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Retailing Power

First Published 2008Copyright © Usman Balarabe Aliyu 2008

ISBN 978-978-087-272-4

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted inany form or by any means, except for use in any review,without the prior permission of the Copyright owner.

All performing rights of this play are fully protected, andpermission to perform, except for educational purposes, mustbe obtained in advance from Usana Books, at Usana PublishingCompany Limited, Usana Complex Minna-Nigeria.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, byway of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out orotherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent inany form of binding or cover other than that in which it ispublished and without a similar condition including thiscondition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Printed and Published by:Usana Publishing Company Limited,Usana Complex, 39/41 Broadcasting Road,P.O.Box 1584Minna, Nigeria.Email:[email protected]



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Retailing PowerBy

Usman Balarabe Aliyu

Drama Collection 01Usana Complex Minna 2008



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Basis for this Play

It is appreciated that man is designed basically to be aworker, a fulltime one, for that matter. Humankind,

somewhat, tends to be at its best when fully engaged in certainactivity, for better or for worse. Subsequently, we developrespect for those who give priority to providing employment topeople. Yet, our not so important annoyance is reserved forthose who consider squander as progress, even as the majorityof humanity wastes in idleness.

Our sympathy, therefore, readily goes to the jobless orthose who lose them, not excusing the lazy or the dishonest,

but those who, while being sincere, do not just give up. Theykeep on looking for alternatives. To them, we say, good luck,for we believe man is resourceful enough, always, to beengaged, hoping that would elevate him.

This story is typically Nigerian; looking at a rich but carelesscountry; Nigeria is a quarter of a race, yet, it has failed tosalvage itself, not to talk of its race!

I am not despaired, though; there is a generation coming upwith some difference, and I feel honoured to participate in thediscussions of its tasks.

Though the play is not a commerce enactment, it certainlysmells like it. I intend it to be a spur to those in need of suchsentiment, as a stimulant for further discussion on this subject;those affected are not alone, they should not despair, either.With their own confidence, and with other people’s helping

hands or ideas, they too can join that club of the um, if not therich, at least, those engaged in doing something better.

Usman Aliyu 2008



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The Playwright:

Usman Aliyu was born of Aliyu Mu’azu, Sarkin Yakin Minna,and a fairly quiet lady, Amina Usa, on Wednesday June 17,

1953 in Minna, Nigeria.

His Academic quest ran thus:Elementary Education, Minna and Sokoto: 1960-66Secondary Education, Birnin Kebbi: 1967-71Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1973, Sokoto.Bachelor’s Degree (BA), (ABU) Kano: 1974-77Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in 1982, London.

His other engagements were:Co-operatives, Abuja until June 1972.National Youth Service (NYSC) 1977-78, Lagos.Television Production at (NTA) 1978-84, Minna.Film Production, Usana Complex Minna 1984-96.Bricks Manufacture, 1997-2006, Minna and Funtua.

His authorial endeavour:Gone Missing: ISBN 978-978-8200-14-7 NovelEye for Order: ISBN 978-978-084-699-2 NovelA Widow’s Dew: ISBN 978-978-085-658-8 NovelBeyond Guilt: ISBN 978-978-085-824-7 NovelRetailing Power: ISBN 978-978-087-272-4 PlayThe Children of the Republic: ISNB 978-978-088-779-7 Play

Loners’ Flash: ISBN 978-978-088-990-6 Poetry

Usman Aliyu was a man with seven pairs of children: sevendaughters and seven sons, including a double set of twins!



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The author’s epitaph:

Allow me cry God for those who can’t cry Make me be heard for those who can’t be

Let me die free,Let me not live in chains,

I thank you God for allowing me beAll that I had wanted to be

Dedicated to:

Halima Ahmed (Dubu 1985-2001)Habiba Adamu (Lami 1987-1990)Hauwa Ahmed (Quddiya 1991)

For helping to shape this view



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The acknowledgement:

There is a trio set on a worthy cause;They have some hope in this mixture:

One of money, one of will, one of power,Unless as in a riotous progeny, oneGiven to breaking up, on impulse

This trio is differing on a lose course,Soon, there is confusion in this mix:

Cluttered with means as frantic dogs,Erratic with will as intense cats, then,

Gaudy with a crowd as frenzy rats

Is this trio on an opposing cause, asThey would not agree on what to do,Pride, competing envy and meanness

Nor could they agree on what else to do;Their aquired new powers sip away

For sure this trio will get stuck, soon,To separate, as their guides vanish;

Unbecoming, will-less with such means,Raising a crowd without Means or Will

You say this trio unity fated to any place?

Let us all yearn;

That, those barriers set by ignorance against man on attributeshe could not choose, be they of colour or parentage, be erasedto allow unity that humankind needs.



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Introducing Retailing Power

Raidore is an energetic man, with much zeal to provide forhis family and to get his children educated for a brighter

future. Yet, he lives in a place where untailored expenditure isthe craze; no wonder, his job is always the first to suffer.

Luckily, he also has a resourceful son; when the familyseems to reach the dead end, Nasir, a teenage commercestudent, has the opening to get them out of the woods.

List of Characters:

THE FATHER: RaidoreWIFE: KulwaSONS: Samar, NasirFAMILY FRIENDS: Shehu, LamiOTHERS IN CAST: Customers and Neighbours

Locations:Raidore’s house, Shop and Open ground

Iiviiviiizingeriioooviii



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ACT IScene One

(The play is set in a northern Nigerian town. Thescene is an open space between rooms forming an

arc. It is nearly 3:00 on a sunny afternoon. At rise:Kulwa, a housewife in her mid forties, is seendressed in worn wrappers and a simple headscarf,depicting the depth o f the family’s paucity. She paces up and down the open kitchen with empty cooking pots scattered all about her.)

KULWA: How anyone survives endless waiting, I wonder?(She lifts the cover of each pot to reveal emptiness.)

Something I have prepared for, since morning, how can anyonecope? What am I to say to these boys when they return?(She moves up and down, exasperated.)NASIR: Salaam Alaikum.(Nasir is Kulwa’s youngest son aged fifteen. He returns fromschool shouldering his school bag.)KULWA: Wa’alaikumus salaam.NASIR: (He goes to the kitchen, looking into the pots.) Where is my lunch, mom?KULWA: Go and change your cloths first.(She walks back to meet him.)Make sure your books are kept properly.(To herself) Now, I had it!

NASIR: That is alright, mom. (He strides away, joyfully.) KULWA: What now? (She lifts the cover from the pots again.)

This was my dread, now I am shamed to it.NASIR: (Nasir comes back in his shorts.) Here I am mom, whereis the food? I am really hungry. We had run ourselves out. Thatteacher didn’t allow us any rest. KULWA: Well, you see, we… you have to wait a while. NASIR: Oh mom, can’t you give me a little, just for a starter? KULWA: I said just wait, be patient. Don’t hurry me. NASIR: But mom, I am really hungry.

KULWA: Alright, (intuitively) you know how you can help?



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NASIR: (Expectantly) Yes, mom?KULWA: Go, get me some sticks.NASIR: (Shocked) Now?KULWA: Yes.

NASIR: What for, mom?KULWA: I want the fire to burn faster.NASIR: But, there is no fire in here, mom.KULWA: Well, that is why I want the sticks.NASIR: (Quite let-down) It is like you have not cooked anythingyet, mom!KULWA: Just go, you will get something, when you return.

(Nasir goes out. After a brief moment, RAIDORE

comes in, carrying a small nylon bag. He is in his late fifties, tall and lean, dressed in torn kaftans.)

KULWA: Where is the grocery? (She faces her husband.) I have been waiting, since morning.RAIDORE: Here. (He shakes the bag.) And, is that the warmwelcome for a man away since morning?KULWA: Welcome, then. It is just that I have been edgy.(She collects the bag, peeping in.) What! What is this?

RAIDORE: The grocery.KULWA: How is that?RAIDORE: I am afraid, that’s it. KULWA: This won’t feed a cat. RAIDORE: We have no cats.KULWA: But, none of us will do with this.RAIDORE: Well, that’s all for now and, I am afraid, for sometime to come.KULWA: Why, how, what do you mean?RAIDORE: I lost my job.KULWA: Not again… RAIDORE: Yet, again… KULWA: It was not a fight, was it?RAIDORE: No, and the last time was not a fight, either.KULWA: Then, what happened?

RAIDORE: They have closed the place.



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KULWA: Just like that?RAIDORE: I told you the owner has died.KULWA: That was sometime ago, was it not?RAIDORE: Yes.

KULWA: What is the problem, then?RAIDORE: His heirs want to sell it.KULWA: Are they mad?RAIDORE: I don’t know, but, they want its money. KULWA: They are making money while you work, is it not?RAIDORE: That is not enough, I suppose.KULWA: They want to swim in it?RAIDORE: Kai, I don’t know. Why are you interrogating me?

KULWA: Well, I can’t see how anyone in his senses would closea place that brought them money.RAIDORE: They are not used to money coming in trickle.KULWA: Their stupid father had ruined them, then.RAIDORE: I told you the man is dead.KULWA: Well, he died stupid, then.RAIDORE: How can you say that?KULWA: Why not, seeing that he had spoilt them.RAIDORE: After all the sacks of money he had left them?KULWA: He had left us none.RAIDORE: What are you to him?KULWA: Nothing, I guess.RAIDORE: Then, what is your problem with them?KULWA: Nothing, I suppose. But, they are spendthrifts.RAIDORE: Well, you are right there.

