31 Plays in 31 Days, #11 - "Back in London"

[breakinglight11]

One of the big challenges for figuring out what would happen in part V: Mrs. Frost is that I knew I wanted to bring the character of Malaika Shah back. She went out on such a strong note at the end of part IV that (spoiler) I didn't want to undermine her decision to not have Mrs. Hawking in her life anymore. But if she keeps to that, then unfortunately she's out of the story. So I had to come up with a suitably compelling scenario for why she'd be willing to work with her again, that does not imply that she's just willing to let my white protagonist's wishes overrule her own, or grant her endless chances or forgiveness.

I've been talking to my lovely script consultants who were kind enough to give feedback on how to handle this, and it seems like the best route is to make it so the circumstances of what Malaika is trying to achieve necessitate her putting aside her own comfort. Neither of them can defeat their shared enemy alone— but they might be able to do it together. And Malaika has always seen her lot in her life as a superhero to take on the burdens so that others do not have to, including dealing with someone she'd hoped to never have to again. 

Day #11 - "Back in London"
From Mrs. Frost
By Phoebe Roberts

MRS. VICTORIA HAWKING, lady's society avenger, mid forties
MADAM MALAIKA SHAH, colonial avenger, late forties

London, England, 1886
~~~

(A deserted street. MRS. HAWKING and MADAM MALAIKA creep in. When they spot each other, they leap and cross blades. At last they recognize one another.)

MRS. HAWKING: Malaika?

MADAM MALAIKA: Allah. You.

Mrs. HAWKING: You’re back in London?

MADAM MALAIKA: I go where I’m needed.

MRS. HAWKING: Of course. The refugees who were trafficked. The moment they disappeared from their captivity, I should have known it was you.

MADAM MALAIKA: Then you know I have work to do. Leave me to it, and we will have no quarrel.

MRS. HAWKING: You ought to know— the one you’ve crossed. It’s Frost.

MADAM MALAIKA: What?

MRS. HAWKING: The trafficker, the one who runs the ring. It’s Frost.

MADAM MALAIKA: No. No.

MRS. HAWKING: Can you get them away?

MADAM MALAIKA: I shall have to!

MRS. HAWKING: What do you plan to do?

MADAM MALAIKA: That’s none of your affair.

MRS. HAWKING: She has eyes everywhere. She will hunt you.

MADAM MALAIKA: Do you think I don’t know that?

MRS. HAWKING: Then what will you do?

MADAM MALAIKA: Whatever I have to, whatever I can! The way I always do— without interference from you.

MRS. HAWKING: But dealing with Frost is different—

MADAM MALAIKA: And I thank you for your intelligence. But I have work to do.

MRS. HAWKING: But, Malaika—

MADAM MALAIKA: I have nothing for you, Victoria! Do not come looking to me.

(MADAM MALAIKA exits.)