The Spirit of Allah
a musical about Ruhollah Khomeini and the Iranian Revolution
Posted by Jew from Jersey
15 July 2003
Scene10. “The Shah departs”
Mohammed-Reza Pahlavi, Farah-Diba Pahlavi, and army generals[The generals stand in very long row. The King addresses them.]
MRP: You’ll never know how much I love this country. I could kiss every one of you. O boys, boys, promise me you’ll be good. No shooting unarmed protesters, OK? I know I can count on you. I know it’ll all work out alright in the end and we’ll all be back just like in the old days. After all, I’m a nice guy. But if it doesn’t, and they execute you all, then please, boys, please think of me.
- MRP: To shoot or not to shoot, that is the question
- If we shoot them, like Zbigniew says
- We certainly solve the problem of insurrection
- But maybe Vance is right, and there’s room for mediation
- And if we shoot, we forgo all peaceful means
- That might be able to remedy the situation
- But what if, God forbid, there is no turning around
- If no amount of negotiations will restore the peace
- But only help our enemies to drive us into the ground
- Then shoot we shall, for shoot we must
- And shoot as much as is necessary
- Any other response will lose the people’s trust
- No! I’m no dictator, I’m no Hafez or Saddam
- No! I’m no Ba’athist goon in a cap and visor
- No! I wouldn’t do just anything to restore calm
- I am heir to noble dynasties appointed by God and no other
- I will not fire on the people to save my own skin
- I’m their father! I’m their father!
- I must weigh the situation carefully, or all might come to naught
- It’s too much to bear, even for a king of kings
- I shall take a vacation to clear my thoughts