KULWA: How was their father, anyway?RAIDORE: Well, he drove many cars and slept in many rooms.KULWA: They want to live like him, then?RAIDORE: Very much so, I must say.KULWA: I wonder what they will do, when those bags go empty.I sure would like to see them, when that happens.RAIDORE: They are leaving town, so you won’t see that show. KULWA: I guess they have no relatives?

RAIDORE: Wrong. They have.



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KULWA: I will be surprised. Anyone with someone won’t just gosomewhere just like that.RAIDORE: They have many of them, I told you.KULWA: How can they abandon them, then?

RAIDORE: I don’t think they know them, though.KULWA: That is funny.RAIDORE: They were not raised locally, you should know.KULWA: But, their father was raised here.RAIDORE: Even so… KULWA: They should not go with that money, if you ask me.RAIDORE: Why, after all, it is their money.KULWA: All the same, their father made it here.

RAIDORE: So what?KULWA: They should spend it here.RAIDORE: Why?KULWA: It was the sweat of those here not any there.RAIDORE: That is funny. But, they can go anywhere they likewith their money.KULWA: Even if their father gathered it here?RAIDORE: It doesn’t matter where he garnered it. KULWA: They are just a bunch of selfish chicks, then.RAIDORE: That is their problem, not ours, I believe.KULWA: So, what we do now?RAIDORE: I don’t know, and I can’t say if a have a clue.KULWA: How about these children? We are bare, you know.RAIDORE: Yes, I know, and that is no news.KULWA: It scares me, you know.

RAIDORE: Well, we have been bare, have we not, long enoughas not to be ashamed, I supposed. (After a brief pause) Anyway, I’ll find a way out, I hope. KULWA: That has to be soon, though.RAIDORE: All the same, I am hopeful. After all, the ways of Godare many. We sure can find one of them.KULWA: May be you should report to the government.RAIDORE: Report what to the government?

KULWA: Tell them we are in need.



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RAIDORE: You think government is there to salvage people?KULWA: Well, what is it there for?RAIDORE: I don’t know, but certainly not to feed anybody. KULWA: Even if they are in need?

RAIDORE: Even if they are in anything. Government is for thewell-to-do and parades, not for peasants and peanuts.KULWA: That is strange to me.RAIDORE: Get used to it, then. (He walks away to the righttowards his room.) What I need now is some rest.NASIR: (Nasir enters from the right, carrying some sticks.) Where is the food, mom?KULWA: Here. (She hands him the piece in the bag.)

NASIR: (Receiving the food) Mom.KULWA: Yes.NASIR: This won’t fill the first room of my stomach. KULWA: Just push it in, Nasir. It may block the doorway.

ACT IScene Two

(The family is on mats spread in an arc. RAIDORE in the middle, KULWA to the right and SAMAR,their second son, aged twenty, to the left.)

SAMAR: So dad, how about the exam fees?RAIDORE: Which one again, Samar?SAMAR: I told you, dad, we are to pay for our finals.RAIDORE: You said that many times before.SAMAR: That was for the internal exams.

RAIDORE: And this one, what is it for?SAMAR: It is not just one, dad, they are many: the regional, thenational, the state, the local government and… RAIDORE: How many exams do you need to finish that smallschool, anyway?SAMAR: The school is not small, dad, and the exams are many.RAIDORE: Why is one exam not enough?SAMAR: We are to pass what we can of the lot.

RAIDORE: I never heard of such baloney before.



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SAMAR: Well, if you fail this or that, you may get those, dad.RAIDORE: That is a very confusing way to waste money.SAMAR: It is not a waste, dad. It is an investment.RAIDORE: That is a waste to me. Your brother had passed all

those exams. It got us nowhere. Where will yours take us?SAMAR: Why do you say that, dad?RAIDORE: Well, since he finished this school, that school and allthose schools, which work has he got?KULWA: I had always wanted him to become a big man, one of those government ministers.SAMAR: A minister, mom?KULWA: Yes.

SAMAR: It is not that simple, mom?KULWA: With all those schools, he should have something big.SAMAR: Ministers don’t need to go to any school, mom. KULWA: That is new to me. What do they need, then?SAMAR: Nothing.KULWA: What do you mean nothing?SAMAR: Well, they don’t need to know anything important. KULWA: Is that so?SAMAR: All they need is to know somebody important, mom.KULWA: All the same, your brother has been to many schools,enough to know someone important.RAIDORE: I can’t even recall how many he had been to.KULWA: You remember he started going to school since he wasfive, just a toddling thing.RAIDORE: Yet, there is nothing to show for it.

SAMAR: He has certificates, dad.RAIDORE: Certificates?SAMAR: Yes, dad. He has many of them, good ones, too.RAIDORE: Good, eh, you think cardboards make good meals?SAMAR: One day, dad, you never know.RAIDORE: One day, eh?SAMAR: Yes dad, these things take time.RAIDORE: This much I know, though. He has been around for

over five years now, which is certainly more than your one day.



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SAMAR: I may be luckier.RAIDORE: Well, I hope so. But, I don’t indulge in dreams. As of now, our trouble is to get what to eat. Have you got any ideas?SAMAR: You can go to the bank, dad.

RAIDORE: And do what?SAMAR: To get money.RAIDORE: Have you kept anything there?SAMAR: No, dad.RAIDORE: Then, who feeds you that hollow idea that you canget money without keeping any?SAMAR: I don’t know.RAIDORE: You don’t seem to know anything, do you?

SAMAR: That is what the government says, dad.RAIDORE: You think what government says is believable?SAMAR: It may be the truth this time, dad. Even the banks sayit: S-E, S-E and S-E.RAIDORE: What is that?SAMAR: That is self-employment and self-empowerment, self-enhancement and self-enrichment, self-enchantment and… RAIDORE: You have been too long in school to know a thing.SAMAR: The teachers are always away on strike, dad.RAIDORE: Even so, they have been around enough to turn youinto hollow vessels!SAMAR: So, what do I do, now, dad?RAIDORE: You follow me downtown tomorrow, God willing.SAMAR: How about the school, they need the money, dad.RAIDORE: We will work for that money, Samar, you will see.

SAMAR: Work?RAIDORE: Yes, what is wrong with that?SAMAR: Nothing, dad, but, I have not finished school.RAIDORE: You don’t need any certificate for that work. SAMAR: It must be manual work, then.RAIDORE: Well, which work do you see around, beside that?SAMAR: I am still a minor, dad.RAIDORE: What?

SAMAR: I am under age, I cannot do labourer work.



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RAIDORE: Who said that?SAMAR: The government, dad.RAIDORE: Which government?SAMAR: Our government, dad, and all the governments:

district, local, state, regional and the federal government.RAIDORE: Are they mad?SAMAR: I don’t know, dad, but the United Nations told themnot to allow us do labourer work.RAIDORE: I see. (Pause) Have they united to feed you?SAMAR: (Silence) RAIDORE: Or, have they united to pay for all those fees?SAMAR: (Silence)

RAIDORE: I am asking you.SAMAR: I don’t know, dad. They said it is for our balancedgrowth and development.RAIDORE: Well, you know nothing, boy. But, retain this, unlessyou work tomorrow, everyone here goes hungry, united notionor not. Then, I wonder whether you will have any growth at all.KULWA: If he can’t do that, can’t you get him another. RAIDORE: Which one?KULWA: Any easy one.RAIDORE: Where do you see another, easy one?KULWA: I don’t know. Job search is man’s work, you know. RAIDORE: Or, you want him to go petrol-selling, making troubleand causing headaches?KULWA: God forbid, no. I just want a decent money-makingplace for him, something with pride. That’s all.

RAIDORE: Well, there is nothing shameful about this one.KULWA: But, is there money in it?RAIDORE: How would I know?KULWA: I sure hope there is lot of money in it.RAIDORE: We will find out when we get there.SAMAR: So, where are we going, dad?RAIDORE: We go to site.SAMAR: Which site, dad?

RAIDORE: Anyone you see money being poured into concrete.



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ACT IScene Three

(KULWA is engaged with her cookery in the openkitchen. There are pots all around her. While she

does some cuttings, Nasir helps with other chores.)KULWA: How anxious I am, really thrilled, today. My fingersitch all over for this wonderful recipe, Nasir.NASIR: What are you cooking, mom?KULWA: Most wonderful recipe, Nasir. Kuskus, yam, andtaushe; have you ever eaten this wonder?NASIR: No, mom.KULWA: Well, I had always wanted to do it, you know. My

mother used to prepare it on Sallah days. Your grandmotherwas a very fine lady, Nasir. Poor soul, I missed her, really.NASIR: From where did you get the money, mom?KULWA: The money? (She turns to him.) Well, I borrowed it, Nasir.

NASIR: You borrowed, mom?KULWA: Yes, how else would I be able to prepare this delicacy,unless I borrowed?NASIR: How are you going to pay it back, mom?

