Shomama episode 10
SHOMAMA – EPISODE 10
ARINZE S. CHIJI
SCENE 1
THELMA’S HOUSE
THE LIVING ROOM
(Thelma and Tolu watch as Chiwendu and Somto sip tea from their cups)
Thelma
Chiwendu, I need to get this clear. Your little boy here, Somto, is Julian’s son?
Chiwendu
(Nods)
Yes
Tolu
…unbelievable!
Thelma
…and Josephine threatened to keep him away from Chief Bam?
Tolu
I get what Josephine is trying to do. The news of Julian’s death is everywhere. You suddenly appear with a boy that could inherit the Maxwell fortune. I mean, how do we know that Somto is Julian’s son? What proof do you have?
Chiwendu
I am telling the truth.
Thelma
Tolu… the boy looks like Julian.
Tolu
Coincidence!
Chiwendu
There is a DNA test. It was after the test Josephine and Julian shut us out. If Julian couldn’t take care of his son when he was alive, I think we can make it right with Somto in the picture.
Tolu
This is some crazy s***! Julian didn’t strike as someone who would shy from his responsibilities. This is a hoax. Thelma, you will be rubbishing the legacy of Julian by going through with this lady’s plan.
Thelma
She didn’t mention anything like plans.
Tolu
Oh! She will…
Chiwendu
Look here! Julian was a decent man but his mum had so much control over him. She was a strong force in his life until he shut her out.
Thelma
He realized how toxic she is.
Tolu
Madam… all this talk is starting to bore me. Why are you here? You said you needed help. Please start talking.
Chiwendu
Somto needs to get what is rightfully his. I saw the tabloid and I know you guys are very close to Chief Bam. I know Julian left something for his son and I can feel it. I can’t bear the burden of raising him all by myself. I have tried.
Tolu
You should have taken Josephine’s proposal. Hand over the boy to the Maxwell. It is that easy.
(Brief silence)
Chiwendu
No! I deserve to be in the picture! I won’t be shut out!
Tolu
In plain English. You want to eat out of the inheritance too. You can say it out loud. We won’t judge you.
Chiwendu
You think it’s easy on the streets! You live in this bubble and don’t know what people like me go through every day to eat. I came to Lagos from Owerri like every other dreamer wanting a better life. Underbridge in Ijora was my first home in Lagos. It has been hell! You don’t know what it means to do what you hate. I became a pr-stitute and that was where I met Esho. He was the closest thing to heaven for me but the cold hands of death took him away. Do you think I have nothing? My dreams are valid and I will keep pushing until I make a meaning out of this life!
Thelma
(Throws a frown at Tolu)
Tolu
What? Should I clap for that Oscar worthy speech? Bravo Chiwendu, you are doing well. I love the act.
Thelma
Tolu! Apologize!
Tolu
For what? In front of us is a thorough hustler! Never trust a hustler! I’m sorry I can’t relate with your struggles, but I have my struggles too. No one has it easy!
Thelma
Chiwendu… I will help you.
Tolu
Mistake of life!
Chiwendu
(Kneels)
Thank you Thelma!
Thelma
No! Please get up! You don’t have to do that. I am only doing what’s right.
(Chiwendu stands and sits again)
Chiwendu
Thank you very much!
Thelma
I will make Bam listen to you. I can make it happen.
Tolu
I am so telling Shomama!
Thelma
You dare not!
Tolu
This is ridiculous!
Thelma
Chiwendu, I will contact you when I finalise things with Bam. Write your number in that jotter beside you.
(Chiwendu puts down her phone number hurriedly and hands it over to Thelma. She thanks her again and leaves with Somto)
Tolu
You are really doing this?
Thelma
It’s the least I can do. You better not tell Shomama. I might strangle you!
Tolu
Oh! I’m scared!
Thelma
What is even your problem? Deep down, you know she is saying the truth.
Tolu
I don’t know what you are talking about?
Thelma
…or are you jealous she had a piece of Julian before you?
Tolu
You have a twisted mind. Stay away from me!
Thelma
I got it from hanging out with you! So, madam, stay away from me too!
