Fieldwork Reflection: The Sistas and Amazing Amelia

Abstract

Verse

Verse ‘A story has to start before it can be told’ Can you hear the drums? Here they come, the glittery bums In the neon sun, in the neon sun […] Shorty shorts with dramatic eyes Sun is up full of pretty lies Hair flicks in the dancing heat No cares in the world, living proud and free, free, free, free. Living proud and free, free, free, free […] Put your shades on, it’s a city invasion A peacock procession of proud imperfection. (Glittery Bums, the sistas)

Sara Ahmed’s thoughts title this section by reflecting that the telling of a story needs its beginning to precede it (2017, 4). Ahmed reflects on this in the context of her feminism: before she could tell this story, she had to become aware of how global, political and social dynamics had manifested in her life. Ahmed paves the way for tracing the larger frameworks of politics and feminism in the intimacies of life and its stories and for understanding that such stories have many beginnings before they can be told. This introduction is the telling of the many beginnings that start the story of Amazing Amelia.

Appendix: Amazing Amelia Or We Are All Amelias

Written by the amazing gals at YCSA, aka. the sistas

Scene 1:

Shobhita:Let us tell you a story. Not just any story.

This is a story about a woman. But not just any woman.

Nuha: Amelia Earhart was a strong determined woman. But she’s not the

Amelia Earhart that you know.

Shobhita: See this Amelia dreamt the same dream every night. But not just any

dream.

(Fatma) Amelia:I want to fly with the wind and the fresh air blowing in my face and hair.

Nuha:Shame. Because she lived in a toxic country. But not just any country.

A country where women were expected to be a stereotype.

Shobhita:Doing the same thing every day, like cleaning, cooking, looking great. Never allowed to change.

Nuha:A country where women are not considered.

A country known as

Shobhita & Nuha: ‘Man’s World’

Everyone: Ugh, boring!

Shobhita:Amelia is tired.

Nuha:Tired of people saying.

Alhan: But women can’t fly.

Shobhita: Or.

Alhan: Women don’t know how to work a plane.

Shobhita: Or.

Alhan: Women can’t be pilots.

(Fatma) Amelia: You’re lying!

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Marionette’ My carved head is hanging. My wooden limbs are flimsy. I can only move if the strings are pulled And they pull them till I’m dizzy. My voices is someone else’s. Their script, my mouth. I can only speak if the strings are pulled Though my mind just wants to shout. Is this my life? Cos I can’t feel it. Too many hands pulling my wires. I’m just a marionette. Will someone cut my strings?

Shobhita:If that’s all you want to be, you’re in trouble. And Amelia is in trouble because everyone laughs at her and puts her down as she makes paper planes and wears flying glasses. But it’s not her fault, really. What can you do when you grow up with a mom who helps you make paper planes and tells you:

(Nuha) Mum:Amelia you can do it and live the best life you can, don’t listen to

anyone who puts you down.

Shobhita:And a dad who says:

(Alhan) Dad:My dear, don’t put dreams in her head.

(Nuha) Mum:Come on, one dream won’t hurt.

(Alhan) Dad:In this world it will.

Shobhita:And it’s true, it could. In “Man’s World” it is illegal for women to

educate themselves on anything else than

(Asma) Amelia:cooking

cleaning

looking great.

(Nuha) Mum:Amelia, that’s nonsense. The world is open to you, don’t you forget.

Shobhita:Amelia misses her mum. She can’t exactly remember, but one day she was there, and the next day she wasn’t. And whenever she asks her dad

(Fatma) Amelia:Hey dad, what happened to mum?

Shobhita:He says:

(Alhan) Dad:Car accident.

Shobhita:Or.

(Alhan) Dad: Incurable disease.

Shobhita:Or

(Fatma) Amelia:No really dad, I deserve to know.

