Babatunde I’m sorry, Yetunde, but he is, you know he is. He’s . . . you know, one of them.

Yetunde And so? Are you not biased yourself? Don’t we all have personal affinities? Misguided and well informed. Divine and damned. Just and unjust. Tejumade here knows his mind. Don’t you? You know what is right. I know speaking is difficult but, please, just nod your head for me. That’s enough.

Adebisi No, he’d need to say it. Verbally.

Yetunde That’s not what you said before!

Babatunde Well things have changed.

Yetunde What is wrong with you? You are her ancestors, you’re meant to be her divine protectors. How can you withhold her right like this?

Adebisi This blessing is not her right.

Yetunde It is! It’s their chance for happiness and good fortune. To harmony. Everyone deserves that.

Adebisi Not everyone, Yetunde.

Yetunde We cannot leave their love to the wilds of fate! It may not survive.

Adebisi If it was for everyone the gods would give it to them automatically. They wouldn’t need us! There’d be no council of guidance, no summoning, no vote –

Teju I vote . . . no.

Yetunde What?

Babatunde What did he say?

Teju I said, I vote no.

Interval.

Scene Ten

The North Star.

Yetunde (beat) What do you mean you vote no?

Teju I vote no.

Babatunde But . . .

Yetunde Kilonshe?

Adebisi I know I should be pleased but . . . I can’t say I’m not surprised!

Yetunde Do you understand what we’re asking you?

Teju Yes.

Yetunde Then how could you do this?

Adebisi Maybe, despite his preferences, he respects the sanctity of marriage.

Yetunde You don’t need to do this.

Adebisi The union intended between a man and a woman.

Yetunde We’re not in Aiye anymore Teju. There’s no need to pretend here. We have the power to change Omotara’s future. Why don’t you want her to be happy?

Teju I don’t want her to struggle. This marriage. It’ll only end in heartache.

Yetunde No. It doesn’t have to. Things are different for her.

Adebisi To be honest . . . it doesn’t really matter why he’s voted. The point is he’s voted. It’s over. We are not blessing the wedding!

Yetunde Teju, please.

Adebisi Which means we can finally leave this place and get back to Orun-re-re!

Babatunde Thanks the gods!

Yetunde Please reconsider.

Teju What is the afterlife like?

Yetunde (beat) What?

Teju You said that this isn’t it. This is in-between. What’s it like?

Babatunde It’s . . . it’s . . .

Adebisi Nice.

Babtunde If you’ve just died.

Adebisi Yes, it’s very peaceful.

Yetunde Teju, let’s stay on topic.

Babatunde It’s a bit like a hotel.

Teju What?

Adebisi What’s a hotel?

Babatunde It’s comfortable! Luxurious even, but people are always saying you wouldn’t want to stay there for ever.

Adebisi No.

Babatunde We’re looking forward to returning to earth. To Aiye.