Shomama Episode 6

SHOMAMA – EPISODE 6
 
ARINZE S. CHIJI
 
 
 
SCENE 1
 
ATAN CEMETRY, YABA
 
(Bam, Shomama, Fikayo, Ireti, Doyin, Julian, Mariam, Thelma, Tolu and a few others watch as Adunni’s casket is buried. A choir of six sing a hymn. The h0le is covered and everyone starts to move leaving Bam, Thelma, Shomama and Ireti)
 
Ireti
 
Till we meet again, mum.
 
Shomama
 
(Rubs Ireti’s shoulder lovingly)
 
Yes… till we meet again.
 
(They watch as Josephine dressed in black fur approach them)
 
Josephine
 
(Removes her sunglass to reveal a red and puffy eyes)
 
Hello? I came to pay my last respect.
 
Ireti
 
You had the guts!
 
Josephine
 
Guts! Adunni was someone I admired and despite our differences I can say that she was a woman I respect.
 
Ireti
 
This is not one of your movie location, stop acting! Let those who truly love her mourn her in peace! You know how much your presence irritated her. She only tolerated you because of Julian and her deep love for my father. Please stay away from this family.
 
 
Josephine
 
Watch how you talk to me! Secondly, I am a part of this family. There is nothing you can do about it. The sooner you realise it, the better.
 
Shomama
 
Ireti, calm down. Don’t let her get to you.
 
Josephine
 
If I didn’t know better, I would have thought you to be humane. You were about to marry your friend’s husband before she died. Who knows? You must have been one of the reasons she couldn’t stay on earth! Shomama, you are the worst of them all!
 
Bam
 
 
Enough! You are not welcomed here.
 
Thelma
 
Mum, let’s go. Ireti… leave your father to handle this (Thelma leads Shomama and Ireti away)
 
Josephine
 
We need to talk.
 
Bam
 
I don’t have anything to say to you.
 
Josephine
 
 
(Laughs)
 
Oh! Think again! The only thing you will be saying to me is ‘yes, I do’.
 
Bam
 
You must be out of your mind.
 
Josephine
 
I know what I am saying and I know what I want. I want to be Mrs Maxwell and there is no stopping me.
 
Bam
 
I wish you could hear yourself. You sound like a delusional old hag!
 
Josephine
 
I have doc-ments that can put you behind bars forever. You will spend your miserable old age in a cold prison and I will watch you crumble. It’s your choice.
 
Bam
 
You have gone full blown crazy. You have nothing on me.
 
Josephine
 
I have the doc-ments. Bamax auditors covered up the three hundred million naira Ministry of Tourism fraud amongst other shady deals. I have it all. The EFCC will be inviting you soon.
 
Bam
 
What do you want?
 
Josephine
 
I want to be Mrs Maxwell. You can’t marry that thing!
 
Bam
 
Okay
 
Josephine
 
Is that a yes?
 
Bam
 
(Laughs)
 
Go to hell Joe! You are raving mad! Marry you? I can never marry you. I dare you to do your worst! Now get lost! Sick puppy! I don’t want to ever see you in my life or near anything or anyone attached to my name!
 
(He walks away as Josephine open her mouth in shock)
 
Josephine
 
You will pay for this. I swear! (Dials a number) Hello? Mariam… I need those doc-ments now!
 
Mariam
 
It won’t be possible o. I am attending to guests at the interment.
 
Josephine
 
This is the right moment. Nobody is at the mansion. You have enough time to ransack Julian’s room. Get anything associated with Bamax. Files, folders, anything! Get out of there now! Bamidele is going down!
 
Mariam
 
But….
 
Josephine
 
No buts! If you want to remain alive, just do as I say!
 
SCENE 3
 
THE INTERMENT AT AGELESS HALL
 
(Josephine walks in to see friends and family of the Maxwell clan being entertained. A live band is playing. Julian sights Josephine and walks to meet her)
 
Julian
 
Why are you doing this? You are creating an unnecessary scene.
 
