What Mama Said: An Epic Drama

MOVEMENT SIX

MOVEMENT SIX (OMI returns to the GRA/Oil Club, where OCEANA and YOBE, the Government Official, are meeting. They are signing some documents, but as soon as they see her coming, they quickly dash into the room with the files. OMI waits outside, humming a somber tune until the men return and let her in. Just then, two young men [one of them is IKPOBA wearing a mask] try to open the iron gate. But they can’t. They bow and plead several times, hoping that OCEANA and YOBE will let them in, but they simply give them a nasty glare until the disgusted OCEANA rises and blows his whistle. Immediately his guard BONNY/GUARD X storms the scene from behind, salutes his master, and awaits his orders.) OCEANA: Arrest those robbers! BONNY/GUARD X: Yes saar! OCEANA: Teach them a hard lesson. BONNY/GUARD X: Yes saar! (BONNY/GUARD X makes a quick dash for the youths. The one arrested is IKPOBA, while the other flees with a scream: “See you tomorrow!” The arrested youth pleads frantically for freedom and mercy. “I no do anytin. I no be tief. I no fuck him wife. Na only job I want. Na only food. Just food I dey find. I beg. I beg, broda, help me. Help me beg am. Beg Oyiboman for me. Na beg I dey beg!” His pleading and protestations continue as the youth is dragged through the door behind, followed with a loud noise. YOBE departs hurriedly. OCEANA leans back again to light a cigar. He reaches out for the radio, tunes into a slow jam music station as he continues to smoke and pace up and down in his deep thought.) OCEANA: (To OMI.) Come now, sugar! (OMI is silent but agitated.) 93 OCEANA: (Puffing away smoke.) Do come now. What was he saying? OMI: You mean crying? OCEANA: Same to me . . . Their crying and talking. They blame me for . . . OMI: Nothing. Just nothing. You are beyond blame. It’s just us. We are the problem. OCEANA: (Studying her.) True. Baby, you’re so honest, so different from everyone else. (Pause. Smokes.) Only sometimes I can’t . . . don’t understand . . . I mean especially with that young man. After all, they’re your people. OMI: I know. (Reassuring smiles.) No problem. It’s not me you should fear. OCEANA: But whom? OMI: Nobody. After all, are you no longer in control? OCEANA: Certainly. OMI: So why fear . . . ? OCEANA: (Thinking.) Control? (Pause.) But these people . . . OMI: I know. OCEANA: Don’t trust . . . I mean soon, you too might be telling me he’s your brother. And that one is your uncle. (Chuckling.) You black women and your imaginary brothers and uncles! Ha! (They’re interrupted by the wailing of the youth inside the cell. Outside, sounds of protests are also rising and drawing nearer. OMI fights her anxiety and rage. OCEANA is trying to pull her to his bosom, but she resists.) OMI: Oga, please release me. Let me go. (She hums a tune: “Please Release Me.”) 94 W H A T M A M A S A I D OCEANA: I have you. Where do you think you’re going? OMI: Home. OCEANA: Where? (Loud laughter.) OMI: My place. OCEANA: Where’s that? (Laughs.) Don’t be ridiculous. You belong here . . . in my arms. OMI: To rule? OCEANA: Damn the rules! All I want is my own . . . OMI: (Cursing in her language.) Death! No. Quick, o’jare! Let me go? Stop wasting my bloody time. OCEANA: What? (Silence.) What did you say? OMI: Nothing . . . Yet. (Explodes into laughter.) OCEANA: You silly girl. Why be in such a rush? OMI: (Reading her watch.) It’s time. Time. I’m done. OCEANA: (Angry.) With me? OMI: Oh, come on. Don’t take it personally. Time respects no king or master. I have to go. My people . . . OCEANA: Your people? OMI: (Laughing.) Who else? It’s been so long. My mother is waiting. I have to go . . . OCEANA: Join them? W H A T M A M A S A I D 95 OMI: (Laughs, plays with his chin.) To get paid! OCEANA: Not now. You have to wait. OMI: Till when? How long? OCEANA: But tell me, why are you in such a hurry now? OMI: (More agitated.) But I’ve been here, waiting all this time. I’m tired. See you. (Picks up her...