Professor Fayemi's office the next day at 3 p.m. He is pacing up and down.

PROF.: Having committed myself once, I shall not retreat into a shaded cove and, like a wounded dog, lick my wounds. Neither will I from the battle-front withdraw like a cowardly general. Moreover, it is too late to do so. But having committed myself once, I shall give my emotions the rein and follow in its footsteps like a cart follows a horse. Even if it leads me to more shame and disgrace, I care not. (A Knock.) Yes, come in.

(Enter Secretary. Prof's disappointment makes him angry.)

PROF.: (Shouting.) What do you want? Did I call you?

SECRETARY: (Timidly.) I... I have a message for you, Prof., an important message.

PROF.: From whom?

SECRETARY: (Swallows hard.) From... from God, Prof

PROF.: (Takes two threatening steps towards secretary.) You're crazy! Totally bananas! I say I'm not interested in your Christianity, still you pester my life with this God business of yours. Look, I've heard enough of you and your jobless God. You're fired!

secretary: (Shaken a little.) But... but I am only doing my duty as your Christian brother.

PROF.: I have neither brother, nor sister. Get out. You're sacked.

SECRETARY: (Recovering.) Okay, I'll go. But before I go I will deliver God's message. God wants me to warn you about the evil you're planning against a certain girl in this department. The Lord says if you don't desist, disgrace and premature death will be the result of your evil actions. A word is enough for the wise.

PROF.: Scram! I don't believe in prophecies or gods or oracles.

SECRETARY: (Going out.) May the Lord save you from yourself, Prof.

PROF.: (Screams.) Out! Charlatan! Jobless Christian! Rumour monger! Bloody fanatic!

(A knock.)

Who's it! (Enter Liz.) O Liz, it's you. Well, come and close the door.

LIZ: Professor Fayemi, why have you asked me to come to your office this time?

PROF.: My dear Liz, I guess we have an unfinished business between us. The ultimate aim of the present encounter is to finalize that which was begun yesternight. Dear Liz, I know how shocked you must be and I' m sorry for having sprung this on you without prior warning. But all I ask from you is sympathy for my feelings, as you yourself must surely know that 1 am dying of your love. Dear Liz, will you not reconsider and be my lover?

LIZ: Professor Fayemi, have you no shame? How dare you continue this disgraceful

business after all I said last night?

PROF.: Is that your final answer, Liz?

LIZ: Yes, yes, and yes.

PROF.: Well, I neither intend to retreat nor apologize. In this matter, you really have no choice. Your hands are tied.

LIZ: Professor Fayemi, you cannot frighten me with your empty threats. Stop bugging

my life or I shall report you to the Vice-chancellor.

PROF: (Laughs.) Ha! Ha! Ha! You will report to the Vice-Chancellor? Why don't you go

to the Inspector-General of Police as well? Nitwit! Go on and report. Go on and disgrace yourself. Who do you think will believe you? My name and status will so much your accusations overweigh that you will appear nothing but a malicious, disgruntled element. Now open those silly ears of yours very widely. You have no choice in this matter at all. You either submit or else I shall make sure that you don't pass the coming examination. Now the ball is in your court. Choose to be my girl and pass or refuse and fail. Take your choice.

LIZ: You shameless old man!

PROF.: There are only two ways out of a tunnel; you either advance or you retreat.

Take your choice.

LIZ: Well, if that is all you are going to do, go on and fail me. But no matter what you do, I shall not yield my chastity up to your beastly desires.

(She makes for the door. Fayemi shouts after her and she stops. He goes to her and whispers some things into her ears. Liz opens her mouth in shock.)

LIZ: You cruel old man! You animal in the shape of man, how dare you?

PROF.: I mean every word. Yield Liz or…

(Liz is rooted to the ground. Fayemi goes to her and places his hands on her shoulder, speaking in a conciliatory tone)