KULWA: Pay back? (She turns to him.) Well, that is something,but your father has gone to work. He should come back with alot of relief. Besides, we have two earners today.NASIR: Two earners, mom?KULWA: Yes, your senior has gone there too. He is a strong boy.If his brains can’t help us, his muscles should earn us muchmore, ‘twice as much.’ That is what your father said. NASIR: But, mom, dad has said we should not borrow.KULWA: Well, he said so, Nasir. But, he has said many things,besides. Yet, there is nothing wrong with a-borrowing, if youask me. After all, everyone does it, even the rich. So, whyshould the poor not borrow? We have more right to it thanthose snobs, you know.NASIR: But, paying back is hard, mom.KULWA: Um, that is true. It is difficult to repay loans, I know.

But, we will pay this back, God willing. I wouldn’t want to



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wake up in heavens with people asking me for their money,Nasir. In fact, I wouldn’t want to be asked anything.

(RAIDORE and SAMAR stagger in, exhausted. KULWAstands by her husband, alarmed, as she inspects him.)

KULWA: What is wrong with you?RAIDORE: We are tired.KULWA: Tired? You look like you have been beaten all over.RAIDORE: Well, I feel like it. Give me time to recover.(They sit down. RAIDORE has a pillow as prop.)KULWA: You are sure you are alright?RAIDORE: I hope so.KULWA: Nothing is broken or something?

RAIDORE: Of course, nothing is broken. Why?KULWA: You look quite tattered. What happened?RAIDORE: They slave-drove us, that is all.KULWA: They must be heartless!RAIDORE: Well then, don’t look for any hearts in moneybags. KULWA: That reminds me, where is the money?RAIDORE: Which money?KULWA: For our food, the one you went out for.

RAIDORE: They paid me nothing.KULWA: Nothing? Why not, after breaking all your bones?RAIDORE: This happened at my first trip.KULWA: The more for them to pay for any job done.RAIDORE: It was also my last.KULWA: At least, they could have sympathised with you.RAIDORE: Well, they gave me nothing; so, ask your boy of his.KULWA: Samar. (She turns to Samar who lies on his back.) What have you got?SAMAR: Nothing. (Sitting up) KULWA: Nothing?SAMAR: Yes, mom.KULWA: They did not pay you too?SAMAR: They did.KULWA: Where is it, then?

SAMAR: It was not even enough for my lunch, mom.



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KULWA: You finished all of it?SAMAR: I told you, mom, it was small.NASIR: That was selfish of you.SAMAR: Shut up, who invited you into this?

NASIR: You should know you are not the only one in this.SAMAR: I told you to shut up. What is your problem?KULWA: Stop it, you two. (Turning to Raidore) I went out of myway to borrow from Fummy or whatever her name is, now,what do I do?RAIDORE: I thought I told you not to borrow.KULWA: I know, but I was hoping… RAIDORE: hoping for what?

KULWA: I thought you two would come back laden.RAIDORE: Is that an excuse?KULWA: Well, whoever went out to work came back with somemoney as payment, is it not?RAIDORE: That is no excuse; and, you didn’t have to borrow. KULWA: Well, I did.RAIDORE: I didn’t tell you to. KULWA: How would I know you were coming back bare?RAIDORE: At least, give me some credit for what I did before.KULWA: I know that, but, it won’t get me off now, will it? RAIDORE: I didn’t ask you to borrow anything. KULWA: I told you I did, and it is in the pots; you eat it, youpay it, that’s all.RAIDORE: I won’t eat it, then. KULWA: But, we will.

RAIDORE: Then, you pay it.KULWA: No, we won’t, because we are your care. RAIDORE: The way I feel now, I need care myself.KULWA: Is that all you got to say?RAIDORE: What more do you want? Just don’t bother me! KULWA: You know that woman. There will be no peace, if sheis not paid. (Kulwa sits with her head in her cupped palms.) RAIDORE: Well, find your way to settle her.

KULWA: You know I don’t know how.



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NASIR: Mom.KULWA: Yes. (She turns to him.) NASIR: We can set up a shop.KULWA: A shop?

NASIR: Yes, mom. It will give us a relief, quickly.KULWA: (Standing up, moving to her husband) that is something, Nasir.

NASIR: It has a very good return also, mom.KULWA: That is a good idea, mallam, is it not?RAIDORE: That is no idea at all.KULWA: It sounds inspirational to me!RAIDORE: What is inspiring about that?KULWA: You need not carry concrete anymore.

RAIDORE: I said that is no idea. And, if it is, it is a crazy one.KULWA: Let us do it, please. (Pleadingly) Please, let’s try thisbusiness, mallam. I have always felt an ancestral urge to trade.RAIDORE: Well, you have an urge for many things.KULWA: So, we will do this?RAIDORE: Where do you see the money for even a kiosk, letalone a shop or something?KULWA: Don’t ask me. Ask the boy. I am sure he knows how. SAMAR: Just leave him, dad, he doesn’t know a thing. NASIR: Of course, I know.SAMAR: You think setting a shop is a small matter?NASIR: No.SAMAR: Then, spill it out, since you are that smart.KULWA: Tell us, Nasir, what to do. I think I like your idea.NASIR: We gather anything of value around here and sell it.

SAMAR: (Bursts out laughing.) You daft!NASIR: Don’t call me that, please. SAMAR: You certainly seem more than that to me.NASIR: mom.KULWA: Leave him alone, Samar.RAIDORE: Now, Nasir, what have we got of value here to sell?NASIR: Anything old, dad: the fridge, the television and yourbicycle. We look for empty bottles, old footwear, and any

plastic or metal that can be recycled. (Turning to Kulwa) Mom,



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we can include your old bed and that old mirror… KULWA: My mirror?NASIR: Yes, mom.KULWA: That was a gift from my mother. It was also a gift from

her mother. That glittery glass has a lot of memories, Nasir. Idon’t think I can part with it. NASIR: But, you are not using it, mom.KULWA: No, I am not. I have not got the required dress. I needfine cloths to present myself to that majestic mirror, my dear.RAIDORE: Anyway, who is going to buy those junks?KULWA: That mirror can’t be called a junk, mallam. RAIDORE: Well, call it anything, but it is one. It probably will

be the last thing anyone buys, if you ask me.KULWA: Is that a fair assessment of my ancestors?RAIDORE: Well, it is, if they left us what we cannot sell.NASIR: Someone will buy, dad, market is a weird thing.RAIDORE: Or your ideas?NASIR: No, dad.RAIDORE: Certainly, nobody buys such mess.NASIR: They will buy, dad. You never know what will sell,unless you bring it out to the open.RAIDORE: I would be surprised, though. I have spent my lifetrying to collect. Now, I realised I have collected useless junk.NASIR: We will sell, dad. One’s poison is another man’s meat. SAMAR: That’s twisted. NASIR: What is?SAMAR: It’s one man’s meat, another man’s poison.

NASIR: It’s all the same. RAIDORE: Whatever, we have nothing here worth selling, Ithink. People might be stupid, but they are not that foolishwith their money. Even the insane don’t joke with that thing. NASIR: Dad, someone is always looking for someone else’sdiscards; recycling, they call it.SAMAR: That will pay for my exams, dad. I never thought of that little idea before. I would not have to trouble you again.

NASIR: No, we can’t give you any of it.



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SAMAR: Why not?NASIR: That will be our BC.SAMAR: What’s that, smarty? NASIR: Our business starting capital, the seed of our business. I

don’t want you to call me that again.SAMAR: So what?NASIR: We can’t use our capital for anything else but for storerental, shop fittings, stocking, record books and staffing.SAMAR: That is a lot for a small shop idea.NASIR: You said it; a shop is not a simple thing!SAMAR: Are you mad?NASIR: No, I am not.

SAMAR: Then, I should have it.NASIR: Capital is our seed; the more we have, the more wesow, don’t you get it? SAMAR: I still should have some of it, dad, seed or whatever.NASIR: Dad, if our capital is low, our stock will be low also.RAIDORE: I don’t know where you get this twisty idea, but, inthe absent of anything else, I am ready to give it a try, Nasir.KULWA: I too vote for it. It seems a money spinner, to me.RAIDORE: I don’t know about that. But, if for nothing else, wewill rid ourselves of mess, and we have lots of it around.SAMAR: Or, better still, dad, we buy a motorbike.RAIDORE: What do you want to do with that?SAMAR: We carry passengers, dad. That is the obsession now.RAIDORE: You think I soak my back to mould a biker out of you,or what?

SAMAR: It pays, dad. Every graduate now goes for it. It pays alot, no sweat.RAIDORE: Yes, it pays the druggists and the police, I am sure.SAMAR: But, dad… RAIDORE: Look, the hospital is full of mad bikers with brokenribs and shuttered skulls. You want to join them, or what?SAMAR: No.RAIDORE: Then, leave that alone. Besides, I have no money to

waste on those beds or any drugs.



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little there will do no harm. You are sure, there is no wayJemoke will come and go empty handed, or Lami and… RAIDORE: I suppose not, after all, a shop is full of a little of thisand a little more of that. I wonder how the shopkeepers know

all what they have in there.NASIR: But, mom, it will harm the shop.KULWA: Why, certainly, a little gift will harm no shop, not evena small one. We need goodwill, you know.NASIR: You will be giving away the profit, mom.KULWA: I am not giving away the money, just few sweets tothe kids, some items to the mates and a little to the beggars.NASIR: The store will dry out, dad.

