Twighlight at the Cathay

A One Act Drama based on the book "The Last Kings of Shanghai" by Jonathan Kaufman

         

         Twilight          at the Cathay

         

Written          by: Jason Holman

         
         
         

Based          on the true story of Elly Kadoorie and Victor Sassoon; based on the          information written in the book "The Last Kings of Shanghai" by          Jonathan Kaufman.

         
         
         

1938          and over 31 countries have decided to turn away the tens of          thousands of Jews attempting to flee Nazi Germany. The only          destination left; Shanghai. Shanghai is split between the wealthy          British and French sectors and the poor slum conditions of the          Chinese sector. The Japanese Army has taken control of the Chinese          sector in the previous year. Involved in impending civil war and          some of the most egregious examples of oppression and economic          inequality the city is now about to face one of the worst refugee          crises that world has ever seen. The city will struggle to help the          refugees without outside help.

         
         
         

The          Sassoons and Kadoories are wealthy business families that have found          fortune in trade and their magnificent hotel chains in the British          colonies across Asia. Both families come from humble beginnings as          Jewish Immigrants from Baghdad and have struggled through          anti-semetism and conflict to achieve the status of the wealthiest          families in Shanghai. Yet as the city faces an existential crisis          are Victor Sassoon and Elly Kadoorie willing to potentially give up          everything to assist the refugees flooding in from Germany?

         

(Based          on a true story.          It's 1938 and over 31 countries have decided to turn away          thousands of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany. The only destination left;          Shanghai. Already troubled by impending world war and egregious          examples of economic inequality and colonialism; the city is now          about to face one of the worst refugee crises the world has seen.          Victor Sassoon and Elly Kadoories come from Jewish families from          Baghdad. Yet from humble beginnings and facing terrine anti-semetism          both have now become the "Kings of Shanghai". Yet as the city          faces an existential crisis are Victor Sassoon and Elly Kadoorie          willing to potentially give up everything to assist the refugees          flooding in from Germany?)

         

         

Characters:          4M, 2F

         
         
         Victor          Sassoon ( 57M ): Victor          Sassoon has inherited the wealth of the mighty Sassoon family. Yet          despite such a prestigious name he has become what many describe as          a Playboy. His Grandfather became an official British citizen and          the family has left behind much of their "Jewish"          characteristics, trying to assimilate themselves into British          Aristocracy but even after two generations and great wealth Victor          at times finds himself marked as different by those aristocrats          around him. Deeply Crippled by his time helping the Italian air          force during WW1 the Sassoon's life has become one dedicated to          parties and maintaining the prestige of the Sassoon family in          Shanghai, and of course the world famous Cathay Hotel.
         Lines:          (~60)
         
         
         Elly          Kadoorie (72M ): Elly          Kadoorie is an entrepreneur in his own right. He started off as a          young Jew from Baghdad he worked for the Sassoon's before          branching off and starting his own wildly successful businesses in          Hong Kong and Shanghai. Elly is deeply stubborn, principled,          stubborn, and ambitious. He invests large portions of his wealth          into Jewish projects, and education projects helping women and the          repressed Chinese in Hong Kong and Shanghai (largely in remembrance          of the efforts of his late wife). After years attempting to earn          British citizenship despite his wealth Elly has come to embrace his          identity as an outsider in Shanghai.
         Lines:          (~36)
         
         
         Emily          Hahn (33F) (~34): Emily          Hahn was a Jewish-American correspondent for The New Yorker and          worked in Shanghai from the 1930s to the 1940s. Emily Hahn is a          woman who challenges convention, the daughter of a suffragette she          was well known at the time for touring across the USA in a suit. She          was a good friend of Victor Sassoon and was intimately involved at          times with Victor. Beyond this though she served as a voice of          reason for Victor, being a very intelligent woman who was good at          keeping close to many of her own personal opinions. She also spent          much of her time with the Chinese people in Shanghai and became an          Opium Addict. She finds herself divided between the British world of          her professional life and the personal life she has made in          Shanghai.
         The          person who plays Emily Hahn should also play Sylvia in Scene 1 +          Jewish Organizations in Scene 3 (+17)
         
