02.02.08 Say No to Alcohol Before Alcohol Says No to You – Be Disciplined

21. My Two-faced Friend - ‘The Bottle’

The drone of the ferry filled the air as the vessel prepared to depart from the shore.  Multitudes of people had already boarded, and it was hard to believe the number of people that lived on the peninsula. 

As people crowded the alleys, Kibirige clutched his briefcase tightly, just in case pick-pockets had a go at it.  This extra caution was understandable, since the briefcase contained his ‘long-sought after treasure’, a land title that he had just received from the Ministry of Lands.

Looking back, the journey to get the title had not been short considering that he had to pay several installments prior.  Now that he had finally collected the document, he was on his way to view the land again, this time as a land owner and not as a prospective buyer. 

While the ferry made its way over the gentle waves, Kibirige felt deeply content as he thought about the people who deserved to share in his victorious moment.  First was his lovely and supportive wife Rita.  Next was his aging mother, Mama Sofia.  In fact, Kibirige had called her immediately after receiving the title.  The excited mother had promised to come the following day so that Kibirige could take her to see the land.  

Last but not least was his circle of close friends with whom he met daily at a drinking ‘joint’ for a ‘few’ drinks and ‘socializing’, sometimes for long enjoyable hours.  The pub was owned by Saulo, one of Kibirige’s old schoolmates.  Kibirige had always listened quietly as each peer bragged about his ‘site’.  Plus they had enduringly been on his case, “You just can’t rent forever man”, they would say.  But their seemingly annoying yet persistent ridicule had helped to boost his aspirations to pay for the land.  Now it would be his turn to ‘stand up and be counted’.

His thoughts were interrupted with the announcement that the ferry had reached its destination.  On disembarking, Kibirige was met by a friend who escorted him to the plot.  Amazingly, for the first time, Kibirige noticed how conveniently located the place was.  For one could even see the lake from a reasonably close distance.  “God has remembered my late father’s prayers” he told his friend as they parted, agreeing to meet early the following day when Kibirige would come with his mother.

Kibirige then headed for the ferry.  Just as he was about to board, he called his friend Saulo, conveying the good news about the title deed.  “This calls for a celebration”, Saulo responded; “What time will you land at the joint?”  They agreed that Kibirige will be there straight after work that evening.

Saulo was openly overjoyed to see Kibirige.  He had invited Kibirige’s ‘inner circle’, offering that all the drinks would be on the house.  “Today, we must congratulate Kibirige, who has just joined the men’s association”, one declared, as they drowned Kibirige with one beer after another. 

Towards midnight, a tipsy Kibirige stood up, “Thank you for your love and support guys… I am the proud owner of a plot that has a lake view… In fact, I have the evidence here for all of you to see…”.  Then he took the title out of the briefcase and displayed it.  A loud applause followed as the group ordered more and more beers and roasted meat.   This went on until the small hours of the morning, when Saulo closed the drinking spree with a few silly jokes. 

Kibirige was so drunk that a friend helped to drive him home; after which he (Kibirige) headed straight for bed.  The next that he remembered was when his wife woke him up at ten that morning.  “Mum has just arrived”, she said.  Kibirige dressed up and went to welcome Mama Sofia.  Hugs followed as the mother congratulated her son for the land. 

“In fact, I have the title here with me”, Kibirige said proudly requesting Rita to bring his briefcase.  But much to Kibirige’s surprise, the wife came back empty-handed.  “I cannot find it.  Did you come back with it last night?” she asked.  “Of course I did”, Kibirige responded a bit impatiently. 

Frantic searches for the briefcase yielded no results.  Kibirige rushed to the car in panic, but the briefcase seemed to have disappeared in thin air.  He decided to call Saulo who alarmingly said that no one had reported having picked up the briefcase.  This was when it dawned on Kibirige that the briefcase had been stolen, with the original land title in it! 

Up to this day, the document has never been found; and, Kibirige continues to live in a rented apartment as he waits for a replacement of the title.

I narrated this story when talking to some employees of an organization whose customers had complained of ‘alcohol smells’ in the workplace.

I warned that ‘drinking’ could tarnish an individual’s image including that of the organization since one could easily become an embarrassment.

I added that it was common for such drunkards to disclose organizational secrets and to lose sensitive official documents into the wrong hands.

I reminded them that since they carry the organization’s image ‘twenty-four seven’, it matters what, when and where they drink, and who they drink with, even after office hours. 

“Remember”, I emphasized; “employing you is a privilege which the unemployed yearn for…; and, careless drinking is a risk and abuse of that privilege”. 

Therefore if you are a victim of such a habit, watch out lest you be replaced in the long run!