(Alhan) Dad:She left for the hills and never came back. And that’s the end of it.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Best Part of Me’ You were a lioness always struggling You went hungry, always hunting You never Fed till the family fed Raising your cubs I’ll never forget Mama you’re my role model And I’m so proud of me today Because I’m the best version of you And I love you everyday You are the best part of me You are the best part of me

Shobhita:All she has left is a paper plane and her secret,

Aeronautics books … and a big dream.

(Alhan) Dad:Amelia, what did I tell you about reading out in the open, it’s illegal.

(Fatma) Amelia:But dad, I just learned how to fix a wing.

(Alhan) Dad:Well forget it again, and quickly too, don’t tell anyone you know.

(Fatma) Amelia:But it’s my last missing piece, now I know about the motor, the wings, the steering wheel…

(Alhan) Dad:Amelia please, shush. Go inside.

(Fatma) Amelia:I know everything I need to to fly, just like she wanted me to, dad, don’t you see?

(Alhan) Dad:Amelia shut up and go to your room right now. And don’t come out till

you have forgotten all you know.

Shobhita:This is a typical conversation.

And Amelia is tired

Nuha:of cooking

cleaning and

looking great.

Shobhita: So when she comes off age she says:

(Fatma) Amelia: Hey dad, I’ll be back later, I have something I need to do.

(Alhan) Dad: Please, Amelia, don’t get into trouble.

Nuha: She walks straight into the pilot school

(Fatma) Amelia: Hey you, can I speak to the person in charge?

Nuha: Because even in a Man’s world, a woman has to try.

(Sho) Male Pilot: Are you here to see your husband?

(Fatma) Amelia: No, I’m here to sign up.

(Sho) Male Pilot: I’m sorry Ms. I think you might be slightly confused. Let me explain it for you.

(Fatma) Amelia: Let me guess, ‘women can’t fly’

(Sho) Male Pilot: You’re smarter than you look.

(Fatma) Amelia: You’re not.

(Sho) Male Pilot:Look lady, if you don’t treat me with the respect I deserve I will call the police.

(Fatma) Amelia:Can you just listen for a moment?

(Sho) Male Pilot:I am only allowed to listen to you if you talk about cooking, cleaning or looking great.

(Fatma) Amelia: I want to take the exam. Please, I know everything—

(Sho) Male Pilot:Funny story girl.

(Fatma) Amelia:I really do. I know about wings and aviation, about seeing the worldfrom above.

(Sho) Male Pilot:That’s not allowed, now shoo.

(Fatma) Amelia:Please.

(Sho) Male Pilot:Go home this instant girl, or I’ll report you.

(Fatma) Amelia:Well damn you!

(Sho) Male Pilot:That kind of language from a lady.

(Fatma) Amelia:I am not a lady, I am a pilot.

(Sho) Male Pilot:You’re a trespasser. Didn’t you see the sign?

(he points to the sign and reads)

‘NO WOMEN ALLOWED. UNLESS IT’S TO FIND THEIR HUSBANDS’

(Fatma) Amelia:All I want to do is fly.

(Sho) Male Pilot:And I want to rule the world. Now shoo.

(Fatma) Amelia:I am not leaving until you let me speak to the person in charge.

(Sho) Male Pilot:Security.

(Fatma) Amelia:Don’t you dare.

(Sho) Male Pilot:This woman is a woman. And she has seen the sign.

(Fatma) Amelia:I will kick, I’ll scream.

(Asma) Security:You will come with us.

Nuha:Amelia in a police station waiting patiently for a man to get her out of trouble.

(Fatma) Amelia:Please don’t call my dad.

(Asma) Officer:He is on his way.

(Alhan) Dad:Amelia, what did you do?

(Asma) Officer:You need to get a handle on your daughter. If we ever hear about her again we’ll give her a life-sentence and we will be keeping an eye on you. Now shoo.

(Alhan) Dad:Amelia.

(Fatma) Amelia:I know dad, I’m in trouble. I’m in trouble because I’m a woman. I’m introuble because the world says what I can and can’t do.