         
         Horace          Kadoorie(36M)(~25):          The younger son of          Elly Kadoorie. Horace often found himself pushed to the side by his          father and brother, Lawrence, Elly running their businesses in          Shanghai while Lawrence ran the business from Hong Kong. However          Horace during this time was able to come into his own and has a          similar vigor that Elly has, becoming passionate in the education          and recreation for the European children coming to Shanghai. His          passion and stubborness is one that bears a great deal of          resemblance to Elly. He now finds himself drawn to attempting to          protect; protect his father, the family business, and the hundreds          of refugees coming off the boat to Shanghai.
         The          person who plays Horace Kadoorie should also play Edward in Scene 1          (+10)
         
         
         Jacob          Alkow (35M)(~29): A          Jewish businessman from Hollywood and President of the European          Refugee Committee which is in charge of providing food and shelter          for the Jewish Refugees of Europe coming to Shanghai. He is a very          business-oriented and practical man. He finds himself working          tirelessly day in and day out attempting to get those around him to          care about the human plight that he sees as so obviously begging for          someone to come help. But without any finances of significance of          his own he must go from person to person, begging for any assistance          that can possibly be provided.
         The          person who plays Jacob Alkow should also play John in Scene 1 (+9)
         
         
         Rivka          Toueg (32F)(~19): A          Jewish resident of Shanghai, born in Shanghai, whose father had been          a clerk for the Sassoons. She has always grown up in between two          worlds, the British world of her blood and birth and the world of          Shanghai, a world of diversity and constant change. She has come to          work to support her husband in his endeavors to help the refugees of          Shanghai. She has grown up seeing the plight of the Chinese peasants          treated as second-class citizens in Shanghai and been unable to do          anything. Perhaps by helping the Jewish refugees she can in turn          find a way to help the Chinese locals as well.f
         The          person who plays Rivka Toureg should also play Elizabeth in Scene 1          (+21)
         
         
         
         
Scene          1: The Cathay - Ballroom;
         Two          Tables are set up, drinks laying across both. One table is in a          spotlight and has two British Women, Elizabeth and Sylvia, At the          other table which is in the dark are two British Men, Edward and          John.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Isn't Shanghai          magical? Can you imagine how it would be to live in a city like          this? Everyday would be another adventure!
         
         
         Sylvia:          Yeah, well I'd blow          my brains out after a day.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          What? Look around,          this place is magnificent!
         
         
         Sylvia:          Sure, The Cathay is          nice but this isn't Shanghai. All you have to do is step outside          to see Shanghai. It is not pleasant.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Well sure the city          edges might need some polishing-
         
         
         Sylvia:          Some Polishing? It's          slums! And I'm not talking about no good British slums, Shanghai          is more comparable to a glorified landfill. And the people trying to          crawl in are making it worse.

         
         Elizabeth:          The Chinese servants          or the French men?
         
         
         Sylvia:          No. The Refugees, from Germany-
         
         
         Elizabeth:          The Jews?
         
         
         Sylvia:          Yes. Even thousands          of kilometers away from Europe you can't escape them!
         
         
         The          Spotlight shifts to the two men, Edward and John, as Elizabeth and          Sylvia freeze into tableau.
         
         
         Edward:          You can smell it too          can't you?
         
         
         John:          How could I possibly          smell anything? The entire city stinks! Not even The Cathay can          protect you from it!
         
         
         Edward:          Exactly! And that          Sassoon! Have you spotted him yet tonight?
         
         
         John:          No. If I'm frank I          hope I don't.
         
         
         Edward:          He is ridiculous! I          think I even saw him trying to dance !
         
         
         John:          Ha! Now there's a          sight! That cripple trying to dance!          
         
         
         The          two laugh until the spotlight switches the attention back to          Elizabeth and Sylvia.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          I heard rumor that          the Sassoon's are Jews.
         
         
         Sylvia:          It would not surprise          me. I bet they are the reason that all of those Jews are coming          here. They tend to clump together..
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Now that's just          unfortunate.
         
         
         Spotlight          fades and switches to Edward and John.
         
         
         Edward:          Well don't get me          started on the Kadoori's! At least the Sassoon's tried to          assimilate, but the Kadoori's!
         
         
         John:          Exactly! You know I          was glad that they tore down the Kadoori's hotel.          
         
         
         Edward:           I heard it was one          of those Jewish Churches they have          
         
         
         John:          Where everyone speaks          in tongues?
         
         
         Edward:          Exactly! Good          riddance if you ask me! Back to Baghdad I say! Back to Baghdad with          them all!
         
         
         John:          As long as they leave          the hotel!
         
         
         John          and Edward laugh, the spotlight fades and normal lighting comes up.          Victor Sassoon enters from offstage, and approaches EDward and John          first (Sylvia and Elizabeth gossip and watch, ad libbing          conversation)
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: What's the          great news lads!          
         
