The bed is placed centre stage and SIPHO lies down on it. PORTIA turns to address the audience. Repetitive music plays under the next sequence, suggesting a sort of delirium.

PORTIA: I should have seen the signs. I was so busy pursuing the problem in the back alleys of KwaMashu that I didn't notice it creep into my own home. How could I have been so blind? And now where to? What must a mother do? They say there is no end to this nightmare … that once a child is addicted you might as well consider them dead … But I won't surrender, Sipho. [PORTIA removes the handcuffs from her belt.] I won't leave your side until we have driven these demons away. All I have is patience and love … that's all I can give.

PORTIA gently takes SIPHO's left hand and handcuffs it to the bedpost.

SIPHO [clutching his belly with his right hand]: It's painful, Ma … It's sore.

PORTIA: I know my boy … I know.

SIPHO: Let me free, Ma. [He rattles the handcuffs against the metal frame.]

PORTIA: I can't.

SIPHO [yelling]: Let me go!

PORTIA: Not until the poison has left your system.

SIPHO: Let me go!

PORTIA: It's only been two days. Eat some porridge … here.

SIPHO [crying]: Let me go, Ma!

PORTIA: Those people in the community will kill you if they catch you stealing from them again. This is for your own safety my boy. [Pause.] Try and eat.

SIPHO, still delirious with arosta, tosses and turns. ANDILE enters and hovers over the bed … a hallucination perhaps? Only SIPHO appears to sense his presence and calls out.

SIPHO: Andile … Andile …

PORTIA: Andile isn't here.

SIPHO: Get me Andile.

SIPHO grasps at the air frantically with his free hand.

PORTIA [adamantly]: That isigebengu won't put a foot in this house.

SIPHO: I need Andile.