The Ordinary Death
A sketch by Abdelkarim Mohammed
Scene 1
Setting: A tent surrounded by a group of people in a dynamic and changing environment.Time: Evening.
[A group enters the tent.]
Sheikh Wahdan: Welcome, please come in. Please, have a seat.
[The group sits down.]
Sheikh Wahdan: Pour the coffee. Welcome, everyone.
Group in unison: Thank you very much, Sheikh Weddan.
Sheikh Wahdan: What news do you have today, gentlemen?
Badad: Good news, Sheikh Weddan. Today, Sheikh Haddad’s son killed Sheikh Reddad’s son.
Someone interrupts: Continue, Badad.
Badad: And Sheikh Sahman’s brother injured two of Sheikh Sahwan’s sons. And that’s the news I have for you today, Sheikh Wahdan.
Sheikh Wahdan: And you, Qudwan, what news do you have today?
Qudwan: Good news, Sheikh Weddan.
Sheikh Wahdan: Go on, tell us.
Qudwan: Today, Haadi, the son of Sheikh Haidan, killed his brother Saadi, right in front of their father.
Sheikh Wahdan: He killed his brother in front of their father, Sheikh Haidan?
Qudwan: Yes, Sheikh, right in front of their father.
Sheikh Wahdan: And what was the reason, Qudwan?
Qudwan: The reason, may you be well, and those listening, is that Saadi came to their father and said that his brother Haadi had stolen a car but hadn’t robbed it because he hadn’t killed the owner.
Qudwan: So Haadi told his father, “Don’t believe him, Father. I robbed the car, I didn’t steal it.”
Qudwan: Saadi got angry and said, “By God, you stole it because you didn’t kill the owner. If you had killed him, you could say you robbed it. You’re bringing shame to our tribe. We are the sons of Sheikh Haidan. We rob, we don’t steal. It’s not our custom to take a car without killing whoever is in it.”
Qudwan: Sheikh Haidan scolded his son, Haadi and said, “What your brother Saadi says is true.”
Qudwan: Haadi replied, “There was a woman in the car and I wouldn’t kill her. A car with a woman in it is sacred, isn’t that, right?”
Qudwan: Saadi replied, “That’s none of your business. Kill the driver and take the car.”
Qudwan: At this point, Haadi got angry, pointed his weapon at his brother, and said, “By God, you’re a fool and you don’t understand our ways.” Then he opened fire on his brother.
Qudwan: That’s it, Sheikh. What do you think of that? Can it be called stealing or robbing?
Sheikh Wahdan: By God, men, this matter needs a sitting where we can talk and drink camel’s milk. Numan, my son, bring us some camel’s milk. And bring some milk for the guests.
[Numan exits.]
[After he leaves, a loud explosion is heard, and the tent collapses in smoke and debris.]
Scene 2
Sitting: Sheikh Sahwan’s tent.
Sheikh Sahwan: Come in, gentlemen. Please enter and let’s talk while the women prepare dinner. Please sit down. Pour the coffee, boy.
Group in unison: Thank you very much, Sheikh Sahwan.
[A man pours coffee for everyone.]
Sheikh Sahwan: Tell me, gentlemen, who can tell us what happened to Sheikh Wahdan his group last night? Qudwan, you go ahead.
Qudwan: May you be well, Sheikh Sahwan. Sheikh Wahdanand his group were sitting and talking as usual, when suddenly your cousin, Sheikh Dhuhan, came and threw a grenade at them. He killed Sheikh Wahdan many of his men, and only his son Numan survived, but he was injured.
Sheikh Sahwan: And how did his son Numan survive?
Qudwan: May you live long, Sheikh. He escaped because he had gone out to milk the camels for their group.
Qudwan (continuing): Now Numan is challenging and threatening you and your cousin, Sheikh Dhuhan.
[Suddenly, there is the sound of gunfire and shouting.]
A voice: Help, Sheikh Sahwan! Numan, the son of Sheikh Wahdan, is attacking us!
Sheikh Sahwan: Men, disperse! Don’t let him do to us what the son of Dhuhan did to them.
[End of scene. Curtain.]