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    Ama Ata Aidoo - The Dilemma of The Ghost PDF

    Uploaded by

    Sebastián Fanello

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    THE DILEMMA OF A GHOST by Ama Ata Bidee NewNork : Longman, (Vos 1-53. To the memory of Papa Characters _xro vawsoN: [Ebow] A young Ghanaian graduate EULALIE VAWSON (nde RUSH: Afro-American graduate st kon [Mami] Ato" mother owka: Hissister Nana: His grandmother faxvent: His elder aunt Mansa: His younger aunt peru: His elder uncle AAKROMA: His younger uncle ISTWOMAN Neighbours ov) Two children ina dream. The boy being the cine} ghost of At’ former self ‘The Bird of the Wayside ‘The Dilemma of ¢ Ghost was first presented by the Students! ‘Theatre, Legon, on the 12th, 13th and 4th of March, 1964, atthe Open-Air Theatre, Commonwealth Hall, University of Ghana, Legon. ‘The action takes place inthe courtyard of the newest wing of the Odumna Clan house, Iris enclosed on the right by a wall ‘of the old building and both at the centre and on the left by the walls of the new wing. At the right-hand corner door Tinks the courtyard with a passage that leads into the much bigger courtyard ofthe old house to de middle eet wall there isa door leading into the new rooms. A terrace ‘runs round the two sides of the new sector. Tn the foreground isthe path which links the roads leading tothe river, the farm and the market. Prelude Lam the Bird of the Wayside— ‘The sudden scampering in the undergrowth, Or the trunkless head. (Of the shadow in the corner. Taman asthmatic old hag Eternally breaking the nuts ‘Whose soup, alas, Nourished'a bundle of whitened bones— ‘Ora pair of women, your neighbours CChattering their lives away. ean furnish you with reasons why ‘This and that and other things Happened. But stranger, ‘What would you have me say About the Odurona Clan?. Lookaround you, For the mouth must not tell everything, Sometimes the eye can see ‘And the ear should hear. Yonder house is larger than Any in the town— Oldas the names (Oburamankuma, Odapadjan, Osun, "They multiply faster than fowls ‘And they acquire gold “Asiitwere corn grains— Bucifin the making of ‘One Scholar Much is gone You stranger do not know, Jus you listen to their horn-blower “We came from left We eame from right We came from leit We came from right The Dilemma ofa Ghast ‘The twig shall not pierce our eyes Nor the rivers prevail o'er us. ‘Weare of the vanguard Weare running forward, forward, forward. ‘Thus, itis only to be expected that they should reserve the new addition to the house for the exclusive use of the One Scholar. Not that they expect him to make his home there. No ‘he wil certainly have to live and work in the city when he Arrives from the white man’s land, But they all expect him to come down, now and then, at the ‘weekend and on festive occasions like Christmas. And certainly, he must come home for blessings when the new yam has been harvested and the Stools re sprinkled. The jhosts ofthe dead ancestors are invoked and there is no lscord, only harmony and a restoration of that which needs tobe restored. But the Day of Planning is different from the Day of Battle, And when the One Scholar came ... [cannot tell you what happened. You shall see that anon. Bueitall, began on a University Campus; never mind where. The evening was cool as evenings are. Darkness was approaching ‘when I heard the voices of a man and woman speaking... 0: Graduation! Ab well, that too isn’t bad. But who's a graduate? What sort of creature is it? Why should T have Supposed that mere graduation isa passport to rn ro: (Hani you must know, woman, I hink you do get ‘on my nerves: Since you do not think much of a degre, why for heaven's sake di you go infor 12 kv: Dontshout at me, i you please ‘nro: Do keep your mouth suf you plate fo: Louppose African women don’ tlk? No: How often do you want to drag in about African ‘women? Leave them alone, willy. Al ys they talk But Christ they don't run on inthis way. ik funning-ap drawl getson my nerves eu: Whatdo you mean? sor mean exacy what Land 0° Look here, dow think that Il stand by and have you 8 ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost say Lam notas good as your folks. .xro! But what have I said, for goodness sake? eu: Well, what did you mean by running-tap drawl? [only speak like Iwas born to speak—like an American! ‘aro! [Contre] Nonsense, darling .. But Sweetic Pi, can’t we ‘ever talk, but we must drag in the differences between your people and mine? Darling, we'll be happy, won't eu; [Relaxing] I'm optimistic, Native Boy. To belong to ‘somewhere again ... Sure, this must be bli