(They laugh)
SCENE 2
THE MAXWELL MANSION
JOSEPHINE’S ROOM
(Mariam walks in with a tray of fruits. Josephine is at the dressing table putting a final touch to her face)
Josephine
I needed those thirty minutes ago.
Mariam
I am so sorry ma. I was making breakfast for Chief.
Josephine
(Smiles)
I told you he will come around. Is he at the dining?
Mariam
No, he made me pack the food in a warmer.
Josephine
Oh! Is he still in the mansion?
Mariam
Yes, but he will be stepping out soon.
Josephine
Mariam, I have a question to ask.
Mariam
Okay ma. What is it?
Josephine
How can one eliminate, I mean… make someone disappear from the scene without raising suspicion?
Mariam
I don’t understand. It appears you are hiding an important information from me. You never told me the outcome of your visit to Bamax.
Josephine
(Smiles)
Julian stabbed me. The idiot gave everything to his illegitimate son!
Mariam
(Opens her mouth in shock)
Are you serious? How did this happen? I suspect foul play.
Josephine
No, Julian was weak. I guess this was a way of emancipating himself. Stupid boy!
Mariam
So, what is the plan?
Josephine
The boy has to go…
Mariam
Excuse me? What boy? Somto? Go to where ma?
Josephine
(Shouts)
I don’t know! You ask too many questions and I can’t answer any! The boy just has to go!
Mariam
Dubai?
Josephine
How do you make him disappear? How?
(Josephine’s phone rings. She picks and swipes to answer)
Mariam
(Whispers)
I will be in the kitchen (leaves)
Josephine
Hello. This is Mrs Josephine Maxwell. Speak to me…
SCENE 3
THE MAXWELL MANSION
THE KITCHEN
(Mariam enters to meet Bam beside the fridge. He is unaware of her presence until she clears her throat)
Mariam
Do you want something sir?
Bam
Nothing… I was just deep in thoughts.
Mariam
Okay… I hope you enjoy you breakfast.
Bam
(Chuckles)
…and give you the satisfaction of killing father and son. No way!
Mariam
Chief… how …what…
Bam
I fed the dogs with it. You and Josephine won’t take me down easily!
Mariam
(Bows her head in shame and near tears)
Sir, I am sorry.
Bam
You are sorry for what? Have I ever been bad to you? You chose to side with my enemy and destroy me. Guess what? You want to do it under my roof. Are you not crazy? I’m so sure the vase you broke on Julian’s head caused a concussion that led to the accident. You will rot in hell!
Mariam
(Sobs)
I am sorry sir.
Bam
You… (His phone rings, he swipes to answer) Hello. Thelma. (He walks out of the kitchen)
Mariam
I need to make things right.
(Josephine enters fully clothed and ready to leave)
Josephine
Mariam, I’m out. I have a script conference in a few minutes. I am laying the foundation for my production company.
Mariam
Okay ma.
Josephine
This little setback with the shares will be resolved in no time. The little boy has to go.
Mariam
You mean you want to kill the boy?
Josephine
(Frowns)
What are you saying? Who said anything about killing? I said the boy has to disappear. I will think of something on the way. Please, I need something spicy when I get back. Preferably, peppered snail.
(Exits)
Mariam
I know her too well. This will be fatal. I need to do something about it.
SCENE 4
PLANDOTTE COSMETICS
THELMA’S OFFICE
(Bam is ushered in by a store attendant. Thelma welcomes them with a broad smile)
Thelma
Thanks Daisy. You can go back to your work.
Daisy
All right ma. If you need me, I am just a call away.
Thelma
(Grins as she watch Daisy take a bow and leave)
She is very thoughtful. You are welcome Chief.
Bam
(Smiles)
Thanks. Your store attendant deserves a raise. She is so polite and efficient.
Thelma
I know. I have great plans for her. Please, do sit down.
Bam
(Sits in front of Thelma’s desk rubbing his laps repeatedly)
So, I am here…
Thelma
Nervous?
