The Bad Samaritan

Chapter Twenty Eight

145 The Bad Samaritan Chapter Twenty Eight T he H/M was completely devastated. He had all along thought of himself as a celebrity in the area. In fact most people thought of him as the icon of knowledge in the area. Now, in the presence of men, women and children he was defrocked. All over the place, the natives gossiped saying a big teacher has wrenched a small teacher. “If it is dog chop dog, I shall see how a retired professor will swallow me in a village that means more to me than my village of birth. I have my farms here. I am here not because of teaching but because of my farms. What do I get from the teaching field! My main stay here is cocoa farming. And a stranger wants me transferred. I shall not go on transfer alone. We shall go together.” “What can the yells of a fowl do to the sky-bound kite?” his wife asked helplessly. “Look, I promise that The BS will pay dearly for his portentousness”. “I shall live to see you disgrace him as he has disgraced you. All West Bassiland is here. Everybody has heard what he has done to you.” “I shall show him that it is not all toads that snakes swallow. I am not mincing words. I shall make him piss inbetween his legs like a woman. You will see.” “That is the mane of a he-goat.” “Wait and see.” Three weeks later, the H/M left stealthily for Dande to see the Minister of Jungletry and the incumbent parliamentarian. He told them of the political inroads The 146 Charles Alobwed’Epie BS was making in Bassiland and urged them to take prompt action to stop him. “I offer my services. I promise you, I’ll undo him if you can assist me.” “Elections are one year away from now. He has started too early. Allow him wear himself out. We shall start three months to the elections. A concentrated onslaught when he might have run out of steam will blow him off – he and his henchmen as the wind blows husk. Just take note of all those who collaborate with him. They will be punished,” the Minister said. “Monsieur le Ministre, you may be right. But look at it this way. I am afraid to say it, but I must be frank. Our MP is not popular with the people at all and he knows that himself. In the same vein, our government is a lame dog. It has a lot of loopholes. And its critics always sound credible. Sometimes I feel ashamed when every word a critic utters against either the MP or the government cannot be proven false. Many people listen to the opposition because they give hard facts on the weaknesses of the MP and the government. If The BS is given a longer time to pollute the area, he would end up making indelible marks. I am afraid he may establish a diehard corps.” “What then is your strategy?” the incumbent MP asked. “I suggest that you give me the means to challenge him. I shall surely report to you what I have done to neutralize him. I live in West Bassiland and I know what I’ll use to neutralize him. I’ll get him by the flanks.” “I think your best bet is to attack his main stay – his business. Let’s destroy his business. I hear he has more money now than he had during the last election. That can be very dangerous. If he could be such a formidable candidate in the last election when he was poor, he would be unstoppable this time,” the Minister remarked. “Monsieur le Ministre, I think we better see the Secretary General of our party for help. He has funds for situations like these. Several companies have been asked to donate 147 The Bad Samaritan toward the election effort. I hear Ewawa Oil Company donated FCFA 350,000,000 the other day. Ewawa Banana Company donated FCFA 150,000,000 last Friday and one of the Timber Companies donated FCFA 300,000,000. Other companies will follow suit. He will surely help and if we can chip in something to boost our friend, he will return well armed to tackle the problem,” the incumbent suggested. “I see with you. We should aim at giving The BS...