Marina's big dream was that one day he would leave Richman's point and go to the big city. He was bored by almost everything around him. He was disturbed by the fact that each day, the sun rose and set from exactly the same angle. With eyes closed he could spell out; without the slightest hesitation the exact coordinates from which it came. Actually, he was used to life here just as he was used to this place.
T-junction was your true definition of urban. Every letter, every syllable. Tainted with dark alleys and flowing with crisp dirty scum; one needed not to ask whether they were in a ghetto.
A gross looking lad came running down the street, pursued by a string of errant rogues. Definitely he had snatched a wallet. He turned the corner just as fast and disappeared along the great sewage galley down the knackers. Finally, safe and sure, the train of angry followers halted, looked around to make sure there was no else in pursuit.
Marina sat down at the edge of an unfinished road reserve cliff and let out the steam of weariness. He panted like an over-worked bitch and in fact let out spasms of sounds one would mistake for hound sounds. The rest surrounded him like faithful Catholics ready to partake of the holy Eucharist. Like your typical priest, he took his time; fully aware of his importance. He finally held out his hand and shouted "Water!" The smallest in the lot, typically a junior rushed across the street; picked up an old Rwenzori bottle and blew air into it. He then dashed to the wide water galley and bent down to get some water. He did this so fast. One could tell he didn't want to miss out on whatever it was that made Marina so important. Clad with his bottle, the holy priest took a quick look at the brownish substitute for water that was in the bottle, poured a pint on the ground (as if to please the gods) and then poured it down his gut.
Kiina was the street dog. No one wanted to mess with her. The closest they ever got was to talk about her behind her back; exactly what Patu and Mama Mboona were doing right now. In hushed tones, Mama Mboona seemed to be intimating to Patu about Kiina who at this point happened to be walking down T-junction. She was dressed in a loose transparent nightie and a pair of hot pink sandals. Her hair was wild and unkempt. From her location, one needed not guess that she had not slept for days. She walked in a drunken stupor and dragged her feet as though they were clubs of half dry timber.
From across the road, Marina whistled for the passing Kiina. He was still surrounded by his school of faithful. The rest made way for the approaching queen who straight on went and sat on Marina's lap. Finally it was just about time that Marina dispersed the congregation. He opened the purse and carefully poured out its contents unto Kiina's lap. The rest looked on with watery eyes, as if in an act of worship. There was a bundle of notes; legal tender, the chief picked it up and the rest automatically formed into a line. One by one, he gave each their share. When it was the young one's turn, Marina paused and looked up "You almost got us caught with your sloppy conduct!" The look in his eyes could tell the story of disappointment and fear that now gripped him. For nearly five loots, he had been missing out on the share.
"Not again" he silently prayed.
................................................................................................................................................................
