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Inspirations Play Script

Roya is watching TV in her room.

PLAY INSPIRATIONS OPENING CLIP


Narrator: In 1979, the people of Iran overthrew the Shah. The exiled cleric Ayatollah Khomeini returned to rule Iran. It descended into score settling, death squads, and chaos... Royas mother knocks on the door. Roya pauses the video on the computer , and Royas mother walks in. Royas mom: What are you watching, Roya? Roya: Oh, it is just a film about the history of Iran. I just- I dont understand how we ever could have developed such an oppressive government. Its 2013! Royas mom: I know it feels hopeless sometimes, but you know most people dont support Ahmadinejad or the government. Roya: Its just so unfair. We dont deserve this kind of treatment. I mean, they harm people just for being gay! How can the government do this kind of thing to people? Royas mom: Its going to be okay, sweetheart. People are helping change the society. Let them worry about it. Now dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Your father and I have important news for you. Royas mom leaves. Roya takes out her diary and begins to write. Roya: Dear Diary, I feel trapped. I'm lesbian but I cant tell anyone. Homosexuality isnt talked about here in Iran. If anyone finds out what I truly am, theyll whip me and beat me; theyll force me into prostitution or make me get a sex change. They might even kill me. I have no one to turn to. I cant trust my friends, my parents, or my government. And I hate the government. They dont even acknowledge that homosexuals exist. I dont know if I can stand staying in Iran for another day. Im so confused about everything; I dont know what to do. Roya puts her diary away and goes to the dining room, where her family is waiting with lunch. Royas dad: Sit down, Roya. Roya: Whats happening? Royas mom: We have great news. Roya: What? Royas dad: You know the Moradi family and their son, Rahim? Roya: Of course, mother... Royas mom: Weve set you and Rahim up on a date! Roya: No! You know how I feel about being set up on dates! Royas dad: Yes, but we and the Moradis have agreed that the two of you could make a great couple. We hope that if its a match, you two could start a family. Roya: Mom, dad, do I have to go? I would prefer to meet people on my own. Royas mom: Youre going. Weve planned for the two of you to meet at the Moradis house tonight. Now get ready. Roya: Fine. May I be excused? Royas dad: Youre excused, just make sure to clear your dishes. Roya leaves the table and goes back to her room. She takes out her diary and begins writing again.

Roya: A date? I cant go on a date, not with a guy! What if somehow he finds out what I really am? I cant afford for that kind of mistake! Roya puts her diary away. She begins to get ready for her date, and eventually starts walking to her date. As she gets ready, she hears voices in her head of all that could go wrong.

PLAY INSPIRATIONS.MP3
Roya knocks on the door of a small house, and a young man answers. Rahim: Roya. Roya: Hello, Rahim. Rahim: It is nice to see you. Come in. Roya steps into the living room, and Rahim leads her to the table in the dining room. Rahim: Can I get you something to drink? Water? Roya: Yes, please. Rahim bring two glasses to the table. Rahim: How are you, Roya? Roya: To be honest, Rahim, I do not want to be here at all, and I was furious when my parents set me up on this date. Cant I make my own decisions? Rahim: I feel the same way! It is so frustrating to see them trying to force me into marrying someone they choose. But at least it gives us a chance to talk without them here. Roya: (smiles) Yeah. So how have you been? Rahim: I have been very busy lately. I do not know if you are aware, but I have become very active in the rebellion. Roya: Oh, that is great. I dont know if I can stand this life we are forced to live anymore. Rahim: Yeah, we are working on making Iran much better for the younger generations. Rahim brings out food. Roya: Honestly, Rahim, I am done with life in Iran. I need to get out. I am thinking of studying abroad in a more accepting society. Rahim: I understand, but do you not wish to rid the Iranian people of such an abusive government. You should come to one of our meetings. I would be happy to notify you when the date is set for our next protest. Roya: I do not care about changing the government. More of my conflicts with this society rest within the people as well as Ahmadinejad. I admire you, but why did you become so involved, Rahim? Rahim: I cant stand it anymore, Roya. I know most of our generation agrees with me, and I thought that now is the time to take action. Iran needs a new beginning. Roya: I admire yourRahim: I mean how can they make the Quran the law? What if people choose not to be Muslim or practice all the Islamic traditions? I suppose Ahmadinejad would think Iran better off without them. Roya: Rahim, that is a dangerous thing to say. Do you really think a revolution will change this about Iran?