(Alhan) Dad:You sound like your mother.

(Fatma) Amelia:I’m in trouble because I have a dream to be a pilot. If I was a man that would be a great dream. But because I am a women it is dangerous. And I hate it.

(Alhan) Dad:I tried so hard to keep you safe but you’ve always been so strong

willed.

(Fatma) Amelia:All I ever wanted was to be treated the same as everyone else.

(Alhan) Dad:Which is why you need to go.

(Fatma) Amelia:What?

(Alhan) Dad: You have too much of her spirit, Amelia, and they took her too.

(Fatma) Amelia:They took her?

(Alhan) Dad:For being too outspoken. For knowing how to read, for teaching her

daughter about dreams.

(Fatma) Amelia:I’m sorry dad.

(Alhan) Dad:Never apologise for being like her. But I can’t lose you too.

(Fatma) Amelia:But -

(Alhan) Dad:Down the end of the street is a car, it’ll take you to the airport. You get

in and never look back.

(Fatma) Amelia:Dad.

(Alhan) Dad:Here’s a letter your mother wrote for you before they came and some

money for your journey.

(Fatma) Amelia:I’m going to miss you.

(Alhan) Dad:She always said you’d fly away. (Pause) Now, no more words. You go, far away from here.

Shobhita:In the car

Amelia reads her mum’s letter.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Keep Moving’ The moment you came into my life. I knew that you would always be there I can’t see myself anymore, now that you are far away I miss you every moment. You’re my breath, my laugh, my strength My sweet achievement. You make me feel complete.

Scene 2:

Alhan: Up in the air. Flying with the wind and the fresh air blowing in her face and hair. After 5 hours she arrives. And is greeted by a tour guide.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Welcome, welcome to Lemon Island. Where the lemons grow on trees and from the ground and from everywhere. Madame, lady, I’ll take you to your hotel.

Shobhita:See, Amelia is smart. She knows that in strange worlds and whendoing research on which country she could belong to, she needs a little help.

(Nuha) Amelia.Why thank you kind sir.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Just in here. Rest. Eat. We have a long day ahead. I will pick you uptomorrow.

(Nuha) Amelia:Man, what a day.

Alhan:The next day the tour guide picks her up.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Come with me, much to see.

(Nuha) Amelia:Hey, what’s your name?

(Asma) Tour Guide:My name?

(Nuha) Amelia:Yes.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Why do you want to know?

(Nuha) Amelia:Because I want to be able to call you if I need you.

(Asma) Tour Guide:You’re a free spirit, aren’t you?

(Nuha) Amelia:Yes sir, certainly am.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Well, here we have lemons a-plenty, but women don’t usually ask for

things.

(Nuha) Amelia:Like what?

(Asma) Tour Guide:Like names.

(Nuha) Amelia:I do.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Okay, well, don’t tell anyone I said, but I’m Peter.

(Nuha) Amelia:Well, Peter, take me around and get used to me asking for stuff.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Where would you like to go first? The lemon orchard? Or the lemon

castle? Or, I know, the lemon lady lunch -

(Nuha) Amelia:No no no … Look, maybe I should explore this place alone.

(Asma) Tour Guide:(Laughs) What??!! are you serious?? On Lemon Island women cantdo anything except being a housewife, let alone an explorer. And they must have a man with them at all times.

(Nuha) Amelia: Look, I’m used to doing things that aren’t normal, so—

Alhan: But Peter insisted on guiding her around the island and doingeverything for her.

(Nuha) Amelia: I swear, if he opens one more door for me…

Shobhita: Because a woman can’t be left alone in Lemon Island

(Asma) Tour Guide:And this is the lemon orchard

(Nuha) Amelia: Boring.

(Asma) Tour Guide: And the lemon castle, shaped like…

(Nuha) Amelia: Surprise, surprise, a lemon.