RAIDORE: A store is like a sea, Nasir. A few gifts won’t drain it.(To Kulwa) Just make sure you do not give away too much.KULWA: So, when do we start this thing, I am eager. I feel likea shop owner already. Did I ever tell you my great grandfatherwas a merchant of salt across the Sahara, going from Kano toTripoli on camel back?RAIDORE: No, you did not, and we are not selling any Saharanthing in there, certainly, not salt.KULWA: Still, I will make a good shopkeeper, if you let me.When are we starting the shop? I’ve green fingers, you know. RAIDORE: Green fingers are for crops, not money.KULWA: All the same, they can be turned to money benefit.RAIDORE: Well then, we will bring out the items tomorrow.Let’s just hope that the people are not too wise to buy them. KULWA: Where will the shop be?

RAIDORE: Um, we will look for a place, after the money.SAMAR: How about that quiet place? It will be good, dad.RAIDORE: Where is that?SAMAR: That reserved area for the rich.RAIDORE: Sure, they will make good customers.NASIR: There is no prospect there, dad.RAIDORE: Now, that is something. They are the richest and themost prosperous in town, what prospects do you look for?

KULWA: They will buy out the shop in a day!



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NASIR: They don’t buy anything from any shop, dad. RAIDORE: That is strange, Nasir.SAMAR: I tell you the boy is dippy.NASIR: Don’t call me that, please.

RAIDORE: Well, what do they do with all that money, then?NASIR: They order all their requirements from abroad, dad.KULWA: We will save them the trouble of going abroad, then.NASIR: No. they love going there, mom.KULWA: They can change, if they see us there.NASIR: They are dogged about their interests, mom.KULWA: They sure wouldn’t allow their very own go hungry, fortheir love of abroad, would they?

NASIR: Besides, the place is too quiet, mom. No one goesthere. If we open a shop there, we won’t sell anything. RAIDORE: (Reflectively.) You may have a point there.SAMAR: I suggest we go to Bahago Plaza, then.NASIR: That is too expensive.SAMAR: What is wrong with you?NASIR: Nothing.SAMAR: Well, we need certain class, something impressive.NASIR: Class costs money and we have none.SAMAR: Whatever, I say we need go somewhere, a place wherewe can be noticed.NASIR: Dad, with our little capital, our shop will be small, justbig enough to cater for the needs of our neighbourhood. It willbe for people with not much money to go to the market.RAIDORE: (Reflectively.) You may be right.

KULWA: That will be fine with me, a chance for some chat.Besides, I have to be around to cook, you know.RAIDORE: So, we will open a window or door in that room.SAMAR: That is my room, dad.RAIDORE: It is the one most suitable, the only one at thefaçade. Shops need to face outside.SAMAR: Where do I stay then, dad?RAIDORE: You manage with your brother.

SAMAR: He is a small boy, dad.



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RAIDORE: Why are you still around here, at your age?SAMAR: Where will I go, dad?RAIDORE: Go out to the world.SAMAR: Out, dad?

RAIDORE: Yes, go seek out for your own. The world is therewaiting for you. When I was your age, I already had a family.But, you sit here, what for, to be nursed by your mother?KULWA: He is still a small boy, mallam.RAIDORE: There is nothing small about his expenditure, though.You are just spoiling him. At his age, I knew what I was doing. Icould work. I could earn and I could even save...KULWA: The times have changed, you know.

RAIDORE: Sure, they have, since I have to stay with beardedkids in my house. (Turning to Samar) Anyway, manage withyour brother. When we make money, we will buy anotherhouse. Then, you can have plenty rooms to your old age!SAMAR: Buy another house from the shop, dad?RAIDORE: What do you mean from the shop?SAMAR: I have never seen a shopkeeper make enough foranother house, dad.RAIDORE: What do you mean?SAMAR: They hardly make anything. Most of the time, they sitdrinking Gari without even sugar!KULWA: That is shameful.NASIR: But mom, Britain colonized us.SAMAR: What has that got to do with the shop?NASIR: A lot, they were a nation of shopkeepers.

SAMAR: Who said that?NASIR: Napoleon.RAIDORE: Napa what?SAMAR: That is stupid history thing, dad.RAIDORE: History is not stupid, you silly boy.SAMAR: Well, that is about dead people.KULWA: Don’t talk about dead people, please, the poor souls. RAIDORE: It doesn’t matter. If dead people did it, we probably

can do it better. I wonder how Dantata managed it, though.



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SAMAR: Who is Dantata, dad?RAIDORE: He was a man with lots of luck and lots of money.KULWA: I said that before. Those past people were good inmaking money. I wished I had come then.

RAIDORE: You would have missed me, then.KULWA: Is that so?RAIDORE: Yes, it is.KULWA: I was thinking we would have met to spend together.RAIDORE: No. You would have chosen my grandfather, then.KULWA: Don’t say that, what would I do with an old man? RAIDORE: No, you wouldn’t. You too would have been an oldwoman, just like him.

KULWA: How is that?RAIDORE: Sure. I wouldn’t live your history and live mine, would I? KULWA: Well, I still would like to know how they did it.SAMAR: Mom, it doesn’t count what they say in that historybook; nobody built anything being a shopkeeper.KULWA: Is that so?SAMAR: Yes, mom. Those people just went round the worldplundering other people’s treasures, that’s all. KULWA: Shop keeping won’t help us, then? SAMAR: Certainly.NASIR: That is not true, mom.SAMAR: No shopkeeper builds anything, I tell you.NASIR: If they do not do it, it is because they do not plan it.SAMAR: They do all there is in it.NASIR: No, they don’t. They just open shops and sit around.

SAMAR: That is what they know.NASIR: But, that is not the best way to do it.SAMAR: They put all they have into it; the thing has no future.NASIR: It is not the business, it’s the operatives. Without plan,they are bound to mismanage it. You need to plan it.SAMAR: Even so… NASIR: To do anything properly, you must have a good plan.SAMAR: Well planner, I will like to see how yours goes, then.

NASIR: Certainly, you wait and see.



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Act IIScene One

(The family shop is opened at centre stage, withthe duplex doors swung open; the merchandize

appear miserably insignificant. KULWA, dressed ina long blouse and a headgear, is behind anarrangement of low tables serving as counters.)

KULWA: (She places an item on the rack, and moves back alittle to inspect.) Um, that is a little off, may be there. (Shecarries it to another spot, taking a look.) That is better, I think.

(Two teenagers walk in from the right.)THE BOY: (The boy goes in.) Ma, give me that milk, please.

KULWA: This?THE BOY: Yes, how much?KULWA: That Yoruba man.THE BOY: Awo?KULWA: Whatever.THE BOY: Wow, one hundred?(He gives Kulwa the money and walks out of the shop.)I can’t believe it. THE GIRL: What?THE BOY: This thing costs one Sardauna.THE GIRL: Two hundred, we shouldn’t go back? THE BOY: What for?THE GIRL: You are sure the old woman knew the price?THE BOY: She must have. It is her shop. May be others Shylockit. (They exit the stage to the left.)

KULWA: To think we have been suffering for long without thisidea. I wonder where we would have reached, by now. (Pauses) No one need be poor with such good ideas around.

(A neighbour, LAMI, walks in from the right.) LAMI: Malama Kulwa, you have a shop now?KULWA: Yes, Lami, we are bringing the market close to all.LAMI: That’s really good. It is what we need around here. KULWA: Well, if they won’t help us, we still can get along.

LAMI: How would they, when they don’t even notice us?



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KULWA: Let them go in their blinds. We will find our way.LAMI: Self-help is the best help, the wise say.KULWA: Anyone knows that, dear, not just the wise ones.LAMI: It is true. (She moves further inside the shop.) That is a

beautiful soap you have there, Kulwa.KULWA: Which one? There are so many in here, as you can see.We sure stock the best of these things.LAMI: Yes, that blue one, what a nice looking thing.KULWA: Yes, it is.LAMI: I bet it smells great.KULWA: Yes, it does. It is the type used by the royalty. Youshould join them. (She hands the soap over to Lami.)

LAMI: You want me to be counted with the snobs?KULWA: Why not, after all, you can beat them to it.LAMI: Kulwa, don’t flatter me. My man has been out of work.KULWA: That is no shame. Mine has always been out of work.LAMI: (Smelling the soap.) This is nice, really. I love to lookreal nice, I must say. My man will certainly like to smell me inthis. (She fondles the soap.) Lack of money makes us dull, Kulwa. KULWA: You always look good, Lami, money or no money.LAMI: Thank you, Kulwa.KULWA: So, you want it.LAMI: Yes, I just wished I had come out with money.KULWA: You can send the money to me later.LAMI: That is nice of you, Kulwa. What is the price?KULWA: The price?LAMI: Yes, I hope it is not, um, too expensive. You know, we

have to stretch between the face and the stomach.KULWA: Really, I have forgotten to ask Raidore.(She comes round to meet Lami.) Anyway, go with it. I will tellyou later, when he returns.(Lami goes out, as two kids turn up.)KIDS: Good morning, mama Nasir.KULWA: Morning dear, come and have some sweets. You arethe jewels of heavens. We need the blessing of your innocence

to start with. To think some people spend all their time trying



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to block your coming, what oddity! (She hands them sweets.) KIDS: Thank you, mama Nasir. (The kids run off.) KULWA: (She sniffs out her cooking.) Oh mine, I better checkthat soap, now. I think I like this job, it takes away boredom.

