Episode 5 – “The Job Hunt”

Episode 5 – “The Job Hunt”

Scene 1: Preparing for the Interview

(Ebere sits in her small, dimly lit room, thinking aloud to herself.)

Ebere (muttering): "At least I sabi small English. My school, St. Matthew's Community School, teach me well."

(She glances at the old wrapper tied around her body and frowns.)

Ebere (scoffs): "This wrapper no go let me carry cloth from my bag."

(She finally pulls out a piece of Ankara fabric. It’s big enough to cover her chest, but it’s not exactly formal. She sighs, adjusting it around her body, then finds a long skirt that she hasn't worn in months. It's slightly faded but still neat.)

(After dressing, she stands in front of her small mirror and nods to herself. It’s not perfect, but it will do.)

Scene 2: Borrowing a Phone

(Ebere steps outside her room and knocks on a neighbor’s door. A young man named Tunde opens up, rubbing his eyes like he was just napping.)

Tunde (yawning): "Ebere, wetin happen?"

Ebere: "Abeg, make I use your phone. I wan search for a school—Cherryville Academy."

Tunde (raising a brow): "Cherryville Academy? Na big school o!"

Ebere: "I know. But I need a job."

(Tunde shrugs and hands her his phone. She quickly types "Cherryville Academy" into Google and finds the address—it's real. Located in the richer part of the city. Her heart races. Could she really work there?)

(She memorizes the address, thanks Tunde, and hurries off.)

Scene 3: Arriving at Cherryville Academy

(The gates of Cherryville Academy are huge. The school looks fancy, with well-dressed students and clean, modern buildings. Ebere swallows hard, suddenly feeling very aware of her simple clothes.)

(She approaches the security guard at the gate.)

Ebere: "Good afternoon, sir. I—I want to apply for a job."

Guard (eyeing her skeptically): "Job? You sure say you no lost?"

Ebere (standing firm): "I am not lost, sir. I saw online that you are hiring. Please, I want to see the head of department."

(The guard shrugs and lets her in. She walks into the main office, where she meets Mr. Bami, the Head of Department, and Mr. Jeffery, the Vice Principal.)

Scene 4: The Interview

(Mr. Bami, a tall man with glasses, gestures for Ebere to sit. He glances at a piece of paper, then looks at her.)

Mr. Bami: "So, you are here to apply for a job. What position are you looking for?"

Ebere (nervous but trying to be confident): "Sir, I can clean, I can teach small children, I can even cook."

Mr. Jeffery (raising a brow): "Do you have any experience?"

Ebere: "No official experience, sir. But I took care of my younger cousins. I also helped in my church children’s class sometimes."

Mr. Bami: "Hmm. What level of education do you have?"

Ebere: "I finished secondary school, sir. St. Matthew's Community School."

(Mr. Bami and Mr. Jeffery exchange looks. Mr. Bami leans forward, adjusting his glasses.)

Mr. Bami: "Can you read and write?"

Ebere (nodding quickly): "Yes, sir. I can read and write well."

(Mr. Bami slides a piece of paper across the table.)

Mr. Bami: "Alright. Read this sentence for me."

*(Ebere picks up the paper and reads slowly but clearly: "Education is the key to a brighter future.")

(Mr. Bami nods, satisfied.)

Mr. Jeffery: "Alright, one last thing. If a child is crying in class, what will you do?"

Ebere (thinking for a moment): "I will kneel and ask them what is wrong. If they are hungry, I will give them water. If they miss their mama, I will sing to them. Children like music."

(Mr. Bami smiles.)

Mr. Bami: "That’s a good answer."

(He writes something down and then looks up at her.)

Mr. Bami: "Okay, Ebere. Come back on Monday. Our school owner, Miss Gloria, will be around. She will decide if you get the job."

(Ebere nods, holding back her excitement. She stands, bows slightly, and thanks them before leaving.)

Scene 5: A New Hope

(As Ebere steps out of Cherryville Academy, she takes a deep breath and smiles for the first time in days. She isn’t hired yet, but she’s one step closer.)

(She whispers to herself.)

Ebere: "I fit do this. I go get this job."

(FADE OUT.)

End of Episode 5.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***