aro: Poor Sweetie Pie tu: But I will not be poor again, will 1? I'just be Sweetie Pie’ ‘Wav! The palim trees, the azure sea, the sun and golden beaches, aro! Steady, woman, Where did you get hold ofa tourist ‘brochure? There are no palms where we will live. There are coconut trees .. coconut palms, though. Unless of course if Lake you to see my folks at home. There are real palm trees there. rv; Ah well, [don't know the difference, and I don't care neither, Coconut palms, palm-palms, aren't they all the same? And anyway, why should I not go and see your folks? avo: You may not be impressed. £4: Silly daring. Who wants to be impressed? Fine folks Eulalie Rush has herself, eh? Could I even point to you a beggar in the streets as my father or mother? Ato, can't your Ma he sort of my Ma too? aro! [Slowly and uncertain] Sure she can. eu: And your Pa mine? ‘xro: Sure, [Following tines solemn, lke a prayer} And all my people your people tu And your gos my gous? ‘ru: Shall I die where you will die? The Dilemma of a Ghast ‘ato: Yes... And iF you want t, you shall be buried there also, [Pause] tu: [Anxiously} But darling, I really hope it won't matter at all? ‘avo: What? fu: You know what, Native Boy. ‘cto! Lalie, don't you believe me when I tll you its O.K.?1 love you, Eulalie, and that’s what matters. Your own. sweet self should be O.K. for any guy. And how ean a Tirstborn child be difficult co please? Children, who ‘wants them? In fact, they will make me jealous. I couldn't bear seeing you love someone else better than you do me. Not yet darling, and not even my own children eu: You Feally sure ‘aro: Aren't you the sweetest and loveliest things in Africa ‘and America rolled together? My darling, we are going to createa paradise, with or without children. xv: Darling, some men do mind alot, ‘avo: [Vehementh] Look at me, we shail postpone having, children for as long you would want. ‘eu: But still, understand in Africa ‘ero! Eulalie Rush and Ato Yawson shall be free to love ‘cach other, eh? This isall that you understand or should lunderstand about Africa, x: (Delighted Silly [wasn't going to say that. ‘ero: Then forget about what you were going to say. [Persistent] Lonly hope it's O.K. ‘10: Ieshall be O.K. tu: Atl 10 Act One Evening. The two village women are returning from the river with ‘her water pots om ther head’. io Ist A] And yt I though Iwas lone in this “The lonely woman who must til From morn illeve, Beforea morsel his her teeth Ora drop of water cools her throat ano w! My ster, youre not alone. Butwho would have thought shat, Whose howe tering wth children, My owe ny husband my sisters Bat thisis my cane. ‘Sal do this when ‘Thisand that have nothing todo? No: And theyll sc ‘With their hands between their knees. Irehe courtyard must be swept, Tei Aba’ ob Ifthe ampes must be cooked, Teis Abo ‘nei since the common slave was away ald ‘There was no drop in the pot aoe Tocool the parched those Tamteling yo my ster, Sometimes ne feel you are hckier Who are cides ssre Butat the sry ast “Yous are hackis who have them, {Take Est Kom, Ty. Lest kow enters from the door on the right with to stols which she puts on the cone ofthe stage. For the rest ofthe scene, she ‘mares slelthily but sunfil in and out ofthe stage arvanging six "tools in preparation forthe nex scene n The Dilemma of a Ghost np ws What has happened? tsi w: You know her son “That was away beyond the seas Ismow comeback? sno w: Soy that explana the new paint. When? itr w: Veteright now Ishe here? "srw do not know 2x we I heard her younger children Crying for stow: Which me that those of us ‘Who are inthis neighbourhood Are going co have our moutha watering ‘Witk'sroma ofthe fryings and stewings ano ws Ofcourse that is what she always does. “And menwile the debts ile up ssw: Ves, but the avval of te son ‘May mean the paying ofall the debts atlas. Her soulisa good one xo w: Him. For ny part, I would beashamedt “Tolivein a Clan house for As long as she has done But et ws bury, my sister For my food is petng col [hey go out Aftera minute or so, 651 KOM goes out lo, having {finished arranging the stool] {Later is quite dark no, The oma oes in supied Ihe In her yout sh had bon aso dar pte Reames wl keto. Ne tough he eer tegueis a sherpa sharper or her gh ple She son keto he nth he sage Se pop hr hn on Keride: Pre nro enter from dor onthe left Fora esse te od woman cntmussting maine ate as ote hi thn sue she pak) ana: Tam glad you came and found me live 2 ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost ‘sto: Lam glad 10. Nana: And what ieon your mind, my grandson, ‘sto! There nothing else on my ming, Nana nana: Were you