Flying

into
Darkness

Afraz Publications
2014

Flying
into
Darkness
by

Afshin Hashemi
Translated into English by

Buna Alkhas

Afraz Publications
2014

Flying into Darkness / copyright 2014

Translated from Farsi into English by Buna Alkhas
First published in 2014
by Afraz Publications
No. 1, Afshar Deadend, Vahid Nazari St., South Felestin St.
Tehran, Iran
Printed in Iran
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means; now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from
the publisher.
This material is copyright.
The author retains all rights; stage, cinema and broadcasting.
hashemi.afshin@yahoo.com www.afshinhashemi.com / info@afshinhashemi.com /
ISBN 978-600-326-097-9
National Library of I. R. Iran Data
Afshin Hashemi, 1975 -.
Flying into Darkness / copyright 2014
Tehran, Afraz, 2014
128 pages
English- Persian
Iranian Plays, 21st century
Alkhas, Buna, translator
PIR8299/ALEF6685P4 2013
8Fa2/62
3377417

Web: www.afrazbook.com
Email: info@afrazbook.com

For Zoheir Yari , Rouzbeh Hosseini

And Mohammad Kh.
Who left us while this was being written,
after giving us years of hope.

Flying into Darkness

Loosely based on the Persian translation by the late Houshang Hesami
from the English translation of the French Two-Headed Eagle
by Jean Cocteau,
along with modern world poetry taken from the book
You Were Busy Dying translated into Persian by Mohammad Reza Farzad.

From history1:
February 1, 1956:

A bill ordering the founding of the Iranian

Secret Service was passed by the Senate.
Reza-Ali Divanbeygi and Ibrahim
Khajenouri were opposed to founding
such an agency in Iran.

March 13, 1956:

The Legislative Assembly passed the

same bill without debate or opposition.

March 13, 1957:

A royal announcement was made regarding

the impending divorce of Mohammad-Reza
Shah Pahlavi and Soraya EsfandiariBakhtiari.

April 6, 1958:

The divorce became official and Soraya

was presented with the documents in
Germany.

November 21, 1959: The

engagement of Farah Diba and

Mohammad-Reza Shah Pahlavi was
announced, and they were wed a month
later on December 19.

1 . From Chronology of Iran (1896 1979) by Bagher Agheli

Flying into Darkness

This historical fiction takes place
between the Shahs divorce from Soraya in April 1958
and his marriage to Farah in November 1959.

List of Characters:
Lady Parizad
Mr. Dargahi
Esmail1 also known as Morning Lark

Stage setting:
A hall or basement in a ruined mansion;
or a semi-burned down theater;
in a city; most likely in Bandar Pahlavi which
is referred to by Lady Parizad as Anzali2, its
former name.
There are furnishings, and a window or door
in the wall. Backstage there is a staircase
leading upstairs.

1. Ishmael in Persian
2. Bandar-e Anzali (Anzali Port) is a harbour town ("Bandar" means "port") on the
Caspian Sea, close to Rasht. Bandar-e Anzali is one of the most important seaports in the
north of Iran. Anzali Port was also known as Bandar-e Pahlav, during the Pahlav period.

Parizads Voice
The wind, one brilliant day, called
to my soul with an odor of jasmine:
'In return for the aroma of my jasmine,
I'd like all the aromas of your roses.'
'I have no roses;
all the flowers in my garden have wilted.'
'Well then, I'll take the withered petals
and the yellow leaves
and the waters of the fountain.'
The wind left. And I wept.
And I said to myself:
'What have you done with the garden
that was entrusted to you?'1
This land has only death. This land kills all
those who wish to sow their fields.
This land... oh, this land...
and nothing can be done about it.

1. The Wind, One Brilliant Day; a poem by Antonio Machado (1875-1939; Spain)

Light.
Dargahi is setting the table. Lady Parizad is standing in
a corner, playing with and shuffling around her papers.

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

Have you finished with your duties?

Yes, everything is almost done.
The sound of thunder and rain

PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

[walks to the window happily] I havent seen

weather like this for a long time!
Dont open it! Flies and mosquitos will get in.
Oh! Ive forgotten how these northern
mosquitos can bite. They are quite
dangerous!
Both the mosquitos and the lightning. The
lightning here has been known to knock
down even the largest trees.
Most of my ancestors trees have already
fallen; there is no need for lightning! I even
saw the trees in Farzads orchard today.
They have dried up during these past five
years, even with all this rain falling from
the sky. Now there are no more trees for
you to be frightened of.
[feeling the walls] The walls here are damp.
Dont you have trouble breathing in this
humidity?
[wants to change the subject] Isnt the table set yet?
[placing the last object] Oh, yes! Please forgive
me. I had to rearrange everything to make
sure things were in order. Ive tried to put
everything back in its place. Please excuse
my clumsiness if the table is not as

Flying into Darkness | 13

PARIZAD

organized as it was at first. The table had

been set for two, correct? Well, esthetics is
not a good match for security.
No, its fine. Everything is in its place.
Dargahi begins to walk away.

Mr. Dargahi!
Dargahi stops.

DARGAHI
PARIZAD

Put this two-person soiree in your report. It

would be a shame to leave out anything,
especially the humidity!
[smiling] I will attribute this lack of courtesy
to your long journey today.
You are also tired. Write your report before
you lie down on your soft bed. [shows her
papers] As since before your arrival, I have
been doing my paperwork. Although your
presence hasnt allowed me to finish
Dargai still smiling, begins to walk away, but again is
stopped by Lady Parizads voice.

DARGAHI

And, please, forgive me, this is not a proper

place to invite you to stay.
Thank you, very much, I have trouble
breathing in these old mansions. This is my
inheritance: shortness of breath. Once
again, I beg your leave. Good night. [leaves]
Parizad opens the window. The lights slowly dim. She
lights a candle on the table.

PARIZAD

Tonight we dine together... in the very place

where we first embraced [pours white wine in both
glasses] with monsieurs special wine, Shah
crusher as you called it. [brings out a framed
photo of Farzad Paydar, her dead fianc, from an old suitcase
and places it on a broken table, by the lit candles ]

On our

14 | Flying into Darkness

wedding day, the same day you departed

[smiles and swallows trying to suppress her tears; picks up a
pen, perks up her ears] the sound of a shot fired in
the distance [writes it down] The people are still
enjoying fireworks, on our wedding night
the sky was as wild as it is now, You called
it wild, a wild sky [Again perks up her ears] A
shot rings out close by. [writes it down; then takes
off her necklace and removes something from it which she
puts in a goblet. The white wine turns red. She lifts the goblet,
her hand shaking]

To your health! [struggles

with

herself...]
Lightning! A young man throws himself on to the
stage, from the open window or another place. He is
frightened and disheveled, one side of his body is red
with blood, he is wet from the rain. He resembles
Farzad Paydar, it may indeed be him. Parizad
doesnt believe it. She gets up and goes to him.

