(Curtains fall)
Scene 3
Later the same day in Papa Edu’s compound
MA CHIEMEKA
Nneka I think your father is back. He looks so happy and it’s been a while since he looked such but instead of me feeling happy that he’s looks so happy, it is making me so scared. I think he has had enough rest so we are ready to talk with him.
NNEKA
Mama, I think so too.
MA CHIEMEKA
I think your father is now settled. I have told Henry to mind how he talks to him since he says he’s going to confront him. You know Henry has a very hot temper and I don’t want the type of clash that I cannot handle.
NNEKA
Mama, why do you worry a lot? Don’t worry about Chiemeka. I have spoken to him too. The problem is Chinedu. I don’t know where he stands right now.
MA CHIEMEKA
Leave Edu. He is just a small boy. He has a very good analytical mind and I believe he has started to consider the position he is going to find himself in if the worst should happen. Come to think of it Nneka, don’t you think that it will be the best thing if I go and talk to your father alone without involving you kids?
NNEKA
That is not part of the plan, remember? We have agreed to face him. He is going to explain a lot of things to us today face to face!
MA CHIEMEKA
Yes I am in support of the original plan. But I will like us to start discussing the whole thing while we are eating. That is why I am asking you if you have given him food. In fact all of us are going to eat together tonight.
NNEKA
That is fine. You know it has been a long time since we last ate together in this house.
MA CHIEMEKA
In that case, you have to go and call the boys. I want them to be there too when I will introduce the issue.
NNEKA
They are ready especially Henry.
MA CHIEMEKA
So what are we waiting for? Let’s go.
NNEKA
But mama one more thing. Please don’t be harsh on papa. You have to promise me that. You know that will hurt me the most.
MA CHIEMEKA
(Hisses) Idiot!
NNEKA
Mama please I am serious. If you are going to be that harsh to papa, you better tell me now so that we can stop this thing on time right now!
MA CHIEMEKA
My child, you are still a child and a fool too! Will you leave me to handle this thing like an adult! C’mon, just go and bring the boys!
NNEKA
Yes ma.
(Nneka leaves.)
MA CHIEMEKA
(Talking to herself) See this young fool. You think you are the only one who loves this man? Tell me, is that not what we are all fighting for? Me and this unknown wicked woman! God help me!
(She enters where Papa Edu was already waiting for the food.)
PAPA EDU
Where is the food? Where are these children? Please everyone come let’s eat. I am completely famished and I can’t wait any longer. This long journey, ha! Please I can’t wait any longer. Where is Nneka? Nneka, please bring my food for me, okay!
NNEKA
Papa the food is here. We are just waiting for Edu to come out.
EDU
Yes Edu, where is he. I haven’t seen him since I came back. I hope he is not sick.
NNEKA
No he is not sick. Is just that… is just that he’s em… em… no I think he’s just busy tackling his mathematics.
PAPA EDU
So mathematicians don’t feel hungry again! I wonder.
EDU
Papa good evening.
PAPA EDU
Chinedu good evening. Where have you been? I haven’t seen you around since I came back. I hope everything is okay?
EDU
Papa I am alright. It’s just that there are some things that I have been thinking about and eh—
NNEKA
(Cuts in) Chinedu why don’t you sit down first so that we can pray over this food and start eating?
MA CHIEMEKA
Henry, please lead us in prayer.
HENRY
Mama I thought it was your turn to lead us?
NNEKA
(Scoffs) If it was to lead us in drinking pammy, Henry the Eight, whose turn will it be? You will never stop to amaze me!
MA CHIEMEKA
Nneka leave that drunkard alone. We all know the things he always comes first in.
HENRY
You people want to start again huh? You people should not get me started, okay? See I think we have much more important things to talk about other than pammy.
PAPA EDU
It’s okay people. Let us pray. God our heavenly father, bless this food for us so than when we eat it we obtain good health which comes only from you. Bless the person, who prepared the food, bless all of us who are going to eat it. Have mercy on all of us. Let your light shine again in this family. Take glory for we believe you have answered our prayers. We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(They others chorused “amen” together.)