not thinking, nay hoping, you willeome and el ae deadeerernt ee zo: Oh! ‘lisa: Do not be pained my grand-child. [just wanted 10 Trouble youd lite. But go and tell your mother that if She and the others do not come early, Iwill be angry. {ero lave the door onthe rig |Already, naughty Shimber i stealing over my senses. (4 clanging nae from “sthn] Yes, someone has tripped inthe doorway, eh ‘One day the people in this house will commit murder. Do they not know that ifthe heavens withdraw thet light, man must ght his own way? But no. They wil ets all iiein darkness How wll he Find his way around thi dark place should the ghost of one of our forebearers pay us a *@ But thin is something one should not speak about They say they buy hein a pay for with money == as ifthe penny willshine and light our way when tis ed inacloth. But ofcourse, they wll say alk too much... Are they not coming? They are no removing their pans, tchia! Are thee women? I shit upon stich ‘women. When we were young a woman cleared her tating place after the lat morsel had hardly touched her tongue. But now, they will allow their nose-making pans tole around for people wo tp over. Butitis not theit fault: If they had to use earthenware pots which broke ‘mote easily than eggs they would have learnt their lessons long ago, _st0: [From thin] Maami, why do not you and my Uncles hurry? Nana is geting impatient. (He re-enter) waa: Have your Uneles Petia Aksomsa come? Isto: Ves, Nana [Votes frm within} seassas [From within] Oh, the old woman again Nawa: But what are they doing there? [Several voices. perv and axnoma come in, The tao men sit down.) 13 The Dilemma of a Ghost vevu: Old woman, we greet you. Nana: respond, my Royal Ones. And how are you? peru: We reall wel, Old One, {are slips into his room, left) savas Akroma, how is your wife’ stomach? Srnona: Tes abit better ‘rs oie you dono eels in your on nie, You opt always say I alk too much. So ty not put my Xepgucim yor aa Ba hopeyou would hk what always say, Have we no had enough ofthe white ths mene’ Since they do not seem odo anything for your wie, why do you not take her Kofikrom? The herbols theres Famous axxoun’ [have heard you, Oid One, I would puto her ‘people and hear what they have goto say oo sank [With heres tured ards theres say, what are Youu doing there? Why are you doing ths ting to me? rsulee overs Al hee we a [est Koss, ARTE and MANSA vaio, Thestage wel tow. Te women it rund on he terace ani Ai Jour characters arenot pleasing. What were ou ‘eatly doing bythe hearth, Lehought you knew that must ot sit here wntlthe dew falls on me sien? Old One, tial right. We won't do this again WGtStoe Buc wheres our master, the white man hime? M0: Pom within) Lam coming, Unde, [feces out) ero: But where afe you sine? 1 [Oveapping net and dieting he vice the ol seco) ond aré you novbringing your brothers chai sow [rom within] Hei Bow! sa Whatist2 Mona [Coming back ith chair The way some people ‘became scolar is fearful avo: What isthe matter? Se ‘lowens The master scholar was siting on the chair studying, Soke could not move off [aro laupl] After al, whats elearning? Is tthe knowledge of the leopard skin? 4 The Dilemma of a Ghost (Sucks her teth} ssi: [fithad been in any other home, he, Ebow, would have seen to it that we were all seated, ‘axnowa: But I do now know what he has done forall of you to pick on hi in this way” st: Le us say what we cannot keep in us any longer, forthe dlay Ebow becomes like you, he wil kick us ll around as if we were his footballs awa: Esi Kom, leave that child alone, for no one knows what the man of fame and honour was ike when he was a chi know: But Old One, we can soon know the bied which will not do well, for hisnest hangs by the wayside .svor Letts give him, too, some time sow: I always say that one can always know the man who is civilised. wana! [think you should all know that Ato was always a hhumble one reru: Of course, heisa first born. Our eldest hold that frst bomnsare always humble. Our white master, we welcome aro’ I thank you, Unde ‘eru: Ah, we have been hereat home but you sevens: Tsay nero: What isi? ‘axvens: I say, Esi For along time I have not been seeing that sheep which you were rearing in Ato's name. “axnonia! As for you women. st: Ho, {have sold it ‘Mansa and axvent: Sod itl ast But yes ‘axvene: What did you do with the money? Es: [Indirectly addressing aro) I have not done anything with it had a good market and I thought I would find some more money and add to ito give to Ato’s father to pay {or the bride price for its owner saxvene: That is very good. fer: But women, can you not wait for us to finish what we came