16th June 2016
7.35am
Patrick is coming out of his teacher's quarters wearing a black Kaftan, locking the door with his house key, holding some files under his armpit, and with his other hand holding his phone to his ear, receiving a phone call.
PATRICK:- Martina, stop crying. Everything is going to be okay...(he locks the door and starts walking towards his 2010 Volkswagen Golf car.)
MARTINA:- (voice on the phone) Helen was right about him (she sniffed her nose and cried more). She was right all along. If I wasn't so naive, I would have listened to her. Now she doesn't even talk to me anymore (she cried more). That was how, the other time, he got my friend pregnant, and as a result of her trying to get rid of the baby, she died. Oh, Angela!! (she blew her nose) He has no shame. Because we have sent the kids to boarding school, he now brings his mistress to the house. Ahhhh! Patrick, I'm leaving this man.
PATRICK:- Ahh!!! (he opened and entered his car) Calm down now. Think about the children. At least wait until they're adults because you cannot raise those children alone.
MARTINA:- (voice on the phone) I have been saving up. I can take care of the kids by myself.
PATRICK:- (he started his car engine) Martina, those kids are just in secondary school. Apart from school fees, there are more payments you're going to have to pay ahead for their SSCE exams, not to mention university. So, I'm begging you, please endure for now, my sister. (He started driving out of the compound and headed to the main road.)
16th June 2016
8.35am
Success Bank.
The office is big and cold, with lots of bookshelves and the bank's Commercial Banking License hanging on the wall. Hanging next to the license is a degree certificate in marketing of "Richard Dominick."
BANK MANAGER:- I'm sorry, we don't have any more positions available for you at the moment.
VICTOR:- Ah! Sir, you haven't even looked through my CV. I have a degree in accounting and a diploma in marketing and branding. Please, sir, just have a look (dropping his folder on the table).
BANK MANAGER:- Like I said, our staff are full. Maybe when we have an available space, I will give you a call, but for now, I'm very sorry.
VICTOR:- Please, Mr. Dominick, help me or refer me to another branch.
BANK MANAGER:- Like I said, I will give you a call.
VICTOR:- Okay, sir. Thank you, sir. (He stood up, about to leave the office.)
BANK MANAGER:- You forgot your folder.
VICTOR:- That is a photocopy. You will need it to refer me.
BANK MANAGER:- Oh, okay. (As Victor left the office, he took the folder and threw it in a trash can.)
16th June 2016
9.35am
Kogi State University
Patrick is seated at the head of the table at an Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) meeting being held in a big meeting room.
Dr. NA-MAGIRA:- We can't take it anymore! If the federal government refuses to increase our salary, we will go on strike, and this time we will not resume for two years.
PATRICK:- I said calm down, sir. The school just resumed. Going on another strike seems irrational.
Dr. NA-MAGIRA:- Irrational?! I have children who have been chased out of school because I can't afford to pay their school fees on time, and I'm here working every day of the week and still not being paid! You still think going on strike is irrational?!!
PATRICK:- I think we should take a pause and see how the semester goes. We have sent so many request letters to the government about the increment of the salary. Let's exercise patience until the mid-term break, and if there is no reply, then we will go on strike.
Dr. NA-MAGIRA:- Mr. Patrick, you make it sound so easy. Don't you have family members hanging by your neck?
PATRICK:- It's Professor Patrick, for your information, and I have made my decision as ASUU chairman of this university. We will wait! (The room became silent.) This meeting has come to an end. (He stood up as everyone gradually left the meeting room. Minutes later, he arrived at his office in the department building. He sat down in his office chair, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes to relax. Then someone knocked at the door.) Come in! (Elizabeth, the secretary of the department, walked in.) Elizabeth, is everything okay?
ELIZABETH:- (entering the office holding some documents) You forgot to sign the attendance of the meeting and some departmental documents (handing over some documents to Patrick).
PATRICK:- Oh yes. The meeting was so intense that I forgot to sign.
ELIZABETH:- Yes, it was, sir. But I can't really blame them. Most of the lecturers have families depending on them, like Dr. Na-Magira.
PATRICK:- You'd think someone who has a doctorate would be wise enough not to depend on government salary while having three wives.
ELIZABETH:- (she laughed a little) Well, what about you? Don't you have a wife or wives?
PATRICK:- (he laughed as he signed the last paper) With the way things are going in this country, I would rather stay a bachelor than bring a child into this wicked world.
