MY DAUGHTER EMMA by ULASI JOSHUA IKECHUKWU (classic literature books .txt) đź“•
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MY DAUGHTER EMMA
By Ulasi Joshua Ikechukwu
Emma
-a nine year old girl.
Steve
-her twin brother.
Mr. King
-a man who later adopted Emma.
Nina
-a nurse at the local hospital.
Dr. Kate
-a medical doctor at the local hospital.
Anita
-a biologist who later became a head teacher at Santha Elementary School.
The story takes place in a small village in England. Dr. Kate, Anita, and Mr. King worked for Caregivers International-a humanitarian organization that helped people in developing countries. The three were sent on a mission to a Western African Country that practiced the killing of twins.
In Africa, Anita and a local nurse both became pregnant and gave birth to twins. She entrusted her babies to the local nurse’s care and headed to South Africa to get a white woman who could help her bring back her babies. She taught that if the villagers saw two white women carrying two babies, they would never suspect that twin babies have been born in their land. The other women in her team were quite uncooperative because they were jealous of her; they could not have babies because of the polluted water they drank in Africa. While Anita was in South Africa, Dr. Kate who could not have babies, thanks to the polluted water she drank seized the opportunity to adopt one of Anita’s twin babies (Steve) in the midst of crises in the village. Mr. King adopted the other baby (not knowing that she was Anita’s daughter) and named her Emma. Nine years later, Mr. King died in the hospital after revealing part of what happened to Nina, a nurse in the local hospital. However, the whole truth was hidden from the rest of the members of the team, except Dr. Kate who watched the events as they unfolded. What followed were Dr. Kate’s efforts to keep the truth away from everyone else. However, she did not get so far, as her greed and cruelty gave her up. In the end, Anita was very glad to be reunited with her children.
By Ulasi Joshua Ikechukwu
Emma
-a nine year old girl.
Steve
-her twin brother.
Mr. King
-a man who later adopted Emma.
Nina
-a nurse at the local hospital.
Dr. Kate
-a medical doctor at the local hospital.
Anita
-a biologist who later became a head teacher at Santha Elementary School.
The story takes place in a small village in England. Dr. Kate, Anita, and Mr. King worked for Caregivers International-a humanitarian organization that helped people in developing countries. The three were sent on a mission to a Western African Country that practiced the killing of twins.
In Africa, Anita and a local nurse both became pregnant and gave birth to twins. She entrusted her babies to the local nurse’s care and headed to South Africa to get a white woman who could help her bring back her babies. She taught that if the villagers saw two white women carrying two babies, they would never suspect that twin babies have been born in their land. The other women in her team were quite uncooperative because they were jealous of her; they could not have babies because of the polluted water they drank in Africa. While Anita was in South Africa, Dr. Kate who could not have babies, thanks to the polluted water she drank seized the opportunity to adopt one of Anita’s twin babies (Steve) in the midst of crises in the village. Mr. King adopted the other baby (not knowing that she was Anita’s daughter) and named her Emma. Nine years later, Mr. King died in the hospital after revealing part of what happened to Nina, a nurse in the local hospital. However, the whole truth was hidden from the rest of the members of the team, except Dr. Kate who watched the events as they unfolded. What followed were Dr. Kate’s efforts to keep the truth away from everyone else. However, she did not get so far, as her greed and cruelty gave her up. In the end, Anita was very glad to be reunited with her children.
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as to save them. If he had hidden my babies too, they would have lived.
NINA: So the black woman who saved your life was Emma’s mother. Wasn’t she?
ANITA: I don’t think so. The woman was black. Emma is blonde just like me. So you can’t say she was her mother. But I think Emma looks like someone I knew. I can’t really remember having met her mother, but the little girl looks like someone I knew from her childhood. I’m sure Dr. Kate knows where Emma’s mother is. She was still in the village while all these happened. I had gone to South Africa to arrange for someone to help me bring my babies to Europe.
NINA: I’ll keep an eye on Dr. Kate. I have to find out how much she knew.
ANITA: That’ll be nice. But it surely will not bring back my twins.
The two women part company.
ACT THREE
SCENE 1: INT. THE HOSPITAL. MORNING
Nina enters Dr. Kate’s office.
NINA: Good morning Doc.
DR. KATE: Morning nurse. How are you?
NINA: I’m fine. I was just wandering if you are…
DR. KATE: (interrupts) I’m sorry I’m very busy right now. I know you want to talk to me, but …
NINA: (Interrupts quickly) There’s something I need to tell you Doc. It’s about one of the patients we lost recently.