here to say? The child has jus come from a The Dilemsna of a Ghast journey. You have not welcomed him butalready you vant to nary for him, sor [aif jt aus fom ep] Ei, Unde, are you aking of esr: tis nothing. Lwas only telling your aunt tha 1 have sold Your sheep pay the bride price for you when you make Upyoursind to marry sro [Casual] But am already carvied, Maan 2 oware marie Mariel Marne {st [Overappig] Who i your wife? ‘teeing endl ow mary stamens Who you wife? tonka: [Overipping] What is her name? fst Where docs she come rom? [Everyone repeats her words to create confusion.) veru: You must all be quiet. One must take time to dissect an antin order to discover its entrails. moka: [Laughing wickedly) Ei so U have a sister-in-law whom 1 do not know? akkoMA: Ei, Monka, keep quite. ‘ana: [Who has been sleping since she las spoke] What is all this, hhoise about? Have you asked the child news from his journey? [Silence while everyone staves at av} perv: Ato, when did you marry? ‘avo: Thats what I was going to tell you. One week ago, ‘Nana [Spitting] My grandchild, so you have married? Why did you never write to tell us vst: Ato my son, who is your wife? ‘xr: [Quite embarrassed) Bulalie. aus Ent ‘sro: [said ‘Eulalie’, [By now all the women are standing.) Mowkat Hurere! st: Petul Akyere! What does he say? raw ws Hrere! 16 The Dilemma of a Ghost suonka: Oh, let us say, let us say that some ofthe names that fare coming into the world are fearful ss Ato, you know that some of us did not hear the schoo! bell ‘when trang. Therefore we will not be able wo say this name. This Uhuchu .. want her real name, my on. ‘sro: But Maami, this is her only namne wansa: Our master, isn't your wife eh. Fanti? sero: No, aunt. ‘xvens: {Contempluonsy IF so, what i her eb sero: She has no tribe. She does not come from ania: [Looking wpa hin] She has no wibe? The story you are ‘cling ws too sweety granted, Since Twas born hhave not heard of a human being born ott af the womb ofa woman who has no tribe. Are there tres which never have any roots? rerU: Ato, where does your wife come from? (A shor silence. ‘Alllaak atx] ‘sro: But no one s prepared to listen tome. My wife comes from... Ametica 1st: [Putin her hands on her head] Oh sit You have an unkind Soul. We always hear of other women’s sons going to the ‘white man’s country. Why should my own go and marty white woman? onxa: Amrikal My brother, you have arrived indeed ‘nevene: But we thought that we too have found a treasure at Tas for our house. What have you done tous, my son? We do not know the ways of the white people. Will not people laugh at us? -sv0: [Very neroous] But who says I have married a white ‘woman? Iseveryone in America white? In that country there are white men and black men, ‘nsoun: Nephew, you mast tellus propey. We donot ‘sto: But you will notlisten to me. (AU quite. Bye are focused on ‘s1o.] say my wife isas black ax we all ar. [Sigh of relaxation] sst: But how iit, my child, that she comes from Amrika and, she has this strange name? (The old woman spilt significant] ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost awa: Is that what people call their children in the white ‘man’s country? ‘sro: [Irritabj} It is not the white man’s country. Aut! O.,.0..Ohl ‘v0: Please, beg you all listen, Eulalie's ancestors were of our ancestors. But (warming up] as you all know, the white peoplle came and took some away in ships to be slaves Nana! [Calm] And so, my grand-child, all you want to tellus is that your wife a slave? [At his point even the men get up tvith shock fom thei seats. All the women break into violent tuveping. St KOM is beside herself with pref. She walks round in all ates of mourning. | so: [Wildl] But she is nota slave, Itwas her grandfathers and her grandmothers who were saves. awa: Ato, do not talk with the foolishness of your igeneration, [The two village women come into the path] ist w: My sister, what can be the meaning of this? xp w: That is what I cannot see. st w: Probably the old woman is dead xo w: She has not been very well lately. Ist we: This is life ‘Some are going While others are coming. ‘Thats the road to the life hereafter. avo w: Then letus start weeping, my sister [They begin to weep and walk up stage, then they notice NANA.) srw: Ah, but look, she is sitting there. Nana: [Hobble towards the women] Yes, Lam sitting here. So you thought I was dead? No, [am not. Go home good neighbours and save your tears for my funeral. Itcannot belong now ... Go. [The women turn back.) No, do not go yet I still need your tears. [All eyes turned on The Dilemma of a Ghost ‘he women.) My grand-child has gone and brought home