John and Nadine receive a call from Mr Tiru. Mr Tiru is processing their flight tickets for a business trip to one of the islands.

John’s mobile: Bringg Bringggg

John: ‘Hello’

Mr Tiru (shouting): (Something in Swahili).. Tiru.. (Something else in Swahili).

John with mobile a foot from ear: ‘Hello Mr Tiru. How are you?’

Mr Tiru (shouting): Hello Mr John, where are you?

John: Jane’s house.

Mr Tiru (shouting): Yes… Where are you please?

John: Pause… …Jane’s House Mr Tiru. The house of Jane. You know Jane. She is our boss.

Mr Tiru (shouting): Yes yes. Jane. Your wife. I am processing her plane ticket. (Shouting much louder) Where are you!

John: No Mr Tiru Nadine is my wife. Jane is my boss. We are at Jane’s house. We are at the house of Jane.

Mr Tiru: Pause…Please tell me where are you!

John: Where should we be Mr Tiru?

Mr Tiru: Pause…..(shouting) Are you at the college? (where we work)

John: No Mr Tiru, but we can be there in 20 minutes.

Mr Tiru: Pause…..

John: Mr Tiru?

Mr Tiru: Pause….. (shouting) I am at the college. Tell me where you are?

John: We can come to the college in 20 minutes.

Mr Tiru (shouting): You are here?

John: No Mr Tiru we..

Mr Tiru (shouting): You are here?

John. We are coming Mr. Tiru. Stay there, please.

Mr Tiru (shouting): I wait for you. Come to me. Badaaye (‘see you soon’).

John: See ….  (Mr Tiru hangs up).

John and Nadine arrive at the college hot and sweating profusely after a 20 minute dash on bikes in the midday sun. The college is silent. A cow is grazing on the flowers planted last week at the main entrance. There is no Mr Tiru. John calls Mr Tiru.

Mr Tiru (shouting): Naam? (yes?)

John: Hello Mr Tiru. Where are you?

Mr Tiru (shouting): I am here.

John (looking left and right): Where Mr Tiru? The college?

Mr Tiru (shouting): No.

John: Pause….. We are at the college Mr Tiru. Where are you?

Mr Tiru (shouting): I have your plane tickets.

John: Yes Mr Tiru. Are you coming to the college?

Mr Tiru (shouting): Come to me tomorrow. Badaaye.

John: Where are you Mr Tiru….?

Mr Tiru hangs up.

Nadine gazes to the heavens. . . John kicks a passing chicken into the scrub grass.