"Barakat Films Present" "The Nightingale's Prayer starring Faten Hamama" "Ahmed Mazhar" "Based on the timeless story by:" "Dr. Taha Hussein" "Cinematography:" "Wahid Farid" "Directed by:" "Barakat" "Its two O'clock..." "And he's yet to arrive" "I must wait him" "It's my first day in his home, though my story with him and the night started years ago" "It started, but when will it end and with what outcome?" "May God strengthen me so I can do what's in my mind and realize what I came for" " Evening, sir" " Good evening, Bassiouny" "Yes, sir" "Why are you still up?" " I feared you'd need me" " Good girl" "The others slept early and I had to wake them up" "I served before and I know what's proper" "Do you need anything?" " Light the lamp" " Yes, master" "Why do you tremble?" "Are you cold?" "Not at all scared?" "shall I prepare dinner?" "No, I ate at the club Take my jacket to my room" "No, master." "Don't, please" "No, master." "Please don't" "see you're scared?" "And you say you served before?" "Why are you here?" "If you knew why I came, you'd wish I never set foot in this house" "You've come?" "I was waiting for you" "All my life, you've been in my heart" "Your voice was so precious" "Young, I found you in my joy and happiness" "Older, I find you a companion hearing my lament" "You alone were with me on that doomed night" "Remember?" "You and I screamed but our voice was lost in space" "Your call reached no one" "My scream touched no heart" "soar comfortably..." "We have a vow that I won't forget" "Hanadi is in my heart though unseen" "Remember?" "Our life was lovely" "The whole world revolved around our little village" "Its borders, desert and sand" "Plants and vegetables" "The heart was vacant, the mind at peace" " Hurry, Amna" " Is it the end of the world?" "It's noon and you're lingering" "Lingering?" "If I only filled half the pitcher like you I'd fly" " I know why you're worried" " Why?" "I'm dizzy and haven't had tea" "Is that so?" "Are you dizzy for tea or the flute?" " Morning, girls" " Good morning" " I'm thirsty" " Drink sea water" "Hanadi..." " so you're lingering now?" " shame, Amna" "Tell me..." "Did he tell you he wants you?" "He didn't say it in so many words, but my heart sensed it" "Your heart is nothing but trouble" "Every week it sways in a different direction" "I don't flirt with them, they flirt with me" "Amna, don't let your tongue slip before mom" "Do you think I am a child?" "I'm wiser than you" "I swear if your husband doesn't alter his ways" "I'll shoot him" "Calm down, brother" "What can I do?" "I often tell him" "He thinks the people whose honor he ravishes are dogs" "They've sworn revenge" " Morning, uncle" " Morning, uncle" "Good morning" " Amna" " Yes, mother" "Go get some wood so we can make your uncle tea" "Alright" "If your husband returns, tell me" "I have to talk to him" " Wait for your tea" " I don't want anything" "Don't be upset, mother" "I fear for your father, Hanadi" "His evil ways won't bring us good" "Mom..." "Hanadi" "What, Amna?" " What is it, child?" " Isn't that dad's horse?" " I think so..." "Is it, Hanadi?" " Yes it is" " And what's on top?" " What if it's my dad?" " It's my dad - something's happened to him" " Where are you going?" " Khedr is killed..." "They shot him" " Go back in the house" " They killed my man" " Don't utter a word" " My man..." "My man" " What are you saying, Gaber?" " What I should, uncle" " I agree" " How can we kick the women out?" "They must no longer stay here since when is honor and blood so cheap?" "I said no such thing" "Khedr must rest in peace" "He's met his Lord, Gaber" "And left shame behind" "His wife and girls must no longer remain" "Here there is only gloating and gossip" "All who see me ask about my sister and the girls" "They mean the wife and daughters of an adulterer" " Can we kick out our flesh?" " I didn't say so" " They leave in peace" " You mean kick them out?" "How so?" "They agree as we do" "When they leave they'll forget and be forgotten" "Khedr will be forgotten too" "You, me, and everyone else will rest easy" "Well?" " It's up to you" " I'll send them away" " Do you have to be so cruel?" " Your husband was cruel" "Let people forget you, and we'll forget the shame" "Have the fear God, Gaber" "Your heart is of stone" "Your husband didn't fear God" "Take these" "That's the mercy they came up with" "Pennies for food on the road" "They feared not the evils of that road" "The heaven we lived in as children they kicked us out of" "We said farewell to safety," "Behind us, a sordid past" "Ahead, a future that holds many unknowns?" "Days went by as we moved from village to village" "Woe is me from the day past" "I fear the day to come" "A ghoul..." "A ghoul, mother" "Fear not..." "It's the railway train" "That's the train?" " Why is it full of sparks?" " Always has been" " Where's it headed?" " To the city" "To do what?" "Drop off and pick up passengers" " What about the beasts?" " We left camels and donkeys behind" "You'll see a lot in the city Come on" "It was the first thing we saw of the city" "Noise, smoke and terror" "A comfortable, spacious place with a divided door and a window with glass" "It's okay" "May it bring you luck" "How much?" "Consider it paid." "We want you and the girls to be comfortable" "Please, sheik, tell me" "Every month when you see the crescent, pay 10 piasters" " Oh, my..." " That's too much" "A glass window, and you find 10 piasters too much?" "God knows we have little money" "Don't worry..." "I will try to help you" "I won't ask for money till I get your girls jobs in the best homes" "Thanks" "We got used to estrangement" "The city no longer scared us" "We even got used to the ghoul" "Um Hanadi, lady Zuhra" "Who is it?" "sheik shaaban, good morning" "It's not just good..." "You've a guardian angel helping you" "Your daughters will work one with the engineer the other with the commissioner" " Are they good people?" " sure" "I said the commissioner, the highest ranking official in town" "And the engineer who controls our county's water supply" "A word from him can drown the whole bank" "It's the first time we leave mother" "We smiled, but our hearts were full of pain" "Look, girls" "I want you to make me proud" "Never let out your employer's secrets" "Never touch a thing" "You must be content and modest" "Eat half a meal." "Got it?" "Before going to the engineer" "I came to you, so you can choose the one you like" "I'll take the young one she seems quiet and the same age as my Khadiga" "You're right, madam" "Hey, Amna step forward" "Kiss your lady's