EPISODE 18- “The Small Tents”
Written by ADONG Lucy Judith
SCENE I
LOCATION: DDAMBA AND ANGELA’S LIVING ROOM-NIGHT
B/G SFX: FROGS AND CRICKETS CHIRPING
CHARACTERS: SAMMY, JOSHUA, ANGELA, EVELYN AND DDAMBA
SFX: INTRO...
MILDRED: (AS NARRATOR) Living is resolving challenges, as Ddamba and Angela discovered. Ddamba used to be one of the more well-off businessmen in Bukulu until the last couple of years. Now Ddamba and his wife Angela were struggling with their finances and a third child was a no go zone for them. So, Angela was using family planning pills, and everything seemed to be going smoothly, until Ddamba decided to try out a new business venture in Southern Sudan...
SAMMY: CRYING
ANGELA: Joshua, will you put back your sister’s meat on her plate. You can see she is crying…
JOSHUA: But she’s not eating it. She keeps drinking soup.
SAMMY: (SOBBING) Because he took my meat
ANGELA; Just put it back now Joshua before I.../
JOSHUA: Okay, mommy. There is it.
SFX: CLATTERING CUTLERY
ANGELA: Good. And you, Sammy, eat the meat before I give it to Joshua myself.
SAMMY: Yes, mama.
EVELYN: It’s official, Angie. One of these days these kids of yours will drive you crazy.
ANGELA: Tell me about it, Evelyn… Pass me the relish please, sis. (SHE SCOOPS FROM POT) How long before you go back to university?
EVELYN: Three months. My holiday this time is three months.
ANGELA: Phew… you’ll stay three months. Well, that will surely give me a break some days. Are you sure? These two don’t listen!
EVELYN: They love their aunt so am sure they won’t give me such a hard time, will you now?
SAMMY/JOSH: I won’t. We will be good.
ANGELA: (STERN) Sammy… Joshua…you must behave with your auntie…
SAMMY/JOSH: We are always good.
ANGELA: Ha… (INTERRUPTED)
SFX: KNOCK AT THE DOOR
ANGELA: Did you hear that?
EVELYN: Yes. Are you expecting someone?
ANGELA: No.
DDAMBA: (OFF MIC) It’s me Angel.
SAMMY/JOSH: Daddy!
JOSHUA: (RUNNING TO THE DOOR) I will get the door.
SAMMY: (BEHIND JOSHUA) No, I will get it.
EVELYN: I thought Ddamba said he would be away for two weeks.
ANGELA: (WALKING TO THE DOOR) I hope nothing bad happened.
SFX: DOOR OPEN
SAMMY: I said I wanted to open.
ANGELA: (DELIGHTED TO SEE HIM) Ddamba!
DDAMBA: (ON MIC LIFTING SAMMY) How’s my little angel… Sammy! And my little champion here, hey little man!
JOSUA: What did you bring me, daddy?
SAMMY: And me, daddy.
ANGELA: Will you two first let daddy rest? He’s just got back from a long trip!
DDAMBA: It’s okay, Angie. (HE TALKS TO THE CHILDREN NOW, AS A STORYTELLER WOULD) Mmm. I have been far, far across the continent of Africa, through deserts, and across streams, and I have brought you something very special!
SAMMY/JOSHUA: (SQUEALING WITH DELIGHT) What is it? What have you brought?
ANGELA: You know what, children? Let daddy take a bath first and freshen up, all right? And then he can eat…
DDAMBA: Don’t be so strict, Angela my darling. Relax. They haven’t seen their father for days… and I have been missing them.
EVELYN: (LAUGHS) And they miss you too. (TO ANGELA) But now that daddy is home, Angie, all your discipline means nothing (SHE LAUGHS)
ANGELA: Don’t tell me.
EVELYN: You might as well just enjoy the fact that your husband is home.
ANGELA: I will (THEN TO DDAMBA)… in our own time, won’t we, love?
DDAMBA: (CHUCKLES) That’s the best thing about coming home…
THE CHILDREN INTERRUPT NOISILY
SAMMY/JOSH: Where are our presents, daddy? You said…!
