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VOICES: EPISODE TWO
SCENE I: PHILO’S SHOP. MARKET. MORNING
1. SFX: GENERAL AMBIENCE OF THE MARKET.
WE CAN HEAR THE VENDOR, OKADA
HORNS AND ENGINE. MR TITUS
APPROACHES, GREETING FRIENDS
PASSING BY. SANI COMES ALONG AND
WE HEAR HIS SHOE BOX’S CLICK CLICK
2. BUGUGU: Ah Oga Titus!
3. TITUS: Sani, Sani! Sani the master cobbler!
4. BUGUGU: Oga Titus. You ,good person. Make I shine am for
ya shoe.
5. TITUS: Ah Sani. Not to worry. It is still early. We will shine
it later.
6. BUGUGGU: Oga Titus! Good person!
7. SANI WALKS AWAY. WE HEAR HIS TOOLBOX CLICKING AWAY.
8. TITUS: What a fellow. [HE WALKS ON]
9. SFX: MARKET AMBIENCE UP A SHORT WHILE
AND IT GOES DOWN AS PHILO SOLLEMLY
SINGS, GOD WIL MAKE A WAY. TITUS
ARRIVES.
10. TITUS: Well madam philo, God had better make a way and
fast too. Because your shop is the next part of a call.
Tour contribution please!
11. PHILO: Oga Titus won’t you greet me first?
12. TITUS: Business before pleasure my dear.
13. THEY LAUGH
14. TITUS: Any way, how is the family?
15. PHILO: SIGHS AND PAUSES A WHILE.
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16. TITUS: I hope nothing is wrong madam Philo?
17. PHILO: Everything is fine Titus.We thank God at least we are still
alive.
18. TITUS: Philo agreed January is the longest month of the year. The
days drag slower than a snail. But it seems what is
bothering you goes beyond…
19. PHILO: (CALLS) FLORENCE! FLORENCE!
20. TITUS: What has Florence go to do with this? Is she ill?
21. PHILO: I am the one who is ill.
22. TITUS: I am sorry Philo. Is it malaria?
23. PHILO: It’s my stomach dear. I did not sleep a wink last night. If
kept me awake, rolling from side to side. And I sent that
girl ages ago to Ahmadus shop to get some herbs.
24. TITUS: Why Adamu;s shop? I mean you could have gone to see
nurse mabel at her chemist to better still, go to the hospital.
25. PHILO: This is not a case for the hospital Titus.
26. TITUS: Why? How do you know it is not serious enough?
27. PHILO: It is only stomach disorder Titus and the herbs work better
for me.
28. TITUS: Fine. Different strokes for different folks…Madam Philo.
So are you telling me, which was the only reason you were
singing that song when I arrived.
29. PHILO: (SIGHS) Titus, it is a common saying that the chicken does
sweat. It is it’s feathers that convince us other wise.
30. TITUS: Ah! Ah! So there is more to it that meets the eye.
31. SFX: FOOTSTEPS APPROCHING, FLORENCE
ARRIVES.
32. FLORENCE: Mummy here is the herbal mixture. Alhaji said…
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33. PHILO: Where are you coming from?
34. FLORENCE: Ma?
35. PHILO: Sir? I said where are you coming from?
36. FLORENCE: But mummy you sent me to….
37. PHILO: (CUTS IN) No! It could have been where I sent you.
38. TITUS: Take it easy philo.
39. PHILO: Anyway, we will discus that later. Bring the herbs…I know
I have done my own, as a good mother should do. If you
live a useless life like your elder sister, the blame will all be
yours. The bible says’ train up a child in the way he should
go and he will not depart from it’. I have done my own. If
you want to turn from the way I have shown you, that is
your headache. Here is your pocket money. Now to school.
If you like sleep there till tomorrow. It’s your life.
40. FLORENCE: (MURMURING) Thank you ma. Mummy I want to check
on mimik on my way back from school.
41. PHILO: Okay. Take this money and buy some chocolates for her.
42. FLORENCE: Okay mummy. Bye bye!
43. SFX: FOOTSTEPS. FLORENCE EXITS.
44. TITUS: I think you were a bit too hard on that girl. Adamu’s shop is
quite a distance from here.
45. PHILO: Titus I can not afford to have that girl go astray. if she
turns out like Tami, I don’t know what I will do.
46. TITUS: Well Philo (HEAVING AS HE GETS UP) I should be on
my way. Let me have your contribution.
47. PHILO: (SIGHS) Titus, I am afraid I cannot give you anything
today. Infact not for a while to come.
48. TITUS: Ahah! Why?
49. PHILO: Why does the chicken seat Titus?
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50. MUSIC BRIDG
SCENE 2: FRIDAY’S SPOT. NOON.
