The White Paper

By Goldlyn Ugonna Ozowuba

The White Paper is a compelling tale of neglect and deprivation. The play revolves around a group of secondary school teachers and their families. Through the playwright, the characters are able to voice their pain, their joy, and their hope. Interwoven in the main plot are other important themes like corruption, indiscipline, poverty, marital discord, betrayal, and love.
The white paper is Ozowuba Goldlyn's fourth book. Her debut Beyond Imagination won the award for women writing in 2009.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Oct 29, 2012
• ISBN: 9781479725861

Goldlyn Ugonna Ozowuba

The beginning of the end is a collection of short stories that explores issues such as economic desperation, corruption, marital discord, false religion, education, culture, loss of a loved one etc. The stories are diverse and compelling and will take you to places you didn’t know existed. Goldlyn Ugonna Ozowuba is a Nigerian. She had her early Education in South West Cameroon where she was born. She now lives in Sweden. The beginning of the end is Goldlyn’s third book. Her debut Beyond Imagination won the Niger Delta award and the award for women writing in 2009.

Book preview

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

In the Neighbourhood

It is dusk. Eve Abah is locking up her shop. Down the road, a shabbily dressed woman walks briskly swinging her hands carelessly. In spite of the noise on the busy street, you could still hear the koi-koi sound from her worn-out shoes. She is dark-complexioned and of average height. She is beautiful in spite of her unkempt looks and faded clothes. She suddenly stops. She looks left, then right, and left again. It is the rush hour, and motorists are in a hurry to get home. Pedestrians can cross the road only when there is less traffic. After waiting for about five minutes, she eventually crosses to the other side and walks into Eve’s shop. She is painting.

Ugo: Thank God, I met you. (She sits down on the plastic chair. She is exhausted.)

Eve: Are you OK? Did you just do a marathon? What brings you here at this time?

Ugo: I am fine. I trekked a long distance. My husband is admitted in the hospital in the next street.

Eve: I am sorry to hear this. (Silence)

Ugo: Please, I have come to beg you to help me. I need to prepare food for my husband. He hasn’t had anything since afternoon. My kids are also starving at home. Please help me.

Eve: (With her arms akimbo) Honestly, if I continue giving you food items on credit, then this shop will close down in a matter of weeks. In the last three months, you have been buying foodstuff on credit without making effort to settle part of what you owe. You owe me over twenty thousand naira, remember? Besides, I have closed for today.

(There is silence. Ugo looks at Eve pleadingly. There are tears in her eyes.)

Ugo: Please, help me. You are my last hope. My husband will not survive this illness if he has nothing to eat.

Eve: I am not God. So I can’t be your last hope. You can’t keep on buying on credit without settling the previous debts. I don’t run a charity shop.

Ugo: The government has not paid us salary in the last five months. You know my husband and I teach in the same school. We both are in the same situation. Help me, please.

Eve: I am tired of hearing all these. You teachers are not serious. You people are not just united. Give me one good reason why you people will continue to go to school when your salaries are not paid. Why will you work without pay? I have always said that teachers are the cause of their problem. You people have become a play thing in the hands of the government because you have refused to fight for your rights.

Ugo: This is not the appropriate time for this discussion. My kids are starving, and I need you to help me.

Eve: When is the right time? When will you ever sit down and think? Do you enjoy this miserable condition you find yourself? Anyway, I will help you because of the children who are hungry at home. What do you want this time?

(She brings out her notebook where she records items bought on credit.)

Ugo: Twenty cups of rice, twenty cups of garri, ten cups of beans, a packet of salt, one litre of oil, onion, and crayfish.

Eve: Why don’t you request for all the items in my shop? Your demand is just too much for someone who has failed to pay her debts in three months.

Ugo: Madam, I beg you. I will pay. You know my husband is in the hospital. I won’t be able to come back here tomorrow again to ask for credit. So I need to take something that will last us for a week at least.

Eve: Did you hear yourself? This is not fair.

Ugo: Don’t worry, I will clear the debts. The governor has promised to pay areas of salary soon. Please, have mercy.

Eve: Keep the governor with his empty promises out of this. This is what you have always said each time you come here for credit. I am just helping you because of the children.

(She writes her orders in a book and she signs. Then she gives her the foodstuff. Ugo collects it, thanks her, but she still doesn’t leave.)

Ugo: Thank you. Ehh…

Eve: What are you still doing here? You better hurry home before hunger kills your children. Or is there something else you want?

Ugo: (She scratches her head and hesitates) I know what I am going to say will sound so odd.

Eve: Let me hear it.

Ugo: Please, can you lend me two hundred naira? I need to buy fish and transport myself home. I don’t have enough energy to trek home.

Eve: What kind of fish are you going to buy for two hundred naira? Any fish sold for that amount will be worth nothing. Maybe you should go to meat sellers and ask for biscuit bone.

(She brings out her handbag and gives her the money. Ugo thanks her and leaves. But Eve calls her back immediately.)

Eve: How long will you continue like this? Are you not tired of begging? Don’t you think that your life has lost meaning? You have lost your dignity as a human being. If you and your husband remain in the teaching profession, you will die untimely. Your debt will soon sink you. I am sure I am not the only person you owe. I am very sure of that. One of you must look for something else to do. You are young and strong, Ugo. Wake up! Open your eyes! Teaching cannot put food on your table. Teaching cannot pay your bills. Look at you, your beauty is fading by the day. You look ten years older than your real age. I don’t think you deserve this. Teaching in this country is for lazy people. It is for lazy people who want to die untimely. You must quit. Yes, you have to quit. Think about what I have just said.

