Episode 6: Dreamscape

Belinda was marveled. I had exceeded by far her expectations. She watched the video over and over again with intense delight. She handed me a brown envelope from her bag and told me it’s for the troubles. I was reluctant and told her she already gave me fifty thousand naira earlier, even before the gig but she insisted that the fifty grand was the basic utility to aid me in carrying out the assignment effectively, while this was compensation. She persisted until I succumbed. She slid the brown envelope in my jacket, although I told her she didn’t need to. I preferred the assignment being a favor to her.

By this time, it was noon. She dropped me off at my workplace and promised she’ll be in touch. For the first time, I felt like an actor in a psychological thriller movie. I sort of liked it. More importantly, the achievement of helping a celebrity must have tickled my fancy. This was totally cool.

After work, after 6:00 pm, I drove to Silverbird Galleria, not to watch a movie this time, but to park my car and have my evening exercise. I do a lot of walking. I am not a gym person, so I am not registered to any gym in Lagos. Walking pays me better. I’d usually walk from Silverbird Galleria to Bar beach, then, walk all the way to Eko Hotel and keep walking to the Palms Shopping Mall. This was quite a distance, but it was worth it.

I decided to take a little nap in my car before taking my walk. I turned on the radio and snoozed.

I awoke to thundering sounds, more like the sound of an earthquake. At this time, it was already dark and the night was somewhat empty. I was afraid, and the hair all over my body stood up. I felt the most uncomfortable sensation. Something was coming. I looked through the window of my car to figure out what was going on but found nothing yet. I heard giant footsteps approaching which made the ground to shake. I hid in my car, to avoid being seen by whatever was coming. This is really hard to swallow, it was an enormous masquerade. It towered over the high rise buildings such as the Standard Chartered Bank edifice at Ahmadu Bello Way. This was freaking unbelievable. Maybe I was dreaming, but sincerely I doubt it. I know the difference between a dream and reality.

Its head touched the sky, yes, it was that colossal. I’ll describe the giant luminescent masquerade I saw.

It was fully clad in white flowing apparel with a hat and it held its iconic staff — it was an ‘Eyo’ masquerade.

I watched it saunter across the city like it was in his parlor, till it disappeared from sight.