Chapter 6
The next morning, I prepared for work from Isadora’s place. Isadora was also getting herself ready for work, so I gently sat down on the conch in the sitting room watching the morning news on the television. I was still seated when Isadora came in prepared.
“Darlene, I think I’m set to hit the road”, Isadora turn three-sixty degrees for me to admire her beautiful body and outfit.
“Seems like, you’re all set to cause road accident today”, I joked while she laughed out loud.
“You no serious jor”, Isadora replied in pidgin.
We both set out to our various work place that morning.
I arrived at my work place to see Mr. Jams waiting for me with a gloomy face.
“Good morning Mr. James, this one your face is like this, hope we’re not set to have a bad day?”, I asked Mr. James while settling down.
“Well, to be honest…I don’t think so?”, Mr. James began.
“What’s the issue buddy?”, I pressed further.
“Nothing much…just that…”, Mr. Mr. James began.
“Just that what?”, I asked Mr. James.
“The Editor-In-Chief demands your presence in his office once you come to work”, Mr. James replied soberly.
“Hope no problem?”, I touched Mr. James’ shoulders.
“I don’t know, but it seems he had gotten another partner for me”, Mr. James replied looking down casted.
“Oh that? Leave it to me, I’ll handle that”, I assured Mr. James as I walked toward the Editorial office.
“I am sorry Mr. Thompson, but as it is now; I have no other option than to pair Mr. James up with another person”, The Editor skimmed through some files. As if reading my mind, he continued, “…The Editor-In-Chief directed that Mr. James be paired with someone else”.
“Oh…I see, he paired James up with someone else and couldn’t gather the balls to tell me to my face. Rather, he sent you to tell me. What a rhetorical irony”, I was already getting furious.
“Please listen Thompson, it’s not my intention to. I know how much you love and care for Mr. James, as a friend. I always envy your friendship and wished I had a friend like that. The office higher than mine ordered it Thompson, I wish I could say ‘no’ or do otherwise. I am sorry Thompson, but my hands are tied”, The Editor explained to me sincerely.
“It’s alright sir, I understand sir. But who is the new person assigned as Mr. James’ partner?”, I enquired from the Editor.
“Mr. Aminu”, The Editor replied me with a grave face.
“What?! Mr. Aminu of all persons? What on earth is wrong with the Editor-In-Chief”, I asked the editor who at this point was looking down probably to avoid my angry face.
“That, I don’t understand. But according to a little bird, having Mr. James work with you is a big risk to the press house. You are an independent reporter, unlike you; Mr. James is our full time staff and having him on same team as you will make him stop following the press house laid down principles…”, The Editor narrowed his eyes.
“The principles of playing pawns in the hands of cabals right?”, I asked the Editor who nodded .
“That’s it. Help me tell the Editor-In-Chief that I officially resign today”, The Editor was shocked.
“Tell me you don’t mean”, He asked with doubt.
“Read my lips, I mean every word…I said”, I turned toward the door.
“You made the right decision Mr. Thompson, best of luck from here”, I heard the Editor’s voice behind me and I waved my hands in the air in response as I shut the door.
I met Mr. James still standing where I left him, pacing ton and fro impatiently.
“Mr. James, I’ve resigned”, I announced to Mr. James.
“If you resign, then I have no other option than to resign”, Mr. James began packing up.
“Don’t be silly James, this is your source of livelihood”, I tried to dissuade him from resigning.
“Source of income you say? Source of income where someone tends to use their selfish ambition to control your life? Where some crazy lunatics in the form of humans think they can control your life like that of a puppet simply because you work under them?”, Mr. James spoke up angrily and loudly.
“Calm down Mr. James, just that…”, I began but was cut short by Mr. James.
”Just what? Be honest Mr. Thompson, if I were your son or brother…would you have advised me to continue working here?”, Mr. James asked me the unexpected question, at that moment I knew I’ve lost.
“Honestly, I would have told him to make a choice, follow his mind”, I stammered knowing fully well that I’ve fallen into Mr. James’ trap.
“So that’s my choice, resigning”, Mr. James packed up and stormed the Editorial office.
I watched him storming off, right then, I knew that Mr. James have been reborn. It gladdened my heart that finally he had made a move, but I was also worried for him. How he’ll manage for the mean time till he finds another job with another press or media house. I was still lost in thoughts when I saw Mr. James stormed out of the Editorial office, followed by The Editor who was following closely from behind calling him. Mr. James walked pass me, carried his work bag and stormed towards the door. I hurriedly followed him with my bag, while eyeing the Editor.
At the exit, I saw the Editor-In-Chief starring down at us with a look of shock, I gave him the middle finger before exiting the door.