and everything gets cancelled.

MRS FITZGERALD

Why don’t you all go out in it.

RUTH

And the boiler bursts and the house gets cold. Messes up my clothes. Messes up my

hair. Ruins my trainers. It takes over everything. Everything changes when there's

snow. And it's slippery.

MRS FITZGERALD

Make sure you wrap up

RUTH

It turns to ice and though some people thinks its lovely – it's actually dangerous.

You can't go shopping. You have to change everything you do because of it.

Everything you do and it's just there!

ALEM

it is somnambulent

RUTH

Somnambu- what!?.

ALEM

32

it means like it is sleep walking

MRS FITZGERALD

Leave Alem alone.

RUTH

Because of Themba

MRS FITZGERALD

Your so angry these days. It’s not easy to be around.

RUTH

Well maybe I shouldn’t be here then. Maybe I should just go like….!

MRS FITZGERALD

Ruth

SCENE ASHERS PLACE

Picture of Haile Sellassie on wall and Bob Marley. The predominant colours are red

gold and green. Asher is reading a bible. He has thick dreadlocks. Asher lets them

in. Thick smoke in the air

MUSTAPHA

this is Asher my cousin.

ASHER

Irie. Yes yes yes yes So how is school young Alem

ALEM

I don't know how good it is compared to others.

ASHER

Yes yes yes... So where you from

MUSTAPHA

He’s from Ethiopia and Eritrea.

ASHER

yes man I knew it. Ethiopia the motherlaaaand, the laaand where the gods love to

be! As soon as I saw you I said. There's a god son a true child of Africa. I is Ethiopian

that happens to be born in England

MUSTAPHA

33

I told you he had some connection to Ethiopia

ALEM

So your mother and father come from Ethiopia

ASHER

No my mother and father come from Jamaica BUT Ethiopia is our spiritual homeland,

the land of Rastafari. God's country. I am really Ethiopian. Really, really Ethiopian.

Alem my man, do you know Shashamane

ALEM

No.

ASHER

Well Shashamane is the land in Ethiopia given to Rastafarians by the emperor haile

Selassie the first so that we can return to the motherland and help rebuild the great

continent of Africa.

MUSTAPHA

So when are these rasta going then

ASHER

they gone already. They building already.

ALEM

I hope you'll excuse me Asher. Mustapha I got to get back.

ASHER

yes I know about what's happening. We don't deal with tribalism. We deal with One

Love. And remember I bell on I front door and any time bredren, anytime you want

to ring I will be here. You never know when you need a brother. There aint no

justice man yes – just us.

MUSTAPHA

thanks man. But your my cousin right??

ASHER

I'm talking to him. You are family already. Musty has been building the campaign

for you Alem with your foster parents and you know his mother is my mothers sister

and that we are all

MUSTAPHA

Family. Yes but you will turn up right!

34

ASHER

Yes yes yes ofcourse I will be there to support the Ethiopian son.

MUSTAPHA TO ALEM BACK ON BIKES

MUSTAPHA

Okay so you know where you are going now right.

ALEM

yes cause Asher say “you know where you're going if you know where you're from”

MUSTAPHA

I'll see you tomorrow yeah...

ALEM

yeah coo. Laterz yeah and thanks man

MUSTAPHA

it's nothing man laterzzz

ALEM

Laterzzzzz

Alem checks his bike but is stopped by a hood

HOODED

Nice Bike.

ALEM:

Thanks man.

HOODED:

I said nice bike

Pause

Gimme a ride on it

ALEM:

I got to go

HOODED

I’m not asking

ALEM:

if you are not asking then I should go

HOODED

Gimme your bike or I’ll cut your raaatted throat.

35

Alem takes out a knife

ALEM:

How about if you take my bike I’ll cut your raaaaaaated throat…

Sweeney enters :

SWEENEY:

Wassup.

HOODED

Wassup sween.

SWEENEY

There a problem here…?

HOODED:

Tell this Refugee Boy to gimme his bike!

