Act II, Scene III
1073 Words
(Recess)
(They arrive at the auditorium at recess to a rowdy atmosphere of students chattering excitedly on seats or standing. Philip drops the luggage at vacant seats while they occupied both of them)
Philip: It would have been almost perfect if that teacher hadn't caused the scene.
Eric: Him. Don't worry about that. That guy has always been a killjoy. Maybe he didn't get the info about the rehearsal. Glad the principal humbled him.
Philip: Well (sighs) I’m gonna be getting his unwanted attention that's for… (cut off)
Eric: (Loud) For what?
Philip: (audible) For the embarrassment (pause) It's not like I was showing off in class to make him throw mouth odours and spit at my face.
Eric: (chuckles) Bro, I'd wish you badmouth more (exhales loudly) That's his freaking cup of tea. No one asked him to do a shouting contest so don't worry, Gee.
( They kept quiet for a while)
Philip, So it's just mainly vocals.
Eric: Well, there's choreographers, comedians and whatever, but that's just probably for the turnout. The completion is for us and guys like you who play sounds. comedians and whatsoever- that was just purely for turnout. You're definitely getting in, bro. This competition is for us, G.
Philip: (smiles) All right then
Eric: By the way (looks at the keyboard) Where is that i***t who could even stick up for his keyboard.
(As if on cue, Jared walks in before yelling for Philip and then approaches on sight)
Jared: (approaches briskly) Guy, I hope nothing do my keyboard.
Eric: Guy, shut yo mouth and use ya eyes. (looks and points at it) You think we lost it?
Jared: (stops. Feigns annoyance) Guy, better shut up there. Nothing concern you. Normal- normal if you lose am, na to just sell you buy am back (loud) But you sef know na ,you no get value so I'll ask your papa for your inheritance.
Eric: (annoyed) Don't start another episode. Just take your keyboard and go
Jared: (mockingly) Oh, so that one pain you. Na why you dey speak grammar. No vex o (raises his hand in jest)
(He walks and pulls the case underneath Phillip's chair but Eric extends a leg and pushes it a slight distance towards him)
Jared: (amused) heei (loud) Nice one. As you carry am go your front. I will not talk too much just pick am hand over like a good boy.
(Eric places a foot on it and pushes it towards him while Jared stares in astonishment)
Eric: (serious) It's yours, right?.
(Philip stands up)
Jared: (seething) Heeeei (slow caps) See me, see trouble. (Garners attention)
Philip: (to Jared) Guy, please just calm down. No vex.
(Jared angrily shoves Philip to his seat)
Jared: (loud) Commot for here. (pause) Why I know go Vex, this moron, waste of nine months, almost destroyed my ..my (stutters and swallows) and you are here telling me to….to calm down. (turns to Eric and points) As for you…..
(Eric slaps his hand but Jared grabs him by his wrist and pulls him. Eric stumbles to the ground but further reacts by grabbing Jared's collar)
(There's further rowdiness as students scuttle hurriedly to their seats leaving both of them defaulters of decorum and their position leaving no doubts about their intended action to Mr. Clement)
Mr Clement: (angry) What do both of you think you are doing?
Jared: (pushes Eric's hand away) Sir, this i***t started a commotion here. It's all he's doing.
Eric: Liar (to Mr. Clement) Uncle, this vagabond is nothing but trouble. The moment he walks in here, all of a sudden there's trouble.
Jared: Everyone knows you are the troublemaker and liar.
Eric: You shut the hell up. You dipsh…(cut off)
Mr Clement: (shouts) Am I invisible?.There's a teacher standing here and you both are still talking. (turn to Eric) Don't test my patience. You have been causing contra temps here (waves his finger around) Don't make any further problem for me, because I will reciprocate it back and you will cry in the end (pause) Don't test me.
Eric: (defiant) Sir, I didn't start anything. It wasn't my fault.
Mr Clement: (angry) I don't give a damn about who caused it. I just want an end to it. Better know you're on thin ice. (turns to Jared, slightly calm) And you. What do you want?
Eric: (interjects) Sir, he's here for trouble.
MrvClement: (faces him) Was I talking to you?
(Everywhere remained quiet)
Jared: I'm here for the rehearsal.
Mr Clement: (piqued) Do you sing? Tell me your specialty?
Jared: Sir, I play an instrument (stares briefly at his keyboard)
Philip:( Cuts in) Me too, sir, I play a saxophone….. aaan instrument as well.
Mr Clement: (snaps finger, points and looks at Philip) We might need that, that's good. (Snaps finger and points at Jared) You! you said you play a keyboard, right?
Jared: Yes
Mr Clement: (stares at him with doubt) Ok
Jared: Thank you, Sir
Philip: Thank you as well.
Mr Clement: (to the entire crowd) Let's get on with our houses and forget what just happened. Arrange yourselves and bring out your sheets. We will begin without any delay. (to Javed and Philip) You two, set your instruments near the power outlets..somewhere around the corner Be sure to bring extensions next time maybe more are likely to show up. …..get going.
(Jared picks his case and walks away before giving Eric a mocking smile Philip joins him while Eric watches)
Mr Clement: (To Eric) As for you, Have you changed your mind yet?
Eric: (sits) Sir, I've told you before. Singing with other people doesn't feel cool with me and I'll just go with my own wave.
Mr Clement: Well, that's your freaking cup of tea.
(He moves a little distance away and notices the rest of the students had arranged themselves at the far corner of the auditorium. He then looks at Eric before he leaves)
Mr Clement: This pride of yours will get you nowhere. I hope the sooner you realize that you're in a hole, you'd stop digging.
Eric: What's that supposed to mean? A grave?
Mr Clement: (walks away) It's your funeral.
Eric: You …
(He tends to the choir. Eric, on the other hand, brings out his book bind and reads through it halfheartedly as he drops it and stares blankly, disappointments and worry etched over his face as melancholy seizes him)
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