The Soup (a screen play) by MO ADEJUWO
FADE IN:
1 INT. KITCHEN – DAY – SHOWS A BIG POT OF SOUP
AMARA (V.O.)
My mother said to close my eyes, and picture my life as a big empty pot of soup. I am the pot, and the fire burning underneath it represents the breath sustaining my existence. And like every pot that requires ingredients to make a soup, the people I come in contact with through my journey in life are the ingredients I need to make my soup. And by soup it could represent my ambition, friendships, love life, or for whatever cause it may be. Some are like onions they hurt my eyes but they give just that flavor, some are the spices I need to sauce things up, others like pepper, ginger, garlic, etcetera, the point is none are indispensable, and however sweet or sour they play their part in my life, I need them.
CUT TO:
2 INT. DRESSING ROOM – DAY
AMARA (26), looking beautiful yet exhausted, trying to take off the chef whites she had on, and then her phone rings…
AMARA
Hello!
(pauses and looks around to see if the other ladies in the room were looking at her)
AMARA
(into phone)
Oh hi there, stranger from the night.
(pauses)
Of course how could I forget?
I just finished from the
volunteering stuff I told
you about.
-looks back again a few seconds and then continues…
AMARA
Well you could come pick me up
at my place or I could just come
by yours to save you the hustle.
(Pauses)
Alright then, 7:30 it is, bye.
(hangs up the phone with a smile and then turns back, but is startled by CANDY(25) her best friend, (a little crazy yet sensitive), looking over her shoulder.
AMARA
What are you doing!
Spying on me?
CANDY
Darling, I don’t have to spy on you
all I have to do is type in that little
password of yours and I get all the information
I want.
(astonished)
That’s impossible,
you’re merely teasing.
CANDY
(laughs hysterically)
Okay then, whatever you say.
-strolls majestically ahead of AMARA towards the backdoor exit.
CANDY
So, I suppose you’ll
need to borrow my Red Chanel
clutch to match that red dress
of yours, for the Chef pimenter
restaurant?
-overwhelmed by CANDY’S response she places her right hand over her head and then the two women enter into a car waiting outside.
CUT TO:
3 EXT. IN FRONT OF AMARA’S HOUSE–NIGHT
AMARA is all dressed up, standing outside her house waiting for her date, meanwhile CANDY sits by the front porch eating ice cream.
CANDY
It’s been over 30 minutes now and
this happens to be my second refill
(lifting her ice cream bowl up)
AMARA
(sneeringly)
It’s not my fault you’re a glutton!
CANDY
(chuckles)
Well, they don’t close the
gates till after midnight,
so I guess we’ll see.
AMARA
(frustrated)
Dude! Would you shut up?
Are you the one with the date here
No! That’s what I thought.
My date, my wait!
CANDY
(sarcastic)
Sorry! You don’t need to be so salty.
Am just trying to keep you company
till you decide to come back inside.
AMARA
(shakes her head and pulls away)
Unbelievable! They give it freedom,
and it behaves like a savage.
CANDY
Savage or not, he’s not coming
And even if he did, you’ll have to be
a fool to go with him after making
you wait this long.
AMARA
(looking relentless, her jaws up)
He’ll be here, you’ll see.
CANDY
Typical AMA, I thought
I was the needy one
Good luck!
-CANDY stands to go inside the house.
After an hour, a white Benz pulls over AMARA’S house, AMARA is already dosed off by a palm tree. Then a light skin casually dressed male walks towards her and strokes her hair, he was DUKE (32), her date.
AMARA
(wakes up)
You.
DUKE
I know, am so sorry.
I can’t even begin
to make up a story
to let you know
how sorry I am.
AMARA
You could try,
I mean, you have to.
DUKE
(squints)
Honestly?
AMARA
If you can!
DUKE
I forgot
(draws a little bit away from her)
AMARA
(disappointed)
You forgot, Wow!
Thank you for making
me realize how forgettable I am.
Come to think of it you called me
so how the hell could you forget.
DUKE
I know it’s such a flimsy reason
but it’s the truth.
I went from having a board
meeting, to filling in for
a colleague who called in sick
for a contract proposal meeting
he was supposed to attend to.
AMARA
(unyielding)
Such wonderful story, if only I cared
(stands and walks towards the door)
DUKE
(follows her and grabs her arm)
You have to AMA,
am really repentant here.
AMARA
(agitated)
What do you want from me then?
It’s already what,
(pulls his hand up to check his watch)
past 12 in the morning. I don’t even know
why you came here anyway.
Well I guess at least you
woke me up to go inside
saving me from being robbed
or worse, raped!
DUKE
(exhausted)
I am deeply sorry
If you want me to say
it a hundred times, I will
am sorry, am sorry, am sorry
am really sorry.
AMARA
(opens the door and turns back at him)
Call me tomorrow, perhaps
by then I feel much merciful.
(pauses)
I hope you forget.
(shuts the door)
DUKE
(leans over the door)
Goodnight!
DUKE returns to his car and gives a sigh of relief, his phone rings; he looks at his side mirror and then picks the call.
DUKE
(smiles)
Guy! I was just about to call you.
Phone- so how did it go?
DUKE
Mehn! That was a really close one
for real you know.
I guess that’s what happens
when you have more than
one sugar pie
(laughs).
Phone –What about Abby?
DUKE
(sneers)
What about her?
I mean asides going over and
beyond to make sure she drained my
wallet for the night, I think
I’ll be seeing her a little
while from now.
Phone –I told you before, such games would
take a toll on you sooner or later.
DUKE
(smirks)
Well I suppose we’ll have to
wait to later then.
Phone –Typical DUKE, see me giving advice
to an unchanged man!
DUKE
(laughs)
Martin Luther, Whatever you say.
-he drives off.
CUT TO:
4 INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY
AMARA is sitting on the couch, constantly staring at her phone beside her, CANDY observing from behind walks in.
CANDY
No artist management today?
-AMARA ignores her
CANDY
He still hasn’t called?
AMARA
(whispers)
No.
CANDY
Look, I know am no therapist
neither am I of any proper
standard for you to know better.
But in a case like this it’s not
hard to tell you’re holding on to
thin air.
AMARA
(stands)
You’re right,
(pauses)
You’re not a proper standard
(walks out of the room).
CANDY
(talks in a louder tone)
Okay then! You know I’ll
be here for you either ways.
CUT TO:
5 EXT. MASSIVE BUILDING –DAY
AMARA pulls over outside a huge building, only to be met by BUDAA (29) the reggae artist she managed. Offensively charming, dark, tall, rough and troublesome looking man, standing right in front of her car in a pose for a fight. She initially hesitates but later slowly comes out of her car and walks towards him.
AMARA
(trying to avoid confrontation)
What’d I miss?
BUDAA
(sneers)
So you decide when you want
to show up and am just supposed
to be unheated about that situation?
(his hands folded and jaws high up).
AMARA
(confused)
What! Unnn..(stutters)
It’s not even like that.
BUDAA
Look! (draws her to the side, placing
his hand over her shoulder)
I know you’re supposed to be some
expert and graduate of some degree.
But the point is, I don’t want you
to get it twisted that you’re very
dispensable. That’s of course if you
let me get on my cynical side.
AMARA
I understand.
-uncomfortable his hand was over her shoulders she frowns, as they both walk into the building.
BUDAA
Good! By the way you smell funny
(sniffing into her hair)
What’s that? Pride
-AMARA, initially alarmed by his comment shoves but then after his last word is irately relieved.
CUT TO:
6 EXT. A STAGE SET –DAY
BUDAA is on a stage testing the microphone, while AMARA sits at a corner going through her phone, then she gets a call from her mother, MAMA JU(69),fierce but loving.
AMARA
(tilts her head slightly down to
avoid the stage noise)
Hey! Mama JU.
CUT TO:
INT. MAMA JU’S KITCHEN
MAMA JU
(worried)
Hello darling!
The networks been real terrible
since yesterday I’ve been trying
to reach out to you.
CUT TO:
AMARA
(smiles)
Oh yeah, I also did plan on
coming over by the weekend,
if that’s okay.
MAMA JU
(exhales)
Since when have my four walls
been a place of contemplation
or need for approval before you
visited? after all I did raise
you and your sibling in it.
AMARA
(smiles)
I know, am only trying to be modest
and besides you need your privacy too.
MAMA JU
Indeed! Or you’re only trying to spare
me the disappointment when you decide
not to show up.
AMARA
I wouldn’t, I need the visit more
than to bail out last minute. I have
some things I want you to help clear off
my chest. I know you always have the right
words to soothe me, and plus (rolls her eyes)
CANDY has really been on my bad side
for days now.
MAMA JU
(chuckles)
Funny you’ll say that, because she
said just the same thing about you,
except in her words, you were making her
crazy, like a mama bear trying to protect
her cub.(laughs)
AMARA
I am not surprised, that’s her way of
playing good guy. She didn’t even give
me the opportunity to talk to you first.
MAMA JU
I suppose she beat you to it.
But frankly speaking she did seem worried.
Saying something about you acting a bit
needy and fixated on fixing what’s
already broken, she was quite the poet.
AMARA
(astonished)
She said that! What a loud mouth.
Like she knows any better.
MAMA JU
There is no crime in not knowing any better.
The strength is in realizing you don’t know
any better, and being open enough to find
help to know better.
AMARA
(slides back on the chair)
I hear you MAMA JU.
I’ll make sure to clear things up by
Friday and let you know about Saturday.
Meanwhile AMARA notices a couple of offensively dressed ladies usher into the set, she is perturbed as to their access into the building, let alone their business in the premises. She gives the guard at the entrance a questioning look and then stands to sort the situation out.
AMARA
MAMA JU, can I call you later?
I have to get back to work.
MAMA JU
Alright darling, take it easy
Bye.
AMARA
(races towards the ladies and stops them)
Hey ladies! What’s going on here?
The show doesn’t start till 10:30.
-BUDAA sees AMARA holding up the ladies and yells from the stage.
BUDAA
Hey! Hey AMA what’s going on down there?
AMARA
(her arms and legs wide open)
I have it all under control, you
just keep doing your thing.
BUDAA
Well, how am I supposed to do my thing?
when you’re holding my accessories up.
AMARA
(frantically turns to him)
You knew about this?
BUDAA
(sighs)
You damn right I knew about it?
This is my show, case you forgot.
AMARA
(upset)
You don’t need these types
of accessories BUDAA.
You’re a sophisticated R&B
reggae artiste not a
street thug.
BUDAA
(sneers)
Dude! What’d I tell you about
getting on my dark side?
Would you do the job you’re paid
to and let these beautiful
(starts dancing),
sexy, wonderful, divinely
blessed ladies do theirs.
AMARA
(furious)
But this is wrong. And mind you,
(starts to increase her tone)
It’s also my job to see you chase
proper standards as it best enhances
your artistry.
BUDAA
(walking towards her)
Bla bla bla bla! So many big words.
You know what your problem is?
Come closer (waves for her to come)
and let me hear you say what.
- she starts regressing backwards.
BUDAA
Come on, say it!
AMARA
(reluctantly whispers)
What!
BUDAA
You’re too damn sensitive.
AMARA
(smiles contemptuously)
Really, really! Thank you very much.
Really thank you, I sure hope that
helps boost your moral negligence,
I mean don’t mind me, ride on sire.
BUDAA
Face it AMARA, You’re not upset because
I brought these ladies here. Rather, you
find their confidence offending cause it’s
an attribute you could never consciously
or unconsciously possess.
Not even as an act or role play.
AMARA
(angry)
I don’t need to listen to this
hogwash, in fact you are way out
of line comparing me to your sluts!
(starts to walk away)
- The ladies echo their disapproval
BUDAA
(laughs, turning around to draw the others attention)
What did I say; she’s as soft as feather
Bye AMA! (waves through the air)
-The ladies join in the laughter while the men watched.
CUT TO:
7 INT. LIVING ROOM –NIGHT
AMARA walks tiredly into the living room, CANDY is by her laptop acting oblivious like she hadn’t noticed AMARA walk in. AMARA slams her full body on the couch with her bag and half worn shoes falling freely. She takes one slighter look at CANDY who still remained inattentive. Soon CANDY decides to retreat from her little work station and then before she heads up the few stairs to her room, she utters a simple sentence.
CANDY
(quietly)
I left you some food
in the microwave
Goodnight.
-AMARA watches her go up the stairs, her phone rings and its DUKE; she doesn’t take a second glance at it before she slams it back on the couch followed by a quiet sigh.
CUT TO:
8 EXT. FRONT PORCH – DAY
AMARA is sitting on a wooden chair sipping on tea looking at nothing exactly; meanwhile CANDY comes down the stairs in her night clothes looking around for AMARA. She goes into the kitchen to grab herself a coffee and notices the untouched food in the microwave. She’s alarmed, looking upset she walks back into the living room (pauses) and then heads toward the entrance as she hears AMARA exchange greetings with a neighbor outside. She opens the door and suddenly bursts into a mixture of grumbling and exaggerated expression, something like a sanguine.
CANDY
(upset)
AMA! Please don’t tell me were fighting,
you know how much I hate fights, please
don’t be mad at me I was only looking out
for you, as a best friend should.
(slightly sitting on the arm of AMARA’S chair)
AMARA
(insensitive)
I don’t care! Since you have a big mouth
Then I suggest you grow a gut with it.
Cause you know I clearly can put up
with whatever.
CANDY
AMA please don’t say that, you know
how much I hate my siblings, you’re more
like my sister than my friend.
(firmly embracing AMARA)
AMARA
(draws away)
Ok! Enough trying to choke me.
You’re back again with the same pattern
you act all crazy for a minute and
then later you’re so sorry you did.
CANDY
(acts childlike)
Typical CANDY!
AMARA
(instructively)
And about what
you said to MAMA JU,
totally out of line,
you do not do that
ever again!
CANDY
(holds her lips together)
Absolutely out of line
never happen again.
-AMARA stands speechless.
CANDY
Can we play chess now?
If it’ll make you feel better
I’ll let you win
(smiles mischievously).
CUT TO:
9 INT.GROCERY STORE – LATER THAT DAY
AMARA and CANDY are at the grocery store getting some provisions from the shelves; CANDY was on the other aisle getting her own things. Just as she (AMARA) is about to take a wine bottle from the top shelf (struggling), a strange man from behind her takes it off before she could reach it. Surprised she turns back in a frenzied look, but later is relaxed as apparently she knew the strange man, her neighbor PEACE, dark, tall, goofy looking man smiling at her.
AMARA
(laughs)
Oh my goodness! Trust me, I was about
to go crazy lady on the aisle on you.
Where have you been?
PEACE
(smiles)
Well I think I ought to be the one
asking you that.
(putting the wine back on the shelf),
But since you asked, I’d say am where
we left off.
CUT TO:
- FLASH SCENE
INT. PEACE’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Shows AMARA and PEACE rush into his living room as the two engage in a drunken state romance.
CUT BACK TO:
INT.GROCERY STORE – DAY
AMARA
(looks up at the wine he placed back on the shelf)
I actually wanted that.
PEACE
You should try this instead
more strong than that
(grabs her another wine).
- AMARA stares intensely at his every move, looking lost in wild imagination.
AMARA
(regains herself)
It’s not even like that
I tried to keep in touch.
PEACE
You don’t say!
Seemed to me more like
you’ve been running from me.
AMARA
(bluffs his statement)
Now why would I have to do that?
I’ve just been really caught up in
a lot of activities, that’s all.
PEACE
(nods profusely)
Okay, I hear you
I forgive you.
AMARA
(smiles)
Well, thank you!
See you around, neighbor
(starts to move away)
PEACE
(blocks her)
Not just yet!
Since we’re back being pals,
I should invite you to the little
party am hosting at my house 8:30 Friday.
AMARA
(thinks for a minute)
Uhhmmmmm!
PEACE
(chuckles)
Come on, don’t play me with
the whole ‘I have to check
my schedule to see’ drama.
It’s not like you have anything
planned, I can tell.
AMARA
Excuse you! I’ll have you know
am a very occupied individual.
And since you want to be a smart ass,
Yes! I do have to check my schedule.
- both laugh hysterically
PEACE
So?
AMARA
(starts to walk away)
I’ll be there by 10.
-AMARA meets up with CANDY by the cashier; also she had been watching the pair all the while.
CUT TO:
10 INT.AMARA’S HOME – BEDROOM
AMARA is on her bed reading when she hears a voice calling from downstairs, at first she’s reluctant but then the voice grew even louder, so she stands to check through the windows to see who it was. It was DUKE calling and yelling out her name, something like a ballad. She’s elated but tries to hide it, it was clear she enjoyed the attention. CANDY walks in and sees her smiling from side to side as she looks down the window. CANDY is distraught, worried her friend was falling for the show.
CANDY
Are you seriously taken by this?
AMARA
(pretending)
No!
CANDY
Good! So I guess I should call
the estate guards to take him off
our property.
AMARA
(frowns)
What! No, you don’t have to.
Just let him be, probably he’ll
leave when he’s tired.
CANDY
(disappointed)
Probably! Sounds to me like you
hope he doesn’t. You’re enjoying
this aren’t you?
AMARA
(walks back to the bed)
It’s not like he’s making
a scene or nothing.
CANDY
If you’re not going to send him
away, I will
(walks out of the door)
AMARA
(races to meet her)
CANDY! Don’t.
The two ladies race each other down the stairs. DUKE hearing the loud matching of legs down the stairs starts to regress in fear, thinking the ladies were out to get him, he hides behind his car. The ladies make it outside and what seemed like a simple race after each other became a tussle as both ladies draw each other by the hair, shouting and cursing.
CUT TO:
11 EXT. AMARA’S HOME – DAY
AMARA
(furious)
You’re such a fool!
Why won’t you stay out of my business?
You short, loud mouth trifler!
CANDY
(furious)
Yeah! Am a loud mouth.
At least I make use of it to speak
up for myself and not be so indecisive
all the God damn time.
AMARA
(screaming)
Ahhhhh! What have my indecisions
got to do with you?
It’s my problem not yours.
Quite trying to figure out
my problems and go analyze yours.
Meanwhile DUKE is in the background contemplating whether or not to leave, or try and stop the cat fight. The ladies continue in their wrestling until they notice the little girl standing behind them eating her ice cream as she watched them go at each other. She was their neighbor’s daughter CASSIE (5) smart and a little nosy. Immediately the two ladies stop and stare at CASSIE for a while, who in turn didn’t flinch nor say a word.
AMARA
(embarrassed)
Hey darling, how long have you
been standing there.
CASSIE
(casually)
Just a couple of minutes.
AMARA
Oh wow!
Well how was school today?
(trying to change the topic)
CASSIE
Are you both done fighting?
CANDY
(chuckles)
Fighting! No honey we were only
playing, tag.
AMARA
Yes! Yes exactly
But then my hair got caught up
in her dress and so we were trying to
separate the hair from the..(stutters)
CANDY
Zip!
AMARA
Yes! Zip.
CASSIE
(chuckles)
Really! (looking at AMARA)
Is that why you were calling her
a B-I-T-C-H?
AMARA
(shocked)
Oh no! I would never.
Were best friends, and best friends
would never say that to each other,
right?
(turns to CANDY)
CANDY
Oh absolutely! Never.
-The pair awkwardly hug one another.
CASSIE
(suspicious)
Liars!
AMARA
(exhausted)
Where’s your Dad?
How’d you get here,
by yourself?
CASSIE
(sneers)
You don’t have to try and engage
me so I don’t tell my dad I saw
you two fighting. I understand,
it’s a girl’s thing. My mum fights
my Dad all the time.
-Just then a black car pulls over at AMARA’S front yard and PEACE comes out.
PEACE
(upset)
CASSIE! I thought I told you
specifically to wait by the park.
I specifically said that.
You never listen to me,
just like your mother.
CASSIE
Am sorry Dad, I got bored
and then I started to walk a little.
Until I realized I was very close
to the house and then I saw AMA…
AMARA
(cuts in)
Yes! She saw me, and I was just
asking her how she got here
all by herself. I was actually
very worried.
PEACE
(exhales)
Thanks AMA, this little girl
almost got me crazy today looking all
around for. Luckily the guards saw her
walking by.
AMARA
Oh no don’t mention it.
Kids could be very venturous.
PEACE
By the way, you guys
look really worn out
(looks suspiciously at CANDY and AMARA)
CANDY
It’s nothing, we were just taking
a jog somewhere around the estate.
PEACE
(squints)
In dresses?
AMARA and CANDY both laugh hysterically.
PEACE
You know what! Never mind,
why am I pestering you with
all these questions anyway.
Thanks again, see you Friday.
AMARA
Sure, Friday.
-PEACE takes CASSIE into the car as he drives into the opposite building. He notices DUKE standing behind a white BENZ and gives him a nod and DUKE responds the same.
Soon DUKE walks up to the ladies but CANDY storms into the house immediately she sees him, leaving the two behind.
DUKE
(worried)
Are you okay?
AMARA
Not really.
DUKE
(holding her hands)
Look am sorry this time AMA.
You know what, I don’t even want to
apologize any more, I want to make
it up to you.
AMARA
(exhausted)
I don’t know what to say DUKE.
DUKE
You don’t have to say much.
Just say you’ll let me take you
out to eat just for a start.
AMARA
(smiles)
Okay.
DUKE
I’ll come pick you up tomorrow.
AMARA
(doubtful)
Are you sure, why don’t you
just let me pick you up instead
or better still come by your house.
DUKE
Trust me, I promise to come pick
you later tomorrow and then we
could spend the rest of the night
together at my place.
Is that better?
AMARA
(smiles)
Perfect.
-Both share a short kiss and then say goodnight.
CUT TO:
11 INT. AMARA’S OFFICE – DAY
AMARA is dressed rather too extravagant for the scene due to her date later that day. She stands by a dash board trying to arrange a sequence of events for a project she was working on. Two casually dressed ladies are sitting on the couch watching her arrange the cards on the board. And then there’s a knock on the door and its BUDAA with his hands behind his back. Immediately uneasy by his presence AMARA continues to address the two ladies ignoring BUDAA. He invites himself in regardless and interrupts the session.
BUDAA
(smiles)
Good morning ladies
How are you doing?
-the ladies respond but AMARA remains uninterested. BUDAA walks up to her and hands out a bouquet of red roses.
AMARA
(irritated yet astonished)
What’s this?
BUDAA
(smiling)
Flowers.
AMARA
(still irritated)
And who is this supposed
to be for?
BUDAA
Let’s just say a little something
to say am sorry and can we move
forward happily.
AMARA
(suspicious)
Huh! I guess so.
BUDAA
So, you forgive me?
AMARA
Sure, I wasn’t really upset
I know what I signed up for.
BUDAA
(smiles mischievously)
Good girl!
-He turns to leave but then turns back again.
BUDAA
Uhmmm! One more thing, you might
not want to throw the tag away just yet.
Just so you see the little note I wrote.
AMARA
(reluctant)
Really!
BUDAA
Oh yeah! It’s just
a simple something to
tickle your fancy.
-AMARA looks down to read the note with BUDAA looking over her hands, and as she reads through she falls sick to her stomach. It wrote;
Dear AMA, this is just a simple
note to remind you how special you are
to me and more so unforgettable.
Love,
DUKE.
-BUDAA immediately bursts into loud laughter.
AMARA
(angry)
Unbelievable! Get out!
BUDAA
(quietly laughing)
Now, why would I want to give
you flowers AMA?
Take a second to think about that.
This is the very reason I say
you’re too sensitive.
AMARA
(infuriated)
Just get out and leave me
the hell alone.
(pauses)
And you know what, I think
this is getting way out of
hand, and if you don’t quite
I am going to have a conversation
with the board on how long I
might be staying here.
BUDAA
(smirks)
Oh wow! Say no more.
Why don’t I arrange that
specially for you. I mean it’s not
like the recession could really
affect a onetime practicing talent manager
like yourself. Plus this could build up a
really great resume for your next application.
Where would that be though, Togo?
AMARA
(frustrated)
Just leave, please!
BUDAA
(turns to leave)
Good bye ladies.
CUT TO:
12 INT.RECEPTION – DAY
DUKE comes by later that day to pick up AMARA. He meets BUDAA at the reception as he’s trying to talk to the receptionist. BUDAA engages in a little chat with him when he finds out he’s here for AMARA.