PAPA EDU
(Opening the covered plates) Hmm Nneka, what have you prepared tonight? Hmm! Rice and beans with stew. That’s nice. It seems as if you were right in my mind. But why are all of you looking at me somehow. I get the feeling that there is something you want to tell me, something I am supposed to know? Did someone die? Eh? Nneka tell me! What happened – during my absence?
NNEKA
Papa, please eat your food. Nothing happened…
PAPA EDU
Are you sure? Mama Chiemeka, is anything the problem? Edu looks sick, you look tired and Henry, well, he has not been looking his normal self again. Anyway I have something very important I want to share with us after the meal so please let us eat this food with happiness…
HENRY
Which happiness are you talking about papa?!
NNEKA
Chiemeka!
PAPA EDU
I don’t understand. Henry is there anything you want to tell me?
MA CHIEMEKA
Papa Chiemeka please let us continue with this meal.
PAPA EDU
Please I returned from a very long journey and I am so tired and I wouldn’t like anybody to compound my stress any more than that. I don’t like the way you all are acting so shifty around me now. If there is anything that you people want to tell me, I think now is the time!
HENRY
That is the point! That is exactly what I am saying! Did you hear him? Nneka did you just hear him now? Edu, you are the one that is asking for evidence, since when did your father start blasting like that since you knew him. I told something is not just right and you didn’t believe me! Edu? Edu? Chinedu, are you not here? Are you are keeping silent now?! You can now see what I told you, can’t you?
PAPA EDU
Chiemeka I can now see that you are leading some kind of riot for this whole pack against me, right? So I ask you, if you have got anything to say to me, please sir, why don’t you just start talking now?
MA CHIEMEKA
Well, Papa Chiemeka, I’d say it’s better you just cool down and eat your food. If you noticed, this house is fast turning to something else and I think… okay, we think you are the cause!
PAPA EDU
What?! Did I just hear you right, woman!
NNEKA
Papa it’s true. The thing is that everything now suggests it seems you are no longer after the good of this family.
PAPA EDU
What?! Is this a conspiracy or something? Nneka where are you getting that idea from? Lord have mercy! What do you mean by everything? What things if I may ask?
HENRY
Yes! What they are trying to say is that nobody understand you… your motives anymore.
PAPA EDU
Chiemeka, since when did you start to understand my motives?
HENRY
Papa, please st
op calling me Chiemeka! I won’t take that from anybody o! What we are saying is that since you came back to this house with that story of yours, if you’ve not noticed, this house is kind of divided. It is now like you are one side and we are on the other side. Okay, check this out, we don’t usually see you in the house anymore and we don’t know where you are these days…
PAPA EDU
Of course, what else do you think I am doing? And I can’t remember the last time you so much cared for my whereabouts! For your information, I am out there trying to solve my problems!
HENRY
Your problems huh?! Really?
PAPA EDU
What has come over this small boy? Chiemeka you better watch your mouth and mind how to address me because we are not age mates. Mama Chiemeka what is all this? Have you seen your son? What is going on here? I hope your hand is not in this thing? I get the feeling that there is a very bitter conspiracy against me here! I don’t like that so please I will like someone to pick courage to speak up by telling me what the problem here really is.
MA CHIEMEKA
Well Papa Chiemeka, if the truth must be told, then I will say that I think you are the one who is conspiring against us. You have somehow thwarted the very foundation of this family by your latest maneuvering and philandering…
PAPA EDU
Now hold it woman! I said hold it! What do you mean by that?! Me? Philandering?! Where did you get that from? I don’t know where you are getting that idea from but wherever it is you better be sure of what you are saying before you start talking nonsense. I hope you have heard me! What’s all this?! I had a good appetite before but now I don’t know… I don’t know. In fact I am through with this food! Take away your food woman! I have had enough!
MA CHIEMEKA
Yes, maybe you’ve not noticed but all of us, we have lost appetite too and it’s all because of you! You are barking at us now ferociously like a mad dog, huh?! But wait let me tell you something you might have forgotten. You see, you have used that tactics in the past several times Papa Chiemeka but right now I must tell you that it won’t work! It will never work! Oh yes!