Bam
Yes. I mean, Shomama is no longer picking my calls. I got the embarrassment of my life when I ambushed her at a shopping mall.
Thelma
She told me. However, I didn’t call you here because of Shomama.
Bam
You didn’t?
Thelma
(Nods)
Yes… actually I want to discuss something sensitive and life changing.
Bam
Okay?
Thelma
I… I… don’t know where to start. I didn’t know it would be this difficult.
Bam
Start from somewhere.
Thelma
(Inhales and exhales)
All right. Here we go! Julian has a son. You have a grandson.
Bam
(Raises a brow)
Okay? I guess the story leaked.
Thelma
What story? I mean, is it out there already?
Bam
A meeting was held at Bamax yesterday. We discussed Julian’s shares and we got to know that he had or has a son. He left all his shares to the boy.
Thelma
Wow!
Bam
What is it?
Thelma
The boy and his mother were in your house yesterday and mine today.
Bam
Are you serious? I don’t get. How? What? What do you mean?
Thelma
His name is Somto and his mother’s name is Chiwendu, a former pr-stitute. Julian was Chiwendu’s client until she got pregnant. He was trying to warm his way into your heart and he cut off after the birth of the boy.
Bam
This is ….
Thelma
Shocking. I know. It’s the truth. The boy looks exactly like Julian.
Bam
Is Josephine aware?
Thelma
From day one!
Bam
But? She acted surprised yesterday.
Thelma
She is very good at what she does.
Bam
Acting! (Bangs the desk)
Thelma
Calm down chief!
Bam
How long will she continue to take advantage of me?
Thelma
As long as you let her. You have all the power to make this stop!
(Her phone rings. She looks at the caller ID and looks at Bam)
Bam
Shomama?
Thelma
(Nods) yes (swipes to answer) Hello? Mum?
Shomama
Thelma, can you meet me at St Malens?
Thelma
The hospital?
Shomama
Fikayo lost her baby. Doyin called me. This is so sad.
Thelma
Oh dear! I will be there in a few minutes. (Hangs up)
Bam
What is it? What happened? Is she all right?
Thelma
Fikayo lost her baby.
Bam
Oh no! My baby girl. She has been through a wh0le lot.
Thelma
Let’s go. Shomama is with them.
SCENE 5
A FEW HOURS LATER, EVENING
ST MALENS HOSPITAL
THE LOBBY
(Thelma sits in between Bam and Shomama. They fold their arms as Mariam enters)
Thelma
(Jumps to her feet and shouts)
Yes! What do you want? Who invited you? What do you want?
Mariam
(Frightened)
i… i… made pepper soup. I heard the news. Is Fikayo okay?
Thelma
The only thing that won’t be okay if you don’t leave here right now is your flat face!
Shomama
(Yanks Thelma’s dress)
Easy girl, she is not worth it.
Bam
Mariam, you are not welcomed here. Leave immediately!
Mariam
(Kneels)
I caused you all great pain with my involvement with Mrs Josephine. I was misguided. I see my wrong and I only want to make it right. You are good people and I messed up big time. Please forgive me.
Shomama
Is there something you are keeping from us?
Thelma
Mum, don’t listen to this snake. She is just acting the script of her mistress. Josephine sent her here. Tolu warned us about you. You are her eyes and ears. There is nothing here! Leave at once!
Bam
I have never seen Thelma this upset. It goes to show how it hurts all of us. You have done enough already.
Mariam
(Stands)
Keep Julian’s boy safe. Josephine is out to get the shares. She is desperate and can be deadly in that state. She wants the boy to disappear. Warning you guys is the least I can do. Please, the boy needs to be protected at all times.
Bam
(Jumps to his feet and takes a plunge at Mariam, grabbing her neck with his hands and shouting)
If anything happens to my grandson, I will kill you! Mariam, I will destroy you and Josephine! Stay away from my family.
(Pushes her to the floor. Shomama is on her feet shocked at Bam’s outburst. She places her hand on his shoulder but he shrugs her off and walks away)
Author’s note
How to grow your business while you stay at home
Thanks for sticking around. There are two episodes left in this series. We are close to the end.