DDAMBA: You see? I’d better take care of the children…(FADES OUT AS HE LEADS THE EXCITED KIDS TO HIS SUITCASE) Let’s open the bag, shall we?
THE CHILDREN SQUEAL WITH EXCITEMENT
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION UP AND SLOWLY FADES OUT
SCENE II
LOCATION: DDAMBA AND ANGELA’S BEDROOM-NIGHT
B/G SFX: FROGS AND CRICKETS CHIRPING
CHARACTERS: DDAMBA, ANGELA
DDAMBA: (SIGH OF RELIEF) I am happy, Angela.
ANGELA: A hot bath always helps.
DDAMBA: You always know what I need. I missed you...
ANGELA: Really?
DDAMBA: Of course. (HINTS OF EXCITEMENT IN HIS TIRED VOICE) And Sudan has prospects. I sold everything…the beans! the maize! I should also take some mukene. It sells there like nothing.
ANGELA: Does that mean you are going back right away?
DDAMBA: Yes of course.
ANGELA: But you only just got back, Ddamba.
DDAMBA: What do our people say? The poo of a dog must be eaten when it is still hot. The business opportunities there are endless, Angel, I tell you.
ANGELA: But we also need you here at home.
DDAMBA: I know.
ANGELA: No, you don’t seem to.
DDAMBA: (DRAWS CLOSER) Listen Angel, if I can just raise some good money to take us back where we used to be then I can stop going and start something big here in Bukulu.
ANGELA: I don’t know, Ddamba.
DDAMBA: (TAKES HER HAND) Listen, let’s not ruin the moment. That is something we can talk about later. Now should be you and me time.
ANGELA: I thought you are still exhausted.
DDAMBA: Never too exhausted for my wife.
ANGELA: (GIGGLES) Oh you hungry hungry hyena.
DDAMBA: Then feed the hungry hyena. (GRABS HER, CHUCKLING)
ANGELA: Wait!
DDAMBA: What?
ANGELA: I haven’t taken my pills, Ddamba.
DDAMBA: What?
ANGELA: The pills. They ran out 2 or 3 days after you left. I thought I would have them refilled right before you came but you returned earlier than you said.
DDAMBA: Come on, Angel. I was looking forward to being with you.
ANGELA: I know, Ddamba. And am sorry.
DDAMBA: And now what? The whole point of you taking those pills was so that we wouldn’t have to think about having another child right now. We can’t afford a third…we said that. That’s why I am trying out this new venture in Southern Sudan risking the bad roads and possible attacks from thugs everyday. So I can make money…
ANGELA: I know that, Ddamba, you don’t have to explain it to me like I am a child. I am not ready for a third child myself. I am okay with the pills. You just came back unexpected.
DDAMBA: Okay. I get it. I just so wanted to be with you tonight.
ANGELA: Did you bring condoms, like last time?
DDAMBA: (BLEAK, A BIT ANGRY) No. I thought you were taking the pills.
ANGELA: Sorry. I will go get the refill from Nurse Mildred first thing tomorrow morning.
DDAMBA: Please. Do that.
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION UP AND SLOWLY FADES OUT
SCENE III
LOCATION: HEALTH CENTRE-MORNING
B/G SFX: DISTANT CHILDREN’S CRIES
CHARACTERS: NURSE MILDRED, ANGELA
ANGELA: I haven’t taken them like for a week maybe, Nurse Mildred.
MILDRED: A week?
ANGELA: Well, Ddamba was away on his business.
MILDRED: And now he is back?
ANGELA: Yes. That’s why I need the refill.
MILDRED: Have you considered changing to a more convenient method now with Ddamba going away on business?
ANGELA: We don’t need to change to another method, Nurse Mildred. I...we like the pills. It’s just that I didn’t feel like I needed to take them everyday when Ddamba is not around.
MILDRED: But that can be risky, Angela. You should keep taking them...
ANGELA: Even when he is not around?
MILDRED: Yes. Because if you stop taking the pills, and he suddenly comes home, you will have to wait seven days before the pills start working again.
