#QUICKIE : CARELESS CITIZEN The automated voice from the speaker is female. I wonder why they never use male voices. It announces the next person to be served. This time it says A96. My ticket says A209. Huduma Center is stuffy, filled with careless people like myself who cannot take care of their national IDs. Today as of 8.30am, I am the 209th person to lose his ID card. Going by the number of people coming in, it is clear we are a nation of careless people. I slept late last night, and woke up early to come apply for a new ID. So my eyelids are fighting to kiss each other, to hold themselves to a tight embrace. I hate to be the one to cockblock this consumation of hairy love. I need coffee. On my way back from Kaldis, I meet this man. He is wearing a red Tuko Pamoja cap that has seen better days. Same to his tattered clothes. He speaks a lot. He speaks his mind. He is saying a lot of things, prophesying about the uselessness of the Hague Trial. He is wishing the president a happy birthday. I envy the president. No mad man has ever wished me a happy birthday. I would be flattered. Then comes this damsel in red soled heels, her walk has no soul. She walks as if she is listening to a beat. A black blazer worn over a white blouse, and a lazy skirt that does not do match to cover her legs. The role of which is taken over by grey stockings. Uhurus friend shouts to her Oh Lord! I wish you knew the things I would do to those legs! I wish I was lying about this. The mad man is so darn eloquent. I wonder where he has been watching black American movies from. Do they teach these things at mental institutions? But what I admire most is his freedom of speech. He can say whatever he wants and them plead insanity. I wish I could also tell the lady what I would do with those stockings given a chance. But I am chained. I am a prisoner of words unsaid. Madness is freedom. I walk back into Huduma Center an hour later. The female voice announces the next careless citizen. Now serving number A134. Please proceed to counter number one, I am going to be here for a while.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:21:24 +0000