Ci

rcl
esofLi
fe
Season2
EPI
SODE1

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Goutawalkedintot
hemeeti
ngroom wher
eher
husbandsatacrossthet
abl
e,hi
shandscuff
ed.
Shesmi
l
edami
dstt
ear
s.
MAOTO:
Heyy
ou,
whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
GOUTA:Icamef
ort
hef
ashi
onpar
ade,
whatdo
yout
hink?
MAOTO:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
GOUTA:Theki
dsaref
ine,
Pri
ncesswon’
tst
op
aski
ngabouty
ou.
MAOTO:I
’
m askingabouty
ou,
Gout
a.Howi
s
mywif
edoing?
GOUTA:
Howdoy
out
hinkI
’
m doi
ngMaot
o!My
husbandj
ustgotar
rest
edf
ormur
der
!
MAOTO:
Idi
dn’
tdoi
t.
GOUTA: Ibeli
evey
ou.(Shesmiledashelean
overthet abl
eandwipedhertears,i
gnor
ingthe
guardwhowasmur muri
ngsomet hi
ng)You
know, Ikindahadhopedtheywouldhaveyouin
orange,Ilovemeninunifor
m…
MAOTO:(
laughi
ng)It
’snotmycolour
,doesn’
t
r
eal
lygowit
hmyey es…besi
des,
it’
soffseason.
GOUTA:(
shelaughed)Il
oveyousomuch
Maot
o,pl
easecomebackt ous!
MAOTO: Justaf ewmor edays.Mycousi nsgot
ar
restedf orsomeshi ttoo,soit’
stakingRi l
eya
bi
toft i
met ogetthi
ngst ogether
.Besi des,
Tr
evori sbadass, War onainthemi xandIgota
st
ell
art eam.IhearWar onaisevenr opinginher
l
it
tl
esi sterAmeliahtohel p.Sheisreallygoodin
cr
iminal law.
GOUTA:
Imi
ssy
ou,
thechi
l
drenmi
ssy
ouso
much.Motheowon’tstopsulki
ngandblami
ng
meforl
ett
ingthem takeyou.Iswearev
enmma
-
Bismadatmef ori
t.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL
Mma-Maotosatathi
sbedsi
de,
wipi
ngt
ear
s
wi
thherhandker
chi
ef.
MMA- MAOTO: Iam j
ustsoscared,Kgodumo.
Mysoni sgoingtogotopri
son.Theyaregoing
tofi
ndhim guil
tyandsendhi
stopr i
sonforl
ife
orevenhanghim.Theyarecharginghim wi
th
murder.
KGODUMO: Don’tbedramati
c,Shadi
.Maotois
notbeingchargedwithanyt
hingbecausehe
di
dn’tdoanything.
MMA- MAOTO: Idon’
tknowKgodumo…my
br
others…(Shesobbedandwi pedhertears)al
l
myfami l
ywereintothelif
eofcr i
me.Myf ather
wasacommont hief
, abuseranddrunkwho
brutal l
ykil
ledourmot herandbabysi ster
,then
hunghi mself.Denniswasshotdownl i
kethe
animal shewas.Ral etsat
sidi
edlikeadog,
buriedi nashallowgr ave,ki
ll
edbyot her
cri
mi nal
slikehim.Rapul awasacommondr unk
whodi edont hestreet.Evenmysi st
er
Tshegof at
soisintoal if
eofcrimef r
om whatI
hear .It’
sinhisblood,it’
sinMaoto’sblood,he
takesaf t
ermyf amily.Thisi
sallmyf ault
.I
cursedmysonwi t
hmyf amil
yli
ne.
KGODUMO: Ao,Shadi
,don’
tsaythatt
lhemma.
Maotoisinnocent,
Iam tel
l
ingyou.Nothi
ngwi
l
l
happentohim.
MMAMAOTO: Itr
ied,Kgodumo, IswearItried
tomaket hem di
ff
erentpeopl
ef rom myfami l
y.I
distancedthem fr
om thefamilyIcamef rom, I
didn’twantthem tohaveanythingtodowi ththe
Mmusi name.Iguessy oucannotoutrunbl ood
(sobbing).Ihavethebloodofamur derer
, andI
cursedmysonwi thit
.Ishouldn’thavehad
chi
ldren.Ishoul
dn’thav
emarriedJohn.Oh,
my
poorson…mypoorsoni sgoi
ngtohang
becauseofme…( Sobbi
nghyster
ical
l
y)
KGODUMO: Isweartoy ou,Shadi.Onmy
father’
snameIpromi seyou.Maot owillbeout
oft her
ebytomorrow.Ipromi seyou.Didn’ty
ou
hearmepr omisemybr otheronhi sdeathbed
thatIwouldtakecareofhischildren?
MMA-
MAOTO:
ButKgodumo…
KGODUMO: Wipeyourt
earsandbest
rong.
Maotodi
dnothing.Hewil
lbeoutt
her
eby
tomor
row.
MMA- MAOTO: Doyouthi
nkhedidi
t?Imean
t
hatgirl
tookhisdaught
er,
andyouknow
Maoto’
st emperand…
KGODUMO: No,Shadi
!No!Iwil
lnotal
lowyouto
thi
nkthatway.Maotoisaresponsi
bleson,a
l
ovingfat
herandgoodhusband.Hedoesnot
haveamur der
ousboneinhisbody.Heisthe
sonofJohnKgagodi ,t
hemostbenevol
entman
tohav
eev erexi
sted.Johncoul
dn’
thurtafl
y,
andhi
ssonst akeafterhi
m.
MMA-
MAOTO:
I’
m scar
ed
Het
ookherhandsi
ntohi
s.
KGODUMO: Don’tbe.IpromiseyouMaot owil
l
beoutbyt omor r
ow.Hav eIeverli
edtoy ou,
Shadi?(Sheshookherheadno)Exact l
y.Iwas
honesttoyouaboutev eryt
hingev enwhenit
wasuncomf ortabletobe.Now, whywoul dI
star
tlyi
nginmyol dage?Iam givingyoumy
wordthatMaot oisinnocentandhewi llbeout
bytomor r
ow.Al ly
ouhav etodoi sbeli
eveme,
gohomeandr est.Ever
ythi
ngwi l
l beok,I
promise.

ATAPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Maotoandhisl
awyersatacrosst
hetabl
efr
om
of
fi
cerMontheandhiscol
leaguei
nthe
i
nter
rogat
ionr
oom.
MONTHE: Therei
snoescapef rom thi
sone
Kgagodi.Thegirl
diedfrom strangul
ation,we
foundyourfinger
pri
ntsar oundherneck, andthe
employeeatt hemotelplacesy ouatthemot el
onthedayofMsMoeket si’
sdeath.
Maotolookedupathi
m wi
thacockysmi
l
eand
l
aughed.
MAOTO:Yea,butwhatev
idencedoy
ouhav
e
t
hatIki
l
ledher?
OFFICER:Hejustgaveyoutheevi
dence,
Kgagodi.Yourar
rogancei
sreal
lyannoyi
ng.
MAOTO: Yea, well.Hesaysmyfinger
pri
nt s
werearoundherneck.Sue, me,butI’
mi nto
fr
eakyshit.LatoyaandI,wemetupi namot el
and,well
…therewassomechoki ngalri
ght .But
nottheki
ll
ingki nd.Youcoul
daskTashat a,
off
icerMont he.SheknowswhatI ’
mtalking
about.
Off
icerMonthepushedt
het
abl
eandal
most
smackedhim.
MAOTO: Shereal
l
yisbeaut
if
ul,Tashais!That
sexyKalangaramp!Damn!Oldergirl
sdohav e
thatappealanyway.
OFFI
CER:Kgagodi
!That
’senough!Youar
e
goi
ngdownformurder.
MAOTO: Ifyouhadenoughevi
dencet
o
pr
osecute,Iwouldn’
tst
il
lbei
naholdi
ngcel
l
.
Now,chargemeorl etmego.
TREVOR: Heisri
ght.Mycli
enthasnotbeen
chargedwithanyt
hingsofar
,so,i
fyouhave
nothingagai
nsthi
m, youhavenori
ghttohol
d
hi
m.
MONTHE: Heisthemaj
orsuspecti
namur
der
case,
wecankeephim whi
lerunni
ng
i
nvesti
gat
ions.
MAOTO: I
t’
sokTrev
or.Ot
hat
ali
kesme,l
etme
keephi
m companyforaf
ewdays,
buty
ou
bet
terf
indsomet
hingt
ochar
gemewi
thsoon.
MONTHE: Wearegett
ingtheresul
tsfrom the
autopsytomorr
owwhi chwil
lprovethatshe
i
ndeeddi edf
rom st
rangul
ati
on,andtheny ou
aregoingown.

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Kwapapacedupanddowntheroom whil
e
Tshepesatatacor
nerwor
kingonhi
slaptop
TSHEPE:KP,damn,canyousi
tdown?Youar
e
maki
ngtherestofusdizzy
!
KWAPA:Howt
hehellam Isupposedt
osi
t
downwhenmybr
otheri
si npri
son?
TSHEPE:Youar
emaki nghiswifenervous!I
’
m
worki
ngonsomet hi
nghere…Imaybeabl eto
manipul
atet
hesystem andgethim out.War,
howarewekeeping?
WARONA:
Ital
kedt
ohi
ssl
i
mebal
lofal
awy
er,
andtobehonest ,theautopsyresultstomorr
ow
couldbeahar dnail.I
ftheresult
scomeposi ti
ve,
hemaybegoi ngdown.Butwecoul dwor ka
reducedsentenceorsomet hing.Plead
temporaryinsani
ty.Imean,shedi dkidnaphi
s
daughterandt or
turedher…
KWAPA: Nope!Sorrybutno!Mybr ot
herisnot
goi
ngdownf orthatbit
ch!Latoya’
sdeathis
goodri
ddancetobadr ubbish,andIwouldbe
damnedifmybr othergoesdownf ort
hat.
MOSI
TI:Reba,
howi smalumedoing,whycan’
t
wegoseehim.It
’saroundvi
sit
inghour
s,r
ight
?
REBAONE: (Shelookedawayandsmi led)Ah,
youknowhi m,hedoesn’tl
i
kepeopl eseeing
him weak.Hedoesnotwantv i
sit
orstonight.
Youcanal l
seehi mtomorr
ow.Italkedtohis
doctor
.Hei sfi
ne.
GOUTA:Ev
eryonej
ustr
elaxplease!Myhusband
i
sok,hewil
lbeoutoft
heresoonbecausehei s
i
nnocent
.WhereisNav
ani
,may
beshecanhel
p
meintheki
tchen?
WARONA:
Isn’
tshei
nthebedr
oom?
GOUTA:
Nope,
Icheckedt
her
e…
KWAPA: Shewasjusther
eri
ghtnow,
letme
checkbehi
ndthehouse,may
besheisoutt
her
e
readi
ng.
SEBAGA: Somemanwasatt hegat
eandcal
l
ed
herandshewentout
sideandwalkedwi
thhi
m.I
thi
nktheywentt
othepark…

ATAMOTEL
Tichi
nat ookanotherswigfrom thewinebottl
e
andsmi led,
lookingatapictureoftheKgagodi
boys,hersit
tingonKwapa’ slap.Shehadloved
hi
m somuch.St il
ldidi
fshewashonestwi th
herself
.Theyhadpl ans.
..
theywer egoi
ngtoget
mar r
iedandal l
..
.butaft
erwhathappenedt hat
ni
ght.
..
wel
l,
shewasabouttochanget
hat
.They
hadbeensoyoung,
all
fouroft
hem.
Shesmi l
edandt ookanot herswi gandsmi led.
Shedi dmi ssthem.Real l
ydi d.MissedMoxand
Tebatsot oo.Maot owasapr ominent
entr
epr eneurnow.Kwapar anhisown
vet
erinaryclinic,
andsheknewTshepedi d
somesecr etgovernmentt hing.She’dheard
thi
ngs.MoxandTebat sor ant hei
rown
busi
nessest oo.ApparentlyMoxwasget t
ing
marriedandTebat sowasdat ingsomer i
chgi r
l
supermodel .Seemedl i
keonl yherandDodger
gotleftoutint hecold.Butnotf orlongthough.

ATAMORTUARY(
lat
eatni
ght
)
Heknockedquiet
lyandaft
eri
dent
if
yinghi
mself
,
thedooropenedandtheol
dmanledhiminsi
de
andtohisli
tt
leof
fi
ce.
KGODUMO:
Oldf
ri
end,
howar
eyoudoi
ng?
FORENSICPATHOLOGIST:Eish,
thisoldbones
ar
esti
llpushi
ng,
retl
areng.Howi severy
thi
ng?
Howarethosenaught
yboysofy ours?They
mustbebignow.
KGODUMO: Ijo,
theyareallgrownmen!Wej ust
marri
edofftheeldestoneaf ewmont hsback
andheisexpectingababy .Theotheronehas
thr
eekidsandthey oungest,Tshepe,
hastwins.
FORENSICPATHOLOGIST:Youdi
dagreatjob
wit
hthoseboysmonna,Johnwi
ll
beproud.For
amanwhol i
vedyourl
if
etohavedonei
tli
ke
youdi
d,Isal
utey
ou.
KGODUMO: IfeltbadwhenIcanbackhome
andf oundoutmynephewMaot owasunder
Denni s’
wing.Mybr otherbeggedmet oprotect
hi
sboy sfr
om t hatman.Hebeggedmeonhi s
deathbed, andIl eti
thappen.Inegl ectedmy
brother’
schildrenandt heywenti ntothewr ong
paths.NowIshal lspendt herestofmyl if
e
maki ngupf orit.Speakingaboutt hat
,that’
sthe
r
easonIam her
e.
(Hehandedhim athi
ckbrownenvel
ope,the
for
ensicpat
hol
ogistopenedi
tandlookedinsi
de,
smil
ing)
KGODUMO:Kanabant
ubi
sat
hankga
bashi
maneba,
hei
!
FORENSI
CPATHOLOGI
ST:
whoi
sit
?
KGODUMO:
Lat
oyaMoeket
si.Shei
sher
e,r
ight
?
FORENSI
CPATHOLOGI
ST:
Yes
KGODUMO: It
’sapityshedeci dedt otake
cyani
det oendherlife,poorthing.Kanadi l
otse
dichemicalkemat hata,youcan’tdet ectthem
easil
y,andeffectsmayl ookli
kest rangulati
on
becauseitpresentsimilarsy
mpt omsaker e?It’
s
veryeasytomi ss.
FORENSICPATHOLOGI ST: Ver
yeasyrr
a-
mmat l
a.Veryeasyt
omi ss.Andtheseol
deyes
too!Mi
stakesdohappen,Iam eventhi
nki
ngof
ret
ir
ement.Iwil
lal
ertthepol
i
cetomor
rowthatI
waswr ongaboutst
rangul
ati
onbei
ngcauseof
death.
KGODUMO: Youareagoodman.Haveagood
ni
ghtoldfri
end.I’
m admi
tt
edatthehospit
al
curr
ent
ly.Imustgetbackbef
orenur
sefindsme
goneandy el
lsatme.
FORENSICPATHOLOGI
ST:Keepwel
l,r
ra-
mmat l
a.Thi
ngswi
ll
bewel
l
.Iwill
tal
ktothe
pol
icetomorr
ow.
KGODUMO: Ioweyou.Thanky
ou,ol
dfr
iend.
Seeyouar
ound.Nowl etmegoseet
hatmotel
empl
oyeewitnessgi
rl
.

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT

SOWEAREBACKWITHCI
RCLESOFLI
FE.DO
SHARETHI
SEPI
SODETOI
NVITEMORE
PEOPLETOTHEPAGE.IAM STI LLHELDUP
WITHWORKPROJECTS, SOUNTI LFURTHER
NOTICE, IWILLONLYBEPOSTI NGON
MONDAY, WEDNESDAYANDFRI DAY( t
here
mightbesur pr
iseepisodesonTuesdaysand
Thursdaysdependi ngonmyscheduleandhow
theprevi
ousepi sodedidwit
hLikesand
Comment s.
)Postingti
meis6PM t hi
sti
me
around.IAM DOI NGMYVERYBESTTOMAKE
ITEVERYDAY, SOTHEMORETHEPAGE
GROWS, THEMOREENCOURAGEMENTI ’
LL
HAVETOPUTI NEFFORTFOREVERYDAY
EPISODES.MUCHLOVE.
[
10/
31,
15:
11]Ron:
EPI
SODE2
ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Maotowalkedoutandhi
sbr
otherr
anov
ert
o
hi
m andhuggedhim.
MAOTO:Wel
l,
off
icerMonthe,i
t’
sbeenni
ce,
but
Ir
eal
l
yhaveawif
et ogetbackto.
MONTHE: Don’
tthinkthisi
sover,Kgagodi.I’
m
comingaft
eryou.Iknowy oukil
ledLatoya.I
don’
tknowhowy outamperedwi t
hthe
evi
denceandthewi t
ness,butIwillf
indout.I
wil
lfi
ndsomethingtoputy oubehindbars.I
’l
l
beseeingyouagain,
y oucancountont hat.
MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)Isthatadate,offi
cer?
BecauseIhav eexpansiv
et ast
esthatIam very
sureTashawon’ tbewill
ingtopayforsinceyou
can’taff
ordthem.(Helaughedandsal utedhi
m,
walkingoutleav
ingoffi
cerMont hefuming)
Theywal
kedt
oKwapa’
scarl
aughi
ngj
ovi
all
y.
KWAPA: Gigi
isgoingtobesohappy,Iknow
shehasbeenstruggl
ingevenwhenshewas
tr
yingtobestr
ong.That’
sagoodwomany ou
gotther
e.
MAOTO:Iknow,r
ight
?Sheisper
fect
.Ican’
t
wai
ttogethometoseeherandmykids.
TSHEPE:
I’
mjustwonder
ingwhathappened?
Like,howdi
dthecasegosouthf
ort
hepoli
ce
sof ast
?Thr
eedaysagotheywer
econv
inced
theyhadyou!
MAOTO: Tur
nsoutToy atookcyani
deanddied
fr
om that
.Meh.Andt heonlywi
tnessrecant
ed
andsaidToyawasalivewhenIleft
.Theyhave
nocaseatal
l agai
nstme.
TSHEPE:
Buthow…weal
lknow…
KWAPA: Whot hefuckcares,T?Maotoisf
ree,
themurderchargeisdropped,andt
hisshi
tcan
fi
nal
lygotorest.
TSHEPE:
Wasi
ttheMmusi
’
s?
MAOTO: Nope,
theyal
ldon’
tknowany
thi
ng
abouti
t.
TSHEPE:Wei
rd…j
ustl
ikethatt
imeKP…t
heman
whorapedWar…whenyou…
KWAPA:Canwenott
alkaboutt
hat
?Youar
e
real
l
yspoi
l
ingmymood,damn!
MAOTO:
Hei
sri
ght
,T.Leti
tgo.
TSHEPE: I’
mj ustsay i
ng.Don’ tyouguysf i
ndita
tadcurious?Al l
ofushav ehadcasesj ust
disappear.Sincewewer eteens.Stuffthatwas
supposedt ogor eal
badj ustsuddenlylif
ti
ng
withoutanyexpl anati
on.I’mjustworriedwe
mi ghtowesomeonef av
our soutthereandone
daywhoev erisl
ookingoutf oruswi l
lcomet o
collect
.Ihateowi ngpeopl efavoursandI ’
dli
ke
toknowwhoi ti
s.
KWAPA:Nobodyiscomingt
ocoll
ectany
thi
ng.
Wearej
ustl
ucky.Orwehaveaguardi
anangel
.
What
ever
.Nowshutupandlet’
sgosee
mal
umeatthehospit
al.
TSHEPE:
But
…
MAOTO: Quiti
t,Tshepe.Will
y ou?Tobehonest
Iwasworri
edforawhi lethere.Theevi
dence
wasmountingup.Thensuddenl yaconvi
nci
ng
casepoi
nti
ngagai nstme.Mal umewi l
lbe
rel
ievedtoseeI ’
m out,IfeelbadthatIputhim
i
nt hehospital
.Thatmanhasdoneal otforus,
andIwantt oasmuchaspossi bl
ekeephi m
awayf r
om myot herl i
fe,
Ifeelbadthatheev en
knewIhadamur dercharge.Icanonl yimagine
howhef eltheari
ngt hechargesIwasf acing.He
alwaysfeelsli
kehef ail
edourf at
her,even
thoughheact ual
lydidar eal
lygoodjob.

ATTHECLI
NIC
Rebaonesati
nheroff
iceaft
erthenurseshad
l
eftfort
heeveni
ng,
maki ngorder
sformedici
ne
needed.
Aquietknockandthent
hedooropened.She
l
ookedupandsi ghed
REBAONE:OhLor
d!Lookwhatt
hedev
il
dr
aggedi
n
TICHI
NA:Hel
l
o,RebaoneDi
kgang.Kgagodi
now,
Ihear
?Youar
eadoctornow?Nii
ce.Thespoil
t
l
i
ttl
eteensl
uthasdonewellf
orher
sel
f.Sl
ept
y
ourwaythroughmedschool?
REBAONE:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,Ti
chi
na?
TI
CHI
NA:
Ihav
esomet
hing…
REBAONE: I
’m sur
etheyhav
emedicat
ionfor
that
.Comebackt omorrowwhent
heclini
cis
operat
ional
.
TICHI
NA:I’
m seri
ousRebaone.Ihav
e
somethi
ngthatcoul
dget…
REBAONE: (si
ghing)whati
sit?Chyl
amedia?
Syphi
l
is?Becauseweal lknowyourlegsstay
openlongerthana24hrsstopshop,andthey
getmoretraffi
cthanapetrol
stat
ioninabusy
str
eet
.
TI
CHINA:
(laughi
ng)Potcal
l
ingket
tl
ebl
ack
much?
Rebaonest
oodupandgrabbedherbyt
hehai
r,
pushi
ngherout
sideandl
ocki
ngthedoor
behi
ndher
.
REBAONE:
Damni
t!
!
Ti
chi
nabeatont
hedoorf
rom out
sidel
aughi
ng
TICHINA:
Oh,lockmeoutal lyouwantsweetie.
Butremember,l
if
ewor ksinci
rcles.Youcan’
t
outr
unanythi
ngprincessRebaone!Ital
ways
comesback!

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE
Tshepecameovert
oRebaandst
art
edr
ubbi
ng
hershoul
der
s.
TSHEPE:
Youar
eanxi
ousaboutsomet
hing
REBAONE:
(laughi
ngawkwar
dly
)Me?
Anxi
…what
?Iam total
l
yfi
ne!
TSHEPE:That
’sy
ourt
hir
dglassofwi
ne.You
onl
ydri
nkwhenyouarebot
heredbysomethi
ng.
What’
sup?
REBAONE:
Youar
eimagi
ningt
hings.
TSHEPE:
Rebatl
hemmadon’
tdot
hat
…don’
t
cl
osemeoutagai
n.
REBAONE: I
t’sni
cehavingMoxandKaonestay
over
, i
sn’
tit
?Isti
llcan’
tbel
iev
etheyar
eact
uall
y
gett
ingmarri
ed.Kaygetti
ngmarri
ed!Wow!
TSHEPE:
Youar
edi
ver
ti
ng.
REBAONE:
Woul
dyoul
i
kesomedesser
t?
TSHEPE:Rebaone!(hehuff
edandpunchedthe
doorashewalkedout.Hiswif
ecoul
dbeso
i
mpossibl
esomet i
mes.Heknewv er
ywel lt
hat
whatev
ershewashi di
ng,Rebawasprobably
tr
yingt
oprotecthi
m)
Hisphonest
art
edr
ingi
ngwi
thani
nter
nat
ional
number.
TSHEPE:
Hel
l
o?
VOICE:(sobbi
ng)Iwannacomehome,
Tshepe…he…heissocontr
oll
i
ngandhe…Ican’
t
evengotocl
asswithouthim hoveri
ngov
erme.
Het r
eat
smelikepr
operty.Todayhehitme…
I…uhm…Igot
tago,f
orgetIcalled.
TSHEPE: Nny
ana?Hel
lo…Banyana!(
Thephone
wentdead.Hetri
edt
ocallbackandthel
i
ne
wasswitchedof
f)

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Gout
acameoutoftheshowernakedandl
aidi
n
bedbesi
desMaot
o
MAOTO:
Ili
key
ourout
fi
t
GOUTA:
(smi
l
ingcoy
ly)t
hisol
dthi
ng?
MAOTO:
Myf
avour
it
e…
Shet
urnedov
erandst
raddl
edhi
m,ki
ssi
nghi
m.
MAOTO: Wai
t…Gigi
…wai
t,
please…damn…I…uhm….
Gigi
please,
wehav
eto
talkfi
rst
.
GOUTA:
Whatabout(
sheasked,
pout
ing)
MAOTO:
TheLat
oyat
hing
GOUTA:Thepsy choti
cbi
tchdrankcyani
deto
endhermiserabl
elit
tl
eli
fe?(
Sheshrugged
di
smissi
vely
)Isaygoodr i
ddance.
MAOTO: Youdon’tunderstand, Gout a…. Iuhm…I
can’ tl
ietoyou.Ihadt okeepupt hepr etenceat
thepol icestat
ion,butIdidit.Ididn’tev en
i
nt endt o.Iwasgoingt ojustroughherup,
threatenherandt ellhertoleave, youknow…j ust
makesur eshenev ercameneary ouandmy
kidsagai n.Despit
eev ery
thing,Ididn’ twant
Lat oyadead.Sheusedt obeaf ri
end.
GOUTA: (si
ghi
ngandlyingbackonhischest
)
Ok,bareoutyoursoul
tome, mylov
e.What
happened?
MAOTO: Igotther
e,westartedarguingand
yell
i
ng,andthenshewast aunti
ngme…she
playedt
hatvideoofPr
incessallaloneand
scaredi nthedarkwhenshehadt akenher.Sai
d
shewasgoi ngtot akeheragai nandki ll
herli
ke
weki l
ledherson.Igotsomad…somad…and
thenIwasst r
anglingher …Iguesssomet i
mesI
forgetI’
m abi gguy …beforeIev enknewi t,
she
wasn’tmov i
ngany mor e.Iwentoutandgother
car,drovehert othatoldwel land…Iwasgoi ng
todisposeofherbodypr operly,butthenwe
hadmma- B,andIwasj ustsocaughtupandi t
sli
ppedmymi nd.Iam sosor r
yGout a.IknowI
promisedt hatnomor eoft hat.Butthethought
ofhert ort
uri
ngmybaby …
GOUTA:so,basi
cal
ly,
shedrankcy
anideand
t
ookherli
fe,pl
anni
ngtofr
amey oufori
t?
MAOTO:
Youdon’
tunder
standGout
a,Idi
dit
,I…
GOUTA: …wasfr
amedbyapsy chothathurtour
babyandt ri
edtorui
nourl
iv
es.Thatbitch’
s
namei snotall
owedinourl
ivesany
mor e.Let
ever
ythingaboutherst
ayasdeadasshei s.
MAOTO:
Soy
ouf
orgi
veme?
GOUTA:
What
’st
her
etof
orgi
ve?
MAOTO:
Idi
ditGout
a.
GOUTA:Di
dwhat
?Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
agai
n?
Hel
aughedandhuggedhercl
oser
.
MAOTO:Whatdi
dIev
erdot
odeser
vey
ou?You
ar
eamazi
ng.
GOUTA:Whydon’ tyoushowmej usthow
amazi
ngIam t hen?(Shewinkedandthr
ewher
headbackinthepil
lowsashegrowledand
mountedher.

Shedeliberat
elypushedherphonewhi chwas
vibr
ati
ngonr epeatoffthesi
det ableandl
etit
fall
tothefloor.Notl
ikeshedidn’tknowwhoit
wasandwhatt hemessagewasgoi ngtosay
anyways.‘Ikeptmyendoft hebar gai
nGouta,
youneedtokeepy our
s.’Liketheot her
hundredt
hmessageshehadl eft.Yea,ri
ght.
Thingsweref
inal
l
yt ogetherforherandshe
wasnotabouttojeopardizeanything.Fuckthat
guy.

REMEMBERTOLI
KE,
COMMENTANDSHARE
[
10/
31,
15:
12]Ron:
EPI
SODE3

ATKGAGODIFARM MAMAGEMENT
Maot owal kedi
ntotheoff
icebui
lding.Hewas
meet i
ngthenewCOOandt henhecouldhead
tothefarm.Mat t
hiasdidspeakhighlyoft
he
woman, andGout ahadbeeni mpressedbyher
credenti
als.
Hewalkedi
ntotheof
fi
cert
hatusedt
ofor
mer
ly
bel
ongtoLat
oya.
MAOTO:
Goodmor
ning,
Iguessy
ouar
ethenew
COO,I’
m Phi
l
ipMaot
oKgagodi
butev
ery
one
j
ustcal
lsme…
TI
CHI
NA:
(looki
ngupf
rom herdesk)Maot
o
MAOTO:Whatt
hef
uckar
eyoudoi
ngher
e
Ti
chi
na?
TI
CHI
NA:
(smi
l
ing)I
’
myournewCOO
MAOTO:
Nope.Absol
utel
ynot
!Mat
thi
as!
Hecamef
rom hi
sof
fi
cer
unni
ng
MAOTO:
Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?
MATTHIAS:
Iseeyouhav
emetournewCOO,
MsTichi
naMoeti
.
MAOTO:
Ihav
e,andnowy
ouneedt
ofi
reher
.
MATTHI AS: Whateverfor?Bossladysawher
credenti
alsandappr ovedofher.Imean,shei
s
CEO, soifsheapprov esadecisi
onthenI
beli
eveit’
sok?Iwentaheadandgav eMs
Moet iacontract
.Si
gnedandev ery
thi
ng.
Rebaonewal
kedi
ncal
l
ingMaot
o’sname
REBAONE:Maot
oweneedt ot
alk.Thatl
i
ttl
e
rat
…whatt
hehel
lisshedoi
nghere?
MAOTO: Shewasjustleav
ing.Mat
thi
aswas
abouttofi
reher
,whatdoy ouwant
,Rebaone?
Let’
stal
kinmyof f
ice.
Shefol
lowedhi
mtot
heof
fi
ceandcl
osedt
he
doorbehi
ndher
.
MAOTO:
DoesTknowshei
sback?
REBAONE:Nope,nei
therdoesKP,weneedt o
fi
ndawaytogethertoleaveMaoto!Tshepe
wil
lfl
i
p!AndKwapajustgotmarri
edandi s
havi
ngababyand…
MAOTO: Don’
tyouthi
nkIknowthat,
Rebaone?
JustmakesureTshepedoesn’
tfi
ndout
,andI’
ll
makesureTichi
naisgone.
Goutawal
kedinpushi
ngAasa’sstr
oll
er.She
hunguphercal
landtur
nedoffherphone
bef
orewal
ki
ngi
ntot
heof
fi
ce.
GOUTA:Mat
thi
as,howi
sthenewCOO?She
comeshi
ghl
yrecommended.
MATTHI
AS:
Maot
ojustaskedmet
ofi
reher
.
GOUTA:What?Why ?Shehasgood
recommendat
ionsandcredent
ial
s
MATTHI
AS: (
shaki
nghi
shead)y
ou’
l
lhav
eto
asky
ourhusband.
GOUTA:
Ishei
nmyof
fi
ce?
MATTHI
AS:
I…uhm…
GOUTA:
Mat
thi
as!What
?
MATTHI
AS:Maybey
oushoul
dcomemeett
he
newCOOfi
rst
GOUTA:
I’
drat
hert
alkt
omyi
rr
ati
onal
husband
fi
rst
.
MATTHI
AS:
Bossl
ady
,Idon’
tthi
nk…
Gout
aignor
edhi
m andwal
kedt
oher
sand
Maot
o’ssharedoffi
ce,
findi
ngRebaonesi
tt
ing
i
nMaoto’schairwhi
lehesatontopofthet
able.
GOUTA:What
’sgoi
ngoninher
e?Whyt hefuck
i
ssheinmyoffi
ceandwhyist
hisdoorcl
osed?
REBAONE: (laughi
ng)Rel
ax,
Gouta!Fi
neashei s,
I
’m nottryi
ngt osl
eepwit
hyourhusband.Agai
n.
(Shelaughed)
GOUTA:
Yea,
li
keIhav
en’
thear
dthatonebef
ore!
MAOTO:Enough,
bot
hofyou!Rebaone,
out
.
Gout
a,i
t’
snotwhaty
outhi
nk!
GOUTA:Wel
l,
enli
ghtenme,hubbydear
est
.Why
t
hefucki
sthi
scheapwhoreinsi
demyof f
ice
wi
thyou,
doorscl
osedandall
?
Tichi
nast
oodatthedoorhol
dingherl
augh,
thensmil
edandwalkedi
n.
TICHI
NA: Oh…IhopeIam notinter
rupt
ing.Mrs
Kgagodi,
right
?Mat t
hiast
oldmey ouwer ei
n
andIthoughtIshoul
dcomei ntr
oducemy sel
f.I
havehear
dsomuchaboutyouandI
’
mlooki
ng
for
wardtowor
kingwi
thyou.
GOUTA:Youmustbet
henewCOO?Ti
chi
na
Moet
i?
TICHINA:(smil
ingsweet
lyassheshookher
hand)that’
sme.Iam soexcitedaboutthi
sjob.I
hadalreadycomeupwi t
haf ewi deast
omake
operati
onseasy.I’
l
lrunt
hem throughyoulater
i
fy ouhavetime.
GOUTA: Pr
oactiv
e.Ili
ke.Alr
ight,
I’
ll
comesee
youinyouroff
iceinabit.(
Tichi
nawalkedout)
Rebaone,youhaveapproximatel
ytwoseconds
togetoutofmyof fi
ce.
REBAONE:(l
aughi
ngasshest oodupt ol
eave)
Nxnxnxnx!Soinsecure…poorthi
ng.Bye
dar
li
ng(shesai
d,smil
ingandwi nki
ngatMaoto
andthenbur
sti
ngoutlaughingasshewalked
out
).
ATWARONA’
SHOUSE
Waronalai
dont
hesof
awhi
l
eKwapar
ubbed
herf
eet.
WARONA: God!Ican’
twaitforthi
sbabytobe
her
eal
ready.Iam sooverthispregnancy
.
KWAPA:
Pati
ence,
Mr sKgagodi
.Justaf
ew
mor
emonthsnow.Iam soexci
ted.
WARONA:Iwant
edaboy,wealr
eadyhaveVani
andaboywoul
dcompl
eteournucl
earfami
ly
KWAPA: Idon’tcareaboutgender,Iwanta
heal
thybaby.Ar en’
tyousoexcit
ed?My
brot
hersli
ter
allylaughatmeallthetime
becauseIcan’tstoptal
kingaboutmybaby ’
s
heart
beatandmov ements.
WARONA:(l
aughi
ng)Yea,youcanbeali
tt
let
oo
muchwhenyougeti
ny ourbabymode.
KWAPA:I
’mjustsohappy
.Ever
ythi
ngi
sinplace,
myuncl
e’
shealthscar
ewasactual
l
ynothi
ng
much, heisst
il
lashealthyasastall
ion,
my
brother’
smurdercaseisdropped.Iam marr
ied
tothewomanofmydr eamsandhav ealov
ely
family.Somet
imesitfeelsali
tt
letoogoodtobe
true.
WARONA: Youwor r
ytoomuch.Theonl ythi
ng
I’
m worri
edaboutr i
ghtnowismysi st
er.
Ameliahislonel
y,butshewon’tadmitit
,she
spendsallherti
meatt heoff
ice.Ii
nvi
tedherto
comespendaf ewday swit
hus.Vani i
salways
exci
tedtohav eheraround.

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE
Tshepepacedar
ound,tr
yingt
hephoneover
andoveragai
nunti
lshefi
nall
ypi
ckedup.
BANYANA:
Hel
l
o?
TSHEPE:(
sighi
ngwi
threl
i
ef)Nny
ana!Thank
God!Ar
eyouok?Didhehurty
ou?
BANYANA:Kanawenayouwil
lgetmeintr
oubl
e.
Colt
onwi
ll
bemadi fhefi
ndsoutI
’mtal
ki
ngto
you.
TSHEPE:IswearI’
m goi
ngtokil
lhi
m.I
’
m
get
ti
ngyouat i
cketbackri
ghtnow!
BANYANA: (
whisperi
ng)youthi
nkit
’sthateasy?
ThatIcouldjustcasual
l
yjustwalkoutandgo
toanairport
?Mxi m.Getreal
.It
oldyoutoforget
Ical
led.I’
mf i
ne.
TSHEPE:Youarenotfi
neBany
ana.Youdi
dn’
t
soundf
ineyest
erday.
BANYANA: Iwasdr
unkandemot
ional
.For
get
what
everIsaid.
TSHEPE:
Likehel
lIwi
l
l.Hei
shur
ti
ngy
ou…
BANYANA: Don’
tyouhav eapsychot
icwifeto
obsessov er?Leavemeal oneTshepe.Iam fine,
every
thingisf i
ne.Myhusbandisagr eatman
andhebuy smeev er
ythi
ngIwant,I
’minmed
school.Il
iteral
lyhaveevery
thi
ngagirlcould
ev
eraskf
or.Don’
tev
ercal
lmeagai
n.
Thephonewentdead.
REBAONE:
(st
andi
ngatt
hedoor
way
)whowas
that
?
TSHEPE:Uhm…I…Samsara,
shehasami
ssi
on
forme.Imi
ghtbetrav
ell
i
ngtoMoscowf
orabi
t.
REBAONE:
Oh…andwhoi
shur
ti
ngSamsar
a?
TSHEPE:
Huh?
REBAONE:Yousaid‘
heishur
ti
ngyou’
,isshe
havi
ngrel
ati
onshi
pprobl
emsorsomething?
TSHEPE:I
…uhm…I
’m sur
eyoudi
dn’
thearme
wel
l.What
’sf
ordi
nner?
REBAONE:I’l
lmakesomet hi
nginabit.Byt
he
way,I
’l
lal
sobegoi ngtoDubaif
orabi t
.Afri
end
i
nvit
edmet ohi sv
il
laforsometradi
ti
onal
cer
emonyf orthei
rdaughter
.
TSHEPE:
He?
REBAONE: I
smar ri
ed,Tshepe.Youarecute
wheny ouarejealous.Imethim andhiswifein
Tuscanyawhi lebackandt hencoinci
dent
all
y
methi m sever
alti
mesatmedi cal
summi t
shis
familywasdonatingat.Bothheandhi swif
e
extendedtheinvi
te.

ATMOSI
TI’
SHOUSE
Thuof i
nishedputt
ingEli
tobedwhileMosit
i
breastf
edbabyLar onaandthenputheri
nher
cot.Sheputofhergownandwast yi
ngitwhen
Thuocameov er,
huggingherfr
om behi
ndand
untyi
ngt hegown.
MOSI
TI:
(pushi
nghi
m away
)Thuo!Eh-
ehmane!
St
op…
THUO:Why
?Can’
tIgetsomesugarf
rom my
wif
e?
MOSITI
:I’
mt i
redThuo,
andmyTeatoxi
s
get
ti
ngcold.Ineedt
odrinki
twhi
l
esti
ll
hot
.
Leav
emeal
one
THUO: ComeonSi
ti
…Imi
ssy
ou(
kissi
ngher
neck)
MOSI
TI:
Nott
oni
ght
!I’
mti
red
THUO: Thenwhen,Mosit
i?I
t’
sbeenfour
months!Comeon!I’m apat
ientman,butIhav
e
needs…comeonbabe, j
ustali
ttl
ecuddl
et i
me?
Youdon’tevenhav
et odoanythi
ng…(Kissi
ng
herneck)
MOSI TI:
(pushinghim away)Stopi t
!Thuo!I
s
thisal
lIam toy ou?Somesext oy ?Seri
ousl
y?
Youar esoinconsider
ate!(Cl
osingherrobe
ti
ghterandhuggi nghersel
f)Al
ly oueverwant
from mei ssex!
THUO: AndallIevergeti
snot hi
ng!Mosit
i,
what’
swr ong?Wehadgr eatinti
macybefore
thebaby,wewer eli
ter
all
yatiteveryni
ghtand
coul
dn’tkeepourhandsof feachother
.Iknow
youareabi tworr
iedaboutyourweightri
ght
now…
MOSI
TI:
Arey
oucal
l
ingmef
at?
THUO:What?No!Iknowy ouhav ebeentr
ying
tol
osethebabyweight.I
’
mj ustsayi
ng.Ir
eall
y
don’
tcar
e,youst
il
llooksexyashelltome.So,
comeon….l
et’
s…(Tryi
ngtokissher)
MOSI
TI:
Leav
emeal
one,
Thuo!Isai
dIam
t
ir
ed…
THUO:
But
…
MOSI
TI:
Youcansl
eepi
ntheguestr
oom.
THUO:
Sit
itl
hemma…
MOSI
TI:
Justgo,
Thuo…pl
ease?
Hesi ghedandwal kedout
sidether oom,
heari
ngherl ockthedoorbehindher .Hewentt o
thefridgeandt ookoutoneoft hebeer sthat
hadbeenl eftoverfr
om hi
slastfishingtri
pwi t
h
Maot o,thensatdownatt heTVdr i
nking.He
fl
ippedt hroughthechannelswithoutf i
nding
anyt
hingi
nter
est
ing,
final
l
ygr
abbi
nghi
scar
key
sanddr ov
eout.
Hedr ovepastagi r
lholdi
ngasmal lki
dand
anotheronherback, pull
ingabagwi t
ht heother
hand.Whatt hefuckwasshedoi ngoutt hisl
ate?
Shewasdef init
elywasn’tfrom around.He
di
dn’tknowal lt
hegi rl
sinthevil
lage,buthe
wouldhaver ecognisedapr et
tyfacelikethat
one.
THUO:
Oyakael
ebanamasi
go?
GI
RL:
Ijustgotoutoft
hel
astbus.
THUO:
Oyakaekegodr
ope?
GI
RL:
No,
keshapo.
THUO: Gakerabokothemma.( thegir
lgiggled
andsmi l
edathim)I’
mjusttr
yingtohelp.Wher e
to?Textsomeonemypl at
enumberi fyouar e
wor r
iedIwi
l
lkidnapyouorsomet hi
ng.I’
mj ust
try
ingtohel
p.War eonnakokae?
GIRL:It
’sbeenlongsi
nceIvi
sit
edthisvi
ll
age,
butI’
mt ry
ingtolocat
emyaunt’shouse.Mma-
Onika.Doy ouknowthepl
ace?
THUO:Hopin,
kommaOni kait
’sal
lthewayi
n
theot
hersi
deoft
hev
il
lage.I’
l
lgodropyouoff
.

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
12]Ron:
EPI
SODE4
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Maotocamebackfrom sendi
ngtheol
derki
ds
t
oschool,f
indi
ngGoutafeedi
ngAasai
nthe
l
iv
ingroom
MAOTO:Gout
atl
hemmay ouhav
etofi
re
Ti
chi
na.Shei
sbadnews,
youhavet
otr
ustme.
GOUTA:Sheisareal
lygoodCOO,Il
i
keal
lher
i
deassofar
,sogivemeasolidr
easont
ofir
e
herot
hert
han‘sheisbadnews’
MAOTO:
Whyar
eyoubei
ngst
ubbor
nont
his?
GOUTA: Whatar
eyouhi
ding?Ithoughtyou
werenolongerl
yi
ngtome.Issheony ourl
ong
l
istofex-
s?
MAOTO:Real
l
y?That
’sacheapshotGout
a.No,
Ti
chi
nai
snotmyex,Ijust
…wel
l…
GOUTA:Wel
l,
youdohavemoreex-
sthana
mathpr
obl
em.Goon,I
’mli
steni
ng
MAOTO: Wehav eal
onghist
ory.Ti
chi
na,
Rebaone,me,andmybrot
hers.Let
’sj
ustsay
thi
ngsdidn’
tendonagoodnote
GOUTA:
Notgoodenough
MAOTO: (si
ghi
ng)youknowhowKPi swithhis
women.Hel ov
esdeepandwi lldoany
thingfor
them.Caseinpoi
nt,al
lthethingsRebatriedto
gethi
mt odothatt
ime,y ouremember ?
GOUTA:HowcouldIf
orgett
hatt
heevi
lbi
tch
t
ri
edtokil
lmybabybefor
ehewasevenborn?
MAOTO:
Wel
l
,that
’sj
ustKP.Hei
sagoodguy
butgetsbli
ndedbyl oveeasi
l
y.That’
swhywhen
youaskedhowTshepeandIcoul djustf
orgi
ve
him af
teral
lthatlasttime.Well
,weknowhi m.
Youseehi m evennowwi t
hWar ,
hissole
exi
stenceistocat ertoherandpleaseher.
GOUTA:
Wear
edi
ver
ti
ngf
rom Ti
chi
na
MAOTO: SheandKwapawer
edat
ing.He
t
houghthewasinlov
e,bl
ahbl
ah,
wantedto
marr
yher.
GOUTA:
Ok?
MAOTO: Ourf at
herdi dn’tapprove.Kwapathrew
atantrum, butwoul dn’tgoagai nstJohn’
s
wishes.Thisanger edTi chinasomuch.Shewas
anorphanandatt het imeshewasl i
vi
ngwith
ourfamilyafterhersol ecar et
aker,her
grandmot herdied.Mymot herknewher
grandmot herandf eltbadf orherand…
GOUTA:Igeti
t,f
ami
l
yofsai
nts(
sar
cast
ical
l
y)
goon.
MAOTO: Onedayshe…uhm…she…KPgothome
tof indTi chinainacor ner,clothest orn,cryi
ng
herey esout ,andsai dourf atherrapedher .Tol d
Kwapat hatwaspr obabl yther easonJohn
didn’ twantt hem t omar ry ,becausehewant ed
herf orhimsel f
.Hewasf urious!Johnwasn’ ti
n
thebestofheal thatt het ime, hehadal ung
probl em.Hewasoutwor kingatt hef i
eldwhen
Kwapawentoutt her escr eami ng, andf orthe
fi
rstt i
meev er,
hescr eamedatJohnand
punchedhi m sev eraltimes.Nor mal lythat
woul dn’tkil
laman, butt oasi ckman…t here
wasi nternal or
gandamage…aweekl at
erJohn
wasdead.Kwapawasconsumedwi thsomuch
guilt.TshepeandIl at erfoundoutTi chinalied.
Wecoul dn’ttel
l KPbecauset heguywas
alreadysuf feri
ng, t
oknowheki l
ledJohnf or
not hing…wel eftitther e.
GOUTA:
Okay
,soKwapast
il
ldoesn’
tknowshe
l
ied?
MAOTO:
No
GOUTA: Yousai
dTshepeshoul
dn’
tfi
ndoutshe
i
sback.Whyshouldn’
theandwheredoes
Rebaonefact
orin?
MAOTO: Tshepecoul dn’tjustt akei tlyingdown.
Tichinawast her easonourf atherwasdeadand
Kwapawassui cidal
.Wet riedt ohel pKPbuthe
wasj ustdepr essedandt hisbitchTi chinawas
sti
llusinghi mt ocauset roubl ewitht hefami l
y,
shejustwant edt omar r
yi ntoourf ami lyto
secur eherf uture,andmmeandKgodumower e
nothav i
ngi t
.Theyst ar t
edal ienatingKwapa,
andi thur t,
becauset hethr eeofushadal ways
beenv eryclose.Tshepebl amedTi chi na.He
tookheroutt ot hefieldsandbeatt heshi tout
ofher ,leftherfordeadi nadi tch.
GOUTA:Damn…youal
larer
eal
l
yy ouruncl
e
Denni
snephewsi
fal
lIhear
dabouthimis
cor
rect
.
MAOTO:(gi
vingheranast
ylook)Thanks,
Gout
a…r
eall
y,thanks!
GOUTA:
(laughi
ng)Idi
dn’
tmean…
MAOTO: What ev er.Anyway s,RebaandIwer e
togetheratt het ime.Wewer etakingawal k.
Shewasst il
lpre-medandi nher‘ sav ethewor l
d’
era.WecameaboutTi china’sbody ,shewas
sti
llali
v e.Barely.Webot hknewwhathad
happened.I tcoul donlybeTshepe.Iwant edto
l
eav ehert odie.Rebahadherl i
ttl
epr e-med
senseofgoodness, sowear gued, but
ult
imat elysheconv i
ncedmeTi chinadi dn’
t
deser v
et odie.Wet ookhert othatabandoned
farm andshenur sedherf oraboutt woweeks,
untilTichinawasbet t
er.Event hent he
ungratef ulli
tt
lewr et
chblamedReba.Theone
personwhosav edherl i
fe.Shehadal way s
hatedRebabecauseRebawasaccept edbyour
family.
GOUTA:
Imean,
Rebai
sn’
tver
yhar
dtohat
e…
MAOTO: ShesaidRebawoul dneverbecomea
doctorbecauseshewasconceal i
ngacr ime,
shewasgoi ngtor eporther
,blahblah.Anyway ,
Igavehersomemoneyandt ol
dhert ogetthe
fuckoutofourlives.ToldherI’
dkillherf
orreal
i
fsheev ercameback.Shel eft
,KPwasst il
l
depressed,buteventuall
ywentabr oadtofi
nish
hisveter
inari
andegr eeandhewasmuchbet ter
.
GOUTA:SoTshepeisn’
tgoingtobever
y
pl
easedyoutwosavedTichina,
andKwapaisn’
t
goi
ngtobev er
yhappythatTshepet
ri
edtokil
l
heri
nthefi
rstpl
ace
MAOTO: Yup,
pret
tymuch.Nowy
ouseewhy
youneedtofi
reher
?
GOUTA: Shesignedacontr
act,Maoto.She
couldsueforunfai
rdi
smissal.Andherbei
ng
fi
reddoesn’tmeanshewilll
eave.
MAOTO:
Oh,
I’
ll
makesur
eshel
eav
esal
ri
ght
…
GOUTA:
Maot
o!I
’
m st
il
ltr
yingt
odeal
wit
hthe
whol
eLatoy
athi
ng,
musty
ouaddanot
herbody
t
othemix?
MAOTO: Seri
ousl
y ?I
st hathowl owy outhi
nkof
me?Besi des,Ti
chinaisn’tnoLat oy
a.Sheis
smar tandasnaket oboot .She’
sbeent her
e
withtheKgagodi bef
ore.Sheknowswhatwe
arecapableof.Shewoul dn’tri
skcomi ngback
herewi t
houtbackup.Ifany t
hinghappenstoher,
we’ll
allgodown.
GOUTA:
Forwhat
?
MAOTO: Basi
cal
lyTshepewi l
lbechar gedwi t
h
attempt edmurder,whi
chcoul dl eadtoa
mur derchargeifshedisappear s,andwi ththe
heatstillonme,wedon’ tneedt hat.AndReba
andIar eaccompl i
cebecausewedi dn’treport
thecrimet hatti
mewhenwef oundher .Reba
mayl osehermedi call
icense.Itwi l
lbreakt he
family,andalotofdrama.I ’
m sur eshehas
connedsomemant obeherst andbyi ncasewe
takeherout ,t
hentheywi l
lgot ot hepol i
ce.
NEARMMAONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Thuowal
kedbyandsawt
hegi
rlf
rom y
est
erday
.
THUO:
(wal
ki
ngupt
oher
)Dumel
athemma
GI
RL:
Oh,
Idi
dn’
tseey
out
her
e,howar
eyou?
THUO:
I’
mfi
ne,
you?Howar
etheki
ds?
GI
RL:
Eish…(
Sighi
ng)Theyar
efi
ne.
THUO:
But
?
GIRL: IhadhopedIwouldfi
ndmycousinOni ka
sti
llstayi
ngathome, shei
skindandIknowshe
woul dhav ehel
pedmewi t
hanythi
ngshehad.
Mma- Onikaissomethi
ngel
se.Shewon’teven
givemeOni ka’
sphonenumberbecauseshe
saysshedoesn’ twantmetoruint
hingsfor
Onika.
THUO: That
’sharsh…Iknowsheusedtogi
ve
evenOnikaahardt i
me.Elegor
ewenawhere
ar
ey oufrom andwhydon’ty
ouhaveyour
cousi
n’
scont
act
s?
GIRL:Mymot her,shewasmmaOni ka’s
youngersi ster.Thingswentsourbet weent hem
andshet ookusandmov edt oPalapy e.She
neverbroughtusbackandwej ustgrewapar t
.
Mymot herpassedaf ewmont hsback, she
usedtohel plookaf tert
heki dswhi leIdi dodd
j
obst osur v i
ve,butnowIhadnoone, witha5
monthsol dbaby ,Icouldn’tleavethem ont hei
r
ownt ogowor k,andwewer estarvi
ng.My
l
andlordki ckedmeoutandIhadnowher etogo,
soIdeci dedt ocomebackhome, Iknewmma-
Onikawoul dn’tbesuppor tiv
e, butOnikahad
alwaysbeenki ndev enwhenwewer echi ldr
en
soIwashopef ulshecoul dhel p.Butshe
doesn’tev enliveinthev i
llageany mor e.
THUO:Shem…y
ou’
vehadi
trough,
neh.Rr
agwe
banaokae?
GI
RL:
(laughi
ng)Owai
i
,ogat
il
weket
erena.
THUO:Ij
a,kanaInev
eri
ntr
oducedmy
sel
f.I
’
m
Thuo.
GI
RL:
I’
m Kedi
THUO:NicemeetingyouKedi
.Letmerunhome
bef
oreit
’sl
ate.(
TakingoutaP200fr
om hi
s
wal
let
)Ot l
aarekelabanamashi
.
KEDI:IwishIcouldsayIcan’tacceptit
,butI
wouldbel y
ing.MmaOni kawon’ tevenbuy
boupiformychildren’
sporr
idge.
THUO:
What
’swr
ongwi
tht
hatwomankant
e?
KEDI:Ah,ket
laareng?Anyway ,
ifyouknow
anyonewhoneedssomeonef oroddjobs,
cl
eaning,
weeding,anyt
hing,
pleaseletmeknow.
THUO:Sur
e,I
’l
laskmywife.Letmegohome
bef
orei
t’
slat
e.Haveagoodev eni
ng.

ATMOSI
TI’
SHOUSE
Mosi
tiandBamesi
tt
ingont
hel
i
vingr
oom
MOSITI
:God!Youdon’
tknowhowgooditi
sto
seey
ou.IswearIf
eelt
rappedi
nthi
shouse
BAME:Well
,youar
etheoneal
way
sref
usi
ngt
o
comeoutwhenwecally
ou.
MOSI TI
:BameI ’
m mar ri
edandIhav eki
ds,ij
a.
ButifI’
m honestwithmy sel
f,I’
m dy i
ngman.I
l
ov eThuo,Ireal
lydo,butIthinkthishousewif
e
thi
ngenal ebengbay one.I’
mj ustnotthat
homebodyt ypeofperson.Ebi l
eIwantt ostop
breastf
eeding.
BAME:Ar
en’
tyousupposedtodoi
tunt
ilt
hey
ar
eayearol
dorsomething?
MOSITI:Ar
gg,i
t’
smaki ngmef at.Ican’
teven
getnakedi
nfrontofmyhusbandany more,I
’
m
souncomfort
ableri
ghtnow.I’
v etakenall
sorts
ofweightl
osspil
lsandever
ythingandst i
l
l
nothi
ng
BAME:Wel
l
,youdi
dhav eababyabout4
mont
hsagoonl
y.That
’swhyI’
m defi
nit
elynev
er
hav
ingki
ds.
MOSI TI
:I’m worri
edThuowon’
tfindme
attr
acti
veany more.Isawhimt
alkingt
o
Amel i
aht heotherday.Doy
ouknowhowgood
thatgir
llooks!
BAME:
Everconsi
der
edsur
ger
y?
MOSI
TI:
What
!
BAME: Boo, howdoy out hinktheMmusi gi
rl
s
stayagelessthewayt heydo.Seenaunt yNaya?
Nobodybel i
ev essheisasol dasshei
s.Peo
hadtri
pletsandt hentwi ns, andshest
il
ll
ooks
hotashel l
.Mymom, aunt yKamo, Bar
ati
…hell
,I
hadat hi
ngort wotouchedup.
MOSI
TI:
Ser
iousl
y?
BAME: Gi
rl
’sgott
alookgood.Oursur
geonis
basedinSi
ngapore.Icanbookanappoi
ntment
fornex
tmont h.
MOSI
TI:
Thuowi
l
lnev
eragr
ee…
BAME:Andyoutel
lhi
m because?Thuomakes
themoneybuty
oumanageal lofi
t,i
sn’
tit
?
MOSI
TI:
Yea?
BAME: Sohedoesn’ thavetoknow.Iknowy ’
al
l
haveasecur eenoughnestt hatal i
posucti
on
won’tdent.Comeon.Wehav en’tbeeninagirl
tr
ipforever.Baonehasthreeweeksof fnext
month, andPhindiisal
way sfree.ComeonSi ti.
I
’mtiredofmi ssingmybestf ri
end.
MOSI
TI:
Bame,
Ihav
eababy
,ij
a!
BAME: Aweekatmost ,
Mosi ti
.Lipois
outpatient,andrecoveryisjusttwodayorso,
thenther estisspentwi l
dingbefor eyouget
backt oy ourbori
ngassl if
e.Consi deritmy
bacheloret t
epartypartA.Pleeeeeease.Pr et
ty
please.Yourmom ormot herinlawcanwat ch
thebabyf oraweek.You’ l
lcomebackal lsexy
forThuo.
MOSI
TI:
(si
ghi
ng)f
ine!Fi
ne!Oneweek,
Bame.
Justone.AndI’
m onl
ygoi
ngt
odot
hel
i
po.Y’
al
l
candothewildi
ng.

ATORTI
A
Tshepeki
ssedRebaoneandbr
ushedhercheek.
TSHEPE:
Wel
l
,hav
efuni
nDubai
.I’
l
lmi
ssy
ou
REBAONE:Andstaysaf
einMoscow.Idon’
tli
ke
yourwor
kmissi
ons
TSHEPE:
Iwi
shi
tcoul
dbedi
ff
erent
.
REBAONE:Met oo.Il
oveyou,Tshepe.Please
rememberthat.Ok?Ineedy ou.Meandour
babi
es.DannieandDar i
usneedt hei
rdaddy.My
l
ifei
snothi
ngwi t
houtyou.
TSHEPE:Aww,don’tsayt
hat.I
’l
lbeback.I
bet
terr
un.I
t’
sthelastcal
lformyfli
ght
.
REBAONE:
Ilov
eyou.
Shewat
chedandwav
esathi
m asher
an
towar dst heEl Al gat
e,thenr anov erto
Emi r
at esf orherownf l
ight.Hewasgoi ng
throughTel Av iv
,soshewasgoi ngt oar ri
vein
Moscowatl eastanhourbef orehi m.Mxi m.
Howdumbdi dhet hi
nkshewas?Li keshe
woul dn’tknowhewasgoi ngov ert ot hatlit
tl
e
whor eBany ana?DumbassCol tonwas
supposedt okeephert her e,awayf r
om Tshepe.
She’dhav etodeal wi
thhi m aftershewasdone
withherl y i
nghusbandandt hel itt
lehusband
snatcher .Theyhadadeal andCol tdi dn’tkeep
hisendbecause, hell
o,thel i
ttl
ebi tchwasst il
l
getti
ngherhusbandr unningaf terheral lt
he
wayf rom acr ossthewor ld.

ATFRANCI
STOWNAI
PORT
Goutapull
edhershadesonandlookedaround
unti
lshesawhim comingout
.Shewalked
towardst
herentedcarandhefol
lowedand
enter
edthecar.
GUY:Gigi…Imi
ssedyou(try
ingtohugherand
shemov edasi
de)…noloveforanol
dfri
end?
Notevenahug?okt hen.
GOUTA:
Didy
our
eal
l
yhav
etocomeher
e?
GUY:Youfor
cedmyhand,Gout
a,whatchoi
ce
di
dIhave?Youignor
edmycall
sandmessages.
GOUTA:Iwasbusy
.I’l
ldr
opyouaty
ourhot
el.I
t
houghtyouwer
ebringi
ngher?
GUY:
Iwant
edt
oseet
hingsf
ir
st.
GOUTA:Whatareyouhopi
ngtoaccompli
shby
t
his?Youknowthi
swon’tendwel
lforany
one
i
nvolv
ed,r
ight
?

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
12]Ron:
EPI
SODE5&6
Goutawalkedi
ntotheoff
iceandf
oundTichi
na
al
readyathert
able,wor
kingi
nherdeskt
op.
GOUTA:So,myhusbandt
oldmeabouty
ou
guy
s’hi
stor
y
TI
CHI
NA:
I’
m nott
ryi
ngt
ocauset
roubl
e.
GOUTA:
Real
l
y?Whyar
eyouback,
Tichi
na?
TI
CHINA:Isawagreatj
oboppor
tuni
tywi
th
gr
eatsal
aryanddeci
dedtot
akei
t
GOUTA:
Soi
t’
ssol
elyaboutt
hej
ob?
TI
CHI
NA:
Yes
GOUTA: Gr
eat
,becauseIhavebeenmeaningto
havesomeonespear headtheGaboronebr
anch
foryearsnow.Iwil
lstar
tprocessi
ngpaper
sfor
yourtransf
er.
TI
CHNA:MrsKgagodi
,pl
ease,
Ili
kei
ther
e.I
wantt
ost
ayhereand…
GOUTA: Kwapai smarr
iedtomysister.Warona,
sheiscrazy,butI
’mtheoneyoudon’twanna
cross,Ti
chi
nadar l
i
ng.Idon’
ttakeki
ndlyto
peoplehurt
ingmyf amil
y.Andofcoursethereis
Rebaone.Weal l
knowhowunst ablethegir
lis.
Shewillhaveissueswithyoubeingaroundand
causedrama, andinRebaonedrama, ever
yone
getshurt.I
fyoudon’twanttogot oGaborone,
thenquitbecauseIwill
hatetohavet oconsider
i
tinsubordi
nationsandfir
eyou.Hav eaniceday.
It
’snothi
ngper sonal
.
Shewalkedoffl
eavi
ngherst
il
lshocked.Sot
he
pri
sti
neMrsGoutaKgagodiwasn’
tjusta
wall
fl
oweraft
erall
.
Well
,well,
ev ery
onehastheirpr
essurepoint
s.
Shejusthadt ofindGout
a’sandmakeher
dancetohert une.Wannaplay,
li
tt
legir
l?Letthe
gamesbegi n.

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Bamecameoutoft
hebedroom wear
inga
whi
tej
umpsui
tandheel
s.
TEBATSO:
Youar
eli
ter
all
ytheonl
yper
sonwho
dressesupforal
ongf
li
ght
.Wel
l
,youandy
our
twinsist
er.
BAME: Whatarey
out
alki
ngabout
,wedr
essup
forev
eryt
hing.
TEBATSO:Exactl
ywhatI’
m say
ing,
yout
woar
e
weir
dos.Lov
ey oust
il
l.
BAME: Okaybabe, Igott
ago.I’m pi cki
ngup
Mositiandthatgir
ltakesforever.Al ways
fussi
ngov erherbabiesandstuff.Mosi tii
s
start
ingtoboremel eene,ah!Bet hanyneedst
o
comebackal ready,Imissmysi st er.
TEBATSO: Whatdoy ouwantMosit
itodo?She
i
samot her
,andagoodone.Let’
sseeify ou
don’tf
ussov erourki
dswhenwehav ethem.I
am solooki
ngf orwar
dtothat
.Aminiyouwi t
h
thosebigeyesand…
BAME:Katl
epelentat
a!Thereisnotgoi
ngtobe
aminiany
thi
ng.Nosir.Thankyouverymuch.
Poopandvomitjusti
sn’
tmyt hi
ng.
TEBATSO:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
BAME: Ihavenoi nt
erestwhat
soeverinhavi
ng
babies.Now, Ir
eal l
yhavetogo.I
’m goingto
shopf orweddingdr esseswhi
lei
nSi ngapor
e,i
f
Ifi
ndoney ou’
llknowbyt hedebi
tcardcharge.
Lovey ou.Bye.
TEBATSO:Bamewai
t,whatdoy
oumeany
ou
don’
twantki
ds?
BAME:(al
readyi
nsidet
hecar
,pul
l
ingoutoft
he
gar
age)Loveyoutoo…bye
TEBATSO: Bameyoucan’tjust…Bame!
Bathsheba,I
’
mtalki
ngtoy ou,don’ty
oudar
e
dri
veawayf r
om me…Bathsheba!

ATMOSI
TI’
SHOUSE
Mositicameoutofthebedroom dr
aggi
ngher
sui
tcase.ThuoandEliwer
ewat chi
ngcar
toons
whi
leLar onasl
epti
nhercot.
MOSITI
:Idon’
tknowbabe,
Ifeel
badaboutt
his.
MaybeIshoul
dn’
tgo
Thuolaughedandcameov
ert
oher
,car
essi
ng
herf
ace.
THUO: It
sonlysevenday s,
Mositi
.Formedical
reasons,yousai
dy ourdoctorr
ecommended
yougoseet hisdoctori
nSingapore,
right
?We’l
l
bef i
ne.
MOSITI:
Maybeweshoul dt
aketheki
dstomme
oryourmom or
..
.i
t’
sjust
…Inev
erlef
tLal
aal
one,
sheissosmall
and…
THUO:I
snotalone.Shehasherdad.Ser
iousl
y
Mosi
ti
,Icant
akecar eofmychil
dren.
MOSITI:Yea,El
ibecauseheisolder
,butLal
ais
sol
i
ttle…Ishoul
dn’tgo.Yea.That
’si
t,I
’
m not…
THUO: Ohno…y oudefi
nit
elyar
egoing.Besides,
youalsogett i
metocatchupwithyourgir
ls,
andit
’sy ourbestf
ri
end’
sbachelor
ett
etri
p.Iam
nothavingBameonmycasef orev
eraboutme
keepi
ngy ouonat ightl
eash.Youhav etogo.I
knowy oumi ssyourfri
ends.We’ l
lbef i
ne.I
swear.I’
l
l sendyoupictur
esandv i
deosev ery
fi
veseconds.Youhav epumpedand
ref
ri
geratedmi l
kforLala,andsheal sohas
for
mula.AndIam qui tesur emymot herand
mmewi l
lbepoppinginev erysi ngl
edayt o
makesur eIdon’tmessup.I t’
sagoodt imeto
bondwi t
hmybabi es.Now, runalong.It hi
nkI
hearBame’ shonki
ngout side.
Shekissedhi
m andwentov
ert
oki
ssEl
ibef
ore
runni
ngoutsi
de.

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
GoutawalkedinandfoundMaot
ointhel
iv
ing
room andfoundMaotoholdi
ngt
hebaby
feedi
ngherfrom t
hebottl
e.
MAOTO:Ao, mma-Motheo!Fi
nal
l
ygr
aci
ngus
wi
thyourbeaut
if
ulpr
esence.
GOUTA:
Ok,
youar
einamood.What
’sup?
MAOTO:What’
sup?Reall
yGout
a?Youf
orgott
o
pi
ckupt
hekidsfr
om school
.
GOUTA:
Ohshi
t!Rr
agweMot
heo,
I…Uhm…
MAOTO: Thehousekeeperhadt
oleavel
ate
becauseshecoul
dn’tleavemma-
Baloneunti
lI
gothome.Wherewer ey ou?
GOUTA:
Ihadameet
ing…
Maoto:
Bull
shi
t…Icheckedwi
thy
ourPA.You
l
eftt
heoff
iceat2.
GOUTA:Sonowyouaret
racki
ngmy
movement
s?Honest
lyMaoto!Li
keser
iousl
y?I
sai
dIhadameeti
ngandthat’
sthat
.
MAOTO: DoIl
ooklikeani diot
?Ot swakae
Gouta?Theotherdayy ousneakedoutal so.
Don’tt
hinkIdi
dn’tseethat .Andal
l t
hephone
cal
lsyouarealwaysscr eening.Ar
ey ou
cheati
ngonme?I st her
eanot herguy?
GOUTA: Justbecausey oucheatdoesn’tmean
every
onecheat s,
MrKgagodi !Youaretheone
whof at
hered2childrenbyotherwomen.The
onewhoal waysbroughtdramai nthis
rel
ati
onship.Don’
ty oudareputthatshiton
me…
Sebagawal
kedi
n.
SEBAGA:Mama,arey
ouanddaddyfi
ghti
ng?
I
’m hungr
y.Whyar
eyouanddaddyf
ight
ing?
GOUTA:
Hey
,baby
.Youj
ustwokeup?
SEBAGA:
Areyouanddaddyf
ight
ing?I
sdaddy
goi
ngtomoveoutagai
nli
kel
astti
me?Idon’
t
wantmydaddyt
ogo.
MAOTO:Comeherepri
ncess.I
’m notgoi
ng
any
where.MamaandI,wewerejust…uhm…we
werej
usttal
ki
ngr
eal
lyl
oudly.
SEBAGA:
Arey
oumadatmama?
MAOTO:
Madaty
ourmama?Whywoul
dIbe
madather
?
SEBAGA:
Becauseshef
orgott
opi
ckusup?
GOUTA:
Baby
,Idi
dn’
tfor
get
,Ij
ust
…
MAOTO: Gofixsomet hingtoeatGouta.
Actual
ly
,tl
ogela,sincemal atsi
ay ouaretoo
busyforus.We’l
l gooutt oeat..
.Pri
ncess,let
’s
gowashy ourface, youhaveey eboogers.Then
wakeupTheoandl et’
sgohav esomepi zza.
Hecamebackaf ewminutesl
aterwit
hbot h
ki
dscleanedupandAasaonherstrol
lerand
passedheri
ntheli
vi
ngroom.
MOTHEO:
Mama,
let
’sgo.Wear
egoi
ngoutf
or
pi
zza.
MAOTO:Mamai
sti
redTheo,
it’
sjustust
oday
,
buddy
.
GOUTA:Youcoul
dleavemma-
Bwi
thmeso
t
hati
t’
snottoohardto…
MAOTO:
Icanhandl
emychi
l
drenonmyown,
t
hanky
ouv
erymuch.
Goutastoodinthelivi
ngroom wat chinghim
strapt
hekidsintothei
rcarseatsandt henthe
carpull
edout.God!Onlyifheknewt heshitshe
wasdealingwithri
ghtnow.Justhowv eryfar
fr
om cheati
ngshewas?Li keshewoul dever
cheatontheonlymanshehadev erloved.It
wassohar dnottojustruntohim andcr yon
hisshoul
der.Theysharedev er
ythingandi twas
sohardforhertokeept hi
ssecret.
Howt
hehel
lwasshegoi
ngt
odot
his?
Shetookoutherphoneandlookedatthesingle
photoofthegir
l.Shewassoprett
yinherl
ittl
e
pi
gtail
s.God,howwasshegoingtodot hi
s?

EPI
SODE6
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Gout
afi
nishedcameoutoft
heshowerand
f
oundMaot
ost
il
li
nbed.
GOUTA:Heybabe,Imadebreakf
astal
ready.
Whyareyoust
il
linbed?Ar
en’tyougoi
ngt o
wor
ktoday?
MAOTO:
Nope
GOUTA:
Okay
…why
?
MAOTO: (si
ghing)becauseIhavetopi
ckupmy
chi
ldr
enfrom schoolanddropthem offatt
hei
r
ext
racur
ri
cular
.Mot heohaskaratecl
assesand
Pri
ncesshasbal l
et.
GOUTA: Okay…Iwasn’tmadeawareofthe
schedulechange.Ial
way spi
ckupthekidsand
sendthem tothei
rextracur
ri
cul
aract
ivi
ti
es,
thenpickthem upint
heev eni
ng.
MAOTO:
Quest
ioni
s,wi
l
lyout
hough?
GOUTA:Okay!Youarebei
ngalitt
lebit
chand
I
’m damnnearsi
ckofit
.Ifyouhaveapr obl
em,
whydon’
tyoujustcomeoutwithitl
ikeagrown
man,
damni
t!
MAOTO:Oh,youwantmet
ocomeoutwit
hit
?
Fi
ne!Whothehel
lar
eyouf
ucki
ngbehi
ndmy
back?
GOUTA: What
?Seri
ousl
y?Ist
hatwhatgoty
ou
i
namood?Cheerupt hen,
pri
ncess,
I’
m not
cheat
ingonyou.
MAOTO:
I’
m ser
ious,
Gout
a…
GOUTA: I’
m seri
oustoo,Maoto.Don’
tyougetit
?
Icouldnevercheatonyou.Ij
ustcan’
t…Il
ove
youandt ome, t
hatmeanssomet hi
ng.Unl
ine
otherpeople…
MAOTO: Whatist
heuseofyousayi
ngy ou
f
orgi
vemef orshi
tthenal
waysbr
ingitupwhen
weargue,Gout
a?
GOUTA:
I’
m notcheat
ingony
ou
MAOTO:Fi
ne…t
henwhydoyoual
lofasudden
hav
eapasswor
dlockony
ourphone?Whyis
yourphoneal
waysturnedof
fwheny ouar
aroundme,andwherethehel
ldoyousneakof
f
to?Whoisalway
scalli
ngandtext
ingyou?
GOUTA:Youwentt
hroughmyphone?Youhad
nori
ghtMaot
o,I
…
MAOTO: (si
ghi
ng)HowthefuckwouldIgo
t
hroughyourphonewhenit
’slockedGout
a!
Whyisitevenl
ocked?
GOUTA: Ihavether ighttomyper sonal pri
vacy,
thanky ou.Now, Ireallyhaveameet i
ngt ogetto.
I’
lldropoffthekidssi nceyouaref eeli
ngsome
typeofwayatt hemoment .Il
ovey ou.Bye.(she
kissedhim onthecheekandwal kedoutt othe
l
ivingroom wher et hehousekeeperhadj ust
fi
nishedf eedi
ngt heki dsandgott hem readyfor
school).

MOSCOW,
RUSSI
A
Rebaonecheckedi ntoherhotelandplopped
hersel
fintothebed,browsingthroughheriPad.
Theuniversi
tyBanyanawasat tendingwasn’tso
farfr
om here.Throughfli
rt
ingwiththe
recept
ioni
st,she’
dmanagedt ogether
husband’sroom number.

Tshepehadanot herthingcomi ngifhethought

shewasgoi ngt ojustlethimr uinthegood
thi
ngtheyhad.Forwhat ?Thatlit
tl
et r
amp?And
Banyana,evenaf tertheungratefulli
tt
lewret
ch
wentbehindherbackwi thherhusband,shestil
l
hel
pedher .Well.She’dmadeherbednow.She
mightaswel lgetcomf or t
ablebecauseshewas
goi
ngt ol
ear nat hingort woaboutpl ayi
ngwith
RebaoneDi kgang.

Shepickedupherphoneandi
nser
tedthe
temporarysi
m car
dshe’
dgott
enattheai
rpor
t.
REBAONE:
(ont
hephone)Col
ton…
COLTON:Heybeaut
if
ul…al
way
sapl
easur
e
hear
ingy
ourvoi
ce.
Rebaone:Fuckyou,yourwhor
ewifeischasi
ng
aft
ermyhusband, Colt
.Youweresupposedto
keepheronal eash.
COLTON:
Now,
thatt
oneIdon’
tappr
eci
ate.
REBAONE: IdoubtAmaryll
i
swillappreci
ate
knowingt hatyouaref
uckingher16y earsold
daughter.Doy ouwantthatpsychoafteryou?
Thepolicewon’ tev
enfi
ndt hecorpsetocharge
i
twithdef il
ement.
COLTON: Noneedtogettheat
ri
cal,
Rebalov
e.I
wi
lldeal
wi t
hBanyana.Whatdidshedo?
REBAONE:Whothef
uckknows?Shecal
l
ed
Tshepeandaf
ewdayslat
erhewascomingt
o
Moscow.
COLTON:
Iseey
ouar
einMoscowt
oo?
REBAONE: Whatdi dyouexpectmet odo?Sit
wit
hmyhandsf oldedandexpecty ourtr
if
li
ng
sel
ftohandlethings?I’
m notaboutt ol
osemy
marri
agetosomel i
tt
legir
l.Soy oubet t
ermake
sureshedoesn’tseeTshepeatal l
.Takeherout
ofMoscowf oraweekt hathei sher e.Gofora
holi
day.Any
thing.Iwantherasf arasaway
fr
om myhusbandaspossi ble.
COLTON: (laughing)y esma’ am.Andhar dt o
beli
eveasi tmayseem, Iactuallylov eher,you
know.Shei sasmar tbeaut i
fulgir
l,muchl i
ke
you,myf lower .So,y ea,Idef i
nit
elydon’ t
encourageherl it
tl
ei nfatuati
onwi thTshepe.I ’
ve
beenanasshol etoher ,I’
lldobet t
er .Now, don’t
youev erdar efuckingcal lthreateningme.You
areprettyandIgotasof tspotf oryou, but
nobodybl ackmai lsme, sweet heart.Ididy oua
soli
dandt ookBany anaawaybecauseIl ikeher,
notbecauseofy ourl i
ttl
etant r
ums.Hopewe
ar
ecl
ear
.

Thecal
lwasendedand

Ok, t
hatescal atedqui ckl y!Shel aughed, sti
ll
stari
ngatt hephone.Somet imesshef orgot
ColtonwasaCul landbadt ot hebone.Butt hen
she’dal way shadat hingf orbayboy s.Al l
her
teenf li
ngswer etheschool bull
ies.Shewentt o
priv
at eschool butwoul ddat ethosenaught y
boysatpubl icschool .Theweedsl ingi ngkind
thatal wayshadr edr i
mmedey esandl ooked
l
ikebadnews.Thent heKgagodi brot hers.Bad.
Verybad, allofthen.Andpr obablyher
fri
endshi pwi thCol twassol ongwi thst anding
becauseCol tonwasj ustanot herbadboyno
mat tertheupr i
ghtmor all
ycor rect,gent lemanl y
doctorheal way striedt opor tr
aywi thher .
Exciting.Veryexci tingt oseet hathi ntofhi sbad
si
depopout
.

ATKWAPA’
SVETCLI
NIC

Kwapafi
nal
l
ycametohi
soff
ice,
findi
ngMaot
o
si
tt
ingonhi
sof
fi
cechai
r.
KWAPA: Tel
lmey oubroughtl
unchbecause
ri
ghtnowI’mjustaboutt
odev ourki
tt
ensoul
s,
thewayI’
m hungry…Maoto…hell
o!Phi
li
pMaoto
Kgagodi
!
MAOTO:
Uhm…huh?
KWAPA:Ihavebeeni
ntheroom fort
hepast5
minut
estal
ki
ngtoyouandit’
sli
keyouarenot
ev
enhere.What’
seat
ingyouup.
Hej
ustsatqui
tef
orsomet
ime,
andKwapa
pul
l
edt
hecust
omerchai
randsatnextt
ohi
m.
MAOTO:
Gout
aischeat
ingonme.
KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)Areyoubackontheherb,
br
other?(
Putti
nghishandonMaoto’
sf or
ehead)
Ar
ey ouok?Soswinefeverorsomet
hing?
MAOTO: I’
m ser
ious.Shehasbeensneaki
ngout
,
l
ockingphonesandget t
ingsecr
etcal
l
s.What
am Isupposedtothi
nk?
KWAPA: Comeon,Gi
giwil
lnevercheatony ou.
Thatwomanstoodwit
hyout hr
oughy our
bull
shi
tanddi
dn’
tevenfl
i
nch.Whywoul dshe
cheatnowwhenthi
ngsaregood?
MAOTO:Revenge?WhatifIpushedhert
oofar
,
KP?Whatifshehashadenoughanddecidedt
o
hi
tback?
KWAPA: Goutai
snotchil
dishl
iket
hat.I
fshe
didn’tloveyouorheldsomegrudge,shewoul
d
si
mpl yjustl
eave.I
’
m surether
eisan
explanat i
on.
MAOTO:
Likewhat
?
KWAPA:
Idon’
tknow,
askher
…
MAOTO: Whatthef uckdoyout hi
nkIhav
ebeen
try
ingtodo?Sheget sanatti
tudewheneverI
tal
kaboutit
.Ican’tloseher
,KP.HerandWar
areti
ght,
yougotta…
KWAPA:
Nope…notev
engoi
ngt
ogot
her
e!
MAOTO: Comeon…y ourbabybrother’
s
marr
iageisfal
l
ingapartandyouar enotgoing
todoanythi
ng?Whathappenedt oonef orall
andallf
orone?
KWAPA:
That
’sbl
ackmai
l
…
MAOTO: Soy ou’lldoit?JustgothroughWar’
s
phoneandcheckt heirconver
sati
ons.Seeifyou
canfi
ndany t
hi ng,li
steninontheircal
lsorwhen
shecomesov er.Anythingman.Icouldget
peopl
etail
her ,butGout aknowsmet oowell
andshe’
df i
ndawayt oditchthem.Please
man…
KWAPA: (si
ghi
ng)Fine,fi
ne!Okay!I
’
llsnoop.
Butmyadv i
ce,br
o,don’tgolooki
ngfordirt
y
becauseyou’
ll
defi
nitel
yfinditev
enwher eit
’s
notther
e.
MAOTO:Tal
ki
ngaboutdi
rt
…whati
sTdoingi
s
Russi
a?Het
oldushewasoffwor
krot
ati
onf
or
awhil
e.
KWAPA: Wentafterhisli
tt
lewhore,obvi
ously.
Coltonisasicksonofabi t
chandisprobably
start
inghisshitwiththeli
tt
legi
rl
,andlit
tl
egi r
l
call
edT, Twentr unni
ng.Whatisitwithhim and
thatbarel
ylegalgirl
?
MAOTO: Quest
ioni
s,doesthisguyknowj ust
howcrazyRebaonei
s?Thef ullext
ent,notj
ust
act
ingmaniacli
kemostpeoplehav eseen.
ThankGodshewast r
avel
li
ngt oo,becausehe’
d
beverysor
ry.
KWAPA: Theyar
ebothcr
azy.It
rytost
ayoutof
thei
rJoker
/Harl
eyQui
nnrel
ati
onshi
p.Those
twoaregoi
ngtodest
royeachother
,Iswear
.
Let
’sgotol
unchmyman.I ’
m st
arvi
ng.

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
SHOUSE

Sedi
bel
owal
kedi
ncl
appi
ngherhandswhi
l
eat
thegat
e.
SEDIBELO:Shadi!Hee!Thisti
mey ouarenot
goingtobel
ievewhaty ourdaughteri
nlawhas
done!Iswearthatgir
lhasbewitchedmy
nephew.
MMA-
MAOTO:
Whathasshedonenow?
SEDIBELO:Youknowt hatladywhost ayskako
garonakakwana, Mma- Tsheli
?Well,hercousin
worksforngwetsiyagago!I j
o!(cl
appinghands).
Gatweel ar
il
e!Apparentl
ytheywer efighti
ngin
themorningbecauseshei salwayssneaki ng
aroundtoseeherboy fr
iend!PoorMaot ohast o
runaroundf
etchingtheki
dswhilewor
king
earni
ngmoneyf orthatsi
l
lygi
rl
!
MMA- MAOTO: Areyousurpri
sed?Aker enna
whenIsaidthosetwoy oungerkidsarenot
Maoto’
s,nobodybeliev
edme.Iknowmyown
bl
ood,andMot heoismyonl ygrandchi
ld.
SEDI
BELO:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo,
Shadi
?
MMA- MAOTO: Kedul ehelamogot sone.
Kgodumosuppor tsthatrubbish,andMaot oi
sa
grownman.I fhewant stobepl ayedlikeabal l
,
thenwhatcanIdo?Idi dt hebestIcoul dfor
theseboy s,Sedibelo,Iam sureev enJohnsees
i
t,buttheyar eunappr eci
at i
ve.Theyhar dl
yever
comet oseeme.LeeneMosi tiwhost aysint
he
samev i
l
lage,anddr ives,shewi l
lseemeoncea
weekorso.Whati sMosi tidoingthati ssobig
thatshecannotcheckonhermot her?She
staysindoorsal ldaybecauseshehasa
husbandwhoear nswel l
,soshecannotsayshe
i
sbusy .Allshei sbusywi thisembar rassingme
becausesher efusedtogof orbotsetsiather
mother-i
nlaw’shouse, andsehemasel ethat
shecallsahusbandwental ongwi t
hit.Hai!
Wher edidIgowr ong,Sedibelo?Whati sGod
punishi
ngmef or,wi
ththischildr
en?

ATAHOTEL

Gout
awalkedint
othehotel
room andsaton
t
hechai
rfurt
hestfr
om hi
m.
GOUTA:Ishoul
dn’tbeher
e…myhusbandev
en
t
hinksI
’
m cheati
ng.
HI
M:Youhusbandneedstolearntoappr
eci
ate
t
hegoodthi
ngthathehas.So,wil
lyoubeabl
e
t
odoit?
GOUTA: Idon’
tknowhowI ’
m goingtoget
someonet odonateafucki
ngkidneywit
hout
them aski
ngquesti
ons!
HI
M:Theny
ou’
l
lhav
etot
ell
him
GOUTA:YouknowIcan’
tdothat
…whycan’
t
shegetadonat
ionf
rom t
hehospi
tal
or
somethi
ng?
HI
M: Fi
rstofall
, nohospitalj
usthaskidneys
l
yi
ngaroundr eadyf orgrabbi
ng.Also,sheis
si
ckGouta,shehasabl oodcondi t
ionthat
makesitsucht hatshecanonl yrecei
vef r
om a
cl
osebloodrelativ
e.Parentorsibli
ngs.
GOUTA: Uhm…Iwasreading.Aboutst
em cel
l
repair
.Appar
ent
lyi
tcaneliminat
etheneedfor
t
r anspl
ant
ati
oni
fsuccessful
.
HIM: Yes,Iknowaboutt hat.Stem cell
regenerat
ion,it
’sagroundbr eakingmedi cal
advancement .I
tactuall
ywor ks,andt heydon’
t
evenhav etousemuchoft hesav edstem cel
ls.
ButIdon’tknowhowt hatisrelevanttoour
sit
uation.
GOUTA:
Wel
l
…wesav
edt
hepl
acent
aformyt
wo
y
oungest
…
HI
M: Theyar
eonl
yhal
fsi
bli
ngs,
Gout
a,Idon’
t
t
hink…
GOUTA: Wehavetotry.Pl
ease.Youarea
doct
or.Fi
ndoutmor e,
Iam surehalfsi
bli
ngs
arej
ustasrel
evantassibl
ings.Pl
ease…
[
10/
31,
15:
13]Ron:
EPI
SODE7

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
GOUTA:
Arey
oust
il
lmadatme?
MAOTO:
Arey
oust
il
lcheat
ingonme?
GOUTA:DamnitMaoto,Iam notcheat
ingon
you!Whatl
anguagedoy ouwantmet ospeak
foryout
ounderst
and?
MAOTO: Howaboutthetrut
h?I’m notani
diot
Gout
a,I’
vepl
ayedthefiel
d,Iknowwhen
someoneisr
unningaroundonme.
GOUTA:Fine,f
ine!Thereis…well,somet hing
goi
ngonwi thme.I’m notcheatingony ou, butI
am notr
eadytot el
lyouy etbecausei t
’sabout
tocompli
catethi
ngsf orus.I’
m afraidofhow
youaregoingt
or eact.ButIpromi seIwi l
ltel
lin
dueti
me.
Hepi
ckeduphi
scarkey
sandwal
kedout
.
GOUTA:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
MAOTO:
Am Inotent
it
ledt
omyownsecr
ets?
GOUTA:
Youar
ebei
ngachi
l
d…
Helaughedandf
li
ppedherashegoti
nsi
det
he
car
.
IfGoutawantedtopl
ayhim andlieabouti
t…
wellt
hen.Twocouldalwaysplaythatgame.
Likehedidn’
tknowshewentt oahotelandmet
upwi t
hsomeguy .Notcheat
ingindeed.

MOSCOW
Rebaonehel dherphonesmi li
ng.Shoul dshe?
Coltonbei ngal l
takechar geandset ti
ng
boundar iestheot herdayi nthatcallwas
maki nghert hinkofhi mi n..
.well,
way sshe
wasn’ tsupposedt o.Herr el
ationshipwi t
h
Tshepewasgr eat,itreallywas…j ustthat ,
well…hewasbusymaki nganot herwomant he
centreofhi swor ld,cartingof ftoanot her
continentt osaveherandshi t
?Whatmar ri
ed
mandoest hat?Sheknewf orsur eshewas
alway sCol t’
scent r
eoft hewor l
d,just
that…wel l…shehadt houghthi m weak, butshe
wasbegi nningtosuspectt herewasasi deofDr
ColtonCul l
thatshedi dn’ tknowatal l
…andt hat
fascinatedher .
Shedi
all
edandhepi
ckedupi
nthef
ir
str
ing.
REBAONE:
Col
t…
COLTON:
Hey
…beaut
if
ul.Howar
eyou?
REBAONE:
Bor
ed…showmear
oundMoscow
COLTON:It
houghtIwassupposedt
otakemy
wi
feoutoft
own…
REBAONE:What ever…ifTshepewant
stocheat
onme,hewill
nomat terwhatIdo.Hecame
her
eforher
,didn’the?
COLTON: Whatexactlydoy ouwant,Rebaone?
BecauseIam notupf oryourgames.Youknow
thedeal,Il
ikeyou.Iwanty ou,butIhave
acceptedthatIcan’thavey oubecauseyou
don’tseemet hatway .Iam notabouttobea
pawni nyouandy ourhusband’ ssi
ckgames…
REBAONE:(sul
king)Fi
ne…Ijustwantedtohave
amealwit
hanol dfri
end.Ididn’
tknowitwould
getsopol
i
tical
.Ishoul
dn’thavecall
ed.Bye…
Shehungupandlaughed.One…t
wo…t
hree…
andt
herewego.Thephonerang.
REBAONE:
What
?
COLTON:Fi
ne,I
’
llpi
cky
ouup.Textmey
our
hot
eldet
ail
s…
REBAONE:
What
ever
…
COLTON:Areyousulki
ng?Youaresocute
whenyousulk…ok…ok…I’
m sor
ry!Tr
uce?See
yahi
nabit.
ATTHUO’
SHOUSE
ThuoandElipl
ayi
ngfootbal
lout
side.Thuosaw
Kedipassi
ngbyandcall
edher.
THUO: Hey
,wher
ear
eyouf
rom mol
etsat
sil
ele
kana?
KEDI
:Ohh,
it’
syou,
gat
wemangkana,
Thuo,
ri
ght
?Howareyou?
THUO:(
laughi
ng)ThankGody oudi dn’
tsay
Thut
o,i
t’
ssoirr
it
ati
ngthatevery
oneget ’smy
namewrongallt
heti
me.War eot swakae?
Comeinandlett
hekidshaveadr inkgoletsat
si.
El
iwasabouttohavehi
ssnack.
KEDI:I
’mj
ustgoi
ngar
oundt
hev
il
lagel
ooki
ng
forpi
ecewor
k.
THUO:
Anyl
uck?
KEDI
:Ididl
aundryatt
hatol
dlady’
shouse,mma
-
Maoto,hei
,thatl
adycant
alkone’
searoff
,ahh!
THUO: (
laughing)that’
smymot herinlaw.
Comeoni n.Iguessourhousecoul dusesome
cl
eani ngtoo,mywi f
eistrav
elli
ngandhonestly,
Ihatehousewor k.Wehav etonnesoflaundry
andt hehouseneedscl eani
ngandt he
dishes…I’m sureElii
salsotir
edoft akeout
s.
KEDI:Thi
sisy
ourson?Heiscut
e,yourwi
fei
s
whit
e?Imean,hi
shairandey
esand…
THUO:(l
aughing)No,
mywi f
ekeMot
swana…i
t’
s
alongst
ory…so,what
’sup?
KEDI:
Not
hingmuch.I
fyoucoul
dshowmet
he
cl
eani
ngst
ufft
henIcangetst
art
ed…
THUO:Ao,what
’sthehur
ry?Sitandletmeget
youadri
nk,y
ou’v
ebeenwal ki
nginthehotsun
all
day
.Eli
,goshowtheboyhowt oplayy
our
vi
deogame.
KEDI
:ButIshoul
dst
artcl
eani
ng…Imean…
THUO: Youwor kt
oohar d,Kedi,si
tdown.Af ew
minutesofrestwon’tki
llyou.Didy ouhav e
l
unch?Wehav en’
tei
ther,may beify oudon’t
mindy oucanmakeusal lsomethingt oeat?
GodknowsIwoul dki l
lforahomemademeal !
Mositineedstohonestlycomeback, thi
sis
ki
ll
ingme.

ATKWAPA’
SVETCLI
NIC
KWAPA: (t
ot heassist
ant)Aomma!It
’st
ool
ate,
Ihavetocloseup,theycancomeback
tomorr
ow.
ASSISTANT:Comeon, DrKgagodi
,thelit
tl
egi
rl
i
sintearsandIswearthemotheri
saboutt ogo
onherkneesbeggi
ng.Thechildl
ovest hedog
verymuchandI’
m sureitwon’
tbeal ong
examinat
ion.
KWAPA:
(si
ghi
ng)Ok,
prept
heexam r
oom and
l
ett
hem i
n.I
’
llbet
her
einami
nut
e.
Waronawassonotgoi ngtobepl easedwi th
hi
m showingupl at
efordinneragai n.Rich
peopleweresoi nconsider
ate!Probabl y
becausethei
rdogwasnotbar ki
ngr ightor
somesuper f
ici
al shi
t,hehadt omi ssdinner
wit
hhi sf
amily.Fuckingbrats.
Heputonhiscoatandsnappedi nsomelatex
gl
oves,t
henwalkedintotheexaminat
ionroom.
Thewomanwasf aci
ngawayf r
om him,
consol
i
ngasobbinglitt
legi
rl
.
Typi
cal r
ichhousewi fet y
pe.Shehadal ong-ass
exoti
cprobablyBrazilianorPer uvi
anor
whatevershithi
ssi sterMositialwaystalked
aboutweav ethatreachedherback, woresome
suedecar amelpantsui tt
hatdidheralltoo
shapelybodyallsor t
sofj ust
ice,andahugebag
andapr am werebesi desher.
Anot
hersi
gh.Godpl
easel
ethernotbeoneof
theargumentati
vetypewhowoul
dinsi
stt
hei
r
dogwassuf fer
ingfr
om someimagi
nar
yshit
andinsistonoutr
ageousthi
ngsl
i
keCATscans
atthi
shour .
KWAPA:
Eveni
ngMs…
LADY:Marumo…Mr sMarumo…( shewhipped
herhai
rfr
om herf
aceandturneduptolookat
hi
m.)Kwapa…Ididn’
tthi
nk…Iwas…uhm…
KWAPA:
OhmyGod!Ni
ka?

ATRI
CARDO’
SHOUSE
Goutaknockedagain,
sheknewhewashome.
Shewouldhav ecal
l
ed,butaft
erwhatMaotodi
d
tot
heguyl astti
me,hewouldn’
thav
etakenher
cal
lanyway.
Hewashome,
hiscarwasi
nfr
ontoft
hehouse.
Hegroggi
l
ycamet oopenthedoor
,onhi
s
sweat
pantsandt
opless.
RICARDO:
Whatdoyouwant,Gout
a?I’
m not
tr
yingt
odeal
wit
hyourgangst
erhusbandri
ght
now.
Shepushedpasthi
m andwal
kedi
nsi
deandsat
att
hesofa.
GOUTA:
Weneedt
otal
k,Ri
cky
.
RI
CARDO:Theyhav
ephonesf
ort
hat
,Gi
gi!What
i
sthi
sabout
?
GOUTA:Rememberthatt
imewhen…uhm…y
ou
know,
whenwewer eincol
lege?
RICARDO:Wewer
eincol
l
egef
oraboutf
our
years,
whi
chti
me?
GOUTA: I…wewerebroke…andwehadt
his
bri
ghtideaofmedonati
ngmyeggsbecause
theypaid$14,
000?
RICARDO:(
laughi
ng)Yea,t
hatwaswi l
d!The
goodoldt
imes,ey?Webot hhadnoplansof
havi
ngchi
ldrenorafamil
yoranythi
ngliket
hat
,
soitseemedlikeagoodi deaatthet i
me.And
wewer ebrokeagainamont haf t
erwegott he
money ,
blewitall
onv odkaandnewcl othesf
or
you.Wewer eball
ingoutrageous,ri
ght!Damn!
It
’ssounfairt
hatmendon’ tgetpaidwel lf
or
thei
r,wel
l…donati
ons…
GOUTA:(r
oll
i
nghereyes)focus,
Ricar
do!
Damnit
!Idi
dn’tcomeher
ef ormemorylane.
Ther
eisachil
d…
RICARDO: Duh!Thereasontheywant edtodo
theprocedurewashopefull
ysot hatachil
d
comef rom i
t.Youthi
nktheygav eall
that
moneyf ornothi
ng?Anyway,howdi dy oufi
nd
outaboutthechil
d?Itwasacl oseddonation.
Doy ouknowt hefamil
y?Actuall
ywhatdoes
thi
shav etodowi t
hme?
GOUTA:
Youmadeadonat
iont
oo,
remember
…
RICARDO:Yes,whil
ewait
ingi
nthehall
sforyou
duri
ngourprocedur
e.It
hought
,heck,
Idon’t
wannaberesponsibl
eforanotherhuman, I
don’
twantkids…butthewor l
ddeservesan
i
mprintoft
hisgorgeousnesswhenIdi e,
sohel
l
yea.
GOUTA: What ever
.So,wewerebothy oung,v
ery
hi
ghI Q,at
hleti
c,opti
mum heal
thconditi
onsand
bot
hgoodl ooking.Ever
yonewantsthatintheir
chi
ld.Imaginehavingbot
hbiol
ogicalparent
sof
achil
dhav i
ngt hat
.
RI
CARDO: Jackpot!Yousee,wewouldhave
madeperfectchi
ldrenGouta!That
’swhyIam
st
il
lquest
ioningSebaga’
s…
GOUTA:Shutup…ar
eyouhear
ingwhatIam
say
ing?
RICARDO: Sowebot hdonatedsomebabygravy
atthesamecent r
e,wewer ebothmost
desir
able…acombi nati
onofuswoul dhav
e
producedtheperf
ectchild…wait
,what?What
areyousay i
ng,
Gout a?Butitwascl
osed
and…wel
l
…
GOUTA: Thedoctor
satthatcentr
e,well,
the
mainguy.Hiswifehadaconditi
on,bl
i
ght ed
ovum orsomethi
ng…sotheywer eget
tingmy
stuf
fforthemsel
ves.Onl
ytofindoutthatthe
guyhadapr obl
em too…l
owsperm count …
RI
CARDO:
Whatar
eyousay
ing,
Gout
a?
[
10/
31,
15:
13]Ron:
EPI
SODE8
ATAHOTEL
Gout alookedar
oundtomakesureshewasn’
t
foll
owedbef or
educki
ngint
othehotel
and
l
iteral
lyrunni
ngupst
air
sandknocki
ngathi
s
room.
GOUTA:Hewon’
tdoi
t…Ri
car
dowon’
tbet
he
donor
…
DRHASTINGS:
Thenyou’
ll
havetodoi
tGout
a,
you’
l
lhav
etodonat
etheki
dney
GOUTA:
Why
?Yourchi
l
dbei
ngsi
ckhasnot
hing
t
odowi
thme.
DRHASTI NGS:Iwilldoanyt
hing,
Gout a!
Anythi
ngatallformychil
d,ok?Iam t r
yingtobe
ci
vil
here.Ikeptmyendoft hebargain.Nowy ou
keepyoursbyhelpi
ngmyMel ody
.Hel pmybaby
orel
seIam aboutt otur
nyourwor l
dupsi de
down.
GOUTA: Fi
rstofal
l,
howdoyouexpectmeto
j
ustdonateakidneyandmyhusbandnotask
quest
ions?
DRHASTI
NGS:
Justt
ell
himt
het
rut
h…
GOUTA: Ican’t,y
oudon’ tknowmyhusband.
Fir
stheisgoi ngtoflipaboutmeevendoingthi
s
i
nt hef
ir
stpl ace…donatingmyeggsandal l
.
Thenhei sgoingt oinsi
stthechi
l
dber ai
sedby
usdespitethechi l
dnotbeingoursatall
.Maoto
canbeirrat
ional sometimes.
DRHASTINGS:Thati
snotmypr obl
em,
Gout
a…yousai
dsomet hi
ngaboutst
em cel
l
s.I
askedar ound,halfsi
bli
ngsmaybev iabl
e.We’
ll
needy outogot ot hecentr
ey ousavedthem
with,getthem testedtoseeiftheyareav i
abl
e
mat ch,andwepr oceedfrom there.
GOUTA:
Doy
out
hinki
twi
l
lwor
k?
DRHASTI NGS: Iam hopeful.Iam nottryi
ngto
rui
nyourli
fe,Gout a,
youhav etounder st
and
that
.Iam eternall
ygratef
ulforthegiftyougave
us.ButI’
mj ustadadl ooki
ngoutf ormybaby ,
andI’
lldowhat everIcantomakesur emy
Melodyisfineagain.Iam sureyou’ddot he
samef oryourkids.

ATTHUO’
SHOUSE
Thuodrovebacki
nfr
om Franci
stown,
withEli
andKedi’
ssonMaduoatthebackseateati
ng
Simbachips.
THUO:
Ahh!Youareahardworkerwai
tse!I
hav
en’
tseent
hishouset
hiscl
eaninawhi l
e.
Howdi dyoumanagetocleanever
ythi
ngi
n
suchashortti
me?Eventhattur
nedint
ostor
age
room whereweputever
yjunk.Wow…
KEDI
:(smil
ing)Cleani
ngi
snotsohar
d,ao?Idi
d
makedinneralso…
THUO:
HowaboutLal
a,hasshewokenupy
et?
KEDI:
If edandbathedher,t
hensheplayedwith
Neoforabi tandnowtheyarebothasleep.I
havetakenthelaundr
yfrom thedr
yerand
fol
dedit.Howcany ouhavesomuchl aundry
wheny ouhav eamachine?
THUO: (l
ookingdownembar r
assed)Idon’
t
knowhowt ousei t
…mywi fedoesal lt
hehouse
wor k.Inmydef ence,shedoesn’tall
owmeor
teachmehowt odoany t
hing.Wareoapeileeng?
Oh, comei nmonnaTebl a,wassup?(he
respondedt otheknockatt hedoorwhere
Tebat sowasal readypicki
ngupEl i)
KEDI
:I’
l
lgodi
shbef
orewel
eav
e,wi
l
lyourguest
best
ayi
ngf
ordi
nner
?
THUO:Yesplease…andeatf i
rstao,
youcan’
t
j
ustcookwit
houteating!Howdoweknowt hat
gawaretsenyetsamor at
isogoneha!
Shelaughedandwavedhi
m off,gr
eet
ing
Tebatsoandgoi
ngtotheki
tchen.
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)Monna!Isal
utey
ou,
ahh!
Themadam goesawayandy oubr
ingi
nmini
madam?Youar ebrav
e
THUO:(laughing)don’tst art
,ij
a!Dont ikami ni
madam, youwantMosi titokil
lme?Thatgi r
l i
s
ascrazyasherbr other s.That’
sKedi ,eish,t
hat
poorgi
rlissufferi
ng.Shej ustlosthermom and
cametol i
vewi thav eryabusi veaunt.Baby
daddykedi shashehel a,shedoesn’ thav ej
obor
aneducation,andnot hingt ofeedtheki ds.I
gaveherpiecewor k.
TEBATSO: Youmeanpiecewor
konl
y?WhydoI
fi
ndthathardtobel
i
eve?Mma-Mongwat
odee-
dey
!
THUO: Ae,fok!Il
earntmyl essonwi ththat
Ameli
ahshi t.I
t’
snotwor thit.Ihaveagood
woman, crazyasshei s.Thet houghtoflosi
ng
Mosit
iactuallyscar
esme.Icanonl ylook,
but’
ll
nev
ertouch.Mosi ti
ismywi fekana, t
hemot her
ofmychi l
dren…andy ouar eaboutt oget
marri
ed,sost opthi
nkingthatway .
TEBATSO:
Aish…i
fIdogetmar
ri
ed…
THUO:
Whatnow?
TEBATSO:Bat
hshebaman…youknowherand
heri
deas.Shedoesn’
twantchi
l
dren.
THUO:Whatdoest
hatmean‘
shedoesn’
twant
chi
l
dren?
’
TEBATSO: I’
m st
il
laskingmysel
fthesame
quest
ion.YouknowIl oveki
ds,Thuo.I
’v
e
al
waysdr eamtofbeingafather
…Iseeyouwi
th
El
iandIwantt hat
…af amil
y.
THUO: It
hinkshewaspr obablyjust
sayi
ng…bringherar oundmor eoftenandhave
herspendt i
mewi thEliandLala.Womenar e
madet owantchi l
dren…thereisnowayshecan
‘
notwantchi l
dren’
.Theyar emademat er
nall
ike
that
.LookatMosi ti,pr
operpartygir
l,andshe
wastheonepr essur i
ngmef orasecondbaby .
Bamewi l
lcomear ound.

ATKWAPA’
SVETCLI
NIC
KWAPA:Oni
ka…wow…howareyou?Longt
ime.
Youl
ookabsol
utel
yamazi
ng.
ONIKA:Thanks, doy out
hi nkyoucancheck
what’swrongwi thSnowf l
ake?Shewas
vomiti
ngandcoughi ngl
ikeshei schoki ng.We
aresosorryf orcomingi
nt hi
slate,butwej ust
arr
ivedinFrancistownaf ewmi nutesbackand
headedstraighthere…wait,Ihavetot akethis…
Shewentout
sidet
oanswert
hephone.Kwapa
st
oodatt
hedooreav
esdr
oppi
ng.
ONIKA: (Onthephone)Honest lyDes…Idr
ov e
fi
vehour sonmyownwi thtwokidsandIam so
ti
redandt hrowingupev erythr
eesecondsand
havinganov erall
badday .Snowflakei
ssickso
Poppyi shavingaf i
t,whi
chmeansLoti shaving
afittoo.I’
m amess, Des,andnowy ouwantto
tel
lmey ouarenotcomi ngtonight!
DESMOND: Aww,Iam sosor
rymyl
ove.Iam so
sor
ry…t
hismeeti
ngcameupand…
ONIKA:Whycan’
tPatt
akei
t?Theki
dsmi
ss
you…Imissy
ou…
DESMOND: Patisdoingsomet
hingelse.I
promiseaft
ert
hismeet i
ngI
’mrushingstr
aight
ther
e.IswearI’
l
l ev
encomewi t
hy ouony our
nextshoppi
ngtr
ipandspa.
ONIKA:(sul
ki
ng)youalwayssaythat
.Ihat
ethat
youaresobusy,Des…Imissyou…Imissus…t
he
oldus,r
emember ?Whentherewasnosocial
obl
igati
onsornannies.Whenweusedtospend
Sundaymorningsinthekit
chenbaki
ngmuff
ins
wit
hf l
oural
loverourfaces.Imi
ssthat
…
DESMOND: IpromiseI’l
lmakei tuptoy ou
tomor r
ow.Ok…comeonNi kkimy
l
ov e…aww…Ni ksplease,don’tbemad!Il ovey
ou,
ok?That ’
smor eli
keit,t
hat’smygi r
l…Iknow
thereisthatbeauti
fulsmil
er i
ghtnow, isn’
t
there?Youhav ethemostper fectsmile.
ONI
KA:
(smi
l
ing)Andy
ouar
easweett
alker
…
DESMOND: Onlytoyou…ok,call
meaf t
eryou
aredonewit
ht hevetandhomesoIcansay
goodni
ghttothekidsandwell…giv
ethewifea
goodnightt
hroughthephone.Loveyou.Bye.
Shewal
kedbacki
nsi
ghi
ng.
POPPY:
Daddynotcomi
ngt
oni
ghtagai
n?
ONI
KA: Popsy
,youknowdaddyi
sav
erybusy
man,ok?
POPPY:(r
oll
i
ngherey es)Iknow,Iknow,hehas
aver
yimportantjobandifhedoesn’tdoi
tthe
companywil
l f
all
apart.Al
lheeverdoesiswork!
ONI
KA:
Don’
tbel
i
ket
hatPopsy
….
POPPY:
Butmum…
ONIKA:(
ti
ckli
ngher )don’t‘but’
me, l
it
tl
egi r
l.
Yourdadworksr eall
yhardf orus.Theleastyou
candoisbegr at
eful.Somanyki dsdon’thave
al
ltheni
cethingsy ouhav e.Ok?Now, whoi s
mybiggir
l…goodgi rl
,that
’swhatIl i
ketosee, a
happybi
gsmi le!
Kwapast
oodwatchi
ngthel
i
ttl
eint
eract
ion
bef
oreat
tendi
ngt
othedog.

MOSCOW
Rebaoneputonherskinnyjeans,fauxf
urj
acket
andboots.Thedoorbel
lrangjustasshe
fi
nishedhermakeup.
COLTON:
Reba…y
oul
ookr
avi
shi
ng
REBAONE:
Youf
lat
terme…wher
ear
eyout
aki
ng
me?
COLTON: (
laughing)i
fitwasaccordi
ngtome?
Righthereatt hedoor…thenmaybethebed,and
theshower …defini
tel
ytheshower…andthenthe
balcony,
may bethe…
REBAONE:(bl
ushi
ngandplay
full
ypunchi
nghis
arm)DrColt
onCull
!Thati
ssoinappr
opri
ate.
I’
m amarr
iedwoman…
COLTON: (
hejoinedhel aughing)and?Any way,
ther
eisthi
slovelygardenwi thhightea.You
mayenjoythat.Thenaf ewt emples,museums,
andothert
hings.Will
see.I t
’ssonicet oseeyou
agai
n.
REBAONE:Nicetoseey
outoo…andIsee
you’
vebeenworki
ngout,
Mr.Cul
l
…
COLTON:(gr
inni
ngandfl
exi
ng)whatyout
alki
n’
bout
,youknowI’
vealway
sbeenbuil
tli
keawall
,
gi
rl…comeonbadgirl
!Wehav epl
acestobe.
You’l
ll
oveLi
lacgar
den.Igotusapi
cnicbasket
fr
om apicni
cshoponthewayhere.
(Hehookedhi
sar
m andshetookitwit
hagr
in
andtheywal
kedt
othecarhandinhand)
Tshepeduckedi nt
othecorri
dorandwatched
them passby ,
hiswif
elaughi
ngli
keshedidn’
t
haveacar eintheworl
d.Hehadn’tseeReba
l
aughl i
kethatformonths.Whatthefuckwas
sheplayingat?
Hepul l
edoutt hekeystohisrental
andf oll
owed
them atahiddendistance,pul
li
ngoutoft he
parki
nglotaf ewmi nutesaft
erColtonand
tai
li
nghim atadi st
ance.

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
(Bearwit
htherandom post
ingschedul
eforthe
nextfewdaysbecauseIam real
lybusybutItr
y
todropinaposteveryday,
soIpostwhenev erI
haveamomentandIr emember.Bynextweek
Mondaywewi l
lbebackto6pm everyweekday.
IknowIski
ppedepisode6,I
’
llfi
ndsomewayt o
posti
twit
houtmessingthefl
ow. )
[
10/
31,
15:
13]Ron:
EPI
SODE9

ATKWAPA’
SVETCLI
NIC

Oni
kawal
kedi
nandwasl
edt
otheconsul
tat
ion
r
oom

ONIKA:Hi,
uhm…so,Icamet
opi
ckup
Snowfl
ake.Youf
oundwhat’
swr
ongwit
hher
?

KWAPA: Justsomeal
l
ergicreact
ions.I
pr
escr
ibedsomemedicine.Howhav eyoubeen,
Ni
ka?
Shewor eabl ackwi t
hgol ddet ai
lingbody
huggingkaf tant hatfl
owedwi thhernat ur
al
curvesandf laredatt hear ms,asi mplestr i
ngof
pearlsatherneck, andasi ll
ylitt
lecolourful
braceletinherr i
ghtwr ist,whi
chl ookedl i
keit
wasmadebyachi l
d.Pr obabl
yt helit
tl
egi rlf
rom
yesterday.Herl ongherwaspul l
edbackt his
ti
me, exposinghergor geousf acewi thahi ntof
makeupt hatlookedbeaut i
fulonher .

ONIKA:
I’
m good.So,
Icant
akeSnowf
lake
home?

KWAPA:
Youl
ookgood…

ONI
KA:
(bl
ushi
ng)Thanky
ou…
KWAPA:Yest
erdayy
ousai
d‘husband’
Idi
dn’
t
knowy
ouwer emarr
ied

ONI
KA:
Iam…

KWAPA:Idon’
trememberaweddi
ngatmma-
Oni
ka.

ONIKA:Wedidn’tdoatradi
ti
onalweddi
ng.We
hadourweddingintheUK.So,li
ke,
Snowflake…

KWAPA:Andtheki
ds?IknowIhav en’
tseenyou
i
nawhil
e,butthel
i
ttl
egirl
lookswaytoooldto
hav
ebeenbornwit
hinthelastt
imeIsawy ou.

ONI
KA:Myhusband’s,Iadoptedthem af
terwe
mar
ri
ed.Nott
ober ude,butisthereapointt
o
thi
s?I’
m hostingasoci aleventthi
sev eni
ngand
mymot herinlawwi ll
hav emyheadi fIdon’
t
haveeveryt
hingt oget
herbyt hetimeshear ri
ves.
So,i
fSnowf l
akei sallgood,mayIt akeher?
(Openi
ngherwal l
etandt aki
ngouthercar d)Oh
God!Idohopey outakecar d,If
orgottocash,I
wassopr eoccupiedwi theveryt
hingelse…

KWAPA: (star
ingather)youchangedsomuch,
Nika…notmyi nnocentsweetl
it
tl
eNikaI
remember .

ONIKA: Youbrokeherhear
t,r
emember?Thr
ew
met othesideli
kecheaptr
ash.Anyway
,no
har
df eeli
ngs.Ihear
dyougotmarri
ed…

KWAPA:
Uhm…y
ea,
Idi
d…
ONI
KA:
Congr
ats…howi
smar
ri
edl
i
fe?

KWAPA:
Good,
you?

ONI
KA:
Fant
ast
ic.

KWAPA: Look,
Nika,
ifyouarearoundandwant
tograbadri
nkoneofthisdays…justas
fr
iends…

ONI
KA:
Nope…mydog,
please?

*
***
***

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Kediknockedatt
helargehousewher eThuo’s
fr
iendli
ved.Afewminuteslaterhecamet o
openthedoor,gr
oggi
lyrubbinghiseyes.

TEBATSO:
Hey
,Kedi
…ear
lybi
rd,
aren’
tyou?

KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)I
t’
s10am

TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)Well,
MsSassy,Ir
una
ni
ghtcl
ub,
somyni ghtendsat4am.

KEDI:
Youcangobacktobed,j
ustshowmet
he
cl
eani
ngequi
pmentandI’
l
lgettowork.

TEBATSO: TobehonestIdon’
tevenknow
wheretheyare.Bat
hshebacal
lsacleaning
ser
viceeveryweek,Iwasgoi
ngtocallthem
t
omor
row,butIf
iguredi
twoul
dbeni
cert
olet
y
oudothejobi
nstead.

KEDI:
That’
sverynice,
thanky
ou.YouandThuo
havebeenr
eall
ynicetome.

TEBATSO: (l
aughing)wear eni
ceguy s.Check
thepantryorbathroomsorwhat ever.I’
m sur
e
you’l
lfi
ndsomet hi
ng.It’
stooearlyformet obe
awake.Knockont hehugebrowndoorwhen
youaredone.That ’st
hebedroom, I’
llbe
sleepi
nginthere.

*
***
***

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Maotowalkedi
nandthrewhi
scarkey
sonthe
tabl
eandsatonthesof
a.Gout
acamef r
om t
he
kit
chen.

GOUTA:
Heybabe,
what
’sup?

MAOTO:
Hi

GOUTA:
Howwasy
ourday
?

MAOTO:
Good

GOUTA:
Youwer
en’
tint
heof
fi
cet
oday

MAOTO:
NOPE
GOUTA:
Nei
therwer
eyouatt
hef
arm

MAOTO:
Nope

GOUTA:
Wel
l
,wer
ewher
eyout
hen?

MAOTO:
Out

GOUTA: DamnititMaot o!Jeez!Youareso

chil
dish!Werey ououtwi thsomewhor e?Huh?
Wher eyou?Becauset hat’
swhaty oudoMaot o!
That ’
swhaty oualway sdo,wheny ougeti
nyour
sulkymoody ougof ucksomer andom thi
ngout
there!Answerme, wher ethefuckwher eyou?Is
thatwhaty oudid,fi
ndsomehookerbecause
yout hi
nkI’m cheat
ing?
MAOTO:
Whati
fIdi
d?

GOUTA: (
screaming)Iswear,Maot o!Iswear !
Letmefindoutyouar ebacktoy ouroldgames.
Iwil
lki
l
lawhor e,andI’
m nottalkingaboutt he
l
oosepantiesyousleepwith!Youar eworth
moretomedeadt hanali
veanyway ,i
nsur
ance
andshi
t!Damn, y
ougotmeal ltwisteduplike
somecrazywoman!

Hel
ookedatherandst
art
edl
aughi
ng…

GOUTA: Andj ustwhatdoyoufi

ndsohi l
ari
ous,
huh?Yout hi
nki t
’sf
unny?Thatyouarefucki
ng
rui
ningwhatwewor kedsohardtobui
ld?Our
chi
ldren’
sfuture?

Shet
hrewt
heTVr
emot
eathi
m andhecaught
i
tmi d-ai
r,t
henst
oodupandwal
kedov
ert
oher
,
huggingher.

GOUTA:
Don’
ttouchme…

MAOTO: Ididthistoy ou…Imadey outhiscr

azy,
scr
eamingl unat
ic,didn’
tI?Ipushedyousohar d,
Idi
deverythinginthebook, andyoukeptgivi
ng
measecond, t
hird,hundredt
hchance.Ilove
youGouta.Sov erymuch…Iknowi tmi
ghtnot
meanmucht oyou, butyouaremywor ld…

GOUTA:
(sobbi
ng)I
’
m notcheat
ingony
ou…

MAOTO:
Iknow…I
’
m sor
ryf
orev
ent
hinki
ngi
t…

GOUTA:
Whatdoy
oumeany
ouknow…whatdi
d
y
oudo,
Maot
o?

MAOTO: Not hi
ng…Iswear !Ispentthedayat
mal ume’ s.Hemademeseeal otofsense.I
knowy oudi dn’tcheatonmebecausey oul ove
met oomuch.Youl ov eourfamilytoomuch.
Youputy ourallintomaki nguswor k,ev en
throughmybul lshi
t.Whywoul dyouall ofa
suddenj eopardiset hat?Thatwouldbedumb.
AndmyGol dengi r
lisany thi
ngbutdumb.I
knowy ouar egoi ngt hroughsomethingdi f
ficul
t
fory ou.Iwi shy oucoul dtell
mewhati tissoI
couldf ixitforyou( wi pi
nghertearandki ssing
herf orehead)Iwantt omakeev ery
thingal ri
ght
fory oumyl ove.AndIbel i
evewheny ouar e
readyt oshar e,y ouwi ll
.

GOUTA:(smil
i
ngandtear
y,car
essi
nghi
sface
wi
thherhand)Iwi
shever
yonecoul
dseethi
s
si
deofy
ou…seewhatIseei
nyou…

MAOTO: Whocar esabouteveryoneel

se…ifmy
gi
rlseetherealme…that
’sal
l Iaskfor
.It
’s
awfull
yquieti
nhere.Wherearet heki
ds?

GOUTA:
(laughing)Isentthem t
oWar
ona’
s.I
want
edtofightwithyoutonight
…

MAOTO: wel
l…nowt hatwearedonefi
ghting,I
wonderwhatwecoul ddo…housetoourselves
andever
ythi
ng(winkingather
)

GOUTA:(l
aughi
ng)Gotobedofcour
se,
Mr
Kgagodi
.Whatel
secoul
dwedo?

MAOTO:
Bed,
yes…butIhav
eot
heri
deas
besi
dessleepi
ng(hegr abbedherbythewaist
andthrewherovertheshoulderandwalkedto
thei
rbedroom asshelaughedandscreamedfor
himtoputherdown) .

*
***
**

ATTHUO’
S

Thuofi
nishedput
ti
ngtheki
dst
obedwhenhe
heardt
hedooropenandMosit
i’
svoi
cecome
thr
ough.

MOSI
TI:
HoneyI
’
m home!
!!

THUO:(huggi
ngandki
ssi
ngher
)Welcomeback!
It
houghtyouwereonl
ycomi
ngbacktomor
row?
MOSITI
:(smil
i
ng)Imissedmyfami l
ytoo
much…arethebabi
esasleepal
ready?

THUO:(
whi
spering)yes,
andwemi ghthav
ejust
wokent
hem up.Imissedyou,
Sit
i!

MOSITI:Ithatcase,Ishoul
dgoawaymor e
oft
enbecausey ourlazyassactual
l
ycleaned
thehouse!Lookhousespot l
essthi
splace
l
ooks.Ididn’tevenknowwhetheryouknewwe
ownedamop.

THUO:(l
aughi
ng)Ket
lagosupr
iser
!Howwas
yourt
ri
p?

MOSITI
:Wonderf
ul!Soref
reshing!(
Twi
rl
ing
ar
ound)Not
iceanythi
ngdif
ferent?
THUO:
Newhai
r…

MOSI
TI:
Yes,
whatel
se?

THUO:
Newcl
othes…

MOSITI
:(sl
owlyst
ri
ppingoutofherdress)
maybetheclot
hesar
eabi tofadi
stracti
on…

THUO:Iagree…t
hosecl
othesar
eabi g
di
str
act
ion…mhhh.Youlookdel
ici
ous…

MOSITI:Yea?Well
,Idr
oppedafewki
l
os.You
l
ike?(Pushinghi
m onthesof
aandst
raddl
i
ng
him)
THUO: Wow…whoar eyouandwhathav eyou
donewi thmywi f
e?What everiti
syoudi din
Singapore,y
ouneedmor eoft hatever
yday .
Becauset hi
sisthegir
lImar ri
ed.Spontaneous
andcr azy…ohh…damn, girl
.It
’sbeensol ongI’m
afrai
dIwon’tlastfi
vemi nutesifyoukeepdoi ng
that.

*
***
**

MOSCOW

Tshepecussedagainashewatchedherknock
atherdoorandthenwalkedi
ntoherr
oom.Hi s
phonerangagai
n.

TSHEPE:(onthephone)whatdoyouwantnow,
Nnyana,
don’tyouhavecl
assorsomethi
ng?
BANYANA: Youcameal lt
hewayher
etobe
rudetome?It houghty
oucar
ed.Al
lyouev
erdid
sinceyest
erdaywasbesnappi
shatme,what
didIdo?

TSHEPE:
Isther
eanythi
nginpart
icul
ary
ouwant
,
Bany
ana?I’
m qui
tebusyri
ghtnow.

BANYANA: What
ever…sor
rytobot
heryou.Ijust
wantedtoknowify
ouareupforadri
nktonight.
Colt
onisnothome,sai
dheisgoi
ngoutof
town…

TSHEPE:
I’
m busy
…by
e.

Sohej
usthadtocomepl
aychauff
er?Aftert
hat
l
it
tl
est
upid-
asspi
cni
c?Whothefucktakesa
grownwomanl i
keRebat oapi cni
cany way?
Andtosomef l
oralgarden?Doest hisguyev en
knowRebaone?Shehat esflowers.Allergi
ct o
mostoft hem.Andshepr ef
ersani ghtofhar d
j
ammi ngandv odkai nacheapmot elatsome
obscurenon-Engli
shspeakingAsi ancount ryto
somelitt
leromant i
csetti
ng.ThisCol t
onguy
wassuchani diot.Tshepecussedandl ist
ened
i
nont hebughe’ dputinherr oom whenshe
wasout .

REBAONE:
Col
t…y
ouar
eear
ly

COLTON:(
smi
l
ing)I
t’
srudet
okeepal
ady
wai
ti
ng

REBAONE: Thanksforvol
unt
eeri
ngt
ot akeme
totheai
rport
.Ihatecabsinf
orei
gncountri
es.
Theymakemener vous.
COLTON:Anyt
hingf
ory
ou.Ibr
oughty
ou
somethi
ng…

REBAONE:Youshoul
dn’
thave…aww,
it’
sso
cut
e,t
hanks…hel
pmeputiton.

Sheli
ft
edherhai
randhestoodbehi
ndhert
o
putonthet
hinneckl
ace.

REBAONE:
Itl
ooksl
i
keanant
ique

COLTON: I
tis…i
tissai
dtohav
ebel
ongedt
oa
tsar
inai
nthe1900…

REBAONE:Colt
on!Youshouldn’
thav
e!You
knowIam notr
eall
yajewel
leryki
ndofgi
rl
…but
t
hisi
scut
e.

COLTON: Thegemst oneiscal

l
ed
malachi
te…remindsmesomuchofy ou.Looks
sodeli
cate,buti
trepresent
sfi
erceness.

REBAONE:
Aww…st
op,
yousweett
alkery
ou…

COLTON: Reba…Ihadsomemuchf unwi t

h
you…spendingti
mewi thyouwasmagi cal
…( He
i
nhaledherhairscenrdeepandturnedher
aroundtofacehim.Hisli
psdroppedtoher s,
andshetri
edt opushhim away)

REBAONE:Colton…wai
t…Col
t…I
can’
t…Col
t….
please…
Ohhel
lno!

Hestoodupfrom hi
sr oom wi
thouteven
bot
heri
ngtolockhisdoorandr aceddownthe
l
ongcorri
dortoherroom andpushedt he
unl
ockeddooropen…

REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
14]Ron:
EPI
SODE10

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Tebat sosati nbedgoingthr
oughhisemails
whenat inyheadpeekedinatt hedoorandthen
retr
eat edback.Helaughedast heheadcamei n
viewagai n,andthenextti
met hesmallboy
camei nviewTebatsocov er
edhiseyesand
continuedpl ayi
ngwiththechil
d.
KEDI:(
runni
ngin)Maduo!OhmyGod, I’
m so
sor
ry…Itol
dhimt ositi
nt hecor
nerandnot
move!Maduoy ouarei nsomucht roubl
eMister
!
Gobackt owhereItoldyoutositandstop
bot
heringTebat
so.

TEBATSO: (
laughing)youfusstoomuch.Heis
cute.Il
ovekids.Comeher emonnaandlet
mamacl eaninpeace.Bringthatoneher
etoo,
howar eyougoingt ocl
eanwi t
hababyony our
back?

KEDI:I
t’
snotroubler
eal
l
y.AndIdon’
twant
them t
obotheryou…

TEBATSO: Notbot
her
ingmeatal l
…kidsare
rel
axati
on.Comeheremonna.Isthatacar?
Comeshowme.( Hewentoverandundidherti
e
totakethebabyfr
om her
.Kediblushedashis
handaccident
allybrushedhershoulderwhi
le
taki
ngthebaby)Wenawhat ’
syournamel it
tl
e
l
ady?Huh…y ourmommydoesn’ ttr
ustmewi th
you,doesshe…let’
sshowherwear egoingto
bejustfi
ne….

*
***
**

MOSCOW

HegrabbedColt
onandpunchedhi
m,sendi
ng
hi
m stagger
ingback.

COLTON:
(rubbi
nghi
sbl
eedi
ngl
i
p)whatt
he
fuck?

Tshepecameathi
m agai
n,andCol
tonbl
ocked
hi
m andpunchedhim back.Ther
oll
edt
othe
fl
oorpunchi
ngeachother.

REBAONE: Stop!Bothofyou, stop!Tshepe!

Whatt hehel
liswrongwi t
hy ou!Tshepe, st
opi
t,
youar egoi
ngt oki
llhi
m!Tshepe!I t’
snotwhat
yout hi
nk…Coltonwasjusttakingmet othe
air
por t
…Iswearifyoudon’tstopr i
ght
now…Col t
on!Youknowwhat ,kill
eachother…I
don’tevencare.Goforit
!

Shewalkedovert
othephoneandcall
edfor
hot
elsecuri
ty,
whoarr
ivedafewminutesl
ater
andpul
ledthemenapart.

SECURITYGUARD:
Youneedt
oleav
e,now.
Bothofyou.
TSHEPE:
Thef
uckIdo!Rebaone,
gety
oubag…

COLTON:BecauseI’
mlet
ti
nghergowi than
unst
abl
epersonli
keyou…I’
l
lgetyourbag,Reba
l
ove,wedon’
twantyoutomissyourfl
ight.

Tsheperoughl
ypull
edherhandandtr
iedto
dragheroutsi
de,
butColt
onpull
edherbackand
behindhi
m.

COLTON: Gocalmt hefuckdownman.Ir espect

thatt
hisisyourwif
e,butyouar ecr azyi
fy ou
thi
nkI’
ml eavi
ngyouwi t
hherwheny ouarein
thi
sstate.Youareover
reacting.Likeshesai d,
i
t’snot
hing.RebaandIar ejustfr
iends,you
knowthat…Iwasjusthelpinghergett othe
air
port
.
REBAONE:Tshepepleasejust
…justleave!You
too,
Colt
on.I’
llgetacabdownstair
s( sobbi
ng)I
can’
tbel
iev
ey ouguyswoulddot hi
s,gosht hi
s
i
ssoembar rassi
ng…

TSHEPE: Youaresof ucki

ngannoy i
ng,Rebaone,
don’
tyoudar ewit
hy ourcrocodil
etearswhen
youaretheonetraipsingoffwit
hboy f
riends
andly
ingt omeaboutDubai andshit
…

COLTON: Language,man!Can’
tyouseeshei s
upset?Aww, comeonReba, pl
easedon’tcry…I
am sorr
y.Iwasjustdef
endingmy sel
f,he
att
ackedme.YouknowIhat efi
ghti
ng.I’
l
ltake
youtotheairpor
t.

TSHEPE:Doyouwantanot
herbeatdown?You
arenott
aki
ngmywifeanywher
e!Rebaone,
let
’s
go!
REBAONE: Noneofy ouaretaki
ngme,
anywheredamni t!Youar ebothso
embarrassi
ng!(Shepul l
edherbagout si
dethe
room andint
ot heelevator,
withtwosecuri
ty
guardsescort
ingherwhi letheother
sheldonto
TshepeandCol ton.

*
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Thedooropenedandthetwinswal
kedi
neach
draggi
nganident
ical
Alexandr
aMcQueen
l
uggagebagandahandbag.

BAME:Whatt
hehel
l
?Whatt
hefucki
nghel
l
Tebat
so,
whyist
her
esomer
andom womanat
mybedroom doorandsomesnor
tnosedl
i
ttl
e
chi
l
dreninmybed?

TEBATSO:Bat
hsheba…It
houghty
ouwer
eonl
y
comingbackt
omorrow.

BAONE:
So?Giv
esy
out
her
ightt
ofuckar
ound
onmysi
ster
?

BAME: Wi t
h…her?(givingKediacondescendi ng
l
ook)Youar echeatingonmewi ththis.
..t
his
womanher e?Real
ly?Her ?(Maduomov ed
closert
oherbag)Uh- uhuh-uh,uh-uh!Don’t
touchthat,l
it
tl
ething!It’
sveryexpensive( she
pushedt heli
tt
leboyawaywi t
hherf ootast he
kidmov edcloserf
asci nat
edbyt hebag’s
wheels)
BAONE: No,kid, don’
ttouchmeei t
her…can
someonet aket hem outside?Lawd, Ihate
chil
dren!Eh-eh, don’ttouchthat.Gosh, woman!
Takey ourspawn, theyaregetti
ngt heirdi
rt
y
l
itt
lefingersev erywhere.

BAME: Hel
l
o?Didn’ty
ouhearmysi
ster
?Take
yourspawnandfuckoff
.

KEDI:I
’m sor
ryma’
am.I
t’
snotwhati
tlooks
l
ike…Iwasjust…

BAME:DoIlookl
i
keIcare?Heisget
ting
marr
iedin6months.Sor
ryheusedy
ouboo.
Now,bye.

TEBATSO:Bathsheba!Enough,
ahh!KediIam
sor
ryaboutt
hat.RudeMcRuddi nsher
eismy
fi
ancéeBathsheba.Theot heroneisherevi
l
twinsi
sterBet
hany .Don’
ttakethem tohear
t,
theybot
hhav eissues.Kedi i
sheretocl
eanthe
housesinceyouwon’ tdoit.Bat
hsheba.

BAME:(handsf
oldedacrossherchest
,sul
ki
ng)
weal
readyhavecleani
ngpeople

TEBATSO:Wel
l,
she’
l
l becl
eani
ngher
enow.
Kedi
,goonandcont
inueint
heli
vi
ngroom…

BAME:
Lady
,Isai
dgetoutofmyhouse!

TEBATSO: Notanotheroneofy ourtantrums,

Bathsheba!Ilostsleep,soI
’m attheendofmy
fuckingfuserightnow.Andy ousti
llneedt o
explainhowt hehellyouovershotyourcar din
onef ucki
ngtrip,andyoudidn’tevenbuyt he
weddi
ngdr
essy
ouwant
edt
obuy
.

BAME:Anyway ,
mysisterandIneedtosleep.
Wearejet
laggedandti
red.(Snappi
ngherfinger
atKedi
)gi
rl…canyouchangethesheets?Tebla
youcanusetheotherr
oom whi l
eBethishere.

TEBATSO:(si
ghing)Ar
ggg!Whycan’tBethany
usetheguestr
oom?SHEi stheguest,notme.

BAME: Excuseme,Bethanyismytwinsi
ster.
Andy ouknowIdon’tseehermuchsowear e
tr
yingtocatchup…don’tbesel
fi
sh.Now,shoo!

Baonestoodhandsfol
dedacrossherchest
,
smil
ingandwavingathi
m condescendi
ngly
.
TEBATSO:(si
ghi
ng)ComeonmonnaMaduo,l
et
megoshowy outhebacky
ard,
wecanr
aceyour
cart
here.

*
***
**

2DAYSLATER

Rebaonear ri
vedintheirhomeandqui ckl
y
start
edpackingabagoff reshclothes.Tshepe
wasn’ ti
nherfli
ght,whichmeanthet ookalater
fl
ight.Ti
met ogetoutnow, becauseshewas
notdumbenought owai tforhimt ofindher
home.Af ewdaysandhe’ dcool offthenshe’d
comebackhome.He’ dnev erst
artdramawhi le
shewasatherpar ent
s’.
TSHEPE:(
standi
ngatt
hedoorsmi
l
ing)Goi
ng
somewher
e?

Shej
umpedst
art
led…

REBAONE:Uhm…babe,
whatareyoudoi
ngher
e?
It
hought
…whendidyougetback?

TSHEPE:
Ili
veher
e,wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

REBAONE:
Iuhm…It
houghtIshoul
dgov
isi
tthe
ki
dsatmymom’spl
ace.

TSHEPE:Yourmom’
spl
aceisf
ivemi
nut
es’
dri
veaway.Whydoy
ouneedabag?
REBAONE:
I…uhm…

TSHEPE:What,yougotdumbfrom al
lthe
sneaki
ngaroundandlyi
ng?WhatdidIsay
aboutl
ett
ingothermenputt
hei
rhandsony ou,
Rebaone?WhatdidIsaywoul
dhappen?

Hevi
olent
lypushedheragai
nstt
hewal
land
gr
abbedherbythechin.

TSHEPE:Speak!Youhadallt
hatmout
hinthe
hot
elroom,ri
ght?Now,t
alk…Didy
oufuckhi
m?

REBAONE: Tshepe!Youarehurt
ingme, stop!
Youar etheonewhowentsneaki ngar oundof f
toyourmi str
ess,sofuckyou.Whydoy out hi
nk
Iwentt oRussia,dummy ?Tofol
lowy ou, tosave
myf uckingmar r
iagethaty
ouwer edestr oyi
ng.
Hetookouthi
sphoneandscrol
l
edt
osome
pi
ctur
esheshovedi
tinherf
ace

TSHEPE: Yes,Ihadaj obinRussi a.Surpri

se!Di
d
IplanonseeingBany ana?Yes, justtohelpher
getawayf r
om t hatassholebecausehewas
beati
ngherup.It oldyouI’m donewi thher,why
thefuckwon’ty oubeli
eveme?Icar eabouther
butsheisnott hatimportantthatIwoul dtr
avel
crossconti
nentt oseeher .

REBAONE:
Youst
il
li
ntendedt
oseeher
…

TSHEPE:Shutup,Rebaone,y
ouarei
nnopl
ace
tot
alkbackri
ghtnow, ok?Di
dyousl
eepwi
th
Col
ton?
Shepushedhi
m of
f

REBAONE:Getof
ffr
om me…youar
eonet
otal
k.
I
’m goi
ngt
oseemybabies.

TSHEPE: Whyar eourkidsstayingwi t

hy our
mot hereven,Rebaone?Iwantt hem backhome.
Gout aworksaf ul
l t
imeandshest i
lltakescare
ofallherkids.Thereasonyouar erunning
aroundwithboy fr
iendsisbecausey ouhav etoo
mucht imei nyourhands.

REBAONE:
Am IGout
a?Myki
dsar
eper
fect
ly
fi
newit
hmymom!

TSHEPE: Youaregoingtobringthem back

home.That ’
snotarequest.Ilety
ourunwilda
l
ot,Ineedtosetdownr ul
esint hi
shouse.Iwant
yout
onevert
alktoCol
tonagai
n.AndIwantmy
ki
dsbackhome.Toni
ght!

REBAONE:Why?Sot
haty
oucanki
l
lthem l
i
ke
youki
ll
edEl
la?

Theslapl
andedhardonherf ace,leavi
ngangr y
welt
sonherperfectl
ymadeupf ace.His
weddingri
nglef
tasmal lcutbel
owherey e.She
st
aggeredbackwards,cl
utchi
ngherf ace,eyes
water
ing.

LI
KEANDCOMMENTFORANI
GHTEPI
SODE
[
10/
31,
15:
14]Ron:
EPI
SODE11

ATPHATSHI
MO’
SHOUSE
Oni
kadr
oveint
otheyar
dandwalkedov
erto
t
hetworoomedhouse,
knocki
ngatt
hedoor
.

ONIKA:Phatshi
,i
t’
sme,
Nikki
.Bul
atl
hemmago
l
etsat
siouthere.

Shecametoopenthedoorwhi
l
etr
yingt
o
comfor
tacry
ingbaby.

ONIKA:(t
aki
ngthebabyf r
om her)Hel
l
omy
baby…aww,hel
lobaby!It
’ssonicetof
inal
l
y
meetyou.Nnanabatho!Imissedyousomuch.
Youaresuchabigboynow!

PHATSHIMO:Bi
gboywaengwhocri
esal
lday!
I
t’
ssonicet
oseeyouagai
nOni
ka,
Imissyou.
ONI
KA:Missedyoutoo!Andthisone!Icoul
dn’
t
wai
ttomeethim.Heissobig,andhandsome…
hel
ookssomuchl i
kehisfat
her…

PHATSHI
MO:
Mxi
m,don’
tsayt
hat

ONIKA:Youneedtot
ell
him,Phat
shi
mo!Hehas
aresponsi
bil
i
tyt
owar
dshisson.

PHATSHI MO:Yearight
,hegavememoneyf or
anabort
ionandtoldmehewasget t
ingmar
ried
andIshouldn’
teverbotherhi
sli
feagai
nwhenI
tol
dhim Iwaspregnant.

ONIKA:I
t’
shisson!Col
tonneedst
otakecar
eof
hi
schil
d,i
ja!
PHATSHIMO:Didy oucomeheretoannoyme
aboutmyli
fedecisi
ons?Whatdidyoubri
ngus
i
nthatbi
gplasti
cbag?

ONIKA:
Oh, someclot
hesformyli
ttlepr
ince
her
e…IwasoutshoppingandIcouldn’
thelpi
t.
Babycl
othesaresocuteandLothasoutgrown
hi
sbabystagenow.

*
***
***

ATAUGUSTUSCULL’
SHOUSE

Goutawal
kedinandwavedatsomeofher
fat
her’
sgoons,
walki
ngstr
aightt
ohi
sstudy
.

AUGUSTUS:
Gigi
!Mybaby
!Ihar
dlyev
erseey
ou!
GOUTA: Withgoodreasons.I
’
m nother
eto
soci
ali
ze.Ihaveaproblem.Myhusbandcan’
t
fi
ndout,that
’swhyIcamet oyou.

AUGUSTUS:Gi
vemethenameandi
twi
l
lbe
sol
vedbyev
ening.

GOUTA: Notli
kethat…it
’sjust
…Ididsomet hi
ng
stupidwhenIwasi ncol l
ege.Idonatedmyeggs
andnowt her
eisachi l
d.Thechildissickand
needsaki dneydonationfrom abiol
ogical
parent.Ican’
tdoitbecausemyhusbandwi l
l
askquest i
ons.Mymar r
iageisfi
nall
yont he
steady,Icannotaff
ordany thi
ngtorocktheboat.

AUGUSTUS:Per
sonal
lyIt
hinkt
hatboyisnot
goodenoughf
oryou,
butyourhappi
nessismy
happi
ness.Anyway
,whyi
sthi
ssi
ckchi
l
dyour
probl
em agai
n?

GOUTA:Thef
atheruhm…heuhm…hehas
somet
hingov
ermet hatI
’
drat
hernotcomeout
.

AUGUSTUS:
Hei
sbl
ackmai
l
ingy
ou?

GOUTA:I
t’
snotli
kethat
.Hejustwantshi
schi
l
d
t
ogetbet
ter.AndIal
sowanttohelp.

AUGUSTUS:
Int
hatcase,
Icanar
rangeaki
dney
i
nthebl
ackmar
ket…

GOUTA: Eww,whyareyouli
kethis?Idon’
twant
tohel
pt hr
oughakidneyst
olenfr
om somepoor
homelesspersonl
efti
nsomeal l
eytorot.
Besides,thechil
dcanonl yacceptdonati
on
from abiologi
calparent.Iknowthebiol
ogical
father
,buthewon’ thelp.Iwashopingmay be
youcoul d…youknow, tal
ktohim…andImean
j
ustper suade,f
ather!Idon’twanthi
mt oendup
deadinsomeal l
eysomewher e.

AUGUSTUS: (
laughing)wel
l
,thatli
mitsmy
cr
eat
ivi
ty!ButI’
ll
justtal
kIpromise…he’
l
ldoi
t.
What’
shisname?

GOUTA:Your ememberRicar
do,r
ight(he
nodded).Andmyhusbandcanneverfi
ndout
aboutthi
s.

AUGUSTUS: Myli
psareseal
ed.Iwanttotal
kto
yourfr
iendwit
hthedaught
ertoo.Nobodygets
tothr
eatenmychil
d…
GOUTA:
No…

AUGUSTUS: What ?Hei sl

ookingoutf orhis
daughterandI ’mlookingoutformi ne.Wedo
thi
sforhischi l
dandy ouaredonewi thhim.He
cannev erexpectanythingfrom youev eragain.
Hedisappear sfrom yourli
feforgood, andifhe
evertr
iestobl ackmailyouagain,therewillbe
consequences.Thosear emyt ermsi fyouwant
myhelp.

GOUTA:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne!Butonl
ytal
ki
ng,
August
us.Onl
ytal
ki
ng.

AUGUSTUS:(smi
li
ng)Yesma’
am!Ar
eyou
j
oini
ngusfordi
nner?
GOUTA:No.Li
keIsaid.Thi
swasnotasoci
al
vi
sit
.Tel
lGaboIsai
dhi.

AUGUSTUS:
Shemi
ssesy
ou…

GOUTA:
That
’snew…andIdon’
tmi
ssher
.

AUGUSTUS:
Whencanourgr
andchi
l
drencome
vi
situs?

GOUTA:
Nev
er.By
e.

*
***
**

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE
Sherubbedhercheekandl
ookedathi
m wi
th
tear
sinhereyes.

TSHEPE:Reba,
I’
m sosor
ry…Iam so,
sodamn
sor
ry.Idi
dn’
tmeantodothat
.

REBAONE:
Stayawayf
rom me…

TSHEPE:
Please…y
ouknowIwoul
dnev
er…

REBAONE:What?Hitme?Youj ustdid!Iam
goingtomypar
ents’
,andt heonlywayy ouar
e
stoppi
ngmeisbyputti
ngmei nabodybag.
Getoutofmyway.Ican’tbeli
evey ouhitme!

TSHEPE: Isai
dI’
m sor
ry!Youpushedme
though,
Rebaone!Howcoul dyouevensayt
hat
!
REBAONE: Youdon’ tj
ust i
fyv i
olenceTshepe!
Youdon’ t!Thatjustshowsy ouar enotsor
ryat
al
l.Ican’tbearoundy our ightnow.Iam t i
redof
chasingTshepe.Youwantt hebachel orl
if
e?
Youwantt ochaseaf tergirl
sacr ossthe
countinents?There.Hav eit.I’
m gone.You
couldkissmyf atassf orallIcare.Wantto
shootme?Takey ourgunoutbi gboy …

TSHEPE:
Rebapl
ease…

REBAONE: No!NoRebapl easeatme!Youdi d

thisTshepe!Anddon’tthinkIdon’tknowabout
thatbutchgir
lyouwor kwi t
h,andprobably
someot herhoes.You’venev erbeenloyal
a
mi nut
einourrelat
ionshipyety ouwanttobeat
meupf orafri
endtakingmet otheair
port
?You
sleptwithmymai d,humili
atedme!AndIst il
l
stay
ed.BecauseIl
ovey
ou,Istayed.Nowy ou
arebeati
ngmeup?Whendoesi tgettobe
enough?Huh?WhenIhavelosteveryounceof
mydi gni
ty?

TSHEPE:
Wecanf
ixt
his…

REBAONE: Iknowev eryonesayRebaoneis

crazy
…howdoeshest aywi thher
?Sheis
manipulat
iveandvindicti
ve.Havetheymetyou?
Youareapsy chopath!Youpl aymental
games
anditti
resme.I’
m done.

TSHEPE:Ican’
tlety
oul
eaveme,Reba.I’
m
sor
ry…t
hatwasourdeal
…ti
l
l t
heend,r
ight?

*
***
***
ATTEBATSO’
SMOM’
SHOUSE

Tebatsodr
oveinandfoundhi
smotherunder
thetr
eewithhi
sauntanduncl
es.

TEBATSO:Dumel
ang…IcameassoonasIcoul
d.
I
sanythi
ngthematt
er?

UNCLE: Sowediscussedsendi
ngmagadi t
o
thatgi
rl
’sfami
l
y,theychargedusal
ready
.

TEBATSO:Iam gl
adtoheart
hat,
malome.I
hopeever
ythi
ngisgoi
ngsmoothl
y?

UNLCE:Ah,yes…yes,
wehavearr
angedadat
e
wit
hheruncles.Lewenaonyal
amaburubo
VanAndreas!
TEBATSO: (
laughi
ng)Malome!That’
s
i
nappropr
iatetosay.Buti
fanyt
hingisf
inewi
th
themagadi,whydidyoucall
me…

UNLCE: Ican’thel
pi tbutbebl untmonna.Ther e
Inootherway .Yourf atherneedst oget
i
nv ol
ved.Gakemokopesepe, y
ouhav ealready
givenmet hemoneyf orthebr i
depr i
ceand
weddingexpenses, andt hereisal otext
rafrom
whaty ougave…i t
’sjust…wel l
,youneedt heir
blessi
ngs.Theyhav et heirancestorsandthey
needtointroducey ouand…

TEBATSO: Wait
…Ihaveafather?Youknowwhat
,
nevermind.I
tdoesn’
tmatter.I
t’
smeandmom
onl
y .Al
wayshavebeen…
UNCLE:
Tal
ktohi
m kgat
sadi
aka…

MOTHER: Tebat so, myson…heumh.Henev er

knewabouty ou.Hewasadr if
ter ,al
way s
travelli
ng.Irememberal lthet alesofhi strav el
s
het oldme( smi ling).Hehadev enbeenonan
airplane.Ihadnev ermetany onewhohadt aken
apl aner i
de,Iwassof ascinat ed.Hepassedby
myv ill
ageandt heycampedt her ewi t
ht he
peopl ehewast rav ell
i
ngwi th.Ir emember
thinkinghewasi nthemi litary,butInev ersaw
himi nuni f
orm.Any way,hewast her
ef oraf ew
weeks.Hewasmuchol der .Iwasonl y16.We
wer epoorandhegav ememoneyand…wel l,al
l
thegi rl
swer edat ingandIj ustt hought…
(Wi pingatear )Hel eftaftert hreeweeks, anda
mont hlat
erIf oundoutIwaspr egnantwi thy ou.

TEBATSO:
Ok,
nicest
ory
.Butwhatdoes
ev
ery
onewant
?Idon’
tseehowweneedhi
m.

UNCLE: Webel
ievei
nbl essi
ngsfrom t
hoselong
gone, youknowthat
.Italkedtomyt r
adit
ional
doctorandhesay syouneedy ourfat
her’
s
bl
essi ng.Ot
herwi
sey ourmarri
agewillf
ace
problems.

TEBATSO: Tradi
ti
onaldoct
or?Ri
ght!Those
peoplear
ef r
aud,malome!Anyway ,
wedon’ t
evenknowwher ethesaidfat
heris,dowe?Is
hestil
lal
i
veev en?NnaIthi
nkthisisjustnot
necessar
y.

MOTHER: It
hinkhecamef r
om av il
lageinthe
NorthEastsideofthecountr
y.Somewher enear
Franci
stownifIrememberwel l
,thatsideofthe
countr
ywher eyouarestayi
ng.Ican’tbesure
wherethough.Iknowy ouhaveyourway smy
son,andy oucanf i
ndhim…allIr
ememberi shis
namebecausehehadi tinhisdog-t
aghe
alwayswor earoundhisneck.Hegavethetag
tomebecauseIl ikedi
t(t
akingoutasi
lverdog-
tagfrom herpocketandhandingitt
oTebat so)
Wecal l
edhim Kk, butt
hetagsaysKgodumo
Kgagodi.

*
***
***
Remembert
oli
keandcomment
[
10/
31,
15:
14]Ron:
EPI
SODE12

ATAHOTEL
Goutawal
kedintot
hehotelr
oom andf
ound
Hasti
ngspacki
nghisbag.Heshi
ft
edaround
ner
vousl
y.
GOUTA:
So,
youar
eleav
ing?
HASTI
NGS:
Yes…t
hebi
ologi
cal
fat
hercal
l
edme
andsai dhe’llbethedonor.Look, Gouta,I
’m so
sorry.Iwasn’ttryi
ngtoblackmai lyouor
anything.Iwasdesper ateandt hatledtome
beingr eckl
ess.Thisisthelastofmey ou’l
lever
see.Ipr omise.I’
l
lneverdoi tagain.I’
m sorr
y
(hefidgetedwi t
hhisfinger
sner vously)
GOUTA:
Itsok,
doctor.Ij
ustdon’
tli
kepeopl
e
put
ti
ngmeinatightspot.
HASTINGS:I
’mr eal
lysor
ry.I
’
ml eavi
ngri
ght
nowandI’
ll
nev ercomeback.Thedonorisalso
comingonmyf li
ght.Doyou…li
ke,doyouwant
tot
alktoMelodyorseeherorsomet hi
ng?
GOUTA:
No,havealov
elyl
if
e.AndIdowi
sh
Mel
odyaspeedyr
ecover
y.Adi
eu.

*
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Kediknockedandsomeoney el
ledforhert o
comei n.Shewal kedinandf oundt het winsand
anotherladysitti
ngont hesofa,thet wi ns
wearingmat chingwhi tegownswhi lesome
peoplewear i
ngt -shir
twi t
hsomesal onname
di
dt heirpedi
cur es.Theywer esogr eatly
i
denticalshecoul dn’ttell
atallwhichonewas
Tebatso’sfi
ancée.Di dn’thel
patal lt hatthey
evenwor etheirhai rt
hesameandt hei rvoices
soundedt hesame.
BAME:Andthen….Wathuswa?Whyar
eyou
j
ustst
andi
ngtherest
ari
ngatus?
KEDI:
Uhm…sor r
y,goodaft
ernoonma’am.Mr
Tebat
sosaidIshouldcomeseehim
about
…aboutajobatoneofhisshops.
BAME:
Sor
ry…posi
ti
onf
il
led.By
e…
KEDI
:But
…Ispoket
ohi
myest
erdayand….
BAME: Wai
t.Tebat
soi
soutoft
own,
howdi
d
youspeakt
ohi m?
KEDI:Hecall
edmeandsai doneoft hegir
ls
whowor kedint
hebutcheryjustgotf i
redso
theyhadanopening.Hehadmynumbersot hat
hecouldcallmeifheneededacl eaningperson.
Iam justt
ryi
ngtoearnali
ving,ma’am.
BAONE:(l
azi
lystr
etchi
ngandgr abbingthe
smoothi
ebesideher)Bl
ah,
blahbl ah.Idon’
tli
ke
hersi
s.Sheisrui
ningmyrelaxati
on.
MOSITI
:Whati
swrongwithy
oubi
tches,
thegi
rl
i
sjustt
ryi
ngt
ogetajob…
BAME: Ohr eal
ly…Iguessyouar efi
newi t
hher
cleani
ngupaty ourhomeandpl ayingmotherto
yourchil
dr en,cosyi
ngupt oy ourhusbandand
shitwhiley ouwer eaway.Becauset hat’
s
exactl
ywhatshewasdoi ng.Cookingupdi nner
s
andshit.That ’
swher eTebatsomether .Sogive
herajobi fy oufeelsophi
lanthropi
c,mother
Teresa.
BAONE:
Whoknowswhatel
seshewasupt
o,
youbeingawayandThuostarv
edt otheGods
andall
!WeallknowThuoisalit
tl
er atandhe
hassneakedoutwit
hAmeliahbefore.Oncea
cheat
er,al
waysacheat
er.
MOSI
TI:(t
oKedi
)ist
hatt
rue?Wer
eyoual
lov
er
myhusbandi
nmyabsence?
KEDI
:Iwasonl
ycl
eani
ng,
ma’
am.
MOSITI:Out…get
.Out.Now!Andher
eIthought
Thuowashappyt oseeme, onl
yhewashappy
becausehejusthadahappyweekwithsome
townshi
pflouzi
e.

*
***
**

ATCULL&ASSOCI
ATES
Gout
awalkedi
ntoWarona’
sof
fi
ceandsati
n
t
hechai
ropposi
teher
.
GOUTA:
Youneedabr
eaksi
s!Youar
ethesi
ze
oft
hreewhalesandyoucanbarel
ymov enow!
Goonmat er
nit
yleav
ealr
eady!I
fIdidn’
tknow
bet
ter
,I’
dswearyouarecar
ryi
ngsextupl
ets.
WARONA: (l
aughi
ng)Thankyou,si
s.Thanky ou
verymuch.Thatjustboost
edmyconf idencea
milelong!Butyouareri
ght
,Iam wornoutand
I
’m abouttopopanydaynow.I ’
mt woday s
pastduebutIdon’twanttobeinduced.How
diditgowithdad?
GOUTA:
Great
,hef
ixedev
ery
thi
ng.
WARONA: Tol
dyouhewoul
d.Hei
sn’
tsucha
badguy
,youknow.
GOUTA: Yougrewupwi thhim.Letmegetused
tohi
s…way sf
ir
st.Any way,Maotoknows
somethi
ngwaswr ong,he’
llhav
equesti
ons
whenit’
ssuddenlyallgood.
WARONA: Theny ouneedacov
erup…I
know…hisbi
rthdayiscomi
ngup,i
sn’
tit
?
Organi
sehim abashandmakeitl
ikeyouwer
e
j
ustpr
e-occupi
eddoi
ngt
hat
.
GOUTA:(smil
i
ng)y
ouknowwhat
,thatmi
ght
act
ual
lywork!

*
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Tebatsopull
edupi
nthegar
ageandwalkedt
o
theguestroom.Af
ewminutesl
aterBame
walkedin.
BAME:
Youar
eback.
TEBATSO:
Bat
hsheba…y
ouar
enotsl
eepi
ng?I
t’
s
3AM.
BAME:Icoul
dn’
tsl
eep…Imissedy
ou(t
aki
ngof
f
hi
scl
othesandgiv
inghi
m amassage)
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)y
ea,r
ight
,that
’swhyy
ou
ki
ckedmeoutofourbedr
oom?
BAME:Don’tbeababy,onlyf
orafew
day
s.Besi
des,I
'l
lj
oiny
oui nheresomeday
s.
TEBATSO: Wenawal api
sawai t
se,soyouki
ck
meoutofourbedr oom andthenfoll
owmet o
thesparebedroom?Wel it
eral
lymovedforyour
sist
er?IswearIwil
lneverunderst
andyoutwo,
doesKeithhavetodothistoo?
BAME: Yup,hemov esformewhenIv i
sit
Bethany.Twinpowerboo.Anyway ,whatdidt
he
ol
dergeezerwant ?Moremoney ?Iswearthose
peopleareextor
ti
ngy oubabe.Idon’tl
i
keit.
TEBATSO:
Theyar
emyf
ami
l
y,Bat
hsheba!
BAME: So?Doesn’tmeany ouareresponsi bl
e
forthegoddamnent ireclan.Yoursi ster
,doesn’t
shegetanal lowance?Ev erymont ht hat
annoyinglit
tl
ebitchcall
saski ngformoney .All
governmentsponsor edst udent
sgetan
all
owance, whydoessheneedmor emoney ?
Yougi veyouruncleshit
loadsofmoney ,buy
them everyt
hing,t
akecareofyouruncl
es’
s
chil
drenandgr andchi
l
dren.Theyarenoty
our
responsibi
l
ity.
TEBATSO: Youar esayingitli
ket hatmakesme
fai
ltotakecar eofyou.Youhav eunli
mited
accesst oev eryt
hingIhave.Whati swr ongwi t
h
mehel pingoutmyf amilyalitt
le?MustIl etmy
familystar
v e?Notev eryoneisbor nwithasi l
ver
spoonupt hei rassesli
key ou,myf amily
actuall
ydependonme.Youknowwhat ,let
’snot
fi
ghtplease.Ihadal ongday .Arggmyf amil
y
canbeannoy i
ngsomet imesl ebone.
BAME: Whathavetheydonenow?Ihonest
ly
don'
tli
kethosepeople,
ever
ytimeyougothere
youcomebackst r
essed(massagi
nghishead)
TEBATSO:
Appar
ent
lyIhav
eaf
ather
…
BAME: Letmeguess,hewant
sy outotakecar
e
ofhimtoo?Tebl
a!No!Youaretoosoft.You
havetomakeyourstandgompieno!Youarenot
t
hegov
ernment
!
TEBATSO:Idon’
tevenknowwhereheis.They
wantmet ofi
ndhimforsomebull
shi
tblessi
ng
beforewemarry
.(Hetookoutt
hedogtagand
fi
ddledar
oundwithi
t)
BAME:
Whati
sthat
?
TEBATSO: (sighing)theonlythingofhismy
mot herhadleft.(handingherthetag)Imean,
wher edoIev enst ar
tlooki
ngf orhi
m?Some
random oldmansomewher einsomeobscur e
vil
lage?Dothesepeopl eknowhowbi gNor
th
Eastis?
BAME: Thi
sisyourfat
her
’sname…ohmyGod!
This…t
hisisMositi
’
suncl
e.Yes,thatcl
ownold
man.Hisnamei sKgodumo, Ir
ememberMositi
alwayssaysuncl
eKgodumoandt henameis
tooweirdtonotremember.Theirl
astnamei
s
Kgagodi…
*
***
**

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE
Thenextday
…
Mma-Di
kgangknockedagainandwal
ked
ar
oundt
hehousecall
ingRebaone’
sname.
MMA-DIKGANG:Rebaone!Reba…openupmy
gi
rl
…it
’smom anddad…openthedoor…
MRDIKGANG:
Yout
hinkmay
bet
heyar
enot
home?
MMA- DI
KGANG: Iam worr
iedrragwe-Ranni.
Rebacall
edmesay i
ngshewascomi ngtostay
wit
husf oraf ewday s.Shesaidshe’dbehome
i
naf ewmi nutes.Thatwasl astnightaround
thi
stime.Ifsomet hi
nghadcomeup, shewould
havecall
edt oletmeknowandsaygoodni ght
totheki
ds.Todayshewassupposedt ogo
backtowor k,shedidn’t
.Didn’
tev encalli
nsick.
Thati
snotl
i
keRebaone.Shet
akespr
idei
nher
work…
MRDI KGANG:Andnowherphoneisoff…her
husband’
sphonei
sofft
oo,botht
heircarsar
e
sti
l
lhere.
MMA- DIKGANG( teari
ngup)Shedi dn’
tsound
ri
ght,r
ragwe-Ranni,onthatl
astcall
,shedidn’t
soundsright
.Likeshewasscar ed.Andtryingto
runfr
om somet hi
ng.Whathast hatsavage
donetomychi ld?
MRDI
KGANG:
Let
’snotj
umpt
oconcl
usi
on…
MMA- DIKGANG: Don’tyoudar e!Don’tyoudare
tel
lmenott ojumpt oconclusion!Iaskedt he
nei
ghbouri fshehasseent hem, andshesay s
l
astnightshehear dv iol
entarguing,but
apparentl
yt hati
susual forthem, sothey
weren’tbothered.Howcanl oudv i
olentargui
ng
benormal ?Thisbast ardmusthav ebeen
beati
ngourdaught erallt
histime,Patri
ck!He
hasbeenabusi
ngReba!Nowheki ll
edher !He
ki
ll
edmychild…mypoorbaby …mypoor ,sweet,
i
nnocentl
it
tl
eReba.Shelovesli
feandpeopl e
somuch,sheisalway
shelpingtheelder
si nthe
vi
ll
age…howcouldTshepebesocr uel?(
Cr yi
ng)
MRDI KGANG: Ao!MmagweRanni!Let’
snot
tal
kthatway.Iam sur
eourli
ttl
egir
lisf
ine.And
wehav enoproofhehasbeatenherbef
ore.I
am surether
eisalogi
cal
explanat
iontothis…
MMA- DIKGANG: Li
kewhat !Hee!Likewhat ?
Apparentl
yt heyarguedandt henitjustwent
deathl
ysilent.Theneighbours’ki
dssay
somet i
mest heirargumentscangof orthe
enti
renight.Butnowi t’
swasj ustli
ket hi
rty
minutestheni thasbeensilenteversince.You
doknowhi seldestbrot
herbeatupt hei
rfather
todeath…andt heotherone,Maot owas
arr
estedforki l
li
nghislovernotsol ongago…
MRDIKGANG:Mma- Di
kgang!Johndiedofa
l
ungcompl
icat
ion!AndMaotowasr el
eased
wi
thnochar
ge!St
opl
i
steni
ngt
ovi
l
lager
umor
s!
MMA-DIKGANG: (scr
eaming)St
opit!Juststop,
ok!Whatlungcompli
cati
on?Youthinkvil
lagers
wil
lsi
mplytalk?Ther
eisnosmokewi thoutfir
e!
Weallknowwhathappenedt oJohn.
MRDIKGANG:
Mma-
Ranewa!Cont
rol
your
wor
ds,ao!
MMA- DIKGANG: Gakecont r
olesepe!Theyar e
ki
ller
s!Andt hatone,Maoto!Hei sgui l
ty ,
he
ki
lledhi smi st
ress,andnowTshepeki lledmy
daught er!ThoseKgagodi ’
sareani mals.
Demons, Itellyou!Demons!Event hesoni nl aw
wasi npr isonforawhi l
eformur der.Whatki nd
ofpeopl ear ethey?Iknowmybaby ,andshe
wasv er yscaredwhenshecal l
edme, Pat r
ick…
Rebawassoscar edhervoi
cewas
shaking…whathashedonet oher …whathas
Tshepedonet omyl i
tt
legir
l?(Coll
apsi ngt othe
groundcr yi
ng).
*
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
14]Ron:
EPI
SODE13

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
Maotodr ov
eintothevi
l
lagetowar
dshi
smom’ s
house.Heturnedandparkedhi
scarwhenhe
sawacr owdathisbrot
her’
shouse.
MAOTO: (
wal ki
ngi
ntotheyar
d)Whatthehel
li
s
goingonhere?What’
sup,whati
swiththe
crowdandthepoli
ce
SEI
PONE:(cl
appingherhands)Di
l
otsaga
monnao!Obolai
l
emosadi .
MAOTO: What?(her anint
other oom andtalked
tot
hepoliceof
f i
cer)What’sgoingon,off
icer?I
am…I’
mf amil
y.Thisi smybrotherandsisterin
l
aw’shouse…please…what’sgoingon?
OFFICER:Wewerecall
edinonami ssi
ng
personcase,
MrsRebaoneDikgang-
Kgagodi
…
herparent
ssuspect
edfoulpl
ay.
MAOTO:Whatist
hisaboutmybr
other
…about
mybr
otherki
l
li
ngher?Wherei
she?
OFFI
CER:Rightnow, sir
,thati
sallspeculati
on.
Wedon’thaveanyev idenceofanything.There
i
sasignofstruggle,
andt heforensicteam did
fi
ndver
ysmal lt
racesofbl ood,butbothMrand
MrsKgagodiarenowher etobef ound.
MAOTO: OhmyGod!T,whathaveyoudone!
Whathaveyoudoney
ouidiot
!(het
ookouthis
phoneandtr
iedt
ocal
lhim,hi
sphonegoingto
voi
cemail
)
OFFICER:Noneedt obother,si
r.Bothhisphone
andMr sKgagodi’
sphonear eri
ghthere, t
urned
off
.Mr sKgagodi’
shandbagisal sohere.Iam
noex per
tinl
adies,buti
ftheyaregoing
somewher evol
untari
ly,
theyusuallyt
aket hei
r
handbag,especi
all
yifi
thast
hei
rcar
dsand
ever
ythi
ng.

Hewentout
sideandcal
l
edKwapa
KWAPA:Hey,Mist
er,
mist
er!Iwasaboutt
ocal
l
youandseei
fyouwereupforadri
nk…
MAOTO:I
t’
sfuckedupman…sofuckedup…t
hey
t
hinkTof
fedReba…ther
eisbl
ood…
KWAPA: What?Whatdidy ousay
?Thatisnot
funnyMaot
o!Don’tfucki
ngjokeaboutshi
tli
ke
thi
s,Iwi
l
lbeatyourdumbassup!PutTont he
l
inenow!
MAOTO:Heisgone,man…Tisgone,
theydon’
t
knowwher
e.Helefthi
sphone…
KWAPA: Youar
eser
ious…aren’
tyou?Ohshi t
,
hangonman.Ianddri
vi
ngthererightnow.I’
l
l
bether
ein10minut
es,we’l
lfi
ndhim.I ’
m sure
i
t’
sallgood.
*
***
**

Kwapaar
ri
veandr
ant
ohi
sbr
other
,huggi
ng
hi
m
MAOTO: Iam sofucki
ngscar
edri
ghtnowman.
Pl
easetellmethi
sisnotreal
…pl
easel
etthi
sbe
adream.
KWAPA:
Tshepel
ovesReba,
hewoul
dn’
thar
m
her
.
MAOTO: Weretheyhavi
ngprobl
ems?Youknow
T,henevert
alksabouthi
sshit
,but
,di
dhesay
anyt
hingtoyou?
KWAPA: Nothing.Idi
dn’
tevenhearfr
om him
si
ncehewentt oRussi
a.Butthat
’st
ypicalT,he
goestohistr
ipsandgoessi l
entonusf ora
whil
e.SoIthoughtitwasjustbusi
nessasusual
Kgodumopar
kedhi
sol
dfor
dandwal
kedi
nto
t
hey
ardonhi
swal
ki
ngst
ick.
KGODUMO: Gatwegoengbanna?Iwasj ust
comingfr
om thatsi
detogetyourmothersome
fi
rewoodwhenIheardpeoplemaki
nga
commotionaboutsomethi
ngregar
dingTshepe?
KWAPA: Ei
sh…malome…howdoweev ensay
thi
s?TheysuspectTshepekill
edReba.Heis
missi
ng,soisReba,andthereisbl
ood.Both
thei
rcar
sarehere,soIdon’tknow…
KGODUMO: Hav
eyoucal
l
edmoshi
aney
olewa
tsal
ayagagwe?
MAOTO: Yes,wecal l
edKeith,hei sonhi
sway
her
e,hehasn’theardfrom him sincehewentt o
Russi
a.Rebaone’ssisterdoesn’tknowanything
al
so…botht hei
rphonesar ehere, l
ooksl
ikethey
orhetooknothing.Justlef
tli
ket hat.
KGODUMO:Thepol
i
ce,
dot
heyhav
eany
i
nfor
mati
on?
MAOTO:
Notmuchatal
l
…al
lI’
vet
oldy
oui
sal
l
t
heyknow.
KGODUMO:Bal
ebonekemas*
pahel
a,nxl
a!
Letmegomakeacal
l
.

