HIDDEN IDENTITY [ONE GIRL... THREE PERSONALITY]

EPISODE ONE ACT ONE SCENE ONE As he walks into the classroom, everywhere becomes silent, all eyes on him as he walks majestically to his seat. Some were admiring, some daydreaming, while some were just gazing at him. Jessica: [Takes her eyes off him and glances at her seatmate, who is still staring at him] Flora! Why don’t you just open your mouth also? Flora: [Called back to her rightful sense by Jessica’s words, she turns to Jessica] what do you mean? Weren’t you also starring, am even better than you. Jessica: [Flabbergast] you are better than who… me? You are not serious. You always stare at him every minute of the day. If he talks, you stare at him, if he yawns, you stare at him, if he stands up or does anything, your eyes are always on him. See… yours is the worst [They look at themselves in a mean way and grudge. He sits in the middle of two boys, at the last set of seats by the right side of the classroom] James: [Seated at the edge] what was holding you out there after the assembly? Dave: I was called by our class teacher, we are having a newbie today, and she told me to prepare a seat. Lucas: [At the left side] for? Dave: for the newbie. Lucas: I mean is it for a “him” or a “her”? Dave: oh, it’s for a “her” [He grins] James: But why would someone change school during S.S.S.3… I wasn’t expecting any newbie again. Lucas: Even next term when we will be writing our external exam, I won’t be surprised if we have a newbie and it will still be a girl. Boys don’t do that [They giggle] Dave: [Glance at him] Lucas. Lucas: And since it’s a girl, which means a plus one admirer for you… is she beautiful? Dave: [Shakes his head in disagreement] not for me, for us and I’ve not seen her yet. Lucas: Which seat did you select for her? Is it this one in front of us [He glanced at the vacant seat] or the one close to the Nerds? [He takes a glimpse at two boys sitting close] Dave: I don’t know for now. James: [Deeps his hand into his pocket] I guess you are waiting to know what she looks like… [He pause, not finding what he was looking for] where is my pen? [He blustered out before he even knew he did] Matilda: [Stands up from her seat and comes to him, following the wall side. She clears her throat] am with it. James: [Not wanting his wondering looks to be noticed, he puts on a grin] how come? Matilda: It fell down off your pocket at the assembly ground and I picked it up for you. James: Then why didn’t you give it to me? Matilda: I wanted to, but you left almost in a hurry, so I decided to hold it until you are in need of it. James: oh… okay. Thank you, can I have it? Matilda: [Smiles] sure [She hands the pen over to him] James: [He looks at her, their gaze meets] thanks once again. Matilda: you are welcome… at any time [Her gaze was still on him as she smiled. He nods and sits down. She goes back to her seat] Dave: [Turns to James] tell me, when did your pocket start dropping things? James: That's what baffles me. It’s not, I just checked it. Lucas: did you actually believed that it fell down [He snorts] or rather she picked-pocket you [They both glance at him, thoughtfully] Matilda: [Gets to her seat, she sits down and heaves joyously] yes! [Her seat-mate glances at her and shakes her head. The class murmuring continues. Their class teacher comes in] Dave: [Stands up] class, greet! [The others stand up and they all greet her] Mrs. Joy: [Nods her head] have your seat [They all sit down and was quiet] I can see all of you look great. This is the second week of resumption, so I hope you are all prepared for the term. Pupils: [Chorus] yes! Mrs. Joy: good. And today you have a new classmate [She turns to the door post] come in my dear [All eyes goes to the door. As she walks in slowly, their gaze follows her. She stands by the teacher holding her back-bag, she raises her head. The mood of the class change on seeing her, from curiosity to displeasure] Flora: [Whispers to Jessica] what are all those on her face? Ewe Jessica: [Turns to her] it’s called pimples, it’s a bacterium. Yuck. Mrs. Joy: she is your new classmate now and henceforth, till you graduate [She glances at girl] introduce yourself my dear. Amanda: My name is Victor O. Amanda and I look forward to knowing you all. Peter: you are welcome [He notices he was the only one that said it. He glances at the others, they were blunt] Mrs. Joy: class! Didn’t you hear her [Some answers, one after the other] James: You are welcome [His other two seat mates glance at him] what? [He glances at them, and then at the new girl, she bent her head down] RECALL Teacher: you have a new classmate [She turns to the entrance] you can come in sweetheart [The girl walks in boldly. The pupils just stare at her, amazed] introduce yourself sweetheart. Patra: [Smiles] am Okafor V. Cleopatra, but you can call me Pat or Patra. Am I welcome in this class? Pupils: [Chorus, especially the boys] yes! [She smiles] PRESENT Amanda: [Brings up her head and tries not to look at anyone, whispers to the teacher] it's okay ma. Mrs. Joy: [Heaves and glances at Dave] Dave, where is she to sit? Dave: [Stands up, his eyes meet that of Amanda and she bends her head. ‘Is she amazed by my cuteness? He snorts. About pointing at the seat, his two friends assist his hand with theirs to point at the seat close to Peters’. The other pupils chuckles] that’s her seat mate. Mrs. Joy: My dear , go to your seat. Amanda: thank you ma [She goes to her seat. Each roll is of three seats and locker, the class was of three rolls. Her seat was in the front of the middle roll, by the right hand side, while that of Peter was in the middle, next to her, and then by the left was that of Buchi. She sits down] Mrs. Joy: who will be her auxiliary mate? [Nobody said a thing] Buchi: [Lifts up his hand, same time with Peter]: me. Mrs. Joy: [Smiles] Buchi you will be her auxiliary mate, Peter you will assist him on that [They both nod. She turns her attention to the class] you all should be quiet, your teacher for this period will soon be here [She goes out. The class murmuring continues] Amanda: [Turns to her seat mates] thank you, both of you. I appreciate [They nod, she glances at them ‘They are both nerds, interesting’] [Curtain falls]