CHARACTERS
- OROGU – A Worker in a textile mill
ASABE – His wife
BODI –Their son
- OSISI – Orogu’s boss
OKOH – Orogu’s sister
MAMA – Mr. Orogu’s mother
- BAMI – Mr. Orogu’s 1st brother
- SAM – Mr. Orogu’s 2nd brother
MISS SUMMERSET – M.D. of a soap factory in Canada
- AND MRS. SUMMERSET – Miss Summerset’s parents
RAY – Mrs. Summerset’s brother
- DRAFT – Customer at soap factory
MRS. FOIL – Sales Manager, Production Department
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN MR. OROGU’S CANADIAN COMPANY :
Mr. Stonewall
Mr. Goldfitch
Mr. Odmill
Mr. Whitewash
Mrs. Olive
Mr. Iceberg
ACT 1 SCENE 1
In Orogu’s office: Mr. Orogu being queried by his boss, Mr. Osisi
Mr. Osisi: Let this be the last time you will go contrary to the company’s rules; we have told you not to accept any more application letters. For God’s sake, this is only one company, and we cannot employ all the job seekers in town. Never direct anybody to me again and….
Mr. Orogu: But I didn’t…
(Mr. Osisi bangs the door and goes out, fuming angrily)
Mr. Orogu:(closes his eyes and sighs) Oh! God…
(Mr. Orogu picks up what looks like official papers and starts to write on some of them. He stretches himself and looks at his wristwatch.)
Mr. Orogu: How time flies. I had better tidy up and go home. (He arranges some files and soon walks out of the office.)
ACT 1 SCENE 2
Mr. Orogu’s house. Mrs. Orogu (Asabe) has just returned from work (A nursery /primary school where she teaches Mathematics). She hums to herself as she drops her bag and begins to prepare food and put other things in order before her husband returns from work.
Asabe: I wonder whether I will be able to finish up before Oro comes. What a hectic day it has been in school today. (In the middle of her arrangement, Mr. Orogu comes in looking dejected. Asabe runs to embrace him and takes his briefcase).
Asabe: Honey, how was work today? You don’t look very happy. I hope there is nothing the matter.
Orogu: Oh! Nothing. It is just that I am tired of the monotony of it all. Every day the same kind of work, queries, late payment, etc. And to crown it all, the salary does not take us anywhere. Tell me, is this how we are going to continue? Anyway, I am making plans to leave the country! I am tired of the whole shit; ouch! (Mr. slumps into the soft, brown velvet sofa.)
Asabe: What are you saying? Leave this country for where? And I suppose you will leave me behind, with our son! Look, we can’t all leave the country. We have to be a little patient. Things will soon be well…. (She stands hands akimbo.)
Orogu: Look here, woman; if you think we should remain in this country to salvage it, I don’t think we belong to the same school of thought. I am dead tired of the whole system.
Asabe: Okay! Let us not argue, please come and have your meal, and I know you will be in a better mood to tell me all about it later.
Mr. Orogu: Okay, darling. (He moves to the table; makes the sign of the cross, mutters a few words, and starts eating. He eats quietly for some time, after which a quiet knock is heard at the door.)
Asabe: Who’s there?
Okoh: It’s I.
Orogu and Asabe: Come in.
Okoh:(walking in): I think I have come in at the right time!
Mr. Orogu: Ah! Sister Okoh, you talk only good of me. As you can see, I am having a good time. Please do join me.
Okoh: I think it will be next time. I ate not too long ago. I just came to see how you are faring.
Asabe: That is very kind of you, but that should not prevent you from eating something, no matter how small. I will get you something from the kitchen.
Okoh: Oh, don’t bother, Asabe, I’m alright.
Mr. Orogu: Alright, (washing his hands to signify that he has finished eating), Sister. I think you have come at the right time. Please, tell Mama, our brothers and sisters, that I will be at our family house tomorrow evening for a discussion.
Okoh: I will do that, but I hope there is nothing wrong.
