Behind Bars

Episode 11(Framed)

INT.    THE AJAYI HOUSEHOLD

"Dayo walks into Mrs. Ajayi's Chambers"

Mrs. AJAYI
(Hears someone enters her room and turns towards the other end of the room)
Who is there?

DAYO
Why Victoria?
(Walks closer to her)

Mrs. AJAYI
(Drops the glass of wine in her hand on the table beside her)
Is that your evening greetings?
Have you no manners anymore?

DAYO
I'm sorry, ma.
Ka ale.

Mrs. AJAYI
How was school today?
(Sits down)
And who is Victoria if I may ask?

DAYO
Oh, please don't act like you do not know what I am talking about. Sophia told me everything.
Why Mum?

Mrs. AJAYI
(Smiles)
The less you know the better.
I will seize to associate with Sophia if I were you.

DAYO
You can't tell who and who not to keep as a friend.
I simply want to know why you did it.

Mrs. AJAYI
Of what use is that information to you, Dayo?
You have bigger issues to worry about don't forget your finals...

DAYO
(Interrupts her)
Mother just answer the question.

Mrs. AJAYI
Not until you admit why you suddenly grow a heart of concern for a stranger.

DAYO
Because I'm curious and I want to know why you involved my friend in all of these.

Mrs. AJAYI
(Smiles and sips her glass of wine)
Really?
You don't care about anyone but yourself, Dayo.
I raised you and I know how that crazy mind of yours works.

DAYO
Are you going to tell me or not?

Mrs. AJAYI
Good night, Dayo.

DAYO
Just so you know, you are ruining my plans.
Please stop!
(Turns to leave)

Mrs. AJAYI
A petty school drug dealer is the best you could come up with to stay relevant.

DAYO
(Turns to Mrs. Ajayi)
I knew it.
There is no way this could be only about Mrs. Iwebema.
You are playing your manipulative game again. Trying to make me scared and get me to stop.

Mrs. AJAYI
I guess it's working.

DAYO
No, it's not!
Stay out of my business.
If you want me to do something, simply ask.
All these manipulative moves you make won't stop me from doing what I want to do.
(Walks out of the room)

___________________________________

INT.  THE UFUOMA'S HOUSEHOLD.

"Ovie walks into the living notice the front door is open."

OVIE
Ahh, why is that door open?
(Walks towards the door and notices Mrs. Ufuoma is outside alone)
Ahh, Mama why are you outside by this time?
It's almost 1 AM.

Mrs. UFUOMA
I'm worried about your brother; I haven't still been able to reach him.

OVIE
Oh, Mama, we have talked about this, na.
Maybe he hasn't settled down.

Mrs. UFUOMA
What if something don happen to am.
(Appears worried)
Or something d their Plane.

OVIE
Mama, nothing happened.
If something happened to their Flight, it will be all over social media.
Efe is fine allow the boy breathe small.
I'm sure he will call in the morning.

Mrs. UFUOMA
I'm worried, Ovie.
Maybe I for nor gree make e go.

OVIE
Ahh, Mama, no, na don't say that.
Everything will be fine.
Just try and relax he will call in the morning.

Mrs. UFUOMA
(Breaths heavily)
Hmm, okay.

OVIE
Oya let's go inside.
You need to sleep, remember your health, oh.

Mrs. UFUOMA
(Gets up)
Okay.

"Goes back into the house with Ovie."

____________________________________

INT.   DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, WAHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

"Kemi paces around the room"

KEMI
Where could he be?
(Dials Efe's number again)
Pick up.
(Walks up to one of the Airport attendants)
Ma'am, are you certain they have arrived?

ATTENDANT
Yes, ma'am.
They arrive few hours ago.
Have you tried looking around for him?

KEMI
Yes, I have.

ATTENDANT
Did you try calling again?

KEMI
Yes, he is not answering.
(Breaths heavily)

____________________________________

INT.  DETAINING ROOM

"Two white men in suits walk into the room."

EFE
Can someone tell me what's going on?
I have been waiting here for hours.

Mr. ERIC
(Smiles at Efe)
We apologize for the delay we just want to ask you a couple of questions as regards some of the contents that were found in your back.
Do you recognize this bottle?
(Drops the bottle on the table)

EFE
I have no idea of how it got into my bag.

Mr. DUKE
That wasn't the question you were asked, young man.
Do you recognize this bottle?

