OK, so about my brilliant plan: well, it’s a bit complicated. OK, very complicated. I kept trying to think it through. But each time I ended up confusing myself.

So instead I typed it out on my old PC – all in bullet points.

At this IT course Attie and I went on, they taught us how to write in bullet points. See, you hit ‘shift’ and the number 8 key so it goes to the star on top of number 8. Then when you hit return – POW – you have made yourself a nice fat bullet. And then everything looks very sorted and sensible. And not confusing any more.

How magic it that? I don’t remember anything else about the course except making bullet dots.

Anyway, I mustn’t get side-tracked. So here is my plan in bullet points:

Invite Attie to my flat next Friday night – Friday 13th.Tell him to be there 7.30. He’s never on time, but he will surely pitch by 8.

Phone Samson. Tell him he must get to my flat Friday at exactly 8.15. Samson always comes on time.

Just before Samson comes, at 8.10, go to DB in kitchen and switch off power. So Attie will think there is a power cut.

So when Samson arrives and walks in, it is already dark. So Attie won’t see that Samson is black. He’ll think Samson is just another white guy.

Samson and Attie will sit in the lounge together. Bring them plenty beers. So in the dark Attie and Samson will chat away. I know Attie will like Samson. Everyone likes Samson.

Then when it sounds like they are good friends, switch lights back on.

Attie will get a huge surprise to see this great, fun guy is a black guy.

Attie will say, ‘Now I understand, Dennis! You have taught me a lesson. I will never be a bigot again. I won’t be prejudiced against people just because they are different from me. Thank you, Dennis.’

Boom! Mission accomplished.

So how’s that for a brilliant plan? I can’t believe I thought it up all by myself. I wish Pa still had some of his brain working so I could tell him. Then he could see that I have plenty brain-cells to rub together.

Monday I was bouncing on my office chair. I couldn’t wait for Attie to get to work – late as usual.

The minute he pitched, I said. “Attie. Friday night you must come visit me. OK? Seven thirty sharp!”

“Why?”

I couldn’t think of a reason fast enough. So I said, “Just promise you will come.”

He promised. So my brilliant plan was on track.

I tried to phone Samson next, soon as Attie was out the cubicle. But Samson’s phone was switched off. Maybe his chick was back. So I must remember to call him later.

***

Tell us: What do you think of Dennis’s plan? Could it work to change a racist bigot?