Chapter 31

I will make two languish in joblessness simply because I obeyed a vague thing called consci-

ense... Do you understand what I am saying?" he asked. I told him I didn't understand. "Whether you understand me or not is not my business' he told me with a rising impatience.

'I cannot understand you because you are working in contradiction of your conscience' I told him. Brahman Nasir banged the table with his right fist and shouted 'You. You have given me too much headache!' I told him he gave himself

headache by contradicting his own conscience, and left his office.

The time was 2 p.m. I continued to trek along the road until I arrived at the police college. I over- heard some two policemen discussing about recruitment of graduates into the police force as

Assistant Superintendents. I nearly inquired about this from them but I gave up the idea. A police- man jailed me for nothing and I would have nothing to do with the police. A ridiculous thought

came to my mind that I should join the queue of beggars. I laughed loud at this. This was followed by another ridiculous-thought, which was the idea of becoming an armed robber. From this, several incredible thoughts came to my mind: to become a servant, to accept the job of a sweeper, to agree to Professor Usman Ibrahim's idea of intellectual night soilman and other wild ideas. Many unthinkable things ran across my mind, making me. to be oblivious of myself. When I came to myself, my eyes caught another establishment called Punjab corporation.

At Punjab Corporation an elderly man who told me he had just been sacked from his job advised me not to look for job in the corporation because it was notorious for retrenching its employees.

I ignored his advice and went to knock in Room 28 which I was told housed the recruitment officer. A hoarse voice in the room told me to hold on. I stood by the door for six minutes until a woman came out of the room to announce that the officer was ready to see me.

What is your problem?' the officer had asked. I told him I needed a job. What particular type of job do you need?" he asked aggressively. I felt it was better I told him about the subject I studied in the University so that he could know where I fit in. 1 graduated from the University of Ibadan' I said I read economics and got a first class ... The officer terminated my introductory speech with shouting 'I am not interested in your first class from Ibadan! I had first class also! And from the University of California at Los Angeles for that matter!' I fought very savagely against the temptation to tell him that he was the most stupid of all the men I had been meeting. I succeeded in not telling him this because I needed a job, and because I didn't want to create another scene: Sheik Umar might come to know of it. And. I was

not prepared in the least to miss the fantastic pay awaiting me in Mohammed Ali's company.

'I am not telling you I have first class as a way of impressing on you that I am brilliant - although I am' I said 'I am telling you because I want you to know that I can work competently in your corporation' The officer was more offended by my response than he was pleased. I suddenly heard him say 'You can vamoose from here with your brilliance and first class and competence and everything. I have no job for you.' I was compelled to change my style of approach, and to apologise to him, telling him that I was extremely sorry for my bad behaviour, which I would like him to forgive and forget. This apology pained me because I did not behave badly. He was quiet. After some moments he said 'I am placing you on the salary scale of ten thousand per annum in the

accounts section.' I didn't believe my luck. He picked an appointment letter, and asking me for my name, he filled it in and gave it to me. 'Report for work at 7.30 dot tomorrow' he said.

I thanked him and left his office with all my body filled to the brim with happiness.

I held the letter with the tightness of Jason holding the golden fleece. I went to the road and picked a taxi, telling the driver to take me to Bolori layout where Mmembe lived. arrived in the

house just five minutes ahead of the time Mmembe often returned.

I barely sat down when she came. You must be dying of hunger she said and found her way into the kitchen. Although I did not want her to know that I went against her wishes by leaving the

house, I had to tell her so because if I must work in Punjab Corporation she had to know. And I told her. She received the news with mixed feelings. 'I do not see how you can leave this house for work everyday without the Ayatollah knowing' She said.

I told her the Ayatollah would never know, and I was saying this without conviction. I could not refuse a job of ten thousand naira per annum because of an Ayatollah who might refuse to

give me a job in his company.