51. SFX: TRAFFIC AMBIENCE. FELA’S MUSIC WAFTS IN
FROM EASY RECORDS CLOSE BY. FRIDAY IS
ASLEEP SNORING IN A CORNER. WE HEAR
VULCANIZER’S TOOL IN USE. OGA JOHNNY
ARRIVES.
52. JOHNNY: Major! Wey your oga?
53. MAJOR: They asleep sir!
54. JOHNNY: Eh-en! They asleep. Anyway, no be your fault. When one
person sleep full ground so, why eh no go plenty. [CALLS]
Friday! Friday!
55. FRIDAY: Ummm?
56. SFX: FRIDAY STRETCHING AND YAWNING
57. JOHNNY: See am… you leave work for dis small boy to do, you
come dey sleep… lazy man!
58. FRIDAY: Ah! [STILL STRETCHING] Oga Johnny, I get small
malaria that is why.
59. JOHNNY: Na everytime you dey get small malaria. Wey my tyres?
60. FRIDAY: Tyres… Which tyre oga?
61. JOHNNY: Friday! E pass sleep? No be vulcanizer you be? Okay, na
me Johnny. I give you money say make you buy me four
SECOND HAND tyres for the past 2 weeks. Na the tryes I
come collect.
62. FRIDAY: Oh! Ooooo…okay those tryes. Oga Johnny, sit down.
Major!
63. MAJOR: Sir!
64. FRIDAY: That place wey I send you, you don go?
65. MAJOR: You no send me go anywhere o.
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66. FRIDAY: Eh! I no wetin? [ATTACKS MAJOR] I no do wetin? I no
send you…?
67. SFX: MAJOR CRYING OUT UNDER HEAVY BLOWS OF
THE CANE.
68. JOHNNY: If you like beat am die, no be today you don dey do am. as
I dey so, I go collect my tyres.
69. FRIDAY: Ah ah! But Oga Johnny, no be because of you I dey beat
am.
70. JOHNNY: Because of me!? You wey you don chop my money, you
come dey post me.
71. FRIDAY: [PITIFULLY] Ah Oga Johnny, how I go do dat kain thing?
72. JOHNNY: You dey ask me question? No worry, I never get your time
now. Make I go come the place wey I dey go. Try ask me
that kain question when I come back… criminal element.
73. JONNY EXITS
74. FRIDAY: Major, as I train you reach, you see person wey I owe, you
no fit come tell me. I still give you sign you dey do swe-
swe.
75. MAJOR: Oga, I think say we rent the trye to Area.
76. FRIDAY: Shut up! Mu-mu! Oya come quick, quick come go find
Area for Motor Park. Tell am say yawa don gas o! Tell am
say I wan see an now now. You hear wetin I talk?
77. MAJOR: Yes sir!
78. FRIDAY: Run go now now.
79. MUSIC BRIDGE
SCENE THREE: ROADSIDE. MOTOR PARK ENTRANCES.
MORNING.
80. SFX: SOUND OF ENGINES AND HORNS BARING.
GENERAL MOTOR PARK AMBIENCE OF
TRAFICC.WE CAN HEAR HAWKERS.
BUGUGU APPROACHES SINGING TO BEAT
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ON A RHYTHM FORM HIS TOOLBOX, HE
REFLECTS GOGO ZULAIS ROAD SIDE STALL.
81. BUGUGU: Kai Gogo Zulai! Noise are to plenty for this place
fa! I for get you for shop inside market.
82. ZULAI: Bugugu, to get shop for inside market na money.
83. BUGUGU: Kai! Money, I no….
84. ZULAI: Bugugu, no worry, KO? You see this place wey I
dey, I dey sell small, small, Allah be praised.
85. BUGUGU: Ok! No problem, but I never forget am for your
ram. Gogo Zulai, I go chop ram for this sallah.
Wallahi I don find am for ram. I go bring am.
86. ZULAI: Bugugu, which ram you, go find? (ALARMED) Na
who get ram wey you find?
87. BUGUGU: Make you no worry Gogo. I go bring am. You go
see.
88. SFX: SOUND OF A LORRY TRYING TO
MANOUVER WITH IT’S ENGINE RAISED
FROM TIME TO TIME. THERE IS A LOUD
BALRRING OF HORN.
89. AREA: (FROM A DISTANCE) Cut your hand, come this
side now. Montu, you hear so?
90. SFX: SOUND OF RAISED LORRY ENGINE.IT DIES
DOWN.
91. AREA: Montu, na like this you come!
92. MONTU: Monami, come like this how? You want me to enter
the refuse? Nah my friend?
93. AREA: You no say you son de cause hold up for here.
94. MONTU: Your are not serious man. Is it my fault? See how
much road the refuse has eaten. It