Infant and Rita
NARRATOR 1: In the year 2194, in Harare, the sprawling capital of Zimbabwe, there is a special place called Resthaven.
NARRATOR 2: Surrounded by a huge wall that keeps out the city, the people of Resthaven choose to live as Africans lived for thousands of years—in small tribal villages, raising their own food, and following the ancient traditions.
NARRATOR 1: Into this haven stumble three children of a high government security officer—the boy Tendai, his younger sister Rita, and their little brother Kuda. They were kidnapped on a trip through the city, and have just escaped from a toxic waste dump, where they were enslaved by a monstrous woman called the She Elephant.
NARRATOR 2: Now, while they wait for their chance to go home, they enjoy the beauty and idyllic life of Resthaven—or at least, Tendai does. Rita has a different view of it.
* * *
RITA: (upset) It’s all right for you. You’re a boy. You get to lie around listening to stories. I have to scrub the floor, wash clothes, sweep the courtyard, and . . . and . . . air out the babies’ bedding. It’s so horrible! Can’t you ask for the holophone so we can call Father? Nobody listens to me.
NARRATOR 1: Rita was hiding in a tiny clearing surrounded by thick bushes. She had a heap of disgustingly dirty mats that Tendai assumed was the babies’ bedding.
TENDAI: (in a low voice) They won’t listen to me either. I’ve been trying for days.
NARRATOR 2: By the rules of Resthaven, Tendai wasn’t supposed to be with Rita. Boys his age didn’t keep company with girls before getting ready for marriage.
RITA: They will so. I hear them talking. “Oh, the new boy’s so clever. Oh, he’s a wonderful story teller.” They think you’re the greatest thing since fried mice.(shudders) Did you see those poor little creatures that first night?
TENDAI: Our ancestors ate them, and we’re not vegetarians.
RITA: Our ancestors ate them, but our ancestors’ wives had to kill them. You should have heard their little squeaks.
TENDAI:
NARRATOR 2: Surrounded by a huge wall that keeps out the city, the people of Resthaven choose to live as Africans lived for thousands of years—in small tribal villages, raising their own food, and following the ancient traditions.
NARRATOR 1: Into this haven stumble three children of a high government security officer—the boy Tendai, his younger sister Rita, and their little brother Kuda. They were kidnapped on a trip through the city, and have just escaped from a toxic waste dump, where they were enslaved by a monstrous woman called the She Elephant.
NARRATOR 2: Now, while they wait for their chance to go home, they enjoy the beauty and idyllic life of Resthaven—or at least, Tendai does. Rita has a different view of it.
* * *
RITA: (upset) It’s all right for you. You’re a boy. You get to lie around listening to stories. I have to scrub the floor, wash clothes, sweep the courtyard, and . . . and . . . air out the babies’ bedding. It’s so horrible! Can’t you ask for the holophone so we can call Father? Nobody listens to me.
NARRATOR 1: Rita was hiding in a tiny clearing surrounded by thick bushes. She had a heap of disgustingly dirty mats that Tendai assumed was the babies’ bedding.
TENDAI: (in a low voice) They won’t listen to me either. I’ve been trying for days.
NARRATOR 2: By the rules of Resthaven, Tendai wasn’t supposed to be with Rita. Boys his age didn’t keep company with girls before getting ready for marriage.
RITA: They will so. I hear them talking. “Oh, the new boy’s so clever. Oh, he’s a wonderful story teller.” They think you’re the greatest thing since fried mice.(shudders) Did you see those poor little creatures that first night?
TENDAI: Our ancestors ate them, and we’re not vegetarians.
RITA: Our ancestors ate them, but our ancestors’ wives had to kill them. You should have heard their little squeaks.
TENDAI: