CHAPTER FOURTEEN

After a third ringing, Dawson became convinced that nobody was in. When he dropped at the park, he had wanted to go to Donatius' office first, but because of the load he was carrying he had decided to call at his residence. Now that nobody was in, he headed for the office. The office was part of a three-story modern building along Ikpoba slope. He had no difficulty locating a sign post nailed to the lintel of one of the stores on the ground floor. It was a retail outlet for farm products, and has a small room acting as an office attached to it. Donatius was certainly making a fine living from his farm. Dawson had become friendly with him when he was at the university. They shared the same room together and while Dawson was in part one, he was in part three. Both of them had read the same course. Being from a wealthy family, his father had opened a big poultry farm for him after his Youth Service along Agbor Road, a land the father bought during the civil war. As the business progressed, he had opened this retail outlet-a mini food market which had been successful. He spends the weekends at the farm, but spends the rest part of the week in town.

A sales girl motioned him to go into the office after she had told her boss a visitor wanted to see him. Donatius was taken aback when he saw Dawson.

‘Well, this is a surprise’, he said as they shook hands

‘What have you been doing with yourself all this time’ Donatius asked after they finished greeting and were seated.

‘What can I do with myself except that I have been eating myself out from lack of job’, he replied. ‘Let’s forget that now', he continued.

‘How is your wife? I haven’t really met her'

‘Yeah', Donatius cut in, 'you will meet my wife alright. She is a beautiful woman. You will like her when you see her.'

‘Give me a couple of minutes to clear up my table and we can go somewhere to have a drink’.

While he was packing, Dawson was effortlessly taking in the situation in the office. Everything was excellent, simple and to taste.

‘I’m glad to see you again after all this years’, Donatius said as he picked the last paper from the desk.

As they were going out, Donatius told the sales girl that he was going out and could lock the office if he didn't return before it was closing time.

Dawson soon discovered that Donatius has a 504 saloon car for himself.

‘There is this Hilton Hotel which has been given much publicity,' Donatius said as both of them settled down in the car. ‘I want to use this opportunity to visit it', he continued.

At the Hilton Hotel, the drink was okay and the service commendable. After Dawson had taken two shots of gin and lime, and was half way on his third shot, he put down his glass and crack his throat in a bid to speak.

‘Donatius, you see, in our place, there is a saying that there is a difference between something climbing you and something biting you, the latter needing urgent attention . So right from the beginning I would like to let you how things look. I have come here to look for job. I need one badly. And I need your help in this regard both in putting up with me and helping me to look for a suitable place. I am sorry for jumping the visit on you without first letting you know,' he concluded stirring at the drink in his glass.

'You are always your old self,' replied Donatius after he had recovered from the sudden outburst. 'You are always putting things so blank and blunt. I always admire that. Anyway, you don’t really have to say what you have already said. You know that if there is any way I could be of help, I’ll help. And you can always stay with us as long as you want'.

After that initial introduction, they began tossing jokes at each other as old friends usually do.

When Donatius unconsciously glanced at the wrist watch on Dawson’s hand, it was nearly 3:30 pm

‘How about something to eat,' Donatius said suddenly beating his two hands on the table. 'Its already late for lunch.'

‘I am ready when you are,’ Dawson replied without hesitating as he was very hungry and already slightly drunk. Together they went into the restaurant.

Before they left the hotel, Donatius called his wife from the hotel. He told her that a very close friend was with him and would be a little late home. Further he told her he wanted her to meet him.

When they finally drove home, it was already dark. It was his wife, Juliet that opened the door for them. As soon as they were inside, Donatius introduced his friend.

'Darling, this is Dawson Corridon the person I talked about on the telephone. We were roommates at the university and read the same course. Dawson is a very close friend.

And to Dawson, he said; ‘this is Juliet, my wife. I want you to meet her. I still think she is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.'

‘I am pleased to meet you’ Dawson managed to put in between the laugh that burst out from Donatius' flattery of his wife. ‘She is certainly tops’ Dawson agreed.

‘Thank you’ she replied. ‘and welcome'.

That night during dinner Donatius spoke on his friend’s visit and Mrs. Tode sympathized with her husband on Dawson’s plight.

But Dawson would not want to be pitied. ‘You talk as if am the only one affected. You know as much as I do that there are millions of unemployed graduates roaming the streets of big cities throughout the country. So my case is not different except for reasons and needs that I earlier explained to you which makes an immediate employment almost indispensable.'

‘But you know I have to be concerned over what is our own,' ‘Between us ', said Donatius moving his hand to indicate him and his wife, 'we know a lot of people who could be of help and will try our possible best to contact them.'

‘Just relax and enjoy your meal.’ You need to rest after driving around all day.’ Juliet added.

Dawson could not help admiring the couple. ‘You are really nice people. Thank you for everything you have done’.

When it was time for bed, Dawson was shown the visitor’s room which was well furnished. There was a big divan and a wardrobe. A big ceiling fan busily stir the air. To make everything complete, there was a table with a chair in one of the open corner of the room.

As a staff Nurse, Mrs. Tode had to leave home very early most of the time, especially when she was on morning duty. And she happened to be on morning shift this week. Mr. Tode also leave home very early in the mornings because of the supervisory nature of his work both at the farm and store. Dawson was thus given a spare key to the house.

‘If there’s anything you need for your applications, just come around to the office and if I am not around the girl in the office will take care of your needs’. Donatius added.

Dawson thanked him for the concern he has shown and with a brief goodnight, he entered and locked his room. After looking around the room how it has been furnished, he carried his bag to the wardrobe and started unpacking his bag. When he had finished, he stretched, heaved a deep sigh, got into bed and switched off the light. Such was his first night at Benin.