DAZE - 4

SCENE 2

INT. CHIEF OMORUYI'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOS  

Chief Omoruyi having overheard their conversation falls back weak in his wheelchair.

SCENE 3

EXT. IMG CONSULTING OFFICE BUILDING - MORNING

There are some business activities going on in the vicinity. ALHAJI, 59, MD/CEO of IMG Consulting LTD is on his way out for a meeting. He is accompanied by his P.A. FUNKE, 29, while his driver walks ahead of them to bring the car from the parking lot.

ALHAJI

You said the client upstairs wants a U.S visa?

FUNKE

Yes Alhaji.

ALHAJI

So in all, how many visas are we looking at this month?

FUNKE

Twenty, Alhaji. But we've processed five already.

ALHAJI

So the ten marketers we have in this company were only able to bring in twenty clients. Which means they brought two each.

FUNKE

Actually, it was just three of them who brought the twenty clients.

ALHAJI

Then what are the rest doing? Just drawing salaries?

FUNKE

They're trying their best, Alhaji.

ALHAJI

I can't keep paying them to "try their best". I want results. I think it's time I sacked them.

FUNKE

But, Alhaji, if we keep firing marketers who genuinely are working very hard at their target, we'll just be giving the wrong impression that any marketer hired will soon be sacked regardless of his or her efforts, and that's not good for business. I think they're better redeployed than sacked...

Doris walks in through the gate. Cites Alhaji and co at the parking lot and timidly greets from a distance. Alhaji appears surprised to see her. He beckons her:

ALHAJI

Come.

(To Funke)

Isn't that Doris?

Funke shrugs. Doris approaches.

DORIS

Good morning, Alhaji.

ALHAJI

What are you doing here?

DORIS

I'm so sorry am late, Alhaji.

ALHAJI

Of course you are. You were sorry you were late yesterday; you're sorry you were late the day before yesterday; you're sorry you were - you are always sorry you're late. Anyway, what are you doing here?

DORIS

I came to work, Alhaji.

ALHAJI

You didn't get my SMS last night?

DORIS

No, Alhaji.

ALHAJI

You've been sacked.

DORIS

(Shockingly)

No.

ALHAJI

There's no way I who owns the company will be coming to work by seven a.m., while you whom I employed will be strolling to work at past ten O'clock.

DORIS

But, Alhaji, I explained my father's condition to the HR...

ALHAJI

(Calling on a staff passing by)

Hey, Bridget!

Bridget hurries towards Alhaji.

 ALHAJI(CONT'D)

Collect Doris' ID Card and every other company property with her. And also the company phone with her.

(To Doris)

By month end your salary account shall be credited with your salary and any other entitlement due you.

(To P.A.)

Let's go.

Alhaji and Funke enter car and drive out. Doris weeps with frustration as she hands Bridget her ID card.

BRIDGET

I'm so sorry, Doris.

Doris doesn't respond but begins to walk towards the gate.

BRIDGET(CONT'D)

I was also asked to collect the phone with you.

DORIS

But this is the only line my dad can get me through.

BRIDGET

But you heard when Alhaji asked that I collect it from you. I don't want to lose my job too.

Doris reluctantly releases the phone. As she walks away sorrowfully, Bridget calls her back.

BRIDGET(CONT'D)

A friend of mine spoke of a vacancy in their office last week. The company isn't far from here. Here is her business card. The address is on it. Tell her from me.

DORIS

(Accepts card)

Thank you.

BRIDGET

Good luck.