by KM Cory
AFANDE
That, I can do so well, Sir.
Mr. BONOLO
And if you can, make acquaintance with them so that we can be able to know where and what their friend will be up-to while out of school.
AFANDE
I will do that too, Sir.
Mr. BONOLO
Good. I wouldn’t want the blame of his being absent be put on us both in case something happens, and it goes wrong. Or else we will be in hot soup with the Principal, and the entire board might blame and suck us both.
AFANDE
I acknowledge that, Sir. Though it won’t be the first time to have him missing from school since May. Students out of this town just become wild and drop out of school for street-life.
Mr. BONOLO
I get it, AFANDE. But remember this is a student who has a reputation here. So, anything goes wrong, we shall be held responsible. We have to make sure that his guardians do not get to know anything lest the students too.
AFANDE
Okay, Sir. I will make sure I acquaint with his friends so that they don’t say anything to their fellow friends.
Mr. BONOLO
I will always work with you.
AFANDE
Thank you, Sir.
Mr. BONOLO
I guess you may now leave. I’m sure you have got customers at your office too.
AFANDE [smiling]
I guess so, Sir.
Mr. BONOLO [as the AFANDE prepares to leave]
I will see you in the evening.
AFANDE
Thank you, Sir!
[And he exits the office]
SCENE 4
[AT A LOCAL MATATU STATION – TOWN ZERO]
And it looks like there has been a heavy downpour due to the ground being wet. There is a big signpost having the above name, and it is very old due to the weather. Beneath it is CASANOVA, in the company of two men as well.
CASANOVA has been hit by the coldness at the moment despite the fact that his clothes are as dry as fallen leaves of an oak tree. As the waiting seems to get boring,
CASANOVA [asks WATOTO standing to his right]
What time could it be by your watch, Sir?
The elderly-like man, in a dirty shirt and grimy pair of trousers, is holding a squalid bag and having impure grey hair as well as holding a pint of locally made brew.
WATOTO
Oh, it is getting late. It is approaching four to sunset!
CASANOVA
Could you be having any idea about the location of Club Seventy?
WATOTO
Oh! That club! I’ve taken a time minus hearing it being mentioned to my face, until now! It must have been shifted to some other building either in Town One or Two. For I know, and I’m very sure it is no longer in this Town Zero, son.
CASANOVA
All along, I’ve been thinking it is within Town Zero!
WATOTO [looking down at CASANOVA]
You must be new in this town, son!
CASANOVA
Not really. I’ve just taken long minus coming over here, Sir. And it feels all changed here!
WATOTO
You are right, son. The place always looks changed when you take a time minus being within it. And now Club Seventy, it is just hard to forget how it used to be heavily filled with the people from ‘Ulaya’ and ‘Afrika ya Kusini.’ It was such a famous club! I guess even now wherever it was shifted to. It must be still rocking.
CASANOVA
I guess so.
WATOTO
So, what brings you back to Town Zero, son? I see you’re dressed in a school uniform though I know that you’re trying to avoid being held captive by the army.
CASANOVA
I’m actually here to see my friends whom I left a couple of years ago. And also, I may join them in their music group and have fun like before.
WATOTO [intrigued]
I’m afraid to tell you this, but this whole town is no longer safe for music, and such luxury relate to it.
CASANOVA
And how is that possible yet almost all music studios are located in this town and that many famous musicians visit it?
WATOTO
Possibilities are everywhere in this country, son, and even beyond it. But some are good and others bad, just like the one you want to engage in with your long-time friends. And I guess the studios right now are operating under the ground if I may say!
CASANOVA
For how long have you been in this place, Sir?
WATOTO [smiling]
Approximately four decades now. So, I now know the discipline of this once devil-may-care town. And the corridors of every building where drug trafficking is the order of the day.
[He pulls out his pint of local brew and sips]
WATOTO
I guess you won’t have to drink like me, son. It’s terrible and not a good thing, for it can make you look devoted to the world of liquor!
CASANOVA
I wouldn’t want to even try it, Sir!
WATOTO
I doubt you’ll keep up with that commitment, son. This town now makes people drink like fish to forget about the lost night excitements and the hard economy we’re facing now.
CASANOVA
I’m afraid to tell you this, but I think the town still feels free and friendly to live in!
[At this moment, a motorcycle being driven by a self-driven youth arrives and assembles right next to the WATOTO and CASANOVA]
MOTORCYCLIST [amid the roaring engine]
Habari kaka!
CASANOVA and the WATOTO
Habari nzuri.
MOTORCYCLIST
I am here for someone by the name of CASANOVA!
CASANOVA [delighted]
Yes, it is me.
WATOTO [amused]
You are called CASANOVA?
CASANOVA
Yes, Sir!
MOTORCYCLIST [impatient]
Please, jump onto the bike, and we get going.
CASANOVA
Okay, kaka.
WATOTO
To be young is nice.