PAPA EDU
This is strange, very very strange. Now if I may ask, who even told you what you are saying now?
MA CHIEMEKA
That is not my point. The point is to find out whether what is being said is true or not and we want to find out from you today, Papa Chiemeka.
PAPA EDU
I believe this is not the right time for this.
MA CHIEMEKA
And when will the right time be?
PAPA EDU
You know that we are in a middle of a terrible financial crisis, now it seems like a solution is about to happen…
MA CHIEMEKA
Oh, really? A solution? And which financial crisis are you even talking about? If really it is true, tell me, was it caused by me or my children? No! Now tell me why should we suffer for what we did not cause?
PAPA EDU
You people amaze me. This is not the support we agreed on, remember! Definitely not!
HENRY
Which support are you talking about, Papa? You know they say that nothing is hidden under the sun, one day the truth must definitely come out!
PAPA EDU
Edu you have not said anything since or are you not part of this mad crowd? And Nneka what about you too? Oh, I see it clearly now. This thing looks like you—your handwork! What did you tell your mother that has turned her against me and is making her so livid and very much doubtful now?
MA CHIEMEKA
Leave them alone, do you hear me? I say leave them alone. Let’s look at as it really is. How many years have I lived together with you? More than twenty five years, right?! Okay, since that time we got married, there has never been a moment that you have changed in your behavior like you’ve done in the past few weeks.
PAPA EDU
How do you mean? What exactly are you hinting at?
MA CHIEMEKA
How do I mean, huh? Of course you can’t see it, can you? You have been bewitched, that’s why. Since when did you start to keep late nights? Granted you are sourcing for financial help but how are we sure—that that is exactly what you are doing? Since when did you start to embark on sudden journeys? Who do you know in Benin that you are going to see and you never bothered to tell us about?
You just sent me one short text message, not even a call, just to inform us that you are off to Benin. Off to Benin to do what there if I may ask? How do we know you really went to Benin? Next thing you come back to this house and expect us to act normal around you.
You appear so happy right now! Well, let me tell you something, that is not right! You know what we are saying. There’s so much secrecy, there’s so much uncertainty, so much cover-ups. We are just watching you because we don’t know what you may do next. Nobody seems to understand you anymore.
HENRY
Exactly! Mama, thank you so much for saying it exactly the way it is! As for you papa, mama is right because we don’t know what you are up to anymore. It is like we don’t who you are anymore! You are so completely disconnected from us! And that is the reason why we are demanding for the answers and explanations right now!
PAPA EDU
So much secrecy, you say? Hmm! Chiemeka I hope you can hear yourself talk? You are demanding for what… that I do what for you, if I may ask?
HENRY
Papa, we are demanding for explanations on why you have chosen this very moment to create so much fear, uncertainty and gloom in this household. We are demanding to know why you have been acting so strange of late; we want to know the real reason why you have not been around the house as you used to. We want you to tell us what is really going on and most importantly, we want to know why have you decided to lie to us?!
PAPA EDU
Oho! Now, I see! Wonders they say shall never end! Can you imagine! First you guys tell me that I have been acting strange. Now you think I have been lying to you. Lying to you about what?
NNEKA
Papa I think what he is trying to say is that it is beginning to seem to us that you have some things that you don’t want us to know and we feel that we have a right to know because we are still one family.
HENRY
Nneka will you shut up there! That is not what I, we mean. What I really mean is that you papa, you have to tell us if you are really involved in any financial crisis at your bank? We want to know what is really going on because from the way things are, it doesn’t seem like you told us the truth the last time, and we would like to know why you have been so economical with the truth!
PAPA EDU
Hmm… interesting! Since it appears that you now know more than you really want to let on my son, now I put it to you. Why don’t you tell us the truth, the whole truth then?
EDU
Papa, if I may come in now, permit me to just say something now because I can’t even understand why they are still beating about the bush with you. From my own understanding, and from the things I have heard, I just have one question for you. The fact is that we will like to know if you are planning to bring in another woman into this house because if that is your plan, I don’t think it is the very best of plan coming at this moment when you claim you have to deal with some financial problems at your bank.
