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ACT 1

Scene 3

New Year
(The well at Green gate)

{Entered Jennifer, Mrs. Toyin Afolabi and Tony}

JENNIFER

(Greedy with her fetching bag) Abeg abeg abeg, no come use your own disturb me oo. You no know where them they sell fetcher. Na so una go collect till e go tear.

[Interpretation: Please, don’t disturb me. Don’t you know where they sell fetcher? This is how you all will collect it till it wears out]

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

I no blame you,  you hear,  Jennifer.  No be your fault.  Shabi I bin get fetcher? If no be some th-i-ef  (Stressing thief while eying Jennifer) wey we get for this compound way thief am,  sha I go the beg you?

[Interpretation: I don't blame you. It's not your fault. I use to have a fetcher. But it was stolen if not,  will I be asking for yours?]

JENNIFER

Ehhhhh, I gree. I get am before no be property. (Giving a long hiss and letting out a sound at the back of her tongue)

[Interpretation: yes, I know. I use to have it does not mean o have it]

TONY

Jen—ni—fer…..,shey na your happy new year be that abi?

[Interpretation: is that how to greet happy New Year?]

JENNIFER

Wetin? Thank God you know say na New Year. No start am with borrow borrow.

[Interpretation: Thank God you know it is a New Year. Don’t start it with borrowing]

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

Please Tony, leave her. If Uyai was out here already, why will I ask Jennifer for her fetcher?

TONY

Ahh, she’s no be  bastard o.

[Interpretation: she’s a true daughter of her father]

(Entered Uyai)

Madam Uyai, Good morning oo. Happy New Year.

UYAI

(Forgetting its 1st January) Uhhh, ah! Thank you Tony. Morning oo Toyin.

(Exit Tony)

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

Better pikin, Morning o jare.

[Interpretation: good child, morning]

UYAI

(Smiling) what’s going on?

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

What do you think? (Hissing at Jennifer as she turned from her direction to face Uyai) Tell me you didn’t forget today is a new year.

UYAI

If I say I didn’t, I'd be lying.

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

Uyai…. I expected to see you yesterday in church for the crossover night but I knew why you didn’t show up by the time I returned home early this morning. That’s by the way, shey you dey fetch water?

[Interpretation: are you going to fetch water]

UYAI

Yes.

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

Abeg, I go use your fetcher when you finish.

[Interpretation: please I will use yours]

UYAI

No, wahala. But you know where I keep the fetcher, you should have carried it.

[Interpretation: no problem]

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

(Covering her mouth) ahhh!

UYAI

What!?

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

After all the drama I and my husband heard coming from your apartment last night, I didn’t want his trouble. I would have asked when I saw him leave but I chose not to.

UYAI

(Smiling) it’s ok.

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

I don’t want what I’m about to say to look like a gossip o. You know, when I was going through my own share of challenges, you helped me.

Uyai, why do you let your husband treat you the way he does? I know you are having it rough. Green gate is a small compound we all notice your pain even as you try so much to hide it.
You are a strong woman, I envy your strength but for how long will this strength last? Take for example, your husband is JOBLESS and he is also a GAMBLER.
He robs you from the little money you get from frying groundnut and inside that same money, you also pay the rent. Do you realize that one day you will have children? Will it bring you joy if you bring them to this world to suffer?

UYAI

("No" she answered within) what would you have me do? (trying hard not to look pitiful)

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

If I say confront your husband, I’ll be wasting my time. If I say invite your family, I don’t know how your relationship with your remaining family is and some might advice against it on the base that it's not a good ethics for married couples.

I too don’t support third party o. It’s a good thing you are a Christian. Seek good counsel from your father and mother in the Lord na. Act on them and pray hard.
I’m tempted to say leave the marriage but, when I had trouble with my husband’s people because of my childlessness, after ten years of marriage. You stood by me, encouraged me and taught me that God’s time is not man’s time.

All those time you supported me, it was like you weren’t having your own storm. I remember that time you dragged me, literally to church. And all I was doing was grumbling and…

UYAI

(Laughing, interrupting her.)

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

(Smiling) doesn’t it feel good seeing you laughing? 

UYAI

Thank you Toyin. You are a good friend. I’ll consider all that you’ve said. I’ll see my pastor’s wife on Wednesday before prayer meeting.

MRS TOYIN AFOLABI

You are welcome dear. Oya make we go fetch water

[Interpretation: let’s go fetch the water]

[Exit]

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Words (881)