THE SNAKE, 20/20

Beyond the small, cultivated plot, the forest seemed to swallow him up. He walked at a slow, steady clip, sure of his way. He was surprised to see his man leaning against the log. It was suddenly time to measure every action, analyze every nuance of what was about to happen. “Good morning.” “Good morning.” Kojo approached the man, but didn't feel the need to reach out and shake hands in the usual manner, Asiafo just didn't seem to be the type to shake hands. Kojo leaned against the log, feeling as much at ease, under the circumstances, as he could possibly feel. An hour seemed to pass before Asiafo turned to face him. “You will have what you want, your wish has been granted.” Everything in the forest was placed in Freeze Frame as Kojo pulled in the words letter by letter. “You say...?” “You will have what you want, your wish has been granted. You will have the millions you need to make your films.” That's what the man said. Why is my heart thumping the way it is? “You believe me, don't you?” “Yes, I do believe you.” Am I being hypnotized? No, I feel in control of myself. Now what? Once again the silence rang back in. Kojo could hear his heart beat. “Tell me something.” “Yes?” “What do I have to do for this money?” The hairs on the back of Kojo's neck bristled when the man burst out with the strangest laugh he'd ever heard a human being make. He sounds like a hyena. I guess that must come from not laughing out loud too often. The laughter jarred to a stop and the man began to speak as though he were reciting a speech or giving a recipe. “I will arrange for you to have a visitor; the visitor will come 4 times a year and it must be fed. I must warn you that the success or failure of what you want to do will depend on how well it is fed.” “That's no problem, we got lots of food in America, all kinds. There's so much of it in some places that they let it rot.” “Very good. No problem. You will have what you want.” Asiafo started to walk away. Kojo felt a sense of panic. “Is that all? I mean, that's all I have to do...?” “Oh, there is one more thing. When you return to your home, you should be married within three months.” “Three months? Married?” The chess game was on. Which move should I make? What move can I make? Damn....millions and all I have to is get married? “I accept that condition. One last question. How long can I receive the.....uhhh......money?” “You will continue to receive as long as you feed your visitor. No feeding and all will be withdrawn.” “One final question, please. What do you get out of this? I mean, why are you making this possible?” “Because you asked me.” And then he was gone. Kojo suddenly felt that he had been left in a huge, green walled room. The forest seemed to be booming with silence. He stood in place for a few minutes, feeling emotionally drained, and then dropped to his knees and started praying.... I thank my ancestors and I thank the Orisha for making my return to Africa possible. I thank my Ancestors and I thank the Orisha for maintaining and protecting my good health. I beg my Ancestors and I beg the Orisha to help me become healthy, wealthy and wise. I thank my Ancestors and I thank the Orisha for all the blessings I receive, now and forever. I ask God to please help me do the right thing, always. He stood up, brushed his knees off, feeling better but shaky, and began to make his way back to the village, knowing that Asiafo was watching him. As he reached the path to the village, he turned and waved solemnly; “Goodbye and thank you.” The forest suddenly erupted with Asiafo's hyena laughter. Kojo, extremely puzzled, walked a little faster. **** Auntie Eugenia and the rest of the village seemed to be a different place when he returned. Auntie was reserved, aloof, almost cold to him. The villagers who had formerly been cordial were distant now, some of them frowned when they saw him walking through the village after his evening meal. Looks like I've blown it here. Wonder what the hell provoked all of this? Even if they know I went to see Asiafo that shouldn't poison their minds against me. What did I do to them? Kojo returned to Auntie Eugenia's hut just as she was going out. “Uhh, Auntie, I'd like to talk with you.” The usual look of amusement was replaced by a stern expression. She did acknowledge him; she simply stood in place, allowing him to speak to her. “Look, I know you told me to be aware....” She held her hands out to stop him from saying anything more. “Yes”, she spoke in a sharp tone, “Yes, I told you to be aware.” And walked away from him. Kojo entered the hut, searched in the woven basket for the akpeteshie bottle, settled heavily on a stool and took a long swig. O my God, what have I done? What the hell is this? All of the village sounds that formerly seemed interesting and rustic, had now become ominous. And I can't understand a word they're saying. He took another swig of akpeteshie and started trying to reason with himself. Be cool, don't panic, you'll be out of here come Monday afternoon. Monday afternoon. What if the driver, whatshisname? Joshua, doesn't come for me? He broke out in a quick paranoid sweat. How in the hell could I get out of here? I don't even know where I'm at.