Asylum by Ruth Fingret
Inspired by the largescale movement of stateless people this play explores the dynamics of the family of immigration officer Craig who must decide how far he will go to save his own child while also deciding the fate of a young refugee.
CRAIG I had six missed calls.
JASON The police came around this afternoon. Said they wanted to ask me a few questions. They took me down to the station.
CRAIG (beat) So, you were arrested?
JASON No.
CRAIG Well, what did they want then?
JASON Bullshit. That’s what.
CRAIG Don’t swear at me.
JASON I wasn’t.
CRAIG What have you done now?
JASON (beat) I haven’t done anything. Some dickhead at a party I went to three weeks ago is saying I held him up with a pair of scissors.
CRAIG I see.
JASON For fifty-five bucks!
CRAIG And did you?
JASON (beat) What do you reckon?
CRAIG Did you say anything to them?
JASON I’m not an idiot.
CRAIG It always has to be you, doesn’t it?
JASON I didn’t do anything.
CRAIG Swear to me you –
JASON Why didn’t you pick up your phone?
CRAIG I was working. Have you heard of that?
JASON And I was at the police station.
CRAIG (Pause) So, where were you at the time they say this robbery happened?
JASON I was at the party.
CRAIG Did you tell them that?
JASON Not exactly.
CRAIG So, you lied. (Pause) I told you it would come to this, didn’t I?
JASON For fuck’s sake –
CRAIG Have they accused you of it?
JASON They did that bullshit you do with your ragheads.
CRAIG Is that the bullshit that puts food in your mouth? Is that the bullshit you’re talking about?