ACT I SCENE 2
INT. MR. STEPHEN'S HOUSE – MORNING.
MR. STEPHEN and his son Charles are in a room with no ceiling or furnishings. Charles recently finished secondary school and is lucky enough to have had excellent results on the University and Matriculation Examination (UME), gaining admission to university.
Despite his poor background, he is wiser and more knowledgeable than many rich teens. It's now 6:30 a.m. MR. STEPHEN is seen talking to his only son.
MR. STEPHEN
My son, I want you to give me your ear.
His voice quakes and tears roll down his cheeks as he remembers what a fellow man once said, despising him- 'When people who have two legs to walk are complaining, what would be the fate of those with one leg? Would they walk with no much groaning?'
MR. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Our elders say, 'He who tears the garment of honour wears the mark of disgrace.' You see, although your parents are poor, we still want you to further your education. Please do not disgrace us. Be serious in your studies and think not about the daughters of Eve, for they are traitors and devils, capable of bewitching you away from learning. Study, and only study— prepare yourself for the job opportunities that may come.
CHARLES
Dad, I really appreciate all your efforts to allow me to further my education. I assure you that I will never be a failure, or a disappointment to my family. But one thing in our country you must admit is the lack of job opportunities. Too many graduates roam the streets. Unless one has a relative who can help him secure a job, he’s out of luck. Employment these days is a tug of war.
MR. STEPHEN
Go, my son! God will make a way. He's a good provider. No matter how long rain may fall, it will never stop the sun from shining. God's children are never left behind.
CHARLES
Thank you, Dad.
Charles leaves the stage, while his father chews the matter over.
MR. STEPHEN
(Monologue)
I've spoken with his mother about his education. She impugned my idea of sending him to school. But the crux of the matter is, how can a person spend money and years in the university and get no job? If that’s the case, where is the joy of education?
As MR. STEPHEN is leaving the stage, he meets his wife.
MR. STEPHEN
My dear, are you going out now?
MRS. STEPHEN
Not really. I've prepared breakfast for you. Will you please come and eat before it is cold?
MR. STEPHEN
Thank you, dear. But I will eat later.
Mrs. Stephen places her left hand on the wall.
MRS. STEPHEN
Why not now?
Mr. Stephen looks into his wife's eyes.
MR. STEPHEN
I'll eat later, dear. I’m sick to my stomach from too many thoughts.
She goes closer to her husband, trying to pacify him with an alluring voice.
MRS. STEPHEN
Honey! Come, what is the matter with you? Are you fed up with worries? Or are you still thinking about Charles's education? Please, don't be angry with me, be merry! It's not right for a husband to reject his wife's luscious meal.
MR. STEPHEN
Well, let me have the meal, then. I don't want you to be upset over something so small.
She brings the meal on a tray.
MRS. STEPHEN
I know you'll praise me for cooking a nice meal.
MR. STEPHEN
No matter the amount of energy and stuck-fish you use to cook, you cannot cook like my mother.
MRS. STEPHEN
When you invest enough money for food, you get a desirable taste.
MR. STEPHEN
With some women, even if you give them heaven and earth to cook, they'll end up making a pot of salty ocean for food.
He reaches into the bowl with his fingers, searching for a piece of fish.
MR. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Wonders shall never cease! How dared you serve me food without a piece of fish? She's in a state of awe.
MRS. STEPHEN
This is the genesis of the whole matter. Didn't you reserve the little money we have for Charles' school? Did you give me money for cooking?
MR. STEPHEN
Alright, I did not ask you to raise alarm. I believe that one day, I will dine with kings, and my son will restore our fortunes.
Charles enters carrying his school bag and luggage.
MR. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Dear, are you set to go?
CHARLES
Yes, dad.
MR. STEPHEN
Kneel down. Let me make a supplication of blessings and protection for you.
Mr. Stephen speaks to his wife.
MR. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Look for your head-tie to cover your head.
Felicia finds a white handkerchief and then places it on her head.
MR. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
May the God of our gods be with you. May he never let you to join or meet cult members. You will never experience failure in your studies ----
CHARLES
Amen.
MRS. STEPHEN
Amen.
Charles and his mother leave the stage, and only Mr. Stephen is left praying for God's providence and guidance for his son. A couple of minutes later, Mrs. Stephen reappears on the stage.
MR. STEPHEN
Dear, has my son gone?
MRS. STEPHEN
Yes, he's lucky to have found a motorcyclist who will convey him to the motor-park, where he can board a bus going to the university.
