|POETIC INTRO|
I drove a dagger into his Chest
A hole in his heart
My range gashing through his skin
Thou shall be with me on the other side
In my hands will be your end in the afterlife
A dagger for a dagger
My blood has stained your soul
I shall not rest even after death
My Ghost shall dine with you in life and death.
_____________________________________
Mr. AYO BALOGUN's RESIDENCE, FESTAC, LAGOS|
"Temi walks into the Balcony"
Dr. CHIDI
(He approaches Temi)
Good Evening, Temilade.
TEMI
(She turns her back in Surprise)
Oh Dr. Chidi you are here?
(She gulps down her remaining glass of Champagne)
Dr. CHIDI
Yes, I am.
Or I'm I not invited?
TEMI
Of course, you are.
After all, you are a family friend
Dr. CHIDI
And someone who is in love with the most priceless and gorgeous being of the Balogun's household.
(He gazes at Temi)
TEMI
(She pretends to be ignorant of who Dr. Chidi is addressing)
Wow, that's nice
Who or what would that be?
Dr. CHIDI
Come on Temilade
For how long would you keep up with this stubborn act?
We both know my kind isn't easy to find out there.
Why can't you acknowledge this now that you still can?
TEMI
The heart wants what it wants mine certainly doesn't want yours.
Dr. CHIDI
How can you be certain of that when your heart and eyes are blind to my feelings?
TEMI
How can you be certain of that when your ears and ego disregard my honest and kind rejection?
(She turns to leave)
Dr. CHIDI
You belong to me, Temi it doesn't matter how you feel.
I want you and as time passes by, you would acknowledge that you feel the same way.
TEMI
(She turns to Dr. Chidi)
This isn't the nineteenth century where the will of women does not matter.
You alone can't call the shot!
You have to come to terms with the fact that this feeling ain't mutual.
Dr. CHIDI
You don't have to feel the same way, Temi at least not yet.
But one thing is certain, we were made for each you can not fight this.
TEMI
Hmm, wake up, Dr. Chidi.
I do not care about the deal your father made with my grandfather.
I do not concur with it.
_____________________________________
"Chief Balogun stands at the center of his son's spacious sitting room, he picks up a silver spoon and half a glass of champagne"
RUKKY
(She turns Temilade and Eniola)
E be like Chief won make announce something.
OLAMIDE
Only God knows what he is up to this time.
BISI
Probably something related to the elections.
KEN
(He notices Chike is out of sight)
Where did Chike go?
TEMI
(She smiles at Ken)
Mabel is missing too so I guess that should answer your question.
BAYO
(He turns to them)
Can you all shut up?
Grandpa is about to address the guests.
CHIEF BALOGUN
Good Evening distinguished ladies and gentlemen it brings me great joy to celebrate the life of my beloved son, Ayo David Balogun The governor of Lagos State.
On behalf of the Baloguns as a family, we want to appreciate every one of you for your love kindness, and support.
I do not want to squander your time so I say one more thing before ending this boring speech.
(The room is filled with laughter)
It brings me great joy to announce to you a union between the Baloguns and The Obis
ENIOLA
(She whispers to Rukky)
What is he talking about?
RUKKY
I don't know
Chief can be so unpredictable
BISI
I just hope it's not what I'm thinking.
BAYO
Can you all shut it?
CHIEF BALOGUN
It's their only son, Dr Chidi Obi saw a flower in my household and decided to pluck it.
Today we are glad to inform you of the future of Mr. Chidi and Temilade Obi
(He turns in Dr. Chidi's direction)
Please come forward, son.
(He turns to Temilade)
Temi, come forward, please.
ENIOLA
(She turns to Temi)
Temi, go to your room.
BAYO
What do you mean by she should go to her room?
(He turns to Temi)
Madam go and meet your husband to be.
(He teased)
TEMI
(She turns to Bayo)
Everything is a joke to you, right?
(Tears roll down her cheeks, She gazes at Bayo for a second before walking out of the room)
"Rukky, Bisi, and Eniola go after her"
_____________________________________
"Temilade walks into her room and locks the door behind her"
BISI
(She knocks on Temi's door)
Temi can I come in?
RUKKY
Why is she not answering?
ENIOLA
She probably wants to be left alone.
(She attempts to open the door)
BISI
It seems like she locked herself inside the room.
RUKKY
What do we do now?
ENIOLA
I think we should just let her be for now she will come out when she wants to.
BISI
What if she does something to herself
She's not even answering us at all.
RUKKY
That's true we can't just leave her like that, na.
ENIOLA
What will she do to herself?
Kill herself or something?
Abeg Temi nor get that kind mind.
