Shomama episode 4
Shomama – Episode 4
Arinze S. Chiji
SCENE 1
THE MAXWELL MANSION
THE LIVING ROOM
(Adunni looks around and nods. She returns her gaze to the surprised faces of Bam, Shomama, Thelma, Tolu and Julian)
Adunni
(Smiles)
The place hasn’t changed much. I can see we are all having a good time.
Mariam
(Claps hands ecstatically)
It’s so good to have you back ma.
Adunni
I will just sit somewhere while they soak it in. Mariam, lead to a comfortable s₱0t.
Mariam
(Looks at the faces of Bam and others)
Eemm… I …
Adunni
You know what? I will sit at the dining table while you get me my special.
Mariam
(smiles)
Vodka with a lot of ice! Coming right up! (She leaves for the kitchen)
Bam
Why are you here?
Adunni
Is that how to welcome your wife? Fikayo bring my purse to the table. If anyone has anything to say, I will be at the table. My knees are weak.
(They watch as Fikayo and Adunni go to the dining table)
Tolu
This is some Mexican telenovela mess o!
Shomama
(holds her head with her hands)
What is going on? I’m suddenly feeling so dizzy.
Tolu
I will get you a glass of water. (Leaves for the kitchen)
Bam
(pulls Shomama into a warm embrace and sits her down)
You have nothing to worry about. Let me talk to Adunni and see what she wants.
Thelma
Trouble, obviously.
Bam
Please, let’s remain calm. Stay with your mother while I go straighten out things. (He plants a k-ss on Shomama’s forehead and goes to the dining table)
Thelma
(Sits beside Shomama)
Are you all right?
Shomama
No… I am shattered.
Julian
Everything will be fine. Trust me.
SCENE 2
THE MAXWELL MANSION
THE KITCHEN
(Tolu stops in front of the kitchen and watch Mariam pour vodka in a tumbler. She puts ice cubes in the tumbler. She picks her phone and dials a number, placing the phone in her ear)
Mariam
Hello? Ms Josephine… you won’t believe who just came in… Adunni Maxwell! Yes! She came in with Fikayo looking so frail… Yes… Yes… I will call you back in a few minutes. Yes… I will definitely keep you posted. (ends the call)
Tolu
(enters)
Mariam…
Mariam
(jolts and her phone falls to the floor)
My goodness! (turns to give Tolu a deathly glare) What is wrong with you? Look what you mad me do! What are you even doing in my territory?
Tolu
Shomama needs a glass of water. You should quickly fix her something. I wouldn’t want to come into your territory uninvited.
Mariam
You are already in. Why don’t you help yourself? I have a special to deliver.
Tolu
You called Josephine. I saw and heard you.
Mariam
I don’t know what you are talking about. (picks up the tumbler and leaves the kitchen)
SCENE 3
THE MAXWELL MANSION
THE DINING ROOM
(Mariam meets Bam and Adunni at the table. She drops the tumbler in front of Adunni and smiles)
Mariam
Just like old times.
Adunni
Thanks Mariam
Mariam
Chief, will you be needing anything?
Bam
Please leave this place.
Mariam
Okay… I will take that as I no. Let me ask those in the living room if they will be needing anything. Especially Mrs Fikayo. I have a special drink that makes pregnancy stay. (she goes to the living room)
Bam
Adunni, you shouldn’t be drinking that.
Adunni
I am going to die anyways. What’s the point?
Bam
How is the chemotherapy?
Adunni
I don’t want to talk about it.
Bam
So, what do you want to talk about? Why are you showing up now? You made it clear that you wanted a divorce.
Adunni
…and I don’t regret that decision.
Bam
You don’t?
Adunni
I don’t.
Bam
So, why are you here?
Adunni
i… i… i… thought you were getting married to Josephine and I was hell bent on stopping it. The girls didn’t do a good job at being detailed with your new shot at life.
Bam
…so?
Adunni
I am here to give my blessings. I was at peace when I found out that Soyemi is the one and not that home wrecker, Josephine. I want you to be happy. It’s my dying wish. Soyemi will take good care of you. I know it. I felt it so many years ago and I still feel it now.
Bam
What do you mean?
Adunni
Soyemi confessed to me years back that she had feelings for you. She suggested that we end our friendsh¡p to prevent any betrayal. She stayed away and kept her word. I respected her for her decision. It was unheard of and the best gift from a friend I have ever had. I endorse this union with all my heart.
Bam
Wow! I am…
Adunni
…speechless?
Bam
(nods)
Yes
Adunni
(stands to her feet and looks towards the living room)
Soyemi!
Bam
What are you doing? Why are you calling her?
Adunni
I have got this.
(Tolu enters with a glass of water as Shomama and Thelma walk to the table. Julian, Fikayo and Julian are on their feet and close to the dining area)
Shomama
(sighs)
Adunni… I didn’t want to meet you like this. i…
Adunni
Please say no more.
Thelma
I won’t let my mum be disrespected. We are out of here. Shomama, let’s go.
Adunni
Please wait! I need you to listen to me. I am not here to stop this beautiful union.
Mariam
What!
