The Last Hope

Scene Three [1991—1993]

33 Act One Scene Three [1991—1993] In a hunting camp. KOKO and ERA have just finished eating, and are set to return home. KOKO is tying the last of two large bags of bush meat while ERA is washing the plates, pots and spoons that they used. KOKO: I’m happy with the way you’ve dried the meat this time, Era. You’re really becoming an expert. ERA: It’s a matter of firewood, Koko. When it is dry, you have no problem. And wood is not so common around our hut these days. That’s why I’ve always insisted that we fetch enough good wood and keep for the next trip. KOKO: That’s a sensible thing to do, Era. A long pause. ERA: Koko, have you noticed that we’ll soon run out of pots? KOKO: What? ERA [Holding up a leaking pot.]: And this is the only one I thought was good enough. You know all these other ones we can only use after we seal the holes with grated cassava or cooked garri. KOKO: Are you saying that it’s only the one you stole from the Science Camp that is still good? 34 ERA: How can you describe it as stealing? I saw a pot in a strange hut in my forest and took it, and you say I stole it? KOKO: Put me down, Era. I’ve not called you a thief. After all, if we cannot grab something like this, what else do you think we can benefit from those project people? ERA: Is it even enough to compensate for the bush huts they have destroyed so far? [A pause.] Do you know that Reka now has a permanent hut? KOKO: Permanent hut? ERA: Yes. The roof is made of tarpaulin. KOKO Where did he buy it? ERA: Buy? Does he have money to buy a tarpaulin? KOKO: So he got it from...? ERA: You don’t need to ask. The project is simply lucky that I’ve yet to stumble into real luck. [Makes a discovery.] Eh, eh! This pot is completely bad. Look. There is another big hole here. KOKO: You over scrub the pots with sand each time you wash them. ERA: Do you want us to cook in dirty pots? Me, I take my time. I make sure the pots are clean both inside and outside. 35 KOKO: You don’t need to clean the outside. That’s what is making the pots get bad so soon. ERA: Koko, I have hygiene in my head. I don’t hurry over this thing the way you do. KOKO: Keep your hygiene in your house. You don’t bring it with you to the forest. If we have no pots again, on what will you be practising that your hygiene? ERA: I don’t blame you. Perhaps you thought that the pots must live forever and ever. KOKO: Amen. ERA walks up to the barn and places the pots and plates and spoons on it to drain. KOKO arranges the bags on the floor and then picks up his gun and starts cleaning it. ERA sits down and watches KOKO, whistling a familiar song. Three PARK GUARDS stealthily walk near, and plant themselves behind a bush. The HEAD PARK GUARD gives non-verbal instructions to his team, apparently telling them to round up and close in on the hunters as soon as he blasts his whistle. Pandemonium breaks out as soon as the whistle is sounded. ERA and KOKO run for escape in different directions. ERA succeeds to escape but KOKO is intercepted and handcuffed by PARK GUARD II. HEAD PARK GUARD: Why did you let him go? PARK GUARD I: Sir, he hit me on the jaw with his elbow. HEAD PARK GUARD: Shut up. 36 PARK GUARD I: Thank you, sir. HEAD PARK GUARD: You are weak. PARK GUARD I: Thank you, sir. HEAD PARK GUARD: Follow him, and bring him back here. Immediately! PARK GUARD I: Yes, sir. [He exits in haste.] PARK GUARD II makes KOKO sit on the ground. HEAD PARK GUARD: [Turning to PARK GUARD II.]: You are a brave boy. PARK GUARD II: Thank you, sir. HEAD PARK GUARD: From today on, you bear the title of BB. PARK GUARD II: Thank you, sir. HEAD PARK GUARD [Gives KOKO a furious stare.]: Have we not warned you enough? I...