The Voice of Innocence
At the brink of committing a terrible act, a terrorist is unexpectedly visited by his son, throwing his decision into doubt.
“An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.”
When applied to perpetrators and justice, that’s a maxim of “proportionality” which can be argued pro and con.
But when it comes to killing innocents and collective revenge, it’s also a credo which inextorably fuels hatred, grief and bloodshed… and a cycle of violence which never, ever ends.
Such is the theme of Matthew Taylor’s The Voice of Innocence, a short written in 2019 that’s tragically even more topical now.
As it opens, Adnan (29) maneuvers his van towards a bridge. Sweaty, nervous – adrenaline roaring through his veins. Adnan’s demeanor makes his intentions clear: with no intent to return, he’s come alone.
At least, that’s what Adnan thinks… until he hears the voice of Omar – his 7 year old son – from the back seat:
The engine REVS, 5,000 RPM.
CHILD (O.S.)
Stop!
The revs stop.
Adnan turns to the passenger seat. OMAR (7) pinnacle of innocence, stares at him, concerned.
OMAR
That was loud.
Adnan examines the child. His face scrunches, tears swell. Adnan looks forward, clamps his eyes shut, grabs the steering wheel so hard his veins bulge.
OMAR
Daddy, what's wrong?
What’s wrong is that Omar’s… dead. A recent victim of terrorism and bigotry, a crime for which father Adnan seeks revenge:
ADNAN
They killed you.
Adnan nods to the civilians walking the streets. Omar peers out of the window.
OMAR
Why did they do that?
ADNAN
They... hate us.
Therefore, Adnan hates “them”. So…
Whether Omar’s “really” there or not, Adnan doesn’t want his son to witness the act he’s about to commit. So he begs for him to leave. But insistent Omar counters back:
OMAR
There's children out there, children like me.
Adnan closes his eyes, breaths deeply.
OMAR
Will they be dead? Like me?
Do they have daddies as well? You
know, who will be upset, like you are?
Omar looks at Adnan, quizzical.
OMAR
Daddy?
Adnan opens his eyes, tearful. He reluctantly looks at Omar.
OMAR
Will they then try and get revenge, as well?
Out of the mouths of babes… literally. Such a simple question; one grief striken Adnan doesn’t want to hear.
ADNAN
Omar, stop it! Please.
Which leads to the ultimate question: who will change their minds and stop? Omar or Adnan? Will the cycle of violence continue… or at least not take this bloody path?
In the real world, there’s no binary choice or simple fix. The pedestrians on the bridge deserve to live. Thousands of Omars do, too. Adnan’s decision is just one step; navigating through a real life nightmare which must be confronted if it’s ever to stop.
A simple, elegant drama, The Voice of Innocence confronts such horror from a raw, personal angle. Directors, you might want to grab and produce this one. Then audiences can hear Omar’s voice, too.