Adunni
I am here to give my blessing. I am glad Bam chose to spend the rest of his life with you. He deserves this. He deserves you. You deserve him. I came to Nigeria with the sole purpose of strangling Bam’s new love interest and I only got to know her identity when I arrived. Soyemi, you are a beautiful soul and I choose you to fill this void. I can die peacefully knowing that Bam has an angel by his side.
Fikayo
You dragged me here for this? Mum? Really?
Adunni
Fikayo, I want you to see Shomama as your mum. She is the mother of mothers. A woman that can give sacrificially shouldn’t be let go. You cling to her and cherish her for all her worth. Thelma is lucky and Fikayo you are about to get lucky. This woman is a keeper!
Shomama
(sobs and kneels)
This is just too much. I don’t think I deserve…
Adunni
(helps Shomama to her feet)
Get up sister. I should be the one on my knees. You are a gem. Please look after this big baby and my little babies.
Mariam
This calls for champagne. Let me get something done. I will be right back.
(makes to leave for the kitchen but Tolu blocks her)
Tolu
(gives her a phone)
You might be needing this.
Mariam
Oh! Thanks…
(collects it and leaves quickly)
Tolu
Thelma, I need to see you now.
Thelma
Can it wait?
Tolu
No!
Julian
It has to kinda wait. We need to take a family photo now. You are invited to join in.
Fikayo
A photo now? I need my make-up artist. I won’t be caught unfresh in any photograph, not even a family photo.
Thelma
You are in luck dear. My friend here is a professional make-up artist. She will hook you up in no time.
Julian
Great! Let me set up and in five minutes we should be done.
Fikayo, Thelma, Tolu, Shomama and Adunni
Hell no!
(They all laugh)
Julian
What?
Thelma
Our faces will take hours to work on but I’m sure Tolu can work within an hour. Moreover, it will just be something light.
Tolu
Our faces? I thought it was only Fikayo’s face. I will only rub you guys powder. Besides, I didn’t come with my make-up kit. Thirty minutes will be okay.
Thelma
Okay… fine.
Bam
Where is Mariam and the champagne? (Shouts) Mariam!
SCENE 4
THE MAXWELL MANSION
THE LIVING ROOM
(Julian goes to open the door)
Julian
Mum?
Josephine
(Walks in with a big frown)
Where is everybody? They didn’t stay for dinner (checks her wristwatch)
Julian
(Chuckles)
Your plan to crash the party failed!
Josephine
So, Adunni has given her blessing. How nice!
Julian
Back off! Can you just admit that you’ve lost?
Josephine
I never lose, son. You will get what I need to make this work.
Julian
You must be out of your mind if you think I would help you ruin dad!
Josephine
Who said anything about ruining Bam? I just need to twist his arm a little and he will stop this madness, return to his senses, and then marry me.
Julian
No way!
Josephine
You know I always have my way. It’s a pity you will be at the receiving end.
Julian
So be it!
Josephine
What has come over you? We used to be so close. I made Bam accept you. I made all these happen. Is this how you repay me? You have his last name and I remain an outsider!
Julian
Oh please, I have had enough of this attempt at emotional blackmail. I think you should leave.
Josephine
Who is going to throw me out? You? I dare you!
(Julian leaves for his room as Mariam enters)
Mariam
Oh dear! What is wrong with Julian? He stormed out raging like a wounded lion.
Josephine
Don’t mind him. He is an ingrate.
Mariam
I thought you would be here sooner. They spent a lot of time making merry before finally leaving.
Josephine
I couldn’t leave the movie set in time. I’m glad you called me. Thanks.
Mariam
It’s nothing ma.
Josephine
I need you more than ever. You will be handsomely compensated. I promise you.
Mariam
What do you want me to do?
Josephine
Julian has in his possession some doc-ments that can destroy Bam and his auditing firm. Some shady deals that might be of interest to the EFCC. Get me those doc-ments.
Mariam
How will I be able to recognise it?
Josephine
Take any doc-ment that has Bamax auditing imprint.
Mariam
What if Julian finds out and tells Chief Bamidele?
Josephine
I will handle Julian. I will teach him a lesson.
Mariam
Okay ma.
Josephine
Is Fatai still the family’s mechanic?
Mariam
Yes ma.
Josephine
I need his phone number. He needs to service Julian’s car (grins)
Mariam
Ma? What does that mean?
Josephine
The less you know, the better.
SCENE 5
JOSEPHINE’S CONDO
THE BEDROOM
(Josephine is in front of the dressing mirror and in her night gown. She picks her phone and dials a number)
Josephine
Hello? Fatai?
Fatai
Yes, that’s me.
Josephine
My name is Josephine Okonji, soon to be Josephine Maxwell. I am Julian Maxwell’s mother and Bamidele Maxwell’s soon to be wife.
Fatai
Ha! Good evening madam.
Josephine
How are you?
Fatai
I’m fine ma.
Josephine
I need to see you in the morning. I have a serious business to discuss with you. In fact, I need you to carry out an assignment for me. You will be generously rewarded.
Fatai
Okay ma.
Josephine
I will text you the address as soon as I end this call.
How to grow your business while you stay at home
Fatai
Okay ma. Good night ma.
Josephine
Good night! (ends the call) I don’t want to do this, but you leave me with no choice, son. Sometimes, we learn the hærd way. That is how life is programmed.