HEARTOFTHEOCEAN

By

NAJWAMUTALIBandNICHOLASLOW

UniversityofSouthampton

MalaysianNight2015

SCENE1:THEPOSTMANFADEIN:*StartswithNarratorsittingaloneinfrontofthehouse*Darksetting,spotlightonNarrator.NARRATOR:*Mindinghisbusinessandsuddenlyjolts,seeingthecrowdforthefirsttime*Ohhellothere.Iwasjustthinkingaboutmydearmother,*thinkaboutyourmother,topause*howmuchloveshehas,herloveasdeepastheoceanis.Dontyouthinkso?*pause*Letmesharesomethingwithyou.Lightsoff*NarratorwillleaveandHermanwilltakehisplace*[playnaturesounds]LightsonSunnydayNARRATOR:Iwassittinginfrontofmyhousestaringintospace,thinkingaboutmyfuturewhenapostmancamebyandstirredmefrommythoughts.

POSTMANHellothereahboy!Thinkingaboutyourfuture?Whysoserious?

HERMAN*clearshisvision*UhhIwasjust

POSTMAN*cutsin*Well,here,yougotmail!

HERMAN*surprised*Ohhh,thanks!Iwonderwhothisisfrom.Haveagoodday!*wavestopostman*

POSTMANYoutoo!

HERMANLetter:*stareshardattheletterthenreadsitoutloud*DearMrHerman,WearepleasedtoinformyouthatyourJabatanBekalanAir(JBA)scholarshipapplicationhasbeensuccessful.Subsequently,weexpectyoutoconfirmtheofferbytheUniversityofSouthamptontodoaDegreeinShipSciencenolaterthan1stofApril2015.PS:JBAwillalsopayyourfamilyswaterbill.Hopetohearfromyousoon!ProfessorDumblewindow.

HERMANJBAwillsponsorme?!JBA?!JabatanBekalanAirwillsponsorme?!*tellshimself*Ineedtotellmom.*proceedstoshoutout*MOM!MOM!MOM!

Comedysoundsstartplaying*Mothercomesoutofthehouse*MOTHER

Yesdear?HERMAN

Mom,Igotin!SouthamptonUniversityofferedmeadegreeinShipScience.

MOTHEROh,ohthatsnice!Youcanbuymeasheepformetomakecurry,masaklemak,

HERMANMom,mom,thatssheep(mbekkkkkk!)thisisShipScienceasinshiplikeTitanic,orPoseidon.Notjustthatmom,youdon'thavetopayanything,becauseJBAisgoingtosponsor

me!Ohand,youcantakeashowernowforfreetoo!There,itstatedhere,look,JBAwillalsopayourwaterbill.

MOTHERWOW!THISISAWESOME!*soundsweirdedout*Weird,butawesome!

HERMANIknow!

MOTHERWeshouldhaveakenduriforthis!Illcookallyourfavouritedishes!Makecurry,masaklemak

HERMANThosearetheonlytwodishesyouknowhowtomake,ma.

MOTHER*looksangryatHERMAN*Icancookyoutoo,*rollssleeves*comehereyou!

HERMANAhhh!Imjokingma,joking!*runsbackstage,MOTHERchasesHERMAN*

ComedysoundsYoutubestopsFadetoblackSCENE2:THECELEBRATION[3RDLAYERSCREEN(DBTRANSLATION)]AHMAD,SHAFIQandZaidareatHermanshouse,chattingwithoneanother.Note:preparechairforZaidProjector:EveningsunsetNARRATOR:Thenewsofmyscholarshipspreadlikewildfirethroughthevillage.Naturally,theboyscameovertomyhouse.LightsfadeonatNaturally,theboyscameovertomyhouse

AHMADdoestheSheldonsknock.(Knockx3,Herman)x3

HERMANHermangreetstheboysandinvitesthemin.BOYS,yourenowlookingatoneoftheSouthamptonsUniversityfirstclassstudents!

AHMAD,SHAFIQandZaidHurrayyy!!*Everyonecheersandgoestocongratulatehim*

HERMANHell,yeah!Thankyou,thankyou!

AHMADMan,Imsoproudofyou.Weallare.

HERMANThankyou,Ahmad.Iappreciateitmuch.Imsogoingtomissyouguys.Imeanwhosgoingtoplaybalingbalingseliparwithme?Whosgoingtoplaybatuserembanwithme?Whosgoingtoplaymasakmasakwithme?

SHAFIQHey,comeonman.Don'tbesad.Thisshouldbeagoodthingright?WecouldFacetime,allthetime!

AHMADYeah!Andcheerup,weshouldcelebrateyoursuccess!Letskenduri!

DIKIRBARATSTARTSDIKIRBARATENDSFadetoDIMastheyDikirBaratexitingLightsonafterAhmadandShafiqgoesoutandcallHerman

SHAFIQMan,whereareyoulah?Comeandplaytengtengwithus!

HERMANYouwanttochallengeme?TheTENGTENGMASTER?Youwillbesorryforthis.

*Zaidplayssomebeats.Theotherthreeplaytengteng,AHMADgoesfirst,thenHERMANgoesnext*

HERMANSpecialjumpmove!*triestojumptothefurthestsquare,buttripsandhurtshimself*OWW!OWWWW!*screaminginpain,AHMADandSHAFIQlaughs*

*MOTHERhearshim,andrushesovertocheckonHERMAN*MOTHERHowdidthishappentoyou?

AHMADMr.TengTengKingdecidedtodoaspecialjumpmove*airquotes**AHMADandSHAFIQlaughagain,HERMANlooksangrilyatthem*

MOTHERWell,wheredoesithurt?Areyoualright?

HERMANDoIlookalright?

MOTHERPointtaken.Alaaakesiannyeanakmakni.*checksforinjury*Ohitsonlyabruise.Hermankankuat?*showsmuscle*

HERMANUghhh,OK.*Atease*Thankyouma,Iloveyou.

*AHMADandSHAFIQlookcheekilyateachother*AHMADandSHAFIQ

*mocksHerman*THANKYOUMAILOVEYOU*Laughs*HERMAN

Eh,diamlahyoutwo!FadetoblackProjector:fadetonighttimeOnMelancholyHillAcousticGorillazplaysaspropsmoveDIMlightsonasmotherstartsdialogue

MOTHERHerman,Herman.Stopstaringatyourletter.Oihh,whataweirdchild.OnMelancholyHillAcousticGorillazfadesoutGotosleepnow.Itsalready2a.m.

HERMANImjustsoexcitedmom.Alright,Illsleepnowbutfirst,letstakeaselfie!*Takesaselfie*Camerashuttersound,Nowsingmemylullaby,ma.

MOTHEROkay,ready?Softkitty,warmkitty,littleballoffur,Happy

HERMANMom

MOTHERYes?

HERMANWhoismyrealfather,ma?

MOTHERImnotreadytotellyoujustyet.Wewill

talkaboutthisonefineday,yeah?HERMAN

Okay,ma.Okay,singagain.MOTHER

Happykitty,sleepyHERMAN

No,no.Youhavetosingitfromthebeginning!MOTHER

Softkitty,warmkitty,littleballoffur,Happykitty,sleepykitty,purpurpurOkay,goodnightson.

HERMANGoodnightma.Okay,youcangetoutnow!

FadetoblackSoftkittywarmkittyInstrumentalplaysfortransitionSCENE3:THEAIRPORTNARRATOR:Thecelebrationthatnightwasamazing,wemadesomanygoodmemories.Buttherearetimeswhenwejusthavetosaygoodbye.Forme,thatwasattheairport.Projector:Airportscene[playairportcafeambience]YoutubeplaysthroughoutthesceneLightson

MOTHER*lookslovingly*Son,Imveryveryproudofyou.*holdsbacktears*Allthosenightsinthelibraryfinallypaidoff.Neverletitbesaid,hardworkevergoesunrewarded.Ireallyhopeyoucanenjoy,experienceandadapttothedifferentculturethere.Itsnotgonnabethesameasbackhere,mindyou.

HERMAN*looksshocked*Wow,mum.Imflabbergasted.ThatwasthemostmaturespeechIveeverheardfromyou,mom.

MOTHERIknow.Itsurprisesmeaswell!*pauses*[(soft)PlayCiderhouserulesthemeplays(background)]Herman,Iwantyoutoknow,nomatterwhatyoudo,whereyougo,youllalwayshavemysupport.Imaynotshowit,butyouremysonandIcaretheworldforyou.Amothersheartisasdeepandwideastheocean,boundedbynothing.ThereisnothingIwouldntdoformyfleshandblood.

HERMANIknowmum.IpromiseIllneverforgetaboutyou.

AirportattentionsoundYoutube#CallingallpassengerstoLondonHeathrow.MH001isnowreadyforboarding.Willallthepassengersseatedfromrow38torow62boardatGateA.#AirportattentionYoutube

HERMANWellmom,itstimetogoImgonnamissyou.Hughug!

MOTHERKissKiss!

HERMANEhhhhwait,letstakeaselfie!Ciderhouserulesthemestops

MOTHERAlright!Camerashuttersound

SHAFIQHey,Herman!

HERMANWhat?!

SHAFIQ*hesitates*Uhhhh,uhhhh.Dontpeanutforgetshell!

HERMAN*facepalms*Oh,yourENGLISHShafiq.Ughhh!Youmeankacanglupakankulitright?

Fadetoblack[playarrivalsound]SCENE4:THEARRIVALLightsonNARRATOR:IstayedinGlenEyrehallsinmyfirstyear.Aftersuchalongflight,Iwasjustexhausted.Iunpackedmystuffandstartedtorelaxonthebed.SuddenlySkypecallsoundYoutubeplays*HermanhearsanincomingSkypecall.Itshismother.Hepicksitup*SkypecallsoundYoutubestops

MOTHERHison!MylittleboyisnowinUK.Awwwwww.

HERMANMa,Ivearrivedsafely!Thisplaceiswonderfulalthoughatouchcold.

MOTHERThatsgoodtohear.Howwastheflight?[PlayRemembrance~PlantZone~TimeTemple]

HERMANUghhhh,thatwassolong!Iwascrampedupbesideafatmanfor13hours,ma.Imaginehowbaditwas.Oh,andhestinks!*actsoutalookofdisgust*phew!

MOTHERHahahaha,Imgladitwasntme.SohowsUKtreatingyou?

HERMANAhhhhh,youknow,everythinghereissoexpensive.Theresnosun!Andthetapsareweird,onesideextremelyhot,onesideextremelycold

MOTHER*interrupts*Dontbeabrat!

HERMANOhandmom!IthinkIknowhowtodoaBritishaccent!*startsshowingoff*Wouldyoulikeacupoftea?

MOTHERWow!ThatsoundssoNOTBritish.

HERMANHahaha.Iwilltryharder.Notjustwithmyaccent,butalsowithmystudies.IpromiseIwillexcelinmystudiesandandgetsuperrich,andbuyyouyourfavouritebajuandbringyouaroundtheworld!