PAPA EDU
Now, that’s my boy! Chinedu my son, thank you for being so straightforward and sincere! I get the feeling that you people have concluded on this matter before bringing it here to me but then I must warn you, whatever you think about this whole issue, whatever you have concluded is nothing but utter balderdash!
HENRY
You think so?! Is that what you really think?
NNEKA
I don’t like how this whole thing is going. Papa, please end this thing here, right now. Please do you want to do something terrible like that to this family?
PAPA EDU
Nneka my daughter, I don’t know what to say
again. This is not the right time. Your mother has accused me of unfaithfulness right here in your presence. You people have even gone as far as concluding that I was not telling you the whole truth; that I am just making up all these things up. Well, well, well, that is the problem. Whatever I say now will not count so I will just be contended to tell you that this is not the right time.
MA CHIEMEKA
And when will be that right time ever be?
HENRY
Yes papa, tell us. When will it be the right time to tell us what you are really up to? But let me tell you something you don’t know. I, Henry Okafor, will not allow you to destroy my future, our future no matter what you are planning, do you hear me?!
PAPA EDU
Yes sir!
HENRY
I am not joking. This is not a laughing matter. I will not be alive and watch you destroy our future. I am going to stop you. I am willing to lay down my life to stop you!
PAPA EDU
Hmm… lay down your life? This is interesting. I don’t know what plans you are talking about that I have but assuming there’s a plan to destroy your future like you said, please humor me by telling me how… I mean, what will you do to stop me?
HENRY
What will I do? You think it is a laughing matter? Okay, you just wait and see what I will do!
PAPA EDU
Hmm… Henry my son, when did your wings start to come out boy?!
HENRY
They started coming out the very moment you decided to fool us all. Why have you chosen to do this to us papa, is what I don’t know? The fact is that we think you are under the influence of some powers, maybe spiritual manipulation, maybe jazz, whatever! But I am not going to wait to find out, not after it is now clear that you are not even ready to tell us what is really going on with you. Can you imagine! He’s telling us this is not the right time, as if we are still kids!
PAPA EDU
I will have a laugh. Look at this boy! Where is your power coming from? What do you know about being under the influence of spiritual manipulation or something? What are you high on this night? What did you smoke tonight? I have heard you are now into smoking…
HENRY
Papa that is what we are going to find out now, today! I am prepared to fight for what is rightfully mine.
PAPA EDU
And what is this thing that is rightly yours? Please who can tell me what this boy is really talking about?
HENRY
Papa, you just listen to me! I am not going to allow you throw all the things that you and mama have achieved all these years to some undeserving gold-digger or harlot. That is what I am going to do!
PAPA EDU
Did I hear you mention the word harlot? Hmm, my son, you better be careful so that what you say now will not come haunt you forever.
MA CHIEMEKA
Oh my God! I am finished!
PAPA EDU
Woman you are only finished when you start thinking about certain things that are very impossible. How can you people be linking me with whatever you are linking me with. At this my age? Haba! But Chiemeka this thing you said about securing your future, it really interests me. At least I now know that you have started thinking for yourself. Your mind is no longer focused entirely on all those girls you are always running around with! That is quite a comforting thought, believe me. So permit me to ask you again, how do you intend to secure your future?
MA CHIEMEKA
Papa Chiemeka, please leave the boy alone. Leave all of them alone. The fact is that your plan, whatever it is, will not succeed, simple and short!
PAPA EDU
Woman, I am coming to you later but as for you Henry, I am still interested in knowing what your plans are. What are you going to do? I want to hear.
HENRY
Okay! Let me tell you what I am going to do. For a start, I will like to get hold of that key which you took from Edu some days ago.
PAPA EDU
Okay. That is quite interesting. Anything else…?
HENRY
You may think I am joking but let me assure you, I am not!
PAPA EDU
Of course! I know you are not joking…
HENRY
So Papa you better hand over those keys to me so that we will simply avoid some difficult times ahead that will surely come, if you chose to do otherwise!
NNEKA
Mama I think you should stop this now. I don’t like the way this whole thing is going! I don’t like the way everything is turning out now!