BUDAA
Sup Mehn!
DUKE
Am good! Thank you.
BUDAA
You must be the DUSK guy right?
DUKE
Nah, its DUKE.
BUDAA
(sneers)
What did I say?
-Just then AMARA comes out of the elevator, looking suspiciously at BUDAA, she races to give DUKE a hug and then pulls his left arm as they leave.
CUT TO:
13 INT.RESUARANT – DAY
AMARA and DUKE arrive at a restaurant sitting at an ordered table close to a view of the city.
DUKE
(slightly holding her hand)
So how was your day?
AMARA
(inhales and exhales)
I hate my job!
DUKE
(surprised)
What! What do you mean?
You told me how much you
loved music and how you
wanted to always be around
it, no matter what you had
to be doing.
AMARA
Okay! Maybe not necessarily my job.
Maybe it’s who I have to do it with.
DUKE
Who’s that?
AMARA
My artist.
DUKE
Oh yeah! You know I’ve never
still seen one photo of him
not even a music video.
AMARA
But you already did meet him.
DUKE
(surprised)
I did?
AMARA
Yes, the guy at the reception.
DUKE
(shocked)
The full beard, dreadlock guy?
AMARA
(rolls her eyes)
Yes!
DUKE
For real! No way, he seemed pretty cool
to me. I mean he looked good too,
nothing like a rascal.
AMARA
(bluffs)
Hmmm! don’t be fooled by those charms.
He’s as deadly as a parasite
a devil’s incarnate, if possible.
-Meanwhile the waitress wheels the food over and sets it on their table.
DUKE
Thank you.
(taking a bite)
So why don’t you just
switch clients or something.
I mean your agency should be
able to work that out for you.
AMARA
It’s not that simple DUKE.
Especially for me since this
would be my very first major job
to prove I could actually do this.
Also for future referrals and all
(starts eating).
DUKE
Well, can’t you make up a story?
Like he tried to assault you
or something. I mean stuffs like
that would get quick attention,
straight up.
AMARA
(shakes her head)
And then what! I become
the manager who almost got raped by her
own client whom she’s supposed to cater for.
(speaking in third person)
So you all better be careful how you
relate to her cause she’s very fragile at
this point.
No! I don’t need such
stigma and plus that’s not even my thing.
DUKE
(slides to his chair)
Look babe, I don’t know what
to tell you, I mean I agree
that idea was too extravagant.
But I do want you to be happy and
not stressed out cause of some job.
AMARA
I know, don’t worry.
I’ll think of something later.
But for now I just have to
keep my head above water.
Come on, let’s eat.
DUKE
(sits up)
Okay! That makes me feel
much better.
-Few minutes after their meal, the waitress comes to clear the table and then DUKE orders for a wine as the pair continue their date.
DUKE
So, how’s crazy CANDY?
AMARA
(laughs)
Don’t call my friend crazy.
She’s not crazy, she’s just a
little psycho, that’s all.
-both laugh
DUKE
So are you guys settled now?
You both got me scared the
last time, I mean that was
hilarious.
AMARA
(chuckles)
Don’t mind us.
We could get like that sometimes.
That’s how we blow off some
steam from time to time.
DUKE
Indeed!
AMARA
It’s a girl thing.
(laughs)
DUKE
I have something for you
(reaches for his pocket)
AMARA
(elated)
Oh my God!
DUKE
(looks surprised)
Dude! You know it’s not
a ring right?
AMARA
(smiles)
Oh come on! How?
But it’s not like I wouldn’t
take it if it was.
-DUKE opens a square shaped red case and brings out a gold bracelet as he wears it on her right hand.
AMARA
(excited)
Wow! This is so beautiful.
You’re the best, wait till
I show CANDY.
DUKE
You’re sure it’s your taste?
Cause I know you could be very
picky about your stuff.
AMARA
(smiling and glaring at the bracelet)
It’s perfect! Just like you
Just like this lovely place we are,
and it’s about to get even more
perfected when we go back to your place.
(strokes his jaws).
DUKE
(looks uncertain)
Yeah! About the spending the
night thing, I don’t think we could.
AMARA
(pulls away from him)
Wait! Again?
Doesn’t it seem absurd to you
that your girl friend(air quotes) has never
been to your home before,
I mean that’s some really shady stuff.
DUKE
(bending over to be closer to her)
I know AMA, but it’s really
not an intentional bypass
It’s complicated.
AMARA
(moves closer to his face)
Are you married?
DUKE
(chuckles)
What! Oh come on that’s preposterous.
It really hasn’t gotten to that.
And besides if I were married
I’d be at a kid’s park waiting to
pick up a seven year old and not
here with you, having lunch.
-AMARA falls into her hands, upset. DUKE tries to raise her head up but she pushes him away.
DUKE
AMARA, please don’t be like this,
I promise everything would fall
in place eventually, you’ll see.
AMARA
(upset)
And when would eventually be?
Huh! Is there a date or time frame
attached to it.
What have you got to hide?
Why aren’t you fully open to me?
DUKE
You’re over thinking this.
It’s not even that big of a
deal. Who says I have to
show how committed I am to
you by taking you to my house.
-AMARA having a look of disbelief he made such response.
DUKE
Okay, think about it, you did
meet my mother last summer
didn’t you?
So what else could beat that?
AMARA
(suddenly jolts up)
You know what! Go beat yourself up
on how much of a pathetic liar
and manipulative asshole you are.
-DUKE follows her up and grabs her trying to keep her from leaving. He sets her in a pose for a tango and even forces her into dancing.
DUKE
(smiling chivalrously)
Dance with me.
Remember how we used to do
this every time, when we first met.
AMARA
(submitted)
Its official,
I’m in love with
a con artist.
DUKE
(laughs)
Not quite, but I’ll take it.
Long as I get to con this
gorgeous damsel into letting her
guard down a bit more so we
could have each other for as
long as we both live.
-She’s depressed but still lays her head on his chest as they dance through the silence.
CUT TO:
14 EXT. ROAD – DAY
AMARA and CANDY are taking a jog down the street when she gets a call from her mother, MAMA JU. She’s reluctant to take the call as she’s reminded of their engagement that day Friday.
-The two ladies take a stop.
CANDY
(exhausted)
Who’s that?
AMARA
It’s MAMA JU.
CANDY
Ok, so go ahead
Why are you stalling?
AMARA
It’s because I don’t know
what excuse giving her.
I was supposed to go over the
house today.
CANDY
So, what changed?
AMARA
(squints)
I kind of made arrangements
to go to PEACE’ house party.
CANDY
Oh right! The same party you
didn’t tell me about also.
AMARA
Oh take a chill pill.
It’s not like I was
going to go there by myself.
And also remember you had
your teeth all up in my
skin a while ago.
(pauses)
Plus I made reservations for
the salon later today.
CANDY
So what are you going
to tell her?
-Takes a second to look at the phone and then turns it off, silent mode.
AMARA
Its fine, I’ll just call
her some other time.
CANDY
(taking to her heels)
Slut!
AMARA
(laughs)
Oh shut up!
-The two ladies race themselves down the road.
CUT TO:
15 INT. SALON – EVENING
AMARA is having her hair done by the hair stylist while CANDY with pins and rolls in her hair, was by the manicurist. The ambiance was bumbling being Friday, with ladies up and down the hall. Conversations kept spurring in as the ladies kept both their hands and mouths busy. Just then a tall, slender lady walks in; one might have taken her for a black ‘Victoria Beckham’, sophisticated and salty looking. It was no doubt all the ladies would leave their activities to stop and stare as her six inch heels came resounding through every step she took. Majestically walking up to her stylist she had the most jaw drooping reaction ever for vocal utterance. A mixture of street and rash ascent.
ABBY
(rushing in to give her stylist a big five)
How you dey my babe?
STYLIST
Ah! ABBYLICIOUS ABBY, I dey jare
E don tay since we see you for here o.
-both speaking in Pidgin English
ABBY
(sighs)
Babe na so I see am o
Na my guy just dey do me
strong tin, he no gree pay
him dues.
STYLIST
(gives a distressed look)
Ehenn! But hope say he don
pay, because I no go fit
run the same package we dey run before
you know say my Madame don come
back from Yankee.
ABBY
(sneers)
Shuu! Which kin statement be that?
You no see as people plenty for here,
no come dey embarrass me na.
STYLIST
No vex! I just dey ask
May e no be later we come dey talk stories
wey go touch the heart
cause as e be Lagos no dey smile.
ABBY
Whateva! For your information
I no even come do anything for here today
As you see say me sef I don package.
Na just show off I come do.
And mind you I go pay for the hair
of every girl wey dey here.
STYLIST
Ah ah! You mean am
This one na major due payment o
No be small thing.
-The other ladies begin leaning into the conversation after the slight drop of ‘payment for every girl in the room’, including AMARA and CANDY. And later there’s a loud burst of laughter amidst loud chattering when the STYLIST officially breaks the news.
STYLIST
(yelling)
Ladies! Attention, At ease,
you know what all join.
My babe here, as a top babe wey she be..
-ABBY in the height of her clouds.
Don decide say she go pay the bill
of every human being wey dey here
(pauses)
excluding that woman, Madame na now
you enter.
(laughing hysterically)
So may una no worry
Your father Christmas don
come early this year
just do as you like.
-there’s a barbaric response of ‘AUNTY THANK YOU OO’, as well as ‘GOD BLESS OUR OGA OO’ among the overly elated ladies. Meanwhile AMARA and CANDY making eye contact laugh and wonder what to make of it. CANDY signals that they play along while making a hand gesture that she was going to walk up to ABBY. AMARA objects with the same.
ABBY of course by default makes it well known that her charitable gesture was an every Sunday galore and it took no hair off her weave wearing skull. She makes her way to the most obvious seat in the hall with her legs crossed and nose up in the air. Some of the ladies found it necessary walking up to her to pay their respects while the others mocked from a far distance seeing ABBY as one simply seeking attention.
Very shortly after, the television switches to a show displaying a couple of men in discussion, seemed to be a Men’s show and just as one of the hair stylist is about to switch to a different channel, ABBY smuttily objects saying her man was a part of the show.
ABBY
No! Stop it, leave it there.
My oga dey there na.
You no fit even ask customer first.
-the STYLIST comes rushing towards the television excited to know her friend’s man was on television, shockingly the other ladies where interested too, most were in disbelief.
CANDY being of the same feather as the ladies joined in as well, a crowd of ladies flood the area of the television set. Just then the STYLIST asks to know which one, and the name DUKE OSAO comes ringing in. CANDY immediately falls into panic attack. She moves closer to ABBY wanting to be sure she had misheard her.
CANDY
Sister, sorry o which did
you say was yours?
ABBY
(sneers)
Aunty! Wetin be my own with you
Abi you know my DUKE?
CANDY
(shocked)
Say what!
-ABBY sighs, ignoring CANDY, whose jaws could almost fill three rolls of sausage.
Meanwhile AMARA remains unbothered still on her chair waiting for her stylist who had left her to join the scene. And besides the crowd of ladies gathered around the television was all she could see through the mirror.
A minute is passed now and her stylist was nowhere to be found. AMARA jolts up angrily heading for the crowd of women. Just then she’s met by CANDY who withholds her, saying they ought to leave. AMARA is perplexed wondering what absurd suggestion CANDY was making, with her hair half done and CANDY’S nails also partially fixed.
AMARA
(upset)
What do you mean! Stop holding
me, how do you expect me to go
to a party with a hair half done?
CANDY
(pulling her arm)
Trust me, let’s just leave now.
AMARA
(now frustrated)
You are crazy if you think
am going to leave like that.
-AMARA jerks her hand away from CANDY and races to the middle of the crowd. Reluctantly taking a stare at what the ladies had abandoned their activities for, she is instantly glued on the clear sight of DUKE. Just then ABBY blurts out saying…
ABBY
That’s my DUKEY!
AMARA
(frantically turns to her)
What did you just say?
CANDY
(worried)
Come on AMA! Please lets
just go.
AMARA
(furious)
No! This street brat
is about to tell me
she didn’t just call
My DUKE, her DUKE!
ABBY
(storms up)
Eeh! What did I just
hear you say now
My DUKE!
