Read The Black Album for Free Online Page A

Please.
     
He places the folder in Shahid’s hand .
     
    Chad ( bending over Shahid and reading the cover page ) ‘The Martyr’s Imagination’ …?
     
    Riaz Yes. It is my little book.
     
    Tahira ( excited ) It’s finished?
     
    Riaz Pen-written only until now.
     
    Tahira Is it an attack on that blaspheming writer?
     
    Riaz ( continuing, to Shahid ) Please, would you do one thing for me?
     
    Shahid Whatever you want, Riaz.
     
    Riaz Will you convert it to print?
     
    Shahid Of course.
     
    Riaz Many others have volunteered but you are the right person for this task.
     
Shahid listlessly looks through the manuscript .
     
    I am from a small village in Pakistan. They are basically … songs of memory, adolescence and twilight. But perhaps they will change the world a little too.
     
    Shahid I didn’t know you –
     
    Riaz It’s God’s work.
     
    Shahid With your name on the title page.
     
    Riaz ( laughing ) Yes, I am entirely to blame.
     
    Tahira ( to Riaz ) What message does the book have, brother?
     

    Riaz ( holding her face tenderly ) The message – and all good art must have a message – is of love and compassion.
     
    Chad Beautiful.
     
    Shahid Brother Riaz, thank you, thank you for everything!
     
    Riaz No, no.
     
Riaz and Tahira leave .
     
    Chad Wow, that’s incredible! I offer you one warning – you must be strictly confidential about this.
     
    Shahid Are you saying I’m not trustworthy?
     
    Chad No, no, brother. But many important people in the community wouldn’t like him being too creative. It too frivolous for them. Some of those guys go into a supermarket and if music playing, they run out again. Why don’t you enjoy some rest before you begin such important work?
     
Shahid lies down, Chad reads the manuscript .
     
    ( Reading .) Magnificent, ‘Gibreel’s fragrant green sword will veil the unveiled …’
     
Shahid sits up and reaches for the bowl beside his bed .
     
    ‘Wet bodies and captivating tongues reek of Satan’s hot breath, Gibreel’s fragrant green sword …’
     
Shahid whimpers .
     
    You know, Shahid brother, there’s something else Riaz wants you to do. He was shy of asking you, I know.
     
    Shahid What is it?
     
    Chad He needs your help to get the book published.
     
Shahid retches into the bowl .
     
    Shahid He saved my life.
     

    Chad He intuitive – you owe him the lot.
     
    Shahid I’ll do whatever I can to repay him.
     
    Chad You’ll help him find a publisher for the book?
     
    Shahid Sure.
     
Tahira bursts in, followed by Hat and an Old Man .
     
    Tahira We need clear space here. ( To Shahid .) You going to help or lie there all day?
     
    Shahid What now?
     
    Shahid gets up wearily. He is in his underpants. Tahira looks at him, then Hat positions himself to hide Shahid from her view. She seats the Old Man on a chair. Riaz comes in .
     
     
    Hat ( to Shahid ) Now you’ll hear something about how nice your little England is.
     
    Riaz makes the Old Man sit at ease and listens attentively .
     
    Old Man These boys, please, sir, are coming into my flat and threatening my whole family every day and night. They have punched me in my stomach, spit all the time at my wife when she goes out for shopping, make rude signs at my daughters when they go to school. Five years I have lived there, but it is getting worse. I am afraid.
     
    Riaz ( considers ) What do you suggest we do to help, Shahid?
     
    Shahid ( offhand ) Teach the beggars a lesson.
     
    Riaz Excellent. We’re not blasted Christians. We don’t turn the other buttock. We will fight for our people who are being tortured anywhere – in Palestine, Afghanistan, Kashmir, East End! ( To the Old Man, reassuring, as he ushers him out .) Action will be taken very soon. That is my promise to you.
     

Old Man exits .
     
    Tahira Self-defence is no offence.
     
    Shahid What are you talking about?
     
    Riaz We want you with us tonight, Shahid.
     
    Chad Shahid’s always with us.
     
    Shahid I have to