The Late Comer
Synopsis
Jenifer is fond of coming late to class. Her lateness consequently becomes her trademark.Except for Paulina and Love, Her Senior High School colleagues, especially Michael and Grant, make jest of her whenever she comes to class…late. Though Mrs. Rebecca joins the chorus of those making jest of her, she sees the fire behind the smoke.
Characters
Jenifer (16) Student
Mrs. Rebecca (41) Business Studies Teacher
Michael (16) Student
Grant (17) Student
Love (16) Student
Paulina (17) Student
Fourteen other students (Seven males and seven females)
The business study classroom
Mrs. Rebecca, teaching for the past thirty-five minutes, sees the walking-in Jenifer. She suddenly calls her attention.
Mrs. Rebecca: Where do you think you’re going, you late comer?
Jenifer: To have my sit
Mrs. Rebecca: Will you stand at the door [Jenifer reluctantly obeys]
Michael: It’s always usual for Jenifer, our Jenifer, to always come in late. Just like what Grant had said, ‘’lateness is her second nature’’
Grant: I’m not surprised at you, Jenifer. For once, try to come early. Remember what Uncle Sam would tell us during our English Literature Class, ‘’A stich in time saves nine’’
Love: Why are you guys talking like this?
Grant: Don’t start trash-talking!
Love: Who is, if not you guys who are always seeing the lateness issue without asking why?
Michael: Let me answer straight up! Who cares? Jenifer has now become a perpetual late comer. That’s our concern.
Love: Is it the very best way to handle her matter?
Paulina: Class, this is Mrs. Rebecca’s teaching period. Look, the rest of the class is quiet but you guys are busy noise-making
Grant: You’d better watch the words that proceed from your mouth
Paulina: What’s wrong with what I’ve just said?
Michael: All
Paulina: Name one
Grant: Love, please keep shut, just as Paulina rightly suggested.
Love: The four of us are the ones making noise while sited. Mrs. Rebecca is up standing observing her period. But our noise-making isn’t helping matters at all! It only be wise if we keep our mouths shut. Then Paulina’s statements would hold waters.
Michael: Set the ball rolling
Grant: Why has Jenifer chosen to be a later comer?
Paulina: Why ask what has already been asked? Makin a mountain out of a mole hill! By the way, what’s your business?
Love: One step at a time.
Michael: Which of the steps should be first? The lateness of Jenifer or the four of us?
Paulina: Let’s don’t get things muddled up. We’re wasting Mrs. Rebecca’s period.
Mrs. Rebecca: Shut up! I’ve been watching you guys make noise. Such a pity! Paulina and Love, if I hear you say a word in defense of Jenifer’s lateness, I will walk you out of my class. Are you trying to support Jenifer’s flaw simply because she’s a young woman like you?
Love: I’m very sorry. It’s just that I’m not happy with the way Michael and Grant are handling the issue.
Mrs. Rebecca: How is it your concern?
Paulina: She’s our colleague. So, it won’t be out of place to find out the reason behind her lateness.
Mrs. Rebecca: You girls have grown Bananas!
Love: I don’t think I’ve grown such a fruit before
Paulina: I’ve never planted it before in my entire existence on Planet Earth
Mrs. Rebecca: Are you girls trying to make fun of me?
Paulina: It’s not my intent
Love: I wouldn’t know.
Mrs. Rebecca: I see. I guess you think you know what I know, right? Now, before the very count of three, I want you two to get out of my class…1…2
Paulina and Love leave the classroom in annoyance. The class is in shock. Michael, Grant and the rest are in utter disbelief regarding the abrupt decision of Mrs. Rebecca to walk them out of class. The classroom is calm as a graveyard.
Mrs. Rebecca: Good riddance to bad rubbish! Jenifer, the one being talked about and the very center of discussion, is standing at the door [points her hand to where Jenifer is standing] not complaining. Can you see her?
Class: Yes
Mrs. Rebecca: This is a lesson for those of you who would talk while I observe my teaching period. Though my teaching period for this class is almost up, I still have to explicate the last point, which, of course, is the most important quality of being a successful business person. That is punctuality [looks at Jenifer with disdain] your intelligence is just one-percent. But your character is ninety-nine percent. Punctuality is a part of one’s character. No wonder they say ‘’punctuality is the soul of every business’’ I hope you’ve been taking and making notes on all I’ve been saying. Next class, I will assess the notes you’ve made based on what I taught you today. Jenifer, you’ll have to follow me to my office. Michael, Mr. Class Captain, is there any subject after this?