         
         Edward:          Mr. Sassoon! Thank          you for inviting me to The Cathay, truly the experience of a          lifetime!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Glad to hear          it! If I can attract one more interloper to the Cathay it will have          been worth it! And two men of such good English breeding is truly my          honor.
         
         
         John:          Well you can't          forget your own background Mr. Sassoon, your family is far more          admirable than mine could ever dream of!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Yes, excuse          me gentlemen I will get back to you-
         
         
         (Victor          walks over to the table, cutting between Elizabeth and Sylvia,          Sylvia visibly backs away from him)
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: What are you          two ladies are doing here? Is there anything I could interest you          in?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Mr Sassoon! We are          doing lovely! Your Cathay is the most beautiful building I've          seen! In fact, that's what we were just discussing.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Really now?          Well the Cathay will be staying for years to come. I'd gladly          welcome you back, both of you, anytime.
         
         
         Sylvia:          Do you really think          this place will be here years to come Mr. Sassoon? With the Refugees          and the Chinese?
         
         
         Edward:          It's the Japanese          you should be worried about. Their conflict with the Chinese is sure          to reach you if you're not careful.
         
         
         John:          The Japanese have          become quite brash. What was it, just the other day I saw a soldier          drag some British chap out of his vehicle!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon:I can assure          you that I am not concerned in the slightest about any of it. The          Cathay is here to stay, I say. I mean beautiful women such as this          fine young lady beside me are traveling across the world just for          Shanghai!
         
         
         Sylvia:          But what of the war          in Europe?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Europe is a          world away my dear.
         
         
         Sylvia:          But the Jews are          already lining the streets!
         
         
         Edward:          Yeah, it's not          letting up either.
         
         
         John:          If I were you Mr.          Sassoon I would consider leaving before things get any worse.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Look, I am          not concerned, lets leave it at that and not let politics bog down          the rest of our evening.
         (A          man enters SL, Assistant, he meekly approaches Victor and whispers          something in his ear)
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Really?          Tell Mr. Kadoorie I will be there shortly.
         (Assistant          exits)
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Excuse me          gentlemen but I have some business to attend to, but you ladies, you          are welcome to come upstairs and interrupt me whenever you like.
         
         
         (Victor          exits)
         
         
         Elizabeth:          He doesn't seem          that bad, he seems proper, it's kind of sweet.
         
         
         Sylvia:          Are you serious? Go          up for all I care, I won't rescue you.
         
         
         (Sylvia          exits)
         
         
         John:          Did that man say          Kadoori? Elly Kadoori is here?
         
         
         Edward:          Doesn't surprise me.          Jews are always up to something.
         (John          and Edward exit as the lights fade and the scene transitions)
         
         
                   Scene 2: The Cathay -          Victor's Office;
         In          the room there are some chairs and a desk that engulfs the space.          Elly is sitting at one of the chairs, clutching several books.          Victor enters, prompting Elly to stand .          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: It's not          often a Kadoori makes his way down to The Cathay. What's the          matter? You seem in disarray, I won't bite. But The Cathay is not          a place for stress nor politics, so relax a bit.          
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          Mr. Sassoon even you          can't escape politics here.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Ha, too          true.. So, what is it?
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          I think you know why          I am here. Even you can see the situation the city is in, that these          refugees are in-
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Elly there's          no reason to be worried, really. Is this really what you came here          to talk to me about? You worry too much!
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          This isn't something that's going to pass Mr. Sassoon.          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Shanghai can          handle a few Jewish refugees.
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          What of the others still in Germany; what of the Jews of Hungary, of          Austria? That's not a few Mr. Sassoon, that's hundreds no          thousands of souls Victor!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: And why          would they come here Elly?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Because          the world has shut its gates! There's nowhere else that they can          go! Would you just hear me out!
         V.          Sassoon: That's the          thing with you people, asking just to 'hear you out'. I know you          will be after my assets eventually. Asking me to pitch in to help. I          take it that you'd have all of Shanghai turned into some refugee          camp! The Cathay a workhouse! Look Elly, I am not worried, so it's          none of my business, so don't involve me.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Do you          think Hitler will stop with Austria? What happens to the Jews of          Czechia, of Poland, hell of France and Italy? When they all come          here what will become of your Cathay then?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: The Cathay          will do perfectly fine.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: And what          will become of the people of Shanghai then? What will you do when          you have Chinese and Jews starving at The Cathay's doorstep, do          you think people will want to come here?
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          There are hundreds of          Chinese starving in the streets as it is. Look around, do you think          The Cathay's business is hurting?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: With this          scale of crisis I don't think your customers will so simply          ignore-
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          Why are we doing this Elly? Why do you care?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: It's a          humanitarian crisis that I think someone like you should care about.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: No, it's          something that someone like you would care about. Do you think my          customers care? No, why would they? I find it interesting that you          care.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Do you not          see that we as philanthropists owe it to-
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: You aren't          doing this out of philanthropy Mr. Kadoorie. Does it make headlines          when a British aristocrat builds schools for these people? No,          people simply don't care. Neither do I. You know why I think you          care Elly? Because you're not British Mr. Kadoorie, not in the          slightest.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: And you          are?          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: My          grandfather was a British citizen, my father was a British Baronet.          I am Sir          Ellice Victor Sassoon, 3rd Baronet-
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie:Do you think          that's what people see? You know exactly what they see when they see          you don't you? Just another Jew from Baghdad, that is all they          will ever see.          
         