RUKKY
Even still I'm worried that she's not answering.
It's not even as if someone is in the room.
ENIOLA
(She bangs hard on Temi's door)
Temilade Balogun, say something naw!
You are making us worry oh.
"Bisola alongside Mrs. Aisha rushes to the scene"
Mrs. B BALOGUN
(She turns to Eniola)
Where is she?
ENIOLA
She locked herself in the room.
Mrs. B BALOGUN
Ahh, kilode?
(She bangs the door)
Temilade open this door now!
How can you do that to your grandfather?
ENIOLA
Mummy, are you serious?
So she should marry a man she's not in love with just to please Daddy and his precious father?
Mrs. B BALOGUN
Ṣe o ya were?
Are you talking to me like that?
(She drops her right palm on Eniola's left cheek )
Mrs. AISHA
Bisola, that's okay.
(She turns to Eniola)
Eniola go to your room.
Rukky and Bisola you guys should go with her too.
ENIOLA
(She gazes at Bisola angrily)
You all did the same thing to Taiwo I turned a blind eye because I felt his a man and he can take care of himself.
(Tears roll down her cheeks)
But this is Temilade my little sister I will do everything in my power to stop all of you.
ile yi ko ni gba gbogbo wa
(She walks out of the scene)
_____________________________________
"Bayo gazes at Adebisi as he sips his glass of red wine"
OLAMIDE
But seriously though where is Chike?
KEN
Only God knows where that one don enter.
BAYO
I am going to confront this woman.
KEN
Which woman, Bayo?
It's not like you will take her serious
You never deal with watin you get for Simi na to carry another woman gum body.
OLAMIDE
I think he is talking about Miss Agnis.
KEN
What?
(He turns to Bayo)
What do you want with Miss Agnis?
Don't tell this is about her close relationship with Taiwo.
BAYO
This has nothing to do with Taiwo.
It's purely business.
That woman is the richest person in this room.
We may have more influence than she does in Africa but with the way she's moving, it's just a matter of time before she catches up to us.
OLAMIDE
But you know that would be difficult, right?
This is Nigeria.
Money may play a huge role in influence but you can dispute the power of identity and origin.
KEN
Olamide has a point
She may be black but she is neither Igbo, Yoruba, or Hausa. So politically she can't hold any ground.
An attempt to break through our tribal boundary will be her biggest fallacy.
BAYO
Well, I don't care, Guys.
She has a lot to offer to The Company.
That woman has been the biggest foreign investor in the Nigerian stock market for three consecutive years.
KEN
But Taiwo is doing that and he seems to be doing it very well.
Why do I feel this has a lot to do with her relationship with Taiwo?
BAYO
I am not going to explain my reasons to you.
(He drops the empty glass on the table beside him and walks out of the scene)
" Eniola, Bisi, and Rukky walk into the scene"
OLAMIDE
How is Temi?
BISI
We don't know.
She locked herself in her room.
KEN
Ahh, this is serious.
But you were able to talk to her?
RUKKY
No oh
She's not answering anybody.
OLAMIDE
Hmm I believe she will be fine shall
I think right now I think there is only one person she will want to see.
BISI
If you are referring to that Michael guy, then it will be difficult because Auntie Bisola is at Temi's doorstep now.
ENIOLA
Do our parents care about us?
Isn't it obvious that they care more about politics than they do about our well-being?
I think it's unfair to ask someone as sweet as Temilade to marry someone she is not in love with.
You know what guys I will be in my room
This party don tire me.
(She walks out of the scene)
_____________________________________
Eniola's Restroom|
"Chike lifts Dr. Mabel and drops her on the restroom Cabinet"
CHIKE
I'm going to eat you raw.
(He kisses her neck as he zips down her gown)
Dr. MABEL
I'm all yours baby.
(She takes off his suit, drags his bowtie off his neck, grabs him by his shirt, and pulls him to herself)
I want you inside of me.
CHIKE
(He unhooks her bra, and kisses her chest down to her breast)
This is a bit weird don't you think we should slow down?
Dr. MABEL
No, I don't besides they are all downstairs
(She unbuckles his leather belt)
I want you inside of me now.
CHIKE
(He grabs her thick ebony lap and buries his pride inside of her)
Damn, you are dripping so hard today.
Dr. MABEL
And you are so hard today
Oh my god, Chike
Sheet ah!
E jor take it easy.
(She moans in sweet tears)
CHIKE
(He pulls out)
Get up
Dr. MABEL
(She gets up, backs Chike, and bends over holding on to the sink attached to the cabinet)
Don't stop, please.
