Jail bird 32&33

episode 32
THE GENTLEMAN’S PERK NIGHT CLUB
The music is loud.
An all-girl band is playing, and revellers are dancing and having a good time.
In lighted glass booths at vantage points around the club are beautiful girls wearing only G-strings and high boots, dancing and gyrating and showing off their bare b-----s and derrieres.
The bar is probably the longest in the world.
It is exquisitely lighted, and stretches in long and curved apertures along one side, and it is manned by ten barmen at a time.
There is an eatery on the second floor, a mini casino on the third floor and the fourth floor caters for the sexual deviations of the wealthiest people.
In a private lounge on the fourth floor, dimly-lit and filled with soft music, are Jonathan Afful, Steve Hollison and a few of their friends.
Naked girls of various nationalities move among them, some serving drinks, others giving a more ‘specialized’ form of service.
Jonathan Afful, his shirt discarded and wearing only trousers and white singlet, takes a sip from his glass and then bends and clamps his lips on the b----t of a naked Chinese woman in his arms.
A naked long-legged beautiful American woman is lying on top of Steve in one corner, shaded by long, sexy curtains.
She is moving slowly on top of him, making fake sounds of ecstasy as they make love.
In another corner, Mike Crankson is with three naked women. One is a Zambian, another a Nigerian and the third a Mexican.
Eventually Afful gets up and walks weakly to a patio off the lounge for some fresh air.
A few minutes later Steve joins him, zipping up his trousers.
Afful raises his glass to Steve.
AFFUL
Life is good, eh, my paddy? After church, what’s more enjoyable than some international p---y, huh?
Steve leans against the banister and takes out a cigarette.
STEVE
Cheap sex, Jon, something to kill the cravings of a man’s d--k. But it’s unfulfilling, you know. I’ll give all this up just to have Effe as my wife.
AFFUL
(with a laughing bark)
Give it up? Are you crazy? I love Elaine as much as a man can love a woman, but d--n it, a man needs to taste a different soup once in a while.
STEVE
(laughing)
In your case about twice a week, my paddy.
They laugh, and then a sad look spreads across Steve’s face.
AFFUL
Looks like some ghost just walked across your grave, man. What’s up? Effe still worshipping her p---y?
STEVE
Almost happened last night, man. She was naked, I was naked, then…
AFFUL
(draining his glass)
Chris?
STEVE
(snorting)
Who else? Not knowing he was in the house with that b-----d son of his. Game end. Effe barely spoke to me today.
AFFUL
You think she still got feelings for that son-of-a-crocodile?
STEVE
(miserably)
She claims she’s over him, but I saw the way she looked when she realized Chris thought we had made love. I tell you, Chris is a problem, man.
Afful laughs bitterly and shakes his head.
AFFUL
When hasn’t that boy ever been a problem, man? In school, everywhere, all the girls preferred him. It’s like he got a secret magnet that pulls them.
STEVE
(bitterly)
Yeah, them girls all wanted to f--k him.
AFFUL
But we f----d them anyways, didn’t we?
STEVE
(chuckling)
Only those Chris didn’t like, abi?
They laugh then.
A girl enters with fresh glasses of drinks. Steve throws the butt of his cigarette away and takes a drink.
AFFUL
So, what do we do about him?
STEVE
I think we should give Mike the fight, man. I’m thinking, if we hype it up enough, Chris will take the bait. Effe, of course, will be scared for him, seeing what a mad dog Mike is. Mike can tell Effe he will drop the fight if she marries me.
Afful gapes at his friend with disbelief, then he bursts out laughing.
AFFUL
That’s the most stupid and absolutely ridiculous plan I ever heard. Are you for real? W’abodam papa! Your jealousy is making you mad, Steve. You really don’t know Effe that much, do you? You think you can blackmail her into marrying you? She won’t fall for any s--t like that, believe me. Listen, pal, do you trust me?
Steve looks at his friend warily.
