CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP - 11

SCENE 13

INT. KFC RESTAURNT - DAY 

          Miss Etim and Bruce are seated by a window corner eating. They have been fully served and their table is filled with various drinks and dishes. Miss Etim breaks the long silence while almost at the end of their meal.

MISS ETIM

I went through your CV. From your date of birth I can tell you’re 36 and single?

BRUCE

              Yes, ma’am.

MISS ETIM

              Single-single or single in a relationship?

BRUCE

              No, I'm single-single.

MISS ETIM

That's strange. No girlfriends?

BRUCE

              Na, no girlfriend?

MISS ETIM

              How could you be 36 - how could any guy be 36 and not have a girlfriend? You don’t plan on marrying some day?

BRUCE

              I do.

MISS ETIM

              How do you intend doing so if you don’t have a girlfriend?

Bruce is unnerving and disinclined to respond.

MISS ETIM(CONT'D)

No, you can talk to me. Forget about the protocols and feel free. Unless of course you don’t want to talk.

BRUCE

              (Sighs)

It’s just...I haven’t found my kinda girl.

MISS ETIM

              Isn’t that what you guys all say especially when you’re not ready to settle down?

BRUCE

              But I’ve found her now.

MISS ETIM

              (Displeasingly)

Really! How? When?

BRUCE

              About six months ago.

MISS ETIM

              So what does she look like?

BRUCE

              (Dreamily)

She’s chocolaty brown...

MISS ETIM

              Complexion?

BRUCE

              Hmmm... Pretty, great eyes - just like you.

He becomes conscious.

BRUCE(CONT'D)

I’m sorry.

MISS ETIM

              Since you’ve known her for six months now, what’s holding you from tying the knot?

BRUCE

              I only said I’ve found her but I haven’t told her anything yet. She doesn’t even know I love her.

MISS ETIM

              (Relieved)

Oh. Are you a shy guy? You can’t walk up to a lady and tell her how you feel?

BRUCE

              Of course...of course...of course not. It’s a bit complicated.

MISS ETIM

              Inferiority complex?

BRUCE

Nah.

MISS ETIM

              Want my advice, Bruce? If you truly love her, tell her how you feel.

BRUCE

              How about you, Miss Etim?

MISS ETIM

              What about me?

BRUCE

              Why aren’t you married too?

MISS ETIM

              (Angrily)

              How dare you, Bruce?!

BRUCE

              (Confusedly)

I thought you…

MISS ETIM

              Just because I gave you a mile you want to take a million!

BRUCE

              But I thought you said I should forget protocols?

MISS ETIM

              And so you threw caution to the wind? How dare you?!

BRUCE

              (Sombrely)

              I’m sorry. I’m sorry, ma’am.

Miss Etim starts to grin.

MISS ETIM

              Got ya. I was just messing with you.

She laughs off. Bruce is relieved.

BRUCE

              Oh my... Shit! For a moment, I’d my heart in my hand. I thought I'd just lost my job same day I got confirmed.

MISS ETIM

              I was just playing with you. You wanted to know why am still single?

BRUCE

              (Gasps) I'm not sure anymore.

MISS ETIM

              Relax. I told you it was a joke. Well, my situation is different. I fear every man around me is just after wealth. You know, my late father’s inheritance and of course my hard work. I can hardly tell who truly loves me.

BRUCE

              But can you tell whom you truly love?

Miss Etim becomes pensive.

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