SWEENEY

Step off .

HOODED

You heard him step off

SWEENEY:

drop the knife Alem.

HOODED:

You heard him drop the knife.

SWEENEY:

There’s two of us. Drop. The. Knife.

ALEM

Drops the knife.

SWEENEY:

Get off

HOODED

That’s right get off.

SWEENEY

no man. I mean you. Step off.

HOODED

You what

36

SWEENEY:

Get the fuck away. If you go now there’s no trouble. But if you want some then stay.

HOODED:

Sween

SWEENEY:

Get off. Now.

Hooded Bully stalls backs off and walks away .

ALEM is shaking Sweeney picks up the knife

SWEENEY:

You don’t want to be like us Alem, all messed up, you don’t want to be like that. I

can’t hear out of my left ear. Can’t hear a thing. Deaf! Social services doctor says I’ll

be deaf by the time I’m twenty. Used to beat me. Used to try and rearrange my face

for me. Every day. Step dad. Shit happens innit. Take the knife and put it back

where you got it otherwise you’ll end up in the shit. In the proper shit. Like me.

Sweeney strokes Alem’s face

You’re good looking you are. You don’t wanna get into knife fights. Cut up that good

skin of yours.

KITCHEN: Ruth, Alem, MR AND MRS FITZGERALD and MUSTAPHA

MRS FITZGERALD:

We’ve a surprise for you today.

MR FITZGERALD:

A great surprise.

RUTH

Alem. I’m sorry about how I’ve been treating you. It’s just not been easy. We

fostered before and…

ALEM:

You're not sorry. You're not sorry one bit. You hate me. I know it and you know it so

don't pretend anymore. Just be honest for once in your life. Even when mother died

you spent all the time talking about yourself. You didn't even think. You don't even

37

think! No wonder. No wonder you are unhappy. You are a sad and lonely hateful

person. So don’t pretend to think anything of me. I hate you.

MR FITZGERALD

Hey that's no way to speak to Ruth. Alem.

MRS FITZGERALD

Your mother died? Your mother died? I’m so sorry. He didn't mean it. You didn’t

mean it did you you... Alem.

The front door Bell goes

MR FITZGERALD

It’s your suprise

ALEM’s father enters

FATHER

Alem ….come here.

ALEM doesn’t

I won’t leave you again. There's nothing back there for us now.

MRS FITZGERALD

Mariam called earlier and left you this MR KELO and gave me this to give to you

Mrs Fitzgerald passes an envelope with thirty pounds in it

MR KELO

So now I can take you all out for a meal to thank you for keeping, for looking after

my son.

MR FitZGERALD

I am afraid we have eaten and

MRS FITZGERALD

We're fine... and you only have until ten and it's eight now so

MR KELO

Hmm. So what would you like to eat....Italian...

ALEM

I'm thinking Italian!

MR KELO

I think we think on the same thinking lines. Great minds eh thinking alike..

38

ALEM

Think alike, dad... it's think alike.

MRS FITZGERALD

Or or you could stay here umm in the kitchen. Why not stay here for a while. Might

be better Mr kelo. Yes. By the time you find a restaurant it’ll be time to leave. Good.

We’ll be in the front room if you need anything. Ruth.

They all leave MR KELO and ALEM alone

MR KELO

How are you my son

ALEM

I’m fine dad. Everything is going okay. School is good. I am reading Dickens. I can’t

stop reading Dickens.

MR KELO

I have claimed asylum and refugee status. I have been to the London office the East

African Solidarity Trust (?) But even EAST is full of spies. Alem you may not see. Two

men pass on the street are sworn enemies. Now both are applying to the same

government for the same asylum. I’m sorry.

ALEM

Dad is everything okay

MR KELO

Yes ofcourse… sometimes I talk to you like you are a grown man yourself

ALEM

I am older. I am grown.

MR KELO

Since last I saw you a lot has happened. A lot has changed.

