INT. LIBRARY
"Ngozi appears irritated."
NGOZI
You know I can see you, right?
"Frank comes out from behind the shelf."
FRANK
Hey!
NGOZI
What do you want?
FRANK
I want us to talk.
NGOZI
There is nothing to talk about.
FRANK
I don't know why we are fighting, Ngozi.
NGOZI
Really Frank?
FRANK
Ngozi, I'm saying I don't want us to fight anymore.
Whatever I have done to upset you, I am sorry, honestly.
NGOZI
(Stays silent for five seconds)
I want clarity, that's all.
FRANK
Clarity on what?
NGOZI
About what we are, Frank.
I don't like the feeling of uncertainty. I just want to know what we are.
FRANK
(Holds her hand)
You are my baby girl.
I know you might have heard a lot of stuff about me that is not pleasant to the ears, and I won't be the guy who will lie to you.
NGOZI
So, are they true?
FRANK
Umm, Some of them
NGOZI
How about the threesome story?
FRANK
That's a myth.
NGOZI
Really?
FRANK
Yes!
I have been with countless girls, but not a threesome. It's not my thing.
I'm too intentional and personal for that.
Jizz!
NGOZI
Okay, how about making out in the female restroom with Tola?
FRANK
Hmm, that might be true.
NGOZI
Hey, you said no lies.
FRANK
(Chuckles)
Okay, yes, that one is true, but it's all in the past.
I am with you now. I don't want you to worry about these side talks and rumours.
NGOZI
Why do you want to be with me?
Half the girls in our class would do anything to be your girl.
FRANK
Finally, someone admits I am the hottest Dude in our class.
NGOZI
(Chuckles)
Stop it, jor.
Honestly, I am curious.
Why me?
FRANK
(Sighs)
I have spent a lot of time with ladies, and I mean no disrespect, but most are shallow in thinking. I am not a saint, but to tell you the truth, just because I love to screw them doesn't mean I want to keep them. I want a girl with substances that i can be verbally intimate with.
A girl like you.
NGOZI
Hmm, really?
I thought what most guys want from ladies is sex.
FRANK
True!
But I am not most guys, and I know many of my kind are out there.
NGOZI
Okay, if you say so.
FRANK
I have to meet up with Dayo and Tega now.
(Gets up)
I will see you later.
NGOZI
(Gazes at her watch)
That's true.
(Attempts to get up)
FRANK
Don't bother.
NGOZI
But I have to be there.
FRANK
We both know you really don't want to be there.
(Pulls her back to the chair)
So, stay here and read. Don't worry; I will come up with some excuses for you.
NGOZI
Now you are being sweet.
FRANK
(Leans over her)
But I'm always sweet.
(Attempts to kiss her on the cheek)
NGOZI
Stop, we are in school, Frank.
People are watching.
FRANK
Like I care
(Kisses her and walks away.)
__________________________________
EXT. THE ASIKA HOUSEHOLD.
"Ella helps Mama out of the car."
ELLA
Gently.
UCHE
(Opens the entrance door.)
Easy
(Assist Ella in bringing Mrs. Asika into the house.)
ELLA
How are you feeling?
Mrs. ASIKA
I am fine.
(Coughs)
ELLA
I will get you a glass of water.
(Rushes to the kitchen.)
UCHE
How are you feeling?
Mrs. ASIKA
I am fine, Uche.
You don ask me this question reach hundred times today.
(Coughs)
UCHE
That's because I know you!
You have mastered the act of enduring and keeping things to yourself.
Mrs. ASIKA
I know, son. But honestly, I am fine.
You hear me so?
UCHE
Okay.
Mrs. ASIKA
Have you heard from him?
UCHE
I have told you to stop asking about that idiot.
Mrs. ASIKA
I just want to know where he is.
UCHE
For what?
Mrs. ASIKA
He is still the Father of the baby.
UCHE
Doesn't mean we need him!
Fatherhood is not an identity; it's a role which we both know the idiot can't play.
To me he is just an anonymous sperm donor.
Mrs. ASIKA
I just want to know where he is.
UCHE
I don't know. When I returned home, I didn't meet him here and he hasn't shown up since then.
"Ella walks in with a glass of water in her hand."
Mrs. ASIKA
(Coughs)
Thank you, my daughter.
(Takes the glass of water from Ella.)
ELLA
Dooh!
(Rubs Mrs. Asika back)
UCHE
(Smiles at Mrs. Asika)
Alright, today I am going to prepare your favorite.
Agusi soup and Fufu.
(Rushes to the kitchen.)
ELLA
(Takes the empty glass from Mrs. Asika)
Do you want more?
Mrs. ASIKA
No, I am okay.
(Clears her throat)
ELLA
Alright
(Drop the glass on the table.)
Mrs. ASIKA
(Holds Ella by the hand.)
Thank you, my daughter.
ELLA
For what, Ma?
