A black man sits comfortably and excitedly in an airport, waiting for the arrival of his plane. He wears a smile and fidgets with his fingers, looking around in wonderment, as if he is having the greatest time of his life. After a few seconds, a white man sits beside him and notices his behaviour.

WHITE MAN: Hi, there. How’s it going?

The black man turns, grinning.

BLACK MAN: Oh, it’s going great. Absolutely fantrabulous!

He can barely contain his enthusiasm and this appears obvious to the white man.

WHITE MAN: Haha. I can see that. Are you heading away or waiting for a friend to arrive?

BLACK MAN: Heading away. Oh, it’s going to be so grand.

The black man eyes into the air, shaking his head slowly, merrily.

WHITE MAN: So, where are you headed?

BLACK MAN: To South Africa.

The white man is taken aback.

WHITE MAN: South Africa? In God’s name why?

BLACK MAN: I always hear about it on the news and it sounds amazing. “Always a party”, isn’t that what they say? Oh, I do hope it lives up to all my hopes and dreams.

The black man closes his eyes and we fade out from that scene and into a new one. Now we are in a cartoon land where the sun is smiling and long rolling hills are a beautiful green. The black man is wearing a party hat and dancing happily to The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”. Ten seconds of this scene pass before reverting back to the airport. The black man is grinning from ear to ear. His eyes slowly veer sideways and then grow excited.

BLACK MAN: Oh joy! My plane is here!

He gets up and out of his seat before turning to the white man to say goodbye.

BLACK MAN: Goodbye, my friend. Wish me luck!

Just as the black man is about to walk away, the white man stops him with words.

WHITE MAN: Wait… I… there’s something you should know before you board that plane.

BLACK MAN: Yes?

WHITE MAN: Well… it’s not “always a party” in South Africa. It’s “apartHEID”.

The black man nods curiously before repeating the word.

BLACK MAN: Aparthei…

Before finishing the word, the black man’s face contorts into one of shock and fright. He holds his hand out ahead of him and looks at it before gazing at the ground, dejected.

BLACK MAN: Oh…