the offspring of slaves. [Women's faces indicate horror] A slave, I say [est Kom enacts horror and great dstres.) Hear what has befallen our house. avo: [Moving tothe fron ofthe sage] Heavens! Is there any reason why you should make so much fuss? All because I have married an African-American? Ifyou only know hhow sweet Eulate is! (He look atthe women and whistles. [Now all this racket you are putting on will bring the whole town here. [He turns back abruptly, goes this door, enters and closes it om the scene. All eyes are tured to te closed door now.) awa: My sist Mother ought iohhave come for me earlier. ‘Now what shall tell them who are gone? The daughter of slaves who come from the wbite mats and. Someone should advise me om how to tell my story. My children, Lam dreading my arrival there Where they wasn news of home. Shalt tell hemor shal no? Someone should lend me tongue {ight enough wth which otell My Royal Dead ‘That one oftheir stock Has gone aay and brought to their sacred precincts Thewayfarer f (Everyone except wana starts leaving the sage.) ‘They willask me where L was ‘When such things were happening. Omighty God! eee Even when the Unmentionable (Came and carried off the children of the house In shoals like fish, Nana Kum kept his fet steadfast on the ground ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost [And refused to letany of his nephews ‘Take a wife from a doubtful stock. {She turns to leave, and walks towards the door on the righ] Ifitis true thatthe last gets the best of everything ‘Then whatis this Which my soul has dravn out for me? Wight goowe} 20 sass Act Two [A fortnight later, Afternoon. The too village women are returning from the woods wher they have gathered some faggots] ano w: Bi, Esl Kom, ‘Some child bearing is profitable srw: What has happened nov? nb w: Nothing. Its only that I remember Her and her affairs when we pass their house. ‘ast w: Child bearing is always profitable For were not our fathers wise ‘Who looked upon the motion of our lives, And said, ‘They ask for the people of the house ‘And not the money in it? There is nothing that can compare with Being a parent, my sister ‘ann w: Not always, my sister Ifyou perchance hear on asilenc afternoon ‘The sound ofa pestle hitting a mortar, Go get out your mortar too For they are only pounding cassava. sv wi: Perchance they are pounding yam, ano w: Have you forgotten the daughter ofthis same xi Kom? Have you not heard it whispered? Have you not heard it sung. From the end of the East road ‘To the beginning of the West ‘That Monka never marries well? srw: Bucif Esi Kom bears a daughter "And the daughter finds no good man Shall we say cis Esi Kom’s fate in childbirth, ‘Or shall we say itis her daughter's trouble? Is not Monka the sauciest girl Born here for many years? 21 The Dilemma of a Ghost Ha she not the hardest mouth inthis town? sno wi Thatisasitmay But Es Kom suffers fori ver w: My liter even from bad marriages “Areborn good sons and daughters xo w Who shal look after them srw: Doyou ask thatof me ‘When everybody knows ‘Asonisback from the land beyond the seat? Shallhe not help to look after his nephews “And nieces when it was somebody ele who Looked after him in the days of his childhood? outa ny sister, Asifthe daysare gone ‘When the eft hand washed the right And the right hand wasted the let vo we Perhaps they are not, my sister But those daysare over When itwas expedient for twodeer TTovwalk cogether, Since anyone can see and remove The beat inhi eye with a mirror. ssr w: These ate sa sayings, my ster But where is his wile? 7 vo w! Ido not know ny sistr. But Uheard them say that his mother Had gone to knock the door of Yaw Mensa ‘Toalk forthe hand of his daughter for him, ssn Oh, he would have had a good woman, saw thac gil when she eam home last Christmas Schoal has not spot her, think wow: And that th sa pat off my sister. He has not taken this git Whom well know and ike, But has gone for this Blackewhite woman Astranger and asave— But thats his and Bs Kom fai Theat in the distance the er of child 22 The Dilemma of a Ghast ‘That cry is meant for my ear. Let us hurry home, my sister. [Se tes the lead.) sr w: Ob, Eternal Mother Nature, ‘Queen Mother of childbirth, low was it you went past my house Without a pause Without Fest? Mighty God, when shall the cry of an infant Come into my ear: For the sun has journeyed far Tn my sky, [Lights ou] (tate otro of th nxt dey, Everywhere ui, x0 ‘lap the mer room. EULALit comes nwt ack of Cire, hte om ch ry and tof Ca Col. She ‘onthe tre fn th outnce, She Bie sipping the Coca Cola and sim hve fermi comes case courted. Caer her mathe oe