Estate Walls (NHB Modern Plays) by Arinzé Kene

Author:Arinzé Kene [Kene, Arinzé]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788503037
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Scene Three

The next day, the sun is shining. OBI sits on the wall. Musing and writing.

OBI (reading and writing). I hate wanting you

That makes me sick When I see you… when. I. see. youuuu

My life is shit

So I’ll pretend

Like things are cool

’Cause when I don’t… ’cause when I don’t…

I’m vulnerable

You’re beautiful.

CHELSEA arrives.

CHELSEA. Obi.

He tenses, keeps his eyes on the page.

Obi.

Do you mind raising your head out of your book for one moment?

OBI. Sup?

I haven’t seen Cain if that’s what you’re…

CHELSEA. I came to see you actually.

OBI. –

CHELSEA. Yes, you.

OBI. Okay.

What about?

CHELSEA. I’ll ask the questions thank you. As you know Cain’s back.

OBI. Yes indeed.

CHELSEA. What are you lot planning?

OBI (baffled). Planning…

CHELSEA. And don’t play dumb because I can sense trouble from a mile away.

OBI. What?

CHELSEA. Look, let me break it down for you. You see me yeah? I’m not dumb, you can’t lie to me, I deal with guys like you at the youth club eh-ver-y day it’s a minor.

OBI. What?

CHELSEA. You see Cain? That’s my man. And I know when he’s hiding something. So just tell me, what are you making him do this time?

OBI. What am I making him do?

CHELSEA. Yes you, you’re a bad influence on him, I know you’re trying to drag him down with you.

OBI. Me?

CHELSEA. Don’t try and act all innocent because I was there that time when you dared him to steal the pizza-delivery man’s moped…

OBI. What?

CHELSEA.…and now they don’t deliver pizza here any more all because of Obi.

OBI. We were fifteen.

CHELSEA. I don’t care how old you were, you’ve got some hold on him and I don’t like it, making him do bad things – I know it’s you.

OBI. ME?

CHELSEA. Da dark lord with the sharp sword…

OBI (gathering her assumption). Okay.

CHELSEA. I know what the sharp sword is ya know.

OBI. I don’t do that any more.

I’m the one that’s been trying to get him to cool his head.

CHELSEA. Whatever. I’m gonna find out what this plan is that you lot got going.

OBI. I’ll just tell you straight.

Pause.

CHELSEA. Go on then.

OBI. They’re gonna go and wet up Delvin.

CHELSEA. Shut up.

OBI. I’m serious, they’re talking about killing him.

CHELSEA. Obi. Get a life. Normal people don’t joke about them things do they? Anyway I know Cain wouldn’t do that sooo… (Goes to leave.)

OBI goes back to his writing.

OBI. Okay, don’t believe me.

She stops. Turns around.

CHELSEA. You’re always writing something innit.

What are you writing?

OBI. –

CHELSEA. I bet it’s all, ‘fuck bitch shit ass nigga motherfucker blood’. You lot need to learn how to write proper sentences.

OBI (laughs). That’s cute.

CHELSEA. What are you writing?

OBI. Chelsea wants to know what Obi’s writing.

CHELSEA (kisses her teeth). Forget it then.

OBI. Nar I’ll show you but I just wanna make sure you’re… ready. ’Tis some deep deep shit that might fly overhead.

CHELSEA. Uh. Excuse me, but I got an A-star in English Lit so I’ll be the judge of that thank you.

She sits close beside him.

OBI. It’s my book of poetry.

CHELSEA. Wait wait, you write poems?

OBI. Yes.

CHELSEA. Oh my days. But you’re a waste-man though?

OBI.

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