(Asma) Tour Guide: And next up is lemon lady lunch with…

(Nuha) Amelia:What, lemon cake?

(Asma) Tour Guide:But not just any lemon cake. Also lemon custard and lemon tea and

lemon…

(Nuha) Amelia:Look, Peter. You’re sweet and all, but lemon is a little sour for mytaste, and it doesn’t go down well when women can’t do anything on their own, so…

(Asma) Tour Guide: Well, I’m sorry, lady Pilot, but that’s how we do things here, and if that isn’t good enough for you, you can just bloody leave.

(Nuha) Amelia: Well, maybe I will.

(Asma) Tour Guide: Good, because you have way too many opinions for this place.

(Nuha) Amelia: Excuse me?

(Asma) Tour Guide: I’ll take you to the bus stop.

(Nuha) Amelia: Fine.

(Asma) Tour Guide: Fine.

(Nuha) Amelia:Fine.

Shobhita: As Amelia boards the bus, Peter stands back and thinks.

(Asma) Tour Guide:Damn she’s something (with a smirk on his face)

Verse

Verse ‘Marionette’ Chorus repeats: Is this my life? Cos I can’t feel it. Too many hands pulling my wires. I’m just a marionette. Will someone cut my strings?

Scene 3:

Nuha:Amelia hopped on a bus and went on a long journey.

For two or three weeks she passed the sunset and the sunrise and the sunset again, staring out the window hoping for a new beginning.

Alhan:She crossed many different lands with different people in it, andeverytime the bus stopped, a new passenger sat beside her and asked her the same questions.

(Nuha) Passenger:Where are you from?

(Shobhita) Amelia:A place that buried my hopes and dreams.

(Alhan) Passenger:Why are you here?

(Sho) Amelia:To show the world what I have.

(Asma) Passenger:Who are you?

(Sho) Amelia:Someone who doesn’t want to feel suffocated but appreciates

every breath I take in.

Nuha:Amelia travels in all kinds of weather.

Cloudy, heavy rain, rainbows and bright sun.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘We are the Sun’ I am a unicorn, I am a flower I am a robin, a high tower I am a wave, I am a tree I am a lighthouse I am green I am the town on a Friday night I am a magpie, a lucky sight I’m a sweet potato, surprise inside I am a well worn scarf, nothing to hide. I am the sun Nos somos o sol (Portuguese) Ana alshams (Arabic) Awa ni Orun (Yoruba – Nigeria)

(Sho) Amelia:All I’ve seen in a blink of an eye, the same questions I hear

Alhan:Where are you from?

(Sho) Amelia:Oh for goodness sake.

(Asma) Passenger:But where are you from?

(Sho) Amelia:Here.

(Nuha) Passenger:But where are you really from?

(Sho) Amelia:A woman’s body.

(Asma) Passenger:Why are you here?

(Shobhita) Amelia:To see the unseen and share the stories

(Nuha) Passenger:Where are you going?

(Sho) Amelia:On a journey that’s worthy.

Alhan:On and on she goes, answering questions nobody should be asked, reminding her only that she’s not home anymore and she doesn’t yet belong where she’s going.

Nuha:Meeting not one friendly face.

Rain and rainbows.

Sun and blinks of eyes.

Days and days on end

(Sho) Amelia:Please, just nobody ask me anything anymore. I’m nobody from

nowhere, okay.

Alhan:She falls asleep

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Haze of it All’ It’s not the first time, the second or the third. I’ve been here before. Unannounced goose bumps, memories blurred Awake on the floor But I know nothing, it’s all a haze Life has played it’s tricks The hard drive of my brain erased. I’ll sleep again, build up the bricks. Soft soft pillow, my heavy, heavy eyes. I’ll close off the world

Scene 4:

(Sho) Bus Driver:This is Nowhere. Nowhere, everyone. Anyone getting off in Nowhere,

this is your stop.