(She walks out, leaving the shop open withoutattendance. A customer turns up, looks out for the attendant. He shrugs his shoulders and walksaway. After a brief moment a small girl comes in.)

SMALL GIRL: I want salt, I want salt.(She looks in briefly and walks away. NASIR walks in, returning from school, carrying his bag. He notices the shop opened withno one in it.)

NASIR: Mom. (He peeps in.) Mom, where are you?KULWA: (Off stage) Coming, I am coming. (Kulwa walks in,briskly, from the back of the shop.)NASIR: You left the shop, mom.KULWA: Just now, Nasir, I went to check the soup. You knowmy pots are occupied now. You are really a smart fellow. Nowonder, as a baby, you were always collecting things about.NASIR: There was no one attending to the shop, mom.KULWA: No problem.NASIR: There might be shoplifters.KULWA: No one will steal anything in here, Nasir. This is anhonest neighbourhood we have. I think they love us too.NASIR: Customers will go someplace, if they meet no one here.KULWA: No, they will wait.NASIR: They might be in a hurry, mom.

KULWA: No, Nasir, they have plenty of time for waiting. Whatelse would they be doing?NASIR: We will lose sales, if they go away, mom.KULWA: Well, someone else will come. We are many here, youknow. With all these people, losing one will cause no harm.NASIR: It will still be a lost revenue for us, mom.KULWA: Don’t look sad, Nasir, we will make good sales. NASIR: How much have you made, mom, since morning?

KULWA: Not much, you know today is our first day, but the



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market is good. I always say you are a smart one.NASIR: (Looks round the counter.) Where is the money, mom?KULWA: The money? I have not collected all the money yet.NASIR: You sold on credit, mom?

KULWA: Just a few things to Aisha, some to Larai and Maimuna,and not much to Chimera and… NASIR: But, mom… KULWA: No problem, Nasir, they will send to me the money.NASIR: But, they will be holding out your receivables, mom.KULWA: Receive what?NASIR: Our assests, mom, the money we need to restock.KULWA: Well, Nasir, I can’t understand all that.

(Someone walks into the shop.)CUSTOMER: Have you got any shaving powder?KULWA: What is that?CUSTOMER: The powder you use to remove beards...KULWA: Well, I have no beard, and why do you need sillypowder to strip beard off, anyway. (A short pause) Just go to abarber or get a razor to scrape the bushy thing off yourself.(The man walks away, quite amazed.)What a bizarre man, looking for powder on beard!NASIR: Mom.KULWA: Yes? (Turning to face him) NASIR: You don’t talk to customers like that, mom. KULWA: What is wrong with you? How can a man look for astupid powder to shave beard with? I have never heard thatnonsense before.

NASIR: Mom, just say it is out of stock.KULWA: Now, that is something. It is even out of any sense tome. Powder on beard, what an odd thing! What else will hecome for next?(A young girl walks into the shop.)GIRL: Give me tin tomato.KULWA: You just walked in without greeting anyone, why?GIRL: Sorry, ma.

KULWA: That is alright. Now, what do you want?



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GIRL: Tin tomato.KULWA: How many?GIRL: Four.(Nasir goes to get them.)

NASIR: Big or small?GIRL: How much is the big one?NASIR: Mom, how much is the big tomato?KULWA: Big what?NASIR: Big tomato.KULWA: Tomato?NASIR: Yes.KULWA: I don’t know.

NASIR: You don’t know, mom? KULWA: Well, your father didn’t tell me. GIRL: Give me the small ones then.(Nasir precariously mounts up the rack to bring down four tins.The girl hands him a note.)GIRL: Give me my change.NASIR: How much is the small tomato, mom?KULWA: Small tomato, well, I don’t know that, either. NASIR: But, mom.KULWA: I told you, your father did not tell me, or I can’tremember. There is just too many a thing in here, Nasir.NASIR: Then, how are we to sell anything?KULWA: Just ask her how much she wants to pay for it. Collectthe money and let her go, after all, she didn’t greet anyonewhen she came in.

NASIR: But, you don’t sell things like that, mom. KULWA: What is wrong with you?NASIR: Nothing, mom.KULWA: Well, you keep saying you don’t do this, you don’t do that? Don’t make this nice job difficult for me, Nasir. NASIR: Sorry mom, but, we need to know the cost price.KULWA: Of course, your father knows all those costs.NASIR: Has he added the overheads and the margin?

KULWA: What is that overhead margin thing?



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NASIR: The operating costs and a little on top for a profit?KULWA: Well, that is beyond me. Just give the girl the tins.When your father comes back, you can go and get the money.NASIR: That won’t do, mom. (To the girl) You come back later

for your change, please.GIRL: Alright. (The girl goes.) NASIR: I will have to go to the other shops… KULWA: What for?NASIR: I’ll go for price sampling and a little market research. KULWA: I don’t think that is necessary, is it? NASIR: It is, mom. We need to know what they are selling andhow much they charge for it.

KULWA: Why is that our problem, what they sell or what theycharge? They have their shops, we have ours.NASIR: They are our competitors, mom. We don’t want tooverprice ourselves out of the market.KULWA: Whatever.NASIR: We also want to know what the demand trend around usis. (Pleadingly) We don’t want to be outdone, mom. KULWA: That is up to you, Nasir. You are just fussy. Shopkeeping is all about meeting and chatting with neighbours, Ithink. You want to turn it into some mechanical thing for me.NASIR: Sorry, mom. (Nasir walks out.)

(KULWA closes the shop and walks indoors.)

ACT IIScene Two

(The family is gathered for their meals. A lanternindicates evening, as food is served.)SAMAR: Dad, our principal was not soft on his demand today.RAIDORE: What was he harsh about?SAMAR: They want the money now.RAIDORE: They think everyone is like them receiving sacks of money for just sitting behind table?SAMAR: He is not just sitting, dad.

RAIDORE: Then, what does he do with that fat backside of his?



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SAMAR: He is training us, dad.RAIDORE: Well, the result of that does not impress me much.SAMAR: Why not, dad?RAIDORE: You think work-shunned begging is impressive?

SAMAR: No.NASIR: Dad… RAIDORE: Yes.NASIR: You forgot to tell mom the prices.RAIDORE: (Turning to face Nasir.) Who told you that, yourmother?NASIR: Yes, dad.RAIDORE: Well, I told her. (Turning to Kulwa) Did I not?

KULWA: I don’t know. RAIDORE: What do you mean you don’t know? KULWA: I really cannot say.RAIDORE: For every item I picked, I told you its price.KULWA: (Dismissively) Then, I forgot.RAIDORE: I thought you said you could do it?KULWA: Of course, I could, but the things were too many inthere. How do you expect me to remember all of them?RAIDORE: So, you did not sell anything?KULWA: Why not? (Boastfully) I sold many things.RAIDORE: You sold many things?KULWA: Yes. How could I stay there without selling anything?RAIDORE: You sold without knowing their prices?KULWA: Well (hesitantly). RAIDORE: Well what?

KULWA: Tell me the prices now, I will inform them.RAIDORE: You mean you gave out the items, just like that?KULWA: No, I told you I sold them.RAIDORE: It doesn’t seem that way to me. KULWA: Well. I sold them (resolutely). RAIDORE: You certainly want to ruin us, then.KULWA: Don’t curse me like that, if you don’t like the way I didit, you stay in the shop tomorrow.

RAIDORE: Certainly…



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KULWA: After all, it was not easy for me, with men coming forstupid powder to shave their bushy beards.RAIDORE: Who came with bushy beard?KULWA: Someone came for some stupid powder to burn it.

RAIDORE: That is weird, I never heard of that powder before.KULWA: I thought as much, I told him off, silly fellow.RAIDORE: I hope you didn’t offend him. KULWA: Why not, what will he do?RAIDORE: Nothing, I suppose. But, he won’t come back. KULWA: We don’t need such silly people in our shop. NASIR: But mom, it is not them we need but their money.KULWA: All the same, let them take it somewhere.

SAMAR: Dad, I suggest I man the shop tomorrow.RAIDORE: I will give it a try, myself.SAMAR: But, I can look after it, dad.RAIDORE: I said you should be at school.SAMAR: The teachers are not coming, dad.RAIDORE: So, where are they going to, then?SAMAR: I don’t know, but many have some other businesses... RAIDORE: Then, tell them to decamp to their businesses.SAMAR: They are our teachers, dad, we can’t tell them that. RAIDORE: Tell their chief or whatever his name is.SAMAR: The principal?RAIDORE: Yes.SAMAR: Well, he is the busiest, dad.RAIDORE: I pity you then, for having such a head.SAMAR: So, I will be in the shop tomorrow?