Mr. Orogu: Oh no! Just a piece of information I want to pass across.
Okoh: Which can I not even pass for you?
Mr. Orogu: Well, you will hear all about it tomorrow. (Okoh sighs and looks at Asabe, who looks away.)
Okoh: Since I have already seen you, I think I should be on my way. I have to visit a friend who just gave birth at Attalah Hospital. Bye for now.
Mr. Orogu: Bye.
Asabe: Please, let me see you off.
Okoh: Oh, don’t bother (She leaves the house, closing the door softly while Asabe clears the table after eating a few morsels and sits near her husband on the sofa).
Asabe: Now, tell me what you have in mind.
Orogu: I have saved a little money, and I want to resign from my place of work.
Asabe: But…
Mr. Orogu: Hey, wait, let me finish. There is this friend of mine, Mr. Brown, who works in the Canadian High Commission.
Asabe: Oh, Mr. Brownwho visited us during the last Christmas!
Mr. Orogu: Yes, I have worked out a plan such that with part of my pay off, you can start a petty trade at home. You can add the proceeds of the business to your salary and take care of yourself and the home till I can find my feet abroad. I will then send for you.
Asabe: But when will you do this?
Orogu: In the next two weeks.
Asabe: Ah! And you never told me all this while?
Orogu: Well, I am sorry, but I had not intended to take you off guard. It is also a sudden decision on my part.
Asabe: Is that what you want to discuss with your people?
Orugu: Yes.
Asabe: Let’s hope all will be well.
Orogu: I know it will, darling. (He gives her a peck).
Curtain.
ACT 1 SCENE 3
At the airport: Mr. Orogu is accompanied by his wife, Asabe, Bodi – his son, his mother, sister and two brothers. They are at the departure lounge talking excitedly.
Mama: Please don’t forget us when you get there. Always write to us, and remember your wife and your son.
Mr. Orogu: Yes, Mama.
Bodi: Daddy, will you buy me plenty of chocolate and biscuits?
Mr. Orogu: Yes, son.
Bodi: Tomorrow?
Mr. Orogu: Yes – that’s alright, Bodi.
Mr. Bami – (1st brother): Remember why you are going and work hard.
Mr. Sam – (2nd brother) … and make something out of life.
Okoh: … and we will be praying for you.
Asabe: (sobbing silently) Please, don’t forget us, o! Remember what I told you last week, I am at least two months gone now.
Mr. Orogu: Don’t worry. Immediately I settle down, I will send for you and you will have the baby there.
Airport officer: (Flight information in the airport speakers) All checked-in passengers for Flight No. 7164 to Toronto, Canada, should proceed to gate D24 for departure. Passengers, make sure you have been properly checked in.
Mr. Orogu: (Stands) Please, I’m afraid I have to go now. (He embraces and kisses his wife and runs towards the queue for the departure logistics. Members of his family bade him farewell before plane take-off.)
Curtain.
ACT 2 SCENE 1 (In an office).
Mr. Orogu is now in Canada working as a secretary in a soap factory and taking a part-time course in Accountancy at the University of Toronto, Canada. Mr. Orogu is writing when Miss Summerset enters.
Miss Summerset (the M.D): Well done, Mr. Orogu. You have been working very hard for us. See me in my office when you finish.
Mr. Orogu: Thank you very much, madam. I will do that. (Exit Miss Summerset) (Orogu continues with his work. A customer enters, knocking.) Come in.
Mr. Orogu: Good afternoon. How may I help you?
Mr. Draft: Please, Sir, I want to enquire.
Mr. Orogu: Go on.
Mr. Draft: What is the cost of a carton of Elsie soap and…
Mr. Orogu: Go to the Sales Manager, two rooms from this office; Room 25 to be precise.
Mr. Draft: Oh, thank you. (He goes out).
(Mrs. Foil from the Production Department comes in).
Mrs. Foil: Hullo, Mr. Orogu.
Mr. Orogu: Hullo, Mrs. Foil, anything the matter?