ANGELA: You mean, wait a week before we have sex?!
MILDRED: Yes. If the pills are going to work, take them all the time. Don’t stop and start, stop and start.
ANGELA: You mean I could get pregnant?
MILDRED: It’s very possible, Angela. Unless you use condoms for those days.
ANGELA: We have used condoms before. But he forgot this time.
MILDRED: Okay… (GETS UP) Let me get you the pills.
SFX: SHE BRINGS OUT THE PILLS
MILDRED: (GIVES HER) Here they are. But I was thinking that instead of relying on your husband to go out and buy the condoms in times of emergency, maybe I could give you female condoms.
ANGELA: Female condoms? What are they!
SFX: SHE BRINGS OUT A CARTON
MILDRED: Well, it just so happens I have some. Here.
ANGELA: So what is a female condom? How is it different from the men’s condoms?
MILDRED: Well you would wear the female condom, not your husband.
ANGELA: What?
MILDRED: Yes. And, you can slip it in several hours before having sex.
ANGELA: And it just stays there?
MILDRED: Yes, that way it doesn’t interrupt sex. You can also wear it for several rounds.
ANGELA: You mean I don’t have to change it after every... you know...
MILDRED: No, you can use the same condom time and again.
ANGELA: That’s…that’s…
MILDRED: Amazing. I know. The best part is that the woman has total control over them and just like male condoms they protect against HIV and STIs as well.
ANGELA: This is unbelievable. I can’t wait to show Ddamba this. And Eva!
MILDRED: Eva?
ANGELA: Yes. My sister Evelyn. She studies at the University. She lives with us during the holidays.
MILDRED: Oh, okay.
ANGELA: You know what I think, Nurse Mildred? I think female condoms are just what I need... in case. Could I take them and the pills too?
MILDRED: Sure why not. Here you go.
ANGELA: Thank you Nurse Mildred. Hmm, this could be quite exciting!!
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION UP AND OUT
SCENE IV
LOCATION: DDAMBA AND ANGELA’S LIVING ROOM-DAY
B/G SFX: SILENCE
CHARACTERS: ANGELA, EVELYN, DDAMBA
ANGELA: (SHOUTING) Eva, Eva get over here now.
EVELYN: (OFF MIC) Just a second, dear.
ANGELA: Hurry up, sis, I have got hot news for you.
EVELYN: (ON MIC) Okay, okay what is it?
ANGELA: I have something cool to show you.
EVELYN: I got that much. So where is it?
ANGELA: Are the children asleep?
EVELYN: I put them to bed an hour ago. So where’s the cool thing.
ANGELA: Okay, take a look at this.
SFX: POLYTHENE BAG WRAPPER
EVELYN: I am guessing am supposed to be excited right.
ANGELA: Yes!
EVELYN: Just one question before I can get excited… what is this?
ANGELA: (WHISPERS) Female condoms.
EVELYN: Get out of here, are you serious? I didn’t know these things existed for real.
ANGELA: Neither did I.
EVELYN: This is total girl power.
ANGELA: I know.
EVELYN: Let me see.
SFX: TEARING WRAPPER
EVELYN: LAUGHING
ANGELA: What’s so funny?
EVELYN: I heard that these things can get lost in a woman’s body.
ANGELA: This huge thing getting lost?!
EVELYN: (AMIDST LAUGHTER) I know. Whoever came up with the getting lost into a woman thing surely hasn’t seen any female condoms.
ANGELA: Plus, Nurse Mildred didn’t say anything about me taking care otherwise it would get lost in me.
EVELYN: You totally have me this time.
ANGELA: For once I am a step ahead of you and it’s going to be a ‘girl power night.’
EVELYN: Or THE ‘girl power.’ (THEY LAUGH)
DDAMBA: (APPROACHING MIC) What have you ladies won?
ANGELA: Ddamba, back from the trading centre already?
DDAMBA: Yes, am back. Everything is coming together well for my next travel. So, what’s with all this jubilation?
EVELYN: Girl power.
DDAMBA: What?
