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MAK NANG'S THEATRICS
Original title: Wavangan Mall Nang
Bv:Wan Ismail Wan Ahmad
Biodata
WAN AHMAD WAN ISMAIL was born on July 29 in
Kuala Terengganu . He is a pensioner and is active in
literary and political fields . He is a member of several
associations: Terengganu State Writers' Association
(KARYA), Terengganu Literary Association (PELITA)
and United National Writers (GAPENA). Wan Ahmad has produced many literary works
which include essays , poems, stage plays and novels. His work has won awards such
as the National/Independence Poem Award , the Utusan-Public Bank Literary Award and
the 50 Years DBP Award . His contributions in the literary field qualified him to receive
the 1992 State Cultural Award and the 2005 Modern Stage Management Award from
Himpunan Anak-anak Seni Terengganu of the Terengganu State Government.
ACT ONE
TIME: Day
In the living room of TENGKU SULAIMAN'S palace. Hanging on the
wall is a three feet by three feet portrait of TENGKU SULAIMAN and
TENGKU ZUBEDAH. The room is adorned with an antique, eighty old
clock standing on the left of the room, whilst on the right is an antique
chair. On a table is a sewing box. TENGKU ZUBEDAH, with the aid of
a walking stick, moves about restlessly in the room. She seems to have
lost something. She approaches the white sparrow's cage, situated in
the middle of the room; she turns the cage around. The white sparrow
flutters about in the cage. TENGKU ZUBEDAH observes the white
sparrow. She then puts the cage down.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (looks around her and calls out) : Mak Nang! Mak
Nangg! Hurry! Hurry up Mak Nang, we're already late. (Her voice
becoming louder) Mak Nang! (Becomes quiet momentarily). Where
can that senile woman be! And I have to wait for her. As if she's the
head of this huge house. (Shouts). Mak Nang! Mak Nang!
(MAK NANG comes into the living room, holding a package in her
hands).
MAK NANG (panting and looking rather scared) : I'm here Engku .
Forgive me for being late . What can I do, Engku?
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH: She's asking me! I'm hoarse shouting for her to
come! (Turns to look at MAK NANG). Are you ready?
MAK NANG: Yes, Engku. This is the package I want to bring.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH sits on the antique chair; her shawl falfs to the
floor. MAK NANG picks it up and places it back on TENGKU ZUBEDAH
shoulders).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (shocked; looks at the package with MAK NANG):
What's that package? You're taking that to Tengku Ali's house?
MAK NANG: No Engku, and who's going to go to Tengku Ali's
house?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: We want to go and pay our last respects to Tengku
Ali. It's not necessary to bring that package. Take it back to your
room. (Orders MAK NANG to do just that). Hurry up! Go and keep
that package. We're late!
MAK NANG (remain where she is): I have no intention of going to Tengku
Ali's house. I want to take this package back to my village.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (shocked): What! You're going back to the village?
You're leaving this big house?
MAK NANG: I request permission to stop working here. I miss my village
after working in this palace for such a long time.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Don't you play theatre with me. I don't believe
you; neither do I have the time to listen to you. We're late. A lot of
people are waiting for us.
MAK NANG: I'm telling you the truth. I want to return to my village,
which I've left for such a long time. Five long years. I can't contain
these feelings anymore.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH gets up form the chair and walks towards the
big, antique clock at the corner of the waif; she watches intently as the
clock chimes ten times).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Why this sudden need to leave? Tengku Ali
has yet to be buried. You're making a wrong decision. Absolutely
incomprehensible. (In a more gentle tone). Forget what you just
said; come, let's go to Tengku Ali's house. We'll continue when we
get back.
MAK NANG (adamantly): I've made up my mind. I've decided to stop
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working in this palace. I'm not going with you to pay my last respects
to Tengku Ali. You go ahead. I will wait until you get back.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (disappointed with MAK NANG'S decision, she
sits down on the antique chair again): Mak Nang, you know that
Tengku Ali was close to all his relatives. It's not wise, if you don't
come along. You've known Tengku Ali for a long time, right? We
should go and give him our final respects. Let's go and read the
holy verses of a/-fatihah and the yassin for his soul.
MAK NANG: I'm not going, no matter what. You go ahead, alone. I'm
willing to wait until you come back.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Don't be so stubborn, Mak Nang. Have some
respect. Tengku Ali was not our enemy.
MAK NANG (in a rather loud voice): Tengku Ali would always be my
enemy. Your enemy too, Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: He's dead. Forget the past. Moreover, my
husband's death was not because of Tengku Ali.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH looks at the sewing box, takes the needle and
begins to sew; she is deliberately doing it as to calm her nerves).
MAK NANG (becoming upset): You're willing to let your husband be
murdered. You were happy when Engku Sulaiman died in the
gamelan arena (annoyed). Tengku Sulaiman died Tengku Ali shot
by, right?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (even more angry now): Shut up, Mak Nang!
Don't start making all your accusations! Forget the past. It's bad
to bring it up.
MAK NANG (begins to tone down): Forgive me, Engku. I have to say
what's in my heart. Let me pour it all out to you, for I can no longer
contain it within me forever. (Stops a while). I know that you never
loved your late husband, Engku. Because you loved Tengku Ali
more, right?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (throwing the sewing box): Don't be rude, Mak
Nang. Do you know whom you're talking with? Do you know that
your wild, malicious accusations will sully the family ties between
Tengku Sulaiman and Tengku Ali. You just want to create stories
so that you'll be chased out of this palace. (Laughs uproariously).
More so, when you want so very much to leave this huge house!
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MALAY LITERATURE
MAK NANG: I've asked, so often, to leave this huge house. This is
not the first time. I'm literally frothing at the mouth for making the
same request, a million times. Each time I asked to leave, you
always prevent me.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (stands up, holding her cane and approaches
MAK NANG): Mak Nang! I regard you as my own blood relative.
We both were brought up in this palace. We're been together for
fifty years. How could you create all those false stories. You just
want to deceive me.
MAK NANG (in a loud voice): Engku! Don't, stop playing games with
me. I have all the secrets of this big house in the palm of my hands,
Engku. Maybe you've really forgotten (in a jeering tone) that we both
were brought up here. (Looks in front of her and remains quiet for
a while). My late parents lived here. They were servants to Tengku
Mahmud, Tengku Sulaiman's father. (Surprised and in an ugly
tone). Why must you defend Tengku Ali, the man responsible for
killing your husband?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (sits down again in the chair. Her voice softens
and she shakes her head): Mak Nang, my dear Mak Nang; so you
never knew that Tengku Sulaiman was actually killed by one of the
gamelan players. Dollah Canang, to be exact. You knew him, right?
(Stops for a while and then continues). At the same time, Tengku
Ali quickly reacted by killing Dollah Canang, who actually wanted to
eliminate all the royal family. Luckily, Tengku Ali was at that place
and could save my husband, Tengku Sulaiman, who of course later
died on your bed, Mak Nang, not on mine. (She becomes sad).
(MAK NANG picks up the package and leaves the room).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (glancing at MAK NANG and tries to prevent her
from leaving): Wait! I won't let you leave this huge house so easily
Mak Nang. Pay all the compensation for staying here all these
years. It must be paid!
MAK NANG (puts down the package again. Looks shocked and
surprised): What? Compensation? Debts? As far as I can remember
lowe nobody nothing. Neither have I destroyed any valuables here
that I have to be paying compensation. (Angry and sad at the same
time). On the contrary, it's you who have to pay me.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: You tried to steal and remove expensive items
from this huge house. The proof: that package! The things in that
package that you'd be taking away!
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MAK NANG: This package? There's nothing valuable here, only my
clothes.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (observing closely) : Open the package and let
me see.
MAK NANG (disobeying the request): You don't believe me? Have you
lost anything during the fifty years I've been here? Have you?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: I've lost too much; and there's too much wastage.
You have to pay Mak Nang. (Gives out an order in a loud voice).
Open that package!
(MAK NANG opens the package in which are clothes, ear-rings, bangles,
slippers and some money. TENGKU ZUBEDAH looks carefully at the
things in the package).