hand" " Your name's Amna?" " Your servant, madam" "You're so lucky, Amna" "You've been hired at the commissioner's" "I want you to make me proud like I said" "If she does anything ..." "I guarantee her she seems decent" "Go see my husband for your reward" "God forbid..." "My reward is your approval" "But, my lady, he forgot me completely" "How come?" "Every month I expect my son's name to appear in the guards'list but I'm disappointed" "Please, talk to him" "Alright, shaaban..." "I'll tell him" "I'm now sure I'll spite my enemies" "Like I told you" "Go, get two chickens from the pen and follow me inside" "Alright" "As I smiled when we left mom," "I smiled, when Hanadi left" "I wished that God would hold her hand and give her good luck" "I never imagined what fate had in store for us" "Had I gone to the engineer , I wonder if my fate would be hers" "Or was each of us destined to what befell her?" "Come, Amna" "Don't be afraid" "Your name is Amna, right?" "Your servant, my lady" "It's a lovely name." "I'm Khadiga" "God bless" "What are you looking at?" "It sounds like a drum" " Is this the first time you see a piano?" " It's called 'plana'?" "It's nice" "The French tutor arrived" "What's a tutor?" " Another thing that plays?" " No, he just babbles" " Khadiga, the tutor is here" " Yes, mother" "Come, Amna, prepare coffee for the tutor and grass for the donkey" " Get the door, Amna" " Alright" " Good morning, Miss" " Good morning, sir" "Amna, come here" "Go get the coffee and give this to mom" "Get the chicken, Amna" "Chook, chook..." "careful, man" "Get it, get it" "Is this a French or a cooking lesson?" "Come here" " Has the French lesson started?" " What lesson?" "French" "I can't understand" "Take the coffee quickly" "And don't leave them..." "Get it?" "Alright" "That's it, we've finished grammar and will start translating" "That's enough today, sir" "It's too early for noon" " The thought of the chicken made you ...." "Translate into French" "A Meloukheya stew with rabbits is very delicious" " Boiled or fried?" " Fried" " I prefer boiled" " And I prefer fried" " How about lunch with us today?" " No thanks" "Translate" "You're not with me today" "You are thinking about the Meloukheya!" "Next time you have chicken and Meloukheya, warn me not to come" "Excuse me" " Hello, Mr. Beshara" " Hello, commissioner" "Nice to see you" "You are leaving early today Have lunch with us sorry, I apologize..." "Um George awaits me" "How's Khadiga's French?" "speaks fluently, my friend" "God give you rest" "Come on, my friend..." "don't stall" "Khadiga..." "Khadiga" " Hi, dad" " Hello, dear mom, mom..." "Dad's arrived" " Welcome home, commissioner" " I'm starved, Mrs. Chief" " The Meloukheya is almost done" " Hurry then" "I'm proud of you The tutor praised your progress" "I take after you, dad I'll go get your slippers" "OK, love" "Why are you standing there?" "Go get the basin and pot" "Did you get a new servant?" "Yes, shaaban brought her" "Hire his son, will you?" "How can I hire a thief as a guard?" "I'll hire him as detective" "He can report his fellow thieves" "Come help me, you clever one" " What's your name?" " Your servant Amna" " Where from?" " Beni Warkan" "That's too far away" " Where?" "I never heard of it" " You never will" "It's in the mountain" "Toughen up girl." "Didn't you feed her?" "I wish you could visit where I work There is something you've never seen" " What?" " A machine called 'piana'" "Black with white keys" "As soon as the lady touches it, you hear the sound of Nightingales, drums and music" " Does she have a gramophone?" " What's that?" "It's like a doughnut." "When the pin strikes, you hear songs" "I heard a woman sing while I was alone" "I thought there were ghosts and fainted" "The engineer explained it Oh, his love !" "Love?" "Are you in love with the engineer?" "It's the song in the gramophone" " Good morning, mom" " Good morning, girls" " 'Bon jour', mom" " What?" "That's good morning in French" "What's that, Amna?" "A tight dress" " shame?" "Is that the way we dress?" " Like city girls" "We must be conservative" "If your uncle Gaber saw you he'd kill you" " Why, mom?" " For dressing like city girls" "No, take it off..." "let's stick to our values" "Are you happy?" "Very much, mom" "The commissioner is all laughs" "His wife is a true lady and his daughter loves me" "Thank God." "And you, Hanadi?" " You didn't tell if you're happy" " I am" "Is the engineer's mother nice?" "she was when she came" "What do you mean?" "I mean..." "You see, she's..." "Her eldest daughter's ill, and..." "And what?" "You're alone?" "What shame!" "she'll return from Cairo in 2 days time" "And the engineer barely stays home" "If not for the blame, I'd say don't go back" "His mother's returning I await her daily" "Watch out for yourself, Hanadi" " The world is full of peril" " Don't worry, mother" "Months went by..." "Our village and past dissolved into a dream" "Then the dream was forgotten" "I got used to my new life and forgot the past one" "The lady taught me a lot" "Housework, sewing and embroidery" "Khadiga taught me to read" "When she sat before me she'd read and I'd hear her" "I thought I was in another world with a different kind of people" ""she told him with streaming tears:" "Do you thus abandon me?" "Where is your great love?" "He answered coldly speak not of love" "What we had wasn't love she said with tears choking her:" "But in the name of love, you asked for everything" "He said:" "I tricked you" "Man never gives his life to a woman who's willing to be tricked nor does he believes that she who succumbs to him won't succumb to others" "He left, never to return" "Samira decided to punish herself to death for accepting to be tricked she headed for the river"" " she jumped in?" "!" " I don't know" " The tutor's here" " Hide the book" "Oh night..." "Oh night" "How strange the deer chased by a coward" "A so-called hunter and actually a coward and jerk" "Well well, lady Hanadi" "I await you at the mill forever while you're here?" " I came back early" " Oh" "Why are you crying?" "Hanadi... speak, why are you crying?" "It's nothing" "If you don't complain, it shows mom, why is Hanadi in tears?" "You should both cry for your mother" "What's going on?" "What are you doing?" "We're leaving..." "we've had enough" " Where shall we go?" " It's a big world" "What happened, mom?" "Tell me" "It can't be told" "What happened?" "What evil were we escaping?" "What's with Hanadi?" "Why is she looking at the sky?" "Her day is full of sorrow and her night restless" "What is it, Hanadi?" "Why