Ugo: Thank you for your concern. I will think about it.

(She leaves. Eve locks up her shop and takes a cab home.)

SCENE 2

Rose and Julius Odili’s Residence

The couple lives in a newly built house. Apart from the fact that it is of contemporary design, it is also expensively furnished. Rose is in the kitchen cooking when her phone rings. It’s Julius. He is on his way home with his younger brother who had just arrived from the States. She picks her call.

Rose: Hello! Chief, are you on your way?

Julius: Yes, I will be home in a few minutes. I just picked George from the airport. I hope dinner is ready?

Rose: Yes, I will be done in a few minutes.

Julius: OK. See you soon.

(Chief and George are seen driving into the compound. The gateman opens the gate, and he drives in. His wife rushes out to meet them.)

Rose: Chief, welcome. (They hug.)

Julius: Thanks, dear. I am famished.

Rose: Dinner is set. (She smiles broadly and gives George a hug.)

George: You have not changed. You still look the same. Good to see you again. (He smiles back at her, and they hug again.)

Rose: You are welcome, George. Glad to see you again too. It has been eight years. How is the USA?

George: Fine. All is well.

Rose: I know you too must be famished. Let’s go in. Dinner is ready.

Julius: Where are the kids?

Rose: They went for midweek service in the church. They should be on their way home now.

(They walk towards the house as they chat.)

SCENE 3

In a Fast Food Restaurant

A tall and elegant lady in her mid-twenties sits in a restaurant. She is not eating; she seems to be lost in thought as she watches customers move in and out of the restaurant. She has her right palm on her chin and her elbow on the table. She is waiting for someone she has a date with. She seems to have waited for so long. She looks at her wristwatch and talks aloud to herself.

Susan: I have waited for over half an hour now. I just hope nothing has gone wrong. He assured me he will be here by five-thirty, but it is six o’clock now. It is embarrassing just sitting down here and not eating like others. I think I should order for a bottle of drink while I wait.

(She wakes up and picks up her bag. As she takes the first step, Eni walks in.)

Eni: I am sorry to have kept you waiting. You know I have been away for so long. I had quite a lot to do in the office. (He hugs her and they both sit.)

Susan: I got tired of waiting. I was scared you won’t turn up.

Eni: I know. Sorry about that. I am here now. So let’s order something. (Gives a signal to the waiter) How are you enjoying your new house? Have you moved?

Susan: We love it. We moved in the same week you travelled. You have been a big blessing. What would I have done without you? Thank you, darling.

Eni: For nothing. The waiter is here. Place your order.

Susan: OK.

(The waiter comes to take their orders. Eni’s phone rings. He picks it.)

Eni: Darling, are you OK?

Sarah: No, dear.

Eni: What is wrong?

Sarah: Pain in the waist. I need to see a doctor, please.

Eni: I am on my way. See you in half an hour.

(He rings off, heaves a sigh, and then turns to Susan and looks at her apologetically. There is an uneasy silence. He coughs uncomfortably.)

Eni: Honey, I have got to go. I am so sorry.

Susan: Why? You just came. (She frowns.)

Eni: My wife just called. She needs me. (To the waiter) Get her something to eat. (Turns to Susan) Place your order, my dear.

Susan: I don’t want to eat anything. I just want to spend time with you. We just arrived here, and you are leaving. I have not seen you in the last one month.

Eni: That is because I went on a business trip. But I am back, and we will get to see each other more often. My wife is pregnant, and she says she’s having pains. So I have got to go. Please, my dear, understand the situation. You know I would love to spend time with you. But we are talking about a pregnant woman here who needs help.

(He stands up and walks towards her. He holds her and pleads with her. The waiter leaves.)

Susan: OK. That’s fine. When do we meet again?

Eni: I will give you a call. I have got to go now, Susan.

Susan: Wait a minute. Is your wife a teacher?

Eni: Yes, why do you ask?

Susan: There is this new teacher posted to our school two weeks ago. She has the same surname with you. Her name is Sarah Dike. She is about six months pregnant.

Eni: Yes, that is my wife. I didn’t know she was transferred to the same school where you teach. I have never really thought about that.

Susan: So now you know.

Eni: It is good I have got this information. We really have to be careful from now on.

(Eni brings out a lump sum of money from his pocket. He gently puts it in her palm and gives her a peck. He whispers in her ears.)

Eni: Eat something before you leave. I have got to go. I give you a call tomorrow.

(He rushes out. Susan’s eyes follow him.)

Susan: (To herself) Barrister Eni! Why is he always in a hurry? He never gives me attention. In spite of all the money Eni spends on me, he still prefers his wife. Why did I ever fall in love with a married man? (Silence) What choice do I have now? Since Dad died, he has taken over the responsibility of taking care of my mum and my siblings. He has given us a new life. I have no option right now.

(She gently sits down. She is not sure of what to do next. She leaves after a few minutes without eating.)

SCENE 4

Church Premises:

Pastor Harry Duke’s Office

The True Church is situated in the heart of the town. Apart from its strategic location, the church is also beautifully and expensively constructed. The founder and general overseer, Pastor Harry Duke is young and fashionable. Most of his gospels centre on prosperity. This has drawn a lot of young men and women to the church. The True Church has the second largest congregation in town.

Ethel: Pastor, I came to say a big thank you to you.

Harry: For what?