"Ghosts"

                                                                                Ghosts

                                                                                Scene 1

Ghana, Accra, 1960...

Pastor: I will close with this last word, Proverbs 16:24, kind words are like honey sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Please, I urge you to love your neighbour as you love yourself! This is pleasing to the
Lord! Amen!

Congregation: Amen!

(The congregation filtered out of the church slowly. The temperature was sweltering hot, it was not a pleasurable type of heat, there was no breeze, it was sticky and humid. The walls of the church building were sweating. Mosquitos feasted on the skin of members of the congregation. Kojo ran outside ahead of Kwame, they were laughing as they peeled off the corner of the gates.)

Kojo: Haha! You can't catch me! You are too slow! You are eating fufu all day like Uncle Boogie. (Kojo stops running and begins to walk slowly and clutch his belly. He squints his eyes and throws his head up to the sky. Kojo is laughing uncontrollably.) Oh look at me, I sit on the porch all day! I think I am pregnant now. Both of the boys squeeled with laughter. They rolled on the grass laughing out loud.

(The adults all stood outside the church building laughing and talking. Kojo walked back and saw his father's  stern face staring at him. His stomach sank immediately. His dad's skin was a glorious dark shade of brown, he wore traditional kente garments with gold sandals. He wore gold chains and gold rings which glistend in the sun. He stood unmoved in silence. Kojo looked at his sandals and the bottom of his trousers. Both were stained by mud and grass. He already knew that this alone had brought shame to his father.The unmistakable feeling of disappointment filled him.)

Kojo- Father, I'm sorry, I was playing with-

Father- Kwame, yes I saw you. (He looked around and gave a forced smile.)

Kojo- Sorry Father, I didn't mean to-

Father- Get into the car.

Mr Osei- Hey! Master!

Father- Hey Cheif!

(Both men shook hands and embraced each other. Mr Osei was one of Kojo's class teachers.)

Mr Osei- Hey boy! Let me see your muscles.

(Kojo laughed and began to tense his biceps, Kwame did the same.)

Mr. Osei- Kojo is doing well! He is excelling in crafts and music!

(Kojo's father cracked a thin smile at Mr. Osei and Kojo.)

Mr. Osei- He is a good boy you should be proud!

(Kojo walked to the car where the driver and his mother were already seated. His mother was fair skinned. She wore matching kente, gold and purple embroidery which glowed lavishly in the sun. Her long slender nails tapped the seat as she waited for her husband to arrive. His mother was usually quiet. She looked at Kojo in the mirror as he stepped into the car. She smiled at him and he smiled back, her warm smile instantly eased his anxiety. He looked outside the window and looked at the people at the front of the church. Many kids ran around playing joyfully. He could see Kwame wrestling with his siblings care free. He chuckled as they rolled on the floor. He could see Mr. Osei and his father were engrossed in conversation. His father's face was completely neutral whilst Mr. Osei's face was lined with emotion and passion. Mr. Osei's arms were moving frantically as if he was trying to demonstrate something, but Kojo couldn't quite guess what he was trying to express. After a while they shook hands and his father strode back to the car. The feeling of anxiety and fear rushed back. The driver hopped out quickly to open the door and closed it quietly behind him. As the chauffeur drove Kojo admired the local community. Osu was always busy, people were at the market selling different goods. Most of the people didn't have much money but they were all joyful. Meanwhile the atmosphere in the car was completely different. The sun was beaming down . The aroma of chicken, and bush meat being grilled on the fire floated in the air. Small kids sold pure water in small packets. The sounds of dogs barking and chickens clucking could be heard through the district. After 30 minutes the chauffeur turned into a quiet road. They approached a large houyse with silver gates. The house boy was alerted by the chauffeur's flashing headlights. He rushed to the gates to open them. The driver pulled up next to another large car. The house boy opened the door for Kojo and his mother. They walked inside the house. Kojo slid past his parents quietly and crept up the stairs to his room, as he almost reached the top of the stairs his father called out his name.)

Father- Kojo come downstairs, now!

(Kojo's stomach sank and he let out a quiet sigh. He came downstairs and walked into the living room. His parents sat together, his father's face was blank, his mother's face was also nuetral. She stared straight past 

Kojo. His father sat upright, his gold chains were still shining in the room. The room was silent all that could be heard was a fly buzzing and his father's gold chains clinking.)

Father- Look at that man (He points at the painting on the wall) Who is he?
 
Kojo- General Attah.

Father: Correct, and next to him is his brother Attah Amu. This is our legacy, they are warriors, blessed with intelligence and honour.

Kojo: Yes, the finest men.

Father: What are you doing with your legacy?

Kojo- I'm not a fighter, I just-

Father- All I can see in front of me is a small boy that looks like he stole his clothes. Even the house boy can maintain his clothes!

Kojo- I'm sorry-

Father- Your a disgrace to the legacy!

(Kojo began to weep, his glanced at his mother. She remained unmoved but he caught a glimpse of what like a tear trickling down the side of her face. Yet she kept silent.)

Father: I work hard and give clothes and you soil them! Look at this! (He reached behind him and picked up some small wooden sculptures. Kojo had made these sculptures of both his parents in class.) You are weak! Look at these, useless! Instead of focusing on core studies of greatness you are making play things! Focus on your Maths, and your English! Nobody will do any business with you if all you know is nonsense! (He throws the models on the floor and crushes them under his feet.)

Kojo- No! Those are mine-

(His father removes his belt and strikes Kojo twice. He falls back and bumps his head against the wooden table. He spins and runs to his room crying.)
 
Father- Think about your honour and your tradition!

(Kojo runs into his room and shuts the door behind him. He lays on his bed and stares at the ceiling. Tears continue to flood his face...)

End Scene