Kofi Dzeseefo, in a pale blue nylon shirt, whose transparency afforded an excellent opportunity for the exhibition ‘red notes’ in each breast pocket, walked majestically into the large drinking bar of the ‘Tsui Shito Tavern’ with the selfconfidence of one who was definitely not new to night club activity.

By his side strutted his chum Ebow, a good looking enough young man of about 23, broad of shoulder, sharp of wit, though not so quick of tongue. He was of an amiable disposition, this Ebow, but tonight, he was all sighs.

‘Good evening’, the one in nylon said to the tall chocolate-skinned man behind the counter.

‘Good evening, Kofi’. The bar-tender lifted up his eyes, and his face just sufficiently to reveal an accustomed smile.

‘A large Guinness, three bottles [of] Club Beer and a packet of cigarettes’ Kofi ordered.

Outside in the open air pavilion, the band was playing a really hot high life, Odo ye wu, while on the dance floor, young gentlemen and ladies were wriggling their bodies, like worms.

Once settled, Ebow sighed, ‘Bo, it's all gone haywire between Arafuah and myself.’

‘You don't mean it,’ said Kofi incredulously.

‘Read this then,’ Ebow retorted, thrusting a crumpled envelope at his friend.

Kofi ran his eyes across the blue cream woven page addressed to Ebow Nyametsiase, Enville.

‘Well?’ Ebow queried.

Kofi smiled, folded the letter carefully, and put it in his wallet with a look on his face which in officialese would read ‘For necessary action’.

‘Don't let this set you on edge Ebow, I'll see her some time for you’, Kofi promised, giving his friend a pat on the shoulder.

On Monday morning, as soon as he got to his desk at the Ministry, Kofi dialled 0006. An alluring female voice at the end of the line said ‘Hello’ caressingly, so caressingly indeed, that thinking it rather inviting, Kofi was almost tempted to seek her name. But instead he asked:

‘Can I speak to Miss Arafuah Mensah?’

‘Hold the line’, the female voice promptly advised.

While he ‘held the line’, Kofi thought about female telephonists in general.