NIGHTCLUB CHRONICLES
CHAPTER 8
I didn’t want any further trouble. Besides, I didn’t have any back up; just me and Linda. We quickly got into the car and sped away. We were safe for now But that was not to last for long. Just at the entrance to our street, a police checkpoint had been mounted. I cursed under my breath as I brought the car to a halt. A young policeman approached us.
“Bonjour Monsieur” . He said.
I wasn’t good in French but understood what he said.
“Bonjour officier “.
“Puis-je voir vos papiers? ”
I reached inside the car and brought out a plastic file that contained all my car documents and handed it to him. With the help of his flashlight, he went through my papers and realized everything was in tact. He handed the file back to me but didn’t leave.
“Qui est la dame avec vous?”
“Ma femme”
“Elle est belle”.
I wasn’t comfortable about someone appreciating my girlfriend at that hour of the night. However, I stayed cool.
“Merci ” I responded.
He motioned for us to leave. I turned on the ignition and we moved into the street. Just about a hundred meters into the street, we met another checkpoint. This one was mounted by the street vigilante. I was ordered to pack my car by the side of the road and stepped out. My first intuition was to disobey. However, I didn’t.
“What do you guys want?” I asked, vexed.
“Grand, we di just check for make sure say all thing dey fine.” Their leader told me.
“As you can see, we are good. Can we go now?” I asked, impatiently.
“Grand drop your people something noh. Thing dem strong.”
“As you can see, I am from a club. I don’t have any money on me. I will see you guys later.” I said, getting back into the car.
“Hey!! Wuna lock that gate. E never drop.” I heard him tell his boys.
I got back out of the car.
“What do you want young man?” I asked. “If you don’t open that your stupid gate right now, I am going to smash it with my car.”
“No try am oh grand. If you try eh, you go know say na we di run this place.”
“Hoodlums!!” I shouted. “Drive-by shooters!! Let’s see who will win.”
I went to where the flimsy barrier was, and flung one of the tires away. Suddenly, about six or seven guys jumped out of the surrounding bushes and came at me. They threatened to beat me up if I don’t leave immediately. I didn’t budge.
“I am not scared of you, I am not scared of any of you. Dare lay a finger, just a finger on me and watch how you waste away in jail.”
They looked at each other and then slowly retreated. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around ready to box. It was just Linda.
“Big Baby, just give them something and let’s get out of here. I am freezing. ” She proposed.
“I am not giving anybody any money. Not a dime. I won’t part with a single coin.” I shouted and dragged her back to the car. I got inside, started the car and sped straight into the barrier. I went through it without worrying if my car will be damaged or not. The guys who were there fled in different directions as I sped past.
I looked through the rear view mirror and discovered that two of them had mounted their motorbikes and were giving chase.
TO BE CONTINUED…