(She moans out loud as Chike smashes from the back with her hair wrapped around his right palm)
" Eniola walks into the room slamming the door behind her"
CHIKE
(He places his index finger in between his dark lips.)
I think someone is in the room.
Dr. MABE
(She picks up her bra and bag)
What do we do?
CHIKE
I don't know
(He zips up his trouser)
"Eniola pulls out one of the drawers attached to the cabinet beside her bed-stand"
ENIOLA
Oh God!
Where is it?
_____________________________________
SOJI's OIL, HEADQUARTERS|
"Tony arranges some documents on his table"
Mr. PIOS
(He walks into Tony's office)
Sir, the car is ready.
TONY
Alright just give me a minute
When did my Mother leave?
Mr. PIOS
Sir, your mother hasn't left yet.
TONY
What do you mean by my Mother hasn't left yet?
Mr. PIOS
Her office lights are still on.
TONY
What?
Alright I will check up on her before we leave
It's very unlike her to still be at the office at this hour.
Mr. PIOS
I thought the same, sir
I think it has something to do with the Shares Agnis Group acquired.
TONY
Women worry too much.
I told her that I will handle this.
Nawa
Mr. PIOS
I think it's a big deal for her because Soji's Oil meant a lot to your late father especially after he separated from Festac Oil and Gas.
It took your father a while before he could build this company.
TONY
I understand how she feels but she can't kill herself, na
And it isn't her fault that our shareholders sold their shares behind our backs.
It can happen to any company.
Mr. PIOS
Yes, it can but still, your mother feels like it's her responsibility to keep the company going.
Your Dad specifically told her to look after the company if ever he dies
TONY
He knew Chief will come for his life
Mr. PIOS
Exactly.
TONY
Hmm, let me check up on her before we leave.
(He walks out of the office)
_____________________________________
Mrs. ADESOJI's RESIDENCE, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS|
"Stella walks into the sitting room"
CHINAZA
(She gets up from the couch)
Good Evening, ma
Do you need anything?
STELLA
Good Evening, Chinaza I have told you to stop calling me "Ma"
CHINAZA
Ahh that one go hard oh.
Sorry, that will be difficult.
STELLA
That's okay you can communicate however you want with me before you bite your tongue.
By the way, is Mum back?
CHINAZA
No, I nor sure
Her car nor dey outside
STELLA
Ahh, and I wanted to know if she has decided if I can school here in Lagos or not.
(She drops her lazy body on the couch)
How about Bro Tony?
CHINAZA
E never come.
But Ma e get watin I won ask you.
STELLA
Yes, Chinaza what is it?
CHINAZA
Obod Oyibo fine well well?
STELLA
Ahh, which one is Ob bo Yibo?
CHINAZA
I mean Over the sea.
STELLA
Over the seas?
CHINAZA
Abord na
STELLA
Abord?
Oh, you mean Abroad?
CHINAZA
Yes, na I mean.
STELLA
Wait you also meant overseas?
(She laughs out loud)
Chinaza Ejor don't kill me with laugh this evening.
This girl you are too funny
(She attempts to contain her laughter)
But which one is Obo bo yibo?
CHINAZA
That na watin we dey call Abroad for Igbo.
STELLA
Oh, now I get it.
Yes, my love the white man's land is heaven compared to Nigeria.
CHINAZA
Then why you dey choose to stay Hellfire?
STELLA
(She laughs out loud)
Wait this girl
Did you just refer to Nigeria as hellfire?
CHINAZA
Yes na
Watin e be before?
You nor see as everywhere dey hot or na because say AC they blow you for here?
Me I nor understand you at all.
I dey vex for this your decision make I just tell you the truth.
STELLA
(She tries to contain the urge to keep up with her intense laughter)
Relax, Chinaza.
You need to understand that not all that glitter is gold.
Over there I get lonely a lot and I miss our African food a lot.
Life ain't easy over there too trust me.
CHINAZA
Hmm, me I still nor understand oh.
If I dey inside your shoe, I for don enter airplane dey go Obod Oyibo tey tey.
Nothing concerning me with if Gold dey glitter or not abi na how you talk am self?
STELLA
(She laughs out loud)
Oh my goodness
Chinaza so you are this funny?
CHINAZA
Me I just dey talk my mind oh.
I dey come make I check watin I put for fire
(She walks out of the scene)
_____________________________________
SOJI's OIL, HEADQUARTERS|
"Tony walks into Mrs. Adesoji's Executive Office"
TONY
Mom, why are you still here?
It's late.
Mrs. ADESOJI
I will meet you at home son
(She lets out the tobacco she earlier dragged into her lungs)
TONY
Smoking this late at night won't solve our problem.
