by KM Cory
[A magnetic applause arises with a chant, ‘CHANGE.’]
CHANGE
I get it. Thanks!
CHANGE
Some students are so busy to attend this debate, but there is no escape since the term has just begun. And being in charge of the debate club for the second year in a row, I will make sure everyone attends the debates without fail or else get rewarded with a punishment!
[A few students commend such a move by CHANGE]
CHANGE
Thanks once again for electing me to lead the debate club and I promise you great heights!
[A few laughter and applause]
CHANGE
Today one of you suggested today’s motion as a welcome topic for this term’s debate sessions, and I hereby invite my assistant, CLARENCE, to do the introduction of the topic and endorse the motion to be debated upon.
[A supportive applause follows CLARENCE to the center stage as CHANGE resumes his position on one of the desks]
He is not only looking materialistic but also handsome in his school uniform, which is as clean as a whistle. Nevertheless, he is a good union of CHANGE and looks suitable for his role as a deputy debate club head. CLARENCE is a free-spirited being who decides to walk proudly, a few yards from the center of attraction, and stands nearby the entrance to be able to be seen and also capture the entire auditory into his independent eyes.
[Then, upon clearing his throat]
CLARENCE
Because the continent is undergoing an evolution of decolonization, and some of our brothers and sisters have already joined the struggle for liberation, with some of them being alumni to this school, we are delighted to present the motion about the role of such individuals in the struggle.
[The entire auditorium is plunged into acceptance]
CLARENCE
Thanks. Therefore, the main topic is whether such people in the liberation struggle need help from the west and the Asian pilgrims.
[A round of ratification is felt in the four corners of the building]
CLARENCE
So, by the power vested in me from the head of the club, I hereby invite the proponents to be represented by LAURENCE and JASPER!
[A deafening acceptance arises all throughout the whole room]
LAURENCE is a well built up student of charisma, and JASPER is an equivalent too. Both are wearing eyeglasses that make them look apt and shrewd. The roaring acceptance is all suitable for both since they are senior students already as they walk off from opposite directions in the audience towards the front and occupy one of the desks situate in front and then
CLARENCE [upon the welcome]
Furthermore, by the power vested in me from the head of the club, I hereby invite the opponents to be represented by Mr. KOLA and Ms. MODERN!
A mild salutation ushers in the two freshmen who are smartly dressed in their school uniforms as they stride from opposite directions in the audience and head for their desk in front and opposite the side they are going to verse intellectually. KOLA, desiring to make a name and create a buzz amongst the rest of the students, is now holding a puff hairstyle and looks stylish. MODERN is a pretty slender female student and looks cerebral as well as profound as she shares a desk with her classmate. She is so determined that nothing can lead her astray at this moment, be it the glamorous eyes and whispers that are already turning around from the gallery.
[Her and KOLA are both not wearing a mask of being high-strung on their faces]
CLARENCE
I hereby abandon the floor for the side, which is ready! Thanks!
SCENE 2
[THE DEBATE]
[The room is in the academic arena]
A few students have started streaming into the room as some are seen pleading to the debate organizers to go out for ease, and some are set free, but others are not the first wait for their fellow school mates to first return to the hot room.
The proponents have just concluded their own dialogue before the students on the floor amid very astounding applause which they bow to appreciate, and their chance has been utilized to the very best as the whole atmosphere looks drenched with a lot of talking about what the opponents will have to showcase.
[CLARENCE and CHANGE are busy tallying the debate points into their books of record]
[A glorious clapping has at this point in time already welcomed the next debater, and it is none other than KOLA]
He positions himself in a manner that would capture every eye inside the auditory and those who are already interested in hearing from him, perhaps to see if at all he can outwit the thoughtful minds of JASPER and LAURENCE, who have already caused a commotion in the room.
As he readies himself, he receives a go-ahead from the head of the event, and that is none other than CHANGE, who also requests those moving up and down to settle.
CHANGE
We will have a short break after the opponents’ first debater, and then all will be fine. But for now, just sit down and relax to give our competitors a chance to speak to us as well. Thanks!
KOLA [without any noise]
Thank you, everyone. I’m KOLA Abram, but from this moment onwards, please call me CASANOVA!
[He receives a big cheer from his classmates and those interested in him too]
CASANOVA [suave]
Our liberators and the need to be free from oppression doesn’t need any support that comes from the so-called pilgrims! We’re better off on our own, and the struggle should be dealt with from within. Yes, we might not have the intellect brought in by the pilgrims, but we are humans like them.
[A little nod from the audience]
CASANOVA [decorous]
Actually, our theme, as well as the topic of the day, should be whether such liberators will not be compromised by the pilgrims when we attain self-governance!
[He receives a block of curiosity from the audience]
CASANOVA
As my beautiful co-opponent will affirm -
[A few incorporated cheers arise]
CASANOVA
The road to our self-governance should be walked by our own liberators and the rest of it when we are home as well. There is no need for support from the pilgrims, therefore!
