chapter 5

Chapter Two

In his one room, toilet and kitchen apartment infested with rats and insects. Demarcated with curtains. He cleared the room and raised the curtain so that fresh air can come in well. The day is still fresh and bright, a very chilled tea would be good for the morning. Then he remembered he still owned the boy who sold cold Nescafe at the end of the street. He checked his trouser pocket and brought it out the same way, to his sadness; he found nothing but just papers of his old graphics. He throws his trouser to the floor and removed his boxer and singlet, grabs a small towel, he dashed to his toilet as the music played in his room. He danced inside the toilet, still thinking about his loss, what can he do? He already lost another job again because of his sleep. Rays of hope shone on him as he decided to go for the interview probably there could be a remedy since "half bread was better than none". It was better for him to go late than not gone at all. He snatched his brush from the shelf above his head as it was about to fall, he grabs it in the sky and puts the toothpaste on it. Simultaneously, he pours water on his body, used the toilet for the normal. The smell of the water was too good to put a criminal to confession. No choice. He continued to dance. Afterwards, he was done, he rushed into his room and picked up the same trouser he wore the former day, he just dusts the dirty part and puts it on. 

As he got to the door, he combed his hair and sneaked out of his own house because he didn't want his landlord to see him again and request for the rent he owed. Jefferson rushed to the junction of his street. He saw the boy he was owing money for Nescafe tea, he used his curriculum vitae document to cover his head as he ran away from the street. Shortly after, the rain has started drizzling, then it came with a loud fall, Jeff ran towards a shop for shelter. He thought to himself, 

"it seems today will be a very good bad day for me, first I am late, now rain has started, or is the rain a good sign that the Lord is with me, I will surely get this job" been optimistic even in his lackadaisical attitude. He buys and envelope to protect his document from the rain. He hides it under his shirt and ran to the road to quickly get a bus.

"Freedom at last" he sighed, as he entered the public transport "Danfo". He checked his document inside the bank, they were all complete. Inside him, he made a prayer, as he checked his wrist watch and saw that the time was already 9:28am. 

He came down at the junction of the firm, he then trekked to the firm at the place, it was inscribed The Nigerian Tribune" boldly at the entrance. "Only the bourgeois in Nigeria can own a place like this, with luxurious cars and cool breeze" He thought to himself as he showed the security at the gate his appointment letter. He was allowed in and when he got to the reception, the Secretary already was delighted in his presence as she checked the time, he moved his eyes too to the direction of the wall clock, then he discovered that the time was already 9:50am. 

"I know... I'm late... I am sorry, I was stuck in the traffic, is the boss around?" He stuttered as he wanted to tip the secretary with his remorseful smile.

"No, don't bother, your appointment is scheduled for 8:00am as a reasonable person in need for the job, you ought to be here before 8, probably by 7:30am. Now you are here by some minutes to 10:00am. Where does that happen?" She asked and paused then continued. 

"The boss came late today, you would have been lucky if you had come around 9:00am, he would have considered you. Anyways, let me meet to hear from him." She shrugged 

"Thank you, thank you" he said as he sat down on the chair heavyhearted, in disappointment. Man just has to survive especially when you are the only male child in your family. 

The Chief-editor and also the boss requested that he come into his office.

"I learnt you were supposed to be here by 8am." The Editor asked.

"Yes sir, sir, you know the way it is in the country and the bad roads leading to traffic ehm..." As he was about to continue his lies, he was interrupted by the Editor.

"Spare me of those Lagos crappy excuses. Let me have your vitae." The Editor requested as he stretched his hand towards Jeff.

"Here sir" handling over his document to the Editor, unpacked from the envelope he kept it, to protect his document.

The editor looked at his records and certificates from the schools he graduated from. He surely was a good student in the aspect of journalistic style and even comics. Unfortunately, he wasn't given the job because he lacked an extinction in the use of English language even though he had the artistic skills, he came late which was an irresponsible act to be bestowed the job. Unfortunately again, he was not the only one in search of job in that firm. Another person was awarded the contract to be their correspondent in Entertainment and cartoon comedy. 

Now, he has to look for another job instead of doing some illegal business like his friends.

All hopes gone, he resolved to go home. This time around, he was out of cash to even board a bus. He decided to trek home. Under the heavy rain, the journey seemed a bitter sweet experience. Sweet because the rain was like liquor to his soul, bitter because he lost the job because he didn't want to lose his sleep. Memories of home of the people he owed after collecting goods on credit came to his head. This time around, the experience is bitterer.