The Keepers of Infinite Space

Omar El-Khairy

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN:
  9781783190768
• Edition: 1
• eBook ISBN:
  9781783195756
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

'You've got to learn when to throw your punches – when they least expect it. There's no use flailing in the dark. This is where battles are raged – and wars won.'

Saeed is a bookseller in Nablus. His father Khalil is a property developer. They're just an ordinary family, quietly building a new Palestine. Until one day Saeed is arrested and thrown into gaol. Ashis future disappears, Saeed finds that the answer to his problems may lie in the past, and in the secrets his father has kept from him…

Since the Israeli occupation in 1967, Palestine has become a nation of prisons. Up to 40% of the male population have been detained under military orders. Virtually every family has seen at least one relative put behind bars, and entire generations have grown up facing the prospect of the cell. With the release of political prisoners a key part of the current peace process, The Keepers of Infinite Space explores the dynamics of the Israeli prison system to reveal its fraught legacy for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

The Company should be present as the audience enters and remain on stage for the duration of the performance.

REDEVELOPMENT

Morning.
Conference room.
KHALIL	Welcome – and thank you all for being with us today. I’m aware that last night’s troubles have made getting here near-impossible, but we appreciate your resoluteness. It’s an absolute pleasure to welcome internationals to see our showroom and witness the latest development phase of Rawabi. It’s days like today that remind us all of what we’re striving for. Rawabi – meaning ‘the hills’ – is a cutting-edge development project and the first Palestinian planned city, with homes for over 40,000 residents. As you can see, it’s being built across two glistening hilltops – just two kilometers from here. Costing in the region of $850 million, it will be conveniently situated at the heart of Palestine – 9 km from Ramallah, 25 km from Jerusalem and Nablus, 40 km from Tel Aviv and 70 km from Amman. This new city will be strategically positioned for regional access, sitting squarely at the global gateway to the Middle East for both the North American and European markets. It will be both the largest construction project and the biggest private foreign direct investment ever made in the Palestinian territories. Our unique vision will ultimately make it a home for all Palestinians, as well as a desirable travel destination for internationals like yourselves.

HOME SWEET HOME

Late night.
Israeli military holding station.
Holding cell.
A bucket full of dirty water.
SAEED is in a stress position – he is blindfolded, crouched with his hands behind his back, with both his forehead and knees against the wall.
YAEL is stood in the corner.
SAEED	I haven’t done anything.
	Please.
	What do you want from me?
	(Beat.) I need /
YAEL	/ I said crouch, knees, head, wall – and don’t move.
Pause.
SAEED	Water.
YAEL	[…]
SAEED	Can I – please.
YAEL	[…]
SAEED	Just a sip.
	Something to /
YAEL	/ Hands on head.
SAEED	[…]
YAEL	(Beat.) Yo...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Characters
• The Keepers of Infinite Space
• By the Same Author