Hemov edawayfr
om them andwhenhewasat
adi
stancefr
om al
lpeoplehedial
l
ed.
VOICE: Myman!It
’sbeenlong.Youforgoty
our
ol
df r
iend?Younolongercall
!Reti
rement
doesn’tmeanlosi
ngoldfr
iends,youknow!How
areyourboys?
KGODUMO:Eish.Iswearthi
ski
dswil
lbet
he
deat
hofme.Ineedy outofi
ndsomeonef
orme.
VOI
CE:
Whoandwhathashedone?Oneofour
s?
KGODUMO: Newgener ati
on.Legion437.Di
rect
Act
ionandIntel
l
igence.Pleasecall
meassoon
asheisl
ocated.
Mma-DikgangsawKgodumot al
ki
ngtot
he
phoneandranovert
ohim scr
eaming
MMA- DIKGANG:Thereheis….
ther
ei st
heman
whor ai
sedtheani
mal t
hathaskil
ledmychil
d!
WhereismydaughterKgodumo, wherehas
yournephewtakenher?
KGODUMO: Mma-Ranewa,pl
easecalm down.
Wearedoi
ngourbesttofi
ndthem.Tshepei s
notaki
l
ler
.Iam sur
etheyarejustout
somewher
e.Yourdaught
erwil
l befoundsoon.
MMA- DIKGANG: (spitt
ingonhim)Nt sj
akewena!
Don’tt
ellmet ocalm down, al
lyouKgagodi ’s
areanimals!Al ly
ouev erdidwasbr i
ngmy
daughterpai n,
nowy ouhavedeci dedt ofi
nish
heroff
?Of ficer…offi
cer,ar
restthem…ar r
estthi
s
murderers!Iam sur etheyknowwher emy
daughteris.Theyknowwher et
hei rscoundrel
hastakenmydaught er.
MRDI KGANG:Mma- Ranewa!Akonneo
i
tshwaramosadikweena!Letthel
awdealwit
h
thi
sanimal
s.Don’tt
hinkwewilll
ett
hisgo
Kgodumo…ifev
enasi nglehai
rinmydaught
er’
s
headisharmed…y ou’l
lsee.Youpeopl ethi
nk
youar egangstersorsomet hi
ng…wewi llf
inda
mat chforyou…theywi l
lcomeaf t
eryou,you
animal.Theylotofy ouKgagodi ’
s.PoorJohn
diednotknowi nghewasl eavinghischil
drent
o
auselessdr unk!Seehowt heyhaveturnedout!
MAOTO: Excuseme, y
oudon’tgett
otal
ktomy
unclel
iket
hat(bothMaotoandKwapa
advancedtohim menaci
ngl
y)
KGODUMO: Kwapa!Maoto!Whot aughty
ou
suchbehavi
or?I
sRra-
Raneway ouragemate,
menacingathi
mliket
hat?Backof f
!
KWAPA:Sor
rymal
ume…buthewast
alki
ngt
o
youl
i
ke…
KGODUMO: Quiet!Yourbrot
herhasal
ready
causedenoughcommot ionandembarrassed
thefamil
y,Idon’tneedyoutwoplayi
nghero.
Getinyourcarsandmeetmeatmyhouse.
Kwapa,pickyourmot herontheway,andwena
Maotocall
Mositi
.People,
sorr
y,t
hereis
nothi
ngtoseehere,gohome.Iwanttolockmy
nephew’
sgate.(
Chasingpeopl
eoutwithhis
walki
ngsti
ck)Out,outory
ouwill
belockedin.

*
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
14]Ron:
EPI
SODE14

Tebatsodr
ovei
ntothev
il
lageandsawKedi
walki
ngby.Her
oll
eddownhiswindowand
cal
ledather
.

TEBATSO:
Kedi
…geti
n,wher
eto?
KEDI:
(gett
inginsi
dethecar)Iwasgoi
ngto
cat
chthebust ogotoFrancist
own,whatar
e
youdoingi
nt hevi
ll
age?
TEBATSO:
Iwascomi ngtoseesomeone,butI
l
ostmynerve,
soIdecidedI
’l
ldoitsomeother
day.
KEDI
:Lostt
hener
ve?Whoisthatper
sonel
e
gor
eandwhydotheyscar
eyousomuch?
TEBATSO: (l
aughing)Scared?Girl
,whosai dI
wasscared?I t’
sjust…myf at
her.Ineverknew
abouthim unti
lafewday sago.NowIhav et
o
i
ntroducemy sel
ftohi m.I
t’sner
v ewrecking.
KEDI
:Aoshem…Icouldi
magine.Don’
twor
ry,
whenyouar
eready,
you’
lldoi
t.
TEBATSO: Nemmaj aanongaboont saajang?
KanaIhadt oldMox,mybusi nesspar t
ner,gor
e
I’
vef oundanemployeeforthebutcher y
.Wear e
struggli
ngri
ghtnowt aki
ngturnshelpingatthe
butcherybecausewecan’tfindsui
table,non-
alcoholi
cdecentgi
rl
sl i
keyou.
KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)howdoy
ouknowI
’
m notan
al
cohol
ic?
TEBATSO:Owaii…doy
ouev
enknowhow
al
coholt
astes?
KEDI
:For
tunat
ely
,no.I
tnev
erappeal
edt
ome.
TEBATSO:Kar
eontserej
angnemma?Ory
ou
foundsomet
hingel
se.
KEDI:(nervously
)Tebat so, Ireal
lydon’twantto
causeanyt rouble.I
’
m aqui etandr eservedgir
l,
andIhur teasil
y.ThingsIwasaccusedoft he
otherday…I’m nohomewr ecker,I’
l
l neverbe
withamanwhoi staken.I treall
yhur tmebeing
accusedofsuchandcal l
ednameswhenal lI
am try
ingt odowaspr ovidef ormychi ldr
en.
TEBATSO:
Whoaccusedy
ouofwhat
?
KEDI:Ah,l
et’
snottal
kaboutit
.Ishoul
dn’
teven
havetakenthi
sri
de,i
t’
sjustt
hatIhavebeen
wait
inglongandthebusisn’
tcoming.
TEBATSO:I
twasBat
hsheba,
wasn’
tit
?Di
dshe
cometoyou?
KEDI:Icametoy ourhouse.Shetol
dmet he
posi
tionwasfil
ledand…otherthi
ngs.Ithi
nkits
bett
erIjustst
ayaway .I
’l
lfi
ndsomethingelse.
Somegi rlwor
kingataChineseshopsai dshe
coul
dputi nagoodwor dformewi t
hherboss.
TEBATSO: (sighing)Kedi ,
pl easedon’tt
ake
Bathshebatohear t.Shedoesn’ tmeanhalfthe
vi
lethingsshesay s,andshei sn’
tasmeanas
shelikestopor t
rayher sel
f .Yougotthejob.
Let’
sgot othecl ubsoDai sycanpr ocessyour
i
nfoandr egisteryouasst aff.
KEDI
:Idon’
tknow,
Tebat
so…
TEBATSO: Soyouhav eanoppor tunit
yatajob
thatwil
lpayyouwel landy ou’
l
lturnitdown
becauseyourli
tt
lefeelingsgothurt?Reall
yKedi
?
Whathappenedt o‘Ij
ustwantt oprov i
deformy
chil
dren?’
Whendi ditbecomeabouty ou?
KEDI:Fi
ne…I
’l
ltakeit
.But…Ijustdon’
tli
kebei
ng
accusedofhor
ribl
ethings.
*
***
**

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumocheckedhi sphoneashewokeup,
readi
ngthemessaget hensatupabruptl
yand
putonhiscl
othes.Hewal kedoutandfound
MaotoandKwapawor kingout
.They’
dspent
theni
ghtathi
spl ace.

KGODUMO:
Anynewsf
rom t
hepol
i
ce?

KWAPA: Sti
l
lnothi
ng…wher
ecoul
dhebe?I
hopetheyarebothok.Wecal
l
edaround,
asked
ever
yoneandnooneknowsat hi
ng.
KGODUMO:
Don’
twor
ry,
I‘
ll
askar
oundandf
ind
hi
m.
MAOTO:Nowwher
ear
eyouof
ftosoear
lyi
n
t
hemorni
ngnemal
ume?
KGODUMO:(l
aughi
ng)SeeJohn’
ssons!Asking
amanmyagewher eheisgoi
ng?Ij
a!WhatifI
tol
dyouI
’
m goingt
oseeny at
siy
ame?
MAOTO:(
laughi
ng)i
j
o…hav
efunkony
atsi
ng…I
mean…
KGODUMO:
Maot
onaar
ewar
ekenal
eny
atsi
?
MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)Idi
dn’
tsay
…Imean…It
hink
Ibet
tershutup.

*
***
**

I
NTHEOUTSKI
RTSOFFRANCI
STOWN

Kgodumodr
oveupt
otheol
dabandonedpl
ace
andpar kedt hecaratadi st ance, walkingt he
restofthewaywi thhi
swal kingst i
ck.Thepl ace
wasr eallyj ustanone- descr iptt wor oomed
housewi tht hewal l
snotpl ast ered,corrugated
i
ronr oofing, akr al
lataf ardi st ance,anda
greenJoj owat ertankbesi det hehouse.I tdidn’
t
l
ookanydi fferentfrom alltheot hersmal l f
ar ms
aroundi t.Hecoul dseeTshepe’ sbikeatt he
sideoft hehouse.Hewal kedov ertoit.Sot his
washowt heyleft.He’
dal mostf orgotthathi s
nephewl ikedt or i
deasmuchashedi d.How
thehelldi dTshepeknowaboutt hi
splace?I t
hadbeenabandonedf ory ear s!
Hestoodatthedoorandl
i
stenedi
nont
he
conv
ersat
ion.

*
***
***
**

REBAONE:
Youcan’
tkeepmeher
efor
ever
,
Tshepe!Ineedt
ogohome,
I’
m sur
eev
ery
onei
s
l
ookingforme.
TSHEPE:Notunti
lyouseer
easonandgett
hat
st
upidi
deaofleavi
ngmeoutofyourhead.
REBAONE: Locki
ngmeupatsomepl aceoutof
nowhereisn’
tgoingtohel
py ourcase.Youare
tr
yingtoconvi
ncemey ouarenotabadguy
here!Thi
sisverybadguystuff!
TSHEPE:Honest
lyReba,ify
ouarenotgoingto
saywhatIwantt
ohear ,
thenshutupbecauseI
haveafucki
ngmigrai
ne.
*
***
***
*
Kgodumopi
ckedt
heol
dlockandwal
kedi
n.
KGODUMO:Goodmorni
ng,
nephew…ev
ery
one
i
sworri
edabouty
out
wo.
TSHEPE:
Malume…howdi
dyougether
e…how
di
dyoufi
ndus?
KGODUMO:
Doesi
tmat
ter
?Uncuf
fher
,and
wenaRebaone,gowaitout
side.Iwantt
otalkto
yourhusbandf
irst
.Whathappenedtoyoureye?
Youhav eacut
…
REBAONE: Hehi
tmemalume.Tshepe,
he…he
(sobbi
ng)hewentt
ovisi
thi
smistr
essinRussi
a
andIfoll
owedhi
m andhebeatmeupforit
.
TSHEPE:Comeon…shei sexaggerat
ing.I
sl
appedyou,notbeatyouupRebaone, you
don’
thav
et odramati
zeeveryt
hing!
KGODUMO: Rebaone,wai
toutsi
dengwanaka,
I’
l
lcall
youaf t
erItal
ktoyourhusband.Ineedt
o
seri
ouslyt
alktothetwoofyou.
Tshepeuncuff
edherfr
om thebedpostandshe
walkedout
side,r
ubbi
ngherbrui
sedwri
stsfr
om
thecuff
s.

*
***
***
*
Af
tershel
eft
KGODUMO:
So,
wenay
oubeatwomen,
huh?
TSHEPE:
Mal
ume…i
t’
snotl
i
ket
hat
,Ij
ust
…
(Hehithi
m acr
osst
heabswi
tht
hewal
ki
ng
sti
ck)
KGODUMO: Youaresuchabi gmany ouhit
women, huh?(Hi
thim againacr
ossthethigh
anddownt hecal
ves)Let’sseehowy oufare
agai
nstaman.Comeatme, boy…y
ouhadt he
audacit
ytoputyourhandsonawoman
akere…hi
tme…
(Kgodumohithim acoupleoft
imesagai
nwit
h
hiswalki
ngsti
ck,droppi
nghimtothefl
oor
)
KGODUMO: Getupandbeatmeupl i
keyou
werebeati
ngthatwoman…getup!(Conti
nui
ng
tohithi
m)DidIraiseyout
obeacowar d,
Tshepe?Becauseonlycowar
dshitwomen…did
I
?
TSHEPE:
Nny
aar
ra…
KGODUMO: Jaanong,
wheredoyougett
he
habit
?WhichKgagodi mandoyouknowwho
haseverhitthei
rwoman?Youruncl
ePheko?
UncleTimothy?Me?Yourfat
her
?Hasanyofus
everhitawoman?
TSHEPE:
Nny
aar
ra…
KGODUMO:Ev eny oursi
ster
’sdi
sci
pli
ne,
both
JohnandIl
eftittoyourmother,
haveIeverl
aid
ahandofMositi?
TSHEPE:
Nosi
r
KGODUMO:Hav
eyoueverseenKwapaand
Maot
obeatt
hei
rwi
ves?
TSHEPE:
Nosi
r…
KGODUMO:(hit
ti
nghim agai
n)Andwher
edi
d
youl
ear
nthat?Answerme!
TSHEPE:
Mal
ome…Iwasj
ust
…
KGODUMO: Tr
yandexpl
ainorv
ali
dat
eviol
ence
agai
nstwomentomeagainandIwil
lki
l
lyou!
Thereisnoreasonwhat soeverforyoutolay
yourhandsony ourwife,youunderstand?Ifshe
getsir
ri
tati
ng,walkaway !Kgagodimenar er eal
men, wedon’tbeatwomen!Doy ouwantt o
star
tanewt rend,huh?Doy ouwantboMot heo
l
eboEl ileboDariustolearnfrom youthat
mosadi wabetswa?
TSHEPE:
I’
m sor
rymal
ume.
KGODUMO: Sorr
ydoesn’tcuti t,
Makesur ethis
neverhappensagai n.Youar egoi ngto
apologiset othatwomanf orlayingy ourhands
onherandhol di
ngheragai nstherwi ll
.Whet her
shef orgivesyouornoti sherownchoi ce,no
coercingher .Theny ouaregoi ngt ogot oher
parentsandapol ogiset
othem.Af t
erourf amily
hist
or i
es,theystill
trust
edy ouenought ogive
yout heirdaughter’
shandi nmar ri
age, andwhat
doy oudo, beatherup!Nxla!Gocal lyouwi f
e.
Hewentout
sider
ubbi
nghi
sbr
uisedbodyand
cal
l
edin
Rebaone.

*
***
***
*
KGODUMO: Rebaonewee, Idon’ tknowwhat
youdidandIdon’ tcare,itdoesnotexcuse
viol
enceagai nstawoman.ButIknowy ou, Reba.
Iwatchedy ougr ow.Yourpar entsspoiledy ou
toomuch.Youar emani pulati
v eandabr at,
unfortunatelynobodyev ertellsyout hetr
ut h
becausey ouf oolever
y onei ntobelievi
ngy ou
arethissweetper son.Thi smanher eistrained
tovalueandpr ot
ecthumanl i
fe.Heknowshow
tostandi ntensesi t
uationsandkeephi scool.
Hewoul dn’thav ehity
ouunl esspushedt ot he
extr
emes.
REBAONE:
Butmal
ume…
KGODUMO: Gi
rl
!Don’tdar
eint
err
uptmewhenI
tal
k.Youcreat
edthi
smess.Yousaidhewas
cheati
ng.Whatdidyoudo?Becausewenakao
i
tsegotlhe,detecti
veRebaone,youdeci
detogo
onyourownmi ssi
on.Di
dy ougotoyourmother?
Motherinlaw?Becauset hatishowweset t
le
thi
ngs.Youar emar ri
edproperl
ykaSetswana,o
l
ail
we…
REBAONE:
KanaIcanexpl
ainmal
ume…Iwas
j
ust…
KGODUMO: Rebaone,ot ogaont ena!Your
bratt
yat ti
tudeneedstoend, unf
ortunatelyyour
parentsenableit.Doy ouseehowDani ell
ais?
Shei sanent i
tl
edbr at
,shewhi nesandsnat ches
what evershewant sfrom otherkids,shei s
self
ishandhasnomanner swhatsoev er.She
hasno‘ please’or‘
thanky ou’andshei sv ery
enti
tledatonlyaget hree.Wher edoy out hi
nk
shelear nsallt
his?
REBAONE:
(looki
ngdownembar
rassed)f
rom
me
KGODUMO:
Cor
rect
…ker
aagor
eist
hatt
he
behavi
ouramothershoul
dbepor
tray
ingt
oher
daught
er?Olekanakana!Howol
dareyou?
REBAONE:
30
KGODUMO:
Andwena?
TSHEPE:
33
KGODUMO: I
sy ourbehav i
ourconsi stentwi tha
33and30y earsol dmanandwoman?Le
batonamane, nnankar el et lant sheleka!Iwant
yout wot otalk,reall
yt alk, seei fyoucanmake
thi
ssham r ubbishy oucal lamar riagewor k.If
youst i
llbeli
evey oucan, seekt her apy,comet o
theelder sforadv i
ce.Fi xi tandcr eateast able
homef orthechi l
dreny oudeci dedt obr i
ngin
thi
sear th.Allthatrubbi shIhearabouty out wo
arguingandscr eami ngateachot heral most
everynightsomuchsot hatt henei ghbour scan
hearitmustcomet oanend.Iwi llnotbe
havingt histal
kwi thy out woagai n.Ify oucan’t
beci vi
l
, getadamndi vor ce, nnal eret seny a
mat
hoabat
ho.Under
stand?
TSHEPEANDREBA:
Yessi
r…
KGODUMO: Fi
ndy ourwayhome, Idi
dn’tbr
ing
youtwohere,
Iam nott aki
ngyouback…you
bikehasr
anoutoff uelbytheway,mist
er.
Gooddaynow.(Hel aughedandwalkedoutand
backtohi
scar).

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
15]Ron:
EPI
SODE15

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Gout
awalkedi
nandf
oundMaot
owat
chi
ng
t
elev
isi
on
GOUTA:
Goodev
eni
ng,
MrPhi
l
ipMaot
oKgagodi
.
MAOTO:
Wel
l
,wel
l
,wear
einagoodmood…a
changef
rom t
hepastf
ewday
s.Iseeweev
en
gotnewhai
r…
GOUTA:(smi
li
ngandpatti
ngthelongwav
yhai
r
fr
amingherf
ace)Obser
vant.Il
i
ke…
MAOTO:
Wher
ear
emybabi
es?
GOUTA:Ameliahhasbeenaski
ngt
ohavethem
vi
sit
,so…(sherai
sedt
hebottl
eofwi
neshewas
hol
ding)
MAOTO: Ooooh…Chi
ant
i…v
eryol
dtoo,
classy
,
MrsKgagodi.
GOUTA:
Stol
enf
rom myf
ather
’swi
necel
l
ar.
..
MAOTO:Oh,youwenttoseehi
m?Arewe
f
ri
endswitht
heoldguynow?Whendidy
ougo
t
ohishouse?
GOUTA:I
…uhm…Iwentto…uhm…heaskedto
seeme.Tal
ki
ngaboutr
econci
li
ati
onst
uffand
shi
t.
MAOTO:
What
every
ousaymyl
ove.Hei
syour
fat
her
,I’
l
lfol
l
owy ourl
ead.Any
way
,towhatdoI
owethi
skidfreeev
eni
ng?
GOUTA:Well
,af
teral
lthest
ressabouty
our
brot
hermi
ssi
ng…andwehav ebeenworki
ng
hardMaot
o,wedeserveabreak.
MAOTO: Imean,ther
ear ethingsbetweenus
andIthinkweshoul drathersolvethem f
ir
st
bef
oregoi ngforaholi
day .Somet hi
nghasbeen
bot
heringy ou…pl
easet el
lmewhati ti
s.
GOUTA: Ihat ethatit’
smaki ngy ouwor ry…soI
hav enochoi cebutt or ui
nthesur pri
se.We’ve
actuallynev erreall
yhav eahoney moon, you
know…nowt hatmma- Bis8mont hsandal l
,the
businessi sgoi ngwel l…Ithinkwedeser vetime
off.Plusyourbi rt
hdayi scomi ngupandal l
.I
knowhowmuchy ouhat eleavingt hekids,so
thet houghtofy oumay berejectingtheidea,
plust hestressoft r
yingt okeepev er
ything
secret …well
…
MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)ohmyGod!Youser i
ously
gotme!Youwer epl
anningavacat
ion?I
’m such
anidi
ot,
Ishouldhaveknown.Sothesecr
et
phonecall
s?
GOUTA:
(smi
l
ing)Anagenti
nVeni
ce…
MAOTO:Andt
hehot
el?Youwentt
her
eacoupl
e
oft
imes.
GOUTA: Afor
merschoolmatewasinthe
count
ryandsheborrowedusherfamil
yvil
l
a
whil
ewearet her
e.Wewer edi
scussi
ngthe
l
ogist
icssi
nceshewi l
lbeoutoft
hecountr
y.
MAOTO: Ifeel
li
kesuchamor onandanasshol
e.
That’swhyy ouweresoof f
endedwhenI
thoughtyouwer echeat
ing.I’
m sosor
ryI
doubtedy oummagwe- Motheo…Whyar ey
ouso
perfect
,mybeaut i
fulwi
fe?
GOUTA:(steppi
ngbackandunt yi
nghercoat
,
Maotowhistl
edlookingatherski
mpyoutfi
t
under
neaththecoat)well
,RragweMotheo…thi
s
i
sjustt
hebegi nni
ngofagoodbi rt
hdaymonth.
Andtokickstartt
hings…(shethr
ewthecoatoff
andwentdownonherkneesi nfr
ontofhi
m)
si
r…Iam readytoserve…

*
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
Tshepewal
kedinfr
om hisrunandf
ound
Rebaoneonthebedreadi
ng.
TSHEPE:Gonet oseeyourparentsyet
?Thatol
d
manwagompol aagompieno, Imean,mal
ume
al
readykickedmyass,Idon’
tthinkIcoul
ddeal
wit
hanotherbeati
ngjustyet
.Mybodyi ssor
e
al
lover.
REBAONE:(
laughi
ng)not
hingyoudon’tdeser
ve
youpi
eceofshit
.Iwi
shhe’dhavebeatenyou
upmore.Myparent
saresti
llpi
ssed.Theywant
met ocomehome.Itol
dthem Iwascomi
ng
backformybags,
that’
stheonl
ywaythey’
dlet
mecomebackher e.Myfat
herevenwant
edto
escortme.
TSHEPE: Nemmaar eyousti
lll
eavi
ngme?I
knowmal umesaidnocoer ci
on,butjustsoyou
know,ifyoudoleaveme, I
’
m goingtoof f
my sel
f.Idon’
thavethegutstokil
lyoubecause
Il
ov eyou,butme…yea…
REBAONE:
Idon’
tcar
eify
oul
i
veordi
e
TSHEPE: Great
.BecauseIhaveami ssi
onto
NorthKor eainaf ewdays,andwhatIhaveto
dot here…well,
ifIgetcaughtt
hepunishmentke
capitalpunishment.Andthesecur
it
yset i
ghti
n
thatplace,so…
REBAONE: (
Teari
ngup)Tshepeareyouseri
ous?
WhatiswrongwithSamsara,pl
ease…shecan’
t
sendyouthere…y
oucan’
tgo
Tshepe…pl
ease…letmetal
ktoSamsar a
may
be…
TSHEPE: (
laughi
ng)Keadlala.Youshoul
dsee
yourfaceri
ghtnow!Ithoughtyoudidn’
tcar
eif
Ili
vedordied?
REBAONE: Yousee!Thi sarethemindgamesI
wastal
kingaboutTshepe!Youar easadist
ic
pi
eceofshit…doy ouknowhowscar edIam
ever
yti
mey outravel?Weneedhel p.Thisi
snot
normal
.People’srelati
onshi
psarenotliket
his.
Wehavekidst hatweoweabet terl
if
eto.
TSHEPE: Ihearyah…butIwast hi
nki
ng…j
ustone
l
asttime.Cambodi a.Siem Reap.Somedi ngy
-
assmot el
.Me, you,mygui t
ar,andsomecheap
scorpi
onr i
cewine!Whatdoy ousay,huh
(cl
imbingontothebednex tt
oherandkissing
herneck,pull
ingdownt hestrapsofhertop)…
anentireweektoour selv
es…
REBAONE:(
moani
ngandleani
ngherheadback
i
ntohi
m ashecar
esseddownhercl
avi
clet
o
herchest)Tshepe…please…don’t
…weuhm…. we
arenotgoodt ogether
.Wear enolonger
young…wecan’ tkeepdoingthis…(hekissed
downherneck)wear edysfuncti
onal…Ineed
better
…Ineedsomeonewhocangi v
eme
stabil
i
ty.
TSHEPE: (
nibbl
i
ngdownherearandmaki nga
trai
lofki ssesdownherneck)thequest i
on
though…( Turni
ngheraroundandkissingher
tenderly)myl ove…(Bi
ti
ngdownt hemoundof
herbreastandmaki nghermoan)is…( Ki
ssing
andbl owi ngcoolai
rwherehehadj ustbitdown)
doy ouwantsomeonewhocangi vey ou
stabil
i
t y
?
REBAONE: Tshepepleasedon’tdothi
s.You
askedmewhyourki dsar ewithmymot her
.
BecauseIwasn’tcopingTshepe.Youare
detachedfrom t
hem…y ouneverchangeda
singl
ediaperwhentheywerebabies…never
reall
yhel
dt hem…youneverplaywith
them…nevergoonyourowntoseet hem,Ihav
e
todragyouther
e.AndIknowthisi
snot
becauseyouareater
ri
blefat
herbecauseyou
werethemostamazingfat
hertoEll
a…what
changed?
Hestoodupandwalkedawayf
rom her
,rubbi
ng
hi
sfacewit
hhishands
TSHEPE:Arggg!Rebaone!Mustyoubr
ingt
hat
up?Can’
tyouletmebabygi r
lrest
?Damnit
!
REBAONE: Youar eafr
aid…youarescaredthe
samet hi
ngthathappenedt oEll
awi l
lhappento
thetwinsi
fyougetat t
achedt othem.Sheis
dead,Tshepe.Hurtsmet oo,butsheis!We
shouldhavegottenproperpsychologi
calhelp
sowecoul dmov eon.Thet winsarehere,t
hey
arehereandwhet heryouignorethem ornot,
theyarenotgoinganyway .
TSHEPE:
Well,
Ineverwantedthem any
way!
Howthehel
lam Isupposedtolov
eanother
chil
dafter…aft
ershewast akefr
om usjustli
ke
that?Ineverwantedthem andyouknewt hat
!
Youshoul dhavetakencareofi
twhenIt oldyou
to!Fuckthis.I
’
m goingoutforadri
nk.
REBAONE:
Tshepewai
t…pl
ease…I
’
m…
TSHEPE:Don’
twannaheari
t…(
Hebangedthe
doorashewalkedout
sidet
ohi
scarandt
ook
off
)
REBAONE:
(si
ghi
ng)I
’
m pr
egnant
.

*
***
**

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE
Kgodumowal kedovertot hekitchentowash
thesoftporri
dgebowl andcof feemug, thengot
aglassofwat erandwal kedbackt ot he
bedroom.Heopenedhi sdr awerandpul l
edout
thesecretcompartment, t
akingoutt he
medicati
onandsatonthebedwhi
l
ehet
ook1
eachfrom t
hesever
alpacket
s.

Whenhewasdonehecl osedt hedrawerand

l
ockedi t
,putti
ngt hekeyi nhispocketand
grabbedhishospi tal
appoi nt
mentcardand
someot hermedi calrecordshe’dgottenf
rom
hi
sl astvi
sitwit
ht heprivatedoctor
.

Hewalkedtot
hedoor,st
oppingatthephotoof
hi
m andhisbr
otherwhentheywereyounger.

Hest
oodt
her
elooki
ngati
tandsmi
l
ing.

KGODUMO: Brother
…Imissyousomuch,you
werethesaneoneandIfeel
likeyouwoul
d
hav
ehandledthingssomuchbetter
…theboy
s
wouldhavetur
nedoutmuchbet t
erwit
hyou
around.Idon’ tknowwhyGoddoeswhatHe
does, taket hegoodandt heneededandl eav e
thelikesofme…I ’
m nof ather .Iknownot hing
aboutr aisingki ds, soIapol ogi sefortheway
theyt urnedout .Ididmybest …orIl i
ketot hinkI
did…buty ouseehowt heyar e.Mur der
charges…beat ingupwomen, allsort
soft hings.
Whydi dtheyt ur noutmor el i
kemet hany ou?
Whycoul dn’tatl eastoneber ati
onaleandsane
l
ikey ouwer e…becauseatl eastIwoul dgoi n
peaceknowi ngt hef amilyhasapeacemakert o
keept hem t oget her .RightnowIam soscar ed,
mybot her …Idon’ tknowwhatt hi
sdoct orwi l
ltel
l
me.Idon’ tknowi ftheycanr emov ethistumour
andi fIwi llmakei tthrought hepr ocedure.I
don’tknowhowl ongIhav e, butIam
scared…notbecauseIam af raidtodie,Iliveda
l
ifethatconst ant lyputmei ndeat h’swaywhenI
wasy oung.Br ot her, Iam af raidbecauseI
cannotl eav ey ourboy sal one.Notnow.They
stil
lneedmuchhel p…
Hewi pedatearandwal
kedtowar
dst
hedoor,
stoppingwhenhehear
daknock.Whocoul
d
thatbesoearlyi
nthemorni
ng?Hewentov
erto
opent hedoor
.
KGODUMO:
Eher
ra?
TEBATSO:(ner
vousl
y)Dumel
ang.I
’
mlooki
ng
forMrKgodumoKgagodi.
KGODUMO: Ee,
buamonna,
keeney
oKgodumo
kasebel
e.
TEBATSO:Iwas…it
’sj
ust
…I…Idon’tknowwher
e
tost
art
…Imean,itl
ooksl
ikeyouar egoi
ngout
,
maybeIshoul
dcomebackanot herday.

Kgodumostoodther
elookingatthey oungman.
John.Aspi
tt
ingi
mageofhi sbrother.His
ext
remehandsomechisell
edlook,thatKgagodi
hei
ght,t
hemildmanneri
sm, cal
m demeanour …
John.
Heshookhi sheadandsmiledashet
houghtof
exactl
ywhatitmeant.Hehadbeenamanofa
colour
full
if
einhisheyday
,sohewasn’
texactl
y
surpri
sed.
AllJohn’
sboysl
ookedexactl
yli
ket
heiruncl
e.
Actedli
kehi
m.Hesawhi mselfi
neachofthe
thr
eeofthem ev
erysi
ngleday.
I
twouldonl
ymakesensethatthi
syoungman
woul
dlookandbeli
kehisuncl
etoo.Howcoul
d
hehavenev
erfoundoutal
lthi
sti
me?
KGODUMO: (smil
ingathim andpattinghi
m on
theshoul
der
)Me?Goi ngout ?Whereonear th
willanol
dmanl i
kemebegoi ngtota?Iwasjust
try
ingtogooutsi
deandgetsomef reshair
.
Comei nmonnaandt el
lmeal laboutit
.

*
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
15]Ron:
EPI
SODE16
ATTHEDI
KGANGHOUSE

Rebaonel
ayi
ngonbedwi
thherheadonher
si
ster
’sl
ap.

RANEWA: Ah,butnnat otaIt hi

nky oushould
j
ustcal l
itqui
tssis.Youhav ecompr omisedtoo
muchf orthatman.Kegor enkar ewheny ouar
e
aroundTshepey ouf orgetyourwor th.Imean,
youar eRebaoneDi kgang,damni t!Youcould
pullanymany ouwantwi thoutevent ryi
ng.
REBAONE: ToobadIonlywantone…Tshepe
i
sn’tsobad,j
ustthaty
ouguysdon’tunder
stand
hi
m.
RANEWA:Hebri
ngsouttheworsti
nyou!And
say
sheneverwant
edhischi
ldr
en?Whatkindof
mansayst hat
!YouarenothappyReba,y
ou
needtoleavehi
m…aww, sorrybaby,
don’
t
cry
…it
’l
lbeok…( Wi
pinghertears)
.
REBAONE: I
twon’
tbeokRanni!Imean,hesay
s
heneverwantedt
hetwi
ns,whatifheleav
es
becauseofthi
sbaby
?Ican’
tlosehim.
RANEWA: I
fheleavebecauseofhi schi
ldthen
i
tsgoodr i
ddance.Hell
,Ihopehel eave,
youwi l
l
bebetteroff
.Buthowcoul dyoubeso
i
rresponsi
blelewenamaneReba!Youknew
yourrel
ati
onshipwasn’tst
able…togetpr egnant
sti
ll
…IthoughtyouwereonI mplant?
REBAONE:Iwas…am.Iguessitmal
funct
ioned
orsomet
hing.Whatam Igoi
ngtodoRanni?
RANEWA: Takecontrolofyourl
if
e,that’
swhat.
YouhaveusReba, mamaandpapawi l
lhelp
wit
hthekids,andIwill
takecareofany t
hing
youneed.Youcant akeasabbaticalfort
he
newbaby.
REBAONE:
Ithi
nkI
’
mjustgoi
ngt
o…y
ea,
Ithi
nk
I
’l
lj
ust…
RANEWA: Don’
tyoudareabortt
hatbaby
Rebaone!Don’tyoudar
e!Iknowy oudon’
twant
todothat.I’
l
ltel
lmama…
REBAONE: AndI’l
ltel
lheryouarer
unning
aroundwithschoolboys.I
t’
smydecisi
onand
I’
m gett
ingri
dofit,andyouwill
notsayawor
d
tomama!

MmaDi
kgangwal
kedi
n
MMA-DI
KGANG:
Notsayawor
dtomamaabout
what
?
REBAONE:That…t
hatIam goi
ngonashortsoul
sear
chi
ngtri
ptoBali
…justme,t
oheal
…you
know,r
edi
scovermyself
.Theyhav
eapackageI
sawonatouri
sm websit
e.
MMA-
DIKGANG:
Youneedf
ami
l
ysuppor
t
Reba…especial
lywhenyoufi
lefordi
vorce.Buti
f
thi
str
ipwillgiv
eyouclar
it
y,Iam al
lfori
tmygi r
l.

*
***
***
*

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

KGODUMO: Wellson,Iam gl
ady oucamet o
fi
ndme.Thi smightnotmeanmuch, butIwoul
d
neverabandonmyownbl ood.HadIknown
aboutyouIwouldhav edonerightbyyouand
yourmotheralongt i
meago.
TEBATSO:
It’
snopr
obl
em r
eal
l
y…
KGODUMO: Ihopethi
sisnotimposi ng,butIwil
l
l
iket
oknowy ouandbeaf at
hertoy ou.Iwould
l
iket
ogoapol ogi
zetoyourmot herandher
fami
ly,
andifyouwish,haveyoutakey our
ri
ght
fulnameofKgagodi,buttherei
sno
pressureonthatone.Iwil
lbehappywithany
choiceyoumake.Iwantt ointr
oduceyoutot
he
familyandtheancestor
s,sowewi ll
havea
ceremony.Areyouokwi ththat?
TEBATSO:
Eer
ra…
KGODUMO: Andthemissus,
Iwoul
dli
ket
o
meethertoo,
seetheki
ndofwomanmysoni
s
marr
ying.
TEBATSO:
(fi
ddl
ingwit
hhi
shandsnerv
ousl
y)
Uhm…youmightknowher
,Mosi
ti
’sf
ri
end
Bame…
KGODUMO: Bamekoohe?Ehee,
thet
all
mixed
raceone?
TEBATSO:
Eer
ra,
that
’sher
…
KGODUMO:
Ao,
eney
ole?
TEBATSO:
Shei
sact
ual
l
yqui
teani
cegi
rl
…
KGODUMO:Obonahelaify
ouhav etosay
‘
act
ual
ly
’toexpl
ainaper
son,knowthatther
eis
aproblem.Ani cegir
lshouldjustbeani cegirl
,
noneedt oexplaini
t.Butyouknowherbet t
er,I
havemetheraf ewtimesinpassi nghel
a.Bring
heraroundoneoft hisdaysandl et’
sall
spend
thedaytogether.Howdoest hatsound?
TEBATSO:
Thatwoul
dbeni
ce.
KGODUMO: Great!ThiscomingweekendIwi l
l
l
iketohaveasmal lf
ami l
ydinnert
oi nt
roduce
youbeforewehav etheancestr
alceremony.
Butifyouhavesomet imebeforethat,docome
overandproperlyint
roducemet oy ourwif
eto
be.
TEBATSO:
Ok.Iwi
ll
cal
ltomor
rowaf
terI
conf
ir
m wi
thBamewhenwecancomeseey
ou.

*
***
***
*

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Onikagroggi
lygotoutofbedandwal ked
towardsthekitchenwhereshecouldhearsome
noise.Thehousehelpwassogoi ngtobein
troubl
efrom hermotherinlawi
ftheymadet hi
s
muchnoi sei
nt hemor ni
ng…wai
t,nohousehelp
here.Theywerei nFr
ancist
own!

Shesmi l
edasshewal kedtot hekit
chen.No
househel p.Shecoul dactuall
ygett omakeher
l
ittl
efami l
ybreakfastwithoutbeingberatedfor
i
t.Hell,noyogacl assesorhav ingtodollher
sel
f
upandbedr aggedt opubl i
cfuncti
ons.Whydi d
thethoughtoft hatfeelsogood?Godknows
thelasttimeshewasal lowedt ocook!Who
saidyouneededsomeexot i
ccount r
ytobeon
vacati
on?Somet i
mesj ustal i
ttl
etimeaway
from yourmot her-i
n-l
awi salli
ttakes.
ONI
KA:
(wal
ki
ngi
ntot
heki
tchen)OhmyGod!
Whatareyouguysdoing!Whatt he…Desmond!I
j
ustwashedherhair,l
ookatthat…Des!Lookat
whatyoudid…al
lthatfl
ouri
nherhai r
…doy ou
knowjusthowlongwashdayt akes!Desmond!
Don’
tlaugh,I
’
m seri
ous…
POPPY:
Wear emakingyoubr
eakf
asti
nbed
mommy !Daddysay
siti
sroman…r
omantf
ul?
DESMOND: (l
aughi
ngandrust
li
ngherhai
r)
Romantic,
babygir
l…weweret
ryi
ngtobe
romant
ic.Sor
ry…
ONI KA:Youbet
terbesorry
!Howcoul d…wait,
youknowwhat ?Let’smakemessest oday.
Let’
shav efunmakingbr
eakfast.Probably
nothingyouguysmadeisedible,butitissti
ll
thebestbreakf
astI’
veeverseen.I’
llquickl
y
makeuspancakes.Poppyy oudeci dewhat
colouryouwantthem…
POPPY:
Canweputgl
i
tteront
hem mommy
?
ONI
KA:
(laughi
ng)Idon’
tknowaboutgl
i
tter
,
pri
ncess,butwecanmaket
hem pi
nk,
howdoes
thatsound?
POPPY:
Awesome!
ONI
KA:Great
,now,r
unal
ongandbrushyour
t
eet
hbecauseIknowyoudi
dn’
tbr
ush,li
tt
lel
ady
.
Desmondpul
l
edhercl
oserbyt
hewai
stand
ki
ssedher
.
DESMOND: Youaresoper
fectMrs
Marumo…especi
all
ywheny ouj
ustwokeupand
haven’
tdol
l
edupy et
.Remindsmeofthefi
rst
ti
meImety ou…
ONI
KA:
Ilookamess…
DESMOND: (
kissingher)youar ethebestmess
I’
veev erseenthen.Iabsolutelyloveseeingyou
alldressedupi neventsandal l
.Youar eeasi
ly
themostbeaut i
fulgi
rli
nanyr oom, andy ou
hav echarm andar egenuine,sopeopleeasily
fal
l i
nlovewi t
hy ou…butthis…t hi
s‘notput
together’car
efreeOnikaIgeti nsuchr ar
e
momentsl
iket
his…damn…If
all
inl
oveov
erand
ov
eragai
n.
Poppyranbackt
otheki
tchenhol
dingOni
ka’
s
phone.
POPPY:
Yourphonei
sri
ngingmommy.I
tsay
K…K…K-
wa-
ap?HowdoIr eadt
his?
DESMOND:Kwapa?Oh,
Idi
dn’
tknowwewer
ein
cont
actwi
thhi
m.
ONIKA: (si
ghi
ng)I’m not
…wetookSnowfl
aketo
hi
sclinictheotherday…Idon’
tknowwhathe
wantsnow, may besomemedi ci
nefor
Snowflake.
DESMOND:
Aren’
tyougoi
ngt
oansweri
t?
ONI
KA:(si
ghi
ng)IguessIhav
eto…(
Answer
ing
t
hephone)Hel
lo?
KWAPA:
heyNi
ka…
ONI
KA:MorningDrKgagodi…thanksforhel
ping
wi
thSnowf
laketheotherday.Sheisgoodnow,
any
thi
ngel
sey
ouwant
edt
otel
lusabouther
?
KWAPA: Let
’shav
el unchorsomet
hing…how
aboutt
omorrowafternoon.
ONIKA:No,
Snowfl
akeisabsol
utel
yfine,
so
ther
eisnoneedf
orthat
,wearenotinter
est
ed.
Byenow.
ShehungupandDesmondt
urnedherar
ound
andki
ssedher
.
DESMOND:
Ever
ythi
ngok?
ONIKA:Yea…hejust…hewascheckingon
Snowfl
akeandof f
eredsomev i
tami
npackst
hat
aregoodforherandst uf
f.Noti
nter
est
ed,
Snowfl
akeishealt
hy .

*
***
***
*

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE
WARONA:
Whoar eyout
ryi
ngt
ohav
elunchwi
th
t
omorr
owaft
ernoon?
KWAPA:
I…uhm…anol
dcol
l
eague.Hei
sint
own.
WARONA:
Oh…any
onef
rom ourcol
l
egeday
s?
KWAPA: Nah…justsomeguyImetata
confer
ence…nemmaWarar eyousureyouhav
e
toleav
e?(Kissi
ngher)
WARONA: Forawhileonl
y,babe.I
’
llbeatmy
aunt
’stohelpwit
ht hebabyforafewf i
rst
weeks.Shewast heoneoneabei lebotsetsi
ja
gaVanilastti
me.Imean, i
t’
snotli
keyour
motherisgoingt
ohel pme…
KWAPA:
Gout
acanhel
p…
WARONA: I
ncasey ouforgot,
Gigihasa
busi
nesstor unandthreeyoungchildren…I
havetogo,Ineedthehelp,andmyaunti sol
d,I
can’
texpecthertoleaveherhomeandcomeal l
thewayheref orme.Ishouldhaveleftafew
dayback,butIhadtocompl eteacase.Load
mybagsi
nthecarr
raandl
et’
sgo.Idon’
twant
gogor
ogabosi
go.
KWAPA:
It’
sunf
air
…sonnal
eVani
?
WARONA:Don’tbemad,butI’
veact
ual
ly
arr
angedf
orVanitost
aywithdadwhil
eI’
m
gone
KWAPA: Whywouldy oudot hatWar ona!Ican
takecar
eofmydaught er!Ihatethatyoualways
makedecisi
onswithoutconsulti
ngme, andI’
m
j
ustsupposedtoagree.
WARONA:(
kissinghim andsmi
li
ng)y
oucan’t
ar
guewi
thapr egnantwoman…comeonlet
’sgo.
KWAPA:Seri
ousl
yWar,Vani
wil
lbef
ine…shei
s
mydaught
ertoo,
youknow….
WARONA: Ofcour se…i
t’
sjust.Somet
imesyou
workl
ate,andI’l
lbeanxiouswonderi
ngifshei
s
homealone.Pleasebabe,let
’sgobefor
eIhave
thi
sbabyrighthere.
*
***
***
*

OUTSKI
RTOFTHEVI
LLAGE
Shepar kedbehi ndhi sbi keandhewal kedov er
tothecarsmi li
ng.Tshepewaspr obabl yoneof
themosthandsomement ohav eev erwal ked
earth,shesmi led,t
hinki ng.Hi sbr otherswer eall
that,butbot hpalednextt ohim.Fl awlessdar k
asni ghtski n….sotall…andt hosehar dabs…t he
confidencet hatheknewhewasal ooker …damn.
Andt hatper petualarrogantsmi l
e…hel etherbe
herself…car efreeandwi ld.Shedi dn’thav etobe
theDi kgangdaught er; herfami lywasl ookedup
toint hev il
lage,whichmeantr esponsi bil
iti
es
shehat ed.Shedi dn’thav et obeDrDi kgang…i t
gotsot ir
ingsomet imes.Shedi dnthav et obe
mommy …justReba…r idingt hewor ldwi thher
Clydeandi tmadeherahel l l
otofhappy .
Shelaughedthi
nkingofapar
ti
culardaywhen
theyhadasteamymor ni
nginthi
sv er
yspot
befor
etheyrodetheword.

Hepushedheragai
nstthecarandki
ssedher
vi
olent
lyunt
ilt
heywer
ebothoutofbreat
h.
TSHEPE:
Yourparent
ssti
ll
mad?Kgodumoi
s
onmyneckaboutcomingtoapol
ogi
ze.
REBAONE:Theyar
epushingf
ordi
vor
ceandmy
dadisoutf
orbl
ood.It
hinkgi
vet
hem t
imet
o
coolof
f…
TSHEPE:Thi
sisri
dicul
ous!Youareanadult
,
youshoul
dbemakingy ourowndecisi
ons,
andI
knowyouwanttostaywithme.Imissyou,I
wantmyBonniebackbymysi de…
REBAONE: Theyar
emyparents,
Tshepe.What
theysaygoesandyouknowthati
snot
negot
iabl
e.Hav
epati
ence…mypar
ent
sar
ever
y
for
giv
ing.Gi
vet
hem t
ime…
TSHEPE:(
sighi
ng)t
heot
herdayy
ouwant
edt
o
tel
lmesomethi
ng?
(Shesighedt hi
nkingaboutthepil
lshejusttook
thatwasaboutt ot akeeff
ectinafewhour s.
Thent hesecondpi llandi
twil
lal
lbedone.Thi s
wast herightthi
ng.Imean, hedi
dn’tev
enask
aboutt hetwinsj
ustnow)
REBAONE: Oh,i
twasnothi
ng…whatwasthat
yousaidaboutSi
em Reapandscor
pionr
ice
wine?Itol
dmymom Iam goingonasoul
searchi
ngtri
ptoBal
i.
TSHEPE:(gr
inni
ng)That
’smygi
rl
!Ir
eady
anyt
ime.Takeleav
eandwe’l
lbeout
i
mmedi at
ely
.
REBAONE:I
’m onl
eaveal
ready…gavethem
somesobstor
yaboutemotionalt
raumaafter
my‘or
deal
’
,andIgottwoweeks.Justgivemea
weekt
odeal
wit
hmypar
ent
sandwecanset
of
f.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/31,
15:
15]Ron:
CIRCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
SODE
17
TTHEDI
KGANGHOUSE

Ranewawal
kedi
ntoRebaone’
sroom andf
ound
heri
nbed.

RANEWA: Hmmm…gi r
l,mamawill
havey our
hi
deifshefi
ndsyouinbedat11am,i
jo!Youare
l
uckyshehadachurchthi
ngandsheleft
earl
y…wai
tReba,
areyoucry?What’
swr ong
baby?
REBAONE: Idon’ tthinkitworked, Ranni…Idon’
t
know,Iwas…It ookmi fepr
istone…t henI
rememberthrowi ngupbecauseIwasso
nauseas…andwhenIwokeupt oday…Ididn’
t
knowwhyIdi di t,butIcheckedf orahear t
beat
andit’
ssti
llt
her e…i tshouldhav estoppedby
now,Iwasgoi ngt otakemi soprostolinthe
morning…butt her eisahear tbeat…
Ranewapickedupthest
ethoscopeonReba’
s
si
detabl
eandr ani
toverhertummy,l
ist
eni
ng.
RANEWA: Yup…andi
t’
sst
rong.Youknowther
e
i
salwaysashighas4per
centofmifepr
ist
one
fai
l
ing,
right
?
REBAONE:ButTshepedoesn’twantachi
ld…he
doesn’
tev
engiveashitaboutthetwi
ns…
RANEWA: Thenfuckhim…wegotyoubaby ,
ok….wegotyou.Iknowyoudon’
twantt odo
thi
s,buti
fyouareadamantabouti
t,Icoul
d
arr
angeforasurgical
.
REBAONE: Ican’tdoi t
,Ranni…Ican’
tkillmy
baby.I
t’sami r
acle.IgotpregnantonImpl anon.
Animplanti s99%ef f
ecti
ve,andthenIt ook
mifepr
istoneandst i
llnot
hing…thisbabywas
meantt oli
v e.Idon’tknowhowI ’
m goingtodo
i
t,butI
’llf
indawayt okeepbothmyhusband
andmybaby …

*
***
***
**

ATKGAGODIFARM MANAGEMENT

Gout
aandMaot
osati
nherof
fi
ce
GOUTA:Maot
o,stop,
damni
t(l
aughi
ng)Maoto!
Thi
sisi
nappr
opri
atei
ntheof
fi
ce!Peopl
ecould
wal
kin.
MAOTO:Andt
hen?Batabobaregori
leng?Ba
t
swapel
o?Mywifei
stheboss,
IdoasIli
ke
(
pul
l
ingheri
ntohi
slap)
Tichi
nawal
kedint
ot hei
rof
fi
ceandGout
a
scrambl
edoffMoato’sl
ap.
TI
CHI
NA:
MrsKgagodi
…
GOUTA:Nott
oday
,Tichi
na…j
ust
…nott
oday
!I
hav
ealotinmymind…
TICHI
NA: (l
aughing)IswearI’m nott
ryi
ngto
causetr
ouble,ao!Ijustwantedtorunthis
syst
em reshuff
lebyy ouifi
t’
sok.Icouldalway
s
comebackl at
erifyouneedamoment .
GOUTA:
Fine,
letmetakealook…Maoto,
out
…gomakey our
sel
fusef
ulsomewhere.
Shehandedhert
hef
il
eandGout
ascanned
thr
ough
GOUTA:Wow…thisi
sgood,Tichi
na.Thi
sis
real
l
ygood.Thi
siswhatIhavebeentry
ingt
o
getMat
thi
astodoforages.
TI
CHI
NA:
Ify
ouski
ptopage17y
ouwi
l
lreal
i
seI
havepr oposedar ear
rangementf ort
hefarm
i
tselftoo.It
’smoney ,
electr
ici
ty,
andwat er
eff
icient,
itwouldhelpthefarmerswor kbet
ter
,
andgi vemor espacefortheanimals.
GOUTA:I
’mi
mpr
essed.Iknewy
ouwer
en’
ta
badhi
re.
TICHINA:Well,Ilookedaty ourv i
sion
documentsfort hefarm andIwor kedwithit.I
’
m
gl
ady ouli
keit.Iam alsotalkingt oadmint o
assignworkfort hethr
eenewi nt
erns.Keepme
aroundandIcoul ddomor egr eatworklikethi
s.
GOUTA:(si
ghing)Tichi
na,youknowIcan’
t…I
l
ikeyou,
real
lydo.Youhav egreatwor
kethi
c
andareahardwor ker,
butfamil
ycomesfir
st…
TICHINA:LikeIsaid…I’m nottr
yingtocause
tr
ouble,MrsKgagodi .ButIwon’tbej ustpushed
aroundli
ket hat.Hereisthethi
ng.I’l
lstayaway
fr
om Kwapa, Iwon’tsayanythi
ngatal l
,I’
ll
tel
l
hi
m IleftbecauseInol ongerwant edhim.It’
s
thatsimple.Butify ouguy skeeppushi ngme?
Trustme, I’
l
lgot ohi shouser ightnowandsi ng
l
ikeapar akeet.I’
lldowor se,I’
llleav
et he
Kgagodi f
ami l
yi nsucht art
arst henameTi china
Moet iwi
llgiveev eryoneofy ’allshi
vers.Ijust
wantt odomyj ob,y oupeopleneedt ojustleave
meal one,damn!Hav eIcausedanypr oblem
sinceIcame?No!I t’sjustyourfami l
ypushi ng
uponme.
GOUTA: (laughi
ng)Ti chi
na,l
ove…youar eabout
tolearnr ealqui
ckt hatyoudon’tt
hreaten
me…ev er!Thatwasav erybadmov e…Youj ust
don’t.Itakeshitl
iket hatper
sonal
.Now, getthe
fuckoutofmyof f
ice.
TI
CHINA:I
’
m notscar
edofyou,
Gout
adar
li
ng.
Sorunt
odaddyandaskhi
mt odohi
swor
st.

*
***
***
**
ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

TEBATSO: Aww, I
’
mtouched,
youarewear
inga
dressbecausewearegoingt
omeetmydad.
Lookaty ou,ev
enhav
eaheadscarfonand
everyt
hing…
BAME:Iwanthi
mt oli
keyou…Icanseehow
i
mport
antthi
sistoyou…
TEBATSO: Aww…keept
hatupandpeoplewi
ll
act
ual
lystartbel
i
evi
ngyouhaveaheart
.Why
wereyousomeant oKediwhenshecamehere?
BAME: Oh,sosher
ant oyouandsni
tched?Stop
fl
aunti
ngyourmist
ressinmyfaceTebatso,
it’
s
notri
ght.
TEBATSO: Wasi mollaakere?Whenar eyou
goingtogetthatIdon’tcheat?IfIwas
i
nterestedinanotherwoman, I’
dleave.Il
ove
you,Bathsheba,whetheryoubelieveitor
not….comeher e(ki
ssingher)Kediisnota
thr
eat.Sheisgoingthr
oughar eal
l
yhardti
me,
andno, I
’
m nottryi
ngtoplayMessiah,
butI
knowhowi tisl
iketosuff
er,t
onothav e
anythi
ng.
BAME:
Shei
snoty
ourr
esponsi
bil
i
ty…
TEBATSO: Yougrewupi nextremel uxury,you’
ll
neverknowhowi tfeelsli
kenotknowi ngwher e
yournextmealwill
comef rom, soyoucan’ t
empathisewit
hsomeonedownont heirluck.I
l
ivedtheworstofpov ert
y…soy ea,
It r
yt ohelp
whenIseesomeonesuf f
ering.Shei sjusta
personinneedtome…y ouar etheonl ywoman
forme,ok?
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedherf
orehead
BAME: Ihatetoadmitit
,butI
’
m scar
ed…whati
f
yourfatherdoesn’
tli
keme?Yourmom al
ready
hatesmesomuch…Ipr omiseI’
l
lbeonmybest
foryourdad…
TEBATSO:
Mymot
herdoesn’
that
eyou…she
j
ust …shei sr
uralandusedt oadiff
erentt ypeof
gi
rls.Andmyf atherwi l
lloveyou,heisaki nd
man.St opwor r
ying,ok?Now, r
eall
y,let’sgo
becausei fwespendami nut
emor einher ewe
aregoingt obeinher eforawhile…thatdr ess
l
ookssogoodony ou,i
thasmyheadr unning
wil
d.Onl yyoucanmakeapl ai
ndressl iket hat
l
ooksosexy ,myqueenofSheba.

*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Ranewawalkedi
nandf
oundTshepeonhi
s
computer
.
RANEWA: Karewenawaakolay
ouhaveti
met
o
chi
l
l andwat chmovi
eswhil
emysist
eris
suf
fering.
TSHEPE:(
sighi
ng)Whati
sitnow,Ranewa?
Don’
tyouDikgangf
amil
ygetti
redoftell
i
ngme
j
usthownotgoodforRebaIam?Shel ovesme
andIl
oveher…
RANEWA: Noyoudon’tTshepe!Youdon’
tlov
e
heratal
l
…y out
oldheryouneverwantedyour
chi
ldr
en?
TSHEPE:Thati
snoneofyourbusi
nessand
Rebaoneshoul
dn’
thav
etoldyouthat
RANEWA: Itismybusinesswhenmysi st
eris
ri
skingherlifefory
ouTshepe!Doy ouknow
what ’
sgoingonwi thherri
ghtnow?Ofcour se
youdon’tbecausey ouwalkedoutwhenshe
tr
iedt otel
lyou!Reba’
spregnantTshepe!And
ri
ghtnowshei scryi
ngherey esoutbecause
shet hi
nksy ouaregoingtoleaveherfori
t…
TSHEPE:Butshewasoncont
racept
ivesand…I
mean,howcouldshebepr
egnant…i
sshe….i
s
shekeepi
ngit
?
RANEWA:Gat we‘ i
sshekeepi ngit?
’Youar e
patheti
c.Bona, Tshepe, pl
easedomysi stera
favoranddivorceherbecauseshei stoodumb
todoitherself.She’llbeanamazi ngmot her,
shelovesherchi l
dr en,youshouldseeher swith
them athome.Butbecauseshef eelsl
ikey ou
don’tl
ikehavingt hem around,shetookt hem t
o
mom.I fyoureal l
ylov eherli
keyousayy oudo,
you’l
ll
eavehersoshecanbet hebestv ersi
on
ofherself
.Hav eagoodday .

*
***
***
**

ATGALOMALL

KwapawalkedoutofPick’
nPay ,
andsawOnika
si
tti
ngdownhav i
ngami l
kshakewhi
leonthe
phone.Hewalkedbehi
ndherandcoveredher
eyeswit
hhishands
ONI
KA:
Ser
iousl
y,y
oui
diot
…whost
il
ldoest
hat
?
KWAPA:(pul
l
ingachai
rbesi
desher
)Soy
oust
il
l
remembermyhands?
ONI
KA:
Whywon’
tyoul
eav
emeal
one?
KWAPA:(
pul
l
inghermi
l
kshakeanddr
inki
ngi
t)I
missy
ouOni
ka…
ONIKA:Youareassumi
ngIcare…besi
des,
aren’
t
yousupposedtobemarr
ied?
KWAPA: Wher ei
sy ourhusband?Onabusi ness
tri
pagai n?Ahh, Des,he’l
lneverchange.I
rememberhowl onelyhislat
ewi f
eusedtobe,
allalonewhi lehetravel
led.That’
swhyshe
turnedal coholi
c.Shame.I st
hatwhyy ouare
here?Feel ingboredathome?
ONIKA:(
standingup)Kwapa!Monnawa
Modimo!Leavemeal one, i
ja!NowI’
m good
enoughf
ory ou,i
sit
?Ar en’tIsti
l
ltr
yingtouse
mutionyou?Leavemeal one,damnit!
KWAPA:
Nika,
don’
tbel
i
ket
hat
…Imi
ssy
ou
ONIKA:Oh?Isi
t?Whatdoesyourwif
ehav
eto
sayaboutt
hathmm?Kanaonny adi
tsemoo
bonangnkannayourl
i
ttl
esidepi
ece?
KWAPA: Youar
ecausi
ngascene,Oni
ka!
Peopl
earewatchi
ng!Mywi
feoilebot
set
sing
anyway…
ONIKA: So?I’
m supposedt obeyour‘pusha
ti
me’ unti
lsheisback?Kgagodi men, you’
ll
neverchange.Ipityyourwifewait
se.Leaveme
al
oner ra.Iam veryhappyinmymar ri
age,tr
y
stayl
oy altoyoursandy oumightact
uallybeas
happyasIam.
Shetr
iedtowalkaway,buthepul
l
edherhand
andpull
edhercloseagai
nsthi
sbody
…

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
15]Ron:
EPI
SODE18

ATTHEDI
KGANGHOUSE
Rebaonel
aidonapicni
cmati
nthebacky
ard,
watchi
ngherchi
l
drenplay
.
DARIUS:I
’m asoldierlikeuncleTefo!Hebought
methisgunandsay shewi llbuymeabi gger
onenextti
mehev i
sit.WhenI ’m bi
ggerI’
m
goi
ngtobeasol dierlikehim!( Pi
cki
nguphi s
pl
asti
cgunandshoot ingathi ssi
ster)
Shesmi
ledatj
usthowmucht
heboyi
dol
i
zed
hi
suncl
e.
REBAONE: Dari
us!Stopit,i
j
a!Don’tshootat
yoursi
sterorIwil
ltakeitaway!Iam sogoingt
o
ki
llTef
of orbuy
ingy ouagun.
Hercousi
nTefowasprobablytheclosestt
hing
toafat
herfi
gur
einherson’
sl i
feasidefrom
Reba’
sdadofcour
se,butRra-Ranewawasol d
now, hecouldn’
tkeepupwi t
htheenerget
ic3
yearsol d,ev
ent houghhetri
edhisbestst
il
l.
UnlikewhenRebawasgr owi
ngwhenherf at
her
usedt orunaroundplay
inghideandseekand
kickingabal lwit
hthem.
Theyreall
ydidhaveaper f
ectchi
ldhood,
Ranewaandher .Herparentswerejustthebest
.
Whycouldn’tsheandTshepebel ikeher
parent
s?Lov eandrespecteachother,andgi
ve
thei
rchil
drenastableandhappyhomel i
keher
parent
sdid?
Theygr ewupreallyclosetoTefo,bei
ngraised
byasi ngl
emot her,RraRanewahadt ostepin
andhel phi
ssisterfrom ti
met oti
me,andTef o
vi
ewedhi m asadef actofat
her.Tef
olovedthe
ki
dsandcameev eryweekendandt ookthem to
i
cecr eam,thenhewoul dspendtheenti
reday
pl
ayingwi t
hthem, andt heyl
oveditsomuch.
Dari
uswoul dnotst optalki
ngabouttheday
Tefotookthem tot heBDFcamp.
Shelookedov eratDani
ell
awhowashav inga
teapartywit
hheri magi
naryf
ri
ends,el
egantand
sophist
icat
edi nherl
it
tl
esunhatandsummer
dress,j
ustl
ikeReba’smom.
Tshepewal
kedcl
osert
othem…
TSHEPE:
Heyguy
s…
REBAONE:
Hey
…
DANI
ELLA:
Hidaddy
…(shy
lyhi
dingbehi
ndher
mom)
DARIUS:LookDannie,uncl
eTefoi
sher e!He
sai
dhe’l
ltakeusforicecream.Maybehe’ll
let
usri
deinthesoldi
ercar!Let’
sgo,
letsgo!Race
you!
Thebot
htookoffrunningt
othehousewit
hout
anyf
urt
heracknowledgementt
othei
rdad.
TSHEPE:
I’
m ast
rangert
othem…
REBAONE:
No,t
heyar
ejustki
ds…t
heyi
gnor
e
meallt
het
ime.
TSHEPE: Iuhm…Ranewat
oldmeaboutt
he
pregnancy…
REBAONE:
Don’
tthi
nkIsenther
…shehadno
ri
ght
.
TSHEPE: I’
m gladshedi
dactual
ly…whathaveI
donetoy ou,Reba?Youweresuchav i
brant
fear
less,
notgiv eadamnaboutanythi
ngperson
whenwemet ,whatdidIdotoyou!God,I’
m
suchanasshol e.
REBAONE: (smil
i
ngassilentt
ear
sfl
oweddown
hercheeks)youarenotsobad…
TSHEPE: Iam, Reba.I’
mf uckedi nthehead.I’
m
sti
llholdingont oEll
aandal ienatingthekidswe
have.Yourf atherismor eofaf athertothem
thanIhav eev erbeen.Ifuckedt hisup,didn’
tI?
Youwer er i
ght ,
Ineedhel p.Ineedt oface
what evershi tI’
m goingthroughandt henbea
goodhusbandt omywi feandaf athertomy
chil
dr en…
*
***
***
*

ATKGAGODIFARM MANAGEMENT

Tichi
nalookedaroundtheoff
iceandwhen
nobodywasi n,
shesneakedintoGout
a’sof
fice
andturnedhercomputeron.Nopassword.
Shewentthr
oughsev
eral
document
sandf
ound
not
hing.
Thef
il
esondr
awer
shadnot
hing.
Theywer elegitcl
ean.Not hi
ngatallonthem.
TheLat oyacase,that’
swher eshehadt ofocus
then.Thisshadymot herfuckershadeveryt
hing
todowi thLatoya’
sdeat h,shejusthadtoprove
i
tandt henblackmai l
them wi t
hit.
Whi
chmeansshe’
dneedtogetcl
oseenough
sot
hatt
heycoul
dtr
usther
.
Shesmil
edandtookoutherphone,
dial
l
ing
Gout
a’snumber
,
GOUTA:
Whati
sit
,Ti
chi
na?
TICHI
NA:I…Iwant
edt
oapol
ogi
se.Iwasoutof
l
ineand…
GOUTA:That’
swhatyouarei
nterr
upti
ngmy
fami
lydi
nnerfor
?Areyouser
ious?Screwy
our
apol
ogy!
TICHINA:Wait
…pl
ease…Iwaswr ong.I’
l
ldo
anythi
ng,wr
it
emeascr i
ptofwhatt ogosayto
KwapasoIcanputthistor
est.Idon’twant
tr
ouble…
GOUTA: That’
swhyy ouaregoi ngt hroughmy
office?Surpri
se!Iknowy ouar ei ntherer i
ght
now, Ti
chi
na.Betweeni nsubordi nati
onof
refusingtorel
ocatet oGabor one, andthe
i
nv asionofmyper sonal pr
ivacy ,whichIcan
arguet hatwasaimedt owardsi nfotrading,I
mean…Ican‘ make’ proofthaty ouhav ebeen
tal
ki
ngtomycompet i
tor
s…withthat,Ihav e
enoughcauset
of i
reyou.Checkmat e,bit
ch.
Youarefir
edwit
himmedi at
eeffect.I’
l
l drawup
yourpaper
stomorrow.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

MAOTO: Ohh,
whogoti
nthebadsi
deofMr
s
Kgagodi
thist
ime?
GOUTA: (l
aughi ng)Tichinatangledher selfi
n
herownl i
tt
leweb.Isetat r
apforher ,andl i
ke
theli
tt
leratshei s,shef el
lri
ghtintoit
, thedumb
bit
ch.EversinceIl earnofhermot ives, I’
vebeen
l
eavingmyof ficeunl ocked.Forgett
ingmy
phonearoundwhenev erI’
m withher…r emoved
passwordprotect i
onf rom mydeskt op.Iknew
shewouldsnoop,
soIsetupacam.Ihav e
peoplewhocansaysheappr
oachedthem to
sel
linfor
mati
onaboutmycompany.Thatisa
cri
me.
MAOTO: Damn!HowdidImakesomany
mi
stakeswithyouandI
’m st
il
lal
i
ve?Youscar
e
me,
woman!
GOUTA: YouarejustluckyIloveyou.Now, t
his
i
diot,shehasnochoi cebuttoleave,otherwise
I’
l
ltaket hi
supwi ththepol i
ce.I
nfotradingisa
cri
me.Gogett hekidscl eanwhil
eIfini
shdi nner.
Howar ethenewi nt
er nsbytheway ?Didy ou
meett hem attheoffice?
MAOTO: Yup, twoguy sandagi rl
.Youmi ght
haveaf aninThandi e.Sheli
ter
allyi
doli
sesyou
andwassodi sappointedshedidn’tgett
omeet
youtoday .Appar entl
yshesawy ouataTED
Tal
kaf ewy earsbackandshehasbeen
‘
fol
lowing’ yourli
fe.Herwor ds.Shewant sto‘
be
j
ustli
key ou’,agai n,
herwor ds.
GOUTA: (l
aughing)Shesoundsli
kefun…wat ch
mecheckcoastandr unintomyoff
iceandlock
myselfinthereeveryday.Comenow,dinneris
aboutready,getthekids.

*
***
***
***

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Onikacamefr
om t hebathroom i
nherblue
babydol
ll
acenightie,
brushingherl
ongweave,
andhandedDest hebrusht ohel
pher.
.
DESMOND:Mma- Marumo,gorgeousasusual
…
youl
ookworr
ied…(Ki
ssingherneckasheknelt
behi
ndher
,br
ushingherhai
r)
ONIKA:Weneedtotalk,
Des…y
ouknowKwapa,
r
ight,
thatheandIhadabri
eft
hingaker
e?
DESMOND:
Yea?
ONI KA:Hei ssoannoying….Alway safterme
andi t
’sreall
ygetti
ngonmyner ves.I’
mj ust
tel
l
ingy oubecauseIdon’ twanttobet hat
couplethathi det
hingsfrom eachother ,soy ea.
TodayIwant edtocheckoutay ogacl assI
heardoft hatIcouldatt
endwhi l
ewear eher e,
andt henafterwardsIwasjustsitti
nghav i
nga
milkshake…aww, Desmond!Don’ tpullmyhai r
!
DESMOND: (
laughi
ng)I
t’
snotevenyourr
eal
hair
…whydowomendot hi
sthi
ngsto
themsel
ves,
youhavegorgeoushai
r.
ONIKA:(l
aughing)Mxim…tshaba!It
’smine.So
whatifsomeIndiangir
lgrewitforme?Ipaid
goodmoneyf orthi
s,excuseme!
DESMOND: (Car
essinghercheek)Ok,
MrsNi
kki
Marumowi t
htheIndiangir
lhai
r,sowhat
happenedkamilkshake?
ONIKA:
Hecameov ertomeand…wel
l
, hedi
dn’
t
doanyt
hingr
eal
l
y,hejustpul
l
edmeclosewhen
It
ri
edtol
eaveandhetr
iedtokissme.Ipushed
hi
m away
,butIwasr
eall
yir
rit
ated.
DESMOND:Whot hehel
ldoesKennet
hthinkhe
i
s,real
l
y?Imean,
heknowsy ouaremarr
ied!
ONIKA:Hedoes, andIam al waysf i
rm wi
thhim
thatIam noti
nterest
ed,buthej ustkeepsatit
,I
swearifhedoesn’tstopI’
l
l gotot hepoli
cefora
harassmentcase,oneofthegi rl
si nmymom
groupkoGaboronehadasi milarcasewitha
babydaddyandsher eportedhi mf or
harassment.
DESMOND:No,don’
tbot
her
.I’
l
ltal
ktohi
m.Thi
s
guywant
lwael
a,nxl
a!
ONIKA:Desmond, pl
ease!Youhavear eput
ati
on
andIdon’twantyourui
ningyournameov er
somestupidstuff
.Youar eabusinessmanand
youract
ionsalwaysaff
ectyourbusiness.
DESMOND:Tohel
lwi
tht
hat
,sosomeoneman
shoul
dhar
assmywif
eandI
’m supposedt
ojust
si
tandfol
dhands?I
fsomecheapwhor ewas
pushi
ngonme,woul
dy oukeepqui
et,
Nikki
?
ONIKA:Ofcour
senot…i
t’
sjust,theKgagodiba
rat
adramaandIwouldjustrat
herwel eav
eit.I
canhandl
eKwapa.Ifal
lfai
ls,I
’
lltel
lhi
swife.I
j
ustdon’
twantdramaforyou.
DESMOND: Ae,nnyaa.I
’m notgoingtosi
t
ar
oundl i
kesomepussywhi l
eanotherman
di
srespectmywife.Ipr
omi seIwill
becivi
land
wewi l
lj
usttal
k.Ibel
iev
ehei saci v
ilmantoo.

*
***
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Bamewalkedinwit
hhershoppi
ngbagsand
thr
ewthem onthecouchwhi
lespeaki
ngont
he
phone.
BAME: So,whatel
sedi
dtheoldgeezersay
?
Likeyouhavetorememberspeci
fi
cwordsBet
h!
Incaseheasks.
BAONE: Itol
dyouev eryt
hing,befor ewelefthe
complimentedy ouonwear i
ngadr ess,youguys
almostfoughtaboutwhat sherfacewi t
ht he
snott
ynosedki ds,andtheny ouwentt ot heol
d
guy’
shouseandhaddi nner,hewasunhappy
aboutsomet hi
ng,andaskedy oual otof
questi
ons.Youwer epatientandanswer ed
them well
,andTebat sowasi mpr essed.You
guyscamehome, andwel l
,hadar espectabl
e
eveni
ng.
BAME: (
laughi
ng)Nnyaaruri‘
respectable
eveni
ng’
.Whatkindofquestionsdidt heold
manask, si
s?Bytheway,thanksfordoi ngthi
s,
youhaveabettert
oler
anceforbullshitthanme,
Iwouldhavetol
dhim off
…
BAONE:Hei
simpor
tantt
oTebat
so,
sobeni
ce
i
fyouwantt
okeephim…
BAME:Il
ovehim,Bet
h,youknowthat
.That
’s
whyyouhadtodealwi
ththi
sone.Iwoul
dhave
messedi
tup.
BAONE:Iknow, andhewasr eal
l
yimpressed
wit
hyou, saidhowsur pri
sedhewasatt heway
youwerer espectfultohisdadandshi t
.He
makesyouhappysi s,soI’
ll
doany t
hingIcanto
hel
p.Howdi ditgowi thKeith?Theyhadthat
soci
aleventt hi
ng, r
ight?
BAME: Sameold,sameol d,
hisbourgieass
mamawhi nedabouty ouworkingandhowy ou
shouldcomeliv
einBot swanapermanentlyand
marryKeit
hblahblah.Gaveheratti
tudeandshe
backedoff.
BAONE:(l
aughi
ng)Iwouldhavel
aughedtosee
someonetel
lofft
hemi ght
yMrsWilhel
mina
Marumoandmaki ngherbackof
f.Thatwoman
i
rri
tat
est
helivi
ngshitoutofme!
BAME:
(laughi
ng)y
ouknowme.Ispeakmy
mind.I
’m sosadyouleftFranci
stownwithout
seei
ngmef ir
st.Mi
ssy oualready
.Whenar eyou
comingback?You’l
ltakethefamilydi
nnerthi
ng
formealso?
BAONE:I
’
m backt
omor
row.Yea,
ofcour
se…but
whati
fMosi
ti
…
BAME:WhenwasMosi ti
everablet
ot el
lus
apar
t?Ihateallt
hisfamilyt
hingsbutTebatsois
al
laboutthat
.Ihavet oputupwithitunti
lwe
getmarr
iedatleast.ThenI’
ll
havenor easonto
seeanyofhisfamilyeveragain.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
16]Ron:
EPI
SODE19

ATTHEVETCLI
NIC
Desmondwalkedi
nandwal kedst
rai
ghtt
o
Kwapa’
soff
iceandknocked.
KWAPA:
Comei
n…hey
,Des,
wassupchi
ef?
DESMOND:
All
good,
all
good!Di
ntshang?
KWAPA: Notmuch,
justwor
kasy
oucansee?
Soci
alv
isit
?
DESMOND:Eish,marannagakeaitumela.Ken,
we’v
ealway
sst ay
edoutofeachother
’sway,
youandme.Wear ebothhot
headsandthere’
ll
beprobl
emsifyoudon’
tstoppushi
nguponmy
wif
e.
KWAPA:(l
aughi
ng)isthatwhatshet
oldy
ou?
Ni
kali
kesmyattent
ions.She’
salway
slov
ed
pl
ayi
ngcoy,t
hatone.
DESMOND:
Shei
smar
ri
ed…
KWAPA:WhatcanIdoi
fshemakessur
eshei
s
al
waysi
nmyspace?
DESMOND:
Idon’
twannasaymuch,
just
,st
ay
awayfrom mywi fe,boss.Idon’
tli
kei t,nei
ther
doesshe.Leav eheralone,orel
set here’l
lbe
i
ssues.Iwonderhowy ou’l
lexpl
aint hemar ri
age
wrecki
ngchar getoWar ona.She’
lldivorceyour
pathet
icassinahear tbeat
,youknowWar
doesn’
tplaythosegame.
KWAPA:
Arey
out
hreat
eni
ngme?
DESMOND: (
standi
ngupt
oleave)Nah,
just
stat
ingf
act
s.Leavemywif
ealoneandwearei
n
peace.
KWAPA: (
laughing)doyouknowhowsadand
patheti
cthatsounds?Yourwi feischasingaf t
er
anothermanandy ouareheret hr
eatening
mar r
iagewrecking?Ididn’
tthinkyou’dstoopso
l
owmyboy …tellNi
kaIsaidhi.Now, getthefuck
offmypr opertybefor
eIhelpy ouout!

*
***
***
*
ATTHEDI
KGANGHOUSE

TshepeknockedandRanewawentt
oopent
he
door.
RANEWA: Okay
,thi
sisaboutt
obe
fi
rewor
ks…mydadishome.
TSHEPE:
Icamet
oseehi
m
Hefoll
owedheri
nandsatonhi
skneei
nfr
ont
ofRra-
Ranewa.
RRA-RANEWA:Youhaveanervewai
tse,
showingupi
nmyhousel i
ket
hisaf
terwhatyou
didt
omydaughter?Ranewa,
getmemyr if
le.
TSHEPE:Dumelang…Iwant edtocomeseeyou
toapol
ogi
ze.Mybehav i
ourwasoutofli
neandI
havenoexcuseformyself
.Forgiv
eme,ntat
e.I
l
ostmywayf orabitand…
RRA-
RANEWA: Andyouexpectmetojusthand
youmydaught
erbackonasilverpl
att
ersothat
youcanhurtheragain?Youknow, It
rustedy ou.
Rebacomesf rom afamil
ythatlovesherv ery
much.Sheisasweetandspeci algir
ltous.Al l
heruncl
esandaunt swererefusingtomar ryher
i
ntotheKgagodi f
amily,
andIst oodupf or
you…Ivouchedforyouandsaidy ouwi l
ltreat
herwell
…youturnedmei nt
oal iar…
TSHEPE: Iapol ogize,i
twasnevermy
i
ntention…Iwoul dl i
keachancetodobet t
er.I
wanttobeabet terhusbandtomywi f
eanda
bett
erf at
hert omychi ldr
en.Peoplemake
mistakentat e,andIseemi neandI’
m working
atcorrecti
ngt hem.Iam wi l
li
ngtodorightby
yourdaught er.Iwanttodor i
ghtbyher.I
’m
gett
inghelpi ndeal i
ngwithmyissues…
RRA-RANEWA: (
sighi
ng)Keagout l
wamonna,
andIdon’tknowwhy ,butdespi
temydisl
ikef
or
theKgagodi,I
’v
eal wayshadasoftspotf
oryou,
maybeit’
sbecausey oumakemyl it
tl
egirl
genui
nelyhappy.ButI’
m nottheonl
yparentt
o
Reba.Shehasamot herwhoi sfur i
ousr i
ght
now.Aunt sanduncl eswhoar ev er yangry.You
aregoingt oneedtodobet terbefor eIcan
speakt othem onyourbehal f
.Rebawi l
lnotbe
comi ngbackhomey et,i
tistoosoon.Fi x
yourselfasyousay, pr
ovet omet haty oucan
beagoodhusbandandagoodf at her.And
whenIdeem i tok,Iwilll
ethercomebackt o
you.Now, leavebeforemma- Ranewaf i
ndsy ou
here.Letmet alkt
oherf ir
st.
TSHEPE:
Thanky
ou,
ntat
e…
RRA-RANEWA: Donotdisappoi
ntme, Tshepe.I
am watchingyou,andifyoudarehurtmy
daught
erthisti
me, Isweareventhatgangster
uncl
eofy ourswon’tstopme.Go…

*
***
***
*

ATKGAGODIFARM MANAGEMENT
Kwapaparkedhiscarandwalkedtowar
dsthe
of
fi
cebuil
ding.Fr
om adistancehecoul
dseea
womanloadingsmallboxesinacar…
KWAPA:(cussi
ngangr
il
y)Noway…nofucki
ng
wayman…thenerv
eofthi
sbi
tch…Ti
chi
na?
Shet
urnedaroundandl
ookedathi
m,smi
l
ing
ashewalkedovert
oher
KWAPA:
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
TICHI
NA:Hey
,ohmyGod,Kennet
h.Imi
ssed
yousomuch…(t
ryi
ngt
ohughim)
KWAPA: Aft
erwhatyoumademedowi thyour
l
iesTi
china?Youdareshowyourfacehere?
Whatthefuckar
ey oudoi
nghere?
TI
CHI
NA: What
?Whatli
es?KP,Imissedy
ou…I
wasf
orcedt
oleav
e…yourbr
other
,he…
KWAPA:Wil
ll
ookli
kechi
ld’
spl
aycomparedt
o
what
’l
ldot
oy oui
fIseey
ouhereagai
n.What
thefuckiswrongwi t
hy ou?Myf at
hertol
dmei n
hisdeathbedthathenev erdidanythi
ngto
you…Iknowy oul i
ed,
Tichina!Youliedtoget
backathim becausehewoul dn’tl
etmemar r
y
you.Youar emanipul
ativeli
ket hat
,Ibeatupmy
ownf at
herandi tl
edtohi sdeath…becauseof
you!Youdisgustme…l eave…now!
TICHINA: (
cryi
ng)KP,pleasedon’
tdot
his…y
ou
knowIl oveyou…I’
vealwaysdid…al
way
s
will
…please…
KWAPA: Fucky ou,
Tichina,
youmani pul at
ive
bit
ch.Youcomenearmeandmyf amilyagain
andIwill
strangleyoutodeath.Ifyouar e
worki
nghere, y
ou’l
lresi
gntomor rowandl eave
townimmedi at
ely,
othersyou’l
lbesor ryyou
evermessedwi thmey outwist
edbi tch.
TICHINA:Youknowwhat ,
fuckyoutoo.You
usedmeandt hinkyoucanjustt
hrowmeof f
l
ikethat
?I ’
l
lmakey oupay.Ever
ysingl
edamn
oneofy ouKgagodi
’
s…yout akemyloveand
st
omponi
tli
ket
his…howdar
eyou!
KWAPA:Fucky
ourl
ove…andIdar
eyou,
tryme
Ti
chi
na…tr
yme!Now,getof
fmybrot
her
’s
pr
oper
ty…

Gout
astoodatthecor
nerwat
chi
ngt
he
conv
ersat
ionl
aughi
ng

GOUTA: (
whisper
ingtoher
sel
f)Wow!Andwe
wereworri
edaboutthi
stwomeeting?HadI
knownI’
dhav edr
aggedhertohi
m my sel
f.I
guessyouhavenolever
agenow,l
ittl
ebit
ch.
Buah-
by.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEBUTCHERY
Tebat
sowal
kedi
nandf
oundKedi
cleani
ngt
he
count
ers

TEBATSO:(
laughi
ng)Mar
athatber
etl
ooks
goodonyou.
KEDI:
(smili
ngandpat t
ingherhai
rcoveri
ng)
Mxim,gatweberet,
want humolaaker
e.Kaone
i
sstri
ct,
shewoul dkil
lmei fshef
oundme
worki
ngthecounterwithoutaheadcoveri
ng.
TEBATSO: Bytheway ,
kegobonetsesolut
ion.
MoxandI ,wehav ethi
shouseweoccasionall
y
useforemploy eeswhodon’
thaveaplaceto
stay
.It
’scurrentl
yemptyandbecausei
t’
s
employees,wedon’tchar
gerent
al.
KEDI
:Yea,
right
…
TEBATSO: Seri
ousl
y!Iwi
l
lgetyoudocuments
thatshowsit’
sthetr
uthf
rom Nal
edit
omorrow.
Al
lyouhav
etodoissignacont
ractt
obewi
th
usfort
woyear
satleast
.
KEDI:Real
ly?That’sal
l?Gosenadi t
ir
ojaana
wherewillIbegoinganyway?I’l
lsi
gn.But
Tebatso,y
ouf or
getIhavekids…atleastmma-
Onikawatchesthem lehaant hoga.
TEBATSO: Thereisaverycheapdaycar ecentr
e
nearbythatof
fersnannyservicetoo.Soboth
MaduoandNeocangot here.Ithi
nkit’
sP200
perchil
d.
KEDI
:Soundst
oogoodt
obet
rue…
TEBATSO: Goaskt heday car
ecentr
et omorr
ow.
It
’str
ue.Andy ou’
l
lseepaper saboutthehouse.
It
’sagooddeal Kedi.Iknowy ouhat
elivi
ngat
youraunt’
s.Youtoldmeshedemandsal l
your
money .Thi
swayy ougett osaveforyour
chil
dren.
KEDI:
Wai tseIf
eell
i
kesinceImetyouGodhas
beenkindertome…thankyouf
orthi
nki
ngabout
mef orthi
sdeal.I
’l
ltakei
t,I
’
llsi
gnthecont
ract
nowi fy
ouhav eit
.WhencanImov ein?Iguess
notunti
l monthendbecauseIhavenomoneyt o
paytheday -
carecentery
et.
TEBATSO: IhaveaskedNaledit
ogiveyoua
smalladvanceofyoursalar
y.Youcanmov ein
assoonaspossi bl
e.Thehouseisfurni
shedso
Icoul
dev entakeyoutommaOni katogety our
bagandtheki dsri
ghtnow.Youcanhav eaday
offt
omor rowtosettl
eandgetthekids’school
sort
ed.Icouldcoveryourshi
ft
.
KEDI:Wow…t hisi
sunbel
ievabl
e!Li
feisn’
t
usuall
ythiski
ndtome!Iguessluckchanges.
Youaremyl uckychar
m.Alri
ght.I
’l
lgetmy
purseintheback.

Tebat
sowal
kedout
sideandmadeacal
l
.

TEBATSO:
Gor
ata…i
t’
sTebl
a…soy
ougoti
t
aboutthedaycaredeal,r
ight?I
’
llcov
erthe
bal
ance,lethertakecareofP400only.She’
d
getsuspi
ciousifIsaidanylower.

Hehungupandcal
l
edNal
edi

TEBATSO:Hey…so,I
’m gonnaneedacontact
thatsay
sweofferemployeeswit
hnoplaceto
stayahousei
ftheysi
gnat woyearscont
ract
.
NALEDI
:Wedon’
thav
esuchat
hing.
TEBATSO:
Iknow…dr
awmeacont actst
il
l…t
he
housei
smytwobedroomedonenearby
.
NALEDI:(l
aughing)I
’m notev
engoi
ngt
o
ask…consi
deritdone,boss.

*
***
***
*
ATARESTAURANT

Tichinasateati
ngwhil
ereadi
ngold
newspaper saboutLat
oya’
smurder.I
thadbeen
fi
rstreport
edasamur der,
thenchangedtoa
suici
de.Shewasgoi ngtomaketheKgagodi
pay ,
andthiscasewasjustwhatwasgoingt
o
helpher.
Shelookedupasamanpul
l
edachai
rinher
tabl
eandsat.
MAN:
Youhav
eissueswi
tht
heKgagodi
…
TI
CHI
NA:
Whatwoul
dmakey
out
hinkso?
MAN:Iwascomi
ngt oseeGoutaKgagodii
nher
of
fi
cewhenIsawy ouar
gui
ngwi t
hherbrot
her
i
nlawandpromi
singtomakethem pay.
TI
CHI
NA:
Yea,
so?
MAN: Ihaveissueswi
thGout
a.Sheisabi
tch
andshet hi
nksshecangetawaywit
h
every
thing.Sheliedaboutstuffandmademe
dothings…Ihav einf
ormati
on…al otofthi
ngs
shehid.Italkedtoherexwhowant spayback
too…sheliedabouthischil
d…AndIf oundout
thi
ngsaboutherhusbandt oo.Loadsofitthat
cantaket hem down,butIneedt obeont he
backgroundbecauseherf atherorhusbandwill
j
ustkillme.
TI
CHI
NA:
(smi
l
ing)Keept
alki
ng…
MAN: Maybewecanwor
ktoget
her
…Iwantt
o
seehergodownsobad…Thi
sismynumber.
Cal
lmeSol l
y.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
[
10/
31,
15:
16]Ron:
EPI
SODE20

ATTI
CHI
NA’
SHOUSE
Sol
omonknockedandt
hedoorwasopened
i
mmediat
ely
.
TI
CHI
NA:
Hi,
doy
ouhav
emyev
idence?
SOLOMON: Yes…anditisalot,fi
rstwest ar
t
withGout a.Iwanthertopay.Shepl ayedmefor
af ool.Sothisi
stheinformationaboutt he
child…hergangsterf
atherforcedt hatman
Ricardotodonat eakidneytot hechi l
d….
TICHINA:
Why ?Imean,whywoul
dGoutado
that
?Shehadnoobligat
iont
othechi
l
difshe
j
ustdonated…
SOLOMON: Thatthest
il
lhazypart
.Itseemsthe
chil
d’sf
ather,t
hedoctor…hehassomet hi
ng
overher,
andhewasusi ngittofor
ceherhand.
Ricar
docouldn’tgetwhatexact
lyi
tis.
TICHI
NA: (
pouting)well
,that
’sawhol ebunchof
nothi
ng!Weneedt ofindwhatt hatsecreti
s.
Whatwast hataboutthepaternit
ytests?
SOLOMON: Ricardothinkssheli
edabout
Sebaga’spaterni
ty.Theysaytheydidtests,but
hedoesn’tbeliev
et heywerelegi
t.Hethinksit’
s
hi
schild.
TICHINA: Thisisabunchofnot hing!Youar e
wast i
ngmyt ime!He‘ thi
nks?’Firstofall,i
t
doesn’ttakeageni ust oseet hatthechi l
dlooks
exactlyli
keherdad, exceptshei sli
ghtskinned.
Secondl y,Idon’tt
hinky oupeopl eknowMaot o
Kgagodi .Hei sthemostunt rustingmanout
there.I’
m sur eeverysingleoneoft hose
chil
drenhav ebeenpat erni
tytestedwi thouther
evenknowi ng,sogett hefuckoutofher ewith
‘
Ricardot hinks’
.Whatel sedoy ouhav eforme?
Nx l
a!
SOLOMON: Thereismore…fir
stl
y,sheonce
cheat
edonherhusband.Themanoncecame
toherhousewhi lewewer et
ogetherandIhear
d
them t
alki
ng.Al so,t
hisonei
mplicatest
hem
bothasacoupl e.Aft
erIhear
dMaot owas
arr
estedformur der,Ifoundoutt hatLatoyahad
anaunt,andt helasttextshesentwasanemai l
addressandapasswor d.Theol dwomandi dn’
t
knowwhati tmeantandj ustf i
gureditwasa
wrongmessage, soshef orgotabouti t
.I
managedt oopent heemai laddress…Latoya
andMaot ogowayback, andshehasev ery
si
nglefil
eonhi mt hatcoul dlandhim enough
pri
sontimef orhimt onev ercomeout .
TICHI
NA: NowthatIl
i
ke…Il
i
keitver
ymuch…I
needyoutofi
ndthesecr
etthedoct
orhasov
er
hernow.ThenI’
ll
makemymov e.

*
***
***
*

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumot
ookt
het
abl
etsandsatont
hebed.
Thedoct orswantedtoremov ethet umor,and
withhi sli
feti
memedi calcover age,itwasn’ta
probl em atal
l…theonlyproblem washav i
ngto
l
eav et hefamilyforawhile.Becausehewas
nev ergoingtoletthem seehi m sick.Andof
cour sethatli
ttl
epossibi
li
tyofhi m notmaki ngit
throught hesurgery.
Hewaswor ri
edaboutTshepe.Thi
sjobcoul
d
takeatol
lonsomeone,andTshepewasnot
onetotal
kabouthi
sfeeli
ngs.Maybehe’dtr
y
andtal
kmor etohi
m.
Tebat sowor ri
edhimtoo.Thatgi r
lof
his…somet hingaboutherwasof f
.Shewasni ce
andr espectful
,answeredhi squesti
onswithall
themanner sofawel lr
aisedperson…but
somet hi
ngjustdidn’
tsitwellwit
hhim abouther.
Sheseemedal it
tl
etoof ake.Maybehewasj ust
beingj udgemental.
Maot
oandGoutaweok…fornowatleast
,so
wasKwapaandhi
swif
e.AndMositi
andher
husband.Shadiwasalsonothar
assi
nganyone
fornow.Hejustpray
editstay
edthatway
.

*
***
***
*

ATKFM

Goutawalkedi
ntot
heof
fi
ceandt
henewi
nter
n
ranovert
oher
THANDI E:OhmyGod, MrsKgagodi!Ican’
t
beli
eveI’
mf i
nal
lymeeti
ngy ou.It
otal
lylov
eyou,
yourli
feissoperf
ect
.Hi,sorr
y,I’
m Thandi
e.The
newintern.
GOUTA:
Hi,
Thandi
e.Ihopey
ouar
eli
ki
ngi
ther
e.
THANDI E:OhmyGod, i
tisawesome!WillMr
Kgagodi becomingtotheofficet
odayorgoi
ng
tothefarm?Ili
key ouguys,youaresuchagood
team!Wow, isthatyourbaby?Theli
tt
leone,
r
ight
?Shei
ssopr
ett
y?CanIhol
dher
?
GOUTA: Sor
rydear
,shei
sasl
eepandIdon’
tli
ke
herbei
ngwokenup.
THANDIE:
(whi
speri
ng)ohhh…sor
ry!Shei
sso
pr
ett
y.SoisMrKgagodicomingt
ot heof
fi
ce?
GOUTA:Ithi
nkso,wer
eyoul
ooki
ngf
or
somet
hingfrom hi
m?
THANDI E:Nojustthat…theotherdayatthe
far
m hesaidIdidgoodwor k(bl
ushing)y
ouare
solucky.Handsomer ichhusbandandcut e
chi
ldrenandallthat…
GOUTA:(
sighi
ng)Nicet
alki
ngt
oyouThandi
e,I
hav
ealotofworktocat
chupon,so…
Shequi
ckl
yhurr
iedint
otheoff
iceleav
ing
Thandi
est
il
lst
aringather
,smi
ling.

*
***
***
*
ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Rebaoneopenedthedoorandwal
kedinand
foundTshepei
nthebedroom,l
ayi
ngfacefi
rst
onthebed,hi
sheadburiedont
hepil
l
ow.
REBAONE: Heyyou…ohmyGod…Tshepe, you
arecr
ying?What’
swr ong?I
’v
eneverevenseen
youcry
…ev enwhenElla…nowyouarecryi
ng…
TSHEPE:
(wipinghi
stear
sandl
ooki
ngupather
,
smil
i
ng)I
’m not…
Shelookedatt
hephot
oofEl
l
athathewas
hol
ding…
REBAONE:Ithi
nksheispr
oudofyou…goi
ngt
o
ther
apyandall
.She’
dwanttoseeyoube
bett
er…
TSHEPE: (
smil
i
ng)youdo?Reall
y?Iwanthert
o
beproudofme…butI’
mf uckedup,
Reba…my
work…alotoft
heagent
sendupdoi ngdr
ugsto
getaway ,butIcan’t,Ihatethatshi t
.Ididweed
atwor st
,hatedittoo…soIdon’ tknowhowel se
tocope…t hetherapistsaysI ’
l
l getbett
er,butI
don’tknow…t odayIwasaski ngmy sel
fifiti
sall
worthitorwhet herIshoul djustblastmy sel
f…If
Iknewi twouldn’tbreakyourhear t
…( Gl
ancing
athisgunbesi dehim)
REBAONE:Tshepepleasedon’
tsaythat
…Ineed
you.Weneedyou.Thetwins…t
hisbabyi
n
here…weal
lneedyou…
TSHEPE: Samsaragav emethreemont hsof ft
o
getbetter…butIdon’tknow…thishouseisso
emptyIf eel l
i
kethesewallsaretal
king.Some
ofthethingsI ’
veseen…I’
vedone…itwon’tleave
meal one, Reba.I
t’
ssoquietandallthev oi
ces
i
nmyheadar esoloudand…
REBAONE:That
’si
t,I
’
m mov
ingbackhome…y
ou
can’
tbeal
one.
TSHEPE:
No,
Reba.Youneedt
obewi
thst
abl
e
peopler i
ghtnow.Peopl ewhocant akecareof
youandmybaby .DespitewhatIsai dear
li
er,I
don’twantany t
hingtohappent othatbaby.I
’m
errati
c,Idon’tknowwhatI ’m goi
ngt odo
next…Reba, pleasedon’ tcry
….(Pulli
ngher
closerandwi pinghert ears)We’ll
bef i
ne…I
promi se,wear egoingt obehappyagai n…
(Kissi
ngt hetopofherhead)
REBAONE:I
fyouwon’tl
etmecomebackt hen
moveinwit
hsomeone.Yourbrother
s,your
uncl
e,y
ourmother
…Idon’tcar
e,Tshepe,butI
don’
twantyoual
one.
TSHEPE:Iknow…I’m scaredmy self,
allIthi
nkof
whenI’m al
oneis…I…uhm…y ouneedt olockup
mygunsandchanget hesaf eunlockcodeReba.
IknowIshouldn’
tbeal one,butwhat
expl
anati
ondoIgivemyf ami l
yformov ingint
o
thei
rhomes?
REBAONE:Tshepe.Therei
snothi
ngtobe
ashamedofaboutbeingdepr
essed…pl
ease.
Tal
kt ouncl
eKgodumo,hei
sav ery
underst
andi
ngman…I’v
eneverseenhimjudgea
personinhi
sli
fe.Mov
einwi
t hhi
mf orabit
.
TSHEPE: Ili
kethis…usli
kethis…Ili
kehav i
ngyou
i
nmyar ms…( Runninghishandov erher
stomach)Andy ou,l
it
tl
eguyint here…daddyis
gonnabef ine…formamaandDar i
andDani and
you…I’
m gonnabeatt hisReba…wi t
hy oubymy
sideIknowIcan…Imi ssedyousomuch…i sit
weirdthatthefactthatyouaregrowi ngmy
babyinsideyout ur
nsmeon?
REBAONE: (
laughi
ng)now,t
hat’
smoreli
kemy
husband…Imean,whataboutmedoesn’
ttur
n
youon,mylove?

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE
Tebat
soandKedidrov
ei nt
ohernewhouseand
hehel
pedherunpackthegrocer
iesi
ntot
he
house
KEDI:
Youdi
dn’thav
etopayformygr
ocer
ies
Tebat
so,
Igotanadvanceonmysal
ary
…
TEBATSO: Thenusei tfort
hekids…keepitin
caseofanemer gency.Howiseverythi
nginthe
housethough?Don’ ttel
lmeyoucleanedupal l
night
!Thi
spl acelooksspotl
ess.Iprobabl
y
shouldbeleaving.
KEDI
:Ify
ouar
enoti
nar
ushI
’
m aboutt
omake
l
unch.
TEBATSO:Ir
emembert hel
astt
imeyoucooked
atThuo’
shouse.Gi
rl
,youcancook.
KEDI
:Thankyou…Iworkedasamai df
ora
womanwhoownedacat er
ingcompany,
unt
il
shewentbacktoherhomecountry
.
TEBATSO:
May
beIcanhel
p?WhatcanIdo?
KEDI:Alri
ght,
cuttheonionsforme
please…caref
ulTebatso!Thatkni
fei
snewand
verysharp…arggg,l
ookwhaty ouhav
edone
now!
Shedr
aggedhimtothebat
hroom andwashed
hi
swoundinthesi
nk.
KEDI:
Isawaf i
rstai
dkithersomewhere,It
hink
thepr
evioustenantlef
tit
.Holdon…(She
rummagedt hroughthecupboar
dsandcame
outwit
hsomeant i
septi
ccream andbandages.
)
Sit
Hesattot hefl
oorandshesatopposi
tehi
m,
car
efull
ycleani
ngouthiswoundandapply
ing
ant
isepti
ccram, t
hem bandagi
ngi
t…
TEBATSO:Yourhandsaresosoft
…( Hisf
ace
wassoclosetohersshecoul
dfeelhiswarm
breat
h.Heleanedi
nandsoftl
yki
ssedher)
KEDI(
breat
hlessl
y)y
ouar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed
Tebat
so…
TEBATSO:
Idon’tknow…Il
oveBathsheba,
but
si
nceImetyou…Idon’
tknow,whatareyou
doi
ngtomeKedi ?
KEDI:
Please…I
’
m nott
hatt
ypeofgi
rl
Tebat
so…youhaveawomanand…
Heclosedinandkissedheragai
n,t
hist
ime
moreintense,
hishandsrunni
ngupherbody
andunderhert-shi
rt
…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT

CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
21

ATTHEBUTCHERY
Tebat
sowal
kedi
ntot
hebut
cher
yandf
ound
Kedi
helpingacustomer
.Hewentaroundthe
i
slel
ookingatt
hingsunt
ilt
hecust
omer sl
eft
.
TEBATSO:Kedi
themmaI’
m sosor
ry…Idon’
t
knowwhatgoti
ntome…
KEDI:
Ididn’
tstopyoueither,whi
chmakesmea
hor
ri
bleperson.Ineedmyj ob,other
wiseI’
d
l
eavesoInev erhavetoseey ouagain,but
pl
easeTebatso,domeaf avourandjuststay
awayfrom me.Please…
TEBATSO:
CanIatl
eastcomehangoutwi
th
MaduoandNeo?
KEDI
:Tebat
sopl
ease…
TEBATSO:Ipr
omisenottotal
ktoyou,notev
en
l
ookatyou…we’l
lj
ustpl
ayinthebacky
ardand…
KEDI:No,Tebatso.Thatwon’
twork…it
sbet t
erI
stayawayfrom you.Don’
tyougetit
?I…It hi
nk
I’
mf al
l
ingforyouand…ohdamn!Ishoul dn’t
havesaidthat
.JustgoTebatso.
TEBATSO:Ser
iousl
y…arey
ouser
ious?Because
eversi
nceImetyou,I
’
ve…
KEDI
:Leav
e,Tebat
so,
Ihaveacust
omer.Good
af
ter
noonma’am.Any
thi
ngIcangety
outoday?
ONI KA: Doy oupeoplehavefreshr ibeye?I
thas
tobef resh,j
ustkil
l
edfresh.Actuallyisthe
butcher yorganic?I’
mlookingforsomet hi
ng
grassf ed.(Ont hephone)YesMr sMead…y es,
yes, 7pm sharp.Ok…glutenfree,Igot
i
t…y es…y es,myhusbandandIwi llbehappyt o
hav ey ouandy ourfamil
yalso…thanky ouMr s
Mead.Seey ouat7.(Shesaidwi thaf akejovial
voiceandhungup)What everthef uckisgluten
even?Ar gggg…So…doy ouhav ewhatIneed?
Like, t
oday ?Now?
Kedialmostrol
ledherey esatthewomani nher
l
argeshadesandsunhat ,whowasn’teven
l
ookingatherasshet alked,busyonherphone.
Shelookedveryfamili
ar,evenwithhalfherf
ace
coveredbythelargeshadesandhat .She
l
ookedr i
ch.Hercarpar kedoutsider i
ghtatthe
entr
anceoft hebut cherywit
houtany
consider
ationt hatshewasbl ockingot her
customer’sent rance,wasoneoft hosehuge
soccermom car syousawonTV, wi t
ht wocar
seats,acutepi nkwi thsomecar t
oonsone, and
asmal l
ergr eyone.Shehadal argeexqui si
te
diamondr i
ng, andj ustanairofluxuryabouther.
Allt
hatandKedi sti
lldi
dn’
tenvyherl if
e.She
l
ookedt horoughl yfrust
ratedasshebar ked
i
nstructi
ont opeopl eafteranotherthroughher
phone.
KEDI:(smil
ing)Yesma’ am,wear eorganic,our
cattl
earepurchasedfrom anorgani
cgr ass
feedi
ngfarm nearby,
andwesl aughteredjust
thi
smor ni
ng.
ONIKA: Good…( Lookingupfr
om herephone)
Excuseme, doIknowy oufr
om somewhere?
Youl ookvery…Kedibonye?(
Kedil
ookedupat
her,confused)I
t’sNikki
e…uhm,Onika…ohmy
God!Thelastt
imeIsawy
ou,
youwer
e9!Look
atyou…i
tisyou,r
ight
?
Whatthe…MmaOni kahadboastedthatOnika
hadmar r
iedwel landlivi
ngupt heli
fe
somewher e,ref
usedt ogiveKedi Oni
ka’
s
cont
acts…butnev erinat housandyearswould
shehavet hought hevixeninfr
ontofherwould
behercousi n.

*
***
***
*

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumowat chedhi
sf amilysi
tti
ngar oundthe
yard,
thewomenset t
ingupt hetablewhilethe
guysbroughtinthebraai.Tebat
so’scarpul l
ed
i
nandhewal kedinhandi nhandwi thhis
fi
ancée.
TEBATSO:Iam sosor
rywearel
ate,
Bat
hsheba
wascomingfr
om Gaborone.
BAONE:(gi
vi
nghi
m achar
mingsmil
e)par
don
mesir,
Ihadafami
lyemer
gency
.Iam r
eal
ly
sor
ry.
Againshewasv er
ydecent l
ydr essed, al
ot
dif
fer
entfrom mostoft oday ’
sgirls.Shewor e
chocol
atebr ownpantsuitandacr eam blouse,
herhai
rpulledtotheback, withmi nimal
makeup.Shehadnat ural charm abouther .
Fri
endl
y,easysmi l
eandj ustpleasant .Maybe
hehadmi sjudgedher
.
KGODUMO: Don’tmindi tdear,I’mjustgladyou
twomadei t
.Comei n,si
tdown.Ev eryone,si
t.
Befor
ewest ar
teati
ngI ’
dl i
ket omakeasmal l
announcement.Iknowi twill
comeal i
tt
leofa
shocktoyouasitwasI .Thisni ceyoungman
herei
sTebatso,andI…wel l
,Ijustfoundouthe
i
smyson…y ourcousin.
MAOTO: What
?Areyousuremalume?Imean,
ther
ear ecr
azypeopl
eouttherewhowoul
d
clai
m somethi
ngridi
cul
ousli
kethat
…(To
Tebatso)nooff
enceman…
KGODUMO: Yes,Maot o,
Iam verysure,
wedi d
dothenecessarytestsjustt
oconf i
rm
ever
ythi
ng.Thepastf ewday shavebeenmost
nerv
ewr ecki
ngt omeasIdi dn’
tknowhowy ou
wouldal
l r
eacttothis.Youareallmychildr
en
asmuchashei s,andmywi shistoseeusal l
asahappyf amily.
MMA- MAOTO: Kogaeot swakae?Wher et he
hellwheretheyallt
histi
menotcomi ngf oryou?
Idon’tbuythisatal
l.Whatisyourmoti
v e,boy ?
Whatdoy ouwantfrom myhusband’sbr other?I
knowKgodumoi sv er
ygull
ibl
e,sopeoplelike
youwi l
lal
way stakeadvant
age.Butifyout hink
I’
l
lletyou…
KGODUMO:
Shadi
!Ao!Enough…
KWAPA: Ifyouar
esure,t
heni t
’sgreatmalume.
Wear ehappytohavehi
mi fitmakesy ouhappy
.
I
sn’tthatso.Boys?(
Looki
ngathi sbrother
s
whobot hnoddedinagr
eement )Welcomet o
thefamil
y,man.I’
m Kwapa,everyonecall
sme
KP.
Thestoodupandshookhi
shand,
Mosi
ti
huggedhim
MOSI
TI:
Wow,
whowoul
dhav
ethought
,cousi
n?
TEBATSO:
HeySi t
i,Iguessy
ouandBet
hcan
real
l
ybesi
sternow.
KGODUMO:Thankyou,fami
ly
,andt
hisher
eis
hi
sfi
ancéeBat
hsheba.Shei
sasweetyoung
womanandtheyaretomarr
ysoon.
MAOTO:Thi
sisjustwei
rdt
hough…mycousi
nis
mar
ryi
ngmyniece?
MMA-
MAOTO:
Whatdoy
oumeany
ourcousi
n?
MAOTO:
Uhm…Bat
hshebai
sgr
anddaught
ert
o
l
ateuncl
eDenni
s…t
obepr
eci
se,
uncl
e
Ral
etsat
si.
MMA- MAOTO: Youhav eNOuncl eDenni sor
Ralet
satsi!Youdon’ t
!Andthisone, shei snot
welcomeher e!Notwel comeIsay !Yousee
whatthissocal l
edsonofy oursisbr ingingto
usKgodumo?Ev enifheisyourson, him Imay
accept,butthist rashshal
lneverbepar tofmy
famil
y.Listen, y
oungman, youwillhav etof i
nd
abetterwi f
ei fyouar etoj
oinmyf ami l
y.This
gir
lorany onef rom herfamilyar
enotwel come
here.
KGODUMO: Thatisenough,Shadi !Tebatsocan
marrywhoev erheseesfit
.Andy es, Maot o.Idi
d
consi
derthat,andeventhought heybot hhav e
rel
ati
onstoy ou,t
heyhavenonet oeachot her
,
soIdon’tseeapr obl
em withtheirmar r
iage.I
hopeyout hr
eewi l
lsupporthi
m asabr other
andshowhi mt hewayasamar riedman.
MAOTO:
Ofcour
se,
uncl
e…(
toTebat
so)Our
uncle’
ssoni sourbrother,soholl
awheny ou
needany thi
ng.I’
m Maot o.Themoodyoneov er
ther
ei sTshepe,Idon’
tknowwhatt hefuckis
wrongwi thhim,buttr
ustme, i
thasnothingto
dowi thyou.Heisjustpissylatel
y.Sheba,baby
gir
l,comeher eandgivey ouruncleahug!How
i
sev eryt
hing?

*
***
***
*

ATMAOTO’
SHOUSE

GoutaandMaot
odr
ovei
nwi
tht
hei
rki
dsand
Navani
.
GOUTA:
Uhu?Jaanongwhoist
hatoneatt
he
gat
e?Ar
eyouexpecti
ngany
onenerra-
Mot
heo?
MAOTO: Nope.Gongweit’
sjustsomeone
si
tt
ingatourgate.Wai
t,i
sn’
tthatthegi
rlf
rom
t
heof
fi
ce,
theov
erl
yexci
tedone?
GOUTA:Thandi
e?Yea…y
ouar
er i
ght
.Whatt he
hel
li
sshedoingher
e?OnaSatur
daylegone?
Thegateopenedandt
heydrov
ein,wi
th
Thandi
esli
ppingi
nbehi
ndthecar
.
GOUTA:
(get
ti
ngoutoft
hecar
)Thandi
e?
THANDIE:
MrsKgagodi…Iam sogl
adIyou
guysar
efi
nal
l
yhere,Ihav
ebeenwaiti
ng
for
ever
…
GOUTA: I
stheresomet
hingyouar
elooki
ngf
or?
It
’sSat
urday,andmyhomeifoffl
i
mitsto
employees.
THANDIE:Iam sosor
ry,
it’
sjustt
hat…well
,Mr
Kgagodif
orgothi
swatchatthefarm and…Ijust
wantedt
ogi v
eittohi
m( hol
dingupthewat ch
wit
hasmi l
e).
MAOTO:HowdidI…Imean,Iusual
lyl
eav
eitin
mycari
fI’
m wor
kingwi
thferti
l
iser
sandsuch.
Wher
edi
dyouf
indi
t?Thanks…
THANDIE:Uhm…by…uhm…byt hetr
enches.Yea,
tr
enches…Iknowitsomewhatimpor
tanttoyou
becauseyouwearitev
eryday
.
MAOTO: Odd…whywoul dItakei
twhereI’
dbe
worki
ngwithwaterthough?Anyway,t
hanks.
Thi
swatchmeansev er
ythi
ngtome, i
tbel
onged
tomygreat-
grandf
ather.TheoneI’
m named
aft
er.
THANDI E:(
blushi
ngandgivi
ngacitecurtesy
)
youaresowel comeMrKgagodi…yourhousei s
sobig…all
thehousesint
hisareaaresohuge.I
didn’
tknowy ouhadanolderdaught
er,sheisso
prett
y.
GOUTA:Thandi e!Coul
dn’
tthi
swaitunti
l
Monday?Youknowwhat ?Thankyou,now,i
f
youdon’
tmi nd,weneedtoputthekidstobed.
Maotopleaselockthegatebehi
ndThandieand
sett
hesecur i
tyalar
msony ourwayin.
*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Shefelthim getinbedbesi deher,spooni

ngher,
hi
slargehandsr unni
ngov erthesmal l
ofher
back,sendingshi v
ersupherspi ne,goi
ngback
upandf ront,cuppingherbreastsand
squeezingasshemoaned.
Shecoul
df eel
hist
hick,
har
dshaftuponthe
backofherthi
ngandmoanedincontent
edness.
Het urnedherov erandlaidheronherback, his
tonguei mmedi atel
ygetti
ngtowor kall
ov erher
body .Herneck…hercl av
icl
e…t aki
ngani pplei
n
hismout h…whi chalmostsentherto9th
heav en….hersensit
ivefl
atstomach,theinside
ofhert hi
ghs.Hi shandscaressedherski l
ful
ly
ashismout hmadelov etohercore…thi
swasn’t
evenmaki ngl
ove,t
hiswaspur ewor shi
p.She
grabbedthesheet
sandmoanedl oudlyasshe
cameov erandoverinsidehi
smout hbeforehe
crawledupherbodyandmount edher.
Shealwaysmar vel
ledathissize,nomat terhow
manytimest heymadel ove.Hewasbi g…and
thi
ck…str
etchinghertothemaxi mum.Andshe
l
ovedit.Hemov edinsi
dehersl owl
y,pickingup
paceunti
ltheywerebot hshakinginorgasm.
‘
Youaresobeaut
if
ul.
’Evenhisv oi
cewaseroti
c.
‘
Imissedyousomuch….Openyoureyes…Iwant
youtoseeme…Iwantyoutolookinmyey es
andseehowmuchIloveyou,Nika…’
Shejumpedupwi
thast
art
,si
tt
ingupi
nthebed
st
il
li
nshock.
Shewassoakedwetandt hesheet
swere
cr
umpledallar
oundher,herbodymoi
stwit
h
sweatandherski
nsti
ll
flushedwit
hpassi
on.
What.
the.
hell
.Whatint
heent i
rehel
l…whatki
nd
ofst
upiddream di
dshejusthave?
Shelookedov erattheothersideofthebed.
Deswasst i
ll
nothome.Hewasi nt heoffi
ce,
thatshewassur eof.Hehadt oldherhe’dbe
l
aterthanexpected,becausehewashav inga
Skypeconf er
encewi t
htheirbusinesspartner
s
i
nt heUS, andbecauseofthet i
medi ff
erence,
thecallhadtobet hi
slat
e.
Sheunder
stood.Real
l
ydi
d
Justmissedherpar tner.Tiredofhavi
nga
roommat eforahusband.Shewasdeadsur e
ther
ewasn’ tanyt
hinggoi ngonwi t
hDes,li
kehe
wasn’tsneakingaround, becauseshecould
walkinonhi soff
icerightnowunannounced,
andhe’dstil
lbeintheof ficewherehesaidhe
was.Alone.
Deswassotir
edever
yni
ghthecamehome,
t
hatt
heirl
ovemaki
ngwassomebori
ng5
secondst hi
ng…notthefi
rewor
ksi
tuset
obe.
Shemi ssedhistouch…
Whatthef
uckkindofdr
eam di
dshejusthav
e?
Thatwassowronginsomanylev
els!

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
22

OUTSI
DETHEVI
LLAGE

Onikast oppedhercaratthesideoft heroad

andmanagedt oopent hehood.Whowasshe
ki
ddi ng?Sheknewabsol utelynothi
ngabout
cars,butshehadseenDesandt hemechani c
dot hiswhenshet ookhercarf orser
v i
ce.She
hadev enfor
gott
ent ot
aket hecarforserv i
ce,
usual l
yDesdidthisthi
ngsf orher…butthispast
fewweekshewassobusyshehadhar
dlyseen
him atal
l
.
Hetri
edtocall
Nor
thsi
deMot
ors…nosi
gnal
.
Justherl
uck.
Shesawt heKgagodiboy
scomeal
ongt
her
oad
fr
om thei
reveni
ngrun.
Real
ly
.Justherl
uck.Coul
dn’
titbeanyot
her
peopl
e?
MaotoandTshepesai
dhi
andpassedbywhi
l
e
Kwapastopped.
KWAPA:(smil
i
ng)Isweary
ouarestal
ki
ngme,
Ni
ka…Iseeyoual
mostevery
where.
ONIKA:
(rol
li
nghereyes)Thenyouneedt
oget
of
fthebott
le.Somet
hingiswrongwit
hmycar
,
dosomethi
ngaboutit…
KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)andshest
il
lbossesme
around.WhatdoIgetoutofit
?(Roamingher
bodywi t
hhiseyesandbiti
nghi
slowerli
p)
ONIKA:
( l
aughi
ng)Keepdr
eami
ng…mycar
…now!
Kwapa,pl
ease.
Hebentov erthehoodandl ookedover,
asked
herforabottleofwaterandpouredit
somewher eitthecarandthendranksome
whil
et aki
ngof fhi
sshir
ttowipeoffhissweat
y
facefr
om ther un.
KWAPA:(
catchi
ngherst
ari
ngathi
sabs)Li
ke
whaty
ousee?
ONI
KA: (
laughing)don’
tfl
att
eryour
sel
f…nobody
i
schecki
ngf orthosebones.Putt
hem away.
KWAPA: Lastt i
meIchecked…y ouwer e
checkingf orthem.Istil
lrememberhowy our an
yourhandsupmychest …( Stal
ki
ngheruntil
she
waspi nnedagai nstthecar)Don’tyou
remember …Nika?Youwer esoshy…almost
scaredtot ouchme…soi nnocent,i
twas
cute…i
nt oxicati
ng.Isti
ll
rememberhowy our
softsmal lhandsf el
tovermychest …
ONI
KA:
Stop…
KWAPA:Myli
psrighther
e…doyour
emember
?
(Ki
ssi
ngt
hesideofherneck)
Sheclosedherey
est
hinki
ngofl
astni
ght
’s
dream.
KWAPA: Myl i
psony oursli
kethis(l
andedasoft
ki
ssonherl i
ps,hi
shandmov inguptoherchest
andcuppi ngherbreastjustli
kehehaddonei n
herdream)Yourni pplesarehard.Ibetyouare
wetdownher etoo…( Bi
ti
ngherearlobeand
whisperi
ngi nherear)doIt ur
ny ouon…Onika?
Doy oucravemyt ouchmor ethanyour
husband’s,MrsMar umo?
Husband…herhusband…ohshi
t!Whatwasshe
doi
ng?
Shepushedhi
m awayandsl
appedhi
m.
ONI
KA: Nevertouchmeagai
n, Kennet
h,Iam
war
ningyou.Leavemealoneunlessyouwant
metotell
War onaall
aboutt
his.
*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Bamecameintothebedr
oom andst
arteddoi
ng
astr
ipt
easeforTebat
sowhowasont hebed,
st
ari
ngint
ospace.
BAME: (
getti
nginbednextt
ohim)Ok,obv
iousl
y
yourmindisnothere…what
’swr
ong?
(Massagi
nghim)
TEBATSO:(af
terafewseconds)pl
easedon’
t
taket
hist
hewr ongway,
Bathsheba,y
ouknowI
l
ov ey
ou,r
ight
?
BAME:
But
?
TEBATSO:It
hinkweshoul
dpost
ponet
he
weddi
ng…
BAME: What ?Why ?Di
dIdosomet hingwrong?
Tebatsopleasedon’tdothi
s,Ilov
ey ou…why
wouldyouwantt odothi
s?Ithoughtyouloved
met oo?(Crying)
TEBATSO:Bathsheba,pleasedon’ tcry…i
t’
s
j
ust…Imean,Ijustmetmyf at
herandI ’m get
ti
ng
toknowhim,sot herei
sal otgoingon.Andwe
havesomanyi ssues,l
i
ket hefactt hatIwant
kidsandy
oudon’ t.Wecan’tjustignorethat,
we
havetoworkthroughthose…
BAME:ButyouknewIdi
dn’
twantki
ds
Tebat
so…Imean…
TEBATSO: No,Bathsheba, Idi
dn’t.Wenev er
discussedi
t,andit
’sani mportantdecisiona
couplehastomakebef oremar ri
age…Ijust
thinkweshouldtaketimeandt hi
nkabouti t
…
BAME: Howcouldyoudothi
stome?Really
Tebat
so?Isitaboutt
heki
dsbecausethenfi
ne,
I
’l
lhaveyourfucki
ngki
dst
hen…isthatwhatyou
want?Formetojustgi
vei
n?Thef
ineTebat
so…
I
’l
lhaveyourki
ds.
TEBATSO:Idon’
twantyout
ogivein,Sheba…I
wantyoutowantkidst
oo…youcan’
thave
chi
ldr
enjustt
opleaseme…
BAME: Pleasedon’tdothi
sTebatso…Ican’
tbe
withoutyou…please…pl
easedon’
tdot hi
s…Ilov
e
you…doy ouwantmet obeg?(Getti
ngonher
knees)Isthiswhatyouwant?Becausey ougot
i
tTebat so,I
’m beggi
ngyou,don’
tdothis…
TEBATSO:(get
tingupandtaki
nghi
scarkeys)
I
’mjustsayi
nglet’
staket
imetothi
nkabout
thi
ngs,
Bathsheba.
BAME:Wher eareyougoing?Areyougoingt
o
her
?Isthati
t?Isthi
sallaboutyourl
i
ttl
emaid
gi
rl
?Ithoughtyoudidn’
tcheat?
TEBATSO:I’
mjustgoi
ngoutf
orsomeai
r,st
op
dramat
izi
ngever
ythi
ng…
*
***
***
*

ATKGAGODIFARM

Maotowhi st
ledt
ohi msel
fashet i
ghtenedthe
fenci
ngf ort
hecalv
es’paddock.Hi
sov eral
l
s
weretiedupathiswaistwit
hnothing
underneath.
Thandi
estoodwatchi
nghi
mforawhi
l
e,t
hen
movedovertohi
m.
THANDI
E:Maot
o?
MAOTO:(
jumpi
ngst
art
led)Shi
t!Thandi
e…y
ou
scar
edme.
THANDIE:(
giggl
i
ng)I’
m sorr
y…Icouldn’
t
i
magineyouscaredofanyt
hing.Youaresobi
g
andstr
ong.
MAOTO: Whatareyousti
lldoi
nghere?The
f
arm bushasalr
eadylef
t,kanayouaredri
vi
ng?
THANDI E:(
pouti
ng)No…Imi ssedthebus…I
guessI
’llj
ustwalkandgot hroughthevi
ll
age
andcatchabus…butIt hi
nkdi busdihedi
leby
thi
sti
me…l egal
eIwill
hike…
MAOTO: (
sighi
ng)I
’
m goingt
oFr
ancist
own.If
youcoul
dgetyourstuf
fwecanl
eaveinfi
ve
minut
es.
THANDI E:(smili
ngbrightl
y)youaresucha
l
ifesaver
!Thanky ou…( Looki
ngatt hetattooof
threesetsoftinyfoot
pr i
ntswit
hbi r
thdates
underneathonhi sabs)Yourtattooisnice…your
childr
en’
sbi r
thdaysandf ootpr
ints?
MAOTO:
Yea…
THANDIE:Youaresopl
easant
lyt
otal
k
to…manybosses…
MAOTO: Notreal
l
y…Ifi
ndsmal
ltal
kir
rit
ating
act
uall
y.That
’swhyIcomeinl
ateandleav el
ate,
toavoi
dpeopletr
yingt
omakeconversati
on.So,
i
fyoudon’tmind…and,i
t’
sMrKgagodi,bythe
way
.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEBUTCHERY

Kedisatbehindthecountertalki
ngt oher
cousi
nOni kawhenBamewal kedin.Shelooked
evenprett
ierwit
houtt heusualfull
facemakeup
andherhairtodaywaspul ledintoamessy
ponytai
l,
ev enwit
ht hepuffyredeyeslikeshe
spentthenightcry
ing.
BAME: (takingoffherengagementri
ngand
putt
ingitont hecounterandpushi
ngi ttowards
Kedi)Ther e,t
akeit
.It’
swhatyouwant ,ri
ght?
Yousawanengagedmanandst i
lldecidedto
goaf t
erhim, nowhewant stoendthings.You
won( wipinghertears)Ihopehemakesy ou
happy
.
KEDI:
Ma’am,
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
…I…
BAME: Saveit…justknowt hatIreal
lylove
Tebat so,heandI ,we’ vebeent hroughal ot.I
foughtmyf athertoot handnai ltobewi ththis
man…( sniff
li
ngandwi pingtearswithher
hand) …causedar iftbet weenmypar entsandI ,
ar i
ftthatstil
lexists…j ustforhim…myf ather
l
iterall
ycutmeof fhi swi ll
because‘ nodaught er
ofhi swil
l mar r
yacommonst r
eetthug’,andI
stil
ldidn’
tcar e…Ihel pedTebat socleanupf r
om
thedr ugbusiness…gol egi
t,buil
dhimsel f…and
youseeamademanandy oujustwantt owal k
i
nandbecomf ortable?
KEDI:Butr
eal
l
y,Tebat
soandIar
enotdoi
ng
anyt
hing!
BAME: IknowImayseem l
iket
hedevi
lbrat
gi
rl
fr
iendwi t
hanat
ti
tude,
butyoudon’
tknow
meorwhatI ’vebeenthroughwi t
hTebatso.I’
m
notgoi ngtof i
ghtyouorTebatsoont hi
s,Ihave
dignit
y, I
’
llwalkawaysil
ently.(
Wi pi
ngmor e
tears)Hellhasaspecialplaceforwomenl ike
you.Theydosayl i
fegoesinci r
cleshun,
so
whaty ouar edoingtomewi llcomebackt oyou
at housandf ol
d.
Sheboltedbackoutt
ohercar
,tear
sfl
owi
ng
fastdownhereyes.
ONIKA: Kedi
bonye,
whatar
eyoudoi
ng?St
eal
i
ng
anotherwoman’sman?
KEDI
:Cousy
,Idi
dn’
t…Iwasj
ust
….
ONI
KA:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thhi
m?
KEDI:
I…I
…hecametomypl aceandt
henwe
wereint
hebat
hroom and…
ONIKA:Don’tbethatkindofwoman, Kedibony
e.
I
tdoesn’tendwell,t
rustme,Iknow.I’v
ebeen
downthatpath.Amancannev errespectyoui
f
youcheapeny our
selftobei
ngthekindof
womant oopenherlegsforhi
m whil
eknowing
heisat
tached.Youmakey our
selfnol
esser
thanacommonpr osti
tut
e.Ihavetogo.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
23

I
NMOXOFFI
CE
MOGOGI: So,
Kaytoldmey oucal
ledof ft
he
weddi
ng?Shebacamet oseeherear l
i
erand
tol
dheraboutit
.IsawShebaleavingthe
bui
ldi
ng,sheisr
eall
ybrokenri
ghtnow, man.
TEBATSO:
Eish…t
hingsar
esocompl
i
cat
edr
ight
nowthemonna…
MOGOGI :Ican’tbel
iev
eyou,Tebla!Ihonest
ly
can’
t.Thatchicklai
dherl
if
edownf or
you…remember ?Whenshegotl ockedup
prot
ecti
ngy
ourstupidass?Cutofff
rom her
famil
y…hmm…oriny ou‘t
hinkwi
thmydick’
quest,
youf
orgotthat?
TEBATSO:Iknowallthatt
hemonna,
butKedi
cameinthepict
ureand…
MOGOGI :Andwhat ?Huh?What ?Youf orgot
thatsheputdownmoneyf orust ogol egit
?Her
ownf uckingli
fesav i
ngsaf terthatdr ugdeal
wentsout hforus!Shel eftherf ucki ng
model l
ingcareerinLondont ocomebewi thyou!
Bathshebai snotper fectman…shei snot,but
thatgir
l i
sdownf oryou, Tebl a…shehasl iter
all
y
provenitoverandov er.Ican’ ttellyouwhatt o
dowi t
hy ourli
fe,butI ’
lltellyout his.Letthatgir
l
go,andt hatwil
lbet hest upidestdeci si
onof
yourli
fe.Igottago, Ihav eadat ewi thmy
wife…theonewhost oodbymel ikeShebadi d
foryou, y
ouknow…si ncesomeofusknow
whereourl oyal
tieslay .
TEBATSO:
Themonnadon’
tbel
i
ket
his…
MOGOGI :Youar emyf r
iend,Tebatso,havebeen
foraslongasIcanr emember .It’
smydut yto
beupf rontwithy ou.AndSheba?Shei shurt
man, hurt!Iwannapunchy our i
ghtnowf or
whaty ouar edoingt othatgirl
!Youknowshei s
afighter,andisy ouseeabul lli
kehernot
fi
ghting,knowt hatshe’scutdeep…y ouare
goingtor egretthis…I’
mt el
li
ngy ou.Kediisa
twosecondsexci tement …wheni tal
lgoesaway,
theinit
ialrel
ationshipexcit
ement …you’l
l
rememberSheba.* ****
****

ATAPRI
VATEAEGI
SCLI
NIC

Kgodumolai
dinthegurneysedatedasthr
ee
doctor
sandthr
eenursesinthei
rscrubs
surr
oundedhi
m…
DR:Ok,i
t’
s2:
45pm,andcommencementofa
car
diact
umourremoval
surger
yunder
way.
Pat
ientmale,KgagodiKgodumo,
80y earsol
d.
Sur
geryisopenheart.Areweal
lsetnurse?
NURSE:Wear
eset
,butt
hev
ital
sar
eabi
t
wor
ryi
ng…
DR:Undersedati
ve,t
hati
stobeexpected.I’
m
DrOrt
egaandl et
’scommencethesurgery.
Theystart
edworkingonhi
mf orseveralhours
removingthesmallt
umour
sf i
rstbefore
att
empt i
ngremovaloft
helar
geronet hatsaton
theheart
…
NURSE:
Thevi
tal
saredr
oppingdoctor…hi
s
vi
tal
sar
etool
ow…doctor
,wearel osi
ng
hi
m…wehavetodosomethi
ngrightnow
DR: Theposi
ti
onofthet
umouristoo
precari
ous….
weneedtoputhi
m onthe
pump…connectthepumpnow…f ast
er,
wear
e
l
osinghim…
*
***
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsowal
kedinandfoundBamepacki
ngher
cl
othesinal
argesui
tcase
TEBATSO:Bat
hsheba…I
’
m sor
ry,
Idi
dn’
tmean
fort
hist
ohappen.
BAME:Doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
orher
?Pl
easebe
honest
…
TEBATSO:
Yes…
BAME:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thher
?
TEBATSO:
Yes…
Shej
ustqui
etl
ykeptpacki
ng.
TEBATSO:Bat
hshebapl
easesay
somethi
ng…wher
eareyougoi
ngtogo?Ar
eyou
goi
ngtobeok?
Hecameov ert
oherandhuggedherf
rom
behi
nd,
kissi
ngthet
opofherhead.
TEBATSO:
I’
m sosor
rySheba…
BAME: (
cryi
ng)Tel
l me, Tebatso,di
dy ouever
l
oveme?OrwasIj ustameal ti
cket?Somesi l
l
y
l
itt
lerichgir
lwit
hwi l
df antasi
es, whocouldbail
yououtofsi t
uati
onsandt heny oujustdump
whenInol ongerhav eapur pose?Becausey ou
don’tdothistoaper sony ouloveTebatso…you
j
ustdon’ t
!Gosh,Ifeelsoused!
TEBATSO:Comeon…ofcour seIloveyou…I
nevermeantforal
lofthi
st ohappen.Ilov
ey ou
andyouknowt hat
…it
’sjustthatKedi…wewant
thesamethingsandIfeelli
keweconnect …
BAME:Pl
easesav
emet hedetai
ls.Letmepack
i
npeaceandI’
l
lbeoutofyourhouse.
TEBATSO:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ngt
ogo?
BAME:(
tear
ingwel
li
ngdownhercheeks)Hi
deit
outi
nAustr
ali
awit
hmysist
erBethany.I
’
m not
i
nterestedi nhear ingmydad’ s‘Itoldy ouso’
ri
ghtnow.I ’l
lwritethem al et t
erwhenI ’
m ov er
ther
eandt el
l t
hem Ibr okei toffbecauseIdon’ t
wantmydadcomi ngaf tery ouorany t
hing.
Gosh, thisissoembar rassi ng!Gont shi
tswe
magadi , Ialr
eadygomyweddi nggown,
everyonei nmyf ami l
y’
ssoci alcirclesknowI ’m
gett
ingmar r
ied…al lt
hat !Andnowt his?I’v
e
neverbeensohumi li
atedi nmyl ife.Af t
er
everythingwe’ vebeent hrought oget her,Tebla,
real
ly?
TEBATSO:
I’
m sor
ry…
BAME: Icertainlydidn’tseethisonecomi ng.I
feelsobet rayedandhur t
…hurtssomuchIkeep
chokingonmybr eath…wor sethanwhenuncl e
Marion…l egale, i
tsok.Kel i
femos.I’vesurvived
worse.Ical ledf orthecleanerstopackt herest
ofmyst ufftomor rowandmov erst
osendi tto
myf ather’shousei nGabor one.Iwi
shy ouand
Kedi well(kissinghi m onthecheek),pl
ease
tr
eatherbett
erthanyoudi
dme, sheseemsli
ke
asweetgirl
.GoodbyeTebat
so.Thanksfort
he
best6yearsofmylif
e.

*
***
***
*

ATKFM

MaotoandGout
asati
nthei
roff
ice,Maoto
bot
tl
efeedi
ngAasawhi
leGout
ar eadsome
not
estohim.
MAOTO:
Soundsgr
eat
,Isayl
et’
sgowi
thi
t.
GOUTA:Don’
twewanttolookatpossi
ble
al
ter
nati
vest
hough?Ij
ustthi
nk…hi,
Thandie?
Somethi
ngwecanhelpyouwith?
THANDIE:(wal
kingi
njov
ial
ly
)MrsKgagodi
…I
j
ustwantedtothankMrKgagodi
forl
astni
ght
.
I
twasreall
ynice.
GOUTA:
Lastni
ght
?
THANDIE:
It’
snotoftenthatpeopl
edoni
ce
thi
ngsf
ormel i
kethatand…
MAOTO: (
sighing)Idi
dn’
tdoany t
hing‘ni
ce’
for
you.Igavey ouar i
debecauseyoumi ssedt
he
bus.Now, unlessther
eissomethingy ou
wanted,pleaseclosethedoorony ourwayout
.
THANDI E:
(movingclosertoMaot o)Ist
hat
babyAasa?Shei ssopretty…Iwanttohave
thr
eekidsjustl
i
key ouMr sKgagodi whenIget
marri
ed.Aboyandt wogi r
ls…
GOUTA:
Enough!Thandi
e!Out
…Now!
Shesmi
l
edandwal
kedawaywav
ing.
MAOTO: Iswearthatgi
rli
sthecreepi
estper
son
I’
veevercomeacross.Herbehavi
ourabout
ever
ythi
ngisjustodd.Canwefir
eher?
GOUTA:(
laughi
ng)Thandi
e?Ithi
nkshejust
get
sover
lyexci
ted.Shei
syoungandstupid,
andlikemostyoungl adi
eswhohav ebeenat
somecor porat
ef orumsIt al
kedat,
fantasi
ze
aboutmyl i
feandt hinksIhaveital
lgood.Shei
s
harmless.If
inditslightl
ycuteandfunny
actuall
y…
MAOTO: Idon’
tknow,Dobe,shejustgi
vesme
t
hecreeps.Somethi
ngisoffwiththatone.

Thepol
i
cewal
kedi
nast
heysatt
alki
ng
MAOTO:
(si
ghi
ng)nowwhat
?
MONTHE: MrKgagodi,
I’
m afrai
dwehav ecome
acr
ossalotofi
nformati
onthatimpli
catesyou,
MrsKgagodi
,andKFM onal otofcases.We
havet
oseizecontr
oloftheenti
reoff
iceri
ght
nowtocompletet
heinvesti
gati
on.
GOUTA: What?No!Doyouknowhowmucha
dayofbeingshutdownwil
lcostus?Doy ou
evenhaveawar r
ant?(
hehandedherthe
warrant
)Fine…I
’
dliket
otal
ktomyl awyerfi
rst
…
Maoto,
cal
lTr
evorandI
’
llgetWarandLi
ahher
e
ASAP.
MONTHE: Youdowhaty oudo,butasofnow,
thi
soff
iceisent
ir
elyunderi
nvest
igat
ion…you
cantel
lyouremployeest
oleavefort
heday…
GOUTA:Thisi
sunbel
i
evabl
e!Howl
ongi
sthi
s
goi
ngtotake?
MONTHE: Aslongasneeded.Oh, andy ou,Mr
Kgagodi,andMatthiasMorri
shavet osur r
ender
yourpersonaldevi
cestoo,andgiveusaccess
topersonalemail
sandaccount s…andwewi ll
alsobeconfiscat
ingyourhomedev ices.Some
ofmyof fi
cerswil
l gohomewi t
hy outoget
them.
MAOTO: Abso-
fucking-
lut
elynot
!Thisi
s
ri
dicul
ous…i
tsharassmentandinvasi
onof
pri
vacy!
GOUTA:(
sighi
ng)Let’
sjustgo,
Maoto…l
etthem
dowhat
evertheyneedtodo…butknowthatI
am sui
ngforlossofi
ncomewheny
ouar
edone
wi
ththisbul
lshi
t.
MAOTO:
Youar er
ight
…dowhatyoumust….
Hav
eablastwast
ingyourt
ime,
Monthe.

Goutacal
ledanemergencymeeti
ngtodismi
ss
thest
affandtol
dthem t
heywil
lbenoti
fi
ed
agai
nwhent heycancomebacktowork.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedilookedoutsi
dethewi
ndowtoseewhowas
knockingthatl
ateatni
ght
.Tebat
so.She
ti
ghtenedhergownandopenedthedoor.
KEDI
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eTebat
so?Ar
e
y
ouok?
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
TEBATSO:Iloveyou,Kedi
…Ithi
nkIf
ellf
ory
ou
thever
yfi
rstdayIsawy ou…t
herei
sjust
somethi
ngabouty ou…
KEDI
:No,
Tebat
so,
youar
eget
ti
ngmar
ri
ed…
TEBATSO: Notanymore.Ibr
okeitoffandshe
l
eft
…Ilovey ou…andIwantyousomuchr ight
now…( Unt
yinghergownandkissingdownher
cl
avi
cle,l
eadinghertothebedr
oom) .
KEDI
:Tebat
so,
please…wai
t…l
et’
stal
kaboutt
his.
TEBATSO: What ’
stheretot
alkabout
?Iloveyou,
andnowI ’
m single…Iwantyou,don’
tyouwant
met oo?(Helaidherdownont hebed,pul
l
ing
herclot
hesoffandki ssi
ngdownherbody).

*
***
***
*
(
Par
donmef
orf
orget
ti
ngt
opostl
astni
ght
'
s
epi
sode)
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
24

ATKFM

Gout
aandMaot
owal
kedt
othepar
kingl
ot

GOUTA:
Butr
eshapoaker
e?
MAOTO: Shi
t…Ibroughti
nthatf
oldermal
oba
andIt
hinkIl
eftitintheof
fi
ce…
GOUTA: Whatfol
der?Whatf ol
derMaot o!Don’t
tel
lmethebluefoldert
hatwasonmydr essi
ng
tabl
eathome!Ar eyouseriousri
ghtnow?
Maoto!Comeon!Theywon’ tl
etusbacki nyou
knowthat…andtheycan’tseethatf
older!
MAOTO:
(si
ghi
ng)I
’
llf
indawayt
oexpl
aini
t…
GOUTA:
Wher
eisi
t?May
bet
heywon’
tseei
t!
MAOTO:I
nt heext
rar
oom…Iwasfixi
ngAasa’
s
bot
tl
eandreadi
ngitt
henIf
orgoti
tther
e.
Thandi
ewal kedbehindt
hem atadist
anceand
hear
dt hem argui
ngaboutt
hefolder
.Seemed
i
mpor t
antenought oMrKgagodi
.
Sherushedbackandtheuni
for
medof
fi
cer
st
oppedheratthedoor.
THANDI E:(
smili
ng)Int
ern…Ij
uststar
tedher
e.I
forgotmyschoolproj
ecti
nmyof fi
ce,I
’l
lj
ust
grabitandr
unout .
OFFI
CER:
Ok,
youhav
e2mi
nut
es.
Sheranst raighttoGouta’soffi
ce,herheart
beati
ngf astasshesl ippedinwhilethenon-
unif
ormedof fi
cer,t
heoneMrKgagodi had
call
edMont he,andanot heronesearched
Gouta’scupboar ds.Shewentt othekids’
playr
oom andf ounditwher eMoatohadsai di
t
was.
Shesl
i
ppedi
tunderhershi
rtandwal
kedout
.
MONTHE:
Whatarey
oudoi
ngher
e?Thi
sof
fi
ce
i
sseal
edf
ornow.
THANDIE:I’
mt heint
ernsi
r,If
orgotmyproj
ect
andIhaveasubmi ssi
ontomorrow.It
houghti
t
wasinhere,Iguessit
’si
nmyof fi
ce.
MONTHE:
Geti
tandgetoutofher
efast
.
Shewalkedoutandwhenshegottot
hedoor
theof
fi
ceraskedaboutt
heschool
proj
ect
s.
Sheopenedherl aptopbagandtookoutthe
projectshehadal readyhadi
nherbag,and
handedt ohim, smili
ng.Hepagedthr
oughand
returneditback.
THANDI
E:(
smi
l
ing)Wi
l
lthatbeal
l
,of
fi
cer
?
OFFI
CER:
Yes,
keepi
tmov
ing.

*
***
***
**
ATANPRI
VATEAEGI
SCLI
NIC

DR1:Thisiswor
ryi
ngman…therei
sn’
tmuch
act
ivi
tysi
ncehesli
ppedi
ntoacomayest
erday
.
DR2: Buti
t’l
lbeashor
tonesinceitisonlydue
tobloodpressur
e.Atl
eastIhope…I’mjust
thi
nkingi
fIwasf ami
ly
, Iwoul
dwantt osaymy
l
astgoodby etomylovedonebeforetheyare
col
d.Idon’tknowwhyhedoesn’twantt hem
here…
DR1:Hedoesn’twantfami
lytocome…weare
t
onoti
fythem onl
yifhepasses.Wecan’
tbr
eak
t
hatpr
otocoli
fhewakesup…
DR2:
Butwhati
fhei
sinacomaf
oral
ongt
ime?
DR1: Thenit’
suptomanagementtodeci
de…
ohshoot …t
herei
sabeep…thati
s
unusual…coul
dbegoingei
therway
…
Thebothpull
edont
hei
rcoat
sandrant
othe
room wher
eKgodumowaslayi
ng.

*
***
***
***

ATTHEAI
PORT

Bamesatwi
thMosi
tiwai
ti
ngf
orherf
li
ght
.
MOSI TI
:Soyouarejustgoingt
oleav
e?Youar
e
goingtorun,
ser
iously?Idon’
tknowyout
obe
thatway,Bame!
BAME:Tebatsodoesn’
twantme, don’tyouget
i
t?Hedoesn’tl
oveme.Iknowheusedt o…v er
y
muchso,butnotanymore.Tokeepf i
ghtingis
j
usttohur
tmy sel
fbecausehishearti
swi th
someoneelsenow.I’
m bett
eroffj
ustgoingof f
toheal
somewhere.
MOSI
TI:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
BAME: Pr obablygobackt oLondonanddoabi t
ofmodel li
ng.I’
m notgoi ngtobegmydadf or
money ,butIputmostofwhatIhadon
Tebatso’sbusiness.Heof f
eredmemoneybutI
don’twanti t
,Ihavethatmuchpr i
de.I
’
vealready
bookedt hreejobspayingar ound15keach,and
Ihavealreadygot t
enagi gwithsomedesigner
l
adycalledTer iMoore,shei sTswanabutis
basedinLondonanddoessomebespokeof fi
ce
-wearli
net hat’
sdoingv erywell.
MOSITI:Oryoucouldjusttakeajobwithyour
fami
l
y .Youcomef rom twofamili
esthatar
e
amongt hewealt
hiesti
nt hecountr
y.Youarea
VanAndr easandaMmusi !
BAME: Ha,tuckmyt ailbetweenmyl egsandsit
thr
oughmyf amil
y’
s‘Itoldy ouso’.Methinks
not,butt
hanks,gir
lfr
iend.I’
v el
earntmylesson
autl
wa.Nev ert
rustaman.Besi des,mysist
er
gotmef ornow.I’
llbewi thherforawhilein
Aussi
ethengot oLondon.Tebatsotaughtmea
l
essonI’
m notabouttoforgetsoon.Andwi l
l
pr
obablymakesev er
almenpayf orittoo!
Womanscor nedandall
…
Shehuggedherasherf
li
ghtwascal
led,and
pushedherbacki
ntowardst
hedepart
uregates,
wipi
ngtear
swhenshewasf aci
ngawayf r
om
her.

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Gout
aandMaot
obot
hpacedar
oundt
hehouse.
GOUTA:Idon’tknowwhatyouwer et
hinking
Maoto,
real
ly?Whywouldyoubringitt
ot he
of
fi
ce?Youmi ghtaswel
lhavethrownusi njai
l
.
MAOTO:
Isai
dI’
dfi
xit
,Gout
a!St
opnaggi
ng!
Argg,whot
hehel
li
sthatnow…(
ast
hedoor
bel
l
rang)
GOUTA:
Probabl
ythepol
i
ce,
theyf
oundt
hef
il
e
and…
Hewentt
oopen,
Gout
abehi
ndher
.
MAOTO: Whatt
hef
uckdoy
ouwantnow,
Thandi
e?
Shesmi
l
edandhandedhi
mthef
il
e…
MAOTO: Whatthe…wher
edid…ohmyGod,
Thandi
e!Areyouanangelorwhat
?(Huggi
ng
her
)Didthepoli
ceseeit
?
THANDIE:Nope,t
heyhadnotst
artedlooki
ngon
theki
ds’pl
ayroom.Igott
her
eintime.Ididn’
t
l
ookatitei
ther
,If
igur
edyouwouldn’twantme
to.
MAOTO:Goodgi
rl
!Verygoodgi
rl
!Howdidy
ou
ev
engeti
t…howdi
dy ouknowabouti
t?
THANDI
E:(
beami
ngwi
thasmi
l
e)Wel
l
,Ihear
d
youandMr sKgagodi t
alki
ngaboutit
,andIjust
wantedtohelp…Imean, whoisworr
iedabout
aninter
n?SoItoldthem Iwasgett
ingaschool
proj
ectandtheyletmein,thenIhi
ditundermy
shir
tandshowedt hem myschoolprojectwhen
Iexi
ted.
MAOTO: Wow!You,li
tt
lel
ady
,aremyf
avouri
te
personr
ightnow!Nameanyt
hingy
ouwant…a
rai
se?
THANDIE:(shaki
ngherheadno,asshesmiled
fr
om eartoear)Ij
ustwantedt
ohelp…Ishould
beleav
ingnow.GoodnightMrKgagodi…
MAOTO: Goodni
ghtThandi
e!Youdon’tknow
j
usthowmuchofahappymany oujustmade
me!Doyouneedari
deorsomet hi
ng?It’
skind
ofl
ate…
THANDI
E:Nah,
itsf
ine…Iact
ual
l
yli
vei
nthi
s
ar
ea….
Shebl
ushedandwal
kedawaysmi
l
ing.
*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kediwokeupwi t
hTebat
so’
sarmswr apped
aroundherwaist
.Hewasst
il
lsleepi
ng
peaceful
l
ywithasmil
eonhisface.
Whydi dthi
sfeelsorightwhensheknewi twas
wrong?Youcan’tjustwalkintoanother
woman’ sshoesandt akeover,andshehad
neverbeenonetost artarel
ati
onshipon
anotherwoman’stears.
ButTebat somadeherf eelthi
ngssheneverf
elt
before…madeherwantt obeselfi
shandsay‘
to
hel
l withBathsheba’
,sheleftany
way.Butshe
sti
l
l didn’
tfeelr
ightaboutit
.
Neohadj
ustwokenupi
nthei
rroom.Si
ncet
his
househadtwobedr
ooms, andshefounda
ki
ddiebedandacoti
nt heotherr
oom,shehad
puttheki
dsther
eandtheyadoptedwell
.
ShepickedNeoupandtookhert
othe
bat
hroom tobat
heher
.

Asshecameout ,shesmiledhear
ingthepots
cl
icki
ngint heki
tchen.Tebatsot
ryi
ngtocook
something.Howsweet .Shewasn’tusedtoni
ce
menlikehim.
KEDI
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
TEBATSO:(l
aughing)IswearIknowhowto
makeporri
dge,aomma!GapeMaduoi shel
ping
me…akeremonnaMaduo?
KEDI:
(laughi
ng)Mmekeoomot
ogowagagoo
hel
lamost of
ong!
TEBATSO:
(looki
ngbackatthest
ovewher
ethe
por
ri
dgewasf l
owingov
er)Ohshit
…I
mean…Damn…ei
sh…ok,
whatdoIdo?
KEDI:
(laughi
ng)didn’ty
ousayy
ouknowhow?
Let
’sseewhaty ou’
lldo….
Heleftt
heporri
dgeandwentov
ert
oher
,
ki
ssingherf
orehead.
TEBATSO: Youhav ethecut estlaugh…Il oveit.
NnaIsayl et’
sgof orbr
eakf astoutside, t
his
porr
idgehatesme.IbetWi mpyebut swe.Go
getNeodr essedandI ’
l
l showerMaduoandget
hi
mr eady.(Kissi
nghercheekandwhi speringin
herear)Lastnightwasawesome( shebl ushed
andlaughedasshewal kedt othekids’
bedroom.Shesmi l
edthinkingsinceshemet
hi
m, she’
dnev erseenhim soj ov i
alandr elaxed.)

*
***
***
**

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE
Kwapawal kedovert
oWarona’
sst
udyafound
herathercomputer,
wit
hEmmanuelasl
eepin
hi
scotnextt oher
.
KWAPA: (
tryi
ngtokissher
)Thedoctorsai
d6
weeksakere…it
’sal
mostnineweeksnow…
WARONA:Eh-
eh,
iketl
errannaIhav
ealotof
wor
ktocat
chupwith.IsNavani
home?
KWAPA: Yes,shedi
dthedi
shesandi
sinher
room st
udyi
ng.
WARONA: Shebetterbe….
thatoneenetotake
tl
ammol aa.Nav
nikeepstryi
ngmewai tse!By
theway,myauntismov i
ngintomorrowtot ake
careoft
hebabywhi l
eIgobackt owork.
KWAPA: What ?Youcan’ tbegoi
ngbackt owor
k,
mysoni sonly8weeksol d!War
ona!Comeon,
shoul
dn’twedi scussthis?Andyouknowhow
youraunti
sal way scr
iti
cizi
ngusandour
marri
age,tr
yingt ogetust odot
hingstheway
shewant
s…
WARONA: (
sighi
ng)whatdoy oupropose
Kennet
h?BecauseI’m goi
ngbacktowork.That
i
snotupfordiscussi
on,andthebabyneeds
someonetocareforhim.I’
m notget
ti
ngsome
youngmai
dsoy oucansleepwit
hher.
KWAPA:
That
’snotf
air
…hav
eIev
er…
WARONA:I’
mj ustsay
ing…any
way,myaunti
s
movi
ngintomorrow,wil
lyouf
etchherf
orme
f
rom t
hebusrank?
Hesighedandwal
kedout
,hi
sphonest
art
ingt
o
r
ing.What?Oni
ka?
KWAPA:Hey…Nikamybebe…what
’sup!Iknew
you’
dcomearound!Mi
ssme?

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
25
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

MaotoandGout
asathav
ingagl
assofwi
ne
af
terdi
nner
.

GOUTA:Hear
df r
om thepol
icey
et?IswearI’m
sui
ngforl
ossofincomeift
heoffi
ceisnotopen
bytomorr
ow.Iam payi
ngpeopl
etobestaying
athomebasi
call
y…
MAOTO: I
fit
’sanyconsol
ati
on,i
t’
sbusi
nessas
usualatt
hefar
m…y oushouldcomethere,
it’
s
rel
axi
ng.
GOUTA:(
laughi
ng)Yea,
cowpoop?Notmy
t
hing…
MAOTO: Tal
kingaboutt
hefar
m…Thandiecame
by
…thatgir
lseri
ousl
ygivesmethecr
eeps.
GOUTA:
Why
,becauseshecamet
owor
kwhen
shedi
dn’
thav
eto?
MAOTO: No, becauseIf oundherinmyl i
tt
le
far
m offi
ce…wear i
ngy ourjacket
…theblack
minkoney ouleftthere…shesaidshegotcold
anddecidedtoweari t,didn’
tknowitwasy our
s,
butIdon’tbuythat,you’vewornthatj
acketto
theoff
icebefore…shei sobsessedwithyou
Gouta…
GOUTA: Youar ebeingpar anoi
d,Maot o.So
whati fsomel it
tl
egirlidoli
zesme?Al otother
s
do.Theyt hinkmyl if
ei sthisi
dealthi
ng.
Handsomer i
chhardwor kingatt
entiv
ehusband,
threeperfectkids…mor emoneyatmydi sposal
thanIcoul dbebot heredt ouse,abangingbody ,
smar tandhav emadeanamef ormy sel
finthe
businesswor ld…
MAOTO:
Buti
tist
hough…y
ouar
eper
fect
GOUTA:(
smi
li
ng)True…soyouseewhyI’
m not
bot
her
edbyThandi
e’sl
it
tl
eobsessi
on?
MAOTO: Idon’tknow, Dobe…somet hingi
soff
wit
hher .Shei sn’tjustinspi
redbyy ou…she
want syourlif
e…shei sdoingeverythingt
otryto
getclosetome…t hewat ch…thefil
e…showing
upatt hefarm…t odayshesai dshe’ddo
anythingforme…somet hingyoualway ssay.
Youshoul dseehowmuchherf acebeams
whensheseest heki ds…li
ketheyar eher
s…the
energyshei nvestsi nthebusiness…likei
t’
s
hers…
GOUTA: Yea,
youneedt ostopdr
inking.Youar
e
readi
ngtoomuchi ntothi
s.Shei
sjustsomekid
whof i
ndsmei nspi
ri
ng!Stopwor
rying,ao!

*
***
***
**

ATMOSI
TI’
SHOUSE
MOSITI:(washi
nghishandsbeforedinner)Hei,
wait
seIcan’tbel
iev
ethatTebatsodidthatt o
Bame!Forsomecheapgol ddigginglowli
fe
l
egone!IswearwhenIseet hatgir
l,I
’
m giving
herapieceofmymi nd!Thatgir
lhasnoshame!
THUO:Ao,
Idon’tt
hinkKedi
ist
oblamef or
any
thi
nghere,
sheisquit
easweetgi
rland…
MOSITI
:What
?Howdar
eyoust
ickf
ort
heman-
st
eal
i
ngwhore?
THUO: I
’mjustsayi
ng…Teblaknewhewas
takenandsti
llwentaf
terher…andIknowshe
pushedhim away…butsheishumankana
l
eene…
MOSITI
:Osebetewaitse!Howdareyoutell
me
shei
shuman?Sot hatmakesitoktosteal
anot
herwoman’sman?Don’ tt
hinkIdon’
tknow
youhadheri
nthehousewhenIwasawayl ast
ti
meebil
e.Di
dyouf uckher?
THUO:
(laughi
ng)I
ja…cany
oupl
easebr
ingmy
di
nnerandst
opwi
tht
hisr
ubbi
sh?
MOSITI
:(t
hrowi
nghimthedr
yingcl
oth)
wel
l
…it’
snotli
keitwoul
dbeafir
st…
THUO: Enough!Ah…I ’
vehadalongdayandI
don’
tneedt hi
srightnow!Youcheatedonme,
notonce,buttwice!Evenhadachil
dwithi
tal
l.
Doyouseemet alkingabouti
t?
MOSI TI:Ohhh…sonowt hi
sisabouteveni
ngthe
score,isit
?YoufuckedAmel i
ahbecauseofmy
rel
ationshi
pwithEli
’
sdad, nowyouarefucki
ng
KedibecauseofFaris…
THUO: Youknowwhat?I’m done…I’
mj ustso
done,Ican’
tdealwi
tht
hisbullshit
.(Hepicked
uphiscarkeysandwalkedout )
MOSI
TI:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Thuo!Thuo…

*
***
***
*
ATTI
CHI
NA’
SHOUSE
SOLOMON: Ihear
dthei
roff
icegotsei
zedbyt
he
pol
ice.Idi
dn’tthi
nkyouhaditi
nyou…
TICHINA: (smili
ng)thisisjustt
he
beginning…I’m goi
ngt otakeeverysingl
ethi
ng
fr
om t heKgagodi family,t
urnthem agai
nst
eachot her,andwat chthem burn….
youjustwai
t
andsee…
SOLOMON:
Ili
ket
hesoundoft
hat
…so,
what
’s
next
?
TICHINA: If
oundoutwhatt hatdoct orguyhas
onGout a,anditi sbad…verybad.NowIneedt o
fi
ndawayt ogiv eMaot othati
nformat i
onand
l
ettheirmar r
iagebur n…Ican’twaittolaughin
herfacewhenherper f
ectli
tt
leworldcollapses.
Thepol i
cearet akingtoolonglebone.Ther e
shouldbeanar restbynowaccor dingtot he
i
nformat i
onLat oy a’
sfi
lesgave.
*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowalkedi
nwi
thgrocer
ybagsand
Maduoranovert
ohi
m,taki
ngthebagofchi
ps
hegavehi
m.
KEDI:
Uh-uh!Nochi
psbef
oredi
nner
,Tebat
so
youspoi
lhimtoomuch…
TBATSO:Andyouaretoost
ri
ct!Lethi
m be,
he
i
sakid!Igotgr
ocer
ies!
KEDI
:Youneedtost
opt
his,
Tebat
so…Icanget
myongrocer
ies.
TEBATSO:(l
aughing)whosai
dIgott
hem f
or
you?Igott
hem forMaduoandNeo…
KEDI
:Mxim…howwasy
ourday
?Idi
dn’
tseey
ou
atwor
ktoday
.
TEBATSO: Yea,Iwenttovi
sitmyfat
her
,buthe
i
snott her
e.Probabl
yjustatoneofmycousins’
house.Keditl
hemmaIneedy outodo
somethingforme?
KEDI
:Asl
ongasi
tisl
egal
…
TEBATSO: (
laughi
ng)Kemangy
ori
l
engIdo
i
ll
egalt
hings?
KEDI:
YourfianceesaidyouareadrugLord.I
sit
tr
ueTebatso?Pleasebehonest,Ihav
ekidsand
Ican’
thav
et hem aroundsuch…
TEBATSO: (ki
ssi
nghercheek)Calm down.Fir
st
ofall,
Idon’thaveaf i
ancée.Notanymore.And,
yes,I’
vebeent hroughthatdr
ugspath.ButMox
andIar enowl egit
,werunlegi
ti
mate
businesses.AndI ’
dneverputMaduoandNeo
i
ndangerl ikethat.Il
ovethem l
i
kemyown.And
Ilov
ey outoo…ok?
KEDI:Idon’
twantt
obear
ebound…getov
er
yourexfir
st.
TEBATSO: Ihav
ebeenov erBat
hshebaf ora
whilenow.WhatIfel
tforherwasgrati
tude, and
Ithoughtt
hatwasenough…until
Imety ou…and
Ijusthadt
ohav et
herealthi
ng.I
’m notlett
ing
yougo.
KEDI
:Ify
ousayso…justdon’
thurtmeTebat
so,
pl
ease…I
’vebeenthr
oughenoughalr
eady
.What
doyouwantmet odo?
TEBATSO: Comewi thmeto
Mot shegal
etau…comemeetmymom.
Please…sheissickandIdon’
twantany
thi
ngt
o
happenbef oreshemeetsyou.
KEDI:
Tebatso…i
t’
sbeenonl
yabouta
moth….l
etsnotr
ushthi
ngs.
TEBATSO:Whywai t
,Kedi?Nnat ot
akeagor at
a,
I
’vewai
tedforsuchlovefor
ever,andnowthatI
foundi
tgat
weIshoul dbeataroundthebush
aboutt
hings?Kanammathi
sthi
ngbet
weenus
i
sonesided?Tellmenowbef
oreIf
oolmy
sel
f…
KEDI:No,pl
easedon’
tthi
nkl
i
kethat
.Il
ovey
ou
too.I
t’
sjustt
hati
tist
oosoon…Iwantt
ogo
withyouandmeetyourmum,but
…
TEBATSO: Great
!Wewil
l goont
heweekend!I
swearsheisgoingtol
oveMaduoandNeo!She
hasbeenpest er
ingmeforev
erf
or
grandchi
l
dren.

*
***
***
**

ATAHOTEL

Hewal
kedinandwentt
otheroom shehad
t
ext
edhim.Thi
swassounexpect
ed.
Heknockedonceandpushedt
hedooropen.
KWAPA: Ni
ka…wai
t,ar
eyoucr
ying?What
’s
wrong?
Shest
oodupandr
anupt
ohi
m,huggi
nghi
m.
ONIKA: Idi
dsomet hi
ngstupidKwapa…soso
stupi
d…Ijustfeel
solostandIdon’thave
anyonet ot
alktoanyyouaremyonl ysortof
fr
iendand…( Shesnif
fl
edthroughherwordsas
hepattedherbackcomf ort
ingl
y)
KWAPA:
Cal
m down,
Nika.I
’
m sur
eit
’snott
hat
bad…
ONIKA:(
sit
ti
ngont hebedandcov
eri
ngher
facewi
thherhands)Il
ovemyhusband…
KWAPA:
Iknowy
oudo…
ONIKA: ButI’
m solonelyKen…sol onel
y…heis
basi
callymarriedtohisjob.Ibarel
yseehim and
wehav en’teven…Ij
ust…( Shestart
edcryi
ng
agai
n)…I’vebeenhav i
nganaf fai
r…ok,notan
aff
airperse,but…Imett hisguyatagarage,
ver
yy oung,23y ear
sold.Hewassosweetand
ki
ndandshowedmesomuchat
tent
ion…
KWAPA:
Oni
ka!Ar
eyoucr
azy
?
ONIKA: St
opj udgingme, ok!Iknowi twas
stupi
d…Idi dn’
tli
ke, havesexwi thhi m…we
mostlytal
kedandmadeout .I’
dgi vehim
money …butIwassoov eritandt heot herday
whenImethi m,Itol dhim Iwasdone…andhe
saidIcan’tbedone…hesay she’dt ellmy
husband…i t’
ssuchamess…I ’
m soscar ed.At
l
eastifIthoughtDeswoul ddivorceme, maybe
yea,I
’dtel
l him…hehasexpl ici
tl
yt oldmewear e
nevergetti
ngdi v
or ced…he’llki
llmeKwapa, and
Idomeant hatli
terally
….
KWAPA: Nobodyiskil
li
ngyou!Lewenamma!
That’swhatthissmallboy
sdo, youshould
knowt hat!I
fyouaregoingtorunaround,doit
wit
hsomeonemat ur
e,someonewi thasmuch
toloseasy oudo!Letmet al
ktot hi
skid.I
t’
ll
be
ok…don’tworry.Hewon’tbotheryouagain…
ONIKA: Areyousure?I
’
m soscared…Iwasj
ust
solonely…Idi
dn’
tmeanany t
hingbyit
,andI
di
dn’tthinki
twouldgothi
sfar.
KWAPA:(wi
pinghertear
s)shhh,
stopcr
ying…I’
ll
handl
eit
.What’
shisnameandwher edoIfind
hi
m?
ONI
KA:
Mar
cusatNor
thsi
deMot
ors…
Hepull
edherupf
rom t
hebedandgent
lyki
ssed
heronthel
i
ps.
KWAPA: Desmondi scrazy….somemenj ust
don’tknowhowt oappr eci
atet hegoodthi
ng
theyhav ewai tse!I’
dkillf
orasweet ,
submi ssi
v e,lovi
ng,hotashel l womanli
keyou,
andsomeni ggaleav esallt
hisandspendshis
ti
meatwor k?Nxl a,mthakay olekesehemathe
banna.St ayoutoft roubleNika.Ihavetorun,
somef amilydinnerorwhat ev er…
Hewal
kedout
,butpausedatt
hedoor
…
KWAPA:
Oni
ka?
ONI
KA:
Hmmm?
KWAPA:
YouknowI
’
llal
way
slov
eyou,
right
?

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
26

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Onikacamef rom t
hekitchen,dr
essedupi na
ti
ghtlit
tl
edressthatemphasisedheralready
pronouncedcurved.Sheputthefinaldi
shinthe
tabl
eandsmi ledatherhusbandwhowas
workingonhistabatthedinnertable.
Noprobl
em though.He’l
lputi
tdownwhenshe
comestosit,
andt hey
’l
lhaveabeauti
fuldi
nner.
Kwapawashandl ingt
hestupi
dli
ttl
esituat
ion
shehadcreated,andwhatsheneededtodo
nowwasrekindleherpassi
onwithherhusband.
Candleli
tdinneri
nthegarden…matur
ed
Merlot….
thentheli
tt
lenumbershehadunder
herdressasdessert.Theki
dswerewit
hAngie,
andtheyhadt heni
ghtallt
othemsel
ves.
Yup,ev
ery
thi
ngwasgoi
ngwell
…she’
llr
emi
nd
Desmondofwhatt
heyusedt
ohave.
Shesatdown,maki
ngsur
etomakeanoi se
witht
hechai
rtogethi
sat
tent
ion.Hedi
dn’t
evenl
ookup.

