Behind Bars

Episode 2 (Busy Body)

INT.  |THE ASIKA'S HOUSEHOLD|

"Mrs. Azika drops a bowl of cereal in front of Uche."

Mrs. ASIKA
Sorry I haven't filled the gas, and I didn't know you would be back from work so early.
Please manage this my love

UCHE
You haven't gone to fill the gas or that stupid man you call a husband has refused to give you money to fill the gas?

Mrs. ASIKA
Uche, don't start, please.

UCHE
Don't cover up for him, Mum.
All he does is gamble and drink all day.
(Notices the scarf around Mrs. Asika's neck)
Why do you have that around your neck?

Mrs. ASIKA
(Ignores his question)
So how was work today?

UCHE
(Takes the scarf off her neck)
Did he do this to you?
(Gazes angrily at the red swollen area of her neck)

Mrs. ASIKA
Uche, you need to calm down, please.
(Grabs his hands)
Don't do anything stupid.

UCHE
Are you serious right now?
He is an animal, Mother.
People like him should be in prison.

"Mr. Asika walks into the room"

Mr. ASIKA
I'm not the one doing drugs.
So, you should be the one in prison.
Where did you get this?
(Holds up an iPhone in his right hand)

UCHE
That's none of your business, I got that for my mother.

Mr. ASIKA
With your drug money, right?
(Smashes the phone on the ground)

UCHE
I bought that with my hard-earned money.
(Rushes towards Mr. Asika in anger)

"Mr. Asika grips him by the neck and keeps dropping his fist on Uche's Face."

Mrs. ASIKA
(Manages to separate Uche from her husband)
That's enough don't kill my son for me.

"Mr. Asika pushes Mrs. Asika to the floor, and Uche rushes to her."

UCHE
Mum, are you okay?
(Assists her in seating up)

Mr. ASIKA
My house my rules.
You have no right to bring anything into my home without my permission.
(Walks out of the scene)

"Mrs. Asika burst into tears."

UCHE
(Pulls her to himself)
Did he hurt you?
(Scans through her body for possible injuries due to the hard fall)

Mrs. ASIKA
I'm fine.
Look at your face.
(Her hands tremble as she Gazes at Uche's swallow eyes)

UCHE
I'm fine.

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INT.   |WINNER ACADEMY, CAFETERIAL|

"Kome sits opposite Dayo."

DAYO
That seat is taken.

KOME
What were you doing earlier in the ladies restroom?

DAYO
That is none of your business.

KOME
How do you know Efe?

DAYO
Efe, so that's his name.
How do you know him?

KOME
I asked first.

DAYO
Well, he is a friend.

KOME
He is nothing like the kind of people you hang out with.
So, we both know that is a lie.

DAYO
Okay.
(Folds his hands across each other)

KOME
What is your connection with him?

DAYO
(Gets up to leave)
What do you know about him?

KOME
Nothing, just his name.

DAYO
And how do you know about that?
(Rest both his hands on the table and leans towards Kome gazing into her eyes)

KOME
Tell me about your relationship with him then I will tell you why I know his name.

DAYO
(Chuckles)
Funny girl.
(Turns to leave)

KOME
I saw an F product fall from you.

DAYO
(Turns to her)
Half the school does drugs so don't threaten me with that.

KOME
It's not a threat.
Did you sell drugs to him?

DAYO
Leave me alone, Kome.
(Walks out of the scene).

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INT.   |GOOD EXPERIENCE, ABUJA|

"Kemi rushes for a hug at the sight of Efe"

KEMI
(Holds Firmly to Efe)
I missed you.

EFE
I missed you too.
(Pulls out one of the chairs for her to sit)


KEMI
Thank you.

EFE
How did you manage to leave the house?

KEMI
My Mum stepped out to get something, so I seized my moment.

EFE
But you know that's risky, Kemi.

KEMI
I don't care, Efe.
I will be leaving for the US this weekend, there is no way I would have left without saying goodbye to you.

EFE
But we have talked about this.
This is not goodbye.
I should be getting my visa anytime from now so I will join you as soon as I can.

KEMI
But you are leaving so much behind.
Your Mum, siblings, and your friends.

EFE
It has always been my dream to study abroad I won't sleep on that opportunity because of my loved ones.
Besides, once I'm settled over there, I can come and go whenever I want to.

KEMI
Alright but how certain are you that you will get the scholarship?

EFE
It's a shallow exam, Kemi.
I was doing advanced Mathematics before I was ten, so you have nothing to worry about.

KEMI
Alright.

EFE
So how was your birthday party?

KEMI
Boring and frustrating.

EFE
And your husband-to-be?

KEMI
Really?

EFE
(Chuckles)
Relax, I'm just kidding.

KEMI
Don't do that.
That joke is silly.

EFE
Babe, I said I'm sorry.
(Places his hands on hers)
Before I forget, this is for you.
(Drops a red box on the table.)

KEMI
(Picks up the box)
What's this?

EFE
Open it.

KEMI
(Opens the box)
Wow, this is beautiful.
(Gazes at the expensive necklace)
But this looks very expensive, Babe.
You need this money for your travel.

EFE
It's the least I could do, Kemi.
Happy birthday.

KEMI
But you need the money.

EFE
I will be fine, I have more than enough for the trip.
Remember I have been saving for a while now.

KEMI
Wow, this is beautiful.
Can you help me....

EFE
Sure
(Picks up the Necklace)

KEMI
(Backs Efe)
You will have to remove the one I'm wearing first)

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