CASANOVA [already behind the driver]
What is your name, Sir?
WATOTO [proud]
Remember me as Watoto, son!
[CASANOVA laughs].
MOTORCYCLIST
Can we get going?
[CASANOVA affirms]
CASANOVA [as he is being driven away]
It was nice meeting you, Watoto!
WATOTO [smiling]
Karibu sana!
[And he bids farewell to the excited CASANOVA who waves back too]
SCENE 5
[IN THE PRACTICE ROOM]
There is a sizzling dance practice that has just kicked off after counting ten to one from the PRACTICE COACH, a flamboyant well-built youth with a lot of interest in the session that is now underway as he walks around cheering the practitioners who are mainly female students numbering to six and the male students are just three. The song being played from the music machine through to the audience from the speakers is from Leston Paul featuring Natalie Burke, and it is known as ‘Weakness for Sweetness.’
The audience, sharing the front row seats at this moment, is comprised of BENJIE, SMARTER, and OBAN, who is here to watch MODERN rocking the dance floor with her other peers as they also enjoy the music. It is an interesting scene to watch until the PRACTICE COACH shouts out to the person in charge of the music machine to cut shot the song, and he calls out BENJIE to join him from his cabin. BENJIE does so.
PRACTICE COACH [perspiring]
I need you to give your opinion before we do something else.
BENJIE [to the cast]
Well, I will only say that I’m now seeing improvements amongst you all and the boys, especially. You were not at your best since last week, but now, you are improving. I’m sure the one and only People’s choice will be happy.
PRACTICE COACH
I appreciate that, kaka. You can now go and sit.
[But as he is soon to take his seat again, MODERN raises her arm]
PRACTICE COACH
I guess it is not my question, right?
MODERN
Yes, Coach. It is for BENJIE.
BENJIE [a little puzzled]
Me?
PRACTICE COACH
I think you heard her properly. Yes, you!
BENJIE
I’m all ears to you, MODERN.
MODERN
I wanted to ask –
PRACTICE COACH [sarcastic]
And how about talking?
[A moment of laughter]
BENJIE
Let’s hear from one another. Yes, MODERN.
MODERN
Where’s CASANOVA? –
He ought to be part of this!
BENJIE
Well, You can –
OBAN [interrupting]
He will not be able to be with us, MODERN! Thanks.
MODERN [agonized]
What –
BENJIE
I guess –
MODERN [anxious]
Wait –
What do you mean by saying he won’t?
OBAN
That is the way it is! But he will be here tomorrow.
MODERN
Why not today and tomorrow –
And what if tomorrow happens to be the next tomorrow?
[OBAN just sinks back in his seat]
SMARTER [coming to his rescue]
I guess you’re asking the wrong person at the moment. Just focus on why you’re here so that you don’t get thrown out of the practice before the real competitions, and the rest will fall into play. Thanks!
[He sits and MODERN grows silently cold too]
BENJIE [clueless]
You’re all dismissed from this room.
[The practitioners react with a negative reception as]
BENJIE
You’ll be back here tomorrow in the evening. Thanks!
[MODERN leads the exit from the practice room, followed by the rest of the students]
PRACTICE COACH
I guess me too.
BENJIE
If you wish, coach!
PRACTICE COACH [carefree]
Alright, boss.
[He picks up his practice kit and exits too]
[Amid the silence in the room save for the little sound playing from outside the room]
BENJIE [facing his colleagues]
I have already sensed that MODERN will not rest until she gets to know the truth and now OBAN, you’ve just set her up into the dock.
OBAN [nervous]
She is just into him, nwa!
She is –
BENJIE
Cut it, nwa! You ought not to speak neither act like you love her so much. It is a fact and not an issue that she really loves you and that you love her too.
[OBAN agrees].
BENJIE
I want you therefore, to use that kind of love to keep her at bay for as long as our friend is not yet here. Right?
[OBAN wears a face of being tasked something huge]
SMARTER
I think he shouldn’t do it alone, nwa. All of us should, including BOYO and LIHANDA, since she might go at them and exploit their intellect.
OBAN [feeling relieved]
That is much better, nwa!
BENJIE [on task]
It will only be best if you and me plus SMARTER, together with BOYO and lin, find a suitable naked lie.
SMARTER [candid]
I guess we can tell her that CASANOVA was sent for by his parents to deal with some home affairs. I’m sure she knows nothing about his parents, and I hope none of us reveals that we do, be it you, OBAN, and your close friends.
BENJIE
I cannot think much, but I guess that will work just fine for us now.
SMARTER
Besides, the advantage we have is that the school choir was given another task; so, I am sure we’ll have a better lie too.
BENJIE
That he went to scout out about the task, and no one has to know about this.
OBAN
She might insist on wanting to know and end up talking with the people’s choice, nwa.
Benji
I will deal with Mr. BHAVANA; just leave him to me.