[A sound of a warning bell is alarmed by CLARENCE]
CASANOVA
I am soon finishing up, chairperson! Thanks!
[The cheers are felt]
CASANOVA
As the proponents have seemed to suggest, I retaliate as follows to their synthetic ideas. Despotism will not be as a result of the liberators leading the cry for self-governance now! Nepotism will not be as a result of the liberators leading the cry for self-governance now! But the two viruses will be as a result of the pilgrims taking part in the struggle!
[He receives a nod of appreciation]
CASANOVA [walking off the floor]
Otherwise, what would be the essence of self-governance now when we cannot deal with it?
And with this, the opponents base applauds their own with a poetic handclap that uplifts their side. And as MODERN prepares to gracefully take the position CASANOVA has been occupying, CLARENCE sounds the bell to end the applause, and once the audience adheres, he vents.
CLARENCE
We have only ten minutes left for the debate to end. And we go for our mid-morning lessons through to mid-day. My humble request, therefore, is for us to hold on for these ten minutes and see if we can allow the opponents to address their theme to us as well about the topic today. In that case, we will have to pin up the results on the students’ notice board later on in the day as time may allow. Is that okay?
There seems to be no objection to this.
CHANGE
Okay. Thanks for being cooperative, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s hear it from the opponents once again. Please keep time!
[The attention is now fixed on the light-skinned girl]
One can hear a few growing wild whispers from both the males and females about the totality of gracefulness
flowing from MODERN as she holds herself swiftly towards the front view of the auditory where she can visibly be noticed and heard by those who are so eagerly waiting to see her open her mouth.
[Her school uniform is one of the things that are absorbing about her, including her straight legs, falling out of the skirt of her uniform]
Kylie excuses herself from the desk of her leaders and speaks out something to MODERN in a whisper before resuming her position once again, and we can now see a CHANGE about our speaker’s appearance.
[She is ready to go ahead upon receiving a clearance from the head of the session, CHANGE, and a voice is felt and glorified to the audience now]
MODERN
I guess my co-opponent has made our stand-in. This session clear already.
[The male senior students somehow disagree]
CLARENCE [on his feet already]
Please!
MODERN
Thanks, co-chairperson. I will only emphasize what the motion should have been, as handsome CASANOVA has suggested!
[The female students jump on this line with an increment]
MODERN [laughing]
It’s a good turn of praise from my team-mate.
[The moment is shrouded in affirmation from those cheering]
MODERN
The only real issue is whether our own might become ignorant along the way as Kylie rhymed before the debate begins!
[Kylie blows a trumpet for her own by sign]
MODERN
Like they narrate to us back at home and in a few talk shows, being human is different from human beings.
[There grows a slight incurable adulation for her]
MODERN [virtuous tone]
So, as we are looking out for self-governance, we’d be mindful of the fact that our own must be put on a measurement.
There is total silence now, perhaps because the floor is now under the rational occupation of wisdom from a female student who is still new at the college. There is hardly any movements in the room save for zest to hear more from the speaker of the moment who decides to keep up with the alertness by being incessant
MODERN
Courtesy demands every chance to be exploited! That way, we shall be able to realize the fundamentals of self-governance now as the liberators keep chanting on the streets!
FEMALE STUDENT
True that, MODERN!
This receives unexpected attention mixed with laughter as CLARENCE shoots up on his two legs to detect it but without avail before encouraging the person on the floor to carry on.
MODERN [emotional]
The lessons we shall learn now in this debate will be able to help us become better leaders tomorrow when we are out of this chair of wisdom and talents!
[A few murmurs of appreciation]
MODERN
It does not matter if we oppose or propose by taking sides like we’re doing now! What matters is if me, or you, or anybody outside their will wake up one day and be able to exercise their rights without fearing the arms of the persons possessing our independence!
Suddenly the proponents stand, with JASPER being the fore runner followed by LAURENCE and cheer up MODERN. Then, soon the whole room is plunged into the same sign of contentment as CHANGE, and CLARENCE cannot help it to arrest the steered atmosphere or else control it but to stand up on their feet as well and watch what comes next.
[It is an edge of engineering something, but we are not yet certain about it]
MODERN
Can we all cry for freedom?
No sooner does she heed out the request than the entire auditory get flammable and volatile with shouting out the lyrics to Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s solo song, ‘I Cry For Freedom,’ that, “Freedom…, I cry for freedom…,” as MODERN mimics her antiques at choir mistress and conducting the choir-like auditory which is now jumping and stampeding on the hard floor thereby rising up into a moment of patriotism.
CASANOVA [screaming]
We are in an era of self-governance now!
[And the scene is cut off]
SCENE 3
[READING ROOM]
[DAYS LATER]
The words by the ancient like entrance over the broad stage facing the auditory are ‘Johnson’s Library Section.’
