ACT ONE – SCENE I

RAJ: Hullo! How are you?

OJINDA: Fine, thank you!

RAJ: You look quite smart. What's your name?

OJINDA: Ojinda, and yours?

RAJ: Raj.

OJINDA: You are from Mauritius, aren't you? I can tell by the badge you are wearing on your jacket. Mind you, I fancy your badge.

RAJ: Do you really? Anyway, what are the subjects you are studying?

OJINDA: English, Sociology and Biology. And you?

RAJ: English, French and History.

OJINDA: Oh, History! I am not very good at it, you know? I really find it very difficult. I can't remember the events.

RAJ: Still, don't worry. Men make History. History does not make them. I won't be surprised one day if ever I'll see your name mentioned in any book of world history.

OJINDA: You are right, darling! Now tell me something about Mauritius.

RAJ: Oh, to me it's a paradise. Some call it "The Island of Rainbows, Shooting Stars and Waterfalls" while others "The Fairer Malta of the Tropical Sea."

OJINDA: Do you want to stay in this country?

RAJ: You must be joking. No, my ambition is to rule and govern Mauritius and its people. Hence, I'll be able to contribute to its beauty and welfare. Well, what are you going to do?

OJINDA: I want to be a teacher.

RAJ: Which school were you going to last year?

OJINDA: Dartford Girls' Grammar School.

RAJ: How many "O" Levels did you get?

OJINDA: Four.

RAJ: What are they?

OJINDA: English, Sociology, Biology and Economics. Can you tell me how the educational system in your country runs, please?

RAJ: I don't think there is a great difference, for all of our examinations are conducted by English Boards.

OJINDA: Anyway, here comes my sister.

RAJ: How old is she?

OJINDA: Nineteen.

KALVINDA: Hi, Ojinda! I have been looking for you everywhere.

OJINDA (to KALVINDA): I am introducing my friend Raj to you. He has come from Mauritius. (Kalvinda shakes hands with Raj.) Have you filled in your enrolment form yet?

KALVINDA: Yes!

OJINDA: How much did they charge you for your school fees?

KALVINDA: Twenty quids.

RAJ: What course are you following, Kalvinda?

KALVINDA: I am doing "O" Levels.

RAJ: What do you think of Indian writers and politicians?

OJINDA: Well, I have great esteem for them.

RAJ: As for me, I am a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Lal Bahadur Shastri and Rabindranath Tagore.

OJINDA: After you have got through all your examinations, what would you like to be?

RAJ: I would very much like to be a politician, as I have told you before.

OJINDA: But why do you want to become a politician?

RAJ: Just because politics pleases me. Mind you, it's politics that dominates the world. When I think of India, it hurts me very much. Millions and millions of people have to do without food and have to sleep on pavements. People die like animals, don't they?

OJINDA: Yes, that's true. We have to blame the authorities there.

RAJ: However, England looks quite strange to me.

OJINDA: In what aspects do you mean?

RAJ: I mean the buildings and the manners of the people all seem strange to me.

OJINDA: Mind you, there are four seasons here—Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

RAJ: Yes, I have learnt it from books.

OJINDA: Summer is the best season, I think. Nearly all the people are on holidays at this time, and hence they get the chance to go to different places.

RAJ: What were your first impressions when you first came over to England?

OJINDA: I found England dull and ugly, being full of slums.

RAJ: Are all the people in this country nice?

OJINDA: Some are and some are not. It all depends on the person, you know? Excuse me, I must go and attend the Biology lecture now.