| (Jayin sits on the throne.) |
| JAYIN: |
|
The hawk flying in the sky thinks no one is looking. |
|
|
The unlucky prey being carried away cried and cried was engaging in some
brutality. |
| (Enter Olusi) |
| OLUSI: |
|
Good
tidings to you my father. May your reign be full of joy and happiness. May
you live long. |
| JAYIN: |
|
Enough! Do not Call me your father, you insincere son. Sit
down there. |
|
|
Olusi, Olusi, that is what you hear from the young and the
old. |
|
|
Olusi, why is it that you plot against me |
|
|
I did not do such a thing against my own father. |
|
|
At
least if you want to be the King, you should wait till I’m dead. Not
now. Or should I force myself to die when I’m not dying? |
| OLUSI: |
|
But father, I’ve not done any evil against you. |
| JAYIN: |
|
No, I’m not asking you to defend yourself. |
|
|
My ears are already full. |
|
|
Today,
it’s Olusi and the townspeople dancing at the market square. Tomorrow,
it’s Olusi again. |
|
|
Olusi, pray to the gods that you may live long to that day you dream to
be crowned. Because if a son tries to run faster than his father, he might
fall by the wayside. |
| OLUSI: |
|
Truly father, I never plotted against you. I swear and the
gods bear me witness. It is only that the people of Oyo like me. And
I’ve always asked them to be patient. |
|
|
I’m not in a hurry to be crowned. Why should I blow air on a morsel of
food because I’m hungry to eat? |
| JAYIN: |
|
But they prefer you to me. That’s the crux of the matter. That is why
they are always dancing around you. |
| OLUSI |
|
If I ever plot evil against you father, may the gods never allow me to
rule. |
| JAYIN: |
|
May it be so. But curses won’t help you son. |
|
|
It has been established beyond doubt that you are planning to usurp
powers. |
| OLUSI: |
|
But believe me father, they are lies. |
| JAYIN: |
|
Lies! Did you say lies? You mean I’m a liar? |
| OLUSI: |
|
No. Not that father. |
|
|
Believe me, I am not plotting against you. |
| (Basa enters passing through) |
|
|
Basa, can you believe that? |
| BASA |
: |
Believe what? |
| OLUSI: |
|
That I’m plotting against my own father. |
|
|
Do you believe that? |
| BASA |
: |
I don’t know. What’s my business in it? |
|
|
I’m just a palace boy. |
| (Basa backs away) |
| OLUSI: |
|
Ha! So there is no one with me. |
| JAYIN: |
|
How will they be with your treacherous attitude? |
|
|
If it’s the market square, they will be with you. |
|
|
How
can they be with you when you are backstabbing a father that fed you? |
|
|
(Stands up) I’m going, you can stay there if you like. |
|
|
(Walks a distance and looks back) |
|
|
From now on
watch your movements. |
| (Exit Jayin) |
| OLUSI: |
|
Well, I’m a man. A man dies but once. |
|
|
If it is during the cause of my struggle, let it be. |
|
|
How on earth will my father believe that I’m plotting against him.
Some people are at work. |
| (Enter Ojuri) |
| OJURI: |
|
Prince! What is it again? |
|
|
I overheard your quarrel with your father. |
|
|
What really went wrong? |
|
|
Tell me. Because I can’t understand these daily quarrels. |
|
|
Tell me Prince. Or am I not someone to hear about it? |
| OLUSI: |
|
Thank you Ojuri. It was just a minor quarrel. |
|
|
Father thought I was doing some bad things. |
|
|
And he was trying to correct me. That was all. |
|
|
Everything had been settled. I was just talking to myself |
| OJURI: |
|
I see. I though he was just trying to disturb your peace. I will tell
him to leave you alone. |
|
|
You know me very well that I always talk. |
|
|
(Pauses) |
|
|
Prince, please help me untie this knot at the tail end of
my dress. |
|
|
(She moves closer) |
|
|
Please untie it for me. |
| OLUSI: |
|
Please, Ojuri, |
|
|
I’m not for such things. I’m going. |
| (Olusi turns and walks away. As he departs, Ojuri
looks at him with admiration walking backwards until she runs
against a box and falls down). |
| FADE OUT |
