Agnes......... I was begining to wonder if no one is at home.


Sandra........Sorry about that. i didn't know you are the door. Please sit down. Ehee! At Caro's birthday, i saw               you discussing with Chief Douglas. But i wasn't all that chanced to come and ask what he wants from                you. hope no problem.


Agnes.........(Giiggles) That explains my mission here. in fact,i must tell you that i am the luckiest and               happiest girl on earth.



Sandra.......(Impores) Mmm.... Please hit. Hit me with the news i can't wait to hear it.


Agnes........After my performance that day, chief came to me and said he liked my dancing. that he wants to              develop my talents by arranging foreign tours where my talents could be more developed. And just              yesterday he was at my house to get my fathers consent. And you know what? my father was so please              with the idea.

Sandra......(Expressionless) Well, that very thoughtful of him. But i must tell you that not all that glitters              are Gold. The only advice i can give you is to be careful with him.


Agnes........(Stares in confusion) why did you say that? is he up to mischief?


Sandra.......Well i wouldn't say, but. you see, there is one thing i can tell perfectly well about Chief. that                  thing is that Chief can never give thought or venture into anything without an aim. But all the same               you have to be careful with him.



Agnes........I will. But Sandra! How come you know much about chief.


Sandra.......John, my husband is Chief Douglas pally.He tells me every of his affairs with Chief Douglas. In fact,              he does business with chief Douglas. All i can tell you Agnes is to be very careful.

Agnes........Well you have always known me to be careful. thank you for your advice. Ehm... would you accompany me              to the market next week to buy the costumes and other things needed in preparation for the trip?


Sandra...... So quick? Around what time next week?


Agnes........By middle of next week, i just wanted to inform you in advance.


Sandra.......Mmm.....I don't really know my schedule. but there is no problem. you can check or call. if i am                   available, we will go together.


                                                                                                        (page 11)

Agnes........ Thank you so much! You are indeed a Friend Sandra. (they hug). and thanks for all your advice to me.


Sandra....... What are friends for?





                                    LIGHT FADES

MALE HOSTEL (INTERIOR)

In the off campus female hostel of a university campus, inside Caro's hostel room, Uche and Caro were hitting it out with the fine rhythmic hip hop coming out of Caro's radio cassette.


Seconds later the door clicks open and julie (Caro's special friend) comes in. Uche and Caro were so engrosed in their dance that they hardly noticed julie's presence. julie went immediately and off the music, and this jolted them.


Uche.......(Aghast) hey! Julie, whats the matter with you?

Julie......(Cautions Mildly) Will you shut up? (Turns to Caro). You never stop to amze me how can you engage            yourself with this kind of dance with Uche, or have you forgot that you have been betrothed? what if            any of your in law relatives on campus sees you? Don't you think they may start assuming things? and                       the door, you didnot even care to lock it.



Uche.......(Frays) what your own Julie, tell me what's your business? if her in-inlaws say they don't want her            again. she knows that am always available. (lumps into a Chair).

Caro......(Rebukes) Hey! Uche stop it (Turns to Julie) am very sorry it wont happen again.


Julie..... you better be careful. By the way you told me yesterday that your father in-law will be visiting today.


Caro...... Yes! But it is towards evening.


Julie...... But it is now afternoon. Don't you think its time you start arranging things. dishevelled your room             is? (Turns to Uche who flips through magazine) lover boy please excuse us.


Uche....... (Indignant) listen Julie, i can't have you ordering me inside my girls apartment. (Sighs and             reluctantly walked out. Julie ignored him and continued to arrange the house. Than Julie's Eyes caught             sight of a rose flower).


Julie...... That's a real rose you have there. Who gave it to you? is it Chief?


Caro....... No, it's Uche that brought. i don't know where he got from.


Julie......Caro, i must tell you the truth. if this boy should continue like this than your marriage is under            threat.

Caro.......(Concurs) Its true Julie. To be frank, i don't love this guy. i only love his money. i know where my            heart is. But the fact is that am too damn lonely to fight him off whenever he come signing his love            tunes to me. Please i will so much love it if you will help me discourage him.



Julie...... You too try to put up some resistance at times.


Caro....... Ok i will try (Silence reigns as both continue to arrange the house).

Julie....... By the way, have you made or rather reconciled with Donald over last incident?