         
         (The          door opens, and in comes Elizabeth)
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: I would          just think you out of everyone you would understand. Mr. Sassoon.          Maybe try sticking up for your own people.
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          ( As          Elly Exits) If you're          that concerned Mr. Kadoorie, then reach out to the Americans.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Did I interrupt          something?
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          No you're fine          Elizabeth Can I grab you a drink?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Yes that would be          nice... Are you troubled Mr. Sassoon?          
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          It's nothing          really.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          What did Mr. Kadoorie          want?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Just some          business, what are you here for Elizabeth?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Well you told me to          come up Mr. Sassoon
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Oh- Oh          right, I apologize Elizabeth. I'm not in the mood for-
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Well, we can just          talk Victor, you could relax you know?
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          (handing          Elizabeth her drink)          I think you should just head down, another time my dear.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Alright, well thank          you for the drink Mr. Sassoon.
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          Elizabeth, can I ask          you something?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Of course, what is          it?
         
         
         V.Sassoon:          Are you worried?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          No, I'm not          worried.Where is this coming from?          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: It seems          lately I've been tied here to Shanghai... My Indian assets are gone,          my businesses in Hong Kong have been out-competed everything I have          is here in Shanghai. People say it's getting bad. Am I a fool for          staying here? Are things really falling apart as they say they are?
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Things aren't          great, no. But things aren't all bad Mr. Sassoon, really I believe          things will be better. Your people are so neurotic really, but I          guess you can't help worrying can you, its in your blood-
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I think you          should leave Elizabeth.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Did I say something?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: No- No- I          just think it's time I turn in, enjoy the party.
         
         
         Elizabeth:          Well, alright, but          don't over worry yourself up here
         
         
         (Elizabeth          exits, and Victor is left alone, lights fade, scene ends,)
         
         
         
         
                   Scene 3: Palace Hotel -          Meeting Room;
         The          room consists of a long meeting table. Downstage Left is a table          with a phone line connected, and at another end of the room is a          table with drinks. In the room is Horace Kadoorie pacing while Jacob          Alkow is sorting through papers. Projected above or by banner is a          sign reading "EUROPEAN REFUGEE COMMITTEE". Across from Jacob          Alkow sits Rivka Toueg is reading a copy of the New York Times.
         
         
         Rivka:          A back cover story          again! Can you believe this Jacob?          
         
         
         Jacob:          Honey I've told you          this a thousand times, American Jews would rather starve than admit          that they are Jewish.
         
         
         Rivka:          But the back cover!          You cannot tell me this is not disgraceful, not just as a Jew but as          a human being! What Germany is doing is horrible! The back cover-
         
         
         Jacob:          Getting angry over          this isn't going to get us anything. We just have to hope they          send us money.          
         
         
         Horace:          Do you think they          will?
         
         
         Jacob:          I don't know, I          wish I did. Hopefully if your father has luck in convincing Mr.          Sassoon then we won't need outside help.
         
         
         Rivka:          We need Mr. Sassoon          to help us if this is the kind of "prestigious reporting" going          on in America. You'd think the New York Times wasn't Jewish if          you saw this-
         
         
         Jacob:          That's the point          Rivka-
         
         
         Rivka:          I mean I'm          struggling to see them as human at this point-
         
         
         Jacob:          Rivka-
         
         
         Rivka:          I'm just saying          that this is deplorable          
         
         
         Jacob:          Do you think he'll          have any luck Horace?          
         