STEVE
Yeah, I do. Why?
Afful moves close and puts a hand across the shoulders of his friend.
AFFUL
Leave everything to me, man. I also don’t want Chris around. He affects Elaine badly, man. I’m cooking up something. Will let you in on it soon. Just know that very soon, Chris will cease to be a problem, and Effe will be yours.
Steve looks at Afful expectantly, his face hopeful.
STEVE
For sure?
AFFUL
Trust me, bro.
Mike Crankson appears on the patio then.
He is completely naked, and filled with so much alcohol, drugs and sex that he can barely walk.
CRANKSON
Hey, Jon! I mean it, man! I wanna whip the skin off Chris Bawa! Gimme that fight, or I swear I’ll leave your d--n company and find a thirstier promoter.
Afful smiles.
AFFUL
Cease worrying, Mike. You’ll surely have that n----r to break sooner than you think!
CRANKSON
Oh, yeah! You don’t know just how much I wanna make Chris Bawa bleed! I’m gonna break all his f-----g bones!
THE BAWA RESIDENCE
They are having a family dinner, just like they do every first Sunday evening in a month.
They are in the huge dining-room.
The women have cooked a most sumptuous meal of banku and okra stew.
Diana and her husband, KWAKU DOSSAH, and their son MARLON DOSSAH, who is now sixteen years old, are sitting on the right side with Ruben Essel.
On the right side are Stan Bawa and his wife ESTHER and their fifteen year old daughter, MAAME SERWAA.
At the head of the table is the Reverend Brand Bawa, and at the foot is a very pensive Lois Bawa.
Their family dinners have always been filled with happiness and gaiety, but that evening there is an underlying current of tension that cannot quite be dissipated try as much as they can.
Stan is laughing quietly at something Esther has just whispered to him when Marlon drops the bomb.
MARLON
Mommy, why is Uncle Chris not here? He’s supposed to be here, isn’t he?
Reverend Brand, who has been raising a piece of goat meat to his mouth, pauses perceptively, and then he slowly drops the meat back into his bowl.
Ruben Essel spills a bit of the water he is drinking.
Mrs. Lois Bawa gives a startled little gasp and looks up sharply.
Stan’s laugh is choked off, and the smile vanishes from his face.
Diana looks anxiously at her son and gives a nervous little laugh.
DIANA
Actually, we went there to visit him, but we forgot to invite him. Hopefully he’ll be here next month.
MAAME SERWAA
(startled)
Here? But Dad says Uncle Chris is a devil and he doesn’t want to see him ever!
ESTHER
(sharply)
Maame!!
MRS. LOIS
(shaking his head)
Stan! Is that what you’ve been teaching your child about your brother?
STAN
(defensively)
There was a time I was very angry with Chris, yes, and I might have said some pretty bad things about him, but not anymore.
MARLON
(laughing)
Not anymore, Uncle Stan? But just last week on that T.V. programme you said he is a beast and should be taken back to prison!
DIANA
Marlon!! Show some respect, boy!
There is an uneasy silence for a while, and eventually the man of God speaks.
REV BAWA
I thank you, Marlon, for bringing it up. Indeed, it is time to try and reach out to Chris. Believe me, we’re trying. Hopefully, he and his family will be with us next month.
MARLON
I’ll be happy, Grandpa. Many of my friends want to see him. We believe he can beat that braggart Mike Crankson. Uncle Chris still has a lot of fans. Yesterday his Facebook Fan page was filled with thousands of birthday wishes!
That just about knocks most of the adults at the table for six!
REV BAWA
(squinting)
His birthday? May third?
MRS. LOIS
My God! Oh, Lord, no!
KWAKU DOSSAH
Wow! Diana, you forgot?
DIANA
(softly)
Yes, I did. It’s been a while since anyone acknowledged Chris’ birthday in this house.
MRS. LOIS
(tears in her eyes)
But I always remember, and pray for him. I totally forgot this one!
