| Many
days later, in the Palace, the king talks to the Head slave. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Bisa, I received a message today. |
| BISA: |
My lord. What
is it about? Good tidings I hope. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Yes and no. (Pointing)
There the messenger stood and told me . |
|
It is unbelievable. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
He’s dead. There’s a vacant stool. |
| BISA: |
(weeping) Oh, death doesn’t recognize
the rich or the poor. It’s a leveler. |
| KING ABIPA: |
Bisa, that’s enough…better stop and listen to me… |
| BISA: |
(still wailing)
Death ’ll never spare the rich and hammer the mentally imbalanced. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Bisa, they want you back home. You’ll fill the vacant stool... you are the new king. |
| BISA: |
(abruptly stops wailing)
Me… me… the vacant stool? Fill? |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Yes. You. They are desperately yeaning for you. |
| BISA: |
(beaming) me… a small man? |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Sure. There’s no rivalry. |
| BISA: |
(really laughing and full of joy)
My lord, I…will… like to go and start packing straight away. Won’t
like wasting time. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Please stay for a moment. |
| BISA: |
(seriously emphasizing)
No. Not now. |
| KING
ABIPA: |
Till tomorrow Bisa. And I’ll arrange a small ceremony for
your departure. |
| BISA: |
Ceremony? Another day my lord. Not now. |