MAK NANG: These are my things. All the valuables I've managed
to collect for the half century I've enslaved myself in your palace,
Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (holds the ear-rings and bangles): This is proof that
you tried to steal these ear-rings and bangles and remove them from
this palace. These belong here, to this palace, this huge house.
MAK NANG: The bangles and ear-rings are mine, given to me by His
Royal Highness, the late Tengku Sulaiman. He gave them to me
in front of you; as if you would forget it. ...
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (talks as she laughs): No witness exists who can
prove that these belong to you, Mak Nang. No one was around, no
one could have seen him gave them to you.
MAK NANG: But you yourself witnessed it?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: No! No! I cannot accept your excuses. You
deliberately want to steal the valuables from this huge house. Maybe
there are more valuables that you're hiding from me!
MAK NANG: Of course, Engku! Wait here; I'll go and get them. You'll
be happy when you can rob everything from me. I'm prepared to
leave this palace with just the clothes on my back.
(MAK NANG goes inside, leaving the sitting room. TENGKU ZUBEDAH
is agitated and restless, moving about in the room even as she observes
the ear-rings and bangles. MAK NANG comes in carrying the gun used
in killing TENGKU SULAIMAN. TENGKU ZUBEDAH is shocked and
flustered).
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH (agitated and afraid): Mak Nang. Don't play with
that jinxed gun. (Pointing to the gun). That's my property; it belonged
to the late Tengku Sulaiman.
MAK NANG (in a loud voice): Actually it belongs to me Engku; it's mine.
It was the late Tengku Mahmud, Tengku Sulaiman's father, who
gave it to my late father. Which means that it's mine, if one follows
the heritage principle. If you want, here take it.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (anxious): Keep that jinxed gun. How did you
get it back? It was kept, well hidden away. That gun has a secret
history of bloodshed.
MAK NANG (in teasing manner): Don't ask where I got it from; don't
you know that this house keeps no secret from me (looks directly
at Tengku Zubedah). So you don't want this gun? You only want
the ear-rings and the bangles? By all means, have them. And you
can have this gun too, because it was with this gun that Tengku Ali
robbed the life out of Tengku Sulaiman. You were an accomplice,
right?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (in a loud voice, shouting): Shut up, you! Shut
up!!! Get out of here! (Throws the bangles and ear-rings at MAK
NANG). There, take your possessions; tidy that package and get
out of here! I don't ever want to see your face in this big house
again. Get out!
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH faints and falls down. MAK NANG is too shocked
to do anything. She's all fidgety, like a hen which has lost all its chickens.
At one time she puts the gun on the floor, at another time she lifts it
up and aims it in the direction of TENGKU ZUBEDAH. She does not
know what to do. The clock chimes 12 times. The bird in the cage flies
about to free itself. MAK NANG sits on the antique chair, still holding
the gun).
MAK NANG (talking to herself): Engku! Engku! Is this the wife of an
important noble person from this palace? (Laughs as she speaks in
a jeering manner). Lie there, Engku. Now, I'm the one who controls
this antique chair. I will leave this huge house full of sins. Much blood
has been shed for nothing. This huge house is like hell inundated
with sins and revenge. Forgive me, Engku, I have to leave now. In
my village, maybe its more peaceful and calmer.
(MAK NANG stands up, leaving the antique chair. She tidies the
package full of clothes. She collects the ear-rings and bangles which
TENGKU ZUBEDAH had thrown down. MAK NANG is leaving when
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH becomes conscious and starts to call her name.
MAK NANG is shocked).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Mak Nang! Mak Nang! You shot me; you shot
your own boss! Do you know who I am? I am the descendant of
this noble house. You want me to die. You want to have this huge
house!
MAK NANG (laughs): So you didn't die really. Tengku Ali, Tengku
Sulaiman and Dollah Canang, why, they all died. You can have all
the riches of this huge house, Engku. You have all the rights. Who
am I to want to rob you of your rights, Engku. Only one thing, you
have no right to, Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: You didn't shoot me, Mak Nang. I'm still alive.
(Stands up and touches her body and clothes). True! True! That
gun didn't kill me. I'm still invincible. Now, everything is mine. I have
all the power. (Continues to laugh like one who has lost control of
herself).
MAK NANG: The gun couldn't touch you, because it had no bullets,
Engku. All the bullets were for Tengku Sulaiman, Dollah Canang
and also Tengku Ali. The last bullet is still with me. Don't worry.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (shocked): This gun too killed Tengku Ali? I heard
what everybody was saying that it was Ah Cheng who killed Tengku
Ali. Samy was involved too. Likewise the British. Now its clear, that
it was you, Mak Nang, who killed Tengku Ali with that gun!
MAK NANG: It's up to you to make all the deductions. You're free to do
so. If its true that I'm in the wrong, punish me. I'm ready. But don't
you dare hurt Tengku Mariam.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: What's wrong with my princess? Don't you connect
these events with my daughter.
MAK NANG (wanting to leave the room): Take good care of Tengku
Mariam, Engku. Don't hurt that princess. I will never agree to it.
(MAK NANG steps outside. TENGKU ZUBEDAH prevents her from going
by pulling MAK NANG with her cane. MAK NANG cannot move).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Again and again you create stories by linking my
daughter with this incident? Why? Do you think that my Princess
Tengku Mariam was involved with the death of the royal family?
MAK NANG: The gun was with you. As if you didn't know! You hid the
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gun, didn't you? You know more about this Engku. (Upset). Tengku
Mariam is still young, don't drag her into this dragnet of murders.
Tengku Mariam is like my own daughter.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: She's not your daughter, Mak Nang. She's my
very own princess. You don't have to be advising me. I know how
to take care of her (warning) You cannot leave before you settle
all your debts.
MAK NANG: What more do you want from me? I will take that package.
You can have the ear-rings and the bangles. Those gamelan
costumes have no value for me.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: You cannot leave Mak Nang. Wait.. ..
(TENGKU ZUBEOAH goes inside. MAK NANG, agitated. Moves about
in the living room. She approaches the bird cage; she goes to the clock
and the antique chair. TENGKU ZUBEOAH comes out with a book in
her hand).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: This is a note book listing all that you owe me
since you worked here. I've noted down everything. Even the batik
sarong you took to wear during rehearsals. Its here! The twenty
ringgit you took to buy a gift for T engku Mariam is also noted here.
And a lot more too!
MAK NANG: Debts, Engku! What about the debts ofTengku Sulaiman
and Tengku Mahmud? Throughout my entire life, I was never paid
a salary. My services to this huge house is worth much more than
the debts written down in that accursed book!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Accursed book! Hmmmm, this book contains all
the debts, all the names of the leaders of this palace, all the debts
of both your parents are written in this book too. Including Pak Mat
Nobat's name, even the palace gardener's name is here. I have been
taught to write down all that is borrowed, owed, since young.
MAK NANG (angry): What exactly do you want from me? Tell me before
I leave. I want to quickly return to my village. I'm not prepared to
be a victim in this huge house, as happened to Tengku Sulaiman,
Tengku Ali and the late Dollah Canang.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: You have to promise me and take an oath!
MAK NANG: I will only promise and take an oath only ifTengku Mariam
is well taken care of.
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH (coughing): I want death ... death ... (coughs until
it is difficult for her to compose her words).
(MAK NANG quickly rushes get TENGKU ZUBEDAH who is coughing
and is almost falling down. TENGKU ZUBEDAH continues to cough.
MAK NANG guides her to the antique chair).
MAK NANG: Rest, Engku! Try not to talk. I can understand you, Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Don't leave, Mak Nang. Just stay with me. I don't feel
too well. I promise to go with you to your village when I'm better.
MAK NANG: Engku! Engku! You must know that my village is far in
the interior. It's a long, hard, rough journey.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (still coughing): Keep that gun. I don't want to see
that thing here. Go and bring my princess here.
MAK NANG: Tengku Mariam will follow me to the village of my
ancestors.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (in a loud voice): Mak Nang! Don't take my princess
away from me. Don't take her away!
ACT TWO
In the village room of TENGKU SULAIMAN'S house (palace). On the
wall hangs a portrait of TENGKU SULAIMAN and TENGKU ZUBEDAH.