are you silent day and night?" "The world is dark and woe is me of God's wrath" "God is all-merciful, Hanadi" "What's bothering you?" "Don't keep it bottled up" "Would you keep secrets from me?" "It is mom" "I wish I heard a good word from her to comfort me" "Amna" "You're too young and my woe with you is doubled" "I want to tell you everything but I'm afraid to blemish your innocence" "If I keep silent I fear you'd fall in the same trap and drink the bitterness thinking it sweet" "Don't you say..." "I am ashamed to face you." "The engineer?" "so I learned Hanadi's secret" "He tricked her with love" "I didn't believe the novels" "They said love is trouble, regret and fear" "Now I am convinced that love is evil" " Evening" " Evening" "We're strangers and wish to spend the night, mayor" "Welcome, lady" "Make yourselves at home Hassanein" "Yes, mayor" "Take the guests in and prepare dinner for them" " Alright" " God bless you" "Our stay with the mayor lengthened" "Whenever I asked mother where we were going, what we were waiting for why she kept watching the road, she kept silent" "Always silent" "Her silence tormented my sister and I" "Fear filled our hearts" "Every dawn I'd ask myself" "What does this new day have in store for us?" "Hanadi is pretty" "That's why we're in trouble" "Why are you cruel to Hanadi?" "You push her away" "Care for her, don't be unfair" "Who is unfair?" "she has hurt us both." "What use is it, mom?" "What use is it to be low and dejected?" "You know?" "Forgive her" " she dared to tell you - she's broken she's suffered enough" "Why is the mayor's home noisy today?" "Today is market day, people come to buy and sell" "What joy this day brings" "Damn all sorrow and those who bring it" "Damn the one who doesn't like you, dear mayor" "May your home always be open" "I read your fortune, tell the future" "When will I get rich?" "Pay and I'll tell you" "I swear to god I will throw you in jail someday" " I read fortunes" " I'll pay if I must" "Here's my money" "You're going to hell, Zanuba, you thief" "You take double price and sell a measure of wheat as two" " shush or I'll tell the mayor" " Who else can protect you?" " That was before" " I read fortunes" "Throw in money, my dear steer clear of us" "Are you still gloomy, aunt?" "Why?" "What is it, aunt?" "If you're worried, let's worry together" "Did your husband remarry?" "Was your son enlisted?" "Daughter's a spinster?" "Your daughters are pretty" " Just be quiet" " Forget your woes, they forget you" "You, sweet girl" "Come, let me see your future" "I alone will see her future" "I'll find you a job that'll dress you in gold stay away from her, Zanuba" "Whisper in here" "Rubbish..." "Follow Zanuba and you'll win" "Amna, come here" "Did they tell you we snatch daughters?" "Your mom will ruin your future" "Just between us, when you're in trouble" "Zanuba's at your service Ask for me, people will guide you to me" "I said come here, girl" "In the name of God" "What, auntie?" "Listen, girl" "Two men in your path" "One is of your own blood and wants to hurt you" "speak on..." "The other hurt you but loves you a lot..." "Right?" "Go on" "You're about to travel safely?" "May God remove all your burdens and troubles" "Hanadi, come here" " What is it, mom?" " Your uncle arrived" "Who told him where we are?" "At the last market I sent him a messenger" "Why, mother?" "Our village is best for us" "she wants us to return" "What did it bring us but cruelty and ruthlessness?" "I wish it collapses before we arrive" "I'm uneasy, Amna" " Mom might tell my uncle" " Don't say that" "I see no good ahead" "The fortune-teller's words are spooky" "Afraid of a fortune-teller?" "Fortune-tellers know nothing;" "they say the same to all" "Each man is between two women and each woman two men" "I know my men..." "The one that will hurt me is my uncle" "I know the one who hurt me but wants me" " God punish him" " God forgive him" " You ask forgiveness?" " Yes" " You still want him?" " I can't hate him" "I wish I could hate and forget him" "After all that happened?" "If I were you..." "Don't, Amna..." "One day you'll know what love means" "Your husband shamed many women" "What evil he sowed, your daughters will gather as thorns" "Gloating, Gaber?" "I sent for you to help bring us home" " And save your honor" " My honor!" "Where's that honor?" "Ask yourself" "I often told you to fear God" "To protect women..." "You said we've no room among you" "After all that, you talk of honor?" "!" "You're right, Zuhra" "Early tomorrow, we'll return to the village" "stop, Amna" "Get your mother down" " Will we sleep here?" " so you can rest" "No, uncle, no !" "Hanadi !" "Hanadi !" "You did it, Gaber?" "Hanadi is not to be mourned" "Hanadi..." "Hanadi" "Get well soon, Amna" "Where's Hanadi?" "Hanadi..." "Hanadi was here and spoke to me" "Where's Hanadi?" "Rest..." "Rest stay away from me" "All of you stay away" "Crying for me?" "For us?" "Why didn't you weep before?" "When you kicked us out of the village?" "Hanadi" "Let's leave... she may calm down" "Where's Hanadi, mom?" "Where's Hanadi, mom?" "It's God's will, child" "God's will or my uncle's?" "God never wills evil" "Your uncle deceived me" "He promised safe-haven, and had evil in mind" "You had the same intentions" "You aided him" "You both killed her" "No, Amna, don't say that" "Don't touch me" "Amna" "Hanadi's my daughter" "I can't sleep with Hanadi in the dust" "God knows the suffering I'm in" "I pray to God you suffer more" "May God take revenge on you and uncle stop it" "Where's Hanadi, uncle?" "she died in the plague..." "as you know" "Hide your hands, uncle" "Hanadi's blood drips from them" "I said Hanadi died in the plague" "Died in the plague?" "Zuhra" "Zuhra..." "It is time for me to travel" "If you follow your daughter we're lost" "I'm going to the Wahat early tomorrow" "Keep your girl's mouth shut" "The plague that took Hanadi might take her too" "Bye, Gaber" "May God bring you fortune" "Amna is entrusted to you" "Take care of the girl" "If you don't cure her" "I swear I'll handle her" "Amna" "Where are you?" "Why don't you answer?" "Amna" "Amna mom, mom..." "Amna returned" "What's wrong, Amna?" "Answer me, dear..." "What's wrong?" "You're much better now" "Thanks, lady" "You had us worried." "We looked everywhere" "When shaaban said you left the room we said: shame on her she didn't even say goodbye" "My sister was in danger" " We took her to the village" " How is she now?" "she met her maker, my lady" "It's God's will, child stop it, Amna, for my sake" "Two beautiful girls one