Chapters 7-8 Summary

Obi's first day in the civil service is as memorable as his first day of school, when he sees Mr. Jones, the feared Inspector of Schools, ream out Headmaster Simeon Nduka in English. Years earlier it is said Jones throws a child out a window. A former wrestler, Nduka drops the white official and the students slink away. Twenty years later, few white men would dare slap a headmaster, but Obi's boss, Mr. Green, would like to. When Obi is introduced, Green mutters only that he should not be "bone-lazy" but should "use his loaf". He posts Obi to Mr. Omo's office for the day to learn a bit about office administration from a thirty-year veteran. When Green rushes in demanding a specified file, Omo jumps to his feet, grovels, and rebukes the junior clerk ostensibly responsible. Obi takes an instant...