PARIZAD

[to herself] Farzad?! [slowly

Farzad

goes forward and calls]

The frightened youth shouts out and points his

weapon at her. Parizad is frightened and presses her
back to the wall. She is struck dumb. They lock eyes
dumbfounded. The youth steps forward and lowers
his gun.

Youth

Hide me somewhere for Gods sake!...

But he runs out of strength and falls face down on the
floor. Parizad lets out a short scream. Shouting and
shots from outside. Parizad pulls herself together,
Blows out the candle. Darkness.

Parizads Voice
What I write is not history; and no history
until now can match it. A nightly diary that
has yet to be written, anywhere. A diary, a
letter, a testament
for you and about you
in memory of that rainy night you left.
A dark night like the times of this land,
and the writing begins like this:
One dark night,
A woman sits thinking of her death
Rain falls on her lovers tomb
Strange and cold winds at her side
And a mirror of the times before her eyes
The moon sets on the rain, the sea turns milky;
In memory of a man who was a poem
Night and the moon and the rain slide into
the poem on this page; this nocturnal diary.
The wind blew away the moon
and the paper darkened. 1

1 . Inspired by The Prediction; a poem by Mark Strand (1934; USA)

Shouts from outside, stomping of boots. Light.

Shadows and running. Parizad sits paying no attention
to the sounds. She is playing solitaire, pulling out
random cards. Dargahi runs in, out of breath.

PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

[talking about the cards, ignoring Dargahi] The

outcome will be the same, no matter how
much we shuffle the cards. [ignoring Dargahi,
turns over a few cards]
[out of breath] Thank God nothing happened.
[turning over a king] A king... A king without a
queen!
[talking to someone outside] Search the grounds; I
will search inside the building.
[still ignoring Dargahi, turns over more cards, a queen and a
jack] A queen and a knave! [laughs] It must be
me, of course!
[still breathing heavily, to Parizad] Please excuse this
intrusion into your privacy.
[still just playing cards, turn over another] A joker!
The little devil! [to Dargahi] Oh, please, Mr.
Dargahi! Make yourself at home!
With your permission. [begins to leave]
[steps in front of him] How ridiculous! You break
the lock, enter my chamber and disrupt my
evening. What more permission do you
want? How much more ridiculous can
things get?
It is not ridiculous, my lady! If I had not
broken the lock and come in, we could have
been in danger!
Danger for whom?

Flying into Darkness | 17

DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

For you! I have told you a thousand times

this mansion is not safe, even the
surroundings are not safe, but you do not
heed my advice!
I have no problems here. I am as
comfortable as can be!
Yes, you are comfortable. But I am very
uncomfortable when you are here! My
officers who keep guard night and day are
not comfortable!
Tell them all to go home right this minute. I
do wish to be the reason for the discomfort
of others!
If not for them, there would be a murderer
standing here instead of me!
What would a murderer want? My
permission to enter?
[takes a deep breath] Murderers do not usually
ask for permission!
[pointing at Dargahi] The police arent much
different!... How interesting! Yesterday I
decided on my own that I would be in
Anzali tonight. I set off in the afternoon, the
chauffeur drove quite fast. It had been years
since the doors of this mansion were last
opened. So, isnt it strange that the police,
the murderers and everyone else knew
before me where I was? [shuffles in anger]
The rebels have infiltrated everywhere [turning a card over] A knave! The young man
who plots against us!
- perhaps they have heard about the betrothal
and want to assassinate our future queen.

18 | Flying into Darkness

PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

Only I and Mohammad Reza1 know about

the betrothal... even his sisters and the
Queen Mother do not know about it.
Well, it is not just the betrothal
What else is there?
Youve seen the newspapers; and especially
the leaflets.
So!?
New Extravagances in Spending; Budget
Deficit Caused by - the building of a new theater and on, and
on, and so?
The excessive spending has heated up the
left; the theater has angered the clergy; your
being a woman has fired up the zealots and
the riffraff.
Im not the first one. For fifty years women
have Most of them were not Moslem women,
they were minorities who have never been
seen in such a respectful light. The people
think that they make spectacles of
themselves, that they are of ill repute Parizad glares at him.

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

[backs off] It is not my point of view, I am

repeating what the people say.
You always speak for the people!
I do not speak for them; they truly think in
this way. And still you want to build a
theater for these people? And you believe
this will not fire up the religious?

1. Mohammad Rez Shh Pahlav; (1919 1980) was the Shah of Iran from September
1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution in 1979. He was the second and last
monarch of the Pahlavi dynasty.

Flying into Darkness | 19

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

You are the one who fires up the people!

How else would they have knowledge of
such things?
[takes out the last cigarette from his pack[ When did
we do such a thing?! [fiddles around for his lighter
and then lights his cigarette]
Time and time again! For one, when it
rained so hard here in Anzali during the
performance of Tartuffe1 which included a
female actress; the police encouraged a few
extremists to attack the show, saying the
event was put on by socialists. In Tehran
they did it to the Womans Nationalist
Society. They burned their newspapers, the
believers threw stones at them, and the
police just stood by and watched. [pulls the
cigarette out of Dargahis mouth and steps on it ] In fact,
whenever you want to suppress an
ideology, you attack the theater.
Maybe during the reign of Reza Shah2 the
Great, things like this happened, and even
then rarely, but now, never!
So what were you just saying from the
mouths of the thugs and riffraff and the
religious extremists?
I am a mouthpiece for no one, my lady. I
just pass on to you what we surmise they
are saying, things we have overheard.
So perhaps you could pass it on to them that
this place will be rebuilt with what Ive
inherited from my ancestors.

1. Tartuffe or the Imposter; A play by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, a French playwright and

actor, better known by his pen name Molire, (1622 1673).
2. Rez Shh Pahlavi (1878 1944) was the Shah of the Imperial State of Iran from
1925 until he was forced to abdicate by the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran in 1941.

20 | Flying into Darkness

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD

The people will not believe this, because the

money is being spent by our future queen.
I have not said yes yet.
Your answer is obvious if not; I would
not be here protecting you.
Then go and do your duty!
Rest assured that we will find them soon;
both the assassin and the informer. [walks
toward the steps]
Finding them should not be too difficult!
Dargahi pushes aside the curtains and dust rises.

Other than the Shah and I, only you knew

about this, and only because you are my
protector.
Dargahi begins coughing. Parizad shuffles the cards,
then lays out three cards.

When only three people in the whole world

know about this, [lays another card aside] then the
informer is one of these three. [turns another card:
the joker] The little devil; its Mr. Dargahi
himself.
Dargahi has a fit of coughing.

[laughs] Im just kidding! Dont take it so

seriously.
As if he has completely lost his breath.

