ACT 1
SCENE 1
Curtains Open
Light opens on the Locker Room in the school to reveal a group of boys and girls in sportswear, exchanging pleasantries.
JOHN:
(Walks to Emilia, staring at her)
Yesterday is gone. Today is another day.
EMILIA:
What do you mean?
JOHN:
You played against me yesterday.
EMILIA: (laughs) Of course I did, and I'll still
play against you today.
JOHN: Why
can't we play on the same side, at least for once, even in this game?
EMILIA:
Sorry, we cannot be together. I will
still play against you.
JOHN:
Well, that has always been your
will and choice. Go on!
EMILIA: (laughs) Are you afraid that my team is going
to win again?
JOHN:
No, I am afraid that I am slowly
but surely losing
you.
EMILIA:
Losing me?
JOHN:
We used to be together, remember?
EMILIA:
But that was then, not anymore.
JOHN: (cuts in) You're going against me and
no one goes against me without getting hurt. (John exits)
Light out
SCENE 2
Light comes on full on
the Basketball Court. The boys are playing against
the girls. The bags of the team players are stacked at a far end of the court. John sneaks to where the bags are kept, picks out
a bag, takes out a textbook from the bag and begins to tear it into pieces. The
sound of a whistle signifies the end of the game, and John darts into a corner
to hide.
Emilia and Caleb walk together to pick up their
bags and walk away, while John watches jealousy.
CALEB:
Aren't
you waiting for your parents?
EMILIA: Nah!
I am walking home today.
CALEB:
It's good you are trying it today.
Taking a walk is good
exercise.
EMILIA:
You can say that again!
CALEB:
(Caleb
persists in his questioning) Better than going in your dad's car?
EMILIA: Sure.
Going in his car makes me lazy.
CALEB:
So the rich also cry?
EMILIA:
I am neither crying nor complaining.
CALEB:
So what are you doing?
EMILIA:
Having fun.
CALEB:
As in?
EMILIA:
Walking home with a good friend.
CALEB:
Hmm! Are you saying I am your good
friend?
EMILIA:
You prefer to be a bad friend?
CALEB:
No! Only that I have longed to have
you as my friend.
EMILIA:
Well, now you have my consent on a
platter of gold.
CALEB: (jumps up) thank you. So finally,
EMILIA: Caleb, please remind me, what did the
teacher say about osmosis?
CALEB:
I have forgotten dear.
EMILIA: (angry) You are no longer my friend. I
make friends with those who have retentive memories. If you remind me
tomorrow, then we can be friends again (Exit Emilia).
(Caleb
stands watching her in disappointment as light fades)
SCENE 3
The scene is a spacious sitting room furnished
with expensive household decorations with good ventilation and lights in the
sitting room. Benson and Faith comfortably seated watching Faith's best family series
"Moms at war"
BENSON This program is hitting me;
I want to change it.
FAITH:
I am enjoying it.
BENSON:
But I am not.
FAITH:
Ladies first! So go make use of
the one in your room.
BENSON:
Nah!
FAITH:
Me too, Nah!
BENSON:
My daughter would be back soon (as he
tries to cunningly collect the remote control, Faith quickly picks it up and
runs while Benson goes after her. Emilia opens the door and sees them running
around happily, she smiles)
EMILIA: (hugs her parents) Good afternoon Mummy,
Good afternoon Daddy.
BENSON:
Good afternoon my daughter, you are
late today.
EMILIA:
We played basketball after school.
FAITH:
You need to shower now.
EMILIA: Yes
Mummy. (Emilia Exit)
Light Out
SCENE 4
Lights open on Clara's compound to reveal Tina
cracking palm kernel nuts with a stone. Clara walks in.
CLARA: Mum, you are cracking nuts again?
TINA:
Yes, my daughter.
CLARA:
Why not rest a morsel? I am sure you
just returned from work?
TINA:
What will I do? There is nothing
in the house.
CLARA:
(frowns and paces) In the morning, I
barely scratched a meal before going to school, and now nothing in the house
again?
TINA: I have cracked enough nuts to sell in
the market. Don't worry my daughter, I promise you a delicious meal when I
return.
CLARA:
(frowns) I can't wait, mum. I am
starving.
TINA:
My daughter, that is the price you
and I will be paying to give you quality education in that prestigious school
of yours.
(Still cracking the nuts)
CLARA:
Mum, the price is too high.
TINA:
When you were in the public
school, we fed well but now I have used all my savings including my monthly
salary to pay your fees and other school requirements so that when you finally
come out, you can secure a good job.
CLARA:
(forces a smile) And a good meal
too.
TINA:
That's my girl! Now, take a
handful of garri and warm water and silence those
worms in your belly while I go and dispose of them. (Packing the shells of
the nuts)
CLARA:
Mummy, are you sure this is worth
experimenting on?
TINA:
Give it a trial.
Light Out