is as herd. As th ices ‘Speakon herby else cp for her mouth ch res lo tai mer dsp gid heh tre ofr or dart etand gh general exesing the ttn ha rth ots her [On the er hand he paciage could be spon as. slg th the mother’ oie Intrnipeng fom bck age} votct: Soatlasthere am Tin Affi... Joteph and Mary! 1 hope 'vedane the igh thing What good fan I'm going tore hee! [Se Just reckon hea the cots are actly the sing’ You hold on unl goo theshops [Shestonsosshe ears ramble of drama An anyway, Supposing this jus an ugly mess rv ec nysef toy titavam I going todo? You gota heart, Euale Rush? No. Now ifs over to you Bulle Yawaon . . Yaweon, 23 The Dilemma of a Ghost ‘That surely isa name, [Smile] Life can be funny at times, that’s what Fiona used to say. Now, I must sort of confess that Iam finding all this rather cute. Ato says there will bbe two boys inthe house. Fiona, if you could only see me now. [Mouth grim,] Oris it rather if I could only see you now? Sometimes a girl would just like to have someone she loves and knows tote things co laugh with. But there is mo one for me here who woul have understood like you would, Fiona, There is no one even back in the States... . Christ, Fiona, Pa and Mal There was no one left was there? [Bends her head.) And how can one make a family out of Harlem? Ma... with her hands chapped with washing to keep me in College . .. Tsay [Smiles], I never knew there is Coke in these parts. [Holding the Coca-Cola bite affectionately] Fiona would have been shocked to hear it. How we used to talk of the jungle and the wild life... And I haven't seen a lion yet! As for his folks, they are cute. Ladore the old one . .. His mother gives me a feeling, though. (She starts and stares as she hears the drums again. Ma, I've come to the very source. I've come to Africa and { hope that where’er you are, you sort ‘of know anel approve. *Lalie, you shall not stop. Chicken, you must have itall’ And I had icall, Ma, even graduation. ‘You'll be swank enough to look a white rash In the eye and tell him to go to hell” Ma, ain't I telling the whole of the States to go swing! Congress, Jew and white trash, from Manhattan to Harlem .... Sugar, don’t let them do you in’. Ma, I didn't. ‘Sugar, don't sort of curse me and your Pa every morning you look your face in the mirror and see yourself black. Kill he sort of dreams silly girls dream that they are going to wake up one morning and find their skins milk white and theit hairs soft blonde like them Hollywood tarts. Sugar, the dear God made you just that black and you canna do nothing about it! ‘Ma, itwas hard not to dream but I tried .. only I wish you were not dead .... I wish you were right here, not even in the States, but here in this country where there will be no washing for you no more and where where ...Oh Mal But I know you would pat me on the ey ‘The Dilemma of @ Ghost back and say, ‘Sugar, you sure done fine.’ Native Boy is, the blackest you ever saw [Suddenly the drums just rol and rol. Latte throws away her cigarette, her es pop ou. She's really scared. She mutters ‘Christ, Chris, like caged animal. She rushed towards the room and crashes into Ato’ arms} ‘10: Hullo, my sweet. (Then he notices her frightened look] ‘What is the matter? 0; Can't you hear? ‘sro: A, what sit? fu: Can't you hear the drums? ‘ato: [Cocks his ears] Oh, those! fu: Aren't you afraid? fam. ‘sro: Don't be absurd, darling. (olds he clas.) Buc I thought ‘that one thing which attracted you about Africa was that there isa lot of drumming here. eu: [Relaxes and thinks] Y—e—s. But, you know, I didn’t guess they'll be sort of like this. -xro: You thought they would sound lke jazz? tu: Sure, Or rather like, you know, sort of Spanish mambo. ‘sro! I See. [Chuckles But there is nothing specially frightening about ths, is there? ru Idon't know. Fonly thought it was witch-hunting. ro: What? bu: Witch-hunting. ‘x0: Witch. . [He bursts out laughing til he is quite breathless.) ‘Witch-hunting? O mine, who put that idea into your head? eu: But | understand there is always witch-hunting out here in Aftica aro: But sill, why were you so scared? You aren'ta witch ‘yourself, are you? nu: Don't tease. ‘ro: Hmnot easing. For after al onya witch shoul be ‘afraid of witch-hunting, For the rest of the community, it is delightful sport. sv: [Curious] How quaint? Tell me more. 25 The Dilemma of a Ghost .sr0: I wil, but first, you tell me: how were Hiawatha and Minchaha when tat you met them? su: Now you re really teasing, Native Boy. But I thought I would Tearn about all these things. e ‘stot [Chucks] Especially witeh-bunting? (He takes her arm.] ‘Sorry, 'don' know much about them