ONI KA:Babe…dinnerisr
eady
…Imadeyour
favouri
te…braisedduckincr
anberr
y
sauce…perfectjusthowyoul
ikeit
…
DESMOND:
(wi
thoutl
ooki
ngup)Thanksmy
l
ove…
Shefumedandst aredathim,handsfol
ded
handsacr
ossherchest ,andhedidn’
teven
noti
ceanyt
hing.Likealways.Desmondno
l
ongernot
icedany thi
ngabouther.Hewasjust
l
i
kehi
sfat
herandbr
other
.
Whywassheev enbotheri
ngherself
?She
pushedthechai
randst oodup,blowingofft
he
candl
esandgoingt othei
rroom.Shechanged
i
ntosomesweat pant
sandat ank,t
hengother
carkeys…notli
kehe’dnoticeshewasout
anyway.Shewalkedpastthehallwaytothe
l
ivi
ngroom and…
DESMOND:(
leani
ngagainstt
heli
vingroom wal
l
i
nthedar
k)Wherear
ey ougoing,
Onika?
ONIKA:Uhm…hey,Des….It
houghtyouwer
e
busy…Iwasj
ustgoingtogoforarun…
DESMOND:
Ony
ourf
li
p-f
lops?
ONI
KA:
Myr
unni
ngshoesar
eint
hecar
…
DESMOND: I
sitKennet
h?I
shetheoney
ouar
e
runni
ngbehi
ndmybackwith?
ONIKA:Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
…
(Heroughl
ygr
abbedherbyt
hechi
nandmade
herf
acehim)
DESMOND:
Lookmei
ntheey
esandt
ell
thatl
i
e
agai
n!
ONI
KA:
Desmond,
youar
ehur
ti
ngme,
stop!
DESMOND:
Whyar
eyoucheat
ingonme,
Oni
ka?
ONIKA:Cheatonyou?Cheatony
ouDesmond!I
har
dlyevenseeyou!
DESMOND: I
’m atwork!Oni
ka…doyouwantme
t
oquitmyjob?Howdoy outhi
nkIkeepy
ouin
t
hosefancydressesandshit
.
ONI KA:Fuckyourf ancydresses,Ineverasked
forthem!IwantmyhusbandbackandIwi l
l
takey ouunempl oyed,broke,l
ivi
nginaboxand
happyt hantheshadowofaper sonIli
vewith.I
tri
ed,Ireal
lydi
d, butIcan’tcompet ewit
haMAC
Book, canI?Ifeelinadequate.Iworethattr
ash-
asswhor edressf oryou!Cookedt hisst
upid
dinnerthatyouhav en’tt
ouchedf oryou…every
singlefuckingdayIcr ymy selftosl eepbecause
l
ikeal i
ttl
ewhor eItrytomakel ov et omy
husbandandher ejectsme!Youshoul dknow
mebet ter,I
’m notl
ooki ngf orri
ch, I
’ml ooki ng
forhappy .Youdon’ tev ennot i
cehowmuchI
hav ebeenst r
uggli
ng.Thest upi
d- assf ertil
i
ty
treatment sarenotwor king,andy ouknow
what ’swor se?Thewomanwhohi tmewi tha
carandcausedmet obet hisway …Mat shidiso,
ther easonI ’
m barr
en…wel l,t
odayIsawheri n
Galomal lpushingapr am wi thtwobabi es…she
hasherki dsandIcan’ t…Ican’tgiv ey oubabi es.
Iloveourchi l
drenbutIj ustwant …Ij ust…I’m so
unhappyDes…Ican' tdot hisanymor e..
.
*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SCLUB
Tebat
sosatinhisoff
icei
ntheclubgoing
thr
oughpaperworkwhenhisphonerang.He
pickeduponf
ir
str
ingwhenhenot
icedt
he
call
erID
TEBATSO:
Sheba…
BATHSHEBA:
I’
m nott
ryi
ngt
ocauset
roubl
e…
TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)Nev
ersai
dyouwer
e…how
ar
ey oudoi
ng?
BATHSHEBA:I’
minLondonal
ready
!It
’sgr
eat
her
e….Igotaj
obandal
l…
TEBATSO:Shebapleasel
etmewir
eyousome
money…I
’m worr
iedaboutyou…
BATHSHEBA:
Dude…Idon’
tneedy
ourmoney
…
TEBATSO:
Techni
cal
l
y,i
t’
syourmoney
…
BATHSHEBA: I
twasagi f
t…besi
des,
doy ou
thi
nkt
hereiseverapossibi
l
ityofmelacki
ng
money?I’
m aMmusi andaVanAndr eas.‘
No
money’i
saf or
eignwordtome.
TEBATSO:Yea,buty
ouwon’
ttakei
tfr
om y
our
fami
lyei
ther
…youhavet
hatmuchpri
de…
BATHSHEBA: (si
ghing)Thepr oblem i
syou
knowmet oowel l
…yes, Iam nottaki
ngmoney
fr
om myf amily,butI’m notstarvi
ngeit
her
…let
mecal l
youonWhat sAppandshowy ou…(she
hungupandcal l
edback)See…t hisi
smynew
digs,
sweetright?Igetgoodpay ingworkhere
modelli
ng.RememberIhadal readymadea
namewhenIl eft
!
TEBATSO:
Butst
il
l…
BATHSHEBA:Whatev
er,
Idi
dn’
tcal
lfory
our
sympat
hy…ImetDodger
…
TEBATSO: Dodger
?TheDodger
?OurDodger
?
Shit
…Shebaar eyouok?Di
dhedoanyt
hingt
o
you….Sheba!
BATHSHEBA: Rel
ax!Hewasqui t
epoli
te.ButI’
m
worri
edTebla.Hesayshei scomingbackto
Botswanapermanent
ly.Saysy ouguysplayed
hi
m dirt
yandhewasaski ngal otof
questi
ons…kepti
nsi
sti
ngt hatyouplayedme
di
rt
ytoobecauseIgotl
ockedup…andi
fIwas
smartI
’
dseekrevenge…
TEBATSO:I’
mr eal
lysorr
ythatthathappenedt
o
you…Imean,t
het i
mey ouservedbecauseof
me….andhavi
ngt odealwit
hthatassholenow.
AreyousureyouareokSheba?
BATHSHEBA: I’
m ok.Ijustwantedtowar
nyou
toexpectany
thing.Igottago.Bye.
*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Tshepedr ovei nfrom hisappointmentwiththe

therapist.Thet herapysessionswer ereal
ly
helpingandt hey’
dmadesomuchpr ogress.He
wasst ar t
ingt otrusthimselftobealoneandnot
kil
lhimsel f.Howaboutt hatforabirt
hday
present !Hismom andMosi tihadcall
edtowi sh
hi
mi nthemorning,andhisbrothers’had
arr
angedforbeertomorrow.TheAegi sboys
hadcall
edtoo.Butnoneofitreally
matter
ed…may beRebaforgot.Yup, t
hatwas
i
t…shewast oobusyandshef orgottocal l
.
Theli
ghtswereon.He’
dprobabl
yfor
got
tent
o
swi
tchthem of
fwhenheleft
.
Hemi ssedhisfamil
ysomuch,butthiswasfor
thebest.Rebaoneandtheki
dsdeservedbett
er,
andhedi dn’
tknowhowt ogi
veitt
ot hem y
et.
Hewasl earni
ngthough.
Heunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.
TSHEPE:
Whatt
hehel
l
?
Hesmi l
edfrom eartoearashi swife,
pri
sti
ne
andr egalasalways,wasput t
ingdinneronthe
tabl
e.Shel ookedsobeautiful
, hi
sRebadid,in
thatlongbodyhuggingkaf t
ant hatemphasised
herfiguresomuch, eventhetinybabybump
start
ingtoshow.
Dariuslookedsomuchl ikehim whenhewas
young.Hel l
,hehadaphot owearingasuit
almostliketheonehissonwaswear ing,
and
wow, li
ttl
eMsDani el
la.Howshel ookedso
muchl i
keEl l
awasst i
lli
ntr
igui
ng.Shewor ea
pinkfl
oralli
ttl
edressthatmadeherl ookeven
sweeter.
Hi
sfami
l
y.
REBAONE:
Goodev
eni
nghusband…(
Kissi
nghi
s
cheek)
TSHEPE:I
sitChr
ist
masandsomeonef
orgott
o
tel
lmeabouti
t?
DANIELLA:(
laughing)Nosi
ll
y…it
’sy
our
bir
thday
…mamasai dweshouldcomesur
pri
se
you.Happybir
thdaydaddy.
DARI
US: Happybir
thdaydaddy.Mommysay s
youl
oveusal ot,
butyouarejustsi
ckr
ightnow
andl
earningtobehappy…
DANI
ELLA:
Dar
iandIboughtt
hisf
ory
ou
daddy
…withourownmoney,wesawi tatt
he
shopwhenwewer ewi
thgr
andmai ntownand
wewantedtobuyit
…mamadi dn’
tknow…
(Shetookoutal
it
tl
ecoi
nmedal thatsai
d
‘
Number1Dad’ andhel
ditoutt
ohi minbot
h
hands,smil
i
ng)
Helookedattheexpectantcut
elit
tl
ef acesof
hi
st wobeauti
fulchi
l
dren.Hiswif
est anding
overthem smi
li
ngwi t
htearsastearsstunghis
owney es…
DARIUS:Takei
tdaddy
…wehopei
thel
psy
oube
happy…
Daniel
lashyl
ywal kedtowardshim andheldin
out.Tshepewentdownonhi skneesandbent
hi
sheadov erforhertoplaceitaroundhisneck.
Aft
ersheputit,shesteppedbackandl ookedat
herhandiwor
kinappr oval
…andall t
hree
cl
appedcheerfull
y .
DANI
ELLA:
Whyar
eyoucr
yingdaddy
,youdon’
t
l
ikeit
?Wecoul
dgetyouanotherone,ok?Don’
t
crydaddy
…wej
ustwantedt
omakey ouhappy…
Rebaonecamet ohisrescueashechokedon
words…howsuchl i
tt
lepeopl ecanhaveso
muchl oveforhi
m whenall hehadeverdone
si
ncet heywerebor
nwasr ejectt
hem hedi
dn’t
understand.
REBAONE:Daddyi
snotcryi
ngbecausehei
s
sad…hei
scryi
ngbecauseheishappy.
Theli
tt
legir
lcockedherheadtot
hesideand
str
okedherchininconf
usion,
muchli
keTshepe
hi
mselfalwaysdidwhenhewastryi
ngto
under
standsomet hi
ng.
TSHEPE:Baby…someti
mespeopl egetso
overwhel
medwithhappinessal
ltheycandoi
s
cry…mamaisri
ght,Iam sohappyright
now…thankyouguys…comeher e..
Theybot
hrushedint
ohi
sopenarms,Rebaone
comingt
okneeldownwit
hhim andt
hey
huggedt
hei
rchi
l
drenbet
weent
hem.

ATMAOTO’
SHOUSE

Maot osatchecki
nghisemailsasheatehis
breakfast
…farmer’
sforum,ok…somerandom
thi
ngs…ok…hewasaboutt ol
ogoutwhenone
emailcaughthiseye.Lat
oyaMoeketsi
?
Whati
ntheact
ual
fuck?
Heopenedi
t.Onel
i
ne.
‘
Can’
tgetr
idofmesoeasy
…ha.
ha.
ha’
Thenanattachmentoff
older
suponf
older
sof
shi
tthatwouldgethi
mintroubl
e.
Whatt
hef
uckwast
his?Whatwasgoi
ngon?
Anot
heremai
lfol
l
owed.
‘
Andfort
hecher
ryonthecake…wai
tfor
i
t…di
ng…di
ng…di
ng!Yourwi
fekil
l
edyour
chi
ld…ha.ha.
ha!Fi
ndoutmoreonthenext
episodeofI’
m goi
ngtotor
tur
ethefuckoutof
you.’
Whatt
hehel
lwast
his?
‘
Whoar
eyou?
’her
epl
i
ed
‘
Lat
oyaMoeket
si…y
es,
theoney
oumur
der
ed!
Haha!
’
Hestoodupandpacedaroundtheroom.
Someonewasmessingwithhim andheneeded
tofi
ndoutwhopront
o.AndGout adi
dwhat ?
Wait?Whi
chchi
ld?Whatthehellwerethey
tal
ki
ngabout
?Allhi
schil
drenwerefine…what
oneart
h…
Therewasaknockatt
hedoorandhewentt
o
open.
MONTHE:Makesureyoureadhim hisMiranda
ri
ght
swell
…hisl
awyer
sarepettyashellandcan
usesomet
hingassmall
asthatagainstus.
MAOTO:
Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s,Ot
hat
a?
MONTHE:MrKgagodi
,youar
eunderar
restf
or
moneyl
aunder
ing…
MAOTO:Whatt
hef
uckar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
Moneywhat
?
MONTHE: I
’m notdone…br i
bery,f
orgery,and
i
llegal t
radeinconj uncti
onwi thyourlateuncle
Denni sMmusi andhi ssonandnephewsDenni s
Mmusi JrandMmusi Mmusi .Youhav etheright
tor emainsil
ent .Anythi
ngy ousaycanandwi ll
beusedagai nsty ouinacour toflaw.Youhav e
ther i
ghttoanat t
orney.Ifyoucannotaf fordan
attorney,onewi llbeprovidedforyou.Thi sti
me
youar egoingdown, Kgagodi …all
you
peopl e…youandt heMmusi ’
s.
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
EPI
SODE27
ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Maot
osati
ntheint
err
ogat
ionr
oom wi
thof
fi
cer
Mont
heandPuso.
MAOTO: I
’m star
ti
ngtofeell
ikewedothisqui
te
of
ten.Youguy sarepr
acti
cal
lymybuddiesnow.
Weshouldbringbeernextt
ime.
PUSO: Thi sisser i
ous, Kgagodi,doy ou
under standt hegr avit
yoft hechar gesagai nst
you?Look, wecanof feryouadeal .Someof
thi
st hingshappenedwheny ouwer everyyoung,
youruncl epr obablymadey oudot hem.And
yourol dercousi ns, DennisJuniorandMmusi ,
whoknowswhatt heywoul dhav emadey oudo!
Youpoort hing.AndIwoul dliketobel i
evey ou
hadnot hingt odowi t
hal otoft hecharges
againstt heMmusi fami l
y.Testifyagainstthe
Mmusi familyandwecant alkamuchshor t
er
sentence.I ’
mt alki
ngmont hs.
MAOTO:
(smi
l
ing)Oh,
real
l
y?
PUSO:
Yea,
real
l
y…
MAOTO:
WannaknowwhatIt
hink,
off
icer
?
MONTHE: Wear
ewastingti
mewi t
hthis
arr
ogantl
i
ttl
epr
ick,
Puso,butgoahead,humour
us.
MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)Ithi
nk…youtwocantake
youdealandshoveitwher
et hesundon’
tshi
ne.
Idi
dnothingwrongandIhavenothingt
otest
if
y
about
.
PUSO:Comeon,Kgagodi…y
ouareafamil
yman,
youwannahav
ey ourki
dsgrowi
ngupvisi
ti
ng
youi
njai
l?
MAOTO:Nah,Ihav
enoplansofgoingthere
what
soever
.Hatet
hepl
ace,andtheclothesjust
don’
tsui
tme.
MONTHE: (angri
l
y)wehav eproof
!Whatdon’
t
yougetaboutthat,
it’
sdone,y
ouaregoing
down!
MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)t
henot
sent
swest
ress
keeng?

*
***
***
*

I
NMOX’
SOFFI
CE

Tebatsopacedar
ound,
const
ant
lyt
ryi
ngt
ocal
l
herphone.
MOX: Maybesheisj
ustbusy,
youknowthe
modell
ingli
fe,
you’
vebeenthr
oughthi
swit
hher
bef
ore.
TEBATSO:No, Bathshebaalwaysanswer
sher
phone…shesaidshemetDodger ,I’
m wor
ried
Mox…( Mox’swifewalkedin)Kay…t
hankGod
youarehere,heardfr
om Sheba?
KAONE: Oh,y
ea…Idon’
tknowifI
’m supposedto
tel
lyouthi
s…butshewasabitworr
iedthelast
ti
meIt al
kedtoher…
TEBATSO:Aboutwhat
…whatwasshewor
ri
ed
about
,Kay
?
KAONE:
Shesai
dnott
otel
lyou.
TEBATSO:Kaone!Whatthehel
li
shappeni
ngt
o
ShebabecauseIswear
…
MOX:
Nosi
r,y
oudon’
tgett
othr
eat
enmywi
fe…
TEBATSO: Sorr
ybro…it
’sjustt
hat…shei
snot
pi
ckingup.Sinceyest
erday…please,
Kay
,ify
ou
haveanyinformat
ion…
KAONE: Whydoyoucar
e,youdumpedheraft
er
ever
ythi
ngshedi
dforyou.Eveni
fDodgerhur
ts
her…
TEBATSO:Iknewit!Whathasthatasshol
e
donenow!Kaone,please…pl
ease,
hasDodger
doneanyt
hingtoSheba?Hashehur ther?
KAONE:Idon’tknowok!Shewasjustworri
ed
Dodgerf
ollowedhert
owher eshel
ivesbecause
shesawsomeonel i
kehimlurki
ngaroundher
apart
ment.Thenshehasn’
tbeenansweringher
phonesi
nce.

*
***
***
*

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Onikawokeupt oDesmondsi tt
ingonthebed
caressinghercheek…ONI KA:Des…whatar
ey ou
doingher e?Youhav etheMil
anCorpmeetingat
8am…( Looki
ngatt hetimeonherphone)I
t’s
7:35….damn…. Desmond!Stopsmili
ngandmov e,
youar egoingtobel at
e!
DESMOND:
I’
m sor
ry….
ONI
KA:
Ify
oumov
enow,
youwon’
thav
etobe,
y
oucanact
ual
l
ymaket
hemeet
ing…
DESMOND: Ihaveassi
stant
sthatcoul
dtakethe
meeti
ng.ButIneverwanttohaveanassi
stant
wit
hmywi fe…youscar
emeOni ka.
ONI
KA:
Nna?Wi
thwhatt
ota?
DESMOND: Youar ethemodel wife.I
nsanely
beauti
ful
,smar t
,respectful
andsubmi ssi
ve.The
wholepackage.Anymanwoul dwanty ou,andI
knowhy enasli
keKennet har ej
ustwaiti
ngf or
met osli
psot heycanst epinmyshoes.Idon’ t
carewhathappened, whaty oudidwithhim.I
don’twanttoknow…j ustpromisemet hatitis
over…
ONIKA:IsweartoGod…andIdidn’
tdoanyt
hing
wit
hKwapa.Butwhat everwasgoi
ngonisdone.
Iwantourfamilyt
owork,Des…Iwantust
obe
l
ikeweusedt o.Happy…
DESMOND: Iwantt
hattoo…Nikki
,youhavet
o
under
stand,
thi
sisal
lIeverknew.Myfather
alwaysworki
ng,
alway
sattheoff
ice.Igot
i
ngrainedi
nmef r
om aver
yyoungaget hat
that
’swhatamandoes.Pl
easehelpmebe
bett
er.
Shesmiledwitht
earsi
nhereyesandsnuggl
ed
cl
osertohim asDeshuggedherandki
ssedher
head.
ONIKA:Il
oveyou,
Desmond…andIswearI ’
l
ldo
ever
ythi
ngtomakesureourfamil
yishappy
agai
n…evenifi
tmeanslocki
ngyouinthehouse
somedays.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Gout
asatinthecoachcr
yingashersi
ster
s
comfor
tedher.
GOUTA: Myhusbandi sgoi
ngtogot oj
ail
,
Warona!Whywoul danyonedothi
st ous?Ij
ust
don’
tunderstand!Whoisdoingt
his?August
us
can’
tevenfindanythi
ng.
WARONA: Aww, baby…i
t’
sok,we’
llfi
gur
eit
out
…IswearI’
llf
indaloophol
ethroughthi
s.And
I
’m sur
edadwillfi
gurei
toutsoon.Andisn’t
Maoto’
scrazycousinonitt
oo,t
hatbusiness
mogulgir
l?
GOUTA: That’
swhatworri
esme.Amar yll
is
beingoni t
.Idon’tl
i
ketheMmusi’sandt heyare
usuallyt
her easonmyhusbandgetsintroubl
e.
Wher eisyourhusbandandTshepe,t
heysai d
theyhadsomewher et
ogoafterweleftthe
policestat
ion.Myhusbandcan’
tgotoj ail
,War,
heisagoodman…
WARONA: Andhei snotgoingto…stopworry
ing.
Comeon, babe,it
’sgoingtobef i
ne.Ipromi
se.
Youneedtost aystrongforyourkids,
Gouta!
Li
ah,pl
easeseewhoi satthedoor .
Ameli
ahwentt
oopenandTebat
sost
oodatt
he
door
.
GOUTA:
Oh,
Tebat
so,
comei
n…
TEBATSO:Isawthenews…i
stheresomet
hingI
cando?Iwil
lgoseeMaotofi
rstt
hingi
nthe
morni
ng…
GOUTA:(sni
ffl
i
ng)ther
eisnothingany
onecan
do!Someoneisbentonfr
ami ngmyhusband,
andthesadthi
ngiswedon’tknowwho…hei s
goi
ngtobeconv i
ctedf
ornothing!Myhusband
i
sagoodman…hei sagoodman!
TEBATSO:Aww,don’tsaythat
.I’
m sur
e
somethi
ngwil
lpanup.I’l
ll
ookaroundlenna.
Anybodyhadi
toutforhim?AnywhereIcan
star
t?
Aftert
alki
ngforsomet
imehewal
kedoutand
Amel i
ahwalkedwit
hhi
mtoupdat
ehim onthe
case.
TEBATSO:
So,
whatar
ehi
schances?
AMELI
AH:Itdoesn’
tlookgoodr
ightnow…any
hel
pwi
llbeappreci
ated.
TEBATSO:I
’l
llookaround.We’l
lfi
gur
e
somethi
ngout…Iknowaf ewpeoplewho
can…uhm…yea,I’
l
llookaround.
AMELI Ah:Bytheway ,Idoubtwe’v
ebeen
i
ntroducedproperly
.I’
m Amel i
ah…I’m Ameli
ah
Cull
,Gouta’ssi
sterandl awyer
…TEBATSO: Nice
tomeety ou.Alr
ight,
Ihav etorunandmeet
someguy s,may beIcangetsomet hi
ngoutof
them.
AMELIAH: Cool
…bytheway ,
may beIshouldget
yournumberandkeepy ouupdatedonthecase?
I’
m keepi
ngtheotherKgagodiboysontheloop
andtheyupdatemewi t
hanynewi nfotheyhave.
TEBATSO:
Uhm…y
ea,
sur
e…Iguess.

*
***
***
*
OUTSKI
RTSOFTHEVI
LLAGE

TshepeandKwapawalkedtowar
dstheun
plast
ered1roomedhousewit
hagreenj
ojo
tankbesidei
t.
KWAPA:So,gat
wethisi
stheguywhowas
audi
ti
ngMaoto’
sbooks?
TSHEPE: Yea,pr
obablycookedt hem too…I
’m
sti
ll
workingonget t
inginformati
ononwhatt he
poli
cehav eandwhosenti t.I’
l
lhaveitbyendof
theday.Butfornow, wordont hest
reetisthat
thi
sguyi sthepol
iceauditor.Maybewecanget
somethingoutofhim.Gat wehewasbei ng
arr
ogantwhenLent swet ri
edtoreacht o
him…heknowssomet hing.
Theywalkedi
nandf oundthei
runclePheko’
s
son,Lent
swesit
ti
nginsidetheroom,wit
ha
mant i
edtoachair
.
KWAPA:
Ist
hist
heguy
,cousi
n?
LENTSWE:
That
’st
heguy
….
TSHEPE: (
wal
ki
ngovert otheguy)So,
you
cookedupourbr
other’
sbooks,madehi m seem
gui
ltyandnowheislockedup!Thatsi
ck.
MAN: Ididn’ tcookupany thi
ng…Ijustst
udied
thepr
esent edev i
denceandout l
inedallt
he
cri
meshecommi t
tedlooki
ngattheev i
dence.
Look,
hej ustneedst ogi
vethedetecti
vesthe
Mmusi andt hey’l
llethi
m gofree.Imean,he
hasal
r eadywal kedawaywi t
hmur derand…
KWAPA: Don’tfucki
ngt el
lmewhatmybaby
brotherneeds,youputhi minjail
, andt heonly
thi
ngkeepi ngmef r
om loadingslugsi nt hat
empt yskulli
sbecauseIneedy out ot estif
yand
gethimf ree.Ineedy outotellt
het ruth,that
thosebookswer ecookedandmybr otherisnot
guil
tyofany thi
ng.
MAN:
(ar
rogant
ly)Butt
heyar
enotcooked!
Besi
de,
whywoul
dIwantt
ohel
pyout
hugs?
KWAPA: Br
other,
hecal
l
edust
hugs…howdoes
thatmakeyoufeel
?
TSHEPE:I
nsult
ed,Imean,Iam al
awabidi
ng
ci
ti
zenwhoisneveronthewrongsideofthe
l
aw,andhecall
smeat hug?Howdoest hat
makesyoufeel
,br
other?
KWAPA: Hurt…hurtsman.Ispentsixf ucking
yearstogetadegr eeandamast ers,Ipaymy
taxesanddon’ tevenr untr
aff
icli
ghts,Ilet
mor onsli
kehi m getawaywi t
hthingswi thout
breakingthei
rnecks, Isavepuppi
esman,
puppies!Onlytobecal l
edathug?
Theypunchedhisatthesamet i
mer epeatedl
y,
andwhenhef el
ltothefl
oorthenkickedhim
unti
lhewasbleedi
ng.Lentswejustsatlaughi
ng,
dri
nkinghi
sbeer.
TSHEPE:
Alri
ght,
enoughKP.Fallback.Look
man,wearenottr
yingt
ohurtyouorany t
hing.
Justtelluswhathappenedsowecanpresent
theevidencetothecourt
sandfr
eeourbrother
,
that
’sall.
MAN:Hej
ustneedstogi
vethem Amar
yll
i
s,DJ
andMmusiandhecangofr
ee
Kwapaki
ckedhi
mint
hehead.
KWAPA: Youwantt hef ucki
ngMmusi ’s?Go
afterthem, fuck, i
fIhadany thi
ngont hem I’d
handt hem ov ermy self
.Gogett hem, buty ou
l
eav emyf ami lyal
one.Youcameaf t
erthe
wrongf amily,boy.I ’
ll
beatt hetrut
houtofy oui
f
Ihadt o, butyouar egoi ngtogivemeev idence
tof r
eemybr other.(Hekickedhi m again
repeatedl y,
theguycov eringhisheadand
coughi ngbl ood)
TSHEPE:Enough,KP!Youcan’tki
l
l hi
m…y et
!We
st
il
lneedthatinf
o.Takeawal kman,youare
workedup.KP!Enough…Lentswe,gethi
m out
ofhereandletmetalkt
othisbastardbef
orehe
ki
l
lshi
m.

*
***
***
**

LONDON

Bathshebal
aidouti
nthesof
aandpi
ckedher
ri
ngingphone
BATHSHEBA:
Kay
…howdi
ditgo?
KAONE: (l
aughing)Heisatthebri
nkofcoming
therehi
mself.Itol
dhim Dodgerwaslurki
ng
aroundyourapar t
ment…heispanickedtoshi
ts.
BATHSHEBA: SeewhyyouandIar
efri
ends?
Greatminds…Whatwi
ll
Ieverdowi
thoutyou,
babydol
l
?
KAONE:Tebat
solov
esy ou,hejustneedsali
tt
le
nudgei
ntheri
ghtdi
rect
ion.Soonhe’llr
eal
i
se
thatthatKedi -
what evergirl
can’ ttakey our
place…y eashewashesdi shesandhasabunch
ofkidst hatdon’thavedaddi es,buty ouand
Teblahav eahi storythatjustcan’ tsimplybe
replaced.Makehi m worryforawhi le,andjust
whenhei saboutt ocomet her e,callhi
m.The
Kedi gir
l I
’
lldealwith.You’llbebackher esoon.
BATHSHEBA: Thi
sgirlhasthenervei
fshe
thi
nksshecanjustcomei nandtakeovera
mademanl i
kethat.Shethinksshecanbreak
oursquadaf
tereveryt
hingwe’vebeentogether
?
KAONE:
Watsenwa…I
’vecall
edhertomyoffi
ce,
l
etmehaveachatwi
thher.I
’l
lcal
lyoul
ater
.
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
28

ATTHEPOLI
CESTATI
ON
Gout
asignedt
hepaper
sandwaitedast
hey
br
oughthi
mf r
om t
heholdi
ngcel
l
.
MONTHE: Yourbail
hasbeenset t
led,Kgagodi
,
youknowt hecondi
ti
ons,youaretoreporther
e
everyThur
sdayat10:30am unt
ily
ourcour t
date…
MAOTO:
(laughi
ng)j
ustonceaweek?Won’
tyou
mi
ssme?
GOUTA: St
opitMaot
o!Thi
sisnotajokey
ou
know!He’l
lbeher
eever
yweek.Thankyou
off
icer
.
MONTHE:Pl
easet
ryandkeephi
m outof
t
roubl
e.
Theywal
kedt
othecarwi
thouthert
alki
ngmuch.
MAOTO: Ao…Ithoughtamanwhosebeeni
n
custodyf
orthr
eeweeksdeser
vesatl
easta
hel
lo…
GOUTA:
Thi
sisnotaj
oke,
Maot
o!Whydoy
ou
al
way
stakeev
ery
thi
ngsol
i
ght
ly?
MAOTO:
Ok…y
ouar
epi
ssedatme…
GOUTA:Pusot ol
dmeaboutt hedealthey
off
eredyou.Whywon’ tyoutakeit
?Giv et
hem
theMmusi andyou’l
lbefree.Theyareeven
wil
li
ngtodropallyourchargesifyoutest
if
yin
court
…
MAOTO:YouknowIcan’
tdot
hat
…that
’smy
f
amil
y…
GOUTA: (wipi
ngtear
s)whataboutus,Maot o.
Huh?Whataboutmeandt hekids?Aren’twe
yourfamily?Whenareyougoingtostartputti
ng
usfir
st,huh?DoIhavetoraisetheki
dsal one
becausey ouarest
ubborn?Youcouldbegoi ng
awayf oryear
s,Maoto!
MAOTO: (
try
ingtohugher
,shepushedhim
away )Dobetlhemmadon’tcr
y.Ipromiseyou
I’
l
lfiguret
hisoutbefor
eanycourtdat
e.I’
m not
goinganywher e.
GOUTA: (sniff
ling)butwhati fyoudo?Ican’ tdo
thisal one,Maot o…Ineedy ou…justt akethe
police’sdeal ,theMmusi areev i
lpeopl e
any way ….please…Warsay sitdoesn’ tlooktoo
goodf ory ou,andy ouknowshei sadamngood
l
awy er…please, I
’m beggi
ngy ouMaot o,foronce,
putmeandt heki dsabov eyourst upid
fami l
y …allIwant edwast oraiseourki ds
toget herandhav eahappyhome, butthere
alway sgott obesomet hingwi t
hy ou, i
sn’tt
here?
Please…f oronce.I fnotforme, doi tforyour
kids…

*
***
***
**

ATTHEFARM

TheKgagodibr
other
ssatunderat
reeshade
dri
nki
ngbeerandtal
king.
KWAPA:It
’ssogoodt
ohav
eyoubackmonna,
I
wassoworri
ed.
MAOTO:I’
m sti
llnotontheclearyet
…I’
m
awai
ti
ngcourtdate.So,
sti
llnixnemonnaT?
TSHEPE:Ei
sh…thepersonwhodi dt
hisissmart.
Imanagedtohackthepolicesystems,butthe
email
isanonymous,wassentfr om anint
ernet
caf
é,wit
hLatoya’
semai l
address.
MAOTO:Soreirajangnemrena?Di
l
otset
sadi
comput
erketsalonaaker
e…
TSHEPE: They’l
lsli
pandI ’
ll
cat chthem.They ’ve
beensendingy ouemai l
saker e…I’
vesystemst o
getnoti
fiedwhenev erLatoya’
semai lisopened,
thenI’
l
lgett heIPaddressoft heexactcaf é.Ga
gonadi camerainalmostal lofthem around,
butwhenIgi vethecafépeopl ethetimeandt he
computerused, they’
l
lknowwhousedi tand
candescr i
bethem tome.Don’ tworry
,I’
llcatch
thecul
pr i
t.
KWAPA: Cool…kantewenammehowdoy ou
knowallthi
sandgett heresourcestodosuch?
Didn’
tyoudropoutofy ourgraphicdesi
gn
coursei
ny oursecondsemest er?
TSHEPE:
(laughi
ng)ani
ggahast
odowhata
ni
ggahastodo…
MAOTO: No,honestl
ybro…whatdoy oudo?I
knowy oudon’ttakemoneyf rom KPorme, and
Rebaisagov ernmentdoct or
,theyearnok,but
notfortheli
vesy ouli
ve,soIknowi t
’syou
payi
ng,how?Whati sthetrav
elli
ngtri
psalways
about?
KWAPA: Whatareyouinv
olvedi
n?I
’m worr
ied,
especi
all
ywi
ththisshi
taboutMaot
osurfacing.
TSHEPE:(l
aughing)Iki
llpeopleforaliv
ing…ala
Bond…JamesBond( laughing)…exceptIdon’
t
havetowearthosetackysuits.
MAOTO:I’
m ser
iousTshepe…i
fit
’st
hismuchof
asecr
et,
Ihastobeil
legal
.Mmeandmal ume
havehadenoughthebanna.Iactuall
ysawmme
crywhenshecamet oseemet heot herdayand
i
tbrokeme…wehav etodobetter.Start
ingwit
h
whatyoudo…isi
tsomet hi
ngil
legal?
TSHEPE: Ij
o…ok, Ididacoursei nmineral
excavati
onandr ichpeoplehi r
emet ocomeand
surveyl
andt heyar ethi
nkingofbuy i
ngt o
accessifitiswor t
hit.I
t’
ssecr eti
vebecausemy
cli
entscan’tri
skot herpeoplefindi
ngoutabout
thei
rinvestments.

*
***
***
**

ATWARONA’
SHOME
Kwapaarr
ivedandf
oundWaronai
nherst
udy
worki
ngoversomepaper
s.
KWAPA:
Dumel
amma-
Kgagodi
…
WARONA:
hey
,what
’sup?
KWAPA: Whatareyouworki
ngon?(
Looking
overhershoul
der
s)BenendenAl
lGi
rl
sHigh
School?
WARONA: I
t’
sthebestinLondon…very
exclusi
ve…hasafouryear
swai t
ingli
st,butmy
fat
herknowssomepeopl ethereandhet alked
tothem.Vanigotaplacefornextyear.
KWAPA:
London?
WARONA:Yea,i
t’
saboardi
ngschool
.
Pr
epar
ator
yschoolandt
heyhavealotoff
ocus
i
nlaw…
KWAPA: Di
dNavanisayshewant
edt
ogot
o
London?Shewon’
tli
kethi
s…
WARONA: Navani
isachi
ld,she’
l
ldoassheis
tol
d.Andshehasbeent r
yingmealotrecentl
y.
Thiswill
dohergoodandkeepherawayf rom
thatpaedophi
l
e…
KWAPA:Di
danywherebet
weeny ourdad’
s
schemi
nganddeci
dingmydaughter
’sfut
ure,
di
dyout
hinkmay
bey
oushoul
dconsul
tme?
WARONA: Why ?It
’sagreatopport
uni
tyforher.
Shemayt hrowt antr
ums, buti
t’
swhatshe
needs.I
’
m al soapplyi
ngtoEl t
onBoySchool
andHarrowBoySchool forEmmanuel,bythe
ti
mehet urns12…
KWAPA:
Hei
sbar
elyt
hreemont
hsol
d!
WARONA: (smil
ing)thesoonerthebet ter
.I
hear
dparentsregist
erthei
rchil
drent hereas
soonastheyarebor n,
thesearehardschools
togeti
nto.Yourdinnerisi
nthefridge,gowarm
i
tup.
Hegr
abbedthef
ormsf
rom t
het
abl
eandt
ore
t
hem apar
t.
KWAPA: Getthatbul
lshi
toutofyourhead,
you
arenotsendi
ngNav aniany
where,herl
ifei
s
here.AndLetMannybeababy ,f
orGod’ssake!
WARONA: (
wit
hhorr
orinherface)whatdi
dy ou
j
ustdo!Doyouknowthosehadtheschoolseal
?
Youcan’tj
ustpri
ntthem offoft
heinternet
,and
togetnewoneswi l
lbenearimpossible….
Kenneth…Kenneth,
don’tyoudarewalkaway
fr
om mewhi l
ewear etalki
ng.

*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
Tshepewal kedinandswi tchedt hedoort othe
bedroom.Hesmi l
edashi swi felaidinbedon
somel ingerie…Rebawasoneoft hosej ust
natural
lysexywomen, boobst hatdidn’tlook
l
ikeshe’ dev erbr
eastf
eed…ani mpossi bletiny
waist,andt hosesli
mt hickhips…. butthe
pregnancywasampl if
yingev er y
thinga
thousandf olds.Shewasl i
t er
allyradiant.He
j
ustcoul dn’tgetenoughofherbeaut y,andi t
tookev ery
thi ngi
nhim nott ojumpherev ery
ti
mehel ookedather …
REBAONE:
HeyCl
yde…
TSHEPE:(shaki
nghishead,
laughing)sexi
est
womanalive…Iswear…howdoy ouevenhav ea
sexyv
oice?
Shechuckl
edandsmi
l
edathi
m.
Hebentdown,hi
sl i
psagai
nsthercheek,
brushi
ngitl
i
ght
ly.Thenhesatupatthesideof
thebed…
REBAONE:
Tal
ki
ngi
snotwhatI
’
m af
terr
ight
now…
TSHEPE: Ihav et
ogett hisoutofmychestf i
rst
.
Todayt alkingtomybr other s,
Ireal
i
sed
somet hing…y ouaretheonl ypersonwhor eal
ly
knowsme…seenmywor standmybest …you
knowwhatIdo…f orwor k…andy oudon’tj
udge
me…y ouhav eseenmebr okendownt o
pieces…seenmyt ears…notev enmymot her
knowsmyt earspasttheageof10…y ouhav e
seenal lthatandstil
ldon’ tthi
nkanylessofme.
REBAONE:(
brushi
nghi
scheekwi
thherhand)
HowcanI?
TSHEPE: Look,Reba…Iam sosor ry…f or
ever
y t
hing.Al
ltheot herwomen…al lthetimeI
wentawayandmadey ouworry…allthethingsI
didtoyou…Ican’ tbeli
eveIdidallthat…Iwant
ustostartover
, cleanslat
e.Iwantt obet he
husbandy oudeser veandthefathermychi l
dren
shouldhave.
REBAONE: If
orgi
veyou…whol
ehear
tedly
…now,
i
fyoudon’tmind.Idi
dn’
tweart
hisl
it
tlenumber
j
usttot
alk…
Helaughedandmov edclosertoher,
runni
ng
hishandsacrossthecontoursofherbody.He
bentdown,hisli
psagainsthers,br
ushingt
hem
l
ightl
y.Aweakgaspescapedherasshear ched
i
ntohistouch.
Hemov edtoherneckashegent
lyunti
edt he
l
it
tl
elacebowthatheldt
heli
nger
ietogether…
TSHEPE:
I’
ll
begent
le…
REBAONE: (
pulli
nghimroughl
ytoherbody
)
Fuckgent
le…it’
snotus…IwantmyClyde…t
ake
what’
syours,Legion…
Withaf i
ercehold,hecuppedt hebackofher
neckandki ssedherdeeply,hard…possessi
vei
n
histouch.Hisfinger
st wi
nedinherhairand
gentlyyanked,butwithenoughpulltogethert
o
theedgeheknewshedesper atel
yneeded.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Maotowal
kedi
ntot
heirbedr
oom andf
ound
Gout
ahuddl
edi
nbed,cry
ing.
MAOTO: What ’
swrong,Dobe?(Huggi
ngher)
Hey,don’
tcry…Ipr
omiseI’l
lfi
xthi
s…comeon,
Dobe…please…not
hinghurt
slikeseei
ngyou
cr
y…pl
ease…
GOUTA:Youdon’
tcareaboutus…it’
snotfair
Maoto,y
ouaregoingtogotopri
sonandl eave
mealonetodoeveryt
hingonmyown…Ican’ t…I
don’
tknowhowto!Ican’tl
iv
ewithoutyou…
MAOTO: Shhh…shhhh…don’tcr
ythemma…you
knowIcan’ tt
akethat.I
tbreaksmyhear
tto
pieces.
GOUTA: Thendother
ightthi
ng!Tel
lthepoli
ce
whattheyneed,t
heMmusi cangotohellforal
l
Icar
e…Ifyoulov
emey ou’l
ldoit
.
MAOTO:
Don’
tdot
his…
GOUTA: Isacri
ficedeverythi
ngfory ou,didn’tI
?
Didn’
tI?Itookal l
yourbullshi
t,y
oucheat edon
mecount lesstimes,t
reatedmel iketrashand
yourmothert r
eatsmel i
ket heplague.Igav e
youmyal l,bui
ltyourcompany ,workhar dto
makesur eourhomei shappy,gav eyout hree
beauti
fulchil
dren,whenar eyougoi ngtodo
somet
hingf
orme?
MAOTO:
YouknowI
’
lldoany
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
GOUTA: Tal
kischeap…let
’sgotoMonthefi
rst
thi
nginthemor ni
ngandyou’
ll
tel
lhim
ever
ythi
ng.Ify
oul ov
emeandt hechi
ldr
en,
you’
ll
doi t
.
MAOTO:
(sadl
y)y
ouknowIcan’
t.
GOUTA: Fi
ne!Fi
nethen,Maoto.Obv
iousl
ythe
Mmusi meanmor etoyouthanwedo.Fine!Go
t
ojai
lthen!Justdon’
texpectmetobewai t
ing
whenyoucomeout !

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
29

ATKAONE’
SOFFI
CE
Kedi
wal
kedi
n
KEDI
:Youcal
l
edme,
boss?
KAONE:Sit,
Kedibonye.Iam concer
nedabout
yourworkperf
ormance.Iwalkedinthebutchery
l
astFri
dayandt her
ewasal i
neofpeopl e,whi
ch
meansyouwor kslow,peopl
eshouldn’thaveto
wait
…
KEDI:Butma’am, usual
lytwopeoplecoverthat
shi
ftbecausepeopl ecometodrinkandbuy
meatforbraai,
andweekendar ealwaysbusy .
Phemo’schil
dgotsi ckandshewenthome, soI
wasbot hhandli
ngt hecashi
erandweighingthe
meatforthepeopl eandther
ewer ealotof
peopl
eand…
KAONE:
Arey
ouexcusi
ngy
ourbadwor
ket
hic?
KEDI:Iwasj
ust
…I…I
’
m sor
ryma’
am,
itwon’
t
happenagai
n.
KAONE: I
fyouweren’
tspendi
ngallyourt
ime
seduci
ngotherpeopl
e’
smen, you’
ddobetter
,
Kedi!Whatkindofwomangoesaf terataken
man?Monnahel aantshit
semagadi?Youhav e
noshame, anddon’tt
hinkbecauseyouopen
yourlegstoTebatsoyouaresomespecialli
tt
le
snowf l
akeandgetspecialt
reat
ment.Iwil
lfi
re
youifyoudon’tdoyourjob.Keautl
wala?
KEDI
:Eemma…
KAONE: Wehav erules,Ican’tjustletthis
go…consi derthisav erbalwar ningandnext
ti
mei twil
lbewr it
ten.Doy ourwor kandl eave
unav ail
ablemenal one.Besi de, youar echari
ty
tohim, begr at
eful.Hegoty ouabackdoorj ob
andgav eyouhi shouser entf ree,thereisno
sucht hingasempl oyeehousi ngwi t
hus.Hedi d
i
tsot hathecoul dhav eeasyaccesst o
sleepingwi t
hy ou…y ouar enaï veify outhi
nka
manf elli
nlovewi t
hy ousof ast,undoingsix
yearsoft hekindoft hingsShebaandhewent
through?Shegotl ockedupf orhi m,doy ou
thinksomeonewoul deasilyf orgetthat?Idon’t
knowhowanunempl oyedbur
denwit
htwo
bastardsl
i
key ouintendstocompet
ewit
ha
womanwhol i
ter
allybuil
tthemanpi
eceby
piece.Obrav
ewai tse…
KEDI:
(wipi
ngtear
sandsniff
li
ng)I’
m sorr
y…I…I
wil
ll
eavehim,pl
easel
etmekeepmyj ob,I
’l
l
fi
ndahouseformychil
dren,Igotmysalary
.
KAONE: Youareasmar tgi
rl
,Kedi
….just
rememberTebatsoistaken.Hisr
elati
onship
maybegoi ngthr
oughar oughpatchrightnow.
Allr
elat
ionshi
psdo,hel
l,myhusbandandI
brokeupamont hbeforeourwedding,butlook
atusnow.4happyy earsinbl
issf
ulmat ri
mony!

*
***
***
**

I
NTHECLUB
Ameli
ahwal
kedinandf
oundTebat
soi
nthe
of
fi
cegoi
ngthr
oughpaper
work.
AMELI
AH:
MrKgagodi
…
TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)MrTshaboact
uall
y…butI
guessKgagodiwi
l
ldotoo.What’
sup?
AMELIAH:(
taki
ngaseat)Justt
houghtIshoul
d
comeupdateyouonthecase…youcousi
ngot
outonbai
lyest
erday
.
TEBATSO:
Yea,
Tshepecal
l
edandt
oldme.
Shepickedupacut
eseashel
lbabyr
att
lef
rom
thet
able.
AMELI
AH:
Youhav
eki
ds?
TEBATSO:Uhm…notr
eal
l
y.Imean,
mygi
rl
fr
iend
hastwo…
AMELIAH:Ihaver
espectf
oramanwhocan
l
ovechil
drenwhoarenothi
suncondi
ti
onal
l
y.I
j
ustl
ovechildr
ensomuch…
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)Year
ight
…youl
ookl
i
kea
womanwhopr
efer
sboar
droomst
hanbaby
wal
ker
s.
AMELI AH:(
smi l
ing)appear ancescanbe
deceivi
ng…I
’ml i
terall
ybaby si
t t
ingevery
weekend.Mysi sterWar onahast wo,Goutahas
three,
andmybestf r
iendhast wo…it’
ssucha
j
oyt ohavethem ar ound.Ican’twaittohavea
bunchofmyown, youknow…hav eaf amil
y,and
spendmysummer si nthekitchenbarefoot
pregnantmakingsomedel iciousmeal s.
TEBATSO:Becauseyouwantmet
obel
i
evey
ou
cancook…wi
ththosenai
ls?
AMELIAH:(
roll
inghereyesandl
aughi
ng)why
dopeopl
ealway sbel
iev
eIam someincapabl
e
br
at?OfcourseIcancook!
TEBATSO:Youareawonder ,Amel
iahCull.The
manwhowi l
lmar ryyouwi
llbesolucky
.It’
sso
rar
etoseecorporatewomenlikey
ouwi thyour
outl
ookoft
hings.Howi st
hat?
AMELI AH:Idon’tknow…Ijustthinkther
eis
moret oli
fethanmaki ngmoneyandwor kand
al
lthat.Attheendoft hedaywhatmat t
ers
mostishappi ness.AndIthi
nkI ’
mj ustamother
atheart.Don’tgetmewr ong,Ilovemyjob,but
onedayI ’
dliketohaveaf amilyanddedicat
eall
mylifetokids…
TEBATSO:
Thenwhyhav
en’
tyou?
AMELI
AH:(smi
li
ngsadl
y)y
ouknow…hav
en’
t
mett
heri
ghtoneyet
…
TEBATSO: Yea,ri
ght!Abeaut
if
ul,
smar
tgi
rll
i
ke
youfindi
ngithardtogetaman!WhydoIfi
nd
thathardtobel
ieve?
AMELI AH:Notsoeasyt omeetamanwhoi sn’t
tr
yingtousey ouforyourf
ather’
snameand
i
nfluencewheny ourfat
herisAugustusCull
.
AndwhenIf inal
lydid…heuhm…hewasmar ri
ed
andusedmet hendumpedme…andt heother
onewassoi nsecureheusedt obeatmeup.I
sur
ecanpi
ck‘
em,
right
?(Laughi
ngsadl
y).
TEBATSO: Hey …don’
tblamey our sel
fforthose
sadlosers.AndIdowi shIcoul dgetmyhands
onthebast ar
dwhobeaty ou.Ihat ecowards
whowoul ddar eli
ftt
heirhandt oawoman.The
ri
ghtmanwi l
lcomeal ong, don’tworry.Youare
smart,sweet,andbeautiful.It
’sjustamat terof
ti
menow…
AMELIAH:(l
ooki
ngathi
sandsmi l
i
ng)
yea…matt
erofti
me.Wel
l,Igot
tago.Seey
ou
l
ater…

*
***
***
***

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Hewal
kedinthehousefr
om t
hef
arm,
and
f
oundhercr
yingagai
n.
MAOTO: Gout
athemmaitwil
lbeok…Ipromi
se.
Tsaidhewascloset
ofi
ndi
ngwhoeverisdoi
ng
t
his…
GOUTA: No…it
’snotthat
…It
’sjust
…Iam a
hypocr
ite…Iexpecty
out obetrut
hful
whi l
eI’
m
hi
dingsecret
s…Iam sosor r
y…sosorry…Iwas
j
ust…I…
MAOTO: Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?Isi
tabout
DrHast
ings?Comeon…
GOUTA:
You…y
ouknowaboutt
hat
?I…
MAOTO: (smi l
ing)mywi ferunningar oundand
recei
vingsecr etcal
lsandy out hinkI ’
m goingto
haveitchecked?Youwer eexpect ingmet oput
peopleony ou,butIj
ustf ol
l
owedy oumy sel
f.
Wheny ouleftthehotelroom, Iwenti nand
almostblewt hemoron’sheadof ft hatnight
befor
ehel eft
…het oldmeaboutt hesi ckchil
d
andwhatt heyneededf r
om y ou…Idon’ t
understandwhyy oujustcouldn’ttel lme…
(Wipi
nghert
ears)Youhel
pedacoupl
einneed.
That’
squi
tenobleact
ual
ly
.
GOUTA:
Ithoughty
ou’
dbemad…
MAOTO:Ao,doIreactthatbadl
ytothi
ngsne
mma?I’
m sorr
y…gapei ti
nyourpast
,befor
ewe
met
,soi
tdoesn’tmatter….
GOUTA:(
snif
fl
ing)i
t’
snot
al
l
…I…uhm…rememberwhenIwentt
oIndi
afor
myMaster
safterIhadTheo?
MAOTO:Yes…y
oucamebackear
lybecausey
ou
hat
edi
tandmissedus.
GOUTA:I…I’
m sosorr
yMaoto…Ij
ust
,wewere
havi
ngsomuchpr obl
emsand…Idon’
tknow
whatgotint
ome.IfoundoutIwast
hree
monthspregnant
…
MAOTO:
Whatdi
dyoudo,
Gout
a!
GOUTA:
Wewerefi
ght
ingalot…andTheowas
j
ust5mont
hsol
dand…IwasjustsosadandI
wantedt ofini
shmyst udi
esand…( Snif
fl
ing)…I
wasj ust…I
’m sosorry…ImetDrHast ingsthere,
hewasonasi xmont hsstudythere…and…wel l
,
Icorneredhimi nt
odoi ngitformebecauseno
cli
nicwoulddoi tsurgicall
yandbecausei t
requiresalegalapproval…butitwastoolateto
uset hepil
ls…Ineededt odoi t
,youhaveto
under st
and…
MAOTO: Sothat’
swhatt hatemai lIgotwas
about…Wait
se!Whyar eyoutell
ingmenow?I sit
becauseyoureadmyemai l
sandar eworr
ied
someonewi l
lbeatyout oitandt el
l me?Ican’t
bel
ieveyou,Gouta!Whywoul dyoudosucha
thi
ng?Youwer efuckingmar ri
edf orGod’ssake!
Andhowaboutme, itwasmychi ldtoo,di
dn’tI
getasay?Wasi tevenmychi l
d?
GOUTA:
(cr
ying)Howcoul
dyouev
enaskt
hat
…
MAOTO:
Youki
l
ledmychi
l
d!Youhadnor
ight
!
GOUTA:
Ihav
ear
ightt
omybody
!Whowant
s
anotherchil
dwhentheyalr
eadyhavea5
mont hsoldandinarockymarr
iage!Idonot
regr
etmydeci si
ontodoit…
MAOTO: (
putt
ingonhi
sshoesandgr abbi
nghi
s
carkey
s)Ineedsomeairr
ightnowbecauseI
don’
twanttodoorsaysomethingImayregr
et.

*
***
***
**

ATTI
CHI
NA’
SHOUSE

Tichinasatdri
nkingcoffeeandr eadingabook.
SoMaot ogotbail
…ha!Di dn’
tmeanany thi
ng,
he
wasgoi ngtojail
.Withtheev idenceshehad?
Bothwhatshe’ dgiventhepol iceandwhatshe
sti
llhadandwasgoi ngtogr aduallysendin.
Therewasnowayhe’ dgooutscot tfree.And
sheact ual
l
ypulleditoff
!Fi r
stshe’ dbeen
scared,buti
twasal l
goingsowel l
andno
problem f
orheratall
.Outsmar tedthosedamn
Mmusi ,Cull
andKgagodi …threebir
dswi t
hone
stone.Ok,grant
ed,shedidn’thavemuchbeef
withtheCullsandMmusi ,but…coll
ateral
damage.Thei rf
aul
tforbeingl i
nkedwiththe
Kgagodi!
Sheact
ual
l
ypul
l
edi
tof
f.
Thedoorbel
lrangandshesighed.Pr
obabl
y
Solomon.Nobodyelseknewshestayedher
e.
Andhewast heonlyloserwhowouldshowup
atsomeone’
shouseat8pm.
Shepul
l
edonhergownandwal
kedt
oopen.
TI
CHI
NA:
Sol
omonI
…
Shebli
nkedhard,
trembli
ngasshetr
iedtoshut
thedoor
,butheblockedi
twit
hhisboot…
KwapaandMaotowerecrazy,butt
herewas
sti
l
lahear
tsomewher
eint hosetwo…youcoul
d
begandcr
yyourwayoutofthingswit
h
them…now, thi
sonewi t
hcoldeyes…hescar ed
theshitoutofher.Therewassomet hingv er
y
sadist
icabouthimt hatevenhisexceedingly
goodlookscoul dn’
thide.Li
kehumanl ifemeant
alessthannot hi
ngtohi m.Healwaysr eminded
heroftheiruncleKgodumo, whoscaredher
equall
y.
TSHEPE:
(smi
l
ing)Hel
l
o…Ti
chi
na…whoi
s
Sol
omon?

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
30

ATTI
CHI
NA’
SHOUSE
TICHINA:Comet ofi
nishwhatyoust ar
tedal
l
thoseyearsback?Kil
lme,i
tdoesn’tchangea
thi
ng,thepoli
cealr
eadyhavetheinformati
on,
andsomeoneelsewi
ll
sendtherestofi
tto
them i
fIdi
e.Ihav
esever
alpeopl
ewhohav e
copi
es.
TSHEPE:(
laughing)Kil
lyou?Now, whywouldI
dothat
…Ti
ch, Tich,
Tich!Honey,t
hatwouldj
ust
bedumb,l
ikey ousaid.I
twon’tchangeanyt
hing.
TI
CHI
NA:
Thenwhatdoy
ouwant
?
TSHEPE: Youwer eaf ormerempl oyeeofmy
brothers’fr
om whatIhear d.Her eiswhaty ou
aregoi ngtodo.Youwant edtogetbackaty our
ex,Kwapa, soy ousawanoppor t
unitytohur t
him…y oustol esomef il
esfrom hisbrotherand
hiswi f
e’scomput ersandy ouchangedt hem to
maket hem lookguil
ty…theny ousentt hem to
thepol i
ce.Itwasinamomentofangerandy ou
didn’texpectittogothisfar,sonowy ouf eel
guil
tybecauseani nnocentmani sgoingtoj ail
.
TICHINA:Li
kehellIwi
ll
!Kil
lmei
fyouwant
to…butI
’m notdoi
ngthat…
TSHEPE: YouknowwhatIdi dwi tht
hel
ast
personwhodi sobeyedme?Shewasabeaut iful
gir
ljustl
i
key ou…Larehn,
thatwasher
name…blonde, bl
ueeyed…pet i
te…sopr
ett
y…she
wasanassassi n…notafr
aidtodieatal
l…wanna
knowwhathappenedt oLahren?
TI
CHI
NA:
Idon’
tgi
veashi
t…
TSHEPE: I
’l
ltel
lyouany way
…Igi f
tedhertomy
Qatari
fri
end…hebr andedherwithahot
i
ron…andkeepshernaked…chai nedtothefoot
ofhisbed,doeswhathewant swi t
h
her
…somet imeslendshertohisguests,andI
cantelly
ou,thoseanimalsaresavage…
TI
CHI
NA:
Youdon’
tscar
eme…
TSHEPE: Ishoul
d…I ’
m goi
ngtoleavenow, andI
expectyoutogoseet hepol
i
cewi t
hinthenext
twoday s.Tr
ytor un,andIwi
llcat
chy ouwithi
n
15mi nutesofit
.AndIdohav ealotmor e
fr
iendswhocoul dusesuchapr ett
yli
ttl
egift.
*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebatsowal
kedinandfoundKedi
packi
ngher
cl
othesinal
argesui
tcase?
TEBATSO:
Trav
ell
i
ngt
osomewher
e?
KEDI:
(wipi
ngt
ears)No,
Tebat
so,
I’
m mov
ing
out
…I,uhm…If
oundahouse…
TEBATSO:
Ao,
what
’swr
ongwi
tht
hishouse?
KEDI :
Youl iedtomeTebat so!Allt
hatbull
shi
t
aboutempl oyeehousing.Youev enwenttothe
ext
entofget t
ingaf akecontractfori
t!Andthe
day-care,
y ouliedaboutthattoo!Youwer e
coveringthebal ance…
TEBATSO:
Ijustwant
edt
ohel
p…I
’
m sor
ry.
KEDI :No,Tebat so…youknowIhat el
y i
ng.Ican’ t
dot hi
sany mor e.Ithankyouforget t
ingmet he
j
ob, butIwill
bet enderi
ngmyr esignation
tomor row.Mycousi nOnikagotmesomet hi
ng
atabaker ysheusedt owor kat,
andi sl etti
ng
mest ayatoneofherhusband’ spr oper t
iesthat
theyar ecur
rent lynotusi
ng.Thanky ouf oryour
kindness…Ithinkt hat’
smycousi nOni kaatt he
door .
Shewentt
oopenf
orOni
kaandshewal
kedi
n.
ONI
KA:(passingbyTebatsowithoutspeaki
ng
t
ohim)Arey oureadyKedi?LetmegetNeo
whi
l
eyoul oadthebagsinthecar.
TEBATSO: Hi
,youarehercousi
n,ri
ght.Pl
ease,
I
can’
tletKedi
dot hi
s…I
’m sor
ryIl
ied,but…
ONIKA:(l
aughing)Sor
ry?Really!Youknow,I
wasn’
tsurpri
sedwhenIf oundoutt hatyouwere
aKgagodi.Youpeopletreatothersl
ikedir
t,and
I
’mjustgladmycousinisget t
ingoutofallthi
s
mess.St
ayawayf
rom her
,shedoesn’
tneed
you.
TEBATSO:
Youdon’
tunder
stand…Kedi
…pl
ease,
I
l
oveyou…I
…wecanfi
xthi
s.
ONI KA:Youar enotfi
xi
ngany thi
ng.Sheisdone,
you’vehurtherforthelastti
me.Kedibonyei
sa
sweet ,
quitereserv
edgi r
l,al
wayshasbeen
sinceshewasaki d.I
t’
seasyf orpeopl
eli
keyou
totakeadv antageofher,butnotonmywat ch
buti…notonmywat ch!
TEBATSO:I
’
m nott
aki
ngadv
ant
ageofher
!I
l
oveher!
ONI KA:Youdon’tknowthefi
rstt
hingabout
l
ov e!Youusedsomepoorr i
chgirltoadvancei
n
l
ifethendumpedher ,nowyouaretryi
ngt ouse
mycousi nasar ebound?Whydon’tyoujust
l
eav eheralone!I
fyouneedcompensat i
onfor
youhospitali
tywit
hmycousin,pl
easeletme
know, ot
herwisestayawayfr
om her.Let’
sgo,
Kedi
bony
e.

*
***
***
**

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

Rebaonecooki
ngi
ntheki
tchenwit
hher
chi
ldr
ensit
ti
ngint
hecounter
,si
ngi
ngthei
r
ABC’swit
hher.
DANI
ELLA:(
laughi
ng)Nomommy
,that
’snot
howi
tgoes…
REBAONE: (
laughi
ng)wel
l
,mommydoesn’
tgo
toschool
,somommydoesn’tr
eal
l
yknowbaby,
teachme…
DARIUS:Ok,
we’ll
teachyou,mommy !Daddy!
(Hejumpedofft
hekitchencount
erandran
outsi
detowherehisfat
her’
scarj
ustpull
edin)
REBAONE:(
laughi
ng)Caref
ul,
Dari
us!Youar
ea
dar
edevi
lj
ustli
keyourf
atherwena!
Tshepewal
kedi
nhol
dinghi
sson.
TSHEPE:(ki
ssi
ngher)gatweDariandIr
eril
eng
nebatho…comehereprincess.Whatdi
dyou
l
earnatschoolt
oday
?
DANI ELLA:Icancountupt o50!Dari
andthe
otherkidscan’tyet!Theyonl
ycountupt
o10!I
gotagol dstar,see,i
nmyf or
ehead!
TSHEPE: (
laughing)you,l
it
tl
emissy
,arean
over
achieverli
key ourmother
!Youarethr
ee,
youaresupposedt oonl
ycountupto10!
DARIUS:AndIcanswimf
ast
ert
hany
ou!I
’
mthe
bestguppyi
nclass!
TSHEPE: (
kissingboththei
rcheeksand
l
aughing)Nocompet i
ti
onbetweenyoutwo, ok?
DaniyouhelpDar iwit
hhiscounti
ng,andDari,
youhelpDani withherswimming.Nowr un
alongandwat chcartoons,
Iwannatalkto
mummy
.
Rebaonehandedthem eachsomecooki
esand
theyhappi
l
yrantotheliv
ingroom.
REBAONE:
(si
ghi
ng)i
sitdone?
TSHEPE: Don’
tworr
ymyl ove,
sheisst
il
l
breat
hing.Andshe’
l
ltakethebai
t…
REBAONE:
Whati
fsher
uns?
TSHEPE:Ihavesomanyt rackersonher…sheis
notgoi
ngany wher
e.Don’tworry.Nobodywil
l
getki
ll
ed,I
’
llgetmybrotherout.Ever
ythi
ngwill
bewell
.
REBAONE:
(ki
ssi
nghi
m)Thanky
ou…Il
ovey
ou
TSHEPE:
Byt
heway
…Bany
anat
ext
edme…
Handi
nghert
hephone.
TSHEPE:Ididn’tr
epl
y.YouknowItol
dherI
wantnot
hingt odowithher
,Reba,
andImeant
i
t…Ir
eall
yjustwanttobewithmyfamily
.
Shet
ookt
hephoneandr
eadt
hemessage.

‘
heybabe,Ij
ustar
riv
edhomef orschool
hol
iday
s.Justl
ett
ingyouknow.I’
m stay
ingov
er
atmysist
erSega’
s’wit
halit
tl
ekissemoj i
.

REBAONE: Somegir
lsj
ustdon’tqui
t
waitse…youknowwhat ?Wearenotgoi ngto
engagehert hi
sti
me.Iwon’tsayanythi
ng,and
youwon’ ttal
ktoherei
ther
…let’
sjustli
veour
l
ives,we’vebeenthr
oughenoughalready,we
don’tneedherdrama.
TSHEPE: Iful
lyagree…Bany anacanfuckof f
withherdrama.Iwon’ trespond,i
nfact
,here,I’
l
l
blockher.Ij
a,don’tforgettomorrowisthe16
weeksultrasound…Iaskedf oradayoffforthe
twinsatschool,thoughtmay betheywouldli
ke
toseetheirli
tt
lebr otherorsist
er.Ir
ead
somewher ethatifwear eluckywecouldfind
outt
hegenderev
ent
omor
row…
REBAONE:(
smil
i
ng)Lookaty
ou…r
eadi
ngbaby
bl
ogsandal
l…
TSHEPE:(
laughi
ng)IevenwatchedYouTube
vi
deosonchangingdiaper
s…don’
tknowifI
havet
heli
verforit
,butotl
anthusaaker
e…

*
***
***
**

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE

Kwapagotoutofthebathroom andfound
Waronastandi
nginfr
ontoft hedoorwit
hher
handsfol
dedacrossherchest.
WARONA: Idi
dn’
tappreci
atey
outeari
ngupmy
paper
slikethaty
esterday
,doyouknowhow
i
mportantthoseare?
KWAPA: AndIdon’tappr
eciat
eyoumaking
deci
sionsforourdaught
er’
sli
fewi
thoutmy
consult
ati
on.
WARONA:
Ijustwantwhat
’sbestf
ormychi
l
d…
KWAPA: Youchi l
d,War ona,really
?Ihatethat
youalwaysthrowt hatinmyf ace.I’
vebeen
Vani’
sfatherwaybef orey ouandIgot
marri
ed…Itaughthert or i
deherbi ke…t
ookher
toherfi
rstdayatschool …Ist ayedupwithher
whenshewassi ck…so, don’tyoudaretell
me
sheis‘y
ourchild’
.
WARONA: Well
,sorrytotellyouthi
s,butIcan
andIwi l
lmakedecisionsf ormybaby ’
sli
fe.She
i
sgoingt oboardi
ngi nBenadennexty ear,and
youmi ghtaswellgetusedt otheidea.Youare
watchingMannytoday .Myaunthasadoct or’
s
appointmentandI’m droppingheroff,
thenI’m
goi
ngt owork.
Shegrabbedhercarkey
sandwal
kedof
fwi
th
herheadheldhi
gh.

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
owal
kedi
nint
hemor
ning.
GOUTA: (runningovertohim andhugginghi
m)
Wher edidyougo?Il ookedeverywhere,t
he
far
m, yourmom’ s,uncle’
s,br
others’
…
Mositi…f
riends…Ievencall
edTebat soand
Lentswe.
MAOTO:
(pushi
ngherof
f)Ineedt
oshower
…
GOUTA:Maoto,
I’
m sorr
y…Idon’tknowwhat
el
seIcandoanymore.Iwas24f orgodssake!
AndIj
usthadababyfivemonthsback.Ididn’
t
knowwherewestood…Ipani
cked…
MAOTO: Sav
ei t
,Gouta!Youknowmyst anceon
that
,howcouldyoudot hat
?Especi
all
yafter
ever
ythi
ngwewentt hroughwit
hTheo…
GOUTA:Butev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
nenow…wear
efi
ne,
weareok…
MAOTO: Notok,
Gouta!Notok…Ican’
tbel
i
eve
you’
dli
etomel i
ket
hat.
GOUTA: Youknowwhat ,youwannabemadand
thr
owat antrum?GoaheadMaot o.Thi s
mar r
iagehasbeenmel it
erall
yli
vingonmy
kneest hroughout
.Beggingy ou…beggingy outo
l
oveme…t ostayf
ait
hful
…tost opy ourdir
tywork
withtheMmusi …i
t’
sallhasbeenmebeggi ng
you.AndIdosomesi ll
ymi stakeandy ouwant
topunishmef ori
t?Fucky ou…
MAOTO: Ki
ll
i
ngmychi l
disnotasil
lymist
ake!
Andyoudon’tgett
oassumeat onewithme,
notaf
terwhatyoudid,
Gouta!Youkil
l
edmy
chi
ld!
GOUTA: Andy oukill
edLat oya!Awhol eentir
e
fuckinghumanbei ng!Incoldf uckingblood,you
chokedhert odeath…y ouwantt opl aysaintwit
h
mef orabor ti
ngaf oetus?Itwasn’ tevenababy
yet!Idon’tregretamomentofi t,
andy ouknow
what ?IfIwer etogobackt othatmoment …I
woul ddoi tagain…may beIshouldhav ejustdid
i
tthef i
rstt i
mewi thTheoandl eftyou!
Her egret
tedtheslapthemomentitl
anded
acrossherface…ithadbeensuchanimpul
siv
e
reacti
on,buttohearhersayt
hatabouthi
sson…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
31

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
GOUTA:
Youj
usthi
tme…whatt
hehel
lMaot
o,
y
ouj
usthi
tme!
MAOTO: DobeI’m sosorry
…I’m sosorr
y,you
knowt hat’
snotme…Ij ustgotworkedupwhen
yousaidal lt
hosethingsand…itdoesn’
texcuse
anyt
hingt hough.
GOUTA:Yea,
thatwaski
ndofmeanofme,
wasn’
tit
?
MAOTO: Yousaidy
oushouldhaveabort
edmy
babyandleftme…t
hat’
sreal
lyhor
ri
blet
osay,
Gouta.I
sthathowyoufeel
?
GOUTA: What
?No!Il oveourkidsmor ethan
anythingint
hewor ld,andIlov
ey outoo.I’
d
neverwantanyot herlif
e,butyouwerebeingso
rudeanduppityandsay i
nghurtf
ulthi
ngs,andI
want edtohurty
ouback…y ouknowIdidn’t
meananyofi t…
MAOTO:
Whydowedot his,
youandI
?Whydo
weal
wayshur
teachot
hersomuch?
GOUTA:
Idon’
tknow…may
bebecausewear
e
bothsostrongwi
l
led.Damnit
,Ican’tbel
i
eve
youslappedmeyoubastar
d(rubbinghercheek,
l
aughing).
MAOTO: (pul
li
nghercl
oserandki
ssingher
cheek)t
here…doesthi
smakeitbet
ter?
GOUTA: mhhh…ali
tt
lebi
tmoreoft
hatandI
mightactual
l
yconsi
dernotki
l
li
ngyoui
nyour
sl
eeptonight
.
MAOTO:I’
mr eal
l
ysor
ryGouta…nomatterhow
angr
yIam,Ihavenor
ightatal
ltol
ayhandson
you.
GOUTA: Hey
…it’snotok,butit
’sf
orgi
ven.As
l
ongasy ouremembert hatmydaddyis
AugustusCull,
andy ouputyourhandsonme
again…mhhhh,gar eit
sepapi!AndI’
m sorr
ytoo
aboutthatwholebabyt hi
ng.Iwasyoungand
stupid…
MAOTO:Ican’
tsayI
’
m notmadGouta,what
youdi
dwasnotcool
,buti
t’
sthepastandno
mat terhowmadIget,Ican’
tchangei
t.Andno,
Iwoul dneverhi
tyouagai
nevenifyoudon’
t
threatenmewi t
hyourgangst
erdaddy(l
aughi
ng)
Truce?
GOUTA:
Truce…Ihat
eitwhenwef
ight
MAOTO:(
kissi
ngher
)Metoo…youknowI
’
ma
makel
ovenotwarki
ndofguy.
Hepinnedheragai
nsttheki
tchencounter
,
runni
ngherhandsunderherblouseandundi
d
herbra,
kissi
ngdownherneck…
MAOTO: Somet
imesIfeelsogui
lt
ybecauseI’
m
ali
tt
let
ooexcit
edfort
hiskidfr
eenight
s,does
t
hatmakemeabadpar ent
?
GOUTA: Notatal
l,wel
ovethem uncondit
ional
l
y,
butanyparentwhosayst
heydon’tcheri
sha
shortbr
eakfrom t
hei
rchi
ldr
enisal i
ar.
MAOTO:Tal
kingaboutt
hat
…whathappenedt
o
t
hehol
idayy
oust i
l
lowememma- Motheo?
GOUTA: Let
’sgetthiscour
tthingsettl
edand
thenwe’l
lgo…justthetwoofus…( Kissi
ng
him)…andmay besomel i
tt
leleather
number…cuffs…may beacat-
o-nine…
MAOTO:Shit
…howisaguysupposedtostay
madatyou?(Heri
ppedherbl
ouseopenand
pul
l
edofthebraatthesameti
me).

*
***
***
**

ATPI
CKN'
PAY

Tshepeandt
het
winsdoi
nggr
ocer
y.
DARI
US:Canwegetri
cekr
ispi
espleasedaddy?
Wedon’
tli
kepor
ri
dge,wewantri
cekrispi
es…
DANIELLA:Yesdaddy
…andt
hiscooki
esand
chocol
ateand…
TSHEPE: (l
aughing)yout woaregoingtogetme
i
nt r
ouble,youknow.Mommysai dnocandy !
(t
heybot hpouted,l
ookingupathi m wit
hpuppy
eyes)Ok,ok,onechocol atebarandyouhav eto
sharei
t!Andy ouhavet opr omisetoeati
treal
ni
ceandnotsmeari tiny ourcl
othes,t
henwe
won’tt
ellmommy .
Banyanacamewal
ki
ngt
owar
dshi
m wi
tha
smil
e.
BANYANA:Tshepe!OhmyGod, Imi
ssedy
ouso
much.(
Try
ingtohughim.Tshepemovedt
othe
si
de)
BANYANA:Ij
o…okthen(t
alki
ngtothet
wins)
heyguy
s…youhavegrownsomuch!Thelast
ti
meIsawyou,youweresolit
tl
e!Doyou
rememberme?
DARIUSshookhi
sheadno,andDaniel
laf
olded
herarmsacr
ossherl
it
tl
echest,
looki
ngupat
her.
DANI
ELLA:
Mommysai
dnott
otal
ktost
ranger
s
BANYANA: Comenow,I’
m notastr
anger
…I’
m
auntyB,
remember?Iusedtotakecar
eofyou
guys…
DARIUS:We’l
lwedon’tknowy ou.Dani
come
see,
theyhavegummybear s!Iwantgummy
bear
sinsteadofchocol
ate!
Theyr
anoffali
tt
ledi
stancef
rom t
hei
rdad,
but
st
il
lonhi
sview.
TSHEPE:
Whatdoyouwant
,Banyana?Pl
ease
st
ayawayfr
om meandmyfamil
y.
BANYANA:Ithoughty
ouweredonewi
thme?
Thenwhyareyousoruff
ledi
nseei
ngme?
TSHEPE: I
’
m notruffl
edbyshit.Iam justover
al
lthedr ama,andy ouaregetti
ngonmyl ast
ner
v e.YouandIar edone.Getit?Idon’tfeel
anythi
ngf oryou,
Bany ana.TobehonestInev er
di
d.Ihadi ssuesandy ouwereeasyr elease.I
di
dn’twantt oputitthatway,butyouwon’ tget
i
twhenI ’
m beingnice,sothat
’stherawtr
uth.
Stay.Away.From.My .Famil
y.Ihoperea
utl
wana.Twins!Comeon, mommywant edus
togetsomel ycheesforhercrav
ings…l
et’
sgo
checkoverthereatthefrui
tsecti
on.

*
***
***
**

ATKWAPA’
SCLI
NIC

Onikadroppedof
fherdaughter’
spuppyfor
groomingandwalkedovertotheoff
icesi
de.
ShestoodatthedoorwatchingKwapastar
e
i
ntospace.
ONI
KA:(wavi
ngherhandsonhi
sface)Ear
tht
o
MrKgagodi
!
KWAPA:
(laughing)Oh,
hey,Ni
ka…sor
ry,gota
l
otonmymi nd.Whatarey
oudoinghere?
ONI KA:Br
oughti
nSnowflakeforherr
outi
ne
grooming.Nowthatmykidsareatdaycareand
myhusbandi satwor
k…itgetsbori
ng,al
lIhav
e
i
st hesemundanethi
ngsallday…what’
s
botheri
ngyou?
KWAPA: Eish…li
fe…mar ekeeng,
nothi
ngt
o
bothery
ourpr et
tyli
ttl
eheadwi t
h.Howar
e
thi
ngsgoingwi t
hy ourhusband?
ONI KA:(smil
i
ng)muchbet t
er .Heissti
l
lbusy
andt r
avelsalot,butdoestryt omaketimefor
us…Iam hopef ul
.Hei scurr
ent l
yonat r
ipt
o
My konos,butpromisedhe’l
l bebackbyendof
thisweek.Iwant edtothanky ouforhandl
ing
thatMarcust hi
ng…hehasn’tcont act
edme
sincethen.
KWAPA:Yea,Ihadawor
dwi
thhi
m…hewon’
t
bot
her
ingyou…
ONIKA:
Ken…youaredist
ract
ed…l
etmebether
e
fory
ouli
keyouar
et her
eformewhenIneed
you,
tal
ktome.YouknowI’
m agoodl
i
stener
.
What’
sup,f
amil
yprobl
ems?
KWAPA: (
scratchinghisheadandsi ghi
ng)Ei sh!
War ona…t hatwomani sinamar r
iagewi th
herself.Andshedar estel
lsmemydaught eri s
notmi ne?Ir ai
sedt hatl
itt
legi
rl
,Onika!Ithurts
tohearhersaysucht hi
ngs!Andshet reatsme
l
ikeanaf t
erthought…it’
sherbusi
ness, thekids,
everythingelse,thenme…Idon’tmeant owhi ne,
butIdon’ tknowhowl ongIcandot hisany mor e.
I’
m ser i
ouslynothappyi nmymar riage.
ONI
KA:
Shems…may
bet
alkt
oherabouti
t?
KWAPA: (l
aughingsarcasticall
y)TalktoWar ona?
Fir
stoff,I’
dneedt oarrangef ora‘court
’date,
andI’
dneedt ofocusmyar gument s,pr
esent
fact
s…andt henst i
l
lneedt odeal withWarona
Cullt
hel awyer,
whenI ’mj usttry
ingtohavea
conversati
onwi thmywi fe…
ONI
KA:
Eish,
Iwi
shIhadsomet
hingt
osay
…go
tl
asiama.Hey,howaboutal itt
leperky ouup?
Yousti
lll
oveIndianfood?Idiscoveredthisli
tt
le
pl
acebyaccidenttheotherday …comeon, Dr
.
Kgagodi
,spi
cyt andooriandBiryani
ricefor
l
unch,howdoest hatsound?
KWAPA:
(smi
l
ing)whyar
eyousoper
fect
?
ONIKA:(
blushi
ng)keepsay
ingni
cet
hingsandI
mightev
ent hr
owinabeerwitht
hel
unch.
KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)inthatcase,QueenOni
ka,
womanamongstwomen…t heverybest
…gosh,
I
wishIwasapoetrightnow…pr et
tylady
,mayI
haveabeerwithmylunch?

*
***
***
***

ATTEBATSO’
SCLUB

Amel
i
ahwal
kedi
nthecl
ubandf
oundaguy
packi
ngt
heshel
ves.
AMELI
AH: Hey,
sor
ry,
butareyouoneofthe
empl
oyees?Iwasj
ustchecki
ngifTebat
sowas
i
n.
LENTSWE:Notanempl oyee…Tebat
soismy
cousi
n.I
’
mj usthel
pingout,hewashavi
nga
baddayandIoffer
edtowat choutf
orhim whi
l
e
hegoestorest
.
AMELI
AH:Cousi
n?Fr
om hi
sfat
her
’ssi
de?You
dol
ookli
ket
heKgagodi
’
s.
LENTSWE:
Yea,
myf
atheri
shi
sfat
her
’sl
i
ttl
e
brot
her
…
AMELI
AH: HowcomeInev
erhear
dofy ou?Two
ofmysi
stersar
emarr
iedt
otheKgagodi.
LENTSWE: (l
aughi
ng)Ourfamilyisnotuni ted
l
ikethat…oureldershadalotofissues,andt he
Kgagodi brot
hersyouknow,theirfat
herliked
peace,sohemov edawayandcamet oraisehis
famil
yher e…wedi dn’
tgr
owupt ogether
.
AMELI
AH:
Oh…ok…
LENTSWE: Yea,Ijustmov edi ntotownr ecently
.
Thingswer e…wel l
, abithardf ormet her e.
Graduat edadegr eei nRobot icTechnol ogyf rom
Kor ea,couldn’
tev engetani nter
nshipwhenI
camebackhome.AndI ’
vebeenl ivi
ngof fofmy
dad’ spensionsince.Twoy earsnow…ei sh…but
myst epmom’ sisapai ni ntheassandf inall
yI
j
ustdeci dedt oleav e…roamedar oundf ora
whi l
eunt i
lIremember edIhadacousi nwho
hasabi gfarm.Att hatpoi ntIwaswi lli
ngt o
takeany thi
ng, soy ea,I
’vebeendoi ngoddj obs
formycousi nMaot o…sosor rytoinfodumpal l
thisony ou…IguessIj ustneededt oletof f
steam…
AMELIAH:No,it
’sabsolut
elyfi
ne.Weal lneeda
l
etoutsometimes.It’
ssosadwhatt hi
scount ry
i
sdoingtograduates,man.Therei
ssuch
under
devel
opmenti nalotofimport
antf i
elds.
I
magineifwedev el
opedtheroboti
cf i
eld,what
wecoul
daccompl
i
shi
nmachi
ner
ypr
oduct
ion!
LENTSWE: Exact
ly…legale,
I’
m notcompl aini
ng.
Ihavemyl itt
leoddjobsandImakedo.Ther e
areothersouttherea,lotworseoffthanme.
I’
veseengr aduatesworkinggrocer
yst ore
tel
ler
s,earningP1000,cany oubeli
evet hat
!
AMELI AH:Aish,kemat hata.Doyouwantsome
l
unch?IhadmadeTebat sosomesandwi ches
andfreshlemonade, butsinceheisnother e,
youcanhav eit.Ihav
ef if
teenmor eminutesto
eatbeforeIhavet or
ushbackt otheof f
ice.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
32

ATAPRI
VATEAEGI
SCLI
NIC
Kgodumor
ippedof
ftheI
Vfr
om hi
shandand
st
oodupf
rom t
hebed.
Thedrwal
kedi
nandl
ookedoni
nhor
ror
.
DR:
Sir
,wher
ear
eyouof
fto?
KGODUMO: Ihaveadatewit
htheQueen.Where
doy out
hink?I’
m goinghome.I
’v
ebeenherefor
sixweeksandI ’
vehadenoughofyourbad
food…
DR:
Buty
oust
il
lneedmor
erecov
ery
…
KGODUMO: Andy ouneedt
omindyour
manner
s.Mov e!Wenawarekematepej
aaka
l
ona,mothowal onal
ehaanalefl
uwantsto
st
ayinbed.
DR:
Excuseme,
Idi
dn’
tunder
stand.
KGODUMO: Ae,
fot
seke.Howlonghaveyou
beeninBotswanatonothavel
earntt
helingo?
AllIdoi
stakeanti
biot
icsnow,I
’
m sureIcan
managethatonmyown…
DR:
Buty
ouneedmoni
tor
ing…
KGODUMO: I
ja,
passmemycane,
wat
eo
bol
l
eler
raagowhatheneeds?
DR:Ok,
isn’
tLegi
on’
swifeadoctor?Atl
eastlet
mecontacthi
m soIcangiv
eherthenecessary
i
nfor
mationtomonit
oryou.
KGODUMO:
No,
now,
mov
e.

*
***
***
**

OUTSKI
RTSOFTHEVI
LLAGE

TheKgagodi
brother
ssatbyther
iverf
ishi
ng
anddr
inki
ngbeerwitht
hei
rcousi
ns.
MAOTO:
So,
howi
sitgoi
ngnemonnaT?
TSHEPE:Handl
ed,don’
tworry,
theculpr
itwi
llgo
cl
earyournamesoon.I
’m conf
identoft
hat.
MAOTO:
Itr
usty
oumyman,
andI
’
m
rel
i
eved…Dobei
sonmytai
laboutclear
ingi
t
up…bytheway,
anyofy
ouheardfrom malume?
KWAPA:
Ithoughthewaswi
thuncl
ePheko?
LENTSWE: Nope,
Ital
kedtotheol
dman
yest
erdayandhehasn’
tseenhiminawhi
l
e.
MAOTO: Str
ange,hehasn’tupanddisappear
ed
j
ustli
kethati
ny earsnow.Rememberhowhe
usedtobegonef orweekswhenwewer e
growi
ngup.Tebla,youheardanyt
hing?
TEBATSO:
Nope,
andI
’
m st
art
ingt
owor
ry…
TSHEPE:(l
aughi
ng)AboutKk?I
ftherei
sone
personwhocantakecar
eofhimself
,it
’sthat
oldman.Heusedtodothisal
ltheti
me, l
i
ke
theysai
d.
TEBATSO:Idon’tknow,man…lastt
imeIvi
sit
ed
hi
mt her
ewer esomex- ray
sandalotofpi
l
ls
whichhetr
iedtohide,andhedismi
ssedme
whenIaskedaboutt hem.
KWAPA: What,ar
ey ouseri
ous?I’
llpassby
mme’shouseandaskheri fhetoldherhewas
si
ck.Idon’
tli
kethatheissooldandl i
vesonhis
own.Mmebeggedhi mtomov einwi t
hherso
shecanbett
ercareforhim andhesaidno.
Mosit
itoo.
MAOTO: Youknowhowthatol
dmanis…too
i
ndependent
,hecoul
dneverl
etany
onetake
overhi
sli
fe.
TSHEPE: Bytheway,guys.Weareaddi
ng
anotherKgagodit
othewor l
dsoon…(He
proudlyt
ookouttheultr
asoundscanand
handedittoKwapa)
KWAPA: What?Forr
eal?Congratsbr
o…itsay
s
16weeks?Wenal eRebatl
helesephiri
!Howdid
youkeepthi
sawayfrom usforthisl
ong?
TSHEPE:We’vebeengoingthroughthings,so
wejustwantedtohandl
eitfi
rst…butthatgirl
monna…aish,Rebai
sgold…afterever
ythingI
puthert
hrough…
KWAPA: Weknow,weknow, domest
icgoddess,
al
way sreadyt
ojumpt oyourwhims,bl
ahblah…
neverseenamor epussywhippedni
ggainmy
l
ife.
TSHEPE:Ooookayt
hen…troublei
nparadi
se?
Don’
that
e,brot
her,
Ididn’
ttel
lyoutogive
Waronat
hepantsinthefamily
.
MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)I
ja,nnabor r
akebonat sone
tse(toTebatsoandLentswe)Don’tevenbe
bothered,
thesetwoarelikethi
s.Tshepe,
that’
s
uncall
edforKP,what’swr ongmyman?
Kwapa’
sphonestar
tedri
ngi
ngandTshepe
pi
ckedi
tupfrom t
hegroundnextt
ohi
m.
TSHEPE:Oni
ka?I
sn’
tthatyourexwit
hthat
boot
y?Whatthehel
l
,areyoufucki
ngyourex?
Hepressedt
oanswer.
ONI
KA:
HeyKen…
Tshepehandedhi
mt hephoneandimi
tat
ed
OnikaasKwapawalkedawaytoansweri
t.
TSHEPE:
HeeeeyKen
Kwapal
aughedandf
li
ppedhi
m.
Hetal
kedont
hephonef
orabi
tandwal
ked
backt
othem.
MAOTO:Whatthef
uckareyoudoi
ngKP?
Runni
ngci
rcl
esonWar,
isthatwhyyouar
eso
moody?
TSHEPE:Butseri
ousl
ythough,ar
ey ouinsane?
DoyouwantWar onatocastr
ateyou?She’ll
di
vorcey
ourstupidass,
takeyourkids,
and
l
eaveyoubroke.That
’sWaronaCull
, mynigga.
KWAPA: (l
aughi
ng)sincewhendoest al
kingto
someoneont hephoneconsti
tutecheat
ing?I
havetogo.Youbit
chescanwal k,I
’mtaking
yourcarMaoto.
Hegr
abbedhi
skey
sandr
anof
ftot
heonl
ycar
theyal
lcamei
n,wi
thal
loft
hem chasi
ngaf
ter
him.
*
***
***
**

I
ntheev
eni
ng

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

REBAONE:
Howwasy
ourf
ishi
ngt
ri
pwi
tht
he
boys?
TSHEPE:Hil
ari
ous…Maot
ogoti
ntoitwi
thTebl
a
becauseTebl
abrokei
tof
fwi
tht
hatshady
Mmusi gi
rl
,gat
wemang…Bat
hwater
.
REBAONE: (
laughi
ng)Hai
yoo,
bare
Bathwat
er…whydoy ouhat
ethatsi
deofy
our
famil
ysomuch?
TSHEPE:
Theyar
enotmyf
ami
l
y…andIhat
e
them becausetheycorruptmybrother.I
understandwhymymot herwantedusaway
from t
heMmusi , andIhavenointenti
onofev
er
havinganyrel
ationshi
pwi t
hanyoft hem.
REBAONE: I
jo,okt
hen…notthatIli
kethem t
oo.
Theyareal
ltoouppity.Howaretheboys
though,
IheardLentsweisaround?
TSHEPE: Yea, heis,
andiscrushi
ngonsome
gi
rlbutwon’ tsaywho.Teblabrokeupwithhis
gi
rlbecausewhat ever,
thesecondgir
laft
er
Bathwater.KPi scheat
ingandheismadatme
becauseIcal l
editout,
andMaot oandhiswife
areofftoasexcapadeassoonast hecharges
cl
ear.
REBAONE:Wouldn’
tbesur
pri
sedi
fshecomes
backpr
egnant
.
TSHEPE: (
sit
ti
ngdowntogiveherafootr
ub,
l
aughing)Uh,youar
epregnant
,mylove…soI
don’
tthinkweshoul
dreall
ybetal
ki
ng.I’
m so
excit
edt hough.Ireall
ywanttobether
eev er
y
stepoft hewayt hi
st i
me.Myleaveendsina
mont h,butItal
kedt oSam andIcanhaveay ear
ofbeinghomebased, unt
ilt
hebabyisatl
east4
mont hsold.
REBAONE:I’
m nothappybutIknowy
oul ov
e
whatyoudo,soifi
tmakesyouhappy,I
’
m
happy
.
TSHEPE:Thi
sti
meIswearI ’l
lbegoingthrough
ther
apywit
heverytr
ip.Iwon’
ttrygonna
star
ri
ng,
alotofagentsgothroughther
apy .You
knowIhaveaweirdsuspici
onaboutmal ume.
REBAONE:
KK?What
?
TSHEPE: whenIwentt ot
heof fi
ceIheardsome
doctorguy st
alki
ngaboutoneoft hefi
rst
generati
onsbeingadmitt
ed.Ididn’tt
hinkmuch
ofit,
andt hentodayTebl
atoldusmal umeis
notwell,hehadx-ray
sandal l
.ThenIremember
thatti
meIwentcr azyandkidnappedy ouand
tooky outoav er
yold,outofuseAegies
i
nt er
rogationf
acil
it
y.Surpr
isi
nghowmal ume
easil
yf oundus.Andthentheconstant
disappearingwhenwewer egrowingup.
REBAONE:It
hinkyouareachi
ng,
ao!Woul
dn’
t
youhav
eknownsomet hi
ngbynow?Nah,It
hink
waboai l
ebasadi
ngli
kehealwayssay
s.
TSHEPE:
Yea,
may
be…

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
of i
nishedshower
ingaf
tercomi
ngback
f
rom t
hefishingt
ri
p.
MAOTO: Aomma,youputmybabiest
obed
beforeIcameback?Iwant
edt
or eadt
hem a
story
.
GOUTA: Theyweresotir
ed,auntyLiahal
ways
keepsthem busy,shei
sstil
lyoungsoshecan
managet orunaroundandchasethem.Iworry
abouther,sheissuchanicegir
lbutsolonel
y,
j
usthasbadl uckwhenitcomest o
rel
ati
onships.
MAOTO:
Shei
swhat ,
26?Sti
ll
haspl
entyofti
me
t
ofi
ndaman,
letherbe.Howwasyourday?
GOUTA: I
twasok…ijo,youcan’
tbel
i
ev ewhoI
sawaroundAmeliah’shousewhenpicki
ngup
theki
ds!Thandi
e.
MAOTO:Andyousaysheisnotcreepy?Why
wasshear
oundyoursi
ster’
shousewhenour
ki
dsweret
here?Shedoesn’
tli
vearoundther
e…
GOUTA:
Whoknows,whocares?Ir
eal
lyt
hink
shei
sasweetnaï
vegi
rl
.Howaretheboy
s?
MAOTO:
Theyar
eal
lgood.Rebai
spr
egnant
.
GOUTA:
(laughi
ng)Hee!Di
l
otsabany
ana!Gago
at
weGoutakeenebabymakingmachinekant
e?
Heedu!I’
m sur
pri
sedthesneakybi
tchdi
dn’t
abor
t!Ihopeshegains30kganddoesn’
tlosei
t!
MAOTO:(l
aughing)Nnagakedi t
senewai
tse,
wheni
tcomest oyoutoo,Ij
ustgaveuponyou
t
woeverbeingcivi
lwi
theachother.

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedisi
ghedandopenedthedooraft
erseei
ng
thati
twasTebat
sothroughthecut
ains.
TEBATSO: I
’
m sorryKedi, butIcan’
tletyougo.
Todayhasbeenhor r
ible.Hat emeall y
ouwant,
butIlov
eyou.Ididwr ongbyl yi
ng,butitwas
nevermyintent
iontohur tyou…
KEDI:Tebat
so,i
t’
slat
etl
her
ra,ao!AndI’
m not
tr
yingtogeti
ntroubl
ewi
thyourfi
ancéeandher
cr
oni
es.
TEBATSO:Whyar eyousotimid,Kedi?Isthi
s
howy oui
ntentt
oliv
etherestofy ourli
fe?
Movingtothesi
deforotherpeopletogetwhat
youwantbecauseyoudon’twantconf l
ict
?
KEDI:
Ijustdon’
twantt
roubl
e,Tebat
so,
please
l
eave…
TEBASTO:
Tel
lmey
oudon’
tlov
emet
oo…
KEDI
:Tebat
so,
please…
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
TEBATSO: Il
oveyouKedibonye,andam not
abouttolety
ougo.NotwhenIknowy oulove
met oo.Oram Ii
magini
ngt hi
ngs?
KEDI
:YouknowIl
ovey
out
oo,
but
….
TEBATSO: Li
fei
stooshor
tforbuts,
Kedi
…pleasedon’
tdothi
s…it
’sbeenadayandI
missyouli
kecrazy…Imi
ssthekids…Imi
ssus.
Hepul
l
edt
hegownt
ieandl
eti
tfal
ldown,
runninghishandsdownherbareshoul
derand
sli
ppedof fhersi
mplespaghet
tist
ri
ngpyjama
dress,hishandsrunni
ngdowntoherbreasts
andcar essi
ngthem soft
ly.
TEBATSO:Damni
tKedi
,Iwanty
ouso
much…youint
oxi
cat
eme….
Shequi
etl
ytookhi
m byhandandl
edhimtoher
bedr
oom,locki
ngt
hedoorbehi
ndthem.
Hegentl
ypushedherdownthebedand
car
essedherbodyashelai
dbesi
deher.
TEBATSO:Tel
lmetol
eav
e,Kedi
,andIwon’
t
bot
heryouagai
n…
KEDI
:Idon’
twanty
out
oleav
e,but
…
TEBATSO:
Whatdi
dIsayaboutbut
s?
KEDI
:(gi
ggl
i
ng)l
i
fei
stooshor
tsf
orbut
s
Hestr
okedherbreastandnipplegentl
yatfi
rst
,
butt
hengradual
lyrougherunti
lhebeganto
twi
standpinchhernippl
e.Hisotherhand
begant ohi
tchuphernightdressandupher
thighs,
gentl
ycaressi
ngherinnerthi
ghsashe
kissedhersoftl
i
ps….

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
33

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumostoodatthestackedbri
ckswashi
ng
hi
sfaceandshavi
ngwhenhi sfournephews
andsonwalkedi
nfrom amor ni
ngjog.
KGODUMO: Oh,l
onagor i
l
engjaanongokar
ele
tswalet
sholongjaana,
don’tt
hreeofyoul
iv
ein
Franci
stowneven?
MAOTO:
Wel
i
ker
unni
ngher
emal
ume…wesaw
y
ourcarwasi
nwhenwepassedbyanddeci
ded
t
odropby…wer
ehav
eyoubeen?
KGODUMO: I
ja,
nawenakenyatsiy
agagoneo
mpotsakoketswangj
aana?Ketswanyat
sing
koMmashoro.
KWAPA: Ao,mal
ume,j
aanongy
oudon’tev
en
saygoodbyewheny
ougokony at
sing?
KGODUMO: Kooreleutl
wangwanawagaJohn
arekenalenyatsi
?Ot l
akgwathakana!Le
gonekealeamusanel ebatl
agot holale
ntshet
semoragojaana?Buang,l
eny oboki
le
engkeseyo?
TSHEPE: Thisonehereisintroubl
ewi t
ht he
poli
ce…again!Butit
’scl
eari
ngup( point
ingat
Maot o)Andthisoneheremanagedt obr eakup
wit
ht wowomeni nthespaceoft i
mey ouwer e
gone( poi
nti
ngatTebatso),andthisoneis
cheatingonhiswifewit
hhisbi gbootyex,
Lentsweiscool,hehasacr ushbutnot
di
vul
ging.
KGODUMO: (
laughi
ng)osni
tchi
the!Haobua
baangwej
aana,whatdi
dyoudowena?
TSHEPE:Me?I’
mt hegoodnephewwhoi s
gett
ingy
ouanothergr
andchi
ld.(Hetookouthi
s
phoneandshowedhimtheultr
asoundvideo)
.
Kgodumowhi
stl
edhappi
l
y.
KGODUMO: BoKgagodi ,boBat hobail
e,pr
otect
thisnewl if
e!Ipromisewewi l
lmakea
ceremonyt oappeaseyousoon!Sendmy
congratulati
onstoRebaone.Iam v eryhappy.
Runal ongbannal entseny aletsatsiIwantto
startmymor ni
ngwel l
.Maot o,comeseemei n
theafternoonkeut l
went hagar agaeoedi rang,
andy out ooTebatso,MrCassanov a,seemei n
theev eni
ng.You, Kwapa, stopt hatrubbi
sh…
KWAPA:ButI
’m notcheat
ingmal
ume!War
i
s…ah…nnagakeitsetot
a…
KGODUMO:
Iwantt
otal
ktobot
hyouand
Warona, Iwi l
lcomeseey outomorr
ow,make
sureshei sav ail
abl
eorIwil
lgodragheroutof
court…go, go,tsmayang,
nalonalebat
lago
thol
al enkat hametsehel
a,halenabasadi
?
Lentswe, stay,wehavetotal
k.

*
***
***
**

Af
tert
heyl
eft

KGODUMO:
Howar
eyoudoi
ng,
mot
logol
o?
LENTSWE:
Keshapor
remogol
o…st
il
lki
cki
ng…
KGODUMO: Ar
ey oureal
ly
?Lent swe,JohnandI,
wedi dyouwrong,myboy .Aft
eryourmom
passedwheny ouwere9andy ourfat
hertook
anotherwif
e,weknewoft heabuset hatwent
on,kanaPhekoleenenkareoi t
eil
wekaphent i
,
yea,weknewandwedi dnothi
ngbecausewe
di
dn’
twantt
oint
erf
erei
noury
oungerbr
other
’s
af
fai
rs.
LENTSWE:
Ah,
it’
sokr
remogol
o,nopr
obl
em…
KGODUMO: It
’snotok…weknewl i
fewashard
foryou…Iknewt hatwasthereasonyouchose
togostudyfaraway ,andIhadhopedyou’dst
ay
ther
eandmakeal i
fefory
ourselft
her
e.
LENTSWE: Itr
iedr
remogolo,buttheydon’thi
re
blackpeopl
emuchoutther e,
andmyf i
eldis
veryspeci
fi
c…IswearItr
iedev er
ythi
ng.
KGODUMO:
Whydi
dn’
tyoucomet
ome?
LENTSWE:
Ithoughtnoonecar
ed….
KGODUMO: Youbreakmyhear t
…tohearyou
saythatbreaksmyhear tbecauseIgaveyou
thati
mpression.Ineglect
edy oufart
oolong
eventhoughIknewy ourfatherwasn’tt
aki
ng
careofyou.I’
m sorry
,son…Ireall
yam…Ihope
yourmotherforgi
vesmewher eshelays.
Lentsweshi
ft
eduncomf
ort
abl
yast
heol
dman
wipedatear
.
LENTSWE:
It’
sokr
remogol
o,nobi
gdeal
atal
l
.
KGODUMO: So,
whati
syourpl
annow?Any
busi
nesspl
ans?
LENTSWE: Busi nessideasaren’tsoeasyi nmy
fi
eld,
rremogolo.Ist udiedRoboticsTechnology,
andwhatI ’
mt rainedtodoi screaterobots,
whichmayr equi r
ebi l
li
ons.Usuallyj
obsinmy
fi
eldaregovernmentj obsorbigcompaniesand
weneitherhavebi gcompaniesoramachi ner
y
manufacturi
ngsy stem her
e.
KGODUMO:Thinkoutsi
dethebox
…soy
ouf
iel
d
i
stough,
whatelsecanyoudo?
LENTSWE: Well,Iwast hinki
ngofthi
s
automationappt hatwil
l hel
pfar
mer sstay
synchronisedwi t
hgov ernmentschemes.I
couldsellitacrosscount ri
estogovernments,
buttheprobl em isfunding.
KGODUMO: Gowrit
eabusinesspl
anandcome
seemewheny ouareready
.Real
ly
,myboy ,
I’
m
sor
ry.Andt
hen,basadi
?Bakaebanyana,
kana
l
ewenaobabahaba?
LENTSWE: (l
aughi
ng)Ao,rremogolo!No,
I
defi
nit
elyl
i
kewomen, justnotver
yeasytoget
them whenyouarebroke…
KGODUMO: Owai
i
,gaonacharm waipat
aka
soneseo.Warebashi
manebamal at
siala
pal
elwathe!Wherear
eyoust
ayingri
ghtnow?
LENTSWE: Atthefarm,I
’v
ebeenhel pi
ngMaot o
hereandt here…soIjusttookoneoft hecabins
hehasf orhisforei
gnworker s.Pleasedon’t
blamemycousi ns,t
heyallofferedmeapl ace
tostay,
Idi dn’
twanttoint
r ude.Ev enauntymma
-MaotoofferedandscoldedmewhenIr efused.
KGODUMO: I
ntrodewaeng?Gagonai ntr
udei
n
fami
ly
.(Thr
owinghim carkeys)Her
e,t
akethi
s
andgogetyourstuf
f,moveinhere,
thi
shouse
i
st oobigforanoldmanl i
kemeal oneanyway.
Thosekey sarefort
heMer cedes.Igotitasa
gif
tfrom afri
endearl
iert
hisyearandnev er
usedit,i
t’
sparkedthatsi
de.IprefermyToy ot
a.
Don’tyoudaretouchmyToy otaify ouval
ue
yourli
fe,kemachinewameoo!
LENTSWE:
Ican’
tacceptt
hisr
remogol
o…
KGODUMO: Youar
eassumi
ngIwasaski
ng
youropi
nion!Moveoi
seontene!

*
***
***
*

ATTI
CHI
NA’
SHOUSE
Tichi
nafi
nishedshower
ingwhenshehear
da
knock.
Shewenttoopen, panicki
ngagaininnotso
manyway s.I
fTshepescar edher,t
heshedevi
l
atherdoorli
ter
all
yfrozeherwithfear
.
TherewereonlytwolookstoAmaryl
li
sMmusi …
corpor
atebi
tchwi t
hherpencil
ski
rt
sandsilk
bl
ouses,orbi
kerchick,onherl
eat
hersand
spi
kedcorsets.
Andshewaspr operbikerri
ghtnow.On
ski
ntightleat
herpants,acroppedspikedleat
her
corset,andherhai
rpulledint
oapony t
ail
from
herextremelypret
tyface,wit
hv eryl
ight
makeup.Herbi kewaspar keddirect
lyatthe
door.
Shehadonlyseenherahandfuloft
imesand
nevert
alkedt
oher,butknewenoughtoknow
thatwasonecrazybi
tch.
TICHINA:Whatdoyouwant ,
Amar y
ll
is,Imadea
dealwit
hTshepe,al
lthi
sisbeingcl
eared,he
saidhewouldl
eavemeal one.
AMARYLLIS:Well
,I
’m notTshepe,
am I?You
cameaftermyfamil
y.Idon’
ttakekindl
ytot
hat
,
Tichi
na.
TI
CHINA:I’
m sor
ry…I
’mleav
ingt
hecount
ryaf
ter
i
tisset
tl
ed…Iwasjust
…
AMARYLLI
S:Myunclesgotl
ockedupbecause
ofy
ou.Youputmeinpoli
ceradar
…
Tshepepushedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.
TSHEPE: Tichi
na,Ihav
etosay,
I’
mreal
l
y
i
mpr essed,thepoli
cecal
l
edmybrot
herand
theyarecleari
ng…Amaryl
li
s…
Ti
chi
nai
mmedi
atel
yranbehi
ndTshepe.
TICHINA:Ikeptt
oourdeal
Tshepe…Ikepttoi
t,
yousaidIcouldgoaf
ter
wards….
don’
tlether
hurtme.
TSHEPE: Nobodyishur t
ingyou,stopbeingsil
l
y.
Ihav einsi
deinfoforyourcaseaboutl yi
ngto
thepol i
ceandf ramingMaoto.Sincehei snot
pressingcharges,andy ouareaf i
rstti
me
offender,mylawy erwhoIhav edesignatedto
speakony ourbehalfsaysyouwi l
lbe
sentencedt osixmont hspri
son,whollyput
aside.Whichmeansyougettowal
k.I
’l
lgetyou
aonewayt i
ckett
owherev
eryouwantanda
settl
ingf
undenoughtocoveryouf
oratleasta
year.
AMARYLLIS:
Gr eatplan…notoneofmine.Ihave
areput
ati
ontokeep, peopl
ecan’tj
ustt
hinkthey
cancomeaftermyf amilyandgetawaywithit
.
TSHEPE:
Shei
sundermypr
otect
ion.
AMARYLLIS:AndIgi
veafuckbecause?The
momentthisbi
tchcl
eart
hechargesonmy
uncl
es,
shedies.
TSHEPE:
Isai
d,y
oucan’
ttouchher
…
AMARYLLI
S:Obvi
ousl
yyouhav
enoi
deawho
youar
etal
ki
ngto…
TSHEPE: No,obv i
ouslyyoudon’t…Ir
espectyou
becauseRhy nismybuddy ,butIpr
omisedmy
wifethi
sbitchwilll
ive,becausemywi f
e’ssi
l
ly
senseofrighteousnessdoesn’twantmet okil
l
unnecessari
lyanymor e.AndIalwayskeepmy
pr
omi
sest
omywi
fe.
TI
CHI
NA:
Rebaonest
uckoutf
orme?
TSHEPE:Duh,
shesav
edy
out
hef
ir
stt
imet
oo,
remember?
AMARYLLI
S:Bl
ah,bl
ah,
blah.Bori
ng.Your
pr
omisest
oyourwif
emeanshi tt
ome.
TSHEPE:AndI’
mt el
l
ingyou,letherbe…
Amaryl
l
is,whati
sittoyouifsheliv
es?
AMARYLLIS:Youhavethener
vetochal
l
enge
me?(Laughi
ng)Idon’
tknowifyouj
ustmadean
enemyorafri
end…seey ouar
ound,
Legion…

ATTHEFARM
Lentswedroveinandpackedhissuit
caseinto
hi
sbag.Fr om adi
stancehecouldseeAmel i
a
pl
ay i
ngwiththeki
ds.Shewassuchasweetgi r
l,
buttherewassomet hi
ngdesolat
eabout
her…li
keshewaslookingforaccept
ance.What
coul
dhav
emadesuchapr
ett
ygi
rll
i
ket
hat
?
Shewal
kedovert
othem asAmel
i
ahar
gued
wit
hSebaga.
AMELIAH:Buti
thas4000pieces,
Sebaga!I
can’
tdoit
!Themanualhas490pages!
SEBAGA:Butyouli
ketomakethi
ngs!Mydaddy
andmyunclesref
usedtohel
pandIreal
l
ywant
acast
le!
Shesighedasshefedthel
it
tl
eone, Aasa,and
conti
nuedtoarguewi
thherniece,
breakingto
chast
isehernephewtobecareful
cli
mbi ngupa
smalltr
ee.
AMELIAh;Hey ,yea…hangingwiththi
snaught
ies
whil
emysi sterandherhusbandgotcalledto
thepol
icestati
on, apparent
lyt
hereisanew
devel
opmentont heircase.
LENTSWE:
Ithoughty
ouwer
ethei
rlawy
er?
AMELI
AH:
Myot
hersi
steri
sthemai
n,shecan
handlei
t…mmaB,stopspi
tt
ingof
fyourpor
ri
dge,
ahh!Lookatt
hisgi
rl!
LENTSWE:
Heyguy
s,hav
ingf
unpl
ayi
ngwi
th
aunt
y?
SEBAGA: Shewon’
tmakemeaLegocast
le!
(pout
ing)
AMELIAH:Ithas4000pi
eces!Iwasdumb
enoughtoorderi
tthi
nki
ngi tcomesalr
eady
made,andnownobodywant stoevenhel
p.
Maotoactual
lyputonastraightf
aceandsaid
hecan’
tread,sohecan’
treadt hemanualt
o
makeit,
theli
ar!Gout
asimpl ysai
dnoandt hat
shehasnot i
met owast
e.
LENTSWE:
May
beIcoul
dhel
p?
AMELI
AH:Didyouheart
hatl
i
ttl
ethi
ngabout
4000l
egosanda490pagesmanual
?
LENTSWE:Myfi
nal
proj
ecthad23000pi
eces
andIdi
dn’
tev
enhaveamanual….
AMELI
AH:
Ifor
get
…robot
icst
echni
cian.
SEBAGA:Soyouwil
lmakemeacastl
eUncl
e
Lee?Youar
ethebest!(
Huggi
nghi
m)
MOTHEO:
Theny
ouhav
etomakemysol
dier
t
oo!
AMELIAH:(laughing)Yea….t
her
eisthat
!It
’sa
l
if
e-si
zerobotsoldiert
hatneedsassembl
ing!
St
il
lfeel
i
nglikebeingaher o?
LENTSWE:
(laughi
ng)I
’
m sur
eit
’snotsuchabi
g
deal
.
SEBAGA:Cool!Let’
sgotoauntyLi
ah’shouse
ri
ghtnowandmakei t
!Shemakesverynice
foodUncl
eLee, y
oushouldaskhertocookfor
you!Andshedoesn’thaveaboyf
ri
endtocook
for,
mamasay sshei sl
onel
y!
AMELIAH:(bl
ushi
ng)Sebaga!I
’
m sor
ryabout
that
,shehasamouthli
kehermama
LENTSWE:
It’
sok,
I’
mlonel
ytoo,
andIcan’
t
cookf
orshi
…Ican’
tcook…
SEBAGA: Thenit’
ssett
led,y
ouhelpmakeus
toysandaunt yLiahwil
l t
eachyouhowtocook.
Deal?(Shest uckoutherli
tt
lehandandshook
Lentswe’s)
AMELIAH: (
laughi
ng)Gosh,
lookatt
hisgi
rl
makingbusinessdealwi
thmeaspay ment
!
Sebaga!Iwil
ltel
lyourmum!
LENTSWE:Ican’
tsayI
’m compl
aini
ng,the
paymenti
sprett
ycool
.It
’sagooddeal.Al
right
,
howdowegett oaunt
yLiah’
shousethen?

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
34

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE
Kgodumosatdownwi t
hWarona’
sauntdr
inki
ng
teaNavanij
ustmade,
withKwapaandWarona
sit
ti
ngwiththem.
KGODUMO:(hol
dingEmmanuel)Hai
,thi
sonei
s
goi
ngtobetal
landbigl
ikehi
sfat
her
.Lookat
howgrownheisalr
eady
!
MMA- THEBE: Ahh,owaai,ngwanagasesepe
kana(babiesgrowf ast
),y
ouwon’tbel
iev
ehe
wasthetinyli
ttl
ethingIheldafewmonths
back!
KGODUMO: Hei…gakeat l
akwanohel a(Idi
dn’t
j
ustcomef oral ei
surevisi
t),
mma- Thebe, we
haveani ssueandIwi l
lli
ketoaddr essit
.Iam
real
lyhappyt haty ouareheresoy oucanhel p
mebepar ti
al.Letmenotputwor dsi npeople’
s
mout hs,rr
agweVani ,
buagor ewar emat hat
a
keeng.(Vani’
sf ather,
pleasetel
luswhatt he
problem i
s)
KWAPA: Aish,mal ume…aunty…Ijustdon’tknow
aboutthi
smar ri
ageany more,auntyy oucan
vouchformeont hat.Itr
yeveryt
hing,but
Waronaisdisrespectful
,makesherown
deci
sion,anddisregardsevery
thingtodowi th
me.Ican’teventalktomywi fewi t
houtfeeli
ng
l
ikeit
’sacourtcase…Il ovemywi fe,but…
WARONA: What?Idon’
tdisregar
dyou!You
can’
tjustmakebasel
essstatement
sli
kethat
wit
hout…
MMA- THEBE:Hei
!Akonneot heetsa
ngwanyanakweena!Tswal
amol omonyanaoo
andli
sten!(
Warona,l
ear
ntoli
sten)
WARONA:
Butaunt
y…
KGODUMO: Warona!Omosadi alail
we,
i
tshwarej
alo!Mma- Thebe,youhavebeenher
e
fort
hreemonths, i
sthereandtrut
hinwhatmy
boyissay
ing?(War ona,youknowhowt o
behavepr
operly
, actl
ikeit)
MMA- THEBE:Unfort
unat
ely
,yes.Iam
thoroughl
ydisappoint
edbecausethi
sgir
lwas
notraisedthi
sway .Shef
orgetsherpl
aceast
he
wifeanddisregar
dsherhusband
WARONA:Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean‘
my
pl
aceast
hewif
e?’
KGODUMO: Nxenxenxexe!Gi rl!Yousee, when
youhearamansay i
ng‘ Idon’tknowaboutt hi
s
mar r
iageany mor e’
,knowt hathehasgi venup.
Henol ongerwant stof i
ghtandi sreadyfor
anything.Yourhusbandhasgi venup, andt hi
sis
notthet i
met obegi vingusamout h,weare
try
ingt ohelpyou, hmmm!Lear nt ohumble
yourself,Warona.Youchoset oent ermarri
age,
andt herearerulesandpr otocolsthere.Thelast
‘
I’yousai dwaswheny ousai d‘Ido’,youmake
familydecisi
onsnow, wi t
hy ourhusband…
WARONA:ButI
’
mjustdoi
ngwhat
sbestf
or
ev
ery
one!
KWAPA:
Byex
cludi
ngme?
WARONA: Youareal lj
ustgangi nguponme
andmaki nghimt hesai ntdespitethef actt
hat
hetakescal lsfr
om womenatni ghtandhei s
seenar oundt ownhav ingl uncheswi t
hhi sex!
ThatIknowhest illhasf eeli
ngsf orhisexand
wasseenathot elswi t
hher ?AndI ’
m supposed
tobowt othat?Youwantt ober espected,
Kenneth?Gi vemesomet hi
ngt orespect!Thi
s
conversat i
onisov er,
giv ememychi l
d!
ShesnatchedEmmanuel
from Kgodumoand
tookof
ftot hecar
.

*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE
LENTSWE: Ther
e,fi
nal
l
ydone,
aful
lbl
own
Disney
landcast
le!
AMELI
AH:
Andi
nlessthan24hour
s!Sebagai
s
goi
ngt
obesoi
mpressed!
LENTSWE:Yup,nowwher
eist
hesai
dsol
dier
,
l
et’
sworkonit!
AMELIAH:Imadesomelat
elunchi
fyouar
e
hungr
y…ij
a,koor
eonti
bil
eengnerra?(
whyar
e
youst
ari
ngatme? )
LENTSWE: (
laughi
ng)Ae,gasesepe…Ij
ust
wonderaboutyou(Nothi
ng…)
AMELI
AH:
Me?Whatabout
?
LENTSWE: Whoi sAmel iahCull
?Ihav eseen
sni
ppetsinthemedi a.Wel l
establ
ishedl awyer
at25,i
cequeent oomany ,wit
halmostasmany
casewinsasy oursisterwhois10y earsolder
.
AndthenIlookaty ouandIdon’ tseet hefier
ce
shar
kpeopledescr i
be…t her
eissomet hi
ng
fr
agil
eaboutyou…desol ate…missing.
AMELIAH:
Whatar
eyou,
apsy
chol
ogi
st?I
’
m
fi
ne.
LENTSWE: Nev ersai
dy ouweren’t
…Ijustsee
thesamet hingi nyouthat’
sinme…l oneness…
desolat
ion…l ookingforaccept
ance.Iwas
severel
yabusedasachi l
d…myf amilymademe
feelunwanted…Iwonderwhaty ourstoryis…
Shewal kedawayandst oodbytheglasssli
ding
door,star
ingint
odistance,
hugginghersel
f…
ther
ei snostory…It
hinkyoushouldl
eav e…
LENTSWE: Why ?BecauseItoldthet r
ut h?
What everyourdemonsar e,Ameliah,y ouneed
tofacet hem.Youtoldmey ouar eunl uckyin
l
ove…f i
rstitwasthemar r
iedman…t hena
physicall
yabusiveman…andat hreadofot her
assholes.Doy ouknowwhyy ouat t
ractsuch
l
osers, Ameli
ah?
AMELI
AH:
Whydon’
tyout
ell
me,
DrPhi
l
?
LENTSWE: Becausetheycansenseweakness
i
ny ou…thedesperat
elongi
ngtobeaccepted.I
couldsenseitf
rom amileaway…womenlike
y
oual
way
sgett
akenadv
ant
ageof
.
AMELI
AH:
Getoutofmyhouse…l
eav
e!
Hewalkedov
ert
oherandhuggedherf
rom
behi
nd….
LENTSWE: I
’m nottr
yingtotakeadv antageof
you,Amel iah…I’
m genuinel
yat t
ractedt o
somet hingIseei nyoureyes,somet hingdeeper
thanyourdesper at
eness…BecauseIdoseea
sweet, l
ostlonelygirl
beyondall t
het ough
l
awy erfaçade.
Heturnedherar
oundandpl
ant
edasof
tki
sson
herl
ips.
LENTSWE: Idon’
tknowwhohurty
ou,butI
’
m
sorr
y.Ihopeyou’
llgi
vemeachancet
ohelpyou
heal
…
Heki
ssedheronemor
eti
meandwal
kedaway
…
AMELIAH:Wai
t…st
ay…Ialr
eadymadeenough
foodt
ofeedaminivi
l
lage,
I’
dneverf
ini
shi
ton
myown.Andy
ouhav
eat
oysol
diert
omake…
LENTSWE:(
smili
ng)youdon’
tneedareasont
o
askmetostayar
ound,Li
ah,Iwantt
o.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kediwashi
ngthedishesasTebat
sohel
ped.Hi
s
phonestar
tedr
ingi
ngandhewentoutsi
deto
answeri
tashesawt hecall
erI
D.
TEBATSO:Sheba!Iwassowor
ri
ed!Whydi
dn’
t
youcal
lear
li
er?
BATHSHEBA:
YouknowIwasatFashi
onweek,
andi
tal
waysget
sbusyt
her
e,howareyou?
TEBATSO:
I’
mfi
ne,
hasDodgerbot
her
edy
ou?
BATHSHEBA:
I’
m notscar
edofDodger
,Imean,
hefoll
owedmehomet wi
ceandt hencameto
whereIworkandl i
ngeredabout.Ok,maybeI
’m
ali
tt
lescaredbecauseit’
skindofwei r
d,l
i
kehe
i
sstalki
ngme, butit
’sok,youdon’thavet
o
worryaboutme.
TEBATSO: Howcouldyouev ensaythat?Sheba,
Ithi
nky oushoul
dcomebackhome…pl ease.
Justforawhileunt
ilweknowDodger ’
s
i
ntenti
ons.Idon’
tli
kethatheishoveri
ngaround
yourplaceandshowingupaty ourpl
aceof
work.
BATHSHEBA:Tebatso,
whydoyouev
en
car
e…youdon’
tgiveadamnaboutme
TEBATSO:OfcourseIcar
eabouty
ou, j
ust
becauseI
’
mi nlovewit
hsomeoneelsedoesn’
t
meanIdon’tcar
eaboutyou…
BATHSHEBA:
What
ever
,Ihav
etogo.
Shehungupandhet
ri
edherphoneagai
n,i
t
wasswit
chedof
f.
Kedi watchedhimt hr
oughthewindowand
si
ghedt henwentt othebedroom.Whycouldn’
t
hejustcutt hatgi
rlof
fhisl
ifebecausei
twas
obviousherandherl i
ttl
efr
iendswerepl
ayi
ng
gamesonhi m?

*
***
***
*

ATMAOTO’
SHOUSE

Maot
oki
ssedhi
swi
feandhewal
kedt
othecar
.
MAOTO: I’
l
l bebacksoon, t
heoldmanwant ed
toseeme, probabl
ytogivemehel laboutthe
caseandall,hei
sh,kanathatol
dmancant alk!
AndIthi
nkhei ssti
llmadf r
om KP’sthings,so
I’
m goi
ngtogetbul l
etsthatdon’
tbelongtome
gonehale!
GOUTA:
(laughi
ng)Idon’
tenv
yyouatal
l
,my
l
ov e.Bebrave!Takeoneforthefam…Ifhe
beatsyout odeathwit
hthatwalkingst
ick,know
thatyouwer elov
edandwi l
lbegivenapr oper
funeral(
kissi
nghischeek)
MAOTO: (l
aughing)Nothel
pingatall
.Ketloga
kemol el
etsaandaskifhewouldliketosee
yout
oo!Aker ewebecameasonewhenwe
marr
ied…
GOUTA:Notwheni
tcomestoKKboo,
not
hank
you.Gof
aceoursi
nsal
one!
MAOTO:(
laughi
ng)Cowar
d!Il
ovey
ou,
seey
ou
i
nabit
.
Hegoti
nthecar
,dr
ivi
ngof
f.
Ameli
ah’
scarpul
l
edi
naboutt
hir
tymi
nut
es
l
ater
.
AMELIAH: Heysi
s,ok,Ibr
oughtmyov erni
ght
bagandhav enoprobl
em atallspendi
ngthe
ni
ght,Idon’
tevenknowwhyy ouwould
apol
ogisefori
tbeingshortnoti
ce.I
’ddrop
ev
ery
thi
ngt
ocomebaby
sitmynaught
ies.
GOUTA:Huh?Baby
sit?Whywoul
dyouthi
nkI
wanty
outobabysi
ttoni
ght
?I’
m home.
AMELIAh:Uh,
becausey
out
ext
edmesay
ing
youneededmeto?
GOUTA:
NoIdi
dn’
t.
Ameliahtookoutherphoneandshowedhert
he
text
,whichcamefrom herphone…
GOUTA:
Whatt
hef
uck.
Thandi
ewal
kedoutf
rom t
hesi
deoft
hehouse.
THANDIE:Thanksf
orcomingauntyLi
ah,y
ou
arer
eal
lyagoodauntwatchi
ngthem l
iket
hat
.I
appr
eci
ateit
.
AMELIAH:
Whatthehel
l
?Whoi st
his?I’
veseen
youar
oundmyhousebefor
e…whoisthi
sGigi?
GOUTA:
Whati
sthi
s,Thandi
e?
THANDI
E:Geti
nthecar
,you!Amel
i
ah,
handme
yourphone,andwatchtheki
ds.Don’
tdo
anythi
ngstupidl
i
ketryandcall
anyonebecause
IswearI’
ll
kil
lher.
ShegrabbedGoutaandputMaoto’
sgunthathe
al
wayshidinthei
rbedr
oom saf
eagainsther
neck…
AMELIAH:
No,whatt
hehell
…I’
l
lnotl
ety
out
ake
mysist
erl
iket
hat
…I’
l
lcal
lmydadand…
GOUTA: Ameli
ah,
doasshesay
s…ok
Thandi
e…ok,nooneneedst
ogethur
t,we’
l
l
cooper
ate…
THANDIE:
Kissmykidsgoodnightf
orme,
Li
ah…l
oveyoubabysis.You,
inthecar
…now!
AMELIAH:
Whatt hefucki
swrongwithyou?I
’
m
noty
oursi
sterandyouhavenokidsher
e!
THANDIE:
Amel
i
ah,
youwi
l
lnotspeakl
i
ket
hat
tome.
GOUTA:
Liah,
please…goi
nsi
de…
Thandi
epushedheri
nthecaranddr
oveof
f.
*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
35

ATARESTAURANT
War
onasatcr
ying,
hol
dingEmmanuel
closer
.
WARONA: I’
m sorryManny ,
butyourdaddy,
he
l
ov essomeoneel se…It houghtwecouldmakeit
wor k,
butIcan’t…Ican’tseatbackandwatch
themanIl ovechaseaf t
eranotherwoman.I
thi
nkImadeami stakebymar ryi
nghim.He’l
l
alwayslovedherand…Iwassost upi
d…butat
l
eastIgoty oufrom hi m,huh?YouandVani ar
e
thebestthingthatev erhappenedtome.
HelookeduptoseeOnikacol
lect
ingherorder
att
hecounter
,andputMannyonhi sstr
oll
er
andpushedhi
m goingovert
oOnika.
WARONA: Youhavenoshame, doyou?Whydo
youfi
ndmar r
iedmensoattr
activ
e?Fir
styou
moveyoursel
fint
omysister
’shouseandsleep
wit
hherhusband,nowyouarerunni
ngaround
wit
hmyhusband?
ONI
KA:
What
?
WARONA: Youareanembar rassmentOnika!
Youaremarri
ed!Justbecausey ourmar
riagei
s
fal
l
ingapar
tdoesn’tmeany ouhav et
otake
minedownwithit
!
ONIKA:
Fir
stofal
l
,mymar
ri
agei
snotf
all
i
ng
apar
t….
WARONA: Oh, hownaïve!Butthenagai
ni t
happenswi thbeinguneducated.O
mmadi rabanyanahelainanexpensiveweav e,
youdumbass!Yourhusbandspendsal lhi
s
ti
met ravel
li
ngandy out hi
nkyoucanf i
ndadi ck
tori
deonwi t
hmyhusband?I ’
m goingtosue
thel
ifeoutofy ou,gi
rl
y!
ONIKA:Iam notsl
eepi
ngwit
hyouhusband!I
ja!
Youarecausingascene!
WARONA: Yout hinkf ucki
ngamar riedmani s
notascene?Hehaski ds,
Onika, youare
breakingaf ami ly!Look…thisishisson, heis
barelythreemont hsol dandy ouar erobbing
him ofhisf ather…hehaschi ldren,doesn’tthat
meanany thingt oy ou?Iguessi tdoesn’t,
seeing
youcan’ tgivey ourhusbandone.Pr obablythe
reasonheal way swant stostayawayf rom you.
ONIKA:(t
eari
ngup)Idon’
thav
etostandfor
thi
s…cageyourdogi
fyoudon’
twantitchasi
ng
aft
erme!
Shepushedherasi
deandr
anof
fcr
ying.
WARONA: Goon,r
unalong!Youknow
Desmondispr
obablycheat
ingonyouli
keyou
ar
ewithmyhusband…getti
ngsomeyounggir
l
pr
egnantsi
nceyoucan’tgi
vehi
m achil
d!
*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE
Ameli
ahf
ini
shedwashi
ngt
hedi
shesaf
ter
di
nner
.
LENTSWE:
Thanksf
ordi
nner
…andl
unch
AMELIAH:Thanksforfi
xingmyni
eceand
nephew’st
oys.Youjustputmebacki
nthe
favour
it
eaunthori
zon.
LENTSWE: I
twasni
cehangi
ngwithyou…for
thef
ir
sttimeinal
ongti
me,Ireal
l
yhadfun.See
youaround…
AMELI
AH:
Youcanst
ayl
ongeri
fyouwantt
o…
LENTSWE: Ipr
obablyshouldn’t
…li
keIsai
d,
Ameliah,I
’
m at t
ract
edtoy ou…butdoesn’
tmean
Ishould…youknow.Besides, Ihav
esomewhere
el
setober ightnow…
AMELI
AH:
(sadl
y)Ok,
goodni
ght
.
LENTSWE:Ar
en’ty
ougoi
ngt
oaskmewher
e
I’
m goi
ngsol
ateatni
ght
?
AMELI
AH:
It’
snoneofmybusi
ness…
LENTSWE: Aparty…aswinger’spar
ty,
that
’s
whereI
’m goi
ng,Amel i
ah.I
’
v ebeentosomany
I’
vel
ostcount.That’
showf uckedupIam.
AMELI
AH:They
…theyhav
ethi
ngsl
i
ket
hati
n
Bot
swana?
LENTSWE: (caressingherf aceandchuckl i
ng
gentl
y)Seehowi nnocenty ouare.Youar e
sweetandbeaut ifulandf r
agil
e,Amel i
ah.I’
ma
broke,
brokenmot herfuckerwithissuestoo
manyt ocount.Whathappenedt omeasachi l
d
real
lyf
uckedmeup.So, yea,foronceI’m goi
ng
todosomet hingnobl eandl etyougo…
AMELI
AH:Whati
fIdon’
twantt
hat
?Whati
fI
wanty
ou?
LENTSWE:Ofcourseyoudo…all
girl
swant
unconv
ent
ional
,dangerous,
andsli
ghtl
ywi
th
i
ssuesuntilunconventi
onal,dangerous,
and
sl
ightl
ywithissuesbreakstheirprett
yli
ttl
e
heart
s.Idon’twannabr eakyourprettyl
i
ttl
e
heart
,sweetLiah…oh,God, t
het hi
ngsIhav ei
n
mindabouty ou…thi
ngsI ’
dli
ket odot oyou…I
bett
erleav
e.
AMELI
AH:
I’
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou…
Hest
oodl
ooki
ngathershocked.
LENTSWE:
Toa…nope.Noway
.

*
***
***
**

ONTHESTREET

Kwapafinal
lygav
eupdr ivi
ngaroundlooki
ngf
or
hiswi
fe.Hewasdr i
vingbackhomewhenhe
sawagirlatthev
il
lagebusstop.Didn’
tshe
havet
hathotassnudev ideomasturbat
ing
aboutay
earofsoago?
Hesmi
l
edandr
oll
eddownt
hewi
ndow.
KWAPA:What
’sapl
acel
i
ket
hisdoi
ngonagi
rl
l
ikey
ou?
BANYANA: Ha,
funny
.Icamet oseey
our
brot
her
,butheisanasshol
eandwouldn’
tev
en
tal
ktome.Cany oui
magine!
KWAPA:
Wel
l
,I’
m ani
ceguy
,I’
l
ltal
ktoy
ou.Hop
i
n.
Sheopenedt
hedoorandgoti
nsi
det
hecar
.
BANYANA:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngoutsol
ate?
KWAPA:I’
m agrownman,Icanbeoutaslate
asIwant
.So,what’
sbeenhappeni
ngwit
hy ou?
BANYANA:
Medschool
,mar
ri
age,
youknow…
KWAPA: Col
tmustbedoi ngagoodj ob,
the
l
uckybastar
d.Howi sthatdogdoing?Haven’
t
hear
dfrom himforawhi l
e…whenhewast ryi
ng
tost
ealmyt hengi
rl
fri
end.I’
m gl
adhef i
nal
ly
f
oundl
ovet
hough…gl
adt
oseey
ouhappy
.
BANYANA: (sni
cker
ing)y
ea,r
ight…Col
ton
doesn’
tknowwhatl ovei
sifi
tstoodwavi
ngi
n
fr
ontofhim sayi
ng,‘
hey,
I’
mlove’…
Shewentoffforaf ewminut
est al
ki
ngabout
theabuseastearsstart
edwelli
ngdownher
eyes.Kwapapulledtothesi
deandwi pedher
tear
s…gentl
ykissingherontheli
ps.
KWAPA:
I’
m sosor
ryt
hat
’shappeni
ngt
oyou…
BANYANA: Ijustfeelsousel ess…l
ikeI’
mr eal
ly
hispropertyl
ikeheal way stell
sme.Ther eisno
escapef orme.Al lmylifeIspentinsuchasad
poorsituati
on…andt henj ustwhenIf i
nall
ythink
I’
m breakingthrough,Col t
onhappens…y our
brot
herusedme…andt hatvideoRebadidst i
l
l
hauntsme…whati swr ongwi th,me,huh?Am I
j
ustcursedwi t
hbadl uck?
KWAPA:(l
eaningovertoher,ki
ssi
ngherashi
s
handswentunderhercl
othes)Nothi
ngat
all
…it’
stheworl
dt hat’
swr ong…youarej
ust
perfect
…(Hepul l
edof fhert -
shi
rtandpushed
herbratotheside,takingherhar dni
ppl
eonhis
mout handsucking,maki nghermoanandcl i
ng
tohisbody)
Hepul ledheri nt ohislapasheki ssedand
caressedher ,shift
ingintoposi t
ionandgr azi
ng
hercor ethr oughherpant i
es.Hisf inger ssli
d
theflimsyl acet othesi deashesl idaf inger
i
nsideher .Hepushedherbacki ntot he
passengerseatandadj usteditsoshewas
l
ay i
ngdown, hikingupherski rtandpul li
ngher
pantiesof fent i
rely,t
hensl i
dhisf inger sbackin
andwor kedherwi thrhy t
hm untilshebegant o
quiverandhol dont ohim.Hehur riedlypul l
ed
downhi st r
ouser s,j
ustenought ol etouthi s
hardt hickmemberandpul ledoutacondom
from hiswal l
et.Aftersli
dingitin,her oughly
shov edhimsel fdeepi nsideher .Shemoaned
l
oudl yandst artedtobuckupanddownwi t
hhis
t
hrust
sashepumpedherr
oughandhar
d.
Hi
sphoner
angandhel
ookedast
hecal
l
erI
D.
KWAPA:
Shi
t…
Hecover
edhermout
hwithhi
shandandeased
onhi
spaceasheanswer
edthecal
l
.
KWAPA:Heybabe…I
’
vebeenl
ooki
ngf
ory
oual
l
ov
er,
whereareyouWar
?
WARONA:Home,
wher
ear
eyou?Aty
our
mi
str
ess’
?
KWAPA: Forfuck’
ssake,War
ona.Idon’thav
ea
mi st
ress,andI’
m notsl
eepi
ngwithOnika!How
elsedoy ouwantmet osayit
?Youknowwhat ,
fuckthis…bel
ievewhatyouwant.
WARONA: I
’m sor
ry…it’
sjust
…you’
vebeen
payi
ngheral
ltheattenti
onandIjustf
eell
i
ke
youdon’
twantmeany more…Il
oveyou,
Kennet
h….
KWAPA:
It’
sbecausey
ouar
esobusybabe…It
ry
andyoudismissme.Younev
erconsi
dermei
n
ourdeci
sions…
WARONA: I
’m sorr
y…I’
mjustsousedtomaking
decisi
onsformy sel
fandNavani
…I’
lldobet
ter.I
don’twantVaniandMannyt ogr
owupi na
brokenhome.
KWAPA: Metoo, mylov e.Met oo…l ook, I
understandImayhav egiveny out he
i
mpr essionI ’
mi nt
oOni ka.Shei swhatI ’vebeen
taughtt oexpectfrom awoman, sweetand
submi ssive,t
het r
aditi
onal t
ypeofwi f
e.Cooks
andt r
eat shermanl i
kehergod.Il ikethatshi t
.
I’
m notusedt obeingchal l
enged, soyea, she
hasappeal onthatfront.AndIadmi tshei s
fuckableashel l
…lust,it
’sallIfeel forOni ka.But
Ihaveawomanwhochal lengesmet oirrit
ati
on,
whoi sst ubbornandat addisrespect ful.And
l
ov esmeasmuchasIl oveher …themot herof
mychi ldren…nowomancancompar et oher .
Lookbabe, I
’m dri
ving,sowe’ l
l talkwhenIget
home.Packanover
nightbagandI’
l
lpi
ckyou
up…let
’sgosomewherepriv
atet
o…tal
k…
Hehungupandwhi
sper
edi
nBany
ana’
sface…
KWAPA:
Wher
ewer
ewe?
BANYANA:
Getof
fme…(
Try
ingt
opushhi
m of
f)
Shesl i
ght
lychokedherandclaimedhermout h
withhis,r
oughlyki
ssi
ngherunt i
lsherelaxed
andwasmoani ngandundulati
ngtohist ouch
ashepumpedherhar dunti
lhecame.Hepul l
ed
outandwi pedhimsel
fwiththebabywi pes
War onahadlefti
nthecar,wrappedthecondom
i
nt hebabywipesandchuckedi tout
sidet he
window.
KWAPA:
So,
wher
edoIdr
opy
ou?
Theydrovesi
lentl
yandhedr
ovehertoher
si
ster
’shouse.Ashepull
edof
fthegate,
his
phonerangagain.
KWAPA:
Nikamababe,
what
’sup…
ONI
KA: Youwifeat
tackedmeata
r
estaurant…shesai
dsomanymeanthi
ngs
(
sobbing)
KWAPA:Awwshame,Nika,
don’
tcr
ytlhemma.
TakenoheedofWar
ona,wapekay
ole…
ONIKA:Shesaidmyhusbandisprobabl
y
cheati
ngonmebecauseIcan’tgi
vehima
chi
ld…whati
fheis,Ken?Imean,whatkindof
mancangof oramont hwit
houtmakinglov
eto
hi
swi f
e,l
oveforyourworkornot
?
KWAPA:Doyouneedtotal
k?Driv
edownt othat
mot
elandI’
l
lmeetyouther
e,Ihaveanhouror
sot
ospare.

*
***
***
***

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Maot
opar
kedhi
scarandr
ani
ntot
hehouse
hear
inghi
swi
fescr
eams.
MAOTO:Dobe…Dobewakeup…mma-
Mot
heo,
youar
ehavi
nganight
mare…
Shesatupst
art
ledandl
ookedar
ound
GOUTA:
Oh,
youar
eher
e…
MAOTO: Wher eelsewouldIbe?Iwasj
ustout
seeinguncleKgodumolikeItol
dyouIwas
goingto,neoloraeng?
GOUTA: (
laughi
ng)I
t’
ssosi
l
ly…i
t’
sact
ual
l
yyour
faul
t,y
ouknow
MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)Thusi st
helif
eofamar ri
ed
man, people,
yougetblamedev enforshi
tthat
happensi nherdr
eams.Whatdi dIdoinyour
dreamst hatgotyouscreamingsobadly?
GOUTA: No,noty
ouperse,butyourli
ttl
e
conspiracyt
heori
esaboutThandie.Iguess
aft
ery oulef
tIcamet obedandpassedout .I
n
mydr eam Thandiehadcal
ledAmel i
ahtowatch
thekidsusi
ngmyphone,thenafteryoul
eftshe
kidnappedmeatgunpoi
ntandshotmeand
threwmybodyatthatwel
l…shesaidIstol
eher
l
ife,shewasyourwi
feandmot hertoourki
ds.
MAOTO: See,evenyoursubconsci
ousistel
lyou
somethi
ngisoffwithher.Tel
lmey ouaregoing
tofi
reher
…please,pl
easeDobe, i
twil
lputmeat
ease.
GOUTA:(l
aughing)i
sthebi
gbadPhi
l
ipMaot
o
Kgagodi
scaredofshadows?
MAOTO: It’
snotfunnyGouta.I’
m ont heedge,I
havebeenconstantl
ycall
ingourkids’ t
eachers
toseeift
heyarest i
l
lincl
ass.Andal socomi ng
totheoff
icemoreof t
eninsteadofthef ar
m…t o
keepherinmyv i
ew.Youneedt ofi
reher .
GOUTA: BecauseIhadasill
ydream?It’
s
pr
obablyyourfaul
ttoo,al
lyouri
deasofher
want
ingmyl if
e,andthenmeseei nghernear
Ameli
ah’shouse.Butok,It
hinkIknowwhoher
fat
heris.I
’l
lgotal
ktohim andseeifshehas
anyhistor
yofmentali
ll
ness,andifyes,
wehelp
her,
wedon’ tt
hrowhertothecurb…
MAOTO: Ok,sai
ntGouta,butj
ustknowthatif
shet
ouchesmywi f
eorchildr
en,I
’
llki
l
lher,
andI
meanthatli
ter
all
y,Gouta.Noonecomesaf t
er
myfamil
y….
GOUTA:
Ohh,
Ilov
eitwheny
ougoal
lbi
gand
bad…
Cl
i
mbi
nguponhi
slapandki
ssi
nghi
s.
MAOTO: St
op,Gout
a,I
’
m
ser
ious…I
…damn…don’
tdot
hat
…ohwow…
GOUTA: (
whisperinginhisear)doyouwanna
testoutthatki
tIboughtf orourholi
day?(She
pull
edsomet hingf r
om thedrawerashe
dist
ractedhim withakiss,bri
nginghi
shands
togetherandcuf fi
nghim wit
ht hel
eather
handcuffsshej usttookout.
MAOTO:
(laughi
ng)whatt
he…damn…uncuf
fme,
Gout
a…ory
ou’
l
lbesor
ry…
GOUTA: Youmarri
edaswit
ch,mylov
e…Ibot
h
dominateandsubmit
…soexpectt
obecuf
fed
sometimes…
MAOTO:I
.Don’
t.Submi
t.Remember
?Idon’
t
f
oll
ow…Il
ead.
Hemaneuv er
erherunti
lhehadherpi
nned
downthebedandst ar
tedki
ssi
ngher,
pull
ing
thekeysfr
om herhandswit
hhismouthand
uncuff
inghi
mself.
MAOTO: (wi
thherpinnedt othebedbyhi s
massivebody,hedeli
ciouslybitherearashe
roughl
yyankedherhandsupandpi nnedthem
aboveherhead,cuf
fingher, whil
ewhi sper
ingi
n
herear)
MAOTO:I fyouaregonnacuffathug,
my
l
ove…cuffhi
m wi t
hhishandsbehi
ndhis
head…I’
vegott
enoutoftoomanycuf f
stobe
bother
edbythis.Butsmartmove…Iwil
lli
ket
o
seey
oudom someday
…
GOUTA:
Whatar
eyousay
ing,
Maot
o?
MAOTO:Asub…fory
ou…( Wi
nki
ng)Got
tabe
f
emalet
hough,andyouf
indher
…andIgett
o
wat
ch…
GOUTA:
I…uhm…
MAOTO:
Thi
nkabouti
t…now,
wher
ewer
ewe?
Hey ankedherupt oherkneeswi thherhairand
pull
edt heentir
eki tfrom thedrawer ,
wrapped
theblacksilkbli
ndf oldaroundherey es,tyi
ngit
ti
ghtlyagainstherl ongcur l
yweav e.Guidi
ngher
withhishands, hef li
ppedherar oundsot hather
backf acedhim, andhecuf fedherwr i
ststothe
headboar d.
..
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
36

ATAMOTEL

Heknockedi
nthedoorandsheopened.She
wassti
ll
sobbi
ngashehuggedher,ki
ssingt
he
t
opofherhead.
ONIKA:Whatifshei
sright
,Ken?Whati
fDesi
s
cheati
ngonmeandI ’
mt oodumbtoeven
noti
ce?Itnev
erusedtobethi
sway…hespent
ti
mewi thmeandall
…
KWAPA: Hey ,don’
tthi
nkl
ikethat
,ok?Ifheis
cheati
ngt henheisabast
ar danddoesn’
t
deserveyou,butfornowpleasedon’
tstress
yoursel
f,ok?
ONIKA:Hesaysheisfinewithoutushaving
bi
ologi
calki
dstoget
herbecauseweal ready
havePoppyandLot,butIdon’tknow…Ifeell
ike
suchaf
ail
ure…
KWAPA: Youarenotafai
l
ure,Ni
ka,don’
tthi
nk
l
ikethat…didyouchooseyoucondi
ti
on?No.So
stopit
…
Hecaressedhershoul
der
sandt ur
nedar
ound
t
oplaceasoftkissonherl
ips.
KWAPA: Sorry,Ishoul
dhav edonethat
…i t
’s
j
ust…Idon’ tevenknowwhyamanwoul dl eav
e
allt
histospendni ght
saloneinahotelroom…
(Hepulledhercl oserandkissedher
passionately,
thenpulledback)Ibet
tergo,
Nika…don’ tstressyoursel
f,ok?

*
***
***
**

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Bany
anapl
oppedher
sel
font
hecouch.She
wasn’tint hemoodt odealwithSega’ s
annoyingness, soshe’ dcomet ot heirhouse.
Shef l
ippedt hroughherphoneandsel ecteda
photot hey’dtakent ogetheradaybef oreshe
l
ef t
,atthedoct or ’
sannual part
y.They ’dlooked
l
ikesuchaper fectcouple…Coltoncoul dpul lof
f
asuit,thehandsomemot herf
ucker…andshe’ d
l
ookedal l
sor t
sofy ummyi nhergol denand
blacksequi neddr essandnudeLoubout i
n’s.
Col
ton’
sco-workerhadt
akenthenphotoas
Col
tonstar
edinhereyesandkissedher
.
Sheuploadedi
tint
oInst
agr
am wit
ha
#LoveLi
vesHer
eand#DoctorFami
ly
Thedooropenedandhewal
kedi
n.
BANYANA:
Colt
…It
houghty
ouwer
ecomi
ng
backt
omor
row?
COLTON:
Thati
swhyy
ouwer
eoutwhor
ing
about
?
BANYANA:
Iwasn’
toutwhor
ing(
sheal
most
pani
ckedt
hinki
ngofwhatshe’
djustdi
dwi
th
Kwapaint
hecar)
COLTON: Thenwherewerey ouwhenIgot
home?Anddon’ tyoudar
eliebecauseI
checkedatSega’sandatyourfamil
yint
he
vi
ll
age.
BANYANA:
Iwaswi
thPhy
ll
is…
COLTON:Whatdi
dIsayaboutt
hatl
owl
i
fe?(
He
hel
dherbyt
hechin,
squeezi
nghar
d)
BANYANA: Youdon’
tgett
otel
lmewhomy
fr
iendsar
e…
COLTON:Oh,reall
y?Youungrat
eful
li
tt
lebi
tch.
NowIdon’tgettotel
lyouthi
ngsaft
erIpi
cked
youfr
om t
hegut t
erandmadey ousomethi
ng?
Youarel
i
terall
ymypr oper
ty.
BANYANA:
Whyar
eyousomean?
COLTON:I
’
m notmean,i
tst
hetrut
handyou
knowit
.Af
tery
ourl
it
tl
epornvi
deo,yout
hink
anymanwouldwantyou?Wanttomarryyou?
Whowouldwanttotaket
hattothei
rmother?
Youar
ejustasper
m dump,that
’swhatTshepe
usedy
oufor…
Shestar
tedsobbi
ngthinki
ngofwhatTshepe
sai
d,andwhathappenedwithKwapaearl
ier
.He
pull
edhercl
oser,
huggingherandki
ssi
ngher
head.
COLTON:ButIloveyou,B,Idon’
tcareaboutal
l
that
…Il
oveyou,ok?Aintnobodyloveyouthe
wayIdo,notevenyoursist
er,y
ouknowhow
j
udgementalshealwaysisofyou,r
ight
?
Shenodded…
COLTON:Youwi l
lneverf
indamanwhowi l
l
l
oveyoudespit
eev er
ythi
ngthat’
swr ongwith
you,
thewayIdo,ok?Youknowi t’
strue…So
whenIsaynoPhy l
li
s,Imeanit,
ok,unlessyou
wantmetoleavetoo?Doy ou?
BANYANA:
No…
COLTON:
ThennoPhy
ll
is,
shei
sacheapwhor
e.
Shenoddedandwipedhertear
sasheunzipped
hi
spantsandpull
edhertoherknees,
bri
ngi
ng
herheadtowar
dhisal
readyhardmember…

*
***
***
**

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Hepul
ledt
othegateandhonked.Waronacame
outwi
thanover
nightbagandgoti
nthecar.
WARONA:
Whatt
ooksol
ong?
KWAPA:Oh,Ihadt
ochangeat
ir
e,myphone
di
ed,
Iwouldhavecal
l
ed.
WARONA: (smil
ing)Noprobl
em…I ’
m sogl
adwe
ar
edoingthis,
somet i
mesitall
getsso
over
whelming,ki
ds…work,ev
erythi
ng.
KWAPA:AndI
’mthereforyout
hroughi
tal
l…
j
ustr
eachout
,Warona.Il
oveyou?Don’
tpush
meaway…
Theydrov
eint
othehotel
andhecol
l
ect
edt
hei
r
keyandwentt
otheroom.
WARONA: Ij
ustwanttoapologise…butI’
m so
scared,Ken.Myi deaofaf at
herandahusband
i
snotper fect…Igrewupwat chi
ng…wat chi
ngmy
fatherhurtmysisterandIwashel pl
ess…and
thenev er
ythi
ngt hathappenedtome…t hat’
s
whyIhol donsot i
ghtwhenitcomest oVani…
KWAPA:
Whatdoy
oumean‘
hur
tyoursi
ster
?’
WARONA: Nevermind…all
I’
m sayingis,
Ididn’
t
growupwithmuchesteem formen.Inev er
wantedtobeli
kemymot her,aman’spuppet ,
andI’
m soscaredofbecomingthattoyou…
KWAPA: Never…Ilovey
oubecauseyouare
str
ongandindependent
.Idon’
twantthatt
o
change,
I’
mj ustsayi
ngtr
eatmeli
keyou
husband,
please…comeon,
joi
nmei
nthe
shower…I
’m al
lsweat
y…

*
***
***
**

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE
AMELI
AH:
Leav
ethen…whyar
eyoust
il
lher
e?
LENTSWE:
Idon’
twantt
ogoany
mor
e
AMELI
AH:
Why
?It
’swhaty
oudoaker
e.
LENTSWE: Becausei
tupset
syou…Idon’
twant
todoanythi
ngthatupset
syou…let
’sj
usttal
k
i
nstead…
AMELI
AH:
Aboutwhat
?
LENTSWE:Ameli
ahCul
l.Whohurtyou?Whyare
yousocl
osedi
n?Whydoy ouhi
dether eal
you
andwantsomuchpeoplet
oacceptthe
per
sonayoupr
esent
?
AMELI
AH:Ify
ouaregoi
ngt
opsy
choanal
yseme,
youmi
ghtaswel
ll
eave…
LENTSWE: Ok, I
’
llst
art,t
hepat heti
ct alet hatis
myl if
e.Somymom di ed,anday earl atermy
dadbr oughti nanotherwoman.Mar ried
her…shewast hemostev i
lpersonIhadev er
encount ered.Turnedmei ntothehousesl ave
andbeatmeasshewi shed…noonedi d
any t
hing, notmyf ather,
notmyuncl es,notmy
grandpar ents.Noonecar ed…atonepoi nt,
whenIwas11Ir anawayandIwasast reetkid
fortwoy ear…youknow, thel i
kesbabar obalang
underabr idgeandpi ckfoodf rom t
he
trashcans?Thedi rt
ylit
tl
epi ckpockets?Yup,
thatwasme.
AMELIAH: (
tear
ingup)howcoul
dyourfamil
ybe
socruel?Thenhowdidyouendupfi
nishi
ng
yourstudi
esandall
.
LENTSWE: Ther
ewasnoli
feonthestr
eet…my
probl
em i
s,I’
mtoosmar
t.SoeventhenIknew
therewasnol i
feformei fIdidn’tgetan
educat ion.Iwentbackhome, andafterbeggi
ng
myf ather,Iwassentbackt oschool and
repeat edagr ade.Stuckoutt heabuse
throughoutpr imary,j
uniorandseni or…oneday
whenIwasi nformt hr
eeshehi tmewi t
habrick
ont heheadandIwasbl eedingsomuchI
fainted…wokeupi nthesamespot ,f
oundanol d
cloth,tiedthewoundandwentt othehospit
al.
Any way ,yea,i
twasbad…butIpassedand
event uall
ywentt oKorea.
AMELI
AH:
I’
m sor
ry…
LENTSWE: Don’
tbe,
nowyou…whathappened
toyou,
Liah?Whohurty
ou?
AMELIAH:Myfather
…startedwhenIwasj
ust
ten…Ir
ememberedithurtsobad…
LENTSWE: Youdon’
thav
etot
alkany
mor
e,
Li
ah…I’
m sorry
…
AMELI
AH:
No,
Iwantt
o…Inev
ert
alkt
oany
one
aboutitbef
ore.Iknewi twaswr ong,andIfel
t
ashamedt otell
…butwhenIwas12It ol
dmy
mom.Shet oldmeIwasdi sgusti
ng,
howIcoul d
evencomeupwi thli
eslikethat…tol
dmei fI
evertol
danyone, t
hey’dt hr
owmeoutont he
str
eets.Shest artedtor esentmesomuch.
She’dtakeColtandWaroutandl eavemeat
home…boughtt hem newsst uf
fandneverme…
LENTSWE:(pul
li
ngherclosetohim asshe
l
eanedherheadonhisshoulder.Hewipedher
str
eam oft
earsandkissedhereyel
ids)
.I’
m so
sorr
yLi
ah…sosorry…
AMELI AH: If
eltsor ej
ect ed…shesai dIwast he
devi
l’schil
dandbel ongedt oSatan…Ijust
want edtobelikemysi blings…It r
iedsohar dto
belikeWar …studiedlawandal l(snif
fl
ing)it
kepthappeningt hroughoutseni orschool and
eventual
lywhenIwentt ouni Irefusedtocome
home.Mom wasaddi ctedt opainmedsandI
usedt opraythatshe’ ddi e.Whenshedi dI
t
hrewapar
tyi
nmydor
m.
LENTSWE:
Didy
oursi
bli
ngsknow?
AMELI AH: Eveniftheydi
d,whatcoul
dtheydo?
Theywer eki dsthemselv
es…andmyf atheri
s
AugustusCul l
,hewastoplawyerandbadass
guy.Not hingIcoul ddowouldtouchhi
m.When
Iwasol der ,IfoundoutIwasn’
tevenhis…
probablyt her easonheusedtobeatmamaup
somuch…
Hepull
edhercl
oserandhuggedherforthe
l
ongestti
me,hi
stearswett
inghershoul
der
thr
oughherbl
ouse.WhydoesAugustusCullget
todothatt
oherandwal kf
ree?Somehow
karmaseemedtonotbeactingatal
lint
his
caseandhecoul
dn’ttakei
t!

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
37

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Ameli
ahwokeupt
oherphoner
ingi
ngand
pi
ckedup.
AMELI
AH:
Col
t?
COLTON:Heypr
incess,
what’
sup!Kegor
eyour
bigbr
ocomeshomeandy oudon’
tevenbot
her
tocomeseeme?
AMELI AH:(
laughing)MybigbroknowswhereI
stay…howarey ou?Howi syourwif
e?Areyou
beingnicet
oher ,Colt
?Don’tbel
ikedaddy
,I
knowy ougetroughwi tht
heladi
es…
COLTON: Aww,Li
ah,youknowI ’
m ni
ce…soyou
arecomingtodad’
sdinnert
onight?Someof
ouraunti
esanduncl
esarearound,Warandher
famil
y,Gi
giandherfamil
y…andofcourseme
comi
nghome…
AMELI
AH:
Col
tyouknowIdon’
tli
keseei
ng
hi
m…
COLTON:Don’
tbedramat
icLi
ah,howdowe
expl
ainy
ounotbei
ngatafamil
ygather
ing?
AMELIAH: Thesamewayyouexplai
nedmy
fat
herrepeatedl
yrapi
ngme…bysayi
ngnot
hing!
COLTON: Comeon,Amel
i
ah!Don’
tst
artupshi
t!
Thatshi
twasalongti
meago…
AMELIAH: Longtimeago?So,am Isupposedto
j
ustforgetthatandmoveon?Jeez,y ouarej
ust
l
ikehimy oupieceofshi
t!Fucky
ou, Colt
on.
COLTON:
So,
arey
oucomi
ng?
AMELIAH:
Nxl
a(shehangupandt
hrewher
phoneont
hebed…
Lent
swest
ir
redbesi
deherandt
hensatup.
LENTSWE:
hey
…what
’swr
ong?
AMELI AH:(wipi
ngtear
s)Myfamil
yacti
nglike
nothinghappenedwhentheydamnwellknowi t
did.Theyarehavingafami
lygat
heri
ngatmy
father’
shouse.
LENTSWE:
Arey
ougoi
ng?
AMELI
AH:
Whatchoi
cedoIhav
e?
LENTSWE:
Tonotgo?
AMELIAH:Andhav eall
theaunt
iesonmycase
abouti
t…nah.Justafewhoursanditwi
l
lbe
over
.

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Goutastr
etchedandsnuggl
edcl
osert
oher
husband…
MAOTO:(
kissi
ngher)Dumel
amma-
Mot
heo,
howwasyournight
?
GOUTA: (gri
nning)Peaceful
…sleptlikeababy.
(Shepickedupherphoneandcheckedher
messagest hensighed)DinneratAugust us’
.
JustwhenIt houghtmydaywasst art
ingwell
…
twopeopl eI
’m defi
nitel
ynotlookingtosee
unlessIhavenochoi ce.Mypar ents.
MAOTO: I’
m notgoingtocommentbecauseal
l
youeversaywhenIaskwhyy ouhat
eyour
motheristhatIdon’
tunder
stand.
GOUTA: Becausesheisani r
responsi
ble
woman!Doy oueverseemewant i
ngmy
chi
ldr
ennearher ?No!Becauseshewas…wel l,
notcar
efulwithme.Hadmencomi ngi
nand
outofthehouseand…i t
’snotsafewheny ou
haveagirlchil
d.
MAOTO: Yea,butnowsheismarri
edandIdon’
t
t
hinkAugustuswouldal
lowthat
…
GOUTA:Augustus…yearight!Comeon,of
fto
bed,
wehav ethreebrat
st obatheandf
eed.I
makethefoodandy oubat hethem?
MAOTO: WhydoIgott obet heonetobathe
them?Mma- Bsplasheswat erall
overand
l
aughs, andthelit
tl
et hingbi
tmet heotherday
thenshel aughed!Pri
ncesst hi
nkssheisli
tt
le
missi ndependentandcandoal lonherown,
whi chtakes72hours, andRascalpl
ainl
y
refusestoshower ,r
unsof fandmakesme
chasehi m!
GOUTA: (laughi
ngandki ssinghi
m)yougott
a
bathethem becausey oucan’tcookmylov
e.
Besides,Icall
eddibs.IsaidIwascooki
ngfi
rst
.
So,gogetspl ashed!

*
***
***
**

ATAHOTEL
War
onaandKwapacheckedoutandwal
kedt
o
t
hecarhandi
nhand.
WARONA:(smil
i
ng)Thiswassuchagoodi
dea
myl
ove.If
eelsoref
reshed…
KWAPA: Right!Weshoul ddothismor eof ten.
Wear ebecomi ngat ypi
cal
couple,uncleKK
oncesai dther easonmostmar ri
agesf ailke
gor ebathobal ebalagojol
aaftermarriage.You
stopt aki
ngy ourwifetodatesandmaki ng
effort
s.Promi segor efr
om nowonr ajol aakere?
(Kissi
nghercheek)
WARONA:(l
aughi
ng)Wait
sekanaKKenebat
ho!
Hemusthavebeensomethi
ngonhi
sheyday
s.
Shepulledthepassangerseat,
whichhadbeen
sli
ghtl
ypushedbackbuty ester
dayshedidn’
t
botherfi
xingi
tbecauseshewant edtol
iedown.
Asshemov edherhandundertheseattograb
theseatlever
,shefel
tapieceofclot
hand
pul
l
edoutsomel
acepant
ies.
WARONA:(hol
dingthem up)Real
ly,
Kenneth?
Real
l
y?Onacary outakeyourchi
ldr
enaround
i
n?Ij
a,wai
tsewenarra(cl
appingonce)
KWAPA: ComeonWar …Idon’
tknowwhot hose
bel
ongt o…Iborr
owedmycart othedeli
ver
yguy
att
hev atcli
nicl
astweekwhenthev anwasn’
t
worki
ng.Hecoul dknowwherethosearefr
om.
WARONA: AndIt ooky ourcartothecarwash
yesterdaymor ning,theygavemeev er
ythi
ng
thatwasi nthecar ,andt her
ewer enopanti
es…
opadi l
ewai tse.Afterthatgotaabogotwe
War onaor il
e.Idon’ tevenhavetearsanymore
(getti
ngoutoft hecaranddi al
li
ngGouta’s
number )
KWAPA:
War
onacomeon…
WARONA: Ae,
nnar r
agolekanejaanong…i
t’
s
enough!Ican’
tanymore,l
emal wetsiwago
ntel
akamal wetsi
.Didyouatleastusea
condom?Wasi tOnika?Whenwasi t?Ri
ght
beforey
oupi ckedmeup, r
ight
?Thatwasthe
delay?(Cr
ying)Youknowwhat ?Idon’
teven
care.Mysi
st erispickingmeup, soyoucango.
I’
l
lseeyoulat eraft
erwor k.

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Banyanawokeupt othesmel loff

resh
breakfastandasshewal kedintotheliving
room, atablewassetf ortwo,withfresh
fl
ower s.Sheroll
edherey es.That’
swhathedi d,
allt
het i
me.Br eakherspiri
twithnast ywor ds
andt henapologieswithhissweetl i
ttl
e
nothings.Colt
onwast hemostmani pulati
ve
personshe’ devercomeacr oss.Heknewshe
couldtechnicall
yleav
e, hewasn’tholdingher
withany t
hing,soheal t
ernat
edt heabusewi t
h
acti
ngal lsweet.Andshewassuchasucker
becauseshef
ell
fori
tal
lthet
ime.
COLTON:
MrsCul
l
…I’
m aty
ourser
vice…
BANYANA: Aww,babe…youdidn’
thav
e
to…l
ooksdeli
ci
ous.Thankyou.
COLTON: Formylady?Anyt
hi ng.Toldyouno
onelov
esy outhewayIdo,right ?Ir
anyoua
bat
hwi t
hy ourf
avouri
tesal
ts, scent
sandall
…go
di
pforabi twhi
leIf
ini
shmaki ngbr eakf
ast
…
BANYANA: Thisi
ssocut e…(Shet ookouther
phoneandsnappedaf ewpictures.Colt
on
cameandj oi
nedheratthetableandshet ook
moreself
iesofbothofthem togetherashe
ki
ssedhercheekwhileshepickedupa
str
awberr
ydippedincream andbi ti
ntoit
)
COLTON:Runal
ongnow,
wehav
etogot
omy
dad’
slat
er…
BANYANA:
Yourdadmakesmener
vous…
COLTON:
I’
ll
bet
her
e,i
twi
l
lal
lbeokbabe,
run
al
ong,
goshower
…
Thebathwasalsosobeaut
if
ul wi
thf
reshfl
ower
petal
sfl
oati
ngonthefoamedwater,
andthe
scent
edcandlesmadethewholebat
hroom
smelldi
vi
ne.Maybehewasn’tsobadaft
erall
…
Shesnappedanot herpicture,thengotinunti
l
shewascov eredbythef oam, andsnapped
anotherpict
ur eandlaidback, posti
ngthem on
Inst
agram wi t
ht hecaption‘ Marryadoctor
…
andsev er
alhear temoji’
s’ and
#BreakfastWithBae,#HeI sAmazi ng
#Livi
ngTheDr eam

ATKGAGODIFARM MANAGEMENT
Goutasatathertablegoingthr
oughpaperwor k
whil
eMaot oplay
edwi thAasainhercarr
ycot .A
gi
rli
nLavenderAr t
isanbakery’
swhit
eshirtand
pur
pleformalski
rtuniform wal
kedi
nholding
Gouta’
sorderofcroissantsandcof
fee.I
twas
socoolt
hatt
hebakeryhadst
art
edadel
i
ver
y
ser
vicet
onearbypl
aces.
GI
RL:Goodaft
ernoonma’
am,
sir
…Ihav
eyour
or
derpl
ease…
Shewasacut egir
l,notsl
im butal
sonotbig,
j
usttherightkindofbuil
d,notmodelknockout
oranyt
hing,butshewasqui tepret
ty,
andher
mannerswer eimpeccable.
GOUTA:
Thanky
ou…howmuchdoIowey
ou?
GI
RL:Itwi
ll
beP106.
90,
ma’
am…(
handi
ngher
t
herecei
pt)
SheopenedherwalletandgaveheraP200
not
eandwat chedherasshef umbledwi
tht
he
moneypursetolookforthechange.
GOUTA:
It’
sfi
ne,
keept
hechange…
GI
RL:
Butma’
am…
GOUTA:
Yourt
ip…Il
i
key
ourmanner
s…
GI
RL:
(smi
l
ing)I
’
m gl
ady
ouar
epl
easedma’
am.
GOUTA:Idi
dn’
tknowtheyhadgir
lsdoi
ng
del
i
ver
y…lastt
imeitwasaguy.
GIRL:I
’mjusthelpingoutthedeli
veryguy
becausetherewer esomanyor ders,soheis
taki
ngupt hatof
ficeblockandI’m doingt
his
one.Ithi
nkwear et heonl
ybakeryplacethat
doescoffeedeli
veriesl
ikethi
s.
GOUTA:
Alr
ight
,letmenotkeepy
out
hen.
Shewat
chedherl
eav
ingandsmi
l
ed.
MAOTO:
Shei
scut
e…
GOUTA:
Idi
dn’
tnot
ice.
MAOTO:Goodmanner
stoo…bowst
o
aut
hor
it
y…
GOUTA:
Stopi
t…
MAOTO:
Iknowy
ouwer
econsi
der
ingi
t…
GOUTA:
(bl
ushi
ng)wasnot
!
MAOTO:
Alr
ight
…ify
ousayso.Hernamet
ag
saysKedibonye,so,yea…Kedi
bonyewako
Lavenderbakeryincaseyouareeverl
ooki
ng
forher…(hechuckledandpickedAasa,
walki
ng
totheotherroom tochangeher)
.
*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
38

ATTHECULLHOUSE

Ameli
ahinthekit
chengetti
ngmoreicewhi
l
e
ther
estofthefamil
ywasoutinthepati
oas
August
us’maidsfi
nisheddi
nner
.
August
uswalkedinandsl appedherbottom
wit
hasqueezeandl aughed.Sheturnedaround
tosl
aphim buthecaughtherhandmi d-air
.
AUGUSTUS:
whydoyouhateme,
Ameliah?Why
somuchani
mosi
tyf
oryourownf
ather
?
AMELI
AH:
Youar
enotmyf
ather
!
AUGUSTUS: Youar est
il
l onthatti
p?Yout hi
nk
yourl
unaticmotherwoul dhaveli
vedasl ongas
shedidifshewentoutandhadabast ar
d?That
youwouldhavelived?No, youaremi ne,
pri
ncess…Ihady outested(Caressingher
cheekandAmeliahslappedhi shandaway ),so
whysomuchhat eforyourdaddy ,
huh?
AMELIAH: Youaresi
cki nthehead, honestl
y,
Augustus.Soyouhadt hener v
etor apeyou
ownf l
eshandbloodandy ouaskmewhyIhat e
you?Whydaddy ,j
usttellmewhy …Ihatet oask
thi
s,butwhyme?Iwast hey oungest…(Sobbing)
Iwasonlyten…youstolemyi nnocence!How
couldyou?
AUGUSTUS: Whydoesthesunshine, Ameliah?I
don’tknow,ok?Youthi
nkIeverintendedf or
thi
st ohappen?Tohavesuchthought sabout
myy oungestdaught
er?Todosucht hings?You
areright
,I’
m si
ck…
AMELI AH:Don’tplayv i
ctim!Youst olemy
i
nnocence.I’
lldiehatingy ou.Isti
llonlycome
hereforthesakeoft hef amily.Enjoy
di
nner…careful,
Imi ghthav epoisonedy ou…had
enoughtimei nthekitchen.(Shel aughedand
star
tedwalkingaway )
AUGUSTUS: OhsweetLi ah…t henI ’l
l j
ustf eed
all
myf oodtoy ourpreciousl i
tt
leni ece…shei sa
beauty,
thatSebagai s(chucklingandwi nki ngat
her)
.Peoplesayshei shermot her ’
sdaught er
becauseofthatf astmout h.Idisagr ee.Gout a
mayhav ealit
tlemor espunkt hatWar ona, andI
l
ikethat,
butshei sstil
lnotaf ireball l
i
key ou.
ButSebaga…thatonei sabor nr ebel,j
ustl ike
herauntyLi
ah…nowondery out wogetal ongso
well
.Iwouldn’tbesurprisedifshehadni ppl e
ri
ngsat14l i
key oudid.
AMELIAH:(
mov i
ngri
ghti
ntohisf
aceand
squar
ingwi
thhim)youevenl
ookatherwrong
once,
Augustus,
IswearI
’
llsl
i
tyourt
hroatand
shovey
ourti
nyshri
vel
l
edl i
tt
ledickthroughthe
sl
it
.Youar
eright
,Iam yourdaughterafteral
l
!
Shewal
kedoutspi
tt
ingabar
rageofcussesat
hi
m.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebatsopul
l
edinandtookasleepi
ngMaduo
offt
hecarseatwhi
leKedigotNeo.
KEDI:I
jo,daycareknocksthem out
!Cany ou
bel
ievehowhar diti
swhenIhav etotakeat axi
aft
erIpickthem up!Maduoasleep,Neoasleep,
andthenMaduo’ sbackpackandNeo’sdiaper
bag.
TEBATSO:That
’swhyweneedt ogety
ou
dri
vi
ng.We’
llst
artdr
ivi
ngl
essonstomorr
ow.
Howwaswor
k?
KEDI:Spentthedayhelpingwithdeliveri
es, so
I’
m knockedoutmy sel
f.Ididadeliveryf orsuch
acutecouple.Womenl ikethataresol ucky ,she
runsherbusiness,
andshehadherhusband
andbabycomeov erandt heywer ejustchilli
ng
i
nherof f
ice,canyouimagine!That ’
stheki ndof
womanIr espect,t
heyhav ethei
rpriorit
iesright,
evenwithsomanyr esponsibil
it
iesascompany
CEO,shedoesnotnegl ectherfami l
y.Itwas
nicetosee.
TEBATSO: AndIbelievey ouarethatkindof
womant oo.You’dnev erneglectDuoandNeo.
Bytheway ,myfatherishav i
ngaf amilyget
toget
hersoonandIwanty outocomewi t
hme.
Iwanthimt omeety ouandMaduoandNeo.
AndI’
m sti
llwai
tingf oryoutoagr eetomeetmy
mom.
KEDI:Idon’tknowTebat
so…Ij
ust
…ar
en’
twe
rushi
ngthings?
TEBATSO:Whywait?Ilovey ou,andIknowy ou
l
ov emedespit
ethefactthatyourholi
erthan
thoucousi
nispoi
soningy ourhead.Idon’
t
knowwhatshehasagai nstme, andIdon’tgi
ve
ashit
.
KEDI:Oni
kaisjustl
ookingoutf
orme, she
meansnohar m.LetmeputNeot obedandget
outofthi
sunif
ormt henI’
ll
makedinner.Wake
Maduoup, heneedstohavehisdi
nner.

