Who Doesn't Like Hummus?

A one-act romantic comedy submitted to a writing competition on the theme of peaceful coexistence between Arabs and Jews. Alas, I did not win! But here is the play for future progeny to behold.

 

 

Characters

IDO

YASMEEN

TRAIN PASSENGERS

INTERCOM LADY

RESTAURANT PATRONS AND STAFF

RADIO VOICE

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

SCENE 1

 

IDO, a 20-something Israeli boy, is taking the train from Tel Aviv to Benyamina. The train is packed with passengers, both Arab and Jewish, quietly going about their business on their way home for the weekend. Everything speaks to an average Thursday afternoon. IDO is reading a book when an affable and dynamic girl, YASMEEN, roughly his age approaches rather maladroitly down the aisle. In her hands are two large and unwieldy bags. Her long, dark hair falls gently across her shoulders. She comes to a halt in front of IDO and looks around before eying the seat next to him.

 

YASMEEN: Hi, can I sit here?

 

IDO: Of course. (He stares at her and scrunches up his face in a moment of confused recollection. Something about her tells him he has seen her before.)

 

YASMEEN (putting the bags down with a loud thud): Thanks, I couldn’t find a seat anywhere else! (She settles into the seat.)

 

IDO: Yeah, Thursdays are always really busy since it seems like 90% of Israel travels home then.

 

YASMEEN (smiles): I’m afraid I fall under that statistic. I’m heading home too - getting off in Benyamina.

 

IDO: Me too! There’s nothing like home-cooked food after a week of living off pasta. And perhaps a sandwich or two to spice things up.

 

YASMEEN (relating all too well): Oh, the student life. 

 

IDO: Do you study here in Tel Aviv?

 

YASMEEN: Yeah, I started last year. I’m studying medicine at Tel Aviv University.

 

IDO: No way! You know I didn’t want to say this for fear that you’d think I was some sort of stalker, but I knew I’d seen you on campus before. I’m usually in the life sciences building, which is only a stone’s throw from the medical school.

 

YASMEEN (pleasantly surprised): What are the odds. Sorry, I don’t think I remember you. But for what it’s worth, that really doesn’t say much, since sometimes I truly suspect I may have early onset Alzheimer’s.

 

IDO (laughs): Welcome to the club. Do you enjoy studying medicine? I’m very impressed, since my brain unfortunately has a limited storage capacity. (Grins.)

 

YASMEEN: I love it. It’s incredibly challenging but I’m trudging along all right. (Laughs.) It’s a bit of a cliché, but what motivates me the most is the idea that one day I’ll be able to help people. I haven’t decided on what I’d want to specialize in, but I know this is what I want to do.

 

IDO: That’s great. I know every academic field has its merits, but that’s also why I’m studying biology. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have the cure for both our Alzheimer’s.

 

YASMEEN (laughing, she is clearly taken with him): Well in that case, let’s keep in touch.    

 

(Unexpectedly, the train intercom turns on.)

 

INTERCOM LADY: Dear passengers, a suspicious object has been detected on the train. All passengers are requested to leave the train immediately and await further notice at the station. I repeat…

 

(The passengers on the train rise in a surprisingly tranquil manner. They are noticeably familiar with this procedure and steadily make their way out of the train.)

 

IDO (taking hold of YASMEEN’s bags): Here, let me help you.

 

YASMEEN (she nods gratefully): Thanks so much. (The two file out of the train and are now standing outside surrounded by the other passengers. IDO puts down the bags.). Oh dear, I hope it’s just a false alarm.

 

IDO: I think so, this only happened a few weeks ago. In the end it turned out someone had just forgotten a bag with brand new kitchen utensils on an empty seat. In all seriousness, who forgets something like that?

 

YASMEEN:  As much as I hate to admit it, that’s probably something I would do.

 

IDO (smiles): To be fair, I’ve actually done things equally embarrassing. Once I forgot to bring my saxophone to a school concert I was playing a solo at.  Now that’s what I call a true lapse in brain activity. (He laughs.)

 

YASMEEN (mock reassurance): It’s happened to all of us, no worries. (While they have only known each other fleetingly, they are visibly smitten with each other.)

 

INTERCOM LADY: Dear passengers of train 45B heading toward Benyamina, the suspicious object has been removed successfully, but the train will no longer be available for passenger transport. The next train will depart in an hour. We apologize for the inconvenience and wish you a pleasant day. 

 

(The other passengers begin to leave the train station.)

 

IDO: Crazy how everything just continues as normal even in the face of things like that, right?

 

YASMEEN: Yeah, we really can get used to anything.

 

IDO: I guess as long as you’re still conscious that things could be different, I think you’re okay.

 

YASMEEN: Agreed!

 

IDO: Hey, since we have another hour, would you be up for grabbing some lunch while we wait? (Tentatively.) Sorry, I really don’t mean to come on too strong.

 

YASMEEN (enthusiastically): Not to worry. I’m starving! I’ll just text my big brother who was going to pick me up that I’m running late. (She gets out her phone and quickly sends a message.) I’ve never gotten off here, do you happen to know a good restaurant nearby?

 

IDO: Yep, there’s a neat little hummus place 2 minutes from here. Would you be okay with that?

 

YASMEEN: Perfect, who doesn’t like hummus? For the record, hummus is basically my lifeblood. (Laughs.) My mom makes it herself back home. We eat it with kibbeh.

 

IDO: Very cool! What’s kibbeh though?  

 

YASMEEN: It’s this Arabic dish made of ground beef, spices, and bourghul.

 

IDO (surprised that she would be familiar with such a thing): Interesting, I’ve never had that before.

 

YASMEEN: You must. (Humorously.) You haven’t lived if you haven’t tried kibbeh. I’ll get you some sometime.

 

IDO (grins): Deal.

 

SCENE 2

 

IDO and YASMEEN are seated in a small but cozy restaurant with several platters of food splayed out before them. A radio gently whirs in the background. The two are inaudibly making conversation and eating when the radio turns up for a news segment.

 

RADIO VOICE: Peace talks have resumed with United States Secretary of State John Kerry being scheduled to arrive in Israel this week. Prime Minister Netanyahu has made arrangements to… 

 

YASMEEN: So…what do you think about the upcoming peace talks?

 

IDO: Honestly, I really don’t know. I’m not quite sure what I make of the whole situation. It’s all so complicated. Do you personally think there’ll ever be peace here? Politics are just a sheer fiasco.

 

YASMEEN: Yes, I somehow have faith that there will be an end to this all.

 

IDO (intrigued): How do you mean? (He takes a bite of food but is more interested in the conversation.)

 

YASMEEN: Think of history. Every war or conflict ever fought in the history of civilization - each and every one of them has ended.

 

IDO: Wow, I’ve never thought of it that way. I guess that’s true.

 

YASMEEN: I know it may sound like a utopian abstraction, but I think I need this type of reassurance to go about my life, if that makes any sense at all... 

 

IDO (passionately): I know exactly what you mean! I’ve never talked to anyone about this before, but, wow, I can relate completely. It’s kind of like if you believe we’re all doomed from the get-go, there’s no real reason for you to even roll out of bed in the mornings. (Attempts to lighten the conversation slightly.) Which I already have a hard time doing, to be honest.

 

YASMEEN (laughs): Exactly. You know, I go to a Jewish-Arab choir once a week and I love it. Everyone has a good time. I don’t think this type of coexistence is unfeasible.

 

IDO: Really? I have to say I’m a little surprised and, well, maybe even cynical there. I feel like Arabs and Jews are for the most part so different that coexistence in the real world is unrealistic for the time being. I mean, I do wish for peace pretty much on a daily basis, but on a purely social level it seems almost impossible.

 

YASMEEN: You’d be surprised, at the end of the day we’re all just human. That’s what connects us. Sounds cheesy, I know, but I do think it’s true.

 

IDO: Yeah, I guess…(Pensively.) Maybe there’s something to that. (Comically.) You make a strong case, so while I’m not entirely persuaded yet, I’ll suspend my judgment and am now happy to say that I’m open to the possibility.

 

YASMEEN (smirks): Wise call. 