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

Oh, Oh! Allow me to give you a glass of

water. [walks up a few steps and speaks to Dargahi] Now,
truthfully tell me who you think they are.
[trying to fight his coughing] Who?
The assassin and the informer.
[looks at the steps; now that Parizad is gone he looks around]
We do not know who the informer is, but
the scoundrel must be a follower of the

Flying into Darkness | 21

previous queen, one of the Bakhtiaris1 in

the government. There are those who still
hope that Sorayas malady can be cured2.
[notices a stain on the floor and rubs it with his finger ] But
we are quite sure about the assassin; one of
these relatively popular poets of today. [goes
to the steps to be sure that Parizad has not come down; looks
for stains]

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD

The same poet who prints his

poems on cheap newsprint, like the leaflets
[finds fresh blood on the railing] which are even now
recited by heart by our school children.
[triumphantly pulls a kerchief from his pocket]
[comes up the steps with a glass of water] The poem
Flying into Darkness?
[wiping the blood from his hands with his kerchief ] Ive
heard that you also liked the poem. [hides the
bloody kerchief in his pocket]
[walking down the steps] Yes! Unfortunately it
seems as though the old belief is true, that
such insignificant people are not worthy of
fame. [gives Dargahi the glass of water, then with a smile]
Do what you need to do, but leave me out
of it. [goes back up the stairs]
My lady. Make sure the windows are all
shut. Something dangerous could come in.
Then shut them. Yes, do!
Dargahi goes toward the window. Parizad stares
straight ahead.
Darkness.

1. The Bakhtiari are a tribe in southwestern Iran

2. Princess Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari; (1932 2001) was Queen of Iran as the second
wife of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The imperial couple's marriage had disintegrated by
early 1958 owing to Soraya's apparent infertility

Parizads Voice
Death flies over this land; everywhere and
always, occasionally by ones own hand,
occasionally by the hand of others; by poison
ordered for oneself or a bullet from a martyr.
And in the end it is just another life taken.
Now, where we first met, holding these
scribbled notes in my hand, I sit waiting
Our visit is not far off, you who have always
shared my heart. And now, Esmail, the poet
of the people, with his nom-de-plume
Sword and later Morning Lark, author
of the beautiful poem Flying into Darkness.

Light.
Esmail sits in a corner, wounded in his side. His gun
lays off to the side on the ground. Parizad is gathering
first aid items; perhaps some cotton and alcohol, a
glass and some syrupy drink.

PARIZAD

Congratulations! More for the form of your

poetry rather than its content; simple, with a
cabaret meter, reminiscent of folk songs
After Reza Khan1, good poetry opposing the
monarchy dwindled. Rhythmic antigovernment ballads and revolutionary
constitutionalist2 songs gave way to worthless
curtain raisers3 which at the most complained
about low-level bureaucrats. Yet, this poem
seems to be a return to the literature of the
constitutionalists, giving it new life this is
what is important; giving life, soul
searching I distributed the poem wherever
I went, even among government officials.
Do you see? Without you wanting me to, I
moved toward your revolutionary goals
[places the gun close to Esmail] and I am still willing
to work with you.
Esmail silently gazes at Parizad

Do you have nothing to say! I thought we

knew everything about each other... Of course
1. Another name for Reza Shah.
2. Constitutional Revolution of Iran took place between 1905 and 1907 and led to the
establishment of a parliament in Iran. This Revolution opened the way for cataclysmic
change, heralding the modern era. It came to an end in 1925 with the dissolution of the
Qajar dynasty and the ascension of Reza Shah Pahlavi to the throne.
3. A curtain raiser is a performance, stage act, show, actor or performer that opens a show
for the main attraction. The term is derived from the act of raising the stage curtain.

24 | Flying into Darkness

no proper replies were foreseen for such

circumstances; neither from our side, nor
from the party, nor from your faction.
And now, I am neither a queen nor are you
an assassin. So now shall we make up the
rules as we go along. [picks up Farzads photo and
along with the first aid items approaches Esmail] This is a
picture of Farzad, Farzad Paydar, thirty
years old at the time of our betrothal seven
years ago. You were just a youth of
fourteen or fifteen then, uniformed and
waving flags as we rode by. Cant you see
how much you resemble him? [looks at Esmail
who remains silent] It seems as if conversation is
not part of your groups manifesto! [sits down
to bandage Esmails wound] Pull up your shirt.
Esmail pulls away

[leaves the items and stands up] Either let someone

tend to your wound or do it yourself.
Esmail begins to bandage his wound

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

How did you know I wasnt at the hotel

tonight?... Perhaps one of your informers
told you, but how did you know I was here,
in this place? This mansion has been closed
for years, furthermore it is full of rooms and
you came to the exact one I was in.
I did not know you were here!
How nice to hear your voice... well... now
you know who I am! And you know that
the Shah has asked for my hand. Why dont
you finish what you came here to do?
Esmail remains silent. Parizad looks at the picture
then looks at Esmail.

Flying into Darkness | 25

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

It was a clever choice. Your group knew

that your resemblance would disarm me.
But it did not know that I have been seeking
the angel of death for five years. [looks at
Farzads picture] Tonight, I so wanted to go to
him... but you came
Do not compare me to him.
Oh, my apologies, you are right! You are
pure. But he was with the regime,
contaminated, a close friend of the Shah.
And I am his wife, the one you do not even
wish to resemble. So get on with it! What
are you waiting for? Kill this Lady Parizad,
this excessive lustful debauchee! Is this not
what they say about me? Is it not rumored
that another freeloader has been taken in by
the monarchy? Do they not say that some
Westernized woman has taken money from
the Shah to build a theater? [pushes the gun into his
hands] So kill this Jezebel to save the country.
This is how you can become a great hero.
You you saved me!
Forget about that, for you might never get
another chance. From now on Mr. Dargahi
will make the decisions! He is the one who
will decide what is in his favor; my death,
whether by your hand or any others, or me
staying alive and becoming queen. Dont
become his plaything. Do what you must.
I dont feel well!
Ha! Take a look at our rebels! When you
entered, for a second I thought you were
Farzads ghost, I thought his blood was on
you. But you fell on the floor, like a... Ha!
True rebels do not fall down like this!

26 | Flying into Darkness

ESMAIL

PARIZAD

[comes forward holding the gun, with what little strength he

has] Do not ridicule me, Maam! When I
leapt into this room I knew nothing. I was
afraid. When I first arrived, I went straight
to my mothers and waited for orders.
Suddenly the guards attacked. I didnt know
who had set me up. I barely had enough
time to burn some of my writings. I was
lucky that it was stormy out. I was chased
by the guards and their dogs. I ran through
the rocks and the trees and the rubble. Fire
rained from both the land and the sky. I
threw myself into this ruin out of fear. It
was the only thing to do. Suddenly I saw
you standing before me, a woman, alone, in
the middle of the night, inside an
abandoned building! I did not know you
were here, I did not know that this was your
place, I did not know that you were even
the queen for I would not have hesitated for
even an instant to...
[after a moment of silence; calmly] Do you mean that
we are that bad? [smiling] So show us your
revolutionary spirit.
Esmail tries to lift up his gun but passes out, falling
down on the floor. Silence. Parizad calmly looks at
Esmail and then at the window.

