ACT ONE
Scene one
Its the middle of the day
A modest sitting room, the curtains are drawn open, permitting the sunlight to stream in, emphasizing the individual and collective family portraits hanging on the wall. Nigerian Father sits on one of the brown sofas, beneath the twirling ceiling fan reading a newspaper.
(one of the inner doors open)
Nigerian Mother walks into the parlour, with Nigerian Children trailing behind her
Nigerian Mother: The children said they have something to tell us (sits down besides the husband)
Nigerian Father: (looks up from his newspapers, adjusts spectacles) Yes.
1st Nigerian Child: (looks at siblings nervously) Dad, there’s something I want to tell you
Nigerian Father: I’m listening
1st Nigerian Child: (lips quiver) Daddy, uncle Timothy has been trying to touch me.
Nigerian Mother: (confused) What do you mean touching you? He’s your uncle. There is nothing wrong with that.
2nd Nigerian Child: (eyes widen) But Mum, he tried to touch her breasts. He said he wanted to find out how big her breast are.
3rd Nigerian Child: (interjects) And when I walked into the room, he jumped up suspiciously.
Nigerian Father: (incredulously) My brother?
1st Nigerian Child: Yes daddy.
Nigerian Mother: (shakes her head in disbelief) No. I don’t believe that. You might not have heard him correctly. He must have been saying something else.
Nigerian Father: Yes. That is what must have happened. He’s my brother and he would never do such a thing. I trust him. Do you know he’s even the youth president in his campus fellowship at school? (stares furiously at the children). I’m sure it’s all those movies you’ve been watching that’s putting weird ideas in your head.
3rd Nigerian Child; But dad…
Nigerian Mother: Shush. When your father is talking you keep quiet. How dear you make such allegations against your uncle? That’s very bad. And he always buys gifts for you whenever he returns from school. Especially you - (points to 1st Nigerian Child) - and yet you are lying against him? Wasn’t he the one who bought you that pink blouse you’ve wanted for so long?
1st Nigerian Child: (eyes downcast) Yes, but when…
Nigerian Father: (interrupts angrily) No buts. I don’t want to hear such malicious lies again. Now go to your rooms before I loose my temper. (jerks fingers in the direction of their room). And no television privileges for a month.
Nigerian children exits the parlour
Nigerian Father: (faces Nigerian Mother) I have told you to always caution your children. Imagine if Timothy hears this? Do you know what scandal it will cause? My reputation?
Nigerian Mother: (solemn) I’m sorry, my husband. I’m sure its the shows they watch on television nowadays that’s influencing their minds.
Nigerian Father: My own brother? (shakes his head) Timothy will never do such a thing.
Nigerian Mother: I concur. Lets put the matter behind us, my husband. Your food is ready. Do you want me to serve it?
Nigerian Father: Yes. I’m famished. And isn’t it even Timothy who helped you pound the yam?
Nigerian Mother: Yes oh. Such a hard working boy. Don’t mind the children. Its just a silly prank. They have learnt their lesson. Let me go get your food.
Nigerian mother walks into the kitchen
Nigerian father leans back into the sofa, picks ups his newspaper; resumes reading
Light fade
Scene two
Six months later.
Nigerian Father and Nigerian Mother are in the parlour watching a show on the television
The mobile phone rings
Nigerian Father: (picks up the mobile) Yes
(voice heard over speaker)
Police Officer: This is Sergeant Obi, from the Amuwo Odofin police Division
Nigerian Father: (jerks in his chair, gesturing to Nigerian Mother to tune down the volume of the television set) And why is the police calling me?
(voice heard over speaker)
Police Officer: Are you related to Mr Timothy Evans?
Nigerian Father: Yes, he’s my younger brother. What crime could he have possibly committed? He is a good boy.
(voice heard over speaker)
Police Officer: (snorts) Well, your younger brother was caught in the act of raping a minor he was supposed to be tutoring. Luckily enough, a police officer was around, so he was saved from jungle justice.
Nigerian Father: (mouths drops open) What? That’s impossible! Are you sure its my brother?
Nigerian Mother; What? (anxious) What is it?
(voice heard over speaker)
Police officer: (continues) He was caught in the act, sir. He gave us your number to call as next of kin. Anyway, he’s about to be locked up in a cell and a court case has been filed.
Nigerian father: But.. (stammers) I cant believe this. Can I speak to him, please.
(voice heard over speaker)
Police officer: (pause) One moment
(scuffles in the background is heard through the speaker of the phone)
(voice heard over speaker)
Timothy: Brother please help me. (sobs)
Nigerian Father: Timothy is it true?
(voice heard over speaker)
Timothy: Brother, it was the devil o.
Nigerian Father: The devil? (suddenly annoyed) Did the devil also lead you to my daughter?
(voice heard over speaker)
Timothy: (hesitates) Brother it was not like that. It was the devil. But your sons were always around her, so I couldn’t do anything. Brother it was the devil.
Nigerian Father: (agitated, he smashes the phone against the wall.)
Nigerian Mother: (tense) What happened?
Nigerian Father: (narrates the news to his wife.) So our children were right all along. And they told us but we choose not to believe them.
Nigerian Mother: (still in shock) Timothy? (wraps her arms about herself) Who would have thought it possible?!
Light fades
The end!
I think the story speaks for itself.
Since it’s more than a word, I’ll rephrase and say: The story is enough for the wise.
Photo credit: marsabitimes.com