         
         Horace:          No I doubt it, the          Sassoons are only focused on money Mr. Alkow.
         
         
         Rivka:          Really? Are you sure?          My father worked for the Sassoons for most of his life, right here          in Shanghai.. They always treated him decently, he said.          
         
         
         Horace:          Did my father never          tell you the story of why he stopped working for the Sassoons?
         
         
         Rivka:          No.
         
         
         Jacob:          Seriously? He must          have told me a dozen times by now!

         
         Rivka:          No, Never.
         
         
         Horace:          Well let me tell it          again. Father was eighteen he worked at a Sassoon warehouse in          Weihaiwei. He was 'Number          Three Clerk', and          on his way to a position in Shanghai. Well Bubonic Plague hit the          warehouse while his bosses were away and the local Chinese employees          began to get sick, but they had no money for disinfectants or          antibiotics. My father couldn't just watch them die so he gave the          disinfectants to them. When the managers returned they were furious          for wasting Sassoon goods. But he was given a chance to stay as a          worker if he 'mended his ways'. My father didn't accept that,          he quit right then and there telling them all that if that's the          value they held a human life to be in that they could go to hell. So          no, I don't think the Sassoons will help us.
         
         
         Rivka:          Perhaps Victor          Sassoon is different?
         
         
         Jacob:          Yeah, he's more of          a partier than his predecessors I'll say.
         
         
         Rivka:          And he abandoned his          Indian possessions didn't he?
         
         
         Jacob:          That was hardly his          choice Rivka.
         
         
         Rivka:          Look, Shanghai is          always changing. Maybe the Sassoons have changed too.
         
         
         Jacob:          Well we'll just          have to wait to hear from Elly now won't we?
         
         
         (E.kadoorie          enters SL, disheveled, carrying the papers he had been carrying          previously. Horace begins fetching him a drink)
         
         
         Rivka:          How did it go Mr.          Kadoorie?
         
         
         Jacob:          Look at the man! How          do you think it went Rivka?
         
         
         Rivka:          It might not be as          bad as it looks.
         
         
         Jacob:          Have you ever seen          Elly this disheveled?
         
         
         Rivka:          I'm just trying to          hope for the best, which is something you could maybe learn from-
         
         
         Horace:          Would you two be          quiet please! (handing          cup to Elly) How did          it go father?
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          I hope to never speak          to another Sassoon as long as I live and breathe.
         
         
         Rivka:          That's just horrible.
         
         
         Jacob:          I figured.
         
         
         Horace:          The bastard can't          help us at all?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Horace,          language. Also no, the bastard isn't interested in helping us one          bit.
         
         
         Rivka:          I thought they might          have changed.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Sassoons          never change. Rivka, have I ever told you the story about why I          stopped working for those Sassoons?
         
         
         Horace:          Yes, she's heard it          father, I'm sure all of Asia has heard it at this point.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Really I          could have sworn I'd never told Rivka-
         
         
         Horace:          Trust me father you          have. Look, what do we do now?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: We'll          feed who we can with what we have, provide jobs to those we can,          house those in the few places we still have here
         
         
         Jacob:          Even with your          properties and finances we can't continue to feed and house every          refugee that enters Shanghai.
         
         
         Rivka:          What will happen to          those we can't help?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: We'll          help those we can for as long as we can. The rest will have to fend          for themselves. Some will survive, others won't.
         
         
         Horace:          But most of these          refugees have children, some infants. Shanghai is no place for these          people to raise their children.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: What other          choice do they have? We're the last option they have left.
         
         
         Jacob:          I'll try to see if          there's any other Jewish organizations in America I can contact          Mr. Kadoorie.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Try Jacob.          But I think we've been abandoned.
         
         
         (Elly          Kadoorie exits,          Horace exits)
         
         
         Rivka:          Can I help at all?
         
         
         Jacob:          See if there's          anyone among the refugees that looks like they're in any position to          help us, however they can.
         
         
         (Rivka          exits)
         
         
         (Lights          fade on the back of the stage as Jacob walks towards the phones, the          focus is on him now. Jacob picks up the phone and it can be heard          ringing. A spotlight comes up on a character who is wearing a suit          and is in front of a table with the label 'AMERICAN JEWISH          COMMITTEE')
         
         
         Jacob:          Hello this is the          European Refugee Committee, we're dealing with an influx of Jewish          immigrants. We need assistance, can you sponsor some of these          immigrants for passage to America-
         
         
         AMERICAN          JEWISH COMMITTEE: Is          this regarding the Nazi party in Germany?
         
