Open Writing

Chapter 3
Nemesis

After I’d so wickedly despatched the half-wit and would be extortionist
from the foyer of my grand Nairobi offices, I had about
half an hour to collect my thoughts before returning to face Brickman.
Of course he would finally see the whole sorry episode had
been a set up when I furnished him with the only possible explanation
of what had happened. Sure, it must have been a bit embarrassing
for him to have had to suffer that woman, but at least he would
understand. I would mount a robust defense if he didn’t.

At 3.55pm, I made my way upstairs. Miss Piggy looked over her
horn-rim spectacles, directing me without a word towards the boss’s
office. I knocked and entered. Imagine my surprise to be confronted
by all of senior management seated around the conference table. I
took the only remaining place when instructed by Brickman to do so.

He allowed no time for me to settle.

‘Thank you for coming promptly Munro. I think you will have
gathered from what I said to you earlier this afternoon that the company
is ill at ease with the way you are conducting yourself out of
office hours.’

Others around the table were focused on me. I could sense as
much. I kept my eyes glued on Brickman.

‘Without wishing to side step your comment Sir, I’m curious to
learn why you’ve invited so many to hear this admonishment. Certainly
you gave me no warning that this would constitute so public a
meeting.’

‘We are all of us concerned that the reputation of the company is
being tarnished.’

‘Please tell me in what way exactly,’ I replied. ‘The unfortunate incident
earlier this afternoon was an obvious ploy. Surely you can’t believe
that I would associate myself with someone like that?’

Brickman had the makings of a sneer on his face but it left his
chops before he spoke again. ‘Whatever I believe, it is clear that
there would have been no incident at all if it were not for your nocturnal
cavorting with individuals whom in other circumstances I
might deem to be beneath our UK staff.’

‘Is this a race thing, Mr Brickman? As far as I know there is no
crime in having Kenyan friends.’

‘No one has suggested criminal activity as such. It is your choice
of friends which concerns us.’

‘And what would you know about that? Has someone done a survey?
Have you got people spying on me at home?’

There was a restlessness around the table at this but no one answered,
so advisedly or not, I charged on, an unfamiliar rising anger
in me which I fought hard to control.

‘I’ve been with BAAT for fifteen years and here in Nairobi for
nearly four. Like anyone else, I’ve needed a guiding hand occasionally.
At no time however has anyone had cause to criticise my performance
or my work ethic. I’ve always had the company’s interests
at heart and done everything expected of me.’

A sudden thought hit me like a bolt of lightning, though I could
have been on the wrong track, I suppose.

‘I think I now understand why you despatched me to Mogadishu.
You expected failure, didn’t you? You had sent me on a pointless
mission hoping that I would come back empty handed. The fact that
I didn’t and made something of a breakthrough has forced you to
take a different tack; to do me down for reasons which, from where
you are sitting, are purely speculative.’

The Personnel Manager deemed to open his mouth.

‘Come now Stewart, you cannot deny your association with pros-
titutes. It is common knowledge. You haven’t even been discrete
about it.’

‘I will admit nothing of the sort. If the company has any evidence
of wrong doing, or if there are any aspects of my personal life
which truly merit disciplinary action, I would like to see these specified
in writing please.’

Brickman came back to the charge. ‘Look Munro .........’

‘Perhaps,’ I interrupted, ‘you could do me the courtesy of calling
me Mr Munro. I’m not a school boy.’

‘Mister Munro then. This is getting us nowhere. We are unhappy.
You are in denial. What I can tell you unequivocally is that given your
abrasive attitude on top of the other matter, I am not prepared to
have you working in this office any longer. I am sure Personnel will
confirm that this is entirely my prerogative. You will be required to
return to London forthwith, where your future will be discussed in
more detail.’

As the shock of his words sank in I needed a moment to collect
my thoughts before I could speak again.

‘I’ve done nothing to deserve this kangaroo court. Take a hard
look at yourself, Mr Brickman. And the rest of you! What a bunch of
hypocrites. You’re prepared to leech on the blood, sweat and tears of
Kenyan tobacco farmers, while their wives and daughters nanny your
kids and wipe their dirty arses. But not one of you would give them
the time of day. What a way to represent the best of British, but how
so bloody typical.’

It was bravado of course but I couldn’t leave them entirely feeling
they had the upper hand.

‘I think you had better take your leave now,’ Brickman muttered
darkly.

‘Not before I say one more thing. For some time now I’ve seen
and been party to the extractive policies of this company. We pay the
farmers a pittance and repatriate all of our profit to England. We
could do better. We could improve our reputation, since that is what
seems to concern you, by investing more in-country and by giving
farmers a fairer deal. That is a distant prospect while this office is in
the hands of a pompous bigot like you. If anyone should be leaving
this wonderful country, it is you.’

It all sounded a bit weak on reflection, but anyway I got up from
around the table and left a silent room behind me.

Within twenty four hours of my dismissal from Brickman’s ivory
tower, I was boarding a flight to Heathrow. Only Jamila came to see
me off, saddened and disappointed, she said, by the manner of my
departure. She at least had some bottle. I fished out fifty dollars and
asked if she would have a drink or two on me with Samson and the
other local staff. And I gave her a long kiss for what might have
been, had I not fallen in love with Amina.

**

Chapter 3 will continue next week.