Coincidence

ONE (SCENE SIX)

ACT ONE

SCENE SIX

(At the village square, Petrus meets with his secondary school friend Jude)

PETRUS

Guy what's up, long time no see (They embraced each other very tightly for some minutes)

JUDE

Guy, how far naa... How things? You have changed a lot ooo....

PETRUS

All glory to God, you know since we left secondary school we have not seen each other. Do you still hear from Standaluva, Tulesky, Mariafeco, Tygafella, Eternity, Prince Dynamite, and Omenala?

JUDE

No, I have not heard from any of them except for Omenala because I saw him one day when I was coming back from the market when he was selling Dettol skin jelly.

PETRUS

We are not getting any younger. No more asking for everything from your parents. It is not easy, my man. Forget that I am a Prince and let us face reality. I have seen people suffer. I remember those days at C.I.C. when Fr. Aneke was telling us that it is not what we experienced in the school that we are going to experience when we leave. Then it was like a joke, now see it is all happening. So what are you doing around here in my kingdom?

JUDE

Well... I came to honor an invitation. A friend of mine is celebrating his traditional marriage ceremony today.

PETRUS

Ok, no problem. Please can I ask a favor from you?

JUDE

Well, it depends on what the favor is.

PETRUS

I have been praying to God for someone that will help me out with this problem and is like God has answered my prayers by bringing you to me. You know way back in our secondary school days, you were the head of prostitutes, so I know you can help me out. (They both laughed). You know Christmas is around the corner and I still do not know what to buy for my Angel.

JUDE

Hmm... which of the Angels because I know that you have so many Angels in a different school? Ranging from H.R.C, Queens, D.D.L., etc. So which of them are you talking about?

PETRUS as the light fades) then not now I have repented from that, but I am surprised that you did not even attempt to remember the name of her school not to talk of remembering her name. Anyway, she schooled at Command Day Secondary school.

JUDE

Wait... Don't tell me that you are talking about Anita.

PETRUS

That is right.

JUDE

Jesus... I thought you left her for Amaka, why then are you going back to her or is it that Amaka, "adighi enye gi ife i na -eri?" (Is she no longer giving you what you enjoy the most?).

PETRUS

No far from that, it is just that I lost her contact and I did not know how to reach her then and I also heard that she left school.

JUDE

Ok, but what if she appears again, what would you say to her?

PETRUS

We...ll..., her time has gone because I have proposed to Anita and I cannot change it, but I still love her. Please let us forget about the past and face the present and future (Petrus was no longer comfortable with the discussion). So back to my question, what will I buy for Anita this Christmas?

JUDE

Before I answer your question, I have something to ask you.

PETRUS

I am not surprised; it proves that you are an Igbo man who answers a question with a question. Go ahead what is the question?

JUDE

What have you been buying for her before?

PETRUS

Well, I have been buying for her Christmas cards and other little fancy stuff.

JUDE

The next question is, I hope that she is your final bus stop because I know that you like changing women like clothes.

PETRUS

(Laughing) That was then, am no more like that as I told you earlier. I am a changed person now. I have proposed to Anita and I have no intention of changing it.

JUDE

This requires a thanksgiving...You? Repent? Unbelievable! Well... I suggest you buy for her some expensive clothes, pieces of jewelry, shoes, and cosmetics. I think that will please her.

PETRUS

Have you seen why I said that you are the head of prostitutes? Anyway, that is nice. Thank you very much. Please, I have another favor to ask of you.

JUDE

Hmm, what is it?

PETRUS

Can you accompany me to the market to buy them now?

JUDE

I think that will be tomorrow because as you can see, I am here to honor an invitation.

PETRUS

Ok if you say so, but where are you going to pass the night?

JUDE

I don't know as yet, but I will see what I can do. That will not be a problem.

PETRUS

Why don't you spend the night at my house?

JUDE

Ok no problem, I will. That is if it is ok with you.

PETRUS

It is perfectly ok by me. I am supposed to be asking you that.

JUDE

Ok, if you insist I will. I have to go now till then. Ok bye...

(The two friends greeted farewell and went to their different destination as the light fades to darkness)