The “Executioner”
PLEASE dear reader, don’t blame me for the decisive step I took. If you were in my shoes, you’d have done the same thing.
My boss, who recently employed me to work for him, through my uncle, called me the other day and told me something that nearly choaked the life out of my windpipe.
“These things happen now and then and because it’s now your turn to squeeze the precious air out of six living things, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world,” Elhadj Taj told me without any remorse.
“But sir-am-I can’t do it. I can’t rid six living things of their priceless and irreversible lives. I can’t hurt a fly, how on earth do you expect me to go this far? I can’t do it.” My voice trailed away as I held my head between my hands.
For the first time in my 44 years in this world of ours, I regretted meeting Elhadj Taj. I was introduced to him by my wealthy uncle who was his partner in several business they used to run together. They became intimate friends and respected each other a lot.
“Look my boy, you better get prepared. There is no going back and you know that. Don’t worry about what may come up after the sacrifice. By the way money can solve many problems. “Elhadj Taj’s eyes stared at me. He then released an artificial smile to sort of comfort me but man, that didn’t convince me much.
I kept mute. My mind asking me why in the first place, I obliged to my uncle’s request to work for this kind of a person. Oh my Lord. Save my soul!
“Look here, my friend,” this time Elhadj’s voice was becoming more serious, “I spent a lot of money to get these things together. So you can’t destroy what has been bestowed on me to do. Besides, I know that you must have been briefed by your uncle about what I do for a living. So no going back chummy!” He turned round and started walking towards his living room. He suddenly stopped, checked his wristwatch and then turned back. The ‘don’t meddle with me’ look on his face told me to be extra careful.
“You have less than an hour to kill those bloody things.”
I didn’t know whether to cry or just pack my few things and run out of the whole town to escape embarrassment and possible harassment, but one thing I knew I should do, was to be careful and very careful indeed.
I thought about the criminal aspect of matters pertaining illegal actions. I also thought about the social and economic gains in matters with regards to the successful implementation of some specific plans.
I knew that if I should do things the way that money bag wanted, I would be one of the richest young men in town. But should I expose him? The curtains could be drawn.
My mind then shifted to the religious aspect of the whole plan-but quickly pushed the matter out of my mind promising myself that Almighty God is always forgiving.
A young man’s voice calling my name, my new name of course jeered me to reality. I have been nicknamed on the very day I took that job at the residence of Elhadj Taj. He said his father wanted to see me.
On my way to meet my boss, a rather new programme overcome my entire brain. Something told me to fight this plan out of my jurisdiction because ‘money isn’t everything!’ what about one’s honour and integrity?
Elhadj Taj patted me gently on my shoulders with his hand, trying to comfort me.
“What are you waiting for? It’s already past eleven and I can see that you’re not ready yet”. His voice was calm and his face neutral.
“But Elhadj, you’re asking me to do something too big for me to handle. Sir—“
“Don’t sir me. I can fish you out of any unforeseen predicament that may befall you because of my plan. Besides, other rich people do the same thing. You’ll also be opportuned to do the same thing one day.”
Silence engulfed the atmosphere, so that might have given the Elhadj the opportunity to continue with his tricks of persuasion. But could he win?
“Remember, we chose you to occupy that post out of eight silent contestants, though your uncle played a vital role to get you through. Remember that this is not an ordinary plan we can call John, Dick and Harry to execute. So you’re the only one to do it now.”
I thought I was going to collapse because I was too dizzy to hold myself together. Squeeze lives out of six loving things? Ridiculous! Impossible!! Rubbish!!!
I found myself left with only two options now – to contact my uncle and my wife to hear their views over this issue.
I called him and sought for his advice but what he told me nearly finished me off.
“That’s a good idea – and it’s also a sound footing on a successful step towards achieving your desired goal. Yes, go ahead and obey your boss”.
Before I complained, he dropped the telephone’s receiver and that left me with no other option but to hang up too.