called Hanadi, the other Amna" " Have you seen them?" " No, aunt" "They were with me." "They lost their way" "Call her, girls" "Tell her your mother's dying for her two daughters" "My dear child" "I hear her calling me:" "mom, mom" "Hanadi..." "Amna" "Life in the commissioner's home was the same" "I alone changed" "The first Amna didn't return" "A new one did" "This Amna lives her life with ghosts" "Thinking of Hanadi only and the engineer who seduced her and caused her death" "How did he win her heart?" "How did he seduce her?" "These thoughts tormented me" "I would make the rounds of the house Hanadi lived in and left only to die" "Here she met love" "It handed her happiness with one hand, misery with the other" "Here she knew the engineer" "I wonder what he looks like" "What's he doing?" "Does he remember her?" "He was her life" "What was she to him?" " Why are you here?" "Why near the garden?" "You must be a thief" " Me?" "No way, I'm poor" " I've seen you here before" "We'll take you to the police" "Police !" "Please, don't" "Gently, will you?" "Why are you here?" "speak" "I'm looking for Hanadi" "You know Hanadi?" "she's from my village and a friend" "Why didn't you say so before?" "Hanadi left a long time ago" "Hanadi, who's she?" "she was here before you" "But, pardon me, she was prettier" "Don't know why she didn't stay she left because of your ugly face" "Was Hanadi your friend?" "Yes, see you" "Have some tea with me" " I'm late" " Do you work?" " With the commissioner - so you're close" "The kettle is on Come drink with me..." "Come" " Nice home" " Because you're in it" " Have you been here long?" " Three months" "Come in" "The gardener says I stayed long" "The engineer likes to change" " Comfortable?" " Frankly, I am" "There's no lady to yell at me" "I'm the lady of the house" " That your room?" " No, that one" "How's the commissioner's home?" "Do they have young sons?" " Was it Hanadi's room?" " Yes" " What?" " I remembered her" "I haven't seen her for long" "I don't know why she left" "Whoever works with the engineer stays forever" "He's sweet and decent" " His picture?" " Yes" "Oh-oh, master's here I'll let you out the back" "Come along, please" "We'll go to market, huh?" " Take my jacket off" " Yes, master" "Come here..." "Why are you so pretty today?" "Only today, master?" " Come here, girl" " And the jacket?" "There it goes" "Not now, master !" "Not now !" "The one you died for forgot you" "He forgot you" "But your sister won't" "Your death won't be in vain" "Woe to the cheat." "I will have my turn with him" "I vow to you" "Rest in peace, sister" "Your sister will lie in vigil till she avenges you" "Amna, come here, girl" "Where were you?" "I..." "I..." "Why are you disheveled?" "My goodness..." "Don't, child sometimes you talk to yourself, others you weep alone" "Wake up, girl" "Go clean yourself" "Twenty pounds..." "No way" "Amna is worth gold..." "but I have none" "Amna's dowry is 40 pounds, or you won't come near her" "Too much" "To marry a decent girl, you have to pay" "I'll pay" "Here's another 10" "Another 10 and it will be 40" " Before the wedding you'll have it" " Why wait?" "You have a gold ring Give it to me" "I guess it's God's will" "The Fatiha..." "In God's name" "Yes, lady" " What's wrong, Amna?" " Nothing, my lady" "You're acting strange lately" "I know you're sad for your sister, but it's no use" "Tell me, Amna" "Do you notice something strange around the house?" "No, my lady" "I think they're up to something" "What, I don't know?" "Listen, if you hear anything tell me" " Don't hide it - sure, my lady" "I'll go see mom and dad" "Khadiga's too young to be responsible for a home" "Young, or is it that you can't bear to part with her?" "Why the rush?" "No reason, I'm happy with things the way they are suitors suck up to me daily" "The police officer goes about all the time," " saluting me" " Lucky you" "When the physician comes to visit, he shuts the window behind me lest I catch cold" "He sent you a gift..." "Vitamins" "Must be a sample he got" "Anyway, I don't like him" "I heard he's stingy" "I know you need a spendthrift" "I have such a guy..." "Every morning the best roses are on my desk" "Who puts roses on your desk?" "The chief guard" "Why are you out of your room?" "Are you still up?" "sorry, mom..." "I wanted to ask mom about a difficult word" "What is it?" "Why are you congregating around me like...?" "It's quite simple." "Mom knows" " What is it, mom?" " You tell her, Hussein" "I'll explain it tomorrow" "I forgot my glasses in the office" " Goodnight, mom" " Goodnight, love" " Did she notice?" " I think not" " she's too naive" " Like her dad" "Amna, Amna" "I found out their secret" "Dad gets suitors every day and he has decided to marry me off" "Congratulations, ma'am God bless you" "No, it's early yet I haven't given my approval" "I must like him..." "I'm marrying not dad" "He must be thin and have a moustache like dad's and be rich so every Friday he can take me to Cairo to hear salama Hegazy and visit the Luna Park" "What's with the laundryman?" "The engineer is on his way" "Wait a couple of minutes" "Thank God you're here Take it to him" "Why are you dressed up?" "Who's coming?" "Who knows?" "Your dad won't say" " The suit, dad" " Give it to me" " No - stop being naughty" "You don't iron the suit to meet just anyone." "Who's coming?" "Good girls don't ask" "Off to your room I want you to vanish" " Why?" " Because !" "Hurry, get the door, and show the guest into the living room" "Is the commissioner in?" "Is the commissioner in?" "Where shall I go?" "Amna, Amna..." "Here" "Hurry" "Amna, is he good looking?" "I said vanish into your room" " Wait" " What now?" " Let me shine your dull badge" " OK" "As I told you, play hard to get or he'll think we are desperate" "Tell him, I'll think it over and see... she's too young" "I get it..." "Too young and I can't snatch her from your lap" "Now go" "Hello, Mr. Engineer" " Welcome" " Hello, commissioner" " Be seated..." "Nice to have you" " Thanks" "Welcome to our home" "Thank you" "Instead of this sweet drink, may he taste my sister's bitterness" "Or even poison" "Poison" "That's the solution" "Frankly, I can't tell you yet" "Why not?" "Have you heard something bad about me?" "Not at all, son..." "We heard great things about you" "He tricked you too..." "you're fooled" "His smile conceals evil and treachery" "Here" "That's not the problem, but her mother" "Khadiga is young yet" "I can't convince her mother to part with her" "I promise to try" "I am optimistic sure..." "It must be for the