SWEET HOME by Amjad Prawej

Rita, a young lady is seated at a table. Her attire is very modern. She is sipping coffee. She occasionally glances at her wrist watch. Enters Karan Singh, a middle-aged man in a business suit. He is talking to someone on the cell phone.

Karan: Yes honey, I am meeting her now. Don't worry I will have it finalized today. It is going to be the best house in the world. Yes. OK. I shall call you later. Love you too. Bye. (Approaches the table) I am so sorry Miss Rita. I was caught in the traffic. It is getting worse day by day. Too many vehicle on the road. I am really sorry.

Rita: Don't worry sir. It's Saturday afternoon. I expected that. I took precaution so that I am not late.

Karan: Oh! You left your home early.

Rita: No, Mr. Singh. I walked. That's the only sure way to be anywhere on time these days.

Karan: Hmm. Maybe I should try that sometime. Anyway, let's finalize everything today. My wife is getting a little impatient. She is tired of rented apartment. We would like to move into our own home as early as possible.

Rita: I understand. There is nothing like living in your own sweet home. (She takes out a chart paper with a layout of a house) Here, I have changed the interior according to your suggestions. It is all based on the "Jungle" Theme. You'll feel you are in the middle of a forest when you are sitting in your living room.

Karan: Impressive! And the master bedroom?

Rita: Like a cave, the way you wanted it.

Karan: Great!! You know, I want to be closer to nature. I love nature.

Rita: Really? You should have spared those trees you then.

Karan: (At a loss) Well.. I... You see.. We have to compromise in life sometimes. Those trees were blocking the view of the Lake. And you know, my wife wanted to have that view.

Rita: I understand.

Karan: Good. How about the bathroom?

Rita: Theme "Antarctica". I remember your suggestion... or was it your wife? Anyway, everything will be snow white.

Karan: And the bath tub.......

Rita: Yes, it looks like a floating glacier. The moment you get into it, it'll slide sideways giving you the feel of being on top of a floating mass of ice.

Karan: Excellent! My wife is going to love it. I am very excited.

Rita: I am afraid Sir, the "Glacier" theme will be outdated pretty soon. At least, that's what I think.

Karan: Why? Is there a problem?

Rita: Well, soon there will be no more Glaciers left on Earth.

Karan: Really? And Why do you think...

Rita: Global Warming sir. It seems you don't really know and care about anything else other than YOUR sweet home.

Karan: I see. It's about those trees, isn't it? You are upset. Oh come on. Chopping 18 trees isn't going to end the world.

Rita: I really don't understand Mr. Singh. People chop off forest outside and want their living rooms to look like a forest! I shall take your leave now. YOUR sweet home will be ready for you to move in by the end of this month. (She starts to exit. stops and turns) Do you know Mr. Singh, the population of the Earth is around 7 Billion? If everyone thinks like you, 126 Billion trees will lose their lives. And that for sure will be the beginning of the end. You have a Good Day!

Karan: Wow! I'd never seen an activist before. (Dials a number) Hi honey. Everything is in place now. Our sweet home will be ready by the end of this month. Yes I'll.... (Exits)

Enter two young boys.

Alex: Hey Joy. You should come check out our new home someday. 

Joy: Sure. Will I be allowed in the swimming pool?

Alex: Of course. And you should see our rooftop garden.

Joy: Man! I want to go right now.

Enters a beggar. He is quite old.

Alex: Hey look, a homeless beggar.

Beggar: Who did you call homeless huh? You see that. The sky up there. That's the roof of my home and the earth below is my bed. My home is bigger than all your homes put together.

Joy: Yea, sure it is. Let's go man.

Just before exiting they burst out laughing.

Beggar: (Stares where they exited and faces the audience) I don't blame them. The idea “Earth as our home” seems to have become a joke. Something to laugh about. But I don't blame them. People have changed and so has everything else. (Takes a deep breath and is disappointed) The smell of air, the taste of water, the color of our sky. Everything has changed.The only thing unchanged is the fact that there's only one Earth, my biggest home. The biggest? yes... But... But my home... is not so sweet anymore... like it used to be... It's crumbling. And very few people care. But I don't blame them. Maybe it's time, to come up with new bed time stories, new fairy tales and even new super heroes. It's time to repair the attitudes; to repair our home. If not, we will truly become homeless. But I'd still not blame them.

The End.