[The reading room is now fully occupied by both bookworms and academic gossipers]
It has all corners baked in serious study groups save for those who are doing a personal reading, and they are the least students as they wait for the next class or no class at all for them.
The only activity going on is to feed the minds with brilliance.
There is a librarian, a female dark-skinned being sitting by the counter where one can request for any book of their choice. She seems to be busy and into her duty without any hesitation.
LIHANDA, BOYO and, CASANOVA are present and are sharing the same table in one of the close corners of study groups, and they are smartly dressed in their school uniforms, which are well ironed. Their school bags are nearby as they pair their eyes through the books before them.
BOYO [low tone]
OBAN is already seeing someone, colleagues.
LIHANDA
Who is OBAN, now?
CASANOVA [laughing]
It is OSHA.
BOYO
He couldn’t let KOLA do the CHANGE of names alone without him joining in. So, he is now calling himself as OBAN, nwa!
[LIHANDA cannot help it but laugh]
CASANOVA [inquisitive]
So, who is the mysterious girl OBAN is trying to see, nwa?
BOYO
A female student, in candidate class. Moreover, and she has good grades. She might be the best of the best in her class.
CASANOVA
I thought he wanted MODERN.
BOYO
He still does, nwa. And you’d better get through with her before mighty OBAN crocks in and takes over. Just in case it doesn’t work out with the candidate.
LIHANDA [smiling]
Somehow, I knew there would be something common. CASANOVA and OBAN share the same taste.
BOYO
Save for debating, nwa!
[The trio falls into soft laughter]
CASANOVA
Debating is indeed the only thing that distinguishes us absolutely.
BOYO [leaning over]
So, CASANOVA…
CASANOVA
Yes, nwa.
BOYO
Is everything going on well as planned?
CASANOVA [peering over]
Yes, nwa. And I really cannot wait for it all.
At this very moment, OBAN steps into the seemingly crowded library and walks over to the spot where his colleagues are after being spotted by LIHANDA. BOYO manages to find him a chair that has been left empty by a student exiting the room, which he brings over, and the table now becomes fully occupied by four friends. OBAN is also looking neatly dressed in his pair of school uniform with his hair well-combed, a sign that he is already undergoing a wind of CHANGE for attraction.
[Then]
OBAN [aggrieved]
My moment for life hasn’t counted as I had planned earlier on!
[His colleagues share an emotional retort at this]
BOYO
Girls like that don’t come easily. You just have to hang in there, nwa!
OBAN
I don’t know for how long. How I wish I was a candidate!
[LIHANDA falls into laughter]
BOYO
Is that what she needed to fall in love with you?
OBAN
Only that; only that, nwa!
LIHANDA
We’ll get there soon. And we will be better candidates than those who are present right now. And make better friends even.
BOYO
That is so true!
OBAN
I wonder when that will be!
[Then]
BOYO [to CASANOVA]
You had better say something to our pal, nwa!
OBAN
[interjecting]
Your dream girl is waiting for you from the outside by the way; she has told me to tell you so that you can go straight away to her.
CASANOVA [astounded]
Really?
[OBAN affirms his piece of information]
CASANOVA [rising from the chair]
I hope you’re telling me the truth, nwa!
OBAN
Could I lie to you now when I’m hurt?
BOYO [before CASANOVA answers]
You had better not answer, for it is not good to keep a pretty girl waiting.
CASANOVA does not hesitate to speed out of sight after requesting his buddies to keep watch on his books and the colorful bag over the floor next to the chair he has been occupying.
[Once he is out of sight]
OBAN [out of the blue]
I need to go to the canteen; do you need anything to eat?
BOYO
But it is not yet even break time, nwa.
OBAN
To you, it is not, but to me, it is. Besides, I be-friended the canteen woman, and I can take out edibles on a credit. So, just tell me what you both need!
LIHANDA
A few chocolates would do for me.
OBAN
Since when did you become a chocolate fun, nwa?
LIHANDA
Ever since I tasted them after we reported to school.
OBAN [to BOYO]
And you, what can I buy for you?
BOYO
Me too, I would prefer chocolates, nwa.
OBAN [already on her feet]
I will be right back in a few.
[OBAN also exits the room]
[Then]
BOYO
I have a feeling he just wanted to excuse himself from us, and he is not coming back.
LIHANDA
Like you’ve already known what he is going through.
BOYO [as the bell rings]
I am not good at predictions, nwa.
And we see both BOYO and LIHANDA just like the other students busy packing up their books, and those who are returning borrowed books do so as others exit the room.
LIBRARIAN
Come back tomorrow as well, students.
She receives a few promissory replies as students disband from their study groups to inside the room.
SCENE 4
[SLEEPING HALL]
[The night has fallen. The school preparations from sunset are done]