best" "When can I tell my parents to come?" "Next Friday?" "Next Friday is too soon..." "no way !" "On second thoughts, OK" "You heard them agreeing to Friday?" "Why then are they still meeting?" "I'm afraid dad asked for too much dowry or jewelry..." "They've come out" "I wish I'd see him" "Move a bit, dad" "He has a cute face, right?" "You'll see him when he gives you the jewelry" "The engineer made the house his own" "Whenever he comes to visit, I think of poison" "I kept patient delaying the day of revenge" "Engagement day" "Trills filled the house" "No one felt the fire within my heart" "Why did you leave the engagement party?" "No gloomy thoughts tonight Get up" "You didn't even congratulate me" "Haven't you noticed?" " Congratulations" " You say it so coldly" " Don't you like it?" " It's lovely" "Why frown then?" "Oh, I see" "You think you'll stay with mom" "I'll never leave you" "I'll take you to the groom's home" "His home?" "If only you knew who the groom is" "This handsome face hides an ungrateful heart" "A criminal with no conscience" "What do I do?" "Leave her to rejoice" "If I really love her," "I must expose his secret to protect her" "They all went to sleep" "I stayed up alone wrapped up in darkness" "The darkness of my heart" " Who is it?" " Amna" "What's wrong?" "Are you still up?" "Why didn't you go to bed?" "I wish to tell you something" "But promise not to tell a soul" "Fear not..." "The commissioner's on duty." "I'm alone" "What do you wish to say?" "I told her what happened to Hanadi" "I feared she'd forgive him" "Thanks for telling me, child" "Who knows how we'd have handled such a marriage?" "Forgive me." "My fear for Khadiga made me speak" "Please, don't tell her I'm behind this" "Don't worry" "At dawn, I found myself on the road, confused and wondering:" "Where do I go and to whom?" "I remembered the mayor's home and the things Zanuba told me" "Why are you standing there?" "Are you after some stimulation too?" " Don't you remember me?" " Zanuba, weigh properly" "You still have your money Don't bother me" "If you cheat, you'll go to hell" "You're the fortune girl" "What happened to your rosy face?" " Life isn't easy" " Right you are." "Well?" " Zanuba, phone call" " OK" " When you have time" " Alright, love" "Go on upstairs..." "I'll be right there" "Your sister died in the plague, hey?" "It's her destiny" "Why quit the commissioner's home?" "I've no more work there" "Hiding it from Zanuba?" "Maybe his hands wandered?" "The commissioner?" "He's a kind man" "He never offended me" "You're beating about the bush" "Are you dumb, or playing dumb?" "Tell me, are you in trouble?" "Did someone hurt you?" "I'm like your mother..." "Tell me" "I'm looking for work" "Have you rethought what I told you in the past?" "You seem to be having fun" "It's you who are acting stupid" "Didn't you notice how the guys went nuts for you?" "Don't you like any of them?" "Do you prefer gentlemen?" "It was wrong of me to come" "Are you offended?" "Amna..." "Come here..." "I'm terribly sorry." "Be seated sit, Amna sit, conservative one, and tell me what work you prefer sweeping, kneading or cooking?" "Any honest job that'll give me shelter shelter?" "stay here, Amna" "You'll keep me company till God helps and sends you a job" "I was fond of you when I first saw you" "I've been Zanuba's guest for a week she's talkative but kind" "I wonder what happened to Khadiga" "I want to know" "Oh, Amna after you left they got jinxed" "The engineer broke it off" "Oh no, the commissioner kicked him out" "You know our commissioner" "He checked up on him and exposed his past" "People say he had himself transferred out of town" "Go in peace, Khadiga" "I can't even say goodbye to you" "It's always my luck with the train" "It always fills me with sorrow and pain" "Lady Zanuba" "Lady Zanuba" "Goodness gracious !" "What is it, Amna?" "Can you get me to work for the engineer?" "Is that why you woke me up?" "Is that why you're up?" "Why do you want to work for him?" "I just want to so that's why you refused all other homes you think the engineer is so honorable?" " Hand me my reward" " Done?" "starting tomorrow, you'll earn your living" "And Sekina?" "Don't be sorry for her?" "she's working for the physician with extra pay" "It is Zanuba you're talking about" "I know what you wish to say" "I haven't forgotten Hanadi's vendetta" "Early tomorrow, I'll be in the house my sister lived in but mine fate won't be similar" "Your blood won't go in vain" " Good morning" " Morning" " Is the engineer in?" " Yes" "Is that you!" "Hello!" "It is wonderful to have you here" "Tell the engineer it's Zanuba" "Alright" "Did you come here before?" "My friend worked here" " Come in" " Let's go" "Come in" " Good morning, Mr. Engineer" " Morning, Zanuba" " I brought her" " Where'd I see you before?" "she's unforgettable." "Used to work for the commissioner" "Oh, you're Amna" " Your servant" " Why didn't you leave with them?" " Don't want to be estranged" " Well done" "You'll be very pleased with Amna" "It shows" "Amna, you're now in charge of the house" "I guarantee her..." "Fear not" "We'll see..." "I must go now. show her the house, will you?" "Yes, sir" "Have a nice day" " Evening, sir" " Good evening, Bassiouny" " Yes, sir" " Why are you still up?" " I feared you'd need me" " Good girl" "The others slept early I had to wake them up" "I served others before and know what's proper" "Do you need Anything?" "Light the lamp" "Why do you tremble?" "Are you cold?" "Not at all scared?" " shall I prepare dinner?" " No, I ate at the club" "Take my jacket to my room" "What's this, master?" "Don't, please don't" "Leave me, please" "see you're scared?" "And you say that you served others before?" "Why are you here?" "Come in" "Good morning, master" " Can you make coffee?" " Yes" "Listen" "Hand me my cigarettes" "Why are you shaky?" "I'm not." "Why should I be?" "Listen, I don't like to wake up to a frown. smile !" "You seem really upset" " Did I annoy you last night?" " A bit" "I'm sorry." "Tell me, Amna" "Yes" "Have you heard of liquor?" "Yes, they use it to get drunk" "I have a couple of glasses a night, then... my body's taken over I become another person" "Then the liquor is to blame" "That's it" "No need to tremble..." "fear me only at night" "Alright, master" "You're something else" "Where did you work before the commissioner's?" "Nowhere" " Never worked for bachelors?" " Never" "Do you know why they broke off the engagement?" "such things aren't discussed before the servants" "Even if they were, you wouldn't notice" " You're