Amongst the portraits there is one of TENGKU MARIAM. The living
room is still decorated with the clock, antique chairs and table and the
bird's cage. The sparrow is no longer in the cage. TENGKU MARIAM
is sewing. She sits on the antique chair. PAK MA T NOBA T enters the
room holding a flute. He observes TENGKU MARIAM who is keenly
sewing.
PAK MAT NOBAT (looks closely at what TENGKU MARIAM is sewing):
Tengku Mariam, Tengku Mariam, you've threaded the needle wrongly!
(Takes the needle and proceeds to show the princess the correct
way of threading it).
TENGKU MARIAM (sits demurely in front of the chair on which PAK
MA T NOBA T is sitting. Observes keenly how PAK MA T NOBA T
sews): I've seen how Mak Nang sews. That's how she taught me!
(PAK MAT NOBAT hands back the gamelan costume which TENGKU
MARIAM is working on. TENGKU MARIAM takes back the costume).
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TENGKU MARIAM (putting the costume on a side table. She then stands
up. Approaches the antique clock): Pak Tua! (Becomes quiet and
looks at the clock). Pak Tua ... it's been a long time since I heard
the flute. (Smiles at the old man). Seeing you with the flute makes
me want to hear the melodious sounds all over again!
PAK MAT NOBAT: I've been ordered not to play the flute ever again.
But after the demise of Tengku Ali, a new order was issued that the
palace music should be revived.
TENGKU MARIAM: Who gave the orders?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Your mother, Princess.
TENGKU MARIAM: As far as I know, after my father's death, nobat
music was forbidden but not game/an music!
PAK MAT NOBAT: It's difficult to discuss these things, Princess. After
Tengku Ali's demise, your mother ordered me to revive the gamelan
music. Your mother also wants the gamelan to be played outside of
the palace. Unfortunately the game/an dancers are scarce to by!
TENGKU MARIAM: Gamelan dancers are hard to come by? What do
you mean, Pak Tua? You're referring to Mak Nang? Mak Nang has
left? (Shocked).
PAK MAT NOBAT: Who said that Mak Nang has left! I only said that a
lot of gamelan dancers have ceased dancing. They got married.
TENGKU MARIAM (surprised and in a questioning mood): So? Who will
dancing then? Who'll be teaching? I'm confused. I can't dance.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Maybe your mother herself will teach the gamelan
dances.
TENGKU MARIAM: My mother has promised to never ever get involved
with any game/an activity. Do you remember how my father was
gunned down in the gamelan arena not so long ago? Since that
incident, mum is always disturbed each time she sees a game/an
costume. To forget that sad incident, mom burnt most of the game/an
costumes. Do you remember, Pak Tua?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Of course, I remember, Princess. Your mother
deliberate!y burned the gamelan costumes, no so much because of
the shooting incident in the game/an arena!!! (Becomes quiet and
looks down at the floor). But because the costumes were all so old
and worn out. Your mother pretended to have lost her mind I
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TENGKU MARIAM (shocked and angry at Pak Tua's accusations about
her mother): What? You accused my mother of deliberately doing
all that? How could you say that about my mother!! My father was
shot in front of my mother, and in front of you too, right?
PAK MAT NOBAT (smiles cynically): Princess, Princess ... have you
heard about Mak Nang's story?
TENGKU MARIAM (quite shocked but curious at the same time): Story?
What story, Pak Tua? No one told me anything ... !
PAK MAT NOBAT: Impossible? As if Mak Nang never sang the syairwith
you, Princess? Or the pantun? Likewise the seloka, the gurindam,
all the different types of poetic forms?
TENGKU MARIAM: Mak Nang sang and recited the syair. But singing and
reciting the syair have got nothing to do with my father's death.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Impossible! So? Mak Nang never told you anything
all this while?
TENGKU MARIAM: Mak Nang did tell me about how great you were
playing all the gamelan songs like Sembang Sari, Timang Burung,
Kunang-kunang Mabuk and the ayak-ayak.
PAK MAT NOBAT: And that's all?
TENGKU MARIAM: Yes, that's all.
PAK MAT NOBAT: It couldn't be just that. Why don't you ask Mak Nang,
Princess. She knows many stories in this big house!
TENGKU MARIAM (disappointed): Mak Nang is no longer here. It's
said that Mak Nang has gone back to her village, which is far away.
(She's sad; she cries). Why did Mak Nang leave this big house?
I'm just beginning to learn from her. I don't know how to sew, much
less to do embroidery or to even weave!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Don't be sad, Princess. Let Mak Nang be. She can
no longer bear all the sufferings. Mak Nang hates this big house.
Let her leave. At least to reduce her sad, painful burden which she
has endured all this long while. We empathize with her, but she
alone knows how heavy the burden she bears.
TENGKU MARIAM: Why Pak Tua? What happened to make Mak Nang
become like that?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Mak Nang has been suffering since the death of
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your father, Tengku Sulaiman ....
TENGKU MARIAM (pleading because she really wants to know): Why
was Mak Nang sad? What was dad's relationship with Mak Nang?
As far as I know, he wasn't her husband. Why must Mak Nang
remember dad, whilst mom was not even sad that he died? Mom
was sad and mourned only for a while. As soon as the mourning
period was over, she quickly recovered; in fact, after dad's death,
mom became even more beautiful.
PAK MAT NOSAT: Find out for yourself, Princess! I think you can
guess the reasons. I cannot tell you how sad Mak Nang became
after your father's death. For a long time, she had wanted to leave,
change her way of life from a maid to become an ordinary village
folk. She wants to become a Quran teacher and do good deeds
for the village folks, the place where she was born. Mak Nang also
wants to encourage the development of the game/an dance in her
village, if necessary.
TENGKU MARIAM: Mak Nang should have taken me with her. I'm also
not comfortable living in this big house without Mak Nang. Mom does
not love me. To whom should I give my love. There's no place for
me here. After dad's death, mom was always so busy with Tengku
Ali. My loving times with mom were robbed by Tengku Ali.
PAK MAT NOSAT: A lot of business was done with Tengku Ali; so that
was a priority. Moreover, it also brought a lot of profit. More so after
your father's death, Princess.
TENGKU MARIAM: But ... what were those business deals that brought
50 much fortune, Pak Tua? I have my doubts and I really don't
understand!
PAK MAT NOSAT: Your mother ordered Mak Nang and I to take care
of this big house. Your mother also wanted to keep secret her
relationship with Tengku Ali and their business deals away from
the prying eyes of the people.
(Suddenly, TENGKU ZABEOAH appears in the sitting room. She is
coughing and using her walking stick. PAK MA T NOBA T and TENGKU
MARIAM are shocked and they make room for TENGKU ZUBEOAH to
sit down on the antique chair, the symbol of power in that palace).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (looks sharply at PAK MA T NOBA T): What
advantage do you get by lying to my princess, Pak Mat? You've
jumbled up everything. I've heard all that you've said to my
princess!
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PAK MAT NOBAT (in a quivering voice): I ... I didn't say anything,
Engku. As you ordered Engku, I came ....
TENGKU MARIAM: Pak Tua didn't tell me anything, mother! He only
said that Mak Nang has left!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angrily): It's better for that old, senile wcxnan to
leave, rather than be a nuisance in this big house! Since that old
wag left ... It's a bit peaceful here. No more shame and sins!
TENGKU MARIAM (sadly) : Why are you saying all these, mother.
Don't you feel the slightest twinge of sadness that Mak Nang has
left. How could you? At least remember all the good deeds that Mak
Nang did all these years she's served in this house, mother.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: What? You want me to remember Mak Nang's
good deeds? Never! Mak Nang committed a lot of sins in this big
house, it's good that she should leave this place; let it be!
TENGKU MARIAM: Mother! So it was you who chased Mak Nang
away. You're cruel, mother. Cruel!!! (Cries sadly).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: She was the one who wanted to leave! So let
her leave! Moreover her sins are too many to be forgiven!