(lands a huge slap on AMARA’S face)
-The rest of the scene was nothing less than a savage splendor. With AMARA and ABBY rolling through the floor like two village warriors in combat, the spectators of course were the hair stylists and random women hailing the two as they watched the fight, some even thought to bet last minute. CANDY was helpless, as the ladies wouldn’t let her into the battle ground.
CUT TO:
16 INT. AMARA’S AND CANDY’S HOUSE – NIGHT
AMARA AND CANDY are at the house now. AMARA sits on the floor with her back rested on the couch as CANDY cares for her wounds. Amidst tears and groaning AMARA lashes at CANDY for not having her back.
AMARA
(upset)
I know you want to say it,
So just go ahead.
CANDY
(agitated)
Say what?
Please just let me do what
I have to do and don’t transfer
your aggression on me.
After all I did tell you
that we should leave.
Twice!
-AMARA pushes off her hand but CANDY continues regardless.
AMARA
(sobbing)
I know you want to say
that am a fool and that
you told me so.
-then a knock on the door interrupts their conversation. CANDY stands to answer the door, but AMARA objects saying it might be DUKE but CANDY insists it was impossible and even if it were, he was definitely going home with a broken nose. She looks through the peephole and finds its PEACE. AMARA is distraught saying she didn’t want him to see her like that. CANDY puts her fears to rest saying she was going to make him leave.
CUT TO:
EXT. AMARA’S AND CANDY’S HOUSE
CANDY
Hi! PEACE
PEACE
Hi! How’re you doing?
CANDY
(leaning against the door)
Am loyal, and you?
PEACE
Well, I was hoping you
guys would make it to the
party but then you both didn’t
show, so I thought I bring
this leftover bottle of wine.
CANDY
(reaching for the bottle)
Oh, that’s so gentlemanly
Thank you.
PEACE
(looking through the door)
Where’s AMA?
CANDY
(closes the door behind her)
Uhmmm! She’s a bit down,
actually we both are.
That’s why we were a no show
at your party.
PEACE
(worried)
Really, what’s that
Is it a fever?
CANDY
(shakes her head)
Not really, more like
the female monthly stuff.
PEACE
(embarrassed)
Oh!
CANDY
Yeah! The cramps.
PEACE
You both, at the same time?
CANDY
(chuckles)
I mean these things
just sneak up on you at the
the slightest times
(rubbing her stomach).
PEACE
Well I guess I should leave
You both to take some rest
and I’ll come by tomorrow
to check on you.
CANDY
(dramatic)
Oh no! It’s going to take more
than just an overnight rest
I don’t know if you’ve heard
something like this before
but ours could get pretty intense.
(now bending)
PEACE
Ok! Ok its fine. You
just let me know when it’s okay
to come by and say hello.
CANDY
(still bending)
Ok that’s better.
PEACE
Alright, goodnight.
And say goodnight to AMA
for me, will you?
CANDY
Sure!
Goodnight.
-CANDY comes into the house and finds AMARA already asleep on the floor. She takes a cloth to cover her and then heads up the stairs to her room.
-Then the camera dissolves into a number of scenes showing AMARA doing the same things in repeat. Sleeping, waking up, eating, working through her laptop and sitting at the backyard by the pool constantly starring at nothing exactly, only listening to ‘Paris by Dido’.
CUT TO:
17 EXT. AMARA’S AND CANDY’S BACKYARD POOL – DAY
AMARA is sitting by the pool at the backyard, dressed in her white robe and sun shades and as usual starring at nothing in particular. Then she hears the whistling coming from the other building. Not willing to entertain anyone she sits still pretending to be drawn into the ear pods she had on. But still the whistling persists and so did she.
Then a few minutes went by and AMARA falls fast asleep. She only wakes up when she realizes the sun was suddenly out of sight. Or was it…
PEACE
Hi there!
(but it was only PEACE standing over her)
AMARA
(trying to put herself together)
Hey, how… (stutters)
How’ve you been?
PEACE
(chuckles)
This is the second
time you’re asking that.
-AMARA tries to force a smile.
PEACE
(playfully)
Well I was worried actually.
Asides the fact that
CASSIE came rushing up the stairs
telling me there was a dead lady
by the pool, I mean I had
to be sure. But it seems
you’d be fine.
AMARA
(chuckles)
Thank you for seeing me.
PEACE
(taking a seat by her)
You’re welcome.
So what have you been up to?
AMARA
Not much, I’ve just been
trying to live through each day.
PEACE
(starring intently at her left eye)
What happened there?
AMARA
(embarrassed)
It’s nothing, just a little scratch.
PEACE
(slowly pull off her shades)
(pauses in shock)
AMARA, I want to believe
a woman like you could
never be a victim of
domestic violence.
AMARA
(chuckles)
Won’t that have been golden?
Taking a blow from a man you
loved rather than from his
side chic.
PEACE
(appalled)
Wow! What a fool.
AMARA
Look PEACE, am sorry for not
coming to your party.
Am sure you must have thought
I bailed out on you again.
PEACE
Well, I won’t say I didn’t feel
bad at first, but when CANDY
told me about the little situation
you both had going on, I was relieved.
AMARA
(astonished)
You mean she told you about
the fight at the salon?
PEACE
(laughs)
No! But you just did that.
-both laugh
PEACE
(leaning in)
So, I suppose you have
to make up for
missing my party.
AMARA
(smiling)
I suppose I do.
-he gives her a kiss on the cheek and then stands to leave.
PEACE
I’ll come get you by 7:00.
AMARA
Okay.
CUT TO:
17 INT. PEACE’ LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
PEACE comes by on time to get AMARA, and the two go over to his home.
AMARA
(smiling)
Oh wow! This place does
bring back memories.
PEACE
(surprised)
What memories?
AMARA
(embarrassed)
You know…
You and me.
PEACE
(chuckles)
Wow! You don’t really
remember much when you’re
drunk, do you?
Well if you must know
nothing happened.
AMARA
(doubtful)
What! You liar.
I don’t know how long it took
but we did do something
I know that for sure.
PEACE
(laughs and draws closer to her, whispers)
Nothing happened!
Am going to get the wine.
(walks away)
AMARA
(talking to herself)
Oh AMA you’re done for.
You can’t even give an account
of what did or didn’t go
inside of you.
Just pathetic!
-PEACE soon arrives with the wine.
PEACE
I hope this suites you.
It’s kind of really old
so I guess it should be the best.
AMARA
(taking the glass)
I really don’t know much
about wine, so I don’t
have any preferences.
PEACE
Good! We’ll stick to
my taste bud then.
(raises a toast)
To AMA, and her newly found
Prince charming.
AMARA
(smirks)
And who would that be,
if you don’t mind my asking.
PEACE
(chuckles)
Who else, Me!
I mean I did come just
in time to rescue you.
AMARA
Oh yeah! I am fine
I don’t need any rescuing.
PEACE
You sure about that?
(slowly leans over and gives her a kiss)
-the two share a kiss for a moment but then PEACE withdraws. AMARA wears a look of disapproval.
AMARA
What happened, why’d
you stop?
(slightly turning to smell her breath)
PEACE
Uhmm! I wanted to know
first of all where your
head was.
AMARA
(confused)
What do you mean?
PEACE
I mean, do you want to
start something afresh with me
or you just might up and leave
any time soon.
AMARA
(exhales)
I don’t know PEACE.
I don’t want to think
about the future just yet.
Just take me the way I am now.
Distressed and really in need
of a prince charming.
(smiles)
-The pair embrace one another and make love through the night.
CUT TO:
18 INT. AMARA’S HOUSE – DAY
AMARA comes sneaking into the house trying to keep CANDY from waking up, but she’s not surprised when she finds her best friend coming out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee in her hand. AMARA is embarrassed but CANDY remains quiet and hands her the cup of coffee.
CANDY
(sarcastic)
Here, take this.
It should rejuvenate you.
AMARA
(embarrassed)
Thank you.
CANDY
You’re welcome.
(turns and walks up the stairs)
-just as she’s all the way up she turns and with a smudge on her face she blurts out…
CANDY
Slut!
-AMARA chuckles and shakes her head.
CUT TO:
20 INT. BOARD ROOM – DAY
AMARA is sitting at the left arm of the board table, right beside the DIRECTOR, a lanky old man who’s at the head of the table. There were a total of twelve people both men and a few women also present. AMARA is having a little private discussion with the DIRECTOR when BUDAA walks in. Already an hour late to the meeting he finds his way to the other end of the table.
DIRECTOR
(sarcastic)
Well! Who do we have here?
The man of the hour, but
never on the hour.
Glad you could join us sir
at the very end of the session.
BUDAA
I apologize sir
I am still quite hangover
from last night’s show.
DIRECTOR
I see, well were all done
so I guess you could get a
briefing from your manager.
(standing to leave)
BUDAA
Not just yet sir!
Speaking of my manager
I think there’s something
she’ll like to bring to your
notice, something about a
resignation.
-AMARA faces the ground completely dumbfounded by BUDAA’S allegation.
DIRECTOR
(frantically turns to AMARA)
What!
What is he talking about?
AMARA
(giving BUDAA a stern frown)
Uhmmm! Not really sir
He must have misunderstood me.
BUDAA
Really! You sure?
AMARA
What I meant was,
(pointing at BUDAA)
If BUDAA would hear me
was that, as long as he would have
me, I was willing to find more
better ways we could work together,
as a team.
-BUDAA laughs hysterically.
DIRECTOR
I see. For a moment there
I was really worried.
Mostly for you, cause you
know the situation we’re in
right now.
AMARA
Yes sir, I completely understand
and I promise to do my best
in light of your expectations.
DIRECTOR
Perfect! Just about the
right words.
Alright, see you soon.
-the DIRECTOR walks out of the room and BUDAA follows him. Hoping to have a conversation with BUDAA AMARA races after him.
AMARA
Hey! BUDAA, can I have
a word with you.
-he ignores her at first, but later reluctantly turns as the DIECTOR leaves the two.
BUDAA
Look, if it’s about the
briefing don’t bother
You could just mail it to me.
-he immediately turn to leave but AMARA holds him back.
AMARA
No! It’s not that.
Actually it’s about you and me.
BUDAA
(sneers)
What about that?
AMARA
Look, I know you feel
like I’m the least best
person to handle your
management. But I want you
to trust me when I say, I
know your music, and I am so
committed to seeing you climb
your success ladder to no limit.
BUDAA
(chuckles)
So what’s all this sweet
talk for?
AMARA
It’s not just sweet talk
BUDAA, it’s the true fact.
(pauses)
I suppose what I’m driving at
is, I want you to give me the
opportunity to prove myself by
working together with me and
not be so against me all the time.
BUDAA
(smiles mischievously)
Good talk.
-he walks away as quickly as his last statement and AMARA is left agitated.
CUT TO:
20 INT. PEACE’ KITCHEN – DAY
AMARA is by the kitchen cabinet chopping up some green vegetables while PEACE was busy stuffing the chicken. He starts up a conversation about her work.
PEACE
So how’s the BUDAA situation?
AMARA
(sips her juice)
I don’t know what to say
about it anymore. It’s clear
to see the guy loathes me.
PEACE
Wow! That’s a tough word
It’s that bad huh!
AMARA
(discouraged)
I mean I made an effort to have
a reasonable conversation with
the fellow a weeks ago but he just
bluffed me off, like I was a groupie
Or something.
PEACE
Thinking about it, the dude
might just be on crack you know.
And he’s probably acting out because
he’s constantly high all the time.
(laughs)
AMARA
(smiles)
Lol! This might be true though.
But if I’m being honest I don’t think
I’ve ever smelt anything funny
around him like that. He always
seems so put together most
of the time.
PEACE
(chuckles)
Oh honey, don’t be fooled.
There are ways to do it clean
and clear, I mean rich boy style.
AMARA
(gives him a suspicious stare)
Hmmm! I see.
So, are you’re telling me you might
be one of those rich boys?
PEACE
(laughs)
No! Not for me.
And honestly if I was,
you’d never know.
AMARA
(moves beside him)
So, speaking about honesty
I’m glad we didn’t do anything
that night on New Year’s Eve.
Cause for a second there
I was starting to feel what
happened to me was karma, but it
turns out’ my ex was just a flat
out Casanova.
