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 hole 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 documents 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 documents. 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 documents 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 hard 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? Documents, software or hardware.

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 inside. 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 spot 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 inside 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?

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…

3 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also
Close
Back to top button
error: Content is protected !!
Close

Turn Off Data Saver

To enjoy the full functions of our website, kindly turn off your data saver or switch to mobile browsers like Chrome or Firefox. Reload this page after turning off data saver