Behind Bars

Episode 26(Trigger)

EXT. MUT TOWER

"Zino attempts to push Cheta off the building completely."

CHETA
Alright, I will talk!
Please pull me back; I will talk.

ZINO
Why did you rat Efe out?

CHETA
They threatened to kill my family.

ZINO
(Pulls him back in)
Why?

CHETA
(Falls on the ground in relief.)
It's a long story.

ZINO
(Squats in front of Cheta)
I have all evening to hear you out.

CHETA
My Mum was sick, and she needed an operation.
The money I had, including the one given to me by Efe and Uche, wasn't anywhere close to what I needed, so I rubbed the warehouse.
(Tries to catch his breath)
A few days later, Tiga adopted me.
I didn't know they would find out what I did. Tiga and his direct superior threatened to kill me and then my family if I didn't do something in return for them.
(Coughs)

ZINO
What was that?
What did they ask you to do for them?

CHETA
They gave me a package and asked me to place it in Efe's luggage before he left for the airport.
That was the only way they would let me go and forget that I stole from them.

ZINO
What exactly was in the package?

CHETA
I don't know.
I swear I don't know.

ZINO
You didn't bother to look?

CHETA
No, but I wished I did. I knew they were up to no good.
If only I could go back in time, I would have looked, I swear to God.

ZINO
While your story sounds realistic, I can't still help but smell some loopholes.

CHETA
I'm telling you all I know, believe me.
I have no reason to lie to you.

ZINO
How did they find out Efe was leaving the country?
Because I know my brother, he is too smart not to have figured out that the company frowns at people, especially the ones as important as Efe walking out on them.

CHETA
(Takes a deep breath)
I don't know, honestly, I don't.

ZINO
(Chuckles)
I see.
You are really worse than I thought.
(Grabs Cheta and pulls him to the edge of the building.)

CHETA
I have told you all I know!
Please don't do this.

ZINO
(Pushes him towards the edge of the building and grabs him by the shirt.)
The only thing stopping you from falling off this building is my firm grip on your shit.

CHETA
Please don't do this.
Please, I'm begging you.

ZINO
Your life is in your hands, boy.
Now I'm going to ask again: Who told them Efe was leaving the country?

CHETA
Me!
I had no choice. They threatened to kill my family.
Telling them about Efe's plan was the only way I could stop them from killing me and my family.
I'm sorry.

ZINO
(Pulls him back and pushes him to the floor.)
Have you seen this man before?
(Unlocks her phone and shows Cheta a picture of Von.)

CHETA
Yes, he is Tiga's superior; he is behind everything happening to Efe.

ZINO
Good.
Your Mum was good to me while I was growing up; she is the only reason you are still breathing.
(Turns to leave.)

CHETA
I want to help.
I will do whatever it takes to clean up this mess.

ZINO
(Turns back)
The only thing you can do to help right now is to pray that nothing happens to my brother.
Because whatever they do to him, I will do to you.
(Walks away.)

____________________________________

INT. THE ASIKA HOUSEHOLD.

"Amara knocks on the door."

Mrs. ASIKA
Hold on!
Ahh, why is he back by this time?
(Walk to the door and open it.)
I thought you guys closed at 7 PM
Oh, Amara, it's you; I thought it was Uche.

AMARA
Where is my brother?

Mrs. ASIKA
I was about to ask you the same question.

AMARA
Watin you take that one mean?
Abeg commot for road.
(Pushes Mrs. Asika to the side and walks into the house.)

Mrs. ASIKA
Your brother isn't here!

AMARA
(Ignores her and walks into Mr. Asika's room)
Brother!

Mrs. ASIKA
(Follows her)
Madam, I have told you he isn't here.

AMARA
(Rolls her eyes at Mrs. Asika and sights the gum in her mouth)
Where did he go?

Mrs. ASIKA
I don't know!
I was rushed to the hospital by my son after your precious brother hit me.

AMARA
(She drops her bag on the ground and sits down on the chair.)
Well, you must have deserved it.
Watin dey kitchen? I dey hungry.

Mrs. ASIKA
There is no food in this house.

AMARA
Oya cook, na.
When will my brother be back?

Mrs. ASIKA
I don't know, Amara.
We haven't seen your brother since I was rushed to the hospital.

AMARA
I don't understand.
And you didn't bother to find out where he went?

Mrs. ASIKA
No, I didn't!
Why would I care about the whereabouts of a man I am planning to leave?

AMARA
(Chuckles)
You funny, oh shey you know?
As if we wanted you for him in the first place.
(Hisses and picks up the television remote)
Rubbish!

_____________________________________

INT. ZINO'S WAREHOUSE.

"Ovie appears surprised."