Stan suddenly tosses his napkin on the table angrily and stands up even when Esther tries to drag him down.
STAN
(angrily)
What’s the meaning of this? Why is everybody behaving as if we’re at fault for not remembering Chris’ birthday? He was a part of this family, and he chose to abandon us! If somebody should be filled with remorse it is certainly not one of us!
REV BAWA
(sharply)
Stan! We’re Christians, first and foremost! It is our duty to forgive the past and try to bring him to the straight and narrow road!
STAN
Then do that, Father! After all you’re the pastor! As for me, I still haven’t come to that crossroad yet!
MARLON
(agitated)
But Uncle Stan! Would you be happy if Maame Serwaa goes somewhere and comes back and we’ve thrown her things out and sold her house and she has nowhere to stay? Even if she did something very awful wouldn’t you want your family to support her?
Diana opens her mouth to speak, but she cannot say anything, because she sees Stan turning and looking at his daughter, and then looking at Marlon with sudden unease.
REV BAWA
That’s true, my boy. Now let’s eat. We’ll bring Chris home.
Dinner is suddenly a very sombre moment, and after a moment Lois Bawa gets up and quickly leaves the dining-room.
episode 33
EFFE’S RESIDENCE
Effe comes down the stairs.
She is wearing a terrific dark blue skirt suit that fits her like a dream. She is holding her bag and a file.
When she gets to the living-room Junior emerges from his room and calls down to her.
JUNIOR
(excitedly)
Mom! Wait! I’m coming with you!
Effe turns and looks up at him, surprised.
EFFE
Prince? Why are you dressed up? Grandma is coming to stay with you. I told you I have a short meeting at the office, then I’ll come and take you out to lunch.
JUNIOR
(waving his hand)
I’ve got to see Daddy. It’s urgent. I’m taking him to town. Can you please call him for me?
Effe c---s her head to one side and looks at her son.
Sometimes he can be overbearingly impulsive and overly annoying, just like his father.
He is obviously very excited about something, and she knows it will be quite impossible to dissuade him.
EFFE
And why are you taking your Daddy to town, if I may ask?
JUNIOR
(impatiently)
It’s a surprise for Daddy. Can you please call him, please please Mommy? I have no credits on the phone
EFFE
(surprised)
No credits? I put thirty cedis worth of credit on it three days ago.
JUNIOR
Yes, Mom, but I used it to make calls. Really really really important calls. I didn’t waste the credit, Mom.
EFFE
(sighing)
And I take it these really important calls has something to do with this surprise you have for your Daddy?
JUNIOR
Yes. Please would you call him before he leaves home?
Effe takes her phone from her bag and stares at it, then hands it to her son.
EFFE
I’m sorry, I’ve not memorized his new number yet.
Junior takes the phone and deftly enters digits, then he dials and puts it to his ears.
JUNIOR
(excitedly)
Dadddy, Daddy, Daddy! Are you home? Oh! Yappity yappity yippeee! We are coming over. There’s something I wanted to show you in town. A surprise! Can you take me there? Yippeeee! But you have to bring the piggy bank I gave you. Yes, yes, I want it. I hope you have not spent the money in it! Okay, okay, I’m waiting for you, Daddy. I love you.
He cuts the call and hands the phone back to his mother.
Effe turns around and quickly stores the number as CHAMP.
EFFE
Well, how did it go? I gather your father is on his way to pick you? And why are you taking your money back? I thought you gave it to Daddy.
JUNIOR
Yes, Daddy is coming. I need the money back to buy something for him.
Much against her will, his incredible excitement captures her, and infects her, and suddenly she feels she must tag along.
She has been trying feverishly to get Chris and speak to him about what he had witnessed a couple of days ago between her and Steve, but Eyram keeps telling her Chris leaves home early and comes very late.
She had left messages with Eyram to get him to call her, but although her sister confirmed giving the messages to Chris, he still hasn’t called her yet.