Josephine
 
Where is Mariam? Is she around?
 
Julian
 
I don’t know! She should be around somewhere. You need to leave now!
 
Josephine
 
Back off! You are a disgrace! You have forgotten how I worked hærd to make Bam accept you. You make me regret it every day!
 
Julian
 
Cut that out! You were just selfish and wanted me to be your pawn. It wasn’t because you wanted me to know my father. You wanted Bam’s money and you got it! Stop this badly executed blame game.
 
Josephine
 
Look! Your father needs you.
 
(Julian turns to see Bam at another end of the hall beckoning on him)
 
Julian
 
You have five minutes! Just… go!
 
(He walks away to meet Bam)
 
Josephine
 
Stupid boy! (Her phone rings, she swipes to answer)
 
Hello? Fatai… I thought I told you not to call me.
 
Fatai
 
It’s been three days since you asked me to cut the brakes on Julian’s car… I need my balance.
 
Josephine
 
Why are you so crude? I am a woman of my words. Julian hasn’t used his car in days. Don’t call me again! I will call you! Got it?
 
Fatai
 
See! I am not a teenager o! I want my money. You can’t …
 
Josephine
 
Get lost! (Ends the call and dials Mariam’s number)
 
Hello? Mariam? Where are you?
 
Mariam
 
Madam… I am in the mansion already. I am about to enter Julian’s room.
 
Josephine
 
Perfect! Hurry up and pack everything. Meet me at my condo in an hour.
 
Mariam
 
Okay ma.
 
(Ends the call)
 
Josephine
 
(Smiles)
 
This will be my redemption. (Walks to the table that accommodates Fikayo, Ireti, Doyin, Thelma, Tolu, Shomama, Julian and Bam)
 
I am very sure the lord will comfort us. It is what our family needs at the moment. What do you all think?
 
Fikayo
 
You…
 
Doyin
 
Babe… calm down!
 
Tolu
 
Please… where is Mariam? She has been gone for a while now. I think the caterers need her direction. They’ve not been serving the guests on the east wing. They have angry faces.
 
Thelma
 
I think I saw her leaving the venue.
 
Josephine
 
Oh! She was in the restroom when I went to touch up my face. I think she has a stomach upset. Probably food poisoning. I will go check up on her.
 
(She leaves)
 
Julian
 
That was strange. A few seconds ago, she was looking for Mariam.
 
Tolu
 
Your mum is… sorry to say… a little bit loko.
 
Julian
 
No offense taken.
 
Bam
 
Julian, I need to speak with you. Please excuse us everyone.
 
(Bam and Julian leave the table to a secluded part of the hall)
 
Julian
 
Dad, is anything wrong?
 
Bam
 
Son, I think your mum is up to something. She…
 
Julian
 
What is it?
 
Bam
 
The ministry of Tourism account. Did you get rid of everything that might incriminate the firm? Doc-ments, software or hærdware.
 
Julian
 
There is nothing at Bamax. I made sure I left no trail. i have them in a safe place.
 
Bam
 
Where if I may ask? A bank?
 
Julian
 
No! My room!
 
Bam
 
Your room?
 
Julian
 
Yes… no one would ever break into the mansion.
 
Bam
 
You have a point.
 
Julian
 
So, what did Josephine say?
 
Bam
 
She was making threats. She wants to involve the EFCC.
 
Julian
 
Wow! It is all bluff, no substance. I left no trail in the office.
 
Bam
 
(Pulls Julian into an embrace)
 
Let’s go back to the table. It’s time for my speech.
 
SCENE 4
 
INTERMENT AT AGELESS HALL
 
OUTSIDE THE RESTROOM
 
(Tolu looks out for Mariam or Josephine)
 
Tolu
 
There is something going on here. I can’t place a finger on it. Where is Mariam? Where is Josephine? Something is not right.
 