MA CHIEMEKA
Shut up you fool! Chiemeka is right. Can’t you see if for yourself? Isn’t it obvious that your father is possessed now? Do you think he’s still in his right senses? No, I don’t think so! So if you ask me I’d say your father needs to be stopped.
PAPA EDU
Mama Chiemeka, I can see that you and your warriors have ganged up against me. That is not the problem. The problem is that you people may end up destroying yourselves and everything in the end. What makes Chiemeka think that he is ready to be in possession of the papers to all my assets now? Did I tell him I am going to die? Or is he already planning such for me?
What makes him think that he is in the best position to control what he does not own—at least at the moment? Chiemeka let me remind, when most of those properties you are angling to possess right now were acquired, you were not yet born. All of sudden, you smoke some marijuana and you discover your manliness and you decide to fight your own father, to take possession of what is not yours… that is quite shocking to me, I must tell you!
HENRY
Papa I don’t care. Do your hear me? I said I don’t care! What I know is that I will not allow you to destroy our future. You said you have a problem at your bank but we know now that it is nothing but a big farce! You think we are still kids, that you can lie to and come up with your cock and bull story, huh? Well, we are not! Tell me which bank in this Naija19 is ready to embark on such financial misadventure in the name of business like the one you claim papa? Haba papa, you could have done better with your lies.
PAPA EDU
Well since you know what is going on in the banks now my dear Mr. Soludo,20le t me still remind you to better watch your mouth because I am still your father. You still live under my roof. The fact that you are in the university does not even change that, I hope you know that!
HENRY
Papa like I said before and like I still maintain now, I don’t care! Do you hear me? I don’t care! Yes, I said it! All I know is that you must produce those keys. You must give them to me. From now on I am the one in charge. Can’t you see it papa? The devil is trying to use you to destroy this whole family completely and you are complying. Thank God all of cannot be mad at the same time! I cannot fold my arms and watch you destroy this family and I am ready to do whatever it takes to make sure you don’t!
PAPA EDU
You are mad already!
HENRY
Papa you are provoking me. Don’t let me play this game the way you wouldn’t like. Consider this as a very good advice from a very good son. The best thing for you to do right now is to kindly hand over those keys to me.
PAPA EDU
My friend, you should be very ashamed of yourself by now. I know you can’t hear yourself talk now. You are filled with your stupid ego and mad rage which I still insist you inherited from your mother! Have you ever wondered why I gave Edu the keys in the first place instead of you, have you? I bet you haven’t but let me tell you why.
You see, Edu is very level-headed; he is a thinker just like me. He does not run his mouth like you. You think your mother will be there always to ginger you to start acting up and start insulting and talking to your elders anyhow? Well my son listen to me, you should go back and think of the best way to approach this issue because even if you start from this moment till eternity to run your mouth, I assure you, you will not see those keys talk more of me handing them over to you.
HENRY
br /> Papa don’t try me o! See everybody here better warn your father here! He should not try me o! He should desist from provoking me! Someone should warn and remind him that I can make things so difficult and painful for him and his harlot!
MA CHIEMEKA
Papa Chiemeka I believe I know you more than these kids do. What I am observing is that you are enjoying this whole dialogue. Please why don’t you stop this now by just simply telling us what is really going on? Please stop leading the boy on…
PAPA EDU
Is this not what you’ve always wanted woman? You encouraged the boy to challenge me. You told him I must be stopped. You have failed to put a leash on this your dog! I bet things are not turning out as you wanted. What do you want me to tell you now?
HENRY
Mama leave this man alone! He thinks he is in control all the time but papa this time around I promise you, it’s going to be a different ball game if you don’t hand me over those keys.
PAPA EDU
Excuse me sir, but what exactly will you do if you don’t get the keys? Will you invite some of your cultist friends from the university to come and deal with me? What exactly are you going to do you stupid boy?!
EDU
Papa it has not come to that level but papa it will be nice if you will explain to us now why you even collected the keys from me the other day. I believe that if you do that it will clear up the air about some misgivings we now have in this family.