*
***
***
**

ATTHECULLHOUSE

Ev
eryonesatar
oundthedi
nnert
abl
east
he
maidsst
art
edservi
ng.
AUGUSTUS:Toast…t
ofamil
y.Mybeauti
fulwi
fe,
Gabo,
thankyouforar
rangi
ngal
lthi
s.Colt
,
welcomehomemyboy.Beaut
if
ulNnyana,
as
l
ovelyasal
way
s,Iseey
ouarekeepi
ngmyboy
happy.
Bany anasmilednervousl
yandlookedaway
from him asColtsqueezedherhand
reassuri
nglyunderthetabl
eandsmi l
ed,whi
l
e
biti
ngdownonhi sli
pstostophimsel
ffr
om
sayingsomet hi
ng.
COLT:
Thanky
ouf
orhav
ingus,
fat
her
…Gabo.
AUGUSTUS: Warona,
andKenneth, sameasy ou
MaotoandGouta,wedon’tseeyouenough
ar
oundhere,youshouldbr
ingmygr andkids
ar
oundmor eoft
en.Sweet,sweetli
ttleLiah,
l
iv
ingsonearbybutIhardl
yseey ou.
Amel
i
ahsmi
rkedandl
aughedsar
cast
ical
l
y.
AUGUSTUS: Mychil
dren,si
bli
ngs,brot
hers…my
sist
ers.Iti
ssohappyt hatwearefinal
lyall
together.Thi
siswhati t
’sal
laboutaft
erall,
famil
y .I
sn’
tit
?IwishIsawmygr andchil
dren
mor e,
theydoneedt oknowt heirgrandpar ent
s.
Comeher e, Pr
incess,comesi tongr andpa’s
l
ap…( l
aughing)Imeant hey oungerpr incess,t
he
ol
derPr i
ncessi snowal it
tl
et oobigf or
grandpa’
sl ap,i
sn’tshe( hesai dl
ooki ngdirect
ly
atAmel i
ah)Sebaga, didy ouknowaunt yLiah’
s
ni
cknamei sPrincesstoo…comeher e, comesay
hell
otogr andpa…
BothGoutaandAmel i
ahf
lewoutoft
hei
rseat
s
anddashedforSebagaasshet
riedt
omakeher
waytoAugustus.
AMELIAH:Shecansayhi wit
houtcomi ngtoyou!
ComeonSebaga…l etsgoov erther e.I
’
llt
akethe
ki
dstothesmal lertable.Navani,getMannyand
gotothesmallertable.ComeonTheoand
Pri
ncess.I
’l
lgetmmaB…( Tot hemai d)I’
l
leat
wit
hthekidsov erthere,fi
xuspl ates.

Gout
alookedatAmel
i
ahcur
iousl
yasshehel
d
Sebagat
ight
lyandl
edheraway
.

*
***
***
***

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

Tshepeinbedwi
thhi
swi
feandki
ds,
readi
ng
them astor
y.
TSHEPE:
Andt
heyl
i
vedhappi
l
yev
eraf
ter
,the
end!
DANI
ELLA:
Mor
e,pl
easedaddy
,justonemor
e…
TSHEPE: (
laughing)more?Lit
tl
elady,we
alr
eadyreadthreestori
es!Youaregoingto
sl
eep,youngmadam!See, Darii
salr
eady
passedout!Besides,mamaneedsherr estt
o
keepthebabygr owing.
DANI
ELLA:
(sul
ki
ng)f
ine,
butI
’
m notsl
eepy
!Oh,
byt
hewaythatladyonabi
kesaidtotel
lyouhi
toy
oudaddy,shecametoourschool
.
TSHEPE:(
pani
cki
ng)whatl
adyonabi
kebaby?
Didshedoany
thi
ngtoyou?Di
dshedoanyt
hing
toDari
?
DANI ELLA: (yawningandst retching)Idon’ t
know…( Shrugging)somel ady …shej ustwalked
i
ntoourschool andcamet omeandsai d‘hey
Daniell
a, howar ey ou’andIt oldherI ’
mf i
neand
thensheaskedmewhatwewer edoi ngandI
tol
dheri twaspl ayti
mesoIwaspl ayi
ng.Then
theteachercameoutandwaswal kingtowar ds
us,sot heladygotonherbi keandwasl eav i
ng
thenshesai d‘ Dani,tel
lyourdaddyIsai dhi’and
shewentof f.That’sallshesai d,y ouknowI
rememberev eryt
hingdaddy .Am Ii ntrouble?I
knowI ’
m notsupposedt ot alktost r
angers…
TSHEPE:(
pani
cked)I
fyoueverseeheragai
n,
yougety
ourbrot
herandr
untot het
eacherand
makehercal
lmeimmediat
ely,y
ouhearme
Dani
?Dani
ell
a!Doy
ouunder
stand?
REBAONE:Tshepe!Don’
tscr
eam ather
…see,
shei
scryi
ng.
TSHEPE:
(huggingher)I’
m sor
rybaby
…daddy
di
dn’
tmeantoy el
l.ButrememberwhatIsai
dto
do?Canyourepeatitf
ordaddy?
DANIELLA:
(sobbing)WhenIseet
hebi kel
ady
agai
nIshouldgetDariandr
untoteacherand
makehercally
ou.
TSHEPE:That’
smyprincess.Youar
enotin
tr
oublebaby…comeon,letmeputyouandyour
brot
hertobed.Yout
woandmamaandt he
babyaremyl i
fe…
DANI
ELLA:
Whatdoest
hatmeandaddy
?
REBAONE:Thaty
ouneedtogotobed.Tshepe,
taket
hem t
othei
rbedr
oom pl
ease.
TSHEPE:Cantheysl
eepher
etoni
ghtReba?
Pl
ease,j
ustf
ortoni
ght?
REBAONE:
Fine.Buty
ouhav
esomeexpl
aini
ng
todo.

*
***
***
**

ATBANYANA’
SMOTHER’
SHOUSE

Bany anadr oveinandpar kedhercarundera

tr
ee.Shesmi r
kedathowt woofheraunt shad
mov edi nsincesheandSegabui l
tthei
rmother
abighouse, connectedelectr
icit
y,andput
somer unningwat er
,nowt heymov edin,int
he
guiseoft akingcareofhermot her,
butwhenhe
mot herwassi ckwit
hcancernooneev encar ed.
Herol dersibli
ngs’ki
dscamer unningtogreet
her.Shedi dn’tunderst
andwhyt hesegirl
sdidn’t
bathet hei
rbabi esatall
.Notthatshewas
ashamedofherf amily
…butcomeon…t hegreat
di
fferencebet weenherot hersibli
ngsand
Sega’
sbabyJadewashighl
yvisi
ble,
wit
hJade
al
waysdressedsocut
eandclean.
Shepi
ckedupJadeandki
ssedher
.
BANYANA:Lookatyou,
aunty’
sbaby!Cut
ti
ng
moret
eethIsee!Howareyoupret
ty?
Segametsicameoutoft hehousewi thamop
andabucket.Sot ypi
calSega,shewast heone
whoendedupcl eaningwhenev ershev i
sit
ed,
despit
ethefactthatfourofhergoodf or
nothi
ngbabymaki ngmachi nesist
ersandt wo
drunkar
dbrother
sl i
vedhere.
SEGAMETSI:(
huggi
ngher)Ij
a,r
aboretlatshel
a
keJadewit
hhersecondmom around?Kana
you’
dthi
nkthi
sgir
ldoesn’
tseemeany more.
Howareyousis?
BANYANA: (l
aughi
ng)j
ealousmosadi !Jadeis
aunt
y’sbaby.Howaretheuselessbitcheswho
l
ivehere?Youneedtostopfeedingthem Sega.
Theyneedtogooutthereandgetj obs.
SEGAMETSI :I
fIdon’tbuyfood,myownmot her
star
ves.Andthekids,theyar
enotatf aul
t,I
cannotleti
nnocentbabiesstar
vebecausetheir
motherswon’tstopopeningthei
rlegs.
Thei
rsi
sterDi
mphowal
kedi
nfr
om adr
inki
ng
spot
.
DI
MPHO: Oh,
ifi
tisn’
tthedoctor
’swi
fe!I
t
houghty
ouweret oogoodforus?
BANYANA: Youlivei
nmyhousewi t
hyour
foot
ballt
eam ofbastar
ds,shutup!And
corr
ecti
ons.Youshouldbesay i
ngIfi
tisn’
t‘t
he
doctor
’,
Ijusthappentobemar r
iedtoanother
doctor
.
DIMPHO:Oh,lookaty ou,sohi
ghand
mighty
…youforgetwher eyoucomef
rom wi
th
yourbi
gcarsandf ancyli
fe…
BANYANA:It
’snotmyfaultt
hatyourlegsar
e
openl
ongerthana24/7petr
olstat
ion.You
wantmyli
fe?Youshouldhavegonetoschool.
Shewalkedi
nandf
oundhermot
heri
nthel
i
ving
room.
MOTHER:Ao,Nnyanabat
ho,myl
astborn!I
t’
s
beensol
ongsinceIsawyoumychi
ld.Howare
you?
BANYANA:I
’mfi
nemot
her
…howi
sthechemo?
Anysi
deef
fect
s?
MOTHER: (wavi
ngherof f
)I’
mf i
ne,don’ty
ou
worr
yaboutme.Themedi ci
nefrom thepri
v ate
doct
orsthatyourhusbandpaysforarewor king
well
.YouareblessedtohavethatmanNny ana,
hol
dont ohim.
Shesighedandlookedaround.Whenshe
noti
cedther
ewasn’tanyonearound,
shelai
don
hermother’
slapandstar
tedcryi
ng.
BANYANA:
Idon’
tknowhowlongIcandot
his
any
moremme…Coltoni
sabusi
ve…
MOTHER:
Doeshehi
tyou?
BANYANA:
Notr
eal
l
y,but
…
MOTHER:Thenwhatareyouwhi
ningabout
?
Leny
alol
eaitshokel
wakgar
ebe.
BANYANA: Hemakesmef eel
so
wort
hless…say
sthatnomanwi l
lev
erl
oveme.
Tr
eatsmel i
keproper
ty.
MOTHER: Youst opthatr ubbishr i
ghtnow
Banyana.Youhav eagoodmanwhot akescare
ofyouandy ourf ami l
y.Hesendsusmoney .
Segamet si’
shusbandi sasol dier,whatthey
giveuscan’tbeenoughf orallthischildr
enhere
thatyoursisterskeepbr i
nging.I ’
m an
unempl oyedsi ckwomanwi thnohusbandand
goodf ornothingsi xotherchi ldren,youand
Segaar ethef ami l
ysalvat i
on.Whaty our
husbandgi vesi sallwehav e.Doy ouforgethow
i
twasf oruswheny ouwer egr owi ngup?ThatI
wasonmydeat hbedbef orehet ookmet oall
thosespecializeddoct ors?Howwesomet i
mes
wenttobedonempt ystomachsgosenal ehae
l
etsabana?Don’
tbeungr
atef
ul.
BANYANA:ButIam sounhappy
,mme…he
tr
eat
smehorri
bly,
hecheatsonmer epeat
edl
y
butf
orbi
dsmetoev enhavemalef
ri
ends…
MOTHER: Yout hinky ouarethef i
rstwomant o
hav eital i
ttl
er ough?Thatmar riageisa
playgroundwher ewheny oudon’ tli
kewhat
happensy ouj ustcr ytoyourmot herandgett o
l
eav e?Basadi babet swamo, theygetcheat ed
on…t heydon’ tgetf ancycar sandexpensi ve
clothesl i
key ou, theydon’tgetsentt of ancy
school abroad, don’tgetgivenal l
owancest hat
aref ourt i
mesmostpeopl e’ssalariesbyt heir
husbands…t heirhusbandsdonot hingfort heir
fami l
y.Youhav ethisluckoffindingamanl ike
thisandy ouwantt oactup?Lookwher ehe
tooky ouf rom?Wher ewouldy ouber ightnow
i
fnotf orthatman?Youwer eamai d,andnow
youar eony ourwayt obecomingadoct or
.
It
shokengwany ana.
*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
39

ATTHEWHOLESALERS

Lentsweandhi
scousi
nsloadedt
hesoftdr
ink
cart
onsandotherf
oodit
emsonthetr
uck.
TEBATSO:Lebol ereki
l
emoomel abanna,
other
wiseauntywil
lhaveafi
t,shesaysshe
needstostar
tmakingthetr
aditi
onalbeert
oday
.
MAOTO: Ohshit
,shespeci
fical
lyt
oldmeand
cal
ledmeagaininafewmi nutesbackt
o
remindme.Letmeruninandgetsome.
Tebatsowalkedov
eratLentswewhost
oodata
di
stancelooki
ngpreoccupi
ed…
TEBATSO:AugustusCul
l
…that
’sacatIdon’
t
messwithri
ghtther
e.
LENTSWE: Yea,
wel
l
,ev
erymanhasa
weakness…
TEBATSO:
Whatdi
dhedot
opi
ssy
ouof
f?
Lent
swejustkeptstar
ingathim.Yester
day
Ameli
ahhadbeensoupsetwhenshecame
fr
om di
nner,sai
dCullharassedheragai
n.And
hewasjustsupposedtowai tf
orkarmatodeal
wit
hthesonofbitch?
Hiseyesdart
edar oundashecount edthe
numberofment hatwer earoundhim.They
l
ookedcasual,l
ikef ri
ends,andwer echat t
ing
andlaughi
ngwitht heoldman, butheknew
bett
erthantounder esti
mateeithert hem orhi
m.
Hiseyeswenttot hecarplatesoft heblack
MercedesBenzhegoti nanddr oveof f.

*
***
***
*
ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Goutawalkedinandf
oundAmel
i
ahwat
eri
ng
herpot
tedplants.
GOUTA:Bat
ho,whydosomegi r
lsgetal
lthe
t
alent
s?Ter
ri
fi
clawyer
,chef
,andagreent humb!
AMELIAH:(
laughi
ng)Gar
deni
ngi
sact
ual
l
yver
y
rel
axi
ng.What’
sup?
GOUTA:Thi
sisgoi
ngtosoundverywei
rd,
andI
don’
tmeantobeoff
ensi
ve…it
’sabout
August
us…
AMELI
AH:
Het
ouchedy
out
oo,
didn’
the?
GOUTA:
Too?Di
dhe…
AMELIAH:Yup…r apedmecont
inual
l
ysi nceI
wasten,f
oreightyears,
whi
l
emymot her
l
ookedaway…
GOUTA: OhmyGod, Liah, I
’m sosor r
y !(
Huggi ng
her )WhenIwasel ev en,hebr i
eflycamei ntomy
mot her ’
sli
fe.Theydi dn’tknowIwashi satt he
ti
me…orGaboknewanddi dn’ttellhi
m or
what ev er
…Idon’ tknow.Mymom usedt ol eave
meal oneal ot,t
ravelli
ngabr oadf orwor k…go
par tying,visi
thermenf riends…somet i
mesev en
bringt hem home.Onedayshewaswor ki nglate
andshecal l
edandt oldmet oopent hedoorf or
herf riendwhowascomi ngov ertovisit
.Idi d.
Heaskedmel ot
sofquest ionsandt henIwas
sleepybecausei twasl ate.Ipassedouti nt he
sof a.Iwokeupt ohimf ondl i
ngmynotev en
ther ebr easts.Iranoutandhi dinanear bydi t
ch
unt i
l Isawmymot her ’
scarcomei n.
AMELI
AH:
Didn’
tdoany
thi
ngabouti
t,di
dshe?
GOUTA: Shepanickedandsentmepackingthe
nextday…toli
vewithmygrandmotheri
nt he
vi
ll
age.Toldfamil
ymember sshewil
lbe
worki
ngabr oadalot,
sothatwaswhyshewas
sendi
ngmet ot
hevil
lage.Shebeggedmenot
totel
lany
oneandshebr i
bedmewi thP800.
Nowy ouseewhyIhateher?
AMELI
AH:
Yea,
whatabi
tch…
GOUTA: Ri
ght?Howi r
responsi blecanamot her
be?Any way ,
thatwasact uall
yt hat’
swhenIf ir
st
metmyhusband…Iwas11andhewas17andI
hadacr ush.Wr otehim al oveletteri
nmycut e
l
itt
lediarythathadhear tsal l
ov er.Helaughed
atmeandshowedt helettertohisf r
iendsand
theylaughed.Thewhol ey earhebul l
iedmeand
call
edmechi ckenlegsbecauseIwassoski nny,
andsai dIwasaBushmanbecauseIwasso
l
ightskinned.Imethi m agai nver ymanyy ears
l
aterafterIgraduatedv arsity
,andhebul l
i
edme
sti
ll
,becauseIdi dn’
tknowhowt odoany
housewor k.
AMELI
AH: (
laughi
ng)wel
l
,that
’sr
omant
ici
na
ver
yst
rangeway …
*
***
***
*

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE

WARONA: (
tomma- Thebe)Aunt ,
santsekeboa
hagomat sale,r
emembert heyarehav i
nga
funct
iontomor r
owforint
roducingMannyt o
thei
rancestorsandwhatever,
somal ume
Kgodumoaskedust ocomehel p.
MMA- THEBE:Okmygi rl,greetShadi f
orme,
thatcrazywoman.Sawmma- Ranewaandher
daught erdr
ivi
ngbyearlier,shesaidshewas
goingt ohel
pShadi wit
ht het r
aditi
onalbeer
,I
woul dhelptoo,butnowaday st hi
soldbody
can’tstandtoolong.Arey ouokWar ona?You
havebeenqui etsinceyesterday .
WARONA:
I’
mfi
neaunt
y…
MMA-THEBE: Youcanli
etoother
s,mygi
rl,
but
notme.Iknowy oul
ikeyouknowyour
sel
f.What
i
seati
ngy ouup?
Shesatdownnextt
oherauntandbr
okedown
cr
ying.
MMA-THEBE:
Ao,
mmagwe-Vani,
whatiswr
ong?
Bonaol
etsal
eManny
!Whathappened?
WARONA: Ifoundpanti
esi nhiscar,aunty…now
notonlyishecheati
ng,hei sthrowingitinmy
face.What’snext
,hi
m br i
ngingthatlosewoman
i
ntomyhouse?Ican’ tdot hi
sany moreaunty,
I
’m notgoingtobeaman’ splaythi
nglikemy
mot her
.I’
mf il
i
ngfordivorcesoon.
MMA-THEBE: Ao!War
ona!Awomandoesn’
t
gi
veupthateasil
y!
WARONA: Sowhatshoul
dIdo?Heliesand
ref
usest
oev ent
ell
thetr
uthabouti
t.I
’mjust
done.
MMA-
THEBE:
Youl
ovet
hatmanWar
ona….
you
can’
tjustl
eav
e.
WARONA: Ha!love, y
ousay !Lookwhatl ovedid
tomama, shest ayedwi thawor thl
esspieceof
shitbecauseofl ove, endedupcommi tti
ng
suicide!I’
m notgoi ngt obet hatwoman.Idon’ t
needany t
hi ngfrom Ken, Icantakecar eofmy
childrenonmyown, hecant akehi sl
ovetohell
i
fitmeansIl i
vei ntears.ButbeforeIdot hat
,
thatlitt
leslutOni kahast olearn!Iam goingto
suet hatgirl t
ohel landback.Shedest royedmy
mar ri
age,let ’
sseehowshel i
kest hetabl
e
turned.

*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Lent
swewal
kedi
nandf
oundherov
ert
hest
ove
cooki
ng.
AMELIAH:Her
e,t
ast
ethi
s…aKor
eanr
eci
peI
foundonl
i
ne…
LENTSWE:Gaer
anmari
….mhhhh,gi
rl
,youknow
howtogett
oaman’sheart
!Il
ovethi
sshit
.
AMELI
AH:Gae,what
?Itsai
dKor
eanr
oll
ed
omel
ett
eonl
ine
LENTSWE:(laughi
ng)y
up,
samethi
ng,
justi
n
hangul
.Li
ah, howmanymendoesy
ourfat
her
usual
lyt
ravelwit
h?
AMELI
AH:BecauseIcar
etocount
.Youwant
somemore?Doesitt
ast
eli
kehowt heKor
eans
makei
t?Maybealit
tl
emoresoysauce?
LENTSWE: I
t’
sdel
i
cious.Doeshealway
strav
el
i
ntheblackMercordoesheswitchcar
s?
AMELIAH:don’tknow,
don’
tcar
e!Setthet
abl
e
formeplease,
dinneri
sal
mostready
.Howwas
yourday
?
LENTSWE:Nothi
ngmuch, l
otsofwork
prepar
ingf
ort
heev enttomorrow.Youar
e
comingwit
hme,right?
AMELIAH:Sur
eifyouwantmet o.I
t’
smy
nephew’
sancest
ralwhat
everanyway.
LENTSWE:Aty
ourdad’
shouse,
isi
tjusthim
andhi
swif
e?Howmanymenst ayt
her e?
AMELIAH:Idon’
tknow,ok!Ther
ewereal ot
whenwegr ewup,peopl
ealwayscominginand
out
.Buthedoesliketohavehi
sSundaysalone,
mostofthemengooutt odowhatever.
LENTSWE:
All
day
?
AMELIAH: Yes,al
lday,whati
swiththetwenty
questi
ons?Myf atheri
snotatopicofinter
estto
me,sodropi t
.Iboughtkimchit
oo,wear e
havi
ngaKor eandinnertoni
ght
.Seatdown, I’
l
l
serv
e.Checkt hi
sout,Ievenmanagedt ofi
nd
someSoj u!
*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Colt
onandBanyanasatonthesofaeachon
thei
rphonewhenthedoor
bellr
ang.
COLTON: Thatbet
ternotbeoneofyourcheap
whorescomingtomyhouse.Phyll
isshowedup
ear
li
erandIthrewherout.
BANYANA: Bet
ternotbeoneofyourcheap
hoesbecauseIwil
lchokeabi
tch.
Shepul
l
edonagownandwal
kedtot
hegat
e,
fi
ndi
nganol
derwomanwi
thachi
l
d.
BANYANA:
Dumel
angmma,
canIhel
pyou?
WOMAN: Dumelangwanaka,
I’
m mma-
Phat
shi
mo, i
srr
e-Cul
lhome?
BANYANA:
(yel
l
ingf
orCol
ton)Babe…i
t’
s
someonef
ory
ou.
Col
toncamet
othegat
etopl
ess.
COLTON:(
looki
ngatt
heol
dlady
)forme,
are
yousur
e?
BANYANA:
Wel
l
,unl
essshei
slooki
ngf
ory
our
fat
her
.
COLTON:
Wat
huswa?
Bany
anahi
thi
m wi
thherel
bow
BANYANA:
Col
t!
COLTON:
(laughi
ng)What
?Imi
ghtaswel
lget
tot
hepoi
nt.
MMA- PHATSHI MO: Youareright,l
etmegetto
i
t.Idon’thav
eanyot herwayt osayt hi
s.My
daughterPhatshimo,thi
sisherson.She
commi tt
edsuicidenotsolongago, shewas
havingrel
ati
onshipproblems.Final
lyherol
d
fr
iendtoldusy ouwerethefather.I
’m anol
d
womanandIhav enot
hingtogivetot hi
schi
ld,
soI’
vecometoaskfory
ourhelp.Thel
ate
mother
’sf
ri
endhasbeenhel
pingwithmoney
,
butwecan’
tdependonher
.
COLTON:
What
?
BANYANA:I
jo,nnar
rawaitsegakedi t
sene,
I’
ll
beint
hehouse.AndI’
m notrai
singsome
or
phanbast
ardColt
on,dealwit
hi t
!
COLTON: Youdon’thav
et orai
seanyt
hing
becauseit
’snotmychild.Whothehel
lis
Phatshi
moev en?
MMA-PHATSHI
MO:Herfri
endOni
katol
dusof
you…y
ouknewt
hem t
hreeyear
sago.
COLTON:IvaguelyrememberthenameOni ka.
Ohh,somegir
lswhousedt oworkatt hat
baker
ywegotcr epesattheot
herdaybabe.
Theyaret
ri
pping,youknowthat,
rightbabe?
BANYANA:(r
aisi
ngherhands)Gakedi tsene!
LeavemeoutofitCol
ton.Thatbast
ardisnot
l
ivi
nginmyhousethough!Givethem money,
whatev
er,
butwedon’
thav
eti
met
orai
sesome
chi
l
d!
Shewalkedof
ftothehouseleavi
nghim att
he
gate,
thenwal
kedbackofftothem whenColt
on
fol
l
owedher,l
eavi
ngtheoldwomanatt hegate.
BANYANA: Look,mme, wewill
havetoconfi
rm
thechi
ld’
spat ernit
y.Ifi
ndeedheismy
husband’
s,hewi l
lpaymai nt
enance.Fornow
ther
ereall
yi snothingwecanhel pyouwith,
we
arenotgoingtot akecareofsomechi ldwe
don’
tknow.Letmet akeyourphonenumber
andIwill
cal ly
out omor r
ow.
Aftert
aki
ngthephonenumbershewentof
fto
thehouseyel
li
ng.
BANYANA: Thi
si stoomuchCol ton!Toomuch!
Idealwit
hyourabusi ve,mani
pulati
ve,i
nsecur
e
shi
teveryday,
yourbel i
tt
li
nginsult
s…nowsome
bastar
dinthepicture?
COLTON:
(scr
eami
ng)Hei
snotmi
ne!
BANYANA: Arey oureal
lythatdel
usional
?He
l
ooksjustli
key ou!Iam abouttostartr
esi
dency
andIdon’tneedt hi
sshi
t.Wechoset onothave
ki
dsandt hat’
sthat!Fi
ndawayt ohandleyour
mess.

*
***
***
**
LI
KEANDCOMMENTFORANI
GHTEPI
SODE
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
40

ATMMAMAOTO’
SHOUSE

Dur
ingt
hecer
emony
Rebaonelayi
ngdownonthematunderat r
ee
shade,goi
ngthr
oughafashi
onmagazine.
Goutapassedbyhol
dingabi
gfoodbowl .
GOUTA:
Rebaonet
lhemmapeopl
eneedhel
p
thatsi
deao!Aren’
tyousupposedt
obethe
gooddaughteri
nlaw whodoesevery
thi
ng?
REBAONE:Ng-
ng,
leav
emeal
onemmannaI
’
m
pr
egnant
!
GOUTA:Yetyoucanl
i
ftwei
ght
satt
hegy
m!You
ar
ejustbei
nglazy
.
Mma-
Maot
owal
kedt
othei
rsi
de
MMA-MAOTO: Ar
eyouokmydaught
eri
nlaw?
Shoul
dIgety
ousomethi
ng?
REBAONE:Ah,Ihear
dthatsomehel
pisneeded
thatsi
desoIwasabouttogohel
p.
MMA- MAOTO: Don’ty oudaremov e.I’l
lgof i
x
youapl at
e,youar ecar r
yingmygr andchild.
Preciouscar go!Bonebabal ephutshebabat l
a
dir
a( l
ookingatGout a)….Whoi sthaty el
lowgi r
l
tal
kingt oLentswe?I sn’
tthatoneoft hem?
Gosh, theyarelikeant s,t
heykeepcomi ngout
ofnowher e!Don’ ttellmeIhav etodeal withone
mor e!Ibettergot alktoLentswebef orehe
makesthemi
stakehist
wocousinsmade.(To
Gout
a)Move,peopl
eneedbowl stoputf
ood
t
hatsi
deandwenay ouarehoggingt
hem her
e.
GOUTA: (laughi
ng)Ija,thisoldladyeneIno
l
ongerdoubti t,
i’
m conv incedot sogabosigo…
howcoul dy ouhatemysi st
ersandIf orno
reason?Youdon’ tevenknowLi ahandy ou
alr
eadyhat eher?Becauseshei stalki
ngtoy our
unemploy eddonot hingnephew?Got alkt
ohi m,
you’l
lbedoi ngAmel i
ahasol i
d,sheis25and
runsherownbusi ness, madeanamef or
hersel
f,shedoesnotneedt hatdri
ft
ernephew
ofyours.
MMA- MAOTO: Didy
ouhearher !Youhear dher
Rebaone,y
ouar emywi tnessthatshei nsult
ed
meandcal l
edmeawi tch!Tomor rowIshal l
call
theel
derstodi
scipl
ineher .Thist hingsarenot
rai
sedwell
,seehowshet alkstome.Mov e
befor
eItel
lmysony ouarebei ngdi sr
espectf
ul.
Letmegof i
xyouapl ateoff oodRebamy
daught
erandl
eav
ethi
suncout
hyel
l
owt
hings.

*
***
***
***

Kwapawalkedov ert
oWaronaasshest
ood
oversomestackedbri
ckswashi
ngdi
shes.
KWAPA: Waronat
lhemmaI ’
m sorr
y,
pl
ease…wit
hallmyhear
t.YouknowIl ov
eyou
War,Idi
dsomethi
ngwrongandI ’
m apol
ogi
sing!
WARONA: Youapologi
seforbreakingmy
favouri
teglass,
Kenneth,
notfuckingot her
women!Youknowmydeal breakers,andItol
d
youinfi
delit
yisatt
hetop.Ican’tstaywi t
ha
cheater.Iwantadi
vorce.
KWAPA: Aomma, youcan’tmeant hat…Warona,
Il
oveyouandy ouknowt hat.Idi
dn’tsl
eepwit
h
Oni
ka,Iswear!Ij
ust…wewer ehavingprobl
ems
andIgottempted…pleasedon’tdothist
ous.
WARONA: Theproblem i
syoulie,
Kenneth!You
arelyingri
ghtthroughyourteethri
ghtnowand
youexpectf orgi
veness?Itdoesn’
tworkthat
way !Phentiel
eyagamangt henifyoudidn’
t
sleepwi t
hher?
KWAPA:Canwejustmov
epastt
hat
?Imadea
mist
akeandI
’
m sorry
.
WARONA: Youwantf orgi
v eness,admi tthatyou
fuckedOni
kai nthecaryout akeyourchi ldr
en
aroundwit
hy oupieceofshit.Admi titfir
st!
Phentiet
engkebosupi !(Shewi pedt hetears
andcomposedher self
)PleaseKen, Iam sohurt
ri
ghtnowandI ’mtryi
ngtokeepi ttoget her,
so
l
eav emealone.
KWAPA:Atleastt
hinkofourki
dsWar
ona…l
et
tr
yfi
xthi
s,atl
eastfort
hem…
WARONA: Navanial
readyblamesmeforallthi
s,
andyouknowwhatIdi d?Isatt
her
eandt ook
herber
ati
nginst
eadoft el
l
inghert
hatherhighl
y
est
eemedf atherisapromi scuouswhor eand
heistheonebr eakingthefami l
y!BecauseI
car
eabouthowourchi ldrenseey ou!Butyou
obvi
ouslydon’tgiveadamn!I magi neifNavani
wastheonewhowoul dhav efoundthatpanty?

*
***
**

Maotowal
kedov
ert
oGout
aandki
ssedher
neck.
MAOTO:
Howi
smybeaut
if
ulwi
fedoi
ng?
GOUTA:(l
aughi
ng)alr
eadygoti
ntoitwithyour
mother
…thatonereal
lyki
ll
sme,hei!Ibeli
eve
shesometi
mesjustmissesber
ati
ngme.
MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)don’
ttel
lme,gakedi
tsene.
Ohshi
t…l
ookwhoisatthegate….
Gout
agaspedasTebatsowal
kedinhol
ding
Kedi
’
shand,wi
thali
tt
leboyhol
dingTebatso’
s
ot
herhandandababyonKedi
’
shi
p.
MAOTO: Ohshit
…thi
scoul
dhav
etur
ned
awkwardfast
!Tebat
sosai
dhewasbri
ngi
nghi
s
gi
rl
fr
iendtomeetthefami
l
y…
GOUTA:(
laughi
ng)Shi
t…youknow,
Ial
most
wentt
othatbaker
yto….damn!
Theyl
aughedast
heywat
chedt
hem wal
kin.
MAOTO:Iguesswear
eatsquareone…
(
Whisper
ingi
nherear
)You’
l
lkeeplooki
ngaker
e?
GOUTA:Imightal
readyhav
esomeoneinmi
nd.
(Shewi
nkedathim andwal
kedaway)

*
***
***

Goutawal
kedov
eratWaronawhowasbusy
put
ti
ngmoresampinthebi
gbowlt
otaketothe
ser
vingt
abl
e.
GOUTA:
Sis,
arey
ouok?
WARONA: Ae,
we’
ll
tal
ktomorrow,kemathat
a
hel
a.I
sthatLi
ahwi
ththatdr
if
terLent
swe?
GOUTA: Wehav et
ot al
ktoher,thatguydoes
nothi
ng,heisunemployedandtot aIdon’
tsee
anyfuturef
orhim.HehelpsoutMaot owi
thodd
j
obsatt hefar
m.That ’
snotthekindofmanI
wantinmybabysi st
er’sl
if
e.
WARONA:
Doesheev
enhav
eaneducat
ion?
GOUTA: Idoubt…heisjustpr
ettyarm candy
whoisgoi ngtobreakherheartagai
n.Youknow
howbadLi ahi
satchoosingmen!Al l
the
successfulmenaroundherandshegoesf ora
dri
ft
er?
WARONA: Wecan’tj
ustsi
taroundthi
stimeand
l
etherhear
tbebrokenagai
n.Thatrubbi
sh
needstobeni
ppedinthebud.Let’
stal
ktoher
tomorr
ow.
*
***
***

Lent
sweandAmel
i
ahst
oodatt
hef
arcor
ner
al
one.
LENTSWE:Yup,andt
hatismyfat
herwi t
huncl
e
Kgodumo…andonhissidei
smyfather’
s
hear
tl
essbi
tchofawife,myst
epmot her.
AMELIAH:
Isawmma-
Maot
ogoi
ngati
twi
thher
ear
li
er.
LENTSWE:Shehatesher,andaunt
ymma-
Maotodoesn’
tknowhowt oholdhert
ongue.
Shecal
ledheraheart
lesswit
chandtol
dher
shei
snotwelcomeher e.
AMELIAH:Iagreewi
thher
,sheshoul
dhave
thr
ownthebitchout
.If
eell
ikegoi
ngtosl
apher
ugl
yface.
LENTSWE: Ther
e,ther
e,t
iger,hol
dyourhor
ses.
Shenolongeraff
ectsme, Ir
efusetogi
veher
powerov
ermyl
i
fe.SheabusedmeandI
sur
viv
edit
.
AMELIAH:Andsurv
iveyoudi
d,t
ohavewent
thr
oughwhatyoudidandsti
l
lemer
gestr
ong
andnotbi
tt
er…Ienvyyou…
LENTSWE: Youar est r
ongerthanyouthi
nk,
Li
ah…y ou’
v ejustbeenl edtobeli
eveyouarenot
bypeoplear oundy ou.Themmay ago
nkutswelaseswaakakwaandsayy ouare
serv
ingtheki dsagai n,whenaretheygoi
ngto
star
tservingkante, nnaI’
m starv
ing.
Tebat
soandKedi
wal
kedov
ert
othem.
TEBATSO: Ao,theyhaven’
tst
artedser
vingyet?I
wentbackhomeaf tert
heear
li
erancestral
dedicat
ionthi
ngt ogogetKediandthekids,I
thoughtI’
l
lfi
ndf ood.
LENTSWE:I
’v
ebeenaski
ng…so,
thi
sist
he
madam maki
ngmycousi
nhappy?
TEBATSO:
Ohy
ea,
Kedi
,mycousi
nLent
swe,
he
i
sthequietoneofthefami
ly
…andmyfri
end
Li
ah,youbett
ertr
eatherwel
lcouz
,Li
ahisa
speci
algi
rl
.
LENTSWE:I
sntshe?(
Hesqueezedherhand
andsmil
ed)
AMELIAH:Hush,Tebatso,youj
ustwantmor
eof
myfood,say
ingnicethingsandal
l.
TEBATSO: (l
aughing)Bathong!Idon’
talway
s
haveanul t
eri
ormot i
ve,t
houghI ’
ll
admit,
everyt
hingyoucooki sawesome, youandKedi
will
li
keeachot her,
sheisanawesomecook
too.
AMELIAH:Ni
cemeeti
ngyouKedi
…andy
oul
i
ttl
e
man,whati
syourname?
MADUO:Maduo,
I’
mfour
!Whati
syourname?
AMELI
AH:
I’
m aunt
yLi
ah,
li
tt
leman.
MADUO:
Howol
dar
eyou?
KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Maduo!Ao!Wher
ear
eyour
manner
s,si
r?Youdon’
taskal
adyherage?
AMELIAH:(l
aughi
ng)
Ah,i
tsf
ine,
letthe
gentl
emanchar
m me.Howolddoy outhi
nkI
am sweet
ie?
MADUO:
Fiv
e!
AMELIAH:(l
aughi
ng)Ohmy!Thankyou,ki
ndsir
!
YesIam!Andhowol di
sthel
it
tl
elady?Sheis
soocute…
(
Taki
ngNeof
rom Kedi
)
KEDI :That
’sNeoandshei s9mont hs.Don’tbe
fooledbytheinnocentfacesheisputti
ngon,
shei satotal
tyr
ant,Ihaven’
thadaf ul
lnight
sleepsinceshewasbor n.
AMELIAH: Come, l
emegoscor ethem
somethingtoeat.Ijustser
vedtheotherki
ds,
thesepeoplear
et akingtoolongt
oserve.
Kedi
wavedt
oTebat
soandwal
kedof
fwi
th
Ameli
ah.
TEBATSO:
Shel
oveski
ds…
LENTSWE:
Yea,
shewant
stohav
eabunchof
them…
TEBATSO: Hav eyoutoldherofy ourstandon
ki
ds?Takei tfrom me, mistersir,t
hatshiti
sa
dealbr
eaker.Ineglectedt otalkaboutituntlwe
wereaboutt owalktheal t
arandIf oundI
coul
dn’tdoit,coul
dn’tlookathert hesame
whenIf oundoutshedet est skids,becauseI
l
ovekids.
LENTSWE: Wel
l
,Idon’
tdet
estki
ds.Idon’
tmi
nd
them atal
l
…
TEBATSO:
But
…
LENTSWE:Tebla,
Itol
dyouofmyhistory…I
can’
thaveki
dsandr i
skt
hem goi
ngthrough
whatIwentt
hroughasachi
ld….
TEBATSO: Sheisobviousl
yintoyou,
andt he
wayy oulookathertell
smey ouareserious
too…sotellherwhi
leit
’searl
ymister
,lether
deci
dei
sshecandeal
wit
hthat
.

*
***
**
Afterl
unchuncl
eKgodumocal
ledever
yoneto
thebigtr
eewheret
heyhadpi
tchedatentf
or
shade
KGODUMO: Thi
sisagr eatday,wehaveallbeen
upsi nceear l
y,wededicatedEmmanuel John
Kgagodi t
ot heancest
or s.Weintr
oducedthem
tothecomi ngbabybymynephewTshepe, and
wei ntroducedmysonTebat so.
Thewomenulul
atedwhi
l
ethemenwhi
stl
ed
andcl
apped.
KGODUMO: Wehav ehadquit
ear oughy ear,but
thr
oughitallwestoodtoget
her.Andwet hank
youforthat,BoKgagodi
,boMohur ut
she, lebo
Bathobai
le.Lookathowbigthemat r
iarchof
thefamil
yhasgr own,mma-Bathobai
le!Shei s
alr
eadystandingonherownandsoonshewi ll
bewal kingar oundchasi ngbomma-
Bontlenyanel eDani .Icallmy selfablessedman,
withallthesegr andchildren.Tebat soand
Lentswe, I
’
m wai t
ingony oujaanongmyboy s,
thebride-priceist hereandr eady ,j
ustsaythe
word.Wemi sssingingbo‘ semot shwere
tshweresenat l
a’,
somakei tfastbor r
a!Eatand
bemer r
ypeopl e,enjoy,let’
scel ebratethe
Kgagodi name, ourancest orsar ehappy .
Hewal
kedof
fandhi
snephewsandsoncame
ov
ert
ohim.
KGODUMO: KanaIwasn’tplay
ingbanna,when
areyougett
ingmarr
ied?Iwon’talwaysbeher
e
tomar r
yyouoff
,sohurryi
tup!Tebatsoyou
i
ntroducedmetomynewdaught eri
nlawandI
approveoft
hatone,sheseemslikeareal
womanandshei scalm,sowheni sthe
wedding?
TEBATSO:Ao,
ntat
e…areit
’st
oosoon.Ihadt
o
workhar
dtoconvi
ncehert
oevencomemeet
y
ou.
KGODUMO: Toosoonf orwhat?Dur i
ngourtime
yousawagi rlyouli
ked,omosokal etsogoa
boagodumel a…akwal ayeskalenaomo
mot habeng…thenlajolaebi
lelekopanako
Sedibeng…agoshashol el
adiphaphathagabedi
gararo,ophakelaotolatr
atabeforetheold
peoplewakeup…kgwedi ehelayousendy our
uncles.
TSHEPE:(
laughi
ng)NnaI’
ml ost
,howwas
di
phaphat
hapartofthedeal
?
KGODUMO: Utl
wabar ie…obonawhenagirl
tel
lsyouit
’stoosoon,omoshapakaboEl v
is
Presl
ey,bel
titoutl
ikearealKgagodi
bul
l
,witha
ri
chbarit
one,kodutota…li
kethi
s…
Wi
semensay
Onl
yfool
srushi
n
ButIcan’
thel
pfal
l
ingi
nlov
ewi
thy
ou
Shal
lIst
ay?
Woul
ditbeasi
n
I
fIcan’
thel
pfal
l
ingi
nlov
ewi
thy
ou?
(l
aughing)I
ja,
lonal
ekadiamotho,
letmego
greetmmaSeiponeovert
her
e,ngwanyanay
oleI
haven’
tseenherinawhil
e.
Theyall
laughedandwhist
ledashewal
ked
awaytowardsmma- Sei
pone.
*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
41

ATWARONA’
SOFFI
CE

GOUTA:Warnemmawhat’swrong,
you’
vebeen
qui
etr
ecent
lyandI
’
m st
art
ingt
owor r
y.
WARONA:
(si
ghi
ng)If
oundapant
yinKen’
s
car
…
GOUTA: OhGod,what
!AndIthoughthewas
gonnabetheKgagodimanthat’
sactual
l
y
fai
thf
ul.
WARONA: Eemma, Iusedtohavesuchhi gh
regardsformyhusband, esal
easimol l
aallhis
shenaniganswithOnikaIhavenor espectfor
him atall
,Ican’
tevenstandthesightofhim!
GOUTA: Oni
ka?God,notthatbi
tchagai
n!You
shouldsuet
heli
vi
ngday l
ightoutofher
,thatgi
rl
osentswekegotseelabathobanna,ganyalwa
kante?
WARONA: Rumorhasitthatshecan’tgi
vethe
husbandachi
ld,soheisrunni
ngaroundonher .
Iheardt
hosegir
lsfr
om theyogaclasstal
ki
ng.
GOUTA: Ahhj
aanongbecauseshei sfail
i
ngher
marri
ageevery
oneel se’sshouldfai
l
?Thatgirl
needstobetaughtal esson,shemessedwi t
h
myhusbandandIl etitgo,teachheralesson
t
hist
imear
ound.Whatashamel
esswhor
e!
WARONA:
I’
m get
ti
ngadi
vor
ce…
GOUTA: What ?No, ao,War
!Thati
sdr
asti
csis,
beli
eveme, Igotadi vor
cebasedonf
eeli
ngs
andregret
tedi tl
ater,t
aket
imetocal
m down
fi
rstandconsiderthis…
WARONA: I
…If oll
owedhi m aroundt wice,Isaw
him get
ti
ngi nahot elr
oom wi t
hher ,and
anothert
imeacol l
eaguesawhi m hav i
nglunch
atanIndianr estaurantwithher.Obv iousl
yba
j
olannasemat l
ant sekarehusbandha!Ican’ t
doitGigi
, Ican’tstaywithamanwhocheaton
meandcont inuest oli
eabouti tevenwhenI
beghimf ort hetruthsoIcant rytof orgiv
e.
Let’
sleavet hisone, i
t’
sadeadhor se, l
et’
sgo
seeLiahaboutt hatdri
fterofhers.Iaskedher
tomeetusf orlunch.

*
***
***
**
ATMMA-
MAOTO’
S

Kwapawalkedi
nandfoundmma-Maot
oatt
he
woodshedcoll
ect
ingf
ir
ewoodbi
ts.
KWAPA:Mme,kant
ewhydoyoui
nsi
stonusi
ng
fi
ret
ocookwhenyouhav
eanel
ect
ri
cstov
e.
MMA- MAOTO: Ah,foodcookedwithast ov
eis
notniceli
kefoodcookedi nthefir
e,comechop
somemor efi
rewoodmyboy .Kanathisdays
youandy ourbrothersdon’
tcheckonme, I
suff
eralone.
KWAPA: Ao,mme,don’
tsayt
hat,
aker
eIwas
herelastweekendandmaabanewewerehar
fortheceremony!
MMA-MAOTO: Ee,l
eti
swakeonemeketehel
a.
Ondayyouar
egoi ngt
ocomehereandfi
ndme
dead,
maybethat’
swhenyouwil
lappr
eci
ateme.
KWAPA:
Thenmov
einwi
thmyf
ami
l
y.
MMA- MAOTO:Okho,andst aywiththat
manner l
esswifeofyours?Idoubtshecanev en
cook.Talki
ngaboutthat,Ibakedtheteabuns
youlikesomuchy ester
day ,Iwasgoingtobri
ng
them toyouwhenKgodumodr ovemet o
Francist
own.Wabopamangwanakagao
thokomelwe,Johnwouldev enstartsayi
ngI
neglectyou…Kwapa,i
sany thingt
hemat ter
,you
areunusuall
yquietmyboy .
KWAPA: Eish…mme, Waronawant sadivorce…I
tri
edbeggingher,
apologi
zing,any t
hing,she
won’tl
ist
en,sheisbentonit.Ijustdon’tknow
whattodoany more.Won’tyourt al
kt oher
famil
ytotalkheroutofit
?
MMA- MAOTO:Oh,mol esetheatsamae,hao
kaeoraagorebasadibaathael
ajaana.Are
bothat
akeeng?(l
ethergothen,whatisher
probl
em?)
KWAPA:
I…uhm…Icheat
edonher
…
MMA- MAOTO: That’swhatsheget s!Ifyou
cannott r
eatyourhusbandl i
keamanoft he
house, howdoy ouexpecthi m nottogoout
thereandf i
ndwomenwhowi l
l
?Seewhatt his
uncout hwomani sdoi ngtoagoodmanl i
key ou,
turningyouint
oadi shonestman!I fshewant s
togol ethergo,aper sonwhot rul
ylovesy ou
willnevereventhinkofleavi
ngy ou,theywi l
l
fi
ndway stosolvethepr obl
em.
KWAPA:
Mme,
Ilov
eher
…
MMA- MAOTO: Youar eayoungman, youcan
fi
ndl oveagai
n…i j
a,t
hatgir
lwakakwa
mosadi ngwatsal ayameyole,
mma- I
tir
eleng,
herlastborndaughterisbackinthevill
age.
Namet so.Shemi ghtnotbealleducated,but
sheisbeautif
ul andahardworker,awel lrai
sed
gir
l.Andshehasnoi ll
egi
ti
matechildr
en.
KWAPA:
Ilov
emywi
femme…
MMA- MAOTO: I’
mj ustsaying…Namet
sois
real
lybeaut
if
ul.Butifthatonewantst
oleave
youot l
adir
ajangngwanaka?Youcan’ tf
orcea
persontobewi t
hyou.

*
***
***
*

ATACHI
NESEELECTRI
CWI
RINGWORKSHOP

Lent
swewal
kedi
ntohi
sfr
iend’
sshop.
LENTSWE:
Jian,
myman,
howi
stheshopgoi
ng
JI
AN: Ahh,
businessi
sgood, movi
ngt
o
Botswanawasagoodi dea.SoonIwi
l
lbe
makingenoughtohir
epeople.Howarey
oumy
fr
iend?
LENTSWE: I
’
m good,Ineedsomecablesto
rewi
resomet hi
ngsatmycousin’
sfar
m, show
mewhaty ouhave.
JI
AN: Ah,f
ri
end,Imaybeoutofwiri
ngcabl
es,
I
wenttowireforanewhousefort
hatol
dman.
Hey,hescaresme,thatCul
l
.
LENTSWE:
Cul
l
?August
usCul
l
?
JIAN:Yea,unfort
unatelyIhavetogotohis
houset oi
nstall
anewr oboti
cCCTVsystem.I
don’tknowwhyIaccept ed,
I’
m notanexperton
those,i
fImakeami stakehewillki
l
lme,that
manscar esme.
LENTSWE:
Hewant
sthe96OPWi
rel
ess?
JI
AN:
Yes,
hidden,
all
overt
hehouse.
LENTSWE:Letmetakethi
sonefory
oumy
fr
iend,
youknowt
hat’smyfiel
d.
JI
AN:Ican’tpayy oumuch.I’
m st
il
l payingour
ol
dbossf ortheloanhegavemet ocomeher e.
Andyouknowhechar gescrazyi
nterest.ButI
don’
tregr
etit,l
if
ei smorepeacef
ulher ethani
n
Seoul
.
LENTSWE: Ae,Iwon’
tchar
geaf ri
endtoomuch,
especi
all
yknowingyouaresett
li
ng.Yougi
ve
me10%oft hisproj
ectear
ning.
JI
AN:Reall
y?Oh,Lee,y
ousavedme!Ok,l
etme
gi
veyouthedet
ails,
thejobi
sthi
saf
ter
noon.I
hopet
hat’
sok?
LENTSWE:
It’
sgr
eat
.
ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
BANYANA: So,nowwhatarey ougoi ngtodo
whenwegetpr oofthatt
hechildisy our
s?
BecauseI’m notrai
singsomebr at.YouandI
bothagreedwewantnochi l
dren!
COLTON:
Yout
hinkIwantt
his?Ser
iousl
yB?
BANYANA:I
fyoudeci
det
otakehi
minIwal
k
Col
ton,
Iswear
!
COLTON: (
laughi
ng)youarebluff
ing!Walkto
where?Youliket
heli
fesweetheart,youarenot
goi
ngt ogobacktoyourfamil
y ’
sdump, andyou
areonl yinresidency, i
tgiv
esy oumi nimal
survivalmoneyonl y, notenought ot akecareof
yourself,l
etal oneyourbeggarf amil
y .(Pul
li
ng
herheadbackbyt hehai rroughlyandy el
li
ngin
herear )Besi des,whoar ey ougoi ngt ofi
ndwho
l
ov esy ouli
keIl ovey ou,huh, B?Whoi swill
ing
towi f
esomepor nstardumpst erbit
ch?Who
wil
l payfory ourdyingmot her’smedi cati
on?
Youwi l
lj
ustendupsi ngl
e, poorandal onewi t
h
adeadmot her ,youungr at
ef ulbit
ch.
BANYANA: Fine,what
ever
.Butnochil
dren,
that
’smyrule.Iabi
debyally
ourrul
es,t
hat’
smy
onerul
e.
COLTON: (screaming)Idon’twantt
hefucki ng
chil
d,goddamni t
!Howdoweshutt hisfucking
thi
ngup?Di dn’tyouusetowor kwit
hchi l
dren
andhav eabaj i
ll
i
onniecesandnephewsf rom
thosetrampsi st
ersofyours?Dosomet hing…I
swearI’
ml osingmymi ndwi thi
tsyel
li
ng.
BANYANA:
Whydi
dyoubr
inghi
m home?
COLTON: WhatwasIsupposedt odo?Theol d
womannev ershowedup.Shepl ayedmeand
disappeared!Whil
eIwasdoi ngsamplesshe
saidshewasgoi ngtot het
oilet
s,andt
henshe
wasj ustgone.Banyana,pl
easedosomet hi
ng,
pickituporsomet hi
ng.
Shewentov
erandpi
ckedupt
het
oddl
erand
shookhi
m.
BANYANA: I’
m star
ti
ngmyf ir
stdayofresi
dency
tomorrowandIdon’tneedthisshi
t.Whythe
fuckdoweev enhavetodor esi
dencyi
n
governmenthospit
alsonl
y?
COLTON: (l
aughing)Askt hemedi calboard.For
now, don’tbemadatme, l
ennaIpai dmydues
nana, duri
ngmyt ime, di
dPr i
ncessMar inaand
trustme, i
t’
snotpl easant.Yourt urnnow.Enj oy
thewor stthreeyear sofyourlife,t
woext raif
youdeci detospeci ali
zelikeyouwantt o
(kissi
nghercheek) .Let ’
shopeNy angabgwei s
bet t
er.Doy outhinki fwel eavehiminher eand
gof
ordi
nnerhe’
l
lcr
yhi
msel
ftosl
eep?
BANYANA: Idon’tknowwhathewant s,Ifed
him, t
riedt
osingt ohim,hedoesn’
twear
diapersanymore, sohei
sgood, soIdon’tknow
whatt hefuckhewant sanymore.I’
mthree
secondsawayf rom shooti
nghim upwith
mel at
onin,Iswear!
COLTON: Wehavesomeint
hehouse?Wel
l
then,
ther
eisoursol
uti
on…wher
eisit
?
BANYANA: Withtherestoft hematerial
sfrom
mypr oj
ect,
inmyst udy,t
opdr awer…getenough
toknockhim outunti
lmor ni
ngt henyoucango
cleanupthi
smess.Gof i
ndt heoldladyand
throwsomemoneyatt hem orsomet hing,
but
takethi
schil
dback, whateveryouhav etodo.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
42

ATTHECULLHOUSE
Lent
swewalkedi
nwi
ththewir
ingequi
pment
andaft
ert
hemenout
sidethehousesear
ched
hi
m hewalkedi
n.
Gabosatinthel
ivi
ngroom hav i
ngherdrinkand
watchedhi
m ashewor kedaroundt hehouse.
Shewentoutsi
detothepool andjumpedi nthe
poolasheworkedoutside.Shesighedwhenhe
conti
nuedworki
ngwithoutlooki
ngather .
GABO:
Har
datwor
k,Isee?
LENTSWE:
Got
tabedone,
ma’
am…
GABO:
Seemssocompl
i
cat
ed…
Heignoredherandcont
inuedworkingunti
lshe
gotoutsi
dethepoolonherbiki
niandwalked
overt
ohi m.
GABO:
Whatar
eyoui
nst
all
i
ng?Myhusband
nev
err
eal
l
ytel
l
smet
hist
hings.
LENTSWE:
Wir
elessCCTV,
ma’
am…
GABO: Youknow,hei
sgoneforafewhours…
doyouwantt ocomeinsi
def
oradrinkor
something?I
t’
smight
yhotouther
e.
LENTSWE:
Not
hanky
ouma’
am,
I’
drat
herf
ini
sh.
GABO: Ii
nsi
st,
leti
tnotbesai
dI’
m not
hospi
tabl
e.Comeon…comenow…myhusband
wouldwantmet ooff
eryousomethi
ngtodr
ink.
Hesi
ghedandf
oll
owedheri
nsi
de.
GABO: Doyouwor kout?Yourbodylooksso
good…lookatal
lthishardabs…(r
unningher
handsupanddownhi schest.Hemov edback)
Culli
soldandagirlgetslonel
yupinhere…you
andI…wecanhav eanar r
angement…
LENTSWE:
(mov
ingout
)I’
m noti
nter
est
ed,
ma’am…
Thedooropenedandshej
umpedst
art
ledand
gr
abbedhert
owel
,cov
eri
ngupwi
thi
t.

*
***
***
*

ATWARONA’
SOFFI
CE
Onikast
ormedi
nfumingandsl
appedsome
documentsont
hetabl
e
ONIKA:Whatthehel
li
st hi
s?NnammaI’m
nei
therhavi
nganaff
airnorsl
eepi
ngwi
thyour
husband,sooskabat
lagontena.
WARONA: (
laughi
ng)nevert
houghtyou’
dget
caught
,didy ou?Whatki
ndofgrownass
womanl eavesherpanti
esonamar r
iedman’
s
car?
ONIKA: Nna?Panty?WhenwasIeveninKen’
s
cartoleavepanti
esther
e?Heel
amma.Ihav e
noideawhaty ouareonabout
,sostopthi
s
befor
ey ouembarrassyour
sel
f.
Kwapawal
kedi
nast
heyar
gued.
KWAPA: War
ona,whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
sshi
t
abouty
ou…oh,heyNi
ka…
WARONA: (
mimicki
nghi
m)HeyNi ka…l
ikegawa
robal
akogoene.Wherear ey
ouf r
om atthe
ti
meoft heday?Amarri
edmanwi thki
ds
spendi
ngnight
sathiswhore’
s,andwithout
shamecomest omyof f
icewi
ththebit
ch?
KWAPA:BathobaModi
mo!Whydon’tyoucall
mymmeandaskherwhereIwas?Isleptat
mme’shouse!
WARONA: BecauseIwoul deverbeli
eve
anythi
ngthatlyi
ngoldwi t
chsay s!Youspend
thenightf
uckingthi
sloosewhor enowle
kgorelamoonna.Getoutbef oreIcallsecuri
ty.
Takey oucheapprost
itutewit
hy ou.Fir
stshe
pawnedherpussyt oMaot oformoney ,then
you,nowDesmond…whati si
tauct i
onforthe
highestbi
dderorsomet hi
ng?
Oni
kasl
appedherhar
dacr
osst
hef
ace.
ONIKA:
Ihav
ehaditwit
hyou,
stopcal
l
ingme
names,y
oudon’
tknowme!
Waronapul
ledherbyt
heweav
eandbangedher
headonthetabl
e.
WARONA: Howdar eyouputy ourhandsonme
youcheapsl ut!Yousleepwi t
hmyhusbandand
comet oattackmei nmyof fi
ce?Iam sui ngy ou
bothformar ri
agewr eckingandassaul t.Byt he
ti
meIdi vor
cehi my ou’l
lbeont hestreets, and
don’tthinkyou’llgetanythi
ngfrom himt oo
becauseI ’mt akinghimtot hecleaners.He
sleepsoutathi swhore’shouseandcomest o
paradeheri nmyof fi
ce?
KWAPA: (
pulli
ngt
hem apart
)enough!Bothof
you!Enough!Youarebothgrownwomenand
mot her
s,fucki
ngactl
i
keit.You,Oni
ka,go,now,
beforeyoupissmeoff,whatgiv
esyouthe
nervetocomeaf t
ermywi f
e?WenaWar ona,
youwantt hedamndi v
orcesomuch?Then
haveit
!Ihav ebeggedyouf ormorethan
enoughandt oldyouIam notsleepi
ngwith
Onika,damnit!Mmewasr ight,y
ouarejust
l
ookingf orr
easonstogo,andI ’
m notgoi
ngto
hol
dy ouhost age!
Hewal kedof
ffumingasmostofWar ona’
s
employeespret
endedtheyareworki
ngwhil
e
theyhadbeenli
steni
ngthrought
hedoor.

*
***
***
*

ATTHECULLHOUSE
Lent
swewentaroundt
hehousefi
xi
ngthe
cameras,
taki
ngamental
noteoft
hehouse
l
ayout.
CULL:
Howi
sitgoi
ngmi
ster
?
LENTSWE:
GoodSi
r,y
ouhav
eev
erycor
nerof
yourhouseatt
hetipofyourfi
ngernow,
ify
ou’l
l
j
ustletmedownloadyou’r
etheappandsetit
up.
CULL:I’m gl
adtheysentsomeonewhoactual
ly
knowswhatt heyaredoing,nott
hel
astt
ime’s
bli
ther
ingfool.Hav
eIseey ousomewher
e
monna?
LENTSWE:Ae,
nnyaar
ra,
Idoubt
.I’
vebeeni
n
Koreaf
orsometi
me.
CULL:Isee…well
,I’
m gladtheysentyou.The
workIseeont hescreensyoujustshowedme
i
simpressing.Nowy outell
meIcanev enseei
t
fr
om myphonet oo?( Handi
nghim his
smart
phone)
LENTSWE: Yessir
…(Het ookthephoneand
star
tedconfi
guri
ngthesetti
ngs,thensecret
ly
synchedthephonetohis)Heresir,changet
he
passwordandkeepitsecret
,thatwaynoone
canloginandmesswi t
hy ourfootage.
Het ookthephoneandchangedthepasswor d
thengotintheappcli
cki
ngonsquar esthat
repr
esentedeveryr
oom andtheoutside,
smilingi
mpressed.
CULL:Ae, ladii
tsedil
ot setsal onamane!I
haveadaught erIworryabout ,
sheissi ngleand
Iam amanwi thmanyenemi es.Iwantcamer as
i
nstal
ledi nherhousetoo.Secr et
lythough,
becauseshewoul dnev erallowmei fsheknew.
Especiall
yinthebedroom becausepeopl ecan
att
ackherwhenshei ssl eeping.Akompol el
le,
i
sthist hi
ngwat er
prooftoo?Cani tbeinstall
ed
i
nabat hr
oom?
Lentswebi
tdownonhi sl
owerl
ipst
ostophi
s
angerashelookedatt
heoldman.Theol
d
perv
ertwant
edt ospyonAmeli
ahwhil
eshe
sl
eptandbathed.
LENTSWE;
Yessi
r,i
tis.
CULL:
Great
,Iwi
l
lcal
lyout
omor
rowt
hen.
Thankyoumyman.I
fyouar
eev
erl
ooki
ngf
ora
j
ob,I’
m al
way
shi
ri
ng.
LENTSE:
Thanky
ousi
r,Ibet
terbegoi
ng.

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Bany
anawal
kedi
ntot
hehouseandsi
ghed.
COLTON:Coul
dn’tf
indt
heoldlady
, whatar
ewe
goi
ngtodowit
hi t
?(hepoi
ntedtothebabythat
hadcr
iedhi
mselftosl
eeponthecarpet)
BANYANA: (sighi
ng)well,
shedi dn’
tplayyou,
shehadast rokewhilewalkingbacktothel ab
yester
day ,
andwast akentot hehospi
tal.Sheis
admi t
ted.Noi mmedi at
erelativ
estotaket he
l
itt
lethingto.
COLTON:Well
,wecan’
tkeepi
t!Il
i
keourl
i
fet
he
wayiti
sB,ababyi
sgoingtor
uinit
!
BANYANA: Heel
a,i
sthi
smybaby?Am It
he
reasoni
tisher
e?Ij
a!Havey
oufedhi
m?
COLTON:
Itwon’
teat
…
BANYANA:Duh,
y ouboughthi
m bur
gers.Heis
what
,two?Ir
eal
lydonothavetimeforthi
sshi
t!
COLTON:
May
bewecangetamai
d
BANYANA:
Soy
oucanf
uckher
?Year
ight
.
COLTON:Iknowthismightcomeasasurpri
se
toyou,
butnotever
yonefucksever
ythi
ngt
hat
comesontheirv
iewli
key oudo.
BANYANA:Maybei
fyoust
oppedbei
ngal
i
ttl
e
bi
tchIwoul
dn’
thav
eto.
Hestoodupandroughl
ygrabbedher,choki
ng
herunti
lshewasgaggi
ngandgaspingfor
breat
h.
COLTON:
Soy
ouar
eadmi
tt
ingy
ouf
uckar
ound
behindmyback,
huh?Younastybi
tch.Whowas
i
t,Tshepe?I
twasthatpi
eceofshi
twasn’
tit
?
BANYANA: (gaspingforai
randr ubbingher
neckaft
erhel ethergo)Ohhh…f i
nallyheshows
hi
struecolours…gonnaputy ourhandsonme
now?Goonandbeatmer i
ghtinf r
ontofyour
son…gott
at each‘em ear
ly…j
ustlikey ourf
ather
di
d!Youarej ustl
ikeAugustus,sogoonbeat
me.Andpeopl ewonderwhyIdon’ twannahav e
ki
ds?Mightendupwi thdaughtersandweknow
whatCullmendot othei
rdaughters.
Heraisedhi
shandstosl
apherbutstoppedmi
d
-
airandgrabbedhi
scarkey
s,wal
kingoff.
COLTON: (
standingatt
hedoor)I
’
m not
hingl
ike
thatbastar
d, andify
ouevercompar
emet ohim
againI’
ll
kil
lyou…
BANYANA: Whereareyougoing?Colton!Col
ton!
Mxim,t
sayama,youthi
nkIgiveaf uckifyougo
sl
eepwithathousandbit
ches?Ot l
eleboupija
mabelerr
ay oubastar
dneedst
oeat!Idon’
t
knowhowhe’ l
lreactt
ost
oreboughtbabyf
ood
butIsawthattheoldwomanneamopaket se
motogolastti
me.Andsomesourmi l
k.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
43

I
NAMELI
AH’
SOFFI
CE

GoutaandWaronawal
kedi
nandf
oundher
busyinherof
fi
ce.
WARONA:
Youarescar
est
hisdaystl
he…even
ev
eni
ngsy
oucan’
tmaketi
mef ory
oursist
ers.
AMELIAH:(
laughi
ng)Nnat
shel
ey onegake
tsenel
l
ewai
tse,whatdi
dyouguysbri
ng,I
’m
st
arv
ing.
WARONA: Gout
apizza,
butsi
nceI’m newl
y
si
ngle,
Igott
akeepinti
ptopshape,soIgota
sal
ad…
GOUTA:Koor
eyouar
eser
iousl
ygoi
ngt
hrough
wi
ththi
s,War
?
WARONA:NnaIwon’ tbeadoor mattlhemma.
Andhehadt hener v et oparadehi smistressin
myof fi
cemaabaneaf terspendingani ghtwi t
h
her.IswearKeni sgoi ngt olearnalessonhei s
nevergoingtoforget .I’
mr evokinghiscust ody
forNavaniandt aki
ngsol ecustodyforManny …
andhalfofevery t
hingheowns.Iwasj ustgoing
towalkaway ,butaf t
ery esterday…howdar ehe,
andhislit
tl
ewhor esl appedme, cany oubel i
eve
i
t?
GOUTA:
What
!No!Oni
kawat
ell
awai
tse!
AMELIAH:
Butheisagooddadtohi
schi
ldr
en,
ao…y
oucan’tt
akecust
odyofhi
schi
l
dren
WARONA:Anyway
,wearenother
eaboutmy
l
if
e.Sowhat
’supwit
hyouandLentswe?
AMELI
AH:
(si
ghi
ng)whati
sthatsupposedt
o
mean?
GOUTA:Don’
tpl
aydumb,
youknowwhati
t
meansLi
ah.
WARONA: It
’sok,I
’l
lspel
li
toutforyouify
ou
wanttoactstupi
d.Heisauselessdri
ft
erand
heisgoi
ngtousey ou.
AMELI
AH:
Ok,
myf
uner
alt
hough,
sooo?
GOUTA:
Wecar
eabouty
ouLi
ah…
WARONA: Youarenotsogoodinthis
r
elat
ionshi
pt hi
ngs,Warr
enwasaser ial
cheat
er,
Meshackusedt obeatyouupandt he
motherf
uckerwasemot ional
l
yabusive,
Thuo
wasmar ri
edandt r
eat
edy ouli
keshit
…
GOUTA:Lentsweisjustanotherpieceof
shi
t…hei
sjustlooki
ngf oranestabli
shed
womantot akecareofhim si
ncethel
azy
bast
ardcan’tbebother
edtowor k.
AMELI AH:Yourhusband,Gigidearest
,isa
mur der
er,cheat
er,
andoh, didn’
theslapyou
recentl
y?Butok.Andyou,War ,youaregett
ing
dit
chedf oramistr
ess,so…shallweeat ?

*
***
***
**

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumowal
kedinandf
oundmma-
Maot
o
sweepi
ngt
heyar
d
KGODUMO:Shadi,
whatdi
dy outell
Kwapa?
Nowheisconv
incedheshoulddiv
orce.
MMA-MAOTO: Thet
rut
h,thati
fawomanl oves
hi
m shewon’
teventhi
nkofdivor
cinghim.I
hopehewon’
tbeafoolli
kehisbrotherandgo
backt
oheraf
ter
war
ds!
KGODUMO: Youarenotevenashamed?Youare
rui
ningyoursons’
li
vesbecauseofyourhat
read
fort
heirwives!
MMA- MAOTO: Enenna?Hee!Sher uinedher
ownmar r
iage.MustKwapaamor apele?Eseng
santseket shel
a!Sheist hrowingmyboyout
ebi
lehehasbeensl eepinghere,ifthatgir
l
thi
nksshewi l
ltakeKwapa’ spropertyshe
shouldforgetit
!Iwill
nev erall
owi t
!Iwillf
ind
myboyar esponsibl
e,respectfulwi f
e.
KGODUMO: Tot
awhydoIbotherwi
thy
ou,
Shadi
,youwon’
tli
stent
oany
one.Yagont
ir
ela
teemma.
MMA-MAOTO:Gatwetee,
gaoy
egor
aamma-
Sei
poneagodi
rel
atee?

*
***
***
**
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Desmondwalkedinthehouseandputhi
s
bri
efcaseont
hediningtabl
e,pi
cki
ngupt
he
documentsonthetable.
DESMOND:
Oni
ka!Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?
Shecamerunni
ngf
rom t
heki
tchenwi
than
apr
onon.
ONIKA:Oh,that
…sheiscr
azy
.Shehasitinher
headthatI
’
m sleepi
ngwit
hherhusband.
DESMOND: Shei
ssuingyou,
Onika!Youthi
nka
fucki
nglawy
erwouldsi
mplysue,unl
essshe
hadsoli
devi
dence.
ONI
KS:Well
,I
’m notsl
eepi
ngwi
thherhusband,
sol
ethergoahead.
DESMOND: Don’ttakemef orafool
,Oni
ka!
Don’
tyoudare!Ifuckingburstmyass,l
i
ter
all
y
l
ivi
ngonanairplanejustsot
hatIcangetusa
comfor
tabl
elif
e, andwhatdoesyourungr
atef
ul
assdo?Breakuppeopl e’
shomes!
ONI KA:Iam notbr
eakinganyone’
shome, solet
War onatakeherevidencet
ocourtbecauseI
knowI ’
mi nnocent
.Imadesmokedsal monf or
dinner,
shouldIservenow?Thekidsaretaking
anap.
DESMOND:
I’
m nothungr
y.
Hewentt
othei
rbedr
oom,
angr
il
ycussi
ngher
out
.

*
***
***
**

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Banyanawal
kedoutoft
hehospi
tal
carr
yingher
handbagwhensomeonegr
abbedhim
BANYANA:
Kennet
h…whatt
hehel
l
?
KWAPA:
Iwant
edt
oseey
ou…
BANYANA: Forwhat?I
jo,moveawayfrom me
rr
a,Col
tonhasfri
endshereandmebei ngseen
wit
hin3met r
esofmani sacardi
nalsi
n.So,
l
eavebefor
ey ougetmeintroubl
e.
KWAPA:Wecangosomewher e…geti
nthecar
andt
extmeyourl
ocat
ion,
I’
ll
foll
ow…
BANYANA:Nothankyou,don’
tyouhav
eacr
azy
bi
tchl
awyerwi
fetorunto?
KWAPA: Wearegett
ingdi
vor
ced,becauseof
youact
uall
y,whatt
hefuckwhereyouthinki
ng
l
eavi
ngyourpanti
esinmycar?
BANYANA: Mywhat?Oh,
that
…shefoundt
hem?
(Laughi
ngandshr
uggi
ngasshegoti
nthecar
)
sorry
.
Shepull
edoutoft
heparkingl
otandgoti
nthe
mainroad,
taki
ngoutherphoneanddi
all
ed
Col
ton’
snumber
BANYANA: I’
m gonnaberunningalit
tl
elat
e,
pleasepickthelit
tl
ethi
ngfrom daycare.I
regist
eredhimt hi
smorning,hewassupposed
tobepi ckedupat6pm, andit’
s7:30.
COLTON:
Wher
ear
eyou,
whyar
eyour
unni
ng
l
ate?
BANYANA:Hadtoobser v
einsurger
y.Andnow
Ihavet
otakemymot herhermedici
ne.Igott
a
go…bat
ter
ydyi
ng.Seey ouaround10,bye.
Shehungupbef or
ehecoul
dsayany
thi
ng,
and
tur
nedoffthephone,
thent
ext
edKwapaan
address.

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Gout
awalkedinandf
oundherhusbandi
nthe
l
iv
ingroom wat
chi
ngthenews.
GOUTA: Ij
o,thatmeetingwiththeGrahman’s
aboutsupplyingt
ot heirmotel
stookforever
!I
honestl
yneedaCOO, Iam goi
ngcrazysince
Tichi
naleft
,ifThandiehadnotsteppedinI
wouldhavedi ed.
MAOTO:
Argg,
nott
hepsy
choagai
n!
GOUTA:Thatgir
l’
sdri
ver
eall
yamazesme.She
doesremindsmeofmyyoungersel
f,l
azer
focused.Wewer
etheonl
ytwolefti
ntheoffi
ce
and…
MAOTO:Gouta!Arg,damni
tmane,
youwer
e
al
onewi
ththatcrazybit
ch?
GOUTA:(r
oll
i
nghereyes)I
ja,
kanawena.Hav
e
youguy
shaddinnery
et?
MAOTO:Wewar medupt hepast
asal
ady ou
madeyest
erday
,shal
lIwarm upsomeforyou?
GOUTA:Thatwoul
dbeawesome, t
hanks…t
he
wayI’
mtir
ed,you’
l
lhavetocarr
ymetothe
bedr
oom.Arethekidsasl
eep?
Hecamebackwi t
hthefoodandjui
ce,
thensat
downandgav eherafootmassageaft
ershe
fi
nishedeat
ing.
MAOTO: Ij
o,theylongslept,mmaBwashel las
usual
, butPrincesssangt oherandshesl
ept .I
evenmanagedt oputi nsomewor kaft
erIput
them down.Ir anyouawar m bat
htoo,wi
ll
makey oufeelbetter
.
GOUTA:Bat
hongt hennaI’m bl
essed,okil
awa
bonamonkarengokaphut habasadi ba
bangwewabakgant shet
sa?Whatdi dIdoto
deser
veamanl i
keyou?
MAOTO: (
smil
ing)st
ucki toutwit
hmedur i
ng
myf ool
ishphase…Iknowy ousaidifIev
er
apologi
seforthepastagain,you’
llsl
apme,but
Ireal
lyam sor
ryIwast hatstupi
dtoputyou
t
hroughal
lthat
.
GOUTA:
Ija,
ebil
ekanaIt
alkedt
othatgi
rl
…she
i
sgame.Butithast
obeatahotel
.
MAOTO: (smil
i
ng)Awesome,
I’
m honest
ly
exci
tedaboutit
.
GOUTA:
I’
m al
i
ttl
ebi
tner
vous…
MAOTO: About
?It
houghty
ou’
vebeenwi
th
subsbef
ore?
GOUTA:Yea…butInev
erhadmydom wat
chi
ng
mewhil
eatit…
MAOTO: Wedon’ thav etogot hr
oughwithiti
f
youareuncomf ortabl
e…andr emember,Iam
j
ustaspectator,Ihavenoi nter
estatal
lin
touchi
ngher.I’
l
l j
ustbesi t
tingonachair
watchi
ng.Youknowy ouareincontr
ol,
right
?As
yourdom Idon’treall
yhaveanypower ,what
happensiswhaty oual l
owonl y…
GOUTA:
Iknow…andIwantt
o…i
t’
sjust
…Idon’
t
wanty
out
obedi
sappoi
ntedi
nmeasadom…
MAOTO: Youar enotputt
ingonashowf orme,
youarejustenjoy
ingyoursel
fandI
’l
lbe
watchi
ng.(Hemov edcl
oserandki
ssedher)I
f
youdon’tl
ikeitwecanstopimmediatel
yand
f
orgetaboutit…
GOUTA: I
t’
sjust
…y ouar
ereal
l
yanawesome
dom andamast erandI
…Ineveraskedy
ouhow
youevengotintheBDSM worl
d?
MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)It
’ssocutet
hatyoublush
whenyoutal
kaboutsexandourl
if
esty
le…why
doest
hetopi
cmakey ouuncomfor
tabl
e?
GOUTA:(
laughi
ng)Excuseme,butIdoubtt
his
i
snormaltal
kbetweencoupl
es…butIwantto
know,
howdi dy
ouendup…
MAOTO:
(laughi
ng)myl
ateauntKenei
l
oe
GOUTA:Youruncl
e’
swi
fe?Ohmy
!Howdi
d…I
mean…
MAOTO: Wenttostaywi
ththem forabi taft
er
myf at
herdied,whenIwasar ound18…t olearn
thebusinessworld…wel
l,sheuhm…myuncl e
trav
ell
edal ot
…Iguessshegotbor ed.Isubbed
forherforawhileandIr
ealisedIwasj ustnota
sub…
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
44

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE
Kwapawalkedint
othehouseinthemorni
ng
andfoundWaronaint
heli
vingroom f
eedi
ng
Manny.
WARONA: So,
whodoest
hepanti
esbelongt
o
t
hen?IgotDNAsampler
esul
tsback…
KWAPA:Youwhat
?Howdi
dyouev
enget
Oni
ka’
ssampl
estomat
ch?
WARONA:
Irr
elev
ant
…whodot
heybel
ongt
o?
KWAPA: Somerandom hookerIpi
ckedupon
thest
reets,
Orogi
leOni
kamahal a.
WARONA: Hardly,Ihav
eev i
dencedpr oofofy
ou
t
woatr estaurants,goi
ngintohotelrooms
t
ogether,al
lthat.Butok,Iwon’tsuehersince
t
hereisn’
tsuffici
entevidencethatyouslept
wi
thherev enifit’
sobvious.
KWAPA:
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odonow?
WARONA: Iwantsolecustodyofmychi l
dren,
you’l
lgetvi
sit
ati
onright
s.Andsi ncewear e
mar r
iedincommunityofpr oper
ty,Iwant70%of
ourconsoli
datedassetssinceI’
mt aki
ng
responsi
bil
it
yforthechil
dren.
(
Handi
nghi
m ast
ackofpaper
s)
KWAPA:Whatthefuck?Whyi
smybusiness
l
ist
edunderpr
oper
tyandyour
sisnot
?
WARONA:
(shr
uggi
ng)It
echni
cal
l
ydon’
town
mybusiness,
it’
sundermydad’
s,t
obepassed
ont
omeonhi sdemise,
sonnatot
amyproper
ty
i
sthatcaroutther
eandmyclot
hes.
KWAPA: Bagol owaifyouthi
nkI’
llgodownjust
easil
ylikethat
.Iknowt hatl
awfir
m belongsto
you!Andy ouarenotget t
ingsol
ecustodyofmy
chi
ldren,andmybusi nesswasacquiredpri
orto
ourmar ri
age,so,har
dluck.
WARONA: Tr
ue,butt
hepr ofit
st ur
nedafter
mar r
iagewil
lbesharedata70/ 30marginin
favourofme,andwear enotdiscussi
ngthe
custody.Al
so,si
nceI’m keepi
ngt hehouse,I
wanty outomoveoutASAP.I ’
vehady ourshi
t
packedinboxes.Seey ouincour t
.

*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
TSHEPE:
Dani
arey
ousur
eyousawheragai
n?
DANIELLA:Yesdaddy
,Idi
d,shewasoutofour
schoolt
histi
me…
TSHEPE:
Alri
ght
,runal
ongt
omama,
letme
makeacall
.
Hedi
all
edt
henumberandi
tpi
ckedupaf
tera
f
ewri
ngs.
TSHEPE:Reall
yAmaryll
i
s?Comingaf
terl
i
ttl
e
ki
ds?Whyar eyouhangi
ngaroundmychi
ldr
en’
s
school
?
AMARYLLI S:Firstofal
l,
whydoy ouhavemy
number ?Andwhatt hefuckar
ey outal
king
about?That’sthereasonyoucameaf t
ermy
daughterthen?Becausey out
hinkIcameaf t
er
yourchil
dren?
TSHEPE:
Cameaf
tery
ourdaught
er?Whatt
he
hel
l?
AMARYLLI
S:Yourst
upi
dli
tt
lenot
eatt
hehot
el
signed‘ L’.Listen,
Legi on,Idon’tdobeatabout s,
I’
m abusywoman, i
fIwant edsomet hingf r
om
youI ’djustcomeov erandt akeit.Andi fI
want edy oudead, you’dbe, Iwon’tpussy foot
abouti tchasi ngaf t
erinnocentki ds,soy oustay
awayf r
om mydaught eri fyouvaluey ourlif
e.
Thi sisaf inalwarning, solel
ybecausey ouare
relatedt omyuncl e.
TSHEPE: Idi
dn’
tcomeafteryourki
d,you
psycho!I
’mjusthear
ingaboutthi
s.Anddon’
t
everthr
eatenmeagain.
AMARYLLI
S:Thr
eat
?Ha,youthi
nki
t’
sathr
eat
?
Comeaft
ermydaught
eragai
nandI
’l
l…
TSHEPE: Ididnotcomeaf t
ery ourdaughter
.For
asupposedt obesmartpersony ouarepret
ty
dense!Wear ebei
ngplay
edher e.Someonei f
dressedi
ny ourmodusscaringmychi l
dren,and
comesaf teryourdaught
erinpr et
enceofme.
Doy ouknowmet ocomeaf terkids?
AMARYLLS:(l
aughi
ng)y ouknowwhat ,youare
ri
ght
…andIhaveaprettygoodi deawhois
behi
ndal
lthi
s.They’
l
l behandled.Keepyour
ki
dssaf
e,famil
yiseverythi
ng,andIcouldnever
comeaft
ersomeone’skids,that’
slow.Bye.
TSHEPE:Wai
t…Iwannaknowwhot
hatper
son
i
s,t
heycameaftermyki
ds…
AMARYLLI S:(l
aughing)y
ourprett
ylit
tleex.She
i
si ntownandshei stheonepersony ouandI
bothhav egr
ievanceswit
h.Ishouldhav eki
ll
ed
thatbit
chalongt i
meago.By eLegion.

*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
ONIKACamebackf
rom dr
oppi
ngtheki
dsof
f
school
andf
oundDesmondsti
l
linbed.
ONI
KA:
Don’
tyouhav
ethatmeet
ingwi
thGout
a
Kgagodi
?
DESMOND: Whati
sthepoi
ntofmeevengoi
ng
towor
kbecausethemomentIgooutyoul
eti
n
someotherni
gga?
ONIKA:I
jo,onal
emathatarr
a…I’
m of
ftoyoga
thensomeshoppi
ngforLot
.Cal
lmeandletme
knowifyou’
ll
begoi
ngout.
DESMOND: KareI
’m notgoi
ng.Letusstarv
e
then.Youwhi
neaboutmet rav
ell
ingyetyou
havenoprobl
em spending!
ONI KA: Ok,Desmond.I fy ouarenowgoi ngt o
believeeveryrumoury ouhearaboutme, then
thisisobv i
ouslynotgoi ngtowor k!Wouldn’ tI
bescar edifIactuallysleptwi t
hWar ona’
s
husband?Idi dn’t,andIcan’ tdoallt
hisbullshit
any more.Now, y
ougety ourselft
ogetherand
deci detoactlikeamanbecauseI ’mfait
hful to
you, butIdon’tknowwhaty ougetupt oony our
travels.
DESMOND:
What
?Yout
hinkI
’
m cheat
ing?
ONIKA:Well
,sinceWarona’swordisgospel,I
choosetobeli
evehert
oo, shesaysy ouare
sl
eepingwit
hy ounggi
rl
sthat’sthereasonyou
tr
avelsomuch.
DESMOND:Thati
sthemostri
dicul
oust
hingI
’v
e
heardi
nawhil
e…whatt
hefuckdoesWarona
Cull
knowaboutme?
ONI KA: Whatdoessheknowaboutme?
(Sighing)Des, I’
ml oyalt
oy ou,Inev ersleptwi t
h
anot hermansi nceImety ou.YesImetKena
coupl eoftimesbecausehewast her eforme,
andIgetbor eddoi ngnothinginthishouseal l
dayl ong.Butnev ert
ocheat .Iwil
lst opmeet ing
him sinceitmakesy ousouncomf ortable.Let’
s
tryf i
ndsolutionst oourproblems, huh?Iam
bor edandy ouhav enotimef orus, l
et’stry
handl ethat,ok?
DESMOND:
Ok…It
rusty
ouOni
ka,
Ijustgetso
scar
ed…Il
ovey
ou,
ok?Inev
erwantt
olosey
ou.

*
***
***
**

ATBANYANA’
SMOM’
SHOUSE
BanyanaandSegametsisatwit
htheirmot her
andsister
sunderat
ree.Shelookedov erasa
cardroppedof
foneofhergrandchi
ldren.
MMA-
SETSHEGO:
Naar
ethatper
sonkeSet
so?
SEGAMETSI:Hee,ij
a,waboasi molotse,where
doesshegetoffbei
ngdr oppedof
fbycar s
whenshehasf or
mf i
v eexamstowr i
te,doesn’
t
hermotherhaveenoughchildr
enal
ready ?Wa
boabatlagoimetsaSetshegomerwal oakere.
Whereisshefr
om ev en?
MMA- SETSHEGO: Ihadsenthert
oyouraunt
’s
i
nt hecatt
leposttogetsomesourmi l
k.Butt
he
carlooksnicethough…okarekeaeitse.
Set
sowal
kedi
nwi
thabucketofsourmi
l
k.
MMA-
SETSHEGO:
Oh,
hav
eyougoti
tmygi
rl
?
SETSO:Eemma,
auntmma-
pul
esendsher
regar
ds.
MMA- SETSHEGO: Othusi
tswekemangkal i
ft
?
Ebil
ennaIthoughtyouwouldjustcomeback
withthedonkeycar
tslebomma- Bashi
inthe
eveni
ng.
SETSO:Ithinktheyl
eftear
lybecausethe
donkey
-cartdidn’
tpassby.Igotali
ftf
rom t
hat
man.Theonewhor ecentl
ymov edinl
e
monnamogol oKgodumo.
MMA-SETSHEGO:
Hehasani
cecar
,hmm?A
r
eng?
SETSO:Nothi
ng,hewasj
ustdri
vi
ngbyandI
waswalki
ngback,soheaskedmewher eIwas
goi
ngbecauseitwasget
ti
ngdark,andwhenI
sai
dherehegavemear i
de.Hedoesn’tt
alk
much,sohewasquietal
ltheway.
MMA- SETSHEHO: IheardShadiboast
ingthat
hestudieskomahat shengandheisstart
ing
somebusi ness.Hmmm…may behedoesn’t
havefri
endsint hev i
ll
agethati
swhyhei sso
qui
et,youshouldv isi
thim someti
mesandsay
hi
,
BANYANA: Mme!Ao!Youhavepi
mpedoutal
l
youryoungestdaught
ersnowyouwantt
omove
toyoureldestgr
andchi
ld!
SEGAMETSI :(
laughinginshockandcl appi
ng
once)Nny aannaompal etset odayy omosadi !
Mme!Howcoul dyout ellhertodot hat?
Setshegowon’ tli
ket hi
s,shei st r
yingherallto
makesur eherchi l
drendon’ tendupt hesame,
sheistheonl ywomany olaisangdi tenawith
thathorr
ibleChineseconst r
uct i
oncompany ,but
shedoesi tforherchi l
dren!
MMA-SETSHEGO: Ah-
ah,kekgannengwana
bot
sal
a?Setshegocansaywhatshewants,she
i
sneverhomeanyway!
SEGAMETSI:Becauseshewor kstwoj obs!
Remembershet ookcareofthefamilywith
madianamol aleubaandthatni
ghtjobatthe
barbef
oreNny anaandIgotmarried!Howcan
yousaythat
!
MMA- SETSEGO: Shehasf ivechil
dr enshecan
barelyprovi
def or,andSet soi snol ongerababy!
I
ja,Ohi thel
aler atagoi phaphamodi sa.Sheis
fi
nishingstudying,thenot silegot holamo
doingnot hi
ng,andsoonshe’ l
lgetpr egnantli
ke
therestofy oursisters!Woul dyour athershe
bri
ngshomeababybyt heseusel essv ill
age
boysoramaneducat edabr oadwi thhi sown
business?

*
***
***
**

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
S
Kwapawal
kedi
nint
heev
eni
ngandf
oundagi
rl
si
tt
ingwi
thhi
smot
her
.
KWAPA:
Dumel
ang…
MMA- MAOTO: Oh,myboy …come, sitwit
hus,
Namet sowasj usthelpi
ngmepi ckthisgreens,
youknowIl ikethepeakere.Setshwakgaseba
rengMosi t
isaidshewoul dcomehel pme, but
shenev erdi
d,Rebausual l
yhelpsbutshei s
pregnantandneedsherr est.Name, thisi
smy
sonKwapa, wamoi tseakere?
NAMETSO:Justi
npassing,
Ihav
eseenhi
m and
hi
sbr
other
sgoingforr
uns.
KWAPA:
Hi…
NAMETSO:
(shl
y)Dumel
ang…
MMA- MAOTO: Well
,don’
tjustseatthereKwapa,
ahh!Helpus!Ija,
ebil
eIhadsai dIwouldcheck
onthatoldladykakwa,shewasn’ twelland
Rebagav emesomemedi cineforher.Letme
takethem t
oher .Kwapaobol edi
seNamewhen
sheisdone, i
t’
squit
egetti
ngl at
e.
*
***
***
**

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Banyanaarr
ivedandf oundt hebabyscreaming
whil
eColtonlai
dont hecouchwi t
hheadsetson,
onhissmartphone.Hepi ckedupt hechil
dand
gavehim al
olli
poptocal m him down.
BANYANA: There,
that’
sagoodboy.Cal
m down
papi…cal
m down.I’
ll
gomakey ousomethi
ngto
eatbecauseyourdumbpieceofshi
tfat
her
di
dn’tI’
m sur
e!Colt
on!Don’
tyouhearhi
m
cry
ing?
Whenhedidn’
trespondshewentoverand
shookhi
m,ri
ppingtheheadset
soff
.
BANYANA:
Karedon’ty
ouheary
ourbast
ard
scr
eami
ngit
’sl
ungsoff
?
COLTON:
(smi
l
ing)Nope…noi
secancel
l
ati
on
headset
s.Nift
yli
ttl
ethi
ngItel
lyea,Sl
i
pt hem on,
and…peace!Am Ismartorwhat!Gotyouaset
too!
BANYANA:SoIj
ustgotacallf
rom Dr
.
Gunda…t
heol
dladypassed.
COLTON:What
?No!Sowher
edowet
aket
his
ki
dthen?
BANYANA: (
sighing)Doesi tlookl i
ket herei s
anyot heropt ion?Wehav etokeephi m.Idon’ t
l
ikeit, butwecan’ tthrowhi mt othestr eets,he
i
sy ourchi ld,Colton.Ihav er egister
edhi mt o
daycar euntilsi
x, andt hereisawomannextt o
thedaycar ewhodoesnannyser vi
ceunt i
l11pm
i
ncaseI ’
mr unningl ate,she’llpickhim up, t
hen
I’
ll
pickhi mf r
om herhouse, becauseobv i
ouslyI
can’ttrusty ou.Ican’ tbeli
ev ey oudidn’tpick
him upf r
om daycar et heotherday !Thet eacher
want edt oexpel him whenIpi ckedhi m upat
midni ght!
COLTON:
I’
m sor
ry,
ok,
argg!Inev
eraskedf
or
thi
s!
BANYANA:Neit
herdi
dI,
youmor on!Nei
therdi
d
I
!Andit
’snotev
enmychild!I
t’
syourbastar
d!

*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE
Amel
i
ahpacedar
oundner
vousl
y.
AMELIAH:So,war ehowareyougoi
ngtostop
myfatherf
rom spyingonme?Thenast
yperver
t!
Nxl
a!IfIwassurehewouldn’
tcomeaft
eryou
I
’dconfr
onthi
mr ightnow.
LENTSWE: Iam goingtorecor
drandom videos
ofyoui nt
hebat hroomsandbedr oom showing
not
hingatal landfeedthem tohisappevery
day,ketsentsesphazahel aascamerasiny our
bat
hr oom andbedr oom.
AMELIAH:Ican’
tli
veli
kethi
sLee, whatdoes
thi
smanwantf r
om mekant e!I
sn’ti
tenough
thathet
ort
uredmet hr
oughoutmychi l
dhood?I
l
ivedinf
ear…andnowitstar
tsalloveragai
n?
LENTSWE: (
huggingherfrom behindand
ki
ssinghernape)Don’tworryLiah,hi
sdaywi l
l
comeandIpr omiseyouhewi llfeelt
hatf earhe
madey ouli
vewith….
he’l
lbegf ormer cythatwil
l
notcome.Everydoghasit’sday …you’l
lsee.
AMELIAH: Whatifhecomeshere
and..
and…sinceIknowhesomehowhasmy
housekey snowandchangi
ngtheylocksi
s
usel
ess?Idon’ttr
ustmysecur
it
ycompany
because,duh,heknewmypassword.
LENTSWE: Yea, Ihaveinstal
ledanother
parasi
ticsecur i
tysystem torideony ourcurr
ent
one,plusmot ionsensor sont heoutside,
and…
giv
emey ourphone, l
etmel inkthem up.When
yousleepy ouj ustpressthisbuttonherethat
says‘sleep’,
andi fthemai norbackdoori s
openedwhi l
esetonsleep,i
twil
lblareuploudly
wakingy ou,
anditwil
lnoti
fymet oo.I
twil
l show
youwhi chdoorisbei
ngopened,soifheisat
thefrontdoorj
ustgetoutthebackandI’l
lbe
comingt ogetyou.
AMELI
AH:Wow…howdoy
ouknowal
lthi
s?
Wher
edidy
ougeti
t?
Shesai
dassherubbedhi
stopl
essbackand
ki
ssedhi
sneck…
LENTSWE:I t
’smyownsy st
em, Icameupwit
h
i
t.Iusedtodosurvei
l
lancef
orsomer eal
l
ybad,
bad,meninKorea.Mystudi
esrequir
edsi
x
ti
meswhatIgotinall
owance,soIhadtowork
tosurvi
ve…
AMELIAH:Thenumberofpeoplewhowould
payfort
hisLee!Andmyweirdasssi
ster
s
tal
ki
ngaboutyouarenoteducat
edandshit
…
LENTSWE:
(laughi
ng)Bar
ial
o?
AMELI
AH:
Didwel
ltot
ell
them y
ouhol
daMsc
Roboti
cTechnologyfr
om thebestuni
inKorea…
coul
dn’thel
pgloataboutmybabe,nebantena.
LENTSWE: (l
aughing)Mxim,y
ouletpet
tyt
hings
botheryou…legalenextt
imeyouwannagl
oat
doaddMScSur veil
l
anceandInt
ell
i
gencet
ot hat
(hewinkedather).
AMELI
AH:Surv
…what
?Theyevenhavesuch?
Ohmy!Youhavet
womaster
s’degr
ees?
LENTSWE:Yup…t
hat’
swhyIneededtowor
kto
payformyot
herdegr
eeandmasters.
AMELI AH: Ireal
lycan’twaittost i
ckittomy
sisterswheny ougobi g.They ’
l
l eattheirwords.
Let’swor konabusi nessplanf orit!Yea,that
willbegood, I’
m soexci t
ed!Theov erheadsare
l
owandIcoul dpopt helit
tl
ethati sneededf or
i
ni t
ialinventory,andIknowagi rlwith
under groundconnect i
onswithal ltherich
peopl eandbusi nesspeopl e,shecanmar keti
t
fory ouallov erthewor l
d!Thisisgr ound-
breaki
ng!Evenbusi
nesseswoul
dwant
thi
s…andy oucoul
deasil
ychar
geP50000per
i
nstall
ati
on!
LENTSWE:
Idon’
tknowLi
ah,
I…
AMELIAH:Nope!Nobut sandI
’s…Mat
teroffact
I’
m st
art
ingonthebusinesspl
annow,Ican’
t
evensl
eep,I
’m soexci
ted!
LENTSWE:
(ki
ssi
ngher
)Whyar
eyousosmar
t?
AMELIAH: (bl
ushing)Ijustam…andIt ot
all
y
wanttoknowaboutt he‘reall
ybad,badmeni n
Korea’youworkedf or…isthatwherethetatt
oo
i
ny ourwristi
sfrom?Inot i
cedyourfri
endJian
hadittoo.

*
***
***
*

Si
xmont
hsl
ater
……
*
***
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
45

6mont
hsl
ater

(Thi
sepi
sodemaycontainsexuall
yexpl
i
cit
cont
ent,
readerdi
scr
eti
onadvised)

TheKgagodi
boy
ssatt
oget
herhav
ingadr
ink.
MAOTO:
Soi
t’
sdonej
ustl
i
ket
hatnemonna?
KWAPA: TobehonestIf
eelr
eli
eved,li
kewei
ght
hasbeenremovedfr
om myshoulders,War
ona
i
shellwhenyouareonherwrongside.
MAOTO:Andt
henkaaccomo?Icoul
dloany
ou
some…
KWAPA:
(laughi
ng)shuti
t,I
’
m nothav
ingmy
babybrotherpayforshi
tofmi ne.ThoughI
di
dn’thavetosellt
heclini
c,shetookthe
consoli
datedprof
itsat70/30.
TSHEPE:
Howi
sthatf
airt
hough?
KWAPA: Shei sfucki
ngWar onaCul l
man, I
’v
e
seenwealthyasf uckmenwal kfrom div
orce
caseshandledbyt hatgi
rlwithnothi
ngintheir
hands.Isti
llhav
emycl i
nicevenifsheli
ter
all
y
tookeveryt
hingelse.Thetempor ar
yclosur
e
affect
edthings,
mar eitwill
pickup.
MAOTO: Soaboutdaef r
oy ol
e?Kanasheis
al
mostmov edin,Ifi
ndherkogommeev er
y
dayandsheisalwayscaringforManny
wheneverhei
swi thyou.
KWAPA:Arg,whatam It
odowhenmmewant
s
herar
ound?
TSHEPE:
Youar
est
il
lhi
tt
ingi
tthough.
KWAPA:Likeyouwouldsaynotopussyser
ved
i
nasil
verplat
ter
.FuckyeaI’
m hi
tt
ingi
t,I
’
ma
si
ngl
eman.
LENTSWE: Kantemmewhydomendot hatne
batho,Nametsoseemsli
keaverynicedecent
gir
l,whypl
ayherli
kethat
?Ineverunderst
ood
theneedtoplaywit
hsomeone’
sf eel
ings.
KWAPA: Di
dIaskhertothrowhersel
fatme?
GatweModi mogaohekal et
sogobro…
(Laughing)
.Butontheseri
ousthough,Tebl
a,
youmakesur eony al
aoutofcommuni t
yof
propertybr
o,bonamyl i
fesavi
ngsand
businessesIhadtogivesomeone70%.
TEBATSO:
Ae,
Kedi
woul
dnev
erdot
hatt
ome.
KWAPA:Yea,Isai
dthattoowhenmylawyer
advi
sedmetowardsit
,Itol
dhim Wari
snott
hat
ki
ndofwoman…howi sbusi
nessgoi
ng
Lent
swe?
LENTSWE: Goodmyman, Li
ahknowsthi
sgir
l,
herf
atheri
ssoi nt
otechnol
ogyandst
uff
,gat
we
VanAndreas.Shebeenmodell
ingi
nLondon,
butshei
sbackandshearr
angedf
ormet
o
pi
tchtoherf
athert
omor
row…
TEBATSO:
Bat
hshebai
sback?

*
***
***
**

I
nAMOTEL

Kwapapul
l
edonhispantsandshi
rtasBany
ana
l
aiddowni
nthebedsti
l
lnaked.
KWAPA:
Got
tago…t
il
lnextt
ime…
BANYANA:
Justl
i
ket
hat
,hi
tandr
un?
KWAPA:
Whatdoy
ouexpect
,acuddl
e?
BANYANA:
Whyar
eyousor
udet
ome?
KWAPA: Becausey ouarecheapho?Look,my
soniswit
hmet oday,soIhavetogo.Idon’
t
haveti
mef ort
his.Textmeagainifyou
wanna…’
hang’
.

*
***
***
*

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
SHOUSE

Kwapawalkedi
nandf
oundNamet
socl
eani
ng
thest
ove.
NAMETSO: (smil
ing)DumelarragweMan- man,I
bathedhim andputhim down, heisspending
thenightwit
hy outodayakere,orhismot heris
comingt ogethim?Mmei snotwel lsoshei s
l
ay i
ngdownaf terIgavehersomemedi cation
from Reba.I
sMannyst ayi
ngt henight
?
KWAPA: Heisspendi
ngt
henight
,canyouget
memydi nner
?(Hewenttot
heliv
ingroom and
satwat
chingTV)
Namet
socamecar
ryi
ngt
hepl
ateandadr
ink.
KWAPA:I
jo,
soIdon’
twashmyhandst
hen?Ke
j
ehel
a?
NAMETSO:Par
donme,Igotdi
str
act
ed.I
’
llgo
gety
ousomewaterandaclot
h.

*
***
***
*

ATMOX’
SHOUSE

BathshebasawTebat so’
scart urni
nginand
smiled.Sheknewi twouldn’tbelongbef orehe
showed.Ei therhi
scousinorMoxwasboundt o
ment i
ont hatshewasback.Kayhadov erhear
d
hi
m say i
nghewoul dcheckonherl at
er,andthe
tr
uef ri
endshewas, madesur eherandMox
weren’tinthehousef orthenight.Theywentt o
vi
sitKay ’
ssi st
ert
oseet henew- born.
Shef
ixedhersi
l
kli
nger
ieni
ght
ieandt
iedher
l
ongcur lyhairi
nabr aidj ustthewayhel ikedit,
thenrant othebathroom anddr i
ppedsomeey e
dropsonherey esandr ubbedt hem unt
ilthen
l
ookedr edandswol l
en, andt hendroppedi n
somet apwat erthatmadehert earup.Tebatso
hadalway sbeenasuckerf oradamsel in
dist
ress.Especiall
yforhert ears.
Magadimyfoot.Let’sseehowt hatbit
chlikes
havi
nghermant akenaf t
erantshamagadi …or
i
nhercase,aboutgont shamagadisincehe
hadn’
tyet
.Actual
lynotherman, no.Tebatso
washers,
Shebat hought,shewasjusttaki
ng
backwhat’
shers.
Therewasaknockatthedoorandaft
erafew
ti
messhecamet oopenwithti
ssuepaperi
nher
hand,sni
ff
li
ng.
BATHSHEBA: Kay…Ican’
tseehim,ithurt
stoo
muchespeciallyheari
ngthatontshamagadi.I
won’
tlethim seemypai n,I
’mjustgoingtohel
p
Li
ah’
sf r
iendandt hengobackt oLondon…I
can’tseehim withoutbr
eaki
ngapart.
(shesai
d
standingbehindthedoorsnif
fl
ingwit
hasmi l
e
onherf ace,
thenopenedt hedoorwit
hasad
face)OhTebat so…it’
syou…Ithoughtitwas
Kay,Ihaveherkey s.
TEBATSO:Whyareyouly
ingtomeBat hsheba?
Youareobv
iousl
ynotok,andtonott
ellmey ou
ar
eback?
BATHSHEBA:(
snif
fl
ing)MoxandKayar
enot
her
e,pl
easel
eave…
TEBATSO: Youdon’
thavetopr
etendSheba,
I
knowIhurtyou…Ihear
dwhatyousaidwhen
youthoughtitwasKayatt
hedoor…
BATHSHEBA:Thenyouunder
standwhyIdon’
t
wanttoseey
ourightnow?Besides,
whydo
youcare?
TEBATSO:YouknowIcareSheba…wedidn’t
breakupbecauseIst
oppedl
ovi
ngyou,Ijust
l
ov esomeonemore…
BATHSHEBA: Itr
iedTebatso,
thepastmont hs
i
nLondon…allIdidwascrymy selft
osleep,see
howmuchwei ghtI’
velost
…andt henIwas
goi
ngparanoidbecauseDodgerwasst alki
ng
me…andguesswhoputmeonacr i
minal l
i
ke
Dodger
’sradar…youhurtmeTebla…youhur tme
badl
y…
Thebr
okeint
oafullbl
ownbreakdownandhe
hel
dherasshecr
iedonhershoulder
.
BATHSHEBA: Youknow, Ifeel sorejected…Idi
d
everythi
ngIcouldTebat so,mymoney ,
my
career,wenttojail
fory ou…ev eryt
hing!Iwas
wil
lingtogiveyouev ery
thing, eveny ourstupid
chil
drenthatIdidn’twant …If eelli
keI ’
m not
goodenough…t ellme, Tebl a,whatdi dIdo
wrong?Whycoul dn’titbeme?
Shebr okedownandcr umbledt
othefloor
cry
ing.Tebatsopickedherupandwalkedwith
herinhisarmstot hebedr
oom andputherin
bed,tucki
ngherin.
TEBATSO: RestSheba….
pleasedon’
tdothi
sto
your
self.Every
thi
ngthathappenedwasallmy
faul
t.I
’
mt hepieceofshi
twhodi dn’
tdeser
ve
you…
Assheturnedtot
hesidehersil
kgownbecame
undone,
leavi
ngheri
ntheli
tt
leblackl
ace
camisol
eandmatchi
ngpanties.
Shesmi ledinwardlyasshesawhim swall
ow
hard.Yes,somegi rlsj
ustgoti
tli
kethat
,and
sheknewshedi d.Knewt hatheli
kedheri
nthat
l
itt
lenumber …li
kedherper f
umescentbecause
hefirstboughtitforherhi
mself
…
Mor
etearswel
leddownhereyesandhewiped
t
hem wi
thhisf
inger
sandki
ssedhereyel
i
ds.
TEBATSO:I
’
m sosorr
ySheba,
IhadnoideaI
hur
tyousobad,
Ithoughty
ouwerecopi
ng
now…
BATHSHEBA: I
’
m not…I’
m constant
lyontheant
i
-
depressant
sandsleepi
ngpill
s…pleasestay
wi
thmeunt
ilIsl
eep.
Het ookof
fhisshoesandgoti nbedbesides
her.Shesnuggl
edclosertohim andhishand
drapedoverherbody,hol
dingherclose.He
snif
fedatherhair
…herfavori
teBvlgar
i
shampoo…wi t
hthemat chi
ngper f
umehe’ d
boughther…
Hefelthersnuggl ecloserinhersleep,herperky
defi
nedbut tf
it
t i
ngjustrighttothecurveofhis
body,rubbi
ngagai nsthisthrobbinghard-on…
hi
shandabsentmi ndedlywenttot hecurveof
herhipsandst art
edcar essingher,mov i
ng
downheri nnerthigh…

*
***
***
**

SOMEWHEREI
NFRANCI
STOWN
Goutasatonthebedwhil
eMaot osatont
he
chai
rthatdi
rect
lyl
ookedovert
hebed.
Shecl
osedt heheavybli
ndsandwal kedaround
onherthighhi
ghblackleathersti
lett
oboot s,
l
acegarterbel
tthatconnectedtoherpant i
es,
andalaceandleatherblackcorset.Herhair
wasti
edi nt
oapony tai
l
.
GOUTA: I’
m nervous,sothisisf
inal
l
y
happening…Icouldn’
tactuall
ymasterupt
he
couragetodoi t
,butIknowIwantt o…the
di
scussingitforthosefewmont hsmademe
confi
dent
MAOTO:Anythi
ngyouwantmyl
ove…Ihav
eto
admi
t,I
’
m excit
edashel
l
.
GOUTA:
Sheshoul
dbeher
eanymi
nut
enow.
Therewasaknockatt
hedoorandGout
awent
toopenit
.
GOUTA:
Oh,youarehere…comein…your
odeal
l
t
hewayher
e( l
aughi
ng)youthough!
*
***
***
**

Tshepet rail
edhertoanondescr iptBHChouse.
I
twasn’ tbigorany thi
ng,justnormal house, ina
normal neighborhood.Ther ewasnocarpar ked
i
nt hefront,soshewashomeal onet hen?She
openedt hegateandr odein,parkingherbi ke
thenunmount i
ngandwal kedtowar dst hedoor.
Hewat chedhersashayt ot hedoori nhert i
ght
l
eathers,admi t
tedlylooki
ngsi nf
ul l
ydel i
cious
withthatroundbum.
ThatAmary l
l
issti
l
lhadn’
tki
ll
edt
hisst
upidbi
tch
annoyedhimt onoend.Whywasshetaki
ngher
ti
metof i
nishthegir
lof
f?
Sheopenedthedoorandwal
kedi
n.Cl
osi
ngi
t
behi
ndher.
*
***
***
**

HER:Mist
ress…wher
eishe,
Ithoughthewas
watchi
ng.
GOUTA: Hei
s…getinthebathr
oom and
shower…bequi
ckaboutit
,andmindnotto
quest
ionmeagain.
HER:Apol
ogi
esmistr
ess.(
Shecasthereyes
downandwalkedt
othebathr
oom toshower.
Goutaheardthewaterrunningast hegi
rlused
theshowergelshehadl ef
tinthereforher.She
camebackf ul
lynakedandknel tbefor
eher ,
sti
l
l
shiv
eri
ngfrom thecol
dwat er.
HER:
I’
m cl
eaned,
mist
ress…
Goutasecuredthebli
ndfol
doverhereyesand
thenMaot ofi
nal
lywalkedi
ntopl
essandquietl
y
satatthechairt
hatgavehimful
lviewof
every
thing.
Hewat
chedat
tent
ivel
ywi
thasmi
l
eonhi
sface.
NextGoutatookagagbal
landf
orcedheri
nto
hermouth…
GOUTA:
Arey
oucomf
ort
abl
e?
Shenodded.
Andt
heni
twast
hecol
l
arandadogl
eash…
Sheyankeditupandbentherov
erthebed,t
hen
wit
houtwarningapaddlel
andedhardonthe
gi
rl
’sbarebottom,
makingherbi
tethesof
tgag
bal
lhard.
‘
Nexttimeyou’l
llearntoshowupi nti
me’ six
morepaddlelashesandt henshecaressedthe
redangrywelt
swi thhersofthands,
applying
somesoothingbalm.
Shepull
edherbackdownt oherkneesand
removedhergagbal
l.Thenshesli
dherpanties
tothesi
deandsatonanof fi
cechair
,legswide
openwhil
ethegir
lkneltbet
weenherlegs.She
roughl
ygrabbedherwit
hherpony
tai
land
broughthert
ohercore….
‘
Eati
t…’
Thebl i
ndfol
dedgir
lopenedhermout hand
star t
edoffli
ckinghermist
ress’ssensit
ive
net herli
pswithherwarm wettongue,
teasing….li
cki
ng,sucki
nguntilhermistr
ess’s
thighsbegant oquiver
,,gr
abbinghardt oher
hairandshov inghercl
osertohercor e.
Maot owatchedwi t
heager,t
akingouthi
shard-
onandr oughlystr
okedhimselfashewatched
hiswifeinacti
on.Goutainpoweral way
s
turnedhim on,ev
eni nt
heboardroom at
meet i
ngs.Thiswasgoingtobequi t
eanight
oncet hegi
rlwasdismissed.
Themorehiswif
esoftl
ymoanedasshecame,
themoret
urnedonhegot,
andthenhewas
cumminghard,
shoot
inghi
sloadal
loverhi
s
abs.
Gout
adr
aggedt
hesl
avegi
rlov
ertohi
m wit
h
t
hedogl
eashwhi
let
hegi
rlwasst
il
lonal
lfour
s.
GOUTA:
Cleanupmymast
er…
Asthegi
rleagerl
yli
ckedathi
sabswhi
l
eGout
a
hel
dherl
eash, t
hedoorfl
ewopen…
TSHEPE:Yout
houghtIwouldn’
tfi
ndyou,
you
l
it
tl
ebit
ch…ohmyGod, whatthefuck!
Hecover
edhiseyeswithhi
shandsandt urned
ar
oundasGoutablushedandcoveredherself
wi
ththebedsheetswhil
eMaotolaughed.
MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)Babybro…wearequi
tebusy
asyoucansee,soifyoudon’
tmindwait
ingi
n
thel
iv
ingroom pl
ease.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
46
ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Amel i
ahstoodonhert i
ptoesandputtheti
e
aroundLentswe’sneckandsecuredit
,goi
ng
overhissuitwit
hal i
ntremover
,thengr
abbed
hi
scol ognefrom t
hedressi
ngtableand
sprayedadashov erhim.
AMELI
AH:
Per
fect
!
LENTSWE:I
’m sonervousLiah,I
’m atechguy,
I
l
it
eral
l
ychokeatpresentat
ions.Ican’
tdoit.
AMELIAH: (
str
aight eningherpenci
lskirt
)Yes
youcan.AndI’l
lber i
ghtbesideyou.I’
l
lpitcht
he
i
deaandt hemar ket i
ngaspectsandal ly
ou
havetodoisexpl ainyourtechpart,we’v
ebeen
thr
oughthisLee,y ougotit!
LENTSWE:(
smi
l
ing)whatwoul
dIev
erdo
wit
houty
ou?
AMELI AH:Let’
sgo, t
hisisyourmomentt o
shine.ThatMr.VanAndr easguyi sgoi
ngt obe
blownaway .Iknowy ouarener v
ous,but
remembert osmi l
e,ok?Investor
sliket
hatshit
.
Smi l
ingandconfidence.I’
llberi
ghtbesideyou!
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
LENTSWE: YoualwayssayImakeyoufeelsaf
e,
butyoudon’tknowjusthowmuchsaferyou
makemef eel.Iwasneverabl
etot
rustanyone
unti
lImetyou,Ameliah.

*
***
***
***

ATMOX’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowokeupwi
thBathshebaonhischest
st
il
lsl
eepi
ng,
bot
hofthem naked.Ohshi
t.
He’
dreal
l
ynev
ermeantt
ocheat
,butwhatwas
theusedenyinghedi dhav efeeli
ngsforSheba?
HelovedherandBat hshebawassexyasf uck,
i
t’sj
ustthathelovedKedi mor eandshewas
thety
peofwomanhewant edf orawife.And
Kedigotonwell wi
t hhismot her,ev
en
Kgodumol i
kedher .Shecar edabouthisfamily
whereShebagav ezer ofucks,didn’
twantthem
even.
BATHSHEBA: (
groggi
ly
)Mhhh…thatwasni
ce…I
haven’
tsl
eptsopeaceful
l
yinawhil
e.
TEBATSO:Sheba,
I’
m sor
ry…pl
ease,
Idi
dn’
t
mean…Il
ovemyf i
ancée.
BATHSHEBA:(t
ear
ingup)Iknow…I ’
mj ustsome
si
ll
yexyouusedagai
nandIf el
lforit
.
TEBATSO:
Pleasedon’
tsayt
hat
.
BATHSHEBA: Justleave!Damnit,
leav
e,Tebl
a!
Fucki
ngleave,getoutofmyl i
fe!(
Shescreamed
andthrewthi
ngsathi m.Hedodgedar oundand
caughther
e,hugginghertight
ly)
TEBATSO: StopthisSheba,stopit!Thi
s…thi
s
crazybehav iourofyoursisthereasonIcan’tbe
withy ou!YouknowIl ikepeace!(Hekissedher
neckandhi shandsfondledherbr east
s,
shov i
nghert othegroundonal lfoursand
caressedherst il
lsti
ckyfrom l
astnightcore
untilshewaswetagai n,t
henplungedhi s
mor ninggloryhardoni nt
oherandhammer ed
herhar d.
BATHSHEBA: (whimperi
ngasshehel dont ot
he
bed)Aww, Teb,gent
lyplease,
youknowt hat
thingi
sbigandIhaven’tbeenwit
hany one
sinceyou…
TEBATSO:(
whisper
ingi
nherear
)sincewhen
doyouli
kegentl
e?AndI
’m si
ckofgentl
e
anyway
…
Hepumpedherhar dunti
lthem bot
hcoll
apsed
tothefl
oorcumminghard,thenhepul
ledout
andgotintheshowerandcameoutput t
ingin
hiscl
othes.
TEBATSO: Igottago….I’
l
lcally
ou,
Sheba.
Pleasedon’tl
eavewithoutsayi
nggoodbye.I
’
m
headedtoMoi yabanatovisi
tmymot her
tomorrow.

*
***
***
***

ATAHOTEL

Amel iahtookLent
swe’shandandsqueezedit
reassuringl
yastheywalkedi
ntothehot
elboard
room andsatdown.Shepr epar
edandarranged
thef i
l
esi nt
osetsoff
ourandcheckedthe
projector.
Af
teraboutt
wentymi nut
es,MrVanAndreas
wal
kedinwithtwoofhisdaught
ersand
Ameli
ahwalkedtothem wit
hasmile.
BATHSHEBA:
Dad,
Bassey
,thi
sisAmel
i
ah.
(HuggingAmel i
ah)Liah,mydadandmysi st
er
Basetsana.Blowthem awaybabygirl
.Yougot
thi
s.Iwon’ tbejoi
ningyouguys,Ij
ustcameto
dothei nt
roduct
ions.Cal
l y
oulat
er….
Ameli
ahshooktheVanAndr
eashandsand
Lent
swefol
lowedsui
t.
AMELI AH: Asshehassaid,I’m Ameli
ahCul l
,
l
egal advisorandmar keti
ngconsultanttoMr
LentsweKgagodi ,andIam tell
ingyou,thi
sguy
i
st hef ut
ur eofsurvei
ll
ance.Takeyourseat
pl
ease.Ij usthavemineralwaterbutthehotel
staffisatmycal lforanydrinksyou’dl
ike,so
j
ustl etmeknow.
Sheledt hem totheboardtableandst arted
i
ntroducingt hei
deaandt heconcept ,t
he
fi
nancialproject
ions,andexpectedreturns,t
hen
passedont oLentswe.Shesmi l
edr eassuri
ngly
whenhest oodatt hefr
ontpanicked,and
eventual
lyhemanagedt omov ealongand
passionatelyexplai
nedhisproduct.
VANANDREAS: Youwereri
ght
,younglady,
thi
s
i
sthestuf
fthatcouldtaket
heworldbystor
m,
whatdoyouthinkBass?
BASETSANA: Ili
keittoo,I’
m hardlyi
mpr essed
wit
ht ech’sthi
sday s,al
l t
heydoi suseless
soci
al medi aappsliketheyaregoingtobet he
nextFacebookorWhat sApp,pshht ,
please!But
thi
s?Thi sIlove…butthey’r
easkingforami ldad.
That’
snotchumpchangeandcoul dbear i
skon
anunt estedproduct.
AMELI AH:Ver ytrueMsVanAndr eas, our
productisrelati
velynewandgr oundbr eaking
mightIsay, butitisnotunt ested.Thi spr oduct
wasspeci f
icall
ycr eatedforasy ndicatewho
prefer
stheirprivacyinKor ea,andt heyar esti
ll
usingitandenj oyingit.Wear et al
kingpeopl e
whodemandhi ghsecur i
ty.Ifyoul ookatpage
24,ourservicest othem arel i
sted…
Amel
iahandBaset
sanawentbackandf
our
th
ont
heinvest
mentl
ogist
icsf
orawhil
e.
VANANDREAS: Ok,Ihaveheardenough.I
’
ma
ri
skt
akerandIbel
ieveinthi
s,soI’
ll
putdown2.
AmeliahandLent
swestoodther
einshockas
Brucesmil
edandcol
lect
edthefi
lest
hey
suppli
ed
VANANDREAS: MylawyersandBasseyhere
wil
lbeintouchwi t
hy ouassoonast omorr
ow.
Ify
ouy oungpeoplewi l
lexcuseme,Ihave
anotheraspir
ingentr
epreneurpit
chi
nginan
hour,Basslady,wi
llyoubeattendi
ngthi
sone
wit
hme?
BASETSANA: Nah, Idon’
tthi
nkthatoneisworth
i
t.It’
sawast eofyourt i
me.I’l
lgostr
aighttoour
house.ShallItel
lthehousekeeperstoprepare
dinnerforyoudad?Yourwi v
escall
edearli
erto
sayt hem mightdropinatthehouselater
tonight.
Aft
erBaset
sanaandherf
atherl
eftAmel
i
ah
j
umpedupanddownexcitedl
y!
AMELIAH:OhmyGod, Lee!Doy ouknowhow
rar
ethi
sis,t
hatani
nvestordoubleswhaty
ou
askedfor
!OhmyGod, t
hisisitLee,y
ougotthe
money!Canyoubel
i
evei t
?
LENTSWE:I
’
m sti
ll
inshock.Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his
i
sactual
l
yhappeni
ng!
AMELI AH: Andcany ouimaginebeingthatr
ich
todropt hatamountsoeasi l
y?IknewSheba
camef rom al oadedf amil
y.Butdamn!Andshe
i
samar ketingandsal esgeniusLee,Shebais.
Gir
lcansel lsnowt oaneski mowi t
ha100%
i
nfl
ation.IfBat hshebawant syoutodo
somet hi
ng, she’l
lfi
ndawayt omakey oubeli
eve
youwanti ttoo, soIwast hi
nkingmay bewe
bri
ngheri nasamar ket
ingconsult
ant?
LENTSWE: Youhandleall
thatmylove,
I’
mt he
techguyandhalft
het i
meIdon’tunder
stand
thatmarket
ingshi
t.
*
***
***
***

ATABAR

TheKgagodi
boyssatdri
nki
ngcel
ebr
ati
ng
Lent
swegett
ingt
heinvest
ment.
KWAPA: Whatiswit
hyoutwokant e?(Looki
ng
atMoatoandTshepe)t
hisfuckerherehasbeen
l
aughingnon-
stopandTshepecan’tevenlook
athi
m
TSHEPE:Hell
o,youwouldn’
tbeabl
et olookat
hi
mt ooify
ouwal kedint
owhatIwalked
i
n…fuck!Whatthehell
iswrongwit
hy ouMaoto?
Aménageat roi
snow?
KWAPA:(l
aughi
ng)whatt
hef
uckdi
dyousee
thi
spi
eceofshi
tdonow?
TSHEPE:Can’
tev
ent
alkabouti
t,st
il
l
tr
aumati
sed!
KWAPA:Ifeely
ouman!Oncewentwithhi
mto
hi
scousi
nMmusi ’
shouseandendedup
wal
ki
ngintothewrongr
oom…damn!
MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)hey,weal
lenj
oydi
ff
erent
t
hings,
ok?Don’tjudge
TSHEPE:
Idon’tevengethowy
ourwi
fel
et’
syou
bri
ngi
nanotherchick!
MAOTO: Idi
dn’tbr
ingher
,shedid.Sheisher
pl
aythi
ngandIhav enointer
estinthatgi
rlatal
l
.
Idon’
tgetsexualwit
hher.
TSHEPE:
It’
sst
il
lweir
dasf
uckman!Tel
lme
y’
al
lfi
ndthi
sweir
dtoo
LENTSWE: (l
aughi
ng)Don’tl
ookatme,I’ma
ser
ioussexualdev
iantmyself
,Ihavet
hingsI
’m
i
ntothataren’
tBDSM butpeoplewoul
dsideeye,
soIdon’tj
udge.
MAOTO: Tel
lthem Lee!Eachtothei
rown.We
allhav
esexpleasurel
evels.Somepeoplekeba
tsogarer
obale,somekegophor aphor
a2
mi nutesandt hemomentsheget swethei sin,
gruntsf ortwosecondsandt heyar edone.And
thent hereandt hevanill
aki nd,taket hei
rtimein
foreplayandknowt heirthing.Lightingcandles
andr osepet alsandshit.Mywi felov esthat
somet i
mesandIdon’ tmi ndv anil
la.Andt hen
therear eroughmot herfucker s,notdoms, j
ust
rough.Thent herei
sguy sl i
keme, wet ake
pleasuret oanotherlevel.
TSHEPE:Igetroughandupt ogoodnotso
normalt
hingstoo,butnotafuckingtor
tur
e
chamberli
kethatroom l
ookedlikeitwas!
MAOTO:OkMrjudgmental,youaremarri
edtoa
f
ull
subwhocurrent
lydoesn’thaveadom fr
om
t
helookofi
tandyouaretalkingaboutme?
TSHEPE:
Fucky
ou, I
’m goingt
otheloo…(
he
st
oodupandwalkedov ertot
hetoi
l
et)
KwapapunchedMaot
oont
heshoul
der
.
KWAPA:
Shutupy
oudi
ck!Youar
etal
ki
ngabout
someone’
swi
fe!
TEBATSO:Butwhati
saf
ull
subt
hough?Hei
s
gone,
sotel
lme
MAOTO:
Rebai
s…Oni
kai
s….
KWAPA:
Oni
kasai
dyounev
er…
MAOTO: (
laughing)shel i
ed…goaskheragai n,
thistimeshowi nghery ouar eawar ewhata
l
ittl
ef r
eakshei s.Ni kkiwasembar rassedt hat
sheenj oyedwhatwedi d, andshe’ ll
nev eradmi t
thatshel i
kedser v i
ngatmyf eet,beingmy
slave…enjoy edthewayIt reat edher.Ther ear e
diff
erentkindsofsubs.Thebedr oom onlylike
Gout a,outsidethebedr oom wehav eequal
poweri nther el
at i
onshipandshei snotmysub.
Rebai sa24/ 7,shel i
kedbei ngsubmi ssiveev en
ondai lybasisout sidethebedr oom, toserveon
tasksandobeyal lhermast er’scommands.
Nikki i
sasl avegirl
.Slavesgi rl
sgi veuptheirlives
compl etel
yandev ery
thingt heydoi sdictatedby
thei rmaster.Ri
tawasaBaby doll
,school
uni formsandev erythi
ng.I’
vehadagi r
l whowas
apet .Noneofthem wasf or
ced,theyenj oyedit.
Lookatal lmylistofexes,youwillnoticethey
allhav esomef or m ofsubmissi
on.Toanext ent
Idobel i
eveallwomenhav eitsomewher edeep
i
nt hem, andonceawomanhasbeenwi t
ha
truedom, tobehonesti t’
snoteasyf orhert obe
sat i
sf i
edbyany thi
ngelse.Seehowal l ofthem
want edtocomeback?Reba, Gi
gi,Ni
kki …Toy a,
ev enRi tausedtohitmeupunt i
lIchanged
number s.

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowal
kedi
nandf
oundherwat
chi
ngTV
i
ntheli
vi
ngr
oom
KEDI:Lonathewheny
ougodr
inki
ngl
e
tsamaelarur
i!
TEBATSO:
(ki
ssi
nghercheek)Ao,
babe,
didy
ou
missme?
KEDI:(
laughi
ng)wel
l,wemi
ssedyoulastni
ght
.
Thoughtyouweren’
tcomi
ngtodayt
oo.
TEBATSO:Oh,l
astni
ghtIwassot
ir
edIj
ust
cr
ushedatthecl
ub.
KEDI:Oh,shem, poorbabe.Thi
sli
ttl
evacati
on
tovisi
tyourmom woul ddoy ougood,youneed
restTebatso.Iwantedyoutocomepacky our
stuff
,tomorrowwear egoingtovi
sityourmom,
remember ?
TEBATSO:Ao,babe,or
aagorey
oudidn’
tpack
forme?Shit
…Ihavetodoi
tnow,wehaveto
l
eaveearl
ytomorrow.
KEDI:(l
aughing)I’
mj ustjoki
ng.I
’
vepacked
ever
ythingforeveryone,j
ustgoloadthem int
he
carsothatinthemor ni
ngwecanj ustl
eave.
Hetooktheremotef
rom herandturnedof
fthe
TV,
pull
ingherint
ohi
slapandkissingher.
TEBATSO:Ilov
ey ousomuchKedi
bony
e,y
ou
knowthatr
ight?
KEDI:I
ja,eer
raIknow,
canwegosleepnow?
I
’m sotir
edandIwanttobef
reshf
orthetr
ip
tomorr
ow.

*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Tshepewalkedi
nandf
oundRebaonel
yi
ngi
n
bedreadi
ng.

REBAONE:
Shhhh…hei
sasl
eep!
Hesmi
l
edandwal
kedov
ert
othecr
ibwer
e
Drewwassoundl ysleepi
ng,hiscuteli
tt
lehands
t
ightint
ol i
tt
lef
ist
s.Tshepebentdownand
l
ightl
ykissedhi
sy oungestson’sfor
eheadand
fol
lowedRebaonet othekit
chen.
REBAONE:
Thetwinsar
ealreadyinbedtoo.Si
t,
l
etmewashyourhandsandbringyourdi
nner.
Hel ookedatherthinkingaboutwhatMaot o
hadsai dwhenhehadwentt ot
hetoil
et.He’
d
heardhi m ashewascomi ngback,
standing
behindt hewall
li
stening.Sheli
kedtoserveand
obey .WasRebar eall
yhappywi t
hthei
rsexlife
then?Di dshewantwhatsheusedt ohavewi t
h
hisbr ot
her?
REBAONE:Hell
o?Eart
htoyou,l
etmewashy
our
hands!Wher
eisyourmindat
?
Helookedatherandsmi
l
ed.Whati
fhewasnot
sat
isf
yinghert
hewayshewant
ed?
TSHEPE:Ah,
not
hing,
justt
hinki
ngabout
foot
bal
l.
REBAONE:(l
aughi
ng)Lenal enakothe,
thetime
andener
gyyoufootbal
lfansinv
estonitthough!
Icoul
dnever
.
TSHEPE:
RebacanIasksomet
hingper
sonal
?
Shecamet
osi
tbesi
dehi
m andhel
dhi
shand
REBAONE:
Yea,
sur
ebabe,
any
thi
ng.
TSHEPE:
Arey
ouhappywi
thoursexl
i
fe?
REBAONE: Areyouki
ddingme?Hel l
,yea,Ican’
t
waittogetbackonthehorse.Act
uall
yIthink
I
’m heal
edwel l
,i
t’
sbeenamont hnow, soo…
TSHEPE: But
…doy ouwantsomet hingmor e?
Li
ke…ok, whatI’
mt r
yingtosayis,Iknowmy
brot
herisafucki
ngsexual dev
iantandhe
does…thi
ngs.Youwer ewithhi
mf oral ongtime
and…well
…isthatthekindofstuf
fy oulike?
Doeswhatwedosat i
sfyyou?
REBAONE:
Youarer
ight
,mypastsexual
expl
oit
swi
thmyexi
spersonal
andIrefuset
o
discussit
.Itol
dyouI’
m happywithoursexli
fe,
Drewi sasl
eep,sowehaveaf ewminutes…
(Shegotonhi sl
apandstart
edkissi
nghisneck)
TSHEPE:(
mov i
ngherof
fhi
slap)I
’
m noti
nthe
mood.I
’m of
ftobed.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
47

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
Hel ookedev ery
whereandshewasgoneagai n,
j
ustdi sappeared.Heshouldhavegot tenher
yesterday,buthe’dbeenalit
tlet
oodi stur
bed
by…wel l
,thescenehewal kedinto.Somuchso
thathe’djustdroveaway.Andnowshewas
gone.NowonderAmar yl
li
shadn’ttakenherof f
yet.Thatgirlcoulddi
sappear.Buther
reappearancespel
l
edt
roubl
eforbot
hhi
m and
Amar yl
li
s.
Whatthehellcouldshewantnow, anddid
MaotoandGout aknowj ustwhatkindofperson
shewas?Butwher evershewashidi ng,
he’l
l
event
uall
ygetherandshe’ l
lbesorryforcoming
aft
erhischi
l
dr en.
Rebaonewalkedi
ntot
hel
i
vingr
oom hol
ding
Drew’
sbott
le.
REBAONE:Nebathogat
wekengal
etswefor
what?Whathav
eIdonenowkannakeithol
l
a
motlongl
eDee?
TSHEPE:
Ija,
giv
emet
hebot
tl
e,l
etmef
eedmy
son.
REBAONE:Youaresocut
ewhenyoupout,t
lhe
rr
at el
lmewhatIdi
d?Whatev
eri
tis,
I’
m sor
ry
ee,ahh!
TSHEPE:
Iaskedy
ouabout
…youknow…
REBAONE: Thatisr
idi
culousTshepe,Idon’task
aboutwhaty ouandyourexesgotint
o.I’m not
goingtodiscussmypriorsexli
fewit
hy ou.Iam
happywithoursexli
fenow, shoul
dn’
tthatbe
enough?
TSHEPE:Okthen,
gosi
amemma.I
’
llt
akey
our
wordfori
t.I
’
m goi
ngout
.

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowasput t
ingbagsintothecarwhile
Kedif
edthechil
dreni
nside.Hisphonerangand
shepi
ckedituptogogiveittohim out
side.She
si
ghedlooki
ngatthecall
erID‘QnSheba’.
KEDI
:QueenShebai
scal
l
ing…
Shet
hrewt
hephoneathi
m
TEBATSO:
Kedi,
wai
t…comeon,youar
enot
goi
ngtobemadatmebecausesomeonecall
ed
me?Idon’
tev
enknowwhatsheiscal
l
ingabout!
KEDI
:Thenputi
tonl
oudspeakerandansweri
t.
TEBATSO:I
t’
snoti
mport
ant
.Thisti
meismy
ti
mewithmywifet
obeandchi
ldren.What
ever
Shebawant
scanwait
.
KEDI
:Idon’
tli
kethatshest
il
lthi
nksshecan
j
ustcal
lyouwhenevershel
ikes.
TEBATSO: Youareright,
I’
llt
alktoherabouti
t.
Areweready ?I’
ll
getDuoonhi scarseat,you
getNeo.Youl ookextr
abeautifulwif
ey!What
di
dy ouchange?Newhai r
styl
e,isit
?
KEDI:
( bl
ushi
ng)Igotmyhai
rdoney
est
erday
,
youdidn’
tevennoti
ce?
TEBATSO:
Howcoul
dInot
?
Hesecr
etl
ytext
edBat
hsheba‘
hel
dup,
wil
lcal
lu,
doncal
lme’
*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

GOUTA: Ohgosh,Idon’tt
hinkI
’
llev
erlookat
yourbr
otheragai
n,Ifeelsoembarr
assed!
MAOTO: Why,becausemybrot
herknowswe
havesex?Hecamei nt
oourpri
vat
espace
uni
nvit
ed,i
fsomeoneshoul
dbeembar rassed,
i
t’
shim.
GOUTA: (l
aughi
ng)someofushaveathing
call
edshame, MaotoPhi
l
li
pKgagodi
,i
ja.Igot
ta
run,Ihav
eameet ing.
MAOTO: Tal
kingaboutrunni
ng,mmaMotheo
youmissedyourworkoutsfourt
imesi
narow
now,I
’
m nothappy…
GOUTA:
Ija,
don’
tremi
ndme…Ipr
omi
seI
’
llwor
k
outtonight
,ohno,wait
.Ihavetospeakwith
Thandie.If
inal
l
ydidtalktoherf
atherandshe
doeshav emental
issues.Shesuff
ersfrom
Psychosis.
MAOTO:Yousee,Iknewshewaspsy
cho,
so
youar
efi
ri
ngher?
GOUTA: No!Whati swr ongwithy ou?Whydo
peopletreatment alil
l
nesspat ientssounfairl
y?
Ishouldfir
eherbecauseshei ssick?Wouldy ou
fi
resomeonewi thcancer ?I
t’sapr ett
yterminal
disease!Thandiedoesherj obwel l
.Herfather
saysshei sdoingmuchbet ter,thati
swhyshe
wasr el
easedfrom t heinsti
tuti
on.Ijustwanna
haveachatwi thhert oseehowshei scoping.
MAOTO:
ThenIdemandt
obet
her
e.
GOUTA:No!Youwillj
ustmakehernervousand
feel
li
kesheisbei
nggangedupon.Shej usthas
amentalcondi
ti
on,shei
snotanevilperson!I
ja!
*
***
***
**

ATMMA-
MAOTO’
S

Kwapawokeupandfoundhi
smot herinthe
l
iv
ingroom,
hol
dingEmmanuel,
lookingfuri
ous
KWAPA:Dumelang…hasNametsomade
br
eakf
astyet
?Heyboy ,
howareyou.
MMA- MAOTO: Namet soofe?Theoney outreat
l
iketrash?Iheardhowr udeyouwerelastni
ght,
anddon’ tt
hinkIdon’tseehowy outreather
.
Youthinky ouarebetterthanherbecauseof
yourli
ttl
eeducation?Whor ai
sedyoutobeso
uppit
y?
KWAPA:
Aomme,
Iwasj
ust
…I…
MMA- MAOTO:It
oldhert
ol eave.Takeyourson,
takehi
m andt
akecareofhimy oursel
f.I
’
m not
goingt
oimpri
sonngwana-bathowithaman
whodoesn’
twanther
.Ij
ustwantwhat
’sbest
f
oryou,am Iwr
ong?
Kwapa:
Nny
aamma
MMA- MAOTO: Thenwhydoy oudot hi
s?You
mar riedrubbishofawomanwhot ookall
of
yourmoneyanddi srespect
edy ou,
yetyou
treatedherl i
keaqueen.Asweethumbl egir
l
readyt otreaty oulikeamanandy ourej
ect?
(Sobbi ng)It’
smyf ault
,str
ongasIam, Idon’
t
knowhowt or aisemenbecauseIam onl ya
woman, myhusbanddi edearlyandnowmy
boy sdon’ tknowhowt oactl
ikemen.Ishould
hav edonebet ter…
KWAPA: Mme,pleasedon’
tcry…I
’
m sorr
yIwas
rudetoNamet
so.I’l
ltr
eatherwel
l.Iwi
l
lgoto
speaktoNametso.
MMA-MAOTO: Inolongertr
ustyou,Kwapa.I
f
youdon’
tfi
xyurthi
ngsleNamet so,
nnagakedi
t
seneanymore,youseethatIhavenothi
ngto
dowithMaoto’
schil
dren?I
fyouwantthesame
goaheadosotl
engwanay olewabatho.Tsaa
ngwanagagorraandseewhattodo!Heneeds
achangeandomoapeel emotogo!Iam vi
sit
ing
myfri
end…
KWAPA: Butmme…Idon’
tev
enknowhowt
o
changeadiaper
…I…
MMA-MAOTO:Figur
eitout
!Youchasedagood
womanawayakere!

ATCOLTON’
S

Banyanafini
shedbathi
ngCooperandputhi
mi n
hiswhitepolot
-shi
rt
sandshor t
s,t
henawhite
fedora,
theoutfi
tmatchi
ngCol t
on’
s.He
snappedaf ewpict
uresofhimlaughi
ngand
putti
ngonhi sl
it
tl
esunglasses.
BANYANA:
Ther
e,handsomeboy
!Gi
vemommy
aki ssCooper !(Thelit
tleboyki ssedherasshe
tookacut eSnapchatv i
deot henputt hephone
away )Seehowcut eyoul ook?( Put
tinghi mi n
frontofami rr
orandwat chedhi m smi l
eathi s
ownr efl
ecti
on)Nowy oul ookj ustl
ikey our
pieceofshi tdaddy .Probablygonnabej ustli
ke
himt oowheny ougr owup, huh?Br eaking
hear t
sandsl eepingar oundony ourwi fe.Now
getoutofmyhai r,
gobot herhim andl etmedo
mymake- upinpeaceandt henwewi l
lgof or
thepi cni
c.Ifyoudon’ tspoilyourout fi
ty ougeta
cupcake, otherwiseitsmashedsweetpot atoes
fordinner, l
i
ttl
eman.Go!
Coopertrott
edtotheliv
ingroom andfound
Col
tonwat chingTV,wit
hcheesepuf f
sona
bowlbesideshim.Hedi ppedhi
slit
tl
efinger
s
i
nsideandat ethecheezysnack,
smear i
ng
someov erhisshir
t.
COLTON:(t
aki
ngt
hebowlawayfr
om hi
m and
wi
pinghi
shandswi
thacl
oth)whatt
hefuck
Coop!Arey out
ryi
ngtogetthatcrazybi
tchto
kil
lus?Wear esupposedt
obet akingsome
Inst
agram phot
osandshedoesn’tplaywith
thatshi
t.
HerantoCooper’
sbedr
oom andgr abbed
anot
hercl
eanwhitepol
ot-shi
rtandputhim on
i
t,hi
dingt
hedir
tyoneunderneat
hthelaundry.
COLTON: Donottouchanything!You
underst
and?Iam tr
yingtogetsomet oni
ght
andifshefi
ndssomet hi
ngtoy ell
atmeabout,
shewon’tbegiv
ing,sodon’tbeacockblock,
bro!
Theli
tt
leboyl
aughedashereachedouthis
chubbyl
it
tl
ehandtowar
dsthebowl ofcheese
puff
s.
COLTON: Don’tl
aughCooper,
orI’l
lsendy outo
aboar di
ngschool bytheti
meyouar ethree!I
’
m
suretheyhav ethosesomewhere!Jesus,you
arethewor stchil
dever.Si
there,I
’
llfeedyou.
ButI
’dhav
etoadmi
t,wef
ightal
otl
esssi
nce
youcame.
Hest
rappedhimtot
hehi
ghchai
randputal
eap
padi
nfrontofhi
m.
COLTON:Ther
e,entert
ainy
our
sel
fandshutup.
I
’m wat
chi
ngfootball
.

*
***
***
**

ATMMA-
ITERELENG’
SHOUSE

Kwapaparkedhi
scarandwalkedi
n,f
indi
ng
Nametsosit
ti
ngunderat
ree.
KWAPA:
Hey
…
NAMETSO:
Mhhh
KWAPA:
Sommet
oldmey
oul
eft
?
NAMETSO:
Whati
sthepoi
ntofmest
ayi
ng
wheny
ouactl
i
keI
’
m notwant
ed?
KWAPA:I’
m sor
ryImadeyoufeelt
hatway
.I’
m
j
ustget
ti
ngoveradiv
orcedand…
NAMETSO: Youhavet otakeitoutonme?Iam
respect
ful
andkind,butthewayy ouact
towardsmeisnotfair(sni
ff
li
ngast ear
srol
l
ed
downhercheeks)
Hemovedclosert
oherandt
ippedherchi
n,
sof
tl
yki
ssi
ngherontheli
ps.
KWAPA: I
’
m sor r
y,ok,
Ididn’treal
iseIwasbeing
suchanasshole.I’
l
lbebetter.I’
vebeenthi
nking.
Iputdownpaymentonahousei nFranci
stown
andIcanmov einmont hend.Mov ei
nwithme…
NAMETSO:
Mypar
ent
swoul
dnev
eral
l
owi
t.
KWAPA: Comeon, Name,youareabi ggir
l,y
ou
makey ourowndeci si
ons.Il
ovey ou,
ok?AndI
missyoualready.Comeon, comebackwi thme,
l
et’
sgohome.Pl usMannyi shungryandIthink
heneedsadi aperchange…(ki
ssingher)Pl
ease
Name…Ineedy ou,
gakegot homol
epelone
mma?I maginemeliv
ingal
one,I
’mli
ter
all
y
hel
pless,butamanmyagecannotstaywithi
s
motherforever
.
NAMETSO:
Idon’
tknowKwapa,
I…
KWAPA: I
magengorewehav etoberealquiet
kogammewhenI …(Whisper
edsomethi
ngi n
hereart
hatmadeherblushandsheplay
f ul
l
y
smackedhishand)
NAMETSO:(bl
ushing)Kwapa!Ahh!Ok,
fine,
I’
ll
movei
nwithyou.Here,l
etmechangeManny ,
di
dyoubri
nghisdi
aperbag?

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
48

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
Rebaonewalkedintothebedr
oom where
Tshepewaslyinginbedandstoodoverhi
m,
handsfol
dedacrosschest.
REBAONE:Fine,
youwannaknowwhaty our
brot
herandIgotupto?Fi
ne!I’
l
ltell
you,but
rememberyouasked.Maoto,
heis…uhm…wel l,
I
guessther
easonyouareaski
ngi sbecauseyou
know,t
houghIdreadtoaskhow.
TSHEPE:Iwal
kedi
nonhi
m andhi
swi
feby
mist
ake.
REBAONE: Soy ouknow…Idon’ tknowwhatthe
poi
ntofthisis,buttyes,MaotoandIwer e
i
nti
mateint hatway .Chai
ns,whips,paddl
es,
dogcol
larsandl eashes,younamei t.
TSHEPE:Isthatwhyy
oukeptgoi
ngbackt
ohi
m
nomatterhowbadhet r
eat
edyou?
REBAONE:Thatki
ndofli
festy
le…i
t’saddi
cti
ve.
I
t’
snoteasytowalkawayfrom areall
ygood
dom.
TSHEPE:
Doy
oumi
ssi
t?
REBAONE:Gosh,no!Iam all
donewi t
hthat!I
tol
dyouthatal
ready.Youcameintomyl i
feand
changedever
ythi
ng.Whatwehav eisall
Iwant.
TSHEPE:
Behonestwi
thy
our
sel
f!
REBAONE:Ij
o!Nnar r
atherei
snothi
ngmoreI
cansaytoyou!Idon’
twanttosl
eepwit
hyour
brot
her
!I’
m donewithallt
hat
!
TSHEPE:I’
m sor
ry,Ij
ust…Ifeel
…inadequat
e,I
don’
treal
l
yknowi fI’
m gi
vingyouwhaty ou
need.
REBAONE: Everheardmecompl ain?Maot o
wasmyf irstandhiski ndofsexwasal lIever
knew.Al lIthoughtther ewast osex.Iwillnot
denyt hatIenjoyedit,buty oushowedmet he
otherside.Thatwecanber oughwithoutgoing
theext r
eme, andt omet hatisbet
ter.Andt he
factthatyoul ovemeasmuchasIl ove
you…justampl i
fi
esthings.
TSHEPE:
Your
eal
l
ymeant
hat
?
REBAONE: Whydon’
tyougetoverher
eandfi
nd
out,
Clyde?It
houghtagentLegi
on437wasn’
t
scar
edofanythi
ng!Secondguessi
ngyour
perf
ormance?Damn,youareapussyaft
eral
l
.
Hesmi l
eddarklyashepinnedhertothewall,
hi
shandsdelicatel
ygoingtoherneckashis
handwenttohercor eandcaressedherunder
herpanti
es,
af i
ngersli
ppingi
nasher oughly
ni
bbledthel
obeofherear …
TSHEPE: Youar
edamnr i
ghtIaintscar
edof
shi
t…andt hi
s…t
hisi
nmine(cuppinghercore
wit
hhishandsandheincreasedthepressur
ein
herneck)Idon’
tgiv
eashitwhatanyother
ni
ggaclaims!

*
***
***
**
ATKWAPA’
SNEW HOUSE
HedraggedinNametso’
sbagandt
henwentt
o
br
ingthegrocer
ybags.
KWAPA:
I’
m sohappyy
ouagr
eedt
omov
ein
wi
thme.
NAMETSO:
Myf
atheri
snott
alki
ngt
omef
ori
t….
KWAPA: (ki
ssi
nghercheek)He’
ll
comearound.
I
’m sureMannyenj
oyshavingyouar
ound.Don’
t
you,boy?
NAMETSO: Pleasedon’
thur
tmet lherra.I
’v
e
nev
erdonesomet hingl
iket
his,
mov inginwi t
ha
man,cohabi
tati
ngandgoingagainstmyf ather.
KWAPA:
Me,
hur
tyou?Icoul
dnev
er!
NAMETSO:
Doy
oul
oveme?
KWAPA:
(laughi
ng)don’
tbesi
l
ly,
ofcour
seIdo
NAMETSO:
Thi
shousei
sbeaut
if
ul…
KWAPA:
It’
sal
lyour
s…
NAMETSO: Igotoff
eredajobatthatpri
vat
e
school
asacl eaner
,MrsSekaigoestochurch
withmyauntandshehelpedmegeti t.
KWAPA: Whydoy ouwantt
owor ksome
mediocrejobatsomesnobschool?Icanmore
thanprovidef
ory ouName,
sot ur
nthem down.
Iwanty outostayhomeandtakecareofManny
andme.
NAMETSO:
Ok…
KWAPA: (
handinghermoney )Here,goget
yoursel
fdoneupt omorrow.Iwanttosignyou
upfordrivi
ngschoolsoy oucanbeabl etodri
ve
Mannyt ohisdoctor’
sappointmentswhenI’m
busy.Hismot heri
salawy erandshecan’t
alwaysdoit,andtheoldladywhousedt ohelp
usfinal
lywentbacktoSer owe.

*
***
***
**
ATTHEVANADREASHOUSE
Bathshebawokeup,fi
ndi
nghermothersi
nthe
ki
tchenmakingbreakf
ast
,laughi
ngabout
something.
BATHSHEBA:Whendi
dyoutwogett
o
Fr
anci
stownandwhyar
eyouher
e?
BONOLO: (laughi
ng)Ahh,gatwewhyar ewe
here?Thisisourhusband’shouse,remember
?
Andhei stakingusouttothefarm.Remember
thefi
rstti
mehet ookust othatfar
m Kamo?
Kamobl
ushedandl
aughed.
KAMO:Howcoul
dInot
?Ibecameabel
i
everi
n
magi
c!
BATHSHEBA:
Eww,
gross!
KAMO: Byt
heway ,Sheba,youhavenotgoneto
gety
ourimplantchanged,i
texpir
edabouttwo
monthsagowheny ouwer einLondonandI
remi
ndedyouaboutitaf ewtimes.
BATHSHEBA: God,youtwoareext r
emel y
i
nv asive!Thatmymot hersknowswhenmy
i
mpl antneedschangi ngisverydist
urbing.I’
l
lgo
getitdone, Iwasbusy ,
IhadPar i
sthenMi lan
fashionweek, andthenwor kwashect i
canda
l
otoft hings.I’
l
lgo.Besides,i
t’
snotlikeI’m
sleepingwi t
hanyone,so…ohshi t
!Aunty ,
how
l
ongdoest heimplantstayeffect
iveafterit
expired.
KAMO: Itdoesn’t.Thehormonesl
ose
ef
fect
iveness, t
hat’swhyyouneedtochangei
t
whenitexpires.LikeIt
oldyouto!
BATHSHEBA: Shit
…shi
t!Soi
samorningaf
ter
pi
ll
effect
iveaft
erli
ke,
Idon’
tknow,
almosttwo
weeks?
BONOLO:
Whatt
hef
uckdi
dyoudo,
Bat
hsheba!
KAMO: Pleasetel
lmeit’
snotthatthugt
hatsent
youtojai
l andkeepspl
ayingyouli
kea
piano…pl
easetellmethatnothi
m Shebamy
baby
…pl
ease…

*
***
***
*

ATCOOPER’
SDAYCARECENTER
Col
tonpar
kedwitharushandr
anupt
othev
ery
pi
ssedl
ookingt
eacher.
COLTON:Hi!Icanexpl
ain!I
’
m adoct
orandl
i
fe
get
sbusyand…
TEACHER: Youarelat
e,DrCull!Itol
dMr sCull
thebabysit
terhasanemer gency,soparents
hadtopickupthekidswhenschool ended.I
havebeentryi
ngtocallMrsCul l
.Imessaged
youfourhoursagoalso!
COLTON:Sweethear
t,DrCull
isacar
diacdoctor
andsheisassi
sti
nginaheartsur
ger
yr i
ghtnow,
soherphonewasoff.Sheisdoi
nganightshif
t.
AndIhadalotofpat
ientst
oo.
TEACHER: Howist hatmypr obl
em?Iam a
teacher,notababy sit
ter
!Icanwaitthi
rt
y
minutes,butfourhour s,r
eal
ly?I
t’
s10pm!Pl usI
needt otalkt
oMr sCul laboutCooper’
s
behaviour.Heisviolent,
pull
sgirl
shair
,pushes
them aroundandpunchest hem.Todayhesaid
thef-word!
COLTON:(
laughi
ng)BecauseCoopi
saman!
Ar
en’ty
ou,myboy?
Hepi
ckedupasl
eepi
ngCooperandputhi
m on
hi
scarseat
.
TEACHER: Don’twakehim!Andthereisnothi
ng
funnyhere,DrCull
!Weexpectparent
st obe
i
nv ol
vedinthei
rchildr
en’
seducat
ion,andyou
twohardlyevershowupt oPTAmeet i
ngs.
PleaseaskMr sCulltocomeseemet omorrow
orelseCooperwillbeexpel
l
ed!
COLTON:(l
aughi
ng)whatt
hefuck,areyou
i
nsane?Youcan’
texpel
athreeyearold!
Teacher:IcanandIwill
!Inthisschool wehave
rul
esandexpect at
ionsforparents.It
’snotj
ust
aboutthemoneyher e,weprideour sel
vesin
excel
lence!
COLTON: Comeon,sweethear
t…I’
m sur
ewe
canwor ksomethingout
….Coop,heisagood
boy.Hel i
kesthi
sschool
.I’
m suretheot
herki
ds
arejustbeingl
it
tl
epussi
es.
TEACHER: Youknowwhat,that
’si
t!Yourson
obvi
ouslygetst
hisbehav
iourfr
om you.Hewill
nolongeratt
endthi
sschool.
Hecl
osedi
nonher
,ki
ssi
ngherneck…
COLTON: (whi
speri
nginherearashepushed
herinsidethedoor)l
et’
swor ksomet hi
ngout ,
hmmm?Mywi fetoldmey ourhusbandpassed
afewy ear
sago.Icanimaginehowdi f
ficul
tit
shouldbef oryou…howl onelyyoushoul dbe…a
beautif
ul y
oungwomanl ikey oudeservesthe
att
entionofagoodman…I ’
veseeny oulooking
atmet
hef
ewt
imesIwasher
e…
Hetippedherheadandkissedhersof t
ly,
she
st
ruggledandpushedagainsthi
m, ashishand
movedt owardshercl
eavageandpoppeda
br
eastoutofherbr aandtookhernippl
einto
hi
smout h.
Shemoanedandblushedatt hef
actt
hathe
wasturni
ngheron,nomat t
erhowwrongshe
knewthiswas.Col
tonCullwasanundeni
ably
handsomemanwi t
ht hatChanni
ngTat
um sex
appeal
…andhisbadboyat t
it
udewas…no,no,
thi
swaswr ong.
Shegr
umbledunderhi
ski
ssbuthej
ustcov
ered
hermout
hwithhi
s.
TEACHER:
No,
DrCul
l
,pl
easest
op…Ican’
t…I
…I…
COLTON:Comenowsweethear
t,youknowy
ou
wantt
his…y
ou’
veal
readygonet
hisfar
…
Tear
swell
eddownhereyesasshebeggedhi
m
tost
op.Hi
shandsj
ustkeptcar
essi
ngherwhi
le
hismout hcov er
edher s,
roughlykissingher .His
otherhandwentt ohi swall
et,pull
ingouta
condom andunzi ppinghispantst henputtingit
on,turni
ngherar oundandmaki ngherhol dt he
tabl
eashel i
ft
edherl ongskir
tanddr oppedher
pantiesbeforeherammedi nt
oher .
Whenhewasdonehepul l
edoutandwr apped
thecondom inoneofCooper’
sdr awingshe
wassupposedt otakehome,thengott heboy ’
s
fl
eeceblanketandwipedhimselfthenwi ped
her,pul
li
ngupherpantiesandkissingher
roughly
.
COLTON: Listen,
sweetheart,l
et’
snotbot her
MrsCullaboutCooper ’
sbehav i
our,I
’l
l handl
eit
.
Noneedt oexpel suchagoodboyaker e?Ihave
yournumber ,soletmejustewalletyoual i
tt
le
somethi
ngsoy oucangogety ourhairdoneor
somethi
ng, Iknowt hi
seconomymustbehar d
onyou.I’
lldropCoopof ftomorrowbr i
ghtand
earl
y.Hmm?Noexpel l
ing,r
ight?
Heki ssedhercheekandwal kedof fwinkingat
her,andast hecarpul ledof f,herphone
reportedt heewal l
et.P5000.Whatt hehel ldi
d
shejustdo?Di dsheev enwantwhathappened
ornot ?Shehadsai dno,butt henshehadl et
him kissherandal l…ohGod!I fMr sCullever
foundout ,shecoul dl
oseev ery t
hingbecause
Mr sCull didlooklikethatv indicti
vesnobbyt ype.
Shecoul dgetf i
red,andt herewer enojobs
around, andshehadt woki dst osuppor tonher
own.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
49

ATAMELI
AH’
SOFFI
CE
Amel
i
ahwal
kedbacki
ntoherof
fi
ceandsmi
l
ed
l
ookingattheli
tt
lepicni
csetupint
hemiddl
eof
heroffi
ce,
withLentswearr
angingt
hel
astof
thefoodonthemat .
Hetookherfi
lesfr
om herandputt
hem i
nher
neatof
fi
cetable,
thentookof
fherbl
azerasshe
satdownandheser v
edher.
AMELIAH: Medi
ter
raneanchickenandsaffron
ri
ce!Lord,
someoneneedst ocr eat
eawor d
bett
erthanperf
ect
.Andt her
ei sevendessert
!
Hesatl
ooki
ngatherj
ustsmi
l
ing.
AMELIAH:
(laughi
ng)Ah,
ont
ibi
leengjaanong
nerr
a?Youaremakngmeblush!Lee,
stop
st
ari
ngatme, bat
ho!
LENTSWE:(l
aughing)It’
sjust
…I ’
v efinall
y
fi
gur
editout…whatisitabouty out hatisso
uni
que…it
’syourgenuineness,y oulaught r
uly
andwearyourheartinyoursleev e.It’
ssoheart-
warmingj
usttowat chyoudot hemost
mundanethi
ng.
AMELI
AH:
(bl
ushi
ng)y
ousayt
heni
cestt
hings…
LENTSWE:Imeanev
erywor
d…Il
ovey
ou,
Ameli
ah…
AMELI
AH:
You’
venev
ersai
dthatt
omebef
ore…
LENTSWE: Hell,I’
venev
ersai
dt hatt
oanyone
before…Idi
dn’tthi
nkIwascapableofit
…love.I
wassosev erelystar
vedofi
tIthoughtIj
ust
couldn’
tlov
e…
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
…
ThedooropenedandThuowal
kedi
n.
THUO: Amel
i
ah,Iwasi
nthebui
l
dingandI
thought
…oh,
hi…
LENTSWE:
Waddup…
AMELIAH:CanIhelpyouwi
thany
thi
ng,
Thuo?
I
’m sor
tofbusyr
ightnow…
THUOCanIt
alkt
oyouout
side?
AMELI
AH:
Whati
sit
,youcansayi
tinf
rontof
Lee…
THUO:
Please…i
twon’
ttakel
ong.
LENTSWE:
GoonLiah,Igotonemor
etr
eatf
or
youwheny
ougetback.
Shest
oodupandf
oll
owedThuoout
side,
si
ghi
ng
THUO:
Sonowy
ouar
edat
ingt
hatguy
?
AMELIAH:WhendidIst
artowi
ngy
ou
expl
anat
ionsaboutmyl
if
e?
THUO: Doyouev enknowhi m, Ameliah?
Rumouront hest r
eetisthathewasi nvolved
wit
har eal
lybiggangi nKor ea,hewor kedf ora
dangeroussyndicate.Ev
erhear doft he
JapaneseYakuza?Yup…t heirbranchinKor ea…I
sawy ouwithhim atthefami lyeventlastti
me
andIwhenhear dt hi
sIhadt otelly
out ostay
awayf r
om him.He’ l
lonl
yhur tyouAmel i
ah!
AMELI
AH:
Hur
tme?Li
key
oudi
d?
THUO:Thati
snott
heki
ndofguyy
oushoul
dbe
dat
ing!
AMELI
AH: Heebat
ho!Kant
ewhyi
sever
yoneso
wor
ri
edaboutmeandwhatIdonnakesena
mat
hata?
THUO:
Notthet
imetobeasmartmouthri
ght
nowAmel
i
ah!YouknowIcar
eaboutyou…
AMELIAH:Whydon’
tyougoworr
yaboutyour
wif
eandleavemeal
one?GoodbyeThuo,
stay
outofmyli
fe.
Shewal
kedbacki
nsi
deandl
ockedt
hedoor
behi
ndher
.
LENTSWE:
Ever
ythi
ngok?
AMELIAH:Sot he‘
bad,bad,men’werethe
Yakuza?All
theter
ribl
ethi
ngstheydoLee,how
coul
dy oubeinvol
vedwithsuchpeople?
LENTSWE:Ionl
ydidthei
rsur
veil
lance
work…comeonLiah,
Icanexplai
n…
*
***
***
**

I
NMOI
YABANA

Kedisatwi
thTebat
so’
smom onamatundera
tr
eetastheol
dladypl
ayedwi
thNeo.
MMA- TEBATSO:Kedi,
butyoudon’
tseem t
oo
happymygirl
,whatisbot
heri
ngyouretl
ogare
j
adinama?
KEDI
:Ah,it
’snot
hingmme,
probabl
ymy
i
maginat
ion.
MMA-TEBATSO:
Whatdoesy
ouri
magi
nat
ion
say
?
KEDI:Idon’
tknow…it
’sj
ust…hisexisbackand
shehasbeencalli
nghim.Ipeekedathim phone
l
astnightwhenhewassl eepi
ng,andshehad
sentamessagesay i
ng‘l
astnightwasgood’
MMA- TEBATSO: Thatgirlwal ekutwane?Shei s
asnake, donotbel i
eveany thingshedoes, she
i
spr obablycall
ingtoangery ouupandcause
trouble.Tebat
sol ovesyouv er ymuch,andhe
knowsy ouareourwi fei
nt hisf ami
ly.Hisuncle
whor aisedhimi sveryhappywi thyou.Ialso
spoket ohisfather,Kgodumo, andhelikesy ou
too.Conf r
ontTebatsoandmakesur ethis
rubbishstops.Gapemmeosekai t
waet sa
mokgwawagobal aphoney amonnaot l
a
bolawakepel o.