TENGKU MARIAM: How really unfortunate Mak Nang is .... (Sadly). I
am convinced Mak Nang didn't commit any sins in this house (Looks
around the living room from the corner of her eyes). Mak Nang is
the best sort of person I ever met. She is loving and caring.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Enough! Looks like you too have been poisoned
by Mak Nang's sweet words. My child, you're still young, you don't
know life's myriad ways! (In a calmer voice as she turns to look at
PAK MA T NOBA T). What have you told my daughter; I don't want
you to poison her mind. Suffice what Mak Nang did all this while!
PAK MAT NOBAT: I only said that you've killed the sparrow in that
cage. That you chopped and minced the bird to pieces. I, too, loved
that bird.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: That bird should be killed! That bird should not
live for that accursed bird knew all the tales in this big house!
PAK MAT NOBAT: That should have been set free, not killed!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angrily): I don't want to see that cage there!
Throw that cage into the wide open sea. Let it vanish from this big
house!
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PAK MAT NOBAT (lowering his voice): I think it's not necessary to
throw the cage away. I will put a new bird inside it. A prettier and
cleverer bird. One which can talk and verify all the events that
happened in this house.
TENGKU MARIAM: You're cruel, mother! You've killed an innocent
animal. I loved that bird so. Killing that bird, why it's almost like
you've killed my own soul, mother!!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Mind your word, child. Otherwise all my efforts at
bringing you up since small would come to naught. Don't be a rebellious
child. You should have more respect when talking to me.
TENGKU MARIAM: After chasing Mak Nang away, you then killed that
bird. Maybe, maybe tomorrow you'll chase Pak Tua ... and then
maybe you will even kill your own child .... (Raising her voice and
suppressing her sadness).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angry and shouting): Tengku Mariammmm! You're
becoming rude, even with me. Surely this must be because of Pak
Mat's interventions. You should mind your words when talking with
me. What devil, what evil has so influenced you that you change
so suddenly ....
(Shouting and looking in PAK MAT'S direction). You're the puppeteer
inciting my daughter. You want our family to quarrel so that it's easy for
you to fulfill your evil deeds.
TENGKU MARIAM: Forgive me mother. I have no intention of being
rebellious or to make you angry, mother. I'm just sad that you have
driven Mak Nang away from this big house.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Enough! Pak Mat! I asked you to come here,
certainly not to poison my daughter's mind. You've been asked
here to teach my princess music and dancing. Pak Mat! (Orders
him). Blow the flute.
(PAK MAT NOBAT plays the flute. The 'Timang Burung" song echoes
in every corner of the room. So melodious and captivating such that
unconsciously TENGKU MARIAM gets up, steps out and dances to
the tune ofthe flute).
TENGKU MARIAM (agitated and despairing): Forgive me, mother. I
cannot carryon with this dance. It feels odd without Mak Nang.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Damn! Again and again, its Mak Nang! Pak Mat!
Continue playing the song. Let me dance. (Quickly she gets up).
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from the chair, follows the rhythm and dances).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (after a while she stops dancing and turns to look
at PAK MA D: Pak Mat, why is the song out of tune? It feels odd
with this dance.
PAK MAT NOBAT: The song is not out of tune, Engku. Only the steps are
odd, not as gentle as those executed by Mak Nang. You've forgotten
a lot of the dance steps associated with that song, Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angry): Don't demean me so, Pak Mat. I was
the one who first taught thatjoget dancer! Begin again! (Offers him
and starts to dance). Pak Mat! (In a high voice). Why aren't you
playing the flute?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Please forgive me so, Engku ... I ... I cannot play
the song, it's out of tune. I'm old, I can't play the song and I have no
more energy. I feel ... I feel I want to stop working here, Engku ... !
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: More excuses! This is all because of Mak Nang.
Now, you're creating problems, Pak Mat. Wanting to leave this big
house!
TENGKU MARIAM (shocked): You, too, want to leave me, Pak Tua?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Why should I stay here longer. My talents and
abilities are vanishing. So, it's better for me to just leave this big
house. Living here has no meaning left. Maybe with my leaving,
you, Engku will be satisfied for then I can no longer poison the
princess mind.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Pak Tua! You want to leave this house after
you've created all the havoc. After you've killed the bird in the cage.
(Laughing in a false and forced manner). You cannot simply leave
this big house so easily!
TENGKU MARIAM (shocked): You killed the bird I so loved, Pak Tua?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Princess, it was your mother who wanted that bird
killed! I only carried out her orders.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Lies! You're lying, Pak Mat. Don't you complicate
matters. You hated that bird. That bird knew that you made love
with Mak Nang in this room each time we were not in this palace,
right?
PAK MAl NOBAl (rubbing his chest and calling on God as his witness):
Oh, my God ... Engku, Tengku Mariam is an adult now, she can
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think and differentiate what is right and what is wrong ... ! That bird
would never sully me even if it was still alive. Even that animal would
know how to value someone who has been good to it, for it was I
who took care of it and gave it food. In fact, it was that bird which
witnessed all that you did, Engku!!!
TENGKU MARIAM (shouting): Enough! Enoughhh! Both you and Pak
Tua are always arguing, all the time, mother. I'm fed up living like this.
This big house is no longer peaceful to live in. (Steps out quickly to
leave). If this is the case, it's better for me to just run away.
(PAK MA T NOBA T tries to prevent TENGKU MARIAM).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Where do you want to go? As heir to this big
house, you don't have to go anywhere. Your presence is also very
crucial to lead the gamelan dance troupe to be reestablished soon.
(Keeps quiet as she observes TENGKU MARIAM). Do you have
the heart to leave me here all alone?
TENGKU MARIAM: I don't need properties. I only need your love,
mother. But you don't love me or care for me. You never bothered
to find out things about me. Except for Mak Nang. Now she's no
longer here. So let me go far away from here to nurse my injured
heart!!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Where do you want to go, child? As the future
leader of the joget dancers, you're needed in this big house. His
Highness the Sultan will be enraged if he finds out that you're not
here. He wants you to be his daughter-in-law!!
TENGKU MARIAM: Ajoget dancer like me, is not fit to be the sultan's
daughter-in-law! I'm bored staying in this big house ... everything
is so disappointing ... !!??
PAK MAT NOBAT: I too want to leave. If you, princess, wants to come
along ... I'm willing to take you with me!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angrily): Noooo! You, Pak Mat, cannot take her
with you. Don't try to be too clever! You cannot simply leave this
big house as you like!!??
(Without bothering about what is happening, TENGKU MARIAM leaves
the living room. PAK MAT NOBA T, too, wants to leave, but he is prevented
from doing so by TENGKU ZUBEOAH).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (stands up holding her cane): Pak Mat. Listen
here! Tengku Mariam knows nothing, although she's already 23
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years old. I'm giving you a last warning not to trick or poison the
thoughts of my child. Make sure that my princess gets all the best
she needs. Don't disturb her, let her soul be completely healed
and relaxed! Tengku Mariam is like the lone star illuminating this
big house. Without her, this house would have no shine and would
become absolutely dark, pitch black. She's descended from royalty
and would become the daughter-in-law of a king. Observe all her
movements!
PAK MAT NOBAl: Engku!! Before anything untoward happens, please
let me go home to my own village. I want to spend the remaining
days of my life there.
lENGKU ZUBEDAH: You have too much debts with me, Pak Mat.
And you can never repay those debts. As such, I would never let
you go, without you having to first settle all the debts still owing.
Understand?!
PAK MAl NOBAl: Debts? What debts, Engku!! I have never borrowed
anything from anybody. It's you who's indebted to me; and a lot
too.
lENGKU ZUBEDAH: Indebted to me for your life; for the kindness
you've received. Indebted for everything. You also seduced me,
right Pak Mat??
PAK MAl NOBAl: I've not seduced anybody! It's you who seduced
me! You asked me to do sinful things when Tengku Sulaiman was
not around. I declined so often.
lENGKU ZUBEDAH: You've taken this heart of mine. You've taken
this love of mine. You've seduced and shamed me!
PAK MAl NOBAl: Forgive me, Engku! It's you often came to my
room. Disturbing and testing my manhood. For a man, no matter
how religious, well, how could he have withstood all that when left
with a temptress like you, Engku! I was finally defeated, cheered
on by satan. It was not my fault. It's you, you should be blamed,
Engku!!?
lENGKU ZUBEDAH: You slept with me a few times after that, right?