MOTHERAhhbestnyedapatbajubaru!IcanwearmybajuandwecantakeselfiesinParis,inLondon,inItaly.*Sighs*Thatsagoodaim,son.Butalwaysrememberpesananmak

HERMANandMOTHERJanganlupadaratan.*laughstogether*[fadesoundout]

LightsFADEtoblack,showingemptychatterbetweenMotherandHerman.NARRATOR:Kids,whenyoureyoung,allyouwantisforthingstoneverchange.Butnomatterwhatyoudo,changewillhappenItsjusttheprocessofgrowingup.Andwhenyoulookback,youwillrealisealotofthingscanchangeinjustayear.SCENE5:THEUK*Thisscenewillbedividedinto4sections.Whilethenarratornarrates,Hermanwillwalkthetalk*Projectorshowsthedifferentbackgrounds,SPOTLIGHTonthesubsceneNARRATOR:1.CommonRoom/StudentHallbgLifeisdifferentnow.ImetalotofcoolpeoplethatIcancallfriendsnow.Wegotopartiesanddoalotofamazingthingstogether.{Hermanplaysasong,thedancers,hisfriendssitaroundhimandlistentohimplayliveKauIlhamku}2.Lecturehall*schoolbellrings**AJRImReadyInstrumentalstartsplaying*Eventheprofessoragreeswithme.

PROFESSORSERIOUSWHITETitanicwasaBritishpassengerlinerthatsankintheNorthAtlanticOceanintheearlymorningof14April1912

HERMANProfessorSeriousWhite,ifImaysir,itwasintheearlymorningof15April1912.

PROFESSORSERIOUSWHITEYouare,*checkshandout*actuallyright!Well

doneHerman![songstops]3.FootballfieldThephrasepracticemakesperfectsuddenlymakessensetomenow.ImadetheUniversitysfootballteam,easily.Pfff,theysuredon'tknowhowweorangkampungtrain!{Hermanscoresagoal,ACAPasgoalie}Gooooalll!Youtube4.SceneryOfcourse,Idomisstakingselfieswithmymotherbutlookatthiskindofscenery.Ahhh,beautifultrees!ImusttakeapicturehereandpostitonInstagram!{Hermantakesselfies}Camerashuttersound(s)5.Whilefallinginlovewiththeplaceisfortheeyesonly,Igotsomethingformyhearttoo.Igotmyselfagirlfriend!{LIGHTSOFF}Now,now.IshouldreallyexplainhowImetthisgirlfriendofmine.So,{LIGHTSON,NicholasandNajwaaresittingonasofa}Kids,thisishowImetyourmother!

NICHOLASNotthisagaindad!

Fadetoblackandsongatthesametime.HIMYMThemeYoutubeplays(25seconds):PropsteammovespropsasthesongplaysandSCENE6:THEGIRLFRIENDNARRATOR:Kids,yourmotherandIfoundeachotherinuniversity.[(background)playHappyvilleMSYoutube]Lightson(ROSEandAYUarewalkingdowntheGlenEyrehallwaywhencarryingherbooksandbagwhenROSEspotsHERMANinthecommon

room.)ROSE

Ohmygod,whoisthathandsomeyoungboy?Doyouknowhim?Thathair,thosebroadshoulders,thatstrongjawHeyAYU,doyouknowwhoheis?

AYUNaktau?

ROSEYouDOknow!Comeon,tellme!*Manja*

AYU...OK.20sen.

ROSEIiiiish.Adakawanpuncekikdarah.

AYUMoneyismoney,myfairlady.

ROSEAH,justtakemymoneyandtellmealready*gives20sen*

AYU*bisikfor5seconds,ROSEismoreandmoreexcited*

ROSEOKheisdefinitelymytype.ThanksAYU.

AYUPleasuredoingbusiness!

ROSELetsmakehimmine!Later,AYU!

AYU

Apeapejela*AYUwalksoff**RoseknocksonHermansroomdoor,whichisalreadyopen.Hermanisplayingavideogame[playsupermariotheme,thengameoversong],sohedoesnothearher.So,Roseentersanyway,andstillnoresponseuntilshetapshisshoulder

ROSEHi.ImRoseandImnewhere.Youlookstrong,lookatthatmuscle!Thinkyoucouldyouhelpmecarrymybooksuptomyroom?

HERMAN*Hermanlosesthegame*Great,myteamalmostwoninthatgame,vivalaFIFA!Thanksalotman,BrazilcouldvebeatenGermanybutthankstoyou,Ilost!*TurnsaroundtoaccuseRose*You[FallinginloveYoutubeSpotlightonthecouple]*Tonguetied,DJscratchsoundYoutubeplaysthenfaintsontothefloor*Mbekkk!

ROSEDamn,thisguyisnottough!*looksatHERMAN*ShouldIcallanambulance

FadetoblackInsertmusic(Maybeambulancesiren?)NARRATOR:Thatwasourfirstmeetinganditdidn'tgowell.SCENE7:THEFIGHTANDTHEFALLLightonDIM(Hermanissittingonaparkbench,talkingtohimself.)

HERMAN*monologues*ShesaidImnottoughImnottough?*Hermanlooksdowndepressedandmutters*JustbecauseIminlove,Imshowing

thatIamsoft?Itsnotfair!*sulks**Heseesthegirlwalkingalonefromafar.Asshepassesthreeguys,theystartcatcallingheranddisturbingher.Hermangetsupandshoutsatthem*

HERMANHey!Leaveheralone!

LightsBRIGHTGUY1JOEL

Orwhat?GUY2ACAP

Whatchagonnadoaboutit,toughguy?KungFuPiano:CelloAscendsThePianoGuys(start1:08)(playedthroughoutthefightingscene)]

HERMAN*monologues*Hejustcalledmetoughguy.Ishouldacttoughinfrontofher.ShowthemImnotaweakling!*fullofbravado*ImnotjustgoingtobeHerman,ImgoingtobeHerMAN!Girl,youremine!

HERMANLethergo,orIIIIllhurtyou.

GUY1,2,3*laughstogether*

GUY3AFIQMrToughGuyherewantstofight.Letsteachhimalesson,guys.

PunchsoundsplayedeverytimeHermanpunches/kickssomeoneequalizertoechooutthesounds.AllthreeguysmoveaggressivelytowardsHerman.

