SHOMAMA – Part 1

SHOMAMA

Synopsis

When a sixty three year old widow decides to be a third wife, it unleashes a chain of unending drama. Will Shomama go ahead to marry Chief Bamidele Maxwell in the middle of the chaos? Find out in this intriguing drama series.

Characters

Soyemi ‘Shomama’

Thelma Ladipo

Chief Bamidele Maxwell

Julian Bamidele Maxwell

Adunni Maxwell

Josephine Okonji

Ireti Maxwell

Fikayomi Maxwell Abiodun

Justina Ladipo

SCENE 1

SHOMAMA’S HOUSE

(Thelma knocks on the front door. There is no response. She dips her hand in her purse and pulls out her phone. She dials a number)

Thelma

Hello? Shomama?

Shomama

Thelma… I…

Thelma

I told you I was coming over na… where are you?

Shomama

Emmm… sorry. I went down the road. I mean faraway to get something… for my… emmm… you know what, just go home. I will be home late.

Thelma

Excuse me? I can wait… I mean by 8pm you should be home. I mean, that’s your policy.

Shomama

Not this time dear… I am taking care of some issues. I will call you back soon. Take care. Bye!

Thelma

Don’t hang up! (The line goes dead) What is going on?

(She turns to leave when she bumps into Mr Bala)

Thelma

Good evening sir.

Bala

(Smiles)

Good evening. How are you Thelma?

Thelma

(In Hausa)

I am fine.

Bala

(In Hausa)

Very good. Are you here to see Shomama?

Thelma

Yes… but she is not home and I called her. She told me that she would be coming home late.

Bala

(Laughs)

Oh! Shomama! She is really taking this serious.

Thelma

Taking what serious?

Bala

I shouldn’t be telling you this, but your mother is enjoying life again. It’s really good for her.

Thelma

Please… explain. I am confused.

Bala

A car comes here to pick her and brings her back late at night.

Thelma

Okay?

Bala

Come on! You are smart! It’s a man!

Thelma

(Laughs)

No… My mum would have told me about it. I don’t believe it.

Bala

(In Hausa)

Haba Thelma! What do I stand to gain from telling lies? You are hardly around. Just ask her whenever you see her.

Thelma

(Shakes her head)

I find this hard to believe.

Bala

It’s a good thing. She now moves around with a glow (smiles and walks away)

Thelma

Shomama? Man?

SCENE 2

SHOMAMA’S HOUSE

THE DINING TABLE

(Shomama serves Thelma rice from a bowl humming and sits after serving. She stops humming and begins to eat. Thelma watch her eat)

Shomama

Won’t you eat? Or are you going to keep on staring?

Thelma

Where were you last night? And every other night in the past few weeks…

Shomama

(Smiles)

Police officer! Detective Thelma! Please eat your food.

Thelma

Mum?

Shomama

(Sighs)

I went out. Okay? With a friend!

Thelma

Who is he? I mean how come I didn’t know about it. How can you just carry on shamelessly without thinking? Your neighbours have been watching your show of shame.

Shomama

(Bangs the table)

Now you listen! I don’t know who told you what! You have no right to eat from my table and talk sh*t about me. You are my daughter and here you are entertaining gossips from my neighbours. Are you sick?

Thelma

I am sorry mum.

Shomama

You better be! I am a grown woman and I deserve all the attention that I’m getting. You haven’t been here in weeks and I understand that you have a business to run. I get to live life again while you mind your business.

Thelma

I’m sorry.

Shomama

Its fine…

Thelma

Who is he?

Shomama

(Sighs)

Remember last Christmas? The mysterious gift from Bam?

Thelma

Okay?

Shomama

(Nods)

I have been going out with him.

Thelma

Do I know this Bam? Is he young?

Shomama

No!

Thelma

Thank God! I would ki*ll myself if you go out with someone of my age.

Shomama

It’s chief Bamidele.

Thelma

Chief Bamidele Maxwell? Ireti and FIkayo’s father? Your best friend’s husband?

Shomama

Correction. Former best friend. Bam and Adunni are no longer together. Adunni lives in Canada.

Thelma

(Shakes head)

This is not good. Shomama I don’t know how this will end nicely.

Shomama

I don’t know what you mean. I am pretty sure it will end well. Bam is everything.

Thelma

(Suddenly stands)

I think I have lost my appetite. I need to process this.

Shomama

Quit this drama I beg. It’s not cool. Can’t you at least pretend to be happy for me? For once I feel alive again!

SCENE 3

PLANDOTTE COSMETICS

THELMA’S OFFICE

(Tolu sits in front of Thelma)

Tolu

Honestly, Shomama deserves to be happy.

Thelma

Why are you talking like this? She deserves to be happy, yes. But it is the person she chooses to be happy with that is the problem! Chief Bamidele’s daughters were my childhood friends. Shomama was besties with their mum. I don’t know what happened but they stopped talking and it sort of restricted my friendship with the girls too. This cannot end well.

Tolu

Stop sounding like a prophet of doom.

Thelma

I am worried. Tolu, I am worried.

Tolu

Don’t let it consume you o… I can see you have a new store manager.

Thelma

After that Ebube incident, trusting people has been difficult for me. This one has been here for two weeks now and she is doing well. She came highly recommended.

Tolu

What is that her unique name again?

Thelma

Godspower

Tolu

(Laughs)

Yeah… some parents are wicked o! It’s just like those one that will call their children Fortune, Salvation, Miracle, Success…

Thelma

(Laughs)

…Goodnews, Goodness, Testimony, Worship. I beg I don tire!

