ALIVE DEATH

Peyton Ville

ACT 2 SCENE 3

(Lois and her family join the man in his van. Kofi joins the man in the front seat, whilst Lois and the kids take the backseat. With everyone seated having their seatbelts on, the man starts the van).

Kofi: (Seeking to ease the tension between him and the man) "So... you drive a Mercedes, you must be loaded".

Man: (Sees his motive and plays along) "Yeah, but it's sort of family wealth. Not something I can say I achieved on my own (Chuckles)".

Kofi: "You must be from a wealthy family then".

(Lois caresses Abena as she lies on her lap, with Chris dozing his head off).

Man: "Yes I am, I am. The life of a rich boy from a rich family (chuckles). Everyone thinks you never have any problems".

Kofi: "But who is to blame. Your appearance alone denies any traces of difficulty in your life".

Man: "You're not wrong though, but believe me, everyone has some kind of problem. (Hesitates) One which may even seem unsolvable".

Kofi: "Well there's nobody without any problems of his own".

(Both men chuckle).

Kofi: "I've noticed you know my name but allow me to properly introduce myself; I'm Kofi, Kofi Iyan".

Man: "That's quite a rich man's name you got there. I'm Kennedy McCarthy".

(Lois abruptly stops caressing Abena's head on hearing the name Kennedy McCarthy. She opens her mouth as if she had something to say but just couldn't find her voice. She continues to caress Abena and is lost in her thoughts).

Kofi: (Chuckles) "Wow, that's the million bucks name. (Pauses for a while). So Kennedy, what brought you to my house, and what strange things did you do there. And also where are we going?"

Kennedy: "No need for the Kennedy Kofi. You can just call me Ken."

Kofi: "Alright Ken, but can you explain to me what this is all about".

Kennedy: "Slow down Kofi, what is going on I can't tell you, your wife has to. But as to where we are going, We're going to Peyton Ville".

Lois: (Now conscious of herself whispers to herself ) "No it can't be him, he's dead. It can't be".

Kofi: (Dissatisfied with Kennedy's answer but tries to suppress his dissatisfaction with a grin) "Did you say Something Lois".

Lois: (Feeling a bit uneasy) "We've been driving for almost  two hours now, where are we going ?"

Kofi: "Ken here says Peyton Ville. I've never even heard of such a place before and to think I am Ghana's greatest geographer.

Lois: (Grows more uneasy and wanders deep in her thoughts whispering to herself) "No it can't be him. But he mentioned Peyton Ville. No Lois calm down, maybe there's a new Peyton Ville and this is just a coincidence. (Scorns herself) After all he just did, this can't be a coincidence. Oh Lois, what have you gotten yourself into now.

Kennedy :"... you would love Peyton Ville Kofi. It's nothing your eyes have ever seen before."

(There is silence for almost fifteen minutes).

Kennedy: "Were here".

Kofi: "Are you sure we're at the right place Mr Kennedy? This just seems to be a nowhere with 1...2...3...4...5 huts in an open meadow, and what's with the carriages? Isn't this the 21st century".

(Lois wakes up the kids. Three men dressed similar to Kennedy approach the vehicle)

Kennedy: (Gets down to meet them).

Kofi: "Lois, this man is crazy. I don't care what he's done for us we're leaving  (Abena and Chris get down from the van) get back we're leaving now''.

Chris: (In amazement) "Wow dad you have got to see this".

Lois: (Says to herself as she gets down) "I guess I still am an outcast".

Kofi: "Lois, everyone get back we're leaving".

Kennedy: (Comes back to the van with the men). " Kofi I know this is all strange to you but we can't continue with the van".

Lois: "Kofi, please get down, please".

Kofi: (Gets down) "Only because you asked me to. (Turns to Kennedy) Who are these men and why are we in the middle of nowhere".

Kennedy: (Speaks to the men). "Open his eyes. And the woman too, she's an outcast".

1st man: "But sire, she's an outcast".

Kennedy: "Do you wish to go against my orders?"

1st man: "No sire". (Gives a white handkerchief to both Lois and Kofi). "Here, sir and madam, please wipe your faces with these handkerchiefs".

Abena: (Taps her mother) "Mom what is this this place and why does it have a big castle gate like in the oldies".

Lois: (Says to herself as she wipes her face) "I guess my banishment didn't affect my children".

Kofi: (Opens his eyes wide) "Oh my God this is impossible. Now I remember, I thought it was just a myth".

1st man: "Sire please tell me why you brought this man along with you".

Kennedy: "Enough Oswald, their luggages are in the vehicle".

2nd Man: (Address Lois) "Your carriage madam".

Lois: "Come Abena".

Kofi: (Tags along).

2nd man: I'm sorry sir, but the men's carriage is yet to arrive.

Kofi: ( Looks stupified and remains silent).

3rd Man: (To 1st man)."The luggages are all packed sir".

1st man: "Good, load them unto the ladies carriage and take the lead".

3rd man: "Okay sir". (To the coachman) "We're done with theluggages. Sir Oswald has instructed that you take the lead".

(The carriage starts to move)
Abena: "Mommy I really want to feel scared but I'm excited. I've never sat in a carriage before. I feel like a princess".

Lois: "(Chuckles and whispers to herself looking out the carriage window) "That is what I'm afraid of dear".

Kofi: "Our ride will soon be here Chris. But I hope your mum has the mind of a lawyer. There's no way she is going to convince me to stay with her after this".

Kennedy: (Overhears Kofi and walks to his side). "I know you're really confused with all that is going on but trust me, your wife should be the last person on your blame list. (Pauses for a while). Our ride is here. Come on Chris".

(All three men get into the carriage).

Kennedy: (Utters as they go through the huge iron gates).
"Welcome to Peyton Ville".