(A tap on the shoulder startles her, it is Thelma)
 
Thelma
 
Babe, come in,side. Bam is about to give his speech.
 
Tolu
 
When I left the table, I had a strange feeling and I decided to sort it out. Something is not right.
 
Thelma
 
Detective Tolu!
 
Tolu
 
I am serious. Mariam has suddenly disappeared. The caterers said they’ve not seen her in what feels like an hour. Josephine claimed to have s₱0t her in the restroom. This is the restroom and there is no sign of Mariam and Josephine. If this doesn’t raise a flag, then I am not my mother’s daughter. The way you are just looking at me like some crazy person is making me mad!
 
Thelma
 
Calm down babe! I am not doubting your psychic power, but it doesn’t work all the time.
 
Tolu
 
It works all the time! You need to start acknowledging my gift!
 
Thelma
 
I have heard you. Can we go in,side now?
 
Tolu
 
Look! It’s Josephine! (Points to Josephine getting into a car) Follow me!
 
(Tolu sprints with Thelma trailing behind and soon they are in front of the car)
 
Tolu
 
Hey! Joe! Leaving so soon?
 
Josephine
 
Oh! Sorry ladies, I can’t wait to enjoy the party. I need to be somewhere else.
 
Thelma
 
…and Mariam?
 
Josephine
 
Oh! Awful! I had to send her back to the mansion in an uber. The lady is in bad shape. I will have my doctor call at the mansion in a few minutes to attend to her. I am happy to relieve Bam of the headache of caring for his domestic staff at this sad time. Send my love to Bam and every one.
 
(The car zooms off, Julian walks up to the ladies)
 
Julian
 
Who was that?
 
Tolu
 
Your mother.
 
Julian
 
Oh! Thank goodness she left! Bam just gave his speech and he cried. I have never seen him cry. It was painful to watch.
 
Thelma
 
I guess he tried his best to remain strong. He eventually broke.
 
Tolu
 
It doesn’t make him a weak man. He is one of the strongest men in the world. A man that is not afraid to be vulnerable.
 
Thelma
 
You are right.
 
Julian
 
Yeah… so, where is Mariam? Did she overcome the stomach upset?
 
Tolu
 
I guess not. Josephine just sent her home to rest.
 
Julian
 
Home? The mansion?
 
Thelma
 
Yes dear. Sounds risky right? Like why didn’t she get her to the hospital instead? Anyways, she will have her doctor go check up on her at the mansion.
 
Julian
 
The only doctor my mum visits is a plastic surgeon.
 
(Tolu and Thelma look at each other)
 
Tolu
 
Are you saying she lied? But why? And if Mariam is at the mansion, what could she be doing there? She is needed here.
 
Thelma
 
Detective Tolu calm down abeg!
 
Julian
 
No! She is right! Josephine and Mariam are…
 
Tolu
 
…working together! I have been trying to let make my dumb friend realise it for some time now. She thinks I am crazy!
 
Julian
 
What do you mean? Please, explain.
 
Tolu
 
So, you don’t know that Mariam is a mole. She feeds Josephine with anything that goes on in the mansion. Josephine has Mariam working for her and I caught her in the act!
 
Thelma
 
Let us not be too hasty! We might be wrong!
 
Julian
 
No! Tolu’s revelation is the missing puzzle. I need to get to the mansion now! Tell Bam I will be back. I will call him as soon as I get to the mansion (leaves them hurriedly)
 
Tolu
 
Did you hear that? Tolu’s revelation! Someone has given me  credit at last.
 
Thelma
 
I don’t like this at all. What if you are wrong?
 
How to grow your business while you stay at home
Tolu
 
I am not wrong. Let’s inform Bam and others.
 
AUTHOR’S NOTE
 
We are close to the end (I guess), about six episodes. I would love to hear from you. Tell me your favourite character(s) so far and maybe a few predictions. I have enjoyed bringing these characters to life and thanks for letting them into your space. More drama in the next episode…