Its over the storm is over such a brief

storm
Darkness

Parizads Voice
I, lady Parizad would rather be executed by
revolutionaries than be drowned in the sea
or be given a potion to reunite me with my
ancestors. Execution is forever thought
about and spoken about. It is after such an
event that many things become clear. Who
died for what.
So hurry it up;
A white sword in our hand
Like the moon over our land
Shining light on all who stand
On their pillows they lean
Both the king and his queen
Their long scroll of tyranny
So many lies and cruelty
The new moon sword so white
Burning in the fire bright
Wings in darkness spread apart
Splitting open a black heart
The king so full of fear
Runs away far from here
But however far he is still too near
Together we catch the king
We spread our wings and sing
Now liberated and free
We will rebuild our country

Light.
Parizad is standing over Esmail. Esmail opens his
eyes and fearfully aims his gun at Parizad.

PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

[ignoring the gun] How is your wound? [goes to the

table and lays out food and drink that she has brought for Esmail]
[calms down and lowers his gun] Its better.
Is it infected?
Its just a scratch.
So you were able to sleep last night.
Yes.
We sleep better in our twentys. How old
are you?
Twenty-five,
Then compared to you I am an old woman.
Have you studied at university? Literature or I never had the money to go to school.
So you know what its about. When I was a
child my nanny read to me. She wasnt
properly educated, but she read well and
brought the words to life. [smiling] How do
you read? Id like to hear you read!
What should I read?
[takes a book out of her handbag] Recently I have
been studying the works of MirzadehEshghi1, I plan to adapt it for the stage to be
performed at my theater, providing it gets
built. [hands the book to Esmail] Id like to hear
these lines read by a different voice. [points in
the the book] Read from where I have it
marked, thats how far Ive gotten.

1.Mirzadeh Eshghi or Eshqi (1893 - 1924), was a political writer, poet and playwright
of Iran. He published newspapers in which he fiercely attacked the political system of
Iran, and was murdered by two gunmen in his house in Tehran by order of Reza Shah.

Flying into Darkness | 29

Esmail wants to open the book to the right page but

drops the gun.

Be careful; its loaded!

Esmail loses his composure then regains it.

ESMAIL

From here, When the loud shots rang out

throughout our town The words of an old
man who has lost his sons:
When the loud shots rang out through our town
The bodies of both my sons fell down
One of them took his last breaths in my arms
I watched as in their own blood they drown
With all the love that a father has to give
Since it was for this cause they no longer live
This only for libertys sake I forgive
An end was put to all the darkness and dread
The treacherous bishop with the others fled
The king now a pawn mated by the bishop
But the endgame was not sweet, it did not stop
Again his inner circle and their cohorts
Took over the courtiers and all the courts
They became generals, one the prime minister
No care for the people they were so sinister
Freedom, was why I traded peace for war
Freedom, was what I used all my strength for
Freedom, I gave it the sons my wife bore
I wrote these constitutionalists a letter,
They replied:
Parizad joins Esmail in reciting the poem.

PARIZAD
& Esmail

Take our advice and leave these things undone

No bread and water come from revolution
From this tough revolution, what was to be won?

30 | Flying into Darkness

Esmail stops talking.

PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

Only justice and liberty; owing no one

[says this in explanation] Here the old man speaks:
From this tough revolution what was to be won
Only justice and liberty; owing no one
Yet the result was prison and this cell
Wasting our days in a place worse than hell
What can I say about a revolt ill begun
That it became a tool for every charlatan
The good people lost and the evil won
If this is change, long live the devils spawn!
Our hearts to the infamous poet we gave
The one who sent so many alive to their grave
As soon as he saw the king fall off his throne
He yelled
Down with the king! more than anyone
Now he has become one of
our well known greats
And been made governor of one of our states.
Farzad loved this poem. He said it very
much reminded him of our times, as if it were
written yesterday... Lets read something else.
[rummages through her bag and pulls out a leaflet] Here
it is! [gives it to Esmail]
[takes the paper and reads] As children we sat for
hours watching the sky [is shocked]
I know it by heart but would like to hear it
from its authors own voice.
Parizad stands away, her back to Esmail Esmail is
still hesitating.

ESMAIL

I am all ears.
[reads with emotion] As children we sat for hours
Watching the sky pour out showers
The mud and the slime were ours

Flying into Darkness | 31

PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD

ESMAIL

While others got the plants and flowers

Always starving and hungry
Thirsty in a flooded city
Let the clouds bring the rain
Wash away cruelty and pain
Moonshine upon our fruits
Pulls up injustice by the roots
How the moon does glow
At war with shadow
A white sword in our hand
Like the moon over our land
Shining light on all who stand
On their pillows they lean
Both the king and his queen
[can take no more; crumples the paper and throws it away]
Enough!
[laughing] When it came to the part about
death, you were frightened, no?
Do you think that I since do not shoot you
with this gun, it is because I am afraid?
Do you have any other option? When you
leave here, you either face Dargahi and the
police or your own people who will call
you a traitor!
This is what you desire. Why? Have you
decided that I belong to a den of assassins?
Only because you lack the nerve to commit
suicide! Or is it not proper, not aristocratic
enough? Oh, it lacks humility and
sensitivity. But being murdered does! What
do I get from this? The honor of being a
part of history? Sharing the infamy of this
horrific crime with you? To go down in
history as the killer of the Shahs mistress
or our future queen?

32 | Flying into Darkness

PARIZAD

ESMAIL

PARIZAD
ESMAIL

PARIZAD

Didnt you come here to kill me, dont you

seek equal rights, well then here you are;
your equal right! We have spilled your
blood for years, now it is your turn!
Has it crossed your mind that rather than
being a murderer, I am a poet? That until
now I have never touched a gun. My hands
know only pen and paper. Hasnt it crossed
your mind that I forbid you to And I forbid you to interrupt me. Did I
interrupt you last night? So listen closely. I
come from the depths of darkness, from a
place you have no idea about, from the
people. I come from those who seek an
inspiration, however small, to live their
lives. This is why we rebelled, to have
inspiration to live. I came here with resolve,
a revolutionary resolve, the resolve of a
revolutionary, a resolve that butted heads
against another resolve. When I came to, I
saw another being before me, one creature
before another, a man before a woman
I couldnt understand. It was as if I fell
asleep, into a long deep sleep, yet for just a
few seconds. It was a nightmare. I heard
your voice and woke up. I saw you. The
woman who, the more I thought about, the
less I knew. Why is she saving me? I who
had come here to kill her.
I trembled, I struggled, I fought it, but... I
could only think of you about why I had
come here and why I demand silence!

