TAKE MY HAND
EPISODE 5
TOUGH DECISIONS
SCENE I
LOCATION: INT-T. CLAIRE AND MEDDIES HOME-EVENING
B/G SFX: CRICKETS AND FROGS
CHARACTERS: T. CLAIRE, MEDDIE
MILDRED: Everybody in Bukulu village loved Teacher Claire – so much so that her partner, Meddie, got jealous just imagining that she might run off with one of her countless admirers. Poor Claire was quite unaware of the effect her beauty had on other men. All she really wanted was to be a great teacher and settle down with Meddie in Bukulu… BUT she still needed to complete her teacher training. This is the story of Claire and Meddie – and how, I am proud to say, Family Planning was about to change their lives – for the better! Little did they know, however, that things were about to get a whole lot worse before they could get better…
SFX: DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS
MEDDIE: Honey, am home.
T. CLAIRE: (SLIGHTLY APPREHENSIVE) Meddie dear, I have some news for us, a letter arrived.
MEDDIE: I don’t see how that is news unless is it the new land or house that we applied for?
T. CLAIRE: No, It’s not the house or the land.
MEDDIE: Okay, is it a check from your old boss who didn’t pay you or have you won one of those game shows you love so much?
T. CLAIRE: No, wrong again.
MEDDIE: I hope it’s not bad news, Claire.
T. CLAIRE: (ALMOST GUILTY) Actually it’s kind of both, good news and bad news. It’s what I’ve been waiting for, for quite a while now.
MEDDIE: I still don’t know what we are talking about here.
T. CLAIRE: I have been accepted for my teacher training.
MEDDIE: But, Claire sweetheart, you are a teacher.
T. CLAIRE: I still need my qualification …at college, Meddie.
MEDDIE: (NOT IMPRESSED BY THE ‘NEWS’) Yes… I see.
T. CLAIRE: (ALMOST PLEADING) We have been waiting for this letter, Meddie. It came through the Headmistress this morning.
MEDDIE: (NOT CONVINCING) Wonderful news, dear. So when do you start?
T. CLAIRE: Studies start next year. The head teacher has so much confidence in me…/
MEDDIE: (NOW STERN, WHAT HE FEARED) Does this mean you have to leave?
T. CLAIRE: (A LITTLE TIMID) Yes, the Headmistress even agreed to secure me a guaranteed job once I finish my training.
MEDDIE: I don’t know. Mother won’t be happy about this.
T. CLAIRE: Good thing am not married to your mother then.
MEDDIE: Am serious, dear. You know what she’s like.
T. CLAIRE: Surely, you can persuade your mother. Wouldn’t she be proud to have a fully qualified teacher for a daughter in law?
MEDDIE: What would please her is to have a daughter in law that produces children.
T. CLAIRE: Meddie, we talked about this. Of course I will have children but not now, not while am studying.
MEDDIE: Okay, so how long will these studies take?
T. CLAIRE: Not long, two years. But we can wait can’t we? I can’t be studying while looking after a baby at the same time.
MEDDIE: (GLUM) Two years is a long time.
T. CLAIRE: Meddie…You’re supposed to be happy for me.
MEDDIE: And I am. But we are supposed to be having children. We have been talking about it.
T. CLAIRE: We will.
MEDDIE: When? You seem to be throwing it out the window so you can go to some college somewhere far from Bukulu. T. CLAIRE: (DEFEATED) I’ll just have children then if it’ll make you and your mother happy. And give up my dream of being a teacher.
MEDDIE: Honey, don’t get like that. Am sure we can work something out, a compromise.
T. CLAIRE: Just leave me alone.
SFX: MUSIC TRANSITION FADES UP AND UNDER NARRATION
MILDRED: You’re probably wondering how Claire managed to stay with Meddie all this while without getting pregnant. You see, the fact is Claire had been using the calendar and had been feigning sickness during the days when she thought she might get pregnant. Plus a lot of luck…. Now that she felt her dream might slip away, Claire wanted a more reliable way of ensuring she did not get pregnant...
SCENE II
LOCATION: INT-MEDDIE’S HARDWARE STORE-MORNING
B/G SFX: CARS BYPASSING
CHARACTERS: MEDDIE, MEDDIES MOTHER, T. CLAIRE
M’S. MUM: What do you mean she wants to go off and study to become a teacher?
MEDDIE: Exactly that, mother.
M’S. MUM: Exactly what? And for how long?
MEDDIE: Mother, it won’t be for ever.