EFE
Yes, sir, I do.
The customs officer brought it out of my bag but I....

Mr. ERIC
(Interrupts Efe)
Our test results reveal the content of this bottle is one of the properties of the biggest blacklisted drug company in the world. The New Gate,  does that sounds familiar to you?

EFE
What?
No, sir, I do not know anything about this.

Mr. DUKE
You confirmed that you recognized the bottle.

EFE
Yes, I do and that's because the customs officer brought it out of my bag.
That was the first time I saw it I swear.

Mr. ERIC
(Chuckles)
I have dealt with your type on many occasions so do not make this more difficult for yourself.

EFE
Sir, I swear I do not have anything to do with this.

Mr. ERIC
Then explain this too.
(Drops a New Gate identity card on the table)

EFE
(Picks up the original New Gate Identity Card carrying his photo as well as his full name)
No, this is not possible.

Mr. ERIC
This was also found among your belongings.
I would start talking if I were you.
The evidence against you is strong and you cannot run away from them.

EFE
I swear I have nothing to do with this, sir.
Believe me, please.

Mr. DUKE
(Snaps out)
You better start talking young man.
(Grabs Efe by the shirt)
Or I will make sure you spend the rest of your miserable life behind bars.

Mr. ERIC
Mr. Duke, what are you doing?
Let him go!
(Frees Efe from Mr. Duke's firm grip and turns to Efe)
I apologize for my friends' manners you just have to understand that we are doing our job.

EFE
I understand that sir.
But believe me, sir. I do not know anything about this.

Mr. ERIC
(Smiles at Efe)
I desperately want to believe you, son. But all of the evidence proves otherwise.
(Gets up)
I and my friend are going to give some time to think this through and do what is right.

__________________________________

EXT.  IWEBEMA'S HOUSEHOLD

"Isio comes out of the swimming pool."

ISIO
The weather is so hot today.

NGOZI
I swear.
Although it's perfect for swimming,

ISIO
Yeah, it is.
(Picks up her glass of wine beside her)
Bema where is your monopoly?

NGOZI
I have been wanting to ask that too.
It's been a while since we played board games.

BEMA
Oh, it's in my room, I think.
I'm definitely buying all the hotels today.

ISIO
See this one, dey play.

NGOZI
You that is always the first to go bankrupt.
(Laughs at Bema)

BEMA
Watch and see.
(Walks into the house)

ISIO
Only mouth he sabi make.

NGOZI
Nor mind am.
Abeg he should be fast oh I'm out of here by 2 PM.

ISIO
Ahh, where are you going?

NGOZI
I have to meet up with Frank.

ISIO
Ngozi!
Don't tell me you are going to attend their meeting.

NGOZI
I have no choice, Isio.

ISIO
Of course, you do.
These guys are dangerous, we both know they had something to do with Victoria's sudden disappearance.

NGOZI
You think I don't know that?
That's more reasons why I should do as they say.
(Isio Konks Ngozi)
Ouch, what did you do that for?

ISIO
Because I think there is something wrong with you up there,
That's more reason why you should stay away from them.

NGOZI
I know but I have to do this, please just let me.

ISIO
Whatever, it's not like you ever listen to me.
Do as you wish.

NGOZI
Thank you.

ISIO
I have an idea!
I can come with you.

NGOZI
No!

ISIO
Fine!

__________________________________

INT.  BEMA'S ROOM.

"Bema walks in."

BEMA
Hey!

KOME
(Sits up on the bed)
Hey.

BEMA
Why are you here alone?

KOME
Nothing, I'm fine don't worry.

BEMA
That's a lie.
Talk to me.
(Sits down beside her)

KOME
(Breaths heavy)
It's Efe.

BEMA
Hmm, I get it you miss him.

KOME
That isn't it, Bema.

BEMA
Are you sure about that?
I know you hate to admit it, but it is what it is.

KOME
Seriously, Bema It isn't.
You know what, forget about it.
(Attempts to lay on the bed)

BEMA
(Stops her)
Oya, I'm sorry.
Tell me, what is it?

KOME
We haven't been able to reach him since he left.

BEMA
Ahh, how come?
It's more than 24 hours already.

KOME
Exactly, everyone is so worried.

BEMA
Have you tried calling him today?

KOME
Yes, he isn't even online.

BEMA
And you can't reach him on a normal call.

KOME
No.