         
         Jacob:          Yes the situation is          serious, sir.
         
         
         AMERICAN          JEWISH COMMITTEE: We          apologize but we can't consider actions involving sponsoring          immigrants. Americans aren't fond of immigrants, particularly          Jewish immigrants.
         
         
         Jacob:          Then funds would be          great! Any funds you may have to help-
         
         
         AMERICAN          JEWISH COMMITTEE: Funds!          America is broke! Don't you have the Sassoons? Ask them not us!
         
         
         (line          disconnects, spotlight disappears)
         
         
         Jacob:          Crap.
         
         
         (Jacob          begins dialing another number. A spotlight once again comes up on          another character who has in front of them a sign saying AMERICAN          JEWISH CONGRESS)
         
         
         Jacob:          Hello, Shanghai needs          assistance,is there any way you can help us? Get through to          congress, get us some assistance, anything?
         
         
         AMERICAN          JEWISH CONGRESS: Mr.          Alkow the situation isn't that simple. We're pushing on contacts          but there's only so far we can go.          
         
         
         Jacob:          This isn't a time          to be neutral sir, something must be done-
         
         
         AMERICAN          JEWISH CONGRESS: We          understand Mr. Alkow and believe us we are trying our hardest. We          have to tread lightly here. If we try too hard Congress and the          people may come to be against us, deny more Jews than they already          are.
         
         
         (line          disconnects, spotlight disappears)
         
         
         Jacob:          Cowards.
         
         
         (Jacob          begins dialing another number. A spotlight once again comes up on          another character who has in front of them a sign saying JEWISH          LABOR COMMITTEE)
         
         
         Jacob:          Look things are          desperate-
         
         
         JEWISH          LABOR COMMITTEE: Mr.          Alkow we mean you no offense but as we see it the situation in          Germany is not that serious-
         
         
         Jacob:          Not that serious! Are          you mad!
         
         
         JEWISH          LABOR COMMITTEE: Jews          have always experienced anti-semetism, we've always struggled.          What is happening in Germany is no different. All we can do is help          our own in these trying times and we'll get through it. If they've          come to Shanghai then I guess they are your problem now Mr. Alkow          are they not?          
         
         
         (line          disconnects, spotlight disappears, Jacob Alkow slams the phone into          the desk. Lights come back up on the stage and the extra desk is          gone. James goes to a chair to sit as Rivka reenters.)
         
         
         Jacob:          Backstabbing cowardly          bastards, all of them! They've left us to die. Any luck Rivka?
         
         
         Rivka:          Their situations are          still the same. All the Jews that left are completely destitute, the          Nazis stole everything from them.
         
         
         Jacob:          This can't go on.
         
         
         (Lights          fade, Scene Ends)
                   Scene 4: Palace Hotel -          Study;
         The          room consists of two red chairs and a table with books and glasses          of alcohol. On SL there is a door to the study. Lighting is normal.          Elly Kadoorie enters the study angry and attempts to slam the door          behind him, Horace follows close behind him.
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          We have no money! Yes          would it not be lovely to build these schools for these children. I          can hardly afford to feed them, let alone buy them tennis balls-
         
         
         Horace:          Father we can't let          them grow up in squalor like this.          
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          Do you not think I          want to do something? Without the Sassoons assistance I don't even          know how long I will be able to feed these children!
         
         
         Horace:          It was just a          suggestion, it was something I thought might concern you as well!
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          I wish it could          concern me but right now I must be feeding thousands out of my own          pockets, and you'd have me sell my assets to buy them racketballs
         
         
         Horace:          Jacob's working on          some more American contacts, perhaps he'll turn up some more          money-
         
         
         E.Kadoorie:          We have to feed these          people and house them. That's my priority currently. can't do          anything more than I am, I'm sorry Horace, truly I am.
         
         
         Horace:          There's something          else I need to ask you about as well.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Well what          is it?
         
         
         Horace:          Well, I worry it will          anger you more than you already are.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Trust me          you cannot anger me more than Victor Sassoon has.
         
         
         Horace:          You should consider          moving down to Hong Kong with Lawrence.          
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Perhaps          there is a way you can anger me more.
         
         
         Horace:          Things aren't safe          here in Shanghai. And I'm not just talking about the refugees. The          Japanese soldiers are just waiting for any excuse to take British          property.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: So you          would have me run as a coward then?          
         