ROSE*monologues*Ohno,I..Ishouldgogetthepolice!(exitsstage)

{Guy3AfiqgoestoHermanandthrowalowerpunch(diaphragmlevel).Hermantakesoutaruler.Measures}

HERMAN#Uuuh,thiswillgostraighttomydiaphragm.Itwillbreakatleasttwoofmyribs.Thatsnotgood!Ishouldreplacemydiaphragmwithmyknee!#

{Hermanpointshiskneetowherethepunchgoes.Guy3inpain}HERMAN

#Atroomtemperature,ammoniaisacolourless,highlyirritatinggaswithapungent,suffocatingodour.#

{FartsatGuy3face,hefallstothefloor}GUY1JOEL

Comeon,letsfinishthisguytogether!{TwoofthemruntowardsHerman.Hermandoesthematrixtoavoidbeinghit.}

HERMAN#Theinertiaofanobjectisdirectlyproportionaltoitsmass.Thegreaterthemassthegreatertheinertia.Thistellsusthefatpersonwillhavemoreinertiaduetohisgreatermassandthethinpersonwillhavelessinertiaduetohislowermass.#

{Thethinguycomesbackandreadytofight.}HERMAN

#FlemingsLeftHandrule.First,useyourindexfingertopokeoneofhiseyes.Second,useyourmiddlefingertoflickhisear.Thisisjusttodistracthimandfinally,useyour

thumbtoputpressureintohisnose.Anddone!Next,#

{Fatguycomesin.Verytired.Breathingheavily.}HERMAN

Oi,backsosoon?Howsyourinertiatreatingyou?

GUY2ACAPDontmesswithme,kid.Illeatyoualive.Justasecond,letmecatchmybreath!

HERMANOhhh.Shitjustgotreal.Think,Herman,think.Okay.Thebiggerthesize,thebiggertheappetite.First,distracttheopponent.Look,friedchicken!

GUY2ACAPHuh?Where?!

HERMANSecond,weakenhisknees!

{Kicksthefatguysknees.TheFatguygoesdownonhisknees}HERMAN

Third,discombobulate.Atthispoint,hisearsareringing.

{Hermansbothhandstapthefatguysears.Thefatguycovershisears,unbalanced}

HERMANFinally,heelkicktovertebralcolumn.

{Guy2goesdown}HERMAN

Andthatshowyoudoit!

ROSEOMG!Youremyhero!*cheersfacingawayfromHerman*Oh,youweresobrave!

HERMAN*Looksather,becomesspeechlessandfaintsagain*Mbekkk

ROSE...Seriously?Whatswrongwiththisguy?Hmm,Hey,areyoualright?Hmm,whatshouldIdoeh?Howtowakethisguyup?Herman,Herman..[LightsfadeoffafterSeriously?,Spotlightonafterpropmoved]

HERMAN(Blurr)AmIinheaven?Areyouanangel?

ROSEOhstopityou..*playRyuichiSakamotoKOKO*HERMANWhyareyousobeautiful.Youmustbeabroom,causeyoujustsweptmeoffmyfeet,*pause*likeliterally.ROSEOhstopitHerman..goon.

HERMANNo,butreally,youarepretty.Asprettyasthisrose.*Takesoutarose*

ROSEAwwwww,thanks

HERMANOnequestionthough,whydidyousayIwasnttough?*soundsuncertain*

ROSEOhhh,Iwasjusttryingtocatchyourattention.Yourestrong.Itwassoamazing,thewayyoutookoutthosebullies.Thewayyouusedphysicstokicktheirasssets!Smartisthenewsexy!Youknowwhat,letsgogetsomethingtoeat.Imhungry,*pauseandlookathim*arentyou?

HERMANWell,Icaneat.

ROSEUhhhhthatsgood?Letsgotothatnewloungethatjustopened.*fadesoutRyuichiSakamotoKOKO*Whatsthenameagain?Ummmmm...

HERMAN*interjects*TheLabu&LabiLounge?ROSEYeah!Thatone!IheardtheyvemanyinterestingcocktailslikeBujangLapokandP.Ramlee.

HERMANSure!Letsgo!*Takesherhandandwalksaroundthestage*

[(soft)playBeautifulLovemusicplays]andLightsOFFLightsDIMHermanandRosewalksinandproceedstothetable.Aftertheyreseated,waitercomesin.

WAITERSUPARMANGoodeveningandwelcometotheLabu&LabiLounge.MynameisSUPARMANandIam

yourwaiterfortoday.Whatwouldyouliketodrink?

HERMAN

Excuseme,Superman?

WAITERSUPARMAN

No,nosir.SUPARMAN.MayItakeyourorder?

ROSEIwillhaveaginandtonicplease.

WAITERSUPARMANGoodchoicemadame,whataboutyou,sir?

HERMANIllbehavingiblisandtonic.

WAITERSUPARMANUhh,Imafraidwedonthavethatkindofdrink,sir.

HERMANOhokay,thengivemesyaitanandtonicthen.

WAITERSUPARMANSyaitanlagitakadatuan.

HERMANTHENGIVEMESUPARMANANDTONICGETOUT!*Thewaiterleaves,andHermanshakeshisheadindisappointment.*Itshardtogetdecentservicenowadays.

LIGHTSFLASHatTHENGIVEMESUPARMANANDTONICGETOUT!(pending)

{MJmessagetone,ROSEreceivesatext}

ROSEOhmygosh,mydadjustboughtmeacarformyexcellentresults!Ahhthankyoudad.HeyHerman,yougotgreatresultstoo,right?Whatdidyourdadgetyou?

HERMANAhh,ahh

ROSEWhatswrongHerman?

HERMANUhmIdontknowwhomyfatherisButIhaveapictureofmymother!Doyouwanttoseeit?

ROSESure,gladly.

HERMAN*Takesoutapicture*

ROSEUhhhh,whatisthat?Isthatapondokbehindyou?Whydidyoutakeapictureinfrontofapondok.

HERMANThatsmyhouse.

