SHAMBLES

In the background, one can see a dated TV set, put more simply, the white and black coloured one. The walls, blue and at each arcs, a playground for the spiders in their respective webs. A wooden table in the middle of two settees, one on the right and the other on the left, about 15 inches away from the table, which was naked. The tablecloth got disposed some days ago.

(Mrs Bane was sitting on one settee, alongside her daughter, Jite, her favourite of the two children she had. Jate (the son) was sitting on the other settee, biting his fingers. Mr Bane had gone on his usual leave but should be back anytime soon according to the family's calculation. Mrs Bane broke the silence, picking on Jate ) 

Mrs Bane : Such an idiot! You resorted to stealing just to feed yourself? Your mates work in banks, schools, companies and other organizations. You rely on your father and I for food. And just on one occasion we failed to do that, you decided to steal. What a shame! 

Jate : Mum, stop it already!. Only father gives me money and he understands that there's no job in the country. I tried searching but my efforts were in vain and if I remember vividly, the last time dad gave me a penny was about 6 months ago. (Shook his head) well, I'm better than your daughter who got impregnated by an animal! 

Mrs Bane: (she cuts in) shut your mouth idiot! The boy is not an animal. The last time he came here, he gave us #500, we all fed from it. 

Jite : Yes mum, you're very correct Mir! (She rested her head on her mum's shoulders while her mum slid her fingers through her rough braids. Just then, the door opened and Mr Bane entered) 

Mr Bane : ( Drunk and Weak, he struggled to find his way to the settee.) Do you have something inside? I am hungry

Mrs Bane : There's nothing at home, the money my daughter brought has been spent. 

Mr Bane : On what? (Just then he saw Jite seated, he wiped his face with his right hand thrice) Didn't I warn your daughter not to come here again!? 

Mrs Bane : (surprised) where should she be if not here? 

Mr Bane ( he managed to stand, pointing his finger towards the door) her husband's house of course. That monkey that impregnated her, silly girl!. 

Jate: (Laughing scornfully, he tilted his body back and forth) Silly girl indeed! You are leaving here today. 

Mrs Bane : She's going nowhere and that's final. (She also stood up facing Mr Bane) look, she's better than your son who was behind bars for a month after stealing. My daughter should be congratulated because she got a husband. 

Mr Bane : everyone has their own past. My son had his and that's gone. Your daughter is a shameless girl, she was laid by an idiot who could not give his father-in-law just #1000!. Shame on you and your daughter! 

(Mrs Bane was not moved by all his noises as she deemed. She stood akimbo in front of her husband, moving her right leg periodically. Mr Bane shook his head too, surprised by his wife's attitude, he checked the time on his wristwatch and then turned towards the bedroom. Another silence ensued.) 

Aj Maverick.