Scene Seven

Ali’s house

Three oil jars, containing Ahab, Omah & El Bint, are stood under the window.

Hilaria

Oh! Isn’t love wonderful! I’m so happy!

Music no.14. Solo Hilaria "Secret Love"

Hilaria

I’ve never felt so happy since - since - I don’t think that I’ve ever felt so happy. We’ve got lots and lots of money and I’ve met the man of my dreams, even if he is allergic to my perfume. But I’ve changed my perfume to this. (produces a scent bottle and dabs it round her neck and under her arms)

Ali

(enters U.R. from kitchen) Hallo mother. (sniffs) Cor blimey, what is that smell?

Hilaria

(sits on chair No.2) It’s my new perfume. It’s called "Lust".

Ali

Last of what, the Mohicans?

Hilaria

Not last, L - U - S - T, lust!

Ali

Mother! At your age…

Hilaria

At my age you have to use all the help you can get.

Ali

True, mother, true!

Hilaria

Anyway, what are those three oil jars doing here? Been bulk buying?

Ali

No mother! I’m looking after them for an oil merchant.

Hilaria

An oil merchant? Is he good looking?

Ali

He’s all right, I suppose.

Hilaria

Well, where is he?

Ali

He’s out seeing a client, he’ll be back later.

Hilaria

Oh well, I’ll see him when he comes in. (gets make up from handbag) I’ll make myself pretty, just in case he’s dishy. (starts to apply make up)

Abdullah

(enters R. from kitchen) Is there anything you want me to do?

Ali

I don’t think so, Abdullah, but we’ll have some drinks when Tex Aco returns.

Abdullah

Right sir, I’ll just dust around this room, if that’s all right?

Ali

Yes, of course.

Abdullah gets duster from pocket and starts to dust around stage R.

Harmonia

(enters R. from Kitchen) Hello daddy, hello grandma.

Ali

Nothing to do?

Harmonia

I’m just waiting for Abdullah to finish, then we can go for a walk.

Ali

Well, as soon as this oil merchant comes back Abdullah will be free.

Abdullah moves Stage L. and starts to dust chairs 4 & 5.

Harmonia

(sits on chair 3) Do you know grandmother, I can sit and watch Abdullah all day. Isn’t he dishy?

Hilaria

I suppose he is; but he’s a bit young for me. (puts makeup away and gets nail polish out and starts to slowly paint her nails)

Ali

Stop talking about him behind his back, you’re embarrassing the lad.

Abdullah

It’s all right sir. If they’re talking about me they’re leaving somebody else alone. (dusts mantle shelf and puts hand on vase)

Ali

(shouts) Potty!

Abdullah

What? (knocks vase over and all the coins fall out) Blimey, look at this lot!

Harmonia

(rises and joins Abdullah) Where did all that money come from?

Ahab, Omah & El Bint pop their heads up.

Ali

Er - it was the reward for finding the Caliph’s tiara.

Ahab, Omah & El Bint duck down.

Harmonia

But there’s more than 10 pieces of silver here. (picking coin up) This is gold!

Ahab, Omah & El Bint pop up again.

Ali

We’ll tell you about it one day.Will you pick them up for me?

Ahab, Omah & El Bint duck down again.

Harmonia

(picking up coins) There’s a fortune here! (puts coins back into the vase) Now that we’re rich father, can Abdullah & I get married?

Ali

But you’ve only known him for a few days!

Harmonia

(eager) You mean…

Ali

(interrupting) Just wait and see!

Harmonia

(puts vase on mantle shelf) Yes father. (to Abdullah) Shall we go and sort out the drinks?

Abdullah

Ok sir?

Ali

Yes, of course Abdullah, Tex should be back soon.

Harmonia & Abdullah Exit U.R to kitchen.

Ali

I’d better get changed, mother. Let me know when he turns up.

Hilaria

Ok Ali, but can I have something to eat?

Ali

Yes, of course; what do you fancy?

Hilaria

That would be telling but I’ll think have to make do with a fried egg sandwich.

ALI

(moving U.R. and opening kitchen door) Oh sorry; I should have knocked. Grandmother would like a fried egg sandwich.

Abdullah

(off) OK sir.

Ali

I’m going to get changed. (exits U.R. to kitchen)

Abdullah

(entering from kitchen) I’m afraid we’ve run out of cooking oil.

Hilaria

Oh heck, I just fancied a - hang on though. (turns towards oil jars) What about these? Nobody will know if you take a little bit.

Abdullah

What would your son say?

Hilaria

He won’t know!

Abdullah

Well, if you think so. I’ll get a ladle. (exits U.R. and returns with a ladle)

Hilaria is still painting her nails.

Abdullah tries to lift the lid on the 1st jar (Ahab) but can’t move it. He tries the 2^nd jar (El Bint) but can’t move that one either.

Abdullah

They’re on tight, I only wanted a drop of oil!

Omah

(pops up from oil jar holding small bottle of oil) Will this do?

Abdullah

Oh, thanks.

Omah

That’s all right. (ducks down again)

Abdullah walks U.R., stops, looks back puzzled then shrugs and Exits U.R.

Hilaria

(blowing on her nails) Did you get some oil? (looks around) Oh, he’s gone! (continues to paint nails)

Abdullah Enters U.R. followed by Harmonia who is holding the ladle.

Abdullah

(stage whisper) In there! (pointing to Omah’s oil jar)