Season 1. Episode 7: Tons of Surprises.

Time was ticking away, Tolani contemplated taking work home but knew better after Veronica’s briefing. She wondered what her full names were, what tribe she belonged to. She shrugged the thought away, snooping time was over. She had already tucked in Frank’s file where it stacked amidst the others, just where and how she found it.

As she bookmarked the references she found on the internet, she also downloaded the Investment & Securities act 2007, the Securities & Exchange Commission Rules & Regulations 2013, highlighting the relevant sections. She’ll read it while waiting at the lobby. She was always reluctant to read the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990, even now. The wordings were woven in such bland drudgery. Reading the sections felt like a monotonous see-saw. She had crammed her way through the bar finals preparation without giving a careful thought on what the provisions really meant. Now she had to simplify the Access — Bank Merger legal opinion because that’s how Veronica expected legal writings to be: easy reads for businesswo/men who had no time to waste on legal tedium.

She was certain that her references will help demystify the legalese but what if they didn’t she thought? She would have to hack the meaning; that’s why literature was recommended in the first year for law students in the university, so you can read almost anything from the mundane to the adventurous.

Pangs of hunger rumbled through her stomach, reminding her that she had not eaten. She reached for the cold pancakes in her lunch box, it obviously had to be microwaved. She had seen the refectory sign as she made her way upstairs from the meeting room. It had been an eventful day that nibbled away with so many cares, from Frank to Aisha. It occurred to her that she had not returned Dozie’s calls, but she had to complete the Rhapsody legal opinion quickly and she did.

While nestling on a piece of pancake, she read out section 338 of CAMA, it always made a lot of sense reading out as she chewed the words along with every bite. It was beginning to make a lot of sense as she combined reading it with sections 421 & 433 SEC Rules & Regulations and section 117 of the Investments and Security Act.

There’re borders between Mergers, Acquisitions & Takeovers she muttered. From the facts gathered from the brief both parties didn’t contemplate on a holdings — subsidiary relationship, they wanted a brand new entity. As she brooded on the facts, she felt the pancakes needed to be warmed, so she got up and followed the sign post on the walls pointing to the refectory.

The ceilings were white with tiled shaped lights clashing with the white marble flooring, the walls were a combination of grey with sparse black paintings. She noted Veronica’s office. She shared it with Frank. Actually, she used to, she thought, he won’t come back. Then Victor’s was on the adjacent side. She made a left turn that revealed a sign, law library ahead. Of course it had to be a law library she soliloquized, almost forgetting that the refectory was what she was seeking out at the sight of the revelation before her. The lift and slide glass door reminded her of the meeting rooms revealing an intimidating array of books seating on the wooden shelves. The shelves were divided by an open space. Three rows of shelves stacked with book on the right and on the left. The door slide with no effort, just a simple lazy lift and a startling security beep reacting to her phone. She was surprised to see a staff she never knew existed on the right side of the entrance, even more, she was surprised that there was much happening upstairs, on the same floor with her office. She quickly caught her breathe as she let out a greeting.

Hello, the librarian responded.

The ambience was welcoming and would make a book lover with its mild air conditioning.

I’m looking for the dinning. She said holding her lunch box out.

I’m Bolaji he announced

Pardon me, I’m Tolani Balogun

Are you a youth corper?

Yes

You’re obviously not dressed like a law student, he said as he warmed up to her directing her across the opposite end of the entrance.

She wondered if he ever felt bored facebooking or instagraming through out the day. Then she noticed that he was peering through the screen of the CCTV on his desk she initially taught was a PC.

I’m being monitored! Oh no! He must have seen me snooping!

The opposite end revealed a series of descending steps that finally stopped at a stretch of green manicured grass. It was the second wing of the Twin Building.

I can’t believe I have to walk all the way because I want to have lunch.

You’ll get used to it with time, otherwise, there’s a tea room at the lobby, he responded.

He didn’t sound like he had been watching her. Maybe he was trained to have that disposition so that people don’t get nervous around him.

I’ll have to turn back now.

Thank you she said as she sighted the refectory’s sign post on the other side. She walked on the interlocked path sandwiched by the manicured meadow until she saw another library facing the sign.

Oh! Subtle surprises she thought.

She entered the refectory and made her way to the microwave. She reached for the sink, rinsing the plastic bowl on the dish stand.

She timed it for 3 minutes glancing around. It was certainly not break time as she was alone.

The chiming microwave indicated that lunch was ready.

She reached for the plastic cup on the water dispenser and filled her cup. She began dialing Dozie and gave up after the third dial.

She settled down with her pancakes as she typed a message to him.

“Whats up” how’s been your day?

I’m just seeing your missed calls. Holla back.

She sent another message to Aisha, “you have a case in copyright. You should discuss further with your mum”.

Nope! Courtrooms are waiting rooms, She responded

I will set him up in the most embarrassing way.

She inserted a Laugh Out Loud smiley, like she didn’t know her friend. Why did she ever suggest that route, she quizzed.

I can write to the Nigeria Copyright Commission

If I wanted to do that, I would have briefed a Senior Advocate not a baby lawyer. She wrote. Why hurdle through procedure?

What’s up anyway? It felt like a sting

I went to inspect the exhibition venue, she continued. I’m thinking of collaborating with a spoken word artiste.

That will be great! Who by the way?

Haven’t made up my mind. I need a compere. Can you be the Master of Ceremony?

How much are you willing to pay? She teased

How much are you worth dear friend! Will pay back in kind.

BRB

Ring me when you get home.

I will.

It was already 15:45. She had to pace up. Unfortunately she missed the direction and found herself at the food court. Right there and then she saw Mr. Johnson, settled with a glass of fresh juice chatting away with a middle aged man in thick glasses. He didn’t see her though, she thought, then her phone began buzzing, it was Dozie.

Hi

Fine fine, she responded as she traced her steps to the refectory and then connected it to the interlocked passage.

You sound so fine

Yes, I love my office she said. Are you stopping by at the end of the day?

Yerp, he said, expect me for 6ish

That’s “fineish”

What did you have for lunch?

I had pancakes.

How about you?

Fruits. I’m hungry for pancakes

Oops. Will make some for you tomorrow

It could be tiring eating pancakes you know. Plus you’ll add weight if you eat it too often.

Oh

Yeah

How was your day?

It was such a day! I mean too many surprises at every turn. Plenty gists.

I miss your storytelling act.

Lol, look forward to seeing you around 6ish

What will you be doing while you wait

Finish up my work

Ciao!

She toggled up the stairs and made her way through the empty library. Bolaji was not on his seat.

She walked right past the opened door and made a right turn until she got to the office. Naomi was settled on her seat, typing away.

She placed her lunch box and continued with her draft. Naomi said nothing and so did she.

When it was 5 O’clock, she headed for the library and noticed Bolaji was packing up.

Why are you still here. corpers close for 5pm.

I have work to do.

And you couldn’t finish it between 9 to 5.

Actually am waiting for a friend. I’m literally passing time away with work.

Hmmm, you have to understand the rules of work. That’s how the small talk filtered into the next one hour. She had just made friends with the librarian.