Howbeit, the majority of them have not left the suburb since they found themselves there many years ago, or since they were born. Neither were they privileged to attend any school. All the while, they lived, and slept in an uncompleted building and did menial jobs which were boring, and had reduced their self-worth. Some were gotten outside wedlock because their mothers were victims of teenage pregnancy. When Victor, who was awake all through the journey, woke them up, they could not believe their eyes.
'Is this where we are having the training?' They only thought, but could not voice out for fear of appearing odd or offending their hosts. As soon as they woke up, they began to drag their knapsack bags.
“Leave your bags. Okay?” Mr. Edwin, who was by the door of the bus already, announced. They walked into the hotel lobby and waited in the front of the elevator. After a few seconds, a porter walked to them and announced, “Let's go,” and they looked up.
He pressed the elevators' buttons, and the gates opened. They filed into the elevators, which had the capacity to lift fourteen passengers at a go. Likewise, they were scared, and wondered how people can get to the last floor of the twenty-story building using the staircase.
'It must take a whole day,' one of them thought to himself. Finally, they arrived at the floor where ten rooms were reserved for them, and they checked in.
“You will bear with us, Mr. Ice, we have to pair you,” Edwin announced while he was directing them to their rooms. The ten rooms were all on one wing of the floor. The corridor had five rooms on each side, so their movements and activities would only be limited to that wing.
“It is all right, Mr. Great,” Victor replied. Soon, the porter brought their knapsack bags with a trolley.
“Everybody, come and pick up your bag,” Victor announced.
'Why didn't they allow us to carry our bags by ourselves? They like giving themselves trouble.'
Some thought as they picked up their bags in astonishment, and headed to the rooms assigned to them according to their partners.
“If you are settled, kindly let me know so that we can go for lunch,” Edwin announced while standing with the orderly.
“Okay, Mr. Great,” Victor responded. Then, he went from one room to the other to ascertain that they were settled and asked them to come out for lunch.
“What is lunch?”
One of the teammates asked his roommate whom he thought could know better, and he gave him the response that was propounded by him.
“Lunch is the food people eat in the afternoon.”
“Oh! Does it taste nice?”
“I have not tasted it before, but I'm certain that it would taste nice.”
Then, they moved to the Platinum Restaurant of the Grand Crest Luxury where Ahmed, his orderly, driver, and the coaster bus driver were waiting. As they walked in, he noticed that the air in the restaurant changed to an unexplainable odor due to their sweat. Some of them had injuries which looked neglected. Then, Ahmed pointed out, “They need to see the doctor before the event, Edwin.”
Now, Edwin looked in the direction of his eyes, and saw the team members with injuries and responded, “Okay, Ahmed. I'm just seeing it.”
“What will you like to eat?” Victor asked the team members, starting with the person sitting beside him. He happened to be the person his friend had taught that lunch is the food people eat in the afternoon, did not know whether it tastes nice or not. Nevertheless, he gave an innocent and candid response, “Lunch.”
The adults giggled inwardly, and they looked at each other. Ahmed did not wish to humiliate any of them. Therefore, he faced the same boy and repeated Victor's question, using the indigenous approach.
“Do you want to eat rice and stew or solid and stew?”
“I will eat solid and soup,” The boy, who could not tell why Ahmed asked him the same question, answered.
“Simple,” Ahmed said, and Victor followed his approach in asking them what they wished to eat, and in a jiffy, everyone was eating.
At the Public School Field.
The haters arrived earlier than 4 pm, since they had promised to follow them to wherever they would have their training that day, and ruin it. Then on Monday, they would also ensure that they never leave the community in peace for the National Stadium where the event would take place. To their disappointment, they were waiting for those having their lunch at the famous Grand Crest Luxury.
At 4 pm, when none of them showed up, they began to celebrate.
“I told you. With or without the Lay About, we will disorganize them.”
“You're right. They are afraid to even show up.”
“Yes, but, let's wait for some minutes more; otherwise, they may hold their training when we are gone.”
Then, they waited until 5 pm, and when none of the team members showed up, they left triumphantly.
“They are afraid of us. Let's leave now that we have achieved our aim.”
At the General Manager's house.
The children were excited when their mother came back from work. Mary, the Chef, had given them a welcome treat on their arrival.
“Welcome back, Mommy.”
They greeted as soon as Naomi walked in, and gave them hugs one after the other.
“Thank you, dear. How was school?”
“School was fine, mommy.”
“How is your work, Mommy?”
“My work is fine?”
“Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Why do we have many Security Officers around our house?”
“Wow! Were you scared when you saw them?”
“Yes Mommy.”
Now, Naomi did not wish to involve them in any matter that could hurt their feelings. So, she gave them a simple answer, “It's because of the Independent Anniversary Celebration that will take place on Monday.”
“Yes. We watched daddy talking about an upcoming event on the Television. What is it all about?”
Now, Naomi was relieved that they had taken their minds off the security guards. Then, she smiled and asked, “Did you?”
“Yes Mommy.”
“You will get to know more about it. When daddy comes back, we will head to the Recreational Park for training.”
“Training with daddy?”