(He sits opposite her)
Mrs. ADESOJI
I promised your father that I was going to protect this company and nurture her like she was a child of mine
TONY
Which you are doing, Mother.
You are not perfect and what happened to us can happen to anyone.
So quit beating yourself up about this.
Mrs. ADESOJI
I know this can happen to any company but why us?
I have a strong feeling that the Baloguns have something to do with this.
We have to investigate Miss Agnis or whatever she calls herself.
TONY
Do not jump to conclusions, Mom
As I told you, let's hear from her first
You never can tell if she might have good intentions that might be beneficial to all of us.
Mrs. ADESOJI
Even if she claims her intentions are good, how do I trust a woman who bought shares behind our back?
TONY
Since when does Mrs. Adesoji that gave birth to me decide to put the word trust in her dictionary?
You taught me that in the game of business and politics, trust no soul.
Mrs. ADESOJI
This is Soji's Oil, Tony.
I can not work with someone that is two steps ahead of me.
TONY
So what do we do, now?
Because this Cigar you are smoking won't solve our problem oh.
Mrs. ADESOJI
Let's wait for Lolade.
Let's see if she can convince her to sell the shares back to us.
TONY
Lolade?
Do you think she cares about us?
I still don't get why you trust that woman so much.
I just hope you haven't forgotten that she is a Balogun.
Mrs. ADESOJI
Let her be, Tony.
She is a huge part of my plan.
TONY
Hmm, okay if you say so.
Can we leave now?
Stella will be very worried by now.
Mrs. ADESOJI
Let's go, son.
(She picks up her leather bag from the glass table in front of her)
_____________________________________
AYO BALOGUN's RESIDENCE, FESTAC|
"Bayo taps Adebisi on her back"
BAYO
Good Evening, ma.
ADEBISI
(She turns to Bayo)
Good Evening to you, Bayo.
BAYO
Are you enjoying the party?
I mean is it to your taste?
ADEBISI
(She smiles at Bayo)
It's not my party so my preference for taste doesn't matter.
The most important thing is that your father is being celebrated.
BAYO
I am certain my father is having the best time of his life but I'm sure it would be a crime to know your sincere opinion about it.
ADEBISI
If you insist
(She scans through the decorations)
I have no regard for purple I find it weird and vague
I find more superfluity in brighter colors it speaks a lot of volume to clarity and luxury.
"Lolade walks into the scene"
LOLADE
I never knew there was room for sentimental opinions on how my brother's birthday should look like
ADEBISI
(She turns to Lolade)
Lolade Balogun
What a pleasure to meet you in person.
LOLADE
Wow, the Oil billionaire Is familiar with my name.
ADEBISI
This is Nigeria.
The AUG is on every billboard.
The woman who betrayed her family for political potency and feminine relevance.
LOLADE
Well, that's another way to put it.
I learned you are the new owner of half the shares of Soji's Oil.
ADEBISI
I also learned you are an associate of Soji's Oil.
LOLADE
Why Soji's Oil?
ADEBISI
What?
LOLADE
Other luxurious Oil brands in Nigeria would be a lot more beneficial to you as a billionaire but you chose us and I think it's fair for me to question your choices and decisions.
ADEBIS
For the same reason, I am the largest foreign investor in the Nigeria Stock Market.
I see a future in Nigeria's oil industry and my targets aren't just the big brands I also want to help the smaller brand too.
LOLADE
Are you saying Soji's Oil is one of your victims of pity?
ADEBISI
I'm saying I want to give companies like yours the opportunity to live up to the standard of brands like Festac Oil and Gas and a few other exotic Oil brands across the country.
BAYO
Okay, this is weird I think I will leave now.
(He turns to leave)
LOLADE
Don't bother
I was about to leave
(She walks out of the scene)
_____________________________________
"Ayo Walks into his home Office
CHIEF BALOGUN
(He turns to Ayo)
If you love your daughter, talk some sense into her.
Mr. A BALOGUN
I think it is you who needs that, Father.
How can you ambush her like that?
I let you have your way with Taiwo because I felt he is a man and he can take care of himself but this is Temilade my favorite.
I won't let you do that.
CHIEF BALOGUN
So you think being with that boy from the Slums is the best for her?
Mr. A BALOGUN
He might not be the best man for her but it's her life
She's an adult let her make her mistakes!
CHIEF BALOGUN
We are the Baloguns
There is no room for shortcomings in my bloodline
I will not allow it.
Mr. A BALOGUN
You know your problem father?
You think you are beyond errors.
You can not control what happens in everybody's life.
CHIEF BALOGUN
Sometimes I wonder where I went wrong with you, Ayo?