She had asked Eyram to get Chris’ number for her, but it seems Chris has refused.
It has not occurred to her that Junior could have his father’s number.
If Chris is coming over then it will be a good idea to speak to him, to clear the terrible air of bitterness she has unwittingly created between them.
She dials a number on her phone and puts it to her ear.
EFFE
Hello. Rosie? Kindly tell Paul to Chair the meeting with the Public Prosecutor for me, okay? Tell him I’m not going down on my fees. If he has any questions or needs clarifications he can call me. Something important came up. I’ll be in the office later. Alright, thank you. Bye.
Junior is looking at her with a huge wolfish grin on his face.
JUNIOR
You’re coming with us, aren’t you?
EFFE
(smiling lovingly)
Yes, I’m tagging along behind you boys.
JUNIOR
Yappity, yappity, yippeeee!
Chris rides into the beautiful spacious yard shortly afterwards, just behind a posh Lexus saloon car.
He gets down and kicks the motorbike up on its stand as the driver’s door of the Lexus opens, and Mrs. Ivy Kedem gets out.
She closes the door and stares at Chris with some surprise and some level of discomfort.
IVY KEDEM
(carefully)
Hello, Chris. How’re you doing?
Chris nods, but does not approach her.
CHRIS
I’m doing well, thank you.
She presses the remote that locks her car, and then she walks towards him, swinging her car keys lazily.
Her eyes are hard and quite unfriendly as she looks at him.
IVY KEDEM
(calmly)
Listen, Chris Bawa, I’m not going to pretend I’m happy you’re out. You know me, and you know I’m not the kind of person that hides her feelings.
Chris returns her hard stare with a steely one of his own.
CHRIS
I know you have always hated me, yes.
IVY KEDEM
(angrily)
Oh, come off it! Hate you? For what? I’ve never hated you, but I dislike you, yes, especially for the pain you made my daughter go through. She was young, she was innocent, and she was at the height of her career when you married her, taking her away from Steve, who has always been a more reliable suitor. I know men have an unwritten code of ethics where you never dated your friend’s ex-girlfriend or his sister. But you had no scruples whatsoever! You took Effe from Steve and broke her heart. She almost died! Now that she has a chance to be happy, here you are again! I wish you had not come back, Chris. But I’m not going to stand by uncaringly this time and watch you destroy Effe again. She’s not yours, Chris. She’s Steve’s now, and they’re going to get married. I don’t know your plans, but just stay away from her. You should’ve stayed locked up in jail till she got married, Chris Bawa!
Chris just stares at her without replying.
She is not aware that Junior has come out the door and has been walking slowly towards his father.
He passes his grand-mother slowly, and she sees him too late.
IVY KEDEM
(startled)
Oh! Junior, my sweetheart!
She tries to hold Junior’s hand, but the boy shies away from her, and when she grabs his hand forcibly Junior shouts and uses his free hand to brush the woman’s hand away.
Effe has now come out, and she has seen what her son has done.
EFFE
(sharply)
Junior! What’s come over you?
Junior does not speak. He reaches out and grabs his father’s left middle finger, and then he turns and looks at his stricken grandmother.
JUNIOR
(sadly)
Grandma, why do you want my Daddy to be in prison? Are you not happy he has come back to me?
Ivy Kedem looks totally crestfallen. She shakes her head numbly and steps forward quickly.
IVY KEDEM
(contrite)
Oh, Junior, I didn’t mean it like that! You don’t understand!
JUNIOR
I heard you, Grandma! You told me we should always forgive people because God always forgives us. Daddy went to prison, and social studies teacher says we go to prison as punishment for the wrong we do. So, Daddy has been punished already by the prison. So why do you really really really want him back in prison and you don’t really really really want to forgive him?
He looks at his dumb-stricken Grandma with quite severe eyes and an even severer expression.
JAILBIRD continues