Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Joseph, Rajiv.

The North Pool / Rajiv Joseph.

pages cm

ISBN 978-1-5937-6498-2

I. Title.

PS3610.O669N67 2013

812'.6--dc23

2012040728

Cover design by Nina Tara

Galley design by meganjonesdesign.com

SOFT SKULL PRESS

An imprint of COUNTERPOINT

1919 Fifth Street

Berkeley, CA 94710

www.softskull.com

www.counterpointpress.com

Distributed by Publishers Group West

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that all materials in this book, being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, the British Empire including the Dominion of Canada, and all other countries of the Copyright Union, are subject to royalty. All rights, including professional, amateur, motion picture, recitation, lecturing, public reading, radio and television broadcasting, and the rights of translation into foreign languages, are strictly reserved. The stock and amateur performance rights in the English language throughout the United States, and its territories and possessions, Canada, and the Open Market are controlled by The Gersh Agency, 41 Madison Avenue, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10010, Attn: Seth Glewen. No professional or nonprofessional performances of the plays may be given without obtaining in advance the written permission of The Gersh Agency and paying the requisite fee. Inquiries concerning all other rights should be addressed to The Gersh Agency.

For Giovanna Sardelli

CONTENTS

PRAISE

PRODUCTION HISTORY

CHARACTERS

SCENE 1

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PRODUCTION HISTORY:

The North Pool had its world premiere on March 13, 2011, at Theatreworks Silicon Valley in Palo Alto, California. Giovanna Sardelli, Director; Erik Flatmo, Scenic Design; Tanya Finkelstein, Costume Designer; York Kennedy, Lighting Design; Daniel Kluger, Sound Design; Vickie Rozell, Dramaturge; and Robert Kelley, Artistic Director.

KHADIM ASMAAN: Adam Poss

DR. DANIELSON: Remi Sandri

The North Pool had its East Coast premiere on July 29, 2012, at Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Giovanna Sardelli, Director; Brian Prather, Scenic Design; Amy Clark, Costume Designer; Clifton Taylor, Lighting Design; Daniel Kluger, Sound Design; and Julianne Boyd, Artistic Director.

KHADIM ASMAAN: Babak Tafti

DR. DANIELSON: Remi Sandri

CHARACTERS:

DR. DANIELSON, male, middle-aged, white

KHADIM ASMAAN, male, eighteen, Middle Eastern

TIME:

2007. Just before spring break.

PLACE:

A public high school in America.

SCENE 1.

The office of a vice-principal at a public high school. Modest and simple. A map of the world hangs on the wall. A desk with a chair behind it, and a smaller one in front of it.

Behind the desk, a large cardboard box.

Three muted tones are heard. The voice of Vice-Principal Danielson comes over the public address system.

DANIELSON (V.O.): Good afternoon students and faculty and happy Friday. This is Vice-Principal Danielson here to wish you all a safe and happy spring break and also with a few announcements. School grounds close today by 4 PM. Please vacate the premises by then.

Join me in wishing good luck to our Lady Tigers as the girls’ volleyball team travels to the regional semifinals over the break. Go Lady Tigers; be super.

As the announcement continues, Khadim enters wearing a backpack.