PAK MAl NOBAl: I've sworn not to do it ever again ... I've asked
forgiveness from God Almighty ... more over it was you who forced
me, Engku! (Keeps quiet for a while; looks down at the floor,
then looks at TENGKU ZUBEDAH). I wasn't the only one ... in
fact Tengku Ali too had a relationship with you, right. You invited
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him over. (Remains quiet for a while). I want to leave now. I want
to redeem my past sins; I don't want to die in your bed, as the late
Tengku Sulaiman died in Mak Nang's bed!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Noooo!! You cannot leave this big house unless
you settle all your debts!!!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Debts? As far as I can remember ... I never owed
anybody anything. Maybe it's you Engku who owes me a lot ... the
work I did, the kindness, the satisfaction I gave, although it was
steeped in sin!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (taking a notebook from the antique table): In
this book is written all sorts of debts! In this book too is written all
the relationships and deeds towards me, Pak Mat. I wasn't the one
to agree to it! But, it's true that you seduced me! I will spread this
news if need be. You cannot be free to leave!! You also killed my
husband, Tengku Sulaiman.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Your husband's death has got nothing to do with
me, or with Dollah Canang. Your husband died as agreed by you
and Tengku Ali.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (still angry) : Dollah Canang killed my husband!
Then you killed Tengku Ali, abetted by Mak Nang, right?
PAK MAT NOBAT: It's true that Dollah Canang killed Tengku Sulaiman
with his own gun ... but ... on whose orders?? Who gave me orders
in this case? (Becomes quiet, looks down and then continues). Surely
because of Tengku Ali's and your orders and rewards!! Tengku
Sulaiman was a victim of your evil deeds, Engku. Dollah Canang
was killed by T engku Ali who then became a hero!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (interrupting): And then ... you killed Tengku
Ali!!!
PAK MAT NOBAT: I didn't kill Tengku Ali! It was you who then killed
him with a gun! And then you hid that gun. It was Mak Nang who
found the gun so well hidden ....
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Shut up, Pak Mat!!! Damn you! Damn! I killed
nobody! Damn you, Pak Mat, I never killed anybody!!! (TENGKU
ZUBEDAH repeated the word "killed" again and again and again
like one who has lost her mind). (TENGKU ZUBEDAH leaves the
room. PAK MAT is all alone, bewildered). (He's agitated. He moves
about restlessly. TENGKU ZUBEDAH comes back in, with a gun
in her hand).
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH: You too should die ... as did Tengku Ali, Tengku
Sulaiman and also Mak Nang!!! This gun will kill all of you. Ha, ha,
ha, ha. (TENGKU ZUBEDAH laughs a few times).
PAK MAT NOBAT: That gun cannot fulfill it's duties anymore!
ACT THREE
Time: Afternoon
In the huge visitor's lounge of TENGKU SULAIMAN'S house. On the
wall hangs a portrait of TENGKU SULAIMAN, MAK NANG, PAK MAT
and TENGKU MARIAM. The room is still decorated with the clock,
antique table and chairs. The bird cage is no longer there. On the left
is a dining table with four chairs. MAK NANG is sitting on the antique
chair. TENGKU MARIAM is standing beside MAK NANG, whilst PAK
MA T sits on the dining chair.
PAK MAT NOBAT (looking at the portraits on the wall): Tengku Zubedah
will surely be shocked and angry that her portrait has been taken
down. She will be angrier to see that our portraits have replaced
hers.
MAK NANG: Who drew and hung up that portrait?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Who else? But Tengku Puteri, your beloved
princess!
MAK NANG: Since when did Tengku Puteri know how to paint? (She
looks in disbelief).
TENGKU MARIAM (she suddenly appears in the living room): Not I,
but Pak Tua! Weren't you the one who painted the portraits of my
parents the last time?
MAK NANG (worried and agitated): Bring down that portrait of mine
and Pak Tua immediately! Your mother will be furious when she
sees it!
TENGKU MARIAM (unperturbed): I like to see her angry and mad! Maybe
another murder will then happen in this palace!
PAK MAT NOBAT: It's not good to talk like that, Princess ....
TENGKU MARIAM: I'm very much aware and can understand all the
bloodshed and all that happened here in this big house.
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PAK MAT NOBAT (surprised): What do you mean, talking like that?
Whom are you referring to, Princess? You mean ...
TENGKU MARIAM (interrupting him): My mother killed my father! She
also killed Tengku Ali, and Dollah Canang!! ... And maybe, maybe, she
will also get rid of you Pak Tua, Mak Nang and even I myself?
MAK NANG: Tengku Puteri, my child! Don't simply make wild accusations.
Nobody really knows who killed Tengku Sulaiman and Tengku
Ali.
TENGKU MARIAM (raising her voice): My mother herself admitted it;
she shot the three of them! The reason being, my father wanted to
seize power with the help of the underground forces. The king was
angry, and ordered mum to get rid of dad.
MAK NANG: And you believed what your mother told you, Princess?
That story is not true. Impossible for a murderer to admit she's a
murderer! Seldom happens that an admission is made so blatantly.
(Becomes quiet for a while). Your mother wants to sully the sultan's
name after she found out that His Highness was not willing to take
her as his second wife, after Tengku Sulaiman's demise. (Pleading
with TENGKU MARIAM). Don't believe what your mother told you.
They're all lies!!!
TENGKU MARIAM: My mother said so. My mother also admitted killing
Tengku Ali because she was jealous of the Queen who flirted with
Tengku Ali. The sultan promised to marry mom if she got rid of
Tengku Ali.
MAK NANG: That's not true either! The Queen never flirted with Tengku
Ali; it was your mother who wanted Tengku Ali.
TENGKU MARIAM (in a high voice): Mak Nang. you're accusing my
mother of flirting with Tengku Ali? Impossible. You're lying Mak Nang!
You just want to talk bad about my mother! If she comes to know
of this, she'll be angry and I'm sure she'll not hesitate to kill you as
she did my father, Tengku Ali and the late Dollah Canang.
PAK MAT NOBAT: We're not scared. If it's fated to be so. We're more
worried if you, Tengku Puteri, were to receive the same fate!
TENGKU MARIAM: Meaning?
PAK MAT NOBAT: That your mother will kill you!
TENGKU MARIAM: My mother will not kill her own daughter.
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MAK NANG (cynically) : Her daughter? Who is Tengku Zubedah's daughter.
TENGKU MARIAM: Who else is there in this big house, except me. I
am Tengku Zubedah's daughter.
(MAK NANG and PAK MAT NOBAT laugh out loud and long. TENGKU
MARIAM is shocked and confused. Both their behavior make TENGKU
MARIAM mad).
TENGKU MARIAM (shouting): Why are you and Pak Tua laughing like
you've been cursed by some evil spirits? Why? .. Am I not good
enough to be Tengku Zubedah's daughter? Or what secrets are you
and Pak Tua hiding all this while? Tell me, Pak Tua! Tell me, Mak
Nang! (She's sad and starts to cry). Or was I adopted?
MAK NANG (her laughter subsiding): Sorry and forgive us, princess.
We have no secrets. Only Pak Tua knows of some stories and
events which took place in this huge house!
TENGKU MARIAM: Is it true Pak Tua, all that Mak Nang has said. Is
she telling the truth or she's just playing with words?
PAK MAT NOBAT: My princess, Tengku Puteri. We're but servants
in this big house. We've given all our energy to Tengku Zubedah
who is our mistress. We're ordinary citizens, born from descendants
who have served this big house for generations. Actually we were
brought up by our parents to serve with absolute loyalty this royal
family.
MAK NANG: Last time the area around this palace was a fortress for
the Malay warriors who were conquered by the communists and
the colonialists. This was a safe place, safe from attacks by outside
invaders. But look at what's happening now, the enemy is within this
big house itself. Bloodshed happens just like that. This big house is
no longer safe and peaceful to live in. At anytime lives can be lost,
if it's not properly guarded.
TENGKU MARIAM: I don't understand! Death after death happens
right in front of our eyes. The sultan as ruler of this place has done
nothing to investigate it. Amongst us, we blatantiy accuse one
another and spread rumours ... !
