If Only Office Number Ten Could Testify E-Book

kenechukwu obi

• Herausgeber: KenWrites
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

A university professor: honest, upright, an advocate of a rape-free society gets entangled by his female student in a rape scandal. Only a habit which provides no incontrovertible evidence is what the professor has to restore his impeccable reputation and avoid being convicted. Time is fast running out....

Leseprobe

IF ONLY OFFICE NUMBER TEN COULD TESTIFY

A PLAY

BY

KENECHUKWU OBI

CAST

ALAN UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

BEAUTY HIS WIFE

TOBY HIS SON

GEORGE ALAN’S CHILDHOOD FRIEND

ROSE GEORGE’S DAUGHTER

AMANDA ALAN’S FEMALE STUDENT

GINNY      AMANDA’S FRIEND

JACK ALAN’S NEPHEW

MARTIN JACK’S FRIEND

GODWIN ALAN’S FATHER-IN-LAW

SCENE ONE

The stage is without illumination, quiet and without any evidence of life on it. Then it suddenly gets lit, it is morning, and revealed are Jack and Amanda, university students, books in hand, and walking.

AMANDA

[UNPLEASED] Monday morning again…. [SLOWLY SHAKES HER HEAD IN DEJECTED FASHION]

JACK

And so what?

AMANDA

Oh…… gush…..

JACK

Oh… gush… what?

AMANDA

Hmmn... The beginning….

JACK

What?

AMANDA

Jack, you ought to know it…. Another five days of rigors ahead.

JACK

That’s the way it is.

AMANDA

[SIGHS] How I wished the weekend would never be over. So fantastic I forgot there are other week days.

JACK

Amanda….. [LAUGHS] Well, you mean the parties?

AMANDA

[IN A RATHER HIGH TONE] What else?

JACK

[AMIDST SMILES] And you really felt they would not be over?

AMANDA

Yes. [NODS TO EMPHASISE]

JACK

Why are you in school then? There should be time for everything. We can’t go having parties all the time. Don’t be quick to forget the main reason why you are here. Every other thing is secondary. Come on… and..

AMANDA

[INTERUPTS JACK] I should read my eyes out then? [GRINS] Is that what you want? It’s just the beginning of another week when men and women with ugly faces will parade themselves before me as lecturers. Dishing out assignments as if they are food. Especially Professor Alan.

JACK

[IN DISAGREEMENT] But he is about the best we have in this institution. Academically and morally sound. Upright, a good track record of student relations and ….

AMANDA

[CHUCKLES] All these words, just because you are related to him? [GLOWERS AT JACK] A man who believes a student should even read to the point of death? Not knowing I should have time for myself. [GRUNTS] Hmmn… I wonder if he ever has time to spend with his wife. I’m sorry he is your uncle, but he has no place in my good books. [PREGNANT SILENCE ENSUES AS BOTH FRIENDS WALK ON]

JACK

[BREAKS THE SILENCE] Amanda.

AMANDA

[TURNS TO JACK, SMILING] I think my ears are perfectly in order. So feed them.

JACK

[SMILES SMUGLY] I must not fail to acknowledge the fact that you did so well at the party yesterday.

AMANDA

[ELATED. ALMOST SCREAMS] Now you are talking. [NODS IN APPROVAL, AND BOTH AMANDA AND JACK ROAR IN LAUGHTER]

[AMANDA CONTINUES SLOWLY] Thank God. Is it not going to be academics all the way? Assignments? Tests? Home-works and take-home exercises? And….

JACK

[CHIPS IN] You were so wonderful.

AMANDA

Oh..... [LAUGHS BRIEFLY, STOPS WALKING, GIVES JACK A QUICK HUG AND WITHDRAWS, BEGINS WALKING AGAIN] You have told me that a million times. That’s lovely. What’s more? [SHE HALTS WALKING AGAIN, EYES FASTEND ON JACK WHO ALSO HALTS]

JACK

You danced and made it glaring that no other girl danced as much. Oh…. I was so proud of you. My whole being felt elevated. Exulted to the sky. Above the mountains. Your dance steps were just infectious, my girl. There can only be one you, nobody like you.

AMANDA

[SLOWLY] Oh ….. You boy….stop flattering me.

JACK

Did I? [LAUGHS]

AMANDA

Never mind. I was proud of you too. You are… a darling. Shall we part now?

JACK

You’re right. Time calls for that now. [STARRING AT HIS WATCH] That makes me want to ask a question if you don’t mind.

AMANDA

[IN A LOW EXPECTANT TONE] Go ahead then.

JACK

Do we see this afternoon? [OFFERING AN INVITING SMILE]

AMANDA

Oh…that would be so nice. Don’t tell me you imagined I would ever have any problems with that. [OFFERS AN INVITING SMILE]

JACK

No.…

AMANDA

[QUICKLY] Okay, see you then, Jack.

JACK

Bye, Amanda!

AMANDA

Have a nice day, Jack!

AMANDA WALKS AWAY, AND OUT OF VIEW, AND BEFORE JACK DOES, HIS FRIEND, MARTIN, APPROACHING, CALLS.

MARTIN

Jack! Jack! Wait!

[JACK LOOKS BACK AND SEES MARTIN WALKING TOWARDS HIM. HE SMILES AND WAITS. MARTIN WALKS UP TO HIM. BOTH FRIENDS HAVE A QUICK HANDSHAKE.

JACK

Good morning, Martin.

MARTIN

Good morning, Jack. I just saw Amanda leave.

JACK

Yes. For her lectures. And where are you off to, almost sprinting like a gazelle?

MARTIN

Lectures. [BOTH BEGIN TO WALK]

JACK

The same with me.

BOTH FRIENDS [In their early twenties] WALK IN SILENCE AS MARTIN THINKS. HE FINALLY BREAKS THE SILENCE.

MARTIN

What are your views on the rampant cases of rape in our society today? Or are you not aware of the abominable act on our girls and the entire womanhood?

JACK

It calls for a concerted effort to deal ruthlessly with anyone apprehended for doing it. That’s a crime worse than murder if you ask me.

MARTIN

[FACE EXPRESSES DISGUST] It’s terrible. Really terrible.

JACK