*
***
***
**

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

COLTON:( l
ooki
ngatthemenuputint hefri
dge
door)Ok,
I’
m supposedtogi
veyouacar rotand
potat
ocasserol
ethat’
sint
hefr
idge.Ihaveto
warmitintheovennotmi cr
owave…Ok,l
otsok
workonthat.We’l
lski
pit.Sounddi
sgust
ing
any
way ,
whatdoy outhinkCoop?
COOPER:
(cov
eri
nghi
snose)Yuck!
COLTON: That
’smyboy
…let
’sgof
orpi
zzat
hen,
ri
ght
?Fistpump?
Cooperputouthisl
it
tl
efi
standbumpedhi
s
fat
her’
s,andtheybot
hsai
d‘boom’att
hesame
ti
me.
COLTON: Al
ri
ght
,li
tt
leman,let
’sputony
our
shoes.Ar
gg,whoisatthedoornow?
Hewentt
oopent
hedoorhol
dingCooper
.
COLTON:
Dad…whatdoy
ouwant
?
AUGUSTUS:
Ist
hatawayoft
alki
ngt
oyour
fat
her
?
COLTON: Imean…uhm…whatanicesur
pri
se.
CooperandIwerejustgoi
ngoutf
ordi
nner
.
AUGUSTUS:
Isi
t?Youar
edoi
ngsogoodatt
his
fat
hert
hingmyboy .Hei
sbl
essed.Her
e,l
etme
hol
dmygr andchi
l
d.
Col
tonhel
dCoopert
ight
lyandi
nvol
unt
ari
l
y
movedaway.
AUGUSTUS: (l
aughing)what ,y
out hinkI
’m
gonnasmackt herudel i
ttl
ething?Itwoulddo
him goodany way,lookwhatagoodsmacki ng
didforyou.Adoct orwi t
hhisown
establ
ishment.I’
m pr oud.Howi sthatbeauti
ful
wifeofy our
s?Thatgi rlhasani cebody,j
oh!
COLTON:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,dad?
AUGUSTUS:I’
m havingadi
nner
…ther
eisaman
att
endi
ngthatIneedtohav
eaheartatt
ack,
howdoIgoaboutt hat?
COLTON:Idon’
tknow…i
fyoudon’
tmi
nd,
my
soni
shungry.
AUGUSTUS:Ok,maybeI’
m notclear .Iknowyou
knowyourwayaroundyourchemi calsallt
oo
well
,al
mostgotmewi t
hsomeev enl astti
me
(l
aughing)butIhav et
ogi
veittoyou,noone
hasev ert
riedtotakemeout,especi
all
yfor
havingmyf unwi t
hawhore.Youknowy ou
mar ri
edawhor eandshegotwhatshedeser v
ed
thatnight
,right
?
COLTON:
Thanky
ou,
dad.Now,
please…
AUGUSTUS: Thi siswhaty ou’l
ldo,Coltmyboy .
Thisi stheman.Hei sstandinginmywayof
attaini
ngshar esi nacompanyIwant .Youwill
gety ourchemi calsandaneedl eandwai ton
thebackdoor .SomehowIwi l
lmakesur ehe
l
eav est hediningt abl
e,andwhenhei soutof
sighty ouwillinjecthim.Somet hingquick
actingandunt raceable.I
fithelpshei ssever
ely
all
ergict obeest i
ngs.
COLTON: Whydon’
tyouj
ustgety
ourguy
sto
takehi
m out
?
AUGUSTUS:Iwantitt
olooknatur
al,
andmy
mendon’
thavethosebigbrai
nsofyour
s.
They’
l
lendupinj
ect
ingi
nthewr
ongv
einandhe
sur
viv
es.I
thastobeyou.
COLTON:
No…
AUGUSTUS: (
laughi
ng)No?Ohmyohmy ,my
boyfi
nall
ygotball
s.Youwil
ldot
his,Col
t…a
rapecasecouldputamanawayforsome
ti
me…
COLTON:
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
.
AUGUSTUS: Lastni
ght?Isawy ourcarandI
wasgoingtotalktoyouthen,buti
nsteadI
watchedyouforceyoursel
fint
othatgir
lasshe
cri
edandbeggedy outostop.Ihavetoadmit,
it
tur
nedmeon( l
aughi
ng)
COLTON:
Thatwasv
eryconsensual
.
AUGUSTUS:Shecoul
dbeper suadedtoputupa
goodcase,
withagoodlawyerli
keme, y
ou’l
lget
atl
east2year
s.I
maginepoorlit
tl
eCooper,wit
h
awhoreofamotherwhoisalway sbusy
,and
hi
sdaddyaway,I
’l
lhavetor
aisehi
m…he’
l
ltur
n
upfucki
ntheheadjustl
i
kehisdaddy
…
COLTON:
Stayawayf
rom myson…
AUGUSTUS:ForCooper…doitt
okeepCooper
saf
e.Theguyisacorr
uptpieceofshitany
way
,
soyouwil
lbedoingt
hewor l
daservice.
Tomorr
ow.7PM.
Hewal
kedawaylaughi
ngandCol
tonpunched
t
hewal
lcussi
ng.
COOPER:
Daddy
?
COLTON:I’
mf i
neboy ,
I’
m al
lgood!Let
’sgo
hav
epizza!Yeay!Fi
stpump!
HestrappedCooperi
nhiscarseatandgoti
n
thedri
ver’
sseat
,hi
sfaceinhi
shandsashe
cussedloudl
y.
Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
ckedup.
BANYANA: Li
etomeandsayy
ougav
ehi
mthe
casser
ole…
Hej
ustsatqui
etl
yforawhi
l
e.
BANYANA:
Col
t?I
sev
ery
thi
ngok?Col
ton?
COLTON: Hewant
smet
oki
l
lsomeone,
Nnyana…
BANYANA:
Ohshi
t…I
’
m comi
nghomenow.

*
***
***
**

ATKFM
Goutawal
kedint
otheopenoff
icet
heint
erns
shar
edandfoundThandi
esti
l
lworki
ng.
GOUTA:Sti
l
lher
e?Youngl
ady
,yourl
i
fei
s
passi
ngyouby!
THANDIE(Laughi
ng)Li
keIhav
emuchofa
soci
all
i
fe…
GOUTA:
Canwet
alk?
THANDI
E:Di
dIdoany
thi
ngwr
ong?
GOUTA:No,notatal
l
…it
’sj
ust
,It
alkedt
oy our
fat
her
,andhetol
dmeaboutyourcondi
ti
on.
THANDIE:(
get
tingangr
y)y
ouhadnori
ght!That
i
spr i
vat
eandyouhadnori
ght(
shest
art
ed
cr
ying)
GOUTA:
I’
m sor
ry,
it’
sjust
.Iwaswor
ri
ed…
Sheranoutoft
heroom cr
yingandGout
a
fol
l
owedher,gr
abbi
ngherhand.
GOUTA:
Thandi
ewai
t…
THANDIE:Leavemeal
one…(Shepul
ledaway
andpushedather
.Thei
mpactsentherf
lyi
ng
offt
hestai
rs)
THANDI
E:Ohshi
t,oh,
shi
t,ohshi
t!
SheranovertoGoutawhowasl ayi
ngl
impat
theendofthelongfl
i
ghtofst
airsandchecked
herpul
se.Ok.Therewasapulse…
Whatt
odo,
whatt
odo?
Sher
anout
sidet
ofi
ndt
heni
ghtguar
d.Hewas
notinhisplace.Wher
ewashe?Whatwast he
pointofguardswhentheywer eneverthere
whenoneneededhel p?Ok, shehadt odot hi
s
byherselft
hen.ShedraggedGout adownt he
stai
rsandputheratthebackseatofhercar ,
thenwentbackt ogethercarseatanddr oveoff
.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
50

ATMAOTO’
SHOUSE
Maot
oworkedouti
nhi
sbackr
oom wi
thhi
ski
ds
al
lov
erhi
m.
HehadAasast rappedtohisbackashedid
push-
ups,Sebagabesideshimtry
ingcopyhim
whil
eMot heowasat heweight
stryi
ngtopick
them up.
MAOTO: Mma-B,di
dyougetbigger,
gir
l?You
areheav
iernow!Wow,pr
incess,
that’
sanice
push-
up
Kwapawal
kedi
nwi
thascr
eami
ngManny
.
KWAPA: Themonnahewon’ tst
opcryi
ng,
Nametsohadt ogocheckonhermother,her
fami
lycall
edher,she’
l
lbebacktomorr
ow
morni
ng,andWar onaisoutoft
hecountr
y,
mmei ssti
lli
noneofhermoods.
MAOTO:
(st
andi
ngup)Andr
raagweene?
KWAPA:
Ha,
funny
!
MAOTO: (
takingMannyfrom him)Comeher e
Man- man,beforethi
sdummyendsup
poisoni
ngy ouorsomething.Eh-eh,
Rascal,not
thatweigh,it
’stooheav
y,otlaikgol
ahatsa…
takethatorangeone.Didyoubr i
nghisdiaper
bag?Bot t
les?
KWAPA:
I…uhm…
MAOTO: I
ja…Pr
incess,gori
nseoneoft hose
bott
lesmma-Bnev erused,
theyar
ei nthelower
cupboar
dinthekit
chen.Thesmallerone.
SEBAGA:
TheTommee-
Tippeeonesdaddy
?
MAOTO:
That
’smygi
rl
.Ri
nset
hem f
orme.
Hewentinsi
deandf
oundsomelefoverdi
aper
s
f
rom whenAasawassmall
erandchanged
Mannythenmadehi
m abott
lefr
om Aasa’
s
f
ormula.
KWAPA: Howdoy oudoallt
his?Imean,you
haveyoureyeonal l
thr
eeofthem atthesame
ti
me.War onausedtotakecareofeveryt
hing
andnowNamet sodoesit
,Ihaven’
teven
changedadiaperinmylif
e.
MAOTO: Thenyouhav enor ightmakingbabies.
What
,yout hi
nkbei ngafathermeansj ust
pr
ovi
dingforthem mat er
iall
y?Idon’tknow
wher
emengett hatidea,youparti
cipatedi
n
maki
ngthem aker e,whyhandsof fnowwhen
t
heyar
eher
e?
KWAPA:Ijust
…Idon’
tknow,
womenar
ebet
ter
att
hist
hings.
MAOTO: Sayswho?Youmadet hechil
d,man
upandcar eforhi
m.Rascal,Pri
ncess,whatdo
youguy swannaeatfordinner
?Mama’ s
probablyrunni
nglat
e,sheisusual
lyhomeby
now, andI’
m notsuchagoodcook.Ma- fr
esh
andrussians?
MOTHEO:
Yeay
!Canwehav
ebakedbeansal
so,
daddy
?
MAOTO: Yup,nowyoutwor unal
ongandt
akea
bathandputonyourpyjamas,I
’l
lbat
hmma-B
l
ateraft
erwehavedinner.

*
***
***
***

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Banyanawal
kedi
nthesamet
imeCol
tonand
Cooperar
ri
vedwi
thpi
zza.
COLTON:Youdidn’
thavetocome…I
’
m al
ri
ght
.
Cooper
’sasl
eep.I
’l
lputhi
mtobed.
Hecarri
edCoopert
ohi
sroom andBanyana
fol
lowedhi
m,huggi
nghi
m af
terCooperwasin
hisbed.
BANYANA:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?
COLTON:Whatot
herfucki
ngchoi
cedoIhav
e,
B?Don’
tbedumb,i
fIdon’tdoi
thewil
lcome
af
tery
ouandCooper.
BANYANA: Wear etal
ki
ngaboutmurder,Col
t!
Murder!Hei snotaski
ngyoutosupervi
sea
dr
ugimpor t!Apersonwill
actual
l
ydie!Canyou
l
ivewit
ht hat?Kil
li
ngaperson!No,Col
t,no!I
t’
ll
dr
iveyoucr azy.
Hepul
l
edherbyt
hehai
randscr
eamedi
nher
ear
COLTON:Doyoufucki
ngthi
nkIdon’
tknowt
hat
?
Huh?Ary
outhatstupi
d?
BANYANA: Ok, ok…calmthefuckdown, Iknow
youareupset,butmustwef ightbecauseof
Augustus?Really?We’vebeendoingsowel lt
he
pastf
ewweeksCol t,pl
ease…
Hepul
l
edbackandr
anhi
shandsonhi
shai
r.
COLTON: Whatthefuckam Igoingtodo, B?
Wheream Igoingtogetsomeunt raceabl
est uf
f
becausehewant si
tdonetomor r
ow?Andmy
fat
herwon’tevenunderst
andifItel
lhim Ican’t
doitbecauseIcan’
tfi
ndanythingintime.
BANAYANA:
Whatar
ewegoi
ngt
odo?
COLTON: Beathi smer cy?Whi chhedoesn’t
have,whichlit
erallymeanscomet omor r
ow
7pm, I’
mf ucked.B, pr
omi semei fanythi
ngatal
l
happenst omet omor row, dead,pri
son,
anything…promi semey ou’l
ltakeCooper,
empt yoursav i
ngsanddi p,ok?
BANYANA:BecauseI
’
m goi
ngtodeser
tyou
whenyouneedme?Niggapl
ease…
COLTON: I’
vealwayssuspectedyouwerejusta
pret
tyfacewit
ht hr
eebr ai
ncell
s.NowI’m sur
e
ofit
.I’
m anabusivepieceofshit,
B!Youaren’
t
enti
rel
yasaint,hel
l
,y ouareapieceofshi
ttoo,
butyoudeservebetter.
BANYANA:
Don’
ttel
lmewhatIdeser
ve…
COLTON: Idemeanandi nsultyouallthetime
becauseI’
m messedup.NowI ’m gi
vingy oua
chancetogetawayandy ousayno?Whatki nd
offucki
ngStockholm syndr omeisthis?(He
pull
edherroughl
y ,sendi
ngherdi zzil
yf al
l
ingt o
thecouch)Isai
d,leavedamni t
!(Runninghi s
handsuphishair)Ok, pl
easeB, formyson…i f
anythi
nghappenst omet akemysonandl eave?
BANYANA: Not
hingishappeni
ngtoyou.You
knowyourwayaroundtoxicol
ogyal
ltoowel
l…
I’
m acar
diacdoctor
.Icangetyousomethi
ng
from t
hehospi
tal
…car
diacmedici
ne…andI
’
m
sureyoucanfi
ndawayt ocor
rupti
tandmakei
t
toxi
c.
COLTON:
Ihat
ethi
s…
BANYANA: Li
keyousai
d,whatot
herchoi
cedo
wehave?LetmegoseewhatIcanscoreat
work.I
’
llbebacki
nabit.

*
***
***
*

ATAMOTELOUTSI
DEFRANCI
STOWN
Thandi
ewalkedint
other
oom wher
eshehad
Goutat
iedt
ot hebed
THANDI
E:Thandi
wedi
dyout
akey
our
medi
cat
ion?
GOUTA:Thandi
epl
ease…Ihav
etogohome…
unt
ieme.
THANDI E:Nohoney ,Ican’tunt
ieyou,
you’l
lonly
hurtyoursel
fifIdo.Youhav etogetbett
er,we
arekeepingyouher esoy oucangetbett
er,then
wecangohome, ok?Her e,open
up…medi cat
iontime…
GOUTA:
Thandi
e,pl
ease…
THANDIE:(angr
il
y)Thandi
we!Openy ourmout
h
now!IswearIdon’thav
eti
mef ort
his!
(ShepinchedGout a’
snoseunt i
lshecoul
dn’
t
breat
handhadt oopenhermout ht
ogetair
.
Thandieputsomepi l
l
si nhermouthandpoured
i
nwat er,gent
lyslappinghercheektomakeher
shall
ow.
THANDIE:Ther
e,t
hat
’sagoodgi
rl
!Nowl
et’
s
gi
veyouyourshot
…
Shewenttoherarm andpul
l
eduasl eev
e,
i
njecti
ngherwit
hsomemedi cat
ion,
Gouta
st
artedget
tingdr
owsy.
GOUTA:
(sl
urr
ingspeech)Thandi
e…what
…what
di
dyoudot
ome?Pl
ease….

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Maotostar
tedpaci
ngaroundasAmel
i
ah’
scar
par
kedinthefr
ontyar
d.
AMELI
AH:
Sti
l
lnot
hing?
MAOTO: Herphonei soffandIcall
edthenight
guardstoaskt hem tocheckontheof fi
ce.Her
carissti
llint
hepar ki
nglotbutsheisnotthere.
Ievencalledhermot herandaunts,sheisnot
there.Goutawon’tjustgoanywherewi t
hout
tel
li
ngme.Iknowi thassomet hi
ngt odowith
thatpsycho,Thandie…
AMELIAH:Ij
o,t
hatgi
rlscar
esme,I’
veseenher
hoov
eringar
oundmyof fi
ceandhomeseveral
ti
mes.
MAOTO:I’
m goi
ngoutt
olook.Wher
e,Idon’t
know.Mat
thi
astal
kedt
oThandie’
sfatherand
sheisnothome, t
heyhavenoi deawheresheis.
Keepthedoorslockedanddon’ topenf
or
anyoneatal
l.Ameliah,pl
easekeepmychildr
en
saf
e?Thandiemi ghtcomehere…
AMELI
AH: Youhavemyword.Iwon’
topenf
or
any
one.Besafeoutt
her
e,ok?

I
NMOI
YABANA
Kedilookedaround, Tebat
sowasatt he
woodshedchoppi ngwoodandhi sphonewas
onthebedst and.Shewentt oitandputhis
password,hi
smot her’
sbir
thday.Shewent
thr
ought heWhatsAppconv er
sation,
tear
s
well
ingdownherey es.
Thethi
ngstheyweretal
kingaboutwereenough
tomakeapor nst
arbl
ush,andtonsof
Bat
hsheba’
snudeandl i
ngeri
epict
ures.
Whatthehel
lwasshesupposedtodowhen
Bat
hshebahadthatbody
?Shedreal
lyt
hought
Tebatsolov
edher…andactual
l
ysti
l
lbel
i
evedhe
does,butmenhadat hi
ngt
owardswhor
es,no
matterhowhappytheywer
eathome.
Bathshebahadnol i
mitssexuall
yobviousl
y.
Kedi thoughtofhowmanyt imesTebat sohad
want edtot rysomethingdif
ferentandshehad
refused…j ustwasn’tcomfortablewit
hall
that…wasn’ tanalsexforanimalsonlyeven?
Whatwasshesupposedt odonow?Wi tha
thir
dbabyont hewayandaf ewdaysaway
from hisf
amilypayi
ngbri
deprice?Howwas
sheev ensupposedtot
ellhi
m aboutthebaby?
Andwhatwasshesupposedt odowi t
hall
thesefeel
ingsshehadforhi
m?Herbabi eshad
bondedwi thhi
m…
TEBATSO:(wal
kinginther
oom)whatt
hehel
l
ar
ey oudoi
ng,Kedi!Whyar
eyougoi
ngthr
ough
myphone?
KEDI
:Howcoul
dyou,
Tebat
so?
TEBATSO:No,
Kedi
,howcoul
dyou?Ev
erhear
d
ofpr
ivacy
?
KEDI:
Wear
egett
ingmar
ri
ed.Whati
spr
ivacy
bet
weenamar
ri
edcoupl
e?
Hesnatchedt
hephonef
rom herandt
ookt
he
carkey
s.
TEBATSO: I
’m goi
ngout…nevertouchmyphone
agai
n!Ilov
ey ouKedi,butt
hisl
itt
ledramat
ic
behavi
orofyourspissesmeof f
,real
ly!
KEDI
:Thenst
opcheat
ingonme!
TEBATSO:
I’
m notcheat
ingony
ou.
KEDI:I
’m notbl
i
ndorst
upi
d,IknowwhatIsaw
onthatphone!
KEDI:
Ser
vesyouri
ghtthen,whatgi
vesy
outhe
ri
ghtt
ogothr
oughmyper sonalst
uff
.DoIgo
thr
oughy
ourphone?Damn.
Shebrokedowncr
yingandhecameov
erand
huggedher.
TEBATSO: (huggingher)Look, Kedi,I
’
m sorryok?
Ilov
ey ou.Bathsheba,sheisjustlikethatpiece
ofcakey ouknowy oushoul dn’thavebecause
i
t’snotgoodf oryou,butthatdoesn’tstopy ou
fr
om want i
ngi t
.Sheisnot hreattous, ok?Ilov
e
you…doy oustil
lloveme?
Shenoddedashewi pedhertear
sandki
ssed
her,
gentl
yleadi
nghertothebedand
unbutt
oni
ngherblouse…
KEDI
: (
shyl
y)y
ouknowt hose…t
hoset
hingsy
ou
wantedtodotheot
herday?Maybeweshould
tr
y…

*
***
***
**

ATMMA-
ITERELENG’
SHOME
Namet
sosatunderat
reet
alki
ngt
ohersi
ster
.
I
TIRELENG:
Ist
il
lcan’
tbel
i
evey
ou’
ddot
his
Name!Youusedt obesor espectful!To
cohabitat
eandgoagai nstfather’
swor ds!That
bastardisonlyusi
ngyout otakecar eofhis
chi
ld.Whathappenstoschool then?Ithought
weagr eedIwassendingy out oav ocati
onal
tr
ainingcoll
ege!
NAMETSO: YouknowI ’
m notver
ygoodin
studi
esanyway,andIdon’
twanttogotothose
vocat
ional
coll
egesorwhatever.
I
TIRELENG:
Andyouarebasi
ngy
ourent
ir
e
f
utureonaman?Real
l
y?
NAMETSO:
Youdon’
tunder
stand,
Ilov
e
hi
m…andhelov
esmetoo…
ITI
RELENG:Ohreall
y?Doesheev enknow
anythi
ngaboutl
ove?Heseemsl ikeaconcei
ted
bastar
dtome.Ifhelov
edy ouhewouldtake
ti
met opr
operl
ydateyou,andthenmarryyou.
NAMETSO:
Hel
ovesme,
Iknowhedoes…he
sai
dso!
I
TIRELENG:
Duh!Menl
i
e,Name!Hav
eyousl
ept
wi
thhim?
NAMETSO:
(bl
ushi
ng)I
….
ITIRELENG: Yougavey ourv
irgini
tytothat
bastard!Reall
yNamet so?God, what’
swi t
hthi
s
vil
age’sgir
lsandt heKgagodi boysnnaba
ntshelekajaananawiththei
rar r
ogance?Obona
enghel amogoene?
NAMETSO: Youdon’
tknowhim, hei
sniceto
me…hetakescareofme….and…well
…you
woul
dn’
tunderst
and,yourhusbandi
sChinese.
ITI
RELENG:
(laughi
ng)whatar
eyout
ryi
ngt
o
say?
NAMETSO: (
blushi
ng)Yes,that!Tire,
I’
veal ways
heardgi r
lstal
kabouthowi twassogoodandI
didn’tbel
ievethem.NowIdon’ tev enthinkt hei
r
descr i
pti
onswer eaccur
ate,butlegalemay be
i
t’
sj usthim…he…ohhh!God, howdoIev en
explainit
,li
ke,myfri
endssayt heirboy f
riends’
arenotevent
hatbi
g…andhehasski
l
lswit
hhis
mouthtoo…hedoesthi
sthi
ngwi
thhi
stongue
and…
ITIRELENG:Eww!Pleasesparemethedet ail
s!I
knowIsai dyoucantal
ktomeaboutany thing,
butIdon’twanttohearaboutmybabysister
getti
ngitonwithaperver
t.Youare21andI
knowhei s39becausewewer ei
nthesame
classkoprimary!
NAMETSO:Buthonest
lysi
s,i
sitl
i
ket
hatf
or
ev
ery
one,mindbl
owing?Li
ke…
I
TIRELENG:Nametso!Gowashtheplat
es.Go,
go…enoughoutofyoufort
hedayal
ready!

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
51

ATAMOTEL
Goutastr
uggl
edagainstherr
estr
aint
sbutt
hey
weretoughandshecouldn’
tevenmakemuch
pr
ogress.
Shehadt ogoout ,butfornowshewasn’ tin
muchdanger ,aslongasThandi eproject
edher
chi
ldhoodintoherandkeptcal li
ngher
Thandiwe.Obv i
ouslyhermot hermighthave
keptherundermedi cati
on,butneverharmed
her,soaslongasThandi ethoughGout awas
Thandie,
shewoul dn’tharm her.
Theproblem wsifthedelusionchanged.Wi th
Psychosis,
shelosttouchwi threal
it
y,andthe
multi
plepersonal
it
ydisordercouldincludealot
ofpersonas,somewhi chmaybedanger ous.
Shehadt ogetoutandgetThandi ehelpbefore
Maotoshowedupandpr obablyshotthepoor
gi
rl
.
Thandi
ewalkedi
ndressedf
ormal
l
yli
keshe
wasgoingt
owork.
THANDI
E:Uhm?Whoar
eyou?
Shit,
anot
herper
sonal
i
ty!Whi
chonecoul
ditbe
then?
GOUTA:
It’
sme,
Thandi
we?
THANDI E:Thandi
e?Whyar eyounotinthe
off
ice?Iwant edt
hosefil
esinmydeskbyend
ofday.Andwher earemychildren,
theyshoul
d
beherebynow.Wat ,whyar
ey ouinmybed?
Areyousleepingwithmyhusband?Ar eyou
sl
eepingwi t
hMaot o?
Uh-uh, t
heGoutapersonal
it
ythen.Shewas
definit
elyi
ndanger.Thebestwaywasjustt
o
playalongbecausePsychosispeopl
ecoul
dget
violenti
fpull
edoutofthei
rdelusi
onsand
forcedtofacereal
i
t y
.
GOUTA:Noma’
am…Iwasj
ust
…I’
mthecl
eani
ng
l
ady,
remember
?
THANDI E:Youarel
yi
ng,y
ouaresl
eepwit
hmy
husband!I
’m goi
ngtoki
lly
ou.Comeon,
we
havetotakealit
tl
eri
de.
Shegr abbedthemedicati
onbott
leinthe
bedsidetableandinj
ectedherwit
hit,
making
herdrowsybef or
esheunt i
edheranddragged
hertot hecar.

*
***
***
**

I
NGABORONE

Tichi
nawat chedthegi
rlr
idein,
sheunmount
ed
herbikeandwal kedov
ertothehousei
nher
bl
ackl eat
heroutfit
.
HER:
Youar
eTi
chi
na,
right
?Thewomanwho
t
ri
edt obr
ingdownTshepeandAmaryl
l
is?We
t
alkedonthephone.Youhav
emyfi
les?
TICHINA:Yes,
butmydeal st
and.Ify
ouar
e
goingtodothi
s,Iwantyoutotakedownt
he
entir
eKgagodicl
anfi
rst
.
HER:Ihavenopr obl
em wi
thther
estofthe
Kgagodi’
s,hel
lIdon’
tevenknowthem except
thatI
’
vehadf untimeswit
hMaotoKgagodi and
hiswif
e.Theyseem li
kegoodpeople.
TI
CHI
NA:
Wel
l
,Ihav
epr
obl
emswi
tht
hem.
HER:Yourpr
obl
em.Notmine.I
’
m goingaft
er
TshepeandAmary
ll
isandt
hat’
sit
.Thanksfor
thefi
les.
TI
CHI
NA:
Buty
ousai
d…
HER:
Ili
ed…Idot
hatal
ot,
honey
.
TICHINA:I
’
llt
ellbothoft
hem thaty
ouare
comingaft
erthem…I ’
l
lgosni
tchifyoudon’
tdo
accordi
ngtomypl an.
HER: Goaheadhoney ,
I’mv er
ysur etheyare
bothawar eit’
smebynow.Tel lt
hem Lahren
say’s‘
let’
splay,bi
tches’.Andremembery ouar
e
supposedt obeoutoft hecount ry?Imagi
neif
theyheary ouhandedt heirworstenemy
everyt
hingIneedt ocrumbl etheirhouseof
cards.
TI
CHI
NA:
Lahr
en?TheoneTshepesai
dhe…
HER:Gi
ft
edt
osomeQat
ari
per
ver
t?Yup!By
e
now.
Sheputonherhel
metandrodebackint
oher
bi
ke,wal
ki
ngawaywi t
hthehar
d-dr
iveTi
chi
na
hadj
usthandedtoher
.

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Banyanawokeupt
oColt
onint
heki
tchen,
wit
h
Cooperpl
ayi
ngonthemat.
BANYANA: Youarecooki
ng?It
houghty
ouonl
y
madebreakfast
s…
COLTON: Ha,
funny…butyouknow,whenyour
mom i sal
waysconkeduponpill
sandyoudad
couldn’
tgi
vetwoshitsbuty
ouhav et
wobaby
si
sterwhoneedstoeat?Yea,youcook.
BANYANA:Youhar
dlytal
kabouthowi
twas
gr
owingupint
hathouse
COLTON: What’
stheretosay,i
twasf uckedup,
youalr
eadyknowt hat
.Alr
ight
,breakf
astis
serv
ed.Comesitdownwi fey,
andahi ghchair
formyboy…
BANYANA:Col
t,whati
sthi
s,whyareyoubeing
ni
ce?Andwhyarether
etwosuit
casespacked?
COLTON:Nny
anacanwej
usteati
npeace?
Pl
ease?
BANYANA:
Youspendal
lofl
astni
ghti
nyour
l
ab
COLTON: IsynthesizedtheTenor minyou
brought ,andtrieditont henei ghbor'
skid’
spet
rabbit.Thingdi edin6mi nutes.SoIuppedt he
doset ime15, addedaf ewt hings,andIbeliev
e
i
twi lltakeallof10mi nutest orepli
cateaheart
attack, andsincethesaxi toxinisorganicwhen
synthesi zed,i
twilldissolvein30mi nut
esandit
can’tbet r
aced.
BANYANA: So,whyt
hebags?Youhav
ewhat
yourdadneeds.
COLTON:It
’snevergoi
ngt
oend,B.Never.Ibow
tot
hisandnexthewill
wantmore,
that’
show
mydadis.Ican’
tli
veli
ket
hat
.Ihavetoendit.
BANYANA:Areyoucr
azy?Heisy
our
fat
her
…youcoul
dneverl
i
v ewi
thi
t.
COLTON: Byt
heti
meIwas12I’
dalr
eadyhada
br
okenleg,br
okenar
m,3br
okenri
bs,and
count lessbl ackey esonthedaily.Hebeatme
upbecausehecoul d,
hesaidIwasa
disappoi ntmentbecauseIwant edt ogoi nto
medi cineandwant ednothi
ngt odowi thhi s
corruptway s.Beatupmymot heroftenand
broughtot herwomeni nthehousei nfrontof
her.OnedaywhenIwas16Ist oodatt hedoor
toAmel iah’sroom sohecoul dn’tenter
.Hebeat
meup, andt hentiedmet oachai randmade
mewat chhi mr apemysi st
er.So, yea,I’
l
l sl
eep
j
ustf ineknowi nghei sdead.
BANYANA:Heisalwayssurroundedbyhis
men…no,Col
t!Youcan’t
,they’
llcat
chyou.
COLTON: Surel
yIcanaskforaprivate
conversati
onwi t
hmyf at
her?Besides,hewon’
t
expectit,
het hi
nkshehasalreadytaughtmea
l
esson…af terhe…wel
l…aft
erhe…
BANYANA:Af
terherapedme?Whatdi
dyoudo
Col
ton,
youmoron?
COLTON:Itr
iedt
okil
lhi
m wit
hrincin.They
caughtmeandbeatmeuptoapul p.Then
al
mostdrownedmeinthepool.
BANYANA:Thatt
imey
out
oldmey
ouwer
eon
hol
i
daywit
hKen?
COLTON: Icouldn’
tletyouseemel ikethat.
WhenAugust usandhi scoonswer edonet hey
thr
ewmeont hestreet.Cany oubel
ieveit!
Threwmeont hestreetli
keIwast r
ash,nothis
son.Ical
l
edKenandhepi ckedmeupandI
wenttoalodgei nNataf orawhil
e.
BANYANA:
I’
m sor
ry.
COLTON: That’swhyy ouandCoopneedt ogo
away .Aft
erbr eakfastgoputanemer gency
l
eav eatwor k,tellt
hem Cooperhasamedi cal
conditi
ont hatneedsi mmediateattenti
on.I’
ve
producedasl ipf oryou.ThentakeCooperand
getoutoft hecount ry.IfI
’
m successfulI’
l
l
comef indy ou.IfIdon’tcomeI’m eit
herdeador
i
npr i
son,sodon’tcomeback.Now,let
’seat
pl
ease,thi
sisnice,i
sn’
tit
?Beauti
ful
breakfast!I
eventookyousomepi ct
uresfory
ourInstagram
whil
eIwascooki ng.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
opacedaroundasAmeli
ahfedtheki
ds.
Hi
sbrother
sandTebat
sosati
ntheli
vingr
oom
wi
thhim.
MAOTO: Thereisnotraceofthem!Theproblem
i
sThandieisment al
,sosheisunpredi
ctabl
e,
shecouldbeany wher
e,shecouldbedoing
anyt
hingtoher…IswearI’
m goingt
okillher
.
TSHEPE:Alri
ghtguy
s,let
’sj
ust
,Idon’
tknow
checkabandonedhouses,mot
els,
hotel
s,
any
thi
ng,
becauseshecoul
dbeany
wher
e.Let
’s
spl
i
t.
MAOTO: Yea,malumeknowssomepeopl ewho
areal
readyhelpi
ngont hesearch,andallthe
guyswhowor katthefarm havevolunteeredto
gohelpsearcharoundtownt oo.Please,guysI
needsomeonet ostaywithLiahandmyki ds.
THUO:
It’
scool
,I
’l
lst
ay…
LENTSWE:
Nah,
yougoonandhel
p…
THUO:
Iinsi
st,
yourcousi
nneedsy
ou…
AMELI
AH:
Leecanst
ay,
it’
sal
ri
ght
.
Thuogaveheralookbef
orest
ormi
ngout
,and
theKgagodi
boysfol
lowedhi
m out
.
Af
tert
heyl
eft
LENTSWE:
Arey
oust
il
lmadatme?
AMELIAH:AbouttheYakuza?Whywoul dIbe?
I
fit’
sanyconsol
ationIworkedatanobscure
fr
iesandchi
ckendr i
vet
hroughwhenIwasi n
London.
LENTSWE: (
laughi
ng)t
hatt
otal
l
ycompar
est
o
theYakuza
AMELI AH:(laughi
ng)Ifyoucomeatr ushhour,
tr
ustme.TheYakuzami ghtjustbebet
ter
.All
I’
m sayingis,weallhavedowhatwehav eto
survi
ve.I’
m notmadaty ou,Iknowyouarea
goodguy .
SEBAGA:UncleLee,
areyougoi
ngtomar
ry
aunt
yLiah?CanIbeaflowergi
rl
?
AMELI
Ah:Sebaga!Bat
ho!Gof
indy
ourdol
l
sor
somet
hing
SEBAGA:Iwanttoknow,ar
eyou?Youshoul
d,
shei
sapr et
tyl
adyandsheissweetandsmart
andknowshowt ocook!
LENTSWE:(
laughi
ng)yes,li
tt
lel
ady,Iwoul
d
ver
ymuchli
ket omarr
yy ouraunt
yindueti
mei
f
shewoul
dhaveme.
Amel
i
ahbl
ushedandwal
kedt
otheki
tchen.
AMELI
AH:
Anyonef
eel
li
kepopcor
n?Wecoul
d
wat
chamovi
e.

*
***
***

ATTHEVANANDREASHOUSE
Bat
hshebalaidont
hebedwit
hhersister
hol
dingherhandaf
tert
aki
ngthesecondpil
l
.
BETHANY:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
BATHSHEBA:Sti
llcr
ampi ng,butatl
eastIknow
i
t’
sdonebecauseI’m bl
eeding.Gosh,i
magine
mewithachil
d!Ihatekids.
BETHANY:Yea,
hatethel
it
tlebugger
stoo,I
don’
tknowhowRatiehadthree,
damn!You’
llbe
okbabe.I
’
m her
eforyou.
BATHSHEBA:
IfTebat
sof
indsout
,he’
l
lki
l
lme,
y
ouknow.
BETHANY:
Howi
shegoi
ngt
ofi
ndout
?
BATHSHEBA: Youareri
ght,he’l
lneverf
indout.I
wantthatmanback,butnotenought oactual
l
y
bepregnant
,urgh!I
’
m disgustedjustt
hinki
ngof
i
t.Andtopushahumanoutofmycoochi e?No
thankyouma’am.
BETHANY:
Preach,si
ster!Idon’
tunder
stand
whywomendot hatt
ot hemselv
es.Repeatedl
y!
Damn!
BATHSHEBA: Besides,thatgirldoesn’tthreaten
me.Sant seket si
legomof r
aakast ressunt i
l
sheleav esmymanal one.Shei sgoingt olearn
alessonshe’ llneverforget.I’
llbei
n
Franci
st ownf orawhi l
e, andy ouknowTebl a
can’tr
esi stallthi
s.Shesoundsbor inginbed
anyway .Spentt henightchat t
ingdirtywith
Tebla,andIknowl it
tl
emi ssyisgoingt ofindit,
shelookst heinsecuretypet ogot hrougha
man’
sphone.

*
***
***
*

I
NMOI
YABANA
Kedi
wokeuptoTebat
sosi
tt
ingi
nbedj
ust
st
ari
ngather
.
TEBATSO:
Youar
esobeaut
if
ulwheny
ousl
eep
KEDI
:Mxim,tshaba,
noonel
ooksbeaut
if
ul
whentheysl
eep.
TEBATSO: Butyoudo.Let’
sgofordinnertoday,
theyhavethi
snicehoteli
nSerowe,Ijustwanna
spendsomet imewithyou.Il
oveyouKedi ,and
I’
m sorr
yIhurtyou…nomor eBathsheba.Ifyou
don’twantmet otal
ktoheragai
n.Iwon’ t
KEDI
:Aww,
doy
our
eal
l
ymeant
hat
?
TEBATSO:
Ido,
Iwantourf
ami
l
ytowor
k.We
havet
wokidst
hatweneedt
opr
ovi
deast
rong
homefor
…
KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)act
ual
l
ythr
ee
TEBATSO:
Huh?
KEDI
:Youar
egoi
ngt
obeadaddy
!
TEBATSO:
(ex
cit
edl
y)youar
ejustpl
ayi
ngwi
th
me,comeonKedi
,don’
tbel
ikethat
…
KEDI
:Noki
ddi
ng…If
oundoutaweekago
TEBATSO: What?OhmyGod, Kedi!Thisi
sthe
bestnewsofmyl if
e.Youknowwhat ,scr
ew
di
nner.Let’
sgoonav acati
ontocelebrat
e.Mme
wouldbemor ethangladt
owat chDuoandNeo,
andtheylovei
theretoo.Wow!

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
52
ATTHECULLHOUSE

Col
tonwal
kedi
nandlookedaroundt
hehouse,
August
us’
menwereeverywher
e.

BandCoopwoul dbeonthef li
ghttoSAbynow,
andt hentheywouldgotohi sfri
endi nTur key,
staythereforabit,
andhewoul djoint hem and
theywi l
lmov etoSi
ngaporef orawhi le.Just
untilAugustus’
sdogscalm downaf tert heir
mast er’
sdeath.Theyweresol oyaltot henast y
bastardtmadehi m si
ck.Onej ab,getout
throughthebackdoor,andr unlikehel l.Hehad
hisbikeparkednotsofarfrom thehouse.He
willgetoutoftownandr i
deont ot henext
vil
lageandcat chabustoGabor onet hena
fl
ight.
August
uswal
kedov
ert
ohi
m wi
thasmi
l
e.

AUGUSTUS:
Myst
uffr
eady
?Guest
swi
l
lar
ri
ve
soon.

COLTON:Yea…dad,
canwet
alki
npr
ivat
e?Just
forami
nute.

AUGUSTUS:Sur
e…oh, byt
heway,Banyanaand
Cooperwoul
dbejoi
ningusfordi
nner
.Ah, t
hat
shoul
dbethem…

Thefr
ontdooropenedwi
thacryi
ngBanyanaas
shehel
dti
ghtl
ytoCooperwhil
ethemenpushed
heri
n.Col
tonpaledandr
ushedovert
othem,
huggi
ngher.
AUGUSTUS: (laughi ng)shallwegohav ethat
tal
kthen?Di dy our eallyt
hinkIwoul dev ertr
ust
youagai naftert hatshityoupulled,t
riedtokill
meov erawhor e?Ihav eeyesev ery
wher e,
boy…Iknowy ourev erymov ebeforey oumake
i
t…y ougetmydeeddoneorel seI’m goingto
giv
et hiswhor et omyboy stoplaywi thwhile
youheadt oprison.Ihopey ouli
keor ange.A
fewmont hsinlockupwi llgetyouheadr i
ght.

COLTON: Pleasedad…please…I’m beggingyou.

Justt
hisonce, l
etthem go.Dowhat ev
eryou
wantwi t
hme, butlett
hem go…Bdi dn’
tknow
anyt
hing,Itol
dherwewer egoingonahol i
day
andI’
llcatchupwiththem lat
er…I’
lldowhat ev
er
youwant .
.Please…

AUGUSTUS:Ofcourseyouwil
l
.Andy esIwil
ll
et
yourwhor
ego,butshedoesn’
tleav
et own.
CooperI
’
lldeci
dei
fhecomest
oli
vewi
thmeor
not
.

BANYANA:You’
llhav
etot
akehi
mfr
om me
overmydeadbody!

AUGUSTUS:(
laughing)t
hatcoul
dbeeasi
l
y
ar
ranged,
sweetheart
.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEKGAGODIHOUSE

Ameli
ahwenttoopent
hedoorf
orBat
hsheba
af
tershehadcal
l
edher
.

AMELI
AH:
Iam sosor
ryy
ouhav
etocomedo
themeet
ingherel
ikethi
sSheba,butmysist
er
i
sstil
lmi
ssingandtheyareoutl
ookingf
orher.
ButLeei
shere.HeyBeth.

BATHSHEBA: Ey,nopr obl

em, ok.I’
mj ust
droppingoffthefinancialproj
ecti
ons, mysister
andIhav easist
erdatewi thmilkshakeshun,
wecandot hemeet ingwhenal lthissett
les.By
theway ,youguysar elookingatal otofstack.
Like,bigdeall
oads.Ialreadyhav esixready
buy ercl
ient
s.

AMELIAH:Ohmy !That’
ssoexci
ting.Ican’
twai
t
forLeetohearal
lthi
s.Canyouladiesgiveme
asecondtocheckonmygr avyi
nt hekit
chen,
I
’m cooki
ng.

Sheranof
ftot
heki
tchenandtheywatchedas
Lent
swecameint
hroughtheki
tchendoorand
tr
iedtopi
nchacupcakef
rom t
hebat
chAmel
i
ah
hadjustt
akenf
rom t
heoven

Amel
i
ahswat
tedhi
shandsof
flaughi
ng.

AMELIAH:(
swathi
nghishandaway)Lee!Uh-uh!
Nodesser
tbef
oredinner
…andwashy ourhands
monnayouhavebeenworkingwi
thplaydough.

LENTSWE:Mma- Beatsitandsheisnotdead
yet,
soI’
m sureI
’
m good…comeonLi ah,how
arewesupposedtolookatall
thesenicef
ood
andnoteat?

Hehuggedherf r
om theback,ki
ssi
ngherneck
asshewentaboutcooking,andwhenshebent
overt
oopent heoven,hesmackedherbuttand
madeherlaugh.
AMELIAh:(
laughi
ng)Out
,now…gobackt
othe
pl
aypenwit
ht heki
ds,wadi
stur
bawena!

Hel
aughedandpinchedseveral
cupcakest
hen
r
anoutandhandedthem t
ot hekids.

Bet
hanyl
ookedatt
hem smi
l
ing.

BATHSHEBA: Somegir
lsarelucky,j
oh?They
arethecut
estcoupl
eItel
lyou,Ilov
ewatching
them t
oget
her.

BETHANY:Iwashonest
lyst
art
ingt
othi
nkmen
l
ikehi
m wereext
inct
.

Amel
aihcamebackt
othel
i
vingr
oom.
AMELI
AH:
Ladi
es,
wil
lyoubej
oini
ngusf
or
di
nner
?

BETHANY:No,weareinabitofarushdarl
s.
Mil
kshakewi
thMosit
iandthegirl
s.Li
ahthe
mmaobol ai
l
e,hel
ooksatyoulikeyouarethe
onl
ywomanonearth.

AMELI AH: (
beami
ng)heisqui t
esomet hi
ng,
i
sn’the?Iam sohappy,gir
l!Ican’
tbel
ieveI
fi
nall
yf oundmy‘t
heone’.Goshh!Icouldjust
scream!

BATHSHEBA: Hehastohaveasmal ldi

ckand
beterr
ibl
einbed.Amancan’tbesogood
l
ooking,sweet
,well
mannered,l
ovingandabout
tobecomeami ll
i
onair
eandsti
llhavegooddick!
Hegot
tahav
eaf
aul
t!

AMELI AH: (l
aughi
ng)Girl
!Iai
ntev erseendick
thatsize,andIbeenwi t
hthatdinkaguyf r
om
Sudan, Chri
s.Iknowy ougir
lsrememberhi m
from Sharon’sbri
dalshower.

BETHANY: (
wideey
ed)Noway !Heisbi
gger
thanChri
s?TheChri
s?DancerChr
is?Gett
he
fuckoutofher
e.

Amel
i
ahnoddedl
aughi
ng.

AMELI AH:Yup,andtrustme,hei sabeast!

Wor ksoutsevendaysaweekasy oucansee
thatbody,sostaminaisnotapr oblem,andhe
gotmadski l
ls…pl
usheusedt obewi th…guess
whatbadasssy ndi
cate!Yakuza!YouknowIl i
ke
badboy
s…

BATHSHEBA: Shut.Up!God,
wher edothey
maket hem l
ikethat?Asmart,wellmannered,
handsomer i
chbadboywhoi sbiggert
han
SudaneseChr i
s?Andcanper for
m?Amel i
ais
tel
l
ingtalesIswear …

AMELI
AH:Not al
eshun.Youcanstar
tcal
li
ng
meMarybecauseI’
m ablessedwoman!

BETHANY:Youluckyf
ish!Someofusare
str
uggl
i
ngtofindaguywhoi satl
east9i
nches
andyougeti
tall
!

*
***
***
*
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

OnikalaidonDes’ slapafterdinner,
Desplayi
ng
wit
hherhai r
.Her eall
yhadi mproved.Weekends
andeveni ngswer eforfami l
y,andshecoul
d
fi
nall
ysayshewashappywi t
hhermarri
age.
Deswasmaki ngav erycommendabl eeff
ort,
andheev ensmi l
edatsoci alevent
ssometimes,
nomat terhowmuchhehat edthem.

Shepi
ckedupacal
lfr
om Kedi
.

ONI
KA:
Heycouz?Howi
sMoi
yabana?

KEDI:
It’
ssonice,mymotheri
nlawi ssweetas
usual
,and…Ihavenews!I
’
m pregnant!
ONIKA: Oh…( atearf el
lfr
om hereye.Kedihad
barelymetTebat soandshewasal ready
pregnant, andsheal readyhadt wochil
dren!
Whywast hewor ldsounf ai
r,she’
dbeen
mar r
iedf orthreey earsnow,sheatewel l
,
exercised, wasonly27, wenttochurchand
prayed.Hadbeent hroughathousandf er
til
i
ty
tr
eatment …sti
llnothing)

KEDI:
Yea!Canyoubeli
eveit
?Todaywewent
toSer
oweandatthemal l
Tebatsoboughtt
his
cut
elit
tl
ebabysocks…heissoexci
ted…

ONIKA:(
moretear
srol
l
eddownherf
ace)Kedi
,I
got
ta…Igot
tago…

KEDI
:Ni
kki
,ar
eyouok?
ONI
KA:
I’
mfi
ne…Ij
ust
…Igot
tago…

KEDI:Oh,Iactuall
ycall
edtoaskforyourhelpin
buyi
ngl i
ngeri
et l
hemma, nnakemot hohela
kanawai t
seakere,butwearegoingona
holi
dayinSout hAfri
caandIwanttoimpr ess
Tebatso,Iknowhel i
kesthatki
ndofthing…we
aregoingtocelebrat
ethepregnancy
!

ONIKA:Gosh,
Kedi
!Igetit
,youarepregnant
,
damnit
!Stopr
ubbi
ngitinmyf ace!

Shehungupthephonescr
eami
ngandt
hrewi
t
onthesof
a.

DESMOND:
Nikki
,Idon’
tthi
nkshewas…
ONI
KA:
Notnow,
Desmond!Notnow!

Sheranof
fupst
air
sbr
eaki
ngdowni
nto
hyst
eri
cal
sobs,
Desmondcat
chi
ngheront
he
st
air
sandhuggi
ngher
.

*
***
***
**

I
NTHECAR

Goutacametoreal
i
singtheywer
epassi
ng
Ser
ulenow.Wherethefuckwasthi
spsy
cho
goi
ng?

GOUTA:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ngThandi
e?

THANDI
E:St
opcal
l
ingmet
hat
!
GOUTA:
Ok,
ok,
Gout
a,wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?

THANDI E:I
’
m goi
ngtoshowy
ouwhathappens
totr
ait
ors.Yousl
eptwit
hmyhusband.It
ook
youinandmentoredyou!

GOUTA: Ok,I’
m sorry?Hef
orcedme…please…I
’
ll
l
eave.JustletmegoandI ’
llgetoutoft
he
count
ry,you’l
lneverseemeagain.

THANDI
E:Youmustt
hinkI
’
m st
upi
d…

Sheswer vedint
oasmal lgrav
elroadthatleads
tooneoft hesmallset
tl
ement saft
erSerule,
andkeptdr i
vi
ngpastthebushes.Shepar ked
thecarandinject
edanal r
eadyweakGout awi t
h
anothersedati
veandaftershepassedout ,
Thandiedraggedheroutofthecari
ntot
he
bushes,holdi
ngalargeki
tchenkni
fe.

THANDIE:Youstolemylif
e…myhusband…my
chi
ldr
en…pret
endedy ouwereme…ok,al
lIhav
e
todoisgetri
dofy ouandevery
thi
ngwil
lbefi
ne.
Myhusbandwi l
lfi
nall
yseeit
’sme…

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Bany
anapacedar
oundt
hehouse

BANYANA:Ican’
tbel
i
evehei
sdoi
ngt
his!How
coul
dhe.
COLTON:Hey
,cal
m down,
ok?Idi
dthecr
ime,
nowIgot
tadothet
ime.

BANYANA:
Why
,Col
t!Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?

COLTON:
Wel
l
,shedi
dn’
tresi
st…

BANYANA:Don’
tyoudar
eexcuset
hat
,it
’s
di
sgust
ing,
youar
enotli
kehi
m!

COLTON: I’
m not,I’
m notexcusi
ngit,
IknowI
waswr ong.I’
mf uckedup,attheti
met herewas
athri
llt
oit,butIregr
etit
,notbecauseI’m goi
ng
topri
son,butbecauseoft hementaltr
aumaI
probabl
ycausedher .

BANYANA:
You’
l
lloseal
lyourcl
i
ent
sev
enwhen
youcomeout…noonewi
l
lwantt
ogot
oa
doct
orwho…

COLTON:We’llbef
ine,
baby
dol
l
.Haveyouever
act
ual
lycheckedhowmuchwehaveinsav
ings?

BANYANA:
Whywoul
dI?

COLTON: (
laughi
ng)youareprobablythe
dumbestwomanonear t
h.Youholdmycar ds
andknowthepasswor dstoboththedebitcar
d
andonli
nebanking,
andy ousti
lldi
dn’tev
en
peek?

BANYANA:
LikeIsai
d,whywoul
dI?

COLTON:
Wehav
eal
i
ttl
eov
ert
wel
vemi
l
,sowe
areokfort
het hreemont hsmyf atherint
endsto
havemeonl ock-up,orwhat evertimeIget .
We’l
lbeokfory earsev enifIdon’twor kagai
n.
Youcanstil
lgiveyourf amilythesameamount ,
keepourcurr
entl i
fest
y l
e,yourshoppi ng,
Cooper
’sexpenses, everyt
hing,andwe’ ll
sti
llbe
fi
ne!

BANYANA:Col
ton!Wheredidyougetsuchan
amount,
youar
eadoct or!Ev
enforsomeone
wit
hthei
rownpract
ise,t
hat’
snotsmall
amount…

COLTON:
I’
m notj
ustaGP,
remember
?

BANYANA:
Yea,
toxi
col
ogy
,buty
ouar
en’
tev
en
usi
ngit
.
COLTON: ButIam.Iwascont actedbyahuge
pharmaceut i
cali
nt heUSabout18mont hsago.
Theyhav eexhaust edChi neset r
aditi
onal
medi ci
neandar elookingintoAf ri
can.I
’v
ebeen
researchi
ngher bsusedbyt raditi
onaldoctor
s
andgi vi
ngt hem infoonst uffthatworks.They
paymei nAmer icandol l
ars,soy ea…IknowI ’
l
l
l
osemypr acti
se.I’
llj
ustclosedownt hecli
nic
andt urnitintoafull-
fl
edgedl ab.

BANYANA:
Idon’
twanty
out
ogo…

COLTON: (
laughi
ng)i
t’
snotlikeI’
m goi ngon
vacati
on,dummy .Besides,
Ikindathinkorange
matchesmyhueal it
tl
e?No?Comeon…Icoul d
pulla…gatwemangkanamot hakay olewa
Pri
sonBr eak?MichaelScofi
eld.I
’
m cut er,
soif
helookedgoodi npri
sonuniform…
BANYANA:(
sighi
ng)whydoy
ounev
ert
ake
any
thi
ngser
iousl
y?

COLTON: (l
aughing)becauseser ioushur t
s,
sweetheart.I’
m broken…myf ather ,hehashur t
memor ethatIcoul dev erdivulge, eventoy ou,
andallIseewhenIl ooki nt hemi rror,it
’s
damaged.That ’
showIhav ecomet oexpect
peopletoseemet oo,that’swhyIl ikehurti
ng
people.Andt hencomest hi
sl i
ttlething.I
pushedhi m away ,i
gnor edhi m, ever y
thi
ng.And
hestil
lreacheshi schubbyl i
ttl
ehandsupt ome
topickhim up, andcallsmedaddyand…( He
l
ookedupt ohidehi stears)Coopchanged
ever
y t
hingman.I t
’sli
keget tingacl eanslat
e.
Hedoesn’ tseedamage.Heonl yseeshi s
fat
her…andIr eali
sed,wel l,younev ersaw
damaget oo, di
dy ou?
Sheshookherheadno.

BANYANA: Isawhur t…andIdi dn’tbl

amey ou
forit.Youwer eabusedasl ongasy oucoul d
walk.Youhadt otakecar eoft woy ounger
sibl
ingsbyt hetimey ouwer efive.I
t’
snoty our
faultyouwer ebor ntot woasshol es.Doy ou
reall
yt hi
nkIstayedbecauseIbel i
evednoone
want sme?Dude, lookatal lt
his!Andl i
key ou
said,Ihadyourmoney .Icouldjustleave.ButI
didn’twantto.Buti thurtman, wheny ouact ed
l
ikey oudidn’tcare,ithurtdeep…cutmeev er y
day.

Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedherhead.

COLTON: Wear egonnabefi

ne.Right
,B?(She
nodded)IaskedKentolookoutforyouguys
whenI’m gone.Meandhim,wehadaf all
i
ngout
overthatchi
ckOnikaagesago,butwehave
patchedthi
ngsnow.He’sbeenmyboyf or
ever
,
sohe’lll
ookoutf
ory ouguy
s.Youcanalways
reachouttohimifyouneedanythi
ng.

Shelookeddownuncomfor
tabl
eashehugged
herandtol
dherabouthi
scoll
egeadv
ent
ures
wit
hKwapa.

*
***
***
*
LI
KEANDCOMMENTFORANI
GHTEPI
SODE
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
53

OUTI
NTHEBUSHES
Gout
awat
chedhazi
lyasThandi
edr
aggedher
i
ntot
hei
nnerpar
tofthef
orest
.
Thesupposedsedat
iveshehadi
nject
edher
wit
hwasswitchedwithacoughsyrupthathad
beenonthetabl
eatthemotelr
oom, soshe
wassti
ll
somewhatawakeev enthoughabit
hazyf
rom t
heprevi
oussedati
vedoze.
OnceThandiest
oppeddr
aggingher,
Gouta
wait
eduntil
shewasbentover,
andthen
punchedherhar
donthenose,sendi
ngthekni
fe
andinj
ect
ionneedl
efl
yi
ngoffherhands.
Withtheadvantageofshockonhersi de,Gouta
stoodupandkneedThandi eonthestomach,
makingherdoubleover,thenshegrabbedthe
i
njecti
onfrom t
heground, pul
ledupthereal
sedati
veandloadedit.Thandiecameatherand
shepunchedheragain,sendinghertothefloor
andthenjabbedherwi t
hasedat i
ve.
Whenshepassedout ,shedraggedhert othe
carandgotinside,dr
ivi
ngasf astasshecoul d
halfsedat
edandt ookhert otheemer gency
room inNyangabgwewhi l
ecall
ingherfather
whocameandsi ghedf orhertobetransferr
ed
t
oapri
vatecl
ini
candl
aterapr
ivat
epsy
chi
atr
ic
war
dabroad.
Whenever
ythi
ngwassettl
ed,Thandi
e’
sfat
her
dr
oveherhomeandthankedher.Shewal
kedi
n
j
ustasMaoto’
scarwaspull
ingin.
MAOTO: (
runni
ngtowardsher )Ohmy
God…Dobe…ohGod, y
ouar ehere!Youare
act
ual
lyhere,I
’
m nothal
lucinati
ng,r
ight
?
GOUTA: (
laughi
ng)Nope,
I’
m not,
Thandi
e
act
uall
ystabbedmeandy ouareseei
ngmysoul
comingtosaygoodbye.
MAOTO: (
huggi ngherti
ghtl
y)Mxim,
Dobet
he
mmadon’ tplayli
kethatyou’
ll
giv
emeaheart
at
tack!Ar
ey ouok?
GOUTA:I’
mf i
ne,
justal
it
tl
eundersedative.I
’
ll
sl
eepi
toff,goonadetoxtocleart
hepill
sand
I’
l
lbef
ineinafewdays.Letmesayhi tothe
ki
dsbefor
eIpassout.I
’m soexhaust
ed!
*
***
***
**

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Banyanal
eftt
hepoli
cestat
ionwit
hAmeli
ah
andKwapaafterCol
tongotar
rest
edanddeni
ed
bai
l.
Theydroveint
oherhouseandshesatwi
th
Ameliahconsol
ingherwhi
l
eKwapawasont he
phone.
BANYANA: Idon’
tevenunder
stand,howcoul
d
theydenyhi
m bai
l?Heisnotatfli
ghtri
sk!
AMELIAH:
Weal lknowwhat’
satpl
ayher
e…my
fat
heri
savindi
cti
vebit
ch…
BANYANA: Thi
smustbehardforyou…Imean…
thi
scaseand…Imean…I
’m sor
ry,
Colttol
dme.
AMELI AH:Hey ,
don’
tbesorr
y…it’
snosecret
thatmyf at
herrapedmerepeat
edly.AndIknow
i
t’speculi
arthatIwi
ll
tryt
ohelpColtaft
eral
lI
wentthrough,consideringwhathedi d,butno
onewill
ev erunderstandwhyI ’m doi
ng
thi
s…Colt,he…myf atherdamagedhi m.My
mothermi ghthavehat edmemost ,butmy
fat
herhatedCol tbecauseCol tdi
dn’tknow
whentoshutup…myf atherbeathim upalmost
dai
ly…hurthimi notherway stoo…
BANYANA: Hesaidhi
sfat
herhur
thi
m more
thanheiswill
i
ngtodi
vul
geeventome…di
d
Augustus…uhm..
Ameliahwi
pedhert
ear
sandst
oodupgr
abbi
ng
herbag.
AMELIAH:Ibet
tergo,
Ihav
eacaset
opr
epar
e
fort
hen.
AftershehadleftKwapacameov ert
oherand
satbesidehersqueezingherhand…thentur
ned
aroundt oki
ssher.Banyanapushedhim away
andwal kedtothewindow.
Hecameov
erandhuggedher
,ki
ssi
ngher
shoul
der
.
BANYANA: Youhav enoshame,youknow!Your
supposedbestfri
endjustgotar
rest
ed,
he
tr
ustedyoutolookafterhi
sfamil
yandyouare
al
readymakingmov esonme?
KWAPA:ComeonBany
ana,
it’
snotl
i
kewe
hav
en’
t…
BANYANA:
Thatwast
hen…getoutofmy
house…
KWAPA:Ok,
I’
m sor
ry…maybewrongt
imi
ng.I
t’
s
j
ustt
hatImi
ssyouNnyana…I…
BANYANA: Out!Getthehel
loutofmyhouse
andIdon’twanttoseeyouhereeveragai
n,
under
stand?Stayawayfrom me!
KWAPA:
I’
m sor
ry…Ij
ustt
hought
…
BANYANA:(hol
dingthedooropenf
orhi
m)I
don’
tcar
e,getout…
*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Oni
kawentt
oopent
hedoorandf
oundKedi
.
KEDI:HeyNi ka,Ij
ustarr
ivedf
rom Moiyabana
andIthoughtt ocomeseey oufir
stbecauseI
di
dn’
tknowi fIoff
endedy ouwit
hsomet hi
ng.
Yest
erdayy ouwer epret
tyupsetonthephone,
soI’
m sorryifIsaidanyt
hingtoupsetyou.
ONIKA:Comein,andI’
mt heonewhoshoul
dbe
sor
ry.Ihadnori
ghttaki
ngoutmyprobl
emson
youli
kethat
.Congrat
sgirl
!Numbert
hree,
huh?
KEDI:
Yea!Ar
eyouguy
spl
anni
ngt
ohav
eany
more?
ONIKA:(smi
l
ingsadl
y)Nope,notf
orme, no
thanky
ou.Iwentthr
oughenoughdiaper
swith
Lot…
KEDI
:Butdon’
tyouwanty
ourownbi
ologi
cal
chi
l
d?
ONIKA: Watwat hatyousai daboutlingerie?
Therearen’tmanyshopsher einFranci st
own
withgoodl i
ngeri
e,Ibuymi neonl i
ne,andi t’
s
yourluckydaybecauseIhav eseveral pai
rsthat
j
ustar r
ivedthi
smor ni
ngt haty oucouldhav e.I
mightbesl i
ghtl
ycurvier,
buty ouaret hicktoo,
soitwillfi
tyou.Li
ngerie,huh?Yougocuz…
KEDI:
Eishmma…banyanabar ekgaphisa
set
hit
ho…myhusband’sexisahighfashion
model,got
laar
emothoaiteke,AssoonasI
havethi
sbabythemmaIwannast artgymtoo!
ONIKA: Ij
oo…allthi
sbecauseofanothergir
l?I
understandifyouweredoingitt
opleasey our
man, Idoitall
thetimebecauseIli
ket osee
Deshappy .Mar etotr
yandcompet ewith
anothergirl
?
KEDI:Woul
dn’
tyoudoanythingtokeepyour
husbandi
fagir
lwasact
ivelytry
ingtost
ealhi
m?
ONI
KA:
ButImean…
KEDI:IloveTebatsoandIknowhel ov
esme
too…Ijusthavetobet heki
ndofgir
lhelikes,
thenhewon’ tbethi
nkingofheranymore.
Mpontshammat helingeri
e…

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE
Gout
awokeupt
ofi
ndMaot
ost
ari
ngather
smil
i
ng.
GOUTA:
Itl
ooksbr
ightout
side.Howl
ongwasI
out
?
MAOTO: Almost24hrs,aft
eryoucameback
yester
dayyoujustshoweredandpassedout.I
didn’
twanttowakey ou.Dobedoy ouknowhow
scaredIwas!Icoul
dn’tst
opshaking…Ican’
t
evenimagi
neal i
fewithoutyou…whathappened,
i
swasThandi
e,wasn’
tit
?Tel
lmeshei
sly
ing
onsomedi
tchdeadsomewhere.
GOUTA:
Shei
ssi
ckMaot
o…
MAOTO: Thatisnotmypr oblem!Whatdi dshe
dot oy ou?GOUTA: Not hi
ng!Iconf r
ontedher
abouthercondi ti
on, shesnappedandr anof f
crying, Itri
edtost opher ,andwhenshepul l
ed
awayf rom met heimpactt hrewmedownt he
stairs.Iwasnyhur t,justknockedout .Igot
checkedatt hedoct ors,I
’m allgood.Wel l
,
thinkingshehur tme, shesnappedandended
uphol dingmehost agef ort wodaysl i
ving
throughsev eralofherment aldel
usions,poor
thing…cany ouimagi net hatkindoflif
e?
MAOTO:No,nowwher
eisshebecauseI
’
m
goi
ngt
okil
lherwi
thmyownhands.
GOUTA:Imanagedtoov er
powerherandtook
hertot
heemergencyroom.Herfatheri
s
sendi
nghert
oat r
eatmentfaci
l
itywhereshe
cangetbet
tercar
e.
MAOTO:
Soy
ouexpectmet
ojustl
ett
hisgo?
GOUTA: Sheissick!Whatpartofthatdon’
tyou
under
stand?Thandi eisnotabadperson.She
hasament alconditi
on.Idon’
thateherormad
ather
.Ifeelpit
yforher …Icanonlyi
maginea
l
ifewhereyourownmi ndisfi
ght
ingwithyou…
MAOTO:Ican’
tGout
a…Ican’tl
ett
hisgo.She
putmywif
e’sl
if
eindanger
…
GOUTA: Iforbi
dyoufr
om doingany thingto
her…youtouchherandIwillneverforgiv
ey ou,
youunderstand?Youdidn’
tgot hr
ought his,I
did,andIchosetofor
give,
sol eti
tgo!
MAOTO:
Youar
enotbei
ngf
air
GOUTA: Well
,guesswhat ?Lif
ei snotfai
r.You
ar
eawel l-
funct
ioningperf
ecthumanbei ng
whil
epoorThandi ewasbor nwithami ndthat
pl
aytri
cksonher .Howi sthatfornotbei
ngf ai
r?
*
***
***
*

I
NLENTSWE’
SOFFI
CE
Lent
swesati
nhisnewoff
iceworki
nginhi
ssi
x
comput
ermonit
orwhenBethanywal
kedin
smil
i
ng.
BETHANY:
Hey
…
LENTSWE:HiSheba,
Liahisn’ther
eri
ghtnow
andyouknowI’mver
ycluelessaboutal
lthat
market
ingshi
t…
BETHANY:
It’
sBet
h…andIcoul
dwai
t…
LENTSWE; Besti
fyoudon’
t…Idoubtshewi
l
lbe
comingbackin.
BETHANY: I
t’
sal
ri
ght
,youandIcoul
dchi
l
l.Ibet
al
lthosecomput
ersgetbor
ing…
LENTSWE:
Ihonest
lymuchr
atherpr
efera
comput
er’
scompany
.
Hewentbackt
owor
kandkepti
gnor
ingher
.
BETHANY:Ameli
ahisaluckygir
l…youar
ethe
whol
epackage…howdoesagi r
lgetwit
haman
l
ikeyou?
LENTSWE: (wit
houtlookingupf rom the
computer)Amanl i
keme, Idon’tknow,couldn’t
carel
esstoo.Mei npar t
icul
ar?Agi r
ldoesn’t.
Onegir
l al
readyputalockont hi
sandI ’
m not
aboutt
omesst hi
ngsupwi thstupi
dshit.What
Li
ahandIhav eisreal,so,yea…agirlcan’
tget
wit
hthismani nparti
cular.
BETHANY: (
laughing)Loyalt
oo…justmykindof
man!Areyousur ey ouareareal
personnota
robotf
rom oneoft hosemanyscreens?Let
’sgo
catchl
unchorsomet hi
ng.
LENTSWE:(
sighi
ng)Bona,
Bethanyorwhatever
,
i
stherear
easonyouarehere?Yoursi
steri
s
nother
eandI’
m worki
ng.
BETHANY:Al
lworkandnoplaymakesLeea
dul
lboy
,huh?(Wi
nkingathi
m)
LENTSWE: Oh, Idopl ay …wi thmygi rl
fri
end…who
I’
m aboutt omakemywi fev erysoon.I ’
m nota
manofmanywor ds,soI ’m usual l
yaccusedof
beingt oobl unt,andI ’
m goi ngtoj ustgoahead
andbemeagai nandt elly
out his.I ’
m not
i
nter estediny ou.Youar enott het ypeofgi r
lI
willeverdat eev eni fIwassi ngle.Youar e
concei ted,ful
lofy ourself,andr uthless.I
thoughtAmel iahwasy ouguy sf r
iends?Why
woul dIev erwantt oassoci atemy selfwit
ha
backst abbingbi tchwhogoesbehi ndher
fri
end’sbackandt ri
est ogetwi thherman?
Now, i
fy oudon’ tmi nd.Getoutofmyof fi
ce.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
54
ATKFM
Gout
asatinheroff
icecat
chingupwit
hwor k
whensheheardsomeonecleart
hei
rthroat
.
Shelookedupt ofi
ndThandie’
sfat
her.Hewas
i
nhiselderl
y,probabl
yaround60i
sh,abigman
wit
hapr ot
rudingstomachbutafri
endlyf
ace.
GOUTA:Mr.Ramogoma…howi sshedoi
ng?I
hopeshei
sadjust
ingwel
ltot
hecentr
e.
MRRAMOGOMA: Muchmuchbet
ter
,sheis
taki
nghermedsanddoingver
ywell
.It
alkedt
o
heryest
erdayandshewant
stoapol
ogise.
GOUTA: Apologi
seforwhat?Thandi
e’
sment
al
problemsarenotherfaul
tandIhopeyou
remindherofthatdai
ly.
MRRAMOGOMA: Theworldneedsmor epeopl
e
l
ikeyou;
smart
,beaut
if
ul,
industr
ious,
butsti
ll
haveagoodhear
tandcompassion.
GOUTA:Thankyou.MrRamogomaify
oudon’t
mindIhav
eal otofwor
ktocat
chupon,so…
MRRAMOGOMA: Youcancal l
meThapel o,and
l
etmenottakeyourtime,lennakenal e
meeti
nglemothakay ol
ewami ni
sterinjusta
bi
t,hei
sintown…Iactual
lycameher ewi th
morethanapol
ogies…Iwaswonder ingify ou
wouldcomewithmet omor r
owev ening?
GOUTA:MrRamogoma,wi
thal
ltheduer
espect
si
r,I
’
m amarr
iedwoman!
MRRAMOGOMA: (l
aughing)Sorrythatprobabl
y
cameoutallwr ong.I
’m notaskingy ouona
date,
Gouta,thoughIhav etosayI ’
dbel yi
ngifI
sayI’
m adversetothebeaut yandsmar t
sofa
womanl i
key ou.WhatIwant edtosaywas, we
haveafundraiseratmyhot elt
omor r
ow, f
or
empoweringy oungwomen.Myl at ewifewas
ver
yclosetot hecause,soIkepti tgoingeven
aft
ershepassed.
GOUTA:
Thati
sni
ce,
sir
…
MRRAMOGOMA: Yes,well
all
havetodoour
partf
orthesoci
ety.WhatIwantedtoaskwas,
wil
lyoucomeandguestspeak?Ibelievethe
youngladi
eswil
lbenefi
timmenselyfr
om
l
earni
ngf r
om awomansuchasy our
self
.

*
***
***
*

I
NPRI
SON
Col
tonwal
kedi
ntothev
isi
ti
ngr
oom andf
ound
Kwapasi
tt
ingt
her
esmili
ng.
KWAPA: Youknow,yougi
vet
hatJer
emyMeeks
arunforhismoney
,Ithi
nkwemayjusthav
e
foundthenew#pri
sonbae
COLTON:(l
aughi
ng)whatt
hef
uckar
eyou
tal
ki
ngabout?
KWAPA:
(laughi
ng)SomeAmer
icanpr
isoner
whoendedupbeingamodel becausewomen
ar
oundtheworl
dthoughthewassexy …don’
t
mindme,Ihav
eat eenagedaughter
.
COLTON: (l
aughi
ng)soyourgayassiscal
l
ing
mehot ?That’
swhymysi st
erl
eftyou,y
ou
faggot
.Howi smywifedoing?
KWAPA:
Sheisbr
okenbutdoi
ngherbest
,you
hav
eagoodwomanther
e,youidi
ot…
COLTON: Iknow,man…Bisnotasai
nt,she’
s
hadhershareofbad,butnotmanywomen
wouldputupwi t
hall
shehasbeenthrough
becauseofme…
KWAPA:Whaty
ourf
atherdi
dtoheri
snoty
our
faul
t…
COLTON: Yea…I’
m goingtomakethatsi ckson
ofabit
chpay .Heisjustgi
vingmeidlet i
met o
ref
inemyplaninhere.Iwasi mpul
siv
e, andwith
amanl i
keAugustus,impulsiv
edoesn’twork.
KWAPA:
Howi
siti
nher
e?
COLTON:Areyoukiddi
ngme?Fiv
estar
tr
eatment
!Wegetspasandmassagesand
walksi
nthegardenaft
erhi
ght
ea.
KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)Atl
easty
oust
il
lhav
eyour
senseofhumour.
COLTON: Ken,pl
easelookoutformywif eand
son,please.I
’m worr
iedmyfathermighthar ass
them,anddon’ tl
etBdepresshersel
f…shehasa
tendencytodoso.Makesur esheunder stands
I’
m allgoodinhere.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Heunl
ockedthedoorandfoundBat
hshebai
n
t
hebedroom onl
yonherpanti
esandbra.
TEBATSO:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eSheba?
BATHSHEBA: (
laughing)t
echni
cal
ly,i
t’
ssti
l
lmy
houset
oo.Imean, weboughtitunderyour
namebecauseIhav eotherpr
opert
y,but
rememberIpai
df orit?
TEBATSO:
Youwantacompensat
ion?
BATHSHEBA: Nope.Ij
ustthoughtyouwer
ein
Moiyabana,soIcameher etoescapemyfamil
y
forawhile.Theycanbesoannoy ing,
damn!
TEBATSO:
(throwingheragown)Look,
Sheba,
I
hat
etodothis,but…
Shewal
kedovert
ohim andputaf
ingerinhi
s
moutht
osil
encehi
m,thenwentontokisshi
m.
BATHSHEBA:Youareget t
ingmarr
ied.I
know…I’
mjustt
ryanafuck,Tebl
a!Marryyour
plai
nJane,
havethedamnki dsyouwant…and
wehaveourfunwheneverwecan…
TEBATSO: Ican’
t…I
…uhm…Sheba…myf
iancési
s
pregnant
…
BATHSHEBA:Andthat
’smyprobl
em because?
(sheki
ssedhi
sneckandpul
l
edoffhi
st -
shir
t)
TEBATSO:
I’
mtr
yingt
ost
ayf
ait
hful
her
e!Il
ove
Kedi
…
BATHSHEBA:Yea,Iknow…youri
deal
wif
e…but
whatabouty
ourideall
over
…
TEBATSO:Shebaplease…I…youknowI ’
ll
al
wayshaveaweaknessf oryou…pleasedon’
t
dothi
stome…I ’
m happy.Kedimakesmehappy .
YouandI,
allwedoi sfi
ght…wecouldneverbe
happy
.
BATHSHEBA:(put
tingonherj
eansandt-
shir
t)
Yea,youar
eri
ght…Ihav et
ogoanyway,I
’
m
supposedt
omeetDodgeratsomemot elIdon’
t
evenknowwhereitis…
TEBATSO:Dodger
?Whatt
hefuck?Hei
sback?
Whythehell
areyouev
enmeeti
nghim?
BATHSHEBA:Idi
dn’
ttel
lyouev
ery
thing…Dodge
andI
…well
,hewasfol
lowingmearoundin
LondonandIconfr
ontedhim andthingsgot
i
ntenseand,wel
l
…y ea,we’
vebeenj ustki
ckingi
t.
Nothi
ngmuch….nostri
ngs,j
ustgoodsex, and
thatmancan…ohdamn, Dodger,
Dodger ,
Dodger!Ohh!
TEBATSO:No,Sheba…nofucki
ngway …youwi l
l
notdothi
s,y
ouknowDodgeri sjustusi
ngy ou
togett
ome…Ican’tlety
oudot his,
you’
llendup
hurt
.
BATHSHEBA: Howi sthaty ourproblem t hough?
Mov errannaIhav easexpoi ntmentwi tha
reall
yhotni ggawhoknowshowt odel iver…and
Dodgest il
l hasthatbadboyedgeIusedt olove
somuchabouty ou…Iguessy ouar eri
ght ,you
arewashedupnow, y
oucan’ tber unningt he
street
slikey ouusedt o.Timet opl ay
husband…nextt hingy ou’l
lbehav i
ngabeerbel ly
andchasi ngaf t
er16y earsol dgir
lswhi ley our
babymaki ngmachi newi f
ei stoobusywi tht he
kids…atleastMoxst i
llkepthisedge…l uckyKay !
TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)y
out hi
nkIl
osti
t?Real
l
y?
Gir
l…youdon’
tknowshit
…
BATHSHEBA: Gopl
aydaddyt oy ourstepkids
andletusthekidsfr
eehavecr azysexal lni
ght.
I’
l
lmeasureDodgerandt el
lyouwho’ sbi
gger
betweenyouandhi m.Tebatso,mov e!I’
m sure
hegotbetterener
gyanyhow, yout i
redfrom
chasi
ngaroundkidsandall.Youar eoldnews…
TEBATSO: Oh,youthinkIhavenoenergyand
l
ostmyedgehuh?( heroughlypul
ledhercloser
andpinnedheragainstthedoor,r
ippi
ngopen
hersi
lkblouseinonef l
ickasbutt
onswent
scat
teri
ngallover.
,l
ightlybi
ti
ngherli
pashe
ki
ssedher )Ol
dnewsmyass…l et’
sseeifyour
Dodgercangety ouscreamingli
keIdo…

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Banyanaprepar
edCooper
’sdinnerwhi
l
ehe
pl
ayedwiththecari
ntheki
tchen.
BANYANA: Coop,y
ouaregonnagotoaunt y
Liah’
stonight,
ok?Mommyhast oworktonight
.
Andi fyouareagoodboynextweekforyour
thir
dbirthdaywewil
lgetar
eall
ybigj
umpi ng
castle.
COOPER:
Ok…i
sdaddycomi
ngt
oo?
BANYANA:(wipi
ngtears)Baby
,daddyhadt
ogo
somewher
ef orabi
t,ok?
COOPER:
whyar
eyoucr
yingmommy
?
BANYANA:Nobaby
,I’
m notcry
ing…Ij
ust
…the
oni
onsmakemyeyeswater…goonandwat ch
Thomast
hetrai
nonTV.
Shewenttoswi t
chtheTVf orhi
mt henwentt
o
answerthedoor,f
indingKwapastandi
ngther
e
smil
ing,
withtakeouts.
KWAPA:Ibroughtdi
nner
…Iknowy ouworks
ni
ght
sshif
tsthisweeksoIthoughtyou
woul
dn’
thavetimetocook.
BANYANA:
Kennet
h,pl
ease…
KWAPA:
You’vebeencry
ing…Nnyana,Col
tisok,
st
opwor
ryi
ng.Iwenttoseehi
m earl
ier
.
BANYANA:Howthefucki
sheokwhenhei
sin
pr
ison…I
’
vehear
dsuchhorr
ibl
est
ori
es…
KWAPA:(laughing)becauseanybodyisgoing
tobul
lyt
hatr oughsonofbitch?ColtISt
hebully
,
sweet
heart,heistheonewhodoest hepushi
ng
peopl
earoundwher everhegoes.
BANYANA:
Ijustwor
ryabouthi
m…
KWAPA: (caressinghercheek,Banyanamov ed
back)heislucky.Het r
eatedyousobadand
youstayloyalsti
ll…someofuswer en’tsol
ucky
eventhoughIdi dmybesti nmymar ri
ageand
all
hedidwaspushy ouaround…
BANYANA: Col tonisnotabadper son…hei s
j
ustmi sunder stood…hej ustgotcynicalfr
om
howhi sfathert reatedhim andt heext ended
famil
ydi dnot hing…het oldmet heyal l
turneda
bli
ndey eandj ustkeptsay i
ng‘kanaLoagoga
utl
we, keseganka, heget sintofight
s’ t
oexcuse
theblackey esandbr okenr ibsheconst antl
y
had,justsot heycanst ayunderhi sfather’
s
paycheck.Whatki ndofpeopl esacrfice
chil
dren’shapi nessf ormoney ?
KWAPA:
But
…
BANYANA: ColtandIdidn’tstartof
finlove…we
l
ear ntt
ol oveeachot herafterknowingthegood
thebad,andt heugly,andthatismuchbet ter
thatanylov eatfir
stsightshit.Youchooset o
l
ov ewithy oureyesopen…Iknowwhomyman
i
s, hefr
ust rat
esandst r
essesmet oapointI
thinkofleav i
ngsomet imes…buthei smy
l
ife…heneedsme, andinaf unnyway ,Ihave
reali
sedIneedhi mtoo.Ifeel soemptywi thout
hi
m const
ant
lyannoy
ingmear
oundt
hehouse.
KWAPA: Bannabaakolathe…that’
sthekindof
l
oveandloyalt
yI’mlooki
ngfor…Imi ssyou,B…I
missourli
tt
lestol
entimestogether
…
Hepul
l
edhercl
oseandki
ssedher
…

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
sHOUSE

Kedifinishedcooki ngandsetupthedinner
tabl
e,lighti
ngsomescent edcandl
esshehad
gotfrom Oni ka.Shehadabubbl ebathrunni
ng
withallthebat hscentsOnikahad
recommendedt heycouldrel
axonitaft
er.
Tebatsot houghtBat hshebawasa‘cakehe’l
l
alwayswant ’.Wel l
,ti
met omakethatcakeat
home.I fshecoul dbet hewif
eandmot her
Tebatsowantedandal
sothef
reaki
nthebed
Bathshebaobvi
ousl
ywas,
thenTebat
so
wouldn’thav
etostr
ay.

Shewentt ot akealonghotshowerandputon
thenewl i
nger ieOni
kahadboughtf orher.Yup,
aft
erthepr egnancyshe’llneedtoloseabi tof
weight.Shewasn’ tfatbuttherewasabi tofa
tummyt here, andsheshoul dn’
tev
enbe
showingy et.

Luckil
ythelit
tl
el ingeri
ewasadr esst ypeOnika
hadcalledababy dolll
inger
ie,
anditcov eredher
stomach.Shel oosel ycurl
edherhairaroundher
face.No,itwasn’ tbecauseBathshebawor eher
hairl
ikethat,i
tjustlookedcute…thenshe
appli
edmakeup, usi
ngt hever
yredlipsti
ckhe’d
toldBathshebai t‘l
ookedsexyAFwheny ou
blowme’ ,asar esponset oapictur
eshehad
senti
nthei
rWhatsAppconver
sat
ionsshehad
seenwhensneaki
ngint
ohisphone.

She’
devendot
hatbl
owjobthi
ngtodayeveni
fit
madehergagj
ustt
hinki
ngabouti
t.Oni
kasai
d
i
twasn’
tsobadtodo.

Everyt
hingwasr eady.Tebatsowill
beback
anyti
menow, hehadsaidhewasgoi ngtopick
upsomet hingfr
om hishouse.He’di ni
ti
all
ysaid
theyshouldcomet ogether,
butshehadsai d
shewassl eepyandheboughti t.
.hewasgoi ng
tobesosur pri
sedtoseet hatshecouldbet hat
‘
cakey oualwayswant ’t
oo.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
55
ATBANYANA’
SHOUSE

Hishandswasmov i
ngunderhertshir
tandshe
moanedashishandsstar
tedcaressi
ngher
boobs.
Cooperwal
kedint
otheki
tchenandBanyana
j
umpedawayf r
om Kwapa,st
andi
ngatthe
st
ove.
COOPER:
MommyI
’
m hungr
y…
BANYANA: Oh,
heybaby
,isThomast
het
rai
n
fi
nished?
COOPER:Yes,
isdaddygoi
ngt
obr
ingme
anot
herThomastr
ain?
BANYANA: absol
utel
y…guesswhat,ifyoukeep
beingagoodboyatschoolanddon’tbeat
othersI
’l
lgety
ouar eal
l
ybigThomast rain.And
asmal l
ercart
hatmatchesdaddy
’s.(Turningto
Kwapa)youhav
etogo.Ihav
etof
eedhi
m and
takehi
stoAmeli
ah.
KWAPA:
ok,
whencanIseey
ouagai
n?
BANYANA:Youcan’
t…Ican’
tdothi
sany
mor
e
Ken,
Ihav
etoworkonmymar r
iage.
KWAPA: Excuseme,
mymar
ri
agei
sov
er
becauseofyou!
BANYANA: Youmar r
iageisoverbecauseofy ou,
youcheated.I’
m seeingtheerr
orofmyway s
andcorr
ect i
ngitbeforei
tstool at
e.Il
ov emy
husbandandal lt
hisstopsnow.Leav emeal one
unl
essyouwantmet oconfessev er
ythi
ngto
Colt
.Don’tcomeback, I’
llj
usttell
himy oucame
whenIvisithim.

*
***
***
*

I
NPRI
SON
Coltonopenedt hesyri
ngeoftheneedlehe’d
stol
enf rom t
henursingroom andfi
ll
editup
withthecleaningchemicalhehadjustmixedin
thekitchen,t
hensli
doutunnot i
ced.
Hegobackinhi
sroom andsatst
ari
ngatt
he
cei
l
ingt
hinki
ngabouthi
swif
e.
Whenhegotoutofher e,hewasr eal
lygoingt o
star
ttreati
ngBliket hequeent hatshewas.He
wasal wayshurt
ingherbecausehewasaf raid
tofallf
orher,
becausehe’ dthoughtshe’ dleav e.
Peoplealwayshur thim anyway .Hef i
nall
ywent
offtotheshower swhenhehear ditquiet
eni ng
down.Beingnakedar oundot hermal esfreaked
him out…
Thr
eeguyswalkedtohi
scell
.Whywasn’
tit
l
ockdownal
readyanyway?
GUY:Mokebl
essi
ng,
whi
teboy
…It
hinkI
’
llcal
l
youSuzi
e…
COLTON:(l
aughi
ng)No,Ithi
nkI’
l
l cal
lyouSuzi
e.
WhatcanIhelpyouwi
th,Suzi
e?(hesquaredoff
wi
ththeguy,whowasalmostastallashewas.
Theguycamecl
oserandpi
nchedhi
sbut
t…
GUY:
Ohh,
youwor
kout
…Il
i
ke…
Colt
onfr
eakedasi
magesst
art
edpl
ayi
ngi
nhi
s
head…
‘
Dadpl
easedon’
tdot
his…pl
ease’
‘
Itwillteachyouhowt obeaman…y ouareweak
Loago!Youar eapussy,
andmedicinei
s
stupid…11y earsol
dboysli
keyoustandthei
r
ground, theydon’
tcomehomecryingfordaddy
afterbeingbeatupbyagi r
l…’
Thebabyoilwascold…andthepainwas
excr
uciat
ing.Hebi
tontohislowerli
pbecause
hisf
athersmackedhim whenhescreamed’
GUY:
Whatdi
dyousay
,whi
teboy
?
Theot
hert
wot
ri
edt
opi
nhi
m agai
nstawal
l
whi
l
ether
ingl
eadert
ri
edt
opul
lhi
spant
sdown.
Hehead-butt
edtheoneont helef
tandpunched
theoneontherighthard,
sendi
nghi m doubl
i
ng
over
,befor
ejabbingtheneedl
eont hering
l
eader’
sneck.
Theguyf
ell
tothef
loorspasmi
ngandf
oami
ng
att
hemouth.
Ohshit…hehadloadedthef
uckerwit
h
everyt
hing…i
twassupposedtohavebeenj
usta
droptodisor
ienthi
m…thewholethi
ng?Fucker
coulddie…
GUY2:
Whatt
hef
uckdi
dyoudo?
COLTON:Ar eyoust
upid?Thisi
snotsomethi
ng
apersondidtohim,
hisfatassi
sjusthav
inga
cor
onaryfai
lur
e.
GUY3:
Awhat
?Whatdowedo?
COLTON: It
hinkheishavi
ngaseizur
enow,
go
cal
lforguar
ds…call
forguardsweneeda
medi
c…
Hehidt heneedl
eintohiswaist
bandand
watchedast hel
azypri
sonmedi csr
aninto
l
ookatt heguyandconcludeditwasacoronar
y
fai
lur
e,loadi
nghim upintot
hegurneyand
pushinghim away.
Hewal
kedov
ert
othet
woot
herguy
s.
COLTON: Heispr obablygoi
ngt odi
e.Lucky
bastar
d,it
’l
lbeaqui ckdeath.Anyofyoubozos
fuckwithmeagai nandy ou’
llgetwor
se.I’
ll
madey ousufferbeforeyoudie.Now,scram!

*
***
***
**

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsoqui
ckl
yshoweredandl
eftBat
hsheba
st
il
lly
ingnakedonthebed.
BATHSHEBA:
Aren’
tyougoi
ngt
ospendt
he
ni
ght?
TEBATSO:Stopwhini
ng.Yousai
dyouj
ust
wantedsex
.Igott
agohome…seey a
Hedr ovetoKedi
’shouse,andasheopenedthe
doorshewalkedof ff
rom thebedroom
and…damn!Kedi neverworeanymakeup,ordi
d
anythingmuchwithherlooks,shewasal
ways
natural,
andheli
kedherlikethat.
Thatdidn’
tmeanhedidn’
tappr
eciatethi
sonce
offvi
xenwithhernat
ural
hai
rstrai
ghtenedand
fl
owingaroundherheadi
nsoftcurl
s…
Andthatcut
elit
tl
er edwr
aparounddressthat
huggedhergenerouscur
vesnicel
y,herr
ound
l
it
tlebell
yst
art
ingtoshow,wherehischil
dwas
growing…
TEBATSO:
DAMN, woman,Il
ovethehel
loutof
you…andyoul
ookabsol
utel
yst
unning…
KEDI
:(bl
ushi
ng)Thanky
ou…si
tdown,
dinneri
s
r
eady
…
Sheservedthem wi
thasi deofgrapej
uice,and
thenl
edhimt othescentedshowerwher eshe
gavehim amassagewi t
hwhat ev
ernice
smell
ingoil
sthosewere.
TEBATSO:(l
ayi
ngbackonthetubrelaxi
ng)
mhhh…youhavemagical
hands….Icouldjust
fal
lasl
eep…
KEDI
:Iwashopi
ngy
ouwoul
dn’
t…
Shepul l
edt heti
estoherwr aparounddressof
f
anddr oppeditofftothefl
oor,reveal
i
nga
mat chi
ngr edli
ngeri
ethatlookedsogoodon
her.Damn!Wi t
hthissideofher?Thisgi
rlwas
tot
allythecompl et
epackage.
Shehandedhim at
oweltodryhi
mself
,andas
soonashesteppedoutoft
hebathshetookhis
nowsemi-har
dmemberonherhandandmov e
herhandupanddownuntil
hewashard,then
shewentdownonherkneesandbroughthim
tohermouth,car
eful
l
yli
ki
ngtheti
p,t
easi
nghim
wit
hhertonguebefor
esheful
lyt
ookhimint
o
hermouth.

*
***
***
**

ATKFM (
thenextday
)

Goutasatinheroffi
ceworkingwhent
he
recept
ioni
stwalkedinhol
dingsomefl
ower
s.
HER:Flower
sforyouMrsKgagodi
,aish,
ne
mmahowdoesonegetl uckyl
ikeyou?Your
husbandsti
l
lsendsfl
ower
saftert
hreechil
dren?
GOUTA: (l
aughi
ng)Fi
rstgetahusbandOne,
stopgiv
ingituptomasole,baj
ahela.And
secondl
y,I’
m assur
pri
sedasy ou.Maoto
sendi
ngf l
owers?
HER:
Eit
herway
,theyar
esoni
ce.Inev
ergot
fr
eshfl
owersmmany na…al r
ight
,MrsKaggodi
,
l
etmegobackt othefrontdesk.I
fther
eis
chocol
atei
nt her
e,nnaI’m notafit
nessfr
eak
l
ikeyouincaseyoudon’ twantit
.Later
…
Goutalaughedatthebubbl ygir
lasshe
bouncedof fbackt
or ecepti
on.That’
showshe
al
way swant edtor
unt hecompany .Be
approachableandhav eheremployeeshappy.
Butwhywoul dMaotosendf l
owersthough?He
wasn’tthatsoppyromantictype.
Shesmel
tthem.Di
vi
ne.
Maot
owalkedi
nwhi
stl
i
ngst
il
lonhi
sov
eral
l
s
f
rom t
hef
arm.
MAOTO:Hee,
wabechat
hemma-
Mot
heo,
are
t
hosef
orme?
GOUTA:
Fory
ou?It
houghtt
heywer
efr
om y
ou?
MAOTO: (
taki
ngthem fr
om herandi nspecti
ng
them)what ?Iwasatthefar
m allday .They
don’tev
enhav eacard…(Hethrewt hem inthe
t
rashcancasual
l
yandcont
inuedwhi
stl
i
ng.
GOUTA:Maoto!Thatwasrude,t
heycoul
dbe
fr
om oneofmyclient
sorafri
end.
MAOTO:Thentheywoul
dhav
esentacar
dwi
th
t
hem.Readytoheadhomemylov
e?

*
***
***
***

I
NLENTSWE’
SCAR

Lentswedr
ovewi
thhi
suncl
einsi
det
hecar
tal
ki
ng
KGODUMO: Neosar
eot
saasengwe
somewher
e?
LENTSWE: No,
it’
sokrr
emogolo,Ij
ustwant
ed
totakemylapt
opf r
om af
ri
end’shouse,
ntl
ago
dropapel
e.
KGODUMO: Okho,y
outhinkIdon’
tknowgor
e
wajol
a?Youhardl
ysleepathome,hetaoet
saa
rr
aoskaipolai
sadoubl
et r
ip.
Hel aughedanddrovet
oAmel i
ah’
shousetoget
hislaptop.Kgodumogotout
sidet
hecarand
fol
lowedhi min.
Amel
iahcameoutt
omeett
hem hol
dingt
he
l
apt
op.
AMELIAH:Heybabe,Iwaswonderi
ngify
ou’
ll
comebacklat
erand…ohh,Dumelang(
sheshyl
y
l
ookeddownwhenshesawKgodumo)
KGODUMO: YesKgarebe,
eentseehamothaka
yooiphi
thaha?Jaanongborr
a-Cul
lbagoreke
babatl
asengweletabona.Gatweomangkana?
LENTSWE:
Thi
sisAmel
i
ahr
remogol
o
KGODUMO: Ahaaa,
Iknewgorekeit
se
l
eina…t
hebestoneoftheCul
lsi
ster
s,al
way
s
mildmanner
edandkind…t
reatmynephewri
ght
,
autl
wa?
AMELI
AH:
Eer
ra
Astheyst
oodoutsi
detal
kingCul
l’
scarpar
ked
andhewalkedi
nwithhim men.
AUGUSTUS: (
looki
ngatLentswe)TheCCTVguy ?
Whatareyoudoinghere?Ohh,nowonderthose
camer
ashav ebeengiv
inguselessfoot
age,you
thi
nkyouplayedmemonna?
AMELI
AH:
Ftaherpl
ease…
AUGUSTUS:
Doy ouknowwhathappenst
o
peopl
ewhodoublecr
ossme?
KGODUMO: Hee,
haelemai
tseogaonaone, ke
thakay agagoogorogahel
aosant umedise?
Andt hat’
smynephewy ouaret
hreateni
ng.
AUGUSTUS:Thenyournephewshouldknowhe
cr
ossedthewrongman,Ipaidl
otsofmoneyfor
hi
mt ogi
vemesuchat err
ibl
ejob.
LENTSWE: I
twasdel
i
ber
ate!Whatki
ndof
per
vertwantst
ospyonhi
sowndaughter
shower
ing?
AUGUSTUS: Deli
berateyousay?That’myboy,is
goingtocosty ou.Iseeyoucouldusealesson.
Thelastpersonwhopl ayedmelike,
well
,they
aresti
lll
ookingforhim.Don’ ty
ouknowwhoI
am?
KGODUMO: Youaretheboywhoi saboutto
real
l
ypissmeof f,Cull
.Youdon’
tgettothreaten
myf amil
ywiththi
sdogsofy our
s.Lentswe,let’
s
go,younglady,
wil
l y
oubeok?
Amel
i
ahshookherheadno.
KGODUMO:
Thenpackanov
erni
ghtbagand
l
et’
sgo.
Ameliahr
ani nt
ot hehouseandcameoutafew
minutesl
aterwithherbag,l
ockedt
hedoorand
fol
lowedthem tothecar.
AMELIAH: I
’
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
…myf
ather
,hei
s
atr
oublesomeman…
KGODUMO: Hey,don’
twor
ry,
youngl
ady
.Idon’
t
of
fendeasi
l
y,Iknowhisty
peallt
oowel
l…
LENTSWE: Rr
emogolo,nnaI’
m worri
ed,t
hat
manisdangerousandv i
ndi
cti
ve,heputhisown
soninpr
ison,I
’m wor
ri
edhewi l
lcomeaf t
er
you…
KGODUMO: (l
aughi
ng)I’
m bet
tingonhi
m
coming…hehasbeensi tt
ingonhiscr
ime
thr
onef orsolonghefor
getsthathei
sjust
anotherthug.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
56

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE
Kgodumowalkedout
sideandsawacarparked
i
nfrontofhi
syar
d.Hewalkedovert
othem
KGODUMO:
Youar
einpr
ivat
epr
oper
ty…l
ait
se
tot
a?
AUGUSTUS:
Thisisnotyoury
ard,
oldman,we
ar
eoutsi
deyourf
ence.CanIseemydaughter
?
KGODUMO:
No,
youar
ebl
ocki
ngmygat
e,l
eav
e.
AUGUSTUS: (l
aughi
ng)whodoy outhinkyou
are,
oldman?Wear enotfri
ends,justbecause
yourthugsonsmarriedmygirl
sdoesn’ tmean
anythi
ng.Iwil
ldest
royyou.Everheardofme?
KGODUMO:Yes,alongsidewordsli
kescum,
andpi
eceofshi
t.Now, Isai
dleave.
Thetwoguy swithCullapproachedhim andhe
j
ustlookedatthem laughi
ng.Whent heywere
cl
oseenoughhehi tt
heclosetoneont heneck
withhi
swalkingstickandtheguyf el
ltothe
groundunconscious.
KGODUMO: Ihithi
svagusnerve…soonitwi
ll
starvehisal
readynott
herebrainofai
r,i
fIdon’
t
resetitnow.Ahighski
llt
radi
ti
onalIr
aqi
Mar shalarttechniqueIlearntinAmer icawhenI
wasst il
lveryy oung.Youboy sst ayoutofmy
propertyandt herewon’ tbeapr oblem.(hebent
downt ot heguyont hegroundandmassaged
hi
sner vebacki nplace)Now, getoutofher e
withthosel i
ttl
egunsofy ours,whataret hose,
waterguns?( helaughedast heygoti nthecar
anddr oveoff)
Het
ookouthi
sphoneanddi
all
ed.
KGODUMO:
Alpha
HI
M:Omega….
KGODUMO:Ineedsuppl
i
es.Onel
astt
akedown
ofasy
ndi
cate…
HIM:Oldfri
end…wearenolongeryoung,
we
havetrai
nedagent
swhohandl ethi
ngsnow…i
f
youknowofasy ndi
cate,
reportt
hem andwai
t
forateam t
obesenttoapprehend.
KGODUM:Doyouheary
our
sel
f?Apprehend?
Thi
smanItal
kofi
sapureani
mal.Herapedhis
daught ersinceshewas10, foral mostnine
years.Her apedhi ssonwhenhewas11and
const antl
ybeathi m uptobr okenbones
throughtoutt heboy ’
schildhood.Hei si
nv ol
ved
i
nal otofdi r
tyt hi
ngslikedr ugt rade,human
traff
ickingandi sheavil
yinv olvedi ntheforced
sext radei nSout hAfri
caandEt hiopea.His
goonsar ealsoj ustasbad, rapes, murders,
abusi ngy oungwomen…t heyar eani mals,they
allneedt obet akendown.Fr om myr esearchhe
hasabout85menknownt obeunderhi s
control andt heyarecausi nghel l.Youwantme
towai tforan‘ apprehend? ’
HI
M:Ol
dfr
iend…Idon’
tmaket
her
ules….
KGODUMO: That’
stheproblem.Ther ul
es
nowaday sar
epussifi
ed.Protocols,
tri
als,
all
those.Doyouremembert hegoodol dday s
whenwewer einourtwenti
es?When
somet i
mesjusti
cemeantabul lettothehead
andalldone?Seehowal lyourlawsand
pr
otocolsl
etcr
iminal
srunammock!Howl ong
wasDennisMmusi fi
lt
hyi
ngt hewor
ldbef
ore
ot
herfil
tht
ookhim out?Andwhatwerewe
wai
tingfor
?Prot
ocol.No.I’
m doi
ngthi
stheold
way…signmesomesuppl ies…
HIM: Nousei narguingwit
hy ou, y
ouwer et he
Omegaf orareason,whereIwasr eason,you
wereal waysacti
on.Youcan’ tt akeasy ndi
cat e
thatbigony ourownany mor e…whatt hehell,
thereissti
llonemor efi
ghtlef tintheseold
bones…andwest i
llhaveafewoft heoldboy s
around.Itwill
belikethegoodol dt i
mes.I’
llset
upameet i
ng.Iwillcal
lyouinaday ’
stime,old
fri
end.
HehungupasLent
swecameoutoft
hehouse.
LENTSWE: WasthatAugust
usCullrr
emogolo?I
knewthebastar
dwouldtrytocomeaf t
eryou!I
swearthedayIcatcht
hismanwithouthis
goons…
KGODUMO: Youwill
stayawayfr
om him,wa
nkutl
wa?Hewi l
lnotbeaprobl
em soon…hee,
waregomonat ethetohavealadyinthehouse,
breakf
astsmell
sdivine,
youchosewellmy
boy…thatisawomanr i
ghtt
her
e.Ny al
amonna
olesegojahela…
LENTSWE:
Rremogol
o!
KGODUMO: (l
aughing)What?Kereng,
kereyou
twojustholdhandsandsayt heLord’
sPray
er
allt
hosenightsyouspendatherhouse?Let
’s
gohav ebreakf
astmonna, Ihav
etogoseebo
rangwaneagorey egontshabogadiko
bagwegadingbagaTebat so.

ATTHEMALL
Oni
kawal
kedoutofPi
ckn’
Paywhenshehear
d
someonecal
lher
.
KWAPA:
Nikki
Minaj
,l
ongt
ime!
ONIKA: (
laughi
ng)Mxim,gat
weNikkiMinaj
,
howar eyou?I’
vebeenmeaningtocheckon
yousincethedivor
ce,kanal
astt
imeyoualmost
bitmyheadof fsayi
ngIcameaft
eryourwif
e
blahblah
KWAPA: (l
aughing)WenaleWaronalepekago
tshwana, whatwasIsupposedtodo,butIf
eel
sor ef
reshedsincethedi
vorce,
li
keI’
vebeenset
freeofapr i
son.
ONIKA:Heedu,IwonderwhatMsPerfectwoul
d
sayknowingshewasapr i
son.Whatareyou
doi
nginthemal l
inthemiddl
eoftheday?Don’
t
youhaveworktodo?
KWAPA:(l
aughi
ng)Ae,
neket
sil
egoi
thekel
a
pi
eci
ty-
nyanahel
a
ONIKA:
(laughi
ng)Fot
sekeKwapa,
kant
ewena
ori
l
eng.Iwasar ur
alchi
ld,
ij
a!
KWAPA: Imissthatr
uralchil
d…thatnon
pr
etenti
ousgirlwhoalwayshadagenuinesmi
l
e.
Nowy ouarejustakeptBarbie.
ONIKA:
Mxi
m,keptBar
biekemogat
sowa
dr
agon.
KWAPA:
Buthowar
eyout
houghNi
ka?
ONIKA:I
’
m good…youknowwhat
,whyam I
l
yingtoy
ou?Youknowmet oowel
landyou’
l
l
call
mebluf
fanyway.
KWAPA: Exact
ly…sooutwi
thi
t,what
’sdi
mmi
ng
thatbr
ightsmi
le…
ONIKA:Ah,kemat hat
ahelar r
a, nnaIdon’ t
knowany more.Des…Ispeakt ohim andt hings
areokforafewweekst henheget sanew
proj
ectandisengrossesinitagai n,for
gets
aboutmeandt hekidsandhei sj ustgonef or
monthssomet i
mes…i t’
sacy cle,ev er
ysingle
ti
mekebuaIknowkeai ti
ya,we’ l
lbebackat
squareoneinthreeweeks.
KWAPA:
Ao,
aremat
hat
akeeng?
ONIKA:That
’sj
usti
t,gakei
tse…ij
a,l
etmenot
holdyouwit
hmyproblems,
y ouseemedi
na
rush…
KWAPA: Ial
wayshavetimeforyou…mat t
erof
fact
,whydon’ty
oucomewi thme?I ’
m goi
ngto
seethenewlocati
onformycli
nic.Busi
nessi
s
good,soIneedabiggerpl
ace.

*
***
***
*

ATAHOTEL
Lahrensatint
hest udytabl
etalki
ngtoa
potenti
alcl
i
ent.Shehear dt
hedoorbeing
messedwi t
h,andgr abbedhergunthenhi
d
behindthedoor.Themomenti topenedshehad
thegunathi
sfor
eheadandheal
readyhadone
onher.
LAHREN:
Iknewy
ou’
dev
ent
ual
l
yfi
ndme…
TSHEPE:
Whyar
eyouher
e,Lahr
en,
whatdoy
ou
want
?
LAHREN: Well,t
heini
ti
alpl
anwast okillmy
fat
her,andletyouandAmar y
ll
iski
lleachother
,
sothatobviousl
yfell
thr
ough,soI’
l
lkillmy
fat
herfir
st….
TSHEPE:Youhav
eaf
ather
?It
houghty
ouwer
e
anorphan.
LAHREN: (l
aughi ng)what ,y
outhoughtIwasa
unholyspi r
itproductorsomet hing?Yes,Ihave
apar ents…mymot herwasaput a,shegot
pregnantf r
om oneofhercust omer s.Hecame
toourt ownwhenIwas12, anddeni edmeas
his,somymot herst ol
eloadsofmoneyf rom
him.Thenast ybast ardfoundherandkill
edher.
That ’
swhenIev ent ual
lygotwit
ht hegri
ngos
andcamet ot
heUS.Fi
nal
l
ymanagedt
otr
ack
thebast
arddownt
hough.
TSHEPE:
Howdi
dyouescapet
heQat
ari
?
LAHREN:Professi
onalcourtesy…Spidercame
forme.Weleftatrai
lofbodiesinourwake.
Thenhadawesomesexi ntheirworshiproom.
Goodtimes…
TSHEPE:Giv
emear
easonwhyIshoul
dn’
tki
l
l
your
ightnow.
LAHREN: Pr
obabl
ythefactthatI’
llj
ustshoot
tooandthere’
l
lbetwodeadbodi esinthi
sroom?
Yougif
tedmet oaperver
t,Legion…youdon’t
knowthekindofthi
ngstheydidtome…
TSHEPE:Il
ovedyou,
Lala…Il
ovedy
ouandyou
sol
dmeoutt othegr
ingos,
doyouknowt
he
ki
ndofthi
ngstheydi
dt omewhenIwascapt
ive?
LAHREN:
Wel
l
,Ihel
pedy
ouescape!
TSHEPE:
Ishoul
dn’
thav
ebeencapt
ivei
nthe
fi
rstplace,Lahren!Ishoul
dn’thave.Itoldyou
personalthingsandy ouusedt hem againstme.
Ialmostdied!Howcoul dyou?Ilovedy ou…
LAHREN: Il
oveyoutoo…butthegri
ngoswere
theonl
yfamilyIhad…theyr
aisedmewhenI
hadnoone.Theygav ememyl if
e…surel
yyou
weren’
texpecti
ngmet obet
raythem?

*
***
***
**

ATTHENEW CLI
NIC
Theywal kedaroundthenewempt ybuil
ding
unti
ltheycamet otheonlyfur
nishedroom
whereitwast obehisoffi
ce.Shesatont he
converti
blecouchandhecamet oseatnearher
.
ONIKA:Ah,
gapewaitsetot
annaIdon’
tknow…I
wi
shIhadgirl
fr
iendstotal
kthi
sst
uff
wi
th…gongweI’
m overr
eacti
ng.
KWAPA:Hey ,youcantal
ktome,ok?Andyou
knowIunderst
andy oubett
ert
hananygi
rl
fr
iend
wil
lev
er,r
ight…
ONIKA:Youar er
ight…i
t’
sjust
…I’
vebeentrying
toconcei
veandIswearIt ookever
ymedi cati
on
ontheplanetandit’
snotworki
ng.Legone
maybeitwilli
fImyhusbandandIact ual
l
y …ij
a…
KWAPA:
What
?
ONIKA:MaybeI’
m notat
tr
act
ivewai
tse…may
be
Ij
ustdon’
ttur
nmyhusbandonany more
KWAPA:
Whatdoy
oumean?
ONIKA:I
…uhm…hecan’
t…wel
l
…let
’sj
ustsayI
don’
ttur
nhim on…
KWAPA:
(laughi
ng)Hecan’
tgeti
tup?
ONIKA:Itri
edever
ythi
ng,hi
sf av
ouri
teli
nger
ie,
al
lsort
soft hi
ngs…Kennethdoy outhi
nkI’
m
at
tract
ive?Asaman, notafri
end.Kanamay be
gakeiponekesurekamol enzaosena
ser
ethe…
KWAPA: (l
aughing)ij
a,kanawena…Nika,come
on,youareprobablythemostbeauti
fulwoman
I
’veevercomeacr oss.Youthi
nkIcallyouNikki
Minajbecauseyournamei sOnika?
ONI KA: Idon’tknow…Ij ust…( Shestart
edcry i
ng)
IloveDes, butI’
m drowni ng…Ifeelli
keI’
mj ust
fall
ingdeeperi ntoabot toml esspitandthereis
nosav i
ngme.Ihat emyl i
fe.Ihatethefucking
Balmai ndr essesandt hemanol oshoesand
publ i
cev entsandev erything.Iusedtobeso
happywor kingatt hebaker y…Ihad
ambi ti
on…mot iv
ated…nowI ’
mj ustgoing
throught hemot i
ons.
KWAPA: Aoshem…Iknowwhatyoumean.I
knowhowi tf
eel
sli
ketobeal
oneina
rel
ati
onshi
p.
ONIKA:Atl
eastyougotout…youknow…t
he
ot
herday….Theotherdaywhenmycousin
camet ogloataboutbeingpregnantandhow
happyshewasandal l…whenshel eftIjustkept
star
ingatmysl eepi
ngpi l
l
swonder ingifI
shouldjustendit
.I’
vebeendepr essedforsuch
alongtimeandI ’
mt ir
edofpretending…Ij ust
feelsoinadequate,
whycan’tDeswantme?
Hehuggedherasshecr
iedi
nhi
sshoul
der
.
KWAPA:
Youar
enoti
nadequat
eNi
ka…
Hebentdown, hisl
ipsagainsthercheek,
brushi
ngitl
ightl
y.Oni
kamoanedl i
ghtl
yaslight
touchsentshiv
ersthroughhernerves,shi
vers
thatmadeherwhol ebodytremble.
KWAPA:
Ify
ouwantmet
ost
op,
tel
lmenow,
Whenshesti
llsai
dnothi
ng,
hebr
ushedhi
s
mout
hagainstthehol
l
owofhert
emple.
KWAPA:
Ornow…Oni
kaHi
sli
pswer
eagai
nst
her
s.
Butshehadr
eachedupandpul
l
edhi
m downt
o
her,andtherestofhiswordswer elostagainst
hermout h.Hekissedhergentl
y,carefull
y.She
knottedherfist
sinhisshi
rt,
pull
inghim har der
againstherasshelaidbackinthesof a.He
groanedsof t
ly,
lowinhisthr
oat…roughly
runninghishandsupanddownunderhershi rt
asheuncl aspedherbra…

*
***
***
*
LI
KEANDCOMMENTf
orani
ghtepi
sode
(Crossoveralert:
Readmor eaboutKgodumo' s
youngerday swi thaveryinterest
ingjob..
.and
hisoldsquadt akingdownacr imesyndicate.
Andt herelati
onshipbetweenLahr enand
Legionint hebook'TheAegi s'posti
nginmy
blogintwoday sti
me
https:
//atswanawr i
ter
.wordpress.com/)
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
57
ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE
AsTebat soleft,
Kedi pickedupherphoneand
star
tedt y
pingamessage.Whatel sewasshe
supposedt odobesi despl eadingwi t
h
Bathsheba?Lastni ghtaf t
ermaki ngloveto
Tebatsoandhewassl eeping, shesnoopedi nt o
hisphoneagai n…probabl yshoul dn’thave.And
hehadbeenwi thBat hshebaj ustanhourbef ore
hecamet oherandsl eptwi thher ?Wor sestil
l,
knowingshewaspr egnant?Howcoul dTebat so
besoi nconsiderat
e?Shepr obabl yshouldleav e,
butshedi dloveTebat so…
‘
Hey,Iknowyouknowme.Asawoman, how
coul
dy oudot
his?Tebat
soisgett
ingmarr
ied
andhasababyont heway,
sopleasej
ustleav
e
hi
m alone.
’
Af ewmi nuteslat
eramessagearri
vedback.A
pictureofBathshebast
icki
nghertongueout,
capt i
oned‘Gotchaman’andsever
allaughi
ng
emoj is.
Shecr
umpl
edt
othef
loorcr
ying.
Thiswasi t
…Tebat so’sgameswer ej ustt oo
ti
ri
ngandshewasn’ taboutt ogot hrougha
pregnancywi t
ht ear s.Beent heredonet hatwi t
h
MaduoandNeo’ sf ather,andshewasdone
beggingaman.Tal kingaboutt hebast ar d,her
babydaddy ,shecoul dhav eswor nshehadseen
hi
mi nthebackgr oundofoneofBat hsheba’ s
pi
cturesinFacebook…nott hatshewasst al
king
herorsomet hing, shej ustpeepedi ntoher
Facebookandy es, thathadbeenChar les.
What ev
er.Hedi dn’ tevenknowhi sy oungest
daughter’
snameany way .
Shet ookoutt heengagementr i
ngandplacedi
t
ont hetable.She’dgiv
eitbackwhenhecamei n,
andt herewasnomor egoingback.Tebatsowi
ll
alway splayhisfool
ishgamesandshehad
threechildrentothi
nkaboutnow, notspend
ti
menur singagrownmanchi ld.
Sheshower
edandwentt
otheki
tchent
o
preparebr eakf
ast,
thenwentt owakeupt he
ki
ds.She’ dhadt opickOnika’
skidsfr
om school
l
astev eningbecausef orwhatev
erreasonOnika
couldn’t
.
Shef
oundthem pl
ayi
ngwi
thNeowhowasst
il
l
i
nhercr
ib.
POPPY:AuntyKedi
,Ithi
nksheneedsadi
aper
change,
Icanhelpwit
hmakingthecer
ealf
or
theki
dsifyouar
ebusy .
KEDI:
Oh,that’
salr
ightmygirl
…I’
vealr
eady
madebreakfast
.Youguysgobr ushyourt
eeth
andgett
hef oodintheki
tchen.Yes,
youtoo
Lot
usandMaduo, go!

*
***
***
**

ATAHOTEL
Onikawokeupandstret
ched,f
eel
i
ngKwapa’s
handoverhert
highasshelai
donhischest
…
Theyhadevent
uall
ylef
tthecli
nicbui
l
dingl
ast
ni
ghtandcamet othehotel
tohavea…well
ni
ghtshehadn’
thadinyears.
KWAPA:Goodmorni
ngbeaut
if
ul…wai
tseIwi
sh
Icoul
dwakeupl
i
kethisev
eryday…
ONI
KA:
Inahot
el?
KWAPA: Nexttothemostbeautiful
womani
n
thewor l
d…nowIgeti t
,Ni
ka, whyIwasso
restl
ess,chasi
ngafteral
lthesewomen.Now
l
y i
ngnextt oyou?Therei
sn’tasingl
ewomanin
thewor l
dIcouldeverwant…
ONIKA:Pl
easedon’
tsayt
hat
…Il
ovemy
husband…
KWAPA:
Andnna?
ONIKA:I
…uhm…I…y
ouknowhowi
tis
Ken…thi
ngsar
ecompl
i
cated.
KWAPA: Unti
lwef aceourtruefeel
ingsf oreach
other,
weareforevergoingtostaymi serable
Onika.Il
oveyou,andnowI ’vegott
ent his
clar
it
y…Iwannaspendt herestofmyl ifewith
you…youmakemehappy ,
content…
ONI
KA:
Kenpl
ease…
KWAPA: I
’m notsayingri
ghtaway …j
ust
…thi
nk
aboutitNika,getadi v
orce,
let
’sgetmarri
ed.
Let’
sliv
eourl i
fethewayi twassupposedtobe.
IknowIr oyall
yfuckedupwhenIchoseWar ona
overyou,andIhopewegi veourselv
esanother
shot.Il
ovey ou,Onika.

*
***
***
*

ATTHECLUB

Maot
osatwi
thTebat
soi
nsi
det
hecl
ubof
fi
ce
whenBat
hshebawal
kedi
n.
BATHSHEBA: Oh,heyuncl
e…Tebl
a,Iwant
edt
o
tal
k,butIcancomebacklater
.
MAOTO:
No,
stayIwasj
ustl
eav
ing
BATHSHEBA:
It’
sokuncl
e,I
’
minahur
ryany
way
.
Lat
ers.
Shewal
kedoffwi
thTebat
solooki
ngatherass
i
nyogapant
sandacroptop.
MAOTO:
Youar
est
il
lsl
eepi
ngwi
thher
,ar
en’
t
you?
TEBATSO:(
laughi
ng)wi
thal
ltheduer
espect,
couz,
Idon’
tseehowthati
syourbusi
ness…
MAOTO:BothyouandShebaaregrown,
soy
ou
ar
eri
ght
,it
’snoneofmybusiness.
TEBATSO:
Gladt
hat
’scl
ear
ed.
MAOTO: Butletmetalktoyoumant oman.Not
asanoldercousinorSheba’
suncl e,butasa
fr
iendandamanwi t
hexperience.I’
vebeen
t
hroughadi vor
ce,separ
ati
on,andseveral
mistresses.Ihadagoodgi r
lItr
eatedbad,andI
l
osther .ThankGodshewasf or
givi
ngenough
t
ot akebackmyundeser vi
ngass,andIdon’t
t
aket hatforgrant
edany more.
TEBATSO:
Mysi
tuat
ioni
snott
hesame…
MAOTO: Regar
dless…I’
m stil
lpissedatyouf or
playi
ngmycousi n,butI
’m notgonnal i
e,Iknow
Shebaisnotmar ri
agemat eri
al.Hell
,Iwonderif
thegir
levenwant stogetmar r
ied.Theonly
personthosetwinslovei
seachot her
…
TEBATSO:
Youdon’
tunder
stand…
MAOTO:Kedii
sagoodwoman.Don’thur
ta
goodwomanchasi
ngaf
terpussy
…tr
ustme,i
t’
s
notwor
thi
t.
TEBATSO: Don’tgetmewr ong,
IloveKedi,that
I’
m sureof…it
’sjust…sheistooconservati
ve,
andI ’
m usedtobei ngwit
hSheba.I ’
m notjust
tal
kingaboutsex, Shebaisdownf orwhatever…
wehadcr
azyfunsheandI…shewasther
efor
mewhenIhadnothi
ng,If
eel
li
keIoweher.
MAOTO: Thenlesagot shamekisa
ngwanaabat ho,damnit !Ifyousti
l
lhaveal l
thosefeeli
ngsforSheba, gobewithher.Iwas
withtheunclesretswagoi samagadi maabane,
andwenay ouarest i
l
l act i
ngli
keaf r
eeman?I f
youstil
lhavedoubt s,br eakthi
sshitupright
nowandl etKedi getonwi t
hherl
ife.
TEBATSO:
Ilov
eher
…
MAOTO: Thenmant hefuckup!Youar enot
satisf
iedi nbed?Speakt oy ourwoman, shewill
bewi ll
ingt omeety ouhalfway .Youthinksheis
notasexci t
ingasSheba?Fi ndfunthingsy ou
bothcanenj oy.Stopbeingasel fi
sh
mot herfuckerandact i
ngliket hi
srel
at i
onshipis
al
l abouty ou.Igottagohomenow, it
sdat e
nightwi t
ht hewifeandabr otherhastol ook
fi
nef ormyl ady.
*
***
***
*

I
NPRI
SON

Colt
oncamet othev
isi
ti
ngr
oom smi
l
ingas
Banyanasati
nthechai
r…
COLTON:Ao,
y oumeanunif
orm gae
nt
shwanel
e?(Hestoodf
lexi
nghismuscl
es)
BANYANA: (
laughi
ng)thi
sisnotabeaut
y
pageanty
oumor on.Howareyoudoing?
COLTON:Awesome,
it’
slikeavacat
ionIdon’
t
gett
opayfor
…howarey oudoi
ng?
BANYANA: NotgoodColt…Imissy ou…the
houseissoempt ywi
thoutyou…Italkedto
Waronat odayandtheplai
ntif
fwant edtoret
ract
,
butadayl atershewasallshookupandsai d
shecan’tretract
.
COLTON: Y’
allhavehighexpectat
ionswait
se.
I
’m stay
inginhereuntil
AugustusdecidesIhav
e
l
earntwhateverfuckeduplessonhet hi
nkshei
s
teachi
ng,me…I ’
vemadepeacewi tht
hat…
BANYANA: Icamet heotherdayandtheysaid
youwereinsolit
aryandnotallowedvisi
tor
s.
Gett
ingi
ntofightsagai
nLoagoCol tonCull
!
COLTON: (
laughing)youaresocut ewheny ou
aremad.Andy ouonl yusemyf i
rstnamewhen
youareangryatme.Apunkt r
iedtomesswi t
h
me,Ibeathim up.Hel i
edsayi
ngIpoi soned
somefatguywhodi edofacoronaryf ai
l
ure…
BANYANA:
Col
ton!Di
dyou?
COLTON: (
laughi
ng)me?Sweeti nnocentme?
WhatdoIknowofpoi soningpeople?Youknow,
whenIgetoutofher eIwannat akey ouona
vacat
ion…apr operhoney moon,rememberwe
gotmarriedandt henstrai
ghtawaywentt o
Russi
af oryourstudies…neverhadt i
mef ora
honey
moon.Wher
edoy
ouwantt
ogo?
BANYANA:
Ther
eisnoneedf
ort
hat
…
COLTON: NoIwantt
o…wehav en’
thadgoodfun
i
nawhi l
e…rememberthatHal
loweenpar
tyyou
wentasJessi
caRabbitandIwasRogerRabbi
t?
(l
aughi
ng)
BANYANA: (
laughi ng)Gosh,t
hatseemsl i
ke
agesago!Youst ol
eexpensiv
ev odkafrom that
Russianman’ shouseandhewasso
pissed…rememberhowwehadt ohideinadar k
all
eydrinki
ngt hev odkaandthenwehadt or un
backhomeoff ootbecausewehadnotbr ought
thecar!Andy oust oleabikehalf
wayandwe
rodehomeoni t .Wenagaout lwewaitse,you
alwaysgetmei nt r
ouble!
Theybot
hlaughedandhehel
dherhands
acr
ossthetabl
esqueezi
ngi
t…
COLTON:CanIsaysomet
hing(
shenodded)I
thi
nkyouar
ereal
lydumb,
youknow…youcoul
d
havegott
enapr i
ncechar
mingsomewher
e,and
youchoseafrog?Whatbackwar
dsfai
ryt
aledi
d
theyr
eadtoyouasachi l
d?
BANYANA: (
laughing)Fuckpri
nce
charmi
ng…andt hefrogdidenduptur
ningi
ntoa
pri
nceanyway.
COLTON: (
laughing)Shit,wear er
eadingtoo
muchofCoop’ sbooks, aren’twe?Frogsand
pri
nces?B,whatI ’
mt r
yingt osayis…wor dsl
ike
l
ov eandneed,theymakemechoke.Idon’ t
knowhowt osayt hem.I ’
m notusedt oneeding
anybody,
I’
vealway shadmyownback…and…I
real
iset
hatIdon’thavet oany more,because
yougotme…
BANYANA: (
wipingatear)Ido…Ireal
lydo,Il
ove
you,y
oupieceofshit
…y ouarereal
lystupi
difi
t
tookyout
hislongtoreali
seit
…
COLTON: Youar
epr obabl
yri
ght
…I’
m dumbas
fuck…butwhenyourli
ghtsgoof
fat7pm and
youhav etospendt herestoftheni ghtst ar
ing
atapr i
soncel lceil
ing?Yougett ot hi
nk…whenI
getoutofher e?I ’
mabeagoodhusband…a
goodf r
iendandal overtoyou…loy al,f
aithful…all
thosethingsIt houghtIcouldnev erbe…agood
father
…y oukeepsay ingI’
m notli
kemy
father
…andf orsol ongev er
yonet oldmeIwas
l
ikehim,t hatIst ar
tedtobelieveit…buty ou’ve
changedmyv iewont hat
…Iknowwi t
hy ourhel p,
Icouldbebet ter,B.Icouldbethemany ou
deserve.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
58

ATKFM
Goutasathavi
nglunchwi
thMat
shi
disoand
Waronainheroff
ice.
MATSHI
DISO:
Andt
hendi
thuny
aint
het
rashcan?
GOUTA:I
ja,
Idon’
tknowwhyt hecl
eaner
sdi
dn’
t
empt
yit
…Maotothrewthem away
WARONA:
Thr
ewt
hem away
?Nedi
tswakae?
GOUTA:
(laughi
ng)you’
l
lnev
erbel
ievei
t.That
ol
dmanwadi hotel
wampat onay
ole…
Theybot
hlaughed…
GOUTA:Koorel
atshega,doyouknowhow
di
sgusti
ngi
tisgobatl
iwakemonnamogolo?I
wondergor
eoiponahelaalehagodimogame!
Eww!
MATSHI DISO:Andwhatdoesy ourpsycho
husbandsayaboutthat
…batho, kanamonnawa
Goutagaboul el
e!Ir
emembert hatti
meatthe
rest
aurantwhenhewentoutsideandf oundy
ou
l
aughingwi t
hmyhusbandandhedemandedt o
knowwhaty
out
wower
elaughi
ngabout
.
GOUTA:(l
aughing)Akotlogel
erragwe-
Mot heo
mmagar ategojelwa…Ibeli
evethefl
owers
i
nsideatr
ashcansay si
tall…buthedoesn’t
knowtheoldmani saft
erme.Keshi misega
gore!
WARONA: (
laughing)Otl
aasalahoo
ngwanyanakadi sgust
…mdal aisi
nter
est
ed…I
cani
magi nehim beati
nghisshri
vel
edmeattoa
mental
imageofy ou.
GOUTA: (l
aughing)Eww, Wawa!NowIl ostmy
appetit
e!A, I
’m marri
ed.B,evenifIwasnot
mar r
ied,howdoIgetundert hesheet
swi t
h
suchandol dman?Thatwhol et
ummywoul d
takeallthespacei nakingbed,andIbethehas
onlyabout2cm t oworkwi t
h…
WARONA:Ij
a,l
adi
es,Igott
ago,Ihavetopi
ck
Mannyf
rom hi
sfat
her,Iwassupposedtopi
ck
hi
m upi
nthemorningbutIhadacli
ent.
MATSHI
DISO:IthoughtIsawhim ear
li
erhel
dby
somel
ady.Lesetselemmat l
etsemaid?
WARONA:What?Whatl
ady
?Hedi
dn’
tsay
any
thi
ngaboutamai
d!
GOUTA:Ohh,that
’sNamet
so,
KP’
syounger
,
newsqueeze.
WARONA: What?Wai t
seKennethwantlwael
a,
wheredoeshegetoffleav
ingmychil
dwi t
hhis
hoes?Igotdi
rect
ionstohisnewhouse.Igot
ta
go.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowal
kedi
nandf
oundKedi
int
hel
i
ving
room.
Hesatnextt
oherandt
ri
edt
oki
ssher
,Kedi
movedaway.
TEBATSO:Ao?Whati
stheprobl
em now?
WhereImykids’
maybebonetheywil
lbe
happi
ert
oseeme.
Shehandedhi
mtheengagementr
ing.
KEDI:Ican’tdothi
sany mor
eTebat
so.Ithought
Icould,buttol
iv
ey ourli
fei
ncompeti
ti
onwi t
h
anotherwoman?Nny aawai
tse.
TEBATSO: Whatareyoutal
ki
ngabout?Who
askedy outocompet ewit
hSheba?Kedi,
I
thoughy ouunderst
ood.ShebaandIhavea
hist
ory.I’
m notj
ustgoingtocutherof
ffr
om my
l
ife.
KEDI:
That
’sj
ustit,
Tebatso.I’m supposedtobe
okwithmyhusbandbeingfriendswitha
womanwhoi sacti
velyt
ryi
ngt osnatchhim
away?Doyouplanonsleepingwi thhereven
af
terweweremarried?Ican’tbeli
eveyouslept
wi
thanotherwomanandcamebacktosl
eep
wi
thyourwifet
obewhoiscar
ryi
ngyourchi
l
d.
TEBATSO:
I’
m sor
ry…Iwasj
ust
…
KEDI:I
fonl
yy oursorr
ymeantany t hing.It
’s
enoughTebatso.Ihavetwochildrenandoneon
thewaytotakecareof.IfIcan’
ttakecar eof
my sel
femoti
onall
y,howdoIexpectt oraise
them t
obestrongandi ndependent ?Thisi si
t.
TEBATSO:Ok,
I’
ll
nev
erseeShebaagai
nift
hat
’s
whatyouwant
.
KEDI:
Itshouldbewhatyouwant,Tebatso!You
shoul
dcutrelat
ionswi
thherbecauseyousee
i
t’
snotgoodf orourmarr
iage,
notjustt
opl ease
me.Pleaseleav
e.
TEBATSO:Kedi,
youcan’
tdothat
…I…myuncl
es
haveal
readypai
dbri
depri
ceand…
KEDI:
Thengotakei
tbackee!I
’
m sor
ryTebat
so,
Iwon’
tdothi
s.Pl
easel
eavemyhouse.
TEBATSO:I’
m af
rai
dIcan’
tdothat
.Il
ovey
ou
Kedi
…I’
m notgoi
nganywhere.

*
***
***
*

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Rebaonewasbusycookingwhenther
ewasa
knockatthedoor
.Shewenttoopentofinda
l
eathercl
adLati
nalooki
ngwomanatt hedoor
.
REBAONE:
CanIhel
pyou?
LAHREN:
IsLegi
oni
n?
Dani
ell
acamef r
om t
hebedroom hol
dingher
dol
l,
andquickl
yranandhi
dbehindhermot her
…
DANI
ELLA:
That
’st
hebi
kel
adymommy
…
REBAONE:
Bikel
ady
…whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
Dani
?
DANI
ELLA:
Theonewhocamet
omyschool
.
REBAONE:Ohh…i
nter
est
ing…r
unal
ongandpl
ay
wit
hyourbr
other
sDani.
Sheranbacki
nsi
del
eav
ingRebaonewi
th
Lahr
en.
REBAONE:
Oh,
soy
oucameaf
termyki
ds?
LAHREN:Iwasn’
tgonnahar
mthem,
Legi
onand
Iar
efri
ends.
REBAONE: (
laughi
ng)Ohhhhh,youar
ethe
Lat
inaputawhodoublecrossedhim?Ithought
hegotri
dofy ou?
LAHREN:
Wel
l
,I’
m back,
so….
REBAONE:
Whatdoy
ouwantwi
thmyhusband?
LAHREN: Idon’
tanswertowi
ves,
sweetheart
…whereisLegi
on?Him andI
,we
haveunfini
shedbusi
ness.
REBAONE:Li
sten,
put
a,what
everbusinessyou
thi
nkyouhav
ewi t
hmyhusband,consideri
t
f
ini
shed.Youwi
l
lnotseehi
m agai
n.Youwi
l
lnot
t
alktohim…
LAHREN:
Orwhat
?
REBAONE: (
laughing)Oritwon’tbev
erypretty
fory
ou,lov
e.Firstyoucomeaf termychi
ldren,
nowy ouar
et hr
owi ngyoursel
fatmyhusband?
Whatashamel esspieceofshit!
Shesl
ammedthedooronherf
aceandwal
ked
away,
dial
i
ngherphone.
REBAONE:
Hey
…Dudu…l
ongt
ime…

*
***
***
*

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Nametsosatpl
ayi
ngwit
hMannyi nt
heliv
ing
r
oom whensheheardaknock.Shewentto
openholdi
nghi
m,andWar
onar
ippedhi
mfr
om
herhands.
WARONA:
Wher
eismyhusband?
NAMETSO:Gat
wehusband?Hee!Tl
eke!Ohh,
youar
etheol
dwif
e?
WARONA: Lit
tl
egir
l,r
ragweMannyokae?( She
pushedpastherandgoti nt
ot hehouse
screami nghisname)Kennet h!Kennethcome
outher eandexplainwhatthisrubbishis!You
arealreadybr i
ngi
nghoesar oundmychi l
d?Is
thi
st hebi t
chyouweresleepingwi t
handr uined
ourmar riage?Kenneth!
NAMETSO: Hee,bathong!Whatacrazywoman!
Heisnother e,andIdon’tt
hinkhewouldwant
toseey ouanywayev enifhewashere.He
mov edonandi shappywi t
hme, youshoul
d
considermov i
ngont oo.
Waronahuf
fedandwal
kedbackt
ohercar
cussi
ng.
Nametsotr
iedKwapa’ sphoneagai
n,hewas
st
il
lnotpi
ckingup,butatthevatcl
i
nictheysai
d
helef
tint
heaf t
ernoon.

*
***
***
*

Oni
kadrov
ef r
om pi
cki
nguptheki
dsatKedi
’
s
andpar
kedinthepar
kingl
ot.
ONIKA:Youguy s,wai
thereforamoment,I’
m
j
ustpicki
ngupdaddy ’
sblazerssoIcansend
t
hem fordrycl
eaningtomorrow,healway
s
for
getsthem i
nt heof
fi
ce.
POPPY:
Wheni
sdaddycomi
ngbackmommy
?
ONIKA: Tomorrow,may bewewi l
lgofora
hol
idayafter.Waither
e,don’
tlettheki
dsgoout
Pop-pop,andifNeocries,gi
veherhermil
k,but
I
’m sureI’
llbebackbeforeshewakesup.
Shewal
kedt
otheof
fi
ceandpunchedi
nthe
l
ockkey,thentookt
hestai
rst
othesecondfl
oor
whereherhusband’
sof
fi
cewas.Theli
ghts
wereon.
Probablyherhusband’ sPA, Jayl
an.Shel aughed
thi
nkingofJay l
an.Therewasgayandt hen
ther
ewasJay l
an.Theguywast hegay estmost
fl
amboy antper sonyoucoul devercomeacr oss.
Hewast heoneal way sbuyingher‘sur
prise’
l
ingerieandper fumest hatDesbroughthome,
sheknewt hatforsure,becausetherewasno
wayDeswoul dbethatgoodatpi cking
women’ sintimates.
Sheactual
lyli
kedtheguy,
theywenttoyoga
cl
asstogetherandoccasi
onal
lymetfor
cappucci
noswhi l
eJayl
angossipedabouthi
s
marri
edboy f
ri
ends.
Theguywasahar dwor ker
,hewasusuall
ythe
onl
yotheremployeeintheoffi
cever
ylat
einthe
day,
buttheni
fy ourdi
rectbosswasDesmond
Marumo,itmeantworkinglonghour
s.
SheopenedthedoortoDes’
soffi
ceandbl
inked
har
d.Rubbedhereyesandbli
nkedagai
n.
ONI
KA:
I…I
…DesmondIt
hough…I
…whatt
hef
uck!
Shebli
nkedfastagain.Thi
shadtobeadr eam.
Jayl
anwasshi r
tl
ess,onhisknees,wi
th
Desmond’sharddickonhismout hasDes
l
eanedbackagaint hewallwi
thhiseyescl
osed.
DESMOND:
Oni
kaI
…
HepushedJay lanawayandwal kedovert
oher.
Oni
kabl i
nkedagai ntry
ingtoclearher
si
ght…thi
shadt obeadr eam…butsheknewi t
wasn’t
…dar knessstartedswi
mmi ngonher
si
ghtasshef ellcoll
apsedtothef l
oor
.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
59
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Oni
kasati
nthei
rbedst
ari
ngatDesmond.
ONIKA:Idon’
tunder
stand,
sodoest
hismean
youaregay?
DESMOND:What ?God,
no!Ii
nnowayf
indmen
sexual
l
yat
tract
ive,
God!
ONI
KA:
Arey
oubei
ngt
rut
hful
?
DESMOND:WhatdoIhavetolosebyly
ing
wheni
thasalr
eadygonetothi
s?Idon’
tfi
nd
mensexual
l
yattr
act
iveOni
ka,damn!
ONI
KA:
Thenwhatwast
hat
?
DESMOND:
Idon’
tknow…
ONI KA:Whatthefuckdoy
oumeanyoudon’
t
knowDes, Icaughtyouwi
thamansucki
ngy
our
dick!Ser
iousl
yDes?
DESMOND: Imeanj
ustthatOni
ka.Idon’tknow.
Youhaver
andomlycomet omyofficewithout
cal
li
ngbef
oreandyoufoundmeal one.Ihave
nevercheat
edbeforethis.Jayl
an,heumh…he
caughtmemast urbat
ing.IthoughtIwast
he
onlyoneintheoff
ice.
ONI
KA: Ok,buthowdoesitmovefrom you
mast
urbati
ngt ohi
m sucki
ngyourdick?
DESMOND: Fi
rsthewalkedout
,thencameback
5mi nuteslaterandwasmassagi ngme…I
shouldhav estoppedit
,butIdi
dn’t.Idon’
tknow
whatt hefuckhappened,maybeIgotcur i
ous,
butheunzi ppedmypant sandIlethim…and
thenhe…uhm…y ea,whatyousaw.I ’
m ser
iousl
y
disgustednowt hatIt
hinkaboutit.
ONI
KA:
I’
m supposedt
obel
i
evet
hat
?
DESMOND: (sighing)Onika,i
fIwasf ucki
ngthat
faggot
,wouldn’ tyouhavecaughtonbynow?
Damn!Hei sr eall
ygoodathi sjob,soIkeephi m
aroundbecauseIhav enot hi
ngagainstgays,
butwerarelyinteractasidefrom work,ask
anyoneintheof f
ice.Pl
us,halft
het i
meI ’
mi n
theUSonbusi ness, andhei shere,andmost
eveni ngswhenI ’mi nt heoffi
ceyoucome
unannouncedandhangwi t
hme.Wher ewouldI
gett hechance, nott hatI’
dwantt o?God, i
fI
want edt ocheati twoul dbesomehoty oung
thing, notaf uckingf aggot,damnit!Thet hought
ofput t
ingmydi ckonaman’ sass?Yea, t
hat’
s
disgust ing.I’
m appal ledwithmy selfri
ghtnow
andIst il
lwoul dbe, caughtornot .YouknowI
don’ tli
et oyou.Bel i
evewhaty ouwant ,butI’m
tell
ingy out het r
ut h.
ONIKA:Thenwhyhaven’
tyou…Imean,
Ithought
youweresickorsomet
hing,
butwit
hhimy ou
werehard…
DESMOND: Shit
,Igethardj
ustthi
nkingabout
you,Nikki
,I
’m spott
ingchubbi
eshalftheday
becauseofy ou…
ONI
KA:
But
…
DESMOND:
All
youev
erwantwhenwemake
l
ov eistomakeaf uckingbaby,Onika!I’
m
fucki
ngt i
redofi t
,it
’ssuchaturnof f
!Sexisnot
funli
keitusedt obeany more,Ifeelli
kea
breedingsteed!AndIdi dseemydoct orand
apparentlyIhaveav erylowsperm countand
i
t’sduet ostress.
ONIKA:
What
’sgonnahappent
ous,
Des?Il
ove
you.
DESMOND: Iloveyoutoo.Forgiv
eme?Pl ease?
Pl
ease…Isweart oyou,Onika,
Iam not
i
nter
estedinmen…orot herwomenf ort
hat
matt
er!It
’sonlyyouandy ouknowthat…
ONI
KA:
Howdoy ouexpectmetoj
ustwi
pethat
i
magef
rom mymind?Iwanty
outofi
rehi
m.
DESMOND:
Done…
ONIKA:Andnomorelat
eofficehour
s,youar
e
homebysix,andi
faf
terafewweeksy ougo
backtoyourol
dhabi
ts,
I’
ml eavi
ngDes…
DESMOND:
ButNi
kki
…Ihav
etowor
k,wehav
e…
ONIKA:Youhav eawi
feandtwochi
l
dren.Ify
ou
don’twannakeepwor
kingonthi
smarr
iage,
thenIwon’tei
ther
.
DESMOND:
Ok,
done.
ONIKA:AndIwantyout ocometochurchwi
th
me…andgoseeadoct oraboutt
hatsper
m
countt
hingbecauseIwantababy,ok?
DESMOND:Yesma’
am…thankyou,Nikki
…Ican’
t
st
artt
oexpr
esshowsor
ryIam abouttoni
ght.

*
***
***
*

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Tshepewal
kedinandfoundRebaonesi
tt
ingon
thecouchl
ooki
ngpissed.
REBAONE:
Soy
ourwhor
ecamet
omyhouse
TSHEPE:
Idon’
thav
eawhor
e.
REBAONE:
What
evershei
s,t
heLat
inawhor
e
washer
e!
TSHEPE:Whatthefuck,
whywoul
dshecomet
o
myhouse!I
’
llt
alktoher
REBAONE: Youmakesur eshestaysawayfrom
mychildr
enandITshepe, Idon’
tcarewhatshe
doesforali
ving.Shecomesaf t
ermybabies
agai
nandshewi l
lbever
ysor r
y,youknowI
don’
tplayli
kethat.
TSHEPE: (l
aughing)tobehonestIwi shshe
coul
dpi ssyouof fenoughtogett hatReba
wrath.Gir
l,youarecrazy,youknowt hat
?But
honestl
ythough.I ’
m notimpressedwi thwhat
shedideither,andifsheeverdarescomesnear
youandt hekidsagain,she’l
lwishI’dgifthert
o
someoneagai n.
REBAONE:Well,Idon’
twanthernearmy
husbandei
ther
.
Hepul
l
edheri
ntohi
slapandki
ssedher
TSHEPE:Youaresocutewheny ouarej
ealous.
WhatLahrenandIhadwasov ert hemomentI
gotwit
hyouRebaone.Il
ov eyout oomucht o
messaround.Il
oveourfamil
y, our
chi
ldr
en…besi
des,I
’m al
itt
lebitafrai
dofyou
al
so…
REBAONE:
(rai
singaney
ebr
ow)Al
i
ttl
ebi
t?
TSHEPE: (laughi
ng)Ok, alot…youar esadi
sti
c
andv engefulasfuckgirl
…I’dpr obablywakeup
poisoned,withmydi ckcutof fstuffedinmy
mout horsomet hing.ButIlovet hataboutyou.
Youar eabadgi rlanddon’tapol ogizefori
t…
hell
,thi
nkingofjusthowbady oubeeni nthe
pastturnsmeon…( Hetookherhandand
rubbedhissemi har ddi
ckwi thi t
)yout hi
nkthe
kidsarepassedout ?
REBAONE:
Ourdoorhasal
ock…comeon…
*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Bathshebawal
kedi
nandf oundTebatsoly
ingi
n
bed.Shecover
edhermouthtostophersel
f
fr
om laughi
ngwhenshesawt heengagement
ri
ngont het
abl
e.I
tlookedcheapert
hanhers
anyway.
BATHSHEBA:
Youcal
l
ed…
TEBATSO:
Hey
…Sheba…Imi
ssedy
ou.

BATHSHEBA:
Wher
eisy
ourwi
fet
obe?
TEBATSO:Shelef
tme…Idon’tknowwhatKedi
wantsfr
om me.Sheexpect
smet ocuttieswit
h
youtot
all
y.I
’
m sorr
ybutIcan’
tdot hat…how
coul
dsheevenaskmesomet hinglikethat.
Thedumbbi tch.Howt hehelldoyouaskaman
toli
vewi t
houthi ssoulmate,shethought.She
andTebat somaynotbecompat i
ble,butshe
knewf orsureseparatingthem wasjust
i
mpossi ble.Herfamilytr
ied,andifBruceVan
Andreasf ail
edatsomet hing,whothehelldid
thatgi
rlthinkshewas?

BATHSHEBA:
It’
ssounf
airofher
…I’
m sor
ry.
TEBATSO:Iloveher,Sheba…Imean,whaty ou
andIhaveisdif
ferent
,butwecannev erbe
toget
herbecausewewantdi ff
erentt
hings…but
Kedi,
sheiseveryt
hingIwantinawi f
e…
BATHSHEBA: I
’m sorr
y …i
fy ouwantmet onever
speaktoy ouagai n,i
fthatwi l
l makeyouhappy ,
Tebla,I
’l
ldot hat.I
’l
ldisappear ,gobackto
Londonandl eaveyoual one.Itwill
breakmy
heart,
ithurttolosey ouasal over,
nowt olose
youasaf riendtoo?Butf oryourhappiness,I
wi
l
l…Buty
ouj
usthav
etobesur
eabouti
t…
TEBATSO: Yousee…t hat’
st heShebapeople
ref
uset osee,youar esoconsi derate…andno,I
don’twantthat.Kedineedst olear
nt o
compr omise.Itol
dherwewon’ t…youknow…I
tol
dherwewon’ tsleept ogetheranymore,you
andI,andshest il
lwon’ tli
sten.
BATHSHEBA:
I’
m sor
ry…
TEBATSO:Whycan’tyouwantafami
l
ySheba?
Whycan’
ty ouwantki
dsandhaveanormal
li
fe
wit
hmel i
keanormalwoman?
BATHSHEBA: Thingschange…may beIwill
in
fut
ur e.I’
m notper fectTebat so, andI’m sorr
yI
can’tgivey ouwhaty ouwant .Buty ouknowI
woul dlaydownmyl ifeforyouwi thout
quest i
on…hav en’tIprovedt hatal ready?Ibroke
mysi ster’sheartgoingt ojail becauseIwoul dn’
t
giveupy oursecrets,andy ouknowBet his
everythingtome.Shei sli
teral l
ytheotherhalf
ofme…soshoul
dn’
tthatt
ell
youhowmuchI
l
oveyou?Whycan’
tyouacceptmethewayI
am?

*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Ameli
ahandLentswerel
axedinherl
arge
bat
htubaft
erdi
nner,
herl
ayingonhischestas
hegaveheramassage.
AMELI
AH: Wai
tseI
’
m spoil
edt
oday
…Igota
homecookedmealandnowamassage?
LENTSWE: (
laughi
ng)incaseyouthi
nkI’
ma
chef,I
’
vebeenpr acti
singmakingl
ambroastfor
thepastthreeweeks,y out
oldmeitwasyour
favour
itefood…
AMELI
AH:
Wel
l
,Iappr
eci
atei
t…i
t’
ssoni
cehow
muchy
out
aket
heef
for
t…
LENTSWE:Ipl
anonspendi
ngever
ydayofmy
l
ifemaki
ngyouhappy
,Ameli
ah…
Sheblushedashemassagedhershoul der
s,
goingdownwi t
hherri
ghthand, massaging
eachfi
ngeratonceashekissedherneck, then
wentallt
hewayup, massaginghi swaytothe
l
efthand,taki
ngti
metodelicatelymassageher
l
efthandfinger
stoo…t
henshef eltcol
dmetal
sl
ipint
oherr i
ngfi
nger
…
LENTSWE:
Yagot
shwanel
a,neh?
Sheheldther
ingupt oherfaceandsmil
edwit
h
tear
sinhereyes.Thi
swassoLee, wit
hhisshy
self
…yeti
twast hebestpr
oposalshecoul
dever
wishfor
.
LENTSWE:
So,
wil
lyou?
Shetur
nedherheadupandki
ssedhi
m, smil
i
ng
coyl
yasshekeptadmi
ri
ngthebeaut
if
ulri
ng.
AMELI
AH:
Wil
lIwhat
,rr
eKgagodi
?
LENTSWE:
(laughi
ng)Thef
ull
yada-
yadat
hen,
huh?
Shenoddedandlaughedl
ooki
ngathi
s
fl
ust
eredface.
Hestoodupandgotoutoft
hebathtub,
wenton
oneknee,
hol
dingherhandt
hatal
readyhadthe
ri
ng,
looki
ngheri
ntheeyes…
LENTSWE: I
sagoAmel
iahCul
l
,wouldyoudome
thehonourofbei
ngmywif
eandli
fepart
nerf
or
eter
nit
y?
AMELI AH:Aww…ofcourseIwilly
ougoof…thi
s
i
sthebestproposalever
.YesIwi l
lmarr
yyou
Lentswe,y
es!OhmyGod, t
hisdaystart
ed
perf
ectalr
eadywit
hy oumakingmebr eakf
ast,
fl
owersatwork,di
nner…i
tcan’tgetanybet
ter
…
Hegrinnedsmugl
yashest
eppedbacki
ntot
he
bat
htub.
LENTSWE:Trustme…Ibel
i
evei
tcan…much,
muchbet
ter,
andIintendt
omakeitj
ustt
hat
…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
SODE60

ATDES’
OFFI
CE
Dessati
nhi
sof
fi
ce,
onSky
pewi
thhi
sther
api
st
fr
iend
DRJAMES: So,whatisityouwant edtoask
about?Andbeforewestartanythingwhy
haven’
tyoulookedforatherapistiny
ourar
ea?
It
salwaysbesttotal
kfacetof ace.
DESMOND: Idon’tev enknowifthereareany
around…nonethatIt rustanyway…youaremy
fri
end,so…Ok…like, doy outhi
nkit
’spossibl
e
forastrai
ghtmant o…y ouknow,getsexualwit
h
anot
herman?Like,notsexperse,
but
…li
ke
doesthatmakethem gay?
DRJAMES: Yes,strai
ghtpeople,menand
womendogetbi -curi
ous.Doesn’ti
nanyway
makeyougayorbi sexualunlessyoucan
conf
ir
mthaty ouhav efeel
ingstowardst
he
samegender…
DESMOND: Eww…no, Idon’
t!Hell
,Iwasthi
nki
ng
aboutmywi f
et hewhol et
ime.Itwasjust
anotherwhol
et oshov emymeat …damn,Ican’
t
evenbeli
evethathappened!I’
mf reaki
ngout
herethi
nki
ngI’mt ur
ninggay.
JAMES: (l
aughing)youcan’t‘t
urn’gay,
Des…i t
’s
eit
heryouaregayory ouarenot.Somepeopl e
mayl i
vethei
rli
v esthi
nkingtheyarestr
aightand
thenrecogni
sei tl
ater
…somemaybei ndenial
…
I’
mr eadytoli
stenifyouwannat alk…
DESMOND:
Iletamansuckmydi
ck…
JAMES:
Ok…
DESMOND: Ihadj ustar ri
vedbackf rom at wo
weeksl ongt r
ipandmetaf riendatabarf ora
drink…Iwast i
psy , notdrunk, butIdeci dedt o
headont otheof ficebecauseIhadsomewor k
thatneededf inishing.Icoul dn’tconcent rate,so
Iendeduponpor nhub…soIwasmast urbating
i
nt heof f
ice…itwasl ateandIt houghtIwas
alone.Hewal kedi nonmeand, well,f
irstIwas
panickedandt oldhi mt ogett hef uckout .He
camebackf ivemi nuteslaterandst ar
ted
massagi ngmeandj erki
ngmeof f…Idon’ tknow
whyIdi dn’tstopi t.Buthedi di tandev ent uall
y
gotonhi skneesandgav emeabl owj ob…why
didn’tIst
opi t
, James?
JAMES: Ok,mantoman?Get ti
ngy ourdick
suckedisni
ce…sopr obabl
yy oujustenjoyedit
…
andit’
spossibl
eifyouhadn’tgottensomef rom
yourwifei
nawhi l
e…
DESMOND:
Ihav
en’
t…
JAMES:
Theny
ouwer
ejustenj
oyi
ngget
ti
ng
sexualatt
enti
onfr
om anot
herhumanothert
han
yourownhand.Yousaidyouwerethi
nki
ngof
yourwifeall
thatt
ime?
DESMOND:
Iwas…
JAMES: Havey
oueverthoughtofmen
rel
ati
onshi
pwiseorsexual
ly?
DESMOND: Eww!James!No,Nev er
!Ihol
d
nothi
ngagai
nstgays,t
heydotheirshi
tandst
ay
outofmyway ,
buti
t’sj
ustnotforme…
JAMES: Thenther
e,youhaveyouranswer
.
Homosexualit
yisromanti
candsexual
at
tract
iontowardsmember softhesamesex.
DESMOND:(sighing)Shi
t,I
’
vebeenpani
cki
ngal
l
ni
ghtman,
thinkingIwasgoi nggay
.Damn!
JAMES: Relax,i
thappens.AguynamedTony
Sil
va,att
heUni versi
tyofOr egonrecentl
y
rel
easedast udyon“ br
o-jobs”orbi-cur
ioussex,
andit’
sfascinat
ing.Appar entl
yalotmor e
heter
osexual menarebi curioust
hant hey
woul
deveradmit
.Alotofwomentoo.Good
daymyf
riend,
Ihaveapati
entcomi
nginshort
ly.

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsowokeupt oBat hshebasingi

nginthe
ki
tchen.Hewalkedov erandlaughedf i
ndi
ngher
bucknaked,dancingtosomemusi cinher
headsetsasshetriedtomakesomebr eakfast
.
Yup,makingbreakfastnaked,becausethat
’s
j
usthowShebawas…
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
ryi
ng
tobur
nupmyhouse?
BATHSHEBA: (
laughi
ng)don’
tblameme,Igr
ew
upinahousewi t
hfourmaidsandacook.Do
youthi
nktheseeggslookedi
ble?
TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)Unl
esswearetr
yanget
foodpoi
soni
ng.HowaboutIhandl
ebreakf
ast
andy oujustsi
tther
elooki
ngcute?(
Hekissed
thetopofherheadandt ossedt
heburnteggsi
n
thetrashcanthenwashedthepanandstart
ed
cooking).
BATHSHEBA:SoIwast al
ki
ngtoBeth…shei
s
ki
ndofpi
ssedthatIcametoseeyou.
TEBATSO:
Yea,
shehat
esmeany
way
…
BATHSHEBA:(
laughi
ng)Well
,yoursi
bli
ngshat
e
metoo…andyoudad,gosh,
you’dthi
nkIdid
somet
hingt
othatoldman.
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)Excusey
ou,
yourdadt
ri
ed
toki
ll
me,l
it
erall
y…
BATHSHEBA: Wehav eki
ndofasituat
ioni
nour
hand,huh?Myf amilyhat
esyou,yourf
amily
hatesme…howaboutwedi pforawhile,j
ustgo
somewher e,l
i
keol dti
mes?Icoul
dswindleMox
andKayi nt
ocomi ng.I
t’
ll
beli
kethosegoodold
days,r
emember ?
TEBATSO:
Sheba…Ican’
t…Kedi
ispr
egnant
and…
BATHSHEBA: I
sn’tsheonl yonhersecond
mont h?Godknowsmysi sterBaratihasbeen
pregnantabaj i
ll
iontimeswhi l
eherhusband
wasawayonwhat everLeondoes.She’ ll
bef i
ne.
Yougett ocleary ourheadandi faft
erthisvac
youst i
l
ldecidedy ouwantt obewi thher,you
gotmybl essing.ComeonTeb, onel ast
ti
me…pwet typlease?Wi t
hacher ryontop?
Shesai
dpout
ing.
TEBATSO: (l
aughing)Fi
ne,Bathsheba,
I’
ll
go…
putthatugl
yassl i
paway …comeher eandget
theplat
es,breakf
astisready.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SOFFI
CE
Ameli
ahwalkedinwhil
eGoutaandWarona
wereal
readyseat
edinGout
a’srecr
oom havi
ng
l
unch.
WARONA: Karet
hisday
syourownsi
ster
stake
abackseatt
oLentswe…
AMALI AH:Stopbei
ngbabies…Ihadworkinthe
off
ice…checkthi
sout…(Sheheldoutherhand
andtheyallscr
eamedexcitedl
ylooki
ngather
ri
ng)
GOUTA:OhmyGod!Sohei snotjustpl
aying
wit
hyouaft
eral
l!WowLiah,congrat
s!You
knowwhat
,Itot
all
ymisj
udgedhim, heseems
l
ikeani
ceguy…
AMELIAH: Why?Becausenowheismaking
money ?Youtwoaresoshall
ow.Any
way, I
’
m
notlet
tingyoubenchesr
uinmymood!Gosh,
I’
m gett
ingmarri
ed,canyoubel
i
evei
t.I
’
m so
exci
ted.
WARONA:
Ihear
dhei
spul
l
ingbi
gbucks?Don’
t
si
gnaprenup.I
fhef
ucksar
oundy
ougethal
f
hi
sest
ate…
AMELIAH:(l
aughi
ng)Thatiswhyyouarea
di
vor
cee.I’
m notmarr
yingLeeforwhathehas.I
waswithhi
m befor
eallthat
,sobye.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEFARM
Lentswedr
ovei
nandfoundhi
scousi
nsal
ready
si
tti
ngunderat
reeeat
ing.
TSHEPE:Di
ginman,Ibr
oughtpi
zzaand
dri
nks…sowhat
’sup?
LENTSWE:
SoIaskedLi
aht
omar
ryme!
Thehuggedandcongr
atul
atedhi
m.
MAOTO: That’
smyman!Thatgi
rli
sagoodgir
l,
Icanj
ustforeseey
ouhav
ingagoodmarri
ageif
y
oudon’
tfuckup.
LENTSWE: Notwit
hthatone.Ameliahi
s
ever
ythi
ngIwant…Ineverunderst
andwhy
peopl
ewi l
lhav
eagoodt hingathomeandst
il
l
deci
detocheat.
TSHEPE: Al
lI’
m sayingisgolohar esantsere
tsi
l
egoj a,t
woweddi ngsi
nay ear!Anigga
gonnagetfatgoneha!Damn!I ’m happyf ory
ou
man,li
keMaot osaid, Amel
iahseemsl i
kea
goodone.Idon’tknowheral lt
hatwel l
,butyou
cantel
lagoodwomanbyj ustseeingher.
LENTSWE:Thanksman,sheis…Iusedto
bel
iev
egeneral
l
ywomencan’ tbetrust
ed…but
Ameli
ahi
sev er
ythi
ngdi
ffer
ent.
KWAPA:Malumeisgoi
ngtobehappy
…soTebl
a,
wenahaveyousett
hedat
eyetkamagadi
a
nt
shi
tswe…
TEBATSO:
I…uhm…wear
ewor
kingoni
t.
MAOTO:
ComeonTebl
a,don’
ttel
lmey
ou
f
uckedi
tupal
ready
?
TEBATSO: Sheleftme,ok!Shel eft!Ibeggedher
tostayandshedi dn’
twantto.Whatam I
supposedtodoi fshedoesn’twantt omarryme?
ShouldIfor
ceher ?Ae,nnakelapi lekeher
games.Shei salwaysgoingthroughmyphone
l
ikeI’
m acriminalandthrowi
ngt antrumsabout
i
t.Ineverwentthroughthatshi
twi thSheba.
TSHEPE:Whatdoyoureall
ywantwenakante?
Fi
rstyoul
eaveShebabecauseyouwantKedi?
Nowy ouar
eleavi
ngKedibecausey
ouwant
Sheba?
TEBATSO: IthinkleavingShebami ghthave
beenami stake…Iwantki ds,andKedi was
wil
li
ngt opr ovi
det hat.Iloveher ,sheisagood
womanandwecoul dhav eapeacef ulmarri
age,
butI’
mi nlov ewi t
hSheba.Shebai s
tr
oublesomeandf ightsmeonl i
teral
ly
ever
ything, butthat’soneoft hethingsIli
ke
abouther, shehasspi rit
!It houghtIcouldjust
suckitupandbewi t
hthe‘wife’mater
ialI
wantedandmypar entsaccepted,
butIcan’t
man, Ican’tanymore…I’m moremy sel
faround
Sheba…wi thKediIfeelli
keIhav et
obet hi
s
personev eryoneexpectsmet obe…

*
***
***
*

(
Thenextday
)

I
NPRI
SON

Colt
onwalkedtothewaiti
ngroom wonder
ing
whoitwassincehissi
sterorwif
eofKendidn’
t
saytheywoul
dcomet oday.
COLTON:
(si
tt
ingdown)Reba…
REBAONE:
Imustsay
,yougi
veScof
iel
dar
un
f
orhi
smoney
…
COLTON:(
laughi
ng)Ibeensay
ing!Whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
egirl
?
REBAONE:
Can’
tIcomet
oseeaf
ri
end?
COLTON:
Notwi
thoutmot
ive,
noty
ou.Iknow
yout
oowell
.
REBAONE:(roll
inghereyesathi
m)Fi
ne,
fine,
whatev
er…Ineedoneofy oucool
-
ai
ds…somethingquickacti
ng…gi
vemearecipe
andIcanmakei t.
COLTON:(l
aughing)Whogoti
nthewr
ongsi
de
ofyou?Ial
readyfeelbadf
ort
hem
REBAONE:
May
beIj
ustwanti
tforf
un?
COLTON:
No
REBAONE:Whatdoyomeanno?Isetyouup
wit
hthatl
oosewhor
eofyour
s.Youoweme.
COLTON:
Eyy
,car
eful
howy
ouspeakaboutmy
wi
fe…
REBAONE:Alri
ght,
you’v
egoner
omant
ic,
big
deal
.Ist
il
lneedthatshi
t.
COLTON:Youar
enotgetti
ngitfr
om me.Leti
t
goReba…whoeveri
tis,
theyarenotwor
thit
.
REBAONE:Imightnotevenuseit
.I’
mjust
prot
ect
ingmykids…thisper
soncameafter
them…comeon…pl easeColt
…
COLTON: Poutal lyouwant,sweetgirl
,butyou
arenotget ti
ngnonef r
om me, i
t’
sforyour
sanity.Whoev erpissedyouof f
,godooneof
thosenast yRebamov esont hem,butI’
m not
givi
ngy ouapoi son.Goodby e,Rebaone.I’
d
preferify
oudon’ tcomet oseeme, youaren’t
exactlymywi fe’sfavori
tepersonandIcan’tsay
Iblameher .

ATDES’
OFFI
CE
Oni
kawalkedi
nandmetacryi
ngJaylanont
he
wayoutashecar
ri
edaboxofhisst
uff.
JAYLAN:MrsM,I’
m sor
ry…Isweari
twasthe
fi
rstt
ime.
..
I'
l
lnev
erdoitagai
n…Idon’
tknow
whatgoti
ntome,pl
easedon’tl
ethi
mf i
reme.
ONIKA: Fucky ou,Jayl
an, youshamel ess
rubbish.Keengsesegor aangserey oucan
shareamanwi t
hmewena?Andi fyoubreathe
awor doft hi
st oanyone,Jay l
anIswearI ’
llsue
youformar r
iagewreckingsohar dy our
grandchil
drenwi l
lsti
llbepay i
ngfort hatl
awsuit.
Gaonadi thongwai t
se,dilokelonale
mat i
mone, amanseduci ngamar riedman!
JAYLAN:I
’m sor
ry…please…don’tsueme…I
sweari
twasjustthatonce…Ican’
tlosemyj
ob,
I
havenooneelsetodependon…
ONIKA:Takeyoursor
rywi
thyoursatani
cways
andstuf
fit
….Icoul
dn’
tcar
elesswhetheryou
enduponaboxunderabr i
dge,hel
lIhopeyou
do!Butt henIguessyou’l
lj
ustwhor ey oursel
fto
anothermar ri
edman.Remembery outoldme
whoel se’shusbandy
ouar esleepingwi th?Talk
aboutmyhusbandandnotonl ywi llIbesuing,
I’
l
lgett hosewomentosuet oo.Youst ayaway
fr
om myhusbandJay lan…now, getoutofher e
beforeIgetthesecur
itytohelpyouout .Mxim!
Diotsekemat i
monetse!
Shewalkedi
ntotheof
ficeandpassedf
ivegi
rl
s
out
sideDesmond’sof
fi
ce.
ONI
KA:
Andt
hen,
thosel
adi
es?
DESMOND: Jay l
anwasdi smissedwith
i
mmedi ateef f
ectf ormisconduct,andIhave
beenlookingforasecondPAbecauset her
eis
alot
sofwor k,soHRwasal r
eadyactiv
ely
l
ooking,theyjustcalledtheselected5formet o
dothefinali
nterview.
ONI
KA:
Ok,
wel
l
,nope,
toal
loft
hem.
DESMOND:
Oni
ka!I
t’
scr
uncht
imer
ightnow,
real
lybusy
!Don’ty
ougetit
?IneedaPAasap!
Andy ouwantmehomeear l
ysoIneed
someonetohelpmewi thmeni
alt
hings.These
youngladi
esaresaidt
obethebest
.
ONIKA:Atwhat?Sucki
ngdick?AndIdon’tgi
ve
ashit
.Youwanttohiresomey oungthi
ngsso
youcansleepwit
hthem?Idon’ttrusty
ou.
DESMOND:Ij
a…wai
tsekana…eemmafi
ndme
anOni
kaapprov
edPA,butdoitf
ast
.
ONIKA:
Good.Iwast
hinki
ngmaybeweshoul
d
gohomeandhaveali
ttl
eust
ime…
DESMOND:Il
ikethesoundoft
hat…li
kei
tver
y
much.RememberJames?Myfriendint
he
London?
ONIKA:Yea,hewasy
ourbestmanatour
wedding.Heisat
her
api
st,
right
?
DESMOND: Yup,
tal
kedtohim andseemsl i
ke
I
’m nott
urni
nggayaft
eral
l!Iwasfreaked.
ONI KA: (
laughing)Ineverthoughtyouwer e
turninggay ,y
ouf ool!Thedevilcomesinv ari
ous
way s,andGay lanthewhor ewasj ustanother
tri
alinourmar ri
age.That’
swhyy ouneedt o
startcomi ngtochur chwit
hme.Let ’
sforget
aboutt hat,hmmm, howaboutwegohomeand
youshowmej usthowungayy ouar e?
DESMOND: Ohh,MrsMarumo,
younaught
y
gi
rl
…I’
m al
lforthati
dea…
ONIKA:Yea…Imean,
it’
smylastovul
ati
onday
accor
dingtomyovul
ationki
t….
sooo…
DESMOND: (si
ghingandrai
singhishandsinthe
air
)Andt her
egoes!Justlostmymood!Can
younotment ionababy?Canwej usthavesex
withoutovul
ationchar
tsandkitsandwhat ev
er
thefuckthoset hi
ngsIdon’
tevenknowar e?