silly" " As you say!" "Khadiga is decent, God loves her she was in for some fall" "Why?" "You're unmatched" "I'm not the marrying kind Why tie myself down?" "Catch" "You pretend to be cautious when you approach me" " Please leave me, master - struggle all you like" "Now you know I left you willingly" "You can't outsmart me..." "Others have tried" " Good morning, Dr. Zaki" " Thanks" " What for?" " For Sekina" "Did you inherit something?" "Zanuba did some maneuvering" " Will you come to the club?" " No" "I must finish a report" " so you'll hide at home?" " Let's go check his report" "I can't have distractions" " I see" " I see Mr. Engineer" "Can you sing?" "No" "Dance?" "Good gracious!" " shameful?" " so they say" "But serving bachelors isn't?" "If you're so devout why work here?" "It's my livelihood" "Either you're really naive or really bitter" "Drink" " No master, please" " I said drink" "I might get dizzy" "Dizzy?" "Is that bad?" "I drink a whole bottle daily to get dizzy and forget" " Forget what?" " Myself" "I'm the only person I can't stand meeting" "Why?" "As soon as I place my head on the pillow, interrogations... and blame" "Why blame?" "Did you anger God?" "Not deliberately" "My sins are an escape" "You wouldn't understand" "But I'll tell you anyway" "Instead of telling myself sometimes one tells the walls" "What do you escape?" "Loneliness" "Rural life is nothing but dull loneliness" "Each day is like the next" "Mornings, passing by bridges" "Nights, playing at the club with the same friends" "Dullness overcomes them too" "Their minds and thoughts froze" "They're like broken records" "They repeat old jokes only to laugh again and repeat their petty stories" "Their only pastime is one girl going, another coming to play lead role... in a lowly story" "Hanadi goes, Sekina comes?" "Why Hanadi?" "Do you know her?" "she's my friend she was nice..." "Know where she went?" "God relieved her of serving bachelors" " Did she marry?" " she rested" "You know, you're like Hanadi" " In looks?" " In nature she too was hostile, but you're more adamant" "The first glass dizzied Hanadi" "But you'd dizzy a whole town" " Where will you sleep?" " same as last night" "But you must know" "That room's haunted." "I'm not to blame if a monster scares you" "Only humans are monsters" "Hey, human, if you're afraid, sleep on the rug before my bed" "I don't mind" "Thanks, but I mind" "Why do you mind?" "When you drink, your body's taken over" "You said so this morning" "What I say by day, don't believe by night" "Nor by day what you say at night?" "stop it !" "Go fill my glass and bring it to my room" "The glass" "Come sit down" "Come..." "Closer" "Didn't I say stop being scared" "Give me a kiss..." "Not by force, willingly" "First, drink" " Promise?" " Yes" " Won't change your mind?" " No" "Are you mad?" "You see, I..." "Oh, you don't want to keep your promise see you changed your mind?" "Go get me another glass" "Why did I?" "It's tough to kill" "How could your heart bear it, uncle?" "Forgive me, Hanadi" "I'll never be able to kill..." "never!" "Tell me, Zuhra, where did Amna go?" "Did she repeat Hanadi's act?" "Why are you silent?" "speak" "Covering up for her?" "I'll search the whole province" "I must find her" " What did you do?" " Patience" "Gaber, in truth there's no timidity." "I want my money" "I didn't deny it" "We recited the Fatiha Amna's yours" "Where is she?" "Who's gone never returns" "Please give me my money Let's be friends" "You're right and not to blame" "Amna's not into our sordid life she's used to city life" "Don't speak ill of her sooner or later, Amna will return" "Bassiouni..." "Hey, Bassiouni" " Yes, Mr. Engineer" " Where's Amna?" "she left at dawn" " Did she say where to?" " No" " Make me breakfast" " Yes, master" "Find me another job, aunt Zanuba" "What?" "You hate the engineer already?" "He's indecent" "Indecent?" "say that again!" "I took you to decent homes;" "you insisted on him" "He was your only hope, now you don't like him" "I didn't think he'd be so mischievous whenever he's home" "My, my!" "He stays home for you, little princess?" "!" "All the more reason to stay stay till he takes advantage of me?" "stay and play hard to get, girl since he likes you, ask for anything you like" "I can never get what I want from him" "If he's fond of you, he'll hold nothing back" "Do as I say" "In my youth, I was pretty too" "When I set eyes on a man," "I never let go till I got what I wanted" "Don't be silly" "Like fish, men see the bait, not the rod some like sweet words" "Others like a sleepy-eyed look" "First, let him take the bait, then draw him in" "Then you can please or torment him" "Not him..." "He's my master" "Don't be silly..." "With two people under one roof beauty is the master A man, however high in rank when unseen, will throw himself at your feet" "Why should he?" "Love works wonders" "There used to be a cute guy educated, and of a family," "He loved me..." "I couldn't reciprocate" "I couldn't help pushing him away" "One can't control one's heart" "To forget me..." "He sniffed cocaine, chewed opium then killed himself" " He died?" " God forgive me" "If I were sure the engineer would love me so, and meet the same fate, I'd stay" "Why harm him?" "He harmed me" "Good evening, master" "Where were you this morning?" "I went to get my clothes from aunt Zanuba" "I thought you escaped" "It would have been a shame to miss out on my gift" "Really?" "You got me something?" "How do you like this necklace?" " For me?" " No, for me" "Master, please don't mock me." "I'm gullible" "Just try it on" " I've lived to see a gold-plated necklace" " It's 2 1 ct." "Gold" "You're so kind." "I didn't think you were that sweet" "Let me show you how it's worn" "God bless you, master" "I wouldn't even dream of wearing gold" "There's more to come..." "I'll hold nothing back" "Master, your are being naughty again?" "still hostile?" "I thought you wised up" "Fear not..." "Come show me your eyes" "Here" " I'm scared" " What did you see?" "You have evil intentions" "What should I swear by so you'd believe me?" "If you swear, or you'd be lying" " If only you'd wise up" " No, master..." "No" "You and your games !" " You and your love" " Love?" "Think you can fool me" "Why?" "Who's prettier than you?" "Thanks." "I'm naive but I know that there are many beauties" "There is no other girl in my heart" "Your poor heart !" "I don't measure up" "You sell yourself short" "You'll see when I clothe you from Farnawani and gold covers your arms" "I'll take you to Cairo, to the zoo and the Luna