Sunday, April 21, 2013

Tired and cranky

Saturday 20/04/2013
Lecherous security guy Bassey, opportunistically drops by for a visit knowing I'm back from travel, Wearing a sickly sweet grin-ace, he hovers. “What did you bring me?” he oozes in his signature off-putting way.  “My splendid self Bassey. What did you bring me?” 

It’s now coming on 7pm and security guard Joe is no-show. Collins put in over 13 hours today. He’s lucky to get the occasional Sunday off. This kind and generous man needs his downtime. Seemingly Joe’s on his way.  Whether that means he’s actually on route or is just leaving wherever he happens to be is another matter. You have to ask, specifically, “what are you doing now?” to really know (an expat/indigene talking point).  I walk Collins towards the gate. He shuts off the big gen. The compound dims and flickers to black. He lets himself out. I bolt the door at top and bottom, behind him.

Twice over the next hour and a half local neighbours come hammering at the door. I tell them to keep an eye out for Joe, that I won’t be opening the gates for them or anyone anytime soon. By 8.30, fed up with no-show-Joe I contact Aishat, Finance and Admin Manager. Next thing, the dogs are barking. I grab a torch and head to the gates, stopping dead still at the sight of a shadowy figure in the compound. It’s Joe. “How did you get in?” I demand. “Show me!” This is not cool. Nor am I.
 
21/04/2013 Sunday Evening
Ewww. Bassey just came to the door, let himself in and stood in the hall looking at me with that icky smarmy grin. "Good evening…."
Can I help you? I ask.
"No."
“Okay, then out you go.” I open the door and usher him out.
That guy is just plain creepy. Simple maybe? Etiquette challenged for sure. He should not be stepping into this house unless invited. Or anyone else's. It was made emphatically clear to me before I even arrived that no one should or would take that kind of liberty Another something to take up with Aishat.  In the meantime I’ve locked up for the night and am calling it a day.

 

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