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
SODE61

Amont
hlat
er

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Desstoodatthebathr
oom doorhishands
fol
dedagai
nsthischestasOnikasatonthe
batht
ubwall
.
ONIKA:Doyouthinkt
he5mi nut
eshaspassed
al
ready?MaybeIshoul
dcheck…ormaybewe
shoul
dprayfi
rst
…comeonDes, let
’spr
ay…
DESMOND: (r
oll
inghi sey
es)haven’twebeen
throughthi
sat housandtimesalready?Just
l
ookatt hedamnt hi
ng…( Hesnatchedthe
pregnancytestfrom thecount
erandl ookedat
i
t)Ohmy ,i
t’
sposi t
ive!
ONIKA:That
’snotf
unnyDesmond,
don’
tpl
ay
l
ikethat
…
DESMOND:
No,
real
l
yNi
kki
,l
ook,
it’
sposi
ti
ve!
Heputt
hetesti
nfrontofherandOni
kaj
umped
upandhuggedhi
m.
ONIKA:OhmyGodDes, fi
nal
l
y!OhmyGod, we
ar
epregnant
,Ican’
tbel
iev
ethis!OhmyGod!
Wow!Howdoy oufeel?
DESMOND:(
sighi
ng)accompli
shed…nowIcan
act
ual
l
yhavesexwi t
hmywi f
ewithoutbei
ng
madetof
eell
ikeabreedi
ngsteed,youknow,
howweusedtojustmakeloveandenjoyit
…
ONIKA:What ev
er…wehadt odoitt
hatwayDes,
Ihadtochartmyov ul
ati
onandstuff,
becauseit
doesn’
tjusthappenatthesnapofthefi
ngerfor
ever
yone.I’
m soexcit
edDes!Ican’
twaittotel
l
theki
ds…shouldIgogetthem fr
om school
?
DESMOND:Ohmay bewecoul d…youknow,
haveal
it
tl
eadultt
imewhiletheyareaway…
howaboutyougoputonthatlit
tl
enurseout
fi
tI
l
ovesomuch?Nowt hatIdon’thavet
he
pressur
eoft hinki
ngI’m expectedtoknockyou
upev er
ytimeIcomewi t
hinani nchofy
ou…I’m
suddenlyhardasf uck…( hetookherhandand
rubbeditagainsthiscrotch)
.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsoparkedhiscarar
ri
vi
ngfrom his
campingtri
pwi t
hSheba,Mox,andKay .He
walkedinandfoundhismothersingi
ngasshe
cookedinthekit
chen.
TEBATSO:Mme…y
oudi
dn’
ttel
lmey
ouwer
e
vi
sit
ing.
MMA-TEBATSO:
MustImakeanappoi
ntment
t
oseemyson?
TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)Nekesar
ial
o…Imean,
If
youhadtol
dme,I’
dhav
ecomehomeear
li
er.
Howlonghavey
oubeenher
e?
MMA- TEBATSO: Icamey esterday.Si
tdown,I’
m
abouttoservedinner.Tebatso,tot
awhatare
youdoingtothatpoorgi r
l?Thatgirll
ovesyou,
youknowt hat,
andy ouarechoosi ngthat
spoi
ledmanner l
esswhor e?
TEBATSO:
Mme,
kanay
ounev
ergav
eShebaa
chance
MMA- TEBATSO: Achancet owhat?Snobher
l
itt
lenoseatus?Thatgirlthi
nksshei sabov
e
every
bodyelse,sodoest herestofherfami
ly.
Theyweresor udel
asttimewhenwewentt o
askforherhandinmarriage.
TEBATSO:
But
…
MMA- TEBATSO:Youhaveachildontheway,
doyouwanthimt ogrowuplikeyou?
Abandonedbyhi
sf at
her,wi
thhismother
st
ruggli
ng?Anappledoesn’
tfall
farf
rom t
he
t
reeaf
teral
l
.
TEBATSO:
I’
ll
nev
erabandonmychi
l
d..
.
MMATEBATSO: Yousayt hatnow…butwhat
makesy outhi
nkt hatsuccubuswhoreofyour
s
wil
lall
owy ourchil
dinherhomewhenshe
doesn’
twanty ourownmot her
?
TEBATSO: Mme, howcany ouexpecthert ol i
ke
youwhenal lyouev ersaytoherar enast y
thi
ngslikecall herawhor eandal lthat?Doy ou
evenknowwhatI ’
vebeenthroughwi t
ht hatgi r
l?
HowIgott owher eIam?I t
’sbecauseofSheba.
Shelit
erall
yhel pedmebui l
dev er
ythingIhav e
withherownmoneyandski ll
s.I’
dst il
lbej ust
anotherstreetthugwhoy ouar ealway swor ri
ed
aboutifitwasn’ tforthatwhoreasy oucal her.
Shehasdonet hingsyou’l
lnevereven
understand,topr otectme,soI’dpol i
telyask
thatyouspeakki ndlyofher.
MMA-
TEBATSO:
Ijo…sor
ryr
ra.Nekesar
ekea
gokgopi
sa…
Shetookoutherphonesni
ff
li
nganddi
all
ed
Kgodumo’snumber.
MMA- TEBATSO: Hello?Hell
o?Ee,ke
Tshepiso…Tshepiso…ee,mmagweTebat so,ke
kogaTebat so,mmekekopabor okot aontsee,
oterekil
engwanagagoebi leonkobile…nnar r
a
nnekesabuemol at
o,kebuahelagor ealese
gosotlangwanabat ho.(HandingTebatsothe
phone)Yourfatherwantstot al
ktoyou.
TEBATSO:Befor
eyousayany t
hing,nnagai s
ekekobeopegope,Iwasjustt
elli
ngt hetr
uth.
Youallhat
eShebabecauseyoudon’ treal
l
y
knowher…
KGODUMO: Wat chyourt
one,youngman!I fyou
havetojust
ifysomeonet opeople,ar
et hey
real
lyt
hatgoodTebat so?Youstop
disr
especti
ngy ourmotherr
ightnow, ok!Iam
comingthereri
ghtnowandwear esorti
ngthi
s
out
.Yourmom saysshespoketoKediandKedi
i
swill
i
ngtoworkthingsouti
fyoul
eavethat
gi
rl
…
TEBATSO: Kantegat
wedi sr
espectwhen?I
neversai
dany t
hingdi
srespect
ful
.
KGODUMO:
Arey
out
alki
ngback?
TEBATSO:
Nny
aar
ra…Iwasj
ust
…
KGODUMO: Iwil
lbet
her
einabi
tandwewi
l
l
tal
kaboutt
his.

*
***
***

I
NCOURT

Banyanasati
nthebencheswit
hAmeliah
hol
dingherhandasWaronatooktot
hestand
gri
l
li
ngtheplai
nti
ff
.Shedidf
eelbadf
orthegi
rl,
War onawasashar k.Shehadhear dofherin
casesofdi vorces, butalsoasagener all
awy er
,
shecoul dhandl eacasel ikethis,
andonecoul d
seej usthowr ut hlesst hewomanwas.Her
i
mpeccabl et r
ackr ecordwasnosur pri
seatal l
.
Andt hef actthatr apev i
ctimswer emadet ogo
throught hisgril
lingwasv er ysad…theveryfact
thatshehadnotr epor t
edi twhenit
August us…nott hatr eport
ingwoul dhelpwith
theol dbast ar
d.
WARONA:So,y
our ecei
vedmoneyf
rom my
cl
i
entaf
tert
hesexualact?
TI
DIMALO:
Heewal
l
etedmeP5000
WARONA:
Andwhatdi
dyoudowi
tht
hemoney
?
TI
DIMALO:
I…uhm…
WARONA: Di
dyouret
urni
t?Menti
onitwhen
r
eport
ingt
hecase?Youonlyr
epor
tedthecase
aweeklat
er…why?
TI
DIMALO:
Iwas…Iwasscar
ed…
WARONA: Ormaybeyout
houghty
oucouldget
moremoneyf rom hi
m?Maybewhatreal
l
y
t
ranspir
edbetweenyouandMrCullwasjusta
t
ransacti
on…
TI
DIMALO:
Itol
dhi
mtost
op…I
…(Cr
ying)
WARONA: Didyouscr
eam?Callforhel
p?Ordid
youwantit
?Didyouknowwhatitwouldresul
t
i
n?Money …wasthatyourpl
an,
toblackmail
t
hismarri
edman?
COLTON:Enough,War
ona,Ok!WhatIdi
dwas
wrongandI
’m sor
ry…j
uststop!
JUDGE:Or
derplease…or
deri
ncour
t.MsCul
l
,
cont
rol
yourcl
i
ent .
Waronarequestedf
orarecessandtheywent
out
side,
Amel i
ahstor
mingstrai
ghtather
.
AMELIAH:Wasthatnecessar
y,War
ona?Real
ly
?
Aft
erwhatIwentthr
ough?Whatyou’
vebeen
thr
oughtoo?
WARONA:
I’
mjustr
epr
esent
ingacl
i
ent
.
AMELI AH:Yourabi l
i
tytocheckouty our
emot i
onssurprisesme.Whyar eyoumaki ng
thatgir
ltol
ookl ikeali
ar?EnoughWar ,ok,
enough.Theircasei sal
readyshakybecauseof
thelackofevidenceandar apekit,
soy oudon’
t
havetocrucif
yher .
Theywalkedbackinwheret
hecasewas
dismi
ssedduetolackofsuf
fi
cientev
idenceby
thest
ate.
Ast
heywal
kedout
,August
usappr
oached
War
ona
AUGUSTUS:Soyoutookyourbr
other
’scase
agai
nstmywish,
angel?
WARONA: Fat
her,y
ouknowhedoesn’
tdeser
ve
t
his…hel
earnthi
slesson…
AUGUSTUS: Ae,
Iagree…hewassettoleaveat
tr
ialanyway.Butyoudidanni
hil
atet
heplai
nti
ff,
greatdefenceasusualmybaby,youar
et r
uly
y
ourdaddy
’sbaby
…
WARONA:Thanks…I
’
m st
il
lunhappyy
ouput
hi
minpr
isondaddy…
AUGUSTUS: Hehadt ol
earn,myangel…your
br
otheri
snaughty,youknowt hat…andheisnot
i
mmunet othelaw,hecommi ttedacrime.But
heisoutnow…Ineedhimf orsomet hi
ngmore
i
mportantri
ghtnow…
WARONA: Daddypl
ease…Col
t,heistr
yingtobe
abet
terperson…j
ustl
eavehi
m alone,wil
lyou!
Coltonwalkedt
oTidi
mal
oandhermot
heras
theywalkedaway.
COLTON:(l
ooki
ngathisf
eet)I
’dl
iket
o
apol
ogi
ze…whatIdi
dwaswr ong,
andno
amountofapol
ogycoul
devermakeupfori
t.
TIDIMALO:
Stayawayf
rom me…hav
en’
tyou
hurtmeenough?
COLTON:
Iunder
stand…andIdon’
tinany
way
thinkmoneycanf ixanything,butIwil
lli
ket
o
payf oryourtherapyandmay beasett
lement
becauseIunder st
andy oul ostyourj
obdueto
depr essi
on?I’mt r
ulysorryf ormyacti
ons.
Pleaseconsi dermyof feranddocont actmy
sisterAmel i
ahifyoudon’ twantt oseeme
directl
y,shewi l
lorgani
zeev ery
thi
ng(hehanded
herAmel i
ah'
sbusi nesscar d)
HewalkedawayandBany
anawalkedov
ert
o
hi
m andheldhi
shand,
squeezi
ngit
.
BANYANA: hey,chinup.Ok?I thappened, andat
l
easty ouknowi twaswr ongandy ouar e
remorseful
.Nott hatitfixesanyt
hing.I
understandherunwi l
lingnesstoforgiv
e, butIdo
hopeshet akesy ourof f
er…it
’sagreatthingyou
aredoingforthem.Somewoul dhav ejust
walkedaway ,Imean, wewont hecase.

*
***
***
*
ATAHOTEL

Tebatsowalkedint
oar oom andfound
Bathshebaalr
eadylay
ingthere,
readi
ngabook
onmar ket
ing.
TEBATSO:
SoIwasi
n‘i
nter
vent
ion’
BATHSHEBA:
(laughi
ng)l
uckyy
ou…
TEBATSO: Mymom wantsnot hi
ngtodowit
h
mei fImarryy
ou…shecriedandallt
he
theatr
ics.Mymom cangetdramati
ckana.
BATHSHEBA:
Thenmar
ryKedi
…
TEBATSO:
Huh?
BATHSHEBA: MarryKedi…l
ook,youwant
chi
ldr
enandaf amily
.Idon’
t.Ij
ustwant
you…yourt
ime,yourlov
e…andnowIknowy ou
l
oveme.
TEBATSO:
Areyouinsane?Whatki
ndofwoman
tel
l
sthemanshelovestomarr
yanother
?
BATHSHEBA: Honey ,Icomef rom a
poly
gamousf ami l
y.AndI’m atwin,soshari
ng
i
spr et
tymuchst andardissueforme.Kedi i
s
notthety
pet ocheat,soI’m notworri
edabout
four
thparti
es,andt r
ustme, oursisnotthefi
rst
poly
amorousr el
ationshi
pIhav ebeenin.
TEBATSO:
Pol
ywhat
?
BATHSHEBA: (
laughing)Peopl ewhodon’ tmind
bei
ngi nar el
ationshipwi thmor ethanone
person.Therear esomepeopl eli
kethat,
it’
snot
weirdatall.Andt hi
si sawi n-winsit
uati
on.Kedi
getsherper f
ectlitt
lef amily.Yougetthebabies
youwantsomuch, andIdon’ thavetobe
buggedwi thhav i
ngbabi esandshitli
kethatI’
m
nevergoingt odo, yetIst i
l
lgettokeepmyman.
Youdon’ tharmy ourr elati
onshipwithyour
parents.Everyonewi ns.
TEBATSO: (
laughing)youareinsaney
ouknow?
Probablyt
hestrangestpersonIknow…andI
l
ov eyou.
BATHSEHBA: (l
aughi ng)Ibety oudon’ tknow
manypeopl ewhosef atherismar riedtotwin
sist
erstoo,soo…act uall
yIshoul dt hankKedi ,
shegetst otakeont hedut ythatIdon’ twant
andI’m nevergoi
ngt ofulf
il
.Idon’ tgiveashi t
aboutmar ri
age,whatwehav eiswayabov e
that
…sogof i
xthingswi thher…l i
keIoncet old
you,sheseemsl ikeani cegirl.Andgetanot her
damnphoneandl eaveitatthecl ubwheny ou
gohome, damnit
!
TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)youar
eser
iousl
y
cr
azy…youknowthat?

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
SODE62
ATAHOTEL

Bathshebawokeupwi
thTebat
soki
ssi
ngher
neck

TEBATSO:
Mor
ningbeaut
if
ul…

BATHSHEBA:Youlookper
ky!Lastni
ghtyou
wereal
lsul
kyl
ikesomeonepeedinyourcoff
ee.

TEBATSO: (laughi
ng)I ’
vehadsomecl ari
ty…
Afterwhaty ousai
dy est erday .It
houghtabout
i
t…andno, Iwon’tdoi t.Iwant edt obewi t
hKedi
forsel
fi
shr easons.Itwaswr ongonbot hyou
andher,andIapol ogiset oy ou…Iwillapol
ogise
tohertoo.
BATHSHEBA:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?

TEBATSO: Iloveyou, Bathsheba,alwaysdidand

al
way swill
.Ican’tmar rysomeonebecausemy
parentswantt hem, orbecauseshecangi veme
chi
ldren.Memar r
yingKedi endsuphur ti
ngt he
mosti mport
antpeopl einall t
his,
me, y
ou, and
Kedi.Wewi l
l al
lbemi serable.

BATHSHEBA:
Sowhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odo?

TEBATSO: Mypar entswi l

lneveracceptyou,
andIdon’tcare.Idon’tneedt hei
rpermissi
on.
Noonetoldt hem tobewi thwhot heywantedto
bewit
h,theymadet heirchoice.I
ftheywon’t
marr
yusi t’
sf i
ne,we’l
l f
indotherway s.
BATHSHEBA:
Yourchi
l
dwi
thKedi
?

TEBATSO:I
’m notthef
ir
storthelastmant o
haveababy-mama.Iwil
lneverneglector
abandonmychild,
KediandIwill
comeupwi th
aco-par
ent
ingschedul
e.

BATHSHEBA:Ist
il
ldon’
twantchi
l
dren,
Tebat
so,
andyouknowwhy…

TEBATSO: Yes,andI ’
m sel
fishintryi
ngtoforce
i
tony ou.Youhav eshownmer epeatedl
ythat
l
oveisunconditional.Whyshoul dmyl ovecome
wit
hacondi ti
on?Il oveki
ds, wantafamily…but
i
fyounev erwantt hem?I’l
lbesad, butI’
l
l
acceptthat
.Itwon’ tmakemel ov eyouanyless.

Shet
ear
edupashepul
l
edhercl
oserand
ki
ssedher
.

TEBATSO:
I’
m sosor
rySheba…sosor
ry…

*
***
***
*

ATTHEMALL

Oni
kacameoutoft
heshopswit
hPoppy,
admi
ri
ngthel
i
ttl
ebabycl
othest
heyj
ustbought
.

POPPY:Iam soexci
tedmommy
,Iwantagi
rl
,
Loti
ssoannoying.

ONIKA:(laughing)wehavetobegr at
eful
for
j
usthavingaheal thybaby
,okpri
ncess?But
yourdadr eckonsit’
saboy…becausehewants
morepeopletowat
chsoccerwi
th.Secr
etl
y?I
wantagir
ltoo!

POPPY:Ipray
edyest
erdaythatit’
sagir
l…I’
m
goi
ngtoprayagai
ntoni
ght.I’
m sohappy
mommy ,whycan’
tItel
lmyf r
iendsatschool?

ONIKA:Because, honey
,wewantthebabytobe
ali
tt
lebitbigfi
rstok?So,t
hisi
sourli
tt
lesecr
et
r
ightnow,justyou,me,daddyandLot
,ok?

Shenoddedandcont
inuedeati
ngheri
cecr
eam.
Oni
kasighedasKwapaapproachedt
hem.

KWAPA:
Nika…y
ou’
vebeenav
oidi
ngmycal
l
s.

ONI
KA:
Pop-
pop,
whydon’
tyougeti
nthecar
andwai
tforme?I
’
llt
urnt
heai
rcononf
ory
ou.

Aft
ershegottheli
ttl
egir
linsi
det
hecarshe
tur
nedaroundandlookedatKwapa,
hands
fol
dedacrossherchest
.

KWAPA:
Whyar
eyouav
oidi
ngmycal
l
s,Ni
ka?

ONI
KA:
Kenpl
ease…

KWAPA:
Ithoughtt
hatni
ghtwe…It
hought
…

ONIKA:Itol
dyouIlov
emyhusband,Ken.We
weregoingthr
ougharoughpat
chandwef i
xed
i
t.

KWAPA:
ButNi
kay
ouar
enothappy
,it
’sgoi
ng
t
ohappenal
lov
eragai
n.

ONIKA: Notthi
st i
me.I’
m pregnant,
wear e
havi
ngababyandmyhusbandi sdedicat
ed.I
’m
sorr
yKen, whathappenedbet weenuswasa
mistakeandshoul dn’
thavehappened.Ilovemy
husband.AndIt hi
nkit’
sbestifIdon’tseeyou
agai
n.By e.

*
***
***
*

ATBANYANA’
SHOUSE

CoopergotoutofSega’
scarandr
ant
owar
ds
Banyana.

COOPER:
Mommy
!
BANYANA:
(picki
nghi
m upandki
ssinghi
m)
Heybi
gboy,Ihav
easurpr
isef
oryou…

COOPER:
Yougotmeabi
gThomast
rai
n?

BANYANA:
Evenbet
ter
…babe?

Coltoncameoutoft hewallhewashiding
behind.BanyanaputCooperdown,andCooper
stoodstari
ngatColtonforawhil
e,thenranup
tohim andColtonpi
ckedhim up,huggi
nghim
ashest ar
tedcryi
ng…

COOPER: Theaunt
iesinthevil
l
agewhenwe
wenttothevil
l
agetov i
sitgr
andmawithaunty
Sega…theysai
dyouwentt ojai
ldaddy
…they
sai
dthat’swhyyoudidn’
tcomet omybirt
hday
part
y…jai
li
swherebadpeopl
ego,
isn’
tit
?(He
sobbedonhi
sfat
her
’sshoul
der
)

COLTON:Don’
tli
stentothosecrazybi
tchesbi
g
man…er
m…Imean, t
heydon’tknowanythi
ng.

BANYANA:
Col
ton!Language!

COLTON: Oops…gonnat
aket
imet
ofi
xmy
speechIguess

BANYANA:Butbaddyi sr
ight
,Coop,
theydon’
t
knowanyt
hing,Itol
dyoudaddyhadtogo
somewher
ef ar
, r
ight
?

COLTON:
Andguesswhat
?
COOPER:
What
?

COLTON: YouandIandmommyar egoingt

o
Disney
land!Wearegoingt
ogetonapl aneand
fl
yreal
lyhigh,
andwhenwegett her
e,wecan
al
sogot oaThomaspar kandgetar ideon
Thomast hetr
ain,
andseeMi ckeyandPeter
Panandt heguyfr
om ToyStory.

COOPER:
Woody
?Yeay
!

COLTON:(l
aughing)Woody?That’
shi
sname?
What?Thatsoundsinappr
opr
iat
e…

BANYANA:
(laughi
ng)Col
ton!I
t’
sachi
l
dren’
s
toy
COLTON:
Soundsl
i
keahugedi
l
dot
ome

COOPER:
What
’sadi
l
dodaddy
?

COLTON:Somethi
ngamanshoul
dmakesur
e
hi
swifenev
erneeds…

BANYANA:(l
aughi
ng)LoagoCol
tonCul
l
!You
ar
ehopel
ess!

COLTON: What?I
sn’
tthattruet
hough?Sega,
thanksf
orwatchi
nghimf orus…howisMsJade?

SEGAMETSI :Excit
edaboutaboutherbaby
brot
her…okyout hree,
Igottar
unbefore
Kagi
sanoandJadebur nmyhousedown, t
hose
twoarejustasbadasy ouandCooper.Cal
lyou
l
atersi
s.

Theywalkedtothehouseeachofthem hol
ding
Cooper
’shandasheoccasional
lyswungupand
downfr
om t hei
rhands.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEFARM

Tebat
sosatwi
thhi
scousi
nst
alki
ng

MAOTO: Yea,t
hat
’sal
lIwant
edt
osay
, If
eell
i
ke
youaredroppi
ngagoodwomanandyou’
ll
r
egretthi
s.

KWAPA:
Ok,
I’
m goi
ngt
osaysomet
hingt
hat
’s
goingtoof f
endthefuckoutofy ouMaot o,buti
t
gottobesai dbecauseIfeellikeyouar ebeing
sel
f-r
ighteouswithTebla.Fi
rstofal l
theboyi f
young,lethi
m makehi sfuckingmi stakes.

MAOTO:
I’
mjustt
ryi
ngt
ohel
p

KWAPA: Tellmethis,
wheny oumetGout a,was
sheyouridealwi
fe?Hell,
girlcouldn’tboilan
eggforshit,
hadamout hlikeasai lor,whichshe
sti
l
lhas,disr
espect
edy ourmot her,whi chshe
sti
l
ldoes,andinyourownwor ds,‘dressedlikea
whore’
,thatwhatyousaidaboutherwheny ou
mether.

MAOTO:
Howdoest
hatappl
ytoany
thi
ng?

KWAPA:
Wer
en’
tyout
radi
ti
onal
l
yengagedt
o
Rebaone?Hadn’
tthef
ami
l
yaskedf
orherhand
i
nmar ri
age?

MAOTO:SoImademistakes…I’
mt r
yingt
ohel
p
myyoungcousi
nnotmaket hesame…

KWAPA: So,areyousay i
ngmar ryingGoutawas
amistaket hen?BecauseBat hshebais
Tebatso’sGoutaint hi
ssituat
ion.Sheisthebad
gi
rlt
hatnobodywant st
oaccept ,j
ustli
keGouta
was,andKedi i
stheRebaoneoft heequati
on.
Wouldy ouhav eli
stenedifanyonet ol
dyouto
gowithReba?

MAOTO:
No…but
…

KWAPA:Nobut
s…youf
oll
owedyourhear
t!
Wheni
tcomestol
ove,
nobodyshoul
dbetold
whot olove.Youmar ri
edthewomany ouknew
wasfory ou.Imyselftol
dyouthatyouwer e
makingami st
ake,butyouknewwhatwasi n
yourheart.YoubrokeRebaone’sheartjustl
i
ke
yousayhei sbreakingKedi’
sheart
,hellyou
neardrovethepoorgi r
lmad.

MAOTO:
Alr
ight
,al
ri
ght
,Igeti
t…

KWAPA: Idon’tthi
nky oudo.You, uncleKk,
Tebat so’
smom, everyone,youar ebei ngsel
fi
sh.
Maki ngthi sabouty ou.ThisisTebl a’
sl i
feand
decision.Hi salone,andasf ami l
y,it’
sourduty
tosuppor thim.Kedi otlabast r
ong.
Relationshipsfail,
hear t
sgetbr oken, andpeople
heal andmov eon.Rebadi d, shemov edon,
foundt hemanshel ovesandwhol ovesher.
I
magi neifwehadf orcedthismar riageony ou
two!Tebat soandBat hshebaar ebey ondwhat
youandGout ahad.Gout awasj ustaci t
ygirl
withbadmanner s, youdidn’tevenhav eany
assuranceshecoul dst andbyy ourside.But
l
ookaty out wonow.Tebat soalreadyknows
thatSheba’sgothi sback.Shehaspr oven
hersel
f,shehasr epeatedlyshownshel oves
thi
sman, evenaf terhehumi li
atedherby
droppingheratt hel astmomentandgoi ngwith
anotherwoman…awoman, forallher‘goodgirl
’
shit
,shechoset ogowi thamanwhowasabout
togetmar r
ied,soIdon’ tknowi fsheisal l
that
good.

MAOTO: Excuseme,
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
ogi
ve
adv
ice.

KWAPA:Maot o,babybrot
her,
fuckyouradvi
ce.
Youdidexact
lywhatTebatsoi
sdoingri
ghtnow.
Tebl
a,l
it
tl
ecousin,youhavemysupportevenif
nooneel sestandswithy ou.Fol
lowyourheart
…
Takeitforme, Imarri
edawomanIt houghtwas
thebett
erchoiceandl eftthelov
eofmyl i
fe.
NowIhav etowatchherbehappywi t
hanother
man.Wi l
l youtakeseeingBathshebabehappy
withsomeoneel se?

TEBATSO:
Icoul
dn’
t…t
het
houghtofi
tmakes
memad.

KWAPA: Thenit
’sset
tl
ed.Fol
lowyourheartand
l
etmet al
ktoKK, hei
sareasonabl
eman, he
won’
tforceyouintoamarri
ageyoudon’twant.

TEBATSO:
Thanksman,meansal
ott
ohav
e
someonei
nmycorner
…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
SODE63

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Kwapawalkedi
nandf
oundhi
suncl
ewat
chi
ng
thenewsontv.

KWAPA: Mal
ume…Iwant
edt
otal
ktoy
ouabout
thi
sthi
ngyagaTebat
so.

KGODUMO: Thatboyot shamikisabat

ho…so
nowhegott hatgi
rlpegnantandhewantsto
run?Thati
snothowwedot hi
ngs.

KWAPA:Wi
thal
ltheduerespectmal
ume,i
t’
s
notf
ory
outochoose.Gobacktoyoury
out
h.If
anybodyevertr
iedtoforcey
outomarrya
womany oudon’
tlove,
wouldyouhav
e
complied?

KGODUMO: Heel
a,hecamet
ous,wedi
dn’tf
ind
thatgir
lforhi
m…hecameandsai
dheisgett
ing
mar r
ied.

KWAPA: Andhei sallowedt ochangehi smind.I

wental lthewayt ogett
ingmar riedandhav i
nga
chil
d, t
henr eali
sedwheni twast ool atethatI
mar r
iedt hewr ongwoman.Tebat sohasbeen
nothingbutr espectfultoy ou.Withal lt
hedue
respect,hecoul djusttell
y outhaty ouar eone
totalk,consi deringyoudi dn’tr
aisehi m,buthe
didn’
t…hekepthi scalm andi sjustbeggi ngfor
yourpar don.I fhei smakingami stake, l
ethim
makei t…t hat’swhatl i
feisabout ,wel earnevery
day,isn’tit…
KGODUMO:
Keagout
lwa,
but
…

KWAPA: It
’shi schoice…het houghtatsome
pointhewant edtomar ryKedi ,nowheissur e
hedoesn’ t…don’tforcet heboy .Hei sa
responsibleboy ,hetookcar eofhismot herall
hisli
fe,providedf i
nancial fr
om asy oungashe
couldremember ,your eallythinkhewi l
lthr
ow
awayhi schild?Ispeakf rom experienceof
knowingt hepai nofbei ngmar ri
edtothewr ong
woman, i
tneardest royedme.

KGODUMO: SoIshoul
djustl
ethi
m makea
cl
earmi
stake?

KWAPA:Wit
hallt
heduerespect
,youar
enot
God,
youdon’
tknowifi
t’
sami st
akeornot
.
Don’tpushTebat soawaybyi nsisti
ngy ourwil
l
onhisl i
fe….andwhat everyoudeci de,I’
l
lstand
withTebat soev enify oudon’tbecausewhat
youar edoingi swr ong.Ifhedeci dedtomar ry
thatgirl
andneedssomeoneandy ouwon’ tdoit
?
Iwill
.Butknowt haty ouwi l
lbemaki ngthe
biggestmi stakeofy ourlif
e.Hewi l
lresentyou.
Youwer enott hereallhisli
fe,i
t’
sy ourchance
tostandwi thhi m andshowsuppor t
.Bor oko.

Hest
oodupandwal
kedout
.

*
***
**

ATBANYANA’
SHOUSE

Banyanaandherhusbandi
ntheki
tchen
cooki
ng.
COLTON: I
’
mj ustsay
ing,
broccol
ishoul
dn’
tbe
food,itl
i
teral
l
yshouldbeusedasat ort
ure
device.

BANYANA:(
laughi
ng)AndI ’
mj ustsay
ing,you
ar
eawhinyli
tt
lebi
tch.Wear ehav i
ngsteamed
br
occol
iandbakedchicken,andy ouwill
li
keit
!

COLTON: (sul
ki
ng)Ihadbet terfoodinpri
son.
Andt her
egoespeopl eknockingagainatthis
hour.Maybewecanf eedthem broccol
i.That’
ll
suremaket hem notcomeback.

Hewentt
oopenandstoodstar
ingt
oaLat
ina
womanhedi
dn’
trecogni
se.

COLTON:
Hel
l
o?YouB’
sfr
iendorsomet
hing?
LAHREN:No,I
’
my oursi
ster
…andIt
hinky
ou
andIcoul
dhel
peachother.

COLTON:Whatthef
uckar
eyouonabout
?I
hav
ethreesi
ster
sand…

LAHREN:Wrong…f our…yourfat
heri
smyf ather
,
heki
ll
edmymot her,andIwanttokil
lhim.Word
hasi
tyoutr
iedtot akehim down.Twice.Heis
al
wayssur
roundedandi t’
simpossi
bletogetto
hi
m,butwit
hy ourhel p…

COLTON: Look,l
ady,whoeveryouare.Augustus
i
sSatanhimself.Unki
ll
able.Me?Ilearntmy
l
esson.Ihaveawi f
eandsonwhoI ’m not
put
ti
ngindangerany more.Ist
ayoutof
August
us’ wayandusuall
yhest ay
soutofmi ne,
andIcouldli
v ewi t
ht hat.Thefewt imeshe
bother
sme?I ’
llcompl yandhe’ l
lgetoutofmy
hair
.Acowar d’sappr oach,sure,butIhav ea
wifeandason.I fitwasj ustme?I ’dgoi nthere
gunsblazi
ng, t
akehi m outandnotgi veashi ti
f
hisguystakemeouti ntheprocess.So, Iwish
youluckinyourendeav ors.It
rulydo, andifyou
aresuccessfulI’
llconsideryouaher o.Butleave
meoutofi t,
andnev ercomet omyhouseagai n.
Thatshitmakesmeangr y.

Heslammedt
hedoori
nherf
aceandwal
ked
backin.

BANYANA:
Whowast
hat
?

COLTON: Somepsy chowit

hcrazy
theori
es…let
’sgofi
nishmaki
ngdinnermy
l
ov e…IbetCoopisaboutt
ogetupf r
om hi
snap
andheget
scr
ankywi
thouthi
m di
nner
.

*
***
***

ATMAOTO’
SHOUSE

Maot
oandGoutal
aidi
nbedaf
terput
ti
ngt
he
ki
dst
osleep.

Gout
a’sphonest
art
edr
ingi
ng.

MAOTO:
Whoi
scal
l
ingy
ousol
atet
hough?

GOUTA:
(looki
ngatt
hecal
l
erI
D)Ohhel
l
…

Maot
otookt
hephoneandanswer
ed.
MAOTO:
Yes?

MRRAMOGOMA: Hel
l
o…i
sthi
sGout
a
Kgagodi
’
sphone?

MAOTO:
Yea,
whyar
eyoucal
l
ingmywi
fe?

MRRAMOGOMA:
Oh,
MrKgagodi
,hi
…Iwas
j
ust
…

MAOTO: Look,ol
dman, y
ouandy ourpsycho
daughterstayawayf r
om myf amil
y,yougetme?
Youev entalktomywi feagain,I’
l
lcomeaf ter
you.Andpeopl eIcomeaf tertendstoendup
missi
ngandt ur
ningupinwei rdplaces…minus
thei
rli
ves.Goodby e.
GOUTA:
Maot
o!Thatwasr
ude

MAOTO:Whydi dn’
tyoutel
lmehewasafteryou?
Whyel
sewoul dhethinki
t’
soktocal
lamarri
ed
womanatthishour?Haveyoubeengi
vi
nghim
t
heimpr
essionisok?

GOUTA: Yea,well
,fuckyou.Idon’
tcontr
olwhat
peopl
edo, andyouar enotgoingtost
artyour
i
nsecureshitri
ghtnow.Li keseri
ousMaoto,i
s
thatt
hetypeofmant hatyou’
dthinkI
’
dgof or
?

MAOTO:Thereshoul
dn’
tbeanyt
ypeofman
you’
dgofor
.Youhaveaman.Goodnight
.

Hewalkedov
ertot
heswi
tchandtur
nedof
fthe
l
ight
s,t
hengoti
nbedf
urt
hestfr
om her
.
GOUTA:(laughi
ng)Oh,
ebi
leongadi
le?Youar e
sochi
ldi
sh…wantmet osi
ngyoualull
abythen,
babyboy?Awwcomeonnowmyl it
tlebaby…

Hestart
edt i
ckli
nghim, makinghi
ml aughand
hetookthelargefluff
ypil
lowandswat hi
ngher
off
,shepickedupanot herpil
lowandhithi
m
backandtheyplay edaroundunti
ltheycol
lapse
tothebedlaughing.

*
***
***
*

Thenextday
…

ATTHEMALL
Kedist
oodinli
netopayf
orhergrocer
ies,
she
l
ookedbacktoseeMaduoplayi
ngaroundand
chasi
ngali
ttl
egir
l.

KEDI
:Maduo!St
opi
t…comeher
e

Themanbehi
ndhersmi
l
edather
.

HIM:Don’tbl
amehim,i
t’
sher
,sheisnaught
y.
Hadassah!Whatdi
dIsay?Norunni
nginthe
shops.

Hegrabbedtheli
ttl
egirl
andputheri
nthe
t
roll
eyasshesquirmedandwhined.Another
youngerguy
,around16orso,wholookedlike
t
heman, camet ohim wit
hani
cecream tub.
BOY:Br
o,canwegett
hisicecr
eam?Igot
Amarul
aathomeanditgoeswell
wit
hice
cr
eam.

HI
M:Goputt
hatdownbef
oreIknocky
ouout
.

BOY:
But
…

HIM:Now, Tuna!Damnit,y
ouareworsethan
Dassah.Ifyoudon’thav
ethatbacki
nt he
fr
eezerinfi
v esecondsI
’m goi
ngtoknockyou
out.

Kedipai
dhergr
ocer
iesandshewalkedout
st
ruggli
ngwi
ththet
rol
leyandhol
dingNeoand
Maduo.
Shehear dsomeonerunningtowar dsherand
start
edpanicki
ngthi
nkingitwast heruff
ians
thathungaroundthebusr ank.Ok,nope,just
thecolouredguyf
rom theshop.

HIM:Letmehel pyouwit
hthat
…( Hetookt
he
tr
oll
eyfrom herandputMaduoinsi
dewhil
e
KeditookNeoandheldher.

KEDI
:I’
mfi
ne,
real
l
y…

HI
M:Ri
ght
…youpar
kedsomewher
eher
e?

KEDI
:Key
adi
taxi
-ng

HIM:(
laughi
ng)Andyousayyouaref
ine.You
doknowy oucan’
tcr
ossoverther
ekatrol
ley
aker
e?

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ok,
ok,
thanksf
ort
hehel
p…

HIM:Iwouldoff
ery
ouar
ide,
butIhav
eaf
eel
i
ng
you’
l
ldecl
ine.

KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)Smar
tman.

HIM:Alr
ight,l
etmegi v
et hi
sfoolthecarkeys
sotheycanwai tforme.Tuna,TakeDassahand
gowaitformei nthecar…ifyoutakemycarand
l
eaveme, I’
m goingtobeattheshitoutofyou
whenIgethome.

Theboyl
aughedashet
ookt
hekey
sand
fl
i
ppedhi
m, wal
ki
ngawaywi
tht
hel
itt
legi
rl
.
KEDI:Ouch,
that
’shar
donhi
m.Yourl
i
ttl
e
br
other?

HIM:(l
aughing)that’
stheonlycommuni cat
ion
methodheunder stands.Tuna’
sbratandgets
nodiscipl
inewhatsoeverathome.I’
mt hefi
rst
boysomydadcr ackedthewhiphardonme
whengr owingup,butwithhim her
elaxed.Your
ki
dsar ecute…

KEDI
:Yourdaught
eri
scut
etoo…

HI
M:Aomma, daught
er?DoIlookthatol
d?She
i
smysist
er’
skid.I
’
mtooy oungtohaveakid.
Howol
ddoy outhi
nkIam?

KEDI
:Whosai
dyouneedt
obeol
dtohav
eki
ds?
Letmesee…may
be26?

HI
M:Comeon,
Ilookt
hatol
d?I
’
m 23.

KEDI:(
laughi
ng)Ididn’
tknowmenwer e
sensi
ti
veabouttheiragetoo.Well
,don’
ttake
off
ence,peopl
ethinkI’
m oldal
ltheti
met oo.

HI
M:AtmostI
’
dgi
vey
out
went
ythr
ee.

KEDI
:Spoton…

HIM:Andyouaremarri
edatthi
sage?Witht
wo
ki
dsand…pregnant
?Girl
,youar
efast
…I’
m st
il
l
fi
ndwaystomov eoutofhome.

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Nny
aar
uri
mar
ri
ed.Justme
andmykids,
thankyou…andthereisnothi
ng
wrongwit
hhav i
ngkidsy
oung,theyarehappy
andcar
edfor,sosparemethejudgement.

HI
M:NnyaathemmaIwasn’
tjudgi
ng.Al
ri
ght
,
wear
ehere,
whichones?

KEDI
:TsaSel
epa…

Hewalkedhertothetaxisandhel
pedherl
oad
hergr
oceri
esinthetaxiandthengeti
nwit
hthe
ki
ds.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
64
ATTHEFARM

Maotosatinhissmal
loff
icehavi
ngl
unchwhen
Rebaoneparkedandshewalkedi
ncr
ying.

MAOTO:
Hey
….hey
,what
’sgoi
ngon?

Shesobbedandhehuggedher,andshecr
ied
onhi
sshoulderunt
ilshecal
meddown.

MAOTO:
Whatdi
dmypi
eceofshi
tbr
otherdo
now?

REBAONE: Someonei sthr

eat
eningmychil
dren
Maoto…Tshepe’sex,shehasbeengoingaft
er
them atschoolandshecametomyhouse, but
Tshepejustkeepssayinghewil
ltal
ktoherand
hedoesnot
hing…

MAOTO:
Cal
m down,
ok.Whoi
sthi
ssai
dex?

REBAONE: Howt hehelldoIknow?SomeLat ina

gir
l…hernamei sLahrenorsomet hi
ng.Idon’
t
knowwhatt odoany mor e…I
’mjustsoscared
Maot o…i
fanythi
nghappenst omy
chil
dren…especi
all
yafterEll
a…

MAOTO: Hey,
don’tcryok?Thosear emy
nephewsandni ece,nothingishappeni
ngt
o
them.I’
llfi
ndthi
sLahr engirl
andhav eaword
withher…andIwillal
sot alkt
omydomkop
brother
…

REBAONE: No,pl
ease…don’
tsayanyt
hingto
Tshepebecausethenhewil
lstar
tsul
kingabout
metal
kingt
oyou,
event
houghhewon’
tdo
any
thi
ng…

MAOTO: Alri
ght,
alri
ght
…Iwon’
ttal
ktohi
m.Stop
cr
ying.I
’
llhaveawor dwit
hwhoevert
hethegi
rl
.
Shewon’tbotheryouanymor
e.

REBAONE: Thanksyousomuch(shehugged
him)IknewIcouldcountony
ou…Igottago,I
l
eftDrewwi t
hmymom andshehasachur ch
thi
ng,youknowhowshei swi
thherchurch
meeti
ngs.Thanks…

*
***
***
*

Kediwai
tedforat axi
bytheroadsi
dewit
hNeo
onherback,holdi
ngMaduo’shandwithone
handandtheirschool
bagswiththeot
her.I
twas
gett
ingqui
tedarkandpr obablygoi
ngtorain
andtaxi
swej ustnotshowing.Acarstoppedby
herandthecolouredmanl ookedoutbythe
window.

HI
M:KeaSel
epa,
arey
eng

Shestoodforamomentt hi
nki
ngaboutit
.Wait
fort
hedarknessandrai
nwithki
dsortakea
ri
dewithastranger
?Helookedmuchsafer…

KEDI:Ihat
etoask,tl
herraemahasemausung
kerekeborothof
ordinner
,ourstovestopped
workingorsomethi
ng,nnatheseceramic
st
ov esbat
ho…

HI
M:Icoul
dtakeal
ookatiti
fyoudon’
tmind.
Whydon’
twegotoSuper
sparsoyoucanget
somet
hingbet
ter
?

Hesai
dashedroveont
otheshoppi
ng
compl
exandpar
ked.

HIM:I
t’
sraini
ng,sot
ell
mewhaty
ouwoul
dli
ke
andIcanruninandget.

KEDI
:NoIcango…

HIM:(l
aughing)Soyoutr
ustmewi t
hyourkids?
Youleavethem i
nthecarandIcoul
djustdri
ve
offwit
hthem.Obat samaisamopulengthey
getsi
ck.

KEDI
:Fine.Borot
ho,may
belepol
onyandor
os…
andyogurtforNeo,
andsomemil
kandbananas
pl
ease.Tsaamadi
kea…

HI
M:I
t’
scool

Heranof
ftotheshopandcamebackaf
ew
minut
esl
aterwi
thgrocer
ybags.

Hedr
ovet
oKedi
’
spl aceandhel
pedhercar
ry
t
heki
dsandt
hegroceri
esin.

KEDI
:Thanks…t
lher
ral
etmepayy
ou,
please…

HIM:I
t’
sfine,
real
ly…otl
anthekel
alunch
someday.Let
’sseethatst
ove.

Shel
edhi
mtotheki
tchenandhegotundert
he
si
nk,
andwor
kedontheelect
ri
cwi
redforabit
andcameup.

HIM:Wir
esprobablygotmixedwhenpl
ugeole
orsomethi
ng.Babydaddywagagokedishashe
wait
se,
whydi dn’
thefi
xit
?

KEDI
:Mxi
m…hei
snoti
nourl
i
vesany
mor
e…

HIM:Hisloss…ni
ggasbakgor
aoutther
e…I
wouldn’
tleaveabeaut
if
ul,
aut
hent
icwomanli
ke
you.

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Naar
ear
eyouhi
tt
ingona
pr
egnantwoman?

HIM:(l
aughi
ng)Whynot…bytheway…If
eel
gui
lt
yaboutsomethi
ng…yest
erdayIl
i
edtoyou,
aboutHadassah…shei
smi
ne…

KEDI
:Whywoul
dyoul
i
e?

HI
M: I
’
m 23wi
tha6y ear
solddaught
er…Imean,
f
orawomanit
’snotbad…butamantohavehad
aki
dat17…

KEDI:Aslongasyouaret
aki
ngcareofher
,
what’
stheretobeashamedof.Wher
eisher
mother?

HIM: Wit
hLala,whothefuckknows?Shecoul d
berobbingpeopleinBudapestorkil
li
ng
someonei nAstana.Sheisthemost
unpredi
ctabl
ebi…womanI ’v
eev ercomeacross.
Actuall
yit
’sfort
hebestthatsheisgone.She
camet ostayatmyapar t
mentwhenshewas
pregnant.Iwasstudy i
ngabroadthatt
ime.I
wokeuponedayandshewasgone.Iwasl ef
t
witha3weeksol dbabyat17y earsol
d.I
searchedforherforay ear,myfat
hereven
engagedaPI ,
nothing…soIhadt ocomeback
homeandf ini
shmyst udieskoUBsot hatmy
familycouldhelptakecareofher.

*
***
***
*

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Nametsobroughtinsomewat
ert
owashhi
s
handsthenbroughtdi
nner
.

NAMETSO:You’
vebeenqui
etr
ecent
ly,
any
thi
ng
bot
her
ingy
ou?
KWAPA:
I’
mfi
ne…

NAMETSO: Ok,
Idi
dn’tcomeher etoli
vewit
ha
zombie.Ify
ouwantsomeonet owatchyour
chi
ldhireanannyorstartact
ingli
keyouwant
meher e.

KWAPA:Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom mekant
e
Namet
so?

NAMETSO: Iwanty
outoactli
kemy
man…ot
herwiseompolel
l
er r
annakei
tsamael
e
i
fyounolongerwantme…

KWAPA:
Nnammawant
hodi
aI’
m wat
chi
ngt
v…

NAMETSO:
Finet
hen…IbetIcancat
chat
axi
to
mysi
ster
’shouse,
it’
snotl
atey
et.

Shewentt
ot hebedroom andst
art
edfuri
ousl
y
shov
ingcl
othesinhersui
tcase,
cry
ing.

Kwapasighed, t
hinki
ngaboutOnika.Nowt hat
shewaspr egnantshewasnev ergoingtoleav
e
herhusband.Theyhadnochance.Namet so
wasn’tsobad.Hewentt othebedr oom,
huggingherfrom thebackandkissingher
neck….

KWAPA:
I’
m sor
ry…Idi
dn’
tmeant
hat
…

Hest
art
edcaressingherclav
icl
e,movingdown
t
oherbreast
,tur
ningaroundandkissi
ngher…
KWAPA: Ofcour
seIwanty
ouName…cany
ou
feel
justhomemuchIwantyou?

Hesai d,
kissinghercleavageashepushedhi s
hi
psonher ,hishar
d-onagai nstherbel
ly
…she
moanedasherhandwentunder neathhertop
andheundi dherbr a,pushi
ngasi dethetop
str
ingsandt akinghernippleinhismouthand
suckingin,gentlyl
ayi
ngheront hebed…

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebatso’
scarpul
ledi
nasamangoti
nsi
dea
caranddroveoff
.
HeknockedandKedi
camet
oopen.

TEBATSO: Real
lyKedi
?We’ v
ebeenbr okenup
forf
ivemi nutesandyouarealreadyhavi
ng
somer andom niggasaroundthekids?Who
wasthat?

KEDI
:Ij
a…whatcanIhel
pyouwi
th?

TEBATSO:Areyousl
eepi
ngwi t
hhi
m?Kedi,y
ou
ar
epregnant
,youcan’
tberunni
ngaroundwi
th
menli
kethat
.

KEDI:Well
,I
’m car
ryi
ngyourchi
l
dandyouare
runni
ngaroundwithwomen,sowhat
’sthe
dif
fer
ence?
TEBATSO:
Arey
ouser
iousr
ightnow?

KEDI:WhatdidyouexpectTebatso?Formet o
si
tinacornerandcryoveryou?Ihav etwo
chi
ldr
enandoneont heway ,Ican’
taffordt
hat
l
uxury!Li
fehastogoon.Andt hatpersonisj
ust
agoodSamar it
anwhogav eusar idehome
whenitwasabouttorain.

TEBATSO:
Whathappenedt
othet
axi
Ihi
red?

KEDI
:Hecal
l
edt
osayhi
scarbr
okedown.

TEBATSO:Andyoudidn’tt
hinktocallme?Kedi!
Whyar ey
ousoirr
esponsibl
e?Sobecauseof
youregoyouwer
ewai t
ingintherai
nwi tht
he
ki
ds?Whydidn’
tyoucallme?( hegrabbedher
arm)
KEDI:
Iwasgoingto…thenwegotari
de…I
swearitwasj
ustari
de,Tebat
so,wampol
laa,
ahh!

TEBATSO: I
…uhm…sorry(
heletgoofherar
m
andrubbedit)Sowhatwashedoingi
nthe
housethen?

KEDI
:Ij
o…wait
sennakeaboketl
abonadil
o!
Whati
sitt
oy ouwhyhewasi
nthehouse?What
doyouwant?

TEBATSO: Werearemyki ds?Icamet osay

goodnight
…Neoi sprobablyout,schoolal
ways
knocksherout…letmegor eadDuoshis
stor
y…nextti
mey oucallme, wankutlwa?Kedi
!
Karenextti
mey oucallme…
KEDI
:Fi
neTebat
so!Fi
ne,
Iwi
l
lcal
lyou,
ahhh!

*
***
***
*

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Desmondwal kedi ntothehousechecki ngt he

ti
me.6pm shar p,j
usti ntimef orhis‘curf
ew’ .
Oni kademandedt hathecomehomeatsi x, so
whatwashesupposedt odo?Shewasgoi ngt o
bepi ssedashel lwhenshef oundouthehi reda
newassi st
ant.Buther eallyneededone, and
Setsowasgoodati t,event houghshewas
freshoutofhersi xmont hssecr etari
alcour se.
Andt hegi r
lneededt hewor kany how.Shewas
theel desttoasinglemom, soheri ncomewas
goingt ohelpthef amily.Thatatl eastwoul d
appeal
toOnika’
shear
tst
ri
ngsandl
etSet
so
keepworki
ng.

Hef oundOnikalayingonthesofareadingmore
babymagazi nes.Her ol
l
edhiseyes…somuch
for‘accompli
shed’.Thebabyshitwasal ong
wayf rom bei
ngov er,
nowov ul
ati
onkitswere
repl
acedbybabyappsandmagazi nesand
babycl ot
hesandbabyt alkandwhateverthe
fuck.

DESMOND: (
kissi
ngher
)Mma-
Mar
umo…how
wasyourday?

ONIKA: Awesome!Ifigur
edoutourbir
thingpl
an.
Thereisactual
lythi
sIndi
anwoman, sheisa
tr
ainedmatronandhasacent re,
doeshome
bi
rthwithAy ur
veda…I’
mt hi
nki
ngawat erbi
rt
h…
DESMOND:Huh?Ihav enotthesl
i
ght
esti
dea
whaty
oujustsai
d,butsurebabe,
any
thi
ng.

ONIKA:So,l
ike,
you’
llneedtobewi t
hmeont he
bi
rthi
ngbath…agir
linmyy ogaclassdidi
twit
h
herhusbandandsaiditwasinti
mateand
hel
pedherhusbandbondbet terwit
hthebaby.

DESMOND:
What
everNi
kki
,what
’sf
ordi
nner
?

ONIKA:Mut ton,ourfav
ourit
e.Isti
l
l can’tbel
i
ev e
wearepr egnantDes!OhmyGod, wear ehaving
ababy!Letmesett hetabl
e,gogett hekidsand
we’l
leat.Oh, bythewayMrRamogomai s
hol
dingthatChar it
ygalaonFriday
, andy ouare
comingDes, I’mtir
edofexplai
ningmy
husband’sabsenceatt hi
sevents,besides,your
mom i
scomi
ngt
oo.

DESMOND:Thenwhycan’
tyougowi
thher
?
Y’
all
knowt
hosepeopl
eanyway.

ONIKA: Peoplet al
k,Des!IfI’
m nev erseenwit
h
myhusbandi npubl i
citwillbelikewear e
havingproblems.Ishoul dpr obablygetanew
dress,somet hingthatfl
attersmybel ly
,doyou
thi
nkI’m showi ngalready?Youcan’ tbeli
eve
howexci t
edy ourmom waswhenIt oldher!

DESMOND: It
houghtwewer
ewaiti
ngt
otel
l
ever
yoneunti
lwewere12weeks?

ONIKA:(sul
ki
ng)I’
m sorr
y…Ij
ustgotso
exci
ted…sheisal
readypl
anni
ngamassi v
ebaby
shower.Thi
sweekendpleasehel
pmewr itea
babyshowergi
ftl
ist
.All
yssasentmeone
al
ready,
butIwanttoaddaf ewthi
ngs…

Hesighedandpi
ckeduphisbri
efcase,
headi
ng
upst
air
sleavi
ngherst
il
ltal
ki
ng.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
65
ATTHEBAKERY

Kedi
col
l
ect
edherhandbagr
eadyt
ogo.

KEDI:Seneomma, Ihavetorun,
Igottapi
ckup
thekidsfr
om school
,theguywat axi
sti
ll
hasa
breakdown.
SENEO: WaitseIenvyy ou,
howdoy ouafford
thatschoolnemma, Iknowseat urahelathata.
Thatdoctorcouple,baInstagram, t
heirson
goesthere,mysisterbabysitshim andtellsme
goretheschoolissoexpensi ve.

KEDI
:Tebat
sopay
sfori
t…

SENEO:
Evenaf
tery
oubr
okeup?

KEDI:Itriedt ot ell
him notto,it
’snotl i
ke
Tebatsoev erl i
stenstomeany way .Besides,
the
assholehei s,hei sreal
lyagoodf athertoour
chi
ldren,af at herisn’
tonlybybl ood, i
tis
someonewhochoosest ostepupt or ai
seand
l
oveachi ldt hroughany t
hing.Tebat sobrokeup
wit
hme, nott hekids.Hel ovesthem likehis
ownbl oodandt heylovehi m,heist heonly
fat
hert heyhav eev erknown, andasl ongashe
wantstobeinthei
rli
ves,
Iwon’
tst
ophim.He
comest ot
uckthem i
nandreadastor
yfor
them ev
eryeveni
ng.

SENEO:I
joo…oti
legogokobel
abannabar
e
gongwel
esantselej
ola

KEDI
:Batl
aiponaift
heyhaveprobl
emswi
tha
mantucki
nghiski
dsinforbed…

Shegrabbedherbagandwal
kedout
,fi
ndi
ng
Tebat
so’scarpar
kedinfr
ont
.

KEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)whatnow?

TEBATSO:
Geti
nthecar
…
KEDI
:No…Ihav
etogopi
ckupt
heki
ds…

TEBATSO:Theki
dsar
eatOni
ka’
s,geti
nthecar
.
Now!Kedi
bonye!

KEDI
:Ok,
ok,
don’
tbi
teme!

Shegoti
nthecarandhedr
ovet
otheout
ski
rt
s
oft
hetown.

KEDI
:Whatar
ewedoi
ngher
eTebat
so?

TEBATSO: Yesterdayt hi
nki
ngofy ouandt he
ki
dsstuckinther aingotmet hinki
ng.Whyar e
yousti
ll
usingtaxi s?Ihavethr
eecar s,andit’
s
notl
ikeyoucan’ tdriv
e, y
ourefuseto.Itaught
youandy oudidwel lthatti
me…
KEDI:
YouknowI ’
m scaredoftr
affi
cTebat
so…I
onl
ydidwell
becausey ouweretherei
nthecar
tohel
pifImessedup…

TEBATSO:
(laughi
ng)andnowIwon’
tbe…

Hegotoutoft hecar,
leav
ingthekeyonthe
i
gnit
ionandjoggedtoanothercarbehi
ndthem
andtheydr
ov eoff…

Shestoodontheroadscreamingathim ashe
l
aughedandsalutedherastheypassedbyher.
Shetookoutherphoneandcalledhi
m.

KEDI
:Thi
sisnotf
unnyTebat
so!
TEBATSO: (l
aughing)Ifinditquit
ehil
ari
ous.
Thisistheonlywayt oforcey outodri
veon
yourown, Kedi.Bytheway ,Ionceheardaghost
storyaboutthatplace…gatwesomeol dman
diedthereandy oucanseehi m wandering
aroundafterdark…

KEDI
:Tebat
sogaokgat
he!Comebackr
ight
now!

TEBATSO:Youcandrive,getyoursel
fhome.We
aregoi
ngtopract
iseforaweek, andthenkego
bookel
amatshwaoandt heroadt est
…Iknow
peopl
ewhocanmakei tf
ast….Oops, batt
ery
dyi
ng,got
tago,bye.I
’
llgopickupt hekids,see
youathome.

Shehuff
edandst
oodlooki
ngatherphone,
tr
yingt
ocal
lagai
n.Hi
sphonewasswi t
chedof
f.
Wheni tst
art
edget ti
ngdarkerandhewassti
ll
notback,shelockedhersel
finthecarwhenshe
star
tedheari
ngnoi sesf
rom behindt
hebush…

*
***
***
*

ATBANYANA’
SPLACE

Cooperranov
ertoAmeli
ahassheandLent
swe
walkedi
n.Ameli
ahpi
ckedherupandki
ssedhi
s
cheek.

COOPER: Aunt
yLiah!Guesswhat !Wearegoi
ng
toseeThomast hetr
ain!Areall
ybigThomas
thetr
ain,
daddysaidwecanr ideonit
!
AMELIAH:Really
?Wow!Youshoul dbr
ingme
l
otsofpresentsbackther
e!Iwantmyown
Thomasthet r
aintoo,
ok!

COOPER: I
’
llbri
ngyousomany!Daddysay
s
theyhav
east oret
hatj
ustsel
l
sThomasstuff
.

Bany
anacamef
rom t
heki
tchenonherapr
on.

BANYANA:
Oh,hiLi
ah…wait,
ist
hatsomebl
i
ng!
OhmyGod,gi
rl
…am Iseei
ngthi
ngs?

Ameli
ahsmi l
edandwav edherhandup,
showinghert
hering.BothCol
tonandBanyana
camet ohugherandcongrat
ulat
edherand
Lent
swe.
BANYANA:
I’
mjustf
ini
shi
ngupwi
thdi
nner
…

AMELI
AH:
Oh,
I’
ll
hel
pyou…

Astheywentofft
ot heki
tchen,
Col
toncameto
seatwit
hLentsweinthel
ivingr
oom,br
ingi
ng
bothofthem adr
ink.

COLTON:
Congr
atsmyman…monnawar
ial
o…

LENTSWE:I
twasj ustamatt
eroft
ime…when
youfi
ndt
herightgir
lyouhav
enochoice…

COLTON:(smilingl
ookingatherandB’s
weddi
ngpicturesinthebookcase)Iknow,
ri
ght
…I’
m happyf oryoutwo…hlemonnat r
eat
herwel
l…I
’m notevenasking,I
’
m begging.Li
ah
hasbeenthr
oughenoughwi
thbot
hmy
par
ents…August
us…

LENTSWE:
I’
m goi
ngt
oki
l
lhi
m…soon…

COLTON:Now,thatsoundsl
i
keapl
an…t
ell
me
i
fyouneedhel
p…

LENTSWE:Ilov
et hatgi
rlman…t
othi
nkshe
wentthr
oughallt
hatpain…br
eaksmyhear
t…

COLTON: Sheisatoughcooki e…someofus

cameoutofabusebr oken…Ameliah?Shest
il
l
bakeshercakesandpl ayswithkidsandisj
ust
ful
lofl
ove…sher ef
usest obebroken,hardt
o
seearesi
lientsoull
ikehers.Butshelovesy
ou,I
knowmysi ster…pl
easedon’thurther.
LENTSWE:
Nev
er…noti
nmyl
i
fe…

COLTON: Inthatcase,
welcometot he
family
…brother…andIwasseri
ousaboutthat
Augustusthing…hol
laataboy.I
’m handywit
h
poisons.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedidrov
einandTebat
sometheratt
hegat
e
cl
appinghishands.

TEBATSO:
Iknewy
oucoul
ddoi
t…

KEDI
:Idr
ovewi
thoutal
i
cense,
Icoul
dhav
e
beenarr
ested!Icoul
dhavebeenkil
l
edi
nthat
for
estTebatso,youar
enotfunny
!

TEBATSO:(laughi
ng)Iwast her
ealltheti
me
sil
l
y.Ij
ustroundedbackandhi dbehindthe
busheswatchingyoulookforghosts.Whatdo
youthi
nkwasmaki ngthosenoi
seswheny ou
UsainBol
t-
edi ti
ntothecar?Oy egor eemel
a
koboIAAFkwa…

KEDI:(
smili
ng)Otseel
agorewakgatha…mxi
m
(shebumpedhim ontheshoul
derasshegot
i
nsidethehouse)

TEBATSO: Ipickedupthekidsf rom Onika,she

alr
eadyfedthem andbat hedt hem, Ij
ustput
them t
obed.Goodni ght,
I’l
lpicky ouupf r
om
worktomor r
owsowecont i
nuet hedrivi
ng
l
esson.Byweekendy oushoul dber eady.
Mat
shwaookwal
akaMonday
,sogetst
udy
ing.

Maduocameoutr
ubbi
nghi
sey
es.

MADUO: Daddy,
youareleav
ing?Don’
tleav
e
pl
ease…whatifmonst
erscomeandgetme?

TEBATSO:(pi
cki
nghim up)Nomonst er
scan
messwithmyson.I’
ll
kil
lthem al
l
.Iloveyou,
ok?
(Ki
ssi
nghim ont
hehead)Takecar eofNene
andmamaf orme,ok?

Henoddedandhuggedhim asTebat sotook

hi
m backtobedandsatwithhi
mr eadinghima
bookunt
ilhesl
ept
.Kedistoodl
eaningbyt he
doorwat
chingt
hem,wipingastr
ayt ears.
*
***
***
**

ATAMELI
AH’
SNEW HOUSE

Aftertheyl ef
tCol ton’shouse,Amel i
ahwat ched
ast heydr oveintot henewgat edcommuni ty
hersist ersGoutaandWar ona’shouseswer ein.
She’dbeenmeani ngt obuyahousei nthisar ea
whenherbusi nessst abi
l
izedandshehadmor e
money .Theplacewasbeaut if
ulandwel l
mai ntained,withall t
hegreener i
esand
fountainsandpar ks.Aper fectplacetoraisea
fami l
y.

Theydroveall
thewaytoabeaut
if
ulcor
ner
house.Hetookherhandandwal
kedher
towardst
hedoor,handi
ngherast
ackofkey
s…
AMELI
AH:
Whati
sthi
s?Lee?

LENTSWE:Iknowyoul
i
kethi
spl
ace…soI
boughtahouseher
e…f
ory
ou…

AMELIAH:Lent
swe!Wecan’tbemakingsuch
hugepur
chasesyet
…thebusiness…

LENTSWE: Ital
kedtothatfinanceadvisorguy
your efer
redmet o,hesayswecanaf fordit
withoutdentingoursavi
ngs…t hebusinessi s
doinggood.Andwehav en’tspentonany t
hing
reall
y.Andany way,si
nceyou’ l
lbeMr sKgagodi
soon, Isupposeyou’dwantbabyLi ah’
sr unning
aroundsoon, andweneedabi ggerplacef or
them…

AMELI
AH:
(tear
ingup)It
houghty
oudi
dn’
twant
chi
l
dren

LENTSWE: Inev
ersaidIdidn’
t…Iwasj
ustaf
rai
d,
aft
erwhathappenedtomewhenmymom
di
ed…butIt r
ustyou,
Liah,Iknowyouwoul
d
neverputsomeniggabeforeourki
dsi
f
anythi
nghappenstome…

Heki
ssedherey
eli
dsast
ear
srol
l
eddownher
ey
es.

AMELIAH:I
sev
ery
daygoi
ngt
obesoper
fect
wi
thyou?

LENTSWE: Ipl
antohaveeverysi
nglemoment
bett
erthanthel
ast…t
alki
ngaboutkids,
unl
ock
yourhouseMrsKgagodireti
i
sentlomokwatl
a…
AMELI
AH:(l
aughing)Ao,
lent
loet
ii
siwa
mokwat
lagor
iana?

Hel
aughedandpul
l
edhercloser,l
ooki
ngdeep
i
nhereyesandsmi
li
ngatherblushi
ng.

Hi sli
psev ersogent l
yclaimedher s,gent
ly
runninghi sthumbal ongthesi deofherdress,
tracingthecur veofherbody ,andbeganki ssing
hernecksl owly,histonguef l
ickeri
ngdownher
clavicl
eandatt het opofhercl eavageashi s
handsmov edtoherwai standundi dthebelt
whi chsecur edherwr apdress, t
henpushedt he
foldsoff abricasideandof fherbody.

Hi
sst
eppedbackandlookedather,
hisey
es
r
oameddownherbodyapprovi
ngly
LENTSWE:
Doy
ouknowj
usthowbeaut
if
uly
ou
are?

{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT

CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
66
ATDESMOND’
SOFFI
CE

Desmondwal kedintohisoffi
ceandlooked
aroundsurpr
ised.Every
thi
ngwascl eanedup
andarrangednicel
y.Thecleanersneverdi
d
suchagoodj obbefore.Hi
scut eli
tt
lenew
assist
antSetso.
SETSO: Aft
ernoonMrMar umo, IhopeIdi dn’t
ov er
stepboundar i
es,butIhaverearrangedy our
foldersal
phabetical
lyaccordi
ngt othebusi ness
names, andcolourcodedt hecorresponding
document sandputt hem inthatcabinher e,i
t
clearsupyourtableandhel psmef ind
document sfasterforyou.

DESMOND:(smili
ng)whatar
eyou,
theMar
y
Poppi
nsofoff
ices?Gi
rlt
hisi
sgeni
us…

SETSO: Ihavenoideawher eyouprefertoget

yourlunch,butIhaveorderedsomeWest er
n
foodfrom arestaur
antandhady ourdr i
verpi
ck
i
tup.Icouldgowar mi tinthepantr
yi fyou
wouldliketoeatnow.Theny ouhav ea
2’O’
clockwithaMrVanAndr eas,hewi l
lbe
comingher eandIbookedt heconferenceroom
foryourmeet i
ngandnot i
fi
edthesecr et
aryto
comeandt akemeeti
ngminut
es.Youal
sohav
e
a5:30pm Skypecal
lwit
haMrLuqmanin
Singapor
e.

Helookedatt hegirl
asshewentonupdat i
ng
hi
m withwor k.Shewassoy oungbutso
prof
essional.Foragirlasprett
yasshewas, he
wassurprisedshewasn’ tthrowinghersel
fat
hi
m alr
eady .Shewasr espectful,pr
ofessi
onal,
anddressedv eryappropri
ately.

DESMOND:
Wenagaoay
alunch?

SETSO:Ibri
ngmyownfoodfrom homesir
…
eati
ngouti
sexpensi
veandIneedtosav
eev er
y
thebeImake…

DESMOND:
Sav
e?Whatar
eyou,
19?It
hought
al
lgi
rl
syouragedidwasbuymakeupand
weav
ewiththei
rsalar
y.

Hel
ookedathershor
thai
randbar
eface.

SETSO:(
laughi
ng)NotonlycanInotaf
for
d
suchl
uxuri
es,t
heydon’
tinter
estme.

Shewasr i
ghti
nt hat
,thegir
lwasanatur
al
beaut
y,andshorthairsui
tedhersomuch.

DESMOND:It
houghtIpayy
ouwel
lfora19
year
sol
d?

SETSO:Yessi
r,andI'
mv er
ygrat
eful
.It
’snot
easyt
ofindaj
obt hatwoul
dpayaf r
eshiePA
wit
hnoexperi
enceP4000,Iconsi
dermy sel
f
l
ucky.ButIneedtohel pmymom f inanciall
y.I
havefourothersi
bli
ngsandI’mt hefirstborn.
Mymom wor kshard,hastwojobsbutev en
combinedtheydon’tevenpayherhal fofwhatI
ear
n.So,yea,Ihavetopitchi
n.

Helookedathersimpl ewardrobeand
i
mpeccabl emanneri
sm.Sher emi ndedhi m so
muchofOni kawhent heyfi
rstmet .Innocent,
sweet…hardworki
ngandnotsel f-
involvedat
al
l…thatshewasusinghersal arytot akecare
ofherfamily
,atanagewher eall youngpeople
wantedtodowasdr ink…yup,thegi r
l was
i
ntri
guing.Hemadeament alnot etot el
lHRto
gi
veherabonusmont hend.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE
Kediwasbusycooki
ngdinnerwhenshehearda
knockandwenttoopen,
findi
ngthecol
oured
guyandhisdaught
eratt
hedoor.

HI
M:Ao,
jaanongor
etshegaengnemma?

KEDI
:No,Iwasjustthi
nki
ngIneedtolear
nyour
nameandstopcall
ingyoucol
ouredguy.

HIM:(l
aughing)youcal
lmecol
ouredguy?I’
m
Bonno,ever
y onej
ustcal
lsmeBonthough

KEDI
:I’
m Kedi
,wher
ear
eyouguy
sfr
om?

BONNO:Tookataxi
togot
othemall
,onl
yto
comebackhomeandfi
ndoutt
hatmypieceof
shi
tbabybrotherstol
emycarandl
ockedthe
door…Dassahneedshernapandwedon’tr
eal
ly
havefri
endsinFranci
stown…

KEDI
:Comein,
letmetakeherandputheri
n
Duo’
sroom,
heisalr
eadynappi
nginther
e.

ShetookHadassahtot
hebedr
oom andcame
backandser
veddinner
.

BONNO: Youareareal
lygoodcook…war ebaby
daddyoi lekae,
Imean,youarebeautif
ul,
obviousl
ysmar t
,andthewayy oudressso
conservati
velyt
ell
smey ouaren’
toneof‘those’
gi
rls…so,whathappened.

KEDI
:Gostrai
ghti
n,huh?Wel
l
…hedeci
dedhe
l
ovedanot
herwoman.
BONNO:
Sot
ell
mekaKedi
then.

KEDI :
Not hi
ngtotell
,reall
y.I
’mjustagir
lwhois
try
ingtomakeabet terli
feforherki
ds.Iknow,
threekidsattwentythree,unmarri
ed.Must
hav ebeenabadgi rl
,ri
ght?

BONNO: Iact
ual
l
ythinki
t’
stheopposi
te,
you
l
ooklikeagoodgir
l.What
’syourst
ory
?You
al
readyknowmine.

KEDI:Imetaguywhot ol
dmehel ovedme
whenIwas17.Gotpr egnantwi t
hinafew
monthsandt henhedi sappearedonme.Came
backwhenMaduowas4y ear
soldandspun
somer eal
l
ygoodl ies,whichendedupwi t
ha
onenightstandthatledmet ohavi
ngNeo.He
wasagoodf ornothi
ngIdidn’twanti
nmyl i
fe,
soIbr okeupwi thhim andcameher efrom
Palapyeaf t
ermymom di ed.Thenmysecond
babydaddy …wewer esoi nlove…atl
eastI
thoughtwewer e…engaged,methi sf
ami l
y,t
hey
paidlobola…andt henIfoundoutIwaspr egnant,
andbam, hegoesbackt ohisex.

BONNO:IwishIwasasst rongasyouwaitse…I
wascompletel
yshatt
eredwhenLahrenlef
tme
wit
hababy.Ifel
tashamedhav i
ngababyat17,
butnowsheismylif
e,Ifeelgui
lt
yever
ytimeI
havetol
eaveherandgoany where.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Hecamei
nandf
oundShebawor
kingonher
l
apt
op.

TEBATSO:
Somyf
athercal
l
edme…

BATHSHEBA:Whendoesheplanonbur
ningme
att
hestakef
orpoll
uti
nghi
ssonorwhat
ev er
shi
thehasagai
nstme.

TEBATSO: Qui t
et hecontraryactual
ly .Iwas
surprised…hesai difmar r
y i
ngy ouisr eal
lywhat
Iwant ,thenhe’llbethereforme.Mymom st i
ll
won’ thearitthough.I’mjustsot ir
edaboutal l
thisSheba.Am Iwr ongt obei nlovewi thyou
andj ustwanty ouasmywi fe?I’mtiredofallthe
bullshitSheba,Iwanty ouasmywi fe…let’
s
elope.You, me, Mox, Kay,andIguess
Bethany …Moxi st heclosestthingIhav etoa
brotherandIknowBet hisy ourworld, we’l
lhave
ourmosti
mport
antwithus,let
’sgetmarr
ied.
Ourfami
li
eshav
enochoi cebuttocooper
ate
andl
etushaveatradi
ti
onalceremonywhenwe
comebackmarri
ed…

BATHESHEBA: Aww…r eal

ly?Iwantedt
o
suggestthat
,butIdi
dn’twanttoseem
desperat
e.

TEBATSO: Yeawell,Iam desper

ate…Ilov
eyou
Bathsheba,Iwantyouasmywi f
e…andev er
y
ti
mei t
’sli
ketherei
sal wayssomethingonour
way,sofuckit,l
et’
sdoi tourwaynow.

BATHSHEBA:Ok,
I’l
lcal
lBeth.Sheisgoingto
bepi
ssed.Howareyourdri
vinglessonswit
h
Kedi
?
TEBATSO:
Youar
enotpi
ssedaboutt
hatar
e
you?

BATHSHEBA: Whywoul dIbe?It oldyouIdon’ t

hateher ,sheseemsl i
keani cegirl
.Shei sin
yourlif
e, t
hemot herofy ourkids…andIknow
thoseki dsarey ours,fuckbi ol
ogy ,
because
wheny ougi vey ourhear ty ougiveitf
ully ,t
hey
areiny ourlif
ef orever
, pl
ust heoneont he
way …soIhav etoacceptt hatt
heywi l
l alway s
beinourl ives.Andshedoesn’ tseem liket he
baby -
mamadr amat ype, soIcan’tcompl ai
n.

TEBATSO: (
huggingherfr
om thebackand
ki
ssingherneck)Whyarey ousoperfect
?Ijust
wishever
yonewoul dknowy outhewayIdo,
seethesweetthingyouareandjuststop
j
udgingyou.Especial
l
ymymom.Il oveherbut
ever
ytimeshesay ssomethingnastyaboutyou,
Icomet
hiscl
oset
obl
owi
ngmyt
opof
f.

BATHSHEBA:Shei
senti
tl
edtoheropi
nionand
I
’mfi
newitht
hat.I
t’
snotl
ikeIl
i
kehereither
…

TEBATSO: Thankyouforal
lowingmet ohelp
Kediout.Il
ovejusthowsel
flessyouare.Any
otherwomanwoul dbeblowingtheroofabout
meev enjustt
alki
ngtoher.

BATHSHEBA: (t
ear ingup)Iwon’ tl
ie,whenI
foundouty ousleptwi thherthattime, myheart
shutter
ed.Iwant edt ocommi tsuicide…I
actuall
yt ri
ed…Iwant edtohurtKedi, wantedto
hateher, butIcoul dn’t
…itwasn’therf aul
t,you
choset obet r
aymeknowi ngwel lhowmuchI
l
ov eyou.ButIf or gave.I’
m choosingt otrust
youagai n…thaty ouwon’ thurtmet hist i
me.
May beI’m afool fordoingthat,butt hatjust
makesmeaf oolf
orl
ove…andIcanl
i
vewit
h
t
hat,soyes,
Tebat
so,
let
’sel
opeandget
marr
ied.

*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
67

ATMOSI
TI’
SHOUSE

Bat
hshebawal
kedi
nandf
oundMosi
tiwat
chi
ng
TV.

SHEBA:
Gir
l,cany
out
rav
elf
oraweek?

MOSI
TI:
What ,
youwantav ac?I’
m soin!Il
ove
myki
ds,butt
hishousewi
feslashstayathome
mom shi
tissuf
focat
ing!

SHEBA:Notv acboo…I’
m get
ti
ngmarri
ed!Tebla
andIareelopi
ngandIneedmybestf r
iendwith
me!It
’sjustme,Tebl
a,Mox,Kay,
Bethandy ou.
Vegas…whatdoy ousay?Wecouldpartyl
ike
ol
dtimes.

MOSITI
:(l
ooki
ngi
ntospacepensi
vel
y)Sheba
ar
eyousure?

BATHSHEBA: OfcourseI’
m sur
e,whereelse
wouldIgobutVegas?Comeon, r
ememberhow
weusedt odream aboutgoi
ngtherewhenwe
wereinuni?

MOSITI
:Imean…aboutthi
swhol
eel
opi
ng
t
hing…mar
ryi
ngTebla?
BATHSHEBA: Kant
ekeengkawenaMosi ti
,even
l
astt i
mewhenIt oldyouTeblaproposedyou
actedall
sour .Whycan’
tyoubehappyf orme?
BesideBeth,youaretheclosestt
hingtome,we
havebeenf r
iendsfor
ever…whyarey ouact
ing
thi
sway ?

MOSITI
:It
’sjust…I…Shebay
ouknowIloveyou
l
ikeasi
ster,r
ight?Iwi
ll
doanyt
hingf
oryou.But
Tebl
acheatedony ou…

BATHSHEBA:Yea,
justt
hatoncewi
thKedi
,we
sor
tedt
hatout…

MOSI
TI:
Itwasn’
tjustKedi
…

BATHSHEBA:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
MOSI TI:
TheblaandMox…t heyarevery
naughty…Hehadabr iefaff
airwi
thPhi ndiwhen
youwer einj
ail
…heal sosleptwi
thJoyt hat
ti
mewewer eholi
day i
nginMauri
tius,Icaught
him andMoxhav i
ngat hreesomewi thher…and
yourexhousemat eLesego….Idi
dn’thav ethe
hearttotel
lyoubecauseIknowhowmuchy ou
l
ov ehim…Iwasgoi ngtotell
youbeforet he
weddinglastti
me,buthewentandf uckeditup,
soIwasr eli
eved.

BATHSHEBA:Soy ouknewandhidt
hisfr
om me?
Youarel
i
kemysi sterMosi
ti
…It
houghtwe
shar
edever
ythi
ng…

MOSI
TI:
I’
m sor
ry…
BATHSHEBA: DoesBethknow?Ist
hatwhyshe
start
edhati
ngTeblawhenIcameoutofj
ail?I
thoughti
twasbecausesheblamedhi
mf orme
goingtoj
ail
…didsheknow?

Mosi
tinodded.

MOSITI:
Wej ustt
hought
…wewant
edt
opr
otect
youSheba…Ireal
l
yam sorr
y…

Bat
hshebast
oodupandt
ookherhandbag.

BATHSHEBA: Youknowwhat …Tebl

a’
sbetray
alI
cantake…butyoutwo?Mysister
s?Bethtoo?
Howcoul dyouMositi
…youknowwhat,Ican’
t
evenlookatyouri
ghtnow…
MOSI
TI:
Shebapl
easewai
t…pl
easeI
…

Bat
hshebagr
abbedherhandbagandst
ormed
out
.

ATDESMOND’
SOFFI
CE

Desmondsatathist
abl
easSet
soupdat
edhi
m
ontheday
’sschedul
e.

DESMOND:Wow, sowellor
ganised,t
hanks.
Youev
enknowwher eevery
thi
ngi sandwhatit
i
s,Imi
ghtst
artcal
li
ngyouSiri
.

Set
sosmi
l
edandbl
ushed.

DESMOND:
Sir
i,wher
edoy
out
hinkIshoul
d
hav
eluncht
oday
?

SETSO:(i
naSi
riv
oice)Ibel
i
evetheTandur
ei
rest
aur
antwi
ll
sui
tyoujustfi
ne.

DESMOND: (l
aughing)fi
nal
lyshecracksajoke!
Iwasbeginni
ngtot hi
nkyouhav enosenseof
humour.Ok,or
derinTandureifortwo,andhave
mydriv
erpickitup.Areyouallcaughtupwith
theLMSy et
?

SETSO: Yea,
butthi
sparthereaboutt
he
authori
ngtooli
sabittr
icky
…I’v
ebeentry
ingt
o
understandi
tal
lday…

Heleanedoverhershoul
deri
ntot
hecomput
er
andlookedi
n.
DESMOND: Ao,thisi
ssoeasy …wenay ouare
overt
hinki
ngit,
letmef i
xyourset ti
ngsandall
you’
llhavetodoi shi
tpublish.There,
bam,you
seehoweasyi tis.Keagodowngr aderwai
tse
Sir
i,y
ouar enolongerSir
inow, youarethat
Samsungone, gatweng,Bixby?

Onikastoodinthehal
l
wayl ooki
ngatDes
hoveri
ngov ersomegi
rlastheylaughedabout
something.Shewasprett
yandsi mple,wi
th
shorthai
randnomakeup.Ver yDes’type.

Shewalkedinandfol
dedherhands,
cleari
ng
hert
hroat.Desst
rai
ghtenedupandstepped
awayfrom Set
so.

DESMOND:Iwasj
ustshowi
ngherhowt
o
oper
atet
henewLMS
ONIKA:Ibet…waitsennat hi
sshamelesslitt
le
whorestsamalatsia!Li
ttl
egirl
,di
dhet ell
you
heismarriedwi
tht wokidsandoneont heway ?
Youarejustgoi
ngt obeaf uckthi
ng…hewon’ t
l
eavemef oryou…

DESMOND:
Oni
ka!

ONIKA:Didhetell
youwhathappenedt ohis
l
astPA?Hegotf ir
edf orsuckinghi
sdick,and
yesIsaidhe.Desmondi sjustgoi
ngtosleep
wit
hy ouandthenfir
ey ou.

DESMOND:Set
socany
oupl
easegi
veusa
moment?

Set
socol
l
ect
edherl
apt
onandwal
kedoutwi
th
t
ear
sinherey
es.

DESMOND:
Wast
hatr
eal
l
ynecessar
y?

ONI
KA:
Itol
dyounoPA!Idon’
ttr
usty
ou!

DESMOND:
Wel
l
,Ineededone.

ONIKA: Andy ouj

usthadt ogetagi r
lIam pret
ty
sureyouwannaf uck!Atleastifshewassome
boobflashingbimbot ryi
ngt osleepwithyou,I
’d
knowy ou’dresi
st,butyoul i
kethegood
i
nnocentones, don’tyou.

DESMOND:Set
soisjustdoi
ngherjob!Comeon
Oni
ka,
don’
tbeli
kethis…pl
ease…sheneedsthi
s
j
ob.
ONI
KA:
Idon’
tcar
e,Iwanthergone…

DESMOND: Unf
ortunatel
yIcan’
tdothat
…Setso
stay
s,andyouaregoingtobehavey
oursel
f.I
’v
e
hadenoughofyourtantr
ums.

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Bathshebawalkedinandwenttothecupboar d,
taki
ngoutabot tl
eofvodkaandwenttot he
sofa.Shesawherbot t
leofsl
eepi
ngpill
sont he
tabl
eandgr abbedit
,andheldi
tinherhands
twir
li
ngitar
oundwhi l
esheopenedthev odka
bottl
e.

Wouldsheevenbeabletosleept
hough?She
l
ookedatthevodka…notenoughal
coholt
o
makeherpassoutandjustgetawayf
rom the
pai
nofthebetr
ayalofherowntwinsi
ster
.

Howcoul dBethanynottel
lher?Sothey’
dall
beentakingherforafool
?Laughingather
behi
ndherback.Shel ookeduptostopthe
tear
sfrom fal
li
ng…howdoy ougiveever
ythi
ng
tosomeonel i
keshedidTebla,andhestil
lhad
thehearttopl
ayherli
keapi ano?

Sheclosedhereyesandcover
edherear
s,
hear
ingheruncleMari
oninherheadwhenshe
was16.

BAME:
Idon’
tunder
stand…uncl
e…why
?Whyme?

MARION:(l
aughi
nginherf
ace)YouknowI’
m
si
ckBarbi
e….whydi
dn’
tyouletBr
ucetakeme
outt
hef
ir
stt
ime,
Bame?Becausey
oul
i
kedi
t?

BAME: No….no!Idi
dnot ,
Iwas12f orGod’s
sake…andnow…If orgaveyou…beggedmy
fat
hernottokil
lyou…y oujusthadtodoitagai
n?

MARI ON:Gi r
lsli
key ou,Bame…easygi
rl
slike
youwi l
lal
way sgetplayed…you’
vebeenrunni
ng
aroundwithboy ssinceyouwere11,youarea
l
itt
letemptress,everymanwant stof
uckyou,
butnoonewi l
levertakeyouseri
ousl
y…

Sher ai
sedherfather’
sgun…t wobull
etstothe
head…wat chedthebloodgushingoutofhis
skull
…turnthegunonher sel
f….Itcl
i
cked…but
nothing…damn!I thadonlybeenlef
twithtwo
shots…
Sheopenedhereyesagainandscr eamed,
cl
utchi
ngatherhead.MaybeMar ionwas
ri
ght…maybemenjustthoughtshewasonl y
goodforafuck…t
hat’
swhyTebat soplayedher
somuch.

Shewentt othestorager oom andr anherhand

acrosst hemat t
resswher eTeblaandMoxused
tohidet hecokewhent heyusedt obe
deali
ng…pl easeGod, lettherebesomet hi
ng…
shehadn’ tdonecokesi ncebeforeshewentt o
pri
son, butthiswasaspeci aloccasion.After
searchingthemat tressf orabout20mi nutes
shef oundasmal ll
eakingpacketandgr abbedit
andwentbackt ot helivi
ngr oom.

Mor
ememor
iesr
ant
hroughherhead…

Sheopenedherey
esandbl
i
nkedhar
d,t
ryi
ngt
o
comebackt othepr esnetti
me.It’
salli
nt he
pastSheba…al
l i
nt hepast…thepastcan’thurt
you….shekeptrepeat i
ngtohersel
fasshel ined
upthecokeont het abl
eandr ol
ledupaP10
notei
ntoapipet hensnor t
edhard…

Nope…

I
tsti
ll
broughtherbackt
oherpastmemor i
es.
Shewasstrappedtoacoldcl
ini
cgurneyi
na
dar
kroom…bot hhermother
sholdi
ngherhands
i
neachside.

BAME:(cryi
ng)Mamapl easedon’tdo
thi
s…pl
easemama…aunt yKamo…please…I
swearI
’l
ltakecareofit
…I’l
lbeareall
ygood
mommy …Icangoi ntomodelli
ngandmake
moneyandt akecareofit
….someagency
peopl
eapproachedmeandt heyoff
eralotof
money…you’
l
llneverevenhav et
otakecareof
meorthebaby….please….
pleaseIbegyou,I
don’
twannadot hi
s….

KAMO: I
t’
swhat
’sbestBar
bie…y
ouar
eonl
y
si
xteen…

BONOLO: Besi
des,i
t’
sanabominat
ion!I
t’
syour
uncl
e’s,
thesonofabitch!I
’
m gl
adheisdead,I
wishhe’
dhav esuf
fer
ed.

BAME:Nobodyeverhast
oknowmama…t
he
babyi
sinnocent
…

BONOLO: i
t’
sjustsowrongBarbi
e…andi tcan
havedefor
miti
esorissuesduetothefactthat
i
t’
scloserel
ati
ons…thi
shast obedone.You’l
l
befi
nemygi rl
….Weonl ywantwhat’
sbestfor
y
ou…

Shebl i
nkedhar dandst ar
tedf ocusingonthings
aroundt heroom tobringherselfbackt othe
present.Pastcan’thurtyou…pastcan’ thurt
you…shecov eredherearsandscr eamed
mor e…whydi deveryoneshecar edabout
alwayshur ther?She’dbelievedBet hanywas
theonlyper soninhercorner…nowshewas
l
y i
ngtoherandhi di
ngt hi
ngst oo?

‘
….everymanwant stofucky ou,butnoonewil
l
evertakeyouseri
ously
…’ heruncle’
swordskept
repeati
nginherheadasshet r
iedtocoveri
t
withthecushi
onpill
ow.

Ok,t
hiscokeshitwasn’
tworki
ngbecause
obvi
ouslyshewasstil
li
npain…maybethe
sl
eepingpil
lswoul
dhelpherpassout
.She
coul
dsor
tthi
sshi
toutwhenshewokeup…

Shegrabbedthepi
ll
sandpour
edahandfuli
n
herpalm,putt
hem i
nhermouthandpassed
them downwitht
hevodka.

Shelookedar
oundast
hefl
oorst
art
edspi
nni
ng
bef
oreshefel
ltot
hefl
oor
,foami
ngatt
he
mouth.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
68

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowal
kedoutoft
hecl
ubwhi
stl
i
ng
happilyashelookedathi sphone,br
owsing
hotel
si nVegas…Shebawassogoi ngtol
ov ethe
hotelhewasbooki ng.Final
ly
…theyweregetting
mar r
ied.He’ddonesomeshi tandknewhe’ d
hurther…buthe’dlearnthisl
esson,Kwapawas
ri
ght,thethoughtoflosi
ngShebamadehi sfeel
crazy.

Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
ckedup.

TEBATSO:
Sit
is,
what
’supgi
rl
?Readyf
orVegas?

MOSI
TI:
Wher
eisBat
hsheba?

TEBATSO:Shouldbehomebynow…shewentto
Lent
swe’soff
iceear
li
ert
odiscusssome
market
ingthi
ngswit
hAmeliah,t
henshesai
d
shewasgoingtoseeyou?
MOSITI
:It
oldher
…ev
ery
thi
ng.Phi
ndi
…Joy
,
Al
exa…

TEBATSO: WhatthefuckMositi
,whywouldyou
dot hat
!OhmyGod…whati swr ongwit
hyou?I
mov edon…Iwasnol ongercheati
ngonher…
thatwasadi f
fi
cul
tti
mei nmylifeandIdi
dalot
ofbadt hi
ngs…Mosit
i!Howcouldyou?

MOSITI :Yeawel
l,yousai
dyouchanged, then
cheatedonherwi t
hKedi…Icouldn’tl
ether
marryy ou…andtheimpor
tantthingri
ghtnowi s
shewasv er
yupsetwhenshelef t,
nowshei s
notpickingupherphone.

Hehungupattookoffatar
un,
runni
ngsev
eral
r
edli
ghtsandgothome.
Heranovert
oherlyi
ngont hef
loor
,foami
ngat
t
hemouth….herpulsev ery
weak…Pi
l
ls…vodka…cocaine…

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kediwalkedi
nwi t
hBonbehi
ndherhol
dinga
sl
eepingNeoinherhandswhil
eMaduoand
Hadassahraninsi
de,
Bonholdi
ngt
hegrocer
y
bags.

BON:
Hadassah,
nor
unni
ngi
nsi
de

KEDI
:Mot
logel
ethe,
ao!Youar
etoost
ri
cton
her
,sheisaki
d…Duo,
takeDassaht
oyourr
oom
andplay
…

Shesatonthecouchst
rai
ght
eni
ngherl
egson
thet
able…

KEDI :
Thispregnancyi
sali
tt
leharderonme
waitse,3mont hsonl
yandI
’m al
ready
ti
red…eish!

BON:
Doy
ouwantmet
ogi
vey
ouaf
ootr
ub?

KEDI:Bon…pl
ease,
let
’sj
ustkeept
hisat
fr
iendshi
p….

BON: Iunderstand…I’
m sor
ryi
fIpushed
boundaries.ButIli
keyouKedi
,Il
ikespendi
ng
ti
mewi thyou…andyes,Iwoul
dverymuchli
kea
rel
ati
onshipwit
hyou,butIunder
standi
fyouar
e
notready…

KEDI
:I’
m pr
egnant
,Bonno!Wi
tht
womor
eki
ds!

BON: And?Bei ngpr egnantisnott heendoft he

worldandt herei snothi
ngwr ongwi thdating
whil
epr egnanti fyouarecomf ortable.Of
courseI’m notgoi ngtotrytosleepwi thyou
now, Ihavemor est andardsthant hat,andI
wantmor ethanj ustsexfrom youany way .I
genuinelyli
key ouandwoul dli
ket oseewher e
thi
sgoes…

KEDI
: Ican’
t…Ijustgotoutofar
elat
ionshi
p
whereIreal
lylovedsomeone…stil
ll
ov ehi
m,
andIdon’tknow…
BON:Soyouar
esti
l
lhol
dingoutf
orhi
mto
comeback?Ar
eyouser
ious?

KEDI
:Idon’tknow,Bon…Ilov
ehim…andhei s
thef
atherofmychi l
d.Iwoul
dhavefor
givenhim
i
fhe’
dagr eedtoleavehi
smistr
ess…Il
ovehim…

BON:Ij
o,shar
pmma…Igot
tago…Dassah,
let
’s
gobaby.

ATAHOTEL

Maot
ousedtheroom car
dhehadstol
enf
rom
r
oom mai
ntenanceandsl
ippedi
ntot
hegi
rl
’s
r
oom.
Justashecl
osedthedoorbehindhi
m she
cameoutofthebathr
oom nakedfr
om a
shower…

Whenshesawhisshadow,shedivedforagun
i
nthebedbesi
desherclot
hes,butheslammed
i
ntoherandt
ri
ppedher,pi
nni
ngherdown…

MAOTO:Whyareyou….ohshit
!Thi
sisawkwar
d
ashel
l
!You?YouareLahren?

LAHREN: (l
aughing)Ohhel l…whatthefuckdo
youwanther e?Lookingf orasolosession
becauseI’
m game, butyourwife,who
apparent
lyismysi ster,
mi ghtnotbesoi nt
o
thati
dea,huh?

Whi
l
ehest
aredatherst
il
lst
unned,
shepul
l
ed
hi
sheaddownandki
ssedhi
mroughl
y…

LAHREN:Sohar
dtofi
ndareal
l
ygooddom who
knowswhatt
hefuckt
heyar
edoing…so,
yea,
I’
m game.

Maot
opushedhi
mselfofffr
om her
,st
il
ldazed
f
rom t
heki
ssandtherev
elati
onofwhoshewas.

MAOTO:
Whatdi
dyousay
?

LAHREN:ThatI
’
mreadyt
oser
vey
ou…si
r…I
’
d
l
ikever
ymuchtopl
ay…

Hegrabbedagownf
rom t
hebedandt
hrewi
tat
her
.
MAOTO: Hav
esomedecencyf
orGod’
ssake,
putonsomeclot
hes.

LAHREN: Ha,decency?Ispentthepasttwo
yearsnaked,chainedt ot
hebedofaQat ari
perver
t,t
hankst oy ourbr
other…whoismyexby
theway ,
doy ouseehowf uckedupthiswhol e
sit
uati
oni s?Youar emarri
edt omysister,
who
ofcourseIwassexual wi
th,withyouinvol
ved,
andI’my ourbrother’
sex.Phew!Talkabout
messedup.

MAOTO:
Whydoy
out
hinkGout
aisy
oursi
ster
?

LAHREN: August usCull

ismyf ather…Ididn’
t
knowaboutherwhenwehadourl it
tle
sessi
on…nott hatthatwouldhavest opped
me…but,Ididn’tknowthen.IthoughtAugustus
onlyhadthr
eeot herchil
dren.
MAOTO:(shaki
nghi
shead)Wai
tsekana…so,
whatdoy
ouwantwithRebaandherki
ds?

LAHREN:Nothing…I’
mjustgoi
ngt opuni
sh
Legi
…Tshepe.IwanthimtosufferthewayI
di
d…andhischildr
enareagoodst art
…

MAOTO:Well
,heismybrotherandIdon’
ttake
ki
ndl
ytopeopl
ethreat
eni
ngmyf amil
y…

Whiletheytal
ked,shehadsnakedherwayt o
thegunandhel ditathisheadnow.Shehithi
m
withthebuttofithar
d,andwhenhef el
lback,
shequicklygrabbedhisguntoo.

LAHREN:Ireadabouty
ou,MaotoPhi
li
p
Kgagodi
…inter
esti
ngstuf
f,t
hatmanAres,
the
oneyouandLatoyakil
ledandthrewinawel
l…
thenLatoy
a…y ourat
temptatTichi
na’sl
i
fe…
whatyoudidunderDennis’
wing…all
that
.

MAOTO: Soy oudi

dyourr
esear
ch.
Congr
atulat
ions.

LAHREN: Theunf ortunatet hingis,thosepoor

folksy oukilledwer ej ustregul arpeopl e.Ibet
they ’
dnev erev enseenaguni ntheirli
v es.Ask
yourbr otherwhatIdof oral ivi
ng.Youev er
threatenmel iket hatagai n?Iwi llmakey ou
wat chasIki l
l y ourent ir
ef ami l
y,starti
ngwi t
h
l
ittl
eAasa, thent hatmout hyl it
tl
egi rlSebaga,
shei sannoy ingl ikehermot her,soitwi llbea
pleasur e.Ili
keMot heo, qui etandaqui ck
thinker…hecoul dbet rai
nedt obelet hal l
ikehis
uncle,soI ’dpr obablyt akehi m undermy
wing…t henki ll Gout a,anddi sappearony ouwi th
Mot heo,leavi
ngy ouwi t
ht hatheartachef orever.
AndIknowhowt odi sappear.AskTshepehow
l
ongt hey ’
vebeent rackingme.Don’ tmesswi t
h
me.It ookouty ourf uckinguncl emy self…three
bull
etst othechest…y ea.Iwaswi tht heAr abs
whent heyt ookoutDenni s.Youar ebutal it
tl
e
fl
y.Now, getthefuckoutofmyhot el room
beforeIser i
ouslyhur tyou…unl essy ouwanna
fuck,thenwecoul dhav eal it
tl
esomet hing,ey?
(Shelaughedandwi nkedathi m)

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Tebat
sopacedaroundthecor
ri
dor
sunt
ilhe
sawdoct
orMaitumelocomeout.

TEBATSO:
Pleaset
ell
meshei
sok…pl
ease…
Thedoct
orl
ookeddownwi
thasadf
ace…

DR:
Wear
edoi
ngt
hebestwecan…

TEBATSO:Whatthefuckdoesthatmean!What
ar
ey ounottel
l
ingme?Please…pl
easedoct
or
behonest,
ismyf i
anceegoi
ngtobeok?

DR: Sheiscatat
oniccoma…herhear t
-rat
eis
veryweakandi t’
sdr oppingbyt hesecond…we
arebar el
yregi
steri
ngbr ainfuncti
on…andbr ain
deathmeansessent i
all
ydead…soi fherbrai
n
acti
v i
tydoesn’
tpick….ist herefamil
yy ouwould
l
iket ocall
?Tobehonestwedon’ tknowi fshe
wil
l evenmakeitthrought heni
ght…

TEBATSO:(cr
ying)No…no,youcan’
tsay
that
…youhavetohelpher,
youarea
doct
or…pl
ease….Wearegoingt
oget
marr
ied…pl
ease…sheneedstowakeup…

DR:I
sther
esomeoney
ou’
dli
kemet
ocal
lfor
you

TEBATSO: Howabouty ouf ucki

nggoandf i
x
Sheba,huh?That’
swhoI ’dlikeyoutocal
lri
ght
now,ok.Youdon’tunderstanddoctor,
shecan’
t
di
e…shecan’t…Ineedher…

Thedoctorhel
pedhi
mt ot
hewai
ti
ngchai
rsas
hebrokedowncryi
ng.

Aft
ert
hedoct
orwal
kedofftocallsomeone,
her
j
oggedof
ftohi
scarandsatinsi
de….
TEBATSO: (t
earsr olli
ngdownhi sface)Youdi d
thistoher …Tebat so…y oudidt hi
st o
Bat hsheba…ev ery thingy ouputhert hrough…i f
shedi esi t
’syourf ault…shegav eyouev erything
andy oujustkepthur ti
ngher …evenknowi ng
whatshe’ sbeent hr ough?Theoneper sony ou
trul
yl ove?Howf uckedupar ey ou?Shedoesn’ t
deser vethis…God, please…pl ease…Iknowy ou
canf ixshit…mymom al way sprayedandt hings
turnedupgood…soIbel i
evey oucanf i
xt his…a
tradet hen…myl i
fef orher s…makeSheba
ok…. please…shei sbet t eroffwithoutme
any way …

Hepull
edoutagunfrom ahi
ddencompart
ment
under
neat
htheseatofhi
scarandputi
tinhis
mouth…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
69

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Tebatsosatinthepar
kinglotwhenhi
sphone
star
tedri
nging…Kedi
…af t
ersever
almissed
call
shepickedup…

MADUO:Daddyareyoucomi
ngtoreadmea
st
ory
?IwanttheJonahonef
rom t
heBibl
e…

Hewi
pedhi
stear
sandsmi
l
edathi
sli
tt
lev
oice.

TEBATSO:Heyli
tt
leman…todaymamaisgoing
toreadf
oryou,
ok?Ican’tmakeit
…Il
oveyou.
MADUO:Iateall
myv eget
ables,
mamasay
sifI
eatt
hem al
lI’
l
lbetal
landbigli
keyou.

TEBATSO:
Yourmom i
sri
ght
…ok,
boy
-boy
,sl
eep
ti
ght
.

MADUO:
Lov
eyoudaddy
…seey
out
omor
row!

Kedit
ookthephoneandgoti
tof
fspeaker
,
goi
ngtoherbedroom.

KEDI
:Tebat
so,
arey
ouok?

TEBATSO:I…uhm…Shebatri
edtocommit
sui
cide…t
heydon’tknowi
fshe’
l
l makei
t
thr
oughthenight
.
KEDI:Ohmy …arey
ouok?Whathappened?
Wher eareyou?Doy ouneedmetocomet here?
Icouldaskt henei
ghbourgi
rlt
ocomebaby si
t,
shebaby satformebeforewhenIwentt
oanal l
-
nightprayer
.

TEBATSO:No…it
’sokKedi
,youwat
cht
he
ki
ds…I’
drat
herknowtheyar
esafe…

KEDI
: ButIt
houghty
ouguy sweregett
ing
marr
ied…yousaid…whathappened?

TEBATSO: Ididsomebadthi
ngsbacki
nt he
days,pl
ayedheralot…shef
oundout…i
t’
smy
faul
tKedi…ifshedi
es…

KEDI:
Ohman…Ifeelforher
…arey
ousureyou
wil
lbeok?Youdon’
tsoundok.Wher
eisyour
gun?

TEBATSO:
Whatgun?

KEDI :I
’m notdumbTebat so…I
’m notas
oblivi
ousasy outhi
nk…j
ust…bef
orey oudo
somet hingstupid…j
ustt
hinkofourkids,ok?
Maduo, helooksuptoyou…andNene, i
t’
sa
strugglegetti
nghertosleepwit
houtherdaddy
readingt oher…

Hesmiledthi
nkingaboutNeo’
schubbyli
tt
le
handsalwaysreachi
nguptohimtopickherup.

KEDI :
Andt hisone…I’
mt hi
nki
ngofcal
li
ngher
Blessing…i
magi necomingintot
heworl
dand
neverknowi ngyourfat
her…youwentt
hrough
that…Iwentt hr
oughthat…weknowthepain…do
y
ouwantBl
essi
ngt
ogot
hrought
hat
?

TEBATSO:
Kedi
please…

KEDI :AndBat hsheba…shei snotdead…doct ors

arenotGod, onl yHedeci dedwhodi esor
l
ives…Shebai snotabadper son.Idon’tknow
whatpai nsshewentt hrough, butIcanseeher
hor ri
bleatti
tudest eamsf rom hur t
…Ihold
not hi
ngagai nsther …whati fshemakesi t
through, Tebat so?Shemayneedy outopull
through…andi fy ouarenott here?Shedidmor e
thananywomancansaysheev erdidforaman,
fory ou…shel ov esyou…y ouowehert obeather
sidewhensheneedsy ou.Idon’tcarewhatthe
situati
oni srightnow…sheneedsy oubyher
side…

TEBATSO:
Ican’
tKedi
…I’
vecausedt
oomuch
pai
n…

KEDI:So, youmi ghtaswel lgoonandhur tthe

peoplewhocar eabouty ou?Yourpar ents,they
l
ovey ou…y ourfat
heri soldandy ourmot heris
i
ll
…doy ouwantt oputt hem t hrought hat?Your
ki
ds…Bat hsheba…me…y es,me…Il ovey ou
Tebatso, andknowt hati fyoudowhatIknow
youaret hinkingofrightnow, y
oumi ghtaswel l
betakingt hatgunt othehear tsofsomany
peoplet oo.Iloveyou.Iwi ll
bepr ayingf or
Bathsheba’ srecoverytonight.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Tebat
sowal
kedbacki
ntot
hehospi
tal
andaf
ter
beggingtheyal
l
owedhi
mtogoi
ntoI
CUt
osee
Bathsheba.

Hi
sheartbrokeashelookedatherwit
hso
manytubesandmachi nesat
tachedt
oher
…Kedi
wasri
ght,Shebaneededhim her
e…

Hesatont
hechai
rnear
byandt
ookherhand.

TEBATSO: Barb…Bar bi
e…(Hewi pedt earsas
theyrolleddownhi scheeksnon- stop)
Bathshebapl ease, I
’m sorry…whatcanIdot o
fi
xthis?Pl ease…j ustcomebackt ome…I ’
lldo
anything…al lthroughourr el
ati
onshipit’
sbeen
youdoi ngt helov i
ng…gi vi
ng…sacr i
fi
cing…andall
Ieverdidwashur ty ou…ifanyoneshoul dbeon
thatbedr ightnow, itshouldbe
me…pl ease…Bar bie…Ineedy ou…y ouknowIl ove
you,thoughIadmi t,I’v
eshowni tinv er
ystrange
way s…I’
vehur tyourepeatedly…mostpeopl e
have.Buty ou,Sheba,youj ustmov eonl i
ke
nothinghappened.Younev eronceacted
vi
ctim…y ounev eraskedforany one’s
sympat hy…y ouarethemosthar dworking
personIknow…mostl oyal…Shebapl ease…
pl
ease…

Twonur sescameinandl edhim out

side.He
satinthebenchcryi
ngalone,andfel
tahandon
hisshoulder
.Helookedupt oseeKgomudo
standi
ngnexttohim.

TEBATSO:Dad…theysay
…theysayshei
s
dyi
ng…shecan’
tdi
edad…Ineedher
…Ineed
Sheba….

KGODUMO: Shei
snotgoi
ngany
way
…shei
sa
st
ronggi
rl
…
TEBATSO:
It’
sal
lmyf
aul
t…

KGODUMO: Hey
…nof ingerpoi
nti
ng,
ok?That
doesnothel
pBathshebainanyway…

TEBATSO:
How…howdi
dyouev
enknowIwas
her
e?

KGODUMO: Kedi
cal
l
edme…y ourgi
rli
sgoingt
o
befi
ne,
ok?Weneedt ohopeandtrustt
hatshe
wil
lbef
ine…

TEBATSO:(
cry
ing)i
t’
smyf
aul
t….
Ihur
therso
bad…r
epeat
edl
y…

KGODUMO:
Showmeonesi
ngl
eper
sonon
ear t
hwhohasn’ tmessedup.Weal l made
mi stakes…nowy ouneedt obestrong, ok…y ou
needt obestrongf orher.Ri
ghtnowt hereisn’
t
muchwecando…Ihav ecall
edherf ather.Hei s
drivingt oFr
ancistownwi thhermot hersr i
ght
now…t heydidn’twantt owaitforamor ning
fl
ight …andherbr other
sar ei
ntown, herf ather
calledt hem,sotheywi l
l beher
eanymi nute.

Bonwal
kedi
ncarry
ingasl
eepi
ngHadassah,
wit
hTuel
owalki
ngbehi
ndhim.

BON: Whatthefuckdidyoudot omysister

?I
swearI’
m goingtoki
llyou…(HehandedDassah
toTueloandlungedforTebatso.Kgodumo
stoodinfr
ontofhim).

KGODUMO:Youngman!Behavey
our
self
,you
hav
ebett
ert
rai
ningt
hanthat
…Youwantto
punchhim,
huh?Doesn’
thel
ookbeatup
al
ready
?Besides,
howdoest
hathel
py oursi
ster
?

BON:Ij
ust
…howi
sshedoi
ng?Dadi
sont
he
way…

KGODUMO: Thedoctorssayherhear trat

ehas
stabil
i
zed, butst i
l
lverylowbr ainacti
vi
ty,i
t’
s
concerning.Theyr efuset odiscussanythi
ng
mor eindet ailunt
ilt
heyt alktohernextofkin
whoi sregisteredashersi sterBethanyVan
Andreas…

BON: Beth’
soutoft
hecount
ry,
sheisi
n
Melbourne…Ical
l
edher
,sheisfi
ndi
ngafl
i
ght
ri
ghtnow…

*
***
***
*
ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Rebaonesati
nbedr
eadi
ngwhenTshepe
walkedi
n.

TSHEPE:
SoLahr
ent
oldmeMaot
ocamet
osee
her
…

REBAONE:Oh,sonowyouarehav
ingl
i
ttl
etêt
e-
à-
têt
e’swi
ththeput
a.Awesome.

TSHEPE:Rebaone,whywouldyourunt
oyouex
-boy
fri
endaboutourshi
t?It
oldyouIwas
handli
ngthi
ngswithLal
a.

REBAONE:
Lal
a?Wow,
sonow wear
eon
nicknamebasi swithwhor e?You’l
lnever
change, Tshepe.Andy esIrantoMaoto
becauseatl eastenehehasbal lstodo
somet hi
ngabouti t.Am Isupposedt oseat
aroundwhi leanobv iouslydangerousperson
threat
ensmychi l
dren?Hei smuchbet terman
thany oufordoingsomet hingwhereyouhad
weekst odoi tandy ounev erdid.

TSHEPE:Rebaonewee, kopaoskan-
compar
a
l
eyourboyfr
iend,
please…

REBAONE: Youshoul dhavedonesomet hi

ng
Tshepe!Youshoul dhave!Butwhatdoy oudo,
goplaycatchupwi thyourwhorefr
iendwhen
shethreat
ensy ourchil
dren?OfcourseIwentt
o
hi
m…may benexttimey ou’
llmanupbefore
othermendoi tforyou.
TSHEPE: Talktomel ikethatagai
nandket l
ago
betsagoreereosi anelakogoMaot othenyou’l
l
havesomet hingrealtotell
him.WhenIsayI’l
l
handlesomet hi
ng,Rebaone, ImeanIwil
l,
ok?
Letthisbethelastti
mey ouputoutour
businesstopeoplelikethat.

Shesatonthecouchsobbi
ngwhent
her
ewasa
knockatt
hedoorandTshepewentt
oopen.

MAOTO: Myman,
dint
sha…wait
,whyisReba
cr
ying?(
hesai
dpeeki
ngint
othehouse)

TSHEPE:Noneofyourbusi
ness,soi
sther
e
anyt
hingwecoul
dhelpyouwith?MywifeandI
werehavi
ngapri
vateconver
sati
on.

MAOTO:
Ok,
obv
iousl
yonal
est
ress,
soI
’
ma
ski
pthatat
ti
tude.Whatdi
dyoudot
oher
,Reba
areyouok?

HepushedpastTshepeandwal
kedi
n,si
tt
ing
nextt
oRebaoneont hesof
a.

REBAONE: Heismadatmebecausehi
sli
tt
le
gi
rl
fr
iendtoldhi
myoucametoseeher…saidhe
wasgoingtobeatmeupfori
t.

MAOTO:Ar
ey ouseri
ousri
ghtnowTshepe?
Howist
hatRebaone’
sfaul
t?

TSHEPE: GetoutofmyhouseMaot
o…thi
sis
pri
vatebusinessandy
ouarebot
her
ingus.
Leave.
MAOTO:I’
m notl
eavi
ngherwit
hyouint
hat
mood…Rebaone,
gettheki
dsketl
aledr
opako
gomme…

TSHEPE:Doesyourwif
eknowy
ouar
epl
ayi
ng
her
owithyourex-
gir
lf
ri
end?

MAOTO: Honestl
yTshepe, y
ouratt
it
udeis
getti
ngannoying.Thisi
sy ourf
ucki
ngmess,
whydoesRebagett heblameforit
?Legone
youneedt ostopthreat
eningyourwifewit
h
vi
olence.Reba,gogetthekids…ift
hisonehasa
problem wecouldtalkmant omanout si
de…

Tshepel
aughedandtookhi
scarkey
sandgot
i
nthecaranddroveoff
.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
70

ATAHOTEL

Tshepesati
nthehotel
bardri
nki
ngwhen
Lahrencameandsatnextt
ohim.

LAHREN: Wel
l
,youl
ookl
i
kesomeoneki
cked
yourki
tt
en

TSHEPE:
(laughi
ng)youar
etheonl
yoneIknow
whowouldkickki
tt
ens.

LAHREN:What’
sbother
ingyou,Legi
on?I’
ve
beenwat
chi
ngy ouf
orthepast15mi nut
es
downi
ngshotsl
ikeamot hef
ucker.
TSHEPE:
Can’
tani
ggadr
inkwi
thoutr
eason?

LAHREN:Dri
nking,
I’
m al
lfort
hat.Hell
,I
const
ant
lyhaveabottl
ewithme.It’
swhenyour
emoti
onsmakey oudri
nkthatIam notsobi
g
wit
h.So,
what’sup?

TSHEPE:
Shi
t…y
ouknow,
fami
l
y.

LAHREN: Toldyouyouweren’
tcutoutf
orthat
shi
t…that
’swhyI ’
m nev
ermarryi
ngorhavi
ng
chi
ldr
en…y ouknow,Igavebi
rt
honce…

TSHEPE:
(laughi
ng)y
ou?Now,
that
’sanout
ri
ght
l
ie.
LAHREN: (l
aughi ng)what ?Ihaveav aginaanda
wombt hatwor kswel l,whatmakesy out hinkI
can’tgivebirth?Idid.Happeneday earbef or
eI
mety ou.Iwas16andIwant edt oescapet he
gringos.Imett hisguyBy t
e,youmi ghtknow
him.Hewassweet ,wantedthingsIknowI
couldn’tgive.WhenIf oundoutIwaspr egnantI
wentt oli
v ewi t
hhi m.Hewasper fectr eally,but
Iknewev entuall
yI’dbreakhislit
tlehear t,sothe
momentIwasheal edenoughaf tergi vingbi rt
hI
dippedandnev erlookedback.Di dn’ tev enhav e
ti
met onamet hechild,andthat’
sj usthowIl i
ke
i
t.

TSHEPE: Byte’ski
disyour
s?Well
,I’
l
lbe
damned!Hei sint
hecountr
yyouknow?Mat
ter
offact,
inFrancist
own.Isawhim wi
tht
heki
d
theotherdayatPicknPay .
LAHREN:Notint
erested.Heisthekindthat
’s
onedaygonnamar r
yandhav eaf amil
yandshit
.
Notmykindofli
festy
le.Other
wiseI’
dendup
depr
essedli
keyou.

TSHEPE:
I’
m notdepr
essed.

LAHREN:What
ever
.I’
m headedupt
omyr oom.
Ihav
esomeniceol
dChiantiupt
her
eify
ouare
i
nter
est
ed.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
owal
kedi
nasGout
ajustf
ini
shedput
ti
ng
t
heki
dst
obed.
GOUTA:Wasthereapr
obl
em att
hef
arm?You
ar
eusual
lyear
ly

MAOTO:No, IpassedbyT’
shouse…hi
m and
Rebawerehavinganargument
,soIdr
opped
herof
fatmme’ shouse

GOUTA:
What
?

MAOTO: Don’
tstar
tGigi
,Ij
ustdr
oppedheroff
.
Hethreat
enedtobeatherupandyouknow
Tshepehasatemper,hewasquit
epissed.

GOUTA:Howi
st haty
ourbusi
nesst
hough?
Theyar
emarr
ied!
MAOTO: Itkindofwas.Somegi rl
,Tshepe’
sex,
hasbeengoi ngaft
erthei
rkidsandTshepe
won’tdoany thi
ngabouti
t.Iwenttohav eachat
wit
ht hegir
landTshepegotpi ssedatRebafor
comingtome.

GOUTA:Doyoublamehimt hough?Imean,
woul
dn’
tyougetpissedi
fev er
yti
mewear gueI
rant
oRi
cardoaboutourissues?

MAOTO:
ComeonGi
gi,
it’
snott
hesame…

GOUTA: Howi sitnot?Youareherex-boy

fri
end!
Tshepeisyourbabybr other
,butwhatyoudidis
fucki
ngdisrespectf
ul.Tobothhim andme.
Howdoy outhinkIfeelknowingmyhusbandis
alwayspl
ay i
ngherot oanotherwoman?
MAOTO:
SoIshoul
dn’
thel
p?

GOUTA: No, goahead,Capt ainAf ri

ca.Goahead
andsav ethewor l
d,Imean, I’
m sur ethereare
thousandsofwomenhav inghusbandt r
oubles.
Youshoul dopenanof fi
cei nfact.‘Husband
botheringy ou?CallCaptainMaot otocome
sav eyou’niceslogan,huh?Ori stheprivi
lege
onlyreservedf oryourex-girl
fri
ends?Howabout
Onika?Ihav en’
tseeherwi thherhusbandat
socialfunctionsinawhi l
e, mightbehav ing
troubl
est oo, wannagosav ehert oo?

MAOTO:Aomma…y ouknowi
t’
snotl
i
ke
t
hat
…Gigicomeon.

GOUTA:I
’m sickofthi
sshitofyoual
way s
j
umpingatReba’scrocodi
l
et ear
s.I
’m si
ckofi
t
Maot
oandi tstopsnow!
*
***
***
**

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

I
nthemor
ning

BONNO: Ithi
nkyouguy sshouldgo, myf amil
y
wil
lbeheresoon,andtheyar en’tascalm asI
am.UncleDJanduncl eMmusi saidtheywill
be
hereinanhourandtheyarebot hv er
yhot
tempered.Theyar
egoingt oblamey ouf or
Sheba.TakenotethatIbl
amey oualso,andif
anythi
nghappenstomysi ster,Iwil
lpersonal
ly
kil
lyou.

TEBATSO:I
’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e,I
’
m not
l
eavi
ngherher
e…
KGODUMO:Ithinkheisright
,let
’sgi
vet
he
fami
l
ythei
rpersonalspace.

BONNO: (
sighing)Lookman, Iknowhowmuch
Shebal ovesy ou.Iftherei sanychange, I
’
ll
updat eyou, l
etmegety ournumber .Butfornow
please,justleave.Ther eisenoughdr ama
al
r eadywi t
houtpeopl ef ighti
ng.ForSheba’s
sake.Ipr omiseIwi l
l updat eyou.

TheVanAndr
easfamil
yarr
ivedanhouraf
ter
KgodumoandTebat
solef
t.

BRUCEBANANDREAS: Yousee,Bonolo,y
ou
seewhathappened?Ididtel
lyouletmehandle
thatguy,
andy ousaidt
oleti
tbe,nowl ookat
myl i
tt
legi
rli
nt her
ewit
hallt
hoset ubes…I
sweari
fmychi
l
ddi
es…

KAMO: Rr
agwe- Ratithedon’
tspeakli
ke
that…weneedt opr ayforourBarbi
enottobe
pointi
ngfinger
sandmaki ngthreat
s.Pl
ease…
Bonl etmeholdDassah, t
saaTunaandgoget
everyonebreakfast,Mmusi andDJwillbehere
soon, soi
sNay aandRi l
ey.WenaBasseygo
fetchBethattheai port
,shemanagedt ogeta
fl
ightinPerth,
itwas11hour sandshetookthe
7am onet oGabor one,sheshouldbeabout
takingonefrom her enow.

*
***
***
*

ATDES’
OFFI
CE

Deswal
kedi
nsi
ghi
ng.Oni
kahadbeen
screamingathi m againaboutnotbei ngexci
ted
aboutthebaby .Notl i
keshewasn’ texcit
ed
enoughf or10peopl e!Theirbedr
oom was
l
iteral
l
yami nibabyshow, babyclothes,cot
s
andev er
y t
hingeverywhere!Pregnancy
hormonesandal l
,thatshitwasdraining.

SETSO: (
inaSiriv
oice)Accordi
ngt
omy
cal
culat
ions,youshouldhaveahot
cappuccino…

Handi
nghi
m acup.

Hel
aughedandt
ookasi
p.

DESMOND: Mhhh,j
usthowIlikei
t…wher
edi
d
youbuyt
his?Thi
sisperfect
.
SETSO: Imadei t…di dy ouknowt her ei
san
espr essomachi nei nthepant ry?Itwasj ust
sitti
ngt her ealldust ybecausenoonewasusi ng
i
t .Icalledmai ntenanceandt heyf ixedit
, sohere
wehav eacuppaci no.Yest ardayy ouwer e
compl ainingthatt her ejustaren’tgood
cappucci nosint hewor ldandt oldmeaboutt he
goodcappucci noy ouoncehadi nUK.I
sear chedt herestaur antandt heyhadar ecipe
forthei rsignature, andi nyourcupboar dy ou
hadacof feeblendf rom theirrestaurant.Ithi
nk
youmi ghthav eonceboughti tandnev erusedi t
.
Itisstillyearsf r
om expi ri
ng,soIt ookitand
madey ouacuppa.

DESMOND:Thi
sismagi
c,mydayst ar
tsl
iket
his
ever
yday
?I’
m goi
ngtot
urnintofucki
ngSant
a
andgoar
oundhandi
ngoutgif
ts.
Shel
aughedandwentov
ert
oherdeskt
olook
athi
scal
endar
.

SETSO: Well
,Sant
a, I’
m af
raidwemayhav eto
postponethegif
ti
ngf oranotherday.Today
yourdayisquit
ehect i
c,youhav eseveral
meet i
ngsandaf l
ighttoJo’burg,I
’
llarr
angefor
thesecret
arytotr
av elwit
hy oubecausey ouar
e
goingtoneed…

DESMOND: Whydon’ tyoucomewi t

hme?I ’m
sor
rybutIfuckinhateStel
l
ar,
ifherboobsaren’t
onmyf ace,sheisbaff
li
ngmewi ththebull
shit
sheprobabl
yt hi
nksissmartt
hatshei sal
ways
sayi
ng.AndIcanbar el
yunderst
andt hatf
ake
Americanaccent.

SETSO:(l
aughi
ng)MrMarumo!Don’tsaynast
y
thi
ngsaboutpeopl
e,someonecoul
dhearyou.
DESMOND: (
laughi
ng)I
’
djustdenyi
tandsay
yousai
dit
…

SETSO:
BecauseIhavethatdeepbasev
oice,
ri
ght
?Ever
yonewil
lbeli
eveyou.

DEMSOND: Buthonest lythough,comewi t

hme,
IneedmySi ri
…IswearI ’
dhav eamuchbet ter
tr
ipandwi l
l beablet ogetthecontractand
everyonewillgetaf atbonusatt heendofthe
year.Butit
’salli
ny ourhands, y
oudon’ t
come. .
nobonusf oral l
ofus…comeon
Sir
i…(giv
ingherpuppyey es).

SETSO: I
…Iguess…I
’
veneverev
enbeenoutof
thecountr
y.Mypasspor
tissomewher
e
coll
ect
ingdust.
DESMOND:Theni
t’
ssett
led,
youarecoming
wit
hme.Letmedropyouatyourhousesoyou
cancol
l
ectaqui
ckbag.

*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
71

ATSETSO’
SHOUSE

Desmondparkedinf
rontoft
heBHChouse
Setsohaddi
rect
edhi
mt o.

DESMOND:Nicewheels…whydoy out
aket
he
bust
oworkwheny ouhavesuchasweetBMW?
AndIt
houghtyoul
ivedinthev
il
lage?
SETSO:
(laughi
ng)i
t’
smyboy
fri
end’
s.

DESMOND:
Idi
dn’
tknowy
ouhadaboy
fri
end?

SETSO:Herentsthi
splaceforhi
sli
ttl
esister
,
heli
vesinGaboroneandjustcameyesterday,
soIwasspendingafewday sherewit
hhi m.I
haveafewitemshere,enoughtotr
avelfora
weekend.

DESMOND: Ammekesi st
er?Kanabo
di
shashenyanabathist
own,agobeemo
nt
longwithhisgi
rl
fr
iendwenaor ekesi
ster
.A
j
akahalekahamoshi mane!

SETSO:(l
aughi
ng)MrMar
umo!Youar
eso
nast
y,y
ouknow!
DESMOND:I
t’
sDes,
andkebuamaaka?I
’
mjust
l
ooki
ngoutf
ormySir
i…

SETSO: Resteasy ,
Santa,i
tishissist
er.They
shareaf at
her,butapparent
lythegirl
’smother
i
sv erbal
lyabusive,sohehadt orentheraplace
soshecanf ini
shherf ormfourandf ormfivei
n
peace.

DESMOND:
(rai
singaney
ebr
ow)Sant
a?

SETSO: (
laughing)yousaidyouwereSant
a
today,r
emember ?Ok,l
etmegogetmybag.I’
d
i
nv i
teyouin,butmyboy fri
end…hehasa
tendencytooverreactaboutnothi
ng.

DESMOND:
Getsomeswi
mweart
oo,
may
be
we’
ll
haveti
met
ohi
tabeachnear
byaf
termy
meeti
ng.

SETSO:(
laughi
ng)becauseIhav
eswimwear,
ri
ght
?Wher ewouldIbeweari
ngit,
huh?Ok,
let
megrabmybag, backinaji
ff
y.

*
***
***
*

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Tshepewal
kedi
nandf
oundKwapawor
kingon
hi
sbike.

KWAPA:Otswakaewena.Gat
wegawal
alamo
l
wapeng.
TSHEPE:(
laughi
ng)wasn’
tfucki
ngar
oundi
f
that
’swhatyouaret
hinki
ng.

KWAPA:Ipassedbymme’
sandgat
weneor
eo
bet
samosadi?

TSHEPE:
(laughi
ng)Theyar
ely
ing.Nnaker
eke
bet
samang?

KWAPA:
Butser
iousl
ythoughT,
what
’sgoi
ng
on?

TSHEPE:Ai
sh,nnathemonnakelapi
l
eke
Reba’
shabi
tofalwaysr
unningt
oMaot owi
th
ourshi
t.

KWAPA:
Ithoughtshest
oppedt
hat
.
TSHEPE:AndMaot oi
sbeingdi
srespect
ful
,li
ke
whatthef
uckisupwithhim?Heshowedupat
myplaceandstar
tedact
ingup.I
’mr eal
l
ysick
oft
hatshi
tKP.

KWAPA: Ifeelyou,letmetal
ktoMaot o…I’
llal
so
tal
ktoReba’ssisterabuenae,Ihopewecan
sol
vethiswithoutinvol
vi
ngtheelders,y
ouknow
howdr amati
cReba’ sparent
sare,t
heirl
itt
le
pri
ncessisneverwr ong.

TSHEPE:Thanksman, ot
her
wisehowis
ever
ythi
ng.Isawthatchi
ckofyour
sOnika
buyi
ngbabyt hi
ngs,
sheispr
egnant?

KWAPA:
Yea…
TSHEPE: Gasewenaoscoril
engtota?
(Laughing)Iknowyouhi
tthatrecentl
y,Ir
ead
yourtextswhenIborr
owedy ourphone.

KWAPA:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
eapieceofshi
tfor
that
…butno…Imean….
I…we…

TSHEPE: (l
aughi
ng)Ohshi t!Ohshi t
!Youdidn’
t
userubber,di
dy ou?Itcoul
dbey ours,
fuuuck!
Thisshiti
smor einter
esti
ngt handay l
i
ght
tel
evi
sion!Wow, Man-Mani sgettingasibl
ing.

KWAPA: FotsekeTshepe…Imean…ei
sh…Inev
er
thoughtaboutthat
.

TSHEPE:Myman,ifthat
’sy
ourki
d,youst
il
l
haveachance…we’l
lseewhenit
’sbor
n…
KWAPA:Imightnotev
enneedt
owai
t…Icoul
d
doaNIPP.

TSHEPE:
Awhat
?

KWAPA:It
’saprenatal
paterni
tytest,
Idon’t
real
l
yknowmuchabouti t,
soI’l
lhitupColtand
ask…shi
t,whati
fit
’smine?

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
ocarr
iedi
natr
ayofbr
eakf
astwhi
l
eGout
a
wasj
ustwaki
ngup.

MAOTO:
Breakf
astf
ormyl
ady
…scr
ambl
edeggs,
bakedbeans, Russi
ansausageandtoast
,wi
tha
sideofcoffee,bl
ackandstr
ongjusttheway
youli
key ouman, huh,
whatdoy ousay?

GOUTA:(l
aughi
ng)Bol
ope!Youthi
nkoka
nt
hapel
aaneasyEngli
shbreakf
ast…

MAOTO: Aoo,Itr
yingthebatho,
youknowI
can’
tcookforshi
t…thi
sisall
Iknow.Sant
seo
nngal
etse?

GOUTA: GakeangalaMaoto,it
’sjustt
hatgao
fair
,youareal
waysrunni
ngtoRebaone’s
rescue,we’
vebeenmarri
edforalmost10year
s
nowandi t’
sal
waysbeenthesame.

MAOTO:Iapol
ogi
ze…Iwasjustwor
ri
edabout
mybr
other,
youknowRebaone’
sfamil
y,al
lof
them.Theyactl ikeshei sasai nteventt hough
theyknowt heki ndofl i
tt
ledevilsheis.Tshepe
hasat emper ,i
fheev enl aidhi
shandsonher ,
they’dpushf orhisarrestsohar d,especiall
y
afterwhathappenedl asttimewhent heysaid
Tshepeki dnappedher .AndIwentt otalkto
thatLati
nachi ckonbehal fofmyni eceand
nephew.Ial waysst andformyf amily,youknow
that…shecameaf termyf ami l
y.

GOUTA: Ihearyou…Ijustdon’
tlikeherfeel
ing
l
ikeshecanr untomyhusbandwhenev ershe
wants.Sheneedst ocutthatshit.Rebahas
cousi
ns,boTef oandall,whydidn’tsheask
them t
ogot alktoher?

MAOTO:Ok,Iwaswrong,I’
m sor
ry.Nextt
imeI
wi
ll
justt
urnherdownifshecomest ome.
GOUTA:Youbett
er,
esengjaloketl
aletr
apake
l
ekopanyanawenalenyat
sinyanaeoyagago.

MAOTO: (
laughing)Gatweny atsi?Nnammaga
kenany atsi.Ihaveabeaut i
ful
,intell
i
gent,sexy
asfuckwif e.WhatneeddoIneedaf or
nyatsi?
Eatbreakfastmogat saka,aft
erwar dswecoul d
seeaboutdesser t,huh…thekidsar ealr
eadyat
school…

GOUTA:
Uhm…y
ea,
wehav
ejobs…

MAOTO: Perksofbeingt
heboss…mangot a
rengifweshowupkal unch?Andy ouknowI
couldkeepyouinhereunti
lthenmos…gotthat
energyandstaminaandall(
hef l
exedhi
s
musclesandwinkedather)
GOUTA:(
laughi
ng)Batho!Ngwanaowaga
Shadi
hasthebiggestegoi
ntheworl
d!

MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)Igota
bi
g…eheheh…ego…Shelovemy
bi
g…eheheh…ego…

GOUTA:Mxim,fot
sek…comehere…l
et’
sjustsay
scr
ewbreakf
astandheadontodessert
…then
youar
egoingtofi
ndyourbr
otherandapologi
ze,
youdi
ck.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Thedoct
orcamet
othewai
ti
ngr
oom wher
ethe
enti
ref
amil
ywassi
tti
ngt
ogether
,Bet
hany
cry
ingsl
eepi
ngonKamo’
slap.

Shest
oodupandr
ant
othedoct
or…

BETHANY: Iwanttoseemysi
sternow…Iwanna
seeSheba…please…

DR:
Youar
eMsBet
hanyVanAndr
eas,
right
?

BETHANY:
Yes…please,
goonandspeak
her
e…weareal
lfamil
y.

DR: MsBathshebaisstabl
ebutnotoutof
danger.Wedonothav ealltheequipmentthat
wouldgiveherabetterchanceatrecovery
.
Personal
lyIwouldsuggesty oumov ehert
oa
f
aci
l
ityabr
oad…

BETHANY:
Whati
sthesi
tuat
ionr
ightnow?

DR:Herbr
ainact
ivit
yisst
il
ll
ow,therei
ssome
butl
ow.Wecan’ttel
lhowitwil
ltur
nout.

MRVANANDREAS:
Butwhatar
ewef
aci
ng?

DR:Honest l
y,fourpossibi
li
ties.Thebestoption
wehopef orisf orhertocomeoutoft hecoma
i
nfullrecoveryandev eryt
hingok.Thereisalso
apossibil
it
yofcomi ngoutofi tr
ecovered,but
wit
hfullorpar t
ialamnesiaasshecaused
si
gnif
icantdamaget ohercer ebral
cortex,
but
shewoul dsti
llbeok.
BETHANY:
Yousai
dfour
,whatar
etheot
hert
wo?

DR:Shecoul
dbev
eget
ati
ve…j
ustst
ucki
nthi
s
st
ate…or
…

MRVANANDREAS:
Or,
what
?Speak,
damni
t!

DR:Orshecoul
dbecomebraindead…whi
ch
meansshewill
beessent
ial
l
ydead.

BETHANY: Thenwemov eher.Idon’

tcarehow
muchi tcosts,I
’
llputinallmylif
esavi
ngsif
anyonehasapr oblem wit
hit,
Iwantthebest
faci
li
tyyoucouldt hinkofformysist
er…

MRVANANDREAS:Don’
tbesil
ly
, ofcoursewe
wi
l
lfi
ndt
hebestt
herei
s,doct
orjustgiveusa
nameandwewi
l
lst
artor
gani
singt
ranspor
t
i
mmediat
ely
.

BON:
Herf
iancée?Shoul
dIt
ell
him…

BETHANY: Youwil
ldonosucht hi
ng!Noone
tal
kstothatsonofabitchaboutmysist
er,
underst
and?Idon’tcareabouthi
m, hei
sthe
reasonsheisher
er i
ghtnow.Wear emoving
ShebaandTebatsocanbedamned.

DR:Now,
MsBethany,
I’
dreal
lyl
i
ket
otal
kto
youi
namorepr
ivat
emat t
er.

Shef
oll
owedt
hedoct
ori
ntheof
fi
ce.

DR:
Yoursi
steri
spr
egnant
…
BETHANY:What?Butshe…uhm…she
ter
minat
edaboutt
womont hsago…

DR: Sheissixweekpr egnant…it’

sentir
ely
possibletogetpr egnantimmedi atel
yaftera
terminati
on.Quitehighlylikel
yactuall
yifyou
arenotcar ef
ul,especiall
yifter
mi nat
ionwasat
theearlystagesofpr egnancy ,
thebodyi ssti
l
l
highlyfer
ti
le,andi ft
heabor ti
onwassuccessf ul
withoutcompl i
cation,pregnancycaneasi l
y
occur.

BETHANY:
Shebadoesn’
twantchi
l
dren…

DR:Thati
swhatIwantedt
ot al
ktoyouabout
asanextofki
n…thepr
egnancycoul
driskher
l
if
eifshedoesn’
tcomeoutofcomasoon, but
al
soat erminati
onrightnowcouldcausealot
oforganfail
ureasherbodyi ssti
ll
try
ingt
o
processthehighleveloftoxi
nssheputonit
withthedrugs,pi
ll
sandal cohol
.

BETHANY:
Butshedoesn’
twantchi
l
dren!

DR: Thatiswhyy ouhav etochoose.I fyouask

formypr of
essional advi
ce,I
’dsayt akether i
sk
ofkeepi ngthepregnancyasshemaycomeout
ofacomaany ti
mesoon, andtherisksar eonly
amay be,evenifshest aysvegetat
iv e.But
attemptingat erminationri
ghtnowi sadef ini
te
highrisk,anykindofunst ablecompounds
i
nt r
oducedi ntoherbodywi l
lcausesomeor gan
fail
ures,whichmayl eadtodeathonbot hthe
mot herandt hechild.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
72

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedi
pickedupherr
ingi
ngphone.

KEDI
:Hel
l
o…

BON: Hey…howarey
ou?Sorr
yforthel
ong
si
lence,Ihadaf
amil
yemergency
…

KEDI
:Ok…

BON:
SocanIseey
out
oday
?
KEDI
:Idon’
tknow,I
’mthi
nki
ngofv
isi
ti
ngmy
baby
-daddy
,heisnotwel
l
…

BON:
Ij
o,wai
tsewenamma…y
oust
il
ll
ovehi
m?

KEDI:Hei sthefatherofmychi ld…ItoldyouIdo

l
ovehi m…y ouareaski ngfrom mesomet hi
ngI
coul
dnev ergivey ou,Bonno.Myhear ti
swith
anotherman.Al lIcanofferisfri
endship,andI
haveaf eeli
ngthatwoul dbeawkwar dtoosince
youareinterest
edi nmor ethanf r
iendshi
pwi t
h
me.Andr ightnowIneedt obet herefor
Tebatsobecausehei sinar eal
l
ybadshape…

BON: Wai
t,Tebat
so?Theguywadi
club?That
’s
yourbabydaddy?

KEDI
:Yes…
BON: Thebast ar
dt hatputmysisterinacoma, I
hopehedi es,orel seI’m goi
ngtokill
thefucki
ng
sonofabi tchmy sel f…thatmantreat
edmy
si
sterliketrashf ort helongestt
ime.Andt hat
’s
whaty ouar est i
l
l hangingont o?Comeon
Kedi…hei sadog…

KEDI:
Youdon’
tknowhi
mli
keIdo…hei
sa
goodman…

BON: Goodmanmyass.Soy ouwer etheone

hedumpedmysi sterf
orafewmont hsbef ore
thei
rmarriage?Youknowwhat ,f
uckthis…hav e
funwithyourpieceofshi
tbabydaddy.May be
hewillst
ayawayf rom mysi
steraft
erall.

*
***
***
**
ATAHOTEL

DesmondandBanyanawalkedi
nfr
om t
he
meeti
ng,
laughi
ngexci
tedl
y.

DESMOND: See, It
oldyouthatifyoucomewi th
meI ’
dhav ethoseguy seatingatt
hepalm ofour
hands.Wet otall
yownedJohannesbur g,and
nowwej ustwont hi
sCapet owntender
.Andy ou
surpri
sedmet her egi
vinginputwhenthat
fuckeraskedy ou,heexpectedyoutobedumb!
Ididn’
tknowy ouwer einterest
edinfi
nance.

SETSO:
I’
m curr
ent
lyt
aki
ngacor
respondence
cour
seonl
ine.

DESMOND:
Smar
tgi
rl
…it
’sl
i
ket
her
ear
eso
manyl ayer
stoy ouandev erylayerjustkeeps
reveal
ingamor eawesomesi det oyout hanthe
l
ast …Ipromisedyouabeachandt heyhav eok
oneshereinCapet own.I’
l
l t
akey out omy
favori
teinMozambi quewhenwegot here,
but
fornowshal lweexplor
eonesi nCapet own?

SETSO:
Sur
e,I
’
venev
erseenabeachi
nreal
li
fe.

Theyeachwenttothei
rroomsandshecame
outweari
nghernewbiki
ni wi
thasheerkaf
tan
ontopofit
…plusahugesunhat.

Desmondst oodlookingatt hegir

l forawhi l
e.
Beneaththosesimpleclothessheusual lywore
totheoffi
ce…wel l
damn…t hegirl
hadan
awesomebody !Heremember edy earsback
seeingherauntBanyana’spor nvideo, andshe’
d
alwaysthoughtColt
’swifewassexyas
fuck…andtheotheraunttoo,
Sega,thatf
amil
y
waswel lbui
l
tman…butt hisr
ightherewas
somethingelse….

SETSO: (
catchi
nghi mlooki ng)don’ teventhink
aboutit
,Desmond…y ouar eamar ri
edman, and
I’
m notthatki
ndofgi rl
.Nev ergonnahappen,
andIam surey ouwillrespectt hat,becauseas
muchasIl ovemyj ob,I’dsoonerwal kaway
thanbreakanotherwoman’ smar r
iageandr ob
chil
drenofthei
rfather…Igr ewupwi thout
one…sogety ourmindr ightoutoft here…

DESMOND:(l
aughing)Hey,aboycan
appr
eci
atewi
thouttouchi
ng,ri
ght…just
l
ooki
ng…butt
hat’
sonet hi
ngIlikeaboutyou.
Youhav
emor al
s.Yourboyfr
iendislucky
.

*
***
***
*
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

ONIKA:Kennet
hwee, getoutofmyhousewit
h
yourr
idi
cul
oustheor
ies,thi
sismyhusband’
s
baby.

KWAPA: Buthowcanyoubesure?Let’
sdot he
test,
allt
heyneedisthebl
oodsamplefrom you
andme, andt hent
heycandoapre-
natalDNA
test…ifi
t’
smybabyIwantt obepartofthe
pregnancy.

ONIKA:Thisi
snotyourbaby!Bat
ho!What
l
anguagedoy ouwantmet ospeakfory
outo
underst
and?Leavemyhousenowbef or
emy
husbandgetshome.
KWAPA: Didy ousayhewasonat r
ip?Oni
ka,
comeon…j ustdothetest,
ify
ouar esosur
e,
thenitwill
pr oveI’
m nott
hefatherand
everyt
hingwi llbeok…comeon, i
fyoudon’
tdoit
I’
llt
ellDes…

ONIKA:Youtal
ktomyhusbandaboutthis
stupi
dit
yandIwil
lhat
eyouforli
fe.Iwi
ll
never
evenspeaktoyouagai
n.Now,getoutofmy
house!

*
***
***
**

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Maot
owal kedinandf
oundTshepewor
kingout
i
nthebackyard.
MAOTO:
Soy
ouar
est
il
lpi
ssedatme?

TSHEPE:
Fuckof
fbef
oreIpunchy
ou

MAOTO: I
fitwi
llmakeyoufeel
better
,thengo
ahead.Am Iwr
ongtolookoutformybaby
bother
?

TSHEPE:
looki
ngoutf
orme?Year
ight
,fuck
off
…

MAOTO: Yea,you,y
oui di
ot.YouknowRebahas
abigmouthandy ouwer eprett
yt i
cked.You’d
haveendedupbeat i
ngherass, andy ouknow
herfami
lyhasitinforyou.Theywoul dfightt
o
getyouinj
ail
.AndIhonest l
ywentt oseet hat
gi
rlj
usttohel
pout ,someonewasst alki
ngmy
ni
eceandnephew?I ’
m sorr
y,butI’
llhavewords.
TSHEPE:Fucky
ou,
whydoy
oual
way
shav
eto
pl
aysavi
our?

MAOTO: BecauseIpr omiseddadI ’

l
l alway s
l
ookoutf oryou.And,foryouri
nformat ion,baby
brother, y
ourwi feisfi
neandall,butdoy ou
knowwhatIgotathome?Yea, I’
m nott r
yingto
tapy ourwi fe…oranyotherwomanf ort hat
matt er,soy ourstupi
dassbet t
erchill.And
bett
ernotbet r
yingtodosomet hingoutt her
e
too,y ouar eafami l
ymannow.Gotki dsand
all
…

TSHEPE:Whyever
yonegot
tat
hinkI
’
m doi
ng
somethi
ngoutt
here?

MAOTO:
Because,
wher
edi
dyourassspendt
he
nightt
heot herday
?Icameher
etotr
yand
explai
nthingsandyouwer
en’
ther
e.Reba
doesn’tknow…

TSHEPE:Thereisn’
tany
thi
ngtoknow,Iwasn’
t
outt
herefucki
ng…how’sTebl
adoing?

MAOTO: Sadman, j
ustsadhissit
uati
on, he
doesn’
tevenknowifShebaifali
veornot .Itr
ied
togetsomethi
ngfrom Mmusi andDJ, but
neit
herknows,onl
yherimmediatefami l
yarein
theknow-howandtheVanAndr easain’ttal
ki
ng.

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE
Kedisatintheli
vi
ngr oom l
ookingather
pi
ctureswithTebatsoandt hekids.I
twould
havebeenwr ongtogetinar el
ationshi
pwith
Bonwhent herewerenof eeli
ngs.Bonwasa
greatguyandshehopedhemetsomeonewho
tr
ulylovedhim.Therewasaknockatt hedoor
andMoxwal kedi
n.

KEDI:
Mogogi
…hav
eyouhear
dany
thi
ng…howi
s
Tebat
so…

MOX: It
hinktheyaregoi ngtoputhi mi nan
i
nsti
tuti
on…hencet her easonI ’
m her e.Tebatso,
hewantedt otakecareofy ouandt heki ds.
Updatedhiswillnotsolongago.I ncaseofany
absenceofhis,deathorot herwise, heleaves
measexecut i
onerofhi swi l
luntilthekidsar e
ol
denoughf ormet opasst heirestatetot hem.
FornowIam t ocont i
nuepay ingfort heir
educationattheschool stheyar eat ,upkeep
thei
rmedi calai
d,gener alupkeepand
everyt
hinghewaspay i
ngf or.I’
mt opr ovi
dey ou
withamai ntenancef eeofP6000mont hl
y,plus
P350f oreachchild’spersonal spends, whichi s
P1050f orallt
het hreechildren.Hewast hinking
ofgetti
ngy ouamai dtohel pwi t
ht hekids,
especiall
ywheny ougi vebi r
th,soI ’
ll
dot hat.
AndIknowhewant edt ogety ouadr iv
ing
l
icenseandgi veyouoneofhi scars,soI ’
m
conti
nuingt osetthatup.Iknowy oucandr ive
andopasi tsemat shwao, soIbookedar oad
test
.

KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)Sover
yTebat
so…al
way
s
l
ooki
ngoutforus.

MOX:Helovesy
ouKedi
,bot
hy ouand
Bat
hsheba,
don’
taskmehow,someti
messhi
t
l
ikethathappens.Andhedi
dn’
tmeantohurt
eit
herofyou.Iknowmyboy,heisnotabad
person.

KEDI
:Tebat
soi
sreal
l
yluckyt
ohav
eaf
ri
end
l
ikey
ou.

MOX: TeblaandIar en’tjustfri

ends,wear e
brothers,whatwehav ebeent hr
ought ogether
transcendsbl ood, sobel i
ev emewhenIt ellyou
Iknowmyboy ,andhedi dn’tmeanf oranyof
this.Him andI ,wehav edoneourshar eofbad,
andwear estillcontinuallygrowingand
becomi ngbet ter.Webot hr ai
sedour sel
ves,
nev erhadaf atherf i
gur e,andwebot hhadt o
becomemenoft hefami lybeforewewer eeven
teens.So, pl
easedon’ that emyf ri
endf orwhat
hemayhav edonet oy ouorwhaty ouhear dhe
didt oSheba.Wear ejustt r
y i
ngtobebet ter.I
t’
s
j
ustsosadthatthepastkeepscomi
ngt
obi
te
y
ouintheassfrom ti
met oti
me.

KEDI:Thankyou…f
orcomi
ng,
andsay
ingal
l
that
…Iunderst
and.

MOX: Ok,Ibetterl
eave,Ihavetocheckinonthe
cl
ub.Kedi,ifyoueverneedanythi
ng,please
don’
thesitatetocall
meorcomet ome.Tebl a
wil
lneverforgivemeifyoulackedanything
evenforonesecond.

*
***
***
**

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Aweekl
ater
…
Kediwal
kedint
oKgodumo’scompoundand
foundKgodumoandTebat
so’smotherseat
ed
outsi
dehavi
ngtea.

Shegreet
edthem andsatdownmaki
ngsmal
l
tal
kbefor
easkingaboutTebat
so.

KEDI
:Howi
shedoi
ng?

MMA- TEBATSO: Bad,ver

ybad, hehasn’teaten
anythi
ngorgot tenoutofbedi nthree
days…waitsethesepeoplear eheartl
ess,they
won’teventellhimifthegirli
saliveatleast…
theymov edherf r
om thehospi t
alandwehav e
noideawher etheytookher e.Eversincethey
cutcontact,
hej ustshuthimselfin…
KGODUMO: (sadl
y )Hei ssuicidal
,wehav eto
watchhi m 24/7,ev eninsidehisbedr oom, the
otherdayheopenedt hecei l
ingelectri
cbox
coverandt ri
edt ohanghi mselffr
om t heroof i
ng
withabedsheet ,luckyenoughIwal kedi non
hi
m.I t’sl
iketheonl ythinghewant sistodi e.He
i
si ntherewithhiscousi nLentswe, butheisn’t
evenr esponsivetoany thing,hedoesn’ teven
cryany more

KEDI
:I’
m sosor
ry…

KGODUMO:Pl
easetrytotal
ktohi
m,maybehe
wil
ll
ist
ent
oyou.Ican’
tlosemyonl
ychi
l
d,
pl
ease…

Kedi’
sownt ear
scamerunni
ngasshesawa
st
raytearescapet
heol
dman’ sey
ebefor
ehe
wipedit
.
KEDI:
I…Idi
dn’
tbri
ngtheki
dsbecauseIdidn’
t
thi
nkhe’
dwantthem t
oseehi
ml i
kethat.MayI
seehi
m?

Kgodumonoddedandshewal
kedi
nsi
de,
gr
eeti
ngLent
swe.

LENTSWE: Hey …Kedi

…Tebatsohasshut
down…l it
erall
ycheckedout,
it’
sli
kehedoesn’t
evenr ecogniseanyoneanymore.Hisbest
fri
endMoxwasher eandhejustlai
dthere
stari
ngatt heceil
ingli
keheisri
ghtnow.Idon’
t
evenknowi fhehearsusornot.Ihopeyouget
throught ohim…rremogol
oisfall
ingapart
…

Lent
swest
oodupandl
eftt
hem i
nther
oom.
KEDI
:(t
aki
nghishandandki
ssingi
t)Hey
…I
knowyoucanhearme,howareyou…

Hej
ustst
aredatt
hecei
l
ing,
hisey
esunf
ocused.

KEDI:(
wipi
ngtear
s)Tebat
so…pl
ease…pl
ease
saysomethi
ng…

Shesatwithhimfort
hir
tyminutesandhewas
sti
llunr
esponsi
ve,
shewalkedoutcrying….She
foundTshepeandhiswif
ealreadythere.

KEDI:I
t’
sli
kehedoesn’
tev
enr
ecogni
se
anyt
hing…

REBAONE:Ibel
i
evehehasgonemental
l
y
cat
atoni
c…someti
meswhenpeopl
ecan’
ttake
excessiveemoti
onalpai
n…especi
all
yift
hey
blamet hemsel
vesfori
t,t
heymayshutdownto
avoidfeeli
ng…

KGODUMO:Thati
swhattheot
herdoct
orwe
br
oughti
nsai
d,whatdowedo?

REBAONE: It
’satr
ickysi t
uat i
onbecauseit’snot
physical,ithasnor ealmedi cati
on.Somet i
mes
theypr escri
bedepr essi
onmedi cati
on,butit
doesn’tev enhelpmuch.Usual l
ytheonlything
togetsomeoneoutoft hisstateiswhatgot
them int hereint
hef ir
stpl ace.Becauseitis
usuallyduet oself
-blame…peopl ehavebeen
pull
edoutofi tbythoset heybel i
evedthey’
v e
hurt…

MMA- TEBATSO:
Wedon’
tev
enknowwher
ethe
gi
rli
s…
KGODUMO: Evenifwedid,
sheisinacomashe
mayneverwakeupf rom…I
’m goi
ngtol
osemy
son,
aren’
tI?Ij
ustfoundhi
m and…Ispentso
muchoftheli
ttl
etimewehadf i
ghti
ngwit
hhim.

REBAONE: Iknowy oudon’twantt ohearthi

s
malume, butthebestthingf orTebat
soright
nowi sforust ocheckhimi ntoament alheal
th
faci
li
ty.Forhisownsaf ety
.Ot herwi
sehewi ll
hurthimselfeventual
ly
.

*
***
***
**

6MONTHSLATER

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
73

Bat
hshebawalkedint
ot hecarhersi
sterwas
wai
tingonaf
tergoingthroughherl
ast
psy
chiat
ri
csession.

BATHSHEBA: IwannagohomeBath,backt
o
Botswana.IwannaseeTebat
so…heis
Phoenix’
sfat
her(sher
ubbedhergr
owingbel
ly
).

BETHANY:Phoeni
xalr
eadyhastwopar ent
s,
sweet
ie,
meandy ou…andloadsoffat
her
fi
gur
es.Dad,
Bon,ouruncl
es…he’l
lbefi
ne.

BATHSHEBA: Ipr
omi
seIwon’
tgetbackwi
th
hi
m…I ’
m goi
ngbackt
oBotswanaandyouwil
l
coverf
orme.
BETHANY:Howex act
ly,
Bat
hsheba?Youknow
dadal
readyhaspeopl
ewatchi
ngus,howdo
youpl
anonditchi
ngthem?

BATHSHEBA: Wel
l,cal
ldadandsayy ouare
goingbackt
oAussieforwor ksinceI’
mf i
ne
now.It
’smetheyarewatching,notyou…soy ou
cangowhereveryouwant .I
’l
lsayI ’
m coming
home,Imissfami
ly.Weleavef ortheair
port
toget
herandmakeaswi tchthere.

BETHANY:
Duh…y
ouar
epr
egnant
…I’
m not
.

BATHSHEBA: I
’
m al
l bel
ly,
nowei ghtgai
nat
al
l…wearesti
ll
moret hanident
ical
,wecan
or
derthosebel
lyt
hingsinAmazon…
BETHANY: No,Sheba…Iwon’tdoit,
heisnot
goodf oryou…stopcryi
ng,
that’
semot i
onal
blackmailBathsheba,
youknowIhat etosee
youcry …comeonSheba…al r
ight,
alri
ght,
fine!
Justaf ewhour s.

BATHSHEBA: Awesome!Wewi llgett hatbel l

y
thi
ngi nAmazon, andatt heairporttoi letsmake
aswi tch,yougetonanear lyfli
ghtt oSAas
pregnantme, andIst aybehi nd,thent akea
anotherairli
net oSA.Wear ri
veatt hesame
ti
me, butthey ’
llhavet heireyesony out hinking
i
t’sme.We’ l
lbear r
ivingi nthemor ning, butwe
bookt he7pm f li
ghtt oBot swanaandsaywe
couldn’tfi
ndanear li
erone.Youbooki ntoa
hotel t
owai tforthef l
ight,andMoxpi cksmeup
totakemet ot hefacilit
yTebl ais.It’
snotev en
farfrom theairport.IseeMoxandcomeback
totheai r
port,Icallyou, youcomet ot heai rport,
dit
cht hebel l
yandwegohomet oget her ,you
tel
lthem af
terIl
eftyouchangedy ourmindand
gotani mmediat
efli
ghthome.Thiswi l
lwor k,
wehav epull
edmor eelaborat
eswitches
before…onourmom, andshef el
lforit
!Surely
wecanpl ayacoupleofstranger
sdadhi r
ed!

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedif
ini
shedbreast
feedi
ngfeedi
ngBl
essi
ngas
hermaidcl
eanedthehouse,whil
emma-
Tebat
sofedthekidssoftpor
ri
dge.

KEDI:Thanky ousomuchmmef orbeinghere

forus,Iwouldn’tknowwhatt
odowi thoutyou.
Osegohelpsar oundwit
hthekids,
butshe
doesn’tr
eall
yknowmuchkagobaabot set
si…

MMA-
TEBATSO:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumygi
rl
…butI
havetogobacktothevi
l
lagetodayasItol
dyou.
Sheisalmostt
hreemonthsnowandy ouare
handl
ingthi
ngswell
.

KEDI:Ican’
tthanky ouenough…ok,
letmedr
op
youatthebusest henIwill
godroptheki
dsat
schoolaft
er.

MMA- TEBATSO:Youareagoodwoman
Kedi
bonye,youaresoki
ndtousnomat
tert
hat
oursonhurtyoubadl
y.

KEDI :It
’syouwhoi skindtomemme.Iam
blessed.Andmycat eringbusi
nessequipment
arrivedyester
dayandAmel i
ahhelpedmer enta
kitchenspace.Iwantt obeabletoprovidefor
my sel
fandmyki ds,whatTebatsoprovides
throughMoxi smor ethanenough,butIcan’
t
staydependentfor ever.
MMA-TEBATSO:Yousee, youar
easmar
t
womantoomychild,Iwishmysonwoul
dsee
t
hati
nyou.Iwishyouluck.

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Onikapackedherst ufffrom herpr i

vateroom
andsmi l
edlookingint hebabybyherbedsi de.
Shehadr ef
usedt oletherleav ehersightfora
second, andsheendedupsl eepingrightinthe
cotbesi dehermommy .Shel ookedsomuch
l
ikeOni ka,acompl etecopy .Desmondwoul dbe
fet
chinganysecondnow.He’ dbeensoexci ted
yesterdaytomeett heirdaught er,andshe
couldn’twaitforthekidst omeethert oo.

ShegaspedasKwapawal
kedi
n.
ONIKA:Whatt
hehel
l…whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,
howdidyougeti
nhere.

KWAPA: Ihav
emyway s…Ijustwanttogeta
DNAsampl eofthebaby,t
hat’
sall
,acheek
swabandahai rsampl
e…shei ssopret
ty,
looks
l
ikeyou…

ONIKA:
Myhusbandwil
lbeheresoon…Ken
pl
easedon’
tdot
his…pl
ease,
sheinnotyours…

KWAPA: Letthepaterni
tytestspeakthen…I’
m
notleavi
ngher ewithoutthosesampl es,I
alr
eadyhav ethecont ai
ners,see.I
fyouwantme
toleavebeforeyourhusbandcomes, letmej
ust
doitquicklyandleave…
ONIKA:Pl
easedon’tdothistome…please…j
ust
l
eave…howdesperateareyout obewit
ha
womanwhodoesn’ twanty ou?I’
l
lcal
lsecur
it
y
r
ightnowifyoudon’tl
eave…

KWAPA: Andr
isky
ourhusbandf
indi
ngoutwhy
Iwashere?Methi
nksnot
.Letmegettheswab,
pri
ncess.

Shesi
ghedandmot
ionedf
orhi
mtogoon.

Kwapacar eful
lyopenedthebaby ’
smout hand
tookaswabandpl acediti
nt hecontainer,t
hen
caref
ull
yr ubbedthesideoft hebaby’sfullhead
ofhairandunt i
lafewstrandsf el
loff
,heput
them i
nanot herpl
asticcontainerandsealedit.

KWAPA:
Yousee,
nopai
ntot
hel
i
ttl
epr
incess
atal
l
.

TheyheardDesmondtal
ki
ngtoanursei
nt he
corr
idorandKwapaqui
ckl
yduckedout
sideand
hi
d.

DESMOND: Nikki!Howi smybeautifulwif

eand
baby gi
rl
?Aremygi rl
sr eadytogohome?
Everyoneissoexci ted,theywantedt oal
lcome
here,butIdoubtt hehospi t
alwouldhav e
al
lowedsuchal argegr oup…aww, comeher e
Fi
ona…y oualway swakeupwhendaddywal ks
i
n,don’tyou?Huh?Let ’sgohomet oseey our
si
sandbr ot
herandgr andmaandaunt i
esand
uncles!Lookaty ou…y ouaredaddy ’
slit
tl
e
pri
ncess,aren’
ty ouFi f
i?

Hecaref
ull
ylif
tedt
hebabyfrom thecotandput
heri
ntheplushdesi
gnercarseatthat
conv
ertedi
ntoabassi
net
,thent
ookOni
ka’
sbag
i
nanotherhand.

Onikatear edupl ooki

ngathim.Hewas
absolutel
ysmi tt
enwithhisdaughter.Hemay
havebeendi stantint
hepregnancy ,
partl
yher
faul
ttoo, butforthethreedayssinceshewas
born,he’dhar dlywantedtoleav
et hem al
one.

DESMOND: ComeonNikki
,ti
metohead
home…let’sgochecky
ouout…Poppyisso
excit
ed,andmymom hadmor eoutf
it
scomei
n
today.

ONIKA:(l
aughi
ng)Att
heratesheisgoing,
Fif
i
wi
llneedtohaveei
ghtcl
otheschangesadayto
wearevery
thi
ngbefor
esheoutgrowsit
!
DESMOND: Howl ongdoy outhi
nkbeforewe
cangetthem outofourhouse?Mymom i s
real
lyannoy
inganddemandi ngNikki
,canyou
tel
lheryouarefi
ne?Wecangetamai dtohelp
youaround.

ONIKA:(
laughing)don’tbenasty,Desmond.
Yourmom wi l
lstayaslongasshewant s.
Besi
des,Ineedanol dermor eexperi
enced
womantohel p,it
’smyf ir
stchi
ldandnomat t
er
howmuchI ’v
er ead,Il
iter
all
yknownot hing.

DESMOND:
Ipi
ckedupmma-
Oni
kat
oo…

ONIKA: (si
ghing)Ihopesheisnotpl
anni
ngon
stay
ing…Iser i
ouslycan’
tstandmymother
,al
l
sheev erdoesisdemeanmeandt el
lmehow
muchI ’m spoil
i
ngmyki ds!Sheget
sonmy
nerves!
DESMOND: (
laughi
ng)t
ouché,
sweet
hear
t.The
sameexactt
hingIfeel
aboutmymom.

*
***
***
*

ATAMENTALFACI
LITY

Bat
hshebastoodatthedoorwatchi
nghim
si
tt
inginthefl
oorcr
osslegged,
star
ingatthe
pl
ainwhitewal
l.Hehadlostsomuchweight
andlookedsodesol
ate.

MOX: I
t’
sthesameev eryday.Hej ustsit
st her
e
andstar
esatthewall.Doesn’
ttalk,doesn’teat,
somuchsot heyhaveputhim onaf eedingtube,
andl
iter
all
ydoesn’
trespondtoany t
hing.They
don’
tknowifhecanev enregist
erpeopl e’s
pr
esenceornot
.

BATHSHEBA:CanIhav
eamomental
onewi
th
hi
m pl
ease?

Moxnoddedandl
eft
.

Bat
hshebast
oodf
orami
nut
ewat
chi
nghi
m….

BATHSHEBA:
Heyt
hug…

Foramomenthedi
dn’
trespond,thenhesl
owl
y
tur
nedar
oundandf
acedherdirecti
on.

BATHSHEBA:
(smi
l
ing)Isai
d,heyt
hug…
Hestoodupandwal kedovert
ohim,br
ushi
ng
hercheekswit
hishands,r
unninghi
shands
overherbodyandst
ar t
edsmil
ing.

TEBATSO: (hi
svoi
cesoundedal i
tt
lecrockyand
disor
ientedf r
om l
ackofuseformont hs)you
arereal…li
ke,youaresol
i
dandr ealandhere…
(Hesaidt eari
ngup)

BATHSHEBA:
Inf
lesh…how’
vey
oubeen?

TEBATSO:
Saysomet
hingsot
hatIknowi
t’
s
you…

BATHSHEBA: Formy21st ,y
ouboughtmea
SevenElevencupcakewit
honecandl e…i
na
di
lapi
datedmot eli
nThail
and…becausewewer e
ontherunandki ndapoor
…andf ormy25t hy
ou
ateal
lmyhotelcour
tesybr
eakf
asti
naBul
gar
i
hotel
inI
biza.

Hesmi l
edandhuggedhert
ightly,hott
ear
s
rushi
ngdownhischeek,
soakinghershoulder
asshepatt
edhisbackandwhi speredi
nhis
ear…

BATHSHEBA:I
’m her
enow…I’
m her
e…y
ouar
e
gonnabeok…wearegonnabefi
ne…

Whenhef inallypul
l
edbackheheldherbythe
waist
,lookinginhereyes,smi
li
ngthr
oughhis
tear
s.Her aisedaneyebrowatherswol
len
stomach.

BATHSHEBA:Oh,meetPhoeni
x…pr
obabl
y
happeneddur
ingt
hathol
i
daywetookwit
hMox
andKay…doctor
ssaidhei
sprobabl
ytheonl
y
thi
ngthatkeptmefr
om goi
ngbrai
ndead…

TEBATSO:Tel
lmeonemor eti
met hisi
sreal,
Sheba…t
hatyouareher
eandmymi ndi
snot
pl
ayingt
ri
cksonme.Inolongernowhat’sreal
andwhat’
snot.I
’
mj ust
….l
ost
…

Shepi
nchedhi
m har
dont
hear
m andl
aughed
whenhemewled.

TEBATSO:Aww!Thathur
ts…andonlymy
QueenShebawoul
dpinchamentalpat
ient
…

BATHSHEBA:(laughi
ng)I’
m supposedtobet
he
evi
lone,r
emember ?TheMalefi
cent,not
pr
incessAur
ora,sodeal…
TEBATSO:Whydi
dyoucomef
orme,
Sheba…I
hur
tyousomuch…

BATHSEHBA:
It’
ssi
mpl
e…becauseIl
ovey
ou…

TEBATSO:
Idon’
tdeser
vey
ou…

BATHSEHBA: Youdon’ t.Isti

llwanty outhough.
Ibel i
evethereisabet t
erper soni nyou
somewher e.Idon’tpit
yy ou,Tebat so,notatall
.
Pityissuchar edundantemot i
on.Ihat ei
tsoI
nev erbestowi tonanyone.Nott hatmany
peopl eeverpityme.Butt hat
’showIl i
keit
.It’
s
bettertobedi sli
kedthanpi ti
ed.I’m choosing
yououtofl ovenotpity.Buty ouneedt obe
readyt ochoosemet oo, onlyme.Ar ey ouready
togowi t
ht hebadgi r
l?
TEBATSO:
Youar
enotabadgi
rl
…

BATHSEHBA: Iam, andIowni t.Ilikeit.Ilike

thatmostpeopl edon’ tlikeme, savesmet he
troubleofl i
kingt hem back,andl ivingmyl if
eto
theirli
ttl
ebasi cex pect ationsj ustt opl ease
them.Andt hef ewery ouhav einy ourci rclethe
l
essbul l
shit.Gi rl
slikeme, thebadones, weare
ar efl
ectionofwhatpeopl ewantt obebutdon’ t
hav ethebal l
st obe; surv i
vor s,tough, capableof
standingal onewi t
hami ddlef ingert oev eryone
whohasany thingagai nstusasweshr ugand
mov eon.Iexpectbadt hingst ohappen, soI’m
nev erfazedbyt hem whent heydo.Icr yand
pickmy sel
fupwi t
houtwai t
ingf orahel ping
hand, becauseIknownoonecomesf ort he
toughl i
kesome,andt hat’sacompl ement
really,
justmeanspeopl eknowhowt oughIam,
theyknowgi rlslikeme, wedon’ tneedt hem.
Thehat eisfrom t hebadt heyf eelknowi ngthey
cannev erbeasst rongasIam.Inev ercr ush,
wher et heyknowdamnwel lt
heywoul dhav e
burnedt ot heground, theyseemest illr
ise
higher .Andi tpissest hem of f.Whoi ssheand
whydoesshedar et obebet terthanme?Why
doesshedar enotbr eak?So, yea,I
’m abadgi rl
andI ’m notpr omi singtobeanangel ,ev er.I’
l
l
cont i
nuebei ngmybadsel fandnev erconf i
rm
towhatpeopl ethinkawomanshoul dbe.I ’l
l
pissev er ysingleper sonof fandst il
llaughi n
theirf acef orit
.I’
llmani pulatesituati
onst oget
whatIwantandnotapol ogize.That ’
sme.I ’
m
sayingt hisri
ghtnow, sot haty oudon’ tgetany
fancyi deasofmebei ngasweetl itt
lewi feand
mot her .Mychi ldcomesf i
rstandI ’
dbet rayyou
orBet hanyi nthesnapofaf ingertopr otecthi m,
yes, het ookbot hy out wo’spl ace.Ifyoudeci de
tochooseme, knowexact l
ywhaty ouar e
walki ngi nto!
TEBATSO:(gr
inninghardandki ssi
ngher)Now,
that
’st
heQueenShebaIknown!Fucki ng
majest
icman.Ilovethatyounev erapol
ogize
forwhoyouare.AndI nthatcase,hel
lyeaI
chosethebadgirl
!Fuckev ery
oneelsewhoi s
agai
nstus,mypar ent
sinclude.Ichooseyou,
myqueen.

*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
74

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

KediopenedthedoorandTebatsowalkedin
smil
i
ng, shehuggedhi
m andledhiminside.
KEDI
:OhmyGod,youar
eok!Ican’tbel
ievethi
s,
It
houghtI
’
dnev
erseeyoui
ny ouroldselfagai
n

TEBATSO:(
laughi
ng)t
heydonotcal
lmedi
e
har
dfornot
hing!

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)St
il
lasst
upi
dasev
er

TEBATSO:Andy
etIst
il
lmakey
oul
augh.Wher
e
ar
emyki ds?

Theki
dscamerunni
ngintotheli
vingroom and
Tebat
sopi
ckedthem upandkissedthem!

MADUO:Daddy,
wherewerey
ou?It
houghty
ou
wentt
oheavenl
ikegr
andma!
TEBATSO: (
laughi
ng)I’
m notgoi ngtoheaven
unt
ilyou,
youngman, aremar ri
edandhav elot
s
ofgr
andkidsforme.Lookatpr incessNene,
Kedinebatholemot senyedit
seengdi brai
ds?
Sheis1only!Ihat
ethisthingsonki ds!

KEDI
:(l
aughing)Ti
medi
dn’
tst
opmi
ster
,Nene
i
s18mont hs.

TEBATSO:1unt
ilshet
urnst
wo.Ont
she
ngwanakedi
l
otsemma.

KEDI:I
jo,
sorryeerraketl
adintsha…even
thoughal
ltheotherli
tt
legi
rl
satherschool
havebrai
ds.

MADUO:Wehaveababy
,comeseeherdaddy
,
hernamei
sBl
essi
ng.
Hewentintothehouseandl ookedatthebaby
wholookedsomuchl ikehismot heri
nsi
dethe
cri
b.Hesatintherockingchai
randKedi putt
he
babyinhi
sarms.
*
***
***
*

ATDESMOND’
SOFFI
CE

Deswal kedi
ntoafreshsmel
li
ngofficeasusual ,
hisoff
icewit
hSetsowasalwayssocl eanev en
thecl
eanersfel
ttheneedtodobetter.Andhi s
cappuccinowasont het
abl
e,st
eami nghot ,
witht
hehomemadebananamuf fi
nshel ikedso
much.