RAIDORE: No, I don’t think your mind is steady on anything. SAMAR: I am not given any chance, dad.KULWA: Allow him to do it, if he insists.RAIDORE: You know he won’t do it. KULWA: He can learn, anyone can learn.SAMAR: I will do it, dad. I like to get the experience.RAIDORE: Get that from your school.SAMAR: They don’t teach experience there, dad.

RAIDORE: Then, get whatever it is they teach first.



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SAMAR: That won’t help me, dad. KULWA: Well, if you ask me, I say we try him.SAMAR: Yes, dad, try me. You will see wonders.RAIDORE: I have seen enough wonders about you, already. But,

I will man my shop. You go to school.NASIR: Dad.RAIDORE: (Turning to him.) Yes.NASIR: I have gone round, this afternoon.RAIDORE: Round where?NASIR: Round our ward.RAIDORE: Well, what for?NASIR: To find out what they sell, so as to compete rightly…

RAIDORE: Everyone knows what to sell, and that is what we putin our shop. Have you not seen it?NASIR: I did, dad, and much of it is not in demand.RAIDORE: How do you know that, while all you have to do is go to the

market, buy the goods, and hang them up and wait for a buyer?

NASIR: No dad, a shop should stock only goods that move, itemsthat will be asked for by the customers.RAIDORE: How do I know their mind, Nasir?NASIR: You ask people, dad.RAIDORE: That is something, who will tell you that truth?NASIR: You can also observe their purchasing pattern.RAIDORE: That is a lot of non-shop work for me.NASIR: But, that is market research, dad. If we don’t do that,we will just fill the store with slow-moving goods.RAIDORE: Well?

NASIR: Our capital will be tied down.RAIDORE: We still have our goods, is that not?NASIR: But, that is not what we want, dad. We want our goodsto go. That way, our turnover will be high.RAIDORE: And, what is that?NASIR: That is the total sales we make within a given period.RAIDORE: I don’t think I get that one. NASIR: Well dad, we are supposed to add all the sales we make

from today and see what the total is by this time next week, or



36

next month, or next year.RAIDORE: That is a lot of work, for a small shop, is it not?NASIR: We have to do that, to make the shop big. It will showus how we turn our initial money, to know the rate of the

periodic turnover.RAIDORE: That is a turnabout roundabout talk, really.NASIR: Well dad, if you have one naira… KULWA: One naira, what can you buy with that?NASIR: It is an example, mom.KULWA: Well, that example is not real, make it Tafawa.RAIDORE: Even that is useless; they have degraded thatgentleman, you can’t do anything with him.

NASIR: Another example then, if you bought a roll of soaptoday, sold it today and bought another one today, you haveturned the money you used initially twice in a day.RAIDORE: Yes, I think I understand this one.NASIR: Your profit from that same amount is doubled, then.KULWA: That is a lot of going to the market to do in one day, isit not? Who can do that?NASIR: Well, the growth of the shop depends on that, mom. If we want the shop to be profitable, we must stock what sells.KULWA: Even if it is that beard silly powder?NASIR: Yes mom, if it can be sold and bought again and again.KULWA: I really cannot see how I can stand that silly powder.NASIR: You have to try, mom, if you are to stay in the shop.KULWA: I can never stomach that thing, though.NASIR: It is not what you like, mom. It is what the buyer likes.

The seller wants cash. The buyer wants goods.KULWA: I still think I should have a choice what I sell. What isthe use of money if you can’t have a choice? RAIDORE: Of course, you have a choice.KULWA: Then, I won’t sell that beard thing in any shop of mine,even if the entire world wants it.RAIDORE: I said I will be in the shop, beard or not.KULWA: I will like to see what you do if a woman comes in.

RAIDORE: What will she come for?



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KULWA: For woman things.RAIDORE: What woman thing will put me off, then?KULWA: Any of those woman things.RAIDORE: No problem. Let them come, all of them.

KULWA: You are sure it is the shop you want to man?RAIDORE: Of course, don’t get those woman silly ideas.

ACT IIScene Three

(Raidore is in the shop, lying on a woven mat spread at a corner behind a table. He seems bored, yawingand finally dozing off. Two kids rush in.)

KID1: We want balloon, baba Nasir.KID2: We want balloon. Give us balloon.RAIDORE: (Startled) Shut up.KIDS: Give us balloon, baba Nasir.RAIDORE: I say, shut up. If I hear you shouting in here again, Iwill whack your heads clean.(The boys run off in fright. Raidore goes back to doze again. Awoman, nattingly dressed, walks in.)

WOMAN: Is anyone in here? (No response.) Who sells here? (Noresponse.) Mama Nasir, are you around?(Raidore pops up finally from his slumber.)RAIDORE: What is wrong?WOMAN: Oh, good morning, Maigidan Kulwa.RAIDORE: Morning, what do you want?WOMAN: Nothing, I thought Mama Kulwa was in the shop.RAIDORE: No (disappointingly). (The woman goes off.)RAIDORE: Silly woman, she is just coming for gossip.

(He lies back on the mat to doze off again. After a moment later, an elderly man walks in.)

SHEHU: Malam Raidore, are you in?RAIDORE: (Surfacing off the mat behind the counter.) Goga,good afternoon, where from?

SHEHU: Scavenging for the family. How is the shop?



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Raidore: Good, I think. But, I am bored.SHEHU: You will get used to it.RAIDORE: Will I?SHEHU: Sure, when the money starts to flow.

RAIDORE: That is a long shot, I think.SHEHU: Your friend has done it, you may also do it.RAIDORE: I was thinking he went to that mortgage place.SHEHU: Well, he did.RAIDORE: And, you think that will be a safe place for me?SHEHU: Of course, no, unless you have the strength to fightGod and his messenger.RAIDORE: You sure know that is out of the question.

SHEHU: Nonetheless, there are many other ways to get there.RAIDORE: I will like to see how that comes about.SHEHU: Stick a while; God is with the enduring. I will be off.RAIDORE: See you later, then.(He goes back to the mat. After awhile, a young man enters.)YOUNG MAN: Hello, anyone in here?RAIDORE: (Getting up.) What do you want?YOUNG MAN: Some few things, good afternoon, sir.RAIDORE: Afternoon, what and what?YOUNG MAN: Have you got any baby lotion?RAIDORE: Let me see. (Raidore goes searching.) YOUNG MAN: (The young man gets impatient of waiting.) If youcan’t find it, can you get me any soft pomade, please? RAIDORE: Alright. (Raidore goes searching, quite frustrated.The young man is about to leave, then Nasir comes in.)

YOUNG MAN: Can you help your father locate baby lotion or anysoft pomade for me, please?NASIR: Certainly, just a minute, please. (Nasir walks into theshop.) Good afternoon, dad.RAIDORE: You are back?NASIR: Yes dad, where have you shelved the lotions?RAIDORE: They are here, just look around, somewhere.NASIR: (Nasir looks round.) I can’t find them, dad.

RAIDORE: Well, they are here, somewhere, I am sure.



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NASIR: (Nasir comes to the young man.) Please bear a little. Iwill fish them out somehow, God willing. (He goes left, then

right, then up and then finally discovers the items.) Ah, finally.RAIDORE: Have you found them?

NASIR: Yes dad.RAIDORE: I was sure I bought them, but you seem impatient.YOUNG MAN: How much is it?NASIR: How much are they selling, dad?RAIDORE: Let me see. (He collects the tube, turns it round and round.) Wazobia.YOUNG MAN: What!RAIDORE: I said fifty Naira; can’t you hear me?

YOUNG MAN: I heard you alright, but, it can’t be. RAIDORE: What can’t be?YOUNG MAN: The price is just exorbitant.RAIDORE: What is wrong with you?YOUNG MAN: Nothing, sir, but… RAIDORE: You haven’t got money, why did you come in here? YOUNG MAN: Of course, I have money… RAIDORE: Then, what is the problem?YOUNG MAN: Nothing, sir.RAIDORE: Then, just pay and go.YOUNG MAN: This is profiteering. Something that costs twentyshouldn’t sell this much. RAIDORE: Look boy… NASIR: Dad (going close to his father). RAIDORE: Yes.

NASIR: How much did they cost you?RAIDORE: I can’t remember, but that price is good for it.NASIR: Can we give him some discount, then?RAIDORE: What is that?NASIR: A reduction, dad, from the price you have fixed.RAIDORE: I could give him, but he seemed cheeky to me.NASIR: No problem, dad, let’s give him some discount.RAIDORE: How much?

NASIR: Fifty percent discount.



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RAIDORE: Are you mad?NASIR: No dad, it is just an introductory offer.(The young man pays and leaves, quite puzzled.)RAIDORE: That was a dumb thing you did.

NASIR: Sorry dad, but, I think you mistakenly overpriced it,after all, it is just a household item.RAIDORE: Well, all these are household items.NASIR: That is consumable, dad. They don’t cost much. RAIDORE: I can see it now, if you stay in here, long enough, wewill certainly run out.NASIR: No dad, what the shop needs is some reorganization.RAIDORE: What is wrong with the way it is now?

