Approaching Empty

Ishy Din

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781350105454
• eBook ISBN: 9781350105485
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: British Drama

Forget friendship! This is business. In a scruffy minicab office, Mansha decides it's time to create his own destiny and offers to buy the business from his lifelong friend Raf. As the realities of the state of the company slowly come to light, these two best friends must confront the difficulties of going into business with those closest to them. Set in the north of England, in the aftermath of Margaret Thatcher's death, this compelling drama by award-winning playwright Ishy Din lays bare the everyday struggles of a post-industrial generation of British men.

Scene One

8^th/9^th April 2013.

We are in a cab stand, small and scruffy. It is divided into two areas. The office where calls are taken and jobs dispatched, on the wall is an old map of the town, a dartboard with two darts in it and various notices. The drivers’ area has a coffee vending machine, an assortment of battered chairs and a couch. In the office section Mansha operates (dispatches jobs) whilst Shazad answers phones that aren’t ringing at the moment. Shazad is on his own phone, texting/browsing.

Mansha speaks on the mic.

Mansha Car 34 . . . Where are you?

Car 34Approaching empty.

Mansha Roger . . . when you’re empty you want the Cons club for Handling.

Car 34Hamping?

Mansha No . . . Handling.

Car 34Hanking?

Mansha looks at Shazad, frustration written on his face, deep breath, something occurs to him.

Mansha Handling . . . as in stolen goods.

There is a moment’s silence at the other end of the mic.

Car 34Ohh Handling?

Mansha That’s a massive Roger . . . thank you.

He puts the mic down with a shake of the head, he turns and watches Shazad for a moment. Shazad doesn’t notice, Mansha tidies his work space, everything has a place and everything has to be just so, once finished he turns his attention to the TV and turns up the volume.

Male PresenterThis is the News . . . you’re joining us for special coverage as we report the death of Margaret Thatcher . . .

News theme music.

Female PresenterOne of the most prominent political figures of the 20^th century . . . she passed away this morning at the age of 87 following a stroke.

News theme music.

Male PresenterShe was Conservative Prime Minister between 1979 and 1990 . . . she was the first woman to hold the post.

News theme music.

David CameronToday is a sad day for our country, we’ve lost a great Prime Minister, a great leader, a Great Britain . . .

News theme music.

Male PresenterAnd outside the Houses of Parliament the Union flag is being flown at half mast.

News theme music.

Female PresenterShe’ll receive a ceremonial funeral with full military honours but she won’t lie in state, according to her wishes.

Mansha mutes the TV.

Mansha Bitch.

Shazad looks up and then goes back to his phone. The phone in the cab stand rings. Mansha watches. Shazad looks up at Mansha and then realising that Mansha isn’t going to answer it picks up the phone, all the while keeping one eye on his own phone.

Shazad Hello taxis . . . hello.

He looks at Mansha, and then puts the phone back in its cradle.

Mansha You need to be quicker off the mark son.

Shazad Sorry uncle . . . I will be.

Mansha Good boy.

The two exchange a look, a moment, and then Shazad goes back to his phone. Mansha keeps watching him a moment and then Raf enters.

Throughout the piece Raf will have a niggly cough, which gradually gets worse. He shakes hands with Mansha, he looks at his son who is on his phone and then back at Mansha. He nods towards Shazad.

Raf How’s my boy doing?

Mansha He’s getting there.

Raf Where do you want me?

Mansha shrugs.

Raf I came in for the rush.

Mansha It’s over.

Raf looks at his watch and then back at the sheets.

Raf Already?

Mansha nods, Raf is concerned with the sheets.

Mansha She’s dead eh?

Raf turns with a start.

Raf Who’s dead?

Mansha Thatcher.

He nods towards the telly.

Raf is annoyed, goes back to the sheets with a shake of the head.

Mansha She had a stroke.

Raf Really.

Mansha Hope she suffered the bitch.

Raf Yaara who cares? It’s midnight and the phones are dead . . . fuck Margaret Thatcher.

Mansha She has a lot to answer for that woman.

Raf ignores him, instead his attention falls on Shazad.

Raf Call the office.

Shazad looks up.

Shazad What?

Raf Call the office . . . this office.

Shazad dials the office number, after a moment the phone starts to ring. Shazad ends the call and the office phone stops ringing.

Raf turns to...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• About the Writer
• Writer’s Note
• Tamasha
• Kiln Theatre
• Live Theatre
• Creative Team
• Cast
• Contents
• Cast
• Scene One
• Scene Two
• eCopyright