The Lock on My Lips: Lock on My Lips, The

ACT V

175 ACT V Scene I At a Bush Path E Enter Ability and Inspector Lucas Ability: (Hands an envelope to Inspector Lucas). The booty is heavy. Oil Barrister Johnson’s lips. Shey has agreed to give a portion of that land to us if he wins the case. Inspector Lucas: That’s a big contract. Ability: If the trap fails to catch a rat, it returns the bait to the owner. Inspector Lucas: (Withdraws stealthily). Enter Mbiame and Dinka Ability: (Gives a paper to Mbiame). Follow every bit of instructions on this paper. You must come back with the Sale Certificate and the tape. Leave no traces but, don’t harm her. She is not the target (they nod). I’ll wait for you here. (Mbiame and Dinka leave). Shey Ghamogha’s Bedroom (Unidentified masked men storm the room and point a gun at Mrs Ghamogha). Dinka: Give tape record and self safiticate! Mbiame: Be smart! Or else, I will blow off your skull! One! Two… Mrs Ghamogha: (In a trembling voice.) Tape recorder, SelfCertificate , t-t-there, handbag, handbag. (Dinka pulls out a tape recorder and Birth Certificate from the handbag. As the thieves charge out of the room, a paper drops unnoticed from Mbiame’s perforated chest pocket. Mrs Ghamogha picks it up shortly after they left). 176 A At a Bush Path (Enter Mbiame and Dinka). Dinka: Boss. (Smiles as he gives Ability the Birth Certificate and the tape recorder). Ability: (Pointing at the papers with a small light from his torch lamp). What’s this? Who asked for a Birth Certificate? Dinka: Sorry sir. No vex sir. No vex. What about our labour? (Mbiame nods). Ability: Idiots. (Ability walks away). Mbiame: (Snaps his fingers in the air as he speaks). We shall see. Scene II Shelley Hallen Johnson’s Chambers Barrister Hallen: (Looking at the bandage on her face). Who did this to you? Mrs Ghamogha: My husband did it. (Barrister Hallen shakes her head). My husband reported me to the traditional Council. Barrister Hallen: Why? Mrs Ghamogha: For buying land in my name. I was asked to surrender the land to him. I was also attacked at home by masked bandits. Barrister, assist us through the law to recover the land and ensure my security. Barrister Hallen: Your problem truly requires a legal cure. Violators of human rights must feel the crushing weight of justice. Mrs Ghamogha: Thank you Barrister Hallen. Do me a favour once more. Barrister Hallen: You may proceed. Mrs Ghamogha: Barrister Hallen, I’ll like to win a seat in the Senate 177 or Parliament. I’m wondering if through that position, I can by any means reclaim my land. Barrister Hallen: Justice is not for Senators and Parliamentarians alone. Senator or no Senator, you have a legal right to your land. Mrs Ghamogha: Barrister Hallen, I just felt that a woman must be something extra-ordinary in the legislative machine before she can be heard or given her rights as a human being. Barrister Hallen: Oh no, no. Mrs Ghamogha, the real problem is that women do not come before the law each time their rights are abused. Take the case of rape for example, women hardly come forward when they are sexually victimised. They don’t talk about it. They have been made to see it as a taboo that must never be mentioned. We have hardly registered a case of rape in this law Chamber although I know they occur every day in Kibaaka. Women have been made to remain silent in the face of human rights abuses against them. Mrs Ghamogha: (Stroke and yet encouraged by Hallen Johnson’s knowledge). Barrister Hallen, I am shocked by your knowledge of our problems as a sex. I was perhaps the latest victim of the crime you just mentioned. Barrister Hallen. (Quickly lifting up her head). What do you mean? Mrs Ghamogha: (Bending over the table, she whispers). I was raped. Barrister Hallen: What? Raped? When? Where? By who? Mrs Ghamogha: Barrister please, don’t shout. It must not be heard… Barrister Hallen: Rubbish! This is complicity with rape! And I wouldn’t take it! Mrs Ghamogha! You can’t be fighting for women’s rights and yet cannot speak up! God! By the way, do you have any 178 suspect? Mrs Ghamogha: Kilamakwa did it. Barrister Hallen: Don’t worry. I will send out private detectives to...