ALEM

We are going to have a campaign father. They are rallying support now. Even the my

school are behind it. They are organising a live concert for us and raising money and

awareness. I even hear that the local poiticians are going to get behind us. They are

making leaflets and there is one rastaman. You know about rasta father. There is

even one rastaman who is going to read poetry for us. They love him in this country.

He’s famous father and he is supporting me so that we will be able to stay.

39

MR KELO

No. No Alem. No! No! Alem. No! We're in enough trouble as it is. We should wait

for the appeal and we should not get involved in the politics of this country. We

should be as peaceful as possible. Make no fuss. We can not afford to draw

attention to ourselves.

ALEM

Jah knows what will happen to us if we get sent back. It is our rights. Our human

rights dad. Sometimes these judges and adjudicator people they don’t listen. The

judge doesn't know anything about Ethiopia or Eritrea. He didn't even know when

our christmas was. He didn’t even know when our Christmas was dad! How can he

know our case

MR KELO

“Jah knows!!! Jah Knows!!” And since when did you call me “dad!” hey “dad!”.

Where is this “dad”.

ALEM

Father

MR KELO

No campaigning Alem. Not here.

ALEM

so we must go home to Ethiopia to live in fear.

MR KELO

We must go home if we are told by the judge who will listen to the case and will

weigh up the evidence and make his decision on the basis of fact and truth

ALEM

What do they know…. father. We must campaign.

MR KELO

No We must lay low and go to appeal.

ALEM

but look

alem passes newspaper cuttings

read the newspapers da…father look they hate us here…

MR KELO

40

No campaign. No more politics. This has nothing to do with us. No campaign . No

more poilitics.

ALEM

Everything is politics father! You know this. We are here because of politics! The

judge is there because of politics! And we are being sent home because of politics!

MR KELO

No! Do you hear me. No!

ALEM

We are here because someone stood up for what they believed in

MR KELO

No! No!

ALEM

We are here because mother was a fighter and would not stay quiet. How did she

die. I need to know? We are here because of mother and you want to turn away, she

wants you to continue, to fight and you want to turn away from her!

MR KELO

Get out. Get out of my house!

ALEM

It’s not your house. It’s not your house! It is not your country!

MR KELO raises his hand

MR KELO

The room swoons spins and sways. All things permanent give way

The ground beneath feet splays. Walls around me pixelate

And the seam becomes a split where the split was a seam

And where once on solid ground we’re drowned in Ravine

ALEM

Falling between adult and teen night mare and dream

Father why do you forsake me, break me love and hate me

Am I not born torn cut from the cloth of your fate

MR KELO

Ohhhhh Back to breath. Bring her back to breath

Take it back take it back and take me instead.

41

MR KELO

You will campaign over my dead body. If you want that on your hands. Here is

where I am staying.

He gives Alem an address and stands to leave

And by the way Alem it is “thinking alike” we are using the active verb. The active

verb!

FATHER leaves

MUSTAPHA SETS UP THE COURT SCENE

MUSTAPHA

Okay Mrs Fitzgerald you are the adjudicator

MRS FITZGERALD

I take it you are representing the secretary of state on both cases. And you are

representing both Appelants.

MUSTAPHA

and Ruth you are the lawyer

RUTH:

yes

MRS FITZGERALD

Does the state have anything to add to that which was stated in the last hearing? I

have your report and it seems very straightforward to me.

MUSTAPHA

Mr Fitzgerald you represent the state

MR FITZGERALD:

No Sir. There has not been an escalation of hostilities in Ethiopia and Eritrea. We

recognise that fighting still continues but the fighting is confined to very small areas

in both countries. Most of the people in Ethiopia and Eritrea have not seen any

fighting whatsoever. In the opinion of the state, the risk to the lives of the appelants

is minimal and we see no reason why they should not return to their country of

origin and consider living in an area wher ethey do not feel threatened.