DR. KATE: Have you reported to the Chief Medical Director?
NINA: No, it’s somewhat secret; it’s about the late Mr. King.
DR. KATE: (Shows great excitement) Mr. King! What about him?
NINA: There are things the old man wanted me to tell her daughter, Emma before he died. That was why I tried to talk to her in your house yesterday.
DR. KATE: Mr. King told you some stuff before he died?
NINA: Yes. But I don’t quite understand most of his stories. I don’t know how to explain them to Emma. They are things she can’t just understand. Things about the old man’s money, about a woman with whom he has kept the money.
DR. KATE: Where is the woman?
NINA: That’s what I don’t understand. But I think Emma knew the woman quite well. Mr. King said he left the sum of four million with this woman just to make sure that the money is used for Emma’s education. He said he wouldn’t trust anybody else except the woman.
DR. KATE: (Whispers to herself) Mr. King couldn’t trust me.
NINA: Did you know Mr. King Doc?
DR. KATE: No, he died before I came into the hospital. Is there anything else he said about the money he had kept?
NINA: Yes, he said that the woman with whom he left the money worked with him in Africa about twenty years ago. They both worked for an organization called Caregivers international; an organization that helped save lives in Africa.
DR. KATE: Sorry, I should have told you I also worked for that organization. Did he tell you the woman’s name? Perhaps I can help you locate her. Perhaps I can help Emma make a fortune.
NINA: Mr. King refused to tell me the woman’s name. He just wanted to make sure that nobody else would contact the woman, except someone who worked for Caregivers; someone who knew Emma’s story, someone who had feelings for Emma.
DR. KATE: (In a little panic) Isn’t there something else he told you about this woman? Is she fair? Is she tall? How can I loose such an amount of money?
NINA: You mean the money belonged to you Doc?
DR. KATE: Not exactly. But Emma will be so happy to receive the money. I already have Mr. King’s savings and his house, but that’s not enough for the little girl’s education.
NINA: (After deep thoughts,) Yes, I now remember.
DR. KATE: The woman’s name?
NINA: No, something else about her.
DR. KATE: Is that her address?
NINA: Not really. Mr. King said the woman had a scar on her head.
DR. KATE: (Breathes out in an expression of total loss and sighs) The biologist!
NINA: (Stands up in excitement) So you knew this woman. Let’s try and find her then.
DR. KATE: It’s not as easy as you think nurse. I knew the woman, but I’ve never met her since we left Africa. We’ll never be able to find her. We’ll never be able to find the money.
SCENE 2: INT. THE HEAD TEACHER’S OFFICE. AFTERNOON.
NINA: Good day madam.
ANITA: Welcome Nina. I guess you’ve come to see the little girl. You did come at the right time. They’re on long break now so you’ve got a whole hour to chat with her.
NINA: Thanks madam. But I’ve actually come to see you.
ANITA: Have you talked to Dr. Kate?
NINA: Yes, she said a lot of interesting things.
ANITA: I knew Dr. Kate quite well. I knew she would hardly speak freely about issues like that. How did you get her to talk?
NINA: I told Dr. Kate that Mr. King left some money with a woman who worked with Caregivers, and that this woman had a scar on her head. Unless we find this woman and tell the full story that led to the death of Emma’s mother, the money will never be released by her.
ANITA: You told her that Mr. King left some money with me?
NINA: Yes, I was trying to make her tell me the last moments of Emma’s mother. And she remembers that you were a biologist. But she couldn’t remember where to find you.
ANITA: I’m sure you realized that Dr. Kate is a greedy woman. She would only give away information when there’s something big to gain. I wouldn’t be surprised if she opens up completely. Or she would do that if she believes that you have seen the woman with a scar on her head.
NINA: I’ll tell her that I’ve seen the woman with a scar on her head.
ANITA: That would be a lie.
NINA: But I actually saw you Ms. Anita. Aren’t you the woman with a scar on the head?
ANITA: You are right Nina. I think you should see her at once.
SCENE 3: INT. EXT. DR. KATE’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
Nina came running to Dr. Kate.
NINA: (Panting for breath) I saw someone today Doc.
DR. KATE: Who was that?
NINA: The woman with a scar on her head.
DR. KATE: (Grabbed Nina’s left hand) where did you see her?
NINA: She came to the hospital after you left. She asked for a surgery.
DR. KATE: Was she very ill?
NINA: No, she looked very healthy. She said that there’s something she just wanted to look good. But when I examined her very closely, I realized that there was a scar at the left side of her head. As part of the routine, I asked her about her background and she told me she’s been to Africa, but she would not provide her address. Then I believed there was something that she hadn’t told me.
