The Identical Triplets

Act l Scene II – Breakfast Interrupted

Setting: The Adeyemi family house. The living room opens into the dining area. Morning.

( The knock at the gate continues.)

MRS. ADEYEMI: (Turning to the twin brothers.) Tayo, Kehinde! One of you should stop standing there like a statue and go see who's at the gate.

TAYO: I'm going, Mum. (He exits.)

(The rest of the family begins arranging the breakfast table. Moments later, Tayo returns with MAMA BISI, the family's lively neighbour, carrying a covered bowl.)

MAMA BISI: Good morning, Deacon! Good morning, everybody!

ALL: Good morning, Mama Bisi.

MAMA BISI: I made some akara this morning and thought I'd share it with my wonderful neighbours.

MRS. ADEYEMI: (Laughing.) Ah! You remembered us today?

MAMA BISI: How can I forget this family? Besides, if I don't visit, your daughters will forget my face.

BELLA: (Chuckling.) As if that's possible.

MAMA BISI: (Pointing playfully at Bella.) This one! Your mouth will land you in trouble one day.

(Everyone laughs except Esther.)

ESTHER: Mama Bisi, thank you very much. God bless you.

MAMA BISI: Amen, my daughter. You're always so well behaved.

BELLA: (Rolling her eyes.) Here comes the "holier-than-thou" award again.

ESTHER: At least I'm trying to live right.

BELLA: And reminding everybody every five minutes.

GRACE: (Stepping between them with a smile.) Can we eat before this turns into another family meeting?

(Everyone sits down.)

MAMA BISI: Honestly, after all these years, I still have to look twice before I know who's who.

BELLA: Maybe we're planning to confuse the whole neighbourhood.

MAMA BISI: (Laughing.) You girls already do!

(Deacon Adeyemi smiles proudly as he watches his children. For a brief moment, peace fills the house.)

(A black SUV drives slowly past the compound. It stops. Someone inside stares at the house for a few seconds... then drives away.)

(Grace notices.)

(Bella notices too.)

(Neither says a word.)

BLACKOUT.