PEACE
Well, it’s not that we never
did anything per se…
-AMARA cuts in.
AMARA
(exclaims)
See! I knew there was something
you were not telling me.
PEACE
(faces the chicken)
Come on, let’s forget it.
It’s in the past now.
AMARA
(pokes him playful on his arm)
The hell I am!
It’s very important for me to
know what happened or
what didn’t happened.
PEACE
(reluctantly)
Well, you did mostly everything.
AMARA
(confused)
What do you mean
I did everything?
PEACE
(smiles mischievously)
You know,
(looks below his shorts and then back at her)
AMARA
(takes a second to think and then exclaims)
No! oh my God! I didn’t,
I wouldn’t.
That’s disgusting!
PEACE
What can I say you were
overly excited.
AMARA
(embarrassed)
I must have been totally stoned.
-just then CASSIE comes rushing in, as she goes on to embrace her father. He is surprised to see her knowing he was meant to pick her up for five at her mum’s office.
PEACE
(surprised)
Hey! Sweetie how are you?
(carries her)
How’d you get here this time?
I don’t get to see you till five.
CASSIE
So you’re saying I should go back
and wait till five before I could
see you?
PEACE
Not so sweetie, I just meant
who got you here?
CASSIE
My mum of course!
-she (CASSIE) point towards the kitchen entrance as a slender beautiful lady walks slowly in, she was AGNES, CASSIE’S mother and PEACE’ ex girlfriend. PEACE looks displeased while AMARA had an eye witness look on her face.
AGNES
Hey! PEAGEE.
Am so sorry, I know your time’s
for five but I have something
important to do.
PEACE
(angry)
And I don’t?
You should have called AGNES.
AGNES
(looks at AMARA and smiles)
Hi!
Am sorry I burst in on you guys
It’s really not a habit of mine.
PEACE
Just leave her out of it okay.
And stop that silly sentiment.
You can leave.
-she, (AGNES) gives her daughter a kiss and then waves at AMARA who in turn reluctantly waves back.
CASSIE
(sad)
Do I get to leave too, daddy?
PEACE
Of course not sweetie
You get to have lunch with
AMARA and I.
AMARA
(smiling)
Hi CASSIE.
CASSIE
Why does she get to eat
with us daddy?
PEACE
(puts her down)
Cause she’s our guest
and my new friend
(winks).
CASSIE
(sneers)
What do you mean?
PEACE
Ok enough of your interrogation.
Go help set the table, we’ll sit
and eat at the backyard.
-CASSIE walks up to AMARA as she ferociously takes the bowl of salad from her and goes out to the backyard.
AMARA
Thank you CASSIE.
(pauses)
That was interesting.
PEACE
(chuckles)
Am sorry, I had no idea.
If not I would have prepped
you up.
AMARA
(teasing)
It fine, PEAGEE.
-PEACE laughs, and takes a look at AMARA to see her expression.
PEACE
Hey! I hope you’re not
taken by that.
That’s just AGNES’S way of
showing off to people like she
really knows me, even though we only
dated for two years before she brought
the whole pregnancy news.
AMARA
(smiles)
It’s okay I understand.
Every woman always wants
that sense of entitlement.
PEACE
(staring closely at her)
What about you, do you
crave a sense of entitlement?
AMARA
(chuckles)
I don’t even know what I
want right now, am just
somewhere in the middle
of nowhere trying to find
a clue.
PEACE
Is there anything I could
do to bring you back home?
(sips his wine)
AMARA
(smiles)
Just keep on doing what
you’re doing.
PEACE
And what’s that?
AMARA
Rescuing me.
-the two are sharing a kiss and then CASSIE storms in…
CASSIE
(angrily)
Can we eat already?
CUT TO:
21 EXT. PEACE BACKYARD – NIGHT
A few hours had gone by and AMARA and PEACE decide to continue their company by the pool.
PEACE
Am sure CANDY’S probably
homesick with you not
being around these days.
AMARA
(slapping her feet through the water)
She’ll be fine, she’s a big girl.
And also she’s a fanatic for sitcoms
so that should keep her busy.
-CASSIE drowsily walks in.
CASSIE
(scratching her eyes)
Daddy, am ready to go
to bed now.
PEACE
(getting up)
Okay sweetie, come on let’s go
(takes her hand)
Be right back.
(says to AMARA)
AMARA
(smiles)
Go ahead.
-PEACE comes back few minutes later.
AMARA
She’s such a smart girl,
strong too.
PEACE
Thank you.
-he smiles whilst staring at her.
AMARA
What?
PEACE
(turns away)
Nothing.
AMARA
(playfully pushing him with her shoulder)
You’re a good dad.
and that should be commended.
Seeing the way our society is today.
PEACE
(hums)
Well, I guess I have to do
the best I can even with
the circumstances.
AMARA
(parting his back)
I know.
You still never told me
why you guys split.
PEACE
Well, how can you get over
someone you love telling you
the kid you spent two years
fathering wasn’t exactly yours.
AMARA
(shocked)
Oh my God!
PEACE
(chuckles)
My response exactly.
Except this time with tears
and a lot of fighting.
I mean I wasn’t going to have
another man take that kid away
from me, no matter what they
had to say. She was mine.
AMARA
Oh wow! I really admire
your kind of heart. Not
many could live with that.
PEACE
(smolderingly)
This decision was the least I
could do to save CASSIE’S future.
Cause left to her mother she was
going over to live in the States
with a man only God knows
what he did to survive.
No! Am going to do more
than just father her, I’m
going to be her hero.
AMARA
(smiles in admiration as she lays her head on his chest)
Thank you for sharing
that with me.
CUT TO:
22 INT. PEACE’S KITCHEN – DAY
AMARA is up early in the morning set to make breakfast, she’s scrambling some eggs while multitasking with the slicing of the sausage and tomatoes. CASSIE comes in surprised she was still in their house.
CASSIE
(exclaims)
You’re still here?
AMARA
(smiles)
Good morning to you too
CASSIE.
Sit, I made you some eggs
and also you get to have two
big sausages all to yourself.
CASSIE
(sneers)
I don’t like sausages.
And also we don’t eat here,
we eat at the dining table.
AMARA
(smiles)
Oh don’t mind my poor manners.
I guess its cause my
roommate and I are so used
to eating anywhere we feel
like it.
Well go ahead then.
CASSIE
(ignoring her)
Where’s my daddy?
AMARA
He’s upstairs, still sleeping.
-CASSIE turns to make her way to the stairs, AMARA calls her back but she ignores her.
AMARA
(sarcastic)
This should be fun.
-a little while later CAASIE comes downstairs with her dad, AMARA is at the dining table having her breakfast.
AMARA
(stands to meet him)
Hey, you’re up.
Didn’t want to wake you
so I thought I help us
with breakfast. And
CASSIE seems to love
waiting to eat with her dad
(smiles at CASSIE).
PEACE
(turns to CASSIE)
Is that so?
Well that might be true,
just maybe not on Sunday cereals.
-the two join the table, while AMARA serves them.
PEACE
(with a mouth half full)
So I was thinking since its
Saturday, we, I mean us three,
could go by the park and then later
go see a movie. It’s usually a CASSIE
and I thing but I thought it’ll be
great if you could join us.
CASSIE
(upset)
But why?
PEACE
(gives her firm look)
CASSIE, have you forgotten
our little chat?
CASSIE
(mumbles)
Ok daddy.
AMARA
(smiling)
I would love to!
Especially so I could spend
more time with CASSIE
-After their breakfast they head on to the car for their outing. They had a picnic at the park then went on to see a movie animation at the cinemas. And after a whole day of fun, PEACE drives back home. CASSIE playfully jumps out of the car and goes inside the house while PEACE sits in the car with AMARA.
AMARA
(leaning against the car seat)
Today was really fun.
I never knew having a kid on
a date would be even more
interesting and less burdensome.
You’re raising a good girl.
PEACE
(exhales)
Can I say something?
And I want to be completely
honest and transparent with you.
AMARA
(sits up)
Sure! Please do.
I need more of that in my
life right now.
PEACE
Look, I know right now
you have a whole lot you’re
dealing with, but I want you
to know that I’m a hundred
percent with you in this.
AMARA
(tenderly strokes his face)
Thank you.
PEACE
I guess what am trying to say
is, am ready to go all in
if you let me.
And now I know I don’t have
to tell you, you’ll have to
marry my little devil with me
if we must do this.
AMARA
(smiles)
Marriage?
PEACE
(squints)
You never know do you?
-the two share a passionate kiss.
CUT TO:
23 INT. AMARA’S HOME – DAY
AMARA walks into the living room and finds CANDY watching the television, she sits next to her sliding to rest on her shoulder.
CANDY
(throwing a chip into her mouth)
Are you okay?
AMARA
(exhales)
I don’t know CANDY.
Am trying to convince
myself that am happy,
and yet I feel so incomplete,
like am being pushed through
a whirl wind.
CANDY
Is it about DUKE?
AMARA
Not really, but maybe partly.
PEACE is really good to me
yet I don’t know why am so
passive about the whole thing.
And it’s not even because he
has a child, it’s me that
won’t get out of my way.
CANDY
I can’t say I understand you
cause I don’t. But am sure
you’ll figure it out soon
and everything will fall
in place. Just try to keep
your head up.
AMARA
(looks at her in astonishment)
What?
CANDY
(laughs)
I know right, it sounded
really good, got the line
from a movie I saw last night.
Finally got to use it.
AMARA
(roars with laughter)
Oh wow! You’re the worst.
CANDY
(laughs)
You’re welcome.
-the two continue in a load of silly laughter and eating as they watched the television.
CUT TO:
23 EXT. CASSIE’S SCHOOL – DAY
AMARA stands waiting by her car as the kids rush out of a school complex for closing hours. CASSIE comes walking out the gates with the SUPERINTENDENT looking around for her dad; AMARA calls out to her waving her to come. Unhappy to see her, CASSIE walks sluggishly towards her.
CASSIE
(grumbling)
Where’s my daddy?
AMARA
(smiles as she takes her bag)
Hello CASSIE.
Your dad wanted me to come
get you. He thought it would be
good we both do a little bonding.
SUPERINTENDENT
(progresses to shake her)
You must be AMARA?
AMARA
Yes that’s right,
Am sure her dad must
have informed you.
CASSIE
(regressing backwards)
I don’t know her!
AMARA
(chuckles)
Oh don’t be silly CASSIE.
You know your dad wont
be very pleased if he
finds out you gave me a
hard time picking you up.
-CASSIE frowns as she grumpily enters the car.
AMARA
(to the SUPERINTENDENT)
Thank you very much.
SUPERINTENDENT
Your welcome,
drive safely.
CUT TO:
23 INT. AMARA’S CAR – DAY
AMARA makes her drive through the busy road with CASSIE in the back seat. AMARA tries to engage her but the infant proves uninterested.
AMARA
(looking through the rear mirror)
So how was school today?
I heard today was for spelling bee
and your dad told me you’re really
good at that, is that right?
CASSIE
(sneers)
He shouldn’t tell you
about that, you’re not
even part of our family.
AMARA
(smiles)
But I could, that’s Of course with your
permission. Because you know it takes a gradual
process to get to know someone and be convinced
whether or not their worthy of your friendship.
-CASSIE ignores her, looking out the car window.
AMARA
(relentless)
Do you like music?
I guess yes, cause who
doesn’t.
-CASSIE; rolls her eyes.
AMARA
For me I tend to gravitate more towards
the classical genre of music, I could
do a little opera sometimes
if it’s not too complex.
My friend CANDY thinks I can come
off as a bit whitewashed a times.
(laughs).
CASSIE
(suddenly jolts up)
We have to make a stop?
AMARA
(suspicious)
Okay, where would that be
and why?
CASSIE
Just take a turn by the
Primer fuel station and
we’re there.
AMARA
Ok, but you still
didn’t tell me why.
CASSIE
I have to pick my mum.
It was supposed to be a
surprise for my dad’s birthday
but since you came, you get
to pick her up.
AMARA
(surprised)
I never knew today
was your dad’s birthday.
CASSIE
(chuckles)
I told you you’re not
a part of our family.
Even dad forgets his own
birthdays sometimes but mum
always reminds him with
a present.