BEMA
Ahh, hmm.
Relax I believe he is still settling down.
Let's wait till evening he will call before then.

KOME
I pray so.

BEMA
Oya get up let's join Isio and Ngozi outside.
We want to play Monopoly.

KOME
I don't feel like it.
And you are not leaving me here.
(Drops her head on Bema's lap)

BEMA
Sure, I won't.

"Faith walks into the room"

FAITH
Hey!

BEMA
(Turns to Faith)
Hey.

FAITH
My charger is acting up I don't know if you can come with me to get a new one.
You know I'm new....

KOME
(Interrupts Faith)
He is busy.
(Turns to Bema)
Are you not?

BEMA
Yeah....
I am busy as you can see.

FAITH
Alright
(Turns to leave)

"Bema gazes at Kome"

KOME
(Notice Bema is staring at her)
What is it?

BEMA
You know I can tell when you don't like someone.

KOME
I just think she has no manners didn't she see I was lying on your lap, and she didn't even knock?
Rubbish.

BEMA
(Chuckles)
Look I don't like her too but at least I have my obvious reasons.

KOME
So, my reasons are not obvious enough?

BEMA
No, that's not what I'm saying.

KOME
Then what are you saying?

BEMA
You know what, forget I ever brought this up.
Hate her if you want.

_____________________________________

"Isio and Ngozi walk into the house."

ISIO
Where the hell is Bema?

NGOZI
I will check if he is in his room.

FAITH
Don't bother, he seems busy with his girlfriend.

NGOZI
(Goes closer to the dining room where Faith is sitting)
Girlfriend?

FAITH
Yeah, the other girl in your circle.
(Picks up her pencil and begins to draw)

ISIO
You mean Kome?

FAITH
Oh, that's her name.

NGOZI
(Chuckles)
She's not his girlfriend.

FAITH
(Turns to Ngozi)
Do not insult my intelligence.

ISIO
(Sits down)
She isn't we are all friends.

FAITH
So, friends can be so physically attached?
Hmm, that's new.

NGOZI
Relax, those two have been inseparable for a very long time.
And I know their closeness can appear contradicting.

"They hear Kome laughing out loud as she struggles to free herself from Bema's ticklish grip."

FAITH
Like seriously?
Or are you both going to pretend that you didn't hear that?

NGOZI
They are not dating!

FAITH
Whatever I don't care.

ISIO
(Picks one of Faith's drawings)
Wow, this is so beautiful.
Did you draw this?

FAITH
Yeah, I did that a month ago.

ISIO
Wow, you are really good at this.
Can I see more?

FAITH
Sure.

ISIO
(Attempts to light a stick of F7)
Hope you don't mind.

NGOZI
Isio!

FAITH
(Smiles)
No, it's fine.
It's not like I care.

ISIO
You, see?
Finally, someone won't judge me.
(Smokes)

____________________________________

INT. WAREHOUSE

"Uche walks into the room."

UCHE
How far, you don hear from Efe?

CHETA
No, his mum called me this morning to ask if I had heard from him.

UCHE
Same here.

CHETA
I'm sure he is fine though.

UCHE
I hope so, it's unlike him to not have reached out.

CHETA
Relax bro he is in a foreign man's land so let's cut him some slack and give him time.

UCHE
Hmm, alright.
But don't you find it odd that Tiga hasn't asked us of his whereabouts?
(Notice Cheta is absent-minded)
Cheta!
(Taps him)

CHETA
Oh, sorry.
Watin, you talk?

UCHE
Guy, Watin dey do you?
You've been acting strange for days.

CHETA
Guy, I dey fine nor worry about me.
Watin you be dey talk?

UCHE
I just find it strange that Tiga or Bob hasn't asked about Efe since he left.

CHETA
Hmm, that's true.

UCHE
I just hope say dey nor get something to do with why we never fit reach am.

CHETA
No, I doubt that.

UCHE
Guy these people are powerful and dangerous. What if they found out Efe had been trying to leave the country all this while?

CHETA
No, that's not possible.
Efe is a genius I'm certain he must have covered his tracks very well.

UCHE
I am not doubting that but make we nor forget say these people dey dangerous and powerful they have all the resources to figure out all of this.

CHETA
Omo, guy e nor possible.
We gats stay positive.
Nothing do Efe, we just need to stay positive he will call before the day runs out.
(Lights a stick of F8)

___________________________________

INT.   THE AJAYI'S OLD RESIDENCE