ACT ONE: Scene One

ACT ONE: SCENE ONE

JOHNSON:Mother, why are you crying?

MRS IREJOBI: My son, I am tired of this world. I am tired. When are we going to end this chain of poverty?

JOHNSON: Mother, you have to stop crying. I mean, crying will not solve this problem. It will only bring to us sympathy and hopelessness.

MRS IREJOBI: Look at your father, blind and helpless. He once promised to take care of us. Things were becoming better until calamity stroke the village which led to his blindness. Now, all his dreams are gone. His aspiration is gone.

Mother, what my father couldn't do, I will do it. I will take care of you and my father. (He remembers something).Eh eh! Do you remember I will be going to the city for my university studies?

MRS IREJOBI :( Absent minded) you said what?

JOHNSON: Mother, don’t tell me you've forgotten that I gained an admission to study law at the University of Lagos.

MRS IREJOBI: My son, I haven’t forgotten but I am scared. How do we pay for your tuition and other fees? Your father is half-dead and half-living. I have no other work than to fry this beans cake. Who will pay for your accommodation and other things? (She looks up).God, please have mercy upon us. Send unto my son a helper. (She weeps again).

JOHNSON: Mama, don’t cry again. Don’t worry about me. I have spoken with my friend, Mike. He lives in the city. He promised to talk to his uncle. I believe he will assist me.

MRS IREJOBI: May God be with him.

JOHNSON: Johnson Irejobi will become a great lawyer. Johnson Irejobi will marry to a queen. Johnson Irejobi will come to this village with big, big cars. Johnson Irejobi will put smile on his mummy’s face and gives his father a new hope. Mama, I can’t wait to go to the city o.

MRS IREJOBI: When are you going to the city, my son?

JOHNSON: Next week.

MRS IREJOBI: May our ancestors be with you. (She weeps again)

JOHNSON: Mama, I say stop crying. (Both weep)