DESMOND:Itl
ookssocleanandfreshi
nhere.
Omosadit
ota.Youknow,ift
hatboydoesn’
tput
ar
ingoni
tsoon,
bat
lomoj
elamaj
i
ta.

SETSO:(l
aughi
ng)nawenayouthi
nkke
moretl
wakejewajewahel
a!Guesswhopassed
thei
rdr
ivi
ngtest
!

DESMOND: Guesswhoal r
eadyknew!(
hesai
d
j
iggl
ingcarkeysinfrontofher
)Companycar,
sometimesIwi l
lneedyoutorunerr
ands,
so
don’
tstar
taboutmet r
yingtohi
tonyouagai
n,
i
ja!(
Laughing)

SETSO: (
laughi
ng)don’
ttr
ytohitonmeandI
won’thavetostar
tabouti
t,howisFi
ona?

DESMOND: Ohman,sheissoprett
y…come
checkherout
…(hetookouthi
sphoneand
showedherthebaby
’spi
ctur
e)Isntshet
he
pr
ett
iest
?

SETSO:Shel
ooksjustl
i
kehermommy
…
aww…thewayIlov
ebabies!

DESMOND:Wenal el
egodul el
elagagoledira
l
eng?Koor
eobat l
agoi-contaminatel
adigenes
hel
akamothoyoumasweso.Si ri
,youar
ebeing
unf
airt
oyourf
uturechi
l
dr en.

SETSO:(l
aughi
ng)Marcusi
sveryhandsome,
evenyouwouldacknowl
edgethat.Youar
ejust
j
ealoust
hatheisyoungandsexier,
oldman…

DESMOND:Oldman!Girl
,whoareyoucall
ing
ol
d?Aker
ewashi a…mphat wohourshel
aand
I
’dshowyoujustwhatt
hisoldmancoulddo…
neoyagolebalapr
ett
yboy-
nyanayolewagago.
SETSO:(rol
l
inghereyes,l
aughi
ng)Dr eamsare
goodtohave…dri
nky ourcof
feeandgety our
mindoffthegutt
er,
youandIar efr
iends
Des…nevergonnahappen.

DESMOND: Gonemmewabua, Iv
alueour
fr
iendshipalot…thanksSir
i,I
’
m muchmor eofa
happierandpleasantpersonsinceyoucame.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Af
tert
hemai
dtootheki
dsaway
,Tebat
sosat
wi
thKedi
int
heli
vi
ngroom.
TEBATSO: Kedi
,ther
eissomethi
ngIneedt
o
say…f
irstofal
l,
I’
m sorr
y,i
twasnevermy
i
ntent
iontoplayyouorhurty
ou.

KEDI
:Iknow,
it’
sok…

TEBATSO:Idi
dloveyou…andIwasal sov
ery
conf
usedaboutthi
ngs.Pl
easefor
giv
emef or
whatev
ert
ranspi
redbetweenus.

KEDI
:It
’sf
ine…

TEBATSO: Bat
hshebagotoutofacomasome
ti
meback.Shecamet oseemerecentl
yandwe
arehavingababy,sheisal
mostsevenmonths
pregnant…
KEDI
:Oh…

TEBATSO:
I’m goi
ngt
omar
ryher
ebef
oret
he
babyi
sborn.

KEDI
:(wi
pingat
ear
)Ok

TEBATSO: Ibei
ngmarri
edchangesnot
hingi
n
ther
elat
ionshipbet
weenIandmykids

KEDI
:Al
ri
ght
…

TEBATSO:
Kedi
please…

KEDI:No,Iseri
ouslymeanitTebat
so,you
obvi
ouslyloveBathshebaandyoushouldbe
wit
hher.Iwishy ouwell.Ti
ssi
xmonthsgave
metimet othi
nk…andIreal
ized, Idon’twantto
bewit
hamanwhosel ov eIhavet obegf or…
youaret hebestfat
herIcouldev eraskf orfor
mychildren,butasawoman?Youar ejustnot
themanIwant …IwantamanIl ovewhol oves
meback, andri
ghtnowI’dratherjustfocuson
mybusi ness.

TEBATSO: Thankyou.Iknowy ouasthemother

ofmychildrenyouwil
lrespectmymar r
iageand
mywife,andwheny oudomov eon,Ipr
omiseI
wil
ldothesamef oryou,aslongasheaccepts
andtr
eatsmyki dswell.
*
***
***

ATTHEMALL

Kedi
wal
kedar
oundget
ti
nggr
ocer
ieswhenshe
sawali
tt
legi
rlwi
ththesecur
it
yguar
dscr
ying.
Shewal
kedoverandsawHadassah.

KEDI
:Dassah,
whati
swr
ongbaby
?

SECURI
TY:
Youknowher
?It
hinkshei
slost
.

KEDI:Yes,
sheismyuhm…myf r
iend’
schi
l
d.
Dassah,wher
eisyourdaddy
?

HADASSAH:Athome.Icamewi
thuncl
eTuna
andnowIcan’
tfi
ndhi
m.

KEDI:(
sighi
ng)Bonisgoingtoki
ll
him….(
She
tookoutthephoneandcall
edBonno,wai
ti
ng
forhi
m withHadassahunti
lhecame)
KEDI:Akompol el
leBonno,howdoy oulety
our
i
rresponsi
blebrot
hert
akey ourdaught
erout,
huh?Ithoughtshewasy ourl
if
e!

BONNO:Nowit’
smyf
aul
tthatmybr
otherl
ost
mydaught
er?

KEDI: Ee!Asaf at
hery ouhaveresponsibi
li
ti
es,
andt hatdoesn’ti
ncludehandingyourchil
dov er
toirr
esponsi bl
epeople!Doy ouknowt hekind
ofanimal sthatareoutthere!Andenti
rehour,
shewasal oneforanent i
rehourBon!Things
thatcouldhappent oagi r
lchil
difshegotinthe
wronghands!

BONNO:Peopl
earelooki
ng,
cany
ouscr
eam at
meint
hecaratleast
?
KEDI
:Letthem l
ook!Becauseobv
iousl
ythi
sis
whatyoudo,deser
tpeoplewhentheyneedyou.

BONNO: (l
aughing)Nnammagasennakego
st
ressi
tseng.Obviousl
ythi
sismorethan
Dassahbeinglost,sol
et’
sgotothecarbef
oreI
dr
agy outhere.

KEDI
:Idr
oveher
e…mycar
…

BONNO:Idon’
tcar
e…mov
e,Kedi
bony
ebef
oreI
getr
eal
l
yannoyed!

Whenshejuststoodther
ehepull
edhert
othe
car,
thendr
ovehomeanddr oppedoff
Hadassahathomewi tht
henannybef
ore
dri
vi
ngoutwithKedi.
BONNO:I’
m sorr
yDassahwaslost
…Ihaveaflu
andTunaoff
eredtot
akeherf
orami l
kshake.

KEDI:Andt hatseemedsmarttoyou?Your
i
rresponsibl
e16y ear
sol
dbrot
her?Whodoesn’t
evenhav ealicense?Whati
swrongwithyou?

BONNO: Ok,calm down, what’

sreal
lybother
ing
you?Look,Kedi,I
’m sorr
yabouthowweended
thi
ngssixmont hsearli
er.Iwasacowar d
becauseIstart
edtor eal
lyli
keyouandwhen
youtoldmey ouwer einlovewithyourbaby
daddy…

KEDI:Weuhm…webr oket
hingsup…Ij
ust
real
isedIwashol
dingoutforamanwhonev er
real
lylov
edmeandl ostagoodmani nthe
process…
BONNO:
(smi
l
ing)soy
out
hinkI
’
m agoodman?

KEDI:(
blushi
ng)whosai
dIwast
alki
ngabout
you?

BONNO:Youhav
etoadmi
tthough,
wedidhav
e
agoodt
imewhenweweretoget
her….

KEDI:Iknow…it’
sjust…Bonno, If
eel l
i
key ouare
hidi
ngsomet hi
ngf r
om me, thatiswhyIcoul dn’
t
real
lygetcomfortablewit
hy ou…likeyouar enot
honest…Iam veryaccepti
ngandunder st
anding,
soifit
’sbad…pleasejustbehonest .Tebatso
wasanex- dr
ugdeal er,
soy ouseet hatIdon’t
j
udge…

BONNO:
Aomma,
Itol
dyouIwor
kwi
th
comput
ers….

KEDI
:Doi
ngwhat
?

BONNO:
I…uhm…st
uff
?Whathav
eyoubeenup
to?

KEDI:Yousee?Youalwayswantt oknow
ever
ythi
ngaboutme,butwhenIaskabouty ou,
youclampupanddiverttheconversat
ion?How
am Isupposedt
ofal
linlovewithamanIdon’ t
evenknow?Youarenotbei ngf
airtome
Bonno…

BONNO: Fal
li
nlov
e…sothatmeansy
ouf
eel
somet
hingformetoo?
KEDI: It
houghtIdidn’t
…butIhavebeent hinki
ng
abouty ousince…sinceyoustoppedt alki
ngt o
me…j ustbehonestwi thmeBon, please…what
areyouhi di
ng?Andwhoonear t
hwoul dwanta
womanwi ththreechil
drenwhoar en’this?I’
m
afr
aid…

BONNO: Ifyourbabydaddycouldlovetwo
chi
ldrenwhoar en’
tbi
ologi
cal
lyhis,whycan’tI?
Havingchil
drendoesn’tmakeyouf l
awedKedi ,
tomei tmakesy ouevenmoreattracti
veseeing
howdedicatedy ouar
et ot
hem…Il ikeyou
Kedi…

Hebrushedhercheekgentl
ywi t
hhisf i
ngers,
cuppi
ngherfacewithonehand.Hel eaned
downandsof t
lyki
ssedthetenderareaatt he
baseofherneck.Kedit
ensedabi t
…wel l
,this
wasdefini
tel
ynotwhatheexpectedt odaywhen
shel
efthomet
odogr
ocer
ies.

Sheespeciall
ydidn’texpecttoli
kei
t,herpl
an
wast ofocusonherbusi ness.Nowhereshe
was…br eathl
esswit hdeli
ghtasheshowered
herwithgentl
e,softkisses,eachwit
hitsown
fl
ickerofwarmth.Hedr ewbackagai nand
spentamomentst udyingherface.

Shebl ushedandl ookeddownshy l

yashe
l
ookedathersmi ling, hisey essof teni
ngwi th
tendernessbef orespar kingwi t
hsomet hi
ng
else.Het ilt
edherheadt ot hesi deandki ssed
her, hi
slipsdemandi ng.Wel l,whenwast helast
ti
mesheact uall
yf eltsexual lyaroused…her
babywasonl ythr
eemont hsol dand…shel ost
ever ythoughtashi sgr i
pt ightened, cr
ushingher
bodyt ohi s,gentl
ey etfir
m.Hesl antedherhead
further,deepeningt heki ss…
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
75

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsoknockedtwicebeforet
heoldman
camet oopen.Hestoodthereconfusedfora
whil
e.Tebatsosi
ghedsadlyseeingjusthow
muchwei ghthehadlostandhowheseemedt o
havecaughtupsomuchwi thhi
sagei nthesi
x
monthsofhisabsence.

TEBATSO:Ol
dman!Soareyougoi
ngt
ogi
ve
youronl
ysonahugorwhat
?
KGODUMO: I
smyboyr eal
lyher
e?Tebat
so!Oh
my….Tshepi
…Tshepi
so,comeseeourboy…

Tebat
sorai
sedaneyebr
owwhenhi
smot
her
camefrom i
nsi
det
hehouse.

Theybothhuggedhi
m andhismot
herul
ulat
ed,
thenwenti
nsidetomaketea.

TEBATSO:Ohhh,
godad!Iseey
ouandmymom
ar
eallcosy
.

KGODUMO: (l
aughing)Hushboy ,
anoldman
l
ikemecan’ talwaystakecareofhimsel
f.Iwas
notwellandTshepisocameher etohelpasena
gobaabot setsi
.Whathappened?Youar ejust
okhelaj
alo?Icalledtheref
ivedaysagoand
theysai
dt her
ewasnoi mprovement.
TEBATSO:
Bat
hshebacamet
oseemet
woday
s
ago…

KGODUMO:
Oh,
shei
soutofacoma?

TEBATSO:
Hasbeenf
ort
hreemont
hsnow.

KGODUMO:Andwhatt
ookhersolong?For
someonewhocl
aimst
olov
ey ou…

TEBATSO: Dad,r
elax,afterthreemont hsof
coma, shehadtogot hroughspeecht her
apy,
chir
opracti
cther
apyandal sopsy chiat
ri
c
ther
apy …shewasn’twel l
,plusherf amil
yhad
herundersurvei
l
lance,shei sstil
lforbi
dden
from seei
ngme.
KGODUMO:Hav
eyouseeKedi
andt
heki
ds?
Maduoi
ssuchabi
gboynow.

TEBATSO: Yes,Ijustcamef rom them.Itoldher

Iam mar ryingShebaandwecamet oan
understanding.Byt heway ,Bathshebaisseven
mont hspr egnant.Idon’ texpectyouandmme
toagreewi t
hmydeci sions,butIbegy outo
tol
erateit.IlovethatwomanandIam mar ryi
ng
herbeforet hebabyi sbor n.Iwi l
lnotbri
ngher
tothefami l
yifyoudon’ twanther ,butpl
ease
acceptthef actthatshei sinmyl i
fe,andIam
onlybeinghonestsay ingI ’
drathercutbothof
yououtofmyl i
fethanl oseheragai n.

KGODUMO:
Iheary
ou…
TEBATSO: Walkingint
othatroom…findi
ngher
l
ayingont hegroundwithnopulse…mywor l
d
shutdown.Ican’tli
vewithouther
,andI’
mr eady
toforsaketheworld,f
amilyandall
,i
fbeingwith
heriswhatittakes.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SSHOP

Kedisati
nthechai
rlooki
ngatal
ltheequipment
,
busi
nesswasslowandshehadputall t
he
moneyshe’dbeensavi
ngint
obuyingthe
equi
pment.

Bathshebawal
kedi
nandKedi
sighed.Whatdi
d
shewantnow?
BATHSHEBA:
Ok,
putt
hatscowl
away
,Icomei
n
peace!

KEDI
:WhatdoyouwantBathsheba,
I’
m no
l
ongerwi
thyourboy
fri
end.

BATHSHEBA: Ourkidsaresibli
ngs.Iwant
Phoenixtoknowhisentir
ef amil
y,i
ncludi
nghis
si
ster.AndwhetherIl
ikeitornot,yourki
dswil
l
al
way sbeinTebatso’
slif
e,soIguessi tmeans
makingpeacewi t
hyou.

KEDI:
Iwasneverfi
ghti
ngwit
hyou,soyoucan
l
eave,wear
egood,ifyouwanty
oursonto
comeseehissi
ster
,youarewel
comeanyti
me.

BATHSHEBA:Howisbusi
ness?(
Shepi
ckedup
afl
yerf
rom t
hetabl
e)Thi
siswhaty
ouare
doingf
orpubl
i
cit
y?How’
sthatwor
kingoutf
or
you?

KEDI
:Bat
hsheba,
cany
ouj
ustl
eav
e?

BATHSHEBA: Fi
rstofal
l,yournamingishorri
ble.
Seriousl
y?Kedi’
sCateri
ng?Wow, y
ourmenui s
greatthough,f
usion?Il
ike.Youdon’tgetthat
often,mostoftheseservi
cesjustgiveyouso
blandassWest ernmenu.Wher edidyoulearn
tocookl i
kethi
s?

KEDI:ThewomanwhoIworkedforasa
maid…whatdoyouwantBat
hsheba?

BATHSHEBA: (l
aughi
ng)dar
li
ng,youshouldbe
atyourkneesbeggi
ngmet ostaynottr
yingto
getri
dofmer i
ghtnow.Yourbusinesswill
fai
li
n
amonth’st
imel i
kemostsmal l
businesses.And
youhaveaninter
nati
onalmarketi
ngspeciali
st
i
nter
est
ediny ourthi
ngandyouaskhert oleave?

KEDI:
Obv i
ousl
yIcan’
taffor
dy ourser
vices,
I
knowy ouhel
pedAmeliah’
sboy f
ri
endandshe
saysyourchar
gesareskyhigh…so…

BATHSHEBA: Thatyouar er ightabout ,you

couldn’taffor dmeifyout r
ied.Buti fyour
businessf ailsyourwill
beev enmor edependent
onmyhusband, sowegot tamaket hiswor k.
Fir
st,thatnamehast ogo.Youar eapplyingfor
anamechanget omorrow, Fusion
Int
ri
cat es…y ea,soundmuchbet ter…letmeopen
asocial medi apagef ort hat…nowIwanty outo
spendt heev eni
ngcooki ngy ourassof f
,as
manydi shesaspossi ble, t
hencal lme, I’
l
l bri
ng
mycamer aandt akeact ual professional
i
mages, mysi st
eri
saBBCphot ojournalistand
Ilearntathingortwo…thenturnthi
spl aceinto
at akeawayf oodspacet
oo,re-
dec,andt alkto
yourboy fr
iendtogetyouavanf r
om oneofhi s
compani es,hehashishandsinlogi
stics…

KEDI
:Whatboy
fri
end,
I…

BATHSHEBA:
Ial
readyknowabouty
ouandmy
br
other

KEDI
:So?

BATHSHEBA: (
laughi
ng)y oudon’tknowwhat
youaregetti
ngi nt
o,doy ou?Myf amil
yisl i
teral
hell
.Bonisagoodman, butt heVanAndr eas
arealldemons,anddatingoutofsoci al
circles?
Well,j
ustbeready,beent her
edone
that
…Tebatsoisstil
lnotaccepted…addt hat
youhavethreekidsthataren’
tBon’s,andyou
weresomewhatt hereasonIalmostdi ed?
Yea…thi
sisgonnabesomer i
de…now, get
cooki
ngandpr esentthefoodnicel
y .I
’l
lbeback.

KEDI:
Youaredoi
ngal
lthi
stokeepmef
rom
yourman?

BATHSHEBA: (
laughi ng)I
’m nott
hatpatheti
c…
hardtobel i
eve,butIl iketoseewomen
prosper
ing.Idon’ that eyouKedi,
Iactuall
ythi
nk
youaren’tsobad, Imean, minusthatsl
eeping
withmyf iancéethi ng.Thatwaspr et
tybi
tchy.

*
***
***
*

ATSETSO’
SHOUSE
DesmondparkedinfrontofSetso’yardand
foundherboy
fri
endstandinginfrontofthegat
e
withhi
shandsfoldedacrosshischest.

Hewal
kedov
ert
othecarandopenedt
hedoor
f
orher
.

MARCUS:
Wehadadat
eSet
so…

SETSO:
Uhm…y ea,
Mar
cus,
I…wel
l
…wegotbusy
att
heoffi
ce.

MARCUS: Set
sogaker at
ewait
se.I
’mtryi
ngt o
fuckingbehavehere,butyouar
eoffwit
hy our
bossev er
ysingl
eweekendonsomewor kt r
ip
shit
,nowhei sdroppingyouhome?Ithoughthe
l
ety ouuseoneofhi scars?
SETSO:
Mar
cus,
canwenotdot
hisher
epl
ease?

MARCUS: Oh,wearedoi
ngithere.Yoursugar
daddyneedstoknowit
’snotappreci
ated.She
i
stakenMr …

DESMOND:
List
en,
youngman.Icanexpl
ain…

SETSO: Idon’tneedyourfucki
ngexplanati
on,
I
’m notst upi
d,Icant
ellwhenpeopleare
fucking.Youknowwhat ,whydon’tyoujust
l
eav e?

DESMOND: Notwi
thyouacti
ngl
ikeal
i
ttl
ebi
tch
l
iket
his.Shedi
dnothi
ngwrong.
MARCUS: Sofucki
ngyourbossisnothi
ng
wrong?Whythehelldoyouhavebiki
nisand
shi
tpackedforyourt
ri
ptomorrowthen?Who
packsbi
kini
sforatri
pwitht
heirboss?

DESMOND: It
’sMozambi que,dude.Theyhave
ni
cebeachest here.I
’
dbedoi ngherani nj
usti
ce
i
fIdon’tt
akehert ooneoncewev i
sit
.AndI’
m
notsl
eepingwi t
hher.Fuckingerrati
cli
tt
leboys.
Calmthefuckdownf orGod’ssake,youhavea
l
oyalgi
rlf
riend.

MARCUS: I
sthi
saboutmegett
ingwi
thy
our
wi
fe?Tr
yingsomepaybackshi
t?

*
***
***
**

ATDESMOND’
SHOUSE
Desmondarr
ivedathishousef
uming.Whatt
he
hel
ldi
dthatl
it
tlebast
ardmean‘getwi
thyour
wif
e?’

DESMOND:
Oni
ka!Oni
ka!

ONIKA:(shecamefrom t
hel aundr
yroom
wipi
ngherhandsonanapr on)Excuseyou,
the
babyissleepi
ng!Whatar
ey oushouti
ngabout
?

DESMOOND:Don’tyoudareOnika,
don’
tyou
dar
e!Soy
ou’vebeenrunningar
oundonme?
Sl
eepi
ngwit
hlit
tl
efuckersand…

ONIKA: Heel
a,whatar
eyoutal
kingabout?
Akereyouaretheonewhohady ourdickdown
anotherman’sthr
oat,
whatdoesthathavetodo
wi
thme?

Heraisedhishandtosl
apherandst
oppedmi
d-
ai
r,pacingaround.

DESMOND:
Mar
cus!Youandhi
m.Speak,
now…

ONI
KA:
(looki
ngdowngui
l
til
y)Whoi
sMar
cus?

DESMOND: Oni
kawee,obat
lakegobet
sabir
th
st
ichesdi
isedif
olel
egofol
a?Speaknow!

ONI
KA:
I…uhm…Inev
ersl
eptwi
thhi
m…

DESMOND:
Keepl
yi
ng….
ONIKA:IswearI
…wejusthungoutandt al
ked.
Madeout.Iwaslonel
yDes.Istoppedseei
ng
Marcusalongti
meago…If orgaveyoufor
Jay
lan,whycan’
tyoufor
givemef oramanIdid
not
hingwith?

Hephonerangandhegr
abbedi
t,seei
ng‘
Ken’
ast
hecall
edID.

Hehi
ttheanswerbut
tonandsai
dnot
hing.

KWAPA: HeyNikamybabe…soIgott
he
pat
erni
tytestr
esul
tsback…

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
76
ATKEDI
’SWORKSHOP

Bat
hshebapar
kedandwal
kedi
nhol
dinga
camer
a.

KEDI:Ohmy
,youar
ereal
l
yback?Youwer
e
ser
ious?

BATHSHEBA: IhopeyoucookedbecauseItook
myt i
metocomeher e,andmytimeisvery
expensi
ve,
gir
l.

KEDI
:Idi
d…uhm,
whatdoIdonow?

BATHSHEBA:Turnof
fthatl
ight
…ok,nowturn
onthi
sone…passmethatri
ngli
ght,
no,the
ci
rcleoneKedi
,damni
t.Afewpeoplewi
l
lbe
hereinabi
t.OhheyBon,comeonin.

Bonwal
kedi
nandwentov
ert
oKedi
andki
ssed
her
.

BON: (whi
sper
ing)Whendi
dyout
wobecome
fr
iends?Andwhatthehel
li
sgoi
ngon?

KEDI:(
shr
uggi
ng)Whyask,
wit
hBat
hsheba?
Justgowit
hthefl
ow.

BON: Sheispassi
onateaboutentr
epr
eneurshi
p.
I’
veseenherhelpsmallbusi
nesswomen
entr
epreneursbefor
e,wi
thouttaki
ngadime.
Shereall
yisn’
tthedevi
lsheli
kespeopl
eto
thi
nksheis.
KEDI
:Ir
eal
i
sed…

BATHSHEBA: Honestl
y,yout wo!DoIhav et
odo
every
thingonmyown?I ’mt hepregnantone
here,getmovi
ng!Arr
anget hedisheswelland
thr
owonsomeapr ons,peoplewillbeherei
na
bit
.

Shearr
angedtheli
ghtsandwentar
ound
phot
ographi
bgthedishesar
ti
sti
cal
l
ybefor
e
goi
ngtomeetaf ewpeopleatt
hedoor.

BATHSHEBA:
Hel
l
oev
ery
one,
comeoni
n…

Sheledinagroupofpeopl
eandcal
l
edKedi
to
expl
aineachdish.
BATHSHEBA: NowIwantev eryonetotake
photosandsharet
hem ony oursocial
media.
Youdomycl i
entafavourandnexttimey ou
haveaneventshewil
lgiveyoual ar
gediscount
.

MSKGOSIMORE: Il
ovethemenu,wear
ehaving
acompanylaunchi
namont h,
canshehandl
e
t
hat?I
t’
salargecompany.

BATHSHEBA:Easypeasy…justgotothe
websi
tef
usioni
ntr
icat
es.
com andmakea
booki
ngnow.Sheisgett
ingfull
ybooked.

*
***
***
*

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Heputt
hephoneonspeakerandmout
hedt
o
Oni
katospeak.

ONI
KA:
Uhm…hey
,Ken…

KWAPA: Yea,youwereri
ght,sheisnotmi ne,
but,i
t’
sjust
…Nikawebelongt ogether
,Idon’t
evencarethatyouhavehisbaby…I…Onika?
Onika?Oh,shit
,hei
sthere,i
sn’the?

Desmondhungupt
hephoneandst
oodl
ooki
ng
atOni
ka.

DESMOND: I
sther
eamani
nthi
sci
tyy
ou
haven’
tfuckedOni
ka?

ONI
KA:
Youar
eonet
otal
k,atl
eastIst
ickt
othe
opposi
tegender
…

DESMOND: I
’l
lnotraisemyhandt oyouOnika,
becauseI’m abet
termant hanthat,
butIwon’t
hesit
atetomakesur ey ounev
erseeFifiagai
nif
thatatt
it
udecontinues.Whoelsedidyousleep
with?

ONI
KA:
No,
one,
Iswear
!

DESMOND:
Whenwasi t?Huh?When,
Oni
ka?
Werey
oupregnantal
ready?When?

ONI
KA:Theweeky ouwer
eint
heUKf
ort
he
McCoyconf
erence…I
…

DESMOND:
Whenwet
ookt
het
estaweekl
ater
i
tsaidy ouwere6weeks.Soy ouwer
ealready
pregnant!Youfuckedar
oundwhil
ecarr
yingmy
chil
d?Ishouldkil
lyou!Whatki
ndofmotherare
you?

ONIKA:Idi
dn’tknow…Desmond,Iwaslonel
y,
youact
edlikeIrepel
l
edyou…please…

DESMOND: Youknowwhat?Thesayt wo
wrongsdon’tmakearight,
butsomet i
mes
rev
engemakesonef eelsomuchf uckingbet
ter
.
Sogoodni ghtMrsMarumo, I
’
llseey ouinthe
morning.Andifyouf
uckingevenleav ethi
s
house,I’
l
lkil
lyou.

ONI
KA:
Desmond…Des,
wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?

DESMOND:
Tof
uckar
ound…weneedt
obeev
en
aker
e.

*
***
***
**

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Kgodumosati
nthel
i
vingr
oom wi
thal
lhi
sboy
s.

KGODUMO: Ah, thisisabl essedday ,all my

boysar eher e,happy ,andheal thy.Wet hankour
ancestors.Ther eissomet hi
ngIneedt otake
careoff i
rst.It’
scloset obei ngdone, thenIwi l
l
doacl eansingcer emonyandr esumet het alks
withAmel iah’sauntmma- Thebe.Tebat so
wantst ogetmar ri
edbef orehisbabyi sbor n,
thatputsusi nav erytightspot ,especiall
yt hat
theVanAndr easwon’ tev enhearus, butIwi l
l
try
.
TEBATSO:
Thanky
ou,
dad,
Ireal
l
yappr
eci
atei
t…

KGODUMO: Itwon’tbeeasy .VanAndreasisa

diff
icultman, andIdon’ tblamehim.Youhur t
thatgirldearl
y,Tebat so,andshehast oreal
ly
l
ov ey outohav eforgivenst i
ll
.Sogett
ing
mar ri
edi ntwomont hsmaynotbepossi bl
e,
andmyadv i
cet oyoui snott omarrywit
houthis
permi ssi
on,becausey ouwi l
lest
rangethatpoor
gir
lfrom herf amil
y.

TEBATSO:
But
…

MAOTO: Malumei sr
ight
,Tebla,gi
veitti
me.
Talktoyourgi
rlandspendtimeconv i
nci
ngher
famil
ythatyouarecommi t
tedfir
st.Sowhati
f
yourchi
ldisbor
noutofwedl ock?Twomont hi
s
i
nsaneev
enwi
thoutt
heci
rcumst
ancesy
out
wo
hav
e.

TEBATSO: (
sighi
ng)Iguess…Ireal
lydidmess
up,di
dn’tI
?Ijusthopetheycanforgivemeas
shedid.AndI’m sor
rydadforputt
ingy our
thr
oughallIdid,bot
hwithherfamilyandKedi
’
s
famil
y.

*
***
***
*

AROUNDTOWN

Desmonddrovear
oundai
mlessl
ywhenhesaw
Setsobyt
heroadsi
de

DESMOND:
Sir
i…whatar
eyoudoi
ngsol
ateout
her
e?

SETSO:(sobbing)Marcusbeatmeupandsai d
I’
m sl
eepingwithyou.HesaysIhavet oquitmy
j
ob.Hel ockedmei ntheroom butIpickedthe
doorandr anourwhenhewasbat hing.I’
m so
afr
aidhewi l
lcomeafterme.

Desmondgotoutoft
hecarandhuggedher
unti
lshecal
meddown,t
hengotheri
nsidet
he
caranddrov
eoff
.

DESMOND:
Sooy
akaej
aanong?

SETSO:Backhomei nt
hevil
lage.MyauntSega
i
sinLetl
hakaneforbot
set
siandauntyBanyana
i
soutofthecountrywi
thherfamil
y.Ihav
e
nowher
eelsetogo.
Hedrov
ehertoahotel
andbookedheri
n,t
hen
wal
kedinsi
det
heroom wi
thher
.

DESMOND: Youhaveabruise…letmeor deri

ce
andtakecareofit.Youshouldreportt
hatson
ofabitch.It
oldyoukamagoduSi r
i,l
ookwhat
hehasdonet othisbeaut
if
ul f
acenow…

Theicewasbr oughtupandheputi
tinatowel
andagainstherface,
soft
lyki
ssi
ngherl
i
ps,then
pul
ledback.

DESMOND: I’
m sosorr
ySiri…Ishoul
dn’thave
donet hat…I
…uhm…ok, hereisthethi
ngSet so,I
didn’twantthi
stohappen,butI’
mf al
li
ngf oryou,
hard.EverydayIfi
ndmy selfl
ookingforwardto
seeingy ou,
and…Idon’
tknow…
Shebl
ushedandl
ookedatherf
eet
…

SETSO:
Ithi
nk…It
hinkI
’
mfal
l
ingf
ory
oual
so…

DESMOND: Damn…Set sopleasedon’

tsayst
uff
l
ikethat
…theonlythi
ngthatwaskeepingme
i
ntactwasthefactthatyoudidn’
twantme…

SETSO:Ido…Ihav
efall
eninl
ovewi
thyouso
har
dIcan’tev
enexpl
ainit
…buty
ouaremarr
ied,
andIdon’
tdomarri
edmen.Ithi
nky
oushould
l
eave.

Hepacedaroundtheroom foraf
ewmi nut
es,
t
hengrabbedherandkissedherdeepl
ybefor
e
wal
ki
ngoutinar ush.
Whatt
hef
uckwashegoi
ngt
odonow?

Setsowaswhathef el
l i
nlov ewi
thinOnika,
nowNi kkihadchanged.Shewast hi
sdesigner
cl
otheswear i
ng,publi
cev entsconcerned,
social
statuslovi
ng,conceitedcheati
nglit
tl
eli
ar
hebarelyevenrecognised.

*
***
***
*

ATTHEVANANDREASHOUSE

Bat
hshebawal
kedi
nandfoundbot
hher
mother
sint
heli
vi
ngroom

BONOLO:
Akompol
ell
eBat
hsheba,
whati
s
wrongwit
hy ou?Awomanst
eal
syourfi
ancée
andembarrassyou,
whi
chal
mostki
ll
syou,and
youhel
pher ?

BATHSHEBA: (laughing)whati sTebat so,

furnit
ure?Becauseahumancannotbest olen.
Hesl eptwithKedi wil
lingl
y.Tebatsocheat edon
mebef or
ewi t
hot herwomen, whichmakeshi m
trash,Kediwasj ustvicti
m becauseshei s
youngandnaï ve.Inev erhatedher .Poorthingis
24wi ththreechildr
enandmi nimal educati
on,
i
magi newhatshewoul dhavegonet hrough.

BONOLO: God, whor ai

sedy outobesucha
bleedi
ngheart?Sher uinedyourfamil
y ,nott
hat
I
’m complai
ning,li
key ousaid,Whatshisfacei
s
tr
ashandbeneat hy ouinsomanyway s.Heis
j
ustast r
eetratthatgotaneasyr idethrough
you,he’
dstil
lbeont hest r
eetspeddli
ngdr ugsif
i
twasn’tf
ory
ou.If
ir
stst
oppedyourfather
whenhewantedt
ogoafterhi
m,thi
stimeItol
d
hi
mt odowhathemust.

BATHSHEBA:Heist
hefatherofmychi
ld,
mama!Youcan’
t…pl
ease…auntyKamo,
tal
kto
dad…

KAMOGELO: (shakingherhead)Notthi
sti
me
Barbie…we’
vel etTebatsothi
nkhecanplaywith
ourfamilyf
ort oolong.Timehelear
nttoplay
farfr
om us.ThoughIappl audwhatyoudidfor
thatgir
lhel
pingwi t
hherbusiness…

BONOLO: Don’tencour
ageherKamo,t
hatgir
lis
alowl
ifepieceofshitj
ustl
i
keTebat
so,they
deser
veeachot her.
KAMOGELO: Well
,don’
tletBonnohearyousay
that.Appar
entl
yaccordi
ngt oTuna,
theyarea
thing.I
sthatt
rueBathsheba?YouandBoboar e
close.

BATHSHEBA: I
t’
snoneofmybusiness,andt
o
behonestIhav enotseenBont
hathappyand
rel
axedaroundawomanf oral
ongtime,soI
won’ti
nter
fere.

BONOLO:Never!Iwi
l
lneveral
lowmysont obe
wit
hsuchaloosewoman.Ifsheal
readyhas
thr
eechi
l
drenatherage,
whatkindofwomanis
she?

KAMOGELO: I
’m wit
hy ouonthatBonni
e,who
doessheexpecttotakecareofherf
ootbal
l
team?Bobowillhav
et ofi
ndsomeoneelse.
BATHSHEBA: Duh?Thati swhyshei sst
arti
ng
herownbusiness.Totakecareofherown
foot
ball
team,soIsayl eavei
talone.Unl
essy ou
wanttopushBonf urt
herfrom t
hef amil
ythan
healr
eadyis,l
eaveital
one.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
77

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Oni
kal
aidi
nherbedt
alki
ngt
ohermot
heri
n
l
aw.

MRSMARUMO:
Don’
tbest
upi
dOni
ka,
youar
e
t
heonlydaught
eri
nlawIwi
l
laccept,
thati
s
y
ourhusbandandagoodwi
fefi
ghtsforher
f
amil
y.

ONIKA:Butma, Desmondisnolonger
i
nterest
edi nme.Hewentoutandmadeit
obvi
oust hathei
sgoingt
ocheatonme.

MRSMARUMO: Doy ouknowhowmany

mistr
essesIhav ehadt odeal wi
thbefor
emy
marri
agef ull
ystabili
zed?Youar egoingtolet
somel i
tt
legirlstealy ourhusband?Youhav e
thr
eechildrentol ookoutf orOnika!Whatifyou
l
eaveandt henextwomani sabusivetothe
chi
ldr
en,whatt hen, huh?Thi nkli
keamot her,
notonlyabouty oursel f
.Remi ndDesmondwhy
hechosey ou…

ONI
KA:
Butma…It
ry,
Ireal
l
ydo,
it’
sjustt
hatI
’
m
t
oobusywi
tht
heki
dsandal
lthat
…

MRSMARUMO: Itoldy outogetamai dal ong

ti
mebackOni ka, youhav esocial obl
igati
ons,
playi
ngl i
ttl
ehousewi feisjustnotf oryou.That
i
swhyy ouar et oobusyf oryourhusband, you
arejugglingtoomuch.Andy ouar esurprised
thathei slookingout side?Gi r
l,getreal.Oh,by
theway ,therei sabusi nesslaunchbypot enti
al
businesspar tner sofour s,makesur ey ouand
yourhusbandgo, andmakesur ehei sdressed
accordinglyNi kki.Don’ tforget,
Desmondchose
you…remi ndhi m why .

ONIKA:
Fif
iisbarel
yamont hma,
Ican’
tbe
goi
ngtosocial
eventsand…

MRSMARUMO:
Oni
ka!Thisisfort
hefami
l
y!Fif
i
wi
ll
beokf
oraf
ewhours,
y oucanpumpmilk
andgetthatcousi
nofy
our
stobaby
sit
,shei
sa
ni
cegir
l.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedist
oodatt hedoorwatchi
ngTeblaqui
etl
y
si
ngtoBl essi
ngashesatintherocki
ngchai
r.
Hecarefull
ystoodupandplacedheri
nhercot
whenshef ell
asleep,
thenwenttoMaduo’
s
bedr
oom.

TEBATSO:
Heybi
gman,
whatar
ewer
eadi
ng
today
?

MADUO:
Thel
ostl
i
ttl
educk,
Ili
ket
hatone.
TEBATSO:Yea?Youknowdaddywi l
lal
ways
comegetyouifyougetlost
,ri
ght
?Justl
ike
daddyduckdi
dforthelostl
it
tl
educk.

MADUO:Ev
enifIgor
eal
l
yfar
?Li
ket
akeabus
andgor
eal
lyf
ar?

TEBATSO: Yes,
eveni
fyouwentr eall
yfarmy
boy.Youknow,youaregoingtohav eabrother
soon,andIwantyoutotakecareofhiml i
ke
youtakecareofNeneandBlessing.Youtake
careofthem,ri
ght
?

MADUO:Yes,IletNeneplaywit
hal
lmycars
ev
enifIwanttoplaywit
ht hem.Wi
l
lmybrother
pl
ayf
ootbal
l?
TEBATSO: Wecanteachhi
m whenheisali
ttl
e
ol
der.Iwantyoutwotobefri
ends,
ok?(Maduo
nodded)he’
ll
staywit
hauntyShebabutwi
ll
visi
t
al
ltheti
me.

MADUO:(pout
ing)butaunt
yShebai
smean,
whati
fsheismeant ohi
m?

TEBATSO:(
laughi
ng)shei
snotmean,
wewi
l
l
bot
htell
hertobenice,
won’
twe?

Maduonoddedhisl
it
tl
eheadanddozedof
fas
Tebat
socal
mlyreadhim ast
ory
.

Kedistoodatthedoorwatchi
ngthem.Wi ll
she
everfeelt
hesamewayaboutanyot hermant he
wayshedi daboutTebat
so,shethought.She’
d
l
earnttogiveupbecauseTebatsoobviousl
y
l
ov edBat hshebaandt herewasnocompet i
ti
on
there.Andshedi dfeel somet hi
ngforBon, j
ust
notasst rongasherf eelingsf orTebatso,and
wat chinghi m besuchagr eatdadjustdidn’
t
helpt hings.May bei
fBonwoul dbehonest
aboutwhat ev
erhewashi dingfrom her.

Tebat
sofinal
l
ykissedt
hesleepi
ngl
it
tl
eboy ’
s
for
eheadandturnedof
ftheli
ght
,wal
kingout
passi
ngherbythedoorway.

TEBATSO:
Hei
spassedout
…

KEDI:
Thanks…f
ordoi
ngal
lthi
s.Youdon’
thav
e
to.

TEBATSO:Ofcour
seIhavet
o,andyoudon’t
havet
othankme,theyar
emykids…Ibet
terr
un,
Ihat
eleavingShebaal one,t
hepregnancyis
fr
agil
ebecauseoft hewhol ecomat hi
ng,and
Shebaalsoneverrests.Idon’
tknowwhatI ’ddo
i
fanythi
nghappenedt oeit
herofthem.Wai t
,ar
e
youcryi
ng?

KEDI
:No,
I’
mfi
ne…Ij
ust
…al
l
ergi
es.

TEBATSO:Oh,
oktakesomeAll
ergex.Icoul
d
bri
ngyousometomorr
owify
oudon’ thaveany
.
Goodnight
.

*
***
***
*

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Kwapawal
kedi
nandf
oundNamet
sof
eedi
ng
Manny
.

Helookedather,shewasanat t
racti
vegirl
,and
wouldmakeawonder f
ul wi
fe,evenifhedidn’t
haveanyfeel
i
ngf orherbesideslust.Andthings
wit
hOnikaseemedl iketheywerenev ergoing
towork,soNamet sowast henextbestthing,
shewasobedient,goodtoManny ,andhis
motherli
kedher.Hehadt olearntobewi thher
orspendtherestofhisli
fealone.

Hesmiledandwal
kedov
ert
oher
,ki
ssi
ngher
head.

KWAPA:
Don’
tyout
wol
ookcut
eli
ket
hat
!CanI
hel
p?

NAMETSO:
Hei
ssl
eepy
,soj
ustputhi
mtobed
formeplease?Ihav
etof
ini
shmakingdi
nner
.
Todayhehasbeenabitf
ussy,
Ithi
nkhehasfl
u.

KWAPA: (t
aki
ngManny)Aww,
mypoor
boy…don’
tworry
,aunt
yNameanddaddywi
l
l
takecar
eofyou.

HewenttoputMannyinhi
scotandcameback
tot
hekit
chen,huggi
ngNamet
sofrom t
heback
andki
ssi
ngher.

KWAPA:IknowIhavebeendist
ant
…itwas
j
ust…wor
k…expandi
ngandall
.Ihav
ehadtohire
twonewvets…t
hankyousomuchforputt
ingup
wit
hme.

NAMETSO:
(smi
l
ing)any
thi
ngf
ory
ou…Il
ove
you.
KWAPA:
Whatar
eyoumaki
ng,
canIhel
p?

NAMETSO:
(laughi
ng)Wena,
hel
p?Si
ncewhen?

KWAPA:SinceIhavedeci
dedtobeabett
er
manfory
ou.Idon’twannalosey
ou,Nametso.

NAMETSO:Aww…t obehonestthepastf
ew
monthsIal
readygaveup.Iwastal
ki
ngtomy
si
stert
heotherdayandItol
dherIwascoming
backhome

KWAPA:
Comeon,
giv
eusonemor
etr
y,pl
ease?

NAMETSO:Ok,
butyouhavetostartshowi
ng
t
haty
oulov
emet oo,Idon’
twantittobeli
keI
am t
hrowi
ngmy
sel
faty
out
hewayi
tisr
ight
now.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Hewal
kedi
nhol
dingat
ubofi
cecr
eam.

BATHSHEBA: Mhhh,
mintchocolat
e…youknow
whatyourbabywant
s…IswearifIgetf
atI
’m
suei
ngbothyouandPhoenix.

TEBATSO: (
laughing)onl
yyouwoul dsuean
unbornbaby.Butwor r
ynot,Idon’tt
hinkweight
foryoui
sani ssue,yousti
ll
keepy ourworkout
rout
ineandeatheal t
hymostoft heti
mes.Hel l
,
youaremoref
itat7monthspregnantt
hat
mostwomenwhohav eneverevenbeen
pregnant
.

BATHSHEBA:
Howar
etheki
ds?

TEBATSO: Maduoi
sexcit
edabouthavi
nga
brother
,hethi
nksy
ou’
llbemeantothebaby
though.

BATHSHEBA: (
laughing)Hebet t
erbeawel l
behavedbabyorelseI’l
lhandhimt oMaduo
then.Aww…Phoenix,sorr
yee…aww…Iwon’ t
handy out
oanyone…Phoeni x!Hejustki
cked
me…

Tebatsocameoverandsatnextt
oher,
smi
l
ing
broadl
ywhenthebabykickedhi
shand.
TEBATSO: OhmyGod!If el
tthat!Ifeltthat
Sheba…thatamazing!Imean, Ididn’tgot hrough
all
thiswithBlessi
ng,soeverythi
ngi saf i
rstfor
me…aww…comeonPhoeni x,onemor et i
mef or
daddy…( hebeamedwhent hebabyki cked
again)That’
samazi ng!Wow…I ’
m al i
ttl
ejealous
yougettohav eallt
hesemoment stoy our sel
f.

BATHSHEBA: (l
aughing)I ’
dt radeyouany ti
mei f
Icould,tr
ustme.Pr egnancyi snojoke…Iknow
womencooabouthowi ti
st hebesttimeof
thei
rlif
ebl ahblah,notme…Ij ustwantt ohave
mybabyi nmyar msal r
eady , Ihat
epregnancy .
Butthisli
ttleguy,myPhoeni x…hedidt he
i
mpossi ble…mademef all
inl oveagain…both
withyouandbabi es.All Iwant edtodowas
makey oupay …andt henhekeptgr owi nginsi
de
me, andall Icoul
dt hinkofwasusasaf ami l
y…I
couldjustseehi m playingf ootball
withy ouin
t
hel
awn…

TEBATSO: Thanky ou,Sheba,forgivingme

anotherchance.It
’str
ue,youl i
terall
yhaveno
i
deawhaty ouhaveunt i
lyoulosei t
.Ididn’
tsee
apointatli
fewithoutyou…andt hanksfor
hel
pingKedi wit
hherbusi ness,that’
sv er
ynobl
e
ofyou.

BATHSHEBA: (l
aughing)whenhav eyouknown
met odonobl e?Herbei ngfi
nanciall
y
i
ndependentkeepsherawayf r
om y ou.Pl
usi f
sheisgoingt obewithBon?Poort hingneeds
al
lthekindnessshecangetbecauseshei s
abouttogot hroughthehot t
estlevelofhellwit
h
myf amily
.Herhav i
ngherownbusi nessmi ght
hel
pi ft
heyseeshei sn’tsodependentonBon.
Aww…y ourbabyi ski
cki ngmeagai n…Ithi
nkwe
haveaf ootbal
lerwit
ht hisone.
*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Shewenttothel
obbyandki
ssedLent
sweand
tookhi
scoatashewalkedi
n.

LENTSWE:
Eveni
ngMr
sKgagodi
tobe,
howar
e
you?

AMELIAH:Exci
ted,nowt hatTeblaisfi
neand
wecangoaheadwi t
htheweddi ng.Ididn’
tfeel
ri
ghtdoi
ngitwhil
ey ourunclewasst i
ll
sosad.

LENTSWE:YouareandangelIswear
,so
consi
der
ate.Andyesr
remogolometwit
hmma-
Thebet oday,t
heyar ecommenci ngthe
negot i
ati
ons.Soonmyl ove…Ican’twaitto
offi
ciall
yhavey ouasmywi fe.Somet hi
ng
smellsnice…comi nghomet oyourprettysmil
e
andy ourdeli
ciousfood, It
ellyouIcan’thelpbut
rusht hr
oughmeet i
ngs.Gaway atir
ongt oday?

AMLEI AH: Argg,nnatot

alawnol ongeri
nter
est
me.Idi dittopleaseAugustus,andnowthatI
nolongerf eeltheneedto,I
’
mj ustnot
i
nterested.

LENTSWE:Thenwhydon’
tyouquit
?War ona
hasbeenbot
heri
ngyoutoconsol
i
date,
why
don’
tyousel
ltoher
?

AMELIAH:Thatmaybeani
dea…I’
l
ltal
ktoher
tomor
row.Butwhatwi
ll
Idothen?
LENTSWE:What
every
ouwant
,moneyi
snota
probl
em.

AMELIAH:Isi
tbadthatIj
ustwannabehome
andhaveyourbabi
esandtakecareofy
ouand
ourki
ds?

LENTSWE:
Notatal
l
,whywoul
ditbebad?

AMELI
AH:Idon’tknow…Ij
ust
…wil
lpeopl
elook
downonmef orleav
ingacor
por
atejoband
bei
ngahousewife?

LENTSWE: Whocareswhatpeoplesay?Ifyou
arehappy,t
henI’
m happyandpeoplecanbe
screwed.Behomeandt akecar
eofthingsi
f
that’
swhatyouwant.Star
tarest
aurantandhir
e
peoplet orunitforyou…writethatcookbook
you’v
et ol
dmey oualway
swant edtowrite.Do
whatev ermakesy ouhappy .Wear efort
unate
Liah,youhav etheopportunitytodowhaty ou
want,y oudon’thavetoendur eanymor edayof
l
aw.

AMELIAH:I
’
m ser
iouskanaLee,
Iwannajustbe
astayhomemom, andIsocan’
twai
ttohave
ki
ds.

LENTSWE: LennaI’
m seri
ous.Andmybusi ness
i
sr emote,Icanworkfrom home, andwithmost
systemsrunningnow,I’
llbearoundmostoft he
ti
me, wecanspendal lt
hetimet oget
her…and
tal
kingaboutkids,
howaboutwegetst arted
ri
ghtnow,justincase,youknow…i tt
akessome
ti
me…hmmm…
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
78

ATKEDI
’
SSHOP
Kediwasbusycl
eani
ngupwhenChar
les
walkedi
n.
KEDI
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,whatt
hehel
ldo
youwant
?
CHARLES:
HeyKedi
bony
e,Imi
ssedy
ou…
KEDI
:Leav
emeal
oneChar
les…I
’
m not
i
nter
est
ed.
CHARLES:
Icamet
oseemyki
ds…howar
ethey
doi
ng?
KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)y
ourki
ds?Wai
tsennakeadi
bonabat
ho!I
nalat
lal
ayamar
eel
elo!Whatt
he
hel
ldoyouwant
?
CHARLES:ComeonKedi
,youknow,youand
I
…wehav eathi
ng…comeon…Imissedyou…
KEDI:
Wedon’ thaveanyt
hing,
ok!Not
hing,we
havenothi
ng!Leavemealone,mychi
ldrenar
e
doi
ngjustfi
newithouty
ou…
Hepushedheragai
nstthewallandst
art
ed
ki
ssi
ngher,
rippi
ngherblouseopen.
KEDI:
Char
lespl
easest
op…Char
les…st
op…I
’
ll
scr
eam…
Helaughedashecover
edhermouthwit
hhi
s
hand,whi
lepul
li
ngdownhersweat
pant
sand
panti
esatthesameti
meandunbutt
onedhi
s
pants…
CHARLES:
Youknowy
ouwanti
tit
…don’
tbe
shy
…
Shecl
osedherey
es,
tear
sfal
l
ingdownher
cheeksashef elthi
shandr oughlycaressing
hernetherli
ps.Herhandcamei ncont actwith
somet hingonthecounter
…t heknifesetOni ka
hadgi venherasapresentforstarti
ngherown
business.Shealwaysonlydispl
ay editont he
counterbecauseitwassof ancy.
Shepul
ledoutakni
fef
rom t
hest
andandt
hrust
i
thardonhisst
omach.
*
***
***
ATWARONA’
SOFFI
CE
War
onasathav
ingdi
nnerwi
thGout
a.
WARONA: Keraagoret
hat’
swhatyoursi
ster
wantstodomma.Shewant st
obecomea
housewif
e.Wai t
sennaIdon’
tknowanymor e
kaAmeliah,t
hisguyofherswamopekisa.
GOUTA:Ameli
aismad, shewi l
ldonosuch
thi
ng!Whatwomanl eavesherjobtobea
housewi
fe?Nope.Especial
l
ynotf oraKgagodi
man.Wecanbetoni t,i
twon’tevenbeay ear
bef
orehei
sfucki
ngar
ound.I
t’
sint
hei
rgenes.
WARONA: May
beshewi
l
lli
stent
oyou…t
her
e
shecomes.
Ameliahwalkedi
nwi
thapi
cni
cbasket
,wear
ing
casualcl
othi
ng.
GOUTA:Uhu…Idi
dn’
tknowy ouwer
eonl
eav
e?I
t
houghtyouhadt
hatcase…
AMLEIAH: (smil
i
ng)nope…Ipassedi tonto
Lawrance.Itol
dy ouguy sI
’m givi
ngupl
aw
aker
e.IofferedWarf i
rstpurchaseandwashi
a,
soLawrencei swill
i
ngt obuy.
GOUTA:Oseri
ousyouar
egoi
ngt
obea
housewi
fekegor
e?
AMELIAH: Yup!Thecourtr
oom wasnev err
eal
l
y
myt hi
ng.I
’m happi
erspendingmyday sat
homecooki ngandhomemaki ng.Ican’
twaitt
o
havekidsandjusttakecareoft
hem andmy
husband.
WARONA: Whatabouty
ourdr
eams,
your
aspi
rat
ions?
AMELI AH:ThatISmydr eam, War ona.Iaspi
r e
tobeahousewi feandamot her.Whyi sthatso
bad?Notev erywomanwant st obeacor porate
shark.Someofusar ereall
yj ustcontentbeing
athome.Itriedmyhandatt hecor por
atewor ld,
thoughIexcell
ed,Iwasnev erhappy .
GOUTA:ButLi
ah!Youar
eeducated,bo
housewi
fekedi
lotsamafor
mt hree…
AMELI AH:Sayswho?Womenneedt ost op
j
udgingeachot herfortheirdecisi
ons.I fa
womanwant stowor kandf oregokids, good,i
f
shewant stobeawor ki
ngmom, al
sowonder f
ul,
i
fshewant stobeahousewi f
e?Per fectaswell.
Itshouldbeupt oher,notwhatsoci etyt hi
nks
sheshoulddo.I’m happierasawi f
et akingcar
e
ofmyhome.
*
***
***
*
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
DesmondwalkedintoOni
kalayi
ngonthebed
readi
ngasFi
fisl
eptonhercotbesi
deher
.
ONIKA:(
smil
i
ng)Goodeveni
ngMrMar
umo,
shal
lIgowar
my ourdi
nner
?
Helookedatherconf
used.No‘wherethefuck
whereyouDes?’andal
ltheotheri
nsul
tsshe’d
usual
lyhur
lathi
m?Orcr yi
ng?Whatwassheup
to?
ONIKA:Imadey
ourf
avour
it
e.Ev
enmade
desser
t…
May beshepoisonedhi
m wi
ththef
ood…she
hadev er
yreason,hedi
dsayhewasgoi
ngto
cheatwhenhel ef
t.
Shecamebackwi t
haplateoffood…wow…food
al
lowedinthebedr
oom now?Shehaddefini
tel
y
poisonedhi
m.Helookedatthefoodwar
il
yas
shehandeditt
ohim.
ONI KA:Youarenoteating?Ijo,doyouthi
nkI
poisonedyounemot howaModi mo?Desmond,
Il
ov eyou,ok?Iforgi
vey ouforwhat ev
er
happenedt oday.Let
’sstartover…(shest
art
ed
eatingthefood)see?Notpoi soned…
DESMOND: Ididn’
tcheat…Iwant
edt
o…hadt
he
oppor
tuni
ty,butcoul
dn’t
…
ONI
KA:
Ibel
i
evey
ou…
DESMOND:
Why
?
ONIKA:BecauseIchoosetoseethebesti
nmy
husband.Ibel
i
eveyoulovemet oo…
DESMOND: Ido…withall
myhear t…buty
ou
changed,
Onika…Inolongerev
enseet he
womanIf el
li
nlovewith…Idon’tknowifIcan
real
lyl
ovethi
spersonyouhavebecome…
ONIKA:Iknow…andIapol ogi
ze.Iwantedso
badtofi
tintoyourworld…Iam thevi
l
lagegir
l
whocouldbarelyspeakEngli
shwhenwemet …I
wasalwayssoembar rassedbeingi
ny our
crowd,
Iwant edtofititsomucht hatIstart
ed
emulat
ingthewoment here…bei
nglike
them…but,youknowwhat ?Thatr
uralgir
lIwas?
Shewashappy ,andmostoft hewomenIt r
ied
tocopy,t
heyaren’t
…y oul ovedmef orme…you
wereneverembar r
assedofme…
DESMNOND:Never
…ther
ewasnev
erany
thi
ng
t
obeembarr
assedabout…
ONIKA:Let’
smaket hiswor
kDes…pl ease…let’
s
j
ustbeus…sowhati fwedon’ texact
lyfi
tinthe
soci
alstat
us?Youar easocialhermitandIam
deepdownj ustav
il
lagegir
l.Butwear ehappy
bei
ngus…
Hepulledhercl
oserandhuggedher…kissi
ng
herneck.Maybethei
rmar r
iagest
il
lhada
chance…whatev
erhewasf eeli
ngforSetso
coul
dbesor t
edoutlater
*
***
***
**
ATKEDI
’
SSHOP
Bat
hshebawal
kedi
n
BATHSHEBA: Kedi?Idon’tr
eallycareifyouare
closed,Ineedthatmintsouffl
éy oumake, your
babydaddy ’ski
dwant si
t,soy ou’
llhaveto
makei tnow…Kedi…whatt he…Kedi…( sheran
ov ert
oherandt ookoffhercoatcov eringher
,
thenknelttotheguyont hefloorandchecked
hispulse)Heisdead…
KEDI
:I…he…he…
BATHSHEBA: Shhh…shhh…ofcourseIseewhat
happenedher
e.Stopcryi
ng,yourefusedt
obea
vi
cti
m anddefendedyoursel
f.I
sthere
somewhereyoucancleanup?
KEDI:Wehavetocall
thepol
ice…I
…Idi
dn’
tmean
to….I
twasselfdef
ense…Iam sur
e…
BATHSHEBA: Don’tbest
upid…tr
ustme,I’
ve
beentolockup,andasofti
eli
key ouwoul
dn’t
surv
iveadayinthemax…that’swheret
heytake
peoplewhokil
l…andIhaveseenwomenwho
wentdownf ordefendingt hemselvesandt aki
ng
outanabuserorar apist.Itj
ustdependson
howgoodt heirl
awy eris.Youcouldendup
goingdownf oramanwhot riedt
or apeyou,
andnnammaIr efuset otakecareoft hat
football
team ofyour s,andy ouknowTebat so
woul dwantthem tocomel i
vewithusi fy
ougo
toprison.
KEDI:
But…whatdoIdo…peopl
ewi
l
lseet
he
bodyand…
BATHSHEBA:
Thatwil
lbehandl
ed…gocl
eanup
andgiv
emethosecl
othes,
youcanwearmy
coat
…
Kediwenttothebackandshowered,t
hen
changedinoneofthewaitr
essunif
ormsshe
usedforevent
s.Shecameoutshakingand
star
tedcryi
ngasshelookedatthebody.
BATHSHEBA:Don’
tcr
y…especi
all
yfor
hi
m…Dodgerwasascumbagandhedeser
ves
whathegot
…howdoy
ouknowhi
m?
KEDI
:Hei
sthef
atherofmychi
l
dren.
BATHSHEBA: Well,goodri
ddancet
obad
rubbi
sh.Stopcr
ying,ah!NnammaIdon’tdoal
l
thi
semot i
onthi
ngswel l
,soIdon’
tknowhowto
consol
epeople.Hei sdead,
whatgooddoes
cryi
ngdo?
KEDI
:Iki
l
ledhi
m…I
…
BATHSHEBA: (si
ghing)Jesus,shutt
hef uckup
Kedi,youarenott hefir
stper
sont odefend
themselves!Iputsixslugsonmyr apistwhenI
wassixteenandnev erl
ookedback,soj oi
nthe
club.Wherearey ourkids?
KEDI:
I…uhm…Ihav
etopi
ckt
hem upf
rom t
he
si
tt
erand…
BATHSHEBA: Youareshaki
ngli
kealeaf,and
you’l
lpr
obabl
yblabbert
othefir
stpersonyou
meetaboutthi
s.Youarecomingwithme.I’l
l
takeyoutoourhouseandgiveyousomeXanax
t
osl
eep,
thenI
’
llpi
ckt
heki
dsup…
KEDI
:But
…butt
he…(
shemot
ionedt
othebody
)
BATHSHEBA: Wil
l behandled.Li
sten,
Kedi.
Nothi
nghappenedher e.Youfini
shedcleani
ng
andIcameinforasouf fl
éandy oumademe
oneandthenwel eftwit
hmycarbecausey ours
washavi
ngtrouble.Wewentt opi
ckupt hekids
andyouspentthenight.Underst
and?
Shenoddedandf
oll
owedBat
hshebat
othecar
.
Shebat
ookherhomeandaf
tershehadpassed
out,
shecal
l
edTebat
so.
TEBATSO:
QueenSheba…
BATHSHEBA: Therehasbeena
si
tuati
on…Dodgeratt
ackedKediandshe
defendedher
self
.Heistoast
.Cl
eanupis
neededatKedi’
sshop.
TEBATSO:
OhmyGod,i
ssheok?OhGod…is
sheal
ri
ght
?Whyt
hehel
lwasheevent
her
e?
BATHSHEBA:Appar
entl
yheis…washerbaby
daddy
…IgaveherXanaxandsheispassedout
i
nourhouse.I
’
mf et
chi
ngthekids.Gocl
eanup,
Il
eftt
hekeyundert
hewelcomemati nf
ront
.
TEBATSO:
Sheba…t
hankst
hemma…f
ordoi
ng
thi
s…
BATHSHEBA: Notforyou…Igenui nel
yf eelbad
fort
hepoorthing.Sheissoy oungandj ust
seemstoalway shaveaseriesofbadl uck.She
can’
tgodownf ordefendingherselff
rom a
scumbag.Gonowandcl eanup.Lov eyou.
*
***
***
*
ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE
I
nthemor
ning
Tshepel
aidi
nbedwi
thhi
swi
fet
alki
ng
REBAONE:Ij
o…kemat
hat
a…soar
eodi
raj
ang
Tebat
sothen?
TSHEPE:
(laughi
ng)Myf
ami
l
yiswei
rd,
you
knowt hat
…hel ef
tinahurr
ymaabane,
Bathshebacall
ed,somet
hingtodowith
Kedi…apparent
lyshewasatthei
rhouse…
REBAONE: Kant
ebonebaa…Imean, t
hethree
ofthem,dothey…heisalwaysatKedi
'shouse
andBathshebadoesn’tseem t
omind…
TSHEPE: Whoknowswhatki ndofménagea
tr
oistheygotgoingon…Imean, Bat
hshebais
cal
li
ngaboutKedi sl
eepingoveratthei
rhouse?
Whywoul dafiancéebecoolwithherman’s
babymamasl eepingoverunl
esskeset upya
bone?
REBAONE: Thingshappeninthisworld(t
hey
bothlaughed)I’
m sor
ry,butIcoul
dnev er
.If
ther
ei sonethi
ngI’m notshari
ng,
it’
smyman.
TSHEPE:(l
aughi
ng)I
ja,whoi scal
l
ingsoearl
yin
themorni
ng?Shit
…it
’swork…notSamasara,
whatdotheywant?(
Hepi ckedupthephone)
Legi
on437?
VOICE:Thisistheoff
iceofthedi
rect
or.Youar
e
l
ist
edascl earedcont
actforMrKgodumo
Kgagodi…
TSHEPE:
Iwhat?Ialway
ssuspect
edmyuncl
e
was.
..
but
..
I.
..
uhm..
.
VOICE:Her equestedt
haty oubet oldthi
s
i
nformationonlyinsuchasi tuati
on.Mr
Kgodumowasoneoft hefirstagentsin
Botswana.Her anOmegaf or50y earsbefor
e
hereti
red.Hewi ll
bepaidpr opertri
buteintr
ue
Aegismanner ,andwer equestthatyoureceive
hi
sAegi sfl
agandbadge.
Hewi
pedt
hest
rayt
ear
srunni
ngdownhi
sface.
TSHEPE:
What
…whathappened?
VOICE:Heandhisol
dteam wentonapri
vat
e
andunauthor
isedmi
ssi
on…I’mverysor
ry
Legi
on.
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
79

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Bathshebaknockedontheguestbedroom door
andpusheditopen.ShefoundKedisit
ti
ngupi n
thebed,huddl
estoacorner,cr
ying.
BATHSHEBA: (
sighi
ng)Getov
erit,
wouldy
ou?
Heisdead.Peopledi
e,i
t’
spartofl
if
e,mov
eon.
KEDI:(
sobbi
ng)Howcoul
dyoubesocol
d
aboutdeat
h?Imurder
edsomeone!
BATHSHEBA: See,t
hat’
sy ourprobl
em!Yousee
i
tasmur der
.Icalli
tsur
vival.Wouldyouhav
e
rat
herDodgerrapedyouinstead?
KEDI
:No,
but
…Iki
l
ledhi
m…
BATHSHEBA: (
sitt
ingnextt
oher)Kedi
,good
gi
rlsneverwi
n.Thewor l
disanastypl
ace,and
peoplewhogettheirsl
i
ceofthepi
earethose
whoclawthei
rwayt hr
oughit
.Li
e,cheat,
decei
t…ev
enkillsometi
mes…peopl
elikeme
whodowhatt heyhavetodotogetwhatthey
knowtheydeserve.
KEDI
:I’
m notl
i
ket
hat
…
BATHSHEBA: Hencel i
esy ourproblem.You
cli
ngsobadt othisgoodgi rlt
hingwhi l
eal l
the
worldhasev erdonet oy oui shurtyou.You
werebor npoorwi thoutadaddyi nthe
pict
ure…struggledal lyourl i
fe.Atwobi tlowl i
fe
gavey outwoki dshenev erhelpedwi t
h…Thuo?
Usedy ou.Tebat so?Usedy ou.Thatbitch-ass
auntyofy oursyouv isi
tev erymont handgi ve
moneyt o,mma- Onika,stilltr
eatsyoul i
ket r
ash
andact sli
keherdaught eri sbetterthany ou.
Tellme, Kedi
,whatr easonhast hewor ldgiven
youtobegood?
KEDI
:I…Ij
ust
…
BATHSHEBA:
(looki
nguppensi
vel
y)y
ouknow,
ther
ewasoncet
hisnaï
vel
i
ttl
egi
rlcal
l
edBame
VanAndr
eas…

shelovedl i
fe.Wasv erytrustingandhadl otsof
fri
ends,alway ssawt hebesti npeopl e…untilt
he
wor l
dslappedherupsi de,har d.Thatl i
tt
legirl
?
Shehadt odi e,becauseaf tersomanyhi tsata
youngage, sher eali
sedt hatt hewor l
disless
rosesandbl ueski es,andmor ethornsanddar k
clouds.Thathel pedhersur vi
v eev enwhenher
entir
efami l
yt hr
ewhert ot hegut ters.
KEDI
:I…I
’
m sor
ry…
BATHSHEBA: (l
aughing)Sorry?Forme?Don’t
be.WhatI ‘
m sayingKedi,i
s,youkeeptaki
ngt he
world’
shitsli
kethis?Eventuall
yyouwon’tbe
abletotakeany more.That’
showpeopl eendup
commi t
tingsuici
deorgoi ngment al
.Andyou
cannotaffordeit
herbecausey ouhavechil
dren
tolookafter
.Sowomant hef uckup.Shower
andhaul yourasstowor k.Whenyoul ookat
thatspotwher eDodgerdied?Smile,l
aughat
i
t…it’
sabadgeofhonourt hatshowsy ouare
tough,youarenottobemessedwi t
h,andare
will
i
ngt odowhat everyouhavetosur vi
ve.Now,
upgirl
.Andhav emymintsouf f
léready,I
’m
comingi nlat
ertogetit
.
KEDI:
(smil
i
ng)Ithi
nkthi
sistheni
cestIhav
e
seenyoubetoanyonewhoisn’
tBethany
…why?
BATHSHEBA: (l
aughing)becauseIdol ikeyou
Kedi…beneaththatwal l
fl
owery oupresent,
there
i
sat oughwoman, andIl i
ketoughwomen.I
mean, howmany24y earoldscanraise3
chi
ldrenont hei
rownwi t
houtanyhelp
whatsoev er
,anddoitwi thasmi l
eintheirf
ace
andnev erwhineabouthowt hegovernmentis
nothelpingthem?Youar easurviv
or.Now, get
upandsur v
ivet
his.
AEGI
SOFFI
CE
Tshepeparkedhiscarandwalkedovert
othe
secondAegisbranch,hi
slegsshaki
ngbadl
y.
Thishadtobeadr eam,hekepttel
li
nghi
mself
.
Hewal
kedi
nandwasl
edt
othedi
rect
or’
sof
fi
ce.
MK:
Legi
on…
TSHEPE:
Boss…
MK:Howareyouhol
dingup?Iknowhewasl
i
ke
af
athert
oyou…
TSHEPE:(st
ari
ngupandbl
i
nkinghar
d)Isti
l
l
can’
tbel
i
ev ei
t…whomanyslugs?Whodidit
?
MK:
Tshepe,
son…y
ouknowIcan’
t…
TSHEPE: (hi
svoicebreaking)Please.Si
r…my
unclewasagoodman.Ionl yfoundoutrecentl
y
thathewasanagent ,
butev enbeforethen,he
i
nspiredmet obet hebestmanandagentIcan
be,becauseheal waysstoodupf ortheli
ttl
e
manwher ev
erhewent .Please…Howdi dmy
uncledie?Ineedtoknow.
MK: (si
ghing)If orbidy oufrom doingany thing
withthisi
nfor mat i
on, Legion.Thatisadi rect
order.Omega, he…uhm…( swallowinghar d)He
taughtmeev erythingIknow.Iwast hi
slittl
e
scumbagf r
om anabusi vefamily.Hebeliev edin
me, andwasmyconsul t
antandconf i
dent
throughoutev erything…soIwantj usti
cef orhim
asmuchasy oudo.
TSHEPE:
Howdi
dhedi
e?
MK: Theywentt ot akeoutadr ugkingpin.He
hasabi gcircl
eandt r
eat shismenr eal
lygood,
sot heyar ereadyt olaydownt heirl
ivesforhim.
WhenOmegaandhi st eam hit…well,t
heywer e
ataCul l’spriv
atef ar
m out sidetheci t
y,
celebr atingabi r
thdayf orthreeofhi smen, soit
wasal otofpeopl e.Around60f rom whatIhear .
Omega’ steam onlyhadei ght.Theymanagedt o
takeoutatl east29, butl ostfiv
eofourownon
sit
e, includingAlpha.Omegasur v
ivedfora
whileandmadei tout ,
butwi thhisrecentheart
surgeryandev erything?Hewasn’ tatthebest
ofhisheal t
h…andt heywer eallv
eryold…we
l
osthi mi nthehospi tal
.Hewasabr aveman
whost oodf ort het eam evenwhenhewashur t
.
Whent heyfinallycalledbackup….hehelpedget
histeam’ sbodi eswhi l
ehebled.Ihonourhis
sacrif
ice.
TSHEPE:
Did…di
dtheygethi
m?Cul
l
?
MK: Thecowar dfl
edthescenewi ththerestof
hi
smenf lankinghim,andhei sstil
lMIA.Wewi l
l
haveanhonourcer emonyl aterforthefal
len
andthenyoucant ranspor tthebodyt oaci v
il
ian
morgue.Doy ouhav east oryf orfamil
yor
shouldIt
ellHRt oprepare?
TSHEPE: I
…uhm…heartcondi
ti
on…hewas
seeingapri
vat
edoct
orandhedi edaf
ter
surgery
.
MK:Goodman.Gor
est
,son.SemberOccul
tus
(
sal
uti
nghi
m)
TSHEPE:
(sal
uti
ngback)Sember
.
AEGI
SOFFI
CES
Tshepelookedar oundasever
yonest
oodin
order.Hi
st eam ri
ghtbehi
ndhi
m…Sam…t he
nowof fi
cialrei
gni
ngAlpha.MK,t
henew
Omega…di rect
orsVanandKG.Theyhadal
l
tr
ainedunderhi suncl
e.
Thenhisownt eammat es.Rougethecloseston
hisri
ght,hi
shandonTshepe’ sshoulder
.
Shadowont heleft,
themal el
ookingmassiv e
andsolemni nhissui t
,tatt
oosofhiswifeSami a
anddaught erAli
cepeepi ngfr
om hisneck,
somewhatmaki nghiml ooksini
ster
,especial
ly
withthatscaronhi sface.RougeandShadow,
hisbestfri
ends, andheknewbey onddoubtt hat
thi
smal eshadhi sbacknomat t
erwhat.
Rhyn,
Hawk,BlackWidow,
By t
eandAphr
odite
for
medasinglefi
lel
i
nebehindhi
m.Therestof
theel
i
tesquad.
Thenot hersstoodbehi ndhiminrows,everyone
l
ookingsosol emnatt helossoffal
lenheroes
theyhadal lgottentoknowaboutandl oveso
much.Al phaandOmegawher erespectedand
aspir
edt onames, eventhoughthei
rreal
i
dentit
ieswher eneverdivul
ged.
Samsar a,
MK, VanandKgal lgav
easpeeches,
theeli
tesquaddidasilentgunsalut
etothe
fal
len,
andt hefl
agsandbadgeswer ehanded.
Thenev er
yonedisper
sed.
ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE
Tshepesatinthehouseunt
ilt
her
estoft
he
famil
yarr
ived.
TSHEPE:(cl
ear
inghi
sthr
oat
)I…uhm…I…shit
,
thi
sishar
d…so,yea,
weareal
lhere.Wel
l,
uhm….
MMA-MAOTO:Rr
at hewehav
et hi
ngst
odo, ar
e
wegoi
ngtowai
tforyoucl
ear
ingyourt
hroatal
l
day
?
TSHEPE:
It’
sdi
ff
icul
t,mme…I
…uhm…(
hel
ooked
atRebaonewithherswol
leneyesfrom cr
ying
thewholeday,andshesmil
edandsqueezed
hishand.
)I…i
t’
smysadr esponsi
bil
i
t yt
oinfor
m
youallt
hatmalumeisgone
TEBATSO:Gone?Gonewhere?Aker
eheal
way
s
l
eaveandcomesback,so….
MAOTO:
Tshepe,
thatshi
tai
ntf
unny
,cuti
tout
…
TSHEPE: DoIlookli
keI’
mfuckingjoking?
Malumei snomor e…hehadbeenbat t
linga
heartcondi
ti
onandaskedmet okeepi ta
secr
etf r
om thefamil
y.Hepassedaftersurger
y.
Mma-Maotoscreamedandf el
ltothegroundas
Mosit
iandRebaonerushedtoher,whil
ethe
boy
scursedandpacedar oundthehouse.
TEBATSO:Noman, no…no,Iref
usetobel
i
eve
thi
s…t
hiscan’
tbehappening.Hecan’
tbegone…
MAOTO: Howthehell
couldyoukeept
hisf
rom
usTshepe?Whydidn’
tyoutel
lushewassick?
KWAPA:
Yea,
whati
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
LENTSWE: Guys…guy s,cal m downpl ease…y ou
can’tblameTshepe.Rr emogol odidn’twanti t
known, het ri
edtoev enhi dehispillsand
everythingfrom mewhenIl i
vedwi thhi m…y ou
knowhewasast rongmanandnev ershowed
weakness.Thi sisnott het i
met ofight…we
havet omakef uneralar r
angement s…someone
helpmecal landnot i
fyf ami l
y,ther estarrange
forthet entsandchai rsf or
mer apelo…please…ev eryone, juststopok!We
arealltryingtokeepi ttoget herher e!
ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Hear ri
veddej
ected,andfoundKedii
nthe
kit
chenhummi ngasshecooked.Wai t
,didhe
gotot hewronghouse?Oh, yea,
Kediwasin
thei
rhouseforaf ewdaysbecauseshewas
currentl
yver
yfragil
eaft
erwhathappened.
KEDI
:Oh,
hey
…I’
m maki
ngdi
nner
,Bat
hshebai
s
i
nt hegardengetti
ngsomef reshaloever
afor
herface…thatwomani swei r
dt obehonest…
sheeatssheeppl acentaandpl ansonhavi
ng
herownpl acent
at ur
nedintopi l
lsshewil
l
take…ewww…butshei sactuall
ynotasbadas
peoplethi
nk…wait…Tebatso,what ’
swrong?
Hesaggeddownt
othesof
a,st
ari
ngi
nto
space…
KEDI
:Tebat
so…Tebatso…what’
swrong….Sheba!
Bat
hsheba,
please…comequick…
BATHSHEBA:Whatisi
t?Isweari
fyoumessed
upmysouffl
éI’
m goi
ngto…ohshi
t…Tebl
a,baby
,
what
’sgoi
ngon?
TEBATSO:Hei
sdead,Sheba…heisgone…my
fat
heri
sgone…Ij
ustf
oundhi m andhei
s
gone…
BATHSHEBA: What
, I
…uhm…how?Kedipl
ease
gethi
m aglassofwater
…sshhh,i
t’
sokbaby,
come,l
et’
sgoandr esti
nthebedr
oom.Kedi
,
getsomepi
l
lst
oo…heneedsr
est
.
Shehel
pedhimt
othebedr
oom andhel
aid
downinbed…
BATHSHEBA:
Shhh…i
t’
sok…shhhh…i
twi
l
lal
lbe
fi
ne.
Kedi wal
kedinwi t
hthewaterandcl
imbedup
thebedwi t
hthem andhandedhi mt
heglassof
waterwhileBathshebaopenedthet
abl
etfor
him andgaveittohim.
TEBATSO:
Ithur
tsman…r
eal
l
yhur
ts…Ican’
tlose
hi
m…Ican’
t…
BATHSHEBA: Pl
easerestTebat
so,please…we
areal
lheref
oryou,ar
en’tweKedi?(shenodded)
see,y
ougotme, andKedi,andt
hekids…y ou’
l
l
bealr
ight
TEBATSO:No,
Bat
hsheba,
Iwon’
tbeal
ri
ght
,my
fat
heri
sdead!
Shesi
ghedandl
ookedatKedi
forhel
p,
mouthi
ng‘
I
’m notgoodwi
tht
hisemot
ion
t
hings’
KedisighedandtookTebat
so’
sot
herhandas
Bathshebaheldanot
her.
KEDI :Youknow, IoncehearditsaidGodcal l
s
hisbestf i
rst
…wenev erunder
standwhy ,butwe
hav etotrustandaccepthisplan.Yourfather
wasagoodman, heliv
edhislif
etothefullest.
It
’sadi ff
icul
tti
me, Iknow,butit’
sinti
mesl ike
thisthatweshoul dtakecomf orti
nthose
closesttous.Bat hshebaisri
ght,weareall here
fory ou…

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
80

ATTHEGRAVEYARD
Thef amilysati nthesmal lshadenearthegr ave
asthepast orsaidhisf inalspeech.Sedibelo
andMosi tisatholdingmma-Mot owhi l
et he
otherolderwomenoft hefami l
ywer eholding
mma- Tebatsoasbot hwomencr i
ed
uncont r
ollably.TheKgagogodi boyssatwi t
h
thei
rspouses, Tebat sowi t
hbot hBathsheba
andKedi onhi sside, Kediholdi
ngBlessing
whileNeosatonBat hsheba’slapandMaduo
wasonTebat so’slap.

Somewomanst
oodbehi
ndt
hef
ami
l
y,
gossi
ping.

WOMAN: Naar
emosadi
wamoswi keohegone
hal
eball
asakhur
anyoyamenobalebabedi
j
aana?
WOMAN2: Hewasnotmar r
ied, thatishislat
e
brother’
swi fe, buttherehasbeenr umour s
foreverthattheev entual
lygott ogether.The
otheronei st hemot hertohisson.Shecamet o
staywi t
hhi m whenhegotsi ck.Hi ssoni sthe
onef l
ankedbyt hoset wogir
ls…t hoset hreeare
hiskidsappar entl
ylet hegir
l ont heleft,
andthe
pregnantwomani scarryi
nghi schi l
dtoo!Gaa
tsaahaat shemoshi mane…

Theybot
hlaughed.

WOMAN: Legonewhyist
heenti
ref
amil
y
weari
ngbl
ack,aker
ebont
shokejamoswel
wa
hel
a?(Cl
appi
ngonce)

WOMAN2: Mmemmabant sebant l

egore!
Lookatt
hemenontheirsui
ts,kanabanna
borr
aKgagodi
babopegil
ewiththatdarkski
nle
dihei
ght!Butwhatwer etheythi
nkingthough,
bri
ngingkidstothegravesit
e?Wher edidthey
seeinaSet swanafuneralsmall
kidsgoingt o
thegravesi
te?Dil
otsabahumi !

WOMAN3: That’snotevent hehalfofif

!This
familykemar arathemma.Youseet heeldest
one, Kwapa, thatgir
lwal ecolour
edt hatheis
holdinghandswi th,
that’
shisex-wife,butonna
l
et haty ounggi r
lNamet somont longnow, omo
ntshitsemai d…poorthingebi l
eokareo
l
ebet swet oday,sheissitti
ngattheback…and
weal l knowaboutRebaaker e…beenwi thal
lthe
brother s…

WOMAN:Sent
hee!Iknowshewasengagedto
Maot
obef
oremarr
yingTshepe,
butKwapa?

WOMAN3:
(gi
ggl
i
ng)Okomor
agowai
tse…y
ou
ar
etheonlyonewhodoesn’ tknowsheusedto
sl
eepwithKwapa…nnat shelojoor
aKgagodi
ke
abolebogel
a,r
ichesandall.

Anotherwomanshushedt
hem ast
hePast
or
concludedhi
spr
ayerandt
hepeopl
edi
sper
sed
backhome.

*
***
***
**

ATKGODUMO’
SHOUSE

Af
tert
hef
uner
al….

Tshepesatint
hel
iv
ingr
oom,hi
sfaceonhi
s
hands.Lent
swewal
kedi
nandsatbesi
dehi
m.
LENTSWE:
ItwasCul
l
,wasn’
tit
?

TSHEPE:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?

LENTSWE: Rremogolohadhissurgeryalong
ti
meagoandi twasheal
ingwell
…also,Isawt he
body ,andtheydidagoodjoboftryingtocover
upt hebull
etwounds…whoar ey oucoveringup
for
, becauseIknowr r
emogolodidn’tdi
efrom
surgery?Iam prett
ysureit
sCull
, whyarey ou
coveringforCull
.

TSHEPE:Idon’
tknowwhatt
hef
ucky
ouar
e
tal
ki
ngabout.

LENTSWE:Youknowprett
ydamnwel
l.Ei
ther
way,I
’
m goingaf
terCul
l
…hehurtmywoman,
nowkil
ledmyuncle?
TSHEPE:
Leepl
ease…t
hatmani
sdanger
ous…

LENTSWE:I
’
venev
ert
akeny
ouf
orapussy
!
Scar
edofanol
dman?

Tshepest
oodupandgr
abbedhi
m byt
hecol
l
ar.

TSHEPE: List
enher e,youlit
tleshi
t.Culli
smor e
protect
edthant heN. Kpresident,
andhi smen
areloyalasfuck,hegav ethem lif
eandpur pose,
sotheyreverehi m.Yout hi
nky ourli
ttl
eYakuza
hi
storymakesy ourelevant?Youar enothi
ng,
boy!Theywi l
lflat
teny ourassinasecond.Iam
tr
ainedtotakemenbi ggerthanhi m andI’
m sti
ll
notgoinginblindly.

LENTSWE:
(smi
l
ing)whatdoy
oumeany
ouar
e
t
rai
ned…

TSHEPE:
Inev
ersai
dthat
…

LENTSWE:Honest
lythoughT,whatisi
tthat
youdo?Nooneinthefamilyknows…ar
ey ou
worki
ngforsomesyndicat
e?

TSHEPE:Youfucki
ngstayawayfr
om Cul
l
,you
hearmeLentswe?Fucki
ngstayaway
!Foryour
owngood.

*
***
***

War
onawalkedov
ert
oKwapahol
ding
Emmanuel
.
WARONA:
Hey
…

KWAPA:
Hey
,yout
wo….
howar
eyoudoi
ng?

WARONA: Wearegood, howar eyou?Ken,you

haven’tsai
danythi
ngabouty ouruncle
passing…thi
sissoyou,alwaysbottl
inginy
our
feel
ings.Howareyoureallydoing?

KWAPA: (smili
ng)whatcanIsay
,War,myuncl
e
j
ustdied…Ifeelsol
ost,heal
waysfi
xed
ever
ythi
ngthef amil
y.Whatdowedonow?

Shegav
ehi
m ahug.

WARONA:YouknowIam her
efory
ouany
time
youneedt
otal
k,r
ight
?
KWAPA:(
laughi
ng)It
houghty
ouwer
est
il
lmad
atme?

WARONA: Apersoncanstaymadonl yforso

l
ong.AndKen,wewer efri
endsbeforeanyt
hing
bet
weenuseverhappened.Iam hereforyouas
afr
iendi
fyouev erneedanyonet
ot al
kto…

KWAPA:
YouknowI
’
m goi
ngt
ohol
dyout
othat
,
ri
ght
?

WARONA:
(laughing)Ibetyouwil
l
,letmegoput
Man-
Mandown, heissleepi
ng.

*
***
***
*
ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebat
soarr
ivedwi
thBat
hshebaandKedi
and
theki
ds.

BATHSHEBA:I
jo,
Iam tucker
ed,
I’
m goi
ngt
o
napforabi
tev
eryone.

TEBATSO:Yea,It
hinkI
’
llj
oiny
oui
nabi
t,l
etme
hel
pKediputtheki
dsdown.

Theywentt
oputthekidst
osleepandt
henhe
fol
l
owedhertot
heliv
ingroom.

TEBATSO:Kediwee…I…uhm…aboutlastnight
…it
shoul
dhaveneverhappened.Iwasemot i
onal
and…wel
l…I…whatI’
mt r
yingtosayi
s,Ilove
Bat
hsheba…

KEDI:I
t’
snotl
ikeshedoesn’
tknowwhat
happened,
shewasthere.

TEBATSO: Yea,
that
’sthet
hing…Shebaiscool
withthatki
ndofthi
ng.Iam not
.Il
oveherwith
allmyheart,
andIwanttosetagoodexampl e
formysons.Therecanneverbeanythi
ng
betweenus.

KEDI
:(sobbi
ng)I’
m suchafool
…youkeepusi
ng
meandIf al
lfori
tever
yti
me…

TEBATSO:I
’
m sorry
…butIthi
nk…I’
ll
justbe
pi
cki
ngupthekidstospendt
imewi t
hmehere
fr
om nowon.It
hinkyouandIshoul
dnotspend
anymoret
imetogether
.
KEDI:Il
oveyou…It r
iedTebat
so,Itr
iedtofor
get
you,bewithothermen.Ican’
t.Iwant
you…Pleasedon’tdothi
s.Pl
ease…Iloveyou.

TEBATSO:Ked!Therecanneverbeanythi
ng
betweenus,ok?I
’m get
ti
ngmarri
edandI ’
m
goingtobefai
thf
ultomywife.I
’vehur
ther
enoughalr
eady.

KEDI:Sowhatam Isupposedt odowi thwhatI

feelf
ory ou?Feeli
ngsar enotat apTebat so,you
cannotjustturnthem of fwhent heyareno
l
ongerunwant ed.Il ovey ou…Iam t iredofbei ng
theself
lessonewhoal way st akeeverything
sil
entl
y.Youcamet ome, ok…y ouknewy ou
werewi t
hherandy oust illcameaf termeand
mademef al
li
nlov e.Event hen,It
ri
edt ocope,
hardasitwas…t henl astni ght…
TEBATSO: I’m sor
ryKedi .Thisist
hehar shtruth,
butmay bei t’
swhatIneedt osaytomakey ou
understand.Idon’ tloveyou.Ideeplycareabout
you,butt hereisonl yonewomanIhav eev er
l
ov ed.Pleasedon’ tmaket hi
smor edif
fi
cult
thanithast obe, Ijustlostmyf at
her.I
’l
lgodr op
youof faty ourhousewhent heki
dswakeup.

Hehuggedherandthenwalkedofftothe
bedr
oom,leav
inghercr
yinghyst
erical
l
y.

*
***
***
**

ATDESMOND’
SOFFI
CE

Desmondwalkedinandf
oundSet
soal
ready
seat
ingi
ntheoff
ice.
SETSO: Youlookl
ikey
oucouldusesome
coffee…what’swr
ong?Andwhatwassourgent
thatyouneededtogetmeintheoff
iceona
Saturday?Iwaspl
anningongoi
ngtoseemy
mot her.

DESMOND: (paci
ngar ound)I
…uhm…Setso,
I
havedeci
dedt ogiv
emymar ri
ageago.Oni
kai
s
tr
ying,
Ihavetotrytoo…

SETSO:Ok?Idi
dn’
tknowy ouwer
egi
vi
ngupon
i
t.Butt
hat’
sgood…Iguess…

DESMOND:
That
’sal
lyouhav
etosay
?

SETSO:
Whatelsedi
dyouexpect?It
oldy
ouI’m
nohomewrecker
,Desmond.Youhaveawif
e
andchi l
dren.Youar enotav
ail
ableunt
ilyouare
nol ongerwithher.Idon’
tdomar r
iedmen.Was
thisallyoucall
edmei nfor,
becauseotherwi
seI
hav etogo,Mar cuswantstomeetuplater.(
She
pickedupherhandbagandst ar
tedwalki
ng
away )

DESMOND: Set
so…pl
ease,
wai
t…wai
t!Do
you…uhm…doyoulov
emeSetso?

SETSO:
Desmond,
please….
I…

Hegr
abbedherandki
ssedherr
oughl
y.

DESMOND:BecauseIl oveyouSet so.Il

oveyou
somuch…Ithoughtreconci
l
ingt hi
ngswi t
hmy
wif
ewouldfi
xwhat everi
swr ongwi thme.Don’
t
getmewrong,Onikaistheperfectwife…but
you…youmakemef eel
alive!Youareso
exi
ti
ng…whenI ’m wi
thyouI’m morethanj
usta
fat
her,husbandandbusinessman.I’
m act
uall
y
DesmondMar umo.

SETSO:(
moani
ngasheki
ssedher
)Des,
pl
ease…I
…

DESMOND: Tel
lmey oudon’
tfeel
thesameway,
Si
ri
…please…tel
lmey oudon’
tandI’l
ll
eavey
ou
al
one.Butifthi
sthi
ngbetweenusi stwo
ways…thenmay be…

SETSO:
Ican’
t,
Des…I
’
m sor
ry…

ThedoorburstopenjustasDespul
l
edher
cl
oserandroughlyki
ssedher.
MARCUS: (l
aughi nghy ster
ical
ly
)SoIwasr ight
,
huh?Iknewy ouwer ecomi ngtobewi t
hhim.
Aftereveryt
hi ngIdidf oryouSetty?Real
ly
?You
knowhowmuchIl ov eyou…look,Igotyou
thi
s…(het hrewanengagementr ingather
)I
haveat ablepr epared…dinner…fl
owers,
everyt
hing…t onightIwasgoi ngto…

SETSO:Marcuspl
ease,
it’
snotwhati
tlooks
l
ike…Deswasjust
…

MARCUS: No,shutup!Shutt
hefuckupSet t
y…I
l
ov eyou,ok?Iloveyouandyouknowt hat…you
knowt hat
…y ousaidyou’
dneverhur
tme, andI
beli
evedyou…howcoul dyou?(hepul
ledagun
from somewher ei
nhisbodyandpointeditat
them)

*
***
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT

CI
RCLEOFLI
FE:
81

Setsost
oodshakingasDesmondt
ri
edt
o
reasonwi
thherboyfr
iend

DESMOND:Li
sten,son…not
hingisgoi
ng
on…shewasj
usttell
i
ngmet oleaveheral
one…

MARCUS:Shutup…shutt
hef
uckup…ar
eyou
sl
eepi
ngwit
hher?

SETSO:
Mar
cuspl
ease…

MARCUS:Areyouf
ucki
ngmygirl
fr
iend?Ar
e
you?I
sthi
sabouty
ourwif
e?Iwasn’tev
enthe
onl
yonehi
tt
ingt
hat
,so…

DESMOND:
Youar
eoutofl
i
ne!

MARCUS: Don’tyoudar etel

lmeI ’
m outofli
ne.
Don’teventalk.WenaSet so…(Sniffl
i
ng)You
usedmeSet so,wast hatall
Iwast oyou?Quick
cashwhi l
ey ouwentt hroughyourstudiesand
gotajob…( Hisfingerpressedalit
tl
et oohard
onthetriggerandr el
easedashi shandsshook
fr
om hisanger …)

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Bany
anawal
kedi
nandt
hrewhercoati
nthe
sofa,seat
ingnextt
oCol t
onwhowasst i
l
l
watchingThomasthetraineventhoughCooper
waspassedoutonhi slap,Colt
onholdi
nghim
cl
oselytohischest
,constant
lykissi
nghisl
i
ttl
e
head.

BANYANA: (
Laughi
ng)Naar
ear
eyouwat
chi
ng
car
toons?

COLTON:(l
aughi
ng)Hmmm?Oh, t
his,
Coop
waswatchi
ngandIjustgotcaughtonit.How
wasyourday?

BANYANA:Ver
yti
ri
ng…Col
t,what
’swrong?You
l
ookupset
.Whatdi
dyourf
atherdonow?

COLTON:GodifIknew!Hehaswenti
ntohidi
ng
forsomer
eason,somepeoplehi
thi
spart
yat
thefarm andhel
ostsomemen.ThankGodhe
hasn’tbother
edme.Imean,
whycouldn’
the
havediedwi t
hhi
smen?

BANYANA: Soit
’snotAugust us.What’
s
tr
oubl
ingyou?IsCoopnotwel l
?(sheputher
handontheli
tt
leboy ’
sforehead)Doesn’tseem
l
ikehehasatemper atur
e.Col t
…Coltpl
easet al
k
tome…

COLTON: It
’s…uhm…y
ea,soPhat
shi
mo
apparent
lyhadabrot
herwhohasbeenst
ayi
ng
abroad.

BANYANA:Whoi sPhat
…oh…ok,
so,
shehada
br
other
,whatabouti
t?

COLTON:
Hesay
shewant
stot
akeCooper
.
SaysI’
m notaf i
tparent.Theyar egoingtobring
myt i
mei npri
son,myhi storywi thalcoholand
drugs,thatpoli
cereportyouoncemadeagai nst
mef ordomest icvi
olence…t hatbot hyouandI
workv erybusyjobsandCoophast obeatthe
babysitteraft
erschool…al otoft hings.They
haveappr oachedCoop’sf ormert eacher
,the
oneI…uhm…shei stesti
fyingf orthem thatI’
m
anunfitparent…theywantt ot akemysonaway
fr
om me, B…

BANYANA: Whatthefuck,theycan’tdothat!
Youar ethebestfat
hertoCoop.Yesi tt
ook
ti
mef oryout of
indyourstep,butIknowy ou
l
ovet hi
sboyandnoonehast herighttotake
hi
m awayf rom you.Achil
dbel ongswi t
ht he
parentandy ouareCoop’sonlyli
vingbiologi
cal
parent.
COLTON: Tosaymyr ecordisnotcleanis
putt
ingi tmi
ldl
y,B…Warsay slegall
yitl
ooksbad
forme.Icheckedoutt hebrother.Heisa
happilymarri
edgoodyt woshoeswi thouteven
aspeedi ngti
cket
.Heiswi f
eissomewhi t
estay
athomecooki ebakinglit
tl
eBecky ,t
heyhave
twoki dsandheisfuckingfatheroftheyearshi
t.
Ican’tcompetewithhim.

BANYANA:No,hecan’
tcompetewit
hyou.You
ar
eCooper’
sfat
her,ev
eryoneel
secanfuckof
f.
Nobodyi
staki
ngCoopf r
om us,
Colt
,noone.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedi
sati
nthehouseal
onecr
ying.Theki
ds
werewithTebatso,he’
djustpi
ckedthem off
andlef
tlikethetwoofthem werest
rangers.
Shequicklywipedherf
acewhenshehear da
knockatt hedoor
.MaybeTebatsohadf i
nall
y
deci
dedt ocomebackt oher.

KEDI
:(Openi
ngt
hedoor
)Oh,
it’
syou…

BONNO:Wow,nicer
ecept
ion,
mightaswel
lrol
l
ther
edcar
petandhandmeabouquet…

KEDI
:Whatdoy
ouwantBonno?

BONNO:Bat
hshebasai
dyouwer
eupsetand
coul
duseafr
iend.

KEDI
:I’
mfi
ne.Leav
e.
BONNO: Howl ongareyougoingtot or
tur
e
yoursel
fforsomeonewhocl ear
lyhasno
feel
ingsforyou?Heisgett
ingmarriedKedi.
Youar ei
nhispast.Howlongarey ougoingto
holdonwher eyouarenotwanted?

KEDI
:Icoul
dasky
out
hesame.

BONNO: Ouch…sorrymma.Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o
beafr
iendlyface.

KEDI
:Idon’
tneedone.Justl
eav
emeal
one,
ok?

BONNO:
Ijo,
sor
ryIbot
her
edy
ou.By
e…

Shecl
osedt
hedoorbehi
ndhi
m andsaggedt
o
thefloorcry
ing,t
aki
ngherphoneandl
ooki
ng
throughpictur
esofherandTebat
sowit
hthe
kids.

*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Onikaf i
nisheddi nnerandwentt oshower.
Fi
nal l
yshecoul dgetitonwithherhusbandand
helldi
dshemi ssthat.Shewasst i
l
lanxi
ous
aboutFifi bei
ngwi thhermot heri
nlawandt he
otherkidsatt heot herfami
lyhouse…but,
she
hadamar ri
aget osave.

Thecandl
eli
tdinnerl
ookedmagazine
per
fect
…thr
eecourseofcausestart
ingwi
th
Des’f
avour
it
e,mascarponecheeseandcavi
ar
asastart
er…helpedt
hatt
hemeal wasan
aphr
odisi
acjustli
ket
hedesser
t.

Shecur
ledherPeruvi
anweavewit
hthecurl
i
ng
i
ron,
thebeauti
ful
ringl
etsf
rami
ngherfacel
ike
ahal
o.

Ok,may benotthatski mpyl i

tt
leVCnumberj ust
yet,shehadlostsomeoft hebabyweight,
but
shest i
ll
neededtot one, andwasabi t
consciousofherext rapounds.Shepul l
edon
thesilkl
acebaby dollgownwi thamat chi
ng
thong,andranashadeofr edli
psti
ckacrossher
plumpl i
ps.Yup,perfect.What ’
sbett
erthana
deli
ciousdinnerwithahotwomani nli
ngeri
e?

Shesatandwaitedfort
hir
tymi
nut
esbef
ore
tr
yinghi
sphone.Itwasoff
.
Ok,
maybehisbatt
erydi
edorsomething,
even
t
houghhehadhispowerbankwi
thhim.

Theof
fi
cephoneal
soj
ustkeptr
ingi
ng.

Threehourslat
ershestoodupandwal kedto
thebathr
oom towashhermascar a-
fi
ll
edtear
stai
nedface.Shewalkedbacki
ntothelivi
ng
room,l
ookingatthenowcolddinner.

Thatl
i
ttl
esl
ut’
sphonewasof
ftoo.

Shepushedt hefoodoffthet
abl
ei nt
ot hef
loor
,
grabbingthebott
leofwineandsatdown
againstthewall
,cry
ingasshedrankfrom t
he
bottl
e.
*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Ameli
ahintheki
tchencooki
ngwhil
eLent
swe
wasfi
xinghisbi
keoutsi
de.Gout
aandWarona
wal
kedin.

GOUTA:
Hey
,isLi
ahi
n?

LENTSWE:
Yup,
cooki
ng.

WARONA: Sent
lesent
le,
what’
swrongwithyou
Lent
swe?Youknowamanwhoi nsi
stshis
womanstayhomei sacont
rol
li
ngpieceofshi
t?
Ameli
ahisabri
ll
iantl
awyer
…
LENTSWE:Holditri
ghtther
e.Firstofal
l
,ifyou
aregoi
ngtoinsul
tmei nmyhouse, y
oumi ght
aswelll
eav
e.AndIam noti nsi
stingonany t
hing.
IfAmel
iahwantstostayhome, Isuppor
ther
ful
ly
.

GOUTA:Why,soyoucangocheatonherout
t
herei
nthecorpor
ateworl
d?

LENTSWE: I
’m adeveloper,Idon’
thavetobein
anycorpor
ateworld.Icanwor kfrom homeand
bewithmywi f
e.Andnotal l mencheat,butI
guessyouhavegot t
ensousedt oityoucan’
t
i
magineamanwhoact uall
yloveshiswoman
enoughtonotwantot hers?

GOUTA:
Howdar
eyou!
AMELIAH: (
walki
ngout)No,howdar eyou,Gigi
.
DoIeverbotheryouabouty
ouwhor ehusband
whoslappedyou?No,sostayoutofmy
busi
ness,Lent
sweisnotMaot o.Don’tpr
oject
youri
nsecuri
ti
esonme.

GOUTA:
Ijoo,
sor
rymma,
Iwasj
ustt
ryi
ngt
o
hel
p.

AMELIAH:Don’t
…unti
lyoubothhavesomethi
ng
const
ruct
ivet
osay,pl
easestaythehel
laway
fr
om me.

WARONA: Ameliah…youareyoung.Kanawe
speakfr
om experi
ence.Choosi
ngtobea
housewi
feisnotsmar tatal
l
.
AMELIAH:
Andhowl ongwerey
ouahousewi
fe
agai
n?Uhm,nev
er!So,yea…

WARONA: Don’
tcomerunni
ngtouswhenhe
st
art
scheati
ngonyou…stay
ingathomei
s
st
upi
d.Youareagreatl
awyer…

AMELI AH: (
laughing)runt oadi vorceewithmy
mar i
talproblems?Ki ndal i
kegoi ngtoanobese
personf orweightl
osst ips,don’tyouthink?I
f
you’l
lexcuseus, dinnerisr eadybabe.Yout wo
arewelcomet ojoinusi syoucanl eaveyour
sti
nkingat t
it
udesout side.

Theybot
hsighedandwalkedout,Gout
api
cki
ng
upacall
from ani
nter
nat
ionalnumber.

GOUTA:
Hel
l
o?
VOICE:I
tsMel
ody
…mypar
ent
swer
einacar
acci
dent
…

*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
82

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Marcuspacedaroundthecorr
idor
,Dessitt
ing
onthebenchwithhist
-shi
rtbl
oody.Setso’
s
mom wascr y
ingconti
nual
lyashersist
ers
consol
edher.

Thedoct
orwal
kedi
nlooki
ngsadl
yatt
hef
loor
.
MARCUS:Doctor
,issheok?Pl
easet
ell
meshe
i
sok…canIseeher?

SETSHEGO:Doct
orpl
ease…shei
smyf
ir
st
born…t
ell
mesheisok…

DR:DrCul
lcanwepl
easespeaki
npr
ivat
efora
bi
t?

BANYANA: DrPhi
ripl
ease…j
ustsayitout
,we
al
lspentt
henighther
eandareanxious.

DR:(shaki
nghi shead)wedi
dall
wecould.The
pol
icewouldliketotal
ktobot
hpeoplewho
werepresentatthesceneoft
heinci
dent
.They
wil
lbehereinabi t.
Segamet
siconsol
edSet
shegoasshecri
ed,
whil
eBanyanawal
kedoffwi
tht
hedoctorto
makearr
angements.

Despul
l
edMar
cust
othesi
de…

DESMOND:
RememberwhatIsai
d…

MARCUS:
Iwon’
tli
e…

DESMOND: Soy ouwantt ogot ojai

l?Setsowas
l
oyal t
oy ouandshewant ednothingtodowi t
h
me.Shewasj ustleavingwheny ouwalkedin.I
understandourf riendshipmayhav emadey ou
i
nsecure, youar ey oungandthi
ngscanget
confusi
ng.Iwon’ tbeabletoforgivemyselfi
fI
rui
ntwol ives.Setsoi sgone.Youdon’thaveto
gotojailtoo.
Mar
cussi
ghedandsatagai
nstt
hewal
lcr
ying.

DESMOND: Thepol icewi l

lbeheresoon.You
andSet sower ei ntheof fi
ceasshewas
fi
nishingupsomewor k.Youwerepl anningon
taki
ngheroutt opr opose.Shewasi nthe
pantrymaki ngcof feewhenabur glarwal kedin.
Thebur glargotst artl
edbyseeingsomeonei n,
soheshot .Her anof f,
allyouheardwasa
gunshotandy our ant othepantr
y .Iwal kedin
aboutf i
ft
eenmi nuteslaterbecauseIhadwor k
tofini
shmy sel
f, andfoundt hi
sgruesome
scene, t
henhel pedy out akehertot hehospi t
al.
Ok?

Marcusnodded,
cry
ing,
ashi
sfat
herwal
kedi
n
andhuggedhim.
*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Colt
onpacedar oundner v
ously .Thiswassuch
badtiming.Bneededt obewi thherf amily
becauseoft helossofherni ece, butCooper’
s
sai
duncl ehadr efusedtopost ponet heir
meetingandt hesonofabast ar dwoul dbein
anymi nutewiththeirl
awy erandasoci alwor
ker
toevaluateCooper ’
sli
vingcondi tions.

Hecheckedaroundthehouseagain.Everyt
hing
wasspotlesscl
ean.Cooperl
ookedsoni cein
hi
sli
ttl
ejeansandgolft-
shi
rt
,matching
Col
ton’
s.

Hehear
dacarswer
vei
natf
ull
speedand
Bany
anabur
sti
noutofbr
eat
h.

COLTON:
B…It
hought
…

BANYANA: (ki
ssi
nghim)notnow…gott
ago
change,
thosebastar
dswil
lbehereanymi
nut
e.

COLTON:
Buty
ourf
ami
l
y….

BANYANA:Myfamilyhereneedsme…I
’m not
l
ett
ingany
onetakeourchil
daway,Col
t.I
’
llgo
hometheminut
etheyleave.

Col
tonhuggedher

COLTON:
Thanky
ou…whatwoul
dIdowi
thout
you?
BANYANA:
Luckyy
ounev
erhav
etof
indout
.

Sheranint hebedroom andshoweredquickl

y,
changingintoasummerdr essanddoingher
makeup, t
henwentt othekit
chenandarranged
herbakerybought‘homemade’ cooki
esand
othersnackinatray.

Shewenttot
heli
vi
ngr
oom andsatbesi
de
Col
tonandCooper
.

BANYANA:Coop,baby
,yougot
tahel
pmommy
anddaddyher
e,somebadpeopl
earetr
yingt
o
takey
ouaway.

COOPER:
ButIdon’
twantt
ogo…
BANYANA: Exact
ly…so,
nobadwords,ok?
(Coopernodded)
,nocli
mbi
ngonthings,and
whensomeonehandsy ousomet
hingwhatdo
yousay?

COOPER:
Thanky
ou…

That’smyboy .Good,good.Herecomest he
bastards.Colt
,pi
ckupCooper ,l
et’
sgomeet
them atthegate.Ever
yone,putyourInst
agr
am
smil
esonpl ease…yea…that’
smor eli
keit
,we
aregonnabl owthem away.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE
Tebatsogi
vi
ngBat
hshebaamassagei
nthei
r
bedroom.

TEBATSO:Shebai
sthatshi
tev
enokf orthe
baby?If
eell
ikeweshoul
daskthedoctorfi
rst
…

BATHSHEBA: (
laughi
ng)Askthedoct
orifI
couldhaveamatchalatt
e?Boybye.I
t’
sjusta
tea.Nobodydi
edfrom dr
inki
ngatea.

TEBATSO: I
’m st
il
laski
nghim.Thi
sispreci
ous
cargokana,Idon’
twanteventhesl
ight
est
discomfor
ttomyboy .Mydadwantedtoname
him John…

BATHSHEBA:Phoeni
xJohnKgagodi
…not
bad…ok,
runal
ongandcloseatt
hebutcher
y
andst
ore,
Moxi
snotar
oundaker
e?

TEBATSO: Ial
mostforgotthatIhadtodothat
today
…it’
ssolateebi
le.Alr
ight.Bebacki
na
minute…l
oveyou…

BATHSHEBA: Lovey
our
ightback,
bri
ngmea
mintchocol
ate…

Heki
ssedherandputonhi
st-
shi
rt
,runningout.
Hi
sphonestar
tedr
ingi
ngashegoti
nt hecar.

TEBATSO:
(answer
ing)Kedi
?

KEDI
: Ican’tsl
eep…i
t’
sli
ke…(sobbi
ng)li
ke
Char
lesishaunt i
ngme,Ikeephavi
ngthis
ni
ght
mar esandBlessi
ngwon’tst
opscreami
ng
andshewokeNeoup,nowshei
scryi
ngtoo…I
j
ust…Idon’
tknowwhatt
odoTebat
so…If
eelso
al
one…

TEBATSO:
Kedi
please…y
oucan’
tkeep…

KEDI
:Wil
lyoucome?Please…Ineedy
ou…y
our
ki
dsneedyou…pl
ease…

TEBATSO:Whydon’
tyout
akeasl
eepi
ngpi
l
l
andsl
eep?

KEDI:Hell
o,I’
m br east
feedi
ngandIhav eababy
whowakesupev erysooftentofeed…pl
ease
Tebatso,I
’
ml osingmymi ndhere…Ikeepseei
ng
shadows,li
keChar l
esisevery
where…
please…maybeIshoul dgot othepoli
ce,butI
’
m
afrai
ditwil
li
mpl i
cat eyouandShebaas
accompl
icesandIdon’twantt
hat
,Ij
ustwant
someonetotal
kto…please…

TEBATSO:
(si
ghi
ng)f
ine,
I’
m onmyway
…

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Gout
apacedar
oundt
her
oom asMaot
osati
n
t
hebed.

GOUTA: Ihav
et ogogetherMaoto!Yousaid
youhadnopr oblem l
astt
imewhenItol
dy ou
abouther.

MAOTO:
Isai
dIhadnopr
obl
em wi
thy
oubei
ng
adonor ,ok!Justhelpingotherpeopl
ehavea
chi
ldthatt heyrai
set her
e,nothi
ngtodowi t
hus!
Notbringingsomer andom childi
ntoourli
ves.
NoGout a!Youcan’ tjustbr
ingrandom peopl
ein
ourhome!No!

GOUTA:Shei
snotar andom personshei
smy
chi
l
d!Andshejustl
ostherparents.

MAOTO: Sheisnotyourchil
d!Ok,soyouwere
fr
iendswitht
heparents,
thatdoesn'
tmean
anythi
ng.Doesn’
tshehaveotherrel
ati
ves?

GOUTA: Thereisanaunt ,butapparentl

yshei s
ahor r
iblepersonandMel odyi sworriedshewi ll
t
r eatherbadly.Herfatherputmeasaguar dian
i
ncaseany thi
nghappenedt obothoft hem.
Obv i
ouslyhedi dn’
ttr
ustbot hhisandhi swife’s
relat
ives,andtheyknowmeenought otrust
t
hatIwi
l
llov
eandcar
eforMel
thewayt
heydi
d!

MAOTO: So,whatdoesthismean,Gouta,
you
andwhatshisf
acestar
tplayi
nghappyfamily
?
Co-par
enti
ngandshit?

GOUTA: Youarebei
ngunfai
r.Mel
odyi sonl
y14,
sheneedsme.AndRi car
dohasnothi
ngt odo
wit
hit.Hedoesn’
thavetobeinherli
fe.

MAOTO:
Sor
ry,
nope.Letherf
ami
l
ytakecar
eof
her
.

GOUTA: I
fEl
lanoi
rhadli
vedandgrownupthen
onedayneededaplacetostayIwoul
dhav
e
accept
edher.
MAOTO: That ’
slow, Gout a.Youdon’ thav eto
bringmydeadchi l
di ntot his.Andraisingachi ld
whoi sn’ty oursisnotawal kinthepar k.You
knowoneoft hemaj orr easonsKPandWar
separ atedwasbecauseVani wasn’this
biologicallyandWarwasal waysremi ndinghi m
oft hat?Whathappenswhent helit
tlebr at
mi sbehav esandIdi sciplineher?Theny ouar e
goingt ot el lmehowInev erwant edy ourchild,
andt hatwi llstartf
ight s.Wear ehappyGout a.
Thi swilldi sruptever yt
hi ngwehav ewor kedso
har dtobui ld.I’
m sorr y
, butMel aniecanst ay
somewher eelse.

GOUTA: It’
sMelody,andyoudon’
tgettomake
thatdecisi
onony ourown.Mychi
ldneedsme
andIlivehere,
soshallshe.

Shest
ormedoutbangi
ngt
hedoorandr
ant
o
hercar
,seat
ingont
hedr
iver
’sseat
,cr
ying.

*
***
***
*
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
83

Amont
hlat
er.
..

ATAPRI
VATECLI
NIC

Bathshebaputbackonherclot
hesandcame
outbehindthecurt
aintoj
oinTebat
soandthe
doctoralr
eadyseatedatt
hetabl
e.

BATHSHEBA:ComeonDr
,whati
sit
,what
’s
wrongwi
thourbaby
?
DR:Itdoesnotmeanany
thi
ngiswrong,i
t’
s
j
ust…well…wedet
ect
edtwochoroi
dplexus
cyst
sinthebrai
nofthef
oet
us…

TEBATSO:
Whatt
hehel
li
sthatandwhatdoesi
t
mean…

Hesi
ghsheav
il
yashi
sphonekeptv
ibr
ati
ng.

DR:I
tcoul
dmeannot
hing,
CPSi
sver
y
common…

BATHSHEBA:
But
?

DR:I
thasbeenl
i
nkedbef
oret
otr
isomy18and
21
TEBATSO:
Fucki
ngspeaki
ngEngl
i
shher
e,wi
l
l
you,
damni
t!

DR:Uh…wel
l
,tr
isomy21i
sbasi
cal
l
yDowns
syndr
ome…

Bat
hshebast
art
edweepi
ng…

BATHSHEBA: (
wipi
nghertears)y
ouknowwhat,
i
tdoesn’
tevenmatter
,he’l
lj
ustbeheal
thy
,ri
ght
?
Downssyndromedoesn’tmean…

DR:Ididnotsayhewillhavedownssy ndr
ome,
andCPCi soneofthesof tmarkersonly,
chancesofhim hav
ingitwithonly1sof tmaker
i
s1i nami l
l
ion…andy ourri
sksareev enlower,
youare27andhei s28,theriskarehigheron
par
ent
sov
er35.

BATHSHEBA:Theot
hert
hing…t
ri
…whatwas
that
?Whatdoesi
tmean?

DR: (
clear
inghisthroat)Trisomy18babies
barel
ymakei ttoful
lterm, andareusual
ly
sti
l
lborn,i
ftheyarebor n,theyhardmakeitpast
2year sol
dast heyarebor nwi t
hsevere
i
mmuneandr etar
dationissues…butli
keIsai
d,
youriskislessthat0.1per cent
.I’
dsuggesta
chromosomet est
…

Theyl
eftthecl
ini
cwit
hhercry
ingasTebatso
hel
dher,bli
nki
nghar
dtoholdhisowntear
s.

*
***
***
*
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

SEBAGA:Motheois9aheknowshowt oload
thedi
shwasher
,andyouare14andy oucan’t
!
Dadsaidweshoulddothedishesbythet
ime
hecomesback,andhewill
bebacksoon.

MELODY:
Hei
syourdad,
so….(
Shr
uggi
ng)

SEBAGA:
Youar
est
ayi
ngi
nhi
shouse,
so….

MELODY:Li
tt
le,
gir
l,y
ouar
e6,
Iwi
shy
ou’
dshut
upj
ustf
oronesecond…

SEBAGA:AndIwishy ounev
ercametoour
home,buther
ewear e…wedon’tal
way
sget
whatwewant,pr
incess!
MOTHEO:Sebagast
op!Whyar
eyout
wo
al
waysf
ight
ing?

Maot
owal
kedi
ntot
henoi
se

MAOTO:
Alr
ight
,al
ri
ght
,what
’sgoi
ngonher
e?

SEBAGA: Shewon’ tdot hedishes,

it’
shertur
n!I
pickedupallourtoys,that’
smydut y,Theodid
thedishesyester
day .

MAOTO: Melody,
dot hedi
shes,
Pri
ncess,
go
playwit
hmma- B,andTheocomehelpmeget
thegroceri
esin.

MELODY:
Youar
enotmyf
ather
,youdon’
tget
t
otel
lmewhatt
odo…

SEBAGA:Yousee!Rude!(
fol
dingherar
ms
acr
osshechest)

MAOTO:Sebaga!Go,now!You,
Mel
ody
,I’
m not
goi
ngt
orepeatmy sel
f…

MELODY:Youar
enotfat
her
,soIdon’
tcar
ehow
manyti
mesyousayi
t,I
…

MAOTO: Backtalkmeagai n,l

itt
legir
l,andIwil
l
slapyousohar di twi
llsendy our i
ghtbackto
theUS.Dot hef ucki
ngdi shes,geez!Youhav e
beenher efortwoweeksnowandal lyouever
doisbitchaboutandber ude!Ihavebeen
pati
entwi t
hy oufortoolong.Youar einmy
damnl astnerve,andifIgetanymor emout h
f
rom youI’
m seri
ousl
ygoingtogetmybeltand
whoopthatrudeassunt
ilyoutur
nblue!

Hewalkedoffcussi
ngasal
ltheki
dslookedat
hi
m shockedbecauset
hey’
dneverseenhim
angr
ybefore.

Hepi
ckeduphi
sri
ngi
ngphone.

MAOTO:
Whatt
hef
ucki
sitnow?

KWAPA: Whoa,whoa…whogotont hebigbad

Phil
’swrongsidenow?Hav en’
thear dthat
tempersincethatt
imewhenIsl eptwithy our
gir
lf
riendwhenwewer eteens…( Laughing)

MAOTO:
Jesus,
Kwapa,
whatt
hef
uckdoy
ou
want
?

KWAPA:
What
’swr
ong,
man?

MAOTO: Howdi dyoudoi t

,KP,huh?Howdid
youli
vewithateenager,whowasn’tyour
sand
notgoinsane?BecauseIam twosecondsaway
fr
om str
angli
ngthisl
itt
legir
l.

KWAPA:(laughing)Vani
isanangel
,andIr
aised
herf
rom bir
th,soitwaseasy
.Melodyisabr
at
andGoutababieshertoomuch.

MAOTO:
I’
mtr
yingmybesther
e….

KWAPA:Yougottat
alktoyourwi
fe.Youcan’
t
hav
etwoparent
ingstyl
es,
shelet
shergetaway
withevery
thi
ngwhi l
eyout r
ytodi scipl
i
neher.I
wasjustcall
i
ngt oremindyout hattheuncles
arecomingtomor r
owr eegoi sadilwanako
bagwegadingbagaLee…Iknowi tseemst oo
soonafterKK,butthi
siswhathewoul dhav e
wanted,hewasnott hetypetot arr
yaround.

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SWORKSHOP

Kedi wipedandputbackallthebakingtr
aysas
shehear danoi sei
nthebackground.Maybe
thosel aygi
rl
sshehadhi r
edhadf i
nall
yarri
ved.
Shet urnedaroundandlookedatwhot he
footstepswhere.

CHARLES:
HiKedi
bony
e…
Shescr
eamedhardandbacktr
ackedunt
ilshe
wasbackedagai
nstt
hewall
…

CHARLES:(
laughi
ng)What
,whatar
eyou
runni
ngf
rom,Kedi,
lov
e?

Hepul
ledthebl
adefr
om hisstomachandputi
t
backi
n,pl
ayi
ngwithi
t….Kediscr
eamedlouder
ashegotnear
er…

KEDI:
(cry
ing)youaredead…y
ouar
edead,
Isaw
you…youaredead…

CHARLES: (smil
ing)yes,andyouki
ll
edme…y ou
thoughtyourli
tt
leboyfri
endcouldj
ustmakeit
alldi
sappear?Everyt
hinghasconsequences
Kedi…
KEDI:
Whatdoy ouwant
?I’
l
lgot
othepol
i
ce…I
’
ll
tur
nmy sel
fin…

CHARLES: Buty
ou’l
lst
il
lbeal
iv
e…andI’
m
dead…ther
eisonlyonewaytoevent
hisout
Kedi…

Hepull
edthekni
fef
rom hi
sst
omachand
handedi
tforher
….

KEDI:No,Ihav
eki
ds…pl
easeno….
please…I
’
m
sor
ry…I…

CHARLES:
(scr
eami
ng)Doi
t!

Kedi
scr
eamedl
ouderunt
ilshef
eltsomeone’
s
handspul
lherup.

TEBATSO:Kedi
bony
e!Kedi
bony
e!Whatt
hef
uck
ar
ey oudoi
ng?

Hegrabbedthekni
fef
rom herandKedi
stood
agai
nstthewall
shaki
ng.

KEDI:
Wher ei
she?Wher
eishe…hewasher
e,I
swear…Isawhim…

TEBATSO:
Whatt
hef
ucki
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
Wherei
swho?

KEDI
:Char
les…I
…hewant
smet
o…

TEBATSO:
Geti
tthef
uckt
oget
herKedi
!Thi
s
l
itt
lest untsyouarepullingarenotgoingto
wor k.ItoldyouI’
m gettingmarri
ed, j
ustl
eave
meal one.Youpretendingtobecr azyisnot
goingt obr i
ngusbackt ogether
,ok?Whywer e
youcal li
ngmeear li
er,Iwasatmywi fe’
s
doct or’
sappointmentandIdon’ tappreci
ate
youri ntr
usion.

KEDI:(cr
ying)Heiseverywhere,
Tebatso…Ican’
t
sl
eep…can’ tdoanyt
hing…Iseehim ev
er y
where.
Iam soscar ed…hewantsmet okil
lmy sel
fto
evenitout.

TEBATSO: (grabbingherandshaki ngher

viol
ently)stopit,Kedi,j
ustf ucki
ngst opit,ok?I
nevert houghty ouweret hismanipul at
ive!I.
Don’t.Want .You!Doy ouunder st
and?Mat terof
fact
,y ouarest art
ingtopi ssmeof f .Don’tcall
meagai nunlessit’ssomet hingtodowi t
ht he
ki
ds.Am Icl
ear
?

Hepushedherof
fandwalkedawayasshe
saggedt
othefl
oorcr
ying.

*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
84
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Goutawalkedinandthr
ewherbaginthesofa,
Melodycamer unni
ngfr
om herbedr
oom and
huggedher,cr
ying.

GOUTA: Heybaby,what’
swrong?Whyareyou
cr
ying?Doy oumissyourmommyanddaddy ?I
am sosorrybaby
,butI’
m her
eforyou,
ok?
MELODY:(shaki
ngherhead)y
ouar
emy
mommy …

GOUTA: Ofcour
seIam…thenwhyar
eyou
cry
ingbaby?Youmisst
heUS?Wecangof ora
hol
idayt
here…

MELODY: (shaki
ngherheadandsobbi ngonher
shoulder)theydon’
twantmeher emommy .Al
l
ofthem…t heyhateme…y ourhusbandsaidhe
willbeatmeandsendmet otheUS,andhe
screamedatus, Iwassoscar edmommy …I
thoughthewoul dhi
tme!

GOUTA:(patt
ingherbackandleadi
nghert
othe
coucht
osit)Hewon’tdothat…ofcour
sehe
wantsy
ouher e,y
ouaremybaby …
MELODY!Buthedi d!Hedi dscream atme, and
SebagasaidIshoul dgoback,whyar etheyso
mean, Idi
dn’taskformymom anddadt odie!
Whydi dn’
tIdiewit
ht hem int
hatcaraccident.
I
’m sosadmommy …Ithoughti
twoul dbebet t
er
l
ivi
ngwi thyou…whydi ddadev enthi
nkIwoul d
behappyl i
vingwit
hy ou,youwerejusta
donor…doy ouevenwantmeher e?

GOUTA: Aww,don’
tsaythat
…ofcour
seIwant
you…andyourdad,hel
eftmeasguardi
an
because…well
..
erm…yourpar
ent
sandIwere
verycl
oseonceuponat i
me.

MELODY: Youusedtoli
vewit
hthem,di
dn’
tyou?
I
’veonceseenpict
uresoft
hethreeofy
ouata
holi
day…
GOUTA: Itwasn’
tacoinci
denceIdeci
deto
donatetothem.TheybothknewIwouldlove
youthesamewayt heydid,t
hat’
swhythey
mademeguar di
an…andIwantyouhere,
baby.
Thi
sisy ourhome,ok?I’
ll
tal
ktoRragweTheo
andPrincess.

*
***
***
*

ATDESMOND’
SOFFI
CE

Desmondsatint heoff
icealone,
hisf
aceinhi
s
handsashewi pedtearshedidn’
twantt
oshed.
Helookedoverattheempt ydeskSet
sousedto
si
tinandfr
esht earsfl
owed.

DESMOND:Whydi
dyouleaveme,Sir
i…I’
m
l
ost…If
eel
soempt
y,ev
enf ucki
ngcoff
ee
doesn’
ttastethesameany more!Whydidyou
havetodie,youwesoi nnocenti
nal
lthis.I
shoul
dhav e….I
…Ilov
edy ouSetso….
Itr
iedto
i
gnoreitbutIlovedyou…

Hewipedhi
stearsasheheardfootsteps.Oni
ka
wal
kedinandsatattheedgeofhistable.

ONI
KA:
It’
spr
ett
ylat
etost
il
lbei
n.

DESMOND:
(fakesmi
l
ing)Hey
…Iwasj
ustabout
t
ocomehome…

ONIKA:Nevermind…Des,what’swr
ongmylov
e?
Youhaven’
tbeeny our
selffort
hepastt
wo
weeks…you’
vebeenmi serabl
e
Herey
esf
oll
owedhi
stoSet
so’
sempt
ydesk….

ONIKA:Iam sor
ryf
ory
ourl
oss.Inowshewas
yourf
ri
end…

DESMOND:Ij
ustdon’tunder
stand…whyher
?
Shewassoyoung!Thisi
sallmyf aul
t!

ONIKA: Howcoul ditbeyourf ault

?Iknowy ou
cal
ledheri nforworkonSat urday,buthow
wouldyouhav eknownar obberwoul dcomein
andshoother ?Pleasedon’ttortureyour
sel
f
overit
.AndI ’
m hereforyoui fyouneed
anythi
ng,justtal
ktome.

DESMOND:(smi
l
ing)Youar
esoki
nd…t
he
best
…andt
hankyou…
Hesmi l
edtohimsel f.Yeshel ovedSet soand
hewouldprobablynev ergetov erit,butOni
ka
hel
daspecialplacei nhishear ttoo.Shewasso
per
fectandgentleandcar i
ng.Andshewast he
motherofhischildren.Setsowasgone, andas
muchasshewoul dalwaysstayi nhisheart
,he
hadtopull
himsel ftogetherandmakehi s
marri
agewithNikki work.He’dl ovedherthe
wayhelovedSet soonce, surelyhecoul dfi
nd
hi
swaybackt ot hat?

DESMOND: (pul
lingheri ntohislap)Come’ere
Mr sMar umo…comegi veyourhusbandsome
l
ov e…wear eallalonei nhere,andwi t
hmy
mot herwatchi
ngt hekidsathome, wehav
ea
l
it
tletime,ey?Rememberwhenwe…uhm…t hat
fi
rstnight….
mhhh…Il ikewheny oudo
t
hat ….ohhh,MrsMar umo, youfreak….
*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Kedi parkedout si
deandsati nthecarcr
ying.
Whatt hehel lwasshesupposedt odo?Tebatso
saidnott ocallhi
m andhewasangr yashell.
Shecoul dn’
tgot othepoli
cebecauseshe
woul dloseherki ds,andwhatisshewentt o
therapyandt hetherapi
sttol
dthepoli
ce?The
onlyper sonshecoul dspeaktowas
Bathsheba…andshedi dneedtospeakto
someonebecauseshewasl osinghermind.

Shewipedhertear
sandknockedatthedoor
.
Bat
hshebacamet oopen,
hereyesredli
keshe
hadbeencryi
ng.
BATHSHEBA:
Kedi
…Tebat
soi
snother
e.

KEDI
:I…uhm…whyar
eyoucr
ying?

BATHSHEBA: (
sobbi ng)thereissomet hi
ng
wrongwithmybabyKedi …ortherecouldbe,the
doctori
snotsur eyet ,
wear ewai t
ingthe
chromosomer esults,buthecoul dhaveDown
syndrome.Imean, hav eInotbeent hr
ough
enough?IsitbecauseInev erwantedchildr
en?
Howcoul dthi
shappent ome…( sobbi
ng)

KEDI:Aww,
I’
m sosor
rySheba…butDowns
syndr
omeisnott
heendoftheworld,
itj
ust
means…

BATHSHEBA:Youcanf uckingsayt
hat
,you
havet
hreeper
fectchi
l
dr en!Howabout
someonetol
dyouy
ourchi
l
dwasgoi
ngt
obea
fucki
ngr
etar
d!

KEDI:Bathsheba,that
’smean!Don’
tusesuch
words,downssy ndromeisacondit
ion,t
he
whitefamil
yIwor kedforhadadowns
syndromechildandshewast hesweetestl
i
ttl
e
thi
ng.

BATHSHEBA: Yeawel
l,thatnottheonlything
becausetheysayhemightalsohav esomet hi
ng
call
edEdwards’sy
ndr
ome, andbabi eswiththat
areusual
l
yst i
l
lbor
nordon’tmakei tpasttwo!
Mychildi
sgoingtoei
therbear etardordie!

Shest
art
edcr
yingandKedi
huggedher
.

KEDI
:Youneedt
olear
ntot
rustGod,
Sheba.
Andbesides,yousaiditwasnotasur et
hing…I
am sur
eitwi l
lbenothing,
whatisthepointof
str
essi
ngy oursel
f,wai
tuntilt
heresul
tscome.
I’
l
lbeprayingforyou.Iam surei
twill
bealri
ght.

BATHSHEBA: (
smi l
i
ngami dstt
ears)Youar e
al
waysasweet heart
,youknowthat?Ifthereis
someonewhodeser vesgoodthinginthewor l
d,
i
t’
syou.Thanks,andIshouldn’
thaveyelled.
Uhm,well
,di
dy ouwantsomet hi
ng?

KEDI:
I…uhm…no, Iwasjusti
nthe
nei
ghbourhoodandIthoughttopassbyand
sayhi
….

Shesmi l
edafakesmil
e.Howcouldshetel
l
Bathshebawhatshewasgoingthr
oughwhen
Bathshebawasfaci
nglosi
ngachil
d?Shejust
neededtolear
nto‘womanup’li
keSheba
al
way ssai
d,andfaceherni
ght
maresandall
the
hal
luci
nati
onsaboutCharl
eshaunt
ingher
.

BATHSHEBA:( smili
ng)Inthatcase, comei n.I
couldusesomecompanyr i
ghtnow, andthe
onl
yper sonIevertalktoismysi ster
, andsheis
curr
entlyinVanuatuforaBBCassi gnmentand
networkisbadt her
e.Comeoni n,Itri
edt o
maket hatmintsouffléyoumakeandwel l
…let’
s
j
ustsayBat hshebaVanAndr easj ustwasn’t
madef orthekit
chen…comehel pme.

*
***
***
*

ATAPRI
VATECOURTSESSI
ON

(
Thenextmor
ning)
Coltonsatacrossthetabl
efrom Cooper’
suncl
e,
holdinghiswif
e’shandasthelawyerssaton
theot hersi
de,andtheJudgeatthetabl
e.

JUDGE: Iam gl adbothparti

esagr eedt oset
tl
e
thi
spr i
vately.Ihatewhencust odycasesar e
draggedint oopencourt,forthesakeoft he
chil
dren.Ireallyhopeyouunder st
and, MrCull.I
onlywantwhati sbestforthechil
d, andyou
havesev eralcasesofintoxicat
eddr iv
ing,
substanceanddr ugabuse,domest icviol
ence,
malpractice,rape…

COLTON:Butthatwasthen!I
’
m bet
ter
now…pl
easema’ am,Il
ovemyson…don’tt
ake
hi
m away…pl
ease…

SOCI
ALWORKER:Heismymainpri
ori
tyher
e,
andr
ightnowy
ouar
einnost
ablecondi
ti
onto
hav
ecust
ody
…

WARONA:Butobvi
ousl
ythepri
sonsy stem
bel
i
evehei
srefor
med,theyl
ethim out!Hecan
gotot
her
apy….

LAWYER: Thepri
sonsyst
em l
ethim outf
orthe
rapecase,whatot
hermeasur
eshashet aken
towardsref
ormforhi
sotheri
ssues?

COLTON: Icangotother
apy,Ipr
omi seIwil
lbe
thebestf
ather…I
’
lldoanyt
hing,j
ustdon’tt
ake
mychildaway…

JUDGE: ThatiswhyIam r ecommendi ng

temporarycustodyonly,unti
litcanbeproven
thatyouarereformed.Wear et al
kingdomesti
c
viol
enceandsexual assaultcaseshere!Youare
hi
ghri
skandIcannotl
eav
eCooperi
nyourcar
e
anyl
onger
.

COLTON: Fine,gi
vemywif ecust
ody
…please…I’
l
l
mov eoutifI’
m suchadangertomysont hen,
butleav
ehi m wit
hmywi f
e….Coopdoesn’
tknow
thesepeople,he’
ll
bescaredand….

COOPER’ SUNCLE: Butyourwif

eisn’tsucha
desir
ablecandidateei
ther,
Imean,thereisthat
mar r
iagewreckingaccusati
onandpor nogr
aphy
tape…

BANYANA: Iwas19forgodsake,damni
t!
Haven’
tyouevermadeami stake?

COLTON:Exact
ly,
youcan’
thol
dthatagai
nst
her
,shewasateen!
COOPER’ SUNCLE: Also,sheisav icti
m of
abuseandnev erreceivedtherapy,domest i
c
abusevicti
mshav ebeenpr oventobeabusi ve
tochil
dren…andwehav efoundpr oofthatyou
bothuseddr ugst ogether…andwhatwi thher
i
nfidel
i
ty,sl
eepi ngwithy ourbrotherinlawand…

COLTON:
What
?

COOPER’ SUNCLE: I
’
m sorry
,Ithoughty
ouguys
handledthat
…I…soanothersecret
,huh(smi
l
ing)
defi
nitel
ynotaplaceforachil
d…

COLTON:Whatt
hef
ucki
shet
alki
ngaboutB?
Whatthehel
l
?

JUDGE:
EnoughMrCul
l
!Tempor
arycust
odywi
l
l
begr ant edtoMrKebony eMolosiwa, Cooper
Mol osiwa’ suncle.MrLoagoCol t
onCul lis
order edt ogost ateeval
uati
onforfit
nesst o
parent ,andasi xmont hsrefor
mt herapycourse.
Ar e-evaluati
onwi llbesetinsi
xmont hsto
reviewt hecust odystatus.

WARONA:
Ok,
whataboutv
isi
tat
ions?

COLTON:
Idon’tf
uckingwantvi
sit
ati
ons,Iwant
mysonWarona,t
ell
thisi
nsanebit
chthatther
e
i
s…

WARONA: Col
ton!Iapol
ogi
se,
yourhonour
.We
askf
orj
ointcustody…

WARONA:
Unf or
tunat
elyIcannotgr
antthatat
t
hemoment.ThecasesagainstMrCull
ar e
severe,Icannotgiv
ecust odytoasexoffender.
Iam givingsupervi
sedv i
sit
s,setonweekends
attheMol osiwahouse.MsCul l,i
t’
syourdutyas
therepresentat
ivetomakesur ethechil
dis
deli
veredtothecustodianstoday.Dismi
ssed.

Theywal
kedoutofcourtwithColt
oncussing
l
oudly
.Banyanawal
kedov ertohim andtr
iedt
o
hol
dhishand.Hepul
ledawayr oughly.

COLTON: Don’
tfucki
ngtouchmerightnow,
Banyana,don’t
!Youfuckingsl
eptwit
hKen?He
i
smyf riendB…howcoul dyou…

WARONA: Waitwhat?She…OhmyGod!Idi
d
t
hinkthosepant
ieswhereali
tt
let
oosmall
for
Onika’
shugeass!
*
***
***
**
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
85

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Colt
onsati
nCooper’
semptyroom,hol
dinghi
s
Thomasthetr
aint
oy.Bany
anawalkedi
n.

Hestoodupandr
oughl
ygr
abbedher
,shaki
ng
her
.

COLTON:Di
dyouf
uckmyf
ri
end?Di
dyou?How
manyti
mes?

BANYANA:
(cr
ying)I
’
m sor
ry…
COLTON: Answermyf ucki
ngquesti
onbefor
eI
beatt
heshitoutofyou,howmanyt i
mes?When?
Wasitthatti
mey oucamehomel atewhenyou
sai
dyouhadanemer gencyatworkbutDrPhir
i
sai
dyoul ef
tear
ly?

Shenoddedandheslappedherhardacr
osst
he
face,
sendi
ngherst
aggeringback.

COLTON:Youdirt
yslut!YoufuckedKenand
camestr
aighthometof uckme, di
dyoueven
shower
?Wher edi
dithappen?Bany anaanswer
meketogakegobet sa!

BANYANA:
(cr
ying,
rubbi
nghercheek)I
n…i
nhi
s
car
…
COLTON:Soanot
hermantookhisdickoutof
youandy
oujustl
etme…damnit!Fuck,Iswear
i
fIgotAI
DSfrom y
ournast
yassI’
m goingtokil
l
you!

BANYANA: Youareonetotal
k,you’
vef ucked
theenti
reuni
ver
se…hurt
swheni t
’sintheot her
foot,
huh?Howdidy out
hinkIfel
twheny our
dickwasmorecommont hanpublictr
anspor t?

COLTON:Idi
dn’
tfuckyourfr
iendst
hough…How
coul
dyou?Myfr
iend,r
eall
y?

BANYANA: Yea,wel
l,t
heonlyreasony
oudidn’
t
fuckmyf r
iendsisbecauseIhavenone!You
deserveeveryt
hingyouaregetti
ngyou
psychopat
h!
Hesl
appedheragai
nandsher
ubbedhercheek
andl
aughed.

BANYANA: Ki
llme,Colt
on,kil
lmeforseeki
ng
accept
anceinanotherman’shandswheny ou
mademef eelwort
hless.Let
’sseeify
ou’l
lever
fi
ndanyonetocareenoughf ory
oucrazyassto
standt
hisshi
t.I
’m done!

Hesi
ghedandcameov
ert
oherandhuggedher
.

COLTON:
I’
m sor
ry…

BANYANA:
Don’
ttouchme…y
ousai
dyou’
d
nev
erhi
tmeagai
nColt….

COLTON:
Pleasedon’
tleav
emet
oo…
BANYANA:Why,
sothaty
oucancontinueusi
ng
measapunchi
ngbag?Yousl
eptaround,God
knowswi
thhowmanywomen,Igetwi t
hone
guyandy
ouwanttohi
tmefori
t?

COLTON: Hi
tmebackt hen…asmuchasy ou
want…dowhatever,j
ustdon’tl
eave
me…B…please,y
ouknowme, I
’m damaged,you
areri
ght
…Ineedy ou,especi
all
ynow…I ’
m so
sorr
y.

BANYANA: Ifyouever
,everhi
tmeagai n,Col
ton.
Iwil
lleav
e,thist
imeforgood,andImeani t
.I
knowIalway ssayt
hat,buti
t’
sforrealt
histi
me.
I’
m notyourpunchi
ngbag.I’
m goingtoseemy
si
ster.
COLTON: (
pul
li
nghercloserandkissingher
)
notj
ustyet…(
kissi
ngher)I
’m sor
ry…letme
makeituptoyou…

*
***
***
**

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Gout
awalkedi
ntot
hebedroom andf
ound
Maotol
ayi
ngonthebed,
onhisphone.

GOUTA:
Mel
tel
l
smet
her
ewasabi
tofa
pr
obl
em.

MAOTO: Melneedst
ol ear
nhermanners.Ather
ageshedoesn’
tevenwantt odothedi
shes?
Justt
oloadadamndi shwasher?
GOUTA: Sheissti
l
lgr
iev
ing,
Maot
o,pl
easebe
pat
ientwithher
…

MAOTO: I
’
vebeenpat ientenough.Thatli
tt
legir
l
underminesme, sheisdisrespect
fulandvery
manipulat
ive.Wear esendinghertoagirl
school.It
alkedtoWar onaandshehas
contactsi
nt heschoolshesentVani towhen
shewasst il
linhi
ghschool .

GOUTA:Comeon,shej
ustlostherparents,
I’
m
al
lshehas,
andyouwanttotakethataway ?
Howcouldyoubesocr
uel?Pleasedon’tdothi
s.

MAOTO: I
’
m sickofyouundermini
ngmy
aut
hori
tywhenitcomestoher.Youwantmeto
beherf
ather
?Wel l
,shebet
terbereadyt
oact
l
ikeachild,andifshedoesn’ tshapeup, i
t’
soff
toboardingschool withher .Endofdi scussion,
andI’
m nothav inganyofy ourtantrumsGout a,
soshutupbef orey ouev ensayany t
hing.
Pri
ncesshasar ashandIt oldyout otakehert o
thedoctoryesterday,didyou?No, buty ou
managedt ogof orafuckingmi lkshakewi th
Melody.Doy ouf orgetyouhav eot herchildr
en,
Gouta?

GOUTA:I
’mjustt
ryi
ngt
obet
her
eforher
…si
nce
youwon’
t!

MAOTO: Don’ tf
orgetwhoy ouaretalki
ngto
wit
ht hattone.Youar efuckingtaki
ngmy
daughtertot hedoctort
omor r
ow.Andhav ea
tal
kwi t
ht hatbratofyours.Shewant stostay
undermyr oof?Thensheneedst obehaveher
spoil
tass, otherwi
seshei sofftoboardi
ng
school….notanotherwor dGouta!Iranyoua
bath,goshowerandl etssl
eep,I’
mt ir
edandI
haveanear l
ydayt omorrow,r
eisadi l
wanako
gaboAmel iah,evenifnobodysti
llknowswhere
herfatheris.Gatwehecal l
edtosayweshoul d
proceed.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedicr
umpledinacornerofherhouseshaki
ng
andscreami
ngasChar l
essmileddownather,
handi
ngherthekni
feagain.

Shecoul
dhearsomeonef
rom adi
stance
cal
li
nghername.
BON:
Kedi
!

Hegentlypi
ckedherupandhuggedherunt i
l
shestoppedsobbingandpassedoutinhis
arms.Shewokeupsev eral
hourslat
erinher
bed,wit
hBonsitt
ingattheedge,smil
ingather
.

KEDI
:Uhm…hey
…

BON:
(smi
l
ing)Hey
…youar
eawake….

KEDI
:Whathappened?OhmyGod,whati
sthe
ti
me?Mykids…ohGod,Ineedt
opi
ckupmy
ki
dsfr
om school
!

BON:Relax
,thekidsaref
ine.Iwaspicki
ngup
Dassahandreal
isedyouwerelate,
soIpicked
t
hem upandbr
oughtt
hem her
e,t
hat
’swhenI
f
oundyou.

KEDI
:Wher
ear
ethey
?Howdi
dyouev
engeti
n?

BON:Iheardyouscr
eam andIpickedt
hedoor
.
It
houghtther
ewasanintruder
…

KEDI
:Wher
ear
emyki
ds?

BON:WithmycousinMaddi son.Sheishome
fort
heholiday
s.Iwaswithher,soIaskedher
todri
veofftomyhousef i
rst
,Ididn’
twantt
hem
toseeyoui nt
hatst
ate.

KEDI
:Thanks…
BON:Whathappened,
Kedi
?Whati
str
oubl
i
ng
you….

KEDI
:Not
hing,
I’
mfi
ne…

BON: Great,
keeptellingy our
sel
fthat.Butwhen
Ifoundy ou,
youwer et r
yingt
ostaby our
selfi
n
thestomachwi thakni f
e.Youareadangert o
yoursel
fandy ourkids.Youneedhel p.What ’
s
goingon?Fine,don’tt al
kt ome,butseea
therapi
storsomet hing…

KEDI
:(si
ghi
ng)Ican’
t…

BON:Ok….Iunderstand…j
ustknowthatI
’m her
e
fory
ouifyouev erneedsomeone.Ibett
ergo
gett
hekids.(hestooduptoleave)
KEDI:Bonno…wait…I
…uhm…y ouhav edonebad
thi
ng,Iknow,Icanfeel
it.That’
swhyy ouar
e
neverhonestaboutwhoy oureal
lyare.

BON:
Yup…

KEDI
:Howbad?

BON:Peopledeadbad…butt
heywer
eal
l
hor
ri
blepeopl
eanyway.

Shesatr
unni
ngherhandonherheadsi
l
ent
ly
foral
ongti
me.

BON:Tr
ustme,whatevery
ouhavedone,
Ihav
e
pr
obabl
ydoneathousandtimeswor
se.
KEDI
:Idot
rustyou…Iknowyou’
dnev
erbet
ray
meorsomethi
ngliket
hat.

BON:
Thenl
etmehel
pyou,
what
’sup?

Hecameandsatont
hebedwi
thher
,huggi
ng
herasshecr
ied.

KEDI:Iki
ll
edaman…het r
iedtorapeme, i
twas
self-
def
enceandIjustgrabbedtheknif
e…I
didn’
tmeanto,di
dn’teventhinkabouti
t.

BON:
Nowhei
shaunt
ingy
ou?

Shenodded

BON:
Night
mar
es,
haunt
ings,
all
that
…theyar
e
j
ustamani festat
ionofguilt.Notreal.The
momenty ouacceptt hatyoudi dwhaty ouhad
totosurvi
ve,theygoaway .Youshoul dtalkt o
someone.Icanor ganisesomeonef ory ou…a
coll
eagueandaf riend,shewi l
lnevertell
anyoneelse,sheisswor ntokeepsecr et s.I
tr
ustherenough…wi l
lyouletmehel py ou, Kedi?

*
***
***
*

ATLENTSWE’
SHOUSE

Lentsweparkedhiscarandi nthegarageand
walkedoutwhistli
nghappil
y.Cominghomet o
Amel i
ahalwayshadthiseffectonhim.Now
matterhowst r
essful
hisstafforcl
ientswere,
j
ustget t
inghomecalmedhi m down.Hecoul d
al
readysmel lt
hedeli
ciousaromaofher
cooking.Hesmi l
edtohimselfashehear dher
si
ngi
ngsoft
lyi
nthekit
chen.I
fangel
sexisted
onear
th,
Ameli
ahIsagoCullwasdef
ini
telyone
oft
hem.

Het ookasecondl ookandbackt rackedashe

passedhercar .Helookedbackatt hehi s
parkingspot,i
nfrontitwaswr it
tenwi thchalk
‘
HI S’
,andinfrontofhercarwas‘ HERS’ ,and
thenal i
tt
lespaceafterhercar,atinynew
parkingspotwasdr awnwi ththechal k,and
therewasababyst r
olleri
nit,
inf r
ontofi t
writt
en‘OURS’

Helaughedexci
tedl
y,cov
eri
nghi
smout
hwi
th
hi
shand.

LENTSWE:
OhmyGod…Li
ah…ohmy
…whati
s
thi
s?
Shecameoutoft
hehousesmil
ing,
hol
dinga
l
it
tl
egif
tboxti
edwit
haredri
bbon.

AMELIAH:(smil
ingandst
andingonhert
ipt
oes
toki
sshischeek)Goodeveni
ngMrKgagodi
,
howwaswor k?

LENTSWE:(exci
tedl
y)Fuckwor
k,am Ir
eadi
ng
thi
scor
rect
ly?Li
ke,arewe…

Shehandedhimt hel
it
tleboxandheopenedi
t
toadigi
tal
pregnancytest‘
Pregnant
,4-
5’

LENTSWE: Wow!Forreal?(
shenoddedwitha
smile,andhepickedherupandspunher
around,kissi
ngher)I
’m sohappyLi
ah…IknowI
wasscar edofhavingki
ds,butsecr
etl
yIhave
alway
slongedforafami
l
y…wow!Thi
sisabout
thegr
eatestdayev
er…

AMELIAH:Well
,comeoni n,MrKgagodi
,our
cel
ebr
ator
ydinnerawai
ts.I’
vemadeKorean
bar
beque,
Iknowy ouli
kethat…

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
86

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Navanipar
kedthecarandt
ookAasafrom her
carseatwhi
leMotheoandSebagaf
oll
owedher
i
n.

MAOTO:
Hey
,Vani
,thanksf
orpi
cki
ngt
hem up
forme, Igotcaughtupinameeti
ngandGouta
i
sr unni
ngl at
efrom thewomen
entrepr
eneurshipworkshopshewashol
ding.
Wher ei
sMel ody?

NAVANI :Ihavenoidea!Iwait
edf or30mi nutes
andeventuall
yhadt ogoinsi
det heschool
l
ookingforher,canyouimagine,runningaround
i
nt herai
n!Apparentl
yshedi t
chedcl assafter
breakandleftwithJamalLyonwannabeaka
TueloVanAndr eas.

MAOTO:Whothehel
li
sJamal
Lyon,andwhy
woul
dshegoanywaywi
tht
hel
ikesofTuna?

NAVANI :
Tunaisonl
yinthatschool
becausehe
i
saVanAndr eas.Hi
sfatherknowsgov ernment
topdogswhocouldcausetheschoolpr obl
ems,
other
wisehewouldhavebeenlongkickedout.
Hehar dl
yattendsschool,smokesweedand
bri
ngsacart oschool.Idon’tmeant obear at,
butsomeki dsIknowf rom theschool say
Melodywasmaki ngoutwi t
hhimi nthemusi c
hallandthensmokingweed, af
ter
war dsthey
l
eft.Iknowaunt yGigi
won’ tdoanythingaboutit
,
shebabiesMel toomuch, that’
swhyI ’mtell
i
ng
you.

MAOTO: Anyi
deawher
etheycouldhavegone?
Idoubtt
hey’
ll
gotohi
sparent
s’househere.

NAVANI :Tunadoesn’tl
i
veathi sparent
s’home
becausetheyli
veinGabor one,t
hathouseis
usuall
yempt yaccor
dingtoMaddi e.Heli
ves
withhisbrot
herwhocoul dn’tgi
veashit
,soIbet
theyareathishouse.

MAOTO:
Bonno,
I’
ll
cal
lhi
m.ThanksVani
.Do
youmi ndwatchi
ngthem f
ormeforafew
minuteswhil
eIgoandf i
ndMel
ody!Thisgir
l
enetotasheisgoingtogi
vemegreyhair
befor
eIevent ur
n40.

*
***
***

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Colt
onsatint
heliv
ingroom hol
dingCooper
’s
toycarasAmeli
ahwalkedin.

AMELIAH: Howareyoudoi
ng?Whenwast he
l
astti
mey oushav
ed?Andareyouusi
ngagain?
Col
t?Seriousl
y?Youweredoi
ngsowell!You
l
ookterr
ible.
COLTON: Thanks,MissUniv
erse.Howdoy
ou
thi
nkI
’m doingIsa,t
heytookmyki d.

AMELIAH:
It’
sonlytempor
aryCol
t,pl
easedon’
t
dot
histoyoursel
f…

COLTON: Dothistomy self

?Hello?Ihav etosee
myf uckingchil
df orfourhour sonaSat urday
onl
y ,withsomeonesuper vi
singit!Icouldnever
hurtCooper ,I
sa,Ilovehim.IknowIam a
worthlesspieceofshi t,
butifthereis
somet hingIknowI ’m doingri
ght,isbeinga
fat
hert ohim.Hewashappy .

AMELI AH: PleaseColton, don’

ttor
tureyour
sel
f
l
ikethis.Wear edoingthebestwecan.You
knowWari sbadass, ifany onecanfi
ndawayt o
rever
set hisshit,
it’
sher .Coopwi l
lbeback
homebef oreyouknowi t.
COLTON: Don’
tyougetit,Isa?Iam f uckedup!
Noonei nt hei
rri
ghtmindwoul devergivea
chil
d’scustodytome.Int hej udge’
sownwor ds,
Iam anabusi ve,
drugusing, wifebeati
ngr apist
andex-con.Andmywi f
ef uckedmybestf ri
end.
Whataj okemyl if
eis.I’
mf ucked.Nextr evi
ew
theywill
giv et
hem ful
lcust ody.Icanfeel i
t.

AMLEI
AH:
Don’
tlosehope…got
lasi
ama.

COLTON: Noitwon’t…youknowwhat ?I’

m
gonnanabhim andrun.Hei snothappyther
e,
every
timeIseehim hecriesandwantsmet o
takehim wi
thme.I’m gonnanabhim andski
p
countr
y.Yea…that
’sit…

AMELI
AH:
Col
t,no.
.pl
ease…t
hatwi
l
ljustmake
t
hingswor
se…

COLTON: Notiftheydon’
tcat
chme!I fIgethim
now,Icouldbeonmywayt oanothercontinent
bytomorrow.Yup…Igottago,Li
ah.Theirschool
dayisabouttoendandIhav etobethereto
pi
ckhim upbef oret
heydo.

*
***
***

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Tebat
sowalkedinandfoundBoni ntheli
vi
ng
room,pl
ayi
ngwiththekids,wi
thBlessi
nginhi
s
l
ap,whil
eKedicamef r
om thekit
chen.

KEDI
:Uhm…hi
,Tebat
so,
youdi
dn’
ttel
lmey
ou
wer
ecomi
ng.

TEBATSO:Idi
dn’tknowIhadt
o…ket
sil
ego
chekabongwanake.

KEDI:It
houghtyousai
dfrom nowonyou’
l
ljust
cal
landpickthem upf
rom t
hegate?

TEBATSO:SonowIhavetomakeappoi
ntment
s
toseemykids?(
taki
ngBl
essi
ngfr
om Bon
wit
houtsay
ingawordtohi
m)

KEDI:Iwasj
ustser
vingdi
nner
,wi
l
lyoube
j
oini
ngus?

TEBATSO:Ar
ewehav
ingext
racompany
?
(l
ooki
ngatBon)
KEDI
:I…uhm…act
ual
l
yBonwasj
ustl
eav
ing.

BON:
Iwas?

KEDI
:Bon,
please,
I’
ll
call
youbef
oreIsl
eep.Let
mefi
xDassahaplatetogo.

Shewenttotheki
tchenandservedfoodona
Tupper
wareandhandedittoTebatso,ki
ssi
ng
Haddasah’
sfor
ehead.

KEDI:
Ok,by
eDassah,
sleepwel
l
,seey
ou
tomorr
ow.

BON:Real
ly
?Youar eki
cki
ngmeout?Because
ofhi
m?Ijo(l
aughi
ng)Wait
seee…Shapomma.
Heignor
edthetuppawar
eandpi
ckeduphi
s
daught
er,wal
ki
ngout.

Af
terhel
eft
…

KEDI:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
eTebat
so,
I
thought
…

TEBATSO:Noti
nfrontoftheki
ds.Let
’sf
eed
them f
ir
standt
henwe’ll
talkaf
tert
heygoto
bed.

Shesighedandcal
ledMaduoandNeot
othe
ki
tchentowashtheirhands.

*
***
***
ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
oar
ri
vedwi
thMel
odybehi
ndhi
m,sul
ki
ng.

Shewentstr
aighttoherbedr
oom andbanged
thedoor
,sl
umpi ngonherbed.

MAOTO:Melody!Comebackhere!Comeright
her
eandtel
lmewhaty ouwer
eupt o.Openthi
s
damndoorr
ightnowbefor
eIbreakitdown.

MELODY: Fuckyou…Howcoul dyouyellatme

l
ikethati
nfrontofev
eryoneanddragmeoutof
thehouse?Youembar r
assedmei nfr
ontofmy
fri
ends.NowIcannev ergotoschoolagain!I
hateyou…
MAOTO:
Lit
tl
egi
rl
…

MELODY:Leav
emet hef
uckalone.Youar
enot
mydad!Andquit
efrankl
yI’
m surpr
isedmy
mom marr
iedyou.

Hetookhisbankcardfrom t
hewall
etandeasil
y
usedi
ttopickthedoorandgotin,
hisl
eather
bel
twrappedaroundhishand.

MAOTO: Melody,notonlywereyougetti
ng
drunkanddoingdrugs,Ifoundyoumakingout
withTuel
o!Legonedr essedli
kealit
tl
ewhore,
doesn’
tyourschoolhaveadr esscode?

MELODY:(
laughing)Whor
e?OhmyGod, you
ar
eonetotalk.Ihear
dofal
lyourshenani
gans
fr
om Tuna,appar
entl
yhismomst al
kabouthow
youcheatedonyourwif
erepeat
edly
,soif
anyoneisawhorehere,
lookint
hemi r
ror
,
buddy!

Heunroll
edthebeltinhi
sarm andlandedi
ton
herbarel
ycoveredthi
ghs,whi
ppingher
repeat
edlyasshescreamed.

MELODY: (scr
eami ng)Ok, ok…I’
m sorr
y…I
’
m
sorrypl
ease,I
’l
lnev ertalkback…pl
easedon’
t
beatme…nomor e…pl ease…nomor e,
pl
ease…helpme…any one, pl
easehelpme…heis
ki
ll
ingme…

Goutawal
kedint
othehouseandr
ani
nhear
ing
Melody
’sscr
eams.
GOUTA:Whatt hehell
isgoi
ngon!Maot o!What
ar
ey oudoing!(
Grabbi
ngthebeltf
rom him as
Melodyranandhidbehindher
.)

MELODY:Hei
str
yingt
oki
l
lme,
mommy
.It
old
youhehat
esme.

MAOTO:Gout
a,t
logel
alebant
elebecausei
fI
pul
li
tleagogodiga.

GOUTA:
Stopbeat
ingmychi
l
d!

MAOTO: Gout
awee!I
’
m warni
ngy
ou!Ketl
ale
kopany
anakana!Doy
ouknowwhatshedi
d?

GOUTA:
Nothi
ngwarrant
sbeat
ingachi
l
dli
ke
shei
sanani
mal,
stopit!
MAOTO:
(angr
y)Gout
a!Mov
e!

GOUTA:
You’
l
lhav
etogot
hroughme.

Heangril
ypull
edherandshov edhert
ot hebed,
grabbi
ngMelodyandwhi ppi
ngheragain.Gouta
stoodupandgrabbedthebeltfr
om hi
m and
pushedMelodybehindher.

GOUTA: (
lookingathi
m wi t
hadef iantsmil
e)
What,ar
ey ougoingtowhoopmet oo?You
sworeyou’dneverrai
sey ourhandt omeagai n.
Whatarey ougoingtodo, MrKgagodi ?Because
theonl
ywayy ouarel
ayingy ourhandonher
agai
nisify ouhi
tmet oo.

MAOTO:
(let
ti
nggooft
hebel
t)I
ja…l
ebat
lago
nkgol
egakegore.I
’
m goi
ngoutbef
oreIki
l
l
someoneinher
e.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedif
ollowedTebat
sotot
heli
vi
ngr
oom af
ter
hefi
nishedreadi
ngtot
heki
ds.

TEBATSO:Wow, youmov efast

,anot
herman
al
ready?ButBon,r
eall
y?Guyhascommi t
ment
i
ssues.Heneverevenstaysinonepl
acefor
l
ong,alwaysonthemov etosomecountr
yand
nooneknowswhy .

KEDI
:Not
hingi
sgoi
ngonwi
thhi
m andme.
TEBATSO:Ngwanakeomonny
emma,
atl
east
useprot
ect
ion.

KEDI:
Youhavenor
ightt
ell
i
ngmet
hat
!AndI
’
m
notsl
eepi
ngwit
hBonno!

TEBATSO:Look,Kedi
,I
’m sor
ryabouttheot
her
day…Ihadj
ustgott
enbadnewsf rom t
he
doctor
…

KEDI:
(smil
ingsy
mpathet
ical
l
y)Aboutt
hebaby
?
Shebatol
dme.I’
m sor
ry.

TEBATSO: I
t’
sok, wegett hechromosomet est
s
result
stomorrow.Ijust…Iwassowor r
ied.I
don’tknowifIhaveitinmet oraiseaDown
Syndromechildifhehasi t
…
KEDI
:Don’
tthi
nkl
i
ket
hat
…

TEBATSO:Yea,soyousee,thi
ngsar
eal i
tt
le
hardonme,that’
swhyIsnappedatyou.You
knowIcar
edeepl yabouty
ouKedi.

Shesmi
l
ed,
tear
ingup.

TEBATSO: Ok,
Ibett
ergo.Shebaishomealone.
Maybewecant aketheki
dsf orapi
ckni
cthi
s
weekend?Sheba’
ssist
eriscoming,soshewil
l
behavingcompanyandI’
llhavesomefreeti
me.

KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)I
’
dli
ket
hat
…

TEBATSO:
(huggi
ngher
)Goodni
ghtt
hen.
*
***
***
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
87

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Goutasatonthebedcryi
ngandt
alki
ngt
o
Matshi
disoonthephone.

GOUTA: Ijust…Idon’tknowTshi di
,Maotois
beingunfair
,okabet sangwanankar eobol
ay a
noga!Withal eatherbelt
!KanagapeMaot o
for
getsjusthowst r
onghei s,r
ightnowMel has
redweltsallover,i
fwewer eint heUSwe’dget
arr
estedforchildabusef orsure.

MATSHI
DISO:
Buty
ouar
enot
.Andwehav
eour
waysofdi scipl
i
ningchil
drenher e.Chil
dren
behaveort heygetabeating.Mel odyishanging
wit
ht hewr ongcrowd.BoTuel okebanaba
peoplewhohangl emami nister
sand
poli
ti
cians,sotheycandowhat ev ert
heyli
ke,ga
gonnal emat hatadaddywillbailthem outand
Melodywi l
l bel
eftal
oneint r
oubl e.

GOUTA:Butmmemmaor aagor
emot hooka
bet
sangwanajaanalehagotweng!I’
m st
il
l
hur
t,Maotodoesn’
twantmychil
d.Iknow
Melodyi
sbad,but…

MATSHI DISO:Gar eit

semma, keepbaby ing
Melodyli
ket hatandy ouar
egoingt oregr
etit.
KanaTuel o’
smom i sjustl
i
kethat.Akereheis
anonlychi l
dtotheotherVanAndr easwife.I
f
youevendar espeakaboutTuelo,Kamogel o
VanAndr easwillki
ll
you.Lookatwhatt hatdid
f
orher.Tuel oistotalr
ubbish.I
fthat’
swhaty ou
wantforMel ody ,
thennnaI ’
m outofadvicefor
you.Youl i
stentoWar onatoomuch, but
Waronar ui
nedherownmar ri
agewithherbig
mouthanddi sr
especttoherhusband, gongwe
youwantt of ol
lowony ouroldersi
ster’
s
f
ootsteps.

GOUTA:
Tshi
dimma!That
’shar
sh

MATSHI DI
SO: Butitisthetr
uth.Youwant
Maototobeaf athertoMelody,butnotent
ir
ely
.
Hecan’tdi
scipli
nehi schi
ld?Maot owasnot
wrongatallandy ouknowi t
.Nnahanekel e
wenaI’
dapol ogisewhenheget shome.

GOUTA:Apol
ogi
zeforwhatwhenheist heone
whopushedmeandbeatupachil
dliket hat!
Maot
oneedstoapologi
zeandst
artbeingf ai
r.
*
***
***
*

ATCOOPER’
SSCHOOL

Col
tonpar
kedwi
thAmel
i
ahr
ightbehi
ndhi
m.

AMELI AH:(par
kinghercarandrunni
ngtohim)
Coltstop!I
sthattheli
feyouwantforCoop?On
therun?Tonev erhavearel
ati
onshipwi
th
famil
y?

COLTON:Whatdoyouwantmet
odo,
Ameliah,
theyar
enev
ergoi
ngtogi
vememychi
ldback!

AMELIAH:(
smil
ing)someti
mesyouforgetwho
weare.Bei
ngbadisinourbl
oodCol
t,weare
SatanakaAugust
us’
chi
l
dren.Weknowhowt
o
thi
nkli
kehim.

COLTON:
Idon’
tseehowt
hat
’sr
elev
ant
.

AMELIAH:Thi
nk‘whatwouldAugustusdo?’You
l
ostCooperbecauseyouarea‘bad’
parent
s,
andt
hatuncleofhispushedi
t.

COLTON: Det
ail
s,Amel
iah!I
’
m wor ki
ngi
nti
me
here.Ther
e…t
heygotoutofclass…butt
he
teacheri
swatchi
ng.

AMELIAH:Relax…thelawalway shasloophol
es.
Whydoy outhinkIwassuchadamngood
l
awyer?Iknowhowt ofi
ndev er
yloopholeand
manipul
atei
t.IfCoop’suncl
ecanhav ecustody,
socanhispaternal
aunty.I’
l
lgetcustodyof
Coop,andwhoi
sgoingtostopmybr
otherf
rom
comingtomyhouse?Youcanseehi
m anyt
ime
youwant.

COLTON:Duh,r
evi
ewi
sinsi
xmont
hs.Can’
t
wai
tthatl
ong…

AMELIAH:Don’
thav eto…sorr
ytosay,
butyour
chi
l
di sr
ottent
ot hecore.Copperi
ssobadand
woulddr
iveanyonecrazyonagoodday .

COLTON:Heisbet
ternow,
I’
vebeent
eachi
ng
hi
mt obeagoodboy…

AMELIAH:Whichwedon’ tneedrightnow.We
needbadl
itt
leCooper.Extr
emel ybadrude,
cussi
ngCooper,whoisjustli
kehisdaddy.We
needhimtodri
vethosepeopl estrai
ghtupt
he
wall,
andgett hem toyel
lathim.Youdealwith
chemicals,youcanfakebrui
sesonhim without
harminghim.Andmyhusbandi sinsurvei
l
lance.
Wewi ll
getjustonev i
deoofthem yel
li
ngathim
andusei tandthebrui
sesasev i
denceforchil
d
abuse.Theircustodyi
sterminat
ed,andIapply
forcustody.

COLTON: (
smili
ng)you’v
ealway
sbeent he
smartestofallofus…thi
swil
lwork!Ij
ustneed
tosneakinandt el
lCoopertodr
ivethem cr
azy!
Thanky ou,Li
ah…Icouldn’
tst
andthethoughtof
l
osingmychi ld…

AMELIAH:Iunder
stand…si
nceIam havi
ngmi ne
now,IknowI’
dkil
lifany
onetri
edt
ot akethem
awayfrom me.

COLTON:
What
!OhmyGod,
forr
eal
?Wow!
Congratsbabysis,I
’
m sohappyf ory
ou!Wow!
Mylit
tleIsaishavi
ngababy ?Youaregoingt
o
bethebestmot herever
!Wow, I
’l
lcal
lLeeand
we’
llgof oradri
nktocelebr
ate!

*
***
***

VI
LLAGEGRAVEYARD

Maotof
ini
shedweedi
ngar
oundhi
sfather
’s
gr
aveandthenwentt
osi
tathi
suncl
e’
sgr ave.