MR. STEPHEN
Really, we'll miss him.
MRS. STEPHEN
What about me, are you not missing me?
She tweaks her buttocks for her husband, and both of them hug each other. There's a frantic knock on the door, Mrs. Stephen opens it, and Chike enters.
MRS. STEPHEN (CONT’D)
Hello, MR. CHIKE, you're most welcome.
(She leaves)
CHIKE
Thank you, madam.
Mr. Stephen stands a half-way from his wooden chair with his mouth open in surprise.
MR. STEPHEN
Is that my friend Chike?
CHIKE
It is.
MR. STEPHEN
Wonders shall never cease! Your brother, who is a pastor, told me you travelled to the city for a job. Did you succeed?
CHIKE
When a country is corrupt, things become hard. That is why we find it difficult to find employment. Since you know no one in any working establishments, how do you think you can get a job unless by the intervention of God?
MR. STEPHEN
That is the major cause of our suffering. If there's any of my wife's relations who works in NNPC or AJIP, I wouldn't find it too difficult to get a job.
Chike laughs.
CHIKE
That is true!
Mrs. Stephen appears on the stage.
MRS. STEPHEN
I'm going to the market to buy foodstuffs, and will return in a moment.
MRS. STEPHEN takes her leave while CHIKE continues to talk to MR. STEPHEN.
CHIKE
I made a fool of myself yesterday when I went to City Bank. I applied for the position of manager. They asked if I was out of my senses.
MR. STEPHEN
Perhaps your wits never returned. Why apply for a position you're not qualified for? You should have considered your options first. You did not want to apply for an accounting position, or a computer operator position. You desired the highest position possible to elevate yourself from your poverty.
CHIKE
Who would like to be poor? I want to be rich by any means.
MR. STEPHEN
Ah! You want to be rich either by struggling or rituals. Hold your peace. A man does not rise beyond his destiny. If you go contrary to destiny, it will result in perpetual suffering. No man can take another's destiny. All the wishing in the world will not make it so. Wherever you go, your destiny follows you.
CHIKE
You have two questions to answer. First, is poverty my portion? Second, who told you I'm going contrary to the will of gods? As far as this earth is concerned, there is no one, Christian or pagan, who hates money. Even when we know that money is the root of all evil, we still love money, and continue to love money until we live no more. He who loves money is never satisfied with his income. Now in a situation like this, why shouldn't a poor man like me love money more than anyone else?
MR. STEPHEN
Poverty is no man's portion. It is only the fate that regulates every man's affairs.
CHIKE
I saw Charles at the motor-park, and he told me he was going to further his education. Good news. But, were you not complaining of financial bankruptcy? Who is sponsoring his education?
MR. STEPHEN
For the sake of my son, I become poor so that, through my poverty, he may be rich. That is why I'm sending him to school so that he may be my eye in the working sector. As porridge benefits those who heat and eat it, so does a child benefit those that rear him.
CHIKE
You have a sense of decorum, but the problem is, can he get a job after his education? The ear that is very stubborn is usually cut off along with its head. But Stephen, unemployment wasn't a problem when we were a British colony. You were one of those who wanted independence. Now, what has independence brought to you? Is it not unemployment?
CHIKE (CONT’D)
Why can't your son enrol into one of the vocational training centres to learn a trade or become a mechanic? Is it not the same as engineer EBERE E.E. NWANKPA? Even both educated and uneducated engineers make use of the same tools and bear the same title. He will get money as quickly as possible to look after you. Besides, if your son finishes his education, seeks a job, and finds nowhere to work, and you become as old as... how would he be able to take care of you?
MR. STEPHEN
I prefer sending him to one of the conventional universities.
CHIKE
If one believes not in God, one believes in gods. If you can play your cards well, fine. What I know is that man is like a pepper. Until you have chewed it you do not know how hot it is. All right. What course is he studying?
MR. STEPHEN
English.
CHIKE
That is nice. I think the course will be an added advantage. He will communicate effectively and win many people that will vote for him. There's hope for you.
MR. STEPHEN
A hope for me, and for the nations.
CHIKE
I want to leave. I came to tell you about my journey to City Bank.
Mrs. Stephen enters.
MRS. STEPHEN
Hi, CHIKE.
CHIKE
Hello madam, you're welcome.
MRS. STEPHEN
Thank you, MR. CHIKE. Goodbye.
MR. STEPHEN
Goodbye.
CHIKE
(Leaving)
Goodbye.
BLACK OUT
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