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ACT 2

Scene 3

(At the bar in the hotel)
{Entered three customers and the barman}
(Three customers arrived in the bar speaking about a matter that attract Ayo’s attention)

CUSTOMER 1

(Waving his hands at Ayo) Bar man, get us three bottles of Gulder.

AYO

Ok (walks to the counter to bring out the beers from the fridge and he brings it back to their table). Here are your drinks, sir.

CUSTOMER 1

Thank you.

CUSTOMER 2

I can’t believe he works in a place like this and he treats his wife like trash.

CUSTOMER 3

You better believe it. I live close to their compound I hear their drama almost every night. I say almost because,  the night I don't hear a thing that means he's not home.

CUSTOMER 1

Really?

CUSTOMER 3

Yes, really.

AYO

(Speaking to himself as he walk back towards the counter.) All this customers, they come here and table people’s matter as if it’s their headache. Only God knows who they are talking about this time.

CUSTOMER 2

And Uyai is very beautiful and calm. Despite all, she still portrays strength.

AYO

(Still speaking to himself.) This people should better not be referring to Ubong and his wife.

CUSTOMER 2

I’m no better man but the harsh treatment Ubong give Uyai is unbearable. I know some women by now would have left the marriage.

AYO

This is serious. They are  really talking about Ubong.

CUSTOMER 3

I remember the last time I wanted to buy groundnut from her, it was like her body was there and her mind was in space. I tried calling her, it didn’t bring her back not until I tapped her to consciousness.

CUSTOMER 1

I’ve known Uyai since she was a child. I knew her family. I use to toast her then but she won’t even notice me. I didn’t blame her. Her family gave her a hard time. Mr. Nsikan Itim, Uyai’s father had gambling issues. Just like Ubong. And anytime I came close, Mr. Itim will insult and chase me out of his compound. I guess Uyai don’t have any luck in men. 

CUSTOMER 3

What a bad luck. And it is obvious she really love Ubong.

CUSTOMER 1

How won’t she? It was Ubong who rescued her father from the teeth of the BOSS. It is ironic how Ubong works for the BOSS just as Nsikan did. Mr. Itim owed the BOSS a huge amount of money and he couldn’t pay back. So Nsikan went to seek help from Ubong. Only that Nsikan presented his youngest daughter as payment to Ubong. Ubong couldn’t get his eyes off the beautiful lady so he accepted. Only to useless her afterward.

CUSTOMER 2

All this that her father did, couldn’t her mother protect her?

CUSTOMER 1

Which mother? Her mother died when giving birth to her and her family blames her for it.

CUSTOMER 3

(Nodding his head) this world is wicked

CUSTOMER 1

It is indeed. It is only Ime, Uyai’s elder sister who was even a bit kind to her. And now she Is happily married with four boys. So I heard. But her remaining two elder sisters, Eno and Idara, are wayward. I remember one day they brought a guy to sleep with Uyai, she refused. And they beat Uyai mercilessly and refuse to let her into the house. Uyai slept outside that night.

CUSTOMER 2

Uyai has suffered oo, tears has become her new joy from when she was born. Ubong does not know what he has and I pray he don’t lose her. Because no woman can take what Uyai has taking. Not even my wife. Well soon she will cry tears of joy.
(All laughing)

CUSTOMER 1

Well let’s leave that. Remember we have a meeting with my landlord about that land my brother want to buy. So we better get going.

CUSTOMER 3

Yes that’s true I almost forgot. Ok. Let’s go.

{Exit the customers}

AYO

What I’m hearing about Ubong should better be lies. Because how can he maltreat that woman? A woman that put him first, even before her ownself. This can’t be true. And I can’t ask Ubong because he will either not tell me or he will lie about it. But eventually we will talk about it.

[Exit]

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Words (725)