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| >> Static Item >> Assignment >> Educational >> ID #1612598 |   |
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3. Write a conversation between two liars. Give everything they say a double or triple meaning. Never state or indicate through outside description that these two people are lying. Let the reader figure it out strictly from the dialogue. Try not to be obvious,such as one person accuse the other of lying. That is too easy. 'Good morning, Mr. Orji.' Orji turned at the sound of the voice. He was about opening his grocery store for business at the Jankara market. In front of him stood a lanky fellow of average height it took his memory a little juggling to recollect who he was. 'Hey!!, my good customer, good morning to you. How's family? Long time no see', replied Orji looking surprised. 'Well you know me, I've been out of town for a few days it's been hectic but I thank God', said the good customer. 'Oh, is that so?, asked Orji stepping inside his stall to give the customer access and placing one hand on his hip at the same time. 'Yes, actually I returned from my hometown yesterday late in the evening', the stranger said. 'Hmmmm - - - -' Orji mused. 'Wasn't it? - - - never mind, never mind'. 'What bothers you, tell me my friend', the stranger urged Orji. 'I was thinking - - - -. Wasn't it your wife I came across about three days back, Wednesday to be exact. I can remember I asked after you, you're Mr. Adu right?, and she said something about you being out of a job or something. Maybe there's a mix-up somewhere, I don't know. Don't bother yourself about it, you know us bachelors, we tend to recognize every beautiful lady we come across', said Orji. Mr. Adu shook his head rigorously like a lion trying to knock consciousness out of it's victim and said, 'It couldn't be. My wife went with me to my hometown. I left her back there at my parents' residence, she'll come back to Lagos on her own'. Silence intervened for a moment. The two men stood facing each other, waiting for the other to start a new conversation. Finally, Orji found his voice. 'So Adu, my customer, what brings you to my shop today. You weren't just passing by were you?', he said. Adu cleared his throat, an energetic kind of throat-clearing that spoke volumes than one million distinct syllables uttered. He put his hands in his pants' pockets and pulled out a sodden face towel.He scrubbed his face with it like a dutiful housewife would wash soot off the back of a pot. Then the stutters bubbled forth that unique stuttering we all save for those peculiar occasions. 'I - - - I know, ok? I know I'm still owing the little money I borrowed from you, I mean - - - the money you - - - you loaned me a couple months ago. Actually, it's long overdue and I would have paid what I owe you but - - - but you know - - - ? You understand what I'm trying to explain, Orji, do you not? This cost of living's pinching everyone's pockets', Adu stammered to a halt. 'True, true', Orji answered nodding his approval like an understanding parent. 'If that's the reason you came by my store today you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You can pay your debts anytime you have the money. Even though I could use the extra 'ego' (money) to order fresh grocery for my store but what are friends for?' Orji's kindness was incentive to Adu. 'Eh, Orji, there's something else. I had things on my mind which advised my visit to your store today. Needless to mention it but no doubt necessary I really am grateful for your patient understanding. May the good Lord continue to prosper the work of your hands', he began. 'Amen o, customer, Amen. And your's too', Orji affirmed. Adu continued, 'Orji, you see, I need your help again and this time around it's more urgent than the previous assistance you rendered me. My wife only recently delivered a baby boy - - - - ' 'Hallelujah!', cried Orji. 'Congratulations, my brother', he said while giving Adu a hearty handshake. 'Thank you, thank you. I wish I could be as excited as you are but my wife and kid are still in the hospital. I won't be allowed to take them home until I pay the hospital bills', Adu said. 'You've been really nice to me even though I've only been able to repay your kindness with ingratitude. I want you to understand I wouldn't be asking this of you if you weren't my LAST HOPE. Help me my friend, don't let me lose face because of this insignificant incident', Adu pleaded. 'Fate! - - - Life! - - - Fate! - - - Life!', Orji's lips formed the words like an amateur actor rehashing his lines while awaiting his turn at the backstage of a screening room. 'Some good things happen at the wrongest time' 'Haa, my friend, do you call my good fortune evil?, Adu asked. Orji who was wiping a watermelon fruit with a neat, blue striped, white towel, carefully returned the fruit to it's basket and gave his full attention to Adu. 'Not so, my friend and don't take my words as such. I'm happy for you, sincerely speaking. But 'na money dey yab man! (money is scarce)', he said. 'Meaning?', Adu said prompting Orji to explain. 'I bet you wouldn't know yet and I don't blame you. About six days ago my wife gave birth to a set of twins', Orji declared. 'Oh my God! How? - - - why? God why?', Adu said before recovering from his shock and bringing down his hands which were already on his head. 'Sorry, I mean congratulations, Mr. Orji. Praised be the God! How old is - - - How is mother and children doing? 'Great! and out of the hospital. They're back home now. The mother wanted to come with me to the market this morning could you imagine that? Barely a week out of maternity', Orji joked. 'You couldn't imagine how much money a set of twins, who don't possess one single tooth to their credit, can consume in a week!'. 'Joys of fatherhood', Adu said shifting from one leg to the other. 'Well, it's a beautiful coincidence. I only regret that I'm not able to assist you in getting your wife out of hospital. As you can see, I face a similar dilemma as yours', Orji said. 'I'm the one owing you, remember?', Adu said making a futile attempt at a joke and feigning a smile that looked more like a smirk. The market was beginning to brim with the noise of human activity. Orji had to raise his voice an octave higher to make himself heard. 'Come on, Adu. It's not about the money, really! I'm here for you like you are probably there for me. Tell you what, I'm closing my accounts this week so I couldn't give out any food items today. If you could come around next week I might have something for you and your wife and kid. You know I might even make a visit to the hospital where the wife's admitted just give me the address, han. What do you think?', Orji asked. Adu's fingers went to the back of his head and started scratching. 'Eh - - - that, that, that, won't - - - I mean you know - - - I wouldn't want the hospital staff to get ideas that my wife's stay at the hospital is intentional 'cause of constant visits from friends and family, you know? How about giving me your home address so I could visit your wife instead?', Adu asked. Orji lifted his head and his eyes searched the horizon. He had picked another watermelon fruit in the course of the discussion. He was holding it under his arms now like a woman would handle her handbag. 'I Appreciate that, problem is my in-laws are already all over the place. And I don't have to tell you but you know, in-laws are pests. They may start saying stuff and you know I have nothing against you. In a few weeks they'd be all gone you can stopover then and you'd be much welcome, said Orji. 'By the way, how's the job coming?'. 'We thank God', Adu replied. He was squirmy and fiddling with his watch. 'I'm expecting a promotion soon - - - - eh, Orji - - - - I really must go now the wife's waiting, you know?'. Adu turned around half-walking, half-running before he remembered to say goodbye. 'See you later, Orji and extend my greetings to your family'. And he was gone lost in a crowd of buyers and sellers in a market that was beginning to come to life with activity. Orji put down the fruit he was polishing and went inside to the inner section of his store. He returned a few moments later with a broom in hand and started sweeping away concentrating his effort on the spot where Adu stood earlier. When he finished he dropped the broom and went back to his watermelon now he was ready for yet another market day.
© Copyright 2009 Eneh Akpan (UN: poesy at Writing.Com).
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