NASIR: Um, a lot dad. The stocking is wrong. The shelving is notorderly. The pricing is mismatched and dad, even thesalesmanship um, doesn’t seem right.RAIDORE: That is crazy. Your mother and I had spent a lot of time to get things fixed up here. You just condemned it?NASIR: No, dad. It is just that we need to invest some time andenergy to make it more attractive.RAIDORE: What for, anyone who needs something goes to ashop, attractive or not.NASIR: Yes dad, but they may not come to ours.RAIDORE: That is their problem, then.NASIR: No dad. We will not be able to sell anything then.RAIDORE: So what?NASIR: We will lose money, dad.RAIDORE: Who told you we have the money to lose?

NASIR: We will not be able to make any money, then.RAIDORE: I don’t think anyone makes money out of this boring thing. I am beginning to agree with Samar. You can’t evenmake money for food here, let alone a house!NASIR: But, it is easier than hole digging, dad.RAIDORE: Well, (reflectively) you have a point there. (After abrief pause) I always think you are a tricky one.NASIR: Thanks, dad.

RAIDORE: Now, what do you want to do?



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NASIR: We will do some reorganisation.RAIDORE: Alright, go in, and have your lunch. We will considerthat proposal later, by God’s grace. NASIR: Thanks, dad.

ACT IIIScene One

(The family is seated in the open space of thehouse. They look quite exhausted.)

KULWA: It doesn’t seem to me this shop idea is working.RAIDORE: Why?KULWA: I made little yesterday, you made little today.

RAIDORE: That is true. (Reflectively) I was thinking all you hadto do was sit around and collect money.KULWA: It is a stupid work, with men asking for silly things.RAIDORE: Well, women too ask for shameful things.KULWA: It is better than that stupid beard powder, though.RAIDORE: What is wrong with you?KULWA: Why?RAIDORE: There is nothing stupid about beard.KULWA: You just want to defend your thing.SAMAR: Mom.KULWA: Yes. (She turns to face him.) SAMAR: There is a better way of making money.KULWA: Which one?SAMAR: Selling petrol is better than shop keeping, mom.KULWA: But, petrol is unsafe, Samar, is it not?

SAMAR: Everything is unsafe, mom.KULWA: Well, but petrol is more hazardous, I think.SAMAR: But, it pays much. It sells anywhere, at any price.KULWA: I still think it is risky.RAIDORE: Leave him alone, he doesn’t know what he is talkingabout. That liquid is a curse all through. It destroys where theyfind it. It angers those who have it, and it spoils those who use it.

SAMAR: But, the shop has no prospect, dad.

NASIR: Why do you say that?



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SAMAR: Everybody knows that.NASIR: That is not true, dad.SAMAR: You think I am lying, or what? Go to the market andsee. They all seem miserably mean. Unless they cut a small

here and a small there, they don’t even recover their money. KULWA: It is true. They give short measure of everything.NASIR: They did not have to do that, mom.KULWA: Yet, they do just that.NASIR: They are cheats, mom, pure and simple.SAMAR: Besides, there is no patronage, dad; people have nomoney. Only the civil masters have money, and they don’tcome here.

RAIDORE: Who are the civil masters?SAMAR: Those who look after the treasury, dad.NASIR: All the same, we don’t have to defraud anybody, dad. SAMAR: So, what do you suggest we do, straight ear?NASIR: Don’t call me that, please. SAMAR: That is what you are to me, boy.NASIR: Mom.KULWA: Leave him alone.SAMAR: Alright, but the shop is not a good idea, mom.KULWA: Then, we should change, before the money goes.RAIDORE: I am not going back to that concrete place, not withmy back creaking like rusty hinge.KULWA: Let us change to something that will make us rich.RAIDORE: Who told you we want to be rich?KULWA: Well, who wouldn’t want to be rich?

RAIDORE: All I want is something to get your naggings off me.KULWA: I sure will like to know how it feels to be rich, withlots of money. We can easily be rich and honest, can’t we? SAMAR: Mom, to be rich, you don’t bother being honest. KULWA: How is that?SAMAR: You can’t easily have that much money, being honest. KULWA: Why not?RAIDORE: Nothing is easy; even dishonest money is not easy.

KULWA: The thieves have it easy, certainly. Don’t they?



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RAIDORE: Well, they don’t. KULWA: Why, all they have to do is grab it and run, is it not?RAIDORE: You think grabbing something away is easy?KULWA: I can’t see what is difficult in that, for men.

RAIDORE: You think women are holier?KULWA: Well, men are brutes, sure, not afraid of anything.RAIDORE: Well, they are, and I should know that better.KULWA: It must be what they will face when they die, then.RAIDORE: They don’t have to die to know it is not that simple.And, I will tell you a story someone told me.NASIR: What is it, dad?RAIDORE: I thought you were asleep.

NASIR: No dad.RAIDORE: Well, the man said he heard it on the train.KULWA: The train? How I love to be in that thing.NASIR: Do they run now, mom?KULWA: No, they are as good as dead, what a pity.NASIR: Why mom?KULWA: Well, they said, and this is just what I heard they said,that without the trains, some people make more fortunes onthe roads.NASIR: That is funny, mom, is it not?KULWA: Sure, but, this world is a funny place, Nasir.NASIR: What is the story, dad?RAIDORE: Thieves came to a neighbourhood one morning. Theyshot their way into one house, scaring everybody. Then,someone said, ‘we can’t leave these people wreck this place.’

The people resolved and locked the thieves in. They armedthemselves with what they could. The gang got frightened andsought ways to escape. But, they were caught, finally.NASIR: That was very brave of those people, dad.RAIDORE: Yes, Nasir, and that shows that even stealing is notan easy thing, if people refuse to give in.NASIR: Then, the shop can be made effective, dad.RAIDORE: How?

NASIR: If we don’t give up, we can do it, dad.



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RAIDORE: Is that enough? This is not stick carrying, you know.NASIR: Yes dad, it will attract the people’s patronage. RAIDORE: How?NASIR: If we plan it, dad.

SAMAR: That is just a dream, dad.NASIR: Dreams are the seeds of greatness, you don’t know? RAIDORE: Whatever, I will like to see how we arrive there.NASIR: Soon, dad, by God’s grace.

ACT IIIScene Two

(Raidore is early in the shop, the next morning.)

NASIR: (Nasir walks in with his writing materials.) Goodmorning, dad.RAIDORE: Now, morning, where do we start?NASIR: Stocktaking, dad.RAIDORE: What is that?NASIR: We will make a list of all the items in the shop, and wewill also record their amount.RAIDORE: What for?NASIR: We need to know what we have.Raidore: What we have is all in here.NASIR: We need to record their quantity and their value… RAIDORE: Look, all that is not necessary. We are not indebtedto anybody. All you see here is mine. I paid for it.NASIR: Even so, dad, we should keep that in record, at thestart of business. Then at a certain fixed period, say, at the

end of the month, we will do it again, to see what the store isworth, its new value.RAIDORE: It is worth all we are worth.NASIR: Yes dad, but, we also want to know what our growth is,and what items are moving and which are not.RAIDORE: I think that is obvious, if we look at the counters.NASIR: Yes dad, but that won’t be on record. We might soonforget the details. Eye inspection will not tell us how soon they

are sold and how many times restocked and…



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RAIDORE: This shop is supposed to be a simple business.NASIR: It is, dad. All we are doing is the barest of accounting.Besides, we have to work out the zakkat on it.RAIDORE: Alright, where do we start, then?

NASIR: Firstly, let us allocate sections for all the items, tomake them easier to locate.RAIDORE: How?NASIR: Toiletries in one place, away from edibles, and theprovisions… (Nasir goes about moving items.)RAIDORE: The way it is, you will confuse me of their prices.NASIR: Alright dad, let me write down the purchase price.

RAIDORE: Purchase price?NASIR: Yes, what you paid for each of them.RAIDORE: That is something.NASIR: You can remember that, dad, can’t you? RAIDORE: Somehow.NASIR: Soap, this one, how much is it, dad?RAIDORE: Wazobia, I think.NASIR: You paid fifty naira for it, dad?RAIDORE: Yes.NASIR: I think you have forgotten the cost, dad. The last timeyou sent me, it was twenty.RAIDORE: Alright, Murtala then.NASIR: But, that was the counter price, dad. The man musthave added his profit already.RAIDORE: So, what do you suggest, that Ikoko?

NASIR: No, they would not have put fifty percent on it.RAIDORE: Alright.NASIR: To use our competitors as guide, we will assume fifteen,until I find out later.RAIDORE: Fifteen? That is too low, is it not?NASIR: No dad, it is just about the right price for it.RAIDORE: Alright.NASIR: How about this, how much is it?

RAIDORE: I don’t know, really.



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NASIR: It is edible.RAIDORE: I told you I can’t remember; whatever it is. NASIR: Well, (after a brief inspection) this one is expiredalready, we can’t sell it.

RAIDORE: Why not?NASIR: It is illegal to sell expired products, dad.RAIDORE: What is wrong with it?NASIR: It may harm the health of others, and if the officialscome here, we will be in real trouble for stocking it.RAIDORE: So, what do we do with it, now?NASIR: Return it, dad, to the shop you got it from.RAIDORE: I can’t do that, Nasir.

