(2005) By Iraqi playwright Jawad Al Assadi. Translated into English by Robert Myers and Nada Saab. Reading: Vassar College, produced by New York Theatre Workshop, 2007. Staged reading: Dartmouth University, produced by New York Theatre Workshop with Sean Krishnan and Assif Mandvi, 2006. Published in PAJ, May 2008.

[Excerpt]

HAMIID

What’s the matter with you?

MAJIID

The dream came true.

HAMIID

What dream?

I saw our father’s head cut off and thrown into the tub.

HAMIID

You dreamt of him because you’re overwhelmed with guilt.

MAJIID

Why would I feel guilt?

HAMIID

Because you haven’t visited his grave since he died. You didn’t ask for his soul to be blessed. Do something for him. Slaughter a sheep and distribute it to the poor. Sprinkle water on his grave and read the FatiHa.

MAJIID

 (Distressed by this brother’s words.) What makes me sad is that Father lived poor and died without friends. No one walked in his funeral procession.

HAMIID

Why are you dismayed with others when you didn’t walk in it yourself? Do you know how many people did? Me and my children.

MAJIID

Where was I then?

HAMIID

Ask yourself. Probably drunk in the house of one of your whores.

MAJIID

Son of a bitch.

HAMIID

No, I’m not a son of a bitch!

MAJIID

If you say one more word I’ll cut your tongue out with this shoe. Understand?

HAMIID

Why did I ever come with you to this bath? Who knows if some thief or criminal will attack us or kill us, or the occupying soldiers will barge in here to wash their police dogs in these tubs, and then afterwards we’ll have to wash ourselves with their piss.

MAJIID

I’m happy with them, happy with their dogs and happy with their dogs’ piss.