WAITING | Rosalene, we are not growing any younger. I want to see and feel my grandchildren while I am alive. Now I don’t care any longer even if that has to come from Lucifer’s brother - MOTHER

 

DAY. SAME SCENE. Mary, Rose, chatting …

ROSIE

I’m really glad to see you again, Mary.

MARY

Same here, Rosie. Same here.

ROSIE

Now tell me, when did you arrive, and how is Los Angeles?

MARY

Oh! LA is fine. I arrived last week Friday. Rosie, you know what … I can’t believe you are still with this guy after all these years?

ROSIE

It’s my life, pal … It’s my life …

MARY

Now, I’m no longer surprised.

ROSIE

What at?

MARY

Our friends are making a topical issue out of the situation. I mean, that’s all I got from them since my arrival.

ROSIE

I see … Well, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

WAITING | And why won't I shed tears for the rest of my life if I so care? - Mother

MOTHER

And why won’t I shed tears for the rest of my life if I care? Darling, I’m a woman. I know how painful it is to bear a child. So, how do you expect me to feel when I suddenly wake up to realize that my only daughter is gone … just like that, eh?

FATHER

Mind you, dear, Rosie is not dead.

MOTHER

Yes, she’s only away. But what difference does that make? I can’t see her when I want to. She doesn’t visit us. She’s alive, yes. But I don’t feel her presence anywhere. So, tell me, what difference is there  - dead or alive? (sobs loud)

Click here to get the full update on WAITING at this time.

WAITING | I mean, considering the controversies in your relationship with Uncle Thomas, I have come to realize that I must be very cautious when I am set for marriage. - BEN

ROSIE

I see.

BEN

I keep saying to myself, this lady, like everyone else deserves the leadership of her own life. So, why not just leave her alone and believe that she knows exactly what she is doing?

ROSIE

Tell you, what, you are a great little brother, Ben. You may be fifteen, but you certainly do have an old head on young shoulders. I really do wish everyone concerned could share your view. (gives him a peck) Food, drink, or both?

Click here to get the full update on WAITING at this time.

WAITING | It’s so funny a thing, this my poor little life. I still find it hard to believe she’s madly in love with me - THOMAS

ROSIE

Mother, please let’s drop this subject. Please …

MOTHER

Drop this subject, you say? Listen, Rosie, it surprises me that you still don’t realize how much pain your attitude is inflicting on your father and I. What is it with you? Your father disowned you hoping that would make you change your mind about Thomas Thomas. But ‘to hell with a father’ you said. And the poor man came back confused and apologetic. Now look at yourself – God! You’re growing fast overdue for marriage, Rosie. People bother me each passing day … such an embarrassment, I never could have the guts to tell any of them that Rosaline, my only daughter is engaged to a drunkard … “drop the subject”, you still say?  

Click here to get the full update on WAITING at this time.

WARD9ice | WAITING

Update coming soon!  

WARD9ice | WAITING

We present a play titled WAITING, classified as STATE BLAST from the WARD9ice franchise.  “Waiting” is published and updated weekly on this blog for your reading pleasure.

SET

Rosie’s Room

Father’s Bedroom

Thomas’ Livingroom

CHARACTERS

Rosie, a college student

Michael Majek

Mother

Father

Thomas, a football coach

Mary, Rosie's girlfriend

Ben, Rosie's younger brother

WAITING

SYNOPSIS

ROSIE is just been informed that MICHAEL her fiancé is dead. She’s informed that he died in a bomb explosion in his living room. But Rosie refuses to believe the story despite all available evidence. Instead, she chooses to wait for a different report even if it means doing so forever. What then becomes of her under the circumstance as her father suddenly disowns and sends her packing from his house rather than show love and sympathy?

 

PROLOGUE

The actions here are partly in mime. Lights meet ROSIE returning to her room from lectures, drops her books and handbag on the reading table, and puts on the radio set, while a rap musical begins to play she prepares herself a glass of water, takes a sip, dances to the music in a manner showing she is in tune with the times. Now the phone (landline) rings, she stops dancing, lowers the volume of the music, and picks up the call.

ROSIE

(on the phone)

Rosie, speaking. Who’s on the line? … Oh, Michael, Darling … I’m fine. And you? (the voice on the other end seems in a hurry) Darling, what’s the hurry? I mean, your voice is shaky, and … where? … but-but why – Hello! (no response) Hello, Michael! (no response) Hello! (no response).

Seems confused for a moment,  she attempts to call a number from her mobile, hesitates, picks up her handbag, starts for the door, hesitates, attempts it again, enter MOTHER, weeping silently, tears welling up her eyes, stripping her cheeks.

MOTHER

(toneless)

Rosie!

ROSIE

(curious)

Yes, mother. What’s the problem? Why are you crying? (no response) Mother, please talk to me … what’s the problem?