Michael (checks the time-table): No
Mrs. Rebecca: Any free period?
Michael: Yes
Mrs. Rebecca: For how long?
Michael: Twenty minutes
Mrs. Rebecca: Which subject comes up after the Free Period break?
Michael: French Language
Mrs. Rebecca: Good. Ten minutes will be okay by me. Jenifer, drop your school bag and follow me.
Jenifer: Okay
Jenifer walks to her sit, drops her bag. Mrs. Rebecca waits. When she’s done, they both leave the classroom.
Mrs. Rebecca’s Office
Mrs. Rebecca: I’ve been wondering why your lateness has been regular. Tell me, why have you made lateness your everyday activity?
Jenifer (sober): My mother has been down with cancer. For the past two years, she has been battling with it.
Mrs. Rebecca: So sorry to hear that? But what about your father?
Jenifer (cries): My dad died of diabetes.
Mrs. Rebecca: Oh! What a sad story
Jenifer: My mom has since been admitted.
Mrs. Rebecca: For how long again?
Jenifer: For two years
Mrs. Rebecca: So, sorry, my dear.
Jenifer: I ensure I visit her at the hospital everyday before I come to school.
Mrs. Rebecca: I see. Is it the reason you’ve been coming late?
Jenifer: Yes
Mrs. Rebecca: I now understand. I’m very sorry for being rude. Accept my sincere apologies. Please, do!
Jenifer: Apologies accepted!
Mrs. Rebecca: Thanks a million
Jenifer: You’re welcome, Mrs. Rebecca.
Mrs. Rebecca (puts her hands on the table looking moody): What a world we live in…
Jenifer: What do you mean?
Mrs. Rebecca: I’ve been a victim of circumstance. My parents died long ago. The streets became my home. Going through life’s difficulties, I became what I am today. It’s really a long story.
Jenifer: So sorry to hear that.
Mrs. Rebecca: I hear you. From this day onwards, I don’t want you to see me as your Business Studies teacher. See me as you older friend. Is that a deal?
Jenifer (smiles): Yes!
Mrs. Rebecca: In my next class, I’ll ensure Grant and Michael apologize you and won’t permit them to call you The Late Comer again. I will apologize to Paulina and Love for the wrong decision I took while in class.
Jenifer: Thank you!
Mrs. Rebecca: Who are you staying with? Do you have a guardian? I almost forgot to ask you
Jenifer: At the moment, I’m living with my uncle.
Mrs. Rebecca: Okay. How well is he helping out?
Jenifer: Well, he’s trying his little best.
Mrs. Rebecca: Hello! The word ‘’little best’’ just caught my attention. Please explain what you meant by ‘’…little best’’. Just being curious
Jenifer: He’s a family man and doesn’t have the full means to support
Mrs. Rebecca: How have you been coping; having to pay your tuition fees and all other expenses?
Jenifer: My dad left in his care his possession.
Mrs. Rebecca: How did you get to know?
Jenifer: My mom told me.
Mrs. Rebecca: Do you have any sibling, brother, sister?
Jenifer: No, I’m the only child.
Mrs. Rebecca: How did you get to know that your late dad left in your uncle’s care his possession?
Jenifer: My mother told me.
Mrs. Rebecca: Alright. Can you introduce me to your mom so that I can visit her at the hospital where she was admitted?
Jenifer: Yes
Mrs. Rebecca: Good. After school hours, we’ll see your mother. Is it okay by you?
Jenifer: Yes
Mrs. Rebecca: Another deal
Jenifer: Yes. It is another deal.
Mrs. Rebecca: Let me attend the Teachers Meeting [looks at the wall clock] Time is always not my best friend. I have to rush to the Staff Room where the meeting will take place. So, see you after school hours! You’re The Late Comer with a difference
Jenifer (laughs): Thanks
They both leave. Jenifer is in class awaiting the French Teacher who is on his way. Mrs. Rebecca is at the Staff Room for the Teachers Meeting.
After School hours…
They both head to the hospital where Jenifer’s mom was admitted.
Later
Mrs. Rebecca supported Jenifer mentally, emotionally and financially, particularly when her mother eventually died.
Grant and Michael apologized to Jenifer. Mrs. Rebecca apologized to Paulina and Love.
Jenifer changed from being a then later comer to a regular punctual person.
Jenifer finished her Senior High School as Best Student