myself. Those were only funeral drums. But I think you must have a festa. Ifyou don’, you'll ave a nervous breakdown iefore you've learnt enough to graduate in primitive cultures 10: [Looking up accusingb] Native Boy. (970 tums to look at her and sees the Coca-Cola bottle] ‘avo: Have you been drinking Coke? fu: Mm... Yes. Avo: Excellent of you. I can’t bear it warm. tu: And of course you carried a refrigerator down here. ‘sro: Lam sorry. Ev: Christ, what are you apologising for? Afterall, was only feeling alittle homesick and I drank it for sentimental reasons. I could have had a much cooler, sweeter and ‘more nourishing substitute in coconuts, couldn't I? a0: (Confused and unable to say anything for some ime] Lara thirsty too but Tl have a gin and water. [EULALIR's eyes follow him as he goes back to the room and shes stil ooking in dis diection when he returns some minates later with the Bottle of in, tater anda glas. He catches the lok in her eyes and sits on the tervace facing her] ‘avo: [Mixing the drink] Darling, what iit? eu: What is what? ‘aro: Well, there was such a look on your face. Were you ‘going to say something? su: (Gets up and maves close to him] Yes. ‘sro: [Light] Box on then, eu: Ato ‘avo: [Inlerrupting] By the way, are you interested? [Indicating ‘the gin and water.) eu: Yes. 26 ‘The Dilemma of a Ghost ro: Ob, Ube your pardon then, (egies her he igre, and "fongts abot one for hime} aot Aba, 0: Ato, ittime we started a family? ‘sT0:[Surpried] Why? I thought fo: Va, emember {bough the idea, bu I got the fecln _svo: Heavens, women! They are always getting feelings. First you got the fecling you needed a couple of years to sete ow and now you are obviosly getting contradictory feeling tu: [Her turn to ook confused) Uhope you aten' taking itso badly? ‘sro [Boab] Not atall. Fs only that I think we beter stick 0 ‘our onginal pans tu: (Tveh} Okay (Long pou] Va better go and rest now [ihe turns towards the door and the drink is entirely forgotten. ‘xt0 follows her into the room.) Act Three {Sismndh later. Saturday afternoon, 10 and st hae come {fo spend a week-end, Her sunhat i lying on a chair in the courtyard Tevoilage chides nonin) ree soy: What shall we do now? Sint: Kaka how Allright il hide, you find me. Gant: No, vil not find you, I wil hide tov: Lay, Ul hide Cis Noy tll sox: [wl not alow you int: Then will not pay tov! Ifyon do not Iwill beat you. {ther Cin: [yng Beast now: Ohi dd ot ean to hao. Bs you ol Fae ol Youll want tohide-- Let us play another game then. What shall we do? fae s con: Let us sig’ The Choe. nov: Ghost Ghost. ab, yes! (Phe hold hands and sip about in cies as hese) ‘One early morning. When the moon was up Shining asthe sun, Twentto Elmina anction And there and there, Tawa wretched ghost Going up and down Singing to himself ‘Shall go To Cape Coast, Ortoblmina Tdon't know, Vaan Ton know, ean 28 The Dilemma of a Ghost (Dhey repeat, but halfvay through the lights go out. When the lights come up a few seconds later, the children have vanished. ‘x0 bursts in immediately. His har is disheveled, his trowsers ‘creased and hs face is looking sleepy-eyed and haggard] avo: (Looking right and lft and searching with great agitation) ‘Where are they? Where are those two urchins? Heavenst ‘Those scruffy urchins and the racket of noise they were making, Why should they come here? But .. . Where are they? Or was ita dream? [Panting} Ugh! That's why I hate siesta. Afternoon sleep always brings me afternoon ‘dreams, horrid, disgusting, enigmatic dreams. Daman this {ghost atthe junction, I loved to sing that song. Oh yes, I ‘did. But teal so long ago. [used to wonder what the sghost was doing there at the junction. And I used to ‘wonder too what it did finally... Did it go to Elmina or to Cape Coast? And used to wonder, oh, I used to ‘wonder about so many things then. But why should L dream about all these things now? Leerv enters, He sin an old pair of trousers and a smock which ‘makeup his farm clothes.) Probably I am going mad? peru: Oh—! Avo: Ei, Unde. etu: I heard you are come and that is why Lam coming to greet you. avo! You went to the farm? peru: My master, where else have I to go? [He sits on the terrace ‘while ro stil stands Since the morning has found us, we ‘must ext. And as you know, some of us are not lucky ‘enough to be paid only to sit in an office doing nothing, ‘And that is why I have to relieve the wayside herbs of their dew every morning. aro: But my Uncle, we too work hard rrevu: [Sarcastic] You believe that... But nephew, why were you talking so hard to yourself when I came in? ‘avo: [Uneasib} Thad had a queer dream. 