ELIZABETH:- (her smile fades as she collects the documents) Well, you are right about what's going on in the country. Prices in the market are going up. Like I said, I don't blame the lecturers.
PATRICK:- But what about the students? We still haven't graduated the class of 2014.
ELIZABETH:- Well, students come and go, but we, the staff and lecturers, will still be here. (She left the office.)
PATRICK:- (he took a deep breath and closed his eyes to relax again as someone knocked at the door.) Come in! (A male student walked in.) Class Rep? Do I have a class with you?
CLASS REP:- Yes, sir. At Lecture Hall 8.
PATRICK:- Okay, I will be there. (The class rep left the office as he took some files from his desk drawer and left his office.)
[Deleted scene]
Lecture Hall 8
10.30 am
The lecture hall is filled with students awaiting Professor Patrick's lecture. Patrick walked to the front of the room, dropped his file on the podium, and took a deep breath.
PATRICK:- Good morning, everyone.
EVERYONE:- GOOD MORNING, SIR!
PATRICK:- (he took out a black marker out of his pocket and wrote "SOC 282: SOCIOLOGY OF THE FAMILY" on the whiteboard) Today, we're going to dive into a fascinating topic in sociology - unconventional family structures in the modern world and their impact on child behavior. It's important to note that family structures are diverse, and their dynamics can vary significantly. Each of these structures can provide a nurturing and stable environment for children when they are based on love, support, and effective communication. Understanding and respecting this diversity is crucial for promoting inclusivity and acceptance in society. In our society, it's crucial to understand that families come in all shapes and sizes, and in some cases, like in the West, include families with same-sex parents. (As he mentions same-sex families, some students shift uncomfortably in their seats. A few exchange glances.)
STUDENT 1:- (raising hand) Professor, I don't think that's appropriate. Our religious scriptures have verses strictly against homosexuality.
PATRICK:- (smiling as he remains calm, addresses the concern.) I appreciate your perspective, and it's essential to recognize that everyone has their own beliefs. However, in sociology, we strive to analyze and understand various aspects of society without judgment.
STUDENT 2:- (raising hand) But isn't it unnatural?
PATRICK:- Well, two people of the same gender cannot come together and biologically have a child; maybe in the future, because technology is advancing every day, but not now. And to answer your question, I personally don't think it's unnatural for individuals to form loving relationships and raise children, regardless of their gender. Research has shown that what truly matters for a child's development is a loving, supportive environment. (The classroom falls silent as students contemplate his response.)
STUDENT 2:- (raising hand) But what about our religious texts? The Bible and Quran. Our faith.
PATRICK:- (he laughed) "The Bible and The Quran." Why didn't you say the Gita or the Torah? (The student went silent.) I will tell you why; because you do not practice Hinduism nor Judaism.
STUDENT 3:- And this is not the West. We don't practice homosexuality here in Nigeria.
PATRICK:- (calmly) And this is a sociology class; we don't use our religious beliefs to think critically. As sociologists, we also study how society evolves and changes over time. It's essential to explore these changes objectively. Sociology encourages critical thinking. Our goal here is to analyze different perspectives, even when they challenge our beliefs. It's how we learn and grow as individuals. (He then opened his file standing at the podium.) Speaking of critical thinking, YOU!! (he points at STUDENT 3) You said, "we don't practice homosexuality here in Nigeria," so tell me, how do you know? (STUDENT 3 was silent.) Have you ever seen a homosexual before?
STUDENT 3:- No, sir.
PATRICK:- Hope you know that just because you don't see them doesn't mean they don't exist here in Nigeria, in Kogi State, and even in this very classroom. (The atmosphere becomes tense.) You see, a lot of you are not very wise; religion says homosexuality is a sin, but yet God created everyone. Where did homosexuals come from?
STUDENT 4:- The devil!!
PATRICK:- (smiling) But who created the devil? (The class remains silent.) You have gay people as your friends, as your family members, and even your parents. (The whole class shouted as he started laughing.) Well, yes, of course. Some of your parents were forced into marriage. Some of your parents don't like themselves; they don't like each other. They are not a healthy couple, which is why this topic is very interesting. Anyway, we still have all the factors to talk about, like single-parent households and blended families, so let's not waste time on only one part. So, without further ado, this is SOC 282.
"OUR CHILDREN" Written By Isa Hafsat Hamtin...