LIGHT FADES
AT CHIEF ONWUGBU'S HOUSE (EXTERIOR)
A social gathering in a closed house conducted by chief Onwugbu to mark his daughters birthday. amoung the special guest invited to to the high table was chief Douglas. he stud, waved to the crowed before proceeding to the high table. The MC makes some funny remarks about chief Douglas and a mixed uproar come from the guest as they began chanting his praise, igwe! igwe! soon the gong chimed and igbo cultural tune was sounded by a traditional flute. minutes later chief Douglas noticed the rare quality of a singer and dancer. strange girl with a strinking personality. he approaches her and starts to stray naira notes lavishly on her as she kept singing and dancing. in  the Agnes lost herself entirely gyrating her whole body with captivating smiles and thereby evoking emotions from the audience. Everybody adored her, her manner and method of dance captured Chief Douglas attention and he was watching Agnes with Admired attention.
Soon the celebration was over and Chief Douglas cant butr wait to check out straight to the dance group stall to know more about this lady of exceptional quality.

Chief Douglas........Good day young lady, what is your name?

Agnes................Good day to you sir, i am Agnes Udoka.

Chief Douglas.........What a fine name for a fine lady, i want to express how please i was as i watched you                              performed this afternoon. you are such a talent.

Agnes.................(Giggles) thank you sir.

Chief Douglas.........how would you like it if your talent is well developed, so that you can engaged on                       international shows.you know what i mean, big show business.Flights to New York,Tokyo,                       London, Viena and so on. and of course a cardilac or limosine to take you around the town                       always.

Agnes.................(Stammers) Chief. I.....I..... I don't understand.

Chief Douglas.........Are you a kid? You understood me very well.

Agnes.................(shyly) Well... well... ehm.

Chief Douglas.........(Gives her a card) this is my complimentary card. call on me any time you get free from your                       doubts. (The celebrant Caro spots Chief Douglas and ran to him).

Caro..................(Excitedly) Chief! Sorry! i have been searching for you everywhere.

Chief Douglas.........Oh Caro you look splendid.well we can go now. (To Agnes)be seeing you young lady.

Agnes.................OK sir, Thank you.

(CARO NOW WITH CHIEF DOUGLAS)

Caro............ (Flatly what do you have to do with her Chief?

Chief Douglas.... you mean that girl, mmm... nothing really. its justt that i have discovered a talent in her.in                   fact her splendid performane has earned her my recognition. that girl is a talent and i want to                   explore those talent in her.

Caro..............That is very kind of you Chief. Ehm.... Chief i will be returning to schhool tomorrow.

Chief DOouglas.....Really, ok i'll see to that but meanwhile, where is your dad?

Caro............... See him over there with some guest (silence reigns as both moves forward to meet Chief                             Onwuegbu.As Chief Onwuegbu spots them he excuses his other guest. later Chief Douglas and                          Chief Onwuegbu were on the way to the house.Caro excused both men to attend to her                     friends.inside the house both men got seated as Chief Onwuegbu opens a both of wine and poured                     into two cups of glasses.


Chief Onwuegbu..... (Gives One glass too Chief Douglas) Where is Maria I Thought i saw her with you.

Chief Douglas...... Yes! but she left earlier she has a very important appointment to keep.

Chief Onwuegbu.....Please send my warm regards too her.now chief how about Donald. Havve you been hearing from                        him?

Chief Douglas.....Yes! he actually called me 3 days ago.He told me he will soon be in town but he doesn't know                       when.

Chief Onwuegbu....Please he better do, and fast too.You know today is marking my daughters 25th birthday. She is                   not growing young again.

Chief Douglas.....of course i know. Caro only needs to exercise little patience. Donald is my son. And i want to                   assure you that Caro's Marriage with my son is siigned and sealed and delivered. After all this                   marriage will briing the two families together and when yor ambition as the nextt governor is                   realised, i know i will get alot of back boone from you.


Chief Onwuegbu....you can say that again. just let me realize this dream as the next governor. Again in want to                   thank you for your financial support towards realizing my political dreams.


