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Radio Scripts

Package 77
March 2006

The Long Dry Season: A Tale of Greed and Resourcefulness

Package 77 - Table of Contents

« Previous Episode

Episode 13

CAST

1.MUSIC:THEME MUSIC UP, HOLD AND FADE UNDER OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS. UP AND FADE UNDER...
2.NARRATOR:Friends, just what did Moleke mean last time when he threatened that this is not the end. I shall return for what's mine, you will see!? In today's story we will find out just how far he's prepared to go in order to lay claim to all of the land in Mabudi. He is not called scoundrel miner for nothing! But will the people let him get away with it this time?

Still, it is a happy day for me in more meaningful ways. See? Most of us have been able to grow crops in fertility trenches and in other ways, and have actually harvested good quantities of sweet potatoes, cassava, cowpeas, pumpkins and spinach. My own guinea corn and side crop of soybeans have been amazing. We are indeed blessed.

But it was a sad and disappointed Yohanna who found out that his daughter, the lovely but enigmatic Zara, had lost her heart, not to Bala, Prince of Mabudi who has loved her since childhood, but to the unlikely Garam, the mobile supermarket. They even elope. What else can a father do but go after his child to point out the error of her ways? Will he succeed in getting her back? Let's go to Papalanto to hear what happens when they meet...
3.MUSIC:THEME MUSIC UP AND CROSS FADE TO...

SCENE 1

4.SFX:KNOCK ON THE DOOR OFF MIC.
5.ZARA:(ON) Yes... (TO HERSELF) who can that be? (CALLING) Please hold on, I'm coming...
6.SFX:DOOR OPENS.
7.ZARA:(GASPS. THEN RECOVERS, OFF MIC) Oh, I thought... I didn't realize...I mean, Papa! What a surprise!
8.YOHANNA:(OFF MIC) Yes, Zara. It's me, Yohanna. Whether I am Papa, I'm no longer sure.
9.ZARA:I'm so surprised to see you. What are you doing here in Papalanto? Come inside please. (PAUSE 2 BEATS)
10.SFX:DOOR CLOSES.
11.YOHANNA:(COMING ON MIC) Where is he? Where is Garam?
12.ZARA:(ON) He's not here at the moment. He'll be back in the evening.
13.YOHANNA:(ON) Too bad. He'll come back and find an empty house. Then he'll know how it feels. Get your things. We're going.
14.ZARA:Going where?
15.YOHANNA:Going home to Mabudi.
16.ZARA:Papa, please have a seat. Let me get you something to drink.
17.YOHANNA:I didn't come all the way to Papalanto to have a seat and a drink. Get your things; we're going home. I trusted this Garam man - I didn't expect him to abduct my daughter.
18.ZARA:Papa, you've got it all wrong. He didn't abduct me. I came willingly.
19.YOHANNA:That cannot be true. What herbs...or what magic did he use to entice you?
20.ZARA:Papa, you're not listening. He didn't do anything. I came willingly.
21.YOHANNA:Zara, I'm not in the mood for long arguments.
22.ZARA:I'm sorry Papa. I don't intend to argue with you. I can't go back to Mabudi. Garam loves me and I love him.
23.YOHANNA:(REPEATING.) You love him. Let me ask you. How long have you known him? Do you know him?
24.ZARA:Papa, I don't think the length of time matters...
25.YOHANNA:I won't argue with you about love or time. All I'm saying is: come back home and do your love the proper way.
26.ZARA:What is the proper way?
27.YOHANNA:Certainly not sneaking around, and not stealing away in the middle of the night like a thief. What were you thinking? Zara, you've always been a sensible girl.
28.ZARA:I'm sorry, Papa.
29.YOHANNA:That is why I feel this Garam must be a bad influence. Your brother Hassan has always been your friend. Did you stop for a minute to consider how he would feel before you stole away?
30.ZARA:I'm sorry, Papa...
31.YOHANNA:You didn't even say goodbye. Did we annoy you?
32.ZARA:No, Papa.
33.YOHANNA:Then why? Look, Zara. Perhaps this is just a phase, a marker on your way to becoming a woman. When you've become that woman, you'll meet the man destined to be your husband and you'll marry and settle down.
34.ZARA:I appreciate your concern for me, Papa, but really I'm sure Garam is the man I was destined to marry.
35.YOHANNA:How do you know?
36.ZARA:I meet few people to fall in love with in Mabudi. Besides, I don't want to be stuck in Mabudi for the rest of my life. I can never be a true and happy farmer like Hassan, Bala or Shura. I want change and vitality and love. I believe I have found these in Garam.
37.YOHANNA:Again I ask you: how do you know?
38.ZARA:Garam is so knowledgeable. He has traveled the whole country and even neighbouring countries to buy and sell...He is not a bad influence like you think.
39.YOHANNA:Zara, I don't approve of what you did, running off in the night like that. You run from enemies...I don't believe we are your enemies.
40.ZARA:I'm sorry, Papa. He loves me and I love him.
41.YOHANNA:Ok. Now, what I want you to do is to come back home with me. If you still want to marry this Garam, you'll do it openly. Then you can do whatever you want.
42.ZARA:Papa, we are already married!
43.MUSIC:BRIDGE MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER.