         
         Horace:          It would only be          temporary, until the situation improves.          
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: You have          just watched me stand up for these refugees. And now as the          situation worsens you'd have me abandon them?
         
         
         Horace:          You would still be          helping, there's no reason you can't. I just don't think you          need to be doing it here, in Shanghai.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: I do not          intend to leave this city until I know I have done everything in my          power to care for these refugees. If I must die here then so be it.
         
         
         Horace:          Why must you be so          stubborn! If you're so concerned have me stay!
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Now you          would have me abandon my youngest son to Shanghai as well, what kind          of man do you take me for Horace?
         
         
         Horace:          I'm an adult          father, I can handle myself. This stress is too much for you.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: An adult          you are not if you cannot stand on principle. I will not abandon my          people in their gravest hour of need.          
         
         
         Horace:          I don't understand          why you must be so stubborn.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Who would I          be to abandon my people Horace? Who would I be as a citizen? As a          Jew? As a human being? Who would I be to sit by and watch these          people who have nowhere left to turn have everything taken from          them? I will do everything in my power to help them, because that is          what it means to be human.
         
         
         Horace:          Well, what do we do          now?
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: I don't          know. All we can do is help those around us as much as we can.          That's all we can do...
         
         
         (lights          fade, scene ends)
                   Scene 5: Restaurant;
         The          lighting is light blue and yellow, as if to give the impression of          large glass windows behind the scene. In the center of the stage is          a table with flowers. Fancy plates and cutlery are on the table. On          one end of the table sits Victor Sassoon, and the other Emily Hahn.          There is also a table with a phone line connected to it.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: It's a          shame we haven't had dinner in such a long time Emily, I've          missed this.
         
         
         Emily:          Things have been          busy, the situation in Shanghai hasn't been exactly easy on          everyone.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: How has your          reporting been in the city Emily?
         
         
         Emily:          It's been mostly          fiction writing, it's hard to grapple with the realities of          Shanghai sometimes, they weigh on me.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I know,          these things weigh on us all. But your stories you've written,          about Mr. Pan, they've been bringing me some joy in these times.          It's good writing.
         
         
         Emily:          Well it's just          fiction.          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: But it's          good though. It feels real. It helps in these times, they weigh on          us all, right?
         
         
         Emily:          I guess they do.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Have you          considered going back to California?
         
         
         Emily:          I'm the Official          Chinese Correspondent for the paper, I can't just leave... Are you          considering leaving Shanghai?          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Why is          everyone asking questions like this? Everyones has been focussing so          much on Shanghai, leave Shanghai, don't leave Shanghai. Emily,          what reason would I have to leave Shanghai?
         
         
         Emily:          Why leave Shanghai?          Victor you can't possibly be that dense, I know you can be aloof          sometimes but Victor!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: What? I          think people want me to leave Shanghai, that's the only reason they          ask.
         
         
         Emily:          That might be true.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Ever since I          left Bombay now everyones waiting for the next great Sassoon exodus          to take advantage of-
         
         
         Emily:          I don't think that-
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I won't          have Shanghai become another opportunity for the money grabbing          aristocracy to soil the Sassoon name.
         
         
         Emily:          So you're staying          here out of, what? Stubbornness? Sticking it to the man?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I stay          because I don't see a reason to leave.
         
         
         Emily:          Good grief, you          aren't serious are you? You are, aren't you? Have you not seen how          much Shanghai has changed?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Shanghai is          always changing Emily, isn't that why you love it, this is no          different.
         
         
         Emily:          No different? Have          you not seen what the Japanese have done since taking over the          Chinese districts? And now you have mountains of refugees flooding          the street!This is not just a simple everyday change. You can't          tell me you're that out of the loop in your palace Victor?
         
         
         (Emily          walks away from the table and takes out a long pipe for smoking          Opium)
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: When did you          begin smoking?
         
         
         Emily:          The Chinese put me on          to it.          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Perhaps          things are changing.
         
         
         Emily:          Yeah, they are          changing quite a lot Victor, I'm glad you've decided to join the          rest of the world.          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: You've          changed a lot Emily.
         
         
         Emily:          I'm not talking          about myself Victor. Take a look at the city around us, our way of          life is disappearing before our very eyes. Yet there's nothing I can          do to stop it just slipping from my grasp.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I know, I          see it all going to hell yet I have no power to change it.
         
         
         Emily:          No, Victor. There's          nothing that I          can do to stop it slipping from my          grasp.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: What's          that supposed to mean?
         