DR. KATE: Really?
NINA: She looked beautiful and calm. But when I mentioned to her that the surgery would be performed by someone named Dr. Kate, she was quite unsettled for some moments.
DR. KATE: Did she remember me?
NINA: I think she did. But that’s not the important thing Doc. I think we should both see this woman. I booked an appointment with her on your behalf tomorrow at nine o’clock. I believe she would talk when she sees you.
DR. KATE: (Interrupts, and then stutters) Oh no! I think that’s a mistake. I shall be at Emma’s school at that time.
NINA: Then I’ll have to reschedule the appointment till 12.00 p.m.
DR. KATE: That time won’t be favorable either. Can’t you speak to her on my behalf?
NINA: But I’m not a doctor!
DR. KATE: Not about surgery now. Speak to her about the events that took place in Africa.
NINA: What events?
Both women begin to step outside the house.
SCENE 4: EXT. OUTSIDE THE HEAD TEACHER’S OFFICE. AFTERNOON.
Meanwhile at Santha Elementary School, Anita talks to Emma and Steve
ANITA: What may have kept your mom from picking you up today?
EMMA: I don’t really know what the problem is. She has always been early.
STEVE: Maybe there’s a problem, Ms. Anita. Mom hasn’t been that late.
ANITA: Perhaps she has so much work in the hospital. I think I’d rather take you home. Then if she’s not home yet I’ll check her out in the hospital. You can’t continue to wait. It’ll soon get dark.
SFX: the closing of doors and starting of a car engine as Ms. Anita drives Emma and Steve home.
SCENE 5: EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KATE’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
Dr. Kate and Nina continue their discussions.
DR. KATE: You see, I’ve known Mr. King for quite some time before he died.
NINA: But you told me you haven’t met him before Doc.
DR. KATE: Yes, I didn’t remember quite clearly at that time. I now remember that he was the man who drove us around Africa for a life-saving mission. But when I saw him in the hospital, I couldn’t recognize him anymore. It has been twenty years since we went for that mission. So you shouldn’t be surprised if I failed to recognize him.
NINA: Let me go at once to find this woman. She shouldn’t be so far from us. I guess she must have left her contacts at the reception before coming into the wards. If I told her that someone who worked with Mr. King had sent me, she should have no doubts releasing the money.
DR. KATE: No, we’re not taking any chances here. Two million is as stake here. We rather tell her the full story at Africa so that she would have no doubts releasing the money.
NINA: You’re right Doc. We need to tell her the full story to win her confidence.
DR. KATE: (Starts to tell her story) You have to listen very carefully. If there’s you do not understand, I’ll be glad to explain it clearly to you. And I’d be very pleased if you tell my story exactly the way you heard it.
NINA: (Draws closer) Okay.
DR. KATE: That woman was a research fellow at Caregivers. An organization that saved lives in Africa about twenty years ago. I was a young intern, and Mr. King was our driver. There were more than twenty of us. We had almost finished our mission in Africa, when we ran short of water. Then came this burning thirst that none of us could resist. Even though the streams and rivers were polluted, we drank from them because there was nowhere else to find clean water. The polluted water caused serious health problems that most of us still suffer today. But that was not all. There was a remarkable thing that happened. This woman with a scar on her head became pregnant and gave birth to twins. The children looked beautiful and her husband who was also with us was very happy. Shortly after that, a woman from the region who had attended to us also gave birth to twins: a boy and a girl. This became a big problem for the team.
NINA: Children are supposed to bring joy to their mothers Doc. How can you say that the birth of twins became a problem to the team?
DR. KATE: That part of the country believed that twins brought bad luck, so they killed all twins within twenty-four hours of their birth.
NINA: That’s horrific.
DR. KATE: But it really happened. The biologist feared that her twin babies would be killed, so she left them with the woman who attended to us.
NINA: She must have
NINA: So the black woman who saved your life was Emma’s mother. Wasn’t she?
ANITA: I don’t think so. The woman was black. Emma is blonde just like me. So you can’t say she was her mother. But I think Emma looks like someone I knew. I can’t really remember having met her mother, but the little girl looks like someone I knew from her childhood. I’m sure Dr. Kate knows where Emma’s mother is. She was still in the village while all these happened. I had gone to South Africa to arrange for someone to help me bring my babies to Europe.
NINA: I’ll keep an eye on Dr. Kate. I have to find out how much she knew.
ANITA: That’ll be nice. But it surely will not bring back my twins.
The two women part company.
ACT THREE
SCENE 1: INT. THE HOSPITAL. MORNING
Nina enters Dr. Kate’s office.
NINA: Good morning Doc.
DR. KATE: Morning nurse. How are you?
NINA: I’m fine. I was just wandering if you are…
DR. KATE: (interrupts) I’m sorry I’m very busy right now. I know you want to talk to me, but …
NINA: (Interrupts quickly) There’s something I need to tell you Doc. It’s about one of the patients we lost recently.
DR. KATE: Have you reported to the Chief Medical Director?
NINA: No, it’s somewhat secret; it’s about the late Mr. King.
DR. KATE: (Shows great excitement) Mr. King! What about him?
NINA: There are things the old man wanted me to tell her daughter, Emma before he died. That was why I tried to talk to her in your house yesterday.
DR. KATE: Mr. King told you some stuff before he died?
NINA: Yes. But I don’t quite understand most of his stories. I don’t know how to explain them to Emma. They are things she can’t just understand. Things about the old man’s money, about a woman with whom he has kept the money.
DR. KATE: Where is the woman?
NINA: That’s what I don’t understand. But I think Emma knew the woman quite well. Mr. King said he left the sum of four million with this woman just to make sure that the money is used for Emma’s education. He said he wouldn’t trust anybody else except the woman.
DR. KATE: (Whispers to herself) Mr. King couldn’t trust me.
NINA: Did you know Mr. King Doc?
DR. KATE: No, he died before I came into the hospital. Is there anything else he said about the money he had kept?
NINA: Yes, he said that the woman with whom he left the money worked with him in Africa about twenty years ago. They both worked for an organization called Caregivers international; an organization that helped save lives in Africa.
DR. KATE: Sorry, I should have told you I also worked for that organization. Did he tell you the woman’s name? Perhaps I can help you locate her. Perhaps I can help Emma make a fortune.
NINA: Mr. King refused to tell me the woman’s name. He just wanted to make sure that nobody else would contact the woman, except someone who worked for Caregivers; someone who knew Emma’s story, someone who had feelings for Emma.
DR. KATE: (In a little panic) Isn’t there something else he told you about this woman? Is she fair? Is she tall? How can I loose such an amount of money?
NINA: You mean the money belonged to you Doc?
DR. KATE: Not exactly. But Emma will be so happy to receive the money. I already have Mr. King’s savings and his house, but that’s not enough for the little girl’s education.
NINA: (After deep thoughts,) Yes, I now remember.
DR. KATE: The woman’s name?
NINA: No, something else about her.
DR. KATE: Is that her address?
NINA: Not really. Mr. King said the woman had a scar on her head.
DR. KATE: (Breathes out in an expression of total loss and sighs) The biologist!
NINA: (Stands up in excitement) So you knew this woman. Let’s try and find her then.
DR. KATE: It’s not as easy as you think nurse. I knew the woman, but I’ve never met her since we left Africa. We’ll never be able to find her. We’ll never be able to find the money.
SCENE 2: INT. THE HEAD TEACHER’S OFFICE. AFTERNOON.
NINA: Good day madam.
ANITA: Welcome Nina. I guess you’ve come to see the little girl. You did come at the right time. They’re on long break now so you’ve got a whole hour to chat with her.
NINA: Thanks madam. But I’ve actually come to see you.
ANITA: Have you talked to Dr. Kate?
NINA: Yes, she said a lot of interesting things.
ANITA: I knew Dr. Kate quite well. I knew she would hardly speak freely about issues like that. How did you get her to talk?
NINA: I told Dr. Kate that Mr. King left some money with a woman who worked with Caregivers, and that this woman had a scar on her head. Unless we find this woman and tell the full story that led to the death of Emma’s mother, the money will never be released by her.
ANITA: You told her that Mr. King left some money with me?
NINA: Yes, I was trying to make her tell me the last moments of Emma’s mother. And she remembers that you were a biologist. But she couldn’t remember where to find you.
ANITA: I’m sure you realized that Dr. Kate is a greedy woman. She would only give away information when there’s something big to gain. I wouldn’t be surprised if she opens up completely. Or she would do that if she believes that you have seen the woman with a scar on her head.
NINA: I’ll tell her that I’ve seen the woman with a scar on her head.
ANITA: That would be a lie.
NINA: But I actually saw you Ms. Anita. Aren’t you the woman with a scar on the head?
ANITA: You are right Nina. I think you should see her at once.
SCENE 3: INT. EXT. DR. KATE’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
Nina came running to Dr. Kate.
NINA: (Panting for breath) I saw someone today Doc.
DR. KATE: Who was that?
NINA: The woman with a scar on her head.
DR. KATE: (Grabbed Nina’s left hand) where did you see her?
NINA: She came to the hospital after you left. She asked for a surgery.
DR. KATE: Was she very ill?
NINA: No, she looked very healthy. She said that there’s something she just wanted to look good. But when I examined her very closely, I realized that there was a scar at the left side of her head. As part of the routine, I asked her about her background and she told me she’s been to Africa, but she would not provide her address. Then I believed there was something that she hadn’t told me.
DR. KATE: Really?
NINA: She looked beautiful and calm. But when I mentioned to her that the surgery would be performed by someone named Dr. Kate, she was quite unsettled for some moments.
DR. KATE: Did she remember me?
NINA: I think she did. But that’s not the important thing Doc. I think we should both see this woman. I booked an appointment with her on your behalf tomorrow at nine o’clock. I believe she would talk when she sees you.
DR. KATE: (Interrupts, and then stutters) Oh no! I think that’s a mistake. I shall be at Emma’s school at that time.
NINA: Then I’ll have to reschedule the appointment till 12.00 p.m.
DR. KATE: That time won’t be favorable either. Can’t you speak to her on my behalf?
NINA: But I’m not a doctor!
DR. KATE: Not about surgery now. Speak to her about the events that took place in Africa.
NINA: What events?
Both women begin to step outside the house.
SCENE 4: EXT. OUTSIDE THE HEAD TEACHER’S OFFICE. AFTERNOON.
Meanwhile at Santha Elementary School, Anita talks to Emma and Steve
ANITA: What may have kept your mom from picking you up today?
EMMA: I don’t really know what the problem is. She has always been early.
STEVE: Maybe there’s a problem, Ms. Anita. Mom hasn’t been that late.
ANITA: Perhaps she has so much work in the hospital. I think I’d rather take you home. Then if she’s not home yet I’ll check her out in the hospital. You can’t continue to wait. It’ll soon get dark.
SFX: the closing of doors and starting of a car engine as Ms. Anita drives Emma and Steve home.
SCENE 5: EXT. OUTSIDE DR. KATE’S HOUSE. AFTERNOON.
Dr. Kate and Nina continue their discussions.
DR. KATE: You see, I’ve known Mr. King for quite some time before he died.
NINA: But you told me you haven’t met him before Doc.
DR. KATE: Yes, I didn’t remember quite clearly at that time. I now remember that he was the man who drove us around Africa for a life-saving mission. But when I saw him in the hospital, I couldn’t recognize him anymore. It has been twenty years since we went for that mission. So you shouldn’t be surprised if I failed to recognize him.
NINA: Let me go at once to find this woman. She shouldn’t be so far from us. I guess she must have left her contacts at the reception before coming into the wards. If I told her that someone who worked with Mr. King had sent me, she should have no doubts releasing the money.
DR. KATE: No, we’re not taking any chances here. Two million is as stake here. We rather tell her the full story at Africa so that she would have no doubts releasing the money.
NINA: You’re right Doc. We need to tell her the full story to win her confidence.
DR. KATE: (Starts to tell her story) You have to listen very carefully. If there’s you do not understand, I’ll be glad to explain it clearly to you. And I’d be very pleased if you tell my story exactly the way you heard it.
NINA: (Draws closer) Okay.
DR. KATE: That woman was a research fellow at Caregivers. An organization that saved lives in Africa about twenty years ago. I was a young intern, and Mr. King was our driver. There were more than twenty of us. We had almost finished our mission in Africa, when we ran short of water. Then came this burning thirst that none of us could resist. Even though the streams and rivers were polluted, we drank from them because there was nowhere else to find clean water. The polluted water caused serious health problems that most of us still suffer today. But that was not all. There was a remarkable thing that happened. This woman with a scar on her head became pregnant and gave birth to twins. The children looked beautiful and her husband who was also with us was very happy. Shortly after that, a woman from the region who had attended to us also gave birth to twins: a boy and a girl. This became a big problem for the team.
NINA: Children are supposed to bring joy to their mothers Doc. How can you say that the birth of twins became a problem to the team?
DR. KATE: That part of the country believed that twins brought bad luck, so they killed all twins within twenty-four hours of their birth.
NINA: That’s horrific.
DR. KATE: But it really happened. The biologist feared that her twin babies would be killed, so she left them with the woman who attended to us.
NINA: She must have
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