Uche: Papa good afternoon
Ichie Benson(in thick igbo accent): Uchenna kedu? Welcome
Uche: Am fine. Thank you.
(Ichie Benson looks at Florence with side eyes and clears throat)
Uche: Eh... papa meet Florence, the girl I told you about
(Florence curtsy)
Florence: Good afternoon sir
Ichie Benson: Good afternoon my daughter. Welcome o. Nno...nno. Have a seat. We have quality chairs...hahaha
(they all sit)
(Mama Uche walks in)
Mama Uche: papa Uche I can't find the calculator o.....(sees Uche and Florence) oh Oyili nna ya you are back?
Uche : Yes mama
Florence: Good afternoon ma
Mama Uche: Good afternoon my dear. You are welcome
Uche(clears throat) : Mama...Papa... this is Florence Chukwura...my girlfriend...and... i intend to marry her
Mama Uche and Ichie Benson : welcome my daughter. How are you?
Florence : Fine thank you
Ichie Benson : nne tell us about your family. Who is your father?
Florence: Erhm...my father is actually late. He was former local government chairman of my local government
Mama Uche: ewoo...sorry about the loss of your father dear
(Ichie Benson cuts in)
Ichie Benson : You say your father was a local government chairman?
Florence: yes sir
Ichie Benson: No no no. Call me Papa. Once a local government chairman, always a local government chairman (laughs loud) You are like a daughter to me. So when was that?
Florence: When was what sir?...sorry Papa?
Ichie Benson : When was he the Local government chairman?
Florence : oh that was around 2005 to about 2009 papa
Ichie Benson : that is about 10 to 5 years ago?
Florence : Yes papa
Ichie Benson : Mba nu Mba nu
Uche: Papa what is it? Is anything wrong?
Ichie Benson : Uche everything is wrong o. Everything is wrong o. The father has been out of government for a long time na
Mama Uche: papa Uche!
Uche : Papa!
Ichie Benson : Don't Papa me biko.
Nne am sorry but my son cannot marry you.
Florence : But Papa...
Ichie Benson : Mba Mba mba...no no no. my dear my name is Ichie Benson and I shall appreciate it if you address me appropriately. Thank you
Uche : Papa what is this now? What is this? Why are you doing this? Eh? I I I said I want to marry Florence....i I I like her person. I love her
Ichie Benson : you what?
Uche: Papa I love her
Ichie Benson : Lo gini?
Uche: ah ah Papa I love her
Ichie Benson : Uche
Uche: Sir?
Ichie Benson: on your way, did you not pass through that junction where there is conoil and oando petrol stations?
Uche: I did
Mama Uche: Papa Uche what are you trying to say?
Ichie Benson : allow me. (turns to Uche) Do you know your brother, Ifeanyi, had to wake up by 5.14am to join the queue in order to get Petrol? I had already quarrelled with him cos he was supposed to wake up by 5.00am but he woke by 5.14. Anyway That is a story for another day.... did you see the crowd there?
Uche: Yes papa
Ichie Benson: do you think the people that matter in this country are in that queue?
Uche: Papa I don't understand
Ichie Benson : Uchenna they are not! Since you don't understand. This is it. They are all in the comfort of their homes. Not bothered about the situation of the country. Their children are comfortable and well taken care of. In this country, the most important thing is connection. One way or the other you have to be attached to someone important. You are my only son, my most valuable asset. I can't afford to lose you to a 5 years ago local government chairman. Connection is important...hooha!
Uche: eh Papa but you married mama and her father is not a politician
Ichie Benson : Uchenna....Uchenna. things have changed. Things have changed. Dollar is now #290 o. Is it like you don't listen to the news?
See... your mother can be very good at preparing egusi soup but that does not give me any form of connection
Mama Uche: papa Uche am here o
Ichie Benson : woman we have to tell our son the truth. Go and look for my calculator, I have to recalculate the total cost of the quantity of plywood Ibekwe took from my shop today.
(mama Uche leaves)
Uchenna history cannot repeat itself. I want a better life for you. Atleast when I die you can at least, at least, have fuel to power generator for my wake keep............
........To be continued......