         
         Emily:          Victor you are the          richest man in all of Shanghai, how can you possibly relate to what          I or the rest of these people are feeling? You actually have the          capability to do something here.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: It just          feels pointless.
         
         
         Emily:          Why were you so          excited to have dinner, Mr. Sassoon?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I was just          hoping that there was something in this city that wasn't changing.
         
         
         Emily:          Well, I'm sorry to          disappoint you. (an          awkward chuckle) It's          funny how things can change here. I heard rumor that you even met          with Mr. Kadoorie at The Cathay.          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: It's true.
         
         
         Emily:          What did he want?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: He came to          request my assistance in this Refugee Crisis, I presume he just          intended to bankrupt me.
         
         
         Emily:          Did you accept?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: No.
         
         
         Emily:          Well, I think you          should.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Excuse me?
         
         
         Emily:          I think you should          help him, do something good here.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: Did you not          hear me say he intended to bankrupt me?
         
         
         Emily:          You don't seriously          believe that. Why shouldn't you help these people? You have the          capacity to.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I don't          want to have this conversation again.          
         
         
         Emily:          The hell you don't!          That's why you asked me here isn't it? You knew I would tell you          you should help him. You want to help him.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: No I don't.          It could put me into ruin. Turning The Cathay into a refugee home-          
         
         
         Emily:          You're considering it          right now, practically planning it!
         
         
         V.          Sassoon; I am not!          Nothing but his suggestions!

         
         Emily:          I think not! Why          wouldn't you do this Victor? Using your wealth for something of          value, instead of this passionaless partying
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I enjoy the          partying, I get to host the most splendid guests in all of Shanghai.                    
         
         
         Emily:          Listen to yourself          Victor! You complain constantly about the way these people look down          on you!          
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I still          enjoy it. And The Cathay has a reputation. The Sassoons have a          reputation, my predecessors would never have considered something as          deplorable as giving these refugees handouts.
         
         
         Emily:          You don't have to          be like them. You can be a different kind of Sassoon Victor. Why not          be something better?
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: And what          would I be? If it would have me end up losing everything?
         
         
         Emily:          Then you would be a          very different kind of Sassoon. Perhaps one not looked at and          respected for wealth or fortune but based on his actions and          personalities. Maybe others would see you how I see you Victor.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I don't          know.
         
         
         Emily:          I think you would be          ridiculous to pass something like this up. And I know you know this          is what you want to do. (going          to leave) If I were          you I would at least give Mr. Kadoorie one more visit. I think he          has earned at least that much.
         
         
         (Emily          Exits)
         
         
         (Victor          Sassoon limps hesitantly over to the phone line, his face obscured          to the audience. Hesitantly he dials and lifts the line to his head.          Then he puts it down,          and walks offstage)
         
         
         (Scene          Ends)
         
         
                   Scene 6: Palace Hotel -          Stoup/Meeting Room;
         There          is a small door with an unassuming stoop. Over the door reads          "PALACE HOTEL" In bold yet fading Gold. Underneath is a banner          hanging saying "EUROPEAN REFUGEE COMMITTEE". The street outside          the door is littered with garbage and filth and newspapers in the          street. Behind the door the lights are dark.
         
         
         Victor          Sassoon hesitantly walks towards the door, before knocking lightly.          He finds no response but finds that the door is unlocked. He walks          in and the lights come up. The room is that of before, the long          table, a table with drinks and a table with the phone line. Rivka          sits in the chair, half dozing, Jacob is working through a paper          frustrated. He sees Victor enter and gets up angrily.
         
         
         Jacob:          Come here to gloat in          our faces? Do you not realize a war is underway Mr. Sassoon? You are          a Sassoon, you are meant to be a leader yet you have failed us You-
         
         
         Rivka          stands and lightly places a hand in front of Jacob, cutting him off.          Elly Kaddoorie has entered from SR with Horace behind him. Victor          and Elly look each other in the eye for some time.
         
         
         V.          Sassoon: I heard that          your committee was in need of funds. I have a check of $50,000 if          that is enough for now- I can provide more- I- I think I am ready to          be there, to finally do some good, to help, Mr. Kadoorie, I must          thank you for-
         
         
         Elly          puts up his hand to stop Victor.
         
         
         E.          Kadoorie: Whatever          you write I will match it... You are a Sassoon, Victor. You are the          leader. We will be behind you, whatever you do.
         
         
         Lights          fade. Scene Ends.
         
         
         

FIN.