Park" "People will ask about the lady in my chariot" "No, no..." "Good grief !" "What's the end of it?" " I won't open" " Don't be silly" "I can't bear your sweet words" "Good night, master" " You won't open up?" " see you in the morning" "Days went by" "My smile fooled him as did my flirtatious glances" "The fish took the bait" "Rejection fueled his desire" "The locked door hooked him all the more" "Open up, Amna" "By day he's preoccupied" "By night sleepless" "The torment of love began and I started to realize" "I would soon see him kneeling at my feet" " What a move !" "You're absent-minded" " Leave me..." "I'm not with you" "Is she still playing hard to get?" "Yes, she's driving me nuts" "You're strange..." "Why are you so attached to her?" "Her adamancy..." "If she were easy, I wouldn't think of her" "I'm so annoyed I can't win her over" " she may be honorable" " I think not" "The way she treats me is anything but honorable" "Whenever I think I've got her, she switches and turns honorable again" "Then she loves another" "They're like that she turns down riches and finds a fellow of her class to live with in a chicken pen" " Like to be rid of her?" " How?" "I'm going to Cairo..." "come with me spend a few days with sonia" "I promise you'll return refreshed and forget all about Amna" "What do you say?" "I'm not in the mood stay and admire your lovely princess!" "Bassiouni" " Yes, sir" " Why didn't you answer me?" " I was sleepy" " Who's inside?" " No one" " Move" " Where's Amna?" " I'm here, master" "Are you looking for me?" "What are you doing up there?" "Can't hear me call?" "I heard." "I was on my way" " I'll miss you, master" " Really?" "Yes." "How long will you be gone?" "Long enough for you to meet him" " Who?" " Your lover" " Oh my goodness!" " I know your tricks" "Do you think I believe you love no one?" "Never, master." "I swear" "Then why play hard to get and make me suffer?" "I told you." "I don't measure up!" "I told you love knows no class" "What must I do to prove it?" "Kneel at your feet?" "I'm kneeling" "Amna, I'm tormented." "I think of you day and night shame on you!" "You didn't visit Cairo all this time?" "Unbelievable" "Have you stopped loving me?" "Cheers" "I've never seen you drink so much saneya, a girl is torturing me" "Poor thing..." "In love?" "Love?" "I don't believe in love?" "I desire her since you admire her so, why not marry her?" "Marry?" "If I could humiliate her after I get her, I would" "and you are upset because ... ... ... ." "You expect her to surrender - so one day she ends up like me?" "I didn't mean it..." "Forgive me" "I'll have a glass" "A glass?" "A glass and a kiss We're at your service" "If you'll forget" "What is it about your gender that drives us men nuts?" "If you knew what we are like, you wouldn't get so hooked" " Welcome back, master" " Thanks" "You spent along time in Cairo, master" "Oh, yeah?" "Did anyone ask for me" "No, bless your return master" "Did you get me something?" "Had no time... next week" "Will you go to Cairo every week?" "Do I have your permission" "since his return from Cairo, he's acted differently" "After kneeling at my feet, I feel him slipping away" " Did you give in?" " shame on you" " He never touched me" " Good girl" "But beware, when a man gets nowhere he get bored and quits shall I get sheik Wahdan to put a spell on him?" "The spell is yours" "Be nice, then rude" "Push and pull" "I'm afraid the signora from Cairo will snatch him away" " What signora?" " she blotted lipstick on his hankie" "Poor girl!" "Do you love him behind my back?" " Me love him?" " Why so keen then?" "I won't have him slip away" "You like the game?" "The naive kitten's grown" " What should I do?" " Increase the bait" "But be careful, lest the fire you use against him burn you too" "Master" "Why are you sleeping here?" "I'm scared." "I thought I heard something move in my room" " What could it be?" " Didn't you say my room is haunted?" "shall I sleep here?" "Don't be silly. sleep in your room." "You'd scare a thousand ghosts" "If I say I love him, I'm not to blame" "Oh, my !" "Why are you sitting here?" "It's hot, so I came out in the open air" "Hot?" "Or is something moving in the house?" "Only humans are ghosts I said" "Really?" "Why are you so unsteady?" "I feel a bit dizzy" "I drank some of the bottle to see what it's like to be drunk" " And did you?" " I think so" "I'm happy and want to laugh and can't sleep so it's not the heat Go to bed then" "Why are you laughing?" "since your return from Cairo you have been acting so serious" "And it doesn't suit you" "Isn't it what you want?" "Master" "What?" " When are you going to Cairo?" " Why?" "so you can take me with you" "Don't you need a servant there?" "Exactly what do you want?" "Nothing, master." "Please" " I'll tell you what you want" " No master" "Please don't, master" "Open up, Amna" "Please, master, I beg you" "If you scandalize me, I will not be able to." "Be gone tomorrow morning" "I don't want you in my house any more" "Abu Hemeid" "Yes, sir" "Why'd you let me sleep here?" "I tried to wake you, but you slapped me" "I'm sorry." "Make me a cup of coffee" "Alright" "Bassiouni, has Amna left?" " A while ago" " Did she say where to?" "she'll probably stay with Zanuba till she finds work" " Come back home" " You kicked me out" "I said come back" "We'll be back to square one You'll get angry at me again" "I promise not to bother you again" "Better let me go" "Trust me this time." "If I do anything, call me a bastard" "Why?" "I am sure you can find another girl" "No, if you were dispensable I wouldn't have followed you" "If I hadn't caught up with you, I'd live to regret it" "Come back, Amna" "Master, your father arrived from Cairo" " When?" " A short time ago" "Thanks" "Welcome, dad What a nice surprise!" "What can I do if my only son is boycotting Cairo and his dad?" "I never could." "Coffee, Amna" "It seems you can" "Can you explain to me why don't you visit me in Cairo like you used to " "You even begged me to get you transferred?" "It was no use, so I decided to settle down on that we agree" "I'm here to ask you to settle down" "Pick one of these" "What are these?" "This one has 3 buildings" "This one has 3000 acres" "This one, has 50000 pounds in her bank account" "Pick one of them" "I'll show the commissioner who turned us down that it was a concession to ask for his girl" "Dad, please don't force me" "What?" "May I ask why?" "I must see and talk to the girl I marry" "How nice!" "Must you dance with her too?" "We act like foreigners now!" "she and I must reach an