Behind Bars

Episode 17 (After Death)

INT. BUHIGH PRISON.

"Dante approaches Efe as he walks back into the cell."

DANTE
How did it go?
(Looks at Efe's empty hand.)
Where is the money?​

EFE
There is no money.

MOHAMMED
What?
I don't understand.

EFE
She didn't show up.

JUDE
I knew it!
(Drops the book in his hands on the bed)

DANTE
And I asked you if we could trust her and you...

EFE
(Interrupts Dante)
Dante, please!
And just so you know, she didn't show up because someone made sure that she couldn't.
Not because she didn't want to.

DANTE
Who the hell stopped her from coming.

EFE
Just forget about it.
(Sits on his bed.)

DANTE
No, there is no way I'm going to do that.
You owe us an explanation for what happened.

JUDE
Dante is right, dude.
I put my savings into this.
Do you know how long Mohammed has had that change in his Quran?
Saving it for reigning days. You owe us an explanation.

EFE
(Breaths heavy)
Fine, guys.
It was her fiancé that showed up and he made it clear that she is not coming and...

JUDE
(Interrupts Efe)
Wait a minute!
Her Fiancé?

EFE
Yeap.

DANTE
I don't get it, I thought she is your girlfriend.

EFE
She is.

MOHAMMED
Then why does she have a Fiancé?

EFE
(Sits upright)
Look it's a long story let's just say she's from a wealthy family and they didn't approve of me. Dad insist that she must marry someone else who is also from a wealthy family.
So, we have been secretly dating ever since and I moved here to be with her.

JUDE
So, your plan was to elope with her?

EFE
Not really.
(They all gaze at him in a weird way.)
Fine, if you want to call it that.

MOHAMMAD
Does she love you?

EFE
Yeap, she does.

MOHAMMAD
(Smiles at Efe)
Then I understand you, bro.

JUDE
Are you serious?
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life.
Why the hell would you want to be with someone whose family doesn't approve of you?

EFE
You won't get it, and I don't expect you to.

JUDE
Oh, please.
She's way out of your league and for a smart guy like you, I'm disappointed that you didn't see it.
You are as dumb as you are smart.

DANTE
That's enough, guys.
(Turns to Efe)
Do you realize you just lost your only means of escape from death?

EFE
I know, Dante.

DANTE
What do we do?

EFE
(Gets up)
Honestly, I have no clue.

_____________________________________

INT. THE AZUKA HOUSEHOLD, CHETA'S ROOM.

"Cheta opens the room curtain."

CHETA
Wake up!

UCHE
(Places his right arm across his eyes)
What is your problem, bro?

CHETA
Do you know what the time is?

UCHE
Omo, I just won sleep, I take God beg you.

CHETA
It's 9 AM, dude.

UCHE
(Gets up)
Seriously?

CHETA
Yeah.

UCHE
(Looks at his phone clock)
Shit!

CHETA
(Sits on the chair opposite the bed)
You still haven't told me what really happened!

UCHE
Guy abeg I nor won talk about am.
(Sits up)

CHETA
Guy I nor say make you download your family history give me.
I just won know watin go make you leave Mumsi like that.

UCHE
Because she's just too gullible to see the truth.

CHETA
What truth?

UCHE
That her so-called husband is just an idiot!

CHETA
Bro that one nor be today gist everybody for this house know say that your step papa na anyhow person.
That won nor reach for you to leave Mumsi.

UCHE
So, you are saying I'm lying?


CHETA
I'm only saying there is more to it.

UCHE
Fine, he went through my things, and he found some...

CHETA
Some what?

UCHE
(Turns to Cheta)
You know, bro.

CHETA
(Sits upright)
Omo!

UCHE
I swear bro.

CHETA
Watin Mumsi talk?

"Mrs. Azuka attempts to open the locked door."

Mrs. AZUKA
Cheta, you nor dey go work today?

CHETA
I dey go, oh.
I just dey come out from bathroom.
(Opens the door, Uche hides behind the door.)

Mrs. AZUKA
Why you lock door?

CHETA
Oh, I did?
I didn't know, sorry about that.

Ms. AZUKA
Uche, I know you are in there.
Your Mother is worried about you.

UCHE
(Comes out)
Good morning, ma.

Mrs. AZUKA
Dress up and come down for breakfast, both of you!
(Walks out of the scene.)

_______________________________

INT. DINING ROOM.

"Mrs. Azuka turns to Uche."