PAPA EDU
Thank you Chinedu but then I still maintain my stance and what I said earlier that now is not the best time.
HENRY
Did you just hear him? Did you hear that?!
NNEKA
Henry! What is your own? You promised to handle this matter maturely but obviously you are not doing that. Now papa has been repeating that this is not the right time. I think that by now we should be asking papa when will be the right time rather than this shambolic manner in which we are going about this whole affair.
HENRY
Nneka shut up! I say shut up there! What do you know? Whenever it comes to issues concerning papa, you are always ready to protect him, ready to back down, ready to understand issues and see things from his own view. Can’t you see that papa is manipulating us? What does he mean by now is not the right time? When will that right time be? What is he hiding? In case you have not noticed, the truth is that the damage has been done…
MA CHIEMEKA
The way I see this thing, it has gone beyond the ordinary. Children your father is in a very deep trance. He has been completely bewitched. Oh yes! I pray that when he comes through, we will not be consumed by the fire that he has started. I rest my case.
EDU
So now what did you achieve by confronting papa? I am asking you Henry, and yes, you Nneka? Can you now see what you guys have done?
HENRY
Hmm! You have not heard the last of this matter. Papa I promise you, I swear to make things so uncomfortable, very uncomfortable for you and that your… your… your whatever if you succeed to bring her into this household! Lord knows it is over my dead body that I will watch you throw away what belongs to this family all in the name of stupid love or whatever. Jazz or no jazz!
NNEKA
Henry please don’t do anything drastic! I think you have gone too far. You should apologize to papa now… really.
PAPA EDU
Leave him alone, will you? He is just a barking dog. My only prayer is that you will find the face to beg me for forgiveness when the time comes. But all the same, I understand his problem is nothing but just youthful exuberance. Please remove these plates from here Nneka. You people have succeeded in ruining this night for me as well as sending everyone to sleep without dinner. Let me go and sleep since I am tired but someone should remind Chiemeka that he should mind how he talks to his elders. He should always remember the fourth commandment.
(Papa Edu stands up and takes his leave.)
EDU
Well, in my own opinion, let us just wait and see. From the way I see it, papa knows what he is doing.
NNEKA
Yes that may be true but if you consider this whole thing critically, you will find out that we are in no way closer to the end of all this. We don’t know what is going on. Anyway let me just go and sleep. What a bad day it has turned out to be! I just believe that God will see us through.
EDU
Me, I am not going to sleep with an empty stomach.
HENRY
Chai! I am disappointed in all of you. You people are not tough at all! First mama chickened out, next Nneka. I don’t even know where Edu stands in this affair. So we couldn’t even face papa? Even after all the raking and ranting from you Nneka and mama? I am beginning to learn something here.
Now I am the rude one standing alone to be crucified for being so brash to him and I will be used as an example. But that’s no problem. All I know is that I am fighting a just cause. It is for our own good. At least we have achieved something; papa now knows that we are aware of his maneuver and that we are not happy with it. That alone is quite comforting.
Let me go and sleep, tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow I will continue from where I stopped. I know I can’t be wrong because if something fishy is not going on, then why is it so difficult for Papa to just open up and tell us rather that playing the not-yet-the-right-time-game with us.
Well, Papa thinks he has won by scaring you guys into submission but I don’t think so because as for me, this thing is pretty much very far from over. I must finish what we started. That, I can assure him!
NNEKA
Hmm… this is really getting out of hand. God please help our family. We are fast becoming what we never thought we could ever become!
EDU
Nneka stop complaining. You caused it. From the moment you disclosed to mama whatever it is that you said you saw, without even examining the whole situation critically, I knew it was going to happen this way. You should have known it was going to happen this way! Now look what you’ve caused.
Papa and Chiemeka are on a terrible warpath and you are sitting there praying to God to have mercy on you. You should have thought about it first. You should have looked at things more closely before you started running your mouth off to mama and to Henry, I know how myopic you, mama and Henry are. That is why I didn’t support that idea of confronting papa from in the first case. Now look at where we are. Seriously, I pray too for God’s mercy—on you!
(Curtains fall)