Nuha:Amelia, Amelia, wake up! This is your stop.

(Sho) Bus Driver:Final call for nowhere! Going...

Asma:Amelia, Amelia, wake up!

(Sho) Bus Driver:Going…

(Alhan) Amelia:Oh, this is my stop!

Nuha: Off the bus. In a country where war has broken out.

Sounds of bombs and people fighting.

Asma:She has to duck more than once to not get in people’s ways.

Everyone running for shelter.

Asma:Quick, duck!

Nuha:She hides behind an old car.

And she has to know.

(Alhan) Amelia:Why are you fighting?

Nuha:But everytime she gets different answers.

(Asma) Person:Because I lost my family

(Alhan) Amelia:Why is there a war?

(Sho) Person:Because they took my mum prisoner

(Alhan) Amelia:Why are you fighting?

(Asma) Person:Because they bombed my house

(Alhan) Amelia:Why?

(Nuha) Person:I fell in love with a girl

(Asma) Person:I’m fighting for my rights

(Sho) Person:They drove me out of my home

(Asma) Person:I ran away

(Alhan) Amelia:Why are you fighting?

(Sho) Person:Because I’m a foreigner who’s not welcome here.

(Alhan) Amelia:Why are you fighting?

(Nuha) Person:Because I feel suffocated

Shobhita:As she’s hiding from the shots and the bombs, an immigration officer approaches her.

(Fatma) Officer:Hey! What’s someone like you doing here?

(Alhan) Amelia:Well, I’m looking for a place I can -

(Fatma) Officer: You don’t belong here.

(Alhan) Amelia: But…

(Fatma) Officer:You need to leave.

(Alhan) Amelia:Look

(Fatma) Officer: Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before…

Nuha:With surprise and disappointment without even being allowed toexplain she is put into a car with other people who are the same as her and taken over the border.

(Fatma) Officer:Don’t say another word.

‘Perfectly Imperfect’ comes on the bus radio. The travellers start singing absent mindedly which builds up to a bizarre moment of connection and joy. Amelia and the immigration officer lock eyes, who remembers his position and turns the radio off while telling everyone to be quiet.

Scene 5:

Christianah:In the car, Amelia looks at everyone who’s travelling with her.

Nuha:She wonders about their faces and their lives.

(Asma) Amelia:Where are we going?

(Alhan) Person:We’re being sent to Detention.

(Asma) Amelia:Why?

(Fatma) Person:Don’t know. I guess nobody wants to deal with us. Why are you here?

(Asma) Amelia: I’m trying to find a country I can belong to.

(Chris) People:Aren’t we all.

(Asma) Amelia:Where do you belong?

(Sho) People:We don’t belong anywhere

(Asma) Amelia:That’s not true.

(Sho) People: Yes it is.

(Asma) Amelia: No, we belong to every drop of joy, we belong to Hope, we belong to

Love.

(Chris) Person:Life isn’t like that.

(Asma) Amelia:No but it should be. We all deserve to start over our lives. Especially

lives we didn’t ruin but that were ruined for us.

(Fatma) Person:Lovely story, girl.

(Nuha) Person:But keep dreaming.

(Alhan) Person:The world isn’t like that.

Alhan:Just as Amelia is about to argue, the car comes to a stop.

(Sho) Driver: Detention Center.

(Fatma) Officer: Come with me.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘You Belong with Us’ Just like the white crayon in the box She is desperate for attention Wondering how to fit in To the spectrum of perfection Lost in a list of life’s essentials Locked in the frozen sea An ancient goddess grieving her reflection Wondering who to be You are enough, you belong with us.

Alhan: A waiting room full of shallow breaths and uncertain lives.

Nuha:A waiting room full of discontent and carelessness.

Christianah:A waiting room full of inhumane atmosphere.

(Asma) Amelia:Look!

(Fatma) Officer:Shh, no talking.

(Asma) Amelia:But I came here legally.