SMARTER [smiling]
Then that is it. We only have to inform LIHANDA and BOYO about it, and I hope BOYO doesn’t ditch us out.
OBAN [laughing]
He won’t. I shall be on his neck! And I will tell them about it all. I mean the naked lie and not what has just happened to make you BENJIE chase out the team, and we stick behind here.
SMARTER
I will make sure it doesn’t spill out.
BENJIE
Yes, watch over them.
SMARTER
I will, nwa.
BENJIE [cautious]
But craft this naked lie so well, nwa. I wouldn’t want it to leak out, and the student elders get to know about it too. At least they should be left out in their own web of rumors.
SMARTER
I will make sure I deal with the information minister too.
OBAN [as BENJIE laughs]
And MODERN too now!
[And they all laugh]
BENJIE
You are the right candidate to deal with her, nwa.
OBAN
I just hope she doesn’t exploit me.
SMARTER
You have our backs –
BENJIE
The un-exploitable!
[And they fight off another laughter]
SCENE 6
[CLASSROOM]
[A few desks are assembled outside due to an on-going cleaning roaster program]
The students are busy mopping and sweeping inside, whereas outside, some are busy chatting with their fellow friends despite the fact that they are having brooms used to clean the ground. Among these students are BOYO and LIHANDA and they are sitting on top of a desk while enjoying a duologue amongst themselves that
BOYO
I read CASANOVA’s letter once again, as you slept off in the night.
LIHANDA [affected]
And what about it, nwa?
BOYO [thoughtful]
It is a haunting piece of letter to the memory!
[LIHANDA laughs]
LIHANDA
I cannot believe that poetry line, nwa!
BOYO
I wish you could read it again, nwa! It has an image of both life and success, nwa!
LIHANDA
I think I should read it again, then.
BOYO
It is reality, nwa, especially the last sentence in it. I thought about it a lot in the end.
LIHANDA
You’re indeed right about that, nwa. It is such a haunting image of both life and success – just like you’ve admitted.
BOYO [smiling]
I guess we’re in a dilemma, nwa!
LIHANDA
Not really, nwa. We just had no answer to that question at all, yet CASANOVA had it. I guess we only need to know better about the question by finding out where he is now.
BOYO
Finding out where he is now?
LIHANDA
Yes, nwa!
BOYO
You’re really ready to go find him, nwa?
LIHANDA
I am indeed ready! I don’t care how much it costs! CASANOVA is a friend worth finding and keeping up with, nwa. I always tell myself that this place would be strange to us until now if we never had a friend like him and OBAN!
BOYO [peering over]
Talk of the devil, and he appears!
[And OBAN is seen approaching the two friends]
LIHANDA [noticing him]
It seems the dance session is treating you well, nwa!
OBAN [now in the company of his colleagues]
Almost there. But we’re still struggling harder!
[He jumps onto the top of the desk to make it three]
OBAN [as they watch the cleaning]
So, what are you two gossiping about, nwa?
BOYO
Finding CASANOVA, nwa!
OBAN [interested]
I like that, nwa! That should be our agenda for now too,
but we’ve got a new threat, nwa!
[LIHANDA feels let down]
BOYO
I hope it is not to do with –
OBAN
MODERN!
LIHANDA
Not her again!
BOYO
I had a feeling she would poke her nose to smell it all, nwa! It was just a matter of time to see it coming.
LIHANDA
I hope we have a solution for it!
OBAN
We do have a plan as hatched by SMARTER, nwa! And it is why I have come looking for you until a classmate directed me here.
BOYO
I can’t wait to hear that plan! Or else MODERN is an international examiner when it comes to finding out facts!
LIHANDA
Okay. Roll out the plan, nwa.
OBAN
The plan is to tell her and anyone else who might want to know about CASANOVA that he was called home by his parents for an emergence.
BOYO
It would appear to be a naked lie, nwa!
OBAN [backing up]
And we only need to spice it up as BENJIE and SMARTER requested me to tell you both.
LIHANDA
Then it has to be told in differing tongues from all of us so that it doesn’t get to be easy for breaking it down!
OBAN
I like that positive assertion, nwa! And I think being
realistic sometimes feels nice in life!
BOYO [on the verge]
But that doesn’t solve the puzzle, nwa! We need to find where CASANOVA is!
OBAN
That is so easy!
BOYO
Then can you help me and say how it being easy is?
OBAN [genial]
BENJIE and SMARTER will do that just for us, nwa! And I’m trusting them on this.
BOYO
How?
OBAN
Well, BENJIE rides a motorcycle as a side job after school some nights, and he does know all the nearby small towns within and without Lantana.
BOYO [not convinced]
And SMARTER?
OBAN
He sometimes helps his dad with the matatu operations as a conductor on the roads leading to and from Lantana. So, both of them are capable of finding CASANOVA for us!
LIHANDA
No wonder they are not that into academics, both of them!
OBAN [thinking out loud]
It is like they are already betting with success, nwa!