MOTHER

Michael … Michael Majek is dead …

ROSIE

(confused)

Dead? No! No, mother. He couldn’t be dead. I mean, I have just spoken with him on the phone and he said he –

MOTHER

Rosie, he’s dead … Michael is dead …

WARD9ice | THE WAY OF THE WORLD

OTSEMOBOR is an undergraduate student. No, he is more than a student. I mean, he could approach anything in a skirt no matter the given circle. He’s gifted in the act of winning over the opposite sex and has done this severally in favor of his peers and himself. There was this exclusive party to be hosted by a popular Governor in West Africa. Of course, Ose was not invited. But he had all the details. Don’t ask me how because I don’t know ‘how’. Anyway, he found his way into the party and without long he had spotted his catch.

“ Hello!” he said confidently as party jams fill the atmosphere.

“ Hi!” the lady responds arrogantly. 

“We seem to be the only ones not catching the fun at this party, don’t you think so?” he fired.

“Please, excuse me. I’m not interested in the pleasure of any conversation. Thank you!” she snapped.

Ward9ice | Strawberry Jam Under the Sea

WARD9ice this moment brings you curtesy, reedsy.com,  Strawberry Jam Under the Sea, a story entry submitted into Contest #192 by Aeris Walker about someone stuck in an endless cycle who finally manages to break free.

I am swimming, thrusting my arms through golden water—golden-like oil. The water grows thick and syrupy, then it pulls me under. I’m in a bottle, glass sloping above me. Someone tilts and pours, and I slide onto a pan, palms burning from the heat. I slip and roll in the slick spill. Steam rises off my wet hair. Then I am smothered under the sticky weight of raw meat.

“Mommy, can I sleep with you?”

The voice startles me, a breathy whisper in the dark. Then it comes again.

“Please? I had a bad dream.” Jack’s lisped dweem melts my heart, and I can’t say no.

WARD9ice | DOUBLE DATING

 DOUBLE DATING

TO IMPRESS HIS FRIEND JOHN CHATS WITH MICHAEL ABOUT HIS HOLIDAY ROMANCE WITH BUNMI. BUT THEN IT ONLY TURNS OUT THAT BUNMI IS MICHAEL’S FIANCEE

This story is set in the day at a leisure park in Lagos, Nigeria.

 

MICHAEL: Wao! John, it’s been ages since we last met.

JOHN: Yes. But I was in your neighborhood last week, I asked after Saint and I was told you had moved.

MICHAEL: Even if I hadn’t moved you would have found it difficult to trace me with the name “Saint”. I am known as Mike around here You know, my real name. So how do find Lagos?

JOHN: Oh, wonderful. The ladies are really sweet. I traveled to Jos with one angel last week and we really had a great time together. S*x with her was hmmn… fantastic!

KOTANSIBE - and the story comes to an end

                                         TANKO

This village will rise again. This village will once again taste good life, a life of comfort and plenty, so says the gods. (While Townspeople now begin to rejoice, Tanko zeroes in on Chinedu, and shrieks, everyone remains quiet). But then, on the condition that (pointing at chinedu) he is appointed to manage the farms, so says the gods. (there is jubilation in the air). 

NARRATOR

Please, ask the gods, who should be king of this village since the former has gone to join his ancestors. (he does so, once again casting his strings of divination).

TANKO

(looks into the crowd, zeroes in on Jibola)

Chief Jibola! You are the chosen one.

Other chiefs come forward and invest Jibola in royal robes and crown while Townspeople dance round him, paying homage.

ROYAL BARD

Kabiyesi, you’ll last long to rule us. Kolanut lasts long in the mouths of them who value it.

Heavy bata drumming materialises and ROYAL BARD dance off to the rhythm. Suddenly, lighting (the gods) strikes Tanko dead, everyone watches motionlessly, gapping, stunned.

Narrator turns to look at the corpse, shakes his head slowly, starts away.

 

 BLACKOUT.

IF YOU HAVE MISSED PREVIOUS EPISODES OF THIS SERIES PLEASE, CLICK HERE TO CATCH-UP.

Is – th – this the end of – of life? - King Oyeyemi

 

OYEYEMI

Is – th – this the end of – of life? I shou-shouldn’t have done it oooo. I ha-have lied to the people. I have robbed them , in-insulted them … (he coughs delicately in the process and gives up the ghost). 

EPILOGUE

A dirge rising into fullness from the background. While all the actions in this frame are in mime, narrator appears once again, regards the corpses on the ground one after another with disappointment and sympathy, the song is hummed as he turns to address the audience, Palace messengers begin to convey the corpses –

Follow-up the update here on KOTANSIBE

Your highness, this is insult - OKORO

OYEYEMI

(feigns a disappointment)

My people, what can I say now? You have seen it yourself that without the knowledge of anyone of us the late chief Abiodun Kotansibe had sold his farmland to this gentleman, chief Alayemo. I mean, the document bears it all with all the witnesses and signatories. 

