The Tragedy of Mr No Balance

Scene II

5 Scene II At M Mr. No-Balance's Office the following morning; we see a cross-section of No-Balance's Office; Wawah is at his desk and Miss Muke, the typist, is busy typing. Shortly thereafter N No-Balance walks in. He’s in a gay and happy mood. He approaches W Wawah. No-Balance: Mr. Wawah, it appears you've nothing doing this morning? Wawah: Exactly so, sir. I cleared my tray yesterday. No-Balance: Hard working chap. And I'm afraid; I’ve nothing for you today. (pauses) Anyway, if you won't mind it, I grant you this day, a holiday. You can now go home and be about your private business. Wawah: I'm very grateful, sir. No-Balance: Don't mention it. (Wawah goes out while M Miss Muke continues to type) No-Balance: A minute, Miss Muke. (She stops typing) If my memory serves me right, you did some time ago ask for permission to pay a short visit to your sick mother? Muke: That I did, sir. No-Balance: Was it granted you? Muke: It wasn't, sir. No-Balance: I'm sorry. But do you still long to pay her a visit? Muke: Certainly, sir. No-Balance: All right. I grant you three days off duty as from now. Hope that serves you well? (Silence, then she responds shyly) Muke: It's a pity sir. I'm so badly off now that I've to defer it until I'm well off again. No-Balance: Don't worry. (Gives her 1000 francs note) Have this for your transport and other expenses. Extend my best wishes to your mother. (She starts to roll off the paper from the machine but No-Balance stops her) Don't take off the 6 paper, I'll continue the work. Muke: Thank you very much indeed, sir. No-Balance: Don't mention it. I'm only doing my duty. (Muke goes out) Voice (Intruding once more) Who-so-ever is delighted in Self-lonesomeness, is always at the mercy of the merciless gods. No-Balance (in an enraged mood): Anyone may consider it very absurd of me, but it's a step which has been masterfully calculated. (He feigns anger and sets about littering the office with waste papers, scattering books on the Manager's table and doing everything to annoy anyone keen on tidiness. He sits down very unhappily to work. Moments later, V Vaa enters, looks around the office and frowns) Vaa: Why's the office so untidy? Is there nobody to tidy it up? By the way, where're Miss Muke and Mr. Wawah? (No-Balance in disdain looks him up and down, sighs, and continues with his work) O.K! that's all one. (Vaa sits down. Silence. Then N No-Balance moves up to V Vaa's table, his hands in his pockets) No-Balance: Mr. Vaa, you're the Manager of this Corporation, and I, the Chief Clerk. Do you dispute this? (Vaa who is concentrating on a sheet of paper on his table simply shakes his head in affirmation without looking away from the paper) Now, if you value my presence in this Corporation, nay, this office, as much as I do yours, let us from this moment, employ an office boy; and you'll get the best of my services. If this is not done, I'll tender my resignation before the close of the day's work. (He moves back to his seat, lights a cigarette and exhales the smoke. Silence) Vaa: I hope you had no nightmare last night, Mr. No-Balance? What rights have you on earth not to talk of heaven, to address me, your Manager with your hands in your pockets? Put those thoughts from your mind! The devil is getting at you. No-Balance: Whatever the devil intends of me, our securing an office boy will counteract it all. Anyway, I hope it's nothing bad; for though a devil, I believe not all devils are bad. (Short silence) Vaa: Where did you say Miss Muke and Mr. Wawah have gone to? 7 No-Balance: Mr. Wawah, according to his medical report, is suffering from antiparasympathetic activity. So, the doctor has given him some days offduty . As for Miss Muke, when she got a telephone call this morning informing her of her mother’s death I gave her some...