Opening
(Rows and rows of laundry are drying on laundry lines. MANTHARA, a hunch-backed
servant woman, is pulling down laundry, folding it and placing it in a large box or
trunk.)
MANTHARA (MUN tuh ruh):
If Rama (RAH muh) is crowned, I am refuse fit for the heap,
My mistress, an extra on the royal stage,
A nuisance, an aging useless hanger-on.
If perceived as problems, we are out,
Out of palace, out, out to pain!
How many rumor-mongers make us hateful?
The king's retinue is full of idiots
Who, to earn the king's favor, would
Disgrace a saint or sage with insidious lies.
What will they do to me, an old hunchback,
A servant who has not even place or beauty
To inspire favor for her. No, oh no!
It must not happen! Rama must not be crowned!
I will speak to my lady. Her foolish fondness
For this Rama must be withered by my words.
Why is Rama better than Bharat (BHAH rut), her son?
But I must not speak against his Highness,
The Rama-to-be King; long-lived and deep’s
Her love and loyalty. I must be sweet,
And appreciative. I must shine
With modern virtues. I must steal the throne
So skillfully for Bharat, my lady and
Myself that no one sees the trace of my
Fingers clearly on its gilded edge.
Copyright 2000, Aikya Param. All rights reserved.