 

IDO: I try.

 

SCENE 3

 

The two have finished eating and pay the check.   

 

YASMEEN: This food was amazing. I’ll have to come here again. (In reference to the train incident.) Preferably under different conditions though.

 

IDO: I agree. Oh wow, I think it’s time for me to head back. The next train leaves in 15 minutes. 

 

YASMEEN: Time flies! (Glances at her phone.) All right, my brother just texted me and said he’ll just be picking me up here.  He got his license two days ago so now he jumps at every opportunity to drive the extra mile like a maniac.

 

IDO (laughs): Been there, done that.

 

(They leave the restaurant and are now standing on a quiet road. They look at each other endearingly and smile sheepishly. While deeming them in love would perhaps be somewhat rash, they are beyond doubt infatuated with each other. YASMEEN looks around and spots a car advancing from the distance.)

 

YASMEEN: Ah, there’s my brother’s car. (She turns to IDO.) What can I say, it was lovely meeting you.

 

IDO: Yes! Oh man, I just realized we didn’t even introduce ourselves! This is rather past due, but I’m Ido.    

 

YASMEEN (smiles): And I’m Yasmeen.

 

IDO: Beautiful name. Where are you going now anyway?

 

YASMEEN: I’m going to Baqa al Gharbiyye, the Arab town only a few miles from Benyamina.

 

IDO (curious): Interesting, what brings you there?

 

YASMEEN: Well…I was born and raised there so I’ll be staying the weekend at my parent’s house. (She smiles mildly with a gleam in her eyes.)  

 

IDO (dumbfounded): Wait, what…I thought…I never…

 

YASMEEN: You thought I was one of you? (Jovial.) Well, I am in a sense. Just like everyone else I suppose.

 

IDO: Forgive me, I...I…what? (He shakes his head and laughs at his own agitation). I guess you’re right…I feel dumb.

 

YASMEEN: It’s all good, really. (Pauses.) Do you have Facebook? We can get in contact on there if you like.

 

IDO (gaining composure): Yes, yes! Just search for “Ido Weinberg.” I’m the guy with the photo at Disneyland. Don’t judge. (Laughs.)

 

YASMEEN: Duly noted. Well…(She smiles knowingly.) I hope to see you again soon, Ido.

 

IDO: Yes…me too!

 

YASMEEN: Take care. 

 

IDO: You too. (YASMEEN leaves but turns around to wave before disappearing. He stares after her, still in something of a shock but nothing short of elated.)

 

THE END

Author's Note

Saccharine levels: very high.

Reviews

[helq]

Funny that they get use to things like stopping a train by the presence of a inoffensive package, but no by the fact that they are always inoffensive packages. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think I can feel a little of USA-thinking-mode in that. You see, nobody, outside from the people that live in USA, really cares about a package in the middle of the street or a train. But given that I haven't spoke with anyone from Israel I will say that is plausible.

I don't know what to think about the 2nd Scene, it's just weird for me, I sounds like a real conversation to me but I feel like it was too biased. I think somebody from that place will think completely different or in a way that would sound different to us.

Now, what do I think about your way of writing, it's really likeable. I like really that the characters seem to bee humans, and they are just not puppets without emotions that work only to the deliver a specific sentence.

PS: Sorry for my weird English.
PSS: Waiting for the next text :D

[E.J. Newman]

That's just how it is in Israel! I've never lived in the US, so I would not know what an American approach to this type of scenario would be. The second scene was meant to circumvent any bias towards either side in the conflict. Thanks for leaving a comment!

[gremlin08]

Too bad you didn't win the competition. You are able to say a lot in only a few lines, using a couple of well-drawn characters. I think the saccharine level between Ido and Yasmeen is just right. Great job!

[E.J. Newman]

Yeah, I was hoping I'd at least get shortlisted. Oh well :) Great to hear - thanks so much!

[J.A. Marquez]

This was a very good read! The cahracters are likeable, relatable even. I like that the shared appreciation of hummus levels them with one another. It is a simple moment that speaks volumes.

[E.J. Newman]

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this! Very happy to hear you found the characters both likeable and relatable.