The play is set in Mmabatho , South Africa.
The Characters
Chandy (64), a teacher
Annamma (62) his wife,also a teacher
Scene 1
chandy's house.It's 3.45 PM. Annamma relaxing on a sofa, watching TV.Her
facial expressions show that is is engrossed in the program
she is watching.
( enter Chandy. He is very tired and upset.)
Chandy : (furiously) See, the circular for the marking test is out.
( Annamma doesn't pay attention )
Chandy : Annamma, didn't you hear me? Read the circular for the marking
test. ( he throws the circular at her )
Annamma : what test ?
Chandy : The markers' test.
Annamma : If there is a markers' test, so be it. Chandy, go and eat your lunch.
We shall talk about it after this episode.
Chandy : I can't stand this.
Annamma: Then sit down. relax. Don't disturb me.
Chandy : "Ammaykku prana vedana, makalkku veenavayana ."
Annamma : Take it easy.
Chandy : I can't tolerate this. ( takes the circular from the floor).This is a slap
in the face. Me.. to write a test at this advanced age, (shakes his
head ).A person like me who has his legs extended into the grave...No..
I will not write this test....this has grave implications for me..
Annamma : Take it or leave it . It's your choice.
Chandy : Remember, you are also affected.
Annamma : I don't worry about it.
Chandy : My case is different. I was Chief Marker, Examiner, Internal
moderator, etc etc. Asking me to write a lowly test is asking Oommen
Chandy to write a PSC test for L.D. Clerk..
Annamma : Chandicha, please give up your ego. In this country, people don't see
things in this way. You have the freedom to choose.Furthermore,
you have been in this marking business for 25 years. You have
chronic backpain due to sitting for long periods.Now is the time
to quit.
Chandy : I am thinking of legal options.
Annamma: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. You have only one year
to retire. Give up marking, and take rest. We have amassed enough
wealth.
Chandy : No, I am not going to stoop so low to accept this humiliation
passively. I am going to mobilise people.
Annamma : It is not going to work.This circular is approved by SADTU.
Chandy : I don't think so.I will do everything possible to nullify this.
SCENE 2
( Chandy is in his garden,alone, pacing up and down, in deep thought )
Chandy : If I don't sit for the test, they will simply cancel my invitation
for marking.I will be the loser. Once dropped, they won't consider
me next year. And that is my last year in teaching. It would be a
double loss. R 15000-00 is not child's play.It would be unwise to
forfeit such a huge amount when prices are going up. The other
day I paid R 22000 for two airtickets...Marking money is vital
to compensate that...........
Alternatively, if I write the test and fail, it would be a disgrace.
People would judge me as a fake marker all these years. My
reputation will collapse like the twin towers. I will become a
laughing stock among the Malayalees.......
So weighing both options, to mark or not to mark, ...sit for the test
and be confirmed...or ...boycott the test and be dumped for ever.
( enter Annamma)
Annamma : I was looking for you.
Chandy : Full of scorpions is my mind, Annamma.
( cell phone rings.Chandy takes it )
Chandy : I am OK. Is that so ? It is great news. Are you sure ? I am very
happy. Thank God. OK, Ok, I will call you later.
Annamma: What's the news ?
Chandy : Good news. The test is cancelled. That was Abraham. SADTU
threatened with a boycott. The official who issued the circular
had to relent.The test is a closed chapter.
Annamma : I see.
Chandy: Thanks, SADTU.
( curtain )
The Characters
Chandy (64), a teacher
Annamma (62) his wife,also a teacher
Scene 1
chandy's house.It's 3.45 PM. Annamma relaxing on a sofa, watching TV.Her
facial expressions show that is is engrossed in the program
she is watching.
( enter Chandy. He is very tired and upset.)
Chandy : (furiously) See, the circular for the marking test is out.
( Annamma doesn't pay attention )
Chandy : Annamma, didn't you hear me? Read the circular for the marking
test. ( he throws the circular at her )
Annamma : what test ?
Chandy : The markers' test.
Annamma : If there is a markers' test, so be it. Chandy, go and eat your lunch.
We shall talk about it after this episode.
Chandy : I can't stand this.
Annamma: Then sit down. relax. Don't disturb me.
Chandy : "Ammaykku prana vedana, makalkku veenavayana ."
Annamma : Take it easy.
Chandy : I can't tolerate this. ( takes the circular from the floor).This is a slap
in the face. Me.. to write a test at this advanced age, (shakes his
head ).A person like me who has his legs extended into the grave...No..
I will not write this test....this has grave implications for me..
Annamma : Take it or leave it . It's your choice.
Chandy : Remember, you are also affected.
Annamma : I don't worry about it.
Chandy : My case is different. I was Chief Marker, Examiner, Internal
moderator, etc etc. Asking me to write a lowly test is asking Oommen
Chandy to write a PSC test for L.D. Clerk..
Annamma : Chandicha, please give up your ego. In this country, people don't see
things in this way. You have the freedom to choose.Furthermore,
you have been in this marking business for 25 years. You have
chronic backpain due to sitting for long periods.Now is the time
to quit.
Chandy : I am thinking of legal options.
Annamma: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. You have only one year
to retire. Give up marking, and take rest. We have amassed enough
wealth.
Chandy : No, I am not going to stoop so low to accept this humiliation
passively. I am going to mobilise people.
Annamma : It is not going to work.This circular is approved by SADTU.
Chandy : I don't think so.I will do everything possible to nullify this.
SCENE 2
( Chandy is in his garden,alone, pacing up and down, in deep thought )
Chandy : If I don't sit for the test, they will simply cancel my invitation
for marking.I will be the loser. Once dropped, they won't consider
me next year. And that is my last year in teaching. It would be a
double loss. R 15000-00 is not child's play.It would be unwise to
forfeit such a huge amount when prices are going up. The other
day I paid R 22000 for two airtickets...Marking money is vital
to compensate that...........
Alternatively, if I write the test and fail, it would be a disgrace.
People would judge me as a fake marker all these years. My
reputation will collapse like the twin towers. I will become a
laughing stock among the Malayalees.......
So weighing both options, to mark or not to mark, ...sit for the test
and be confirmed...or ...boycott the test and be dumped for ever.
( enter Annamma)
Annamma : I was looking for you.
Chandy : Full of scorpions is my mind, Annamma.
( cell phone rings.Chandy takes it )
Chandy : I am OK. Is that so ? It is great news. Are you sure ? I am very
happy. Thank God. OK, Ok, I will call you later.
Annamma: What's the news ?
Chandy : Good news. The test is cancelled. That was Abraham. SADTU
threatened with a boycott. The official who issued the circular
had to relent.The test is a closed chapter.
Annamma : I see.
Chandy: Thanks, SADTU.
( curtain )
Good one.. Was there something recently in SA to make a similar test mandatory?
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