ROSEWholivesinapondok?

HERMANUh,thatwasalongtimeago.*hidesthe

photo*ItsanoldphotoLetstalkaboutyou.

ROSEBut,Iwanttoknowmoreaboutyou!Yousaidjustnowyoudontknowanythingaboutyourfather?Whyisthat?

HERMAN

Idontreallyliketotalkaboutmyfamily.

ROSE

Howcanyoudon'twanttoknowmoreaboutyourdad?Didn'tyourmomevertellyoubefore?Like,didtheysplitup?Ordidherunaway?Whathappenedtoyourparents?

HERMANThthey*clearsthroat*theyrebothdead

#*Monologue*EHH!Asalakucakapmacamtu,whydidIsaythat?#

ROSEOhhhSorrytohearthat.Letschangethesubject!*awkwardsilencefor3seconds*Hhowsyourdrink?

HERMAN

Ithinkthewaiterspitinmine.

ROSE

Ohdear.

*Fadetoblack*

INTERMISSIONSCENE8:THEPHONECALL[2NDLAYERBLACKBACKGROUND](Thesceneissplitintwo.Inhalls,Hermanissleepingonhisbed.MotherisontheothersidefrustratedtryingtocallHermanonSkype.)NARRATOR:IwassoinlovewithRose.Wedidalmosteverythingtogether.Iwasgettingbusynowwithmygirlfriend,studies,girlfriend,parttimejob,girlfriend,footballclub,andlastbutnotleast,girlfriend.Ineverbotheredtokeepintouchwithmymom.Until,LightsonDIM(HermansmumdecidestocallHermansphone.)[iphoneYoutubeplays(playtwice)]

MOTHERWhyyouneverpickedupmySkypecalls?!

HERMANIIIwasuhm..

MOTHERKantoiInstrumentalZeeAviplays*breaksintoasong*Semalam,Icallyou,youtakanswer,Youkata,youbusy,tengahstudy,Youkata,youbusy,buatprogramming,ButwhenIcalledTommy,hesaidyouwerelyingSoItriedusingmyphonetoFacetimeyou,Tommmykata,maybeyouwereinameeting?TapibilaIonfacebook,youyoutengahonlinemah,LagilahIjadigila.SoIcallandcallsampaiyouanswer(whichisnow)Youkata,Sorrymother,taditakdengar,

Myphonewasonsilent,Iwasatthegym.Tapilatarbelakangsuaraperempuanlain.Sudahlahsayang,Idontbelieveyou.AndIvealwaysknownthatyourwordswerenevertrue.WhyamIyourmum,Ipuntaktau,Pergidatingpuntaktauberitahu.KantoiInstrumentalZeeAvistops

HERMAN*interrupts*Enoughmum.Igetthepoint!

MOTHERDoyou?Whydoyoualwaysspendsomuchtimewithyourgirlfriend?Whathappenedtomotherandsontime?Younevertalktomeanymore!*sulks*humph

HERMANMumIdonthavetimeforthis.CantyouunderstandImreallybusynow?Ivetomeetmydeadlines,Ivetoworkparttimeuntillatenight,thenIvetotakemygirlfriendoutondates.

MOTHERListen,listen,listen.Youparty,party,party.Everydayalsoparty.Yougottimetoparty,butnotimetotalktoyourownmother.*startsmutteringtoherself*

LightsonDIMNARRATOR:Nowkids,theconversationwentonandonbutthenitwentoutofcontrol,andIslammedthephoneandInevertalkedtoheragain.Though,IcantrememberwhyyourgrandmotherandIwerefighting.Ithinkitwasbecause...LightsonBRIGHT

HERMANNo,ma.ColdplayissomuchbetterthanOne

Direction!MOTHER

No!Youknownothingaboutmusic!HarryStylesiscuterthanChrisMartin!

{Hermanslamsthephone}PhoneslamYoutubeplaysLightsondarkerthanDIM,likepureshitNARRATOR:Nonononono.*pause1sec*Itcouldnthavebeenaboutthat.*pause1sec*Letstrythisagain.*Taperewindsound*LightsonBRIGHT

HERMANIcandoaBritishaccent!Listen,ma!Wouldyoulikecupoftea?*Indianaccent*

MOTHERNo!YousoundlikeBRITISHINDIAlah.

HERMANButthatisnotevenacountry!

{Hermanslamsthephone}PhoneslamYoutubeplaysLightsonDIMNARRATOR:Wait,wait,wait.Thatwasntrighttoo.Okay,IknowIwasmadbecauseshealwayssaidthatIcantdoaBritishaccent,butitcouldnthavegottenthatbad.Whatwasitabout?Hmm..Shesaidlalala,IsaidnananauhOH,Iremember!Thisistherealstory,*Taperewindsound*LightsonBRIGHT

MOTHERDontforgetaboutallofmysacrifices.Iamyourmotherandyoutreatme,likeyouroldmanusedtotreatme!Beforeheleftme,beforeheleftus!!

HERMANWhat?!Wheredidthatcomefrom?WhatdoyoumeanbyIamlikehim?Idontevenknowhim,notevenhisname!Youwonttellme,remember?!

MOTHERDontmakethismyfault.Imjustsayingyoutakeyourfamilyforgrantedwhenyourehappywithsomeoneelse!

HERMANWhatfamily?Idontevenknowmyownfathersname!Justtellme,wouldyou?

MOTHERFine!Ifyoureallywanttoknow.Fine!ButIthinkyourenotready

HERMANJUSTTELLMENOW!

MOTHERMUHAMMADALI!MUHAMMADALItheboxerisyourfather.ThereIsaidit!

ThunderYoutubeplaysLightsFLASH

MOTHERHello?Hello?Son,areyouthere?

LightsoffNARRATOR:Iwasverydevastated.Afteralltheseyearsofsearchingformyownfather,nowIknowwhomyrealfatheris.Iwasverymadatmymother,notbecauseshecomparedmewithmyuselessfatherbutbecauseLightsonDIM

HERMANShecouldnottellmesooner?Mydaddyislegend..waitforit..daddy,LEGENDADDY!Andwhileheisafamousboxer,Ihavetodefendmyselfwithphysics,likeanerd?Embarrassing!Icouldn'tforgiveher!

LightsonBRIGHTat...daddy,LEGENDADDY!]FadetoDIMafterthatJonathancomesin,shakeshisheadatthebothofthemandperformsanadaptedGotyeSomebodyThatHeUsedtoKnowLightsonDIM,SPOTLIGHTonJonathon*SingingaboutHermanandhismotherfromathirdpersonspointofview*NowandthenIthinkofwhentheyweretogetherLikehesaidhefeltsohappyhecoulddieHetoldhimselfyouwereproudofhimButfeltsoliedtoinyourcompanyButthatwasloveanditsanachehestillremembersYougetaddictedtoacertainkindofsadnessLikeresignationtotheend,alwaystheendSowhenhefoundhonestymadenosenseWellshereallyputupanargumentButIlladmitIwasgladthatitwasoverButshedidnthavetolietohimMakeoutlikehisdadwasnever,everthereforhimNowhedoesntneedherloveButhetreatsherlikeastrangerandthatfeelssoroughNohedidnthavetostoopsolowEndingallcontact,rejectingallherphonecallsHeguessedthathedidntneedherthoughNowshesjustsomebodythatheusedtoknowNowshesjustsomebodythatheusedtoknowNowshesjustsomebodythatheusedtoknowNowandthenshethoughtofallthetimessheliedtohisfaceHadhimbelievingthatitwasalwayssomethingforhisgoodButhedoesntwannalivethatway

ReadingintoeverywordshesaysShethoughtthathecouldletitgoAndgetbacktobeingthesonthateverybodyusedtoknowButshedidnthavetolietohimMakeoutlikehisdadwasnevereverthereforhimNowhedoesntneedherloveButhetreatsherlikeastrangerandthatfeelssoroughNohedidnthavetostoopsolowEndingallcontact,rejectingallherphonecallsHeguessedthathedidntneedherthoughNowshesjustsomebodythatheusedtoknowSomebody(Heusedtoknow)Somebody(Nowshesjustsomebodythatheusedtoknow)LightsfadetoblackSCENE9:THEMUSICAL[3RDLAYERS CREEN]NARRATOR:Iheldagrudgeonherlikehowthatfatbullywouldholdontofriedchicken.RememberwhatIsaidaboutchange?Isntitfunnyhowdaybyday,nothingseemstochange.Butwhenyoulookback,everythingjustlooksdifferent.YouwouldthinkthatangerwouldscarmeNo.No,IdecidedthatmymothershouldnotbetheonewhostopsmefrombeingHappy,andthatlifeshouldgoon.Andonthatnote[playHappyhalfsong*DJscratchsound*zapinsong)LightsonHermanisdancingandinteractingwiththedancerstotellhowhislifeprogresses.3situationstobeshown:

1.GraduationHermanwearinggradrobeandhatwithasuitunderneath,receivesdegree

2.JobHoldssomedocumentsandprojectorshowsabigbuildingindicatingabigcompany

3.MarriageHegetsmarriedtoRose

HalfwaythroughHappy,*DJscratchsound*ROSE

WaitwaitwaitThisisnotwhatIwant,Herman.ImeanImreallyhappythatyoudidallofthisformebutIwantsomethingtraditional.IvealwayswantedtohaveaMalayweddingsinceIwasyoung.

HERMANWaitamoment,Illberightback.*Dashesoff*

ZapinstartsAttheendofthezapin,Hermansuddenlyhasanidea.

HERMANHey,sinceImsorichnow...Ivegotanidea!Imgoingtobuyaship!

FadetoblackNARRATOR:Iboughtaveryniceship.*laughstohimself*AndwhenIsayship,Imeanavesselbukanyangmbekkk.However,asIwasstandingontopoftheworld,IforgottheworldIwasstandingon.Iforgotmymother.YearsandyearspassedsinceIstoppedtalkingtoher.Atthattime,Icouldn'tcarewhathappenedtoher.But,amothersheart,sopure,knowsnoboundaries.Shehadnotgiveuponmejustyet.

EXTRA:MOTHERSMONOLOGUE[1stLayer]LightsonDIM,SPOTLIGHTMOTHERperformsKernakusayangkamuDygtaMOTHER:9months.For9monthsIcarriedyouaroundwiththistinybody.Yougrewinsideofme.*smilessadly,andholdsherbelly*Itaughtyoutowalk,totalk.Iwasthereforyourfirststeps,

firsttears,yourfirstlaugh,yourfirst*breaksdownandcries*Iknow,maybethisismyfault.Hegotangry,soangrybecauseIcouldn'ttellhimsoonerabouthisownfather.Yeah,yeahheisafamousboxer,littledoesheknowthathisfatherhasbeenboxingmeallthiswhile.Sakittau.Iknowhehastherighttoknowbutitwasjusttoopainfulformetoremember,butmyson,mypoorHermancouldntunderstandthat.*cries*Iwonderwhathesdoingrightnow,ifhethinksabouthismotheranymore.Iwonderwhathessayingaboutme.Ifhesstillangrywithme.Ifhesenjoyinghisnewlife.Ifheshappy.*looksatWhatsapp,FB*(Showoldphotos)ItriedWhatsappinghimfor3years.Butnoreply.(Showittothecrowdonthescreenattheback:WhatsAppscreengrab)Ivebeenwritinghimlettersfor3years(Showittothecrowdonthescreenattheback:writtenletters)IvebeenstalkinghimonInstagram,andheishappywithhislifenow.Iwouldn'twanttheotherwayaround,Iknowthatbutdontyoumissme,son?(Beepbeep)Onnewnotification,HermanhasuploadedanewpictureHesonashipnow?Whereisthis?*stands,looksdetermined*IIwanttoseehim!Iwanttoseemyson!Herman,Imcomingforyou!But,how?MaybemaybePakBelalangcanhelpme!FadetoDIM2ndlayercomesupBomohscenePowerpointforsubtitles[playOrkestraMarsilingsounds]LightsonDIM

MOTHER

*knocksdoor*PakBelalang!PakBelalangIneedyourhelp,Iwant

PAKBELALANG*putshandup*Oh,janganbagitau.Akudahtauapehajatkau.Kaunaktauanakkaudankapaldiadimanekan?(Noneedtotellme,Ialreadyknowwhatyouwishfor.Youwanttoknowwhereyoursonandhisshipis,yes?)

MOTHERYes,yes!Howdidyouknow?

PAKBELALANGAkutontonWanitaHariinipagitadi.Eh!Tak,akutengokMHI,buatmaluakuje.Sini*pourswaterintothemangkuk*,tengokkatdalamairini.Hauspulakakulayankauini.*Drinkswater*Eh,niairjampi,matiakukang.Kaunampaktakbayangbayangni?(IwatchedTV3thismorning.Here,lookintothiswater.Wow,workingforyoumademesothirstyDoyouseeanyshapesinthewater?)

MOTHERUhhuhh..taknampakpunPakBelalang.IdontIcantseeanything.

PAKBELALANGOhhsiapataknampaktupendekumur.Cepatbelikainkapandansewavanjenazah.(Oh,thosewhodontseeshapes,willnotlivelong.)

MOTHER

Ohnampaknampaknampak!IseeitIseeit!*tipu*uhhhh..butwhereisthisplace?

PAKBELALANGKaunampakHDtak?Akunampak1260pixeltu.Pergh.Haha.Oh,kaunaktaulahni?(Oh,doyouwanttoknow?)

MOTHERYes,yesprettyplease!

PAKBELALANGOk,kalaunaktau*putsouthishand*20sen.(Ifyouwanttoknow..20sen.)

MOTHERIshishishcobaan.*gives20sen*

PAKBELALANGEleh,baru20sen,bukan20ppun,kedekutlakau.AnakkaukatkatSotong.(YoursonisinSotong.)

MOTHERHuh,sotong?

PAKBELALANGSotongtempatyangadaorangrambutmacamberussabut,pelepahkelapa,matabirutuapaorangpanggil...MatSalleh?(Sotong,theplacewherethepeoplewithgoldenhairandeyeswithmanycolours.Whatdotheycallthem,MatSalleh?)

MOTHEROh!Soton!Southamptonlah!

PAKBELALANGEh?AkusebutSouthamptonkan?Japakutanyapenonton,akucakapSouthamptonkan?*audienceanswers*Yeke?Buatakumaluje.(Yesyes.ThatswhatIsaid,Southampton.Letsasktheaudience.Guys,IdidsaySouthamptonright?)

MOTHERThankyouPakBelalang!

PAKBELALANGSamesame,kaunakakubawakkankauketempattutak?(You'rewelcome!Doyouwantmetobringyoutoyoursonsplace?)

MOTHERYesplease!

PAKBELALANGOkay,jomakubawakkaukeanakkaugunatikarterbangaku.(Okay,comeon.Getonmyflyingcarpet!)

MOTHER

Icantwaittoseemyson!

PAKBELALANGZamzamalakazam!X3

MOTHERUhm,whyisnothinghappening?!

PAKBELALANG

Jap!Kenapatakterbangni.Biarakucheckmanualdulu.Muatanberattidakmelebihi100kilogram.Oih,beratakujedah110kilogram.Takapa,akuhantarkaujeokay?Satusyarat,kaukenatutupmatakau!Janganmengintai!(Wait!Iwonderwhyitdoesn'twork.Letmecheckthemanualfirst.Loadcapacitydoesnotexceed100kilogramOih,myweightaloneisalready110kilogram.Nevermind,Illjustsendyoualoneokay?Ononecondition,youhavetocloseyoureyes!Nopeeking!)

*Fadetoblack*SCENE10:THESHIPHappyInstrumentalYoutubeplays{HermanandRoseadoringthesea)LightsonBRIGHT[Ontheshipmp3]

ROSEHoney,whereistheotherhalfofthisship?

HERMANOh,honeydontyouknow?ThisisTitanic.TheotherhalfisatthebottomoftheNorthAtlanticOcean.

ROSEAhhh,Isee.

HappyInstrumentalYoutubestopsGloomydaylighting

LightsonDIMMOTHER

Helloson*saidinasadmanner*SadSongPhuongMedleyplays

HERMANWhatthewhatareyoudoinghere?Whoinvitedyou?Howdidyouevengetonboard?Yourenotsupposedtobehere!

MOTHER*sad*Herman,mysonitsbeensolongsincewelasttalked.Rememberthetimewhenweusedtotakeselfiesforeveryoccasion?Wedontevendothatanymore*sniffs*

HERMAN*cutsin*Thatsenough!HaventItoldyoumanytimes?I.HAVE.NO.TIME.NO.TIME.MUM!

MOTHERHermandear,Idontexpectyoutoforgiveme,butmyloveforyouisalwaysasboundlessastheocean.IdidntwantyoutofeelthehurtIfeltwhendadleft.Iwastryingtoprotectyou!

HERMANNo!Thatsit!Idontwanttohearitanymore.Getoffmyship!

*pushesMum,Mumscreams*MOTHER

Herman,please!Ihaverepented.ImsorryIliedtoyou,Imsorryyougrewupwithoutafatherbutwearestillfamily,nomatterwhat.Please,justcomebackhome,son,andletmeshowyouthatthingscanbedifferent.

INTENSEMUSICSTARTSPLAYINGHEREHERMAN

NO!Irefusetobearoundaliarlikeyou.YouarenothingbutaDIRTY*emphasisesMOTHERsrags*,LYINGHAG.Youembarrassme!

MOTHERThisdirtyhagcarriedyoufor9monthsand9days.Thisdirtyhaggaveyoulife,youanaklupajasa.Thisdirtyhagworkeddayandnighttofeedyou.Thisdirtyhaggaveallherblood,sweatandtearsjusttoprovideforyou.Tellme,whathaveyoudoneforthisdirtyhag?

ROSEHerman,whatisshesaying?Ithoughtyoutoldmeyourmotherdied,whyisshe,dirtyragsandall,claimingtobeyourmother?*Hermanstayssilent*

MOTHERAreyougoingtoletthiswomantalklikethataboutyourmother?Herman,lookatme*HERMANlooksaway*LOOKATME.Areyougoingtodenyyourownmothernow?TellthiswomanthatIamyourmother*walkstowardROSE*

ROSENo,getawayfromme!

HERMANThatsenough!*raiseshandtohitMOTHER*

MOTHER

Anakderhaka!*LIGHTNINGandCRACKLINGTHUNDER*

You,youwanttocommitsuchviolencetowardyourownmother,huhboy?ThisisnotwhatIraisedmysontobe.*scoffsangrily*AfterIsinglehandedlyraisedyou,youtreatme,yourmotherlikelikethis?ICURSEYOU,Herman.Icurseyouyouandyourwifetodrownintheheartofthisveryocean.

LightsstarttoFLASH(Continueflashinguntiltheend)ROSE

*looksscared*Honey!WhatisshesayingHERMAN

Shesjustrambling,dear.Dontworryabouthercrazytalk.[playshipinheavysea]

*Shipstartstorockviolently,stormbecomesstronger*ROSE

Imscared!*grabsHermansarm*Idontwanttodie,no!

MOTHERYouwillsinkdeepintothedepthsofthisocean,alongwithme,alongwiththisship,andalongwithyourwife!Youwillneverseethesunagain!ICURSEYOU,ANAKDERHAKA!

*STRONGERLIGHTNINGandCRACKLINGTHUNDER*HERMANsmuffledscreamsforforgivenessfromhismother.ROSEsscreamsaswellbutnotasstrong.

ThundercracklingYoutubeplaysBubblesoundsStormsoundsYoutubestopImmediateblackoutSCENE11:REPLAYThepostmanscenefromScene1.Hermanisinthesameposition

aswhenthepostmangiveshimtheletter.SunnydaylightingLightson,POSTMANisshakingHERMANawakefromhisdrowningdream.

POSTMAN*shakesHERMAN*Boy,EHBOY!Areyoualright?

HERMAN*wakesup*Youagain?

POSTMAN*lookathimlikehescrazy*Whatdoyoumeanlah?

HERMANOh,uhnothing.*confused*

POSTMANWell,here,yougotmail.

HERMAN*monologue*DidIjusthaveadream?WhydoIfeellikeIvebeenthroughthisbefore?Hmmmmm*deepinthought*

POSTMANTakecare,son!*ridesaway*

{Hermanwavesatthepostman.Openstheletter}HERMAN

Wait,thisisthesameletter.Howisthispossible?!CoulditbethatGodwantsmetochangemyownfate?SothatIwouldn'tfightwithmymother?*Shoutsforhismother*Ma,ma!

MOTHERYesdearwhatswrong?

HERMAN

*Fallstomothersfeetandasksforforgiveness*Ma,ma,Imsorry.IpromiseIwonteverforgetyou.IpromiseIlltakecareofyou.Forgivemema.Iwilltakeselfieswithyou,buyyounewbaju

MOTHERWhatsgottenintoyoudear?Whatswrong?

HERMANIjustgotanightmarema.Itshorrible!Butma,Iwantyoutoknow

MOTHERAwwwww,myboyhasanightmare.DontworryHerman.Nomatterwhatyoudo,nomatterwhereyougoIllalwaysbethereforyou.Amothersheartisasdeepastheocean,boundedbynothingandshewilldoanythingforherfleshandblood.Whatisthatyouhavethere?

HERMANOh,IgotascholarshiptostudyintheUKma!Imsoexcited!

MOTHERThatsgreat!Wecandoacelebrationandinviteeveryoneover!Icanevencookcurry,masaklemakand

HERMAN*interupts*Ma,thankyouforeverything.Iloveyou.

MOTHERIloveyoutoodear.

HERMANMa,Ivegotaquestionthough*seemsunsure*IsMohammadAlimyfather?

MOTHERWhuttt?Youcrayyy?Ofallpeople,MohammadAli?Hahaha.Seriously?Wasthatyournightmare?

HERMANIfmyfatherisnotMuhammadAli,thenwhoismyfather,ma?

MOTHER*smilesmischievously*ItsMikeTyson.

DUNDUNDUNSuspensemusicplaysSWITCHOFFTOBlackimmediatelyPauseafewsecthenproceedLightsonDIMEndofstory.Narratorcomesintogivereflections.NARRATOR:Ithoughtalotafterthatdream.Youknow,weare

oftensobusygrowingup,weforgetthatourparentsarealsogrowingold.Ikeptthinking:allthatIam,andallthatIhopetobe,Ioweittomymother.Wouldyoucaremoreforyourparents,andgivethemlove,liketheylovedyousounconditionally?Amother'sloveiswholenomatterhowmanytimesdivided.ThereisthisMalaysiansaying,AiryangdicincangtidakakandiputuswhichsimplymeansBloodisthickerthanwater.So,wouldyouremaintruetoyourselfandyourroots?Now,thinkbackagain,whenwasthelasttimeyouspoketoyourparents?

FadetoblackENDMUSIC:AYAHDANIBUSUDIRMAN(PLAY35SECONDSEARLIER)

THEEND