Mrs. ASIKA
For being a good friend to my son.
ELLA
It's nothing, Ma.
I'm just doing what Uche would do for me if it were me.
Mrs. ASIKA
Thank you, but I want you to do one more thing for me.
ELLA
Ahh, what's that?
Mrs. ASIKA
Please go back to that kitchen and make sure that boy doesn't mess things up.
ELLA
(Chuckles)
You know, I just thought of that too.
Mrs. ASIKA
(Smiles)
I know he means well, but I don't want to add a stomach upset to what I already feel.
ELLA
(Chuckles)
Sure, I will make sure that doesn't happen.
(Gets up and walks out of the scene.)
__________________________________
INT. KITCHEN
"Uche appears confused."
UCHE
What do I do?
(Gazes at the sliced ingredients)
"Ella stands beside the door."
ELLA
Do you need help?
UCHE
(Turns to Ella)
Emm, I think I will be fine.
ELLA
Are you sure about that?
UCHE
She sent you, right?
(Gaze at Ella's mischievous smile)
I knew it.
ELLA
Relax, don't take it out on her.
She's just worried about you doing this alone.
UCHE
I really wanted to do this on my own.
ELLA
And you will be doing just that. I am only here to help and assist you.
UCHE
I just have one question.
Do I fry the Agusi alongside the vegetables?
ELLA
What?
UCHE
Hey, it's just a question.
ELLA
The answer is a big NO
Why on earth would you fry the vegetables?
UCHE
Okay, so I will cook the vegetables before adding them to the Agusi?
ELLA
Oh God
(Places her right hand on her forehead.)
Where are you from this man?
UCHE
Are you going to answer the question or not?
ELLA
First of all, give it to me.
(Takes the Vegetables from Uche)
You have no business with the vegetables till the soup is almost ready.
UCHE
Oh!
ELLA
It's the last thing that goes into the pot of soup.
CUT OUT.
_____________________________________
INT. SITTING ROOM.
"Mrs. Asika hears the door open."
Mrs. ASIKA
(Turns to the door.)
Who is there?
(Get up and walk towards the door.)
CUT OUT.
____________________________________
BACK TO.
INT. KITCHEN.
ELLA
(Gazes at the uneven, wide sliced onions)
Who taught you how to slice onions this way, Oga?
UCHE
What do you mean?
This is how everyone slices their onions.
ELLA
I don't know anyone who slices onions this way.
UCHE
(Smiles)
I guess I'm unique, then. Don't worry, I can teach you.
ELLA
No, thank you.
(Picks up the knife)
UCHE
What are you doing?
ELLA
(Re-slices the onion)
Fixing your mess.
Watch and learn, oh.
"Uche hears voices."
UCHE
Did you hear that?
ELLA
(Turns to Uche)
Hear what?
UCHE
Voices.
ELLA
That's true.
"They both rush out of the Kitchen."
___________________________________
BACK TO
INT. THE SITTING ROOM.
"Uche and Ella rush in."
UCHE
Mama, who are you talking to?
Mrs. ASIKA
It's your friend's sister, oh.
UCHE
Auntie Zino!
ZINO
How are you doing, Uche?
_____________________________________
INT. WAREHOUSE.
"Kate hears the office door open."
KATE
(Goes through some documents)
From the information you gave to me on the workers, I couldn't help but notice three of them haven't shown up this week, and I would like to know why.
(Waits for a response.)
I believe I am not talking to myself.
(Turns around to the door.)
VON
Kate!
KATE
What are you doing here, Von?
VON
I need to tell you something.
KATE
(Drops the document on the table.)
Don't make this difficult for me. Look, I get how you feel about Dad taking all of this from you, but you need to come to terms with the fact that you screwed up big time.
VON
Just hear me, Kate!
KATE
I didn't want things to go down this way. I honestly do not want your Abuja paradise. And I will gladly return the warehouse to you, but Dad doesn't want you here.
VON
Kate...
KATE
I am just following orders, Von.
VON
Listen to me, Kate
(Grips both her arm.)
KATE
Von, please make this....
VON
(Interrupts Kate)
Zino is coming for me!
KATE
Easier...
Wait, what?
VON
You heard me, Zino is coming for my life.
KATE
I understand you are scared but...
VON
She is coming for me, Kate. She knows I was the one who framed her brother.
KATE
What?
But how?
VON
I did something stupid.
KATE
What did you do?
(Von stays silent.)
Von, what did you do?
VON
I tried to take her out.
KATE
(Turns around for a second before turning back to Von)
Are you crazy or what?
VON
I thought I could kill her and do something to make Dad happy.
KATE
Of course, you thought about that.
(Chuckles)
You know we have fought over a thousand things for years, and we never seem to agree on anything, but at least you had my respect as an elder brother.
But at this moment, I don't know what to think of you.
VON
I know I messed up.
KATE
Yes, you did!