SCENE 2

44.SFX:FARM AMBIENCE. HASSAN AND BALA ARE ON THE FARM.
45.BALA:(CALLING) Hassan...Hassan! Stop spending so much time building the fire.
46.HASSAN:(OFF) I'll soon have it going. These sweet potatoes look so temptingly delicious...I want to have a bite before we get home.
47.BALA:I want to eat too, but at this rate, we may not finish harvesting all the trenches. (PAUSE) You know, as we harvest, we should also be preparing the trenches for the next planting.
48.HASSAN:(JOINING BALA) It's such a good harvest, wouldn't you say?
49.BALA:Considering the weather conditions, I'd say it's a pretty good harvest. More than I dared hope for. Look, I've finished with this trench. Why don't you fill it in?
50.HASSAN:Ok. I can do that, using these weeds and leaves and grass...
51.BALA:Add more, Hassan. Use these crop residues, manure, feathers, the sweet potato and yam peels - anything that will rot as time passes.
52.HASSAN:I didn't understand it the first time we prepared these trenches ... why we had to accumulate all this rubbish...all kinds of different materials - some young, moist materials and some dead, dry materials...
53.BALA:The rain that falls during the rainy season soaks into the soil in the trench. The organic matter in the trench holds the water for the crops to use after the dry season begins.
54.HASSAN:(TEASING) Not bad! Spoken like an expert. You seem to know a lot about farming.
55.BALA:Yeah, I seem to have a natural flair for it, wouldn't you say? Actually, I learned a lot from your father and...Shurahi. Anyway, for someone of your age, Hassan, I'd say you're quite a farmer too.
56.HASSAN:Thank you. Well, let me check the potatoes...
57.BALA:Please do. The sweet aroma is making me hungry.
58.HASSAN:(SPEAKING SLIGHTLY OFF MIC) We need to sprinkle some water over the layer of the organic materials. My father explained that the water will help the scraps and other organic material to rot.
59.BALA:Isn't it ironic? Normally you would think anything that rots is bad ... but in this case, as the organic matter in the trench rots, it adds good plant food to the soil.
60.HASSAN:(COMING BACK) No wonder the potatoes grew so big and look so delicious.
61.BALA:What's more, you can grow all sorts of crops in these fertility trenches - not only sweet potatoes but tomatoes, peppers, okra - even fruit trees.
62.HASSAN:Shurahi mentioned that you could grow a different crop every season. That young lady is such a wealth of knowledge...a walking encyclopaedia on farming. (SILENCE) Did you hear what I said?
63.BALA:I heard you loud and clear!
64.HASSAN:What are you going to do about her?
65.BALA:About who?
66.HASSAN:Shurahi of course!
67.BALA:(CHANGING THE SUBJECT) I'm sure your potatoes are burning.
68.HASSAN:Nice way to change the subject. Ok, let's go and do justice to the food.
69.BALA:I totally agree.
70.MUSIC:BRIDGE MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER

SCENE 3

71.SFX:FARM AMBIENCE. NOISE AND COMMOTION GETTING LOUDER AS IT COMES ON MIC. (IT IS MOLEKE APPROACHING WITH SOME YOUTHS).
72.YOHANNA:Isn't that Moleke approaching? (PAUSE) It is indeed Moleke. And where is he going with all those people armed with machetes, cutlasses, cudgels and all?
73.HASSAN:Papa, I have no idea. But this doesn't look good. What should we do? I think I better go for help.
74.YOHANNA:Good idea my son. Please hurry ... and call other people as you go. Go quick. (HASSAN LEAVES)
75.MOLEKE:(SHOUTING OFF MIC) Boys, get down to work. Cut down everything! Uproot everything.
76.SFX:SOUNDS OF CUTTING DOWN CROPS CAN BE HEARD OFF MIC AND COMING CLOSER.
77.YOHANNA:(SHOUTING ON MIC) Hey, what is this? What are you doing? Why are you destroying our crops? Moleke, call your people to order. Tell them to stop...
78.MOLEKE:(TAUNTING. COMING ON MIC) Or else? And what can you do about it?
79.YOHANNA:Moleke, are you completely mad? I'm warning you to stop.
80.MOLEKE:(ON MIC, CALLING) Take no notice of him. Continue with what you're doing.
81.YOHANNA:This is unbelievable! I have never heard or witnessed anything like this in my whole life.
82.MOLEKE:Then consider it a rare privilege.
83.YOHANNA:You are completely unfeeling, Moleke. What do you hope to gain by destroying our hard work?
84.MOLEKE:Didn't I warn you? Didn't I ask you to uproot your crops and take them to your own farm? I want my land back.
85.YOHANNA:One cannot even reason with you. (VOICES AS MORE PEOPLE BEGIN TO ARRIVE).
86.VOICES:What?! It's the High Chief himself! The ultimate destroyer! See what damage he has done already! What kind of a man is this? Must you destroy everything you come in contact with? We will deal with you today, stupid man! Your friend THE ABAH is no longer in town, so who will save you from our wrath today? You cheated the whole town. You made money from innocent penniless people. You sent them away from their homes and took away their means of livelihood. You reap where you didn't sow a thing! Today is payback time. (FRACAS AS THEY DESCEND ON MOLEKE AND HIS GROUP).
87.MUSIC:BRIDGE MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER

SCENE 4

88.SFX:SHURAHI'S HOUSE. KNOCK ON THE DOOR, OFF MIC.
89.SHURAHI:(GOING OFF) Yes, I'm coming.
90.SFX:DOOR OPENS OFF MIC.
91.SHURAHI:(STARTLED OFF MIC) Good heavens! Bala, what are you doing here?
92.BALA:(OFF MIC) Surprise! Surprise!
93.SHURAHI:Please come in.
94.SFX:DOOR OPENS WIDER. GUSTS OF WIND SWEEP INTO THE ROOM, CAUSING SOME LOOSE SHEETS OF PAPER TO FLY AROUND. THEY SCRAMBLE FOR THEM. DOOR BANGS SHUT.
95.BALA:(COMING ON MIC) Oh, Shurahi, I'm so sorry...
96.SHURAHI:(ON) No, don't worry. It's not your fault. (BOTH PAUSE 2 BEATS)
97.BALA:(ON) What are the papers for?
98.SHURAHI:Manuscripts of my book...the book I'm writing on farming practices.
99.BALA:How is it coming?
100.SHURAHI:Very well. I've almost finished the first draft. I'll send it to my editor when I'm through, and hear her comments.
101.BALA:Wao, you're going to be famous. A writer! Wao! What's the title?
102.SHURAHI:(LAUGHS A BIT) It's called Farm Tales from All Over. But the knowledge that I'm sharing is more important than fame. If this book can help people to be better farmers and make better use of their lands, then my purpose will have been achieved.
103.BALA:I'm so proud of you.
104.SHURAHI:No, I'm not there yet. I'll be proud when I see the book published.
105.BALA:Well, no matter what...I'll still be proud of you. And I'm so sorry about this mess. Can I help you arrange the pages?
106.SHURAHI:Don't worry about it. I'll do it later.
107.BALA:But I feel awful. Please let me help.
108.SHURAHI:Ok, if it'll make you feel better, go ahead. Can I get you something to drink?
109.BALA:Maybe later.
110.SHURAHI:So, what brings you to Papalanto? I'm sure you didn't come to discuss my book.
111.BALA:I came to see you.
112.SHURAHI:(LAUGHING) Came to see me? Me? Don't make me laugh.
113.BALA:Is it funny? Or impossible for me to come and see you? Ok, you tell me...why did I come?
114.SHURAHI:How should I know?
115.BALA:But I told you my reason for coming, and you don't seem to believe me.
116.SHURAHI:Ok, I believe you... I believe you.
117.BALA:Frankly, I don't like the note on which we parted the last time, so I have come to...to...well, to see if you can give me the opportunity to rectify the situation.
118.SHURAHI:How will you do that?
119.BALA:A little each day, perhaps for the rest of our lives...
120.SHURAHI:Actually, I should apologize too.
121.BALA:For what? You didn't do anything wrong.
122.SHURAHI:Sure I did. I mean, you were pouring out your broken heart over your dearest sweetheart, and I just gave you the cold shoulder. Sort of like...you had your chance. If you didn't make the most of it, hard luck.
123.BALA:Well, you were a bit unkind. But anyway, all that is in the long, forgotten past. How have you been? We have missed you.
124.SHURAHI:Who is "we"? (CHUCKLES) Don't look at me like that. I just want to know.
125.BALA:If you must know, I think that all the people and town of Mabudi miss you... But I miss you most!
126.SHURAHI:Are you sure?
127.BALA:Yes, I'm sure. So sure that I was hoping you might consider coming back...with me?
128.SHURAHI:For what?
129.BALA:Like I said, the whole village of Mabudi would be delighted to have you back. My father THE ABAH is sick with AIDS...I might have to take over from him as THE ABAH. And I was wondering and hoping that you would consider standing by my side...lending me your support as my wife ... that is if you would have me for your husband. Because...you see...I love you, Shurahi. I love you very much. What do you say?
130.MUSIC:THEME MUSIC UP AND UNDER...
131.NARRATOR:Well, well, well, my friends. If you have ever wondered whether greed always wins out over truth and good, you must have been relieved to see Moleke finally get what he surely deserved: the people's anger and judgment. I always said it: Every day for the thief and one fine day for the owner! Not that I am advocating violence as a means of resolving conflict, you understand, but that Moleke really pushed it. Imagine bringing thugs to destroy the farms and cut down the trees Yohanna and others had painstakingly replanted. It was enough to provoke people to anger. Even THE ABAH MANU is not left out of sorrowful endings. Did I hear right that he is suffering from AIDS? You will recall that he wasn't always sexually responsible, was he? But that's a story for another season.

Oh, I love romances ... and it seems one is in the air. Shurahi, our lovely tender-hearted agricultural officer, had finally left Mabudi because she thought her love for BALA MANU was unrequited. But the scales fell off the young man's eyes and he went to get his woman. I just love it that these two dynamic people might become a couple. Great days are in the cards for Mabudi - so don't count us out just yet!
132.MUSIC:THEME MUSIC UP AND FADE UNDER CLOSING CREDITS.

The End

Script written by Euphemia Kange Chiekyula, ARDA