(Fatma) Officer:Good one.

(Asma) Amelia:Please, look at my passport.

(Fatma) Officer:It’s fake.

(Asma) Amelia:Look at the picture.

(Fatma) Officer:So why are you here?

(Asma) Amelia:A misunderstanding.

(Fatma) Officer:Fine. Go. But don’t let it happen again.

Alhan:Amelia looks back at the people she journeyed with, wondering why

she gets to leave when they can’t.

Nuha:She finds a ride.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Where to?

(Asma) Amelia:Away.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Away where?

(Asma) Amelia:I don’t know … I’m tired.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:You have to give me more than that…

(Amelia) Amelia: Anywhere safe. Anywhere that feels like home.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Well I don’t know about home, but there is this country calledDreamland where everyone is nice and have everything they could ever need.

(Asma) Amelia: Equal rights?

(Sho) Taxi Driver: I believe so.

(Asma) Amelia:No war?

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Yes indeed.

(Asma) Amelia:No discrimination?

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Not a shadow of it?

(Asma) Amelia: Racism, dictators, unhappiness?

(Sho) Taxi Driver: No, no and no.

(Asma) Amelia:Take me there.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:Yes Madame … Only trouble is … Nobody knows exactly where it is.

(Asma) Amelia:Oh for goodness sake.

(Sho) Taxi Driver:I have heard stories, though. People stop at the crossroad, go into thegrass, go to the left and follow the sunset. I can drop you off there?

(Asma) Amelia:Please.

Scene 6:

Shobhita: The driver drops her off in a beautiful field.

To the left and follow the sunsets.

Alhan: And the sunrise

And the sunset.

And the sunrise.

Mawaddah:For days and nights she keeps walking.

Sunsets and sunrise

Fatma: Sunsets and sunrise and sunsets

Until finally.

(Chris) Amelia: I feel dizzy.

Alhan: She faints.

When she wakes up she is greeted with smiles and warmth and welcoming people.

Fatma:Bright white light shines from everywhere.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Glittery Bums’ Can you hear the drums? Here they come, the glittery bums In the neon sun, in the neon sun Shorty shorts with dramatic eyes Sun is up full of pretty lies Hair flicks in the dancing heat No cares in the world, living proud and free, free, free, free. Living proud and free, free, free, free Put your shades on, it’s a city invasion A peacock procession of proud imperfection.

(Chris) Amelia:What is this place?

Nuha: You can call it whatever you like. Some call it Dreamland,

some call it The Place of a Thousand Belongings, but you can call it Home.

(Chris) Amelia:And can I do whatever I like here?

Alhan: Of course. Whatever your heart desires. But first, you must eat and drink. You’ve journeyed so far.

Mawaddah:When Amelia recovered her strength, she went for a walk around Dreamland.

Fatma:Everywhere she saw people following their dreams.

Artists painting canvases the size of ballrooms.

Nuha:Dancers and swimmers.

Alhan:Everyone helping and caring about each other.

Mawaddah: She stops in a garage where a woman is fixing a plane.

(Chris) Amelia:Hey!

(Sho) Woman:Hey!

(Chris) Amelia:Is that your plain?

(Sho) Woman: Sure is. You know how to fly?

(Chris) Amelia:I do … Although it feels like a lifetime ago.

(Sho) Woman:Do you want to help me fix the wing?

(Chris) Amelia:I’ve never wanted to do anything more.

Fatma:Amelia and her friend talk about everything. But mostly about flying with the wind and the fresh air blowing in their face and hair.

(Sho) Woman: Best feeling in the world.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Old Chest’ It’s ok, stop right there You’ve done all that you can. Don’t try so hard by yourself Don’t force it. Life is more than science We are more than science

Alhan:As she walks on, she begins to think…

(Chris) Amelia: This could be home. Not just to me, but to many.

Alhan:She begins to think.