AMARA
(upset)
Fine!
So where is she?
Where exactly do I get
to pick her up?
CASSIE
(instructively)
She’ll come to meet us at
the Primer fuel station.
-AMARA arrives at the Primer fuel station and after a few minutes AGNES comes in knocking on the car window, she takes a sit at the passenger’s seat with CASSIE. She wholesomely embraces her daughter while AMARA watched.
AGNES
(surprised)
Oh hi, AMARA
Wasn’t expecting to see you
(pauses)
oh! Sorry, pardon my manners,
thank you for picking me.
AMARA
(uneasy)
Uhmmm! Its fine,
you’re welcome.
AGNES
(turning to CASSIE)
I hope CASSIE wasn’t
any trouble. She tends
to act unruly sometimes
around new faces.
AMARA
(forces a smile)
Hmmmm! She was a good girl.
AGNES
(bending over towards AMARA)
So what do you have planned
for PEAGEE’S birthday?
CASSIE
(spitefully)
Daddy never told her
today was his birthday.
AGNES
Oh I see, he must have forgotten.
He hardly keeps count himself.
It must have been an oversight
No big deal
(gives AMARA a friendly grip on the shoulder).
-AMARA gives an awkward smile as she continues to thread the road.
CUT TO:
24 EXT. PEACE’ HOUSE – DAY
AMARA arrives at PEACE’s home, CASSIE rushes to give him a hug while AGNES slowly walks towards him, seeing her (AGNES), he looks out in worry for AMARA who was just making her way out of the car.
PEACE
Why did you come here AGNES?
AGNES
What’d you mean?
It’s your birthday,
I always make it to your birthdays.
PEACE
(agitated)
True! But do you think
this was a good time
for such gesture?
-He walks away from her and goes to meet AMARA.
PEACE
(squints)
Hey, how are you?
(gives her a hug).
AMARA
(upset)
You never told me today
was your birthday.
And you succeeded in making
me look totally unwanted
in CASSIE’S eyes.
PEACE
I know, am so sorry.
I wanted it to be a surprise
that’s why I asked you to
go get CASSIE at school so
the three of us could celebrate
together. But little did I know
AGNES was going to show up.
AMARA
Yeah but it seems like its
not the first. She made
sure to let me know that.
PEACE
Don’t even stress about that
like I told you it’s only a show.
You know what, I’ll just tell
her to leave.
-he turns to leave, but AMARA draws him back.
AMARA
No! Don’t do that.
Its fine, you’d get CASSIE upset
if you did.
Don’t worry about me
I can handle myself.
PEACE
Are you sure?
Don’t think I couldn’t
tell her to leave
if you wanted me to.
AMARA
I know. Just try to
carry me along every time.
That’s the only way I could
win CASSIE over.
PEACE
Okay.
-he gives her a hug after which they go into the house.
CUT TO:
25 INT. PEACE’ LIVING ROOM – DAY
AMARA heads up stairs to take a shower while CASSIE and AGNES are by the television. PEACE calls AGNES into the kitchen for a little discussion.
CUT TO:
26 INT. PEACE’ KITCHEN
PEACE
(angry)
Look! I don’t know why
you’re doing this,
or for what reason
in heavens name
you are.
(pauses)
But I want you to know you ought
to stop wasting your precious time.
We have been done and
we will remain that way.
AGNES
(sad)
I don’t know which you’re
telling me to do here PEACE.
Because I have done nothing wrong.
If you’re telling me to stay away,
its fine I will, but if this is
your way of telling me to stop
loving you, I can’t, and I won’t.
PEACE
(furious)
Oh! quite the sorry bullshit AGNES!
Oh so now all of a sudden you’ve
grown a conscience and am by default
supposed to receive you with open arms.
(pauses)
I know you.
(pointing at her)
AGNES
(sobbingly)
No! You don’t.
You only know what you
choose to believe.
PEACE
(laughs mockingly)
Oh no, don’t even get me started
on what I know, because for
your sake I might lose my sense
of civility.
AGNES
(crying)
I know I hurt you PEACE.
But I want to make things
better. Do you think that
any other woman would be
as good of a mother to
CASSIE as her own mother.
PEACE
Okay now I get it.
(chuckles)
But you know what, that
woman up there, is going
to be twice the mother
you would ever dream of being
and that’s how it’s going to be,
so stop all this nonsense.
-He storms out of the kitchen while she stood crying, trying to wipe the tears off her face. He bumps into AMARA at the entrance but walks past her away to the stairs. AMARA finds AGNES drying her eyes, the two make eye contact and then embarrassed AGNES walks out of the kitchen. AMARA watches her give CASSIE a kiss and then leave the house. CASSIE is bewildered her mum was leaving as she races after her. She later comes back inside and gives AMARA a distressed look, like she had been the cause of her mother’s predicament. She runs up the stairs to her room.
CUT TO:
27 INT. PEACE’BEDROOM – NIGHT
PEACE and AMARA lay on the bed together staring into the silence.
AMARA
Am sorry your birthday
turned out like this.
PEACE
It’s okay, there’re
many more birthdays to come
this just happened to
be this way.
AMARA
(exhales)
I don’t know PEACE,
Do you think am built up
for this whole mum thing?
PEACE
Why’d you say that?
AMARA
(worried)
What I mean is, I would
be lying to myself if I
said I didn’t know what
this relationship entailed.
I just don’t know what am
supposed to give. And also,
CASSIE totally hates me.
PEACE
She doesn’t hate you.
And I thought I told you
not to over think about it,
let’s just take things
one step at a time.
AMARA
Okay.
-they share a kiss, and then suddenly there’s a loud clash followed by a scream. PEACE and AMARA jump off the bed and head towards CASSIE’S room. They find she’s not on her bed and there appeared to be long ties of bed sheet leading to the open window. They look down and low and behold there’s CASSIE lying unconscious on a hip of grass. PEACE gives a loud cry as he runs down the stairs to get his daughter, AMARA follows him.
CUT TO:
27 INT. HOSPITAL – DAY
AGNES comes rushing into the hospital with tears in her eyes, she finds her way to PEACE through the help of a nurse. She’s a total wreck, shouting and calling out to PEACE to bring her child, he does his best to consol her and so did AMARA. Then shortly after all was put to rest the DOCTOR comes to meet them. The three rush to meet him and the two parents echo a resounding ‘DOCTOR how is she’?
DOCTOR
Calm down, it’s all good.
You ought to be thankful now
rather than be so worried.
PEACE
Ok, but what state is she?
DOCTOR
I was actually going to
ask where and how the
accident had happened.
PEACE
(uneasy)
Well, my girl friend and I were
in bed when we heard
the noise and we rushed out
just as soon. And then we find
a bunch of bed spread tied
all the way to the outside
window, (starts sobbing)
and then I find my little
girl on the ground.
DOCTOR
(shocked)
On the ground you say?
PEACE
(confused)
Yes, like a….(stutters)on a pile
of grass shed or something
I think the gardener hadn’t
cleaned it up from the day
before.
DOCTOR
(smiles)
Hmmm! Now I understand.
Once again like I said
you should be thankful
CASSIE sustained a minor
bone shift compared to
what it would have been
depending on the place
she landed.
PEACE
(slightly relieved)
So are you saying
we could take her home
with us?
DOCTOR
But of course
(patting his back)
AGNES
Oh! Thank you so much
Can I go see her?
DOCTOR
Please, go ahead.
-AGNES races to meet her daughter, so did PEACE and AMARA. CASSIE is now slightly conscious as her parents embrace her.
AGNES
(sobbingly)
Oh CASSIE, my baby!
CASSIE
(whispering)
Mummy.
PEACE
(worried)
Hey sweetie,
How do you feel?
CASSIE
(sobbing)
Daddy, is mummy going to
come take care of me?
PEACE
Yes sweetie, absolutely.
CASSIE
Promise?
PEACE
Of course sweetie I promise
and AMA’s here for you also.
(looks towards AMARA, as she comes closer)
AMARA
That’s right CASSIE darling.
-CASSIE embraces her mother while AMARA comforts PEACE.
CUT TO:
28 INT. CASSIE’S ROOM – NIGHT
AGNES sets CASSIE to sleep, PEACE enters the room and AGNES stands to leave.
PEACE
(worried)
Where are you going?
AGNES
Home.
PEACE
(frustrated)
Please AGNES don’t even
try and add to my problems
now, you know you can’t leave.
AGNES
(sneers)
Your problems!
(chuckles)
For your information,
that is my child lying
on that bed also, in case
you’ve suddenly forgotten.
Peace
(exhales)
Well.
AGNES
(sobbingly)
I carried that same child
for nine freaking months
when I could have listened
to my mother and got rid of
It, instead I didn’t.
You want to know why?
I chose to believe in a man
that told me he would love me
regardless of whatever happened.
I choose to speak the truth even
when I was told I could cover up a lie
Instead I didn’t because I was
sure I had a man who would never leave
my side, not for anything in this world.
not even for a mistake he knows full well
was the most shameful and degrading
thing that could ever happen to a woman.
I chose to believe in the man I love.
PEACE
(sobbing)
You shouldn’t have gone there NES
You shouldn’t.
AGNES
(sobbing)
But I did.
And I have regretted it
for as long as I have
lived to know love.
(wipes her face)
I am a sinner but I have
known forgiveness,
you should too.
-AGNES turns to leave but PEACE holds her back as the two embrace one another.
PEACE
Please don’t leave.
AGNES
I wasn’t going to.
I just wanted to go home
and get some clean cloths.
PEACE
(looks down)
Am sorry.
AGNES
(strokes his face)
I know.
I have to go now
We’ll sort this out later.
-the two embrace one another once more and then AGNES exits the room.
CUT TO:
29 INT. PEACE’ ROOM – NIGHT
PEACE walks into the room, AMARA is sitting up on the bed, PEACE goes in to have a shower and later joins AMARA.
AMARA
(strokes his face)
You look so pale
Have you been crying?
PEACE
Am fine, am just
so worried about
CASSIE, can’t wait to
see her running around again.
AMARA
Me too.
What about AGNES?
PEACE
She had to go home.
AMARA
(chuckles)
Wow! You were right
about that woman.
She couldn’t even wait
to leave her daughter’s side,
what a terrible mother.
PEACE
(upset)
Don’t say that.
She just went to get some
new cloth that’s all,
she’ll be back.
AMARA
(smirks)
Are you sure?
Cause she hasn’t been
of good conduct lately.
PEACE
You don’t know that.
I know NES better than
anyone, if she says she’ll
be here, she’ll be here.
AMARA
Okaaay! If you have
to say it like that.
Let’s just hope CASSIE
doesn’t try and run
away this time.
PEACE
(agitated)
You know what, let’s just
end this conversation.
Cause you’re really being
disrespectful right now.
(turns away from her)
AMARA
(upset)
Really! I’m being disrespectful.
You sound like we both didn’t
just witness CASSIE try and
runaway, and am very sure
this was a plight instigated
by her mother to get
your attention away from us.
PEACE
(furious)
Alright AMARA, that is way
out of line, you don’t ever
disrespect my family in that
manner ever again.
If my daughter wants my full
Attention, then I’ll give it
to her with no hesitation
holding me back.
AMARA
(upset)
Family! You talk about this
family of yours like it’s
something so sacred and pure,
she’s not even yours!
PEACE
(angry)
Get out!
AMARA
(shocked)
What!
PEACE
(jolts up)
AMARA, I beg you in the name
of everything you could possibly
hold dear, get out now or
I’ll make you regret ever
coming to know me.
-AMARA gets up and walks slowly away, staring at PEACE hoping he’d draw her back to himself and kiss her so passionately like he used to, and they could forget they just had their very first fight. He had a look she had never seen before, never at her, a side to him he had never portrayed before her, except to his ex girlfriend; she runs out in tears.
AMARA jumps into her car. Still in her night clothes she heads to the bar. It’s no telling how this would end, she knew too well what self-mortification she could do to her body, the only way she could truly evade her pain. Her weakness all filled to the brim in a bottle of whisky.
