What Mama Said: An Epic Drama

MOVEMENT FIVE

MOVEMENT FIVE (OCEANA, alone. He is smoking in the lounge area when BONNY/PRIEST joins him. Soon after, OMI appears at the gate. OCEANA is obviously uneasy, for he would like to let her in but can’t because of his important guest.) BONNY/PRIEST: So you know her? OCEANA: (Pretending.) Can’t see that far now. BONNY/PRIEST: You do. OCEANA: (Fidgeting.) Ehmm . . . No . . . Ehmmm . . . Used to . . . You know . . . One of those cooks, maybe? BONNY/PRIEST: So I see. But know, that’s a very loose one. Just be careful. OCEANA: (Jokingly.) A loose canon, you mean? (As their conversation develops, actual voices of the protesters rise slowly in the background. OCEANA listens, sighs, “Oh nothing significant. We’ll teach them. They’ll have to learn.” He waves off the concern and motions to the Priest to resume their chat. OMI, too, is temporarily out of sight as she follows the direction of the rising mob action. OMI reappears again as suddenly as she had disappeared.) BONNY/PRIEST: Whatever. But I’d say steer clear. (Sighing.) Women? These times? OCEANA: And in these parts? BONNY/PRIEST: Native women. Hmm . . . They’ve changed a lot. Used to be a lot different. OCEANA: Really? 75 BONNY/PRIEST: Yes. (Counting.) Ten whole years. I’ve been here long enough to know the difference. OCEANA: Wao! (Laughing, crossing over to peep through and to unlock the gate.) And they haven’t offered you a Chieftaincy title yet? BONNY/PRIEST: Not quite. But they try . . . OCEANA: Quite unlike them. These people. Used to open policies. Always ready for . . . BONNY/PRIEST: AIDS? OCEANA: That too. They’re always willing to give up anything. BONNY/PRIEST: But as a good Christian, you must hold up your head above these natives at all times. OCEANA: Father, don’t I know it? (Rising mob chants. They listen.) BONNY/PRIEST: Well, just thought I’d remind you. It’s getting too hot here.(He sees the restless OMI reappear at the gate, then sighs.) These natives! Aaaah! OCEANA: I know. (Pause, puffs at his cigar.) Except we still have to depend . . . I mean who else would do all these bloody chores? BONNY/PRIEST: (Pours himself a drink.) Just be careful. Brethren, know thyself. That’s all. OCEANA: I’m completely in control. BONNY/PRIEST: (Rising.) You should. (Pause.) But you know her? OCEANA: Hmm . . . yes . . . no (Pause.) A domestic help, maybe? OMI: (Hearing this, OMI storms into the scene and brandishes a wristwatch in Oceana’s face.) Oga, you left this inside . . . when you came last night. 76 W H A T M A M A S A I D OCEANA: (Stretching to take it but she pulls back.) Oh my God. The room! OMI: My room. OCEANA: You may keep it. For now. (OMI drops the watch back in her bag. Silence as OCEANA tries eyeballing and signaling her to leave until the room is clear. But so determined to assert her presence, OMI stands in his face. The Priest is scandalized and looks away. Silence, but for Oceana’s whistling. Then OMI again breaks the silence.) OMI: (To OCEANA.) Oga, I’ve come. Anything else you want from me? OCEANA: (Relieved, jumps.) What do you have to offer? OMI: (Bluffing.) Beer? Bloody Mary? Gin and lime? Whisky? Brandy?All on the rocks! OCEANA: Hmm . . . I’ll have the Bloody Mary. (Fanning himself.) Too hot in here. (Turns to the Priest.) Take something, my friend. BONNY/PRIEST: No. Thanks. I’m fine. OCEANA: (Insisting.) Come on, Father. Have a beer? Some Bloody Mary? OMI: (To the Priest.) Father, I’ve got everything you need. BONNY/PRIEST: No, thanks. OCEANA: Soft drinks? Iced tea? Eggnog? Bournvita? BONNY/PRIEST: OK. Ordinary tea will do. OMI: Yes, Father. (She exits through the door behind OCEANA and soon returns with a tray full of drinks, glasses, a boiling tea kettle, with a cup. With her backside in Oceana’s direction, she bends to serve the Priest first.) W H A T M A M A S A I D 77 OMI: (Pouring the hot tea.) Father. Like some milk? BONNY/PRIEST: Yes. Thanks. OMI: (Pours the milk.) And sugar? BONNY/PRIEST: Sure! OMI: I thought so. (She quickly dips her hand into her bra, and produces two cubes of sugar.) BONNY/PRIEST: (Stunned.) What? OMI: (Smiling.) Father, you like it sweet. Don’t you? BONNY/PRIEST: (Scandalized.) Yes...