The Bad Samaritan

Chapter Sixteen

73 The Bad Samaritan Chapter Sixteen S hortly after Esole had repaired the two vehicles Beri got information that his uncle had died. He left for Benso immediately to attend the burial. He was there for two weeks. Upon his return at night he found ‘Eso & Sons’ premises closed and sealed. The neon lights that had graced the place had gone dead. There was no light even in Esole’s quarters. Beri knocked at the gate and a sullen and devastated Esole woke up to open the gate. He welcomed Beri outside and allowed him move to his section of the establishment without a word. He however felt an inkling of relief in his distressed soul. Beri knew from the looks of his master that there was something wrong, very wrong. So, he did not bother whether he received him cordially or not. In the morning he asked him what was wrong. “Some cranky uncouth fellows who call themselves tax controllers came here and said I have been operating my businesses for three years illegally. I showed them the licenses and on trying to explain to them that in spite of numerous appeals to the appropriate quarters for tax assessment, the authorities had not turned up, the fools said the documents were faked. They added that I could not have been operating three businesses in the same premises with only two licenses. The fellows were so arrogant, so boorish that we picked up a quarrel. They then sealed the premises and left.” “They left without giving a condition? They didn’t ask for something you would give them?” 74 Charles Alobwed’Epie “I tell you, I have never seen a pack of fools with such haughtiness in my life. I gave them a telling off. Stupid! Such marauding thieves should not be allowed in our society. Can you imagine boys who have never seen the walls of a university coming to molest me?” “They did not come to molest you at the university. They did not come to ask for continuous assessment marks. They came to molest you at their exclusive zone. What did they demand?” “They gave me a default bill of FCFA 20,000,000 for a business whose capital is less than FCFA 10,000,000 and one of them shamelessly suggested that we could share the amount – that is I give them FCFA 10,000,000 and I remain with FCFA 10,000,000.” “Because of that you picked up a quarrel with them? You should have negotiated rather than pick up a quarrel. Where do you say they came from?” “From Tumba.” “And you think they came here on their own? They did not. They were led into these premises by people around. Give me FCFA 5,000,000. I will leave for Tumba now. That matter should be pursued now that records have not been made. If records are established, you will have to pay the amount or close the business. The tax is so high because of the cocoa business I advised you not to include and make prominent in the licence. I will go to Tumba now.” “To go and bribe those fools?” “Yes, it is better to bribe them now before they establish records. They usually wait for two weeks before they establish documents. Once records are established, there is nothing they can do.” “OK. Here with FCFA 5,000,000.” Beri got the money and went to the SDO first. “Please Sir, my master has sent me to you to tell you that he was sorry because he could not return to you after the car incident. He said that the incident aggrieved him 75 The Bad Samaritan and made him sick. Because of that, he wanted to go to Dande to rest. He added that I should give you this small parcel to help you entertain strangers during the National Day celebrations. He said since his business has been sealed by controllers of taxes, he would have no reason to return before or during the event.” The SDO took the parcel and went into his room to see. He counted FCFA 1,000,000. “Does your master know the role he plays in this community? His absence would compromise the celebrations of the National Day. His absence will be felt by the community. He has to be here to animate the National Day. There is no gainsaying. Thank...