MAK NANG: I've heard rumours that His Highness, quietly is doing
his own investigations. Sooner or later we'll surely know who the
murderer is, she or he cannot hide forever.
TENGKU MARIAM: So? What was your real intention, calling me ilere,
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Pak Tua? Any connection to this investigation? More so now that
my mother is not around?
PAK MAl NOBAl: Princess, when your father was alive, he had
such high hopes and dreams. During the times of the Communist
Insurgency, the Japanese Occupation and the British there were
attempts made to seize power in this place ... amongst your father,
Tengku Ali and the Sultan!!!
lENGKU MARIAM: What! Is it true what you're saying?
PAK MAl NOBAl: It's a long story, my child. I've noted down everything.
In fact your mother's latest ambition is to get rid of the queen. But
her evil deeds could not be executed as long Mak Nang and I are
in this big house!
MAK NANG: I still have the last bullet. I'm keeping it. If that bullet is
not well kept, it'll devour anyone of the five of us here: Pak Tua.
His Highness, the sultan; you, my princess and maybe also Mak
Nang.
PAK MAl NOBAl: You don't understand my child; and you'll never
understand! We don't understand either!!! Although we've lived
here a long time.
lENGKU MARIAM: Both of you have seen danger right in front of your
eyes. All of us are not at peace living here. Do you both want all of
us to leave this place?
PAK MAl NOBAl: Be patient my child. Don't be too quick to make
false deductions.
MAK NANG: Actually, we want to leave this huge house immediately.
We want to spend the remaining days of our lives in our village.
We just want a change of environment.
lENGKU MARIAM (shocked): You want to leave me? Nooo! I will never
allow both of you to leave this big house without me.
PAK MAl NOBAl: You stay here, Tengku Puteri. Moreover, you're
the heiress to this big house. Our village is more peaceful, with no
power struggles. Moreover, what is there to fight over.
MAK NANG: When we die, our relatives from near and far, will be free
to visit us. Free to read Quranic verses on our graves. No controls
will be imposed.
PAK MAl NOBAl: Tengku Puteri. We're old. We have no more energy
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to continue serving this palace. There are younger people who can
take over our places. Although we're leaving, it does not mean that
we hate this big house because deep in our hearts, we still love this
place. More so when we've been here since small until now, that
we're old. One does not easily forget such things.
TENGKU MARIAM: Whatever reasons you have, I will not allow the
two of you to leave this place.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Princess, we both are old, so before we die, we
want to learn more about the Islamic religion to prepare ourselves
for the hereafter.
MAK NANG: It's true, all that Pak Tua has said, Tengku Puteri. Our
relatives are waiting for us to return to the village.
TENGKU MARIAM: I will not allow it! Both your final resting places have
been reserved here in the palace. Don't worry about that.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Princess, Tengku Puteri. The palace is not a place
for us. The mausoleum is only meant for the royal family. Ordinary
people, with no status, like us, will not be given special treatment.
Moreover we're prepared to be buried anywhere. We will never
insist for we both know that our lives, our marriage partners etc ...
are all determined by Allah, God Almighty.
TENGKU MARIAM: Nobody can prevent me either, except Allah.
Both of you have the right to be given such an honour, like other
members of the royal family, although you're just ordinary people.
But the service you both have rendered and your loyalty should
be duly rewarded. Pak Tua and Mak Nang, please don't worry, I
will always visit your graves. I will also pay someone to recite the
Qu'ran on your graves.
(Suddenly TENGKU ZUBEDAH appears. She is tired, exhausted and
listless. Her face is flushed. Everyone is shocked).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Let them go. We'll get new workers to take care
of this huge house! Also to teach music, dance and singing.
TENGKU MARIAM: Mother! Don't look down on the old, mother. The
old is still important. Don't forget that you're also old, mother! You
should be with Mak Nang and Pak Tua ensuring the continued
tradition inherited and perpetuated in this big house!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Don't go against my wishes! This is between
me and them! You have no right to meddle in the administration of
this big house.
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TENGKU MARIAM (pleading): Mother! Don't you have the slightest
pity for these two old folks? They've served us well; without them
the tradition of this house would have died. Remember their good
deeds, mother, all their efforts. In fact it is through them that we've
been nurtured and entertained with cultural performances which
have become the tradition of this big house. In fact, all these times
for ages past, without being bored at all, they have entertained us
with gamelan music and dances, mother. Without their presence
and performances, people living in this palace would definitely feel
this great, huge loss. The new will never be the same as the old. I'm
afraid the new songs will never be the same as the old rhythms.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: My child, don't exaggerate their abilities and
don't look down and belittle this palace. Our district is a district full
of noble, affluent people and also ... the upper echelons of society.
We have the power, we can do whatever.
TENGKU MARIAM: But those from the palace are also proud and
arrogant! The palace people make much of their noble blood, but
really, we're all the same ·In front of Allah.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (in a warning tone): My child! How many times
have I said, be careful when you talk; don't simply say things; as
royal heiress we have to weigh our words. Family honour must be
guarded.
TENGKU MARIAM: Again and again you talk about heirs and wealth.
I don't need all those, especially in the way it's practiced in this big
house. Spilling blood for the sake of a lifeless chair?!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Mariammmm!!! (shouting and angry). Shut up!
Don't be rude!! (Hits TENGKU MARIAM with her cane).
MAK NANG (separating them): Enough, enough, Enoughh! Don't hurt
the child, Engku. She hasn't done anything wrong. Tengku Puteri
doesn't know what she's saying ....
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (angry and shouting): This child is becoming
more rude! For sure, this rude behaviour can only come from both
of you!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Engku, don't blame all of us. You should be responsible
for her upbringing.
MAK NANG: Stop hitting that child! Hit me instead, I'm willing to be her
substitute. Don't scratch her soft, gentle skin, don't hurt her beautiful
face. If she's disfigured, it will shame everybody in this big house.
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TENGKU ZUBEDAH (stops hitting): This child must really be taught a
lesson. She dares to contradict her own mother's arguments. I don't
want her to become a rebellious child, opposing her elders!
PAK MAT NOBAT: You've made a mistake, Engku. This child should
have been taught when she was small. Not now! Like shaping the
bamboo shoots, do it when they're young not wait until they've
become full blown bamboos.
MAK NANG (hugging TENGKU MARIAM): If you don't love Tengku
Puteri anymore, let be her with me, let me take back this child! I
don't want Mariam to suffer because of you, Engku!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (happens to look at the portraits on the wall; she
immediately scolds them): You all threw away my portrait? And
then hung all these despicable pictures next to my husband's? How
rude! Both of you are becoming too much, and you want to be in
control of this palace?!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Engku, don't humiliate us. Our pictures should be
up there a long time ago. Not yours, Engku! Our pictures look more
noble, more pure and more sincere.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Who dared to hang up all those despicable
faces and threw away my portrait? (Her voice becoming higher.
Everybody remains quiet hearing TENGKU ZUBEDAH'S questions.
She becomes more angry and starts to take down all the pictures
from the wall, throwing them one by one. Everybody simply watches
TENGKU ZUBEDAH'S tantrum). Get out! Get outttt! Everybody, get
lost! I don't want to see your faces. And take that dammed child
with you. Go!!! Go!!!!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Engku! Our main aim in exposing this secret is so
that you can repent and not be too dependent on your noble status
and look down on people like us.
TENGKU MARIAM: Forgive me, mother. I have no intention of being
rude to you. Don't worry, I will always love you, although I now know
that Mak Nang is my real mother.
PAK MAT NOBAT: A thousand forgiveness we ask from you Engku!
We will take Tengku Puteri away from here; we've decided to leave
this palace. We want to finish the remaining days of our lives in our
village.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: I don't understand why everybody wants to leave
this big house. It should be I'm the one who wants to leave this place,
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considering everybody is accusing me of being a murderer!
MAK NANG: I've not accused anyone of being a murderer. But on that
day, when it happened, I saw with my own eyes Tengku Ali shooting
Tengku Sulaiman from behind the curtains. Although at the same
time Dollah Canang was taking aim to kill Tengku Sulaiman for he
was jealous of the latter for flirting with his beautiful wife.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: How did you know all these, Mak Nang? As if
you yourself was also involved.
