BRIBERY: STINGY AMERICANNAH.

If he wants to rob me, he had better have a gun, the man next to Arinze fumed. I cannot take this.No,no. I just cannot. I have been coming here in almost three weeks now. This is something boldly written on the form that would take only three working days.

He spoke in an African- moulded American accent, but the more heated his anger grew, the more the American sound submerged.

Arinze hardly even looked the man's direction. There was no need.
Soon Arinze received a phone call from his contact in the office.

Hope you have everything, Mr Ojo said in a low tone.

Yes, yes, Arinze answered hushly.
Take the right turn and enter the third office on your right.Ask for Vivian, tell her I sent you.

Okay Sir, Arinze said in humble obedience.

Quickly he got off his seat,that was when he noticed the Americannah sweating profusely and tapping his fingers on his knees. He followed Mr Ojo's direction and his destination was easy to locate.
Good afternoon Ma,Arinze greeted Vivian, a girl far younger than his two younger sisters. Mr Ojo sent me.

Okay, Vivian said.

After just about three seconds, it seemed she had lost her patience, and she said "where am na",with eyes looking more rash than her tone.

Sorry, Arinze said, as he brought out an envelop from his back pocket.

Vivian opened the envelope and it seemed what she saw was enough to suffice. Immediately,she pulled out the drawer on the right side of her table and handed Arinze a medium-sized envelope. Arinze was too afraid to confirm the contents before Vivian, he was not sure if it would aggravate her in any way.

Thank you very much he said,
before leaving the office. The illumination in the hallway was poor, and he would not be able to read through the document in such lighting condition. The illumination was almost perfect at the reception, so he took his time and looked through the licence documents. They were complete.They were original. He had applied just the past Wednesday.
As he was about putting the documents back into the envelope, the pissed-off, over-delayed Americanah caught sight of it.

Young man, it seems you have got what you came for?

Arinze let out perfect blush.

I have been here for over three weeks, three weeks he repeated as he raised three digits on his right hand in demonstration, as though Arinze does not know what three is. They keep giving me silly excuses, "

Oga no dey, ink no dey for stamp, internet no dey to enter it in the portal". Can you imagine the silly excuses?And all these cost are covered in the licence fee. I know they want money,but I would not give them anything more than the stipulated fee.

How long did it take you?the man asked Arinze.

Arinze looked at him, knowing his honest answer would not excite the Americanh at all.

Over a month now Sir,he said.
Oh God,so I could keep coming here for more weeks.

Arinze gave out a perfect blush once again.

More weeks than you can imagine,Arinze said to himself. If only the Americannah was open to "cooperation",Arinze would have handed him Mr Ojo's contact. At least his long wait would end,and Mr Oko would make some money,enough money to cover his evening hang-out drinking ritual.

and everyone would be happy.
But how can he make such suggestion when Mr Americanna keeps professing that he would not be robbed without a gun.

Arinze could not care less about Mr Americannah's plight.
Stingy Americanna,Arinze said the moment he was sure he had left the man's ear shot. He had good home training, else he would have said it to his hearing.