Flying into Darkness | 33

ESMAIL

PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL

Ha! More demands! For me to be silent,

silence for all! I was sure that we could
never be equals.
Equals, us? The Lady Parizad and some young
poet who has sneaked into her chamber.
Then let everyone know; scream, holler!
It is you who are hollering!
I have no qualms about being executed for
my beliefs.
Both Parizad and Esmail seem to hear a noise.

PARIZAD

[shocked] The doorbell!

Parizad regains control. She hands the book by
Mirzadeh-Eshghi to Esmail and puts Farzads
overcoat on his shoulders.

Go upstairs. If you hear someone walking

up the stairs, start reading, as loudly as you
were just now hollering. If they ask who
you are, tell them you are an actor, a local
actor, some kind of cabaret entertainer who
is planning to bring your show here.
Again they both seem to hear something... perhaps
approaching footsteps.

[to Esmail] Go! Hurry!

Esmail goes upstairs and Parizad walks to the other
side. A moment later Dargahi comes in conversing
with Parizad. He is muddy.

DARGAHI

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

I went to the hotel, didnt see you and

guessed that youd be here and came
straight away. I apologize for my muddy
appearance.
The road was supposed to be paved. As I
remember the funds were withdrawn from
the treasury long ago.
[laughs loudly] Your spies serve you well!

34 | Flying into Darkness

PARIZAD

DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD

Actually no! For such news, there is no

need for the skilled spies you refer to. I read
it a few days ago in the newspaper.
Yes, it is true that the funds were
withdrawn, but they had to be redirected for
security purposes.
To protect our future queen no doubt!?
All these expenses are for the protection of
the regime! Whether its you or another, it
makes no difference, expenses to protect
the regime. What does it matter if some
mud ends up on my trousers.
Perhaps you dont care that your trousers are
soiled, but it matters to me what people think.
You are right. Its a good thing for this
nonsense to come to an end. Its good that
you are trying to breach the gap between
yourself and the people. Although its a bit
difficult, yet There were no difficulties, No one had any
idea I was coming. I had just gone to collect
fees from some of my lands to build my
theater. The Shahs amorous affections
ruined everything. Such are the virtues of a
queenless Shah! It all began the day after.
Suggestions and messages and responses
from and to the Shah, Accusations and
pressure and threats from others! Just think
if they get wind of his proposal! Daily
contempt and insults; from government
officials because Farzad and I supported
Mossadegh1; from the people for our

1. Mohammad Mosaddegh or Mosaddeq (1882 1967), was the democratically elected

Prime Minister of Iran from 1951 until 1953, when his government was overthrown in a
coup d'tat orchestrated by the British MI6 and the American CIA in 1953. Mosaddegh

Flying into Darkness | 35

foreign connections and airs. Not to

mention the jealousy of those who wished
to be queen! And add to these my royal
ancestry and my deceased husbands
friendship with the Shah during their
university years. In the middle of all this
various newspapers are putting these events
in the spotlight. It seems as if your
organization is funding them as well.
During Parizads speech, Dargahi notices the food
and things on the table, and without Parizad noticing,
looks around the room.

DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

They have performed you a disservice. but

you are also not without fault. For example,
your absence at the state religious mourning
ceremony; that in itself was the product of
the sick minds of the government officials
and the ideals of the newspaper reporters, is
it not so? It was!
I myself was in mourning last night, for my
husband.
Private and public mourning are not the same.
Government officials must always respect
the customs of the people, for politics.
I am not a government official nor do I like
politics!
Politics was the way of your ancestors and
still is, whether you like it or not. Its the
same for me; even though I dont care for
interrogations and investigations and a
hundred other such stupidities, it is my
profession!

was then imprisoned for three years, and put under house arrest until his death. He caused
a range of progressive social and political reforms such as social security, rent control, and
land reforms. His government's most notable policy, however, was the nationalization of
the Iranian oil industry, which had been under British control since 1913.

36 | Flying into Darkness

PARIZAD

DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI
PARIZAD
DARGAHI

Is it possible to find out, with these hundred

stupidities, what happened to the fees from
these lands? It was your Shah who said it
would be done within a few days.
Up until, now Ive busied myself with last
nights events.
Last nights events?
The matter with the assassin and Ah, yes! What has come of it?
I have come for this very reason... to inform
you that he has been apprehended.
Who?
The poet- [corrects himself] last nights assassin.
When?
Today at dawn. He tried to escape by sea. I
interrogated him myself. It wasnt clear how
his faction discovered your whereabouts,
but we quickly found that out.
What kind of person is he?
One of those disoriented and irresponsible
cowards whose disease contaminates our
society; a poet of course. He confessed
everything after one slap; his name, address
and he gave up his accomplices.
[smiling and staring directly at Dargahi] That is good
news.
And I await good news from you.
Concerning what?
[hands her a telegram] They have sent us a
telegraph, and await your reply.
[after a silence] Tell them I havent decided.
Then with your permission, I take my leave.
[is about to leave but hesitates] I mean no disrespect,
but I need to ask you this. [with uncertainty] I
know that your wishes are that no one

Flying into Darkness | 37

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

PARIZAD
DARGAHI

should become aware of the proposal this

is very good and it wouldnt hurt if
you enlisted the aid of a few officials; ones
that you trust. I believe I know that I am not held in high esteem,
neither by the people nor by those in power.
This is not what I meant. I wanted to say
that... [regrets having spoken] Never mind, forgive
me if I have spoken out of turn. What
should I tell them?
[pauses] Tell them I am thinking about Farzad.
[pauses and then] Perhaps it would be better if we
spoke of this tomorrow. I hope that the good
news I initially brought makes up for my
insubordination. Will there be anything else?
No.
[offers his respects and leaves, only to return again] My
ladyWhat I say to you is said only out of
the deep respect I have for you. For both
you and Farzad, who once was a friend of
mine with your permission. [leaves]
Footsteps fade in the distance. Parizad at long last
collapses. Esmail comes downstairs. He looks around
making sure Dargahi has left. He wants to say
something but notices Parizads state. Silence.

ESMAIL
PARIZAD

[calmly] Were you deeply in love with him?

[notices Esmail] The clothes suit you. They
were Farzads winter clothes.
Lights fade. Darkness.

Parizads Voice
Farzad; friend and university chum of the
Shah; yet an advocate for political
prisoners. The whole time he stood by
Mossadegh against the Shah. So much so
that he refused to publicly welcome him
home. Yet the Shah loved him for his
honesty. He could have easily had the
position of prime minister or chancellor,
especially since after the coup dtat, the
Shah needed someone from the people, yet
he never chose to do so. He was contented
to write his historical essays, some of which
he published in the newspapers[takes a deep
breath] The pure and good-hearted people of
this land either kill themselves or are killed
by others. It is as if this land does not
tolerate purity.

Light.
Parizad and Esmail sitting across from each other at
the broken table with Farzads framed photograph
between them.

