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Scene 21 - Bongani's house

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2019

Empatheatre
Assisted by
The Big Brotherhood
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Summary

PORTIA enters with SIPHO, who lingers anxiously in the background. She stands clasping Sipho's packet of whoonga straws. BONGANI and PORTIA stare at each other for a few beats.

BONGANI: Lieutenant, how kind of you to make a house call.

PORTIA: Mr Mseleku, I think this belongs to you.

PORTIA throws down the stock at BONGANI's feet.

PORTIA: I should arrest you right now. Fast track my promotion at the police station.

BONGANI: Did you bring an extra pair of handcuffs? I think your son will be joining me.

PORTIA: Is this your idea of revenge, Mr Mseleku?

BONGANI: I like to think of it as ‘insurance’ for the future, Lieutenant.

PORTIA: Insurance?

BONGANI: Your son was found with five hundred grams of whoonga or brown heroin on him tonight. That's what … mmm? Ten to fifteen years in prison? [Pause.] Are you planning to arrest him … treat him like a filthy criminal … Drop him on the other side of the township with no money or light to find his way home. Handing him over to the station would be the right thing to do. No? Surely the law must now take its course?

PORTIA: You tricked him, my only child. [PORTIA pulls her gun on BONGANI. He raises his hands.] You set this trap and he fell right in, uyinja! You want to see him go to prison? My only child.

SIPHO: Ma, don't!

PORTIA: Thula wena!!

BONGANI stands with his hands raised but loses none of his composure.

BONGANI [talking down to PORTIA in a calm, clear voice]:

I wouldn't wish a prison sentence on anyone, Lieutenant. Do you know how hard it is to find work with a criminal record? [Pause.] You think I chose to be a dealer after I came out of prison? [Pause.] You see, my sister is an addict … she has three children … and no husband. I am the one that has to provide for all of them. When I came out of jail at the start of this year dealing whoonga was the only career option open to me. [Pause.] I don't do this because I enjoy it. I had other far more exciting dreams for myself. You put an end to those. [Beat.] I do this now to survive and that is all.

Type
Chapter
Information
Ulwembu
Empatheatre and the Big Brotherhood
 , pp. 49 - 51
Publisher: Wits University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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