Mrs. Foil: Just came to drop the request for more colouring.
Mr. Orogu: Let me have it.
Mrs. Foil: Here. (She gives it to him and walks away.)
(About twenty minutes later, Orogu is alone, soliloquising).
Mr. Orogu: For two weeks, I have not phoned my family or written to them. I hope they are all fine. Thank God, life is treating me well here in Canada; such a nice atmosphere to live and work in, and what a nice employer Mrs. Summerset is, and good pay too. How excited Asabe sounded in her letter of thanks when I sent her that money to take care of the family last month….(Enter Miss Summerset).
Mr. Orogu: (A little taken aback by Miss Summerset’s sudden entrance). Hey ….No ….Miss Summerset.
Miss Summerset: I have an appointment in the next hour, and since I don’t want you to come and meet an empty office when you finish, I decided to come and tell you what I have in mind before I go.
Mr. Orogu: Okay, Madam.
Miss Summerset: What do you say about my taking you for lunch tomorrow?
Mr. Orogu: Oh! That will be nice.
Miss Summerset: I’m glad of your acceptance.
Mr. Orogu: A pleasure. (Miss Summerset is about to walk out, but Mr. Orogu stops her.) Wait a little, madam. Mrs. Foil brought a request from the Production Department that more colouring is needed there.
Miss Summerset: I will order more.
Mr. Orogu: (with a closed mouth and an audio recorder voicing what he is thinking about)
I wonder what this lady is up to. God help me. (Sighs)
Curtain.
ACT 2 SCENE 2 (In a restaurant)
With many other people eating alone or with their partners, discussing and laughing, we see Orogu and Miss Summerset having their meals in a corner, and Miss Summerset laughing obviously at some jokes that Mr. Orogu has made.
Miss Summerset: Oh! How funny! But it couldn’t have been so bad.
Mr. Orogu: Well, if you say so.
Miss Summerset: Mr. Orogu, may I ask a question?
Mr. Orogu: Ask me anything, Miss Summerset.
Miss Summerset: Please answer me honestly; are you married?
Mr. Orogu: (After a slight pause) No, but why do you ask?
Miss Summerset: Are you sure of what you have just said?
Mr. Orogu: But would I tell you a lie?
Miss Summerset: Okay, I just wanted to be sure. Now listen, would you want to marry a lady like me?
Mr. Orogu: Please, give me time to think it over. It’s such a sudden and unexpected request.
Miss Summerset: You may think it over; I’m sure you will not regret it if your answer is in the affirmative. I will hear from you tomorrow.
Mr. Orogu: I’ve eaten so much; I didn’t guess I was so hungry.
Miss Summerset: What will you drink?
Mr. Orogu: Anything you order will be fine.
Miss Summerset: (Beckons to the waiter, who moves towards their table) Two bottles of
Caprice, please. (The waiter moves away and brings the drinks in a matter of minutes. The two of them drink in silence. After the meal, they move out of the restaurant and Mr. Orogu drives them home). Curtain.
ACT 2 SCENE 3
Miss Summerset and her family, which includes Mr. and Mrs. Summerset (Miss Summerset is also called Bethel), and Ray, her brother, are in their family house. They have just had a meal.
Miss Summerset: Daddy, Mummy. I have something to tell you!
Mr. Summerset: Go ahead, lovie.
Miss Summerset: I think I have seen the man I want to marry.
Mrs. Summerset: Who could that be?
Miss Summerset: Well, one Mr. Orogu.
Mr. Summerset: Mr. Orogu? What a name!
Miss Summerset: Well, he is a man I employed five months ago. He is a Nigerian, such a hard-working man, and single too. I just feel he is the right guy for me. (Meanwhile, both parents and Ray are mouths open in disbelief. Ray simply walks out.)
Mrs. Summerset: (She is the first to speak.) You mean you want to get married to a black man and bring me black grandchildren? Oh! This is most wicked of you, Beth… (Mrs Summerset shakes her head in disbelief.)
