REGISTRO NACIONAL DE PERSONAL DE SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA (RNPSP)

ODILI (Commentary): It was funny and it was not funny. My scholarship was not even mentioned. All my host could tell me was to run away if some came to make me a minister. What would I be running away from? The cosy abode, the posh Cadillac? I wondered where I would be running to. Back into the rain? My father had said a long time ago: ―It is only a fool that spits out the juicy morsel that good fortune has placed in his mouth.‖ I did not believe him then. But then, I wanted to enjoy the juicy morsel in my mouth to the fullest. I asked Chief if I could bring my girl friend, Elsie, to spend the weekend with me. He happily agreed.

54 Act 1: Scene 4 Odili visits Elsie Tuesday Afternoon. Hospital Restaurant.

Odili is seated waiting for Elsie. The Restaurant attendant enters and informs him that Elsie is on her way.

Enter Elsie:

ELSIE: (Excited) Odii boy!

ODILI: Elsie! Elsie! (Rises with excitement and they hug passionately, spinning round).

ELSIE: When did you arrive Lagos? I have been expecting you!

ODILI: Saturday morning.

ELSIE: Since Saturday!? This is Tuesday, Odili.

ODILI: Do you know what?

ELSIE: I am staying with the Minister of Culture, Chief Nanga.

ELSIE: Are you serious? Don‘t tell me you came with that car outside.

ODILI: That‘s his Cadillac.

ELSIE: Is that the famous Cadillac? I don‘t think I have even seen it before. Odili, you dey enjoy o! How manage?

ODILI: Na the man invite me. He didn‘t know I had plans to come to Lagos. So, make I just follow them enjoy small.

ELSIE: Abi? If you can‘t beat them…

ODILI: Well, what can I do? As it stands now in this country, it not what you know but who you know that matters.

ELSIE: (Goes and buys drink for Odili and herself).You think say these people go go another heaven after this?

ODILI: My sister, me, I no sabi o! I think they had better not go because it will be divine injustice.

ELSIE: Let‘s go on a ride, Odili. I need my own share of this government.

ODILI: By sitting inside the car?

ELSIE: Of course? I want to sit inside that car and cross my legs and…and (lowers her voice) kiss you and…(softly runs her fingers down Odili‟s cheeks) touch you and…

(They gaze at each other silently. They hold their hands across the table. Then Elsie goes over to Odili and rests her head on his shoulder).

ELSIE: Let‘s find somewhere private. I have missed you so much.

ODILI: I missed you too. But I promised Chief I will not be long. He might need the car soon.

ELSIE: (Disappointed) But that car is our money, Odili. Don‘t you think so?

ODILI: Well…in a way, not far from the truth.

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ELSIE: Mmh, you shouldn‘t deny me my own chance to enjoy it. Or maybe, you haven‘t been missing me.

ODILI: And why have I come to spend my Christmas in Lagos when everyone is travelling back to the village?

ELSIE: But we won‘t be long. Am working tonight.

ODILI: And what‘s the need if we won‘t be long. (Pause) Anyway, I have good news for you. You will have full chance to enjoy the car and enjoy Odili. Chief says he doesn‘t mind if you come and stay with me for the weekend.

ELSIE: (Surprised and excited). Are you sure?

ODILI: (Smiles) Then we can be long.

ODILI: It is at Chief‘s house that you can have your own share of the country‘s

wealth, not sitting in a car. In his house, you can enjoy our European heritage, ten times better than any private place, I tell you.

ELSIE: (Fully excited) I can‘t wait!

ODILI: I am no longer in the waiting list. At least make we follow them enjoy small.

ELSIE: Abi? And it came at the right time. Am off-duty from Thursday to Sunday.

ODILI: But Chief also wants his own…. You need to arrange.

ELSIE: Ah ah! No big deal. His wife, nko?

ODILI: Mrs Nanga and the children just travelled yesterday to the village for Christmas.

ELSIE: Ah, so na we dey in charge. Don‘t worry.

ODILI: Make you find better girl o. Make him no begin dey eye you.

ELSIE: What is an old man eyeing me for?

ODILI: For the same reason you are arranging a young woman for him?

ELSIE: You, Mr Jealous. You are already afraid of an old man. Can he last?

ODILI: I am not Mrs Nanga to answer that. But he is paying for a second wife, much younger than you. You better know that.

ELSIE: We know this is the world of men.

ODILI: Men of money and power, I suppose.

ELSIE: Sixty year old man, sixteen year old girl. Never the reverse.

ODILI: What of sugar mums?

ELSIE: And sugar daddies. This is not about sugar anything: this is about marriage.

Men are always cheating us.

ODILI: What about women who dump their lovers for money and power? Money and power cheat you while you cheat the less rich.

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ELSIE: Well, good luck to your friend Minister and his new girl. It‘s none of our business.

ODILI: I hope. (On his feet to go)

ELSIE: You hope? Make you shine your eyes o, this one you dey hope.

ODILI: (Mimes rubbing his eyes) I don shine them proper. I can now see tomorrow.

ELSIE: So what do you see? It could become your business?

ODILI: As much as you hope it could become your business.

ELSIE: Why should it be?

ODILI: Ooh! That‘s the question: why should it become my business, our business?

ELSIE: Na you sabi.

ODILI: Anyway, our business is to make sure there is a charming gazelle for the Honourable Minister this weekend. Make sure you don‘t disappoint. He must be distracted. Period.

ELSIE: Don‘t worry! Trust me.

ODILI: As always.

ELSIE: I can‘t wait! I missed you so much (steals a kiss). When I come there, I will just lie on the bed, for breakfast, for launch, for supper. Whenever I want to bath, you‘ll carry me to the bath and wash me and dry me, and carry me back to bed and/

ODILI: Just say it and it will be done!

They hug and hold each other passionately while walking out.

Odili and Elsie exit.

CHOREOGRAPHED MOVEMENT OF MASKERS USING THEME MUSIC.

ODILI NARRATES OVER THE MUSIC AND MOVEMENTS

ODILI: (Commentary) Friday afternoon, I went with the driver to pick Elsie and the girl for Chief Nanga so that we could all form the Minister‘s entourage for a Book Exhibition. A feeling of self importance was building up in my system.

Act 1: Scene 5