SCENE (5) — SAFA MADE A PLACE INSIDE ADMINISTRATION
Characters
- SULTAN
- SAFA
- GANESH
Setting
- An inner administrative chamber. SULTAN and GANESH are sitting there.
- Quieter. Controlled.
SULTAN
Bring the tax collection ledger.
(SAFA enters carrying documents. She keeps her eyes lowered.)
SULTAN
This one—
(gestures)
—can read, and calculate. Has a sharp memory.
(SAFA bows.)
SAFA
I beg your mercy – I remember only what is useful.
(GANESH looks up—interested.)
SULTAN
Did the scribe match the figures?
SAFA
Scribe said he did, but I beg your mercy, the sum assumes honesty.
SULTAN (amused)
You speak too freely.
SAFA
Only when it is absolutely needed, my Sultan, and only if you allow me to.
SULTAN
Make it clear.
SAFA
The sum of even digits cannot be an odd digit. The scribe must pay attention to it, else–
Please excuse my audacity.
(SAFA kneels to place a document near SULTAN.)
(As she rises, a thread with rudraksha slips briefly from her sleeve—a thin, unmistakably Hindu ritual thread.)
(GANESH notices. She notices—too late.)
(Their eyes meet—just for a moment.)
(SAFA stills. Does not hide it immediately.)
(GANESH gives no reaction.)
(She slowly tucks it back.)
(No one else sees.)
SULTAN
What do you think?
(GANESH looks back at the ledger—neutral.)
SULTAN (cont.)
You trust her?
(SAFA exhales—barely.)
(SAFA exits.)
GANESH
The numbers hold the truth.
She understands balance.
SULTAN
And loyalty?
GANESH
Loyalty begins with survival.
(SULTAN stands up.)
(GANESH also stands up.)
(SULTAN exits to inside the palace)
(GANESH exits to the court.)
(SAFA enters court carrying a folded ledger. She stops when she sees GANESH ahead, studying a map fixed to the wall.)
(She considers turning back.)
GANESH
You may pass.
(She does not.)
SAFA
I was told not to linger.
GANESH
Then linger briefly.
SAFA (moving slightly closer to him)
The land and river figures – you corrected — they will be challenged.
GANESH
They always are.
SAFA
By men who prefer certainty to accuracy.
(Silence stretches.)
GANESH
Some things are noticed only once.
SAFA
And forgotten?
GANESH
Or remembered correctly.
SAFA
Which is safer?
GANESH
Depends who remembers.
(Their eyes meet—no challenge, no gratitude.)
SAFA
If I am a liability—
GANESH
—you would not be standing here.
SAFA
You are careful.
GANESH
Careful men survive long enough to be accused of intention.
SAFA
And women?
GANESH
Women are accused of memory.
(She almost smiles. She shifts the ledger from one hand to the other.)
SAFA
I serve where I am placed.
GANESH
Then survive where you are.
SAFA
Then we will not trouble each other.
GANESH
No.
(Quietly.)
We will not.
(Footsteps approach faintly.)
SAFA
They will be looking.
GANESH
They always are.
(She turns to go. Stops.)
SAFA
Thank you.
GANESH
Continue.
(She exits.)
(GANESH remains, returns to the map—but his hand rests for a moment where the river bends.)
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