Caro........Believe you me, i have tried to straighten issues with him before he travelled out, he still remains             adamant. Anytime he hears my voice on phone he quickly cuts the phone off. i don't know why he cannot             forgive and forget such a mistake. i know i shouldn't have slept with Charlee, but it has happened.             Anyway sha! i don't think he will be a problem because his father Chief Douglas and my father i have             assured me and i know that both of them can easily influence him.



Julie.......I hope so o! you know men and their ego especially when such things happed and their friend is             involved. did Chief tell you the time he will be coming?


Caro........ He Said from 4, 5 PM.


Julie.......I will help you stay at the hostel entrance and look out for him. if i spot him, i will rush down and             tell you so that you can feign sickness. that is if you want him to part with enough money.

Caro....... that's a very good idea. (Seconds later a knock at the door and peeped, than returned back).



Jullie...... I don't think i know who is at the door. And don't trhink he is a student either.


Caro........(Rushes to the door and peeped. then turned to julie). I know him. he is one of Chiefs boys. (she             opened the door). jack! You are welcome. i hope there is no problem.

Jack........ Well, there is non for now. Chief is outside. (Caro was excited as she run outside to meet Chief).



AT WHERE CHIEFS CAR WAS PARKED (CARO WAS LEANING AT THE CAR DOOR)

Chief DOUGLAS..... Sorry to have come earlier than the scheduled time. How are you doing with your studies? (Jack                    followed by Julie came out to where chief car was parked) i wouldn't have come at all because i                    have a tight schedule. But i don't renegage on my promise, that's why am here. so how are you                    today?

Caro..............Fine, Chief. we thank God.



Julie.............Good day Chief.


Chief Douglas.....How are you Julie? I hope the school stress is not weighing both of you down.


Julie.............It is weiighing us down Chief. but what will we do. we have no choice.
       

                                                                                              (page 13)


Chief Douglas.....Well you know that old saying, suffer now and enjoy later. And you know this suuffering is for a                   littlle while (Turns to Caro) i will be going now. this is N20,000. You can use it for your                   provisions and other school activities. (To Julie) here is your pocket money. this is N5,000.


Julie.............Thank you so much Chief. i am very grateful


Chief Douglas.....(To Caro) Take goood care of yourself. don't do anything you know wouldnn't tell me.

Caro..............Chief you know i will not try anythin stupid knowing fully well that i havve been betrothed.

Chief Douglas..... I like that. its good you are well aware of that. Mmm... Make good use of that money. i will                    see you around.

Caro............... thank you so much I'm very grateful Chief. I'm very grateful. Please say me well to Donald                         when next you call him. (Jack starts the car as Caro and Julie step back. they both waved at                       chief. As they returned back to Caro's room. they saw Uche enjoying a hip hop mmusic. Julie                        went straight and off the music).

Uche..............(Flares) what in the hell is wrong with you do think you are doing julie, have you gone nuts?


Julie............. Its you that have gone nuts! (Turns To Caro) Its either he leaves this place or i leave.


Caro..............(Walked up to Uche, who cast her an angry look. using hushed tone) please don't be annoyed. I                   will see you in the evening. we have an issue at hand now.


Uche..............I will go. But warn Julie or whatever she calls herself. the next time she orders me around here                   again, i will seriously deal with her. (Gives Caro a card). this card came with the rose flower.                   Sorry, i forget to bring it along with the flower.


Caro..............Thank you. (Collects the card. As Uche left)


Julie.............What was that he gave you?


Caro..............it is a card. He said he forgot to bring it along with the flower.


Julie.............let me see the content of the card.(Caro tossed it to Julie who opens the seal, than reads it                   aloud).

Baby!
Your love is a great asset to me. if there is anything i desired do much, it is to be the father of your kids.
-Uche.


Julie.......... To save this marriage, this madness had to stop.

Caro........... I totally agree with you Julie. it must definately stop.


                                                                                                 (PAGE 14)

                                      LIGHT FADES


AT PA UDOKA'S HOUSES:(Chief Douglas family doctor was administering Medical checkup on Mr Udoka).

Doctor...... Mr Udoka i have check your blood pressure, heart beat and every other thing. i noticed that your B.P              is very high and if not checked can lead to hypertension or heart attack. i also detected sugar in              your blood stream. You need to cut down on any stress related activities and even watch what you eat.


Pa Udoka.....Thank you doctor! i don't even do much work again. you know as one gets older as i am now all sorts              of sickness and diseases will start to spring up.



Doctor....... Well for now i will be administering you treatment here. if the situation did not improve, i will               arrange for you to be transfered to the hospital.


Pa Udoka..... Thank you so much doctor. What's your name?