Rahim: I hope it will. Do you ever just wish you were born without a religion? So you could make your own decision? I hate having Islam shoved down my throat every minute of every day! Is it bad if I dont want to be Muslim anymore? Roya: In any normal situation you could be whatever you want, but this is Iran and to say that means you defy nearly every law in this country. But dont let this discourage you, Rahim. Leave Iran. Come with me and we wont have to worry about being persecuted anymore. Rahim: No! I cant leave my family and life behind just like that. Everyone else is in the same situation as us and we have to fight back! It is just the government that stands in our way but all of the people of Iran support us. I dont understand how willing you are to just leave so quickly. Roya: Do you think that your family wont desert you in a minute when they find out youre an atheist? It is best to leave while you can. Rahim: You may want to desert your people, but I am more about changing things for the better. The people want change and now is the time to help make change. I will stick to the rebellion. Roya: Well... its been very nice seeing you. Roya gets up to clear her dishes but is stopped by Rahim who clears them for her. Rahim: Yes. Well you should get home before dark. He leads her to the door. Rahim: Honestly, Roya, it makes me feel better to know that you feel the way I do even if our views are different. Thank you. Oh, and if you ever want to look at other peoples stories about their life in Iran, go to our website and there are many blogs to look at. Roya: Good night, Rahim. Rahim: Good night. Roya logs on to the computer and pulls up a blog on the screen and begins reading the blog. Roya (reading the blog out loud): (Susanna): My name is Kamal Jalil. I am a young Iranian man who is proud to be part of the Iranian revolution. Growing up, I had many restrictions put on me. I didnt want to leave my family, so I decided to stay in Iran. I take part in as many protests as I can find. Its been difficult, but I know that eventually, a new government will be born. (Luisa): Hello, Im Maheen Habib, a happy woman who was able to get out of the oppressive society and government of Iran. Although it was difficult to obtain the visa required to leave, it was worth it. I despised being treated as inferior to men. I obtained a visa to Canada, I now live in Vancouver. I am thankful for the freedom that I have here. (Susanna): Hello, my name is Hafez Parsi. Right now, Im studying at the University of Maryland. I am originally from Iran, but i hated the strict religion forced upon

everybody. I needed to get out, and even though it was difficult to get admitted into the United States, Im here now, and Ive never been happier. (Luisa) My name is Parsa Morad and I am a lesbian. I have recently started dating, and although this may not seem anything out of the ordinary, it is to me. I was born in Iran, where homosexuality is a taboo subject. Back in Iran, I heard stories of people coming out and being mercilessly taunted and tortured. I knew I had no chance of coming out there. Even my own family wouldve shun me. I decided to flee to Turkey, where I have started a new life. I live freely. Roya sits alone in her room, trying to understand the mess of thoughts going through her head. Roya writes in her journal: Roya (reading journal out loud): Dear Diary, Ive just made a monumental decision about the rest of my life. My heart is pounding so fast I can barely scribble these words on the page. All these peoples stories make me want to flee this restricting government even more! Ive known that I wanted to leave for a while now, but Ive been researching, and I finally figured out the means to do so. My friend Leyla recently applied to study abroad in Sweden and she got out of the country! Ive started looking for education programs in more democratic countries.The best one that I have found so far is at UC Berkeley in the United States. It sounds complicated to get out of Iran, but Im willing to do anything. My research tells me that to get a visa for education, I have to travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to conduct my interview. I dont want to upset my parents by leaving them, but I need to go; Ive never wanted anything more in my entire life. Ill do whatever it takes. Sixth months later: Roya leaves her home and arrives in the US. Upon her arrival, she takes out her laptop and begins to write.

PLAY INSPIRATIONS END CLIP


Roya: Hello, my name is Roya Samadi. I have just fled from Iran, and I am proud to be lesbian. This is my story...

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