Our Christmas Miracle – Episode 1
Our Christmas Miracle – Episode 1
CHARACTERS
Thelma – CEO Plandotte cosmetics
Justina Ladipo – Thelma’s fifteen year old daughter
Shomama – Thelma’s mum
Kunle Ladipo – Justina’s father and Thelma’s ex husband
Mr Femi – Thelma’s accountant
Ebube – Plandotte store manager
Joyce – Owner, Ivory boutique
Tolu
Bimpe
Bisola Ladipo
Police officers
SCENE 1
IVORY BOUTIQUE
Thelma
I don’t think I can afford this at the moment. I will get back to you.
Joyce
Come on Thelma, you’ve had a wonderful year. You opened two stores on the island and that trip to Dubai in August? What do you mean? Buy this thing for your little princess.
Thelma
You won’t understand. I will get back to you. Don’t push it, please.
Joyce
Okay… if you say so. I will return this gorgeous dress to the rack and maybe someone will buy it tomorrow. I mean… it’s the Christmas rush.
Thelma
(nods)
Thanks. I will see you soon.
(Thelma walks out of the store. She dips her hand in her handbag to grab her phone. She dials a number)
Hello. Kunle…
Kunle
Hey… Thelma.
Thelma
I was wondering if you got my message.
Kunle
(sighs)
Yes I did…
Thelma
And…
Kunle
See… Thelma, this is a bad time. I am kind of tied at the moment.
Thelma
What do you mean? I haven’t asked you for anything before. It is not even for me. It’s for our daughter.
Kunle
You should try to understand. My hands are tied.
Thelma
You know what? Just forget it. (Hangs up)
SCENE 2
SHOMAMA’S HOUSE
(Thelma sits on the sofa staring at the ceiling. Shomama stands over her)
Shomama
Thelma!
Thelma
(Jolts)
Mum…
Shomama
You will ki*ll yourself with this thinking. I don’t like this. You can’t help the situation, why ponder over it for so long?
Thelma
Mum… you don’t understand. I promised to be everything for my princess. Why should I start failing now?
Shomama
Welcome to life! Things don’t always go the way we plan. You should know this by now.
Thelma
I have let my princess down.
Shomama
(Shakes her head)
Justina is a good girl. She will understand. You shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. So what? You had a bad year… re strategize!
Thelma
I did not have a bad year! It was just this December. I don’t know what happened. My money just vanished.
Shomama
Think hard! The trip to Dubai and other frivolous spending must have caused it.
Thelma
(Rolls her eyes)
It is not that. One minute I have so much in my bank account, the next minute it’s all gone. Some bad business deals, that’s what Femi said.
Shomama
(Sighs)
You will be fine. When will you be going to pick Justina?
Thelma
Tomorrow…
Shomama
Cheer up. Let me make you pasta and fish sauce. (Smiles and walks away)
SCENE 3
(In front of Pinewood college)
(Thelma parks her SUV and waits a few seconds before Justina arrives with her luggage. Thelma still in the car smiles as Justina opens the passenger’s door)
Justina
You are late! Won’t you help me with these bags?
Thelma
She is already giving orders!
Justina
(Smiles)
I know you missed me.
Thelma
(Smiles)
Yes my princess. Hop in with your luggage, let’s get out of here. I’m sure you are starving.
Justina
Yes!
(They laugh hard)
SCENE 4
(DE MONDE HOTEL, RESTAURANT)
(Justina watch Thelma use the fork to play with the salad. She is not eating)
Justina
You don’t like the salad? You can order something else.
(No response)
Justina
(Snaps her fingers in Thelma’s face)
Hey!
Thelma
That’s rude!
Justina
What is going on? You are not listening to me.
Thelma
Of course I heard you. I don’t think Wizkid should release an album at the moment.
Justina
(Folds her arms)
Really?
Thelma
(Rubs her face with her palm)
Tina… please finish your food. I will drop you off at Grandma’s.
Justina
Grandma’s? Why? What is wrong? Did I do something bad?
Thelma
No… no… no… it’s not you. It’s just that… the house is a mess. I need… I mean… I’m renovating the place.
Justina
That’s a lie!
Thelma
Just eat!
Justina
I’m done!
Thelma
Fine! Get into the car (stands and leaves Justina at the table)
SCENE 5
(SHOMAMA’S HOUSE)
(Thelma hands over Justina to Shomama and exits the house hurriedly)
Shomama
(Smiling)
You should take your bags to the guest room and settle in. we have a lot to catch up on.
Justina
(Fold her arms)
I am not stepping an inch.
Shomama
(Sighs)
Your mum… she needs to sort out a few things. She will come for you soon.
Justina
No! Something is wrong and I am being left in the dark on purpose. I am fifteen not five!
Shomama
Watch your tone princess! You should try to understand.
Justina
Understand what? What are you trying to make me understand? Is there a man? Is mum leaving me like…?
Shomama
No… no… your mum will never do that to you. She loves you too much and has been by your side. She is just going through a lot and needs to sort out things.
Justina
Grandma?
Shomama
Oh! Tina!
Justina
Just say it. What is going on? You know I will figure it out on my own.
Shomama
(Sighs)
Please… Tina, just let it be. Your mum is handling the situation.
Justina
(Smirks)
Okay… I will take my bags to the room now.
Shomama
I don’t like that look. I don’t like that look Tina.
SCENE 6
(SHOMAMA’S HOUSE)
(GUEST ROOM)
(Justina lay on the bed with a phone pressed to her ear)
Justina
Bimpe, I had to borrow Shomama’s phone to call you. My phone is in the house.
Bimpe
Okay. Yeah the house is out of bounds.
Justina
I wonder when the renovation will be over so that I can storm the hood.
Bimpe
What renovation?
Justina
The house was sealed because of renovation works.
Bimpe
Was that what your mum told you? The bank sealed your house. I heard she has some financial troubles.
Shomama
(Calls from the living room)
Justina! Your mum is here!
Justina
Uuum… Bimpe, I will call you back. My mum is back. (She hung up and jumps to her feet. She walks fuming all the way to the living room)
Thelma
My princess!
Justina
When did you plan on telling me that we are poor!
Shomama
Hey! Young woman!
Thelma
Who told you that?
Justina
I just spoke with Bimpe from the neighbourhood and she said the bank has sealed our house.
Thelma
Where did you get a phone?
Shomama
Oh dear! She said she wanted to call the matron at Pinewood that she left her sweaters. I should have known better.
Justina
(Shouts)
That is not the point! Imagine hearing that you are poor from a total stranger. Everyone knows but me! I thought we promised to be each other’s best friend. Best friends don’t keep secrets!
Thelma
Its adult stuff.
Justina
Is that all the explanation you can give?
Thelma
Shut up! Don’t you dare talk to me like that! I am your mother and I deserve some respect! Do you think I am fine with all these? My money’s vanished just like that! All I need is your understanding and not all these unnecessary drama. I didn’t raise an ungrateful brat! I owe you no explanation!
(Runs out sobbing)
Shomama
Are you satisfied? She lost everything and all she was worried about was the Christmas dress she promised you! Nothing else!
To be continued