(Chris) Amelia:If I could share this with the people in the car … or the people from back home … If they could know…

Nuha:But she stops dead on her feet…

Asma:There, in front of her.

To all sides of her.

Nuha:A giant wall.

Shobhita:Surrounding all of Dreamland.

Alhan:As tall as the tallest building.

Fatma:Or the biggest mountain you’ve ever seen.

(Chris) Amelia:I don’t understand.

(Sho) Woman:Hey, Amelia, I think our Prime Minister would like to meet you.

Shobhita:In a huge ballroom, the size of Timbuktu, the Prime Minister sits in an armchair.

(Asma) PM:Welcome, Amelia. The pilot, right?

(Chris) Amelia:Yes, ma’am.

(Asma) PM:Please, none of that. Just sit and drink some tea.

Fatma:They sit together for the afternoon.

Alhan:Amelia has so many questions … Like how have they made this land?

Their laws? Where does their freedom come from?

(Asma) PM: Look, there are many answers to these questions. But above all, thisplace is a secret. You are welcome here, but you can’t tell anyone else about this.

(Chris) Amelia:But why? I have met many people who could use a home. We couldshare this place with them.

(Asma) PM:We welcome anyone who has the passion and the need to find us butwe can’t share our country freely with the outside.

(Chris) Amelia:But you have so much.

(Asma) PM:Sharing it too freely and recklessly would ruin it. It would ruin ourcommunity, our resources, our unity and culture.

(Chris) Amelia:But that’s ridiculous!

(Asma) PM:Amelia, you are welcome here.

(Chris) Amelia:But I am not sure I want to be if nobody else is. Look … Even thoughthis country has everything I wanted and everything I dreamed, it’s not the same if it’s not shared with the rest of the world. There are people who need to be shown the way because they are wandering around with nowhere to go, and nowhere to belong.

(Asma) PM: Yes, the world is full of evils, but we are safe from them here.

(Chris) Amelia:But then I can’t stay.

(Asma) PM:I’m sorry to hear.

(Chris) Amelia:You’re too far removed from reality. What is the point of a place beingbeautiful if you can’t share it?

(Asma) PM:I understand but I can’t do anything about it. It is written in our law. Youcan stay if you want to or you can leave. It’s your choice.

(Chris) Amelia:I wanted to find the perfect country but this isn’t it.

(Asma) PM:I’m sorry to hear … Look, I heard you helped one of our pilots fix herplain. It’s a good thing to do, so it’s yours if you want it.

Nuha: On the landing court, Amelia’s new fried hands her the keys to the

plain.

(Sho) Woman:Keep her safe.

Verse

Verse Song: One line of ‘The Spark’ Don’t dismay, tomorrow’s another day, You will be ok, you will be ok

Alhan:She puts on her helmet and her glasses and gets ready to fly.

Everyone in Dreamland wave her off.

Verse

Verse Song: One line of ‘The Spark’ Don’t dismay, tomorrow’s another day, You will be ok, you will be ok

Shobhita:As she soars above the sky, she sees that round land, surrounded by a huge wall become smaller and smaller.

Verse

Verse Song: ‘You Belong with Us’ outro: See the water dance around your feet Drip drop of rainbow tears Your metamorphosis

Scene 7:

Nuha:Amelia, Amelia, flying high in the blind sky

With the wind and the fresh air blowing in her face and hair.

Alhan:Amelia, Amelia crosses the Atlantic

The first woman to make that journey alone

Looking for a country she can call home

Asma:The sun sets and she flies into amazing colours

Orange, blue, yellow, pink

Fatma:Relieved that in spite it all she can go where she wants to

Maybe there’s something at least to the freedom

Christianah: As she stares at the stars coming out

She takes a deep breath and thinks

Shobhita:that every journey will end and start again.…

Verse

Verse Song: ‘Haze of it All’ outro: I will be free I will conquer mountains Lie in the warm grass Get lost in the sky