PARIZAD

ESMAIL

PARIZAD

ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL

He wanted to build a better world, but he

did not live long enough. On our wedding
day a man in the street ran forward carrying
flowers. I thought he pushed the flowers on
Farzads chest out of devotion... I smiled
there was a gun in the flowers a shot
his white shirt turned crimson... [with a bitter
smile] a revolutionary execution! As simple
as that.
Sometimes guns are fired in error. And we
do not understandDid you truly mean to
kill yourself that night?
It is better that I die than be the mother of
the next Shah. After all this hatred for the
monarchy, how can I turn my back on all
my beliefs I dont know I do not know
anything... perhaps he asked me to marry
him because I refused his invitation to sleep
with him! Ha! It wouldnt be the first time!
Beware of the day when blue bloods should
desire something!
When I was burning my papers I did not
think of such things.
Why not?
I did not think it would be possible...
No... why did you burn your papers?
What? For fear of interrogation.

40 | Flying into Darkness

PARIZAD
ESMAIL
PARIZAD
ESMAIL

PARIZAD

Were they poems?

Yes!
What a shame!
If I hadnt burned them yesterday, I would
have burned them today. Some were against
you, against the Shahs mistress or the
future queen!
[smiles bitterly] One who gives sanctuary to a
revolutionary cannot become queen, even if
she wanted to. The remaining, compromising
and reforming that Farzad spoke of were
just dreams. Nothing can be done. [smiling]
That is why each year at this time I want to
commit suicide I go through the actions
yet do not dare. [shows necklace] He put this
around my neck on our wedding night.
There was perfume in it. Now it has
something to connect me with my ancestors.
[takes off necklace] It kills quietly with all the
mingling; all the smiles, no one knows you
are carrying death around in your
automobile, accelerator to the floor, a few
moments later a cliff and fire but you were
already dead everything was prepared, on
our anniversary, in the very place where we
first embraced, on the day he died... but
then suddenly you appeared... you look so
much like Farzad.
Silence. From this moment on it seems like everything
happens in a dream in the candlelight. The flames
dance on the faces and there are shadows all around.

Flying into Darkness | 41

ESMAIL

PARIZAD

1. An Arabic prayer

From childhood I heard from the altars that

Allah mojeeba davat1; which means God
hears what we say, he can fix many things.
Why suicide? Suicide is a sin. There are a
thousand other paths to choose. Why do
you never try for the peoples support? I
come from among them... among those who
wish you dead, but they brought me to this
world. They do not know you. So go among
them. Speak with them. Tell them what you
will do if you become queen. I and
thousands like me will tell them that all that
has been said about you are lies. The people
will believe us; because we are from them.
Then accept the Shahs proposal. After that
the loyalists cannot oppose you since they
are dependent on power. And your power
will be from the people. The people who
are in such darkness that they are attracted
to the smallest flicker they would give
their lives if they knew that there is one
person in power who has them in mind. If
you do this the people will worship you.
Years ago I read a French play about a
queen who wished to go amongst the
people. In public carriages, on foot... [as if she
recalls the original lines] I want my people to see
me and I them. I want them to love me, for
I want to be their queen. As soon as I
become queen I will free all political
prisoners. I will welcome my people with
open arms and ask for their help. This is my
first step on my path to the people

42 | Flying into Darkness

ESMAIL

PARIZAD
ESMAIL

And I shall run to the jungle; to Siahkal1 or

some other place and wait for you to be
victorious. Then, like an eagle, I will fly to
you wherever you are, for it will not be
important where I am. It will matter that
things are changing for the better,
reformation! You and the people will be a
double-edged sword, like the sword of Ali2.
You and the people, the people and power.
[struggling to breathe, runs to the window, takes a deep breath.
silence] How calm it becomes after a storm!
[approaching Parizad calmly] Do not tell me one
short breath can change everything.
Esmail takes the necklace from Parizads hands and
wants to go closer.

PARIZAD

ESMAIL

PARIZAD
ESMAIL

[stops him] Be still Let things stay as they

are; awake or a dream, fact or fiction. Let it
stay as it is.
Then if we want, we can see it when we are
awake.
If this dream comes true, then [struggling to not
show his emotions] everyone will love you... we
all will love you... I am speaking for the
people [with difficulty and awkwardly] Ilo I must become queen! True?
[hesitates a bit] Of course. You must become
the queen Become the queen...
The Shahs wife.
Esmail places the necklace on the table
Darkness

1. Siahkal: small town and district on the Caspian Sea.

2. Al ibn Ab lib (600 or 607 661) The cousin and son-in-law of the prophet
Mohammad, and Caliph from 656 to 661. Ali was also the first male who accepted
Islam. He wielded a double-edged sword known as Zulfiqar.

Parizads Voice
Is this all an illusion? Or is there truly hope?
Dargahi knows the answer!
Dargahi; secret service agent.
My bodyguard by the Shahs direct order.
Yet neither my life is of import to him nor
the Shahs command.
He only cares about founding and heading
an intelligence service.
Despite his backing by those in the present
regime, I asked the Shah by telegraph to
dispense with him.
The first step toward a great goal.
Can it be achieved?
Doubts, doubts, doubts
We go forward looking back
What a hell it was, what a heaven
The people of my land review the future. 1

1 . Nostalgia for the Present; a poem by Andrei Voznesensky (1933; Russia)

Light.
Esmail is writing; surrounded by letters and
envelopes. Dargahi enters and sees Esmail seal an
envelope and begin writing another letters.

DARGAHI

You are a great man, I congratulate you!

Esmail gets shocked, quickly stands up.

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

Is the Lady not here?

[keeps his composure] She is out but will soon
return.
Excuse my not informing you of this visit.
In my profession the next move is always
unknown. Yet, this very profession - oh, I
havent introduced myself. How would you
know my profession! I am Dargahi; a
security service agent. As I was saying, this
profession contains many poetic nuances,
quite a few. It depends on simple yet
unpredictable things. You being a poet
yourself can understand this better than any
other. Am I correct in saying you are a poet?
I write poetry, from time to time.
Here is where one can witness the strength
of art! What politicians with all their
boasting could not accomplish, the artists in
one night have brought to fruition. How
were you able to change the ladys mind?
I know not of what you speak. I am here to Then you are not he who...? Oh, I thought
that -

Flying into Darkness | 45

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL

DARGAHI

ESMAIL

DARGAHI
ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

I am not who?
The rebellious poet who overnight turned
from insurgent to government servant. [picks
up an envelope, looks at it] Who for a month now
has been writing praises and sending them
here and there.
[insulted yet maintains composure] Im not sure I
follow you. I am here assisting the revision of
some plays for Lady Parizad, nothing more.
What I mean isonly art can bring a
rebellious grief stricken widow around with
such fervor to accept the Shahs proposal,
and then go through our streets on public
transportation, sit at the side of the masses,
holding their children on her lap.
I have no knowledge on the subject of the
Shahs proposal nor about the poet you
mention, yet if the Lady is doing such
things, she does so to breach the gap between
herself and the people. The result has nothing
to do with art.
Who said such a thing?
It really has no connection, it is a reaction Not that... the there being a gap between
herself and the people who was it that
said this... or is saying it?
[realizing his mistake] I didnt say there is a gap, I
said that the reason might be for [as if he has uncovered something] Aha! I thought you
looked familiar! You are the splitting image
of her deceased fianc. Are you related?