understanding" "I must be sure she can be my partner in life" "What is this nonsense!" "Partner, indeed !" "I'm talking of marriage, not business" "I know you want me to start a family" "Listen, I didn't send you to school so you could defy me and act clever" "It's bad enough what I hear" " What do you hear?" " Never mind" "You know what I mean..." "just pick one" "Dad, I beg you to humor me" "Are you disobeying me?" "Please try to understand" "I can't marry a girl just because she's rich" "I must love her" "How could you let your dad leave upset?" "When will you visit him and make amends?" "Do you want to get rid of me?" "I won't go" "You don't like any of them?" "I like another girl" " she lives in Cairo?" " she live in my heart" "I wonder who" "One day you'll know her" " You'll show her to me?" " sure" "If you don't like her, I won't marry her" " How do you know I'll like her?" " I know your taste" "When you smile, you look different stop it" "Don't frown... smile all the time" "Did I envy you the smile?" "No, I heard the Nightingale sing" "That makes you frown?" "It sings:" "Yours is the kingdom, oh King" "Or sometimes:" "To You I complain, oh King" "You're well-versed in bird talk" " Of whom does it complain to?" " Who knows?" "I never noticed the Nightingale sing before" "How would you notice?" "At dawn you're fast asleep" "At night, too busy" "When I was young, I woke up early to trap it" "You've always been cruel" "Don't be silly." "When I catch it it's in my hand" "It's mine." "What use is it on the tree?" "It's free to sing to you" "But captive in your hand, it'll never forgive you" " You'll make me regret it" " What use is regret?" "I wish I knew you long ago to learn compassion" "Learn compassion from another My heart is stone" "You?" "What embittered your heart?" "A man like you who likes to set traps" "Did you ever fall in love, Amna?" "I had a sister who fell in love It killed her" "How?" "Tell me" "I told you. she was trapped" "In our village, a girl who gives in must die" "What did her lover do?" "He let her die?" "Hunters never give fallen prey a second thought" "They look for new prey" "It's her fault for not protecting herself" "The bird is always at fault" "The hunter's never to blame" " Her name is Amna" " Amna?" "Oh, she's the Bedouin girl who served the commissioner who was transferred" "Might she have moved with him?" "No, I imagine I saw her a few days ago" "Where did I see her?" "Where?" "Lunch is served, Master" "Just in time." "I'm starved" " Eat with me, Amna" " Thanks, Master" "Don't let me eat alone" "That's it" "Amna, since you came to my home" "I no longer feel lonely" "Isn't that peculiar?" " Eat, Amna" " I'm not hungry, Master" " Here, lady" " Thanks..." "I've troubled you" "At your service, lady" " Is something wrong, Master?" " No" "You are a true a lady" "Please, don't make fun of me" "You made me sit by you, and I didn't object" "Now, you'll call me a lady?" "How's a lady better than you?" "What shame, Amna" "May God forgive him" "Amna, open up" "Neither of us could help what happened" "I thought my feelings towards you just another whim that would go away with time I was wrong" "I can't fool myself any longer" "I love you, Amna, and you love me" "Me?" "I hate you..." "I hate you" "I'll always hate you" "You say that thinking I'm deceiving you as before" "Believe me, when I embraced you my conscience was clear, my heart free of evil for the first time ever" "You're my first love and my last" "I can't live without you..." "will you marry me?" "Why are you silent?" "Think I'm fooling you as before?" "Or will you repeat I'm master and you serve me?" "In love, there's no master or slave" "Answer me..." "Will you marry me?" "No way !" "Why torment me?" "I tormented you?" "!" "You're the one who tormented us" "I entered this house to see you suffer, to see you kneel at my feet, to see in your eyes the tears of all those you seduced" "Remember when I told you I had a sister killed by love?" "She was Hanadi" "Hanadi's your sister?" "she died because of you" "My uncle killed her" "He killed her, the victim and let you the culprit live freely" "You never thought of her" "Never wondered where she went or how she was" "Living, or enclosed in some dust, far kinder to her than you" "Why would you think of her?" "Hanadi was a servant" "Her life was cheap, her honor worthless" "Hanadi's your sister?" "I wish you'd killed me rather than let me live in torment" "That's what I was after when I came into this house" "Nice to have you" "Thank you" " Dinner?" " No thanks" "We have plenty" "I've had dinner" "Have you been with the engineer long?" " Years" " Is he good to you?" "Very much so" "Tell me" "I know an orphan who wants to serve him" "I think not" "His current servant pleases him well" "Pleases him how?" "she does what he wants?" "Not Amna." "She's not like that" "You're naive she's a girl..." "He's a bachelor" "How do you know what happens behind closed doors?" "I'm clever enough and have a way" "If you asked me of Sekina who was here before her" "I'd say yes" "Another girl, Hanadi, showed signs in a few months sure" "But this one..." "I swear he never touched her" "Not all girls are easy" "Right you are" "It only happens to loose girls who have no family" "Family indeed !" "Families would not let their girls suffer like that?" "Amna" "Don't leave me" "I spent all night thinking of what you said the truth I learned is worse than my prior ignorance" "Now we must never part" "We can only bear our torment if we're together" "We can only see the path walking hand in hand" "Hanadi will always be between us" "Amna... don't let the dead sentence the living to suffering" "Forget the past, look to the future" "The future died with Hanadi so you can't forgive me?" "You're my life." "Parting with you means death" "If you leave me, you haven't withheld revenge" "This revenge is on myself for betraying Hanadi and myself" "One day I thought of tormenting you with love" "I never thought that my weapon can hurt me too" "Don't think I'm leaving you intact" "I prefer your resentful look by my side to feeling your love from a distance" "Amna" "Before you leave say you forgive me" "Watch out for yourself, master" "Master, my uncle's here, and he has evil in mind" "Master..." "Master" "Bassiouni..." "Bassiouni" "Master" "This is my happiest moment to see love in your eyes" "My life's not too precious for you" "It's the only dowry... that could reconcile us" "Master !" "The curlew's call" "I wonder if its voice echoed thus when Hanadi was slain in this open space"