(Flings the glass trail on the table to the floor)
It's Zino we are talking about, she will tear your body, piece by piece.
VON
I know Kate, which is why I came to you.
What do I do?
KATE
I need time to think.
(Walks towards the door)
_________________________________
BACK TO.
EXT. THE ASAKA HOUSEHOLD.
"Uche turns to Zino."
UCHE
We had nothing to do with what happened to Efe.
He was like a...
ZINO
(Finishes her sentence)
A brother to you.
Funny how Cheta said the same thing.
UCHE
Because we consider ourselves family.
You can't just walk in here and blame us for something we didn't do.
ZINO
No one is blaming you.
I just wanted to hear your side of the story.
UCHE
We have told you all we know.
ZINO
And I heard you loud and clearly, but as I told your friend, I will find out which of you is the rat; it's just a matter of time.
UCHE
Whatever, I have a sick mother to attend to, so excuse me.
ZINO
Sure, but before you go, I want you all to quit!
These people are dangerous, it's just a matter of time before they do something similar to all of you.
"Uche ignore Zino and walks back into the house."
ZINO
(Turns to Ella)
Ella.
ELLA
I do not know anything about this, so there is nothing to tell.
(Attempts to walk back into the house.)
ZINO
You stayed quiet throughout the conversation.
ELLA
(Turns back to Zino)
I wouldn't hurt Efe, so don't think for a second that I am the rat.
ZINO
Of course, I don't think you are the rat. You have had a crush on my brother for a long time.
You wouldn't hurt your first love.
ELLA
How did you know?
I never told anybody about that.
ZINO
I am a lady like you, and I have eyes.
(Goes closer to Ella)
I know you didn't do this, but I can tell that you know something.
Please help me figure out who is behind this.
ELLA
As I said earlier, I don't know anything.
ZINO
I can tell you are holding back, but no pressure. I will give you some time to think about this.
(Give her a card.)
(Call me when you are ready to talk.)
"Wears her dark shade and walks towards her car."
ZINO
(Turns to Ella)
It's all in your hands now, and I know you will do what is right.
(Goes into her car)
____________________________________
INT. PRISON.
"Shagba sits opposite Efe."
SHAGBA
So, tell me, son.
How did you do it?
EFE
Emm, do what?
SHAGBA
Almost defeated my strongest man.
EFE
I just gave it my best.
I guess fear and anxiety turns you into a beast
SHAGBA
(Smiles)
You gave it your best?
EFE
Yes.
SHAGBA
I will only ask one more time, and your response will decide your fate.
How did you bring down Big Shark?
EFE
Fine, I played the man.
SHAGBA
You played the man?
EFE
Yes, you know, using a man's weakness against him.
I read everything on the case that got him into Buhigh, so when I stepped into the Arena, I fed him his most sensitive memories.
SHAGBA
So, you are telling me you brought down my strongest man with words?
EFE
Not just words. Words, describing events and people he never wanted to remember.
We all have our distinct language that awaken our vulnerability. That of Big Shark is locked up in the case that brought him here.
SHAGBA
I did not like what you did to my boy, but I like you and want you to work with me.
EFE
Why would you want to work with me?
What could I possibly offer you?
SHAGBA
Well, I can tell you are smart and courageous.
And from the looks of things, the inmates like you, and they respect you.
No one has gotten to them so fast. You haven't even been here for a month.
EFE
I see but I doubt if you want me, at least not after what happened last night.
SHAGBA
There was a bounty on your head, and this is a prison, people are desperate to be under my protection. But outside of that desperation, they like you, and I want you to use that influence to our benefit.
EFE
As long as it gets the bounty of my head, I will do whatever you want.
SHAGBA
Then we have a deal.
But one more thing: to become a member of my cartel, we have a ritual that must be followed.
EFE
A ritual?
SHAGBA
Yes.
You will bring me the head of any inmate of your choice.
EFE
I have to kill someone.
SHAGBA
You can put it that way.
EFE
No, I am not killing anyone.
SHAGBA
Then you can't work for me, and that means you can't walk out of here alive.
EFE
I can't kill anyone, please.
I'm sure we can discuss an alternative.
SHAGBA
There is no alternative, Son.
It's a head for a seat at the table or your head for being afraid to do what real men can do.
The choice is yours.
____________________________________
EXT. HIGHWAY.
"Ella parks her car and comes out of it."
ZINO
I'm glad you decided to do what is right.
ELLA
Before I tell you what I know, I want you to promise me one thing.
ZINO
What would that be?
ELLA
No killing.
ZINO
(Chuckles)
This is a fight against the most dangerous enterprise in the world. Trust me, it can't be without blood.
ELLA
I know that!
I was talking about who sold Efe out.
ZINO
Hmm, sure.
ELLA
Seriously, you have to promise me.
ZINO
I promise.
(Goes closer to Ella)
Now tell me which of the boys sold my brother out.