Miss Summerset: But it is my life, Mum, and…
Mr. Summerset: (who has temporarily recovered from his shock) Yes, I know it is your life but you seem to be equally unaware that many of these niggers play silly pranks. They pretend to be poor bachelors when they are indeed married with children back at home, looking for white ladies to siphon their money home to their families. Have you thought over the fact that you might be a victim of one of such deceptive rascals?
Miss Summerset: Well, he told me that he is single.
Mrs. Summerset: Yes, he will naturally tell you that.
Miss Summerset: I think Orogu appears too honest to tell such a lie.
Mr. Summerset: Okay, as you said, it’s your life. Give me some time to absorb this (He makes as if to go to the room, but comes back). Make absolutely sure he’s okay, and if, as you say, he is so dedicated and hardworking, we will see what we can do to give him the necessary education that will make it befitting for him to be our son-in-law.
Miss Summerset: (Screaming with excitement) That’s my Daddy!
Mr. Summerset: That’s alright, lovie. (Mrs. Summerset just stares ahead, a look of resignation on her face.)
Curtain.
ACT 3 SCENE 1
Mr. Orogu is in a well-furnished house, looking at a bookshelf. He turns round to face the audience. (He soliloquises.)
Mr. Orogu: What else can a man want? Free money, free wife, free maintenance, free house – oh! I am in my little heaven. Yes, in Canada, I am single. In Zularia, well, that is another story. I don’t think I am being unfaithful. Already, my people are enjoying the benefits of my “acting”. I have sent a reasonable amount of money home to them a knock on the door. Come in! (Enter Miss Summerset. They both embrace and kiss.)
Mr. Orogu: How I have missed you, darling.
Miss Summerset: I’ve missed you, too. How have you been faring?
Mr. Orogu: So-so. Well, so your parents have agreed that the marriage will be in six months
Miss Summerset: Yes, but I hope it’s okay. I mean, I don’t want a situation where any other woman will come and give me problems later, after all I have done for you.
Mr. Orogu: How do you mean?
Miss Summerset: It’s just that I don’t want to be a victim.
Mr. Orogu: (Embraces her) Well, it’s okay, just trust me.
Curtain.
ACT 3 SCENE 2
(In his house) A year later, Mr. Orogu had gone to his private box to collect a letter from home. He is seated on a sofa and reads the letter silently. However, the audience hears what’s being read in Asabe’s voice, i.e., his Zularian wife.)
Darling,
How is life over there? We are all fine here, but I wonder why I have not heard anything from you in the past month. Your uncle, Mr. Djeje, has completed the two-storey building you have been sending money for. You need to see how fine it looks. It is just that it has not been painted, and Uncle says he needs more money to do that. Many people are eager and have expressed their intention of being tenants, and some have even offered to pay in advance for the house to be painted, but Uncle feels that we should finish painting the house before we allow tenants to come in. Our house maintenance money is also dwindling fast. Please, we want you to write more often.
Our son Bodi has made us proud. He came first in his class in the last examination. He is now promoted to primary two. Angela, our little daughter, is also fine. Everybody sends their greetings, including Mama and Bodi. We wish you a happy time there. Bye.
Your loving wife,
Asabe.
Mr. Orogu: (Lets out a heavy sigh) Oh! These people!
Always money, money, money….Well, thank God they are making some progress. (squeezes the letter into his pocket).
I think I have to get dressed for my appointment with the Board of Directors. (He pulls off his trousers and hangs them in the wardrobe, takes another pair, dresses properly, and gets out of the house.) (Some minutes later…. The same scene. Bethel enters, drops her bag, and sits down tiredly, letting out a sigh.)
Bethel: It has been quite a day. Let me see what we have left in the fridge. (She opens the fridge and takes out a bottle of drink and some food. She sits and drinks hurriedly.) Yah! That’s it!
(She moves round to the bedroom to take a short nap but notices a bulge in her husband’s trouser pocket….Out of curiosity, she takes the trousers to see what is in it and sees that it is a letter. She takes it out and reads wide-eyed as if in a trance.)