46 | Flying into Darkness

ESMAIL

DARGAHI

[becomes kind] You seem tired, please sit down;

in this semi-dark ambience of intellectuality
you must feel very comfortable. Especially
since intellectuals must have such comforts.
Especially now that the accomplishments of
your comrades will have a place to be
displayed, what with the completion of the
theater... Please, do sit down; you are not at
police headquarters. [sits and pours himself a glass
from a pitcher; notices the necklace on the table ] You
know, that night, about a month ago, when I
came to see Lady Pariz -, from now on, Her
Majesty, I imagined - forgive me - but I
imagined that you were here, hiding
somewhere, eavesdropping on us.
I have just recently become acquainted with
Lady Parizad, I do not know of where or
which evening you speak, and it is not right
that No! No! Do not misunderstand me, do not
be angry! I did not say you were here, I said
I imagined that you were here! However, I
could not say anything directly to the Lady.
An agent must always be careful, for this
reason I employed an old trick. I said that I
had apprehended you, interrogated you, that
you confessed that you planned an
assassination and that you gave up your
accomplices and so on. I had hoped, I speak
of that night, I had hoped to tread on your
honor and that out of sympathy for an

Flying into Darkness | 47

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

innocent you would show yourself. Lady

Parizad knows of this ruse. That is why she
looked me directly in the eyes when she
spoke to me. She is really quite intelligent!
But regarding you, you kept it to yourself in
such a way that I respectfully take my hat
off to you!
[a bit flustered] What do you want from me?!
Ill tell you. Because you tried to make me
believe what you say, I admire you. The
Lady has made up her mind... and will most
likely become the queen. This is indebted to
your endeavors... or at least I like to think so...
and, I am ready to wager that I am correct.
Esmail wants to speak. Dargahi stops him.

Allow me to continue! Now Lady Parizad

wishes to travel to the capitol, but what will
be the outcome of this pleasure trip? All the
officials will be pleased that the leader of
our country will once again be living with a
queen; just the fact that we have a queen!
But what is on the other side of this? She
will be considered reluctant in her duties,
regarded as lowly, accusing others of
conspiracy. Ha! Conspiracy! Do you know
how many times she has said such things
just in this past month? Things like When I
become queen Ill do this, Ill do that,
and all this before making her final
decision. And now that she is becoming
queen she needs to know what is expected

48 | Flying into Darkness

ESMAIL

DARGAHI

of a queen; pomp and grandeur That is all!

We are in need of an influential man, who
is not in the government. We do need such
a man! A man, who can control Lady
Parizad; to ensure her that the government
is on her side. To assure her that she has no
great duties. To be just a symbol, that is all.
Do you understand what I am saying?
If I am by her side... for the reason of my
great resemblance to her late fianc, Dont
you think Yes! How right! You have the potential to
cause a great scandal Esmail wants to speak. Dargahi stops him again.

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

- but with the help of the regime and some

other forces everything will end well.
And if I stay by her side and do not
cooperate with you?
Both of you will be disgraced! Very easily!
The proposal for marriage will be retracted,
instead of being queen she will be known as
the woman who sought queenhood to get
revenge for the death of her fianc, for this
reason she conspired with a rebel who had
an uncanny resemblance to her ex-fianc,
and now after the coming to light of the
illicit affair of the Lady with the rebel and
the diabolic goals of their rebellious faction,
to cause chaos in order to blackmail the
Shah and then escape the long clutches of
the law. It is easy as this!

Flying into Darkness | 49

ESMAIL

DARGAHI

ESMAIL
DARGAHI
ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL

But if I use my connection slyly and hand

her over to you bound as a gift, then you will
erase my name from the list of terrorists!
Who spoke of handing her over?! And to
whom; What for?! All we ask of you is to
hinder some probable events, that is all!
And in return?
Freedom. And even a job! In her office or
where ever you desire, with a good salary.
Is it worth it?
If you spend some time in jail youll know
how valuable it is. And let me add this in
confidence, the powers of government
cannot be overthrown overnight. Even if
you have something planned it is better to
be within the system.
Thats enough! Enough of your old tricks!
The people know everything now. They
know this government doesnt want a
libertarian and anti-coup dtat queen! They
fear being seen for what they are. This is
why they are putting out false rumors and
thousands of lies about her! They pay the
newspapers to slander her. But things have
changed, the people know everything. They
know you want to take away her power
because she wants to disrupt the foundation
of this regime! So much the better that this
woman, before becoming queen is seen
with a man resembling her deceased fianc!
Whether as an advisor or co-worker or

50 | Flying into Darkness

whatever Play your games as long as you

wish but beware!... This time, the people
are standing behind her I would not like
to change places with you.
Esmail begins to leave. Dargahi is silent. He makes a
decision and quietly takes out a gun.

DARGAHI
ESMAIL
DARGAHI

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

You are under arrest for the crime of

conspiring to kill the queen!
[shocked] I... I am under her protection!
And protecting her is my responsibility,
even against her wishes or in her home; and
this is not even her home.
You cannot do this.
Of course, I can, do not doubt it! But first
let me tell you a story so you have
something to think about at your execution!
One day a young man, a member of some
unknown political faction, goes home to
visit his family. As he kissed his mother the
agents arrived. Who knew where he was?
Only he and his faction! But this is not
the time to think about such things. He has
to destroy his worthless papers, to escape
from the agents, is this possible? If he must,
he must! It is the only thing to do! Escape
through the jungle, the lightning, running
through mud and slime, jumping over
walls The youth sees an open window.
Can he get in? If he must, he must! It is the
only thing to do! The youth enters and is
shocked. A beautiful woman, elegantly

Flying into Darkness | 51

dressed, heavily made up in the middle

an old mansion! What is she doing there at
this time of night? But this is not the time to
think about such things. Can he fall in love
with this woman? If he must, he must; even
if she is the future queen and you have
come here to assassinate her. It is the only
thing to do! The game starts here.
Now all the people love the new queen for
this is what their poet wanted. There is no
more gap. She is the sweetheart of the
masses. And what if the masses dislike us?
Either I will be dismissed with a telegraph or
I will be sent to a different posting; it makes
no difference. It only matters that we exist.
The Shah, the queen, the regime exists.
So, my good pawn, with complete bravery
you have gotten to the last line. And now
you must leave the board and be replaced by
the queen, and we continue our game.
It was an interesting play. Act one: the plan
to kill the future queen. Act two: persuade
the future queen to accept the Shahs proposal
to be his wife and gather supporters for her.
Act three: the death of the foolish hero.
Once again, thank you for your role. Wait
here to be taken into custody. [picks up the queens
necklace and studies it] This must be expensive.
Is it an antique? Put it someplace safe.
[throws it to Esmail] It might get misplaced here.
[begins to walk away but stops] By the way, did you