CUT TO:
30 INT. BED ROOM – DAY
AMARA wakes up hangover. She looks faintly around at the things she felt were totally unfamiliar to her. The bed wasn’t hers, the wall decorations came off as rather too masculine even in her tired mind and finally, there it was, the rumpled male jeans flung on the white leather sofa, also not hers. She tries to get herself up but falls back too dizzy to move, she was terrified. Had she been carried off by a total stranger, or worse, a serial killer?
Then the door comes struggling open, and her heart falls into her mouth.
DUKE
(smiles)
Hi AMA.
AMARA
(petrified)
Oh my God!
What are you doing here?
DUKE
(walks towards her)
I…
AMARA
(cutting him off)
Stop! Don’t come closer.
How did I get here?
DUKE
Calm down AMA, it’s all good.
You’re safe with me,
this is my house and I
brought you here because
you got drunk and passed out
and I couldn’t take you back
to your place cause you
know how strict the
securities can be.
AMARA
(doubtful)
Yes! But how did
you know where to
find me?
DUKE
(exhales)
Well I guess you could say
fate found it long overdue
for me to get a chance to
seek your forgiveness and
somehow explain my side of
everything that happened.
AMARA
(upset)
I don’t have to listen
to anything you have to
say, I have seen enough to
know what a wicked and
deceitful person you are.
DUKE
(sad)
You’re right, and I totally
accept whatever words you
could find to describe me
cause I know I haven’t really
given you any good reason
to think otherwise.
But I want you to know
all I did, I did it because
I wasn’t going to spare the
chance of losing you.
AMARA
(agitated)
What are you even saying?
Can you hear yourself.
You went cheating on me
because you felt you didn’t
want to lose me.
What is it with you and lies.
DUKE
(exhales)
AMARA, I met ABBY a long
time ago because my mother wont
help but find ways to get
me settled by any means.
I realized it wasn’t what I could
take so I broke off from her.
Ever since then she’s chased me
with threats to ruin my new
relationship with you and sought to
demanding sex and money from me.
AMARA
(doubtful)
Yeah, but how did she know
to attack me at the salon.
DUKE
I don’t know AMA.
That she did by herself,
probably based on intuition.
But when I found out what
she did to you, I made sure
she regretted every single blow.
AMARA
(sobbing)
But you never came for me.
Not even a single message
to tell me you were sorry.
DUKE
How could I AMA?
I couldn’t face you
let alone hit you
with those famous lines.
You definitely have had
your ears full from all
my apologies.
AMARA
(crying)
A lot has happened to me DUKE.
I’ve been so lost,
and I don’t even know how I’m
going to get myself back again.
-he reluctantly moves towards her, worried she might push him away, but she doesn’t, so he embraces her, and for a few minutes there, they’re lost in each other’s arms.
A few minutes later AMARA comes out of the shower in a white robe. She sees the breakfast set on her bed with a note from DUKE saying; he had to drop by the store. She takes a bite from the toast and a sip of juice. Looking around for something she could slip on she finds her night clothes out of sight. Steadily she makes her way out of the room to the ginormous parlor, in her mind she taught, what a man she had almost missed, one with such great taste and lavish wealth. She moves around slowly, paying attention to every piece of antique in the parlor, the rooms to every door in the hall way, the chandeliers and porcelain lamps, every bit of the interior elements, she was on a tour.
With water still dripping from her curly hair and wet dark skin she finds a room that beckons her curiosity. A faint sickly voice coughing its way out of a room down the stair way, an absolute contrast to the serenity of this beautiful mansion she taught. Trailing her fingers through the walls she follows the voice, it gets even louder as she comes closer to the door, she reaches for the numb and then pushes it slightly open. Frightened by the sight of a bald headed woman sitting on a wheel chair with plastic tubes running through her nose down from a drip of fluids. She stands contemplating whether or not to move forward or back, then suddenly like something from a horror movie scene she jerks up and shuts the door close after a strange voice behind her. An ‘insidious horror’. It’s the chilling voice of a middle age husky looking woman that had crept up behind her. She was Miss TOBY, the house keeper.
MISS TOBY
(casually)
Hello miss AMARA
I was just coming down
from your room but couldn’t
find you. I was hoping
I could give you some
clean clothes.
AMARA
(terrified)
Uhmmm! Am sorry.
I…I came down to
see if I could find
something to wear.
MISS TOBY
(chuckles)
Well you’re definitely
not going to find that
here. This is a secluded
part of the house, and you ought
not to wander around here as you
please.
AMARA
Am terribly sorry
I’ll go to my room now.
(turns to leave)
-just then the sick lady calls out to the house keeper. MISS TOBY jerks open the door and rushes to attend to her. Meanwhile AMARA still stays standing trying to look through the open door. Seeing AMARA, the sick woman calls on her to come in. Absolutely terrified AMARA slowly walks into the room staring straight at the tired woman who clearly had death in her eyes.
AMARA
(shy)
Hi, my name is AMARA.
JUDETH
(smiles)
I know who you are
Am JUDETH.
Come, sit.
-AMARA quietly settles on the single furniture in the room, the sick woman’s bed. MISS TOBY continues the process of cleaning up JUDETH while AMARA watches with a side eye.
JUDETH
(playfully)
I assume DUKE never
mentioned the sick woman
that lived in his home.
You won’t blame him now
would you? it’s quite a
turn off topic for a
discussion.
AMARA
(whispers)
Yeah, I suppose.
JUDETH
(chuckles)
Don’t worry, I won’t
be here too long to
bother you nor him.
I suppose when you’ve
been a regular customer
to a lifetime of illnesses,
cancer seems more of an
heroic way to end it all.
AMARA
(sympathetic)
Am sorry.
-JUDETH gives no response, yet forces a sickly smile, one that came from a depth of misery.
CUT TO:
30 INT. DUKE’S PARLOR – NIGHT
A few minutes go by and MISS TOBY is with JUDETH in the parlor where she sets JUDETH in front of the large flat screen television for a little recess. DUKE comes in with two white bags of groceries. Shocked to see JUDETH in the living room he lashes at MISS TOBY wanting to know why they had been out here in the living room.
DUKE
(angry)
What’s going on here
What’s this?
(placing the bags down)
You know you ought
not to be out here.
MISS TOBY
Am sorry sir.
But the misses thought
it would be nice for
the Madame to be out
once in while.
DUKE
(agitated)
What misses?
JUDETH
Calm down DUKE
You don’t have to get
all worked up about
nothing.
DUKE
(furiously turns to JUDETH)
Don’t dare tell me
to calm down.
you know very well not
to do this.
-just then AMARA comes out of the kitchen with a cup of hot tea in her hand. DUKE is in shock staring closely at her wanting to observe her countenance. AMARA gives him a cold stare while she hands the tea over to JUDETH. She(AMARA) walks up to DUKE, smiles and then embraces him.
AMARA
(stroking his face)
So this is why you
never wanted to bring me
here. What were you thinking,
that this would chase me away?
-DUKE stands speechless.
JUDDETH
(chuckles)
Don’t worry DUKE
I didn’t spill all
the beans.
AMARA
(smiles)
This is what I told
you about honesty.
Why didn’t you just
tell me your sister
was sick. It’s not
a plague neither is
it anything new under
the sun.
DUKE
(stutters)
Uhmmm! I..
felt kind of embarrassed
each time I wanted to.
AMARA
(smiles)
Well, am glad I
finally know. Cause
I now get to be with
yet another piece of you.
-AMARA continues to embrace DUKE while he stares evasively at JUDETH and MISS TOBY who watched blankly at the two. After an hour AMARA sets to go home in her car while DUKE followed behind with his.
CUT TO:
31 EXT. AMARA’S HOUSE – NIGHT
AMARA and DUKE arrive at her home. There’s CANDY and PEACE outside talking to each other. AMARA steps down from the car and so did DUKE. Seeing her friend she worriedly rushes towards her wondering where she had been.
CANDY
Oh my goodness AMARA!
Where have you been?
I’ve been so worried
about you, calling
and texting but I
never heard anything from you.
(pauses, and looks spitefully at DUKE
who was by his car)
I had to call PEACE over
cause I knew that was
the last place you said
you were going.
-AMARA gives worried looking PEACE a stern stare then turns to respond to CANDY.
AMARA
It’s alright CANDY
am alright.
I just needed time
to myself for a while
before I came back.
CANDY
(upset)
Time! You needed
time away from me,
and the best place
to exhaust such time
was with that joke
over there
(pointing at DUKE).
AMARA
CANDY, I am really
not in the right frame
of mind to argue with you
right now, so just stop.
CANDY
(sneers)
I can’t believe this.
(storms into the house)
-AMARA goes over to DUKE, the two share a hug and then he drives off. AMARA walks back to the house with PEACE waiting at the front porch.
PEACE
(chuckles)
Wow! You know a while
ago I was beginning to
feel scared and frightened
I lost you.
But seeing what happened
here tonight, makes me
realize I never even
had you in the first place
(turns to walk away)
AMARA
(furious)
You know what don’t even
come here with that
pathetic nonsense.
You were mean to me, even
when I was only acting
based on what you had
told me about your ex,
I was trying to play
good girlfriend.
And you made me to be
the bad person.
PEACE
(sneers)
Well, I guess it doesn’t
really matter anymore.
It’s not like you were ready
to give everything to make
this work in the first place
judging who brought you home.
Goodbye AMA.
-he walks away while AMARA leans on the front pillar, as she watched him leave.
CUT TO:
32 INT. AMARA’S LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
AMARA walks depressingly into the living room, CANDY turns the curtains close and turns to AMARA who was trying to make her way to the stairs.
CANDY
(upset)
I hope you know
you look so pitiful.
-AMARA continues to walk up the stairs, ignoring CANDY.
CANDY
(furious)
Oh yes! Go ahead
Don’t listen, run
up the stairs. Just like
every other situation
in your life that you
treat the same.
Never really doing much,
always so indecisive and constantly
leaving things so undone.
-AMARA takes a pause by the stairs not looking at CANDY.
CANDY
I just thought I let
you know, I won’t be
hanging around here
waiting to pick you up
or drop any line of
consolation, cause I am done.
AMARA
(frantically turns to her)
You are?
Then why are you still
here, being typical CANDY;
a loud mouth.
-AMARA storms up the stairs while CANDY sadly watches her leave.
CUT TO:
33 INT. AMARA’S BED ROOM – NIGHT
AMARA is standing in front of her mirror in a sparkly wine dress fixing her makeup. Her phone rings, its DUKE, she smiles as she takes the call.
AMARA
Hey stranger from the night?
DUKE
(chuckles)
You know that should
have burnt out by now.
I mean am not so much the
stranger you met that
night at the dance.
AMARA
Well, I like the
name on you and its
come to stick.
DUKE
Fine, I could care less
about a name, long as we
get to have each other.
Are you ready yet?
AMARA
(switching poses)
Not quite, but
just a few touchups.
You know am not a
perpetual late comer.
DUKE
(chuckles)
If you say so.
AMARA
(playfully)
What do you mean?
Are you saying that
am a late comer.
DUKE
(sarcastic)
Hey! I never said that
I just meant we’ll go
with what you said.
Anyways am ready and so
is my home, all glammed
up for a queen.
AMARA
(smiles)
Okay, I can’t wait.
CUT TO:
34 INT. DUKES PARLOR – NIGHT
AMARA arrives at DUKE’S mansion. Dolled up like a queen she makes her way to the front porch. She proceeds to open the door but notices it was slightly opened. She slowly walks in and find the trail of rose petals laced on the floor. Smiling from side to side she walks through the parlor trying to make her way up the stairs to DUKE’s room. Just two steps up she hears the voices coming from below the stairs. She tries to ignore the sound and continues to thread the long stairs, but the voices seem even more aggressive, like a stream of altercations. She regresses backwards and goes towards JUDETH’S room where the noise was hailing from.
She walks slowly towards the room, a familiar trail she thought, looking behind her hoping the house keeper wont pop on her a second time. The door is slightly open, there’s a light, she sees what appears to be DUKE in a tuxedo standing over JUDETH who was bent over to the ground as if trying to take something off the floor, AMARA hangs at a corner and listens.
DUKE
(agitated)
Why are you being
so stubborn, JUDETH.
I don’t need this
from you, not tonight.
JUDETH
(restless)
You don’t have to
worry about me DUKE.
Just leave me alone
am tired of this way
of living.