Imagine my own uncle, supporting my boss to rid six living things of their precious lives. My uncle, who would have advised me to run a 440 race in order to keep away from my boss – but look at him, supporting the idea whole heartedly. Wonderful.
I don’t know how many of you realized what I went through. I went through a very hectic time. I truly went through hell on wheels!
My beloved wife was my next adviser. I am sure that no right-thinking wife would want to see her beloved husband suffer, let alone seeing him convicted over an issue he knows little or nothing about, or about something he has been pushed to do without his consent.
I dialed her mobile phone number and anxiously waited to be connected. The line cut off after several ringing tones. I felt so uneasy I thought the only solution was to allow the ground below me to swallow me up and bring to an end, my tempting situation.
I kept redialing my wife’s number until I was able to get her.
“What’s up darling?” That has been her usual way of talking to me on phone.
“Something serious”.
“What? What’s the matter?”
And I told her everything.
“Kill the goddamn bastards and throw the whole idea behind your mind. Besides –“
“Are you okay? I mean are you in your real senses?” I cut her short.
“Of course I’m sound and ulalah. There you are, handling one of your responsibilities. You know even the rich don’t do such things occasionally.”
I remained where I was, completely lost. I wondered how this world of ours could lead people astray. For money sake, one could be unpredictable.
“Are you there? Hello”. The voice of my wife jeered me back to reality.
“Yes”, I muttered, angrily.
“Don’t be upset. Remember that time heals and no condition is permanent. Besides, you may be one of the beneficiaries of –“
“It’s ok!” I almost shouted. “I’ll call you later,” and before she said another word, I switched off the hand set.
I thought that was the best thing to do. Oh, my God! Some few minutes later, I made up my mind – to call my uncle for the last time and confirm some few things.
“Yes.” He said.
“It’s me”
“I know”.
“It’s about this unusual assignment or I just -I don’t know what to call it.” I was really lost of words.
“What about it?” He asked, his voice unfriendly.
I remained silent enough to give him another chance to talk again.
“I said what is it about?”
“Elhadj can do this job. He can assign other people within the residence to do it or he –“
“Or he or we. You do it. You should do it. Besides, have you forgotten how you were selected amongst other applicants?”
“But I never knew things could get this far. I really wouldn’t have ever dreamed of joining him or his family under any circumstance. This is ridiculous. I am really confused. Truly.” I found myself saying.
“Have you ever asked me how Elhadj made his money? Have you? Everybody now knows that you work for him and nothing could fish you out of his clutches. You are in and once you are in, you’ll never be out.” He took some few seconds off, may be to give me time to think, then continued.” Time is going, remember. It’s well past eleven now”, and the line went dead.
Goodness me. Look at me. A man in his early 40s, with a large family to support. An innocent retiree trying to make ends meet, with a clean record and a very big heart to accommodate all, but here I was, persuaded into a very ‘unusual business’ that put me at the receiving end.
It occurred to me, then, that I realized I had the ball in my court, I was left alone to take my final decision – accept or reject the command.
If I should accept to do the job, it would mean staying and working for my Boss but rejecting to oblige could simply mean getting the Boot, the hard way! What would have been your choice fellow reader?
My sixth sense then came to my rescue.
“Do it. Go ahead and do it.” something inside me kept telling me. “Several people couldn’t make it to your position Elhadj chose you to work for him. Do not disappoint or embarrass him. Be a man. stand up and go out. Come on –“.
Words of encouragement and praises kept flowing in my mind, and I became convinced to take the Bull by its horns!
I took the one foot sharp knife and hurriedly walked towards the front yard of the compound.
“Bring the Bull and the sheep!” I shorted. “It’s getting to twelve noon and you know we can slaughter the animals after twelve noon on Eid-el-Kabir day”.
You should also know that Elhadj made me the chief Imam of his house, so slaughtering animals and chickens should be one of my responsibilities.
But one unique thing about this Elhadj Taj is that he does not exist!!