M’S. MUM: That girl just thinks she’s too good for you.
MEDDIE: Mother, it’s not like that.
M’S. MUM: My boy, what do I always tell you?
MEDDIE: (UNWILLING) That am still fresh in the ways of the world.
M’S. MUM: Exactly. Can a woman like that go, and still remain yours? With the way I’ve seen men stare at her pretty face!
MEDDIE: Claire is not that kind of girl, mother.
M’S. MUM: She’s the kind that wants to leave you, isn’t she? This is an elaborate excuse for her to do just that.
MEDDIE: (IRRITATED HE HAS TO EXPLAIN THIS TOUGH NEWS) She needs to get a qualification, mother, that’s what she needs.
M’S. MUM: She is an attractive girl, fine, but doesn’t she know how lucky she is to have you? You have your own store!
MEDDIE: This has nothing to do with money.
M’S. MUM: Well, I know women who would kill for a man with a store. And when is she going to have children? She hasn’t shown any signs of that.
MEDDIE: The children are coming.
M’S. MUM: Believe me, my boy, she is duping you into thinking they are coming.
MEDDIE: Mother, Claire is…/
SFX: A DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS
M’S. MUM: Ha, we were just talking about you. Now tell me, you studied and you are a teacher now, am I right?
T. CLAIRE: Yes mother, but.../
M’S. MUM: But what? What school are you going to again?
MEDDIE: Mother, please just let me explain.
M’S. MUM: Claire, if my son remains tight lipped then I won’t. And I certainly won’t tolerate this life without grand children.
MEDDIE: Mother, that’s enough please.
T. CLAIRE: Where is this coming from?
M’S MUM: If you want to go back to school or wherever you are running to, then maybe you’re not the right woman for my son.
MEDDIE: Mother, shouldn’t that be my decision to make?
T. CLAIRE: Mother, I’ll give up the idea of becoming a qualified teacher. Please excuse me.
SFX: DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS AGAIN
M’S. MUM: Ha, that girl. Thinking that she can even think of defying you like that. Well? What are you so quiet for?
MEDDIE: Mother, when I met Claire, in fact even before I met her, she has always wanted to qualify as a teacher. It was her dream.
M’S. MUM: Meddie, a river does not flow backwards. Remember that. Years are running by and soon I will be gone, without a glimpse of my grand children.
MEDDIE: I want to have a child too, mother, but does it hurt to wait a little while? At least until Claire has finished her teacher training.
M’S. MUM: Why can’t she just have one before going, ha? Besides you can’t just let her go like that, what if she doesn’t return then what? Will you just find another wife?
MEDDIE: I don’t want anyone but Claire. Please stop pressuring me and let me think.
M’S. MUM: Think about what? Just make her understand that if she goes to teacher school, you will find another wife.
MEDDIE: It’s not that simple mother. I love her.
M’S. MUM: And if she really loves you she will chose you, not some school.
MEDDIE: I know she loves me.
M’S. MUM: Don’t be stupid. A woman will always be in a hurry to have a child with you if she loves you. I want grand children and that’s that.
SFX: SOMBRE TRANSITION MUSIC.
SCENE III
LOCATION: INT-AKUMA PRIMARY SCHOOL OFFICE-AFTERNOON
B/G SFX: CHILDREN PLAYING IN A DISTANCE
CHARACTERS: T. CLAIRE, MRS. GULUBA
GULUBA: I am so happy for you Teacher Claire. Here, I have all your paperwork ready.
T. CLAIRE: Really, Mrs. Guluba. So soon? (Jokes) One would think you are on a mission to get rid of me.
GULUBA: Don’t be mistaken one bit. As headmistress I will be hard pressed to replace you in the short term but of course there will always be a place for you when you’re qualified.
SFX: SILENCE
GULUBA: What is wrong, Teacher Claire?
T. CLAIRE; It is nothing…
GULUBA: Then why are you staring at the floor? Come on, sit down and let’s talk.
T. CLAIRE: Am afraid I won’t be going to college, after all
GULUBA: What on earth has happened, Claire? You have wanted this for a long time.
T. CLAIRE: I just think it’s time for me to start a family.
GULUBA: Three years, Claire. That’s how long you have wanted this!
T. CLAIRE: I know that, but I’ve had a change of heart.
GULUBA: Have you? Strange heart you’ve got there. This was your dream and you worked so hard to get this far.
T. CLAIRE: I know that too. I just have a lot of expectations.
GULUBA: That you would abandon your teaching qualification at this stage?