(sobbingly)
My mouth is sour from
all the pills and shots
I have to take every single
day of what’s left of this
drenched out body, my head
is tired of thinking of a
thousand ways I could end
this without suicide and i
am done taking out money from
your bank account to source
for newer ways I could continue
to live this pathetic
thing I call a life.
I am done,(increases her tone)
I want to pull the plug
and that’s final.
DUKE
(upset)
Are you listening to
yourself talk?
Have I ever for a single moment
complained to you.
From the very first day
we walked down that aisle
we knew what we were
getting into, incase
you’ve forgotten, I haven’t.
JUDETH
(tiredly)
But it doesn’t matter.
None of it matters anymore,
not those vows, not the promises
not even this very life of mine.
(pauses)
I can’t let you continue
to live like this, especially
for the sake of the girl.
-AMARA falls weak to her feet; she slides back to the wall as she begins to cry. She wanted the earth to open so she could fall six feet beneath its depth. She quietly turns to leave but the sound of her foot tripping against the big ceramic pot by the side gives her away, and then DUKE comes running out only to find AMARA on the floor, embarrassed. He tries to help her up but she ferociously yanks his hands off.
DUKE
(worried)
Calm down AMARA,
Please don’t be like this
It really isn’t what you think.
AMARA
(laughs hysterically)
(dragging herself through the floor)
Really! It’s not what I think?
Oh wow, that’s just great!
Because judging from what
I heard, your sister also
happens to be your wife.
Am I right, or am I just crazy?
DUKE
(upset)
What does it matter?
My wife, my sister
she’s dying anyways.
Would it have made
any difference.
AMARA
(sobbingly)
Yes! It matters.
Because it’s the truth
not a lie, and it must
always come first.
DUKE
(sad)
Am sor…
(she cuts him off)
AMARA
(furious)
What! You’re sorry
Come on go ahead, say it.
You’re sorry, you’re sorry,
everyone is so sorry.
Youre sorry your wife
has cancer and you
lied to me for the second time
so you could drag me into your
mess, yet again.
(sobbingly)
Why is my life so messed up?
Why do I get to always take
the fall, it’s not fair.
DUKE
(in tears)
Am sorry AMA.
Please give us a chance
this one last time.
-she struggles to get up, DUKE tries once more to help her but she pushes him away, and then staggers through the open door.
CUT TO:
35 EXT. MAMA JU’S HOME – NIGHT
AMARA arrives outside the gates of her mother’s home, with the engines still on and the car lights flashing out, she sits in her car crying. The guard notices the strange car and flashes his torch light towards it. He realizes who it was crying in the car and then rushes in to call his boss, MAMA JU. A few minutes later MAMA JU and the guard come running out of the house to take AMARA inside.
CUT TO:
36 INT.MAMA JU’ LIVING ROOM
MAMA JU helps AMARA as she takes a seat on a grey leather sofa in the living room. MAMA JU sits beside her embracing her, completely terrified by the way it turned out her daughter came to visit.
MAMA JU
(worried)
What happened, my darling?
talk to me, please.
AMARA
(sobbing)
A lot MAMA JU.
A whole lot and I always
never see it coming.
MAMA JU
I don’t understand AMARA.
Please tell me exactly what
happened.
AMARA
I don’t even know
how to, I just feel so light.
MAMA JU
Okay, come on, sit up
Let me get you some juice.
You look so pale and
you need some sugar in
your system right now.
Come on.
(pulls her up)
CUT TO:37 INT. MAMA JU’ DINING ROOM
AMARA and MAMA JU are sitting at the dining table, MAMA JU hands her the glass of juice as she takes a sip.
MAMA JU
So, permit me to say your
problems are male related
Am I right?
Go on, tell me.
AMARA
(exhales)
Am stuck MAMA JU.
(pauses)
It’s like am chasing after the wind.
And I don’t mean to sound dramatic or
anything but I feel like I can hardly
hold on long enough to something
or in this case someone.
(stands)
MAMA JU
Am listening.
AMARA
Its either they stay or they leave.
It all seems to play on chance.
And I can’t continue to live like this,
like there’s always an impending
bomb waiting to explode.
- MAMA JU listening closely, her hand below her jaw.
AMARA
It all appears I never get anything
so special enough to hold unto.
MAMA JU
(firmly objects)
Not yet you don’t!
(pauses)
Come! Sit with me.
- AMARA sits back at the dining table.
MAMA JU
You can’t control everything
in your life AMA.
Even humanely speaking
it’s impossible to control
everything that we come to face
each day, talk more of a lifetime.
MAMA JU
When you were a little girl,
fanatically obsessed with the magical
fantasies of the Harry Potter series.
And then decided you wanted to try out a
mystical power of your own and you found no
other medium to exercise that craze
but through fire, and of course, you
know better to tell the bitter result.
- AMARA forces a smile as she remembers the story.
MAMA JU
Tell me, if you had known the outcome
of your innocent exploration of curiosity,
would you have done it anyway?
(pauses and stares at AMARA)
MAMA JU
I suppose no.
Likewise the game of life.
We all live our lives never having a
clue what’s going to happen next.
And such is with the people we meet.
You never know their true intentions
yet you ride with them on the shallow
grounds called risk, cause you expect
them to treat you as
you’ll treat them.
But that’s never always
a definite resolution now is it?
AMARA takes another slow sip from the juice and then places the glass back on the table.
MAMA JU
AMA, what am trying to say
in a summary is, you have to
live your life with the understanding,
not everyone has come to stay.
(pauses)
Picture yourself a soup and how
so very long it takes to put
together ingredients to make one.
You have your ginger, your garlic
pepper etcetera, but in all these,
you realize not one in its self
could make a complete soup.
(pauses)
Or even more relatively this time,
your long overdue goal of becoming
a talent manager, and how many
people you’ve met along the way,
claiming they could help you
up your ladder of success but
eventually fell short.
Hasn’t all that by any shape or form
even in its downs and lows shaped
the entirety of your job.
(exhales)
You make lessons out of difficulties my darling,
When like gives you lemons you make lemonade.
I’ll leave you with that,
Come, give me a hug.
-AMARA tilts towards MAMA JU as they embrace one another.
AMARA
Thank you MAMA JU
(pauses)
You never fall short.
CUT TO:
38 INT. AMARA’S HOME – DAY
AMARA arrives at her home the following day. She walks into CANDY’S room and finds her lying on the bed, she moves over and lies quietly beside her.
AMARA
(sad)
Am sorry CANDY.
You’ve been nothing but
a good friend and sister
to me and I have never been
deserving of your friendship.
(exhales)
I’ll understand if you don’t
want to talk to me right now
but I want to say I love you
and thanks for always being there.
-CANDY remains still in her position, acting unbothered. AMARA moves over to hug her and then stands to leave. Just a few steps to the door, CANDY gets up and rushes to embrace her friend, and the two become emotional. Afterwards they sit cross sides on the bed talking to each other.
CANDY
So what are you going
to do now?
AMARA
I don’t know for now,
but I could boldly say
that am on a different
path now.
I already spoke to the DIRECTOR
and I told him am quitting
so I could explore other options
in music.
CANDY
(surprised)
Oh wow! Are you certain
you’re ready for
such big step?
You know how things are
in the country presently.
AMARA
I know, but I have
to try and take a leap.
I can’t continue to leave
my life in fear and indecisions.
CANDY
(smiles)
Okay. You know i’ll
be here always to share
in your every moment
good or bad.
AMARA
(smiles)
Me too.
-the two friends share a tight hug and then AMARA sets off to her office to get her belongings.
CUT TO:
39 EXT. AMARA’S HOME – NIGHT
The door bell rings and CANDY goes to answer it, expecting to see her friend she yanks open the door without checking the peephole, instead she finds BUDAA standing, his back facing her, she’s shocked and more so surprised he even knew their home.
CANDY
Good evening.
BUDAA
Hi, good evening.
CANDY
What can I do for you?
BUDAA
I was hoping I
could see AMARA.
I tried calling her
But she wasn’t answering
her phone.
CANDY
Well you missed her
She’s not here.
BUDAA
Uhmmm! Can you by any chance
tell me where she went?
CANDY
(sneers)
Not a chance.
(pauses)
But you know what,
forget it, I don’t need to
hide it. If you must know
she’s over at the office
parking her things so
she could finally be free
from all your tantrums.
That’s right, I heard
all about them.
BUDAA
(frantically turns to leave)
Thank you very much.
-CANDY is surprised at his response as she watches him hurriedly enter his car and zoom off.
CUT TO:
40 INT. AMARA’S OFFICE – NIGHT
AMARA is by her office desk clearly her scanty files, her comic collections and a few other belongings of hers. BUDAA arrives at the office and looks through the glass door; he tries to dial her number and watches as she turns her phone over when she realizes it was him. He opens the door and walks slowly into the office. AMARA is clearly devastated to see him but she ignores him and continues to park.
BUDAA
(playfully)
So you finally decided
to take the bold step.
I guess you could say
I have a slight influence
in that.
-she continues to ignore him.
BUDAA
You know when the DIRECTOR
told me, I found it hard
to believe.
I said to him, not AMARA
I don’t think she has the
balls, so I came to see
for myself.
And here you are.
-AMARA remains unresponsive as she carries the box containing her belongings and heads for the door. BUDAA stands in front of her hindering her from leaving. She gives him a stern frown and then turns the other way but still he follows her. Now outraged she lashes at him.
AMARA
(furious)
I am really not
in the mood for your
trouble right now BUDAA,
so just get out of my way.
BUDAA
(persistent)
You know, I think I
changed my mind, I want
to keep you around, maybe
for just a little while.
AMARA
(infuriated)
Get out of my way
or I will knock you
the hell out.
BUDAA
(chuckles)
You could try.
-and as if she had her life depended on that one moment to exhaust all her emotions, she does’nt hold back as she starts hitting, shouting, and cursing him, telling him how she hated him and how she hoped she would never see him again. He proves a man and stands taking all her blows and lashes, making her know he wasn’t going to back down. And just in the very heat of the moment he draws her to himself and kisses her. Confused by this she pushes him away and stares angrily at him, but he comes back in a fuller force, and this time neither resist. They make love like the world had had its lights turned down low for some whooping seconds.
Leaning against the wall, still in high of the moment their hearts fall open.
AMARA
(whispers)
But you hate me.
BUDAA
(chuckles)
I don’t hate you.
I mean I thought I did
but I guess I was just
angry.
AMARA
(confused)
Angry?
Why would you be angry?
I never did anything to you.
BUDAA
It wasn’t what you did
it was what you said.
AMARA
What! When?
BUDAA
(exhales)
Remember the very first
meeting we had, and
the first I saw you.
(smiles)
I said to myself,
Wow! she is drop dead
gorgeous. Instantly
hoping I was going to
shoot my shot and make
it more than just a
business relationship.
But then what you said
broke my pride.
AMARA
(upset)
I can’t remember what I said
please tell me.
BUDAA
I overheard you tell
the DIRECTOR, that you were
terrified of working with me.
And that it was only going
to be so you could get the
experience you needed.
AMARA
(sad)
Oh my God! I remember.
Am so sorry, I have no
excuse what so ever.
I don’t even know where
my head was at the time.
BUDAA
(strokes her face)
It’s in the past now.
The present is, you’re
in my arms, and I am not
sparing a chance of you
leaving.
Come, I want to
take you somewhere.
AMARA
(smiling)
What! Where.
BUDAA
(chuckles)
The top.
-he helps her off the floor as they head up to the top open building. There’s the view of the city, there’s the sweet cold breeze, there’s the silent music of the night for two love dancing feet.
(V.O) My mother said life is like a big empty pot of soup, I am the soup, and the fire burning underneath represents the breath sustaining my existence and like every pot that requires ingredients to make a soup, the people I come in contact with through my journey in life are the ingredients I need to make my soup. Some are like onions they hurt my eyes but they give just that flavor, some are the spices I need to sauce things up, others like pepper, ginger, garlic, etcetera, and yet however sweet or sour it all turns out, I get to decide the outcome. Such wise words for a silly wild heart.
FADE TO:
The Soup.
The End
This is great.. Keep it up @opra
Hi… Really interesting story dear.
An interesting piece packed with so much lessons.
Nice play, welldone
I couldn’t read this ?