DALIP: (To Lawrence.) I hate you, Larins. I hate you!
(Dalip runs away with Lawrence staring after him.)
CROWD:—May His Highness live long!
(Crowd begins to disperse quickly. Lawrence looks around for the Rani, who has already left.)
LAWRENCE: (To Tej Singh, sprawled on the floor). Off with you. Get out before you have to lick any more boots, you dog. The Darbar is over.
(Exit Tej Singh.)
LAWRENCE: (To Sher Singh.) Inform the palace that I wish to wait on the Rani Sahiba urgently.
SHER SINGH: Yes, Larins Sahib.
(Exit.)
(The last of the magnificent Darbaris leaves. Lawrence, alone in the Diwan-e-Khas, slowly moves across towards the mirror, adjusting his robes as he does so. After a long and admiring look at himself in the mirror, he slowly, deliberately moves towards the throne. Checking an initial impulse to sit on it, he walks behind it instead. He appears to be undecided, looks about him, and finally sits on the left arm of the throne. Long pause as he stares into space. Re-enter Sher Singh.)
SHER SINGH: I’ve informed the palace, sir, that you seek an audience with the Rani Sahiba.
LAWRENCE: (Absentmindedly.) Thank you.
SHER SINGH: (Still smarting from the insult.) The cheek of that boy! Why do you think he did it?
LAWRENCE: (Quite lost.) Eh?
SHER SINGH: (Continuing.) Not only does he insult the Commander-in-Chief—not only does he refuse to put the tikka on his forehead, but he also kicks poor Tej Singh.
LAWRENCE: (Ironically.) Poor Tej Singh?
SHER SINGH: Well, the poor man didn’t quite expect this on his day of glory.
LAWRENCE: He should have.
SHER SINGH: This is hardly something his greatest admirer should say.
LAWRENCE: Who?
SHER SINGH: You put him at the head of the list of honours.
LAWRENCE: There are reasons of policy.
SHER SINGH: There are also reasons of honour.
LAWRENCE: An Englishman learns to master his feelings.
(Pause.)
SHER SINGH: I wonder how the boy got it into his head?
(Pause.)
I suppose His Highness really must detest Tej Singh. He must have done this …
LAWRENCE: No, someone else is behind it.
SHER SINGH: His Highness knows Tej Singh is a traitor. Ever since Ferozshahr and Sobraon …
LAWRENCE: (Impatiently.) I know, I know. But the boy’s not capable of doing this on his own.
SHER SINGH: Then it must be Lal Singh.
LAWRENCE: It can’t be the Wazir, because the boy hates his guts. It can only be the Rani. (Rani suddenly bursts in, obviously agitated.)
RANI: Larins, Larins!
(Lawrence nods to Sher Singh, who goes out quickly.)
Since when have you needed to wait on me?
LAWRENCE: (Embarrassed.) Well, ah …
RANI: Don’t be a coward. Say it.
LAWRENCE: Why?
RANI: Why? I should ask ‘why.’ That son of a pig deserved it. You want to know if I put Dalip up to it. Yes, I did. And I’m not at all sorry for what my son did.
(Pause.)
LAWRENCE: Why, why did you have to meddle with this?
RANI: You Angrez have been helping that traitor from the beginning. Now you’ve made him a Raja. It’s disgusting! Half the Punjab knows he’s a scoundrel and just because he does your dirty work …
LAWRENCE: Tej Singh’s a useful man.
RANI: … and apologizing to Lal Singh like that. I’ve never been so humiliated.
LAWRENCE: Matters of policy, I’m afraid.
RANI: (Suddenly breaks down.) Oh Larins! Larins, why are we talking like fools: You and me; yours and mine. It’s ours, isn’t it? You’ve always … no, we’ve always wanted what was best for the Punjab. Larins, why did you do it?
LAWRENCE: Why did you do it?
RANI: I don’t know … because I hate him.
LAWRENCE: It was wrong.
RANI: Why did you put that scoundrel’s name at the head of the list? I thought you didn’t like him either, Larins.
LAWRENCE: I don’t. But you’ve insulted my Government.
RANI: But you, Larins, you’re more important.
LAWRENCE: No, not always.
RANI: (Puzzled.) Something’s wrong. Why has my Lawrence changed so much? Next he will want to put his own name on the list. (Goes to him.) Oh Larins, then it’s true?
LAWRENCE: What?
RANI: Larins, I’m afraid. I’m afraid something terrible’s going to happen soon.
(No response. Lawrence stares away blankly.)
LAWRENCE: I’m afraid you’ll have to leave.
RANI:. All right Larins, I’ll go back to the palace. When you feel better, come to see me. I shall be waiting.
LAWRENCE: I mean you’ll have to go far away … far away from here—Sheikhupura.
RANI: (Turning pale.) Why?
LAWRENCE: (Smiling.) Because my Government wants it.
RANI: You’re joking?
LAWRENCE: No.
RANI: Why?
LAWRENCE: Because those are my orders.
RANI: You’re my friend, Larins; how can you ask me to go away?
LAWRENCE: Yes, I’m your friend. That’s precisely why you must go.
RANI: But I’m the Queen. I’m the Regent. My son’s the King of the Punjab. How can I go? Of course you’re joking.
LAWRENCE: No, you’re no longer the Regent.
RANI: Since when?
LAWRENCE: Since now.
RANI: And my son?
LAWRENCE: He remains where he is.
RANI: The King?
LAWRENCE: Yes.
RANI: You’re taking my son away from me?
LAWRENCE: He’s the King.
RANI: He’s my son.
(Lawrence makes no reply. Rani almost hysterical.)
He’s my son, and no one’s going to take my son away from me.
(Lawrence still makes no reply. Rani continues to look expectantly at his expressionless face.)
Oh God, what have I done? Why are they doing this to me? (Suddenly calm.)
Yes, I know. I know they’re angry in heaven. I betrayed the Punjab, and it’s their payment for Sobraon. It’s their retribution. Larins, do you really think I deserve this? Tell me, do I?
(Pause. Silence. Lawrence staring like a statue. Rani animated.)
I’ve got you. I have-got-you. Why only me? Why do you pick on me? The pigs Lal Singh, Tej Singh—They were all responsible. They’re equally guilty. And Tej Singh, the biggest scoundrel, you’ve made him a Raja. Is this your English justice? Tej Singh, the Commander-in-Chief, who cut his own army’s retreat. What could be a bigger crime? Why blame only me? I didn’t even fight.