MAK NANG: Dollah Canang shot with a wooden gun, exchanged without
his knowledge. I myself witnessed the incident. The gun was still
in his hands as the corpse lay dead in bed.
MAK NANG: You should not have taken down Tengku Sulaiman's
portrait. It's proven, you now no longer love Tengku Sulaiman.
PAK MAT NOBAT: You were disappointed because Tengku Sulaiman
loved Mak Nang. You're jealous, right? But you're so wrong; Mak Nang
ceased loving Tengku Sulaiman when she became my wife!
MAK NANG: You're disappointed because this child does not love
you fully! And you're angry and confused for being a victim of
circumstances, right?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (getting up from the chair): Don't force me to
eliminate the two of you Mak Nang. I've never been disappointed!
I love and care for Mariam like she's my own daughter!
TENGKU MARIAM (shocked by TENGKU ZUBEOAH'S confession):
What? So I'm not your child? I'm not Tengku Zubedah's daughter??
(Cries sadly).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (comes to her senses and realizes what she just
said): You'll always be my child, Tengku Puteri.
MAK NANG: You're right, Princess. You're my child with the late Tengku
Sulaiman. He had to divorce me because his family didn't bless ...
me, because of my status. I'm only a palace joget dancer from the
masses. Tengku Sulaiman's family forced him to marry Tengku
Zubedah who at that time was in love with Tengku Ali!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (shocked and furious): Why are you revealing all
these secrets, Mak Nang? Telling everything. You still harbour all
these revenge towards me?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: And you Pak Mat, are you an accomplice? You
too knew everything?
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MAK NANG: Our duties as slaves in this big house enable us to know
everything that has happened here, Engku.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: So ... who was the killer? Who?
(Everyone becomes quiet for a while. PAK MAT rushes to the portraits
which were brought down. He then hang back the portraits of TENGKU
SULAIMAN, TENGKU ZUBEDAH and TENGKU MARIAM in their original
positions. He kept away his portrait and MAK NANG'S. The clock on
the wall strikes several times).
TENGKU MARIAM: Excuse me for a while.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Where are you going, my child?
TENGKU MARIAM: I want to see Tengku Ariff.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Why? You've refused their proposal.
TENGKU MARIAM: To ask His Highness' forgiveness!
(Suddenly a secretary from the palace appears, bearing a letter, which
he handed to TENGKU ZUBEDAH. She takes it and reads it full of
emotions. Everyone looks at her).
MAK NANG: Is anything the matter, Engku?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: His Highness! His Highness has invited Tengku
Puteri to the palace. And has requested everyone to come as
witnesses.
MAK NANG: What does that mean?
PAK MAT NOBAT: Why is he asking for Tengku Puteri? And why are
we asked to be witnesses? I don't understand!
TENGKU MARIAM: It's like this actually ... (everyone turns to look at
Tengku Mariam). I know what His Highness wants, he wants to punish
me. I will go with my father, Tengku Ali and also Dollah Canang.
TENGKU MARIAM: I know what His Highness wants; he wants to punish
me. I will go with my father, Tengku Ali and also Dollah Canang!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: What do you mean?
TENGKU MARIAM: You'll understand soon, mother. Everything will
be revealed in front of His Majesty. As witnesses, Mak Nang and
Pak Tua, can no longer hide the truth. Everything will be exposed!
Truth and justice must prevail. I'm confident Mak Nang and Pak
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Tua will tell the truth and I hope they'll not play act in front of His
Highness.
MAK NANG: But... I don't have the heart to see you punished by His
Majesty, my child!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (surprised): What are you all talking about? What
is this drama that's now unfolding? Mak Nang? Pak Tua? (Looks
questioningly at MAK NANG and PAK TUA).
TENGKU MARIAM: Excuse me now, mother. I promise not to make
you angry again by doing deeds you don't approve like hanging
Mak Nang's and Pak Tua's portraits and taking down yours. At that
time I didn't realize who I really am. Please forgive me, mother;
forgive me!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Don't mention that again, my child. I don't
understand ... my thoughts are all confused. Are you all hiding
something from me?
TENGKU MARIAM: I've been well protected in this palace. You put
a heavy responsibility on Mak Nang and Pak Tua to take care of
me. Until you yourself don't know anything because you gave that
duty to others.
PAK MAT NOBAT: We will not allow you to go and see the sultan. We
will take you away, if it is necessary, for your own safety!
TENGKU MARIAM: Don't worry Pak Tua. I will go and see the sultan.
I am guilty. The guilty must be punished.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: I still don't understand!. .. Everything is becoming
more confused and more difficult to comprehend!
TENGKU MARIAM (in a low voice, almost whispering): I'm sorry and
forgive me, mother. Everything that happened ... I am the one who
killed Tengku Ali!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (does not believe what she's been to/d): Lies! All
lies! No! Noooo! The deaths of Tengku Sulaiman and Tengku Ali
have nothing to do with you, my child. It was Dollah Canang who
killed your father. And I killed Tengku Ali.
MAK NANG (remains quiet).
PAK MAT NOBAT (remains quiet too).
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: It was Dollah Canang who killed him, not you.
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MAK NANG (interrupting): Actually it was you Tengku Zubedah who
killed the late Tengku Sulaiman for he was having an affair with the
wife of the present sultan.
PAK MAT NOBAT: That was what happened, and Tengku Puteri
was fed up with her father's wild ways! Not wanting to see such
unfaithfulness in this big house. She wanted to eliminate all lies
although she had to sacrifice her own father.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (stubbornly): No! Nooo! It was Dollah Canang
who killed Tengku Sulaiman!
MAK NANG: But you told Tengku Mariam that you yourself killed
Tengku Sulaiman because you believed that His Highness would
marry you, right?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: That was just an excuse. I didn't love Tengku
Sulaiman. Moreover he was unfaithful to me!
PAK MAT NOBAT: Why did you lie and admitted that you killed Tengku
Ali when actually he died at Tengku Puteri's place, with the gun
given by Tengku Mahmud?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: I killed Tengku Ali because afierTengku Sulaiman's
death, he fell in love with Salmah, the sultan's concubine who was
at the same time having an affair with Tengku Sulaiman.
MAK NANG: I myself must admit that Salmah is beautiful. But I'm really
sad that beauty can lead to so much bloodshed.
PAK MAT NOBAT: It cannot be denied that Salmah is a woman of such
natural beauty, comparable to no one in this huge house. Frankly,
I too was attracted to Salmah's beauty ... but I realized ... that I'm
just an ordinary man, and I have nothing!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Whatever the reason, it was I who killed Tengku
Ali. Let everybody know, and I have no regrets for doing that!!
Tengku Mahmud's gun was my weapon!!!
MAK NANG: I've removed the bullets from his gun and replaced them
with false bullets.
TENGKU MARIAM: I was the one who killed him. Not Dollah Canang
or my mother! Dollah Canang didn't die. He was taken to Mak
Nang's village. He's still alive and he's teaching cultural songs and
dances there!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: So? .. All this while their deaths had nothing to
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do with me? (Questions them and pretends to smile).
PAK MAT NOBAT: That's the story, but I'll never allow Tengku Puteri
to face the sultan! Tengku Puteri will follow Mak Nang and I back
to the village. We'll begin a new life there!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: The sultan has ordered us to his palace, and we
have to obey his commands. What Tengku Puteri did was only to
cleanse the palace from despicable and taboo acts!
PAK MAT NOBAT: You can go there alone, Engku. The three of us
will stick with our plans. We will leave now!!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: I will go and see the sultan. Don't leave until I
come back.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH goes out, leaving TENGKU MARIAM, MAK
NANG and PAK MAT moving about aimlessly in the living room of the
palace).
(Ughts are slowly dimmed. Darkness).
ACT FOUR
TIME: Night
(In the living room of TENGKU SULAIMAN'S big house. The portraits
of TENGKU SULAIMAN, TENGKU ZUBEDAH and TENGKU MARIAM
are still hanging on the wall. The antique clock chimes twelve times. It
is dim, at night. TENGKU MARIAM is asleep in the antique chair, PAK
MAT and MAK NANG are asleep on the floor; all awaiting TENGKU
ZUBEDAH'S return. They are shocked by sounds of gunshots. They
wake up. PAK MAT quickly goes out and switch on the lights. They look
confused. PAK MAT comes back in).