MAOTO: Butwhydidy ouhavetogorightnow

malume?Iam sooutofmydept hwit
hMel ody
andGoutaisnothelpi
ng.Wear eal
way s
fi
ghti
ngbecauseofit,andi
t’
sputti
ngast r
ainin
mymar r
iage.Ir
eall
ywanttoacceptthechild,
wanttohelpher…becauseIknowhowi t’
sli
keto
l
oseaparentatayoungage.Icanjusti
magine
l
osingbot
hatthesamet i
me.Iwantt odofor
herwantyoudi
dforus,r
aisehertoneverf
eel
thevoi
dofherpar
ents’
loss…butsheisso
dif
fi
cul
tmalume…Idon’
tknowwhatt odo,I
missyousomuch…

Hewipedhistear
sandlookeduptosee
Rebaonewalki
nginwi
thabasketoffl
ower
s.

MAOTO:(wal
ki
ngtowardsher
)whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
esolate,
it’
sdar
kalr
eady
.

REBAONE: Icouldaskyout hesame…buti fyou

shouldknow,I’
m putti
ngfreshflowersonmy
grandmother’
sgrave.It
’sherbir
thdaytodayand
Idothisever
yy ear
.Imissherev enifit
’sbeen
solong.What’sbother
ingy ou?
MAOTO:
(smi
l
ing)Me?Not
hing,
keshapo…

REBAONE:Yea,
youcanlietoany
oneel
se…how
l
onghaveIknownyouagain?Comeon,t
alki
ng
hel
ps.Tr
oubl
einparadi
se?

MAOTO:Isn’
tyourhusbandwai
ti
ngf
oryou
home?Putyourfl
owersketl
agoemelat
o
makesur
ey ouaresafe.

REBAONE:Tshepei
sonat r
ipabr
oad…war
e
what’
sthepr
oblem?Thenewdaughter
?

MAOTO: Shei
ssodiff
icul
tReba!Idon’
tknow
whattodoanymore,
sheunderminesand
i
nsult
smeont hedai
lyandGoutastandsforit
.
TodayIl
ostmytemperandmay bewental i
tt
le
t
oof
ar.May
beIwhi
ppedhert
oomuch.

Shecameandsatnexttohim,
hol
dinghi
shand,
squeezi
ngi
treassur
ingl
y.

REBAONE: (
smil
ing)hastobebadi fshe
broughtoutyourbigbadwol f
.Iknowhow
muchy ouwor ktokeepy ourt
emperi ncheck.
Look,Melodyislostandconfused.Takeitfr
om
aformerbadchild.Allshewantsisloveand
acceptance.

MAOTO: HowdoIacceptherwhenshei
s
act
ingl
i
keahooli
gan!

REBAONE:
Findoutwhyshei
sact
ingt
hatway
.
MAOTO:
Becauseshei
sar
udel
i
ttl
emonst
er?

REBAONE: Probabl yfeelsyouthinkt hatway

abouther .Shei sachi ldwhojustlosther
parent sandmov edt oanot hercontinentwith
peopl eshedoesn’ tknowatal l,Maot o.Cuther
somesl ack.Beingat eenishardenough
withoutal lt
hatstr ess.Obv i
ouslytheQueenof
theBoar droomst hinkssmot heringherwi th
l
ov eishel pi
ngbuti t’
sdoi ngworse, notthatthat
gir
l knowsany t
hingaboutmot herhood.

MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)anychancetoj
abateach
ot
her,
huh?Whatisi
twithyoutwo?Any
way s,
goon.

REBAONE:Showheryoucare.Truly.Thatshei
s
notj
ustaburdenGoutabr
oughtony ou.Make
herf
eelwant
edandt r
ytounderstandher.
MAOTO:Lookaty
ou,
whendi
dyougetso
smar
t?

REBAONE: (l
aughing)Seewhatyoumi ssedout
on?Andtogof oranuncul
tur
edpsy choli
kethat
woman?Youdumbass.Nott hatI’
m
complai
ning,Igotthebett
erbrot
hernow.

MAOTO: (l
aughing)Trustme,hadIstuckwit
h
you,I’
dhavecommi tt
edsuici
deal ongti
meago.
Youar ewaaaytoocrazy,woman!Thanksfor
thetal
k.Let’
sputyourgrandma’sflower
sand
go,gobosigo,v
ill
agerumoursdi t
logadi
simoll
aifwehangher eanylonger.

*
***
***
OUTSI
DEGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Melodysatatt
hegat
esulki
ngwhenabl
ack
t
int
edwi ndowsSUVpul
l
edup.

Yup,she’dseenpi cturesofhi m, evenunderthe

sunglassesandhatdi sguisesher ecognised
him.Hersai dgr andf at
her.Gout a’sfather
.
Augustushadal way sf ascinat
edherev en
thoughshehadnev ermethi m.Hi sPabl o
Escobarper sonawassomuchl iveli
erthanher
stepdad, bori
ngassMaot o.Allhedi dwasgoto
theoffi
ceandt hef arm andal l
.

AUGUSTUS:
Youl
ooksomuchl
i
keher
…

MELODY:
Huh?
AUGUSTUS:Yourmom,ofcourse.Ihopeshe
hast
oldyouaboutme,
hasn’tshe?

MELODY:
GrandpaAugust
us

AUGUSTUS:Goodgi
rl
,hopi
nandlet’
sgofor
di
nner
.Letmegettoknowmygrandchi
l
d.

MELODY:
I…I
’
m gr
ounded…I
’
m notsupposedt
o
goout
.

AUGUSTUS:(wavi
ngheroff
)Comenow,chil
d,
wecancall
yourmom onthewayandtel
lher,
don’
tyouwanttoknowyourgr
andpa?

MELODY:
(shr
uggi
ng)Iguess…ok…
Shegotinthecarandt
heydr
oveof
f,August
us
onthephone.

AUGUSTUS: Ee,retseretheki
d…no, yogai tse
sepeaker e,
Sebagal eMot heonebakase
tsamael ennabasabol el
laGouta,obar util
e
j
al o…no, he’
llcome.Maot okemonnawaf ami l
y,
biologicalchil
dornot .Wenamol letsehelaand
tellhim goreifabat l
agobonangwanay a
mosadi wagagweagai n…heela,
trustme, this
wi l
lwor k.Onceaut lwagoreretserethelittl
e
girl,
we’ l
lhavehim dancingtoourt une.Ican
finall
ygethi mt ogethispeskyli
ttl
ebr ot
herof f
myback!

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
88
ATGOUTA'
SHOUSE
Maot owalkedi nt
ohishouseandputhisphone
tocharge,Gout acamerushi
ngfrom t
he
bedroom crying,poundi
ngherfi
stsonhischest
andscreami ng.

GOUTA:Wheredi
dy outakeher
?Wheredi
dyou
takemychi
l
dMaot o,Iknowyoudi
dn’
twant
her…

MAOTO:What
?Take?Whatar
eyout
alki
ng
about
!

GOUTA: Iwantmydaught erMaot o…IswearI

’l
l
gotot hepoli
ceforki
dnapping.Whatdidyoudo
withher,huh?Sendhertoboardingschoolli
ke
you’v
ebeent hreat
eni
ng?
MAOTO: Bat
hobaModimo!AkereIl
eftMelody
wit
hyou?NnammaIdr ovetothevi
l
lageandI
wasatthegrav
eyar
dtalki
ngtomyuncle,
you
coul
daskReba.Iwastherewi
thher
.

Shesl
appedhi
shar
dacr
osst
hef
ace.

GOUTA: Thener veofy ou!Thenerveofyou

MaotoKgagodi ,notonl ydoyoutakemychild
away,y
ouf launty ourphil
anderi
ngwithyour
cheapmi st
ressinf rontofme!Sowhatwasi t,
a
pussyf
estcel ebrati
onofget t
ingri
dofthebrat?

MAOTO:Gout
a,damni
t!Cal
mthefuckdown
andt
ell
mewhat’sgoi
ngon.Wher
eisMelody
?

GOUTA:Youtellme…y
out el
lmewher
eyout
ook
mydaughterorel
se…(Sobbi
ng)Maot
o,
pl
ease…pl
ease…dadismissingtoo,
hecoul
d
hel
pmef i
ndher…pl
easejusttel
lmewhereshe
i
sandsheissafeat
least
…

MAOTO:
Gout a,IsweartoGodIhavenoidea
wher
eMelodyis.Il
eftherher
ewithyou.

GOUTA:Fi
ne,fi
ne,
don’
ttel
lme.I
fyouwon’
ttal
k,
t
henyourcheapsl
utwi
ll
.

Shegoti
nthecaranddr
oveof
fspeedi
ng.

*
***
***
*

SOMEWHEREOUTOFTOWN

Mel
odywokeupi
nat
inybutt
idysmal
l
bedr
oom.Wher
ethehel
lwasshe?

Shehadgonet odinnerwi t
hhergr andpa, and
thenhewast aki
ngherhome…shehadbeenso
sleepy ,sosomemancar r
iedf r
om thecar …he
hadhandedhert oanot hermanatt heirgate?
Wasi tt heirgate?Itlookedl i
keit…t
hemanhad
said‘Ok, thanksf orget t
ingher ,Maoto’…he’d
repeatedMaot o’
snamet hreetimes…butt hat
wasn’ tMaot o,wasit?Shemi ghthavebeenout
ofit,butsheknewherst epdadev enthen.
Maot owast all
er…darker…andhadamor e
deeperv oice…Maot owoul dn’thavejusttaken
herinwi t
houtwaki ngherupandwhi ppingher
forgoi ngoutwi t
houtt ell
ingany one.Andt his
wasn’ tev enherr oom.Ohshi t…

Shest
art
edbangi
ngt
hedoor
,scr
eami
ng.
MELODY: Opent hisdoorrightnow!Opent his
door .Iam AugustusCull’
sgr andchil
dandhe
wil
l comeaf teryouifhefindsouty outookme!
Doy ouknowwhoAugust usCul lis?Heisgoing
tofuckingkillyou!Openup!( Bangingthedoor
hard)Opent hedamndoornow, Idemandy ou
l
etmego…

Cul
lsati
nthel
i
vingr
oom wi
thsomeofhi
smen.

CULL: (l
aughing)sheisafeistyone,t
hatone.
Aintshe?Justl i
kehermama!Now, youboys
l
isten.Iwantmynamekeptoutoft hi
s.When
youcont actMaoto,don’
ttellhimI’
mt heone
whohasher ,
justdemandt heinfoonTshepe…

MAN:Yougoti
tboss…wehav
ebeent
ryi
ngt
o
r
eachhi
m,buthi
sphoneisof
f!
*
***
***
**

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

Rebaonewentofft
oopent hedoorwhenshe
heardaloudbangi
ng.Tshepeagai
n.Thi
sman
neverev
errememberedtotakehiskeyf
orthe
house.

REBAONE: Wai
tsewenaonedaywagol
ala
kontl
eolebet
sekeywhil
eI’
m away
…oh,
it’
s
you…whatdoyouwant?

GOUTA:Weret
hef ucki
smychil
dRebaone?I
knowyouandyourboyf
ri
endt
ookher.
REBAONE:(l
aughi
ng)Kanadit
lhar
edia
thuny
a…bol
wetsej
atlhal
oganyoboil
e
magolet
sa…waregoenghemmemme?

GOUTA: Rebaone,tel
lmewheremychi ldis
ri
ghtnow,Iknowy ouwheregall
ivant
ingwith
myhusbandaf terhetookherwhereversheis!
Whereismychi ld!

Tshepegotoutofat r
uckdr
oppi
nghi
m of
fand
walkedintotheyar
d,whi
leMaot
opar
kedatt
he
gate,walki
nginandfi
ndi
ngthet
wowomen
fi
ghti
ng.

TSHEPE:
Andt
hen?

GOUTA: Oh,gr
eat!Sogreatt
hatweareal
lher
e,
especi
all
yyou,Tshepe,
sinceyouandIar
ethe
f
ool
sbei
ngpl
ayed.

TSHEPE:
Whatar
eyouonabout
?

GOUTA: MaybeDoctorWhor eherecanexplai

n
whatshegetsuptowheny ouar eaway.Goon,
tel
lhi
mt hatyouhaveli
tt
lerendezvouswit
hmy
husbandwhil
ehei sgone.

MAOTO:
Gout
a,pl
ease!

TSHEPE:
Isi
ttr
ueReba?

REBAONE:
Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
!

GOUTA:
SoMaot
oisl
yi
ng?Di
dn’
tyouspend
t
hisev
eni
ngal
onewi
thhi
m?

REBAONE:
Notspendt
heev
eni
ng…Iwas…

TSHEPE:Wereyou,orweren’
tyoual
onewit
h
mybrother
,Rebaone?I
t’
saneasyquesti
on!

REBAONE: Iwaswi
thhi
m,at
otal
coi
nci
dence
though…Iwas…

TSHEPE:Isthatthenewcodewordforbei
nga
whore?Coinci
dence.Ist
hatther
easonmy
chi
ldr
enareaty ourmom somuch?Sothatyou
cangettofuckaroundfr
eely
?

MAOTO:
Hey
,heynow…notawayt
otal
ktoa
l
ady
…
TSHPE:Youdon’tgettof ucki
ngtalk!Youshut
upMaoto,runni
ngaroundf uckingwithmywi f
e
andshi
t.IswearI’
m goingt oki
llyouthist
ime.
I’
m goi
ngtokill
bothofy ou…I’
m sickofthi
s
shit
…

GOUTA:Makesur
etheyt
ellmewher
emychi
l
d
i
sfi
rst
!I’
m goi
ngt
othepoli
ce!

*
***
***
*

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

TSHEPE:
I’
m sosickofyourl
i
ttl
erel
ati
onshi
p
wit
hmybrother
,Rebaone!
REBAONE: Youneedt ostopbeingi nsecure,
shouldIwal kt
heot herwaywhenIseemy
brot
herinlaw?Youpeopl eforgetthatMaot o
andIwer en’tj
ustdat i
ng,wewer efri
ends, f
or
decades!Ok!Ourr elati
onshi
pmi ghthav edieda
l
ongt i
meback, butdoesn’tmeanourf r
iendshi
p
hasto.

TSHEPE:I
thastowhenIsayithasto!Idon’
t
wantyouhangi
ngwit
hmybr otheranymore.

REBAONE: Idon’ teven‘hang’withMaot o,i

j
a!
YouknowIgot oputf lower sonmy
grandmother’
sgr av
eev eryyear.Sometimes
youcomewi thmewheny ouar earound.Imet
Maot ot
here,purecoi ncidence.Youhang
aroundwiththatMexi canput aandy oudon’t
seemecompl aining.Youar eunfaironme
Tshepe,consideringyouar etheonewho
cheatedabazi
l
li
ont
imes,
youhav
enor
easont
o
suspectme.

TSHEPE:I
’m sor
ry…i
t’
sjust…Ihatet
heeasy
bondyouhavewithmybr other
…

REBAONE: Youknowwhat ?Idon’tevenwantto

fi
ght,Tshepe.Ify ousayIshoul dneverspeakto
him,thenIwon’ t.Ican’tbelieveyouwouldgo
ontobel i
eveot herpeopl e,especial
lyGouta,
overme!Youknowshehat esmeandwi ll
do
anythingtodiscredi tme.Thei rmarri
ageison
therocksbecauset heyaref i
ghti
ngabouther
rubbishdaughter ,nowshej ustwantstopull
everyoneonhermi serytrai
n.

TSHEPE:(huggi
ngher)I
’m sorr
y…I’m sosorr
y…I
geti
nsecurewhenitcomest omybr other
…I
shoul
dtrustyoumore…youareright,whyare
wefi
ght
ingaboutot
herpeopl
e’
spr obl
ems?I
mi
ssedyousomuch, comehere…

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maotowalkedinandf
oundGout
asi
tt
ingont
he
couchcr
ying.

GOUTA: Thepoli
cewon’teventr
ytolookf
orher
.
Theysaywehav etowaitfor24hour
satthe
ver
ymi nimum,thatmaybesheranaway.Ran
awaytowher e?Meldoesn’
tknowthatmany
peopl
ey et.Wherei
smychi l
dMaoto?

MAOTO:
Gout
a,IswearIdi
dn’
ttakeMel
ody
anywhere,ok?Iwasatthegraveyard,onmy
own.Rebaonecamet oputflowersonher
grandmother’
sgrave,
shedoest hateveryyear
forherbi
rthday.Wesatandtal
kedf orabout15
minutesandwentourseparateway s.

GOUTA: Thenwher eismychil

dMaoto?She
probablyr anawaybecauseyoubeatherup.I
can’tgot hrought
hisagai
n.Notaft
erit
happenedwi thPr
incessl
astt
ime…whereismy
chil
d?

Hecameandsatont
hesof
anextt
oher
,
cuddl
i
ngher
…

MAOTO: Shhhh…calm downmyl

ove…IswearI
wi
llf
indherandbringherhomeunhar
med.I
pr
omi seyou…
GOUTA: Whati
fyoudon’t
…whatifsomehuman
t
raff
icker
sorbo-r
abokoorsomethingt
ookher
?
Mybabycouldbegetti
ngbutcher
edformut
i
ri
ghtnow!

MAOTO:Ipr
omiseyou…I’
l
lbri
ngMel
odyhome
saf
e…l
etmejustcal
lsomeguys.

Hepull
eduphi sphonefrom hischargerand
t
urnediton.Ther
ewer eseveralmissedcall
s
f
rom anumberhedi dn’
trecognise.Ok.

Hedi
all
edi
tasGout
asl
eptonhi
schest
.

VOI
CE:Ah,
final
l
yhecal
l
sback.Whatt
ookso
l
ong?
MAOTO:
Whoar
eyouandwhatcanIhel
pyou
wi
th?

VOI
CE:
Ihav
eyourdaught
er…

MAOTO:
I’
ll
pay
…pl
ease,
namey
ourpr
iceand…

VOICE: Moneyi snotwhatI’m af

ter.Ineedinfo
ony ourbrotherTshepe.Loadsofi nf
o, and
probablyotherthi
ngs.I’
llbesendingy oualit
tl
e
packagetogoputi nhishousetoo.

MAOTO:Youmustbecr
azyi
fyout
hinkI
’
llev
er
bet
raymybr
other
.

VOI
CE:
Theny
ou’
drat
hery
ourwi
feknowy
ou
hadachancet osav eherdaught erandy ou
di
dn’ t
?You’dratherbetrayy ourwifethany our
brother?YoudoasIsayandt hegirl
comes
homeunhar med.Nopol ice,anddon’ ttel
l
anyoneaboutt his.Hurr
y …shei sapretty
gi
rl…withthoselongsmoot hlegslikeher
mot her…andmyguy sherecanbesuchhor ny
bastardsaroundsuchal ovelyli
tt
lething.

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
89

ATMAOTOHOUSE

Maotopacedar oundhishouseholdi
ngthe
thumbdri
vehewassupposedt oputin
Tshepe’
slaptop.Whatdidthesepeoplewant
withhi
sbrother?Goutawokeupandl ookedat
hi
m.

GOUTA:
Pleaset
ell
mey
ouhav
efoundher
?

MAOTO:
I…I
…I’
m st
il
lnotwor
kingoni
t!

GOUTA: Isi
tbecausei
t’
sy ourchi
ldandyou
don’tcar
e?BecauseIknowi fi
twasyourbl
ood
you’
dbet ear
ingtheworl
dapar tl
ooki
ngfor
them.

MAOTO: Gouta,please…I’
m doingthebestIcan
her
e…Ihav easkedj ustabouteveryoneIknow
tobeonthelookout .Mmusi ,DJandRileyall
havepeopl
eoutt herelooking.Leealsoisonto
i
t.Nothi
ng…nosi gnofstruggleatall
,soIjust…
GOUTA: Ij
ustwishmyf atherwouldcomeback
from whereverheisbecausehesur eashell
woul dproducebett
erresults.Idon’tknowwhy
youhat emychildsomuch.Andi t
’sallyour
faultanyway,wit
hy ougangst erl
if
eand
ev ery
thi
ng,peopleprobablytookhert ogetback
aty ou…

MAOTO: Youknowwhat ….
fuckt
his….I
’
m not
argui
ngwithyouaboutt
hisGouta.Thi
nkwhat
youwant,I
’m goi
ngout.

*
***
***
*

ATBATHSHEBA’
SHOUSE

Amel
i
ahwal
kedi
nandf
oundheri
nthel
ounge
AMELIAH:WaitsewenaIhat
eyouShebamma!
Lookatyouchompingdownonthatwhol
eice
cream t
ub,
andy ouar
ealmostdue,
andsti
l
l
l
ookskinni
erthanme.

BATHSHEBA:(l
aughi
ng)Hushgal,
youl
ook
goodwi
thall
thosecurves.Howar
eyoudoi
ng?
Howisthemorni
ngsickness?

AMELI AH:Notmuchy et
.Nextweekisthe
custodyhearingforCoop,af
tert
hatvi
deo,I’
m
sureI’
llgetcustody.Col
twoulddi
eifhelosthi
s
son.

BATHSHEBA:Heisagoodf
ather
,shem…Inev
er
expect
edi
tfr
om hi
m,knowi
ngLoagothewayI
do…
AMELIAH:Talki
ngaboutt
hat
,howisi
twith
Phoeni
x,whatdidt
hatchr
omosometestsay?I
gotsoworri
edbecausemymother
’s…

BATHSHEBA: (
excitedly
)ev
eryt
hingi
sfi
ne!Like,
Ican’
tbel
iev
eit,Iwassoscaredtoo!Hedoesn’t
havethedownssy ndromegeneorEdwards’
s
syndr
ome.4mor eweekunt i
lImeetmyboy …

AMELIAH:Youknowt
hisi
snotr
ight
,
Bat
hsheba…I…

BATHSHEBA: (r
oll
i
nghereyes)y
ouandy our
consci
ence.Notever
yonegetst
hingsr
oseli
ke
youdoAmel i
ah…

AMELI
AH:Now,that
’snotfair
,whendidIev
er
hav
eanyt
hingr
osy?I’
mj ustsayi
ngit
’snotf
air
t
hat
…

BATHSHEBA:
Blah,
blah,
blah…sai
ntAmel
i
ah…

AMELIAH:I
jo…ar
eyoust
il
lnott
alki
ngt
oMosi
ti
?
Yougottof
orgi
veher
…

BATHSHEBA: Hasshef orgiv

enyouforfucki
ng
herhusband?Exactlymypoi nt.Mosi
tihol
ds
otherpeoplet
odifferentstandar
dsthanshe
holdshersel
f,sofuckher.

AMELIAH: Legale,
Ididn’tcomeheretotal
k
aboutyourbitchyfri
end.Idon’
tli
keeit
herMosi
ti
orBethanyany way.Justwantedtocheckon
you.
BATHESHEBA:
Youseem wor
ri
ed,
what
’swr
ong?

AMELI AH: (
sighing)mydad…Ij ustfeel li
kehei s
goingt odosomet hing.Idon’tknow.It oldLee
aboutsev er
al ofmydad’ ssafehouses, andfour
ofthem gothi t.Onl yI,
War ,Col
tandGi giknow
wher et heyareandhemadeuspr omi senott o
tel
lev enourpar tners.Mydaddoesn’ ttake
betrayal well
.He’ llpunisheachoneofus, andI
feelbadbecausemysi bl
ingsaregoingt ogetit
becauseofme.Gi gi’schil
disalreadymi ssing,
what ’
snext ?

BATHSHEBA:Youworr
ytoomuch,
what
’st
hat
ol
dhaggoingtodo?

*
***
***
*
ATBANYANA’
SHOUSE

Col
tonsatonthecouchlooki
ngatphot
oson
hi
sphonewhenBany anawalkedi
n.Hequi
ckl
y
l
ockedthephoneandputitaway.

BANYANA:
Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngat
?

COLTON:Nothing…j
ustabitworr
iedaboutt
he
hear
ingnextweek,whati
fLiahdoesn’
tget
cust
ody?

BANYANA: Whywouldn’
tshe?Liahisagood
personandever
yonecanseethat.She’
l
lgeti
t.
Stopstr
essi
ngandmay begooutwi t
hyour
fr
iendsorsomethi
ng.
COLTON:(l
aughi
ng)Fr
iends?Youmeant
heone
yousl
eptwit
h?

BANYANA:
Ser
iousl
y?It
houghtwewer
epast
that
…

COLTON: I’
m sorry
, i
t’
sjust…wellKeni smy
fr
iendB, youknewt hat
,wear eli
kebr other
s.I’
m
obviouslynotgoingt ogetoveritinaf ewday s.
AndIhav ealotinmymi nd.Augustuscal l
ed
accusingmeofgi vi
nguphi ssafehousesand
saidwehei sgoingt ot
eachusal esson.Ijust
knowt hathei sgoingtomesswi thCoop’ s
hearing.Mydadknowst oomanypeopl einthe
l
awwor ld.

BANYANA: Youworr
ytoomuch, yourdadi
s
somewheretucki
nghistai
ll
ikethedogheis,
whatcanhedo?Whoev erhithi
sfarmis
probabl
ystil
llookingf
orhi
m, sohewon’ tcome
out.Andbesides,whydon’tyougotot hepoli
ce,
Colt?Youknowenought obr i
nghim down, hi
s
drugdeals,
involvementi
nt r
aff
icki
ng,allt
hose.

COLTON:Youar
enaïvei
fyout
hinki
t’
sthat
easy
.Mydadissoconnect
edi
tmakesmesi ck.
Theonl
ywaytobri
ngmydaddownisabulletto
hi
sskul
l.

*
***
***
*

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

Maotopacedaboutinfrontoft hehouse…coul
d
hereal
lydothattohi
sbr other?Whatevert
hose
peopl
ewantedf r
om Tshepe, hewassur et
hey
werenotsupposedtoget ,
becausewhywoul d
theygot osuchextr
ememeasur estogetit
?
Wasi twor t
htheharmtheywoulddot oMelody
i
fhedi dn’tdowhattheywanted?Justpl
antthe
pendrive,ri
ght
…Tshepe’
slapt
opwoul dbeinhis
studyrightnowifhewasn’tt
ravel
li
ng.

REBAONE:(
openi
ngthedoor
)Heyy
ou…j
ust
goi
ngtost
andther
e?

MAOTO:
I…uhm…Reba…i
sTshepehome?

REBAONE:(
sighi
ng)wheni
sTshepeev
erhome?
Trav
ell
i
ngagain.

MAOTO:Kantewher
edoeshego?Hej
ustups
anddi
sappear
s…
REBAONE: Ineverevenknowwhenhewi l
lcome
back.Itgetssot i
ri
ng.Hiski
dsbarelyevenknow
hi
m.Maot o,areyouok?Troubleinparadi
se
again?I’
m sosor ryaboutMelody
.Rudekidthat
sheis,noonedeser vesthi
s.

MAOTO:Ei
sh…canIuseyourlapt
optosenda
qui
ckemai
l?Myphonei
sactingup.

REBAONE: Damn.Ileftmineatmymoms’ .I
wasgoi ngtogospendt henightthere,soIj
ust
l
ef tev
erythi
ngthereandcameher etogeta
freshchangeofclothes.ButTshepe’slapt
opis
i
nt hestudyroom,I’
llgofixyouav odka…onthe
rocksifIrememberwel l
…y oucoulduseit.

MAOTO:Thanks,butIhav
en’
teat
enal
lday
,so
I
’l
lhol
doffonthebooze.
REBAONE:I
nt hatcasesi
r…It
otall
yhav etofi
x
yousomet
hing.Ihavesomeleftoveroxtai
lst
ew
Icoul
dwarmf oryouwhil
eIboilri
ce…

MAOTO: No, it
sok…I …(Shest oodi nfrontof
him armsf oldedi nmockanger .Hel aughedand
rai
sedhi sarms)Oh, ok,peace!I’l
leat.AndI’l
l
takethatv odkat oo,bri
ngt hewholef ucking
bottl
easamat teroffact,Icouldusei tri
ght
now.If orgethowani matedy ougetwheny ou
areangr y
.

REBAONE:(shehuff
edandstompedherf
eet
chi
ldi
shl
y)I
’
mj otani
mated…

MAOTO:
(laughing)absol
utel
yani
mated…
gat
wemangt hatli
tt
lecar
toonPri
ncess
watches?DocMcSt uff
in?(
Laughi
ng)Thanks
Rebs,haven’
tlaughedi
ndaysnow.

REBAONE:YouknowI’m alwaysher
efory
oui
f
youneedali
steni
ngear
,right?

MAOTO: I’
mi nat oughsi
tuat i
on
Reba…whatev erIdoI’
m goingt ohur
tsomeone
Icareabout…Ijustdon’
tfuckingknowwhatto
do.Ican’
ttalktomybr ot
her s,andGout
aisnear
dri
vi
ngmemad!

Shewal
kedov
erandsqueezedhi
sshoul
der
,
smil
i
ng.

REBAONE:TheMaot oPhil
ipKgagodiIknow
canfi
xanythi
ng…anythi
ngatal
l!Remembert he
ti
meIdroppednailpoli
shal
loveryourmother’
s
ni
cecowhi
der
ugt
haty
ouf
athermadef
orher
?

MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)Ipour
edparaf
fi
nal
loveri
t
anditcameof f…t
henwewasheditandused
yourhairdri
ertodryi
tbef
oreshecameback
home.

REBAONE: Yousee?Whatdidy ouknowabout

nai
lpoli
sh?Nothing!Andyoustil
lfounda
sol
uti
on.You’l
lfi
gurethi
sout.Letmegety ou
somethi
ngt oeatandthenwecant al
kabouti
t.

*
***
***
REMEMBERTOLI
KEANDCOMMENT
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
90

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE
Maotowokeupf r
om thecoucht
oRebaone
hummingintheki
tchenasshemadebreakf
ast
.
Shewalkedi
ncarryi
ngatray.

REBAONE: (
smili
ng)fi
nall
ysl
eepi
ngbeaut
y
awakens.Coff
eeforyourhangov
er?Bl
ackand
st
rong…sti
ll
li
keitli
kethat
,hmmm?

MAOTO:
Wow,
whatt
imei
sit
?

REBAONE:
5am.Youwer
eknockedout
…

MAOTO: Haven’
tsl
eptindaysbecauseofthis
Melodythi
ng.Act
uall
ysinceshearr
ivedit
’s
beenawarzone.SheandSebagaf i
ghtnon-st
op,
andGoutaandIarealwaysargui
ngaboutit.
Theoevenaskedmei shecouldmov einl
eKP
f
orawhil
e.Kanamyboyeneheisl
ikeTshepe,
modumonyanagasedi
l
otsagagwe.

REBAONE: Poorbaby
…here,
eatbreakfasto
tsamayerr
abeforesomeoneseesy ouaboba
simol
ola.

MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)Et aannankakekukunaat
mybrot
her
’shouse!Idon’
thavetosneakout
masi
go.

REBAONE: Youknowthesev il
l
agersMaot o,
and
Idon’
twantt r
oubl
e.Youknowy ourbrot
heri
s
al
way sontheedgewheni tcomest ome
spendingevenaminutesalonewi t
hyou.Hewil
l
l
oseitifheknewyouspentt henight.

Hewentt
othebat
hroom t
owashhi
sfaceand
cameoutwi
thhi
st-
shi
rtof
f.

MAOTO: Myt-
shi
rtisamess…themmay ago
nkadi
may agaTshepe.Ketl
aebusatoday
,I
don’
twannagohomej usty
etandIcan’
tgo
aboutl
ooki
ngli
kethis.

REBAONE: Ae,
youhavebroadershoul
der
sthan
Tshepe,gaekakeyagolekana,wagoe
ngamola.

MAOTO:Tsi
sahelaketl
adir
agatweng,
crop
t
op.Kanaonkadi
mey agagoee!

REBAONE:(l
aughi
ng)Mxim,likeanyofmy
cl
othi
ngwouldfi
tevenyourtoe.Letmecheck
somethi
ng.Oebusetherra,
I’dhatetohav
eto
expl
aingor
enekegoadi mahi st
-shi
rtgor
il
eng.
(
Shewentt
othebedr
oom andcamebackwi
th
at-
shi
rt
)

MAOTO: (put
ti
ngi ton)ThanksReba…lastni
ght
was…nice.Haven’thadjustarel
axed,no
f
ight
ing,noquarrell
ingeveni
nginawhi l
e.And
youdidhelpmeseecl ar
it
yaboutthi
ngs.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Gout
asatupinbedcr y
ing.Maoto’
sphonewas
of
fagai
n.She’ddr
iventothefar
mt ocheckon
hi
m,onl
ytofindhi
scaratRebaone’shouse.

May
besheshoul
dhav
egonei
nandconf
ront
ed
them.Ormay beshewasov err
eacti
ng.Just
may behewasoutt her
etal
kingtoTshepe.Inal
l
honesti
es,she’
dbeengivi
nghim ahardt i
me
thepastfewday s,
andmaybehej ustneededto
tal
kt ohi
sbrother.

Shewentuptothekitchenandstar
tedmaki
ng
breakf
ast
,heri
ntui
ti
onst i
l
lnaggi
ngher.

Whati
fTshepewasnothome?WasMaotojust
wi
thRebaoneal
one?Whathappenedt
her
e?

God,no,shecouldn’
tgothr
oughthi
sagai
n.Ifi
t
wasanywomansheknewi twouldmean
nothi
ng.Butnomat t
erwhat,Maot
ohadalways
hadsomesi ckeni
ngconnect
ionwit
hRebaone.
EvenTshepewasuncomf ort
ablewi
thi
t.
Shesatont hesof aholdi
ngthei
rwedding
pict ure,cry
ing.Whenwast hi
sRebaonesaga
goi ngt oendf rom thei
rli
ves?Al
mostev er
y
tought hingtheywentt hr
oughhadRebaone
wr i
t tenalloverit
.Theywer eal
way sgoi
ngina
circlewher eRebaonewasconcer ned.

She’dtri
edt ochange, shereall
ydid.Br eakfast
making,cooki ebakinglit
tl
ehomemaker .
Submissivebot hinbedandout si
det he
bedroom, despitethedomi nant,t
akecont r
ol
personshewas.Shekeptheropi nionst o
hersel
fmor e.Wasitrightthatawomanshoul d
changeher selfsomucht opleaseaman?I s
thathowr elati
onshipswer esupposedt obe?
Shelit
erall
ywor shippedthemanandf orgav e
him moret hananyoneper sondeserv ed…she’ d
thoughtever yt
hingwasal ri
ghtnow.Thatt hey
werefinal
lyok.
May beshe’
dpushedhim alit
tl
et oohar d
yester
day…butshewasunderst ressher sel
f,
anddidn’tr
eall
ymeant oaccusehi m of
anythi
ng.ShejustwantedMelodyt ofitin.Him
toaccepther.Wasshewr ongforwant inga
l
itt
legirl
whohadj ustl
ostevery
thingt ohav ea
family
?

Shewasj ustt r
yingt omakeev ery one
happy …wasn’tt hatall womendi d,make
ever
y oneel sehappy ,evenatthecostoft heir
ownhappi ness.I twast hechil
dren, t
he
husband…t hei nlaws…damni t!Howcoul dMaoto
notseet heki ndofst ressshe’dbeenunder ,
and
j
ustunder standt hatshewast ryingtodot he
bestshecoul d,runningapr osperoust op
busi
ness, beingt heper f
ectmom, andcateri
ng
tohiswhi ms.
Wasi
therf
aul
tifMaot
ocheat
edonher
…agai
n?

*
***
***
*

I
NTHEOUTSKI
RTSOFTHEVI
LLAGE

Maotowasdri
vi
ngtowardshisfar
m whenhe
sawacarbythesi
deoftheroad.Oni
ka’
s.He
pul
ledasi
deandwalkedt
owardsher.

MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)doi
ngt
hewal
kofshameso
l
atei
nthemorni
ng?

ONIKA:
Walkofshame?Notev
ery
onei
sa
whorel
ikey
ou…

MAOTO:
(fol
dinghi
sar
msacr
osshi
schestand
walki
ngdirectl
ytowardsherunt
ilhewas
toweri
ngov erher,
looki
ngherdi
rectl
yint
he
eyes)di
dy oujustcall
meawhor e?Areyou
beingdi
srespectf
ul,Onika?

ONIKA:
(div
ert
inghi
sey
est
othegr
ound)
No…nosir
…

MAOTO: (l
aughingandpatti
nghershoul
der)
Sti
ll
agoodl i
tt
leslav
egirl
,Isee.HopeDes
knowswhattodowi thyou.Whatseemstobe
theprobl
em?

ONI
KA:
For
gott
ofuel
up…nowmycari
sout
…

MAOTO:
Gonemmeot
swakaesoear
ly?
ONI KA: (sighi
ng)youknowmma- Onika.She
calledmeact ingli
keshei sdyinglastnight.I
drov eher eonlytofi
ndt hatshewashav inga
mi graineonl y
,andshemademest aythenight
kat sheley agagwe, heweegakesamo
thokomel a.NowIhav etor ushhomeandget
theki dsr eady,t
heyhaveSat urdayactivi
ty
classes, andIalsoleftmynewbabywi thher
father.

MAOTO: Howisthatpussyanyway?Desmond
l
ooksli
ketheki
ndt ocrydur
ingsex…Imean,
yout
urneddownKPf orthat
?

ONI
KA:
Mxi
m…kant
ewenaont
sej
ang…

MAOTO:
Ont
haaor
e‘mxi
m’Oni
ka?
ONIKA:I
’
m sor
ry…Desi
sfi
ne.Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sfi
ne.
Ineedt
ogohome.

MAOTO: Whenev erawomansayseveryt

hingi
s
f
ine,sheisl
ying.Ihav
et i
metoki
ll
,andIknow
youarenotonet oburdenot
her
swithyour
i
ssues,so,t
alk.

ONIKA: Desis…(sighing)HowdoI
say…distant
…ev ersincethedeat hofhisPA.
Koorehei sjustgoingt hr
ought hemot i
ons.I
mightbenaï ve,butIknowwhensomeonei s
mourning.I’
m starti
ngt othinkmyhusbandwas
havi
nganaf fai
rwithhisPAandpr obablyi
nlove
wit
hher .Icatchhim stari
ngatherphot osinhis
phonesoof ten,somet imescr yi
ng…Idon’t
knowwhatt odobecausei tlooksli
keI’
m
i
magi ni
ngi t
,heist r
y i
ngreallyhardtobeagood
husbandandaf ather,buthissoul i
snotinit
.
MAOTO: I
joo,
that’
sheavy!AndIt
houghtIhad
problems!Bona,t
akemycarandgohome, nna
ketaemel agorebashimanebameko
mor akengbatsogeandbr i
ngsomefuelf
orme,
thenI’l
lbr
ingthecar.

ONI
KA:
Icoul
dn’
t,
Imean…

MAOTO: IfIgodropyouinsteadandl eaveyour

carher
e,bagoegopel a.AndI ’
m notleavi
nga
pret
tyyoungladyal
onebyt heroadsi del
ikethis.
Thisvi
l
lageisnolongersafe.I’
dratherIstay…

ONI
KA:
ButMaot
o…

MAOTO: Areyouargui
ngwi
thme,Oni
ka?You
knowIhateitwhenyoudot
hat…
ONIKA:I…I’
m sorry
…thankyou.(Shetookhiscar
key
sandhandedhi m her
sbef or
egetti
nginhis
car
,wav i
ngwi t
hasmi leasshedr ov
eaway .He
l
aughedandshookhi shead, adj
usti
nghispants.
Oni
kawaspr obabl
ytheperfectsubmissi
ve.No
si
r,yessir
…alwaysreadytoplease.Damn!)

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kediexcit
edlyranaroundthehousepacki ngthe
picni
cbasketandall t
hethingstheywer egoi
ng
toneed.Tebatsohadsaidhe’ dpickthem upat
8am.Finall
yshewasget ti
ngt ospendt imewith
him.Allheevertal
kedaboutwhatBat hsheba
andtheirdamnbaby !Buthehadf i
nal
lyasked
f
orapi
cni
cwi
thj
ustherandt
hei
rki
ds.

Sheheardhi
scarpar
kingandr
ant
othedoort
o
openforhi
m.

KEDI
:(smi
l
ing)y
ouar
eear
ly…

TEBATSO:(l
aughi
ng)Gabal
erut
egodumedi
sa
koPalapy
e?

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ok,
dumel
ang.Lat
soga?

TEBATSO:Youlookst unning.Makeupdoneand
ever
ythi
ng.Nnakeikapar etsejeanlet
-shi
rt
j
aana.Peoplewoul
dt hinkket aximankana.
Wherearemykids?
KEDI
:Ijustfi
nishedbathingthem…wasaboutt
o
gi
vethem breakfast
,thenbathBlessi
ngand
we’
ll
ber eady.Wherear eyoutaki
ngus?

TEBATSO: Godeal withblessing,I’

l
lf eedthem.
Mycousi n’sfarm hasani cepicnickingarea
withamanmadel ake…you’ll
lov eit
.(Theki ds
camer unningtohi m andhuggedhi m)Hey !
Lookaty ouguy s(fistpumpingMaduo)Bi gman!
Youareal mostast allasmenow!Ican’ tbeli
eve
youwillbei nstandard1nexty earalready!And
you,l
it
tlelady…lookaty ou…whydoesshehav e
apinkbraidi nherhairKedi?

KEDI:(l
aughi ng)Ipit
ythemanwhowi l
ltr
yto
datethisgirl
s,NeneandBl essi
ng.I
t’
sjustthr
ee
pinkbraids,Tebla…ther estarebl
ack…it
’s
tr
endyr i
ghtnow, al
ll
itt
legirl
shavethem and
shelovesi t
.
TEBATSO: Idon’
t…andyou,l
itt
lelady(
picki
ngup
Neoandki ssi
ngherhead)thisisthel
astmini
dressyouarewearingunt
ilyouturn35!
Understand?

NEO: (
laughi
ng)butdaddy ,35isli
ke,ami l
li
on
baji
ll
i
ony ears!Comedaddy .Imadeadr awi
ng
ofusinclassy esterday
,wewer edrawingour
famil
y.It
’syouandmommyandDuoandme
andBlessingandgr andma.Idrewgr andpawith
wingsbecausehei sanangeli
nheav ennow.
Comel etmegoshowy ou(shepull
edhi shands
towardsthei
rst udyarea)

Kediwatchedthem smil
ingbroadl
y.Thi
swas
sonormal.Sohear t
-war
ming.Him,her,
and
thei
rchil
dren.Thegenui
nesmi l
eonhisfaceas
helookedatthelit
tl
egir
l’
sbarelyv
isi
ble
drawingwithpride!I
twasv er
yhardt
onothope
Bathsheba’skidhaddownssy ndr
ome,because
surelyTebatsowouldleav
e.He’dsai
dhejust
couldn’
timaginehimselfr
aisi
ngadowns
syndromechi l
d.
*
***
***
*

CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
91

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

MaotowalkedinandfoundGoutaplayingcar
ds
wit
htheki
dsi nthel
ivi
ngroom.Hepi ckedup
AasaandkissedherasMot heoandSebaga
huggedhi
m.Gout aj
ustignoredhi
m.
MAOTO:
Dumel
ang…

GOUTA: Okguy s,mommy ’

sgottagobathe,
thenwearegoi ngtovi
sitmygranny.Motheogo
feedthedog,andSebaga,checkifIhave
enoughdiapersinmma-B’sdiaperbag.

Sheleftt
otheli
vi
ngroom,Maotofoll
owi
ngher
,
l
aughing.Hepul
ledhercl
oserandtr
iedt
oki
ss
herasshestr
uggledagai
nsthi
m.

MAOTO:
Ao,
ongadi
l
enemma?Di
dn’
tyoumi
ss
me?

GOUTA:
Wher
ear
eyouf
rom?

MAOTO:
Ispentt
heni
ghtatt
hef
arm…
GOUTA: Ohreall
y?Harelekgal
agaonay one!
Youar esuchashamel essli
arandacheat
Maot o!Foroncetel
lthetrut
h.Idon’
tevencare
anymor e,j
ustsayit
,youwerebusyfucking
aroundwi t
hy ourbr
other’
swifewhil
ehei saway.

MAOTO: ObonathereasonIdon’
tcomehome?
Youwannaknowwhy ,
Gouta?I
t’
sbecause
ever
ytimeyouar
ef r
ustrat
edaboutsomet
hing,
youaccusemeofthings.

GOUTA:I
t’
snotanaccusati
onifit
’st
rue,
Maot
o!
Youwer
ewi t
hRebaone,weren’
tyou?

MAOTO: Andthatmeanswhat
?Huh?That
ev
eryti
meIspendt i
mewithmybrot
her
’swif
e
wearefucki
ng?
GOUTA: Youknowwhat ,f
uckyou.EverytimeI
thi
nkthingsar egoi ngwel
lyoustartt
hisbul l
shi
t.
Youar ejustincapableofmonogamy ,Maot o
Kgagodi.Ol ebeleteMaoto,
…andt hemi stakeI
madei stryingtot urnawhoreint
oahusband.
Mychi l
di smi ssi
ngandwenay ouaresleeping
around.Nt shabelahoorrannakeegot hapa…
(Shestartedsobbi ng.Maotopull
edhercloser
andhuggedher )

MAOTO: I’
m sor
ry,ok?I’
m sosorry…Iwasjust
fr
ustr
atedanddidn’twanttocomehomeand
di
sappointyouagainwitht
henewst hatIsti
ll
havenoideawhereMel odyis.Il
oveyou,
Dobe…I’
m notperf
ect…

GOUTA:Butyoucanbebett
er,
Maoto…youjust
don’
twantt
obe…wear etoooldf
orthi
skindof
dr
ama.

MAOTO:
I’
m sosorr
y…Ihat
eseei
ngy
ourt
ear
s,
t
hemmadon’tcr
y…

GOUTA: I
fyouhat emyt earssomuch, stop
makingmecr y,i
ja!Thisistoomuchf orone
per
son.Letmeatl eastdealwit
hthestressof
mychildmissingbef or
eIhav eyoui
nfideli
tyon
myplatetoo.Legonewhosecari sthat?

*
***
***

ATTHEFARM

Kedi
satonthepi
cni
cmatwhil
eTebat
solai
d
downwatchi
ngMaduoandNeochasi
ngeach
ot
herar
ound.

KEDI:
PoorNene,
bei
ngforcedtopl
ayfootbal
l
bat
ho!Ai
tseMaduootshwenyangwanake!

TEBATSO: (
laughing)Omodi rabothal
e!Gir
ls
havet obetough.Butdon’ tworr
y ,
soonPhoenix
willbehereandhecanpl ayfootbal
lwit
hDuo.
Youar edoingsuchagr eatjobwi t
hthem Kedi
,
runningastartupandr aisingthr
eekidsatthe
samet ime…I ’
mt hankful youarethemotherof
mychi ldr
en.

KEDI:(
blushi
ngandl
ooki
ngdown)Ij
ustdot
he
bestIcan…

TEBATSO:Andthat
’smor
ethanal
otofwomen
do.Her
e,Igoty
ousomethi
ng…
Hehandedherasmal
ljewel
l
erybox
.She
openedi
tandsmil
ed.

KEDI
:OhmyGod,
Tebl
a,y
oudi
dn’
thav
eto….

TEBATSO:(
smi l
i
ng)Iwant
edt
o…her
e,l
etme
hel
pyouputiton.

Hesatupbehindherandl i
ft
edherbrai
ds,
putt
ingtheneckl
acearoundherneck
and…traci
nghisf
inger
sdownt hebackofher
neck.

TEBATSO:
Beaut
if
ul…sui
tsy
ou…

KEDI
:Thanky
ou…
Hebentdownandpl acedasoftkissonKedi ’
s
neck…ithadbeensolongsincehe’dbeenwi th
Bathsheba…hewasparanoi
daboutt he
pregnancysomuchhewasaf r
aidofbeing
i
ntimate…butshe’
dbesohur ti
fhecheat ed…

Hest oodupandwal kedovert othelake,

throwingstonesi nt
othewat erashewhi st
led.
Bot hofthem woul dbehurtactuall
y.He’d
promi sedBathshebahe’dnev ercheat
again…andst ar
tinganythi
ngwi thKedi r
ightnow
woul dhurtKeditoo…she’dstartexpecti
ng
thi
ngst hatwerenev ergoi
ngt obe.

*
***
***
*

ATLENTSWE’
SHOUSE
Lent
sweheldAmeliah’
shairbackasshethr
ew
upinthet
oil
etbowl,t
henhandedherthe
mouthwashtogaggleaft
erwards.

LENTSWE:
Youok?

AMELIAH:(l
aughing)whoevercal
l
edthi
s
morni
ngsicknessiscrazy
,thi
sshoul
dbecal
l
ed
al
ldaysi
ckness!

LENTSWE:(gent
lymassagi
nghertemple)Aww,
mypoorbaby.Iwisht
herewassomet hi
ngI
coul
ddotohelp.Anyt
hingyouarecr
av i
ng?
Anyt
hingy
ouwantmet ogetyou?

AMELI
AH:
Cany
ougetr
idofmyf
ather
?
LENTSWE:Car
efulwhatyouwishfor,
sweet
hear
t…Imightjust
.Nervousabout
tomor
row’
sheari
ng?Yout hi
nkhewilli
nter
fer
e?

AMELI AH:Ihopehejustst
aysburiedwher
ever
thefuckheis.ButIknowhebl amesmeand
Coltforhi
sfarm get
ti
ngattacked,sohemi
ght
j
ustcomef orus.Hescaresme, Lee…

LENTSWE: (
pull
inghertohischestandhugging
her)Hecan’thurtyouany more,Ameli
ah,you
knowt hat
,ri
ght?Hei sjustatoothl
essdog,and
i
fhedar estouchesy ou,I
’l
lbr
eakhisneckwi t
h
mybar ehands.Come, l
etmegi veyoua
massageont hebath.I’
verunyouanherbal
bath,mighthelpyour el
ax.
*
***
***
*

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Tshepewalkedinandt
hrewhi
sbagonthe
couch.Rebaonecametomeethi
minthel
ivi
ng
room andkissedhi
m.

REBAONE:
Howwasy
ourt
ri
pmyl
ove?

TSHEPE: (ki
ssi
ngher)Closetocompl eti
ngmy
mission.Youaremakinglasagne,myf avour
it
e.
Andy ougotalldol
ledupandIev enseeahi nt
ofthatsexyli
ngeri
epeepingatthecleavage.
Whatar eyouguil
tyof?

REBAONE:
(laughi
ng)Ah,
myhusband,
alway
s
sosuspi
cious!Can’
tIj
ustmi
ssy
ou?

TSHEPE:Missmesomucht
haty
ouhav
emy
brot
hersl
eepi
ngover
?

Shest
aredathi
mint
otal
shock.

REBAONE:Whatt
hef
uckTshepe,
youbugged
ourhouse?

TSHEPE:Whatt
hef
uckRebaone,
yousl
eptwi
th
mebrother
?

REBAONE: Jesus,cany oust opital

readywit
h
youri
nsecuri
ti
es?Maot ogotdr unkandslepton
thecouch.Hedidn’tevent ouchme, nowwoul d
Ihaveall
owedhi m.Eveni fhewast hatmuchof
adogtosleepwi
thhisbrother’
swife,you
shoul
dtr
ustmemor e!HaveIev ercheatedon
you?No,
sowhywoul dIstart?

Hepushedheral
lthewaytot
hewalland
chokedherwi
thonehandunt
ilshewasgaspi
ng
forbr
eath.

TSHEPE: (l
aughi ng)ifIfi
ndouty ousleptwi th
mybr other,Rebaone.I ’
m goingtokillyou, aci
d
yourbody ,andt henlaunchasear chpar t yfor
you.Ormay bejustlocky ouupsomewher e
nobodywoul dev erfi
ndy ou,j
ustkeepy out o
my sel
f.Andy ouknowt hatisnotat hreat .
(Ki
ssingherr oughl y
)Allthisismine…y ou
understand?( Runninghishandsuphert highs,
caressi
ngherboobs)Youar emypr oper ty.Do
yougeti t
?( shenodded)Il oveyou…doy oulove
me?
Shenoddedwi
tht
ear
srunni
ngdownhercheeks.

TSHEPE: Goodgi rl
( kissinghereyelids)now,
l
et ’
sgett othatdeliciousdi nneryoumade, hey?
(Rippi
ngopenherwr apdr ess,l
eavingherjusti
n
l
ingerie)Act ual
ly
,Ithi nkImi ghtstartwit
h
desser t
…r unninghisf i
ngersacrossher
cleavage)y ummy !
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
92
I
NCOURT

Thej
udgewal
kedi
nandcal
l
edcour
ttoor
der

TheMolosi
wal
awy
erst
oodupf
orhi
sfi
nal
wit
ness
LAWYER: I
nli
ghtoftherecentpresented
evidence,whi
chchall
engesCooperMol osiwa’
s
uncleaseligi
bleguar
dian,hencetheapplicati
on
forhisauntAmeliahCull
’sappli
cati
onf or
custody,I’
dli
ketocall
myr ebutt
al wi
tnessas
characterwit
nessfortheplai
nti
ff.

Theyal
llookedar
oundfort
hewitnessas
August
usCul l
walkedi
nandtookstand.

AMELIAH:Whatt
hef
ucki
sthi
s?Wher
ehashe
beeneven?

LAWYER: MrCul
l
,cany
ou…giv
ejustabri
ef
descr
ipt
ionofMsAmeli
ahCul
l’
schil
dhood?

AUGUSTUS:(
smil
inglooki
ngatAmel
iah)Li
ah,
Li
ah,mybabydol
lIsago…wel
l
,Ameli
ah
was…howdoIsayi
t?At
roubl
edchi
l
d.

LAWYER:
Elabor
ateont
hat
?

AUGUSTUS: Wespentt hefir

stfewy earsofher
l
ifeli
vingintheUS, whereAmel i
ah’smot her
wasf rom.See,Carol,Il
ovedher,butbyGod,
thatwasonet roubledgirl
.Herfami l
yreject
ed
hermar ri
agetoacol ouredman, cuther
off…andthatreall
yhither…shenev errecovered
from herpostpart
um depressionwi t
hLoago
Cull’
sbirt
h

WARONA: (shocked)Obj
ecti
on!Idon’
tseehow
mymot her
’sil
lnesshasanyt
hingtodowith
Amel
iah’sf
itnessasaparent!

JUDGE:
Sust
ained,
MrCul
l
,pl
easer
eachy
our
poi
nt?

AUGUSTUS: (
smi l
ingatWar
ona)Ameli
ah,l
ikeI
sai
d,shewasat r
oubl
edchi
ld.Mypoi
ntis,
my
daught
er…shei nher
it
edmanyofhermom’s
mentali
ll
nesses…

AMELI
AH:
Thati
snott
rue!

JUDGE:
MsCul
l
,or
derpl
ease…

AUGUSTUS: Caseinpoi
nt…impul sivenessli
ke
shejustshouted,despi
teherfinet rai
ningasa
l
awy erandunderstandi
ngofcour tproceedi
ngs.
Now, li
keIwassay i
ng…Amel i
ah, shehashad
problemsinthepast…atleastIhopei ti
snowin
thepast.Drugabuse…self-
mutilation…
AMELI
AH:
Iwasachi
l
dforGod’
ssake!

AUGUSTUS: AndMsCul l
’sprofessi
onal
court
esyisal
soinquestion…didyounot,
hav
e
anaffai
rwit
hMrThuoMor eriwhil
ehewasin
pri
sonandwasy ourcl
ient…amar ri
edmanwith
achil
d?

WARONA:
Obj
ect
ion!

JUDGE:
Sust
ained…goonMrCul
l
…

AUGUSTUS: And, mightIadd,Il

ovemy
daught
er,butI’vealwayssuspect
edherof
compulsi
vely i
nglikehermotherwasdiagnosed
wit
h…Amel iah…sheaccusedmeof …well
,
pai
nfulasitistosaybecauseIt r
ulyl
ovemy
daught
er,sheaccusedmeofsexual
harassment ,tol
dhert
eachersintheUS,andI
wasev al
uated,andt
heconclusi
onwast hat
she…lied…wehav esubpoenaedherrecor
ds
fr
om ther eand….

AMELIAH:(cryi
nghyster
ical
ly
)youarely
ing!
Youarelyi
ng,youknowwhaty oudidtome
dad…Idi
dn’tl
ie,your
apedme…andpai dthe
counsel
l
ors.IswearI’
m goingtoki
l
lyou…you
knowwhaty oudid…

JUDGE:
Order
!Or
der
!

AUGUSTUS: Andmi ghtIadd, vi

olenttoo…as
shownbyherr ecentt hreatt
ophy sicall
yharm,
ormi ghtIquote,kil
l me.Iam notper fectyour
honour ,
butthecour titselfi
sachar acter
wit
nesst omyper son.Iser v
edf ait
hfull
yasa
l
awy erandamagi strate.Nof aul
twasev er
foundwi thmeunt ilmyret
irementandpostt hat
uptonow.Iam ar esponsiblememberof
society,Idonatet ovari
ouschariti
es,mywife
headsv ariousy outhdevel
opmentgr oups,and,I
dohav eament orshipprogramsf oryoungmen
from thest r
eet,whof ol
lowmear ound,
shadowi ngmymov esandl ear
ninghowt o
bettertheirl
ives.

AMELI
AH: Mentor
shi
pmyass!Theyarey
our
cr
oni
es,y
ouf ucki
ngr
api
stgangst
er!

JUDGE:MsCull
!Iwi
llhav
eyouescor
tedf
rom
thi
scour
tri
ghtnow.

AUGUSTUS:Inthator
der,yourhonour,
Iwil
lli
ke
tor
equestf
orsolecustodyofmygr andson
CooperMol
osiwa.
COLTON:
Overmyf
ucki
ngdeadbody
!

JUDGE:Mr
sKgagodi
!Cont
rol
yourcl
i
ent
s
pl
ease!

AUGUSTUS: Iputmycharacteri
nli
netobe
evaluat
ed,andIpl
eadthatIonlybegi
ven
custodyift
hecourtf
indsmeandmywi f
efitto
parenthim.Aft
eral
l,
it’
sal
laboutthechi
ld,
isn’
t
i
t?

*
***
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SWORKSHOP

Kedi
satbaki
ngwhi
l
etal
ki
ngt
oOni
ka.
KEDI
:Wait
seboOni
kal
eaakol
a,y
ouboughta
newcar
?

ONIKA:(laughi
ng)Kebonakae?Thisi
sMaoto’
s
car…helentitt
omeonSat ur
day,andIdi
dn’
tget
achancegoebusamaabanebecauseIwasat
church.

KEDI: Maot
o?Theext hatyousayt reatedyou
l
ikey ouwerenothing,
madey oulosey ourself
-
esteem?Theexwhoi sbrothertothemany ou
areinlovewith?Whatareyoudoi ngOni ka,i
ja?
Ony etsweousi,don’
tfor
givethatont seo
adimanadi koloil
ediexjal
o.

ONI
KA:(r
oll
ingherey
es)Rel
ax,
JudgeJudy
!I
r
anoutoffuelandMaot
owasagood
Samari
tanenoughtolendmehi swhi
lehe
wait
edforhi
sfarm helper
stocomefuelmine
up.AndI’
m notinl
ov ewithKen,i
j
a.

KEDI
:Fi
ne…denyi
tal
lyouwant
…

ONIKA:I’
m notdenyinganyt
hingbecausethere
i
snot hi
ngtodeny.Ilovemyhusband.Ev en
though…ei
sh..
wait
seDesmal atsiamma…hei s
sodepressi
ng.Heisalwaysdepr essedhel
a,
koorekemmel ehelawithus.Hisheartandsoul
i
ssomewher eelse.

KEDI
:Keeng,
waj
ola?

ONIKA:I
’m suspect
inghewas,wit
hthedead
PA…nnagakesai t
segorekereng…ev
enthe
sexyaboranowaday s…gapemmaaf t
eryou
seeyourhusbandwithhisdi
ckonanother
man’smouth…Itel
lyou,sexwit
hhimjustl
oses
tast
e.Oipotsagor
eishet hi
nki
ngaboutmena
nalewena.

KEDI:That
’swhyyouaregetti
ngi
nvolv
edlebo
Maoto?Didn’ty
ousaythatguyorat
aweirdsex
mogobogi wangbathoandhandcuf
fsledi
chai
n?That’swhaty
ouwantt ogobackto?
That
’smessedupOni ka!

ONIKA: Bathong!I’
m notevenr emot el
y
i
nterestedinMaot o.Iwasinav er
ybadspace
withthatguy .Ihat
edmy selfandhadsuchl ow
sel
f-esteem.Anddon’ tknockBDSM unt i
lyoutry
i
t…di chaintseocanbef un,ij
a.Letmegokei se
Maot o’
scarmma( shefi
xedhercor setpush-up
braandr anherhandsacr osst helongplaid
ski
rtthathadat hi
ghsli
tinfront)Gakeahuhul a
akere,i
t’
shotthebatho!(
Takingoutsome
blott
ingpaperfr
om herpurseandblot
ti
ngher
face)

KEDI:(
laughi
ng)kar
eobusymmewadi
chai
n…tsamaa,osekasenyanyal
ontseo
l
atet
sedi chai
njal
o.Becar
eful
Onika.

ONIKA: Saysawomanwhoi spiningaf t

era
manaboutt ogetmarri
edandhast ol
dherhei s
notinterested.Youbecar eful
li
ttl
ecousi n.Nna
keisakol oihela.Gongwehaneel eKeny our
warningwoul dhavemeani ngf
ul.Maot okeraa,I
havenof eeli
ngsforhim atall
.Itwasj ustgood
sexhel a…fuckinggoodsex…damn!Idi dn’teven
knowwhatadom waswhenImethi m.And
nowIdon’ tthi
nkthereisadom asgoodashi m.

KEDI
:Oni
ka!
ONIKA: (laughing)What ?I
’mjustsay i
ng…gake
areket l
aadirasepe.Besi des, I
’m ashamedof
thatstuff.Youar et heonlypersonIhav eev er
tol
dt hatIwasi nthatBDSM wor l
d.Evenmy
husbandwhenheaskedmewhyIwasso
sexuallynaïveIt oldhim becausemyexandI
neverdi danything.Imean, whowant stot el
l
yourhusbandt haty ouusedt ogetchai nedand
havecandl ewaxpour edalloveryou.Hewoul d
haver anawayt hinkingI’
m afreak.Ij
o,by emma.
Letmegobef orei tgetsdark.

KEDI
:LennaIhavetogodel
i
vert
hissouf
fl
éat
Bat
hsheba’
shouse…Bye.

*
***
***
*
ATBATHSHEBA’
SHOUSE

Kediwal kedtothedooraboutt oknock.She

wasgoi ngtobr i
ngShebat hesouff
léTebatso
hador der edforher.Shest oodatthedoor
heari
ngherspeakt ohertwi nsi
ster.God,she
di
dn’tlikeBet hanyonebi t.Maybesheshoul d
havesentoneoft hestufftodeli
ver,butshe
wantedt ocheckinonBat hsheba.She’dfel
t
guil
tyforwi shingherchildwoul dhaveDowns
syndrome, andhadpr ayedf ort
hechildtobeok.

Shewasabouttoknockwhenshecaughtt
hei
r
conv
ersat
ion.

BETHANY: Iam sogl

adheisok,man.Iwas
worr
ied,wit
honeofthepotent
ial
fat
hershav
ing
amot herwhohadmentali
ssues…
BATHSHEBA:
Stopi
t,Tebat
soi
sthef
atherof
mychil
d…

BETHANY: Yea,wel
l
,Iguessit’
seasy
.Ifhe
comesoutwi t
hgreyeyeslooki
ngwhiteorat
l
eastmixed…

BATHSHEBA: Thatwon’thappen!Because
Tebatsoisthefather.ButIwaswor ri
ed
though…Imean, t
ohav egottenpregnantagai
n
socloseafterIhadtheabor t
ion…Ithoughtt
hat
wouldaffectmychi l
dorsomet hing.

BETHANY:Isti
ll
don’
tgetwhyy
oudi
dn’
tabor
t
agai
n…Ican’
timagi
neyouasamom.

BATHSHEBA:
Baone!Don’
tsayt
hatar
oundmy
chi
ld!And…Phoeni xandIhaveaconnecti
on…he
wasmyt ethertolifewhenIwasi nacoma.I
wil
lpr obablyneverloveanyotherchi
l
dbuthim
onl
y .Ican’twaittoholdhiminmyar ms.

Kediti
pt oedbacktohercaroutsidet
hegate,
coveri
nghermout hwithherhand.OhGod!Not
onl
ywast hechi
ldpossibl
ynotTebatso’
s,
BathshebahadabortedTebatso’schi
ldbef
ore?

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
93

ATTHEFARM

Maotosatatthetabl
einhisfarm of
fi
ce,going
t
hroughtheli
stofsuppl
iesheneededt oorder.
Heignor
edhisphoneagain,probabl
ythe
hundr edthcal lf
rom Gout a.Hewal kedt othe
mini fri
dgeandt ookoutacanofbeer ,wal ki
ng
backt ot hetableandopeni ngi t,
putt i
ngitnext
tothet hreeot herempt yones.Hewasj ustnot
i
nt hemoodt ogohomeandbey el
ledatabout
somei nsolentchi l
d…li
kehedi dn’thav eenough
pressur ealreadychoosi ngwhot obet r
ay,his
brotherorhi swi fe.AndGout awasbei ngr eal
ly
i
rri
tatingaboutt hewhol e‘ f
indMel ody ’t
hing.
Shewoul dn’tevenbemi ssingi fshewasn’ tso
i
nsol ent.Hewasev enstar i
ngt odet estgoing
homebecauseal ltheyev erdidwasf i
ght,and
allGout adidwassi tont hecouchandcr y.

Oni
kaknockedandwal
kedi
n.

ONIKA:
Dumelang…st
il
lst
ayi
ngbackt
owork
whenever
yoneel
sehasgonehomeIsee?
MAOTO:
(laughi
ng)amanhast owor
ktokeep
womenl
ookingpret
ty.Wassup’
?

ONIKA:Ibr
oughty
ourcar
…yousai
dIshoul
d
br
ingither
e.

MAOTO: Oh,thank…her
ear eyourcarkeys,ke
tsaaker eoebonewheny ougotin.Goingout?
Youl ooknice.ThoughI ’
dhavet osay ,
the
vil
lagegirlOnikawasmuchpr ett
ierthanthe
plasti
cBar bieI’
ml ooki
ngat.Youl ookli
kea
blackv ersi
onoft heKardashi
ans.

ONI
KA: (
laughi
ng)Lewenaoi
tset
he
Kar
dashi
ans?

MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)Am It
hatrur
alnemma?
Pl
aidhasalwayssui
tedyou.
PNIKA:(
blushing)thi
soldthi
ng?Ifounditatthe
backofmycl oset.Kennoneaker
ebabywei ght
i
srefusi
ngtogo, soIhavetowearoldclothes.

MAOTO:Well
…thebabywei
ghtsui
tsyou…(Her
br
eat
hshall
owedasshereal
izedj
usthowclose
hewasst
andingnextt
ohernow)

Hepul
leduphercor
set,
hisf
inger
scasual
l
y
gr
azi
nghercl
eavage.

MAOTO: yourcor
setisdroppi
ngdown…y ou
wouldn’
twantmeseei ngthi
ngsI’
m not
supposedtosee,wouldyou?(Hesmiledand
winkedather)

ONI
KA:
(bl
ushi
ng)Ishoul
dgo…
MAOTO: Youar
ewel cometost
ay…(Hishands
tr
ail
edhercl
avi
cle)whatar
eyoureal
l
ydoing
hereOni
ka?

Thedoorbur
stopenandTshepewal
kedi
n.

TSHEPE: Ohwow,
anotherman’
swif
eonyour
l
ist?Howmanywivesareyousl
eepi
ngwi
th
exactl
y?

MAOTO: Thanksforbri
ngingthecar,
Onika…see
youar
ound…go, Onika,now!Befor
ethismaniac
get
sviol
ent.

Tshepepunchedhi
m har
dint
hef
ace,
sendi
ng
hi
sstaggeri
ngback.
TSHEPE:Youfucki
ngdaresleepwi
thmywi
fe
andthencal
lmeamani acforit
?

Oni
kascreamedasTshepewentforhim agai
n,
Maotobl
eedingatt
heli
p,butnothi
tt
ingback
hi
sbrot
her.

MAOTO: Oni
ka!Leav
e!Ev
ery
thi
ngi
sunder
cont
rol
here.

TSHEPE: I’m goi

ngt okil
lyou.Yousleptwit
hmy
wife,di
dn’tyou?Iact ual
l
ythoughtyou’d
changed, andherey ouaregetti
ngfr
eakywi t
h
anotherman’ swife!Whatiswr ongwithyou
Maot o?(hemadet opunchhim againand
Maot oduckedt hi
st i
me)
MAOTO: (
wipingbl oodf rom hi smout h)Ok,
enough,damni t!Hitmeagai nandI ’
m goingto
knockyourlightsof f!Ididn’tsleepwi t h
Rebaone,andi fIfindouty ouhur therbecause
youareani nsecurel it
tl
eshi t,Iam goi ngto
seri
ouslyi
njurey ou, Tshepe.Yougotagood
wifeandy outreatherwi t hsuspi cionwhi l
eyou
aretheoneal way sgal l
iv
ant ingar ounddoi ng
Godknowswhat !Gety our selftogetherorget
thefuckoutofmyf arm bef orey oupi ssmeof f
.

*
***
***
*

ATLENTSWE’
SHOUSE

Lent
swesatont
hesof
abedcuddl
i
ngAmel
i
ah

AMELI
AH:
(sobbi
ng)Hemademel
ookl
i
kea
mentalcase,
Lee…howcoul dheli
eli
ket
hat?
Whyismyf atherl
i
kethis?Ij
ustdon’
t
under
stand.Howcouldamanbesospi tef
ul
agai
nsthisownchildr
en?

LENTSWE:Whateverhaunt
sthatmanisdeep,
youhavet
obear eall
ysadpersoni
nsi
detodo
whathedoes…

AMELIAH:Pl
usImademat ter
sworse.Nowhe
hascust
odyofCooper
!Ijustwant
edtohel
p
andImadeitwor
se(sobbing)

LENTSWE: Heynow,don’
tblameyour
self
…even
Coltunder
standsanddoesn’
tbl
ameyou.We’ll
fi
ndawayt ogetCooperbacktohi
sparents.

AMELI
AH:
How,
Lee?Judgesar
eal
ready
boughtandpai
dforbef oret
heygototri
alwhen
i
tinvol
vesmyfather.Iknewwelostthe
momentIsawmyf atherwalki
n.Col
twillnev
er
getCooper’
scustodyagain…

LENTSWE: HecouldifAugustusisn’
tstandi
ng
i
ntheway …trustme.I’
ll
findawayt ogetpast
hi
shoundsandmakehi m payforeveryhurthe
hasevercausedyou.

*
***
***
*

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedipacedaroundner
vousl
y.Tebat
sowas
goingtobeinwitht
hekidsanyti
me,whatdi
d
shesaytohim?Shouldshetel
lhim?Maybeshe
should.
Sheshookherhead.Whatarey oudoing,
Kedibonye,
whenhasgetti
ngamant hrough
anotherwoman’st
earseverbeenagoodi dea?
Thiswassonother.Lovecanmadeonedo
weirdthi
ngshuh?

Besides,Bat
hshebahadbeengoodt oher,t
he
psychoshewasandev eryt
hing.From t he
sni
ppet sshegotfrom people,Shebawasn’ tjust
mean, shecouldbedownr i
ghtruthless, y
etshe
l
etherof fwit
hmessi ngwi t
hTebat so.Sheev en
hel
pedherwi ththatChar l
esthing,shecoul dbe
i
npr i
sonbynowi fShebahadn’ twal kedinand
convincedhernottor eport
,herchildr enwould
endupi nSOS…

Butcoul
dshereal
l
yli
etoTebatso?God,
why
di
dshehavetoheart
hat!Whydidshear
riv
e
j
ustatthemomenttheyweret
alki
ngaboutal
l
t
hat?Talkaboutwr
ongti
ming.

Tebat
sowalkedinpushi
ngBlessing’
sstroll
er,
Neori
dingatthebackofi
t,whi
leMaduor an
behi
ndthen.Theywereal
ll
aughinghappily,
MaduoandNeoeacheat i
nganicecr eam.

TEBATSO:I
fyouaremadaboutt heicecream
bef
oredi
nner…wecanexpl
ain.Wej ust
…foundit
!
Li
ke,weweretr
yingt
oavoi
di tandall…

KEDI
:(l
aughing)foundit
,huh…guesswhatwe
ar
ehavingfordinnert
hen, si
nceyoual
ready
i
ndul
gedinunheal t
hyfortheday.Spi
nach,y
eay
!

Shelaughedast
heal
lsul
ked,
befor
ethef
ed,
bat
hedandputtheki
dstosl
eep.
KEDI:Youguy
shadf un?Sorr
yIcoul
dn’
tcome.
ThatKgosi
morebusinesswasopeni
ngandI
hadtobether
eforthecater
ing.

TEBATSO:Yourl
oss,i
twassof un.Theyhada
j
umpingcastl
eandall
,butNeneandIar egoing
bi
gonherbirt
hday,bi
ggerjumpingcastl
es,
evenacl
own,alargeElsacake…weal r
eady
pl
annedit
.

KEDI
:(l
aughi
ng)akaKediyouhavetofind
j
umpingcast
lesandbakeElsacakes,
huh?

TEBATSO: (Laughing)onlybecauseyouar eso

goodati t!ButhonestlythoughKedi,Iam
grateful
forev ery
thingyoudof oreveryone.
(Takingbot hherhandsi nhisandcaressing
them softl
y)Al l
I’
v eeverdonewasbr eakyour
heartrepeatedly,butyou’vealwaysbeenthere
formet hroughev erythi
ng…Iknowy ouusedt o
comewhenIwas…t hatti
mewhenIwasi nthe
hospit
al.Youwer eheav i
lypregnantandstart
ing
abusiness,y etyoucameal ltheway…Imaynot
haverecogni sedany one,butIknewwhenev erit
wasy ou…y ouar ealway sherewhenIneedt o
tal
k…thanky ou…

KEDI:(
smili
ngwit
htear
sinherey
es)i
t’
s
not
hing,r
eall
y…

TEBATSO: I
t’
severy
thi
ng…Idon’
tknowwhatI’
d
dowithoutaKedii
nylif
e…andI’
m sor
ryabout
Bon,butheisnotgoodfory
ouKedi.

KEDI
:Tebat
so,
please…I
…
TEBATSO: No, Ican’tlethi
m playyouli
ket hat.
Whatki ndofper sonisalway str
avel
li
ngforno
reason?Whati shehi ding?Andhedoesn’ tev en
haveapr operj
ob…j ustar i
chkid…awomanl ike
you,youdeserv ebetter…youaresmar t
,st
r ong,
beautif
ulandsohonest …Imayl oveSheba, butI
don’tknowifther ei
saper sonItr
ustmoret han
youinthisworld…

Hewi
pedhersof
ttear
sandki
ssedherf
orehead.

KEDI:Tebat
so…I
…I…t
her
eissomet
hingIneedt
o
tel
lyou…

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
94
ATAUGUSTUSHI
DEOUT

August
ussatdownont
hesof
awi
thhi
smen.

AUGUSTUS:
Sohashedoneany
thi
ngy
et?

MAN: Idon’tknowifheev encar

es,wearestil
l
wait
ing.May beit
’sbecauseit
’snothis
bi
ologicaldaught
er.Kantewhydon’twejustgo
st
raighttoTshepeandt akehim out
?

AUGUSTUS: (
laughing)y outhinkitwill
bethat
easy?Besides, I
’
m don’ twantTshepedead.I
wantinf
ormat ionont heor ganizati
onhewor ks
for
.Buthei stool oyalandwoul dnev ergi
veit
up.Gett
ingMaot otodot hi
s,wecancont i
nuall
y
usehimt osteal i
nfofrom Tshepeandt hr
eaten
him wi
thexposi nghisf i
rstbetrayal
.
MAN:Orwecoul
djustgost
raighttohi
m and
f
orcehi
m…l
etmygundot hetalki
ng.

AUGUSTUS: ( l
aughi ng)y ouar enaïve…y ouwant
Maot oKgagodi knowi ngy ouarebehi ndthis?
Hei scrazylikehi suncl eDenni s,andwheni t
comest ohi sf amily,thatmanwoul dripa
personlimbt ol i
mbwi thhisbar ehands.Unl i
ke
hisprotocolf oll
owingbr other,Maotoi sli
ket he
restoftheMmusi ,hei sav i
olentanimal with
veryli
tt
leself -r
estraint.Giv ehimtime, he’l
ldo
aswewant ,he’ l
ldoany thingtopr ot
ecthi s
chil
dren,incl
udi nghi swi fe’schil
d.Howi sour
mygr anddaught erdoing?

MAN: Pr
obabl
ysleepi
ngbynow…shei
safeist
y
one…shespentthedaybangi
ngt
hedoorl
i
kea
maniacherev
erywakingmoment
…
AUGUSTUS: Iwanty outoroughherupabi t…
takepi
ctur
esandsendt hem tohim.That
shoul
dmot i
vatehim.Ihav etogonow…byt he
way,sendmet hoseMel odypictur
estoo,sheis
suchacutelit
tl
ething,mygr anddaught
eris…

Melodypressedherearcl osertothedoor,
l
ist
eningwiththewat ergl
asstheyhadbrought
herwaterinearl
ier .OhmyGod!Hergr anddaddy
?
Andtheywer egoi ngtogetMaot oinawholelot
oftr
ouble…shedi dn’tli
ketheman,but…damn,
shehadt ocall
him.Shehadt ogetaphone.

ATTHEFARM

Maotowal
kedaroundt
hefarm per
imet
er
checki
ngt
hepaddockst
rengt
hwhenKwapa
drovei
n.Hewalkedupt
ohi
m andpunchedhi
m
hardonthef
ace.

MAOTO: (
rubbi
nghi
sface)honest
ly,
youpeopl
e
needtost
opdoingt
hat…am Iwri
tt
enpunchi
ng
bagsomewhere?

KWAPA: Stayawayf
rom Oni
ka,youknowthe
damagey oudidt
othatgi
rl
?Howf ragi
l
eand
i
nsecur
eshewaswhenshel ef
tyou…

MAOTO: (
laughing)Tissuchal
i
ttl
ebi
tch,
you
know!Soher antobigbro?

KWAPA: Honestl
yMaot o,howcouldy
ousl eep
withTshepe’swi
fe,andyouknowhowIf eel
aboutOnika!Andyouaremar r
ied,
Goutaloves
you!
MAOTO: Idi
dn’tsl
eepwi t
hRebaone, Onikais
herownperson,shedoeswhatshewant s,and
youareonetotalkaboutfidel
it
y.Hell
,youhave
agirl
youngenought obey ourdaughterli
vi
ngin
yourhousewhoy oustil
lcheaton,somy
marri
ageisnoneofy ourbusiness.

KWAPA: Whatt
hehelli
swr ongwit
hyou,
Gout a
i
ssadaboutherchi
ld,whoisprobabl
ymissi
ng
becauseofy
ourgangsterways…

MAOTO: (l
aughing)r
eally?Youwanttoknow
whatiswrongwi t
hme?BecauseIwi l
ltel
lyou,
brot
her!See,
whenf atherdied,
myolderbrother
whowassupposedt ohelpmet akecareofthe
famil
yranofftotheUKl i
keal i
tt
lebi
tch…
KWAPA:
Iwasgoi
ngt
ocol
l
ege!

MAOTO: Iwas17!Iwasaf uckingt eenandy ou

were21!Wehadt woyoungersi bli
ngsanda
gri
evi
ngmot her
.Yes,sheisy ourmot hertoo
becausethatwomanr ai
sedy ouf rom birt
h!You
hadaf amil
ytolookoutforandy oubai l
edonus!

KWAPA:
Maot
opl
ease…

MAOTO: No, shutupKPandl etmesaymy

piece.Everyoneexpectsmet oalwayscome
throughforal l
ofyou,theny ouwantt ojudge
me?Youaskwhati swr ongwi thme?Wel l
,I
didn’thaveachi l
dhood.Ididn’tgettogot o
partiesandhav efunandchasegi r
lsandgeta
collegeeducationli
key ouandTshepedi d!The
farm wasi ndebtsandgoi ngt oshit
s,wewer e
goingt oendupont hestreets.Youallwantto
callmeagangst er?Fuck, I
’llbeagangst er
becausemebei ngagangst eri showy ouhav e
thatfancyv etcl inicofy ours.What ,y out hink
themoneyIputi nitcamef rom t heai r
?The
reasonTcoul ddr opoutofcol legeandbe
useless, t
her easonMosi tii
ssuchaspoi led
brat…ther easonmmesur vi
v edherdepr essi on
andhasal i
feshei swor thyof …t hisfarm…wher e
doy out hinkitall camef r
om, because, br other,
yourfat herwasdi rtbrokewhendi ed!Doy ou
knowwhatIhadt odo?Gr ov elli
ngatUncl e
Dennisf eet…thatmanwascr uel, man…y ou
don’tknowt heki ndoft hingshemademe
do…me, DJ, Mmusi …rightnow, notknowi ng
wher eMel odyi s…Ikeept hinki ng, whati ft he
samef ateIputont hosegi rl
sbef ellher?Whati f
sheisbei ngauct ionedt osomeper vertin
Mozambi quer i
ghtnow?Kar mai sabi t
ch, so
yea,Ialreadybl amemy selfenough, thepoor
gir
lcoul dbegoi ngt hroughhel l becauseofwhat
Ididtosur v
ive…
KWAPA:
Maot
o…I
…Idi
dn’
tknow…

MAOTO: Iknowt hekindofl if

eIl ivedandt hati
t
maycomet ohauntmeoneday …Isawmy
uncle’
sdaught er
, beaten,bloodied, r
apedand
droppedathi sdoor st
ep, andev erynightsince
Mel wentmi ssi
ng…ev erymor ningIopent he
doorI’
ml it
erall
yshaki ngbecausewhati fI’m
metwi t
ht hesamescene?That ’swhyIdon’ t
wanttogohome.Now, leave…pl ease.I
’dliketo
bealone.

*
***
***
*

ATAUGUSTUS’
HIDEOUT

ThedooropenedandMel
odybackedawayt
o
thecornerastheguyadv ancedtowar dsher.He
slappedherhard,andpull
eduphert -shirt
,
teari
ngit.Shescreamedandgr abbedont ohi
m
ashehi theracoupleoftimesbef or
et aki
ngout
hisphoneandt akingafewpictures.

Shesmi ledashewal kedout ,

lockingherback
i
n.Thest upidmotherfuckeralwayscar r
iedtwo
phones.Thet i
nyveryold-schoolSamsung
galaxythathadbeeni nhispocketwasnowi n
hershor t
spocket.Shehadt oactf astbefor
ehe
noticeditwasmi ssi
ng.Assoonasshehear d
them goout sidet
opl ayfootballl
ikethey
usuallydid,shestar
teddi al
li
ng…

Goutawouldspendtoomuchtimebeing
emotional
andprobabl
ygethercaught
…the
phonerangsever
alti
mes.
MELODY:
Answerpl
ease…pl
ease…God…pl
ease…

MAOTO:
Hel
l
o?

MELODY:i
tsgranddaddyCul
l
!Heist
heone
whotookme!Pleasecomegetme!

MAOTO:Mel?Babygi
rl
,i
sthaty
ou?Ar
eyouok?
Di
dtheyhur
tyou?

MELODY: No,I
’
mf i
ne.Please…I ’
m scared…they
wanttokeepusi ngy ou,whatev ertheyasked
youtodo, don’
tdoi tbecauset heywi l
ltr
apy ou
wit
hit.Pleasecomegetme…. please.Ipromise
Iwil
lbegood!I’l
l nevereventalkt oTunaandI ’
ll
doallthehousewor kandgetgoodgr adesand
nevertal
kback…Pl ease…
MAOTO: Mel
,youaremydaught er
,youdon’t
havetomakesuchpromises.ButIcanpromise
youAugust
usCulli
sgoingtopayf ort
his.Do
youknowwhereyouare?

MELODY:No…Ist
olet
hephonef
rom oneoft
he
guy
’spocket
s.

MAOTO: Al
ri
ght.It
hinkIcantal
ktoBasseyand
havethi
scal
ltr
aced.Iwantyoutoputthat
phonebackwit
houthim not
ici
ng.

MELODY:No…Idon’
twantt
obealoneher
e…I
wannat
alktomymommy …Ihavetocal
lagai
n
t
oseeifyouar
ecoming…pl
ease…

MAOTO: Del
etethecalll
ogandsl
idei
tbackin
hi
spocket.I
ftheyreal
i
zey out
ookitt
heywil
l
mov
eyou.Ipr
omi
sey
ou,
I’
m comi
ngt
ogety
ou!

MELODY:
Ok,
bye,
theyar
ecomi
ng…Ihearhi
m.

Shehungupanddelet
edthecal
ll
og,
then
star
tedscr
eami
ngandbangingt
hedoor.The
guycametoopen,
agitat
ed.

HI
M:IswearI
’
m goi
ngt
oki
l
lyou…

Melodyt
hrewhersel
fathi
m andkeptpunchi
ng
hi
m onthechest
,try
ingt
opushout.

MELODY:
Letmego!Pl
ease,
Iwon’
ttel
lany
one!

Theguypushedherbackt
owar
dst
hewal
land
wal
kedout.
HI
M:I
fyouscr
eam ormakenoi
seagai
n…I
’
ll
r
apey
ou.Now,got
osleep!

Hel ockedthedoorandshesmi l
ed.Mi
ssion
accompl i
shed,she’
dputthephonebackonhis
pocket.PleaseGod,letMaotocome…theway
thosemenl ookedatherli
keshewassome
deli
cioussteak…itwassocreepy!

*
***
***

ATAUGUSTUSHOUSE

Augustuswalkedi
nandfoundGabositti
ngata
sofa,wit
hCoopersi
tt
ingi
nthecorner
,tears
stai
ninghisf
ace.
GABO:Idon’
tevenknowwhyyoubroughtt
his
br
athere.Hewon’
teatandi
sgiv
ingthemaida
pr
obl
em.

AUGUSTUS:
Boy
,comeher
e.Whywon’
tyoueat
?

COOPER:(
standi
ngupdef
iant
ly)Iwantmy
daddy
!

AUGUSTUS: Ahot headjustl i

keLoago!You
havef i
vesecondst oeaty ourfoodbef oreI
smacky ouupsidelikeyourst upidfather.Eat!
(Hegr abbedCooper ’sdinnerfrom thet ableand
pushedi ttohisface.Coopersmackedi twi t
h
hishandandi tspi
ll
edall overAugust us)what
the…thener veofthi
sl i
tt
lebast ard!(He
smackedhi m hardacrosst heface,sendi nghim
fall
i
ngtot hefloorwit
hat hud)youar egoingto
eatthefoody ouwast edri
ghtfr
om t hefloor
…
(Hedraggedacr yi
ngCooperbyt heneckand
pushedhisf aceintot
hef l
oorwherer iceand
stewhadspi ll
ed)You’ll
eatever
ybi tofthis
food…eat!Ory ouwantanotherslap?

Cooperstart
edeati
ngfrom t
hefloor,sobbi
ng
heavi
ly.Gabosatonthesofapaint
inghernail
s
i
ndiff
erentl
y,whi
let
hemaidr anofftothe
ki
tchencryi
ng.

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
95

‘
Youbelongtoyourfat
her,t
hedevi
l
, andyou
wantt
ocarryoutyourfat
her’
sdesi
res….’
‘
Mot herpl
ease…please…I’
m sor
ry.Idi
dn’tmean
tobreakit
,itj
ustf
ell…Iwashungry,Iwantedt
o
getsomebr eadandt hegl
assfel
l.’

‘
Li key ourf at
her,youarepureev i
l,andnot hing
from y oucanev erbegood.’Hest aredather
crazedey eswi thpleaassheadv ancedt owards
him wi ththebr okenglass…grabbinghi slit
tle
hands…hescr eamedast hebloodgushedf r
om
thedeepcut sshewasmaki ngonbot hhi s
wr ist
s…. herhandsmov i
ngupt ohiscl eftli
p,
cut ti
ngitf urt
her…themet al
li
ctasteofbl ood
fi
llinghismout h…suchraget hefoultaster ose
i
nhi m…

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOME
Maot
owalkedi
nandf
oundGout
aser
vingt
he
ki
dspi
zza.

GOUTA:Wherehavey
oubeenal
lday
…I’
vebeen
t
ryi
ngtocal
lyou…

MAOTO:Notnow,
Gout
a…I
’
vegott
ogo
somewher
e…

Shef
oll
owedhimtothebedr
oom asheopened
hi
ssafeandt
ookoutbothhi
sguns.

GOUTA:Whatar eyougoingtodo…Moat o,y

ou
promi
sedme, nomor egangsteract
ivi
ti
es…no
morekil
li
ng…you’l
lendupjustli
ketheMmusi
andyouruncl
eDenni s…
MAOTO:
Youwantmet
ogetourdaught
erback?

GOUTA:Youf
oundher?(
Shemov edinand
huggedhi
mti
ghtl
y)Di
dtheyhur
ther?Isshest
il
l
al
ive?

MAOTO: Shei sf
ine.I’
ll
haveherhomeby
morning…takecareoftheot her
s…(Hegrabbed
herandkissedherroughly)Ilovey
ou,ok?I
al
way swil
l,nomat t
erwhat …Takecar
eofour
ki
ds,andMel odywillbeback…

GOUTA:Youtoo…youalsocomebacktome
MaotoKgagodi,
don’
tfucki
nggi
vemet hi
sfi
nit
e
goodby
e…Iloveyou,
andIneedyouback…

Hef
lashedherasmi
l
eashewal
kedout
.
GOUTA:
Maot
o?

MAOTO:
Yea?

GOUTA:
Maket
hem pay
….

MAOTO:
Iint
endt
o…

*
***
***
*

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Amel
i
ahsatwi
thBat
hsheba,
pai
nti
nghernai
l
s.

BATHSHEBA:
Thesonofabi
tch!Ican’
tbel
i
eve
he’
dli
eliket
hataboutwhathedi
dtoy
ou.I
swearIcoul
dgostrangl
ehim!

AMELI AH: Yea,thatdayincourtconvi

ncedme
ther
ej usti
sn’tanygoodi nmydad.Heknows
Cooperi stheonl yt
hingthat
’skeepingCol
ton
from spir
alli
ng,andhet ookhim away.

BATHSHEBA:Kanteenemmewhatmadehim
l
iket
his?Whatt
urnedhimi
ntosuchadev
il
…

AMELI AH: Eish…y

ouknow, t
hat’
sthereasonI
havefeltsobadf orhimf orsolongandkept
tr
yingtopl easehim…allstudyi
nglawand
everyt
hing.Idon’tthi
nkheev ertol
danyonebut
mymom, andmymot hertoldmeonedaywhen
shewasl ucid…
BATHSHEBA:
Whathappened?

AMELI AH: Well,wel ookal mostf ullyCaucasi an

because…myf ather’
smom waswhi tetoo.
Glenda, t
hatwashername.Apr operchur chgirl
,
l
ivedi nani cesubur bwi t
hherpr isti
nesoci ety
andev er
ything.Itwast heapar thei derai n
SouthAf rica…onherwayf rom chur choneday ,
shewasat t
acked, beat enandr aped.Amont h
l
atert hefami lyfoundoutshewaspr egnant.
Becauset heywer esohol l
yandChr i
stian,
abortionwasoutoft hequest ions, soshewas
sentawayt ol i
veandr aiset hehal fblackchi l
d
i
nhi ding.Act uall
yAugust usmar riedmymot her
becauseofherv eryst r
ikingr esembl ancet o
Glenda…t al
lbeaut i
ful whi t
egi r
l,blondehai r
,
greyey es…justlikeGl enda…mot hertoldme.
Sayst her easonWarwasal waysspar edwas
becauseshewast heonl yonewhol ooks
nothinglikeGl enda.Bot hCol tandIhav eher
gr
eyey
esandhai
rcol
or…

BATHSHEBA:Damn…sohowdidhef i
ndhis
pat
ernal
famil
y?Bomma-Thebeandall?How
di
dhegethislawdegr
eeandever
ythi
ng?

AMELI AH:OnlyGodknowswhathewent
throughtofi
ndthem orhow…hewas13when
Glendadied,
that’
sal
l Iknow.

*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Colt
onsatlooki
ngatpi
cturesofCooperonhi
s
phone.Whatwasthebastarddoi
ngtohisson
ri
ghtnow?Howcouldnooneseej usthowevi
l
t
hatmanwas?

Hisphonestart
edr
ingi
ng…Mar
y,t
heCul
l
housekeeper
.

COLTON:
Aunt
yMar
y?Hel
l
o?I
sCoopok?

MARY:Loagoy ouhavetocomegethim.
Pl
ease…takehim,run…getoutoft
hecount
ry.
Whatev
er,justcomegethim.

COLTON:
(fumi
ng)whatdi
dhedot
ohi
m?

MARY: Ri
ghtnowhehasabl ackeyeanda
swoll
enlip….hemadehi m eatfrom t
hefloorl
i
ke
adog…pleaseLoago…Ibegy ou,Ican’
tdomuch,
butwatchinghim suf
ferli
kethis…it
’ski
ll
i
ngme.
Hehungupandsmashedhi sphoneagainstt
he
wallashottearsstreamedf rom hi
sface.Thi
s
wasenough…enough!Whathedi dtohis
mother…tohim,t opoorLitt
leLiah…t
oB…and
nowt ohisson?Hegr abbedhiscarkeysand
drov
eof ftohislab.

*
***
***
*

ATKWAPA’
SHOUSE

Kwapahelpedhisdaughterwasht
hedi
shesas
theyt
alkedaboutcol
lege.

NAVANI:Honest
lydad,f
ashi
oni
sli
kethet
hing!
Icoul
dfashi
onbloggi
ngorwhat
ever
.
KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)av
eter
inar
yfashionbl
ogger
,
huh?Whatareyougoi
ngtomake, t
rendydog
mitt
ens?

NAVANI:(
laughi
ng)Hey,
that
’sat
hing,
ok!I
coul
dbecomeami ll
i
onair
efr
om i
t!

KWAPA: Oookay…whendi
dyoubecomeall
aboutmoney?Iknewyouwenti
ntovet
eri
nary
becauseyoulov
edtheani
mals?

NAVANI:Ido,butmoneygivesyoupower
,dad.
Andpower,well
…Icoul
dfinall
ymakepeopl
epay
fort
hei
rsins…

KWAPA: What
?Whodar
edwr
ongedmy
pr
incess?
Shel
ookedawayt
ear
ingup…

KWAPA:
Vani
,what
’swr
ong,
baby
?

NAVANI :
Ithi
nk…Ithi
nkIsawMel ’
shair
pini
n
grandad’
scaryest
erday…whatifhe…whatif
…
I
…i t
’sj
ust
…grandadisnotthesaintever
yone
thi
nksheis.

KWAPA:
Whatdi
dhedo,
Nav
ani
?

NAVANI :Henever
…uhm…wel l
,whenIwasf iv
e
andwest ayedwit
hhim…heusedt o…well
,he
didn’
ttouchmeorany t
hing.He’dcomei nthe
bathroom whenItookabat handjustst
ood
therewatchi
ng…he’ddi
rectmewher eto
wash…mademeputmyf ingeri
n…he…het ook
v
ideoswi
thhi
scamer
a…pl
easedon’
ttel
lmama.

KWAPA:Thesonofabi
tch!Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me,Vani
?

NAVANI:Idi
dn’
tknowitwaswrongt hen…but
whenIthi
nkofi
t…whatkindofgrandpadoes
that
?WhenIsawMel ’
shair
pin,
wi t
hhermi ssi
ng
andall
…

KWAPA: (
huggi
nghim)wi
l
lyoubeokpr
incess?
I
’l
lbebackinabit
.

*
***
***
*

ATLENTSWE’
SOFFI
CE
Lentswel ookedatt hemanymoni torsinf ront
ofhisdesk.Al together21meni nthepr oper t
y.
Buthewassodamnsi ckofthe‘August usi s
untouchabl e’
shit.He’dhur thi
sLiahbadl y ,and
theonlywayAmel i
ahwasev ergoi
ngt ofind
peacewaswhent hatbast ardwasgone.He’ d
havet ofindawayi nbesi desthepr esenceof
August us’sgoons.Tebat sowalkedi nwi t
hMox
besideshi m.

TEBATSO:
Ready
?

LETSWE:sI
’
llev
erbe…t
hanksf
ordoi
ngt
hisf
or
me,Tebl
a…y
outooMox…

TEBATSO: Any onemesseswit

hmycousi n,
messeswi thme.Andy ouknowLi ahi
smy
buddy.Ican’tknowanyonehurtheranddo
nothi
ngabouti t.
MOX: AndTebatsoismybr other
,wehavebeen
thr
oughev er
ythi
ngtogether
,soifheneeds
somethingdone?I’
mi n.

LENTSWE:Ok,l
et’
sgo.I
’v
egotthewhol
ear
e
sur
vei
ll
ancer
ighther
einmyphone.

*
***
***
*

ATTSHEPE’
SHOUSE

Tshepef inishedhiscallwit
hhisboss.Protocol
smot ocol!Thatfuckingbastardkil
l
edhisuncl e
i
ncol dbl oodandt heyexpectedhimt owai
tf or
somef uckingrules?ForAugustustoget
arr
est ed?Fuckt hat!Augustusdeserv
edasl ow
death.Kgodumowasbasi call
ytheonlyfat
her
hehadeverknown.AndAugust
ustookhi
m
away.Pay
back’sbi
tch.Hegr
abbedhi
sduff
el
bagandheadedout.

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
96

OUTSI
DECOLTON’
SPLACE

Col
tont
ookouthi
sphoneasher
odeoutoft
he
l
abandcal
ledhi
sfr
iend.

KWAPA: Colt
…br
o,I
’vebeenmeani
ngtocall
y ou,
I
’m sosorr
yaboutt
hatthi
ngwit
hyourwif
e,I….

COLTON: Fuckyou…rememberwhenWarona
hadthatprobl
em andal
landyouneededmy
hel
phandl
i
ngi
t?

KWAPA:
Yea?

COLTON: Timetopaybackaf av
our…Ihavean
August
uspr obl
em…hegavemyboyabl ack
eye…I
’m donewitht
hisshi
t,i
tneedstoend…

KWAPA: Welldamn…wasaboutt ogohavea

chatwit
htheman…butt hatsoundsmuchbet
ter
.
Guyhurtyoubad,Col
t,andI’
dbehappytosnap
hi
ml i
keat wi
g.

COLTON:
Yes…meetmet
her
ejustout
sidet
he
pl
ace.

*
***
**
Lentswe,Tebat
soandMoxst oodoutsi
dethe
vastfar
m watchingthemovementonLentswe’
s
phone.Theylookedbackwhentheyheard
someonewal kbehindthem.

MAOTO: Whatt
hef
uckar
eyouguy
sdoi
ngher
e
sol
ate?

LENTSWE:
Coul
dasky
out
hesamequest
ion…

MAOTO:
Cul
ltookmydaught
er…

LENTSWE: Heneedst
ogof
ormywi
fet
obe
fi
nal
lyhappy…

Tshepewal
kedoutf
rom t
heshadows
TSHEPE:
Wel
l
,bast
ardki
l
ledmyuncl
e…

MAOTO:WhatthefuckT,whatar
eyoudoi
ng
her
e,gohome,
thisisdanger
ous…

TSHEPE: (
laughi
ng)Noof f
encebigbro,butI
probabl
ycanhandlet hi
salonemuchbet t
er
thanall
ofy ouputtogether.Andl
ikeIsaid,Cul
l
tookoutKK.I’m makinghim pay.

Twobikespar
kedbehi
ndthem andCol
tonand
Kwapawalkedoutt
othem…

MAOTO: Great
,weshoul
djustbur
stouta
soundsyst
em andthr
owupabash…whatt he
fucki
sitwi
t hyout
wonow?
KWAPA:Busi nesstohandle…sameasy ouI
guess.Vanitoldmeshef oundMel ’
shair
pinon
Cull
’
scar,Iwasgoi ngtohandlethatforyou
babybro…andhehi tmygodsont oo,sofuck
hi
m…buthowexact lydoyouplanont aki
ngout
amansur roundedlikeCull
is?

MAOTO:
Yout
hinkIcar
eaboutt
hatshi
t?

COLTON: Youshoul
di fyouwantt
omakeitout
ther
eali
ve.Thosehoundsofhiswill
bul
l
et
peppery
oul i
keaChristmasroast
.

MAOTO:
So,
what
’sy
ourpl
an?

TSHEPE:Si
nceev
ery
onei
sont
hiski
l
lCul
l
missi
on,
Imayhaveapl
an.
*
***
***

AtKedi
’
sHouse

Kedisatal
onethinki
ng.Shehadn’thadtheguts
totel
lTebat
so…agoodt hi
ngtoobecauseit
wasnothersecrettotel
l.I
fBathsheba’
schil
d
wasnotTebatso’s,t
hatwasnotherbusiness.

AndTebat sodidn’
tloveher.Thefastershe
acceptedthatfactthebett
er.Shehadt wogirl
s
now…shedi dn’twantthem growingupt he
samewayshedi d…wat chi
ngthei
rmot her
beggingforlov
ef rom amanwhodi dn’
tloveher.

Itdestr
oyedher,r
eal
lydi
d.Hermot
her’
s
alcohol
ism,ever
ythi
ngwasduetohol
dingon
fortoolong.Li
fewassuchav i
ciouscircl
eli
ke
that.Nomat t
erhowy oungy
out hi
nky our
chil
drenare,whatyoudowithyourli
feisa
bluepri
nttothem.Theyarewat
ching…andar e
l
ikelytoimit
ateyou.

Shewasnotgoingtosetherdaught
ersi
nthi
s
sel
f-
dest
ruct
ivepat
h.

Herphonerangandshel
ookedati
tfora
moment.Bon.

KEDI
:Bonno…

BON:Hi…Ijustwantedtocheckonyou…Iknow
youar
eallaboutyourbabydaddyandal
l,
but…
KEDI
:I’
m donewi
tht
hat
…

BON:Great
,socanwehangoutl
ater
?Imi
ss
you,
canIcomepickyouup?

KEDI:Li
sten,
Bonno…Iknowwhaty ouwant
fr
om mei smorethanf
ri
endshi
p,anditwi
ll
be
unfai
rofmet ogi
veyouanyhope.I
’m
unavail
abl
e…

BON: It
houghty
ousai
dyouwer
edonewi
th
yourbabydaddy?

KEDI:Iam…butIam notdonewi t
hmy sel
f…I
haveissues,Bon…allmyli
feIwatchedmymom
runfr
om relati
onshi
pt or
elati
onship.Ican’
t
evenremembert henumberofmeni nherl i
fe.
Theybeather ,
insul
tedher
, cheat
edonherand
tr
eatedherliketrash…butbecausesheneeded
val
idationofaman, shestayed…Ir eal
i
seI’mthe
same.Tebat sohast reatedmesobad…butt he
smallestgli
mmerofni cefrom him andI ’
m back
athisfootli
keapuppy ,beggingf orhimt ohurt
mesomemor e.Myl oveforhim al mostmade
met hepersonI ’
m not ,t
heper sonInev erwant
tobe.Italmostmademehur totherpeoplejust
soIcanbewi t
hhi m.I ’
m notthatki ndofgir
l,
andIneedt osear chmy selfandf indwho
exactl
yIam andwhatIwanti nl i
fe.Alone…I
needt odoitalone.

BON: Wow…y ouknow, thatj

ustmadey oual
l
themor eat t
racti
v etome.Iknowwear egood
toget
her, Kedi.Taket i
met odowhatyouneed
todo,justknowt hatI’
llbewait
ingwhenever
youarer eady.Ilovey ou.
*
***
***
*

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Onikawal
kedi
nandf
oundDesmondst
il
lathi
s
desk.

ONI
KA:
Hey
…

DESMOND:(
wit
houtev
enl
ooki
ngupf
rom hi
s
desk)Hi

ONI
KA:
Arey
oucomi
ngt
obed?

DESMOND:
Noty
et…
ONIKA:Des…pl
ease…t
alkt
ome.Iknowy
ouar
e
hur
ting,
letmehel
p…

DESMOND:
I’
mfi
ne.

ONI
KA:
Didy
oul
oveher
?Set
so,
didy
oul
oveher
?

DESMOND:
(scr
eami
ng)Isai
dI’
mfi
ne!

Shestoodt
her
efort
hel
ongestt
imej
ust
watchi
nghi
m.

ONIKA:Desmond…t
hisi
snotwor
king…I
’
mfi
l
ing
foradi
vorce.

DESMOND:
What
?
ONIKA: I’
ll
keepallthechil
dren.PoppyandLot
aremi netoo.Wecanhav esharedcustody,we’
ll
rai
seal l
threetoget
herfrom adi st
ance.Weare
greatparents,
butjustdon’tworkaslovers.I
’m
miserable,soareyou…

DESMOND:
Oni
ka,
please…

ONIKA: It
’sthetruth,Desmond.Thismar r
iageis
dead…l etspartnowwhi l
ewestil
ltoler
ateeach
other.Iwouldhat eforitt
ogetnastyand
exposet hechil
drent oallt
hatmess.Let’spart
i
npeace.I ’l
ltal
kt othekids.TomorrowI’l
lcal
l
myl awyer.

Sheki
ssedhim ont
hef
oreheadandwal
kedof
f
tot
hebedroom.
*
***
***

I
NSI
DECULL’
SHOUSE

August
usrubbedthescart
hatusedt
obehi
s
har
eli
p,cl
osinghi
seyesashewentdownt
o
memor yl
ane.

Fi
ndingGlendahangingfr
om t heroofraft
ers
whenhewascomi ngfrom school
…Gl enda’
s
mom comi ng…tel
l
inghim ofhisbi
rthstory…
vi
sit
inghi
sf at
herinpri
son…t aki
ngoutt hat
bast
ard.

Buthowdiff
erentwashefr
om Moemedi
,reall
y?
MaybeGlendawasr i
ght
,hewasj
ustasevil
as
hi
sfather
….
Hepickedupthel
i
ttl
esleepi
ngboyfr
om t
he
bedandrubbedoi
ntmentonhisswol
lenl
i
p.

Whathadhedone!Whatthehel
lhadhedonet
o
t
hepoorchi
ld!Cooperwasj
ustl
ikehi
m,
i
nnocent
…

AUGUSTUS:(
wipi
ngast r
ayt
ear
)Iam sosor
ry
Cooper
…Iam sosor
ry…

Hepulledoutanol dpictureofhimselfwithhim
mother,aroundCooper ’
sage.Hi sgrandson
l
ookedsomuchl ikehim.Pur e,handsomeand
str
ongwi ll
ed.Hedeser v
edsomuch
bett
er…Loagohaddeser vedsomuchbet t
er,so
hadLiah…andWar …seei
ngt helit
tl
eboyont he
fl
ooreatingli
kethat…itwasl i
kelookingathis
owndamnself
…li
kebeingi
nthatt
inyr
oom wi
th
Gl
endaal
lov
eragain.

Forthefirstti
mesi ncehewas4, sincethattime
whenhi swi t
chmot herhadcuthiswr ist
,hehad
actual
lycriedallnight.Cooperhadbr okenhis
hearttothecor e.Thel ookofdist
rustonhi s
l
itt
lefaceashel ookedupathi m beforeeating
fr
om thatf l
oor…he’dgav eGlendathatsame
l
ook…exceptshedi dn’tcare.Andhecar ed.He
caredalltoomuchaboutCooper .Hewast he
newCul lgenerationthatwasnotgoi ngt obe
emot i
onallyandment all
ydamaged.

Heputhim backi
nthebed,r
ubbi
ngsome
oi
ntmentinhisswol
leney
etoobefor
ekissi
ng
hi
sforeheadandput
t i
ngt
heoldphot
ointhe
boy’
shand.
Hewentt hrought hepaper shislawyerhadjust
deli
ver…readt hem again.Andagai n.Ever
yone
wouldbesor ted.Glendahaddamagedhi m,and
hehadi nturndamagedt henext
generati
on…Loagowast ryi
ng.God, t
hatboy
wasdamagedt othecor e,butbyGod, hewas
tr
ying!Manypeopl ewi thanor malchil
dhood
weren’thal
fthef atherLoagowast ohisson.

Hekindoff el
tal i
ttlejeal
ous.Wi shedhi m own
soncoul dtrusthimt hewayhi sgr andsonloved
andtrustedhi sfather …butli
keGl endasaid,
every
thinghet ouched, hedamaged…Cooper
didn’
thav eachanceofbei ngnor mal aslongas
hewasar ound.Ev eni fhewasbackwi thLoago.
Theev i
linhi m wil
l alwayspul l
him backt ohis
sonandhe’ llendupdest royinghisgr andchi
ld
too.
Thejudgewoul dcallCol
tonwitharevokeofhi
s
di
smi ssedcustodyfi
rstt
hinginthe
morning…Cooperwi l
lgohome.Theguy swere
pi
ckingupMel odyanddr oppi
ngherhome.
Sweetl i
tt
leLi
ahwi l
lfi
nal
lybefreeal
so.

Hewalkedov
ertothedoorandl
ockedi
t,t
hen
scr
ewedonthesil
encer
…

*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
97

ATAUGUSTUS’
HOUSE

TSHEPE:
Shi
t,hei
sdead!

Maot
ocamer
unni
ngi
n.
MAOTO:
Whatdoy
oumeanhei
sdead?

TSHEPE:
Looksl
i
kehet
ookhi
msel
fout
.

MAOTO:Notunt
ilt
hisf
uckertel
l
smewhere
Mel
odyi
s!No,hecandieyet
!Heneedst
o
f
ucki
ngt
ellmewhereMel i
s…

TSHEPE:Wherear
ehi
scroni
es?Ther
eis
l
it
eral
lynooneher
ebutt
hemaidandtheli
tt
le
boy.

KWAPA: Pr
obablysentoutevery
onesohecan
takehi
mselfoutwit
houtthem stoppi
nghi
m.
Sonofabit
ch.Gotwhathedeser v
ed.
LENTSWE:Notnearly,Iwantedtotor
turethi
s
pi
eceofshitunt
ilhebeggedf ordeat
h!Fucki
ng
coward,
whenhecoul dn’tl
i
vewi thhi
mself
anymorehedecidestaki
ngt heeasywayout!

*
***
***
*

Col
tonranint
oCooper
’sroom andpi
ckedhi
m
upastheli
ttl
eboyr
ubbedhiseyesopen.

COOPER:
Daddy
?Ar
eyout
aki
ngmehome?

COLTON: Yesmyboy ,
I’
mt akingyouawayfr
om
al
lthi
s,f
orever
…you’l
lneverseethatnast
y
gr
andpaagain.I
’m sosorrybaby,whatdi
dhe
dotoyou?
COOPER: Fi
rsthehitmebecauseIspi
ll
ed
food…thenher ubbedoint
mentonmyl i
pand
saidhewassor r
y.Ithi
nkgrandpai
sver
y
sad…hegav emet hi
sphotowhenhethoughtI
wasasl eep.

Col
tont ookt hephotofrom him andlookedatit
.
Theoldsonofabi tchdidlookal otli
keCooper
whenhewasy ounger.Butthatwaswher et
he
comparisonwasgoi ngtoend.Hi sboywas
goi
ngt obegood.Hehuggedhi mt ight
lyand
ki
ssedhi sforehead.Noj udgeorwhat ever
wouldev ertakehissonawayagai n,nomatter
whattheyt r
iedtodo.

*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Onikal
aidont
hebedr
oom r
eadingf
rom hi
s
phonewhenDesmondwal
kedin.

DESMOND:
I’
m af
rai
dIcan’
tgi
vey
ouadi
vor
ce,
Oni
ka…

ONIKA:Desmond,pl
easedon’
tmakethis
di
ff
icul
t…pl
ease,
forthesakeoft
hechi
ldren.

DESMOND: Youaresuchahy pocrit

e,youknow.
Howdoesl eavi
ngt hei
rfat
herbenefitthe
chi
ldr
en?Youar eselfi
shOnika,it
’sallabouty
ou.
Becauseyouwantt owhorear ound,youare
goi
ngt ol
eav eyourhappyhome.

ONI
KA:Hee,i
j
a!Naar
ewarehappyhome?
Whi
chone?Idon’
tev
enknowwhoyouare
any
mor
e,Desmond!

DESMOND: Touché!Youar
enott hegirlI
marri
ed!Youhavebecomet heexactthingI
despi
sedinsomanywomen!Pl ast i
c,f
ake…y ou
l
ostyourdept
hthatmadey ousoi nter
esti
ng.

ONIKA:Thenletmego…i
fI’
m nol
ongerwhat
youwant,di
vorceme!

DESMOND: Whatwast hatphr

aseagain?‘Til
l
deat
hdouspar t
’?Youdor emembersayingt hat
,
ri
ght?I’m sorr
yOnika,ther
ewillbenodivorce.
Sothingsar ehard.Toughshit
.Learnt
odeal .
Youar en’
tleavi
ng,andIdar ey
out oev
ent ry.

ONI
KA:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
DESMOND: Tr
ustme, youdon’twanttofi
ndout .
I
’l
lsleepinmyst udytoni
ghtwhil
ey ouret
hink
yourstupi
ddecisions.Il
oveyou,youknow, no
mat t
erhowdumby oucanbe.Divorcemyf oot!
Nxla!

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Goutawentt
oopenthedoorassomeone
knocked,
andMel
odywalkedin.

GOUTA:
Whatthe…?Mel?Wher
ewer
eyou,
wher
eMaot
ois…howdid…?

Mel
odyj
umpedi
ntoherar
msandGout
a
huggedher
.

MELODY:Iwassoscaredmommy.It
hought
t
heyweregoi
ngtohurtme…Iwassoscar
ed….

GOUTA:
shhhh,
itsokbaby
,youarehome…y
ou
ar
ehomenow.WhereisMaoto?

MELODY: Idon’
tknow.Hesaidhewascomi ng,
butthentheguy sj
ustgrabbedmeandt hr
ew
mei nt
othecaranddr ovemebackher e?Didhe
dowhatt heyasked?Itol
dhimt heywerej
ust
tr
yingtotraphim!I’
m sosorryIcausedso
mucht r
oubl e.

*
***
**
ATAUGUSTUS’
HOUSE

Col
tonwal
kedouthol
dingCooper
.

COLTON:
Wher
eist
hef
ucki
ngbast
ardt
hen?

KWAPA:Youmaywannaseesomet
hingi
nthe
st
udy
.Letmehol
dCoopforyou…

Hehandedhim Cooperandwal kedi

nto
Augustusdeadinhisoff
icechair
,wi
thdif
ferent
envel
opesaddressedtoeachofhischi
ldren.

COLTON: Ohwell,
goodri
ddance.(
Hepickedup
theenvel
opethathadhi
snameandt orei
tto
shredswit
houtopeni
ngin,
thenwalkedout)can
Itakemysonhomenow?
*
***
***
*
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
98

ATAUGUSTUSFUNERAL

Ameliahsatinthet
enthol
dingLentswe’
shand
wit
hBat hshebabyhersi
deaspeopletal
ked
aboutthegreatmanAugustusCull
was.

MMA- THEBE: Iam sureevery onehereknows

whatgreatofamanmybr ot herwas.Hecame
touswhenhewas17.Wewer esohappyt o
havehiminthef amily,
event hough
unfor
tunatel
yourfatherpassedi mmedi atel
y
aft
erthatandAugust usnev erreallygota
chancetoknowhi m wel l
.Iti
sagr eatloss,not
j
usttousashi sfami l
y,butthecommuni tyat
l
arge.Menl
ikehi
m…sai
ntsl
i
kehi
m,ar
eneeded
i
nsociet
y.

Ameli
ahburstoutl
aughi
ngandpeopl
etur
ned
ar
oundtolookathi
m.

BATHSHEBA: Uhm…I…sor r
y…nervous
breakdown,sheishavinganer vousbreakdown.
(Thepeoplelookedbacki nfrontandhe
whisperedtoAmeliah)Liah,stopit
!

AMELI
AH:(whisper
ing)shesai
dsai
nt…how
obt
usecanthi
swomanbe!

LENTSWE:
Shhh!

Col
tonsatt
ext
ingher
.
Col
ton:
‘Sowher
eist
heaf
terpar
ty?
’

Amel i
ah:‘Shi
t,Ican’tdri
nk.Doesn’tmeanwe
can’tdanceonhi sgr avethough.Justfeel
robbedthebast ardtookhi sownl i
feanddidn’
t
gettosuffer.Andpeopl ewon’ tevenknowwhat
acowar dhewasbecauseourf amil
ychoseto
l
ieaboutanon-exi stentdiseasehehad.’

Colt
on:‘
whatever
,sonofabi
tchi
sdeadandI
gotCooperback.

*
***
***
**

ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE
Oni
kasatatadr
essingt
abl
edoingherhai
r
whenDesmondwalkedi
nandthrewpaper
sat
her
.

ONI
KA:
What
’st
his?

DESMOND: Thedi
vorceyousomuchwant.You
walkedi
nwithnot
hing,soyoucanf
uckof
fthe
sameway .

ONIKA:Idon’tcar
e…(Readingthepapers)What
thehell
?Full
custodyofthechil
dren…ok,I
underst
andPoppyandLot us,butyoucan’tt
ake
Fif
iawayfrom me!

DESMOND:(
laughi
ng)t
hosearemydivorce
t
erms.Si
gnt
hedottedl
ineandyoucanleave.
ONI
KA:
Pleasedon’
tdot
hisDesmond…pl
ease…

DESMOND: Youar edoingthisOnika!Youare

theonewhoi sleav i
ng!Youclaimt ocarefort
he
chil
dren,butyoucan’tstayfortheirsake?Tr
yto
wor kthi
ngsout?Ihav eaproblem, ok,Iadmit
!
Butit’
syourfaultOnika.Yourfaultourmarri
age
died.

ONIKA: Oh,t
hat’
sri
chDesmond!Wher
edoyou
getthenervetoputt
hisonme?Youaret
heone
whowasst i
cki
ngyourdi
cki
nothermen’
s
mout hsand…

Heslappedherhardacrossthef
ace,
justas
Poppywaswal ki
ngin.Shecover
edhermouth
wit
hherhandsandr anoff.
ONI
KA:
Poppy
…PopPop,
wai
tbaby
…I…

DESMOND: Youseewhatyoumademedo?I ’
m
amessOnika,i
sthiswhatyouwantt
oleav
ethe
chi
ldr
ent
o?Mel i
kethi
s?

ONIKA:Fine.Onemont h, Desmond…onemont h
ofcouplecounsel li
ng, andify ouev erhitme
agai
n,trustme, Iwilltakey out othecl eanersso
badinthedi vorceI’
llbeowni ngev ent hat
underweary ouar ewear ing.Yourdaught ersaw
youhitme, shei smywi tness…getdr essed,
wearthatAr mani suit
, andadamnsmi l
e.We
haveanev enttoat tendatt heKgosi mor e’
sin
twohour sandwehav et odropt hekidsat
Kedi’
shousef i
rst.

*
***
***
**
ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Bat
hshebawalkedi
nfr
om t
hef
uner
alandhel
d
ontothedoor
…

BATHSHEBA:
Gosh,
Ithi
nkmywat
erj
ustbr
oke.

TEBATSO:
Ohmy …damn,
whatdowe…uhm…ok,
thecar
…wehav
etogotothecar
…

BATHSHEBA:(l
aughi
ng)Cal
m down,
Ipr
obably
havehour
sbefor
edeli
ver
y…mybagisal
readyi
n
thecar
,arey
e.

Hedrov
edownt ot
hehospi
talandshewas
t
akentothel
abour
ingr
oom asTebatsocal
l
ed
Bet
hanyandt
henhi
scousi
ns.

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maot
owalkedinbehi
ndhiswifeandwentt
o
t
hebedr
oom, Gout
afoll
owinghim.

GOUTA: Ij
o,t
herewer esomanypeopleat
Augustus’
sfuneral
.Almostmademet hr
owup
hear
ingthem si
ngpr aisest
othatdev
il
.

MAOTO:
Yea…

GOUTA:
Ok…Osant
seongadi
l
e?
MAOTO:
Taabokengal
etseng?

GOUTA: I’
m sorryforaccusingy ouoftaki
ng
Mel…Iwasj ust…Idon’
tknow, Maoto,Iwas…I
mean, y
ouhav ebeeni nvol
v edwi t
hsomeshady
peopl
e,soIt houghtmay bet heytookher…and
youdidn’texactl
yactli
key ouwant edher,so…

MAOTO: ThatisthemostinsincereapologyI’
ve
evercomeacross.Youtir
eme, Gouta.With
yourtant
rumsanddisrespectandi nsul
ts.I
’m
abouttohit40andyoustil
lactlikeakid.

GOUTA:ButIsai
dI’
m sor
ry(pout
ing)Come
on…youknowyoucan’
tstaymadatme
for
ever
…
MAOTO: (laughing)St oppout ing,masweat swa
othe…al r
ight,fi
ne…y ouar eabr at
,Gout a,but
youar emybr atandIl ovey ou.Mel too, sheis
yourchildwhi chmakeshermychi ld.Shei st he
mostst ubbor nli
ttl
et hingint heuniverse,just
l
ikeyou…butIguessIhav et oadjustandadapt
asaf athertoat eenager .

*
***
***
**

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE

Waronawal
kedinwit
hNavani
andKwapa
behi
ndher
,hol
dingEmmanuel
.

NAVANI:I
jo,
Iam sot
ir
ed,wewokeupsoearly.
I
’l
lgoli
eddown.ComehereManny.(
shetook
herl
i
ttl
ebrot
herandwal
kedtot
hebedroom)
KWAPA:So…t
heol
ddogi
sgone…howar
eyou
feel
i
ng?

WARONA: Myfatherneverdi dmeanywr ong,

butthewayhet r
eatedmysi bli
ngs…( Shaking
herhead)Myf at
herwasadamagedman, andI
knowt hepai
nofhi spastat eathim ev er
yday ,
that
’swhyheneededt obet hewayhewas.
He’dneverknownki ndnessinhislif
e, andI ’
m
j
ustgladhef i
nal
lyfoundr est.

KWAPA:
Iguess…howar
eyouwena?

WARONA:
Me?Ae,
keshapo…

KWAPA:Youj
ustl
ostafat
her
,War
ona…and
ear
li
eri
twast
hedivor
ceand…
WARONA:
Ker
il
ekeshapo!

KWAPA:
Imi
ssy
ou…

WARONA:Don’
tst
art
…aker
eonnal
emosadi
wagagoathome.

KWAPA: (
laughi
ng)Ifyoucancal lherthat
…a
woman.Namet soisfouryearsolderthanmy
daught
er,
howdoy outhi
nkt hat
’sgoing?

WARONA:(l
aughi
ng)y
oucr
adl
erobbery
ou!
Hael
athubet
saboKen!

KWAPA:Ket
lar
eng,aker
emywi
fet
hrewmet
o
thesi
del
i
keIwasnothi
ng.
WARONA:Youshoul
dn’
thavecheat
edony
our
wi
fe,
youhadagoodone,youknow.

KWAPA:Tr
ue,t
rue…butt
hebi
blesay
stof
orgi
ve
77t
imes7ti
mesakere.

WARONA:
Okho,
wenaoi
tsebi
blef
rom wher
e?

KWAPA: (laughi
ng)HeelathemmaIgr ewupin
church, i
j
a!Doy oureal
isethi
sisthefi
rstt
ime
wet alkedwi t
houtchewingeachother
’sheads
offsincethedi v
orce?

WARONA: IguessIhav
efinal
l
yacceptedit
’s
over
…y ouhavemov edon…may beonedayI’
ll
getoveryoualsoandmov eon.
KWAPA:(
caressi
ngherhand)I
tdoesn’
thavet
o
be,
War…itdoesn’
thav
etobeov er
,youknow.

WARONA: Nope,t
hatdooriscl
osed.YouandI
j
ustcan’
tworkanymore.Idon’
ttr
ustyou…

Hepull
edhercloserandki
ssedher
passi
onat
elyunti
lshewasoutofbreat
h…

WARONA: (
Steady
ingher
sel
fwit
hthesof
a)
I
…uhm…Ithinkyoushoul
dgo…uhm…yea…go,
Ken,
Ineedsospace.

KWAPA: Ithinkt
hereispl
entyspaceinour
bedroom.(Hekissedheragainandli
ft
edherup,
walkingt
ot hebedroom).
*
***
***
*

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

Col
tonlai
dint
hebedbesideCooper,watchi
ng
hi
sli
ttl
eboysl
eep.Hepickeduphisphoneasa
WhatsAppmessagecamet hr
ough.

‘
Sayhi
toPhoeni
xAdoni
sVanAndr
eas’

*
***
***
**
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
99

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE
Coltonpacedaroundthehousel ooki
ngatthe
message.Whatt hefuck…whatt heact
ualf
uck,
thiscoul
dn’tbehappening.Bandhewer ej
ust
start
ingtoworkoutthings.Howt hehel
lwashe
goingtotel
l hi
m hehadanot herson?

Ithadbeenj ustoncet hatt i

mewhenShebawas
goingthroughshitwi t
ht hatlowli
feTebla.She
hadbeensohear tbrokensay ingTebat
sono
l
ongerlov edhim blahblah.Camet oAmel i
ah’
s
housetot al
k.Liahwasov eratherboy
friend’
s,
andCol thadlefthisownhousebecauseheand
Bwer efighti
ngasusual thattime.

Hehadn’ teventhoughtaboutthatonenight
sinceithappened.Andthelit
tl
eboywasa
spitt
ingimageofhi m,nomistake.Evengothis
family’
scursedgreyeyes.
Whatt
hef
uckwashesupposedt
odonow?

Shit
!Thi
ngsj
ustnev
erwentr
ightf
orhi
m,di
d
they?

*
***
***

ATTHEHOSPI
TAL

Tebatsosatatthefootofthebedlookingatthe
l
itt
lebabyt hatl
ookednot
hingatallli
kehim.
Bathshebawasonl yaquarterCaucasi
an,and
thi
sboyl ookedli
kehewasal mostall
Caucasian.Asnaïveashewant edt obeand
beli
eveitwashischil
d…heknewwi t
houteven
asking.
TEBATSO: (wipi
ngat ear
)howcoul
dyou.
Bathsheba…seriousl
y…Imean…doy
oueven
knowwhot hefatheri
s?

Col
tonknockedandpeppedi
n.

COLTON:
I…uhm…Icancomebackl
ater
…

Hewasaboutt
owalkoutwhenTebatsor
anout
t
ohim andj
umpedhi
m, punchi
nghi
m har
don
t
heface.

TEBATSO:
Yousonofabi t
ch!Younast
yfucki
ng
sonofabi
tch.I
’
llki
l
lyou…I
’l
l…

Nursesandhospi
tal
st af
franov
ertopul
lthem
apartandCol
tonwalkedawaywipi
nghis
bl
eedi
ngl
i
p.

Tebat
sowal
kedbacki
nsi
de,
rubbi
nghi
sfacet
o
st
opthet
ear
s.

TEBATSO: Howcouldyou,
Bathsheba…ser
iousl
y…

BATHSHEBA: Howcoul dI?No, Tebat

so,how
couldyou?Yout reatedmel i
ketrash,
mademe
begfory ourl
ovewhi leyouchasedafter
anotherwoman, askedf orherhandinmarri
age
andev enhadachi ldwit
hher .Putmeina
fucki
ngcoma!Af terallwebeent oget
her?Fuck
you,howcouldy ou?

TEBATSO:
But….
but…youcamet
ot hathospi
tal
whenIwasadmi
ttedandsai
dal
lthose
thi
ngs…y ousai
dweneededacl
eanst
artand…
everyt
hingwasworki
ngout,
youmademe
beli
evehewasmi ne…

BATHSHEBA: Andasusual,
youexpectedto
j
ustgetawaywithall
yourshitl
i
key oual
ways
dowit
hme, ri
ght?BecauseI’
mt hegul
li
blel
ove
si
ckli
tt
lepuppy,r
ight
?

TEBATSO:Idon’
tunderst
and…youfor
gave
me…yousaidwecouldwor ki
tout.Whywoul
d
yousayanddoallt
hat?Whynotjustwal
kaway?

BATHSHEBA: (
laughi
ng)Ev erhear
dwhatt hey
sayaboutrevenge?It’
sadi shservedcold…
(Laughi
ng)nowy ouknowhowmuchhur tand
humili
atedIwasev eryti
mey ouchasedaf ter
anotherwoman.Wheny oupai dbri
depricefor
meanddi dn’
tev enbothercancell
i
ng,justwent
ontoaskanot
herwoman’shand…just
expect
edmetoacceptherbast
ard…hur
ts,
doesn’
tit
?

TEBATSO:Thi
sisnoty
ou,
Sheba…y
ouar
enot
thatcol
d…

BATHSHEBA: Ohr eall

y?Isn’tit
?Youhur tmeso
much.Andf ortunatelyforyou, t
hiswasnot
deli
ber at
eatal l
.Itallhappenedbychance.I
washear t
brokenaf teryouf l
auntedy our
mistressonmyf aceagain.Iwentt ocr yitout
atAmel i
ah’
shouse.Amel i
ahwasn’ tin,buther
brot
herwas.Onet hingledt oanother.Justt hat
oneni ght.AndIwokeupf rom acomay ouput
mei nmont hsl ater,
pregnant .Idi
dn’tev enknow
whot hef atherwast oo.Ihadmysuspi cions,
butwasn’ tsur e.So, i
fitmeansany thing,Inever
real
lyconspi redt ohur tyou,Iguessi twasj ust
thekarmabusmaki ngsurei
tdoesn’
tmissyou.
Butifyouexpectanapol
ogyfrom me,j
ustgo
onandkeepwai ti
ngbecauseyouarenever
gett
ingany.

*
***
***
*

ATWARONA’
SHOUSE

WaronawokeuptoKwapast
ari
ngather
,
pl
ayi
ngwithherhai
r.

KWAPA:Ifor
gethowbeaut
if
uly
oul
ooki
nthe
mor
ning.

Shewr appedt
hebedsheetar
oundherbodyand
walkedtothecl
osett
oputonagown.
WARONA: (smili
ng)AndIf orgetj
ustwhata
charmingli
ary oucanbe, mypr eci
ous.I
’doff
er
youbreakfast,butIdon’
twantt oconfusethe
ki
ds,soy ouneedt oleave.(Shegrabbedhis
clot
hesfrom thefloorandhandedt hem toher)

KWAPA:
What
…Leav
e,why
?It
hought
…Imean…

WARONA: Yes,
leave,
Ken.YouandI, wecould
neverwork.Wear egr
eatasfr
iends,butnotas
l
over.Yourhearti
swithsomeoneelse.

KWAPA:
War
,youknowIl
ovey
ou

WARONA: Andy ouknowIknowyoumorethan

anyoneelse,someti
mesev enmoret
hanyou
knowy oursel
f.Youcall
edmeOnikal
astni
ght
whenwemadel
ove…

KWAPA:
Idi
dn’
t…I
…

WARONA: Twi ce…butit’

sok.Iknowy ourhear
t
i
swi thher
.Thi sistheclosureIneeded.We
mistookadeepf r
iendshipforlove.We’ve
alwaysbeent hereforeachot herandwi l
lgoto
theendoft hewor l
df oreachot her.Wedolove
eachother,justnotinthatint
imat emanner.

KWAPA:War ,
pleasedon’
tdothis.IswearI
wantnot
hingtodowithOnika…

WARONA: Thesooneryoustoplyi
ngtoyour
sel
f,
t
hebet t
er.Li
feistooshort
,goaftert
hewoman
youreal
lylove,
anddon’tworryaboutme.I
’l
lbe
f
ine.
(Shekissedhi
m onthecheekandwal
kedhim
outofthebedroom asheputonhi
sshi
rtand
walkedouttohiscar)

*
***
***

ATAMELI
AH’
SHOUSE

Ameli
ahsti
rredi
nbedasLentswe’
shandpul
l
ed
hercl
osert
ohim,rubyherbel
l
y.

LENTSWE:Goodmorni
ngMrsKgagodi
…justa
fewmoreweekst
otheweddi
ng,howareyou
feel
i
ng?

AMELI
AH:
Ali
tt
lener
vous.Ican’
tbel
i
evey
ou
aremaki
ngmedothi
spregnant
.Peopl
ewi
l
l
thi
nki
t’
sashot
gunmarr
iage.

LENTSWE: (
laughi
ng)Peoplecanthink
whatev
erthehellt
heywant.Ilov
ey ou,Amel i
ah,
andifi
twasupt ome,I’
llmarryyourightnow.I
can’
twaitt
ohav eyouoffi
cial
l
yasmywi fe(he
tur
nedheraroundandkissedher)

AMELI
AH:
Ihopey
ourchi
l
disn’
tasst
ubbor
nas
you

LENTSWE:
Mysoni
sgoi
ngt
obej
ustl
i
kehi
s
daddy
.

AMELI
AH: (
laughi
ng)gat
weson,
whot
oldy
ou
wewerehavingaboy?
LENTSWE: Iknowweare…comeon, gett
hat
fi
neassof fbedandletmegomakey ou
breakfast
.Iwannaspendtherestofourl
ives
spoil
ingyou.

AMELIAH:(
laughi
ng)Noblegesture,butyou
can’
tcookmylove.Besi
des,Bathshebajust
text
edmesay i
ngshejusthadthebaby .Let
’s
headontothehospit
al.

LENTSWE: Funny,Teblahasn’
tupdat edusin
ourWhat sAppgroup.Guesshei stoobusywith
hi
snewbaby .I’
ll
updat etheothersandwe’ll
all
meetatt hehospitaltoseethebaby …ormaybe
gotot hei
rhouse,Ihav easparekeyt ohis
house.Wecoul dor gani
sehim al i
tt
le
congratul
atorysurpri
segathering.

*
***
***
ATONI
KA’
SHOUSE

Oni
kasati
nherdr
essi
ngroom get
ti
ngr
eady
whenDesmondwal
kedin.

DESMOND:
Youar
egoi
ngout
…

ONIKA:BrunchwithMrMat t
sfor
t…t
hefamil
y
needsthei
rbusinessdeal
.Yourmot
hercoul
dn’
t
convi
ncehimt osignwit
hus…

DESMOND:Soshei
spi
mpingyououtt
ohim.
Youareamar
ri
edwomanOnika,
havesome
shame.

ONI
KA:
Let
’snotf
ool
our
sel
ves,
Desmond.I
’
m
stayingi
nt hismarri
ageonlybecauseoft
he
kids.Youdon’ tl
oveme,yourheartdi
edwith
yourwhor e.Iknowy out
ry,but
…pleasel
et’snot
foolourselves.YoudoyouandI ’
l
ldome, as
l
ongaswekeepi tawayfrom t
hekids.

DESMOND:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?

ONIKA:Youar enotdumb.Oursisamar ri
ageof
conveni
encenow.I ’
m stay
ingbecauseofthe
ki
ds,andsi nceyouaretoobusyplaying
hear
tbrokenov eryourdeadwhore,Ihaveto
makesur eIsecuremychi l
dren’
slegacy,
whateverittakes.

DESMOND: (l
aughi
ngandshaki nghi
shead)
God,youhavesomucht urnedintomymother
!I
can’
tbeli
evei
nhavingthemar ri
agemyfat
her
has,
Coldandlovel
ess.Pretence.
ONIKA:It
alkedwi
thmot her,
andIwil
lbe
comingontoworkasaf reel
anceconsul
tant
wit
hourcustomerrel
ati
onst eam.

DESMOND:
Whatdoy
ouev
enknowabout
…

ONIKA:Pl
enty
…Iknowt hesocietyweoperate
on,howtogetusbusi
ness.Whi chismorethan
whatyouhavebeendoi
ngl atel
y,seei
ngwe
haven’
tsi
gnedanewclientinfourmonths.

DESMOND:
Butt
heki
ds…Fi
fii
sbar
ely
…

ONIKA:Igotamai d…shei
syoungandpr ett
y
t
oo,soy oucangetababycaretakerandabed
warmeralli
none.Iknowy oul
ikethem rawand
r
ural.I
fyou’
llexcuseme…
Shepushedpasthi
mr udel
yandgrabbedher
bri
efcase,
wal
kingouttohercarasherphone
rang.

ONI
KA:
Hel
l
o?

KWAPA:
Nika…

ONIKA:Listen,Kennet h.Leav emeal oneorlese

I’
l
lneedtogetar estraini
ngor der.Whatwehad
wasbeaut i
ful,butthatwasj usti
t.I
t’
sov ernow.
Ineverr
eallylovedy ou, youknow?Youwer e
j
ustanothermeal t
icket ,
likeyourbrother.Bye.

Shebli
nkedawaythetear
sthatt
hreat
enedto
rol
ldownherfaceandrui
nherperf
ectmakeup.
Desmond’smotherwasri
ght.Menhadplay
ed
herfort
oolong.She’ donl yal
way sbeenv ict
im,
cry
ingandbeinglef tinthedust .No, t
hat
wouldn’
tbehappeni ngany more.Like
Desmond’smot hersai d,shehadt obur n
bri
dgeswitheverythingthattiedhert oherold
sel
fifshewantedt obeanew
woman…power ful…strong…Mr sMar umo.

Cutt
ingKwapaoff,cutt
ingoffthemanshe
l
ovedwasstil
lver
ypai nful
though.Butthen
agai
n,bei
ngMrsMar umowasn’ taneasytask,
wasit?Col
dmar r
iageandal l
.

Afterhermeeti
ng,sheneededtot
akeof
fsome
tension.Shedi
all
edherphone.

MARCUS:
Hel
l
o?Whoi
sthi
s?
ONIKA:Now,now,
honey
.Don’
ttel
lmey
ou
for
gotmealr
eady.

MARCUS:
Oni
ka…whatdoy
ouwant
?

ONIKA:IthoughtIsawy
ourcari
ntown
yest
erday…canwemeetup?Youknow,forol
d
t
ime’ssake?

MARCUS: Noti
nter
est
ed…Ij
ustl
ostmy
gi
rl
fr
iend…

ONI
KA:
Thaty
oushot
…

MARCUS:
What
?Idi
dn’
t…I
…Howdi
dyou…

ONI
KA:
(laughi
ng)myhusbandi
sver
yvocal
whenhehasni
ghtmar
es…I
’l
lseeyouatour
usual
room.Ar
ound7pm…don’tbel
ate…

Shesmi l
edtoherself
.Theruralgir
leveryone
thoughttheycouldjustal
wayst rampleonwas
gonef orgood.Shewast i
redofbei nga
walkover.ThecurrentMarumomat ri
archywas
dyingofcancer,eventhoughthef amil
ydi dn’
t
knowy et
…whichmeant …well
,shewast heMrs
Mar umonow.

*
***
***
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
100

ATCOLTON’
SHOUSE

COLTON: So,
yea…thati
sit
.ButI
’
m sorr
yB…I’
m
sosor
ry.Isweari
twasaonceoffthi
ngand…
BANYANA:Andasusual
I’
mjustsupposedt
o
takei
tandf
orgi
vey
ou,ri
ght
?

COLTON:Ifor
gav
eyouf
ort
hatt
hingwi
thKen,
B…pl
ease…

BANYANA: Whatisthi
s,acompet i
ti
on?
BecausethenIst
il
lhaveaf ewmor edudesto
fuckbef
oreweareev en.Imean,consider
ing
youhavesleptwi
ththewhol euni
verse!

COLTON:
Bany
ana,
pleasedon’
tbel
i
ket
hat
…

BANYANA:
Colt…pl
easej
ust
…justleav
e.Gi
ve
mesomespace.Ineedt
oprocessthi
s…Ij
ust…
COLTON:Let
’st
alkabouti
tB…y
ouknowI
’
m
fl
awed…I
…

BANYANA: That’sal
waysy ourexcuse,Col
t!
Alway s.Youf uckaroundandt henexpect
forgivenessjustbecausey ouhaditroughasa
child?Fucky ou.Just…justgoawayf orawhile
please…Ineedt obealone…

Hestoodst
ari
ngatherwit
hbeggingeyesf
ora
whi
le,t
henpi
ckeduphisphoneandcarkey
s…

COLTON: I’
ll
beatAmeli
ah’
sol
dhouse…I’
m
real
lysorr
yB…Iwantustowor
kout.Thi
swas
j
ustaonceof fthi
ngwhenwewer
ehav i
ng
problems.I
’m sor
ry.

Hewal
kedout
,andaf
tershehear
dhi
scar
l
eavi
ng, shebrokedownint
ot ear
s,scr
eami
ng
hel
plesslyasshehuggedherself
.

Severalnotifi
cati
onscamei nherphoneandshe
fi
nallypickeditup.Somef r
om Snapchat…
snapsofher ,CooperandColtlastni
ghtaf
ter
dinner.Theywer eallweari
ngmat chi
ng
Christmasonesi esandsingingaChrist
mas
song.Ev eryoneli
keditsomuch.

ThenherI
nstagr
am vi
deo.Shewat
chedi
tagai
n.
Shewasinthebathr
oom.

‘
So,li
ke,DrCulldoesn’thav
eanI nstagram,so
hecan’tseethi
s,butifyouknowhi m please
don’
ttellhi
m unti
lIdo.Helpmecomeupwi th
i
deasonhowt oannouncet hispregnancy.
’She
hadsaid,fl
ashi
ngtheposi t
ivepregnancytestat
thescr
een.Somanyl i
kes…somanycomment s
onhowgreatherl
if
eandhermar
ri
agewas…
ever
ywoman’sdream,t
hesai
d.

Shecr i
edher sel
ft osleeponthecouch.She
couldn’
tleaveCol t.Shewassonotgoi ngback
toheroldirrelevantli
fe.Ever
ybodynowhad
evenforgottenthatol dembarrassi
ngvideothat
hadhaunt edherf orli
fe.NowshewasDrCul l
,
withahandsome, adori
nghusband,acute
naughtysonandanot herbabyontheway .
Peoplelovedt hat.

*
***
***

ATBATHSHEBA’
SHOUSE

Bat
hshebawal
kedi
ntoherfamil
yhomewith
bot
hhermother
sandhertwinsi
ster
,whi
l
eher
f
athercar
ri
edt
hebabycar
ri
er.

BONOLO: Hei
st hemostadorabl
ethi
ngever
!
Aww, myPhoenix.Iswearhel
ooksali
tt
lebi
t
l
ikeuncl
eDennis!

KAMOGELO: Hedoes,doesn’the!Theol df
ox
wouldhav ebeensopleasedtoseet hat.Here,
Bruce, l
etmegoputhi mi nthecot.It
’sbeen
suchal ongt i
mesincewehadababyi nthe
famil
y .Whenwast helastbaby ,
Hadassah, and
wedi dn’tevenseehermuchasababy !

BONOLO:Iknowr
ight
,thebabysmel
li
ssoni
ce.
I
’l
lgohel
pyou.

Theyl
eftheri
nther
oom wi
thhersi
ster
.
BETHANY:
Howar
eyou?

BATHSHEBA:
Coul
dn’
tbehappi
er

BETHANY:Ri
ght
…youl
ookl
i
kesomeoner
an
overy
ourcat
!

BATHSHEBA: Imisshi
m…hei snott
akingmy
cal
ls.I
’mjustaf
rai
dhe’
llshuthi
msel
finagai
n
andjust
…

BETHANY: Ohf
orfucksakeBame!Whyt hehell
doy oucaresomuchaboutthatusel
ess
bastard!Thi
swaskarma’swayofcorrect
ing
thi
ngs.Nowy oucangetTebatsooutofyourli
fe
forgood.
BATHSHEBA: Idi
dn’
tmeanf oranyoft
histo
happen.Ir
eal
lywant
edust obeaf amil
y.I
wantedPhoenixt
obehis.It
hinkIshoul
drest
forabit
.

Shewalkedofft
othebedr
oom andcr
umpl
edt
o
thebedcry
ing.

*
***
***
*

ATTEBATSO’
SHOUSE

Tebatsopackedhi
sduf
fel
backandthr
ewitto
thebackofthecar
.Moxstoodatt
hedri
ver
’s
sidewatchi
nghim.

MOX:
Soy
ouar
ejustgoi
ngt
orun?
TEBATSO:I
’m notrunni
ng.Ij
ustneedtosor
t
outmymindfirst
.I…Ican’
tfor
giveher
,Mox.
HowcouldShebadot hi
stome?

MOX:Sheforgav
eyou!Youhadachi
l
dwi
th
Kedi
,remember?

TEBATSO:
It’
snott
hesame!

MOX:
Howi
sitnot
?

TEBATSO:Youareher
etoj
udgemeort
odr
ive
metotheair
port
?

MOX:What
ever
,man.Thi
sisami
stake.Sheba
l
ovesy
ouandyoul
oveher…
TEBATSO:Canwej
ustgo?Pl
ease?Let
’spass
byKedi
’s…

*
***
**

ATREBAONE’
SHOUSE

Rebaonewal kedinandt ookoffhercoatthen

satinthesofa.Tshepewal kedoutofthe
ki
tchenbucknaked, leaveforathongandagun
bel
t,bothhisgunshol st
eredtohiship,weari
ng
acowboyhatandhi smilit
aryboots.

REBAONE:
(laughi
ng)whatoneart
hareyou
doi
ng?Mymom couldhavewalkedin!
TSHEPE:(
laughi
ng)t
hat’
swhysheshoul dn’t
haveakey
!Agent437repor
tingfordut
y,ma’am.
HowcanIserveyou?I’
veal
readymadedi nner.

REBAONE:
(laughi
ng)Naked?Youar
ecr
azy
!

TSHEPE:
Ithoughtt
hiswasy
ourf
avour
it
eout
fi
t
ofme?

REBAONE:(bi
ti
ngherlowerli
p)howcoul
ditnot
bewhenitcomeswiththoseabs?Butwhatgot
youi
nsuchagoodmood?

TSHEPE:Lif
elessonsf rom otherpeople.Seei
ng
howTebatsotoy edaroundwi thagoodwoman
andendedupl osingher…Idon’ twannaendup
l
ikethat
.I’
m sorryforeveryt
hingIputy ou
thr
ough…nevertrusti
ngy ou…especial
lywithmy
br
otherandal
lthat
.

REBAONE: Youhav enoreasonnotto,Tshepe.

Yourbrother,
hehasnothingony ou.Youaremy
onetruelove,youknowthat,r
ight
?Imayhav e
beenwi t
hhimf ir
st,
butwhenIgotwi thyou…I
fi
nall
yfoundmypeace.Il oveyou,Tshepe,and
onlyyou,ok?

Henoddedandcamet
okneel
downi
nfr
ontof
her
.

TSHEPE:
For
ever
,ri
ght
?

REBAONE:
Bonni
eandCl
yde…

TSHEPE:
(rappi
ng)
♫ ♫ ♫ She’
sri
ghtbackt
obei
ngmysol
dier

‘
Causemami
’
sar
iderandI
’
m ar
oll
er

Putust
oget
her
,howt
heygon’
stopbot
hus?
’

What
evershel
acksI
’
mri
ghtov
erhershoul
der

WhenI
’
m of
ftr
ack,
mami
iskeepi
n’mef
ocused

Sol
et’
slockt
hisdownl
i
kei
t’
ssupposedt
obe…
♫ ♫ ♫

REBAONE:(
singing)♫ ♫ ♫ Nobodyor
not
hingwi
l
lev ercomebet
weenus
AndIpr
omi
seI
’
llgi
vemyl
i
fe

Myl
oveandmyt
rusti
fyouwasmyboy
fri
end

Putt
hisonmyl
i
fe

Theai
rthatIbr
eat
hei
n,al
lthatIbel
i
evei
n

Ipr
omi
seI
’
llgi
vemyl
i
fe♫ ♫ ♫

TSHEPE:(l
aughi
ngandkissi
ngher)wemake
theper
fectt
eam,don’twe…notj
ustlov
erand
soul
mates…ateam t
oo.

REBAONE:
Hel
l
afi
neonet
oo…l
ookatal
lthose
cut
ebabieswemade.So,
yougonnat
alkal
l
ni
ghtor
….

TSHEPE: (
laughi
ng)Prepareforsomemagi
c
Miketypashitbabygir
l…youknowIoncewent
under
coverasast ri
pper,
right
?

*
***
***
*

ATGOUTA’
SHOUSE

Maotowalkedi
nandfoundhiswif
eonthe
l
iv
ingroom whi
l
ethekidscl
eanedupi
nthe
ki
tchen.

GOUTA:
Howi
shedoi
ng?
MAOTO:Eish….i
t’
sbadman.Bathshebareal
l
y
didmycousinbad…Tebl
awassoexcitedabout
thi
sbaby.Howcouldshedothi
s?

GOUTA: (l
aughing)Menandt heirl
it
tleegos.
Bat hshebaacceptedTebatso’sbastard,
didn’
t
she?Thatgi rlhasbeenhumi l
iat
edbyTebat so
mor eti
mest hananypersoncant ake.He
play edherl
ikeaballforsolong,andnowal i
tt
le
mi shapandhewant stoboo-hoo?

MAOTO:
Howcouldy
oubesocol
dGi
gi,
the
mani
shurt
ing!

GOUTA: IbetBathshebawashur t
ingalsowhen
hedidallhedidakere?Kantewhydoment hink
thi
ngshurtlesswhent heydothem towomen,
butwhent abl
esareturnedtheywannacr ylike
babies?Heshouldmanup, marr
yt hatgi
rland
r
aiset
hatchi
l
d.

MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)youarecol
d!ButIhear
you…andIwannathanky
ou,Gouta.

GOUTA:
Me?Forwhat
?

MAOTO: Sti
cki ngwi t
hmet hr
oughmybul l
shit
.
(Rubbinghisf ace)God, Iwassuchaconf used
l
itt
leboyf orsuchal ongtime.Imean, Ihada
womanl ikey ouandcont i
nuall
yhurtyou?
LookingatTebl a’ssi
tuati
onmakesmesee
minef r
om anout si
deperspecti
ve.I’
m sorry….I
mean, wecoul dhav eendedjustli
keShebaand
Tebla…buty oust uckitoutandlovedme
thr
oughmyf oolishness.

GOUTA:
Anddon’
tyouev
erf
orgett
hat
!
MAOTO: (smili
ng)notonmyl if
e.Never(he
pull
edhercloserandkissedher)I
’m notperfect
andIwillpr
obablymakemor emist
akesaswe
grow,butIsweartoyouI ’
ll
dowhatev eri
ttakes
tobethemany oudeserve.

GOUTA:
Yea,t
hat
’swhyot
samaaoadi
mabo
Oni
kadi
kol
oimo…

MAOTO: (
laughing)I’
m nevergonnabefor
giv
en
fort
hat,am I?Iwasj ustbeingagood
Samarit
an.ButIswearnex tti
meIpassanyone
i
nt r
oubleI’l
lpretendthatIdon’
tseethem.

GOUTA:That’
smygoodboy!Youar enot
al
lowedtotal
ktoanywomen,especial
l
yOni
ka
andRebaone.
MAOTO:(l
aughi
ng)t
heybot
hdon’
texi
stt
ome
f
rom nowon.

GOUTA:I
’m ser
iousMaot o,
ketl
ekegobone
t
alki
ngt
oeitherofthem ketl
ogotr
apa!

MAOTO: (l
aughingandrubbinghischeek)Ei
sh,
kanadicl
apat sagagodihisabli
nd!Iwil
lnever
seeeit
herofthem agai
n.Infact
,whot hehel
l i
s
RebaoneorOni ka?

GOUTA: (l
aughi
ng)smar tman!Ithi
nkt
hekids
havefi
nishedcl
eanupi nthekit
chenandare
alr
eadyinbed.I
’veal
readyputmma- Btobed
too.Wannasneakouttot hefar
m andbe
naught
yunderthemoon?
MAOTO: Hellyea!I
’
m al waysupfornaughty
!
AndIhavesomanybadt hingsIwannadoto
you…af
terbeinginthedoghousef ortwoweeks
andnotgett
ingany …hellyea…(Hegrabbedhis
carkey
sandt heywal kedouthandinhand.)

*
***
**

ATKEDI
’
SHOUSE

Kedisatinthel
ivi
ngr
oom aloneaft
erputt
ing
thekidstobed.Shel
aughedattheSkypevideo
ofBoni nsomemakeshif
ttentsomewherehe
wouldn’tdi
scl
ose.

Hehasfi
nall
yconfi
ded,well
,sor
toftol
dhehe
wasaservi
ceagent.Thatwasaboutit
.She
f
igur
edhewor kedf
orsomet opsecr
et
gov
ernmentt
hing,
soshedi
dn’
taskany
mor
e.

KEDI:Youareser
ious?Theser
iousl
ymadey
ou
guyseatdog?

BON:It
sroughoutchea…makesmemi
ssy
our
cooki
ng…missyou

Hesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e

Shesatreadi
ngt hemessageov erandov er
agai
n.Hemi ssedher .Wel
l,maybeitwast r
ue
whattheysaid,di
stancedidmaket heheart
growfonder,becauseshetoomi ssedhim.And
wasstart
ingtonot i
ceallt
heli
ttl
ethingsabout
hi
mt hatmadehi m sospecial
toher .Li
kehow
shyhewas…
Shehear
dthedooropenandTebat
sowal
kedi
n.

KEDI
:Uhm…Tebat
so…hi
.I’
veal
readyputt
he
ki
dstobed…

Hegrabbedherandki
ssedherunt
ilshewas
outofbreat
h.

TEBATSO:Look,Kedi
.Imessedup.YouandI,
ourki
ds,weshouldbefamil
y.I
’
m goingaway
forawhi
leandwhenIcomebackwear egoi
ng
tofi
xthi
ngs,ok?Il
oveyou…

Hekissedheragai
nandwal
kedout
,leav
ingher
st
il
ldazed.

BON:
Ohf
orf
ucksake!Ser
iousl
yKedi
?It
hought
weweregett
ingsomewher
e?Yousai
dyouno
l
ongerseehi
m…

KEDI
:No…I
…Bonnopl
ease…Idon’
tknowwhat
hewant
ed…I
…

BON: Well
,hesureashellknewwhathewant ed!
Youknowwhat ,fuckt
his.Enjoyyourli
fewi
th
yourpieceofshi
tbabydaddy .I
’m done!

Thevideowentof f
…hewasgonej ustli
kethat
.
Anditwasnotl i
keshecoul
dcal lhim backor
anyt
hing,becauseshedi
dn’
tev enhav ethat
i
nfor
mat iontodoso.HeSkypeI Dsel f
-
dest
ructedeveryti
meacallended.

Hottearsrusheddownhercheeksasshehear
d
Tebatso’
scardriv
eoff
.Whydi dheal
ways
messupherl i
fel
ikethi
s?Didn’
tshedeser
ve
happi
ness?Wast hi
sherpunishmentf
orrui
ning
whatBathshebahadwithTebatsobef
oreshe
camein?

*
***
***

Thr
eemont
hsl
ater

*
***
***
CI
RCLESOFLI
FE:
EPI
LOGUE

ATAMELI
AHANDLENTSWE’
SWEDDI
NG

Thebrideandgr
oom cametoseatdowninthe
tentaspeopl
econt
inueddanci
nganddr
inki
ng.
LENTSWE:(whi
sper
ing)youaret
hemost
beaut
if
ulbr
ideI
’
veev erseen,
MrsKgagodi

AMELI
AH:(bl
ushi
ng)Idon’
tknow,MrKgagodi
,
somemaysayyouar
eal i
tt
lebi
ased.

LENTSWE: Thentheyknownot hingabout

beauty!Andthatpregnancyglowj ustel
evat
es
everyt
hing!Iam sohappyLiah, t
hanks…for
comingi nt
omyl if
e,andagreeingtospendthe
restofyourswithme.

AMELIAH:(
smil
ing)aww,
youar
egoi
ngt
omake
mecryandrui
nmymakeup!

LENTSWE: It
’ssowonder
fultoseeev er
yoneso
happy.Evenmmewasdanci ng.Il
ikehowmuch
offr
iendsyoutwohavebecome.It houghshe’
l
l
hat
eyou,
seei
ngshehat
esy
oursi
ster
s.

AMELIAH: (
laughing)shelov
esthatI
’
ma
housewife,accordingtoheranywomanwho
worksout si
det hehomei sater
ri
blewif
eand
mother.LookatTshepeandReba!Thoset wo
candance, ij
o!

LENTSWE: If
eelbadforTebl
at hough,
Ijust
wishhecouldgetoverhi
segoandgot al
kto
Sheba.Thosetwoloveeachother.

AMELIAH:Iknow,hey
…hei sbei
ngadickand
acti
ngli
keheneverwrongedSheba.Doyou
knowhedidn’tev
ensayhi t
oher?

LENTSWE: Butlookathi
m st
aringdagger
sat
theguydancingwithBat
hsheba.Ifl
ookscoul
d
ki
l
l,poorguywoul
dal
readybeont
hegr
ave.

AMELI AH:(l
aughing)Bathobat si
l
egoswake
dipel
o.Iwast al
ki
ngt oShebay est
erdayandshe
toldmeshei sfi
nallydone.Sheismov i
ngon,
donewai t
ingforTebatso’sar
rogantass.

LENTSWE: IknowTeblaismycousi
n,butgood
forSheba,
hei sact
ingl
ikeachi
l
d.

*
***
***
**

RebaoneandTshepedanceaboutwit
heach
otherasOni
kaandDesmondwal kedi
n.

REBAONE:(
whisper
ing)Look…360…l
ookwho
j
ustwal
kedin…Tshepe!Don’tt
urnar
oundotl
a
retshwari
sa(
punchi
nghi
m ont
heshoul
der
playf
ull
y)

TSHEPE:
Wow,
thoset
woar
est
il
ltoget
her
?

REBAONE: Yea, t
heyli
vei
nGabor onenow.
Sincethemot heri
nlawpassed,sheisthe
familymatri
archyandapparent
lyplayedabi
g
partinacqui
ri
ngmostoft hebusinessfor
Mar umoHoldingswhenitwassi nki
ngwithno
cli
ents!

TSHEPE:
Oni
ka?How?

REBAONE:(l
aughi
ng)howdoy outhink?She
hasnoeducat
ion,
justbeaut
yandabi gbutt
…I
hear
dsheevengotthem theKgagodifar
m deal
.
TSHEPE:
Gigi
gav
ehert
hatdeal
?

REBAONE:Li
keMadam Pri
ncesswoul
dever!
Weallknowwhodid,
andprobabl
ywhatshe
hadtodotogett
hedeal
…y ouknowhowy our
brot
heri
s…

TSHEPE:(
laughi
ng)Wenaj
aanongobat
lago
nkgol
ega

REBAONE: (laughing)Ther
eisy
oursi
de
chick…sheispregnant,gasewenat
ota?
(LookingatBany ana)

TSHEPE:(laughing)Waswaba…Idon’ thavea
sidechi
ck.Thosel iveaperf
ectli
femanmar e.I
l
ikethecoupl e…alwaysonholi
dayswit
ht hei
r
sonandall,theirpict
uresar
ealwayscute.
REBAONE: (
laughi
ng)Lehorwakesoci
almedia
the!Youdoknowhei sBat
hsheba’
sbabydaddy,
ri
ght?

TSHEPE:Senthee!Ev
enTeblanevertolduswho
thebabydaddywas.Wejustthoughtitwas
somewhiteguybecauseshespentsomuch
ti
mekoUKandal l
.

REBAONE: Ohookehano.Al lt
heirperfect
socialmediali
feissuchahoax ,nnar eabona
ngwany anacomi ngintoworkwithpuf f
yeyes
andshit.Colt
oni sawhoreandBany anais
delusi
onal.Aslongaspeoplethinkshei sli
vi
ng
agoodl if
eonsoci almedia,
sheishappy .
(Laughing)Heela,haebonaMaot ojaakaalabil
e
l
eragolagaOni ka!
Theybot
hlaughedandcont
inueddanci
ng

*
***
***

Kwapast aredatOni kawhosatnearher

husbandindifferently!Howshehadchanged!
Onikawassuchasoci et
yhighfl
yernow.He
missedher…t her ealOnika.Hemissedthatr
ural
,
sweetcarefreegi rlheknew.Whatwasi twit
h
humanitythatmadey ouappreci
atewhatyou
hadonlywheni t’
sgone?Shehadan
opport
unitywi thOni kaandheblewit.

Shest
oodupandexcusedher
sel
f,wal
ki
ngof
f
tot
hetoi
l
ets.

Hest
oodupandlookedaround,
thenwal
kedof
f
andf
oll
owedher
,draggi
ngherofftot
he
changi
ngr
oom upst
air
s,i
ntot
hepr
ivat
etoi
l
et.

ONIKA:
Whatt
hef
uckdoy
out
hinky
ouar
e
doi
ng?

KWAPA: Oni
ka…Imissyou…Imi
ssyousomuch
Ican’tt
akeit
.Il
oveyou,
alwayshad,andIknow
therealyoui
sinther
esomewhere.

ONI
KA:
(laughi
ng)y
ouar
epat
het
ic.

KWAPA: MaybeIam,buti
tdoesn’
tchanget
he
factt
hatIl
oveyou…

ONI
KA:
Wel
l
,that
’sy
ourpr
ob…

Hegr
abbedherandki
ssedherr
oughl
y,herv
ery
expensiv elookingdressri
dinguphert highsas
hepi nnedhert othewal l
.Her ubbedher
throughheral readywetpant i
esasherbr eat
h
hiked,ri
ppingt hem offwhil
eshequi cklyundid
hispant s,f
reeinghishardonandr unningher
wel l
-manicuredhandsal ongitslength.Onika
wasnev erthatbrazenbefore.Hemi ssedher
hesitantinnocence.

Shepushedhim ont
othetoi
letseatandpul
led
hispantsandunder
weartohisknees,t
hen
sashayi
ngontohisl
apandimpaledhersel
fwith
hishardandprouddi
ck,
moani nglowashe
enter
edher.

Sherockedbackandfor
thonhislap, gy
rat
ing
herhi
psinmov est
hathadbothoft hem
moaningandholdi
ngontoeachot herunti
lthey
cameatt hesameti
me.Shepull
edout
i
mmedi atel
y,wipedher
sel
fwiththetoi
letpaper
andpickedupherpanti
esfrom thef
loor,
putt
ingthem backonandwalkingoutofthe
toi
l
et.

KWAPA:
Oni
ka…pl
ease…l
et’
s…

ONI
KA:
Goodby
eKen….

KWAPA:
Ilov
eyou,
Oni
ka…

ONIKA:(
smi
l
ingsweet
ly)Li
keIsai
d,t
hat
’sy
our
pr
oblem.

Shewal kedbacktot
hetentoutsi
deandsat
besideherhusband,
smil
ingwiththeper
fect
polkaface,emoti
onl
ess,
justl
ikeaMrsMar umo
wastobei
fshewer
etosur
vivethey
ear
sthat
Bei
ngMrsMarumowoul
drequir
eofher
.

*
***
**

Kediwal
kedovertoBonashest oodlaughing
wit
hhisbrot
hers.Helookedsofi
neinhissuit.
Shehadn’
tseenhim sincet
hatl
astcallt
hree
monthsago.

KEDI
:Hi
…

Thebrot
hersmumbl edsomethingandwalked
away.Hejustkeptqui
etandstaredather
.

KEDI
:Canwet
alk?
BON: Thereisnothi
ngtotal
kabout.YouandI
aredone,Kedi,andI’
m notevensur
eweev er
hadany t
hing.

KEDI:
Bonpl
easedon’
tbel
ikethat
…pl
ease.
Giv
emeachancetoexpl
ain…

BON:NoKedi ,
itdoesn’
tneedanyexplai
ning.
Yourbaby-
daddyiswalkingover
.Letmeexcuse
myselfbef
oreIbeathisstupi
dassup.Hav ea
ni
celi
fe.Ir
eall
ydidcareaboutyou,youknow…

Hewalkedoff
,snat
chi
ngabeerf
rom aser
ver
anddowningi
tinonegul
p.

Tebatsoreachedherandheldherbythewai
st,
ki
ssingherandmaki ngsur
eBathshebacoul
d
see.
TEBATSO:Iwasgoingtocomeseey
ou…Ionl
y
ar
ri
vedbackyest
erday.

KEDI
:Tebat
so,
please…

TEBATSO: I
’vegottenev er
y t
hingfigur
edout,
Kedi!Youandt hekidswi l
lmov einwithme.We
aregoingtobeaf amily.Iwantourweddi ngto
benextmont h.Iwasj usttal
kingtomyuncl e,
andt heywi
ll
reopent henegot iat
ionswit
hyour
family.

Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandkissedher
.Theki
ds
camer
unni
ngovertothem.

MADUO:
Daddy
!Youar
eback!
TEBATSO:(hugginghim andpickingupNeo)I
missedyouguyssomuch!I t’
sl i
keev er
yti
meI
bl
inkyougetbigger!WhereisBlessing?

NEO:Overt
her
eplayi
ng!Di
dyoubr
ingmea
Chr
ist
maspresent
?

TEBATSO:Loadsandloadsofpresent
s!And
guesswhat?YouandDuoandBl essandmama
andIar
egoingtoli
vetogethernow.Weare
goi
ngtobeaf ami
ly!I
sn’tt
hatgreat
!

NEO:Yeay
!Ot
hersatschool
whereaskingme
whymydaddydoesn’
tli
vewit
hus!I
’m sohappy
daddy
!

Kedi
stoodwat
chi
nghi
mint
eractwi
tht
heki
ds.
Whywasshesoweakwheni tcametoTebatso?
Sheknewdamnwel lt
hathewasinlovewith
Bathsheba,whywasn’
tshejustni
ppingt
hison
thebudandget t
inghi
m offt
heirl
iv
esforgood?
Butherkidslov
edhim…

Hewatchedhim wal
kov
ert
ohi
scousi
ns
whi
stl
i
ngarrogantl
y.

Bathshebalookedathi m andlaughed.Honest l
y?
Howpat heti
cwashet hough?Wasshe
supposedt obejealousofthatli
ttlefakefamil
y
reuni
onshi t
?AndKedi wasjustaspat heti
cfor
taki
nghim back.Wel l
,notherprobl em anymore.
She’donlystuckaroundbecauseshewas
Amel i
ah’
smai dofhonour .Aft
ertheweddi ng
shewast akingPhoenixandmov ingt oUK.
Tebatsohadpl ay
edbot hherandKedi f
ortoo
l
ong, andifKediwast oostupidtor eali
seit
,
t
hent
hatwasherpr
obl
em.

*
***

Gout
api
nchedMaot
oont
hear
m

GOUTA:
Takeapi
ctur
e,i
t’
ll
lastl
onger
!

MAOTO: (l
aughi
ng)Awwthathur
ts…Iwasj
ust
l
ooking!Gobonakamathogasegosenya
aker
e!

GOUTA: Er
ekaobar atabomma- mar
ago-disal
e!
Lelengwekelel
elebel
etel
agago,bonajaakaa
i
thait
il
ekathatdr
ess!Ngwanyanayol
etheene
ganashame( poi
nti
ngatRebaone)
MAOTO: (l
aughing)Somet i
mesIf orgetgoreo
dipuoj ang!Trustme, y ouaretheonl ywoman
I
’m cont inuall
yfantasizingaboutdraggingher
tot henear estspaceandst rippi
nghernaked.
ButI ’
m aman, Iseeawomanput tingout,Ilook.
Youknowhowy oual way smakemewai tf
or
hour swhi l
ey oulookatahandbagy ouhav eno
i
nt enti
onofbuy i
ng?Ki ndathesame.I t
’ssexy
yea, butmyi nterestendsatl ooki
ng.

GOUTA:Itbet
ter
!Yourbrot
heri
slooki
ngat
Oni
katoo…lonathelerat
agoshare!

MAOTO: (
laughi
ng)Mat
heabashi
manega
i
lane…l
et’
sgoov ert
her
eandseei
fther
eis
morebeer.

*
***
***
*