Bethel: Jesus! So, I married a s-n-a-k-e! He will pay dearly for this, or my name is not Bethel. Curtain.
ACT 3 SCENE 3
Orogu is seen with members of the Board of Directors, having a discussion.
Mr. Orogu: Their proposition is alright, but we have to bear in mind that most of our actions are consciously or otherwise controlled by our consumers’ demands. We have to think of the consequences, especially now that it affects our company financially, to know what steps to take.
Mr. Goldfitch: We cannot agree more with you, Mr. Orogu, because finance is one of the issues we have to be very cautious about when taking major decisions like this. We should remember that, much as we are looking at the present expenses, we should not allow that to becloud our vision of the long-term benefits (even financially) that a project may fetch us, even if in the short run it seems financially very involving.
Mr. Odmill: Another point that we have to look at is that we don’t have to listen to every demand of the public or consumers, as Mr. Orogu puts it. Their demands have to be subjected to critical scrutiny or examination, otherwise we will be blown about with every outrageous cry like people without roots or policies of their own.
Mr. Whitewash: (the Coordinator) Now, now, gentlemen. We have to speak about the subject.
Should we sponsor those projects on television as a kind of sales promotion for our company, or should we restrict our sponsorship to those that have some relevance to our productions? Mr. Iceberg, you have not made any contribution. We want to hear from you.
Mr. Iceberg: Well, what we should be looking out for is not whether a programme has any relevance to our products since in the course of the programmes our company’s name will be highlighted, we have nothing to lose.
Mrs. Olive: We should also make sure that we can afford the sponsorship of a programme for as long it is going to last, as there have been instances when some programmes had to be cut off temporarily because sponsors couldn’t meet up with the promotions.
All: Well, that should be taken into consideration.
Mr. Stonewall: Another thing I would like to add is that we have to consider the social relevance of the programmes we have to sponsor, the benefits of such programmes to the people, and whether they will like them at all.
Mr. Whitewash: Gentlemen, it is time for a short recess. We will be back in the next one hour to make our conclusions on the subject and agree on decisions. (They rise).
Curtain.
ACT 3 SCENE 4
Mr. Orogu’s house; Bethel is seen holding/caressing a gun. (Sound of footsteps). She immediately puts it away as a knock is heard at the door. Mr. Orogu opens the door and walks in. He is warmly received by Bethel, his wife, who embraces him and removes his coat. He sits on the sofa.
Bethel: How has the day been?
Mr. Orogu: Well, so-so.
Bethel: You look tired. Your water is ready. Why don’t you have your bath now and settle down to a good meal?
Mr. Orogu: (Getting up from his seat) That’s a good idea. (He goes towards the bathroom. Bethel sets the table for dinner, and in a few minutes, she is seen reading a magazine. A few minutes later, Mr. Orogu comes out dressed in a simple housecoat. He moves towards the dining table and takes his dinner.)
Mr. Orogu: Why don’t you join me at the table?
Bethel: I just had a meal before you came. Thanks. (A few minutes later, Bethel walks into the room and comes out with a little handbag. She addresses her husband, who has just finished eating. Please, darling, I have a question to ask and I hope you will answer me truthfully.
Mr. Orogu: (After a moment of thoughtful silence) Yeah, go on, what is it, my sweet?
Bethel: You told me that you were single before I married you, is that right?
Mr. Orogu: Yes, what about that?
Bethel: I ask you now, are you sure that you told me the truth?
Mr. Orogu: Certainly!
Bethel: Well, wait a minute (She opens her bag and brings out the letter). Do you know the writer of this letter and to whom it is addressed?
(By now, Mr. Orogu is visibly shaking with surprise and is speechless).
Bethel: Answer me!
Mr. Orogu: I’m so-rr-y, I….
Bethel: (Taking out her gun) Be sorry for yourself. (Shoots him and walks out of the house as he falls in his pool of blood).
