Scene Two
from The Mother of All Eating
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 May 2019
Summary
There is a rude knock. THE MAN comes rushing in.
THE MAN: Okay! Okay! I am opening. Who can it be who knocks like a policeman?
He opens an imaginary door.
THE MAN: What is it? What do you want from me? … Now listen, it is late. Can't we talk about this tomorrow? Please … No, you can't come in now … Listen, man, I don't have time to discuss this with you. I have a lot of paperwork to do … Some figures about the new road to the big hydroelectric project… Of course I know you are the chief engineer in my ministry, but this has nothing to do with you. I am not getting anything out of this. It's a straight and honest deal between the government and the contractor from France. Listen, man, I have many problems now. The paperwork. And it is late at night, and I don't know where my wife is. Can't we discuss this tomorrow? … What do you mean I am a thief and a crook? … Listen, you can't come to my house and start hurling insults at me. I tell you I won't stand for it … You say you want your share, but I tell you I haven't got the money … The contractor turned against his word after we had given him the contract… No, no he never deposited the money into my Swiss bank account… Okay, okay, he deposited a little money. Very little. That's why I was able to give you a coupla thousand. I cannot give you more than that. I have to share with my minister as well, you know … Listen, don't call me a liar, man. Not in my house … Shhh, don't shout! Do you want people to hear what we are talking about? Anyway what's the idea of invading me at this time of the night? … Surely we can talk tomorrow, can't we? Your office is just opposite mine at the ministry. Pop in some time and we can talk in a civilised manner … No, it is not true that my office is bugged. And my messenger does not spy for … Well, we'll talk outside then since you are so sure that it is bugged, and walls have ears … Don't bother me now.
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- Information
- Fools, Bells and the Habit of EatingThree Satires, pp. 6 - 17Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2002