3 ACT ONE: Scene 2

Under the mango tree where Sidi sells palm wine is seated Karimu, who on sighting his friend starts his ovation

Karimu: [Shouting] Akanji! Okunrin meta. How is your neighbourhood?

Akanji: [returning the ovation with smiles.] Fine,

[He sets himself on a bench] except for the old witch that is living with me

Karimu: [burst into laughter] You and that woman, only God knows who will kill the other.

[Akanji beckons on Sidi and orders a calabash of palm-wine. Sidi refuses on the ground of excess outstanding debts, but Akanji persuades her and promises to pay later. The two friends are sitting together chatting and sipping their palm-wine when a young lady carrying a pot of water on her head passes by greeting them]

Akanji: [staring at the lady as she passes by and speaking quietly] Who is this pretty lady? [asking his friend, Karimu, who is busy sipping palm-wine]

Karimu: [turns to Akanji] She is called Risi. She lives with her parents very close. They are strangers

Akanji: I knew I have not seen her before. Come

[bringing his mouth close to the ears of Karimu] I like this lady.

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Sidi: [on hearing what he said] A lazy man like you. A girl like that can't marry a man like you.

Akanji: [interjects] look, don't insult me because of a calabash of palm-wine. You better watch your tongue.

Sidi: [turning aside] Sorry o!

Karimu: Akanji, there is no problem. I have a plan.

[he puts his mouth close to Akanji's ear and told him his plan. Then, suddenly, they both burst into laughter].

Akanji: [patting his friend] I trust you. You are the best. [Lost in the jubilation, he turns to Sidi and orders another calabash then suddenly comes back to himself] Sorry, later in the evening. [as they both finish their palm wine, they stand up to leave and remind each other to meet there again later in the evening as they have earlier planned.]