Old man: (Coming back in through the doo...

Old man: (Coming back in through the door, followed by Jamshid.) Hosro take your homework to your room and take Cyrus with you.

(Jamshid waits, recoiling as Hosro passes by him with the dog in his arms.)

Old man: Why have you come here? As you can see he’s not at home, he’s at the shop!

Jamshid: NO! He is not at your shop. You have no idea what he’s up to! Did you know he has big advertisement poster in shop window? For a widow who is giving private lessons to Muslim housewives!

Old man: So what?

Jamshid: Only there is no widow, he’s the widow disguised in a burqa! (Jamshid pauses waiting for the old man’s comprehension and outrage.)

Old man: Nonsense!

Jamshid: (Furious.) It is true! He came…. (Louder.) He has been coming many weeks to MY house, for giving English lessons to MY wife! This widow is telling everyone she only giving lesson in private room. (He shakes his head wildly, his wiry beard glistening with sprayed saliva.) I AM BELIEVING HE IS A WOMAN! I AM SENDING HIM TO THE GUEST ROOM ALONE WITH MY WIFE! (He slaps his forehead.) My God! Last week my poor mother was staying in that bedroom! She had a stroke, she's unable to talk... Who knows what scenes Maman witnessed? The shame! He has defiled my home, dishonoured me…. (His voice rises higher, screeching.) IT IS WORSE THAN DEATH! (He freezes, his jaw drops open, then he hisses choking and spitting.) He tricked money from me, I paid him!

Old man: (Confused, backing away.) Paid him?

Jamshid: For the lessons…. Do you not understand? We are all believing he is harmless old widow! (The old man sits down shocked on the dog’s settee.) I know of other men in our community who have paid him for same set up! AND NOW! IN THE END! I DISCOVER THE DEVIL IN THE BEDROOM! (He shakes his head, his lips twisted in a sick smile.) He ran away but I will find him! I will ruin him and your family, all of you! Who do you think will be coming to your shop after this? . . . Also much divorce! All will want him dead!

(There is silence. The two stare deeply at each other. Time stands still, while the old man’s mind is working.)

Old man: (He stands up looking right into Jamshid’s eyes with a piercing gaze.) What about your honour? Your son’s honour? It is also bad for you if this becomes public.

Jamshid: (His eyes narrow.) I want punishment! Something must be done! (Voice rising.) Do you think I can sit and do nothing?

Old man: What do you want to do?

Jamshid: Sharia! (His eyes shine with visions.)

Old man: (Hisses.) Sharia? Here?

Jamshid: (Waving his arms.) We can organize somewhere secret and justice will be done!

Old man: (Shouting.) Are you mad? We are here! This is the land of Kafirs! You cannot carry on as if you were back at home. (Throwing his hands up in despair.) Just look at the telly! (Jabs his finger at the television. Jamshid spins round staring at the black screen.) Men and women having sex all over the place, in cars and offices and even in bloody toilets! And what are the consequences? I’ll tell you! (Stepping towards Jamshid.) Nothing! Bloody nothing, no one has to pay, they do it, and that’s the end of it!

Jamshid: (Whining.) There must be justice!

Old man: Justice? Hah! What is justice? What can I do? Shout at him till I break his ears? Beat him when he's sleeping, before he runs off…. And that’s it! That’s the most I can do, and even that’s illegal here! (Points in Jamshid’s face.) Did you know that? He could denounce me to the police, and I would be arrested for beating my own son. They won’t care if he’s committed adultery, they all do it! I’ll be in prison and he’ll be free!

Jamshid: (Sneering.) So you’re afraid to beat your own son!

Old man: Of course not! He’d never denounce his own father! But that’s all I can do. You have no idea, every day I must swallow insults, you must learn to swallow the insults!

Jamshid: Never!

Old man: What else can you do? My daughter... Does she wear a veil or even a scarf to cover her hair? No! And what must I do? Beat her? My son-in-law has become a Buddhist! What must I do? Kill him? (Turns his back on Jamshid and walks towards the window, then he spins round fast, facing Jamshid again.) Even my grandson has a pet dog!

Jamshid: But something you must do!

Old man: YES! I have three choices, grin and bear it, live alone or return to Iran! (He steps right up to Jamshid, his eyes boring into his soul.) Believe me, it’s best you keep your mouth shut for the sake of your family, and that is the most you can do.

(Jamshid gives up. He walks slowly towards the door, and then turns round pointing at the old man.)

Jamshid: Shame on you! You are well known for being very religious, but today you give me no help, you are telling me to let them do want they want! I cannot believe it.

Old Man: Do you know what I pray for? No! Of course not, you know nothing about me! You don’t know me at all.

Jamshid: At least you know what a no good filthy pig of a son you have!

Old man: I have always known it myself.

Jamshid: Then punish him! I will punish my wife. At least you must throw him in the street . . . with nothing!

Old man: I should.

Jamshid: But will you?

Old man: (Staring hard at Jamshid.) Who can say?

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