The Missing Photograph

Each compound has a photo-board. On my site it’s a hots-potch of laminated photos of all staff under the heading “People Who Help Us”. Many have been taken or just fallen off. But it is more formal at the Secondary School with a pyramid on the Reception wall. Sicko sexual predator Mr A took his own photo when he was forced out of the door, and now there is another photo taken off...Dr No.

But Dr No is still on the premise and is absolutely livid. And, of course, he swiftly points the finger at Ginger Warrior. When this is vehemently denied, the suspicion falls on Mountain Man. In the first instance Mr T. (Head of Uni Prep) asks me directly which i simply laugh at, but i am then approached by The Weasel who says if i have the Dr No portrait, i should return it immediately, otherwise no cheque will be signed for my School. I tell him to report back to Dr No that i had heard it was the School Nurse who had a major crush on The Reptile.

Ato S. turns up at SMT with a very formal letter from Dr No informing the School he was taking legal action from the theft saying it was not only “humiliating” but also potentially “life threatening”. Ato S is clearly agitated by the theft and asks me directly if i have stolen it. I have had enough of all this shite. I get up on my high horse. “No i haven’t. And i am sick and tired of all these bizarre and ludicrous accusations against me. I have had no paper for almost a week because Dr No won’t sign any cheques, and all you do is waste my time. I have a school to try and run and i’m outta here”.

I gather all my papers together, but i am begged collectively to stay. And i relunctantly do.  We return back to the SMT agenda in somewhat subdued fashion and there is a sense of relief when we finally finish up.

But i still haven’t heard the end The Missing Photo. The School Lawyer calls me two days later asking if i know its whereabouts and i go ballistic at him. I will not tolerate these accusations any further. I inform him my father is a lawyer and suggested i

1) Left Ethiopia

2) Refused to go to work whilst Dr No was still in officially an employee of School

and/or

3) Take legal action against Dr No for slander and sullying my immaculate reputation

A complete fabrication but i can play dirty when i have to too.

The lawyer quickly attempts to laugh the matter off and ridicules the accusation made by Dr No.

“Don’t worry Ato Mountain, he will soon be gone”. 

I impatiently wait for it to come to fruition; i want the reptile as far away as possible.

who would want to humiliate the Reptile?