Tolu

It is well. How is Justina?

Thelma

Her eyes is set on UCLA. The girl has been dreaming of life in the US.

Tolu

She is a smart girl. She will scale all the hurdles and be in Los Angeles in no time.

Thelma

Amen o!

(Thelma’s phone rings. She swipes to receive)

Hello Shomama?

Shomama

My love… I need you to clear your schedule this evening. Bam wants to meet with you.

Thelma

For what?

Shomama

Come on! Is it bad that he wants to meet with you? His driver will pick you in front of your store by 6pm.

Thelma

I can drive

Shomama

Stop being stubborn. The driver will come around by 6pm. Okay?

Thelma

Okay

(The phone line goes dead)

Tolu

What does she want?

Thelma

A dinner date with her lover

SCENE 4

MAXWELL MANSION

THE DINING TABLE

(Shomama, Bam and Thelma eat with the expensive silverware. Three Servers attend to them when necessary)

Thelma

The food is delicious.

Shomama

Table manners dear… Don’t talk with food in your mouth.

Bam

Come on Soyemi, she is free to express herself. (To Thelma) Credit goes to Mariam, she has been our caterer for ten years.

(Julian walks in)

Julian

Good evening everyone.

Bam

Hey! Son! You are a little bit late. Have a seat.

Julian

I would pass. I am a little bit tired and need to rest my head.

Bam

Come on son! Just a bite or two. Mariam served her special.

Shomama

Bam… I think Julian needs to rest.

Bam

…and miss our big announcement?

Shomama

Oh!

Thelma

What announcement? (Takes a tumbler and sips water)

(Shomama and Bam exchange knowing glances)

Shomama

(Squeals and claps excitedly)

We are engaged!

Thelma

(Spews water all over the table and shouts)

What!

Julian

Wow! Congratulations dad (moves to hug a standing Bam)

Bam

Thanks son.

(Julian moves to hug Shomama)

Julian

Congratulations. Great news!

Bam

You are excused son. Go and rest that head of yours.

Julian

(Smiles)

Thanks dad. Enjoy your dinner (he walks away)

(Shomama and Bam look at a dishevelled Thelma)

Bam

Thelma… is everything fine?

Thelma

(Stands)

I need some air. Please, excuse me. (Leaves the dining room for the balcony)

Shomama

She will be fine.

SCENE 5

MAXWELL MANSION

THE BALCONY

(Thelma folds her arms as Shomama approach her. She places a hand on her shoulder)

Shomama

You’ve been outside for thirty minutes. You should come in.

Thelma

Why? Why are you getting married again?

Shomama

(Sighs)

Bam makes me feel good.

Thelma

Do you love him?

Shomama

Thelma… I thought you would be happy for me.

Thelma

Not this mum, I have a bad feeling about this.

Shomama

You are wrong. This was meant to happen. Everyone in this mansion is excited but you. It doesn’t speak well of you.

Thelma

I don’t want to share you. You are leaving me (sobs)

Shomama

Oh dear! Is that what this is all about? Baby girl, I am always going to be here for you. (Hugs Thelma) you have nothing to worry. I love you.

Thelma

Julian likes you. I didn’t know Adunni Maxwell had a son. I thought she had just Fikayo and Ireti.

Shomama

Julian is not Adunni’s son. He is Bam’s lovechild

Thelma

What?

Shomama

For someone who is into the beauty line, you obviously don’t keep tab with society and celeb news.

Thelma

I mind my business and sell my products. Who is Julian’s mother?

Shomama

Josephine Okonji

Thelma

The same Josephine Okonji? The actress? I didn’t know she had a child. I thought she was just an old spinster.

Shomama

It happened a long time ago. They are civil about the whole thing. She gets monthly allowance and Julian works in Bam’s auditing firm. A possible heir to his fortune.

Thelma

…and your friend Adunni? Fikayo and Ireti?

Shomama

Honestly, I don’t know…

(They hear noises in the living room)

Thelma

What is going on?

Shomama

Let’s find out…

(They walk into the living room to find Bam and Josephine)

Josephine

(Looks at Shomama and Thelma)

So… your mistress brought her mother.

Bam

Stop it Josephine! Go home!

Thelma

(Chuckles)

She thinks I’m the lover? Oh great!

Josephine

Who said you can talk?

Thelma

Wow! And I loved your movies o!

Shomama

Thelma, stop it!

(Julian enters)

Julian

What is the commotion about? Mum, what are you doing here?

Bam

(To Julian)

Stop acting like you didn’t tell her.

Julian

Chief! You should know me by now.

Josephine

He didn’t tell me a thing! I have my contacts! I was told you have been playing around with someone these few days. I thought it was one of your numerous flings but for you to get engaged and preparing a wedding? That can never happen. I have waited for thirty years to be Mrs Maxwell. Adunni having cancer and ready to die was going to seal it! This woman cannot come into the picture!

Julian

(Shouts)

Mother!

Josephine

Leave me! Let me be!

Bam

Josephine get out!

Josephine

Bamidele Maxwell, this won’t end well. I tell you (moves closer to Shomama) watch your back every second, something terrible might happen to you

Bam

Enough of this nonsense! Now get out!

Josephine

(Turns to Thelma)

Under a better circumstance, an autograph would be given to you. Keep watching my movies. You can learn one or two things, including teaching your mother how to close her legs so that she can make heaven!

Bam

I said enough! Get out!

(Grabs Josephine by the arm and drags her out as she laughs hysterically)

 

ALL PARTS