The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2023 - Issue 34

bitetheatre Back in the palace, unbeknownst to her what goes on in the country, she is an Empress; the Queen promotes Mr Karim to a Munshi (Royal Teacher). Lady Sarah argues with the Queen accordingly for her obscene behaviour: “Showing undue favouritism towards the Indian.” As a result, the royal court and family turn against the Queen and hold her to ransom for her Golden Jubilee celebra- tions. They threaten to withhold their attendance at the public celebrations if she does not demote Mr Karim to a mere waiter. A distraught Queen finally gives in. Such scenes were incredibly touching as, by now, the audience had started to relish their friendship and the beauty of their platonic love as it gratefully juxtaposes the stiffness and close-mindedness of the preceding roy- al court culture. Karim has her stiff upper lip manners bounce off him, having become accustomed to her ways and behaviours, but he still holds her reverently in high regard and respect as Queen. Rani, now pregnant for Lord Oakham, appeals to him and reminds him of all the sweet things he had prom- ised her during their affair. He unscrupulously denies taking advantage of her, and she is disgracefully thrown out of their home. Rani, once again, is on the streets with no money, no family, and no home. At the Palace, the Queen, now widowed, relies on Mr. Karim’s friendship even more, but he leaves for a voyage back to India. After she gives birth, alone and with nothing to provide it with, Rani tries to dump the baby by the docks and flee, but out of fear, she doesn't go very far in case no one finds the baby, and it dies. Firoza finds the crying baby and recognises Rani hiding in the shadows. “Hari never came back for me; my master used me and abandoned me; called my baby a bastard. I can never go back now; the shame!” Firoza and Sally offer Rani and the baby shelter but she eventually goes to live at the Ayah’s Home on Jewry Street, where she educates herself beyond her previous primary education. She and Dadabhai meet again when he visits the establishment as part of his campaign tour to become an MP to address the oppression Britain has held on his home country. He is impressed by Rani’s educative status and employs her to be his assistant. The two form a formidable friendship, and with her help and alliances of people who believe in him, he is elected as Britain's first Indian MP in 1892. Having taught himself how to read and write, an exas- perated and heartbroken Hari writes letter after letter to Rani, apologising for his behaviour and professing his love to the only address he knows in the UK, Sally's. However, they don’t reach Rani as she does not return to Sally’s after she starts living at Jewry Street. Meanwhile, badly treated by the English aboard the many ships he works on, Rani forms and leads a union for the badly treated and abused ship lascars. Back at Jewry Street,