Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

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NORMAL OFFERING 27 SCENE II. Place -The court-yard. Time-Three years have elapsed. Omar arid Ufra are seen pacing to arid fro. Ufra: No news from the East and our fortunes are fast dwin- dling! What think you the silver boxes contain, brother? A little gold at this time would re-establish me in Tunis. Omar llailghirig impleasarltlylz A little more gold to lure the unwary, eh, Ufra? tHe shrilgs his shoilldersl As for the contents of the box, I am sure that there is gold or its equivalent therein. It was a foolish fancy that prompted our father to hamper our legacy by a time bond. Ufra: But I tell you, Omar, I need the money or I shall be ruined! If you are so certain that we are all to come into a fortune, lend me the money I need and I will repay you when the five years are complete. Omar Ccoldlgl: I have no money to lend you, brother. If you are in such dire need, only a whimsical command separates you from plenty. Ufra: You advise me to break my pledge? Omar: I advise nothing. But since in everyday's business you do not shrink from dishonesty .... why should you in this? Ufra Carigrilgb: You accuse me of being a thief! What of your- self, my brother, what of Biskra, what of Ain Safra? Omar: I accuse you of nothing. I am simply stating the facts of the case. But from your mood I should say that I had misjudged you. CSarcastically.l Your bond to our father is sacred. CBowirig loial I beg forgiveness, Ufra lsemi-pacijiedbz Adieu, Omar. I must hasten to the bazaar. CEait Ufra, left.D QOmar, chfachlihg, draws from his timis the silver bo90.l Omar: You shall hold your secret from me no longer, little treas- ure house! If Algeria cannot countenance the wealth you reveal, there is Egypt or Paris. tHe operls the box, draws from it a large golden hey, arid reads the irlscriptiorll Key to the lotus flower carved in the marble pillar of the court-yard. Omar: Ah ha! Certainly I did well to keep my mind in suspense no longer. tHe flrids the hey-hole but the door does not opeiil

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26 NORMAL OFFERING Ufra: We have learned many things. Aelrar: But where is Natalie? Kham: Natalie was here but a moment ago, heralding your approach. So modest a maiden seeks a more propitious time to greet you, Adrar. Aclrar ttilrrliiig to rightbz Iwill seek her. Kham: No, my son, stay. tHe claps his haiicls, a servarlt ap- pearsal Tell the Lady Natalie that we would see her in the courtyard. CServaht salaams, ea:it.D I have something of importance to impart to you. It is well that the world has taught you great things. In the future you will be obliged to depend upon your own wisdom. For diplomatic reasons the Government has seen fit to send me to the East. I start by caravan tonight, perhaps never to return. Omar: We shall go with you! Kham: That, Omar, is impossible. Aclrar: But surely you will return, father. . Kham: I fear, my lad, that if Ireturn it will not be for a long time. Accordingly, I have settled my affairs. I have placed my money so that for tive years you will all have a sufficient allowance. Each one of you is prepared for business. I have also made my will. tHe opens the casket, aml gives to each soii a small silver box arlel a keyj This is my legacy. But it has one condition. Under no circumstance are you to open your box until tive years have elapsed. If after five years I am not here, you may satisfy your curiosity, and then only. Omar, Ufra: It is understood, father. Aclrar: Your trust is sacred with us. CErlter Natalie. Aulrar goes foriuarul to meet her arlcl leads her by the haiiel to his father.J Aclrar: Father, I would yet another gift. Natalie has promised to be my wife. Will you give your consent? Kham: What! You have but just arrived. How do you know but that Natalie has changed her mind since you left for Paris? iTeri- clerlyj What do you say to this impetuous youth, Natalie? Natalie Cshylyb: It is as he says, Godfather. Kham: So be it then, my children. Let us celebrate in due form.

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28 NORMAL OFFERING Omar: By the graces! It will not open! CErlter Natalie aricl Aclrar at left. Omar eoriceals the box aml key hurriedly arid remairis iri tlie sliacloiu of tlie pillar? Aclrar: I tell you, Natalie, father must be sought. I can no longer live here in happiness, fearing that he is ill or uncared for in some far land. Natalie: But where would you go in search of him? Your letters have always been returned. Atlrar: Do you know, my dear, I have sometimes thought that in the silver box the secret lay! Had not father commanded otherwise, I should be tempted to see for m yself. Natalie: You think perhaps that your father, fearing that he might never return, entrusted to that little box, the secret of his whereabouts so that you might seek him? No, Adrar, no. Do not let your curiosity tempt you in the guise of virtue. Aclrar lmiisirigl: And again, Natalie, the climate is killing you. If the box contains gold, we might leave this tropical heat and go to Nice. But as it is .... Natalie: Why think of the box at all, Adrar? The temptation to satisfy your curiosity will become an obsession. Aclrar: You wrong me, my wife. Curiosity to see the contents of the box is not my motive. My fatherls command is more sacred than all the hidden treasures of the world. But I ain worried. Natalie: Ibelieve you. But I assure you that what you wish to learn the box cannot reveal. Aolrar: Natalie! What do you mean? Natalie: Only this. Last night here in the court-yard I saw Ufra open his box and find therein a key. Aclrar: A key! Natalie: He was disappointed. His face was horrible to behold in the moonlight. Aclrar: He must have been sorely tempted. Omar lasiclel: So, my cunning Ufra. That was your little game! CExit Omar imol9ser've0l.l Natalie: You would excuse him, Adrar? Aolrar: He is to be pitied. But for father's sake, let us at least be faithful.