CHAPTER SEVEN
"Good morning sir" I greeted them. They didn't reply, yep they just pretended no one talked to them.
"My name is Udeh Maryann I am from the legion of Mary society, St Peter's parish New haven. I came to visit the prisoners as part of my active work" I started again.
"Wetin be active work" asked the ugliest one.
"Uhm, it's another term for charity work" I tried the meek girl attitude
"Ok, so, you wan make we believe say na charity you wan come do?" he asked mockingly.
"Yes sir"
"See eh, if no be say you be girl, I for don throw-way slap give you. You think say na play we dey here dey play? Oya surrender your weapon before my guy wey dey der go blow your brain comot" he threatened. Maybe the meek and obedient girl attitude was not going to work on them, I tried the proud elite attitude.
"Sorry, why would your friend shoot me when I have done nothing wrong. I just came here to do my obligation as a citizen of this country and I doubt if harassment should be my reward" I finished proudly. Wow, seems like the constant bickering of my father finally paid off, I concluded a string of words in a classy way. I almost shook hands with myself when I noticed that all the policemen were no longer at ease. Their hands flew to the now visible funs hanging on their wrists. I felt water roll down my cheeks. I looked upwards and confirmed that there was indeed no rainfall which left out the other option that I was shedding tears. I cleared my throat and tried to look unperturbed by the now changing situation but a glance at their guns made me sob out loudly.
"Please sir, don't kill me. I just want to give some provisions to the prisoners. I never wanted to be here at all but my father insisted I lent a hand to the prisoners. Please I don't want to die now" I wailed
"Luke, leave am, na pikin way im be" the other policeman finally spoke up in my defense
"E be like say she be pikin way sabi book too much. Small pikin make we see your ID card" the scary and ugly policeman demanded.
I frantically searched for my student ID card and breathed a sigh of relief when I found it. I looked at the out stretched hand of the ugly policeman whose name I had learnt to be Luke and I decided that I didn't want to take chances if he decided to grab my hand and throw me into a cell. I turned to face the other policeman.
"Here is my ID card" I offered. He chuckled at my action and collected it. Mr. Luke on the other hand didn't find it funny and grunted to show his disapproval. When Mr. gentle policeman was done with the ID card he gave it back to me.
"Am sorry miss but we have to search you to be sure you don't have any weapons" he paused. I looked at him with wide eyes and of course he misunderstood me.
"No it's not what I mean. We will not be immodest in searching you but we still have to carry out the protocol" he quickly explained. I regained my posture and cleared my throat. He probably thought I was shocked he was going to search me but my reason was far from that. It was that a policeman could be well breed and mannered even maybe act like a gentleman. He spoke good English without a blunder and I was impressed. I didn't realize I had zooned out until Mr. gruesome policeman cut me off.
"My friend, why we dey here dey ask ordinary civilian permission. If you no go search am, make I kukuma do am" he angrily shouted.
"Luke, make I search am. Another person wey go come nay u go search the person abeg" Mr. gentle policeman pleaded. Mr. gruesome policeman shrugged in agreement.
"I am going to search you now Maryann" Mr. gentle policeman reminded me.
"How do you know my name' I asked as he raised my hands up.
"You gave us that unnecessary information when you told us your life history" he scolded and gently patted my sides. He moved to my thighs then my calf. His response to my question made me go quiet at hearing my supposed gentle policeman defender scold me.
"All clear" he spoke into the talkie that I had not seen him carry. Almost immediately the third policeman inside the gate lowered the gun he pointed at me.
"Try to stay out of trouble" he said before taking a step back.
"What is your name" I asked and he raised his eyebrow in question.
"If I get into trouble, I need to know who I am looking for to help me"
"Marcus" he simply stated before moving back to join his partner. I made to take a step inside when Mr. gruesome stopped me.
"Eeh, small pikin, you no go find something for us?" he taunted. I had heard of this disgraceful behavior of some policemen who never hesitate to ask for money from civilians like it's their right. I thought that act was specially reserved for adults that earned money and not students—albeit a wealthy one like me.
"I..I don't have any money on me" I answered as politely as I could.
"Ok naah, na im be say you no wan comot here" he shrugged.
I looked to Marcus for help but unfortunately he found looking at the wall very fascinating. I mentally calculated that I had spent at least thirty minutes outside the prison gate when I had not planned on spending fifteen minutes in the prison yard at all. I sighed in frustration and opened my bag to give the undignified policeman some money. I frantically searched for a five hundred naira note but decided to give him a thousand naira note since my search was futile
"You do well small geh, oya enter go see the people wey you wan see" he answered enthusiastically and smiled. Well to him and any other person he smiled, but to me he extended his facial muscles to redefine his unearthly ugliness. I wish I had the nerve to say that to him—but on a second thought am glad I don't have such suicidal nerve. I pulled the gate open and entered inside.
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The compound was well swept and the flowers were trimmed. The police cars parked outside were all neat and sparkling, there was no litter to be seen anywhere. To say I was surprised at the cleanliness and orderliness of the compound would be an understatement. I walked into the room that had the words ENTRANCE written on it. I saw a policeman and woman sitting behind the counter. The portrait of the president, the governor, the minister of defense and the commissioner of police were hung at strategic points in the room.
"Good morning miss, how may I help you?" greeted the policewoman.
"Uhmm, I am Maryann Udeh, and I came for a legion society visitation" I answered. The policewoman beamed with happiness at my answer that for I second I thought I wasn't at a prison yard.
"Thank God, you are heavenly sent. The guys have used up their toiletries and tampons are what the girls would not dream of having in the near future. Since—"she was interrupted by a nudge from the man beside her.
"I mean, thank you for being so kind. Will you like to see the prisoners or should one of them be brought to you in the visiting room?" she asked after composing herself
"None of the above. I will just drop these things and be on my way" I answered. I dropped the bags I had on the counter and turned to go when I was stopped.
"Please miss, the inmates would be glad you brought them very important things and they will not be happy…" she explained.
"Then tell them it was anonymously donated! Have a nice day" I stormed out of the reception room. I walked to the gate ant did not stop to respond when Mr. gruesome bid me farewell.