5. INT PRECIOUS’ HOUSE SAME DAY
PRECIOUS AND CAROL ARE NOW SEATED IN A CORNER OF THE LIVING ROOM AND NURSING GLASSES OF RED WINE IN THEIR HANDS. A HALF EMPTY BOTTLE OF THE WINE SITS ON A SMALL TABLE BETWEEN THEM. CAROL STARES AT PRECIOUS WITH CONCERN AS PRECIOUS STARES STRAIGHT AHEAD OF HERSELF WITH WORRY IN HER EYES…
CAROL
Precious?
PRECIOUS
Yes?
CAROL
Everything is going to be fine. Okay? I am sure you are going to meet the man who is going to be your soul mate very soon.
PRECIOUS SCOFFS AND RISES TO HER FEET TO PACE BRIEFLY BEFORE SHE TURNS TO FACE CAROL AND SPEAK…
PRECIOUS
Am I going to find that soul mate within the next four days?
CAROL
Four days? I don’t understand what you mean.
PRECIOUS WALKS TO SIT BESIDE CAROL AND SIGHS BEFORE SHE SPEAKS…
PRECIOUS
In four days’ time, I have to visit my parents. I told you about my plans to visit them, right?
CAROL
Yes, you did. But what has that got to do with your finding your soul mate in four days?
PRECIOUS
(Sighs) I had told my parents I would come home to see them with my husband to be. (Slight pause). I cannot go to them without a man I will show them as my husband to be.
CAROL
Then you would have to tell them there is no man for now. Or better still, don’t go this time.
PRECIOUS
No! I have to go! I cannot allow my step mother to win this war!
CAROL
Your step-mother? C’mon, Precious! Don’t tell me you are still in a battle with your mother over your father’s love!
PRECIOUS
The battle is still on, Carol! I cannot allow that woman take control of everything my father worked for!
CAROL
Precious, I think you need to calm down a bit. Are you saying that your reason for trying to hook a man to yourself is because of your step-mother?
PRECIOUS
Yes! She once laughed and teased me about my inability of having a man of my own. I am sure she is the person working against my ability to keep a man to myself with her juju.
CAROL
(Snaps) Will you shut up, eh, Precious? You are the cause of your inability to get a man for yourself!
SHOCK APPEARS ON PRECIOUS’ FACE AS SHE TURNS TO GLARE AT CAROL…
PRECIOUS
What did you just say?
CAROL
You heard me, Precious! I have been your friend for more than ten years now and I have watched the way you control and try to push your boyfriends towards marriage!
PRECIOUS
You lie! You lie, Carol!
CAROL
I have just spoken the truth to you, Precious and that is because I don’t like the way you are going about your war with your mother in law.
PRECIOUS
I see. So you think the fact that we have been friends for a long time is enough for you to tell me about my life?
CAROL
If I don’t tell you, who else would? Besides I have warned you several times to relax on the pressure you place on your boyfriends on marriage but you wouldn’t listen!
PRECIOUS
It is so easy for you to speak to me this way because you are married and with a family of your own. (Sighs) You may leave now, please. I need to be alone.
CAROL STARES AT HER SILENTLY FOR A SECOND OR TWO BEFORE SHE SIGHS AND PICKS UP HER HANDBAG AND WALKS OUT OF THE HOUSE WITHOUT ANOTHER WORD. WE SOON HEAR THE SOUND OF HER CAR START AND DRIVEN OUT OF THE COMPOUND…
FADE