EVELYN: Oh it’s nothing, just that Angela’s going to be in charge tonight. (THE GIRLS LAUGH)
DDAMBA: In charge of what?
ANG/EVE: LAUGH
DDAMBA: Okay, what are you two laughing about? (THE GIRLS LAUGH HARDER)
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION UP AND SLOWLY FADES OUT
SCENE V
LOCATION: DDAMBA AND ANGELA’S HOME-NIGHT
B/G SFX: FROGS AND CRICKETS CHRAPING
CHARACTERS: DDAMBA, ANGELA
DDAMBA: There is no way in hell I am going to use that thing! It looks like a tent.
ANGELA: Like a what?
DDAMBA: Tent. Small tent.
ANGELA: It’s a female condom, Ddamba, and it’s no different from the male ones.
DDAMBA: I don’t care, we are not using it.
ANGELA: Come on, Ddamba.
DDAMBA: No way, it’s not happening.
ANGELA: Don’t judge a book by its cover.
DDAMBA: Some books reflect exactly their cover and this small tent looks like such a book.
ANGELA: But am the one going to use it, not you.
DDAMBA: You may be the one to wear it but we’d both be using it. So don’t play that card on me.
ANGELA: So now what are we going to do? I got the pills but Nurse Mildred said.../
DDAMBA: We can’t do anything until after you have taken them for a week.
ANGELA: How.../
DDAMBA: Did I know? You know I have a great memory. She told us this the first time we chose pills and she explained to us how they work. That’s why I got these.
SFX: CONDOM WRAPPER
DDAMBA: CONDOMS THE WAY I KNOW IT!
ANGELA: I see. So, you are ready this time?
DDAMBA: What can I say? A man can’t be caught with his pants down twice. (THEY LAUGH)
MILDRED: (AS NARRATOR) They say that of every child, home is where it rains. This is very true of all of us; we always think that what we know is the best. We like what we know; and Ddamba was no different. He was unfamiliar with female condoms. So, he didn’t use them…
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION UP AND OUT
SCENE VI
LOCATION: DDAMBA AND ANGELA’S HOME-MORNING
B/G SFX: CLATTERING CUTLERY
CHARACTERS: EVELYN, ANGELA, SAMMY, JOSHUA
EVELYN: So?
ANGELA: So what, Eve?
EVELYN: The girl power night. How was it?
ANGELA: Evelyn! We can’t talk about that in front of the kids.
EVELYN: That’s why am using code language, sisto.
SAMMY: Mommy, what’s code language?
JOSHUA: That’s adult talk, you nosy nose.
ANGELA: See what I mean, this is not appropriate. Sammy, please pass mommy the sugar.
SAMMY: Here you are, Mommy.
EVELYN: Come on, girl. Give me the gossip, stop being uptight all the time, live a little, have some fun and go with the flow.
ANGELA: Are you saying am boring?
EVELYN: Well, aren’t you?
ANGELA: No, I am not.
EVELYN: Then prove it.
ANGELA: Fine, the ‘girl power night’… wait a minute! You’re not going to play these little mind games on me.
EVELYN: What little mind games? Come on now, spill it.
ANGELA: Okay, I will just have you know that the girl power didn’t take the night. The gentleman thought the girls thing looked more like a tent.
EVELYN: (LAUGHING) A what?
ANGELA: Small tent to be precise.
EVELYN: LAUGHS EVEN MORE
ANGELA: Will you stop laughing, it’s not funny, Evelyn.
EVELYN: (LAUGHING) Are you kidding me? What could be funnier than that? A small tent! And I thought my brother-in-law had no imagination. (LAUGHS)
ANGELA: Will you stop that?
JOSHUA: Mommy what’s a small tent? Can I have one?
EVELYN: CHUCKLES
ANGELA: No you can’t. Tents are not for children.
JOSHUA: Even small ones?
ANGELA: Yes, even small ones. Now eat your breakfast.
EVELYN: (LAUGHS) This gets better and better by the minute.
ANGELA: I guess I won’t need the small tents after all.
EVELYN: So give them to me, am sure me and my university girls can have real girl power parties with them.