Scene from The Quest to Become English by Cristene Monteiro Carrasqueira

 

 

Scene XI – A Portuguesa/God Save the Queen

 

Living room. A pocket of reality.

 

The sounds of the Portuguese and British anthems. They clash loudly. They should be equally loud, but both recognisable.

 

Ana sits on the couch with her little keyboard. Perfect posture. She’s listening to the cacophony as if she can actually make sense of it. Maybe she moves a bit to its tune. This should continue for a bit; it should be a little uncomfortable.

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She plays a single note and it pierces through the noise. She starts playing a melody and it quiets down the anthems. They start to lower in volume the longer she plays. It’s languid, she’s going at her own pace and not a second faster. Feeling it out. It’s like she’s taming them. Eventually, you can only hear her little keyboard. The song is a little mischievous, trickster, rich underneath, like a macaroon, soft and airy but incredibly complex.

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The door bangs. Maria has returned home from work. She stands at the doorway and watches. Ana keeps playing as they talk.

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Maria: You could teach kids to play. 

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Ana: I’m not good enough yet. I need to practice.

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Maria: You don’t need it. I’m gonna go make dinner. What do you fancy?

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Ana: Anything.

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Maria (walking away): For fuck’s sake.

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Ana keeps noodling on her keyboard. Little limericks, jaunty tunes.

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Ana: I know you have the blues,

        Thinking us foreigner crews,

        Will take jobs from your friend,

        To spend,

        It all on women and booze.

        We will, because that’s the true immigrant way,

        So sorry, we’re here to stay,

        You little aristocrats,

        At least we don’t wear birds as hats,

        We just want our pay.

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She finishes playing.