VENGEANCEOF THEDEAD

 

A PLAY

 

BY

 

INNOCENT OHIRI

 

 

 

©  INNOCENT OHIRI

 

First Published 2008

 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner(s) or publishers.

 

ISBN -978-35049-8-3

 

Reprinted June, 2010

 

BY GIDDIFO PRESS NIG LTD

Commercial Printing Publisher

Head Office: 31 Ezeni Street, New-Heaven, Enugu

Tel: 08063386481

 

 

To Darling & Gift

 

 

 

 

 

i

Acknowledgements

I thank the entire members of the Wizi Travelling Theatre Port Harcourt for trying this play on stage (in about nine locations) in 1986. I also thank my little Gift and my wife for allowing me to work on this play.

 

 

 

 

 

ii

ORIGINAL CAST

(WIZI TRAVELLING THEATRE)

Darlington Douglas Dokubo (DDD)- Christian Ndukwe

Rose  -Joy Deresoma, Faith Ugo, Angela Ehirim

Pastor Johnson (Priest) -        Harry Ipalibo, GoodluckNnamdi

Bob                  -          Harold Kalio

Jack                -           Innocent Ohiri

Jane                -          Uwanna Patrick, FunmilayoAmachree

Tibima -          Jonathan Ogo

Ordermaster   -          Richard Igbudu

 

Aid 1                -          Raymond Sunday

MaziAmadi      -           Tony Wosu

MaziOleru       -          Samuel Nyeche

Woherem        -          Michael Akani.

MaziOkpoti      -          Allen Daniel

MaziIbe           -          India Amadi

MaziUgwu       -          NyemaWosu

MaziOgbonda -          Olali Isaac

Igwe                -           BekweleWike, Alfred Ekanem

Ogu                 -          Sunday Nwigwe

Iwu                  -          David Sagbe, Goddy Michael

 

 

 

 

 

iii

 

PRODUCTION CREW

­

Managing Director         Christian Ndukwe

Business Manager         GoodluckNnamdi, Emmanuel Atasia

Box Office Manager      Flora Elemike

Stage Manager              Michael Akani, Harold Kalio

Costume and Make-up Officer   Faith Ugo

Publicity Director           Sam Augustine

Production Manager      Tony Wosu

Technical Director          Clifford Worlu, NyemaWosu

Asst. Technical Director Solomon Ogbonda

Asst. Artistic Director    Martins Akwaa

Artistic Director             Innocent Ohiri

House Management Crew :

  Comfort Uwatt, Elemi David, Nkem, Ahiakwo, FumuilayoAmachree, BekweleWike, Angela Ehirim, Raymond Sunday, Allen Daniel, Olali Isaac, Emmanuel Jon­Jon, Janet Henry, Janet Aroh, Joy Okenema, Chris Nwosu, Sunday Wigwe, EkeneAmabibi, Samuel Nyeche, Jonathan Ogo, Henry Ipaliabo, David Sagbe, Goddy Michael, Grace Amachree, Osiago Paul, Alfred Ekanem, Ego Ahiakwo, Joy Deresoma                                         

CHARACTERS

DARLINGTON DOUGLAS DOKUBO (DDD) - A POLITICIAN

ROSE                           - HIS WIFE

P ASTOR JOHNSON     - GENERAL OVERSEER OF JOHNSON

JOESEY INTERNATIONAL REDEMPTION MINISTRIES INCORPORATED, A PRIEST.

BOB                             DARLINGTON'S HOUSEBOY

JACK                            DARLINGTON'S HOUSE BOY

JANE                            A FRIEND TO ROSE

TIBIMA                         DARLINGTON'S FRIEND

ORDERMASTER           THE SUPREME LEADER OF THE AKPATI SACRED ORDER

SONGITO                     CHORUS LEADER

AID I                             SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE ORDERMASTER

MAZI AMADI

MAZI IBE

MAZI UGWU

MAZI OKPOTI               ELDERS

MAZI OGBONDA

MAZI OLERU

WOHEREM                  

IGWE                           YOUTHS

IWU

OGU    

A GHOST

CROWD

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACT ONE SCENE ONE

 

DARLINTON’S PARLOUR IS LAVISHLY FURNISHED. ROSE, HIS WIFE IS REHEARSING HER CAMPAIGN SPEECH IN THE ROOM.  DARLINGTON RETURNS WITH A FRIEND, PASTOR JOHNSON.

 

DARLINGTON:Hai Rose!