Can't you see I am doing all I can to give your children and that of your prodigal sister the best life
Mr. A BALOGUN
At the expense of their happiness?
Who made you a judge over their lives?
Or do you think Taiwo is happy with the choices he has made because of you?
CHIEF BALOGUN
I do not care about how Taiwo and Temi feel
Time is of the essence
At the right time, they will understand my actions and decisions.
Mr. A BALOGUN
I pray you don't end up losing all of us before time catches up with you.
CHIEF BALOGUN
I would rather dine with Lucifer than watch Temilade marry someone else.
Mr. A BALOGUN
I would rather lick your ass than watch you inflate pain in my household.
(He walks out of the office)
_____________________________________
"Bayo sits opposite Adebisi"
BAYO
Sorry about my Auntie
She can be a little bit uptight sometimes
She is paranoid and finds it difficult to trust people.
ADEBISI
Hmm, that's fine I understand
Though I'm certain you didn't walk up to me to preach about your Auntie.
BAYO
Oh yes, I am here because I think it will be beneficial for you to partner with me.
I am not disputing my brother's ability to attract people to himself he has all it takes but experience to handle the responsibility you delegated to him.
ADEBISI
Hmm, you are right.
But have you seen Mother Dove?
BAYO
Do you mean the cartoon on youtube?
ADEBISI
Exactly.
You know in that cartoon, mother Dove was tagged as a reckless mother because she taught her chicks how to fly in a very unusual way.
But at the end of the day, her chicks had the widest wings and we were able to protect their mother when the eagles from the east came for their lands.
BAYO
Very true but I still don't get how the cartoon relates to the topic of discussion.
ADEBISI
(She sips her glass of red wine)
Sometimes you have to take reckless decisions if you want to move past a certain position in life.
BAYO
In essence?
ADEBISI
Your brother Taiwo is my reckless decision.
If he fails, I would be sad but I wouldn't nurture Any feeling of regrets
Sometimes, the beauty is in the attempt.
Enjoy the rest of your evening, Son
(She gets up to leave)
BAYO
(He gets up and adjusts his tuxedo)
Thank you for your time, Ma.
ADEBISI
(She smiles at him)
You are welcome.
(She walks out of the scene)
"Bayo appears frustrated"
_____________________________________
Temilade's Room|
TEMI
Go away, Mum
I want to be left alone.
Mrs. B BALOGUN
Rara, oh
I am not leaving this place till you open the door.
I don't even know what is your problem.
You never gave me problems when you were much younger.
TEMI
So I am a problem to all of you because I don't want to concur with your stupid so-called plans for me.
Mrs. AISHA
Temilade, that is not a proper way to talk to your mother.
Please open the door.
Mrs. B BALOGUN
Ahh she nor get respect na
She wanted to bring shame to our household
Ungrateful rat.
TEMI
(She opens the door angrily)
I am no saint but I am not the one who killed her husband's wife, Mr Adebayo and Tina
You have no right to talk to me that way.
Mrs. AISHA
What are you talking about?
Mrs. B BALOGUN
How dare you?
(She drops her right palm on Temi's cheek)
TEMI
(She place both hands on her left cheek as tears roll down)
Slapping me won't take away the truth
You are a murderer and the world shot should know who you are.
TAIWO
What?
MICHAEL
What did you just say?
(He takes a few steps back)
TEMI
(she turns to Taiwo and Michael who somehow walked into the scene unnoticed)
Taiwo, I'm sorry.
Michael
"Michael walks out of the scene in disarray "
_____________________________________
"Kate forcefully pulls Adebisi to a corner near the stairs"
ADEBISI
You're hurting me, ma'am.
Mrs. K BALOGUN
Why are you here?
Don't you ever listen to me?
ADEBISI
I appreciate your efforts over the years, but it's time for me to make my own choices. I owe you my life, but you can't control me forever.
Mrs. K BALOGUN
(She whispers)
I understand, Adebisi, but what you're doing is risky. You shouldn't act alone. We agreed to be honest with each other, yet you went behind my back and took over half of Soji's Oil?
ADEBISI
I should have informed you beforehand, but trust me. I know what I'm doing.
"Suddenly something falls off the stairs"
Mrs. K BALOGUN
What was that?
(She feels something on her neck.)
ADEBISI
(She gazes at the blood dropping on Kates's neck)
Blood.
"They both look to their left and see a lifeless body covered in blood"
Mrs. K BALOGUN
(With trembling voice, she approaches the body and realizes it's a Balogun family member about to pass away.)
No!
Somebody help!
(She screams, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks.)
_____________________________________