16th Avenue👔 – Part 3

 

Midday at the Staff Canteen,

Daisy
It’s a lie.

Kelsey
I wish it was.

William
What are we gossiping about?
(Runs his cup under the cold water dispenser balancing an empty food tray.)

Daisy
Wilson got suspended?
(Still stunned)

William
Are you kidding? She just found out?

Daisy
So who’s replacing him?

Kelsey
Janet. Temporarily.

William
Don’t remind me.

Kelsey
I thought you’d be happy for her.

William
I was… until she went from being insanely attractive to insanely bossy overnight. It’s only been two days and  half the Unit’s already threatening to resign. She’s worse than Saddam. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I miss Wilson.
(William exits seemingly pissed)

Kelsey
Max. two weeks before they break up.

Daisy
Two weeks? I give them two minutes.

(Enters Benji)

Benji
You give who two minutes?
(Taking a seat, he slides his food tray unto the table and immediately begins to munch away)

Kelsey
We’re trying to predict how much longer till Janet and William break up.

Benji
Janet and William are going out?

Daisy
Where have you been?

Kelsey
According to Daisy, they’re like a minute away from breaking up ‘cuz William can’t deal with Janet being his boss ever since Wilson got suspended.

Benji
Wilson got suspended? Wait, who’s Wilson?

( Daisy and Kelsey exchange glances.)

Daisy
What company are you in?

Benji
(Drops his spoon)
I’m lost.

Kelsey
Hope you now see why you need to gossip more.

Benji
May God forgive you.
(Picks up his spoon once more.)
Anyway, there’s something I wanted to share with you guys.

Kelsey
What, your kpomo?

(Daisy laughs.)

Benji
Nice one but that’s not it.
(And after a breath…)
I’m leaving.

Kelsey
Leaving, as in…
(Kelsey grabs her fork and knife and goes to work on her beef.)

Benji
Remember that interview I went for? I got an email. Training school starts next week.

Daisy
Which means?

Benji
Friday’s my last day.

(Kelsey drops her fork grabbing the attention of the entire canteen.)
After work hours,
Virtually the entire office is empty. Kelsey pushes her way in through the East Wing door clutching her hand bag and, as usual, finds Benji still hard at work behind his system in the empty wing.

Kelsey
I knew you’d still be here.

Benji
(Looks up with a smile, though, a weary one)
Pull up a seat.

Kelsey
Tonight, I think I’d rather stand.

(Benji gets up from his seat and leans against his table.)

Benji
You can’t expect me to sit while you’re standing.

Kelsey
(Folds her arms)
So, you’re really leaving? Didn’t you just get here?

Benji
That was my boss’ exact reaction. He told me he saw it coming. He commended my work ethics then advised me saying if I work hard, I can make it to the top.

Kelsey
Hitler said that?

Benji
Hey, watch it.

Kelsey
I know… may God forgive me, right?

(Benji smiles his gentle smile.)

Kelsey
You mean I’m not going to get to hear you say that anymore?

Benji
Hey, you act like I’m going to die or something. I’m still in Lagos. Do you mean to tell me we can’t stay in touch even when I’m in the same state.

Kelsey
I know myself. I don’t do well with long-distance anything.

Benji
This time you will.

Kelsey
Are you kidding? By this time next week, I probably won’t remember your name.

Benji
(Smiles laughing within. He folds his arms.)
I remember when we first met, that day in your office. I had the impression that you were so unapproachable but you turned out to be the opposite.

Kelsey
And I had the impression that you were so cocky. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Benji
I never imagined we’d turn out to be close.

Kelsey
Yeah, neither did I.

(The wing door opens and Rob, the Maintenance Officer, pokes his head in.)

Rob
You two are always the last to leave.
We’re shutting off the gen in 2minutes. Go home.
(He takes off hastily.)

Benji
Well, looks like it’s time to go.

Kelse’s
Looks like it.