 

ROSE:Hello my Darling! (Hurries to him) You are welcome!  (Hugs him).

 

DARLINGTON:Thank you my Rose.  You look very sweet. (Holds her hand).

 

ROSE:Thanks for the compliments. Some food for you?

 

DARLINGTON:Sure, sweet one, some food for me.  But before then, meet Pastor Johnson of Johnson Joesy International Redemption Ministries Incorporated.

 

ROSE:You are welcome Pastor Johnson. 

 

 

PASTOR JOHNSON: Remain blessed and sanctified madam in Jesus name!

 

ROSE:   Amen! (Turns to Darlington). I go for your food.

DARLINGTON:       Please do. (Admires her).Beautiful one, sweet one, my angel (Distracted.Johnson gives him a pat.  He startles). Sorry Pastor I was carried away.  Some drinks for you. (Brings drinks).

 

                Look Pastor, that prototype of beauty is the rib that make my bones complete. She is the sugar in my tea. The angel that ………….

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:Come on boy, I know you love your wife.

 

DARLINGTON:Joesy, in fact she is the blood that flows in my veins. You see, she even knows when I am hungry.  Look, to you bachelors in this world, I advise that each of you goes for a beautiful one.  Yes, you should all go for the very beautiful ones, like my wife.  A wife who can make you come back from your dreams.  A wife who will always meet your taste.  Try the very beautiful ones, don’t fear them. (Looks around to make sure that Rose is not near)  And believe you me; they are cheaper and easier to get than the ugly ones.

 

JOHNSON:    I should know that.  Ah, who goes for an ugly lady these days?  Not me… will they reduce some money from the bride  price for me?

 

DARLINGTON: Bride Price?

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:No parent can reduce a kobo from the bride price simply because the bride is ugly, (To audience) Yes, no parent will reduce a kobo from the bride price simply because the bride is ugly

DARLINGTON:Oh… (Laughter) You see what I mean?.  So better go for the beautiful ones, like my wife (Sees that pastor is not drinking) Hey Pastor, I forgot that this is not your brand.  Let me get your brand of drink! (Goes in. Pastor rises, admires Rose’s picture)

 

 

PASTOR JOHNSON: A beautiful and strong woman indeed. 

(Darlington returns with drinks). I learnt she has gone into politics.

 

DARLINGTON:Yes, because I joined the National Emancipation party… and again she likes to fight for the so-called woman liberation.

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:Maybe because the National Emancipation party did not nominate any female candidate.

 

DARLINGTON:Female candidate? Can females   cope with the rigors of politics?

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:But your wife wishes to cope.

 

DARLINGTON:       That’s her cup of tea!

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:But why did you join politics by the way.

 

DARLINGTON:Fame, prestige, personality, and more importantly, money… Cash, hard cash.  Look politics is a sure way to wealth and affluence.  Pastor, just bull - doze yourself into the government and you will have the opportunity of making as much money as you want.

 

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:At the detriment and expense of the poor masses probably.

DARLINGTON:Who cares? What I need is money.

If the poor masses like let them go to hell and burn to ashes.

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:You joined politics to make money?

Man, with this motive, the money will surely be hot

money, hot cash and---

 

DARLINGTON:Sheeee! No gospels! No preaching!  I don’t need it!

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:Look, my friend you should leave it alone!

 

DARLINGTON:Money?

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:Politics! Leave politics alone.  With your kind of motive it will only lead you to hell fire and everlasting damnation.

 

DARLINGTON:Evangelist, ehm…..ehm we better see tomorrow.

 

JOHNSON:    A good way of telling me, your friend, to leave your house.  Just because I do not support your idea of joining politics for quick money?

DARLINGTON:       Yes Pastor Johnson, yes, we have been friends for a long time but you can also remember that whenever it comes to philosophies, morals and life-styles, we have always disagreed.  You are a pastor, I am not.   Go right away, take your Bible and pray every second of the twenty-four hours in a day, and on that day, if any, go to heaven.  Then for me, if because of politics and money I go to hell, if any, I will not regret it.  Yes, I will not because politics is my sure way to wealth and affluence.  And pastor, believe it or not, take it or leave it, I do not need any gospel on it.

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:You mean that because of money and politics if you go to hell you will not regret it.  But your soul!

 

DARLINGTON:Pastor Johnson, your own soul! Your own soul! (Advances to hold him.  Johnson dodges)

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:Look my friend, repent!