42

Mrs Fitzgerald: The fact is sit, that there has been massive escalation of the fighting

between both sides and although the united nations has appointed Algeria as

mediator both sides are refusing to come to the negotiting table. It may be true to

say that most of the poplation of both countries may never see any fighting , but the

people who live along the border and those that are living in cities within easy range

of the opposing forces are being subject to war evey day. Furthermore, sir, and this

is crucial to the case my clients are not being persecuted because they are on one

side or the other, they are being persecuted because they are on both sides. At this

point there is no place for what is a mixed race family in this conflict. When young

kalem is in Ethiopia he is being persecuted because he is eritrean and when he is in

Eritrea he is persecuted because he is Ethiopian. This young man is in an impossible

situationa and it is clear that he can only return to either country and live safely is

when there is a genuine peace throghout the region. For this small matter of war is

not academic Since the last time young Alem appeared in court his mother has

been brutally murdered Imagine how difficut it must have been for MR KELO to let

his son know that his mother was found hacked to death

ALEM FAINTS and its all staggered time

MUSTAPHA The room swoons and slips and sways. Gravity loses its grip and plays

It’s trick and frays under all the weight of thunder, of yesterdays. Weightless in the

fraught freight of fright he calls

MR KELO

I will not fall. Never have. Never will. Not fall. And Habesha eyes roll to the back of

his head and see instead A mother living more than the other .

MRS FITZGERALD

found hacked to death…

MR KELO

Ohhhhh Back to breath. Bring her back to breath Take it back take it back and take

me instead…

MR KELO catches Alem

MRS FITZGERALD Would the young man like to leave the proceedings for a while

Pause a beat

43

MR KELO

Alem Kelo would like to stay.

RUTH:

Mr Kelo sent a letter from Eritrea to his son, a copy of which you should have before

you. They are in fear of their lives which is why mr kelo came to England. His is a

family that is terrified. This is a family that is in fear for their lives, a family can take

no more risks.

The Adjudicator stands. They all stand.

MR FITZGERALD

I have listened to you both carefully and I have read all the papers concerning this

case. One cannot but be moved by the death of Mrs Kelo and I offer y condolences.

But you must also undertand that I cannot make a judgement based on emotions. I

have to look at the facts. He war between Ethiopia and Eritrea is a border dispute,

some may call it a skirmish but at any rate it is not a full out war. The circumstances

of this case have drastically changed in the last few weeks Now tht your family is

reunited albeit with one member missing, the issue of the juvenile having noone to

return to nor a legal guardian is no longer relevant. I have given this case much

consideration but I am afraid I must turn down your aplication for assylum.

ALEM

What does this mean?

MRS FITZGERALD

It means you must try and make a life with your father in your own country. It is

possible. You now have your father with you so you will not be alone Your barrister

will explain – we do have a fair system of justice here so you do have a right of

appeal.

The adjudicator Leaves and they walk towards the doors of the courthouse

RUTH

I didn’t expect the refusal. Ah! We have to move quickly and we have to do what

they say. I think you know the situation Mrs Fitzgerald. And then we can meet to

discuss the campaign. We need to change tactics.

RUTH gets a phone call

Scuse… got to get this.

44

MRS FITZGERALD

We can not legally support him at the Fitzgeralds now that Mr Kelo is recognised as

the legal Gaurdian.

MR FITZGERALD

Ridiculous. Mr Kelo can stay with us.

RUTH (on phone)

What!!

MR FITZGERALD

I'm afraid he can't.It will jeapordise the appeal and we will also be breaking the law.

RUTH is still on phone

Okay. yes. Okay cheers. Yeah. Okay.

Phone call ended they are about to leave the court

RUTH

Wait!! Don’t go out there.…

Alem’s father continues towards the door that leads outside court. The door

opens to OUTSIDE the court there are hundreds of people chanting Camera’s flash

and Alem they work their way through the malaise

“Free ALEM KELO FREE ALEM KELO FREE ALEM KELO”

MUSTAPHA shouts

MUSTAPHA

What dya think man. We got the school behind you, the rasta’s everyone!!! Hey.