PAK MAT NOBAT: Nothing happened. Maybe it was the police shooting
at the wild dogs outside!
TENGKU MARIAM: Mother is not back yet? Is the sultan preventing
her from coming home, or has she become a hostage because of
my actions and the fact that I'm guilty?
MAK NANG: Don't worry, Princess. Your mother will come home. You're
not guilty. You didn't kill anybody, neither did Tengku Zubedah,
trust me. Tengku Sulaiman's and Tengku Ali's deaths were their
own doings.
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PAK MAT NOBAT: The stories told by you and Tengku Zubedah are
tales of revenge, hatred and disgust towards the two men. And in
this case, Salmah also wanted to become the prima donna in this big
house. (MAK NANG becomes momentarily quiet before resuming).
I should be held responsible for bringing Salmah to this palace as
a Joget dancer.
TENGKU MARIAM: Who is this Salmah?
MAK NANG: Salmah or her real name Ooi Lin, towkay Chong Lai's
daughter. Salmah is not her real name, only her nickname used by
the palace people so as to maintain the Malay identity.
PAK MAT NOBAT: Salmah, daughter of towkay Chong Lai. He was
prepared to have her adopted by the palace so that she would
become the queen although she was initially only a concubine.
TENGKU MARIAM: What's the connection with Chong Lai? Suddenly
that rubber tycoon's name appears? Why has the sultan ordered
me to the palace, together with witnesses?
MAK NANG: My child, Tengku Puteri. I myself am not sure, but in the
letter ... where's the letter? (TENGKU MARIAM takes the letter from
the antique table and gives it to MAK NANG who then reads it). In
this letter nothing is mentioned about what the sultan wants. Only that
he has commanded us to go to the palace, together with witnesses.
And he has not specified who the witnesses should be.
PAK MAT NOBAT: As far as I know, part of this palace area has been
sold to towkay Chong very cheaply. His Highness offered the lowest
price because of Salmah. This palace has become even smaller
and more isolated.
TENGKU MARIAM: Maybe it's also because of this that both of you
want to go back to the village and build a new palace there?
MAK NANG: Not a palace. We're not from the nobility. We're just
ordinary people. I want to be active and ensure the survival of our
fast disappearing traditional heritage like the gamelan, makyung,
rodat and menorah. I will help Dollah Canang and Semek with the
golden teeth, both of whom have already started these cultural
activities in the village.
TENGKU MARIAM: So you want to be a queen there and you want
me to become the new lead dancer?
PAK MAT NOBAT: That's our hopes. That's why you should agree
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with Tengku Zubedah's suggestion and marry the sultan. I'm afraid
that one day the area around this palace will cease to be owned by
the royal family, but instead by the Chinese, through Salmah, the
sultan's concubine. You also know that the new palace in Kuala
Muara is almost completed and the sultan will move there.
MAK NANG: Come, lets go to bed, we don't know when your mother
is coming back and tomorrow we're leaving by boat to Hulu Muara.
Hopefully before dawn!
TENGKU MARIAM (pondering and deeply worried): I'm worried mother
has still not come home. Lately she's not been well, and I hope
nothing untoward has happened to her.
PAK MAl NOBAl: Don't worry, my child. She surely knows how to
take care of herself.
(All three leave the room; the clock chimes once. TENGKU ZUBEDAH
appears. They welcome her).
lENGKU MARIAM (impatiently questioning Tengku Zubedah): What
happened, Mother?
MAK NANG: Calm down. Let your mother rest in the chair. She's still
tired.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH is helped to the chair after coughing a few times).
lENGKU MARIAM: What did the sultan say? I'm so impatient to know,
Mother.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: The murderer has long been identified: There are
some who tried to control the palace, control the Malays and defeat
the Islamic religion through lies, falsehoods and pretences.
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH coughs again and rubs her chest).
PAK MAT NOBAl: Relax, Engku. Just relax. We'll continue tomorrow.
lENGKU ZUBEDAH: His Highness has employed a private investigator
to detect and capture the murderer. It's believed that the murderer
has left this country!
TENGKU MARIAM: I'm not the murderer?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: No. Nooo! You're not the murderer you thought
you were. Neither am I. The murderer is ... (still coughing, almost
falling to the floor).
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MAK NANG (bringing a glass of water): Drink some water, Engku! Calm
down! We'll continue tomorrow. Rest Engku, just rest.
TENGKU MARIAM: Mother, I want to know everything now; and I
cannot sleep if I still don't know who the murderer is. I will find that
murderer; I will sever his neck! The blood of my descendents, Panji
Alam, grandson of Datuk Merah and Helang Merah flows in my
body, although I am but a woman. Mother, who is the murderer.
Tell me, mother.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: The bullets which you and I used were blanks;
the shop selling bullets were bribed to sell blanks. We used blanks,
my child!
MAK NANG: I know Engku that it was you who killed Tengku Sulaiman,
and Tengku Ali was killed by Tengku Mariam. I saw every incident
and witnessed both your deeds but I didn't know that the gun had
only blank bullets. So? I've been keeping blank bullets all this while!
Including that lone bullet I'm still keeping!!
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: The palace has verified it, based on the sultan's
private investigator's report. The investigations have been going on for
a long time, until the real murderer was exposed. Those responsible,
the syndicate have been in the palace, they're the unknown, dangerous
enemy. They've been manipulated by outsiders who in turn used
insiders like Salmah, who incidentally has disappeared and until
now cannot be traced.
TENGKU MARIAM: Was it Salmah who killed and is the murderer who
has escaped?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: No, my child. Salmah didn't kill anybody. But
this big house, this big house has been mortgaged to Chong Lai,
Salmah's father. This big house is no longer ours. It's a different race
who now owns it. We'ver lost our status. (Full of regrets). All these
because of the damned deeds of Tengku Sulaiman, the playboy!
MAK NANG: You can't blame him alone, Engku. This is all fated. We can
learn a lot from this. Allah is most just and most powerful. He wants
mankind to realize and become aware that all men are born equal and
classless. As human beings we should all know that. If God wants to
take away our wealth, He can do that in the blink of an eye.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: No, I will never leave this place. I was born here,
and I will die here!
(TENGKU ZUBEDAH looks pale and without energy. PAK MAT, MAK
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NANG and TENGKU PUTERI, help her to MAK NANG'S bed).
TENGKU MARIAM (urgently insisting): Mother you've not answered
my question. Who is the murderer?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (tired and speaking softly): The killer is (coughing)
... Chong Lai
(Everybody is shocked. TENGKU ZUBEDAH becomes weaker).
PAK MAT: Chong Lai?
TENGKU ZUBEDAH: Chong Lai's the guy. He wants to kill everybody
in this palace. He used his daughter to entice the sultan and at the
same time control the palace. He wants his daughter to rule and
his descendants to become the nobility.
TENGKU MARIAM: So where has that damned guy disappear? He
cannot be allowed to live. Let me mince him up.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (continuously coughing): Chong Lai has left the
country and gone to I don't know where. Salmah too has disappeared;
but Salmah's child with the sultan is still here.
MAK NANG: We leave this big house tonight itself. Engku, the boat is
at the estuary. We set out tonight itself.
TENGKU ZUBEDAH (Coughing even more profusely; clots of blood
and phlegm coming out): No! I'm not going anywhere. Just leave
me here. I want to die here ....
(Those were her last words before she suddenly becomes inert on the
bed. MAK NANG tries to move TENGKU ZUBEDAH'S body, whilst
PAK MAT feels her pulse. TENGKU MARIAM is touched and lies on
TENGKU ZUBEDAH'S motionless body).
TENGKU MARIAM: Why have you left me, Mother. I didn't have enough
time with you Mother!
(Cries and shakes TENGKU ZUBEDAH'S lifeless body).
(Silence, with holy verses being heard. MAK NANG covers TENGKU
ZUBEDAH'S body with a batik sarong).
Light slowly dims. Darkness.
(Translated by Solehah Ishak)
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