Chapter 17

I woke up late in the morning. Kwaghtagher and his wife had already gone to town. I took my bath and dressed up in the only dress I had and strolled into town. Along the road, I came across

a company called Galeco Nig. Ltd. I had a strong urge to go there and ask for a job although I had already secured a job in Christian Bookshop and needed to go there the next day to collect my

appointment letter.

I couldn't resist the temptation to enter Galeco Nig. Ltd and ask for job because looking for job had become so much a part of me. Perhaps Galeco might have a higher pay than what I could get in Christian Bookshop.

I entered the company's premises and walked along the corridor. I came across a door on which it was written Managing. Director.' I knocked on the door and opened it.

The Managing Director?'

'Yes. What do you want?"

'I need a job'

'As what?'

'As anything'

'Even as a sweeper?' and he smiled.

'I am a degree holder'

'In what subject?'

'Economics'

'You've done your youth Service?

I didn't do Youth Service'

Why?

This was a difficult question for me to answer. I couldn't tell himvthat I went to prison and did not complete my Youth Service..

This would make him know that I was an ex-convict. I was now accepting the truth of the words of the institute's Director,honesty 'does not pay. I was not going to be as honest as to tell him that a prison term stopped me from doing the Youth Service.

Since it was compulsory for me to tender a Youth Service certificate before I could be employed, I was going to find a way out of it, and the way wouldn't be an honest one.

'You were working before?"

'Yes'

'Where?'

'At Holdings Nig. Ltd. Ibadan'

Why did you leave that place?"

'I need a higher pay'

What was your pay there?"

Three hundred naira a month."

The Managing Director told me there was a vacancy for me. I was going to take four hundred naira a month. 'But' said he 'you will bring a letter from your employers at Ibadan, Holdings Nig.

Ltd., stating your salary scale, date of employment, and whether you were free of bond to them. When you fulfil this condition you will start to work here.' I saw this as a condition I couldn't fulfil. My employers at Ibadan would certainly reveal to him that a seven years prison sentence ended my service with them.

The Managing Director of Galeco Ltd. was not even satisfied with this already impossible condition. He requested me to give him the name of my Head of Department at Holdings Ltd. Ibadan and two other names, all of who will act as my referees. He would write them a letter requesting a comprehensive report on me with

reasons as to why I left their company. Knowing that I had already got a job in Christian Bookshop, I didn't care. I gave him three names of people who did not exist, and told him they were my referees. Then I asked him whether I could start work right away. He smiled. This process would not be completed as easily as you think,' he said you will have to wait for at least two-months. I would have heard from your referees by then.' I

thanked him and left his office, cursing myself for wasting my time looking for a job out of habit rather than need.

I began to retrace my steps back to Kwaghtagler's house. On my way home I saw the State's School Board. It occurred to me that I could take up appointment as an Economics teacher and do

the job for four months at the end of which I would resign and join MOHAMMED ALI's Company. MOHAMMED ALI had promised to give

me a job in four months' time provided I stopped smoking. I could be a teacher for four months and switch to the tyrant's company at the end of the four months.

I entered the premises of the Schools Board and asked to be shown the office of the man responsible for recruitment of staff. I was shown his office. I went to his door and knocked. Who is

that?' a man screamed the question from inside. I simply opened the door. The sight inside took me off balance: the recruiting officer had a teenage girl sitting on his laps. His hand rested on her jutting breasts.

My friend go away from here!' he yelled at me. I was opening my mouth to apologise to him for opening the door when he yelled again 'I don't want to see you!' I say I don't want to see you!' I took a step backwards. 'My friend!' do you

want me to call the police. Go away from my office!' I managed to ask him in spite of his yellings to tell me the best time I could check back to see him. 'I don't want to see you at all!' I heard.

I tried to tell him that I came for some important discussion, but I couldn't because the man yelled again Mister man! Do you understand English at all? I say you should leave my office! I don't want to see you!' I forced in a statement that I had come for an important discussion. 'Important to who? To you or me?'

he asked with the same aggression. I lied to him that it was important to both of us, although I knew that it was me who needed a job and so it was important to only me.

The man's temper did not cool. He grudgingly told me to sit down. I sat down and greeted him, which he answered with grudge. In a move which I thought would show that I was a civil person, I greeted his teenage girlfriend. I discovered that this civil behaviour of mine was sacrilege to the man.for his eyes changed into jealousy, then into a from as he said ''what is this all about?'