Chief Douglas.....Oh! Thats nothing.you know it is often said that if you have some money iin your left pocket,                   and you wish to transfer it to you right pocket the money still belongs to you.(General                   laughter)


                                    LIGHT FADES

MR UDOKA'S HOUSE (INTERIOR)

Agnes.............Dad, you know what happed today?

Mr Udoka..........NO! What happened?

Agnes.............After my performance at chief Onwugbu's compound, Chief Douglas, you know him now, he approached                    me and ........

Mr Udoka..........(interrupts) Chief Douglas? the wealthy man living at Nkanu lane.

Agnes.............Thank you. know him Papa.

Mr Udoka.......... He wants to make you his second wife? ( snapping hand over his head) its oovver my dead body.

Agnes.............(Matter of fact) No Daddy! listen first, after entertaining the guest he came to me and said                       that he liked how i performed and he would like to develop my talents by taking me to foreign                      countries where i can perform better. and you know what that means Dad. it means that our whole                    problems are over. please dad i don't want you to sayy no. our whole life depends on this                         golden opportunity.


Mr Udoka.......... Well Agnes my daughter, i will not want to object to the idea. But the fact is that i don't                       want to do something i will later regret later. you know the mystery surrounding his wealth is                     not known. you also know we have relatives here. We are just on our own. am not condeming the                      idea as i said earlier, but if you believe he is doing it in good faith, no problem. just tell                     him your father wants to speak with him briefly on the issue.

Agnes............ Deliriously) Ok, Daddy.




                                  LIGHT FADES


CHIEF DOUGLAS HOUSE (INTERIOR)

The gate of the house was opened. As Agnes enters inside Chief Douglas compound she meets chief on his way out.

Agnes............. Good mourning Sir.

Chief Douglas......Ah! ehm! (tries to remember her name) Agnes! right?!

Agnes..............Yes Sir!

Chief Douglas...... Can you join me in the car so we can discuss, after which i can drop you off.

Agnes.............. that would be fine chief.
chief opens the rear door for her, than enters through the other side as jack drives off.

INSIDE CHIEF DOUGLAS CAR:

Chief Douglas......... so do you like the idea? if yes have you discussed it with your parents? and what was their                        reaction?

Agnes................. I like the idea very well, even from the first day we met. And yes! i have informed my dad                        and he liked the idea.but he said he would like to speak with you briefly about the issue.

Chief douglas........... thats no problem. its quite a natural thing to do. when do you think that i may come and                          see him.

Agnes....................Anytime you wish Chief, his is always at home.

Chief Douglas............Always at home? he doesn't go to work at all?

Agnes....................Yes, he is out of work of job. He retired two years ago from work. and since than he hhas                          being farming to make ends meet.

Chief Douglas............what about your mom how did she react to the idea?

Agnes....................ehm..... mom is no more. she dead last year from cancer disease.

Chief Douglas............(sympathises) Oh! i'm sorry to hear that. put down your address here. i will trace your                          house tomorrow to explain the arrangements in details to your dad. ehm!... this is                          N5,000. you and your family should manage it. i will come tomorrow to see your dad.

Agnes....................i am very grateful chief. thank you so much.

Chief Douglas............No problem. Anytime you need help do not hesistate to call on me. if i drop you at the                          next junction can you trace your way?

Agnes....................yes i can!

Chief Douglas............ Jack! Please drop her at the next junction. (At the junction alight from the car and bids chief goodbye as the car speeds off.)


                               
                                      LIGHT FADE
CHIEF DOUGLAS HOUSE (INTERIOR)

Chief and his wife Maria were having dinner.

Chief Douglas............... did you see that splendid performance perfermed by that young at Caro's birthday                              party?

Maria.......................(Concurs) Yes she is a lovely singer her voice is so nice.

Chief Douglas............... I want to develop those talents in her.

Maria.......................And how do you intend to do that?

Chief Douglas...............Well, its just by organising foreign tours for her where she could do better as a                             dancer and where i believe her talents can be well developed.

Maria.......................Thats fine!Ehm...have you informed her parents. Atleast they should be aware of your                             intensions towards their daughter.

Chief Douglas...............Mmm, i have not informed the dad officiall.though the girl has hinted the father who                             has requested that we discuss on the issue. The mother is no more anyway (Maria shows                             pity) so i will like you to accompany me to their house tomorrow to formally inform                             the father. what do you say?