 

DARLINGTON:Oya, leave my house! Leave my house…. (Pastor refuses)

 

PASTOR JOHNSON: Why not listen to the gospel.

 I have….

 

DARLINGTON:Pastor Johnson, I say you should

leave my house…. Pastor Johnson….God,

you are my witness! (Pointing upwards).

Pastor Johnson leave my house before I

count three…. One…. Two…. Has he

gone?  Two….two and half…. Three….

Wait for me (Rushes in to take a knife)

 

 

PASTOR JOHNSON: He is a Joker!

 

DARLINGTON:(Returns with a knife and chases Johnson out) Come and preach to me … Ewu preacher!

 

PASTOR JOHNSON:(Suddenly returns.Tip-toes close to Darlington and shouts):Sinner Darlington, May God forgive your sins!

 

DARLINGTON: What? Is he still there? Wait for me!(Pursues him again.  Pastor runs away) May God forgive you too!  Chinchi!

 

(LIGHT FADES)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACT ONE SCENE TWO

 

 

DARLINGTON’S PALOUR

THE DINNING TABLE IS SET. DARLINGTON

MOVES OVER TO EAT.  HE OPENS THE

PLATE.

 

DARLINGTON: My God! Just two slices of bread and a miserable cup of coffee.  Rose! Rose!

 

ROSE: Darling!

 

DARLINGTON:Ida! Darling indeed.  And this is what you have for my lunch? Just exactly what I had for my breakfast.

 

ROSE: Forgive me! I returned very late and was too tired to start any elaborate cooking.

 

DARLINGTON:But you had enough strength to carry out a one – man political campaign all over the town.  Tired since morning!

 

ROSE:I am sorry… But I have always told you to get a maid to handle most of the domestic activities in this house.  I am not born for the kitchen.

 

DARLINGTON:But for politics! Yes, but for politics!

 

ROSE:Yes, yes… But for politics.  Yes if that will please you.  I am not born for the kitchen.  Time has gone when housewives were made to roast in the kitchen.  This is a new millennium.

 

DARLINGTON:You are not born for the kitchen and you drove away the two houseboys we had in this house?  Were Jack and Bob not good houseboys?

 

ROSE: But good houseboys respect the woman of the

House.Yes,they do, but for them, no.  They even tried to… anyway.

 

DARLINGTON:  Tried to do what?

 

ROSE:  Anyway, you have to get them their own wives if you insist on bringing them back to this house.  Remember that your daughter is grown.  A girl in junior secondary school three is no longer a small girl.  We must protect her from those funny houseboys you have told to come back to this house.

 

DARLINGTON:Then I will get you a grown up house girl.

 

ROSE:I say no.  It must never be a girl.  Bring two small boys.

 

DARLINGTON:And they must never be boys!.

 

ROSE: Then you have some funny plans!.

 

DARLINGTON:What funny plans?  (Holds her) What funny plans? (Shakes her) Anyway, you are yet to tell me the secret that prompted you to send away  the two houseboys we had in this house.  And now you need more houseboys, grown –up ones I guess. Keep the secret to yourself.  Mrs dirty mind.  Unfaithful wretch!

 

 

ROSE: Then you must tell me what you suspect.  You and I who should suspect each other?I or you who is tactically looking for a second wife in the name of a grown up house maid.

 

DARLINGTON:Who Rose? Who? Who? (Grabs and pushes her. She falls and cries Darlington goes to help her) Sorry! Get up! I am sorry!

 

ROSE: (Grabs him) Sorry for yourself.  You will kill me today you wretch, you  dastard, you bully!

 

DARLINGTON: But I said I am sorry!

 

ROSE: Be Sorry for yourself (Hits him)

 

DARLINGTON: Rose, You hit me? You hit

me? You Rose? You hit…

 

ROSE: Yes, do your worst! You must kill me today.  Who is unfaithful? Who is a wretch? (Holds his shirt) Kill me today!

 

DARLINGTON: Oya, leave my shirt! Leave me before I count three… one…my ancestors … all of you are my witness o…two…ehm…ehm.  Leave me before I lose my temper completely.  Leave me, God, be my witness O! Leave me, one…two… three (Grabs her hands and pushes her down.  Rose screams, picks a chair and chases him. He escapes).

 

 

 

 

(LIGHT FADES).

 

 

ACT ONE, SCENE THREE

 

DARLINGTON’S PARLOUR.

BOB AND JACK CLEAN THE CHAIRS.