INT. HOSPITAL
"Mrs. Asika gently opens her eyes."
Mrs. ASIKA
Uche!
(In a soft and gentle voice.)
UCHE
(Turns to her bed.)
Mum!
(Pulls his chair closer to her.)
You scared me!
Mrs. ASIKA
My son
(Attempts to touch Uche.)
UCHE
(Pulls his hand towards her)
I was afraid something would happen to you.
Mrs. ASIKA
I am fine, my son.
(Manages to smile as she struggles to keep her eyes open.)
UCHE
I'm sorry I left.
This is all my fault I shouldn't have left you with that monster.
Mrs. ASIKA
No, it's fine, son.
This wasn't your fault I should have listened to you and divorced him long ago.
I'm sorry I put you through all of this.
(Tears stream down her tired cheeks.)
UCHE
It's fine, Mummy.
You were only trying to keep us together.
Mrs. ASIKA
I just didn't want you to grow up without a father.
I thought with him around, you would not have to feel your father's absence anymore.
(Lifts her trembling hands and places them on Cheta's Cheeks which were already covered in tears.)
UCHE
Mummy, stop crying, that's enough!
I know your actions were purely out of love even though they didn't turn out as you wished.
Mrs. ASIKA
I'm sorry I brought that monster into our lives.
UCHE
And I'm sorry I left you alone with him.
And don't worry, the baby is safe. I will never leave your side again.
"Nurse works into the room."
NURSE
Oh, you are up.
(Turns to Mrs. Asika)
How are you feeling, Ma?
Mrs. ASIKA
I am fine just this terrible headache.
NURSE
Okay, I will give you something for the pain. Any other thing?
Mrs. ASIKA
No, I am fine.
UCHE
(Turns to the nurse)
Is it normal for her to have a headache?
NURSE
(Smiles at Uche)
Yes, it is, you said she fell with her head so with time the pain will subside. But I will give her something that will help with the pain.
UCHE
Alright, thank you.
NURSE
You are welcome.
(Adjust the drip bag hung beside Mrs. Asika's bed.)
___________________________________
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM.
"Ella sees Cheta walking towards her direction."
ELLA
Hey!
CHETA
How is she doing?
ELLA
The Doctor said she would be fine. Uche is with her now.
(Sights the blood stain on Cheta's shirt.)
You should have changed your shirt!
CHETA
(Notices the blood stain.)
Damn it!
ELLA
(Take off the long sleeve she is wearing)
Put this on, now!
CHETA
(Gazes at the pink feminine sleeve)
What?
There is no way I am putting that on.
ELLA
You have to cover up that blood stain!
CHETA
I am not wearing a lady's top.
ELLA
Are you stupid or what? Do you realize this could implicate you?
CHETA
I don't care I am not...
ELLA
(Interrupts Cheta)
Shut up and put it on, now!
(Throws the cloth at him.)
CHETA
(Gazes at the bedazzled top.)
Omo, watin be this?
I can't wear this, Ella.
Look at it, na.
ELLA
Don't piss me off, Cheta!
Put on the damn cloth!
What's your problem self?
"Cheta reluctantly puts it on and sits on the chair in front of him."
CHETA
Are you happy, now?
ELLA
(Sits down and turns to Cheta)
Whatever
What did you do with the body?
CHETA
I hid it.
I couldn't get rid of it in broad daylight.
ELLA
Where did you hide it?
CHETA
The less you know, the better!
ELLA
Okay, oh.
CHETA
(Notice her trembling hands)
Are you okay?
ELLA
(Turns to Cheta)
Is that a trick question or what?
Of course, I am not okay.
Uche just killed someone, and we are helping him cover up the crime.
CHETA
And so?
ELLA
What do you mean by "And so?"
He killed someone, Cheta!
CHETA
It was self-defense!
Besides, that animal could have killed Uche's mother.
ELLA
Still doesn't change the fact that what we are doing is wrong!
CHETA
So, what do you suggest we do?
Report him to the authorities and watch him rot in jail.
ELLA
Who says he would go to jail?
It was self-defense, remember!
All we have to do is include that in the report.
CHETA
This na Naija Ella! I nor believe say na you dey talk this one.
You think they would believe our story?
ELLA
I don't see why not!
That is exactly what happened.
CHETA
The truth doesn't matter in court.
They find a way to pin this on Uche.
ELLA
(Takes a deep breath)
Look, all I'm saying is that what we are doing now might come back at us later.
Karma dey real, Cheta!
CHETA
We have been dealing drugs for a long time now we have broken several laws, but we are still here free as birds. Karma is just an allusion.
ELLA
This is different.
(Rest her back on the chair.)
CHETA
See, I get that you are scared and that's okay but we are doing what is best Uche right now and you know it!
ELLA
I don't know, Cheta.
I just have a bad feeling about this.
CHETA
Nothing will happen, Madam chill abeg.
____________________________________
INT. THE UFUOMA HOUSEHOLD.
"Mrs. Ufuoma notice the front door is wide open."
YOU ARE READING
Behind Bars
Novela Juvenil"Behind Bars" is a screenplay that tells the story of Efe a 19-year-old genius who was framed for a drug-related crime while on his way to pursue a better life abroad. Efe is sentenced to prison, plunging him into a world of despair and misery. The...