Maria......................(Breaths heavily, heaves up her shoulder) well, anything you say.





                                    LIGHT FADES



AT PA UDOKA'S HOUSE (INTERIOR)

Mr Udoka...................Ikerie! Ikerie!

Ikerie.....................Father one Minute. here i am papa

Mr Udoka...................Come over here son.( ikerie comes over)

Ikerie.....................is there anything i can do Papa?

Mr Udoka...................You remember today is the market day. Don't you?

Ikerie.....................yes father i... do remember but papa i want to go for our dancing rehearsals.

Mr Udoka...................No not today. Now don't tell me you have forgotten that Nkechi will be getting                                     Married.

Ikerie.....................(With Adour) sure papa i remember although i have almost forgotten.

Mr Udoka...................You know how helpless i am. Now go get set and take a few tubers of yam to them and                            explain to them why i can't come myself. ok? (After ikerie gets the yam)

Ikerie....................Ok papa i am right on my way.

MR Udoka..................Yes before you go can you tell me once more about that Douglas and actually what he                           wants from your sister.

Ikerie....................Father it's just...... (There is a knock at the door)

Mr Udoka..................Come inside please! (the door swings open and Chief Douglas enters with his wife Maria)

Chief Douglas.............Nna Anyi Udoka. I greet you. how are you today?

Mr Udoka..................I am fine for today, God is great. you are all welcome. Have your seat.

Chief Douglas.............Pa Udoka! Do you still remember me?

Mr Udoka..................God Forbids! Why do you imagine i can ever forget who you are. Are you not Ochudos' Son?                           I mean the son of Rebecca Ochudos' First wife. Are you not?

Chief Douglas.............You are right Pa Udoka.

Mr Udoka..................Any way i don't blame you my son our ancestors used to say that it is the little                           children that recognises the Elders and not the other way around. you are both welcome                           chief and lolo. ( turns to ikerie) ikerie go into my room and get me some kolanut and                           allegator pepper. And look inside that small cupboard beside my bed and you will see a                           bottle of schnapps, get for my vistors and hurry to where i sent you.

Ikerie................... Yes Papa. Chief i am Grateful that you came, you are both welcome.

Maria....................Good child. What a blessing you have in your child Pa Udoka.

Mr Udoka.................(Smiles proudly) that is the work of God. But i must tell you that children of these days                          are not the same as the one in our time.They have changed so much (Ikerie comes back with                          all the items)

Ikerie...................Chief please excuse for i have to run and errand for Papa. i have already told Agnes in                          the kitchen about your visit. She will be joining you in just a moment.



Chief Douglas............Ok! go and come back Quick. you are a very good child. (ikerie hurries out)


Mr Udoka.................Chief we have kola. (Giving Chief Douglas the kola to break)


Chief Douglas............(collects The kola) well, it is often said that the embers of fire given to a child does                           not burn him. Pa Udoka! The king kola is in the kings hand.(Returns the kola to Mr Udoka                           who blessed and dives it into a plate)

Mr Udoka.................(Pass the kola to Chief Douglas) Chief oya! Take and give your wife also.


Chief Douglas............(Takes the Kola) this is a nice kola its not like the one children hawk around in the                          market see all my mouth has woken up.

Mr Udoka.................(Concurs)Yes! the tree was handed over to me by my grand father (Giving Chief Douglas the                          schnapps)help yourself.

Chief Douglas............No Pa Udoka the kola is enough. let's go into the issue of our mission here. Ehm...i                           believe your daughter must have hinted you about this visit. so its no revisting the                          issue again.Actually my plan on coming to see you is just to get your consent on my plan                          concerning your daughter. So what do you have to say? (Agnes apears at the door way).


Agnes...................Good day Chief and lolo (stooping slightly in respect).

Maria...................Good day my daughter how are you?

Agnes...................I'm fine. Thank you.


Mr Udoka................(To Agnes) so it had to take you and hour to come out and greet our visitors.

Agnes...................No Papa it'a just that the food need constant attention.if i leave it, it will get burnt.


