SCENE TWO
This Tuesday night, he arrives late from his workplace. The ray of the ‘wide-faced’ torch that John is holding rushes in as he opens the door to his living room.
JOHN: (He sees some rats running to their different ‘hideouts’ as he enters) Stupid nocturnal mammals! They ran at the sight of a mere torch. How they love darkness! (He raises the torch and its ray attacks the wall clock. The ‘shield’ of the torch ricochets the ‘eye-catching’ reflection back to the wall directly opposite to it). Oh, it’s already past ten. (He walks towards his reading desk, removes his shoes, sits and hisses. He pats the crown of his head with his left hand whose elbow rests on the desk) Oh, I remember I bought some fruits on my way home. (He switches his desk lamp on and turns off his torch. He brings out a half ball of water melon and starts scooping its endocarp with a spoon). The giant of Africa is becoming a crippled giant gradually. Education, good economy and standard state of living are the limbs of the giant, but those limbs are getting withered off the giant’s body. (He brings the newspaper he brought home out of his briefcase and belches; the air escapes his lung as if he pronounces a voiced velar sound). Greegh! (He clears his throat, picks the newspaper, moves it close to his eyes at a normal reading distance between the eyes and the object read; he starts reading the headlines after glancing through the pictures).
“‘Unveil home and abroad ‘secrets’ behind the Vultures -Admonished Mr. President. Read detailed news at page 12” (He nods and stops reading) ‘That secret’ inverted might mean the sponsors. (He reads another headline) “‘No room for uncompleted buildings in the FCT ‘ -says the FCT minister. Read news at page 5” (He stops reading the headlines) I pray they take more measures against crime abetting, insurrection and insurgency in this Great Nation occupied by Good People. I would love to know the details of the president’s speech. (He reads).
“His Excellency, President Lucky Solomon, has urged all security agencies and all security parastatals across Africa to always be eagle-eyed. Being invited as the chairman of the African Security Summit of this year, the President used the opportunity to address some trans-African and security issues. He said:
‘You security agents should try to unveil the home and abroad ‘secrets’ behind the Eagles. I said this because it was rumoured that they have branches across Africa and almost throughout the globe. Our determination and ceaseless efforts to unveil these ‘secrets’ will retrieve peace to us. If we are able to curb them, the world will regard as a capable continent’.
He further implored all Nigerian Youths to avoid violence or any virile act that could lead to terrorism. Moreover, he admonished them to be hardworking and law-abiding citizens as they represent their country wherever they are.
At the denouement of the summit, each head of the Security Agencies, present or represented, promised to exert more effort physically, strategically and technologically; for easier crime detection, capturing and prosecution of culprits. They also promised to be hawk-eyed as the President urged them to,” (He stops reading). This sounds nice. This speech portrays Mr. President as a concerned fellow. Now, I’d like to quickly read the Minister’s speech about the demolition of uncompleted buildings in Abuja. (He flips the pages of the newspaper forward and backward haphazardly) Oh, I remember it’s on page five. (He flips backwards to page 5 and reads). “‘No room for uncompleted buildings in the FCT’ -FCT minister.
The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (FCTA), Professor Morountodun Omowumi, has ordered the demolition of uncompleted buildings in Abuja. She substantiated her order with some reasons. She said:
As gutters ‘house’ pigs, uncompleted buildings ‘house’ criminals. Many long sought criminals make use of uncompleted buildings and use them as their hide-outs. For decades past, perpetrators have been carrying out their inimical acts and disappearing into thin air. Most of these fugitives are usually eventually caught in their refuges- uncompleted buildings.
Besides, they make vulgar scene of our environment as mad people reside in them and ‘decorate’ them in disgusting ways.
However, I don’t want this action of mine to be misinterpreted by residents or house owner but they should, please, regard it as the contribution of our quotas towards eliminating criminal activities in this country, across Africa and in the world at large. These are the reasons I said ‘no’ to uncompleted buildings in the FCT. (He ends the passage and yawns) Aargh! I still have to read some other articles. I wouldn’t like to sleep now. I almost slept off. I really have to read the sports news tonight. I think I should do that after my respite (He reclines his chair and lies face-upwar(He dozes for some minutes, wakes suddenly and startles. Some minutes later, he opens his mouth wide, a strand of saliva stands like a pillar, holding the upper and lower jaws apart.