NASIR: Why not, dad?RAIDORE: Well, the man is my in-law.NASIR: Dad, in business, that is not a consideration.RAIDORE: In mine, it is. I wouldn’t pass him for any other. NASIR: He too should not sell it, then.RAIDORE: That was all he had.NASIR: We need to establish a reliable source of supply, onethat is regular, and with high quality stock. They may even giveus some on delayed payment. We pay only after we have soldthe items.RAIDORE: No matter what, I can’t return this one. NASIR: Then, we have to bury it or burn it.RAIDORE: Burn it?NASIR: Yes dad. That is, if it says, we can.RAIDORE: Who is there to tell us all that?

NASIR: It is written on the container, dad.RAIDORE: This is strange.NASIR: Yes, it says it should not be incinerated.RAIDORE: I guess, before you finish this, we will have nothingleft in here. I will be surprised what else you stock-take!NASIR: No, dad.RAIDORE: Alright.NASIR: How much did you pay to transport them, dad?

RAIDORE: How can I work that out?



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NASIR: Try, dad.RAIDORE: I walked.NASIR: With all these things, dad?RAIDORE: Yes.

NASIR: We will give that walk a value, then. (Nasir writes thatdown.) How much is the room, dad?RAIDORE: What room?NASIR: This one, the shop, suppose we are to rent it?RAIDORE: Well, I am not hiring my own house, Nasir.NASIR: We assume it, dad, to add up all the expenses incurredduring the shop operation, to get the total cost of selling.RAIDORE: This is rather odd, is it not?

NASIR: Well dad, to determine the cost of an item, we mustinclude all costs: that of the item itself, transport, rent, staff,taxes and levies. (Nasir makes some entries.) Then, we will fixa selling price.RAIDORE: We don’t need all this trouble to do that. We just fixany figure, a reasonable one, I suppose. They will pay.NASIR: No dad, they won’t pay. RAIDORE: Why not?NASIR: Customers have a choice.RAIDORE: No, they have no choice, Nasir, none at all.NASIR: They can go to other shops, which are our competitors,or they may decide not to buy at all, dad.RAIDORE: What will they do with their money?NASIR: They may save it, invest it or just not use it here, dad.RAIDORE: I still don’t think all this is necessary.

NASIR: It is, dad.RAIDORE: Well, what do you suggest?NASIR: Take chewing gum, for example, dad.RAIDORE: Is that all you see in here?NASIR: No dad, but, I know how much it is sold in the othershops. I also know how many there are in the packet.RAIDORE: So?NASIR: Our profit margin is low, if we go by the current price.

RAIDORE: Profit margin?



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NASIR: Yes dad. That is the difference between our salesrevenue and the costs we incur. Unless you acquire suppliesfrom a wholesaler, a store that sells in large quantity, giving atthe bulk price, our profit won’t be much.

RAIDORE: What is that bulk price again?NASIR: The trader at the market should give you a specialdiscount because you are buying many at the same time. Ittakes us time to sell in singles, as a retailer.RAIDORE: The man I bought it from had very few of it. I wonderif he could afford to give anyone any discount.NASIR: Well, he has to, dad, to cover for the time the retailerwill take to sell. We should ask for that discount.

RAIDORE: How do you work that out?NASIR: If single were selling at ten naira, a bulk price should bejust about seven or eight naira, dad. Accordingly, the two or sonaira would be our gross profit. When we deduct otherexpenses, we might end up with one naira as net profit.RAIDORE: Where did you learn all these twists, in school?NASIR: Yes dad. Good businesses are run on these principles.RAIDORE: Ours is just a shop, a small one.NASIR: Yes dad, but we want it to grow.RAIDORE: I wonder how.NASIR: By the time we put all this into practice we would seeour stock growing, our shop enlarging, the profit increasing andour standard of living improving.RAIDORE: You are sounding like a politician, now.NASIR: Thank you, dad.

RAIDORE: You want to be a politician?NASIR: I don’t know, dad. What do they do? RAIDORE: Not much that is of much use.NASIR: Why dad?RAIDORE: They talk a lot, they promise a lot, and much of ittends to be a lie.NASIR: Then, I should not be a politician, dad.RAIDORE: There is nothing wrong with the job, it is the people;

they tend to have big words coming from large mouth.



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NASIR: The people?RAIDORE: Yes, it is like tailoring, it tends to attract a lot of talkative promise-breakers.NASIR: I sure wouldn’t want to be like that, dad.

ACT IIIScene Three

(The shop is being officially inaugurated. The frontage has stickers and promotional labels. Theshelves are neat and the merchandise is arranged in an attractive display. The whole family gathersto inspect the new setting.)

KULWA: Mine, it is really different now. How cute.RAIDORE: Yes it is, Nasir has done a lot of work, I must say.KULWA: Money should come out of this, now. I can smell it.RAIDORE: I hope so, but don’t outstretch your tongue. KULWA: Why not, after seeing all this?RAIDORE: Much of what is in here has not been paid for.KULWA: How?RAIDORE: We have just entered into agreement with thewholesalers. They will supply us with goods to stock in anddisplay. When we sell, we will draw some commission.KULWA: The commission is much, is it not?RAIDORE: Yes, it is.KULWA: That is good then. But, what happens when we sell?RAIDORE: They will restock whatever has been sold.KULWA: We will still make a lot of money, won’t we?

RAIDORE: Of course, we will make some money, but not enoughto swim in.KULWA: I bet we will still be counted among the rich; we willhave no fear now.RAIDORE: Yes, we do. The tax collectors will come sniffing us.KULWA: We won’t allow them. RAIDORE: You don’t have to. Nasir said they will come probinginto the books for turnover or something, to use for tax

assessment, or something.



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KULWA: That is wicked of them, then. They did not help us,when we got nothing. Now, they want to break us, when wewant to get something?RAIDORE: The boy said we could ask for rebate, or tax holiday

or anyone of those hard to understand something.KULWA: I still think they are wicked, and if we don’t keep anybooks, I wonder what they will use to tax us.RAIDORE: That is funny, seeing that they need that money.Kulwa: Well, they don’t need our money. Besides, how many of our shops would they tax for those monsters they ride?RAIDORE: I don’t know, but Nasir said it’s for social services. KULWA: They should go to the rich proper for their taxes.

SAMAR: Mom, the rich proper don’t pay taxes. KULWA: What do they pay?SAMAR: Nothing.KULWA: That is not fair, then.SAMAR: The rich don’t talk of fairness, mom.KULWA: What do they talk about, then?SAMAR: Nothing.KULWA: That is the stupidest thing I ever heard.SAMAR: Well mom, they don’t talk of anything sensible to us. KULWA: I still want to know what they talk of, those people.SAMAR: We talk of f ood; they talk of land to build, that’s all. KULWA: Anyhow they talk; we are on our way there.RAIDORE: You want to join them?KULWA: Why not, it is not their monopoly, is it?RAIDORE: You want to talk of nothing?

KULWA: Well, that is better than having nothing.RAIDORE: You are right, I think. Let’s get ready our invitedguests are here.(The neighbours gather for the commissioning of the shop.)Gentlemen, gentlemen… NASIR: Ladies dad, ladies, then gentlemen, dad.RAIDORE: What?NASIR: You start the protocol with the ladies, dad.

RAIDORE: Alright, but I didn’t invite any ladies here.



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NASIR: All the same, dad. They are important.RAIDORE: We are not talking about the kitchen here.NASIR: Yes, dad, they have high purchasing power.RAIDORE: Alright then, ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered

here to perform the inaugural ceremony of the people’s shop… KULWA: Our shop, our shop… RAIDORE: What?KULWA: It is our shop, not people’s shop. RAIDORE: Of course, they know it is not their shop; that’s amanner of speech. (He turns to face his audience.) This is ourshop, the people’s shop in the neighbourhood. It is just ourinitial contribution to the industrialization of our economy…

KULWA: Who taught him all these big words?SAMAR: Nasir, I guess.KULWA: Well, these people, sure, will now think we areimportant.SAMAR: How, mom?KULWA: With all these big words coming out of Raidore, I feelgreat already.SAMAR: Yes mom and I will have my exam fees, then?KULWA: I think your dad is happy. He will give you anything.RAIDORE: So, we look for your patronage for a sustainabletechnological transfer and better standard of living… SAMAR: I don’t think these people understand all this rumbling, mom.

KULWA: What rumbling?SAMAR: These big words from dad are beyond theunderstanding of the people gathered here, mom.

KULWA: They don’t have to understand a thing. SAMAR: Why, mom?KULWA: It is not important to be understood.SAMAR: What is important, mom?KULWA: Just to be heard, that’s all, Samar. SAMAR: You are sounding like the rich, mom.KULWA: Am I?SAMAR: Yes, mom.

KULWA: That is good, then.



SAMAR: Why, mom?KULWA: To show the rich that anyone can get there.RAIDORE: So, ladies and gentlemen, my appreciation goes toyou, our highly esteemed prospective customers, and to my

dear family, and most especially to my young businessconsultant, adviser, monitoring entrepreneurial partner, Nasir.I wish you all happy shopping and continual satisfaction.

(There is a tumultuous ovation.)

(The curtain falls.)

Usman Aliyu 2008

05_retailing power

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