Before now Chinedu has been assisting his father to decode the content of the document. 

OKORO

(suddenly destroying the document)

Your Highness, this is insult!

ELDERS

(in a chorus)

Yes, your Highness. This is injustice!

BODE

Your Highness, how can the only fertile land in Kotansibe be sold to a complete stranger? Our only source of livelihood, given away just like that?!

Follow-up the update here on KOTANSIBE

'SAME OLD STORY' ENDS

"SAME OLD STORY", a story entrant on the AMA EBONY series finally comes to an end today. The love story which captures the experiences of undergraduate students in love relationship has been on the SEB blog since January 18, 2021. If you have been following the story from its first publication we recommend strongly not to miss its final lines and actions right here. But if you're just getting to know about it today we also recommend that you read up the entire piece right here. However, watch out for another episode of the adventures of AMA EBONY  debuting here on this blog soon on the Ward9ice franchise.

My people, I have heard your woes and seen your tears - King Oyeyemi

My people, I have heard your woes and seen your tears. You see, you are all my children. What kind of a father would relax in comfort while his children remain in pain, hunger and grief? (First Chief now whispers into his ears). My people, from today, infact this very minute King Oyeyemi’s Farms would regularly allocate eighty percent of its farm proceeds for the development of our village (Townspeople hail). Also, this new development includes Awards and Scholarships to the very brilliant children of this land, and the establishment and maintenance of public utilities, like schools, hospitals, exetera, exetera. (The people hail again and again. First Chief once again, whispers into King’s ears). People of our land, I thank you all for your praises and the maturity you have exercised on this matter.

... KING OYEYEMI

Follow up the update here on KOTANSIBE!

Now that you are owing me money, please, let’s be seeing often o - Tanko

Okoro, we have been pushed to the wall enough. We can’t keep suffering in silence any longer. So, we are all trouping now to the King’s palace to tell him to bring down the prices of his farm produce which has influenced the prices of every other commodity in the market.

-- ABUDU

 

... follow-up the update here on Kotansibe

You no sey since prices of everything don go up for dis village my petty trade don collapse -- DELE

Joke ke … My friend, na very serious matter O. I dey die small-small O. You no sey since prices of everything don go up for dis village my petty trade don collapse. My customers no dey show face again. Whose fault be that? (indicating it) See! Nothing. Notin-notin for pocket … How for do? I think, think, I nearly run mental, then I come decide sey make I open my mouth before I die of silence.

... DELE

... Follow-up the update here on KOTANSIBE

Ahmed, please meet Nautica, my fiancé - Ama

The following day, I was playing tennis on campus when Toyin walked over with anger written all over her. She told me Mallam Ahmed suddenly became unreasonable and slapped her for the first time and jilted her afterwards. But then she had discovered he had my residential address.

- AMA

Follow-up the update here on Ama Ebony

THE BIG MISTAKE

NEWMAN is an arrogant fellow. He’s wretched and so are his parents. But his arrogance makes LULU, a local champion believe he’s comfortable and well connected. Afraid of having a rival in the person of Newman, Lulu immediately hires a thug to torture him as way of warning and to prove supremacy. But then the thug accidentally murders him in the process. Lulu soon finds out about the tragic death but shows no feelings until the thug finds out that the deceased was poor and came from a very wretched background. Lulu then believes Newman’s death was a big mistake.

Now, this is not a true life story. But if you were to do a resolution for this story what would it be? Yes, rack your brain on it guys.

BIMPE – THE PROUD GIRL

Bimpe, a girl from an extremely poor home is been the hope of her family. She’s exceptionally brilliant, distinctively beautiful and quite proud, and she’s the only choice of the governor’s son for a wife. This spells a very bright future for her, as well as her family and friends. However, many including her mother have advised her severally to bury her pride to avoid undue difficulties and hazards of life. But she claims she’s not by nature ‘proud’, she says it’s just a way of packaging to win confidence and attention in the heart of everyone, her own way of fooling the world. Really, she’s been quite fortunate with such act over the years because she gets anything she desires from anyone without losing a thing, not even her virginity. But suddenly, she’s confirmed pregnant just as soon as the marriage rites between her and the governor’s son commences.

Now, this is not a true life story. But if you were to do a resolution for this story what would it be? Yes, rack your brain on it guys.

IT’S AN EXPERIENCE

A love photo has just broken Joseph’s long-time relationship. Not guilty though, but the pose from the photo seems a terrific evidence that he’s been two-timing his fiancée, Comfort. The whole world is against the lover-boy and despite his plea of innocence to Comfort and concerned friends the relationship seems to have finally approached a dead end. But as soon as he eventually accepts his defeat and move on with his life with a new found lover Comfort suddenly shows up with a pregnancy and an apology written all over her, claiming she’s carrying his baby.

Now, this is not a true life story. But if you were to do a resolution for this story what would it be? Yes, rack your brain on it guys.