Mr Udoka................ (To Agnes) Go get a chair and sit beside me you know you are the sole aim of this visit.                          (To Chief Douglas)Yes! Chief Douglas let me start first by thanking you for the money you                           gave Agne. we are very grateful indeed.

Chief Douglas...........Oh that's nothing it's ok.


Mr Udoka................Actually Agnes told me of your intentions. i was the one who said she should call you to                         know more on the arrangement. You see it often said that he ate the testis of a ram is                         indebted to the disease of a swollen scrotum. Yes! it is also said that, it is only a                         foolish child who...


Chief Douglas........... (Interrupts. Eager to get down to business) Pa Udoka! Wait! I know where you are going. I                          don't intend asking for anything in return. So please spare us all these proverbs. if we                          should continue like this the night may meet us here.


Mr Udoka................. Well, to cut it short i have nothing against the idea so far it is done in good faith.                           Because, it is very rare to see people like you who would willing offer to help somebody                           without asking for something in return.


Chief Douglas............I can understand your fears Pa Udoka, and i have resolved never to disappoint you. there                          is nothing i can ask back from you knowing fully well your condition. I just want to help                          your daughter be successful in her career as a dancer.


Mr Udoka................(Turns to Agnes) you heard all what he said my daughter. i hope you will agree to go with                         him.

Agnes...................(Cheerfully) Yes Papa!

Mr Udoka................In that case Chief Douglas, you have no problem. i am giving you my full consent. You can                         take her with you.But when is the journey likely to take place.              

(Page 9)


Chief Douglas...........In no distant time. infact now that i have gotten your approval, i will call my partner                            and inform them to commence arrangement. i want to organise an international show where                            your daughter as the queen of African dancer can perform. i will tell you that if this                             show becomes successful, than you will be saying goodbye to poverty. Because your daughter                         would have become an international figure. And to make this show  a memorable one i will                           print her bill board and banners to...


Maria..................(Surprised cuts him) Chief why bill boards and banners i don't think its necessary.


Chief Douglas..........Yes! I think is necessary it will make anybody who is from Africa, in fact who has an                        African origin to come and watch their queen of African dancer. (Mr Udoka nodes in                        Agreement) Just don't worry. in a few days time arrangements would have been concluded.                        Now, i believe this is solved. Let's get into other issues. How is your health? Hope its                        improving.


Mr Udoka..............Not at all Chief! i can't really see what is wrong with me health wise. if i had enermies i                       would attributed it to the hand work of my enermies.


Maria.................No! Pa Udoka. Don't talk like that. You of all people, nobody in his right senses should do                       you any evil.


Mr Udoka.............(Retorts) Then how would you explain this sickness. it will improve today, tomorrow it will                      get worse.


Chief Douglas........In other words you need a full medical check up. I will arrange for my family to see what he                      can do. But meanwhile, be helping yourself and your family with this little amount. its just                      N10,000.


Pa Udoka............(collects the money) Ha! ichie Douglas! when a child is given an unbargained gift he enquires                      who to pass it to. We have not exhuasted the fisrt one and here you are bring another one.


Chief Douglas.......Just add it to the first one. Another thing is,if you need help free to send any of your                     children.


Mr Udoka............Thank you so much Douglas. Words are not just enough to thank you.


Maria............... Another thing also. Agnes and her brother should also free to come around in the house                      anytime they have chance. you are all welcome in the house. (To Agnes)I believe you know the                      house.


Agnes................(Thinks) Ehm!.... Yes! i can trace the house. thank you so much. i am very grateful to both                       of you.

Chief Douglas........(stands up) Pa Udoka, will be going now. be seeing you later.


Mr Udoka.............Ok Chief Douglas. God will bless all your good efforts towards my family. once again i say                      thank you.



                     
                                  LIGHT FAZES.


(page 10)


AT SANDRA/JOHN'S HOUSE (INTERIOR)

Inside the house Sandra is watching an interesting Programme on T.V. Seconds later, a knock sounded on the door.



Sandra........ Oh! who has chosen to disrupt my favorite programme now eh! who is that! (Hurries to open the   door) Ah! Agnes you are welcome. ( They hug) please come in come in.