Act ll Scene lll - Brothers' Bond
343 Words
Setting: The office of Adeyemi & Sons Construction. Late afternoon. Files are neatly arranged on desks. Staff members move about as the day's work gradually comes to an end.
(At rise, Tayo is studying a file while Kehinde walks in carrying two bottles of soft drink.)
KEHINDE: Still working?
TAYO: Somebody has to.
KEHINDE: (Hands him a bottle.) Take a break before these files become your family.
TAYO: Thank you.
(Tayo opens the bottle.)
KEHINDE: Guess who Mum argued with today.
TAYO: Another trader?
KEHINDE: Correct.
TAYO: Did Grace settle it?
KEHINDE: As always.
(They both laugh.)
TAYO: That girl was born to make peace.
KEHINDE: And Bella was born to argue.
TAYO: Esther was born to preach.
KEHINDE: Mum was born to complain.
(They burst into laughter.)
TAYO: Don't let her hear you.
KEHINDE: I enjoy my life too much.
(A staff member walks in.)
STAFF: Good evening, sirs.
TAYO: Good evening.
STAFF: Someone came looking for your family this afternoon.
(The brothers exchange glances.)
KEHINDE: Looking for who exactly?
STAFF: He didn't mention a name.
He only asked if this was Deacon Adeyemi's office.
TAYO: What did he want?
STAFF: I don't know.
When I asked, he simply smiled and left.
(A brief silence follows.)
KEHINDE: Did you recognize him?
STAFF: No, sir.
I've never seen him before.
TAYO: Alright.
Thank you.
STAFF: You're welcome, sir.
(The staff member exits.)
KEHINDE: That's strange.
TAYO: Maybe he wanted to make enquiries.
KEHINDE: Maybe.
(Tayo closes the file and stands.)
TAYO: Let's go home.
Mum is probably waiting already.
KEHINDE: And if we're late...
TAYO: We'll hear a sermon before Esther even gets the chance.
(The brothers laugh as they pick up their bags and head for the door.)
Neither of them notices...
Across the street...
The same mysterious man watches them leave.
He quietly removes a small notebook from his pocket.
Inside it are four names.
BELLA
ESTHER
GRACE
DEACON ADEYEMI
He slowly draws a circle around one name.
GRACE.
He closes the notebook.
Turns.
And disappears into the crowd.
LIGHTS FADE
- Writer