T. CLAIRE: Am getting old, Mrs. Guluba.
GULUBA: You’re only 24.
T. CLAIRE: 22
GULUBA: (LAUGHING) Women your age may have a brood of children but that does not make you old. Finish your training – then have children.
T. CLAIRE: My husband won’t wait that long.
GULUBA: So this is about your husband. But you are not even legally or traditionally married to him if am not mistaken.
T. CLAIRE: (TENTATIVE) It’s more my mother in law than my husband.
GULUBA: Ah…I don’t want to interfere with your personal life but honestly speaking you are one of the best licensed teachers I have. I wouldn’t recommend that you forego such a huge opportunity just to have children. I mean it’s not like you are clocking menopause.
T. CLAIRE: I could have a few kids first then consider going to get my qualification.
GULUBA: You are putting this training on hold but you know what they say-When a hunter waits for an animal to get in full sight, his spear ends up at its tail and it runs off. If you keep post postponing your dream, you’ll never get it.
T. CLAIRE: But can’t I continue teaching in the same way I’ve been doing?
GULUBA: Of course, if it were up to me, you would teach here forever. But you know very well that the government policy has changed, licensed teachers are not accepted anymore. Even with this I am doing everything in my power to keep your spot.
T. CLAIRE: (DEFEATED) Oh I don’t know now.
GULUBA: I would really advise that you think very critically about this. With a certificate in teaching, you will be able to secure your place back here. And when you decide to produce children, you will be in a solid position to take care of your kids.
T. CLAIRE: Meddie makes enough money to take care of me and children.
GULUBA: I am sure he can, but two incomes are always better than one. Claire, can’t you wait just two years to start a family?
T. CLAIRE: I wish I could stay in school for the whole two years but you do know I will be coming home for holidays. So, how do I control things?
GULUBA: What is wrong with Modern Family Planning?
T. CLAIRE: Of course! Modern Family Planning. How come I hadn’t thought of that? But I don’t see how Meddie or his family would ever approve.
GULUBA: You don’t strike me as a stay-home mama, Teacher Claire. You see with this certificate you will also have opportunities to upgrade anytime. Who knows, before you know it you might be the Headmistress of Akumu Primary School.
T. CLAIRE: (SIGHS) I just need to think.
GULUBA: Well, you do that. But I need an answer soon.
SCENE IV
LOCATION: INT-MEDDIE AND T. CLAIRE’S HOME-NIGHT
B/G SFX: CRICKETS AND FROGS
CHARACTERS: MEDDIE, T. CLAIRE
MEDDIE: (MOVING TOWARDS MIC) Claire, am home. (PAUSE, THEN CALLING) Claire? Ah, there you are. What’s with the silence?
T. CLAIRE: (ON MIC) I went to school today and talked to the Headmistress, Mrs. Guluba.
MEDDIE: And she said…?
T. CLAIRE: We talked through my going off to get a full teaching qualification… and I think I shouldn’t go. I’ll have to leave town and we won’t be together and it will be difficult to start a family while am away.
MEDDE: (SIGHS) Claire, we need to talk.
T. CLAIRE: I just have to be less ambitious, forget about it and not qualify.
MEDDIE: Don’t do that. This is who you are. It’s who you have always been for as long as I’ve known you.
T. CLAIRE: People change.
MEDDIE: This isn’t change. When I met you this is all you ever talked about; becoming a fully qualified teacher.
T. CLAIRE: Well I guess I can start talking about something else. Like children.
MEDDIE: No, I would feel bad if you gave up your dream for that reason. We’ll just do what others do. You can have a baby while studying.
T. CLAIRE: What others? Come on, Meddie, I’ll just give up the training idea.
MEDDIE: Does it have to come to this? It doesn’t feel right. I feel bad.
T. CLAIRE: I will tell Mrs. Guluba first thing tomorrow that I won’t be leaving the school. I won’t be going to any college. Your mother will never forgive you if you fail to start a family now.
MEDDIE: But am not in this relationship with my mother.
T. CLAIRE: (SLIGHT GIGGLE) She always thinks am too proud and independent.
MEDDIE: She doesn’t know you like I do.
T. CLAIRE: All the same, I can just be a good wife and mother. I don’t want any more confrontations with your mother. After all it’s not like we are going to starve. You have a hardware business that can sustain us.
MEDDIE: Times are hard, dear. Money doesn’t flow like it used to. Sometimes I hold onto stock for weeks before it gets sold.