52 | Flying into Darkness

ESMAIL
DARGAHI

know that Lady Parizad herself is a

playwright and wants to turn this place into a
theater? [leaves]
[in disbelief] But this is not possible, Lady
Parizad would never lie to me.
[stops in the doorway] The Lady Parizads of this
world always lie, recall your own poems!
Queens, from Cleopatras time until her
own grandmother Mahd-e Oly1 and even
herself, not much has changed. They set
examples and instructed each other. If they
have slaves, they put them to work; if they
are threatened, they use flattery; if they
have a lover, they kill him... I beg your
pardon, first they drag him through the
mud, then they kill him. I bid you good
night, even though it is daytime. [leaves but his
voice echoes from outside; jokingly] The bad thing
about these old mansions is just this, it
seems to be night even during the day.
Sweet dreams!
Esmail is dazed and lost. He looks at the letters,
muffled sounds of long live and Viva are heard
from outside. The shouts attack his ears. He looks at
the necklace. He takes it up with shaking hands.
Darkness.

1. Mahd-i Uly or Mahd-e Oly, was a common title for empress mother, mothers of
Shahs, or crown princes in Iran during the Safavid and Qajar eras. One of them, who
was Nasseredin Shahs mother, was very cruel and cunning.

Parizads Voice
Death rains on this land
and there is no umbrella to protect it.
So you know beforehand that a flood of
death is coming and there is no dam.
Love says stay, but logic urges you to leave,
which one will you answer
in this realm of darkness.
The desire for the colors and bright lights of
the other side; and the memories of
mugginess and the muddy alleys on this side;
the memories of the ignorance and lack of
culture and superstitious worship and
middlemen on both sides.
Oh, if only these were just nightmares that
would disappear with the dawn
Oh, for memories of love and of this land, I
want to weep so my tears may turn this desert
into a meadow
Oh, these dreams are just hallucinations of a
weary mind waiting for perhaps a miracle...
a miracle?... Hmm!
Further and further on... we will drown in
expectation... in expectation for the one who
will one day come with his boat to save this
land yet when that day comes we shall all
have withered away.
And now, the final line of my letter, or will
and testament, or play that I write for you,
with ink that is mixed with my blood.

Light, perhaps from a fire.

Esmail is burning the papers and letters and is lying
motionless in a corner, the necklace is in his hand and
the half full vial is in front of him. Parizad is calm. As
if once again in a dream flight.

PARIZAD

ESMAIL

PARIZAD

What stories will be told of our romantic

times! About the love between the peoples
poet and a bloodthirsty queen! But I was not
a queen. I was in love, in love with a man,
with a land. [walks toward Esmail with less than stately steps]
I went in to a tavern one night. I threw a
stone at the framed picture on its wall.
I always hated the government and its
leaders; from the king to the bribe-taking
police in the streets. They chased me. They
beat me til morning. And the loyalists?
They drove around uptown and laughed at
us So I wrote poetry. I wrote my poetry
down, against the government, against
power, for the people and the people
loved me Until one day when I entered
this theater... and saw you... you who I had
composed poems against and the game
began... now the people love you. [lifts up the
necklace] You said it was gentle. So stay and
look into the face of a foolish poet.
[removes her shawl; her blouse is bloody and there is a bullet
hole] Last month, when you came, it was
important for me to have a great death, and
when the bullet struck me today, I wished a
thousand times over that it were your bullet
that entered my liver. But who knows?

Flying into Darkness | 55

Perhaps it is better like this. Perhaps if we

had become part this regime, we would
have lost face. Or we would have become
like them, perhaps the people would have
been beaten down. Perhaps there is no such
thing as the people, and all these shouters of
slogans would retreat after their first attack,
abandoning us to face the dragons of the
enemy alone, perhaps just as they so quickly
cheered for us, they would also cheer for
another and a thousand other perhaps We
were supposed to be a two-edged sword.
You and I; the people and the power. When
even one edge of this sword ceases to exist,
then it is better that the other half should
also not be. [takes up pen and paper with bloody hands
and writes] And these are my last lines, written
with ink that is mixed with my blood. A
letter, my last will and testament, or my play
written for you who nothing stood in your
way
[writes and reads] neither good times, nor calm,
neither a stormy sea,
nor a woman who warned you.
You were busy dying
You let the cold crawl through your clothes
You let blood seep into your stockings
Your face paled, Your voice cracked in two
And nothing stood in your way
You were busy dying.
Neither the life you wanted, nor the life you
had, nothing stood in your way...
You were busy dying. 1
1 . Inspired by the poem Your Dying by Mark Strand (1934; USA)

56 | Flying into Darkness

[to Esmail who speaks no more] You wanted to say

I love you that night... and now you are
dead. When a poet dies, God is the first to
know. 1 Now, I want to tell you, that I also
love you; even though you are dead.
And, well, death always ends romantic
dramas... perhaps tomorrow morning
another drama... without a bitter ending...
tomorrow morning...
Now, it is night it is late
Perhaps someone is singing, someone in the streets
passing by, a song from the times of the constitutional
government, perhaps Cry by Aref Ghazvini 2.

December 2002 June 2003

Final revision: June of 2012

1 . A poem by Fazl Hsn Dalarca (1914 2008; Turkey)

2 . Aref Qazvini; Iranian poet, lyricist and musician. (1882 - 1934)

This play was performed as a playreading in April

2004 in Ershad Theater in Abadan, performed by
Shabnam Moghadami, Seyed Mehrdad Ziyaie and
the playwright himself. Then in January, 2012 it
was selected as one of the best plays of the year by
The Iranian Drama Institutes. It was performed in
the Av Theater from June until September 2012. The
complete line-up for these performances were:
Actors:
Shabnam Moghadami / Elika AbdolRazaghi )Lady Parizad(
Milad Rahimi (Esmail)
Afshin Hashemi )Dargahi(
Music: Reza Mortazavi (Singer: Hadi Feyz-Abadi)
Decorator: Aran Ebrahimi
Directors assistants: Ehsan Bayatpour, Mahan Khorshidi
Brochure & Poster Designer: Saman Khadam
Costume Designer: Baran Kosari )assisted by Samaneh Hosseini
- with special thanks to Donya Madani)

Photographer: Mehrdad Emrani (with special thanks to Negar

Hassan-Zadeh, Studio Ochra)

Metal framing: Saeed Bojnurdi

Designer & Director: Afshin Hashemi