29 The Dilemma of a Ghost veru: Is that long ago? ‘ro: No. Itwas ony thi afternoon when I ay down to rest. ter: An afternoon dream? (1s face shows ef not eriby Pleased even abou the idea of] What was the dream? -svo! I dreamt that there were two children inthis courtyard ‘singing tha song about the ghost who did not know whether wo go to Elmina oF to Cape Coast. snevot Ah (Helge ] How fanny! ‘sro! But Undle, the boy looked ike me when I was child ‘rr [Serius] Ei, thie needs thinking about. Do not be clisturbed, although I do not like afternoon dreams ‘nel I wil tell our grandmother and hear what she hhas to say about it (Heri ogo and ses LULaLi's hat) Did you bring your wife? sro: Yee She to's resting ‘xv: [Turns tonards the dor on he righ] Yoo. 1am going now. When your wife wakes up tell her I give her ‘welcome. 1 have brought some cocoyams from the farm and I wie sending her some by and by: Do notthink too much about the dream. sro: Thank you, my Uncle, When you go tell my mothers that we will be coming to see them this evening. [Pet goes auay- AO sands confused. CULALIE come] .svor Hullo, Lal, 10! Hullo. [They his each other onthe chee} heard talking here, didn't? sro: My Uncle came to give us welcome to: [Ansizus} Oh this means the whole ft of them willbe sto! Would you rather we went to see the new Methodist ‘School? 1: Lovely [She Rises him on the cheek again, and tates her tvely ‘una. She pts ton and cocks her head for admiration, a1 Says Espuiste’ and hand in hand they come down the courtyard foo th path leading tothe left} {Light off] 30 The Dilemma of a Ghost [Two hours later. 1 kos enters from the door on the right carrying wo bundles trapped in sack cloth, She opens the door to-xto's partment. She ts the bundles in the outer room, ‘comes out and is clasing the door when xr0 and EULALIE enter ‘the caetyard from the path.) 2; [Sees the woman) I say! (She glares at wst xox fora second or ‘avo and then turns on ATO} Ato, would you care to ask your mother what she wants in our room? aro: Eh... . Maami, were you looking for us? fst: Hmm... They told us when we arrived from the farm that you and your wife hae come tospend roay and tomorrow with us, So I thought I would bring you one or two things for | hear food is almost unbuyable in the city these days. And your nephews are so naughty that I knew if I did not bring them here they would steal the snails and roast them alin an hour's time. eu: Whats she saying? ‘sT0: Oh, she only brought us food to take back with us. vu: What kind of food? ‘aro: Mami, what did you bring? st: Can not your wife herself go and see? Afterall, these are all women's affairs. Or do our masters, the Scholars, know what goes on in their wives’ kitchen? sro: [Persuasively] Darling, will ou goand check up, please? euLaute walks rather puaated into the room. As she enters, she exclaims ‘Sweet Jesus" and rushes out clasing the door behind. her} ‘avo: Darling, what sit? Pu: Eh... .some crawling things! [Composing herself] Anyway, tell your mother weare very grateful. avo: Mami, my wife says she thanks you 2 lot for the things. st; Tell her Tam glad she likes them. .. Now, I think Twill, .goand prepare the evening meal. Monka will cook you and your wife some rice and stew. If you need anything, you come and tell us or just shout for any of the children, [She turns off Then turns back.) 31 The Dilemma of a Ghost [To putatis] "My lady’, Lam saying goodbye. [Accompanied by a wave ofthe hand, ev.atse waves back. The ‘moment she i through the door on te ight, eULALAE rushes to close it, Then she rushes into their room and brings out the sack Inundle, She is erossing towards the path when ao stops he. seo: What's all this? £0: Those horrid creatures of courset ‘sro: Where are you taking them? Eb: Throwing them away, of course ‘810: What rubbish ro: What do you mean? What rubbish? Ifyou think Iam going to sleep with those creatures, then you are kidding yourself sro: But how can you throw them away ust like that? Haven't you seen snails before? su: My dear, did you see a single sail crawling on the streets of New Yorkall the ime you were in the Sats? And anyway, seeing snails and eating them are entre diferenu things : . [She turns of as ifto go on. v0 reaches her in tuo strides. He ‘grabs a par ofthe sack.) ‘sro: Butat least, could give th ‘me alone. xv: And give them the opportunity to accuse me of ‘unadaptability. No, thank you. [She wrenches the bundle {from x50 and as she turns off, wonta opens the door on the ‘right door. Her ees taken the scone. EULALAE husries den and ‘dumps the sack near the path. At the same time, MONKA

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