The Crabs of Bangui

Chapter Thirty One

207 Chapter Thirty One H ansel had inwardly planned to keep all the stockholders together. They must not stray too far away from his watchful eye lest they ran into information that might rock his boat. The weather kept them together. The rain which started falling in Bamenda early in the morning only began at six in Douala, long after the football match. Douala is a very muddy city and so nobody was anxious to dirty himself. They chose to remain around the hotel premises. They were to enjoy themselves every minute until they left for Bangui the next day. This explained why he opposed the move by the two youngsters, Nkwain and Cranford. These two drew him aside and told him they had some friends in town with whom they would like to pass the night. They would be grateful if they would be given the cash for their hotel bill. “If you were here on your private capacity,” he told them, “you could do that. But you are here to represent two very important personalities, remember, on this all important mission. I can still give you some money to enjoy your youth. Youth is something to envy.” He gave them fifteen thousand francs each, which was exactly half of the hotel bill per person. So far he was succeeding and, in continuation of that secret agenda, he told them before they dispersed to their rooms: “Instead of the dead fish in the hotel, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to treat you to a live show. A place where the fish dies only in your belly.” 208 Linus T. Asong It was an open air fish market with small stalls, canopies and eating corners near small fires with customers sitting round each fishmonger on low stools, chairs and benches. Hansel chose a distant corner from which his guests would have a panoramic and refreshing view of the coastline, the great expanse of restless water bounded by a very distant horizon. Two items broke the monotony of the seascape. They were sail boats braving the gigantic force of the mighty ocean. How fearless man can be! “What the hell could they be doing in the deep of the ocean?” somebody wondered. “Fish,” Hansel muttered. “We are here because they are there. They keep these women supplied with fresh fish, constantly….” There was something intensely frightening and then at the same time beautiful in the sight of the sea even in the dark: the ceaseless movement of the sea expressing itself playfully, heaping up great masses of white spray against the coastline of massive rocks then spilling it over them in wild profusion. In the middle of the dilapidated old canopy selected by Hansel, stood a large transparent container. In the container were fishes of all sizes and varieties, swimming up and down, advertising themselves invitingly, anxious to be devoured. Presently a fat huge woman came to their table sweating at every pore with impatience to ask them what they wanted. They made their choices and were encouraged to ask for wine of their choice. Cranford went to the kitchen to personally make his choice. “There is a fish in there that has recognised me,” he said. “That’s the one I will eat.” The woman sent her daughter who returned with a black fish and flat as a tray. They called it “cover pot.” Four plates of fish were ordered: one for the women, three for the groups of three men that were left. To go with the fish was bread, 209 The Crabs of Bangui roasted plantains and bobolo. The bill, somebody tried to verify, was 49,000 francs, the wine alone added up to 30, 000 francs. Nobody was complaining about it, however, they were in very high spirits and their appetite sharpened to a stiletto by the fatiguing journey. “Eat to your satisfaction,” Hansel said. And then he added slyly: “after all it’s your money.” And it was indeed their money! They ate with real relish. “How often do we go to Bangui a year, boss?” In spite of the full mouths, everybody laughed. They got the joke, Metuge was looking forward to a repeat of the fish party. “For as long as it lasts, my young man,” Hansel said. “I know what you mean.” They would check in at that hour and leave about an hour later. Air tickets were stuck in...