What dya think man! Eh!?

MR KELO/ALEM

Ugh/Amazing

MUSTAPHA

We’ve got one more chance. One more appeal. One more. Thankyou everyone. And

remember at The West Indian Sports and Social centre. Tonight!

To His father

We have no choice. Please come father.

45

WEST INDIAN CENTRE

Father exits through crowd

The sound of applause. At The KELO benefit Obadiah finishes his poem, the

applause ends and RUTH speaks into the microphone on Tanoid

RUTH

Obadiah the poet! Everyone… One more time Obadiah!!!! Thankyou everybody.

Thanks for being here. WHAT A WONDERFUL NIGHT. I have a piece of paper here…

We must say Thankyou to the local MP who sees this case deserves Justice and that

Alem and his father can not leave. Yeah! Thankyou to all of us from the school for

bringing so many parents,

Mr kelo is getting ready to leave his home. HE’S GOING TO THE BENEFIT

Bang Bang Bang,

Mr KELO:

Alem

Back at the event RUTH IS ON STAGE

RUTH

Remember to tell your friends and to tell your friends to tell their friends and…you

get the picture.... And and.we made it to the news!!! They didn't get my best side

though which is a shame. Thanks to Asher for the Drums

Back at Mr kelo’s place they enter

MR KELO:

Oh. It’s you. I guess this is my time

BACK AT THE CENTRE ON STAGE

Ruth:

and Buck for the music. I'm sure I've forgotten somebody. Oh yeah... mum and da…

Mr and Mrs Fitzgerald.... I'd like to thank them too.. But please give a warm round

of applause for Alem. Alem kelo

ALEM

This is your time. This is our time. It is an honour. There are those who say I

shouldn’t be here, nor my father. Tonight represent us both and my mother.

They are great people. Great great people. They gave me life. They supported me.

And maybe that is what community is – the act of supporting.

46

Bang Bang Bang. ALEM stops his speech and there is silence MUSTAPHA AND RUTH

jump onto stage

MUSTAPHA

Before you go I just want to say that we…. You all have raised seven hundred and

thrity pounds, eighty five pence. And this will go towards expenses for Alem and his

father if they need it. Thank you and see you on Saturday at court.

RUTH

And Alem I got you some books, to read.

ALEM

An encyclopedia of the English Language: Thanks. Thanks Ruth. Thanks everybody.

RUTH

Hey it ain't no thing. He already knows five languages, one more won’t do him any

harm.

Ethiopian music:

ALEM ENTERS FATHERS HOME

ALEM

Father?

MARIAM

Alem... I was looking for you…

Sheila Miriam and a Policeman appear

Please have a seat..

ALEM

What's the matter . What's wrong.

MARIAN

It’s your father.

ALEM

No....

MARIAM

Tonight you’ll sleep at meanly Road. Your case will be adjourned until march Alem.

But I'll tell you more about that another time.. The police will have to interview you

at some stage….

ALEM AND HIS FATHER

47

ALEM

There are no stars in this country

FATHER

In England the stars have to sleep. They take it in turns to shine. To save energy

ALEM

No

FATHER

Yes. Because if they shine for too long they get tired and when they get tired their

power goes out.

ALEM

The North Star decided he would always shine because he is more powerful than the

rest…Ok. Can I come. Please.Please. Can I. Can I.

Radio News

The metropolitan police are investigating the killing of a man in tottenham, North

London. The incident happened yesterday afternoon as the man was leaving a

community centre in Lordship Lane. Police believe that the killing may have been

politically motivated. The victim held both Ethiopian and Eritrean nationality and was

involved in an organisation set up to try and bring the two warring commnities

together. A statement was received by the police. On saturday we covered a

demonstration in aid of the man and his son who were being denied refugee status

by the home office. In that report we featured the son who has earend the respect

of many young people in the east of London. Friends and supporters say the boy is

devastated and that he has been offered counselling.

48