A VISIT TO THE OBEAH MAN

Yesterday, I discovered that my cache of about twenty new pens and an entire box of pencils were stolen. The theft might have occurred the day before or earlier, since it was the first time in days that I required any stationary from that particular drawer. I was upset and after speaking to my colleagues I realised that this was not new. Most people suspected the security and janitors. In fact both had been a problem at my last place of employment, until that company's contract was terminated.

So, faced with the tedious prospect of constantly having to secure all my items at work, I thought of the easiest solution- obeah (witchcraft). For the record I have never practised it, but as a West Indian, I acknowledge its existence. I believe in its effect. I know that just the threat of it makes people uneasy. A sprinkling of salt on my desk, some incense here and there, and a black cloth tied discreetly on my chair- would all be equally effective warnings to the would be thief.

In the end, I wrote a note in red ink which said 'Tonight the candle burns, you have seven days to bring everything back." Almost as soon as I wrote the words however, I tore it up and tossed it in my bin. I was only kidding, but just mimicking the actions of a real obeah man made me uncomfortable, because there was a chance I might invite evil forces into my life, into my space. And when they come they never really go away. Only evil can come from evil I believe and nothing good. So up until the time of this post my office continues to remain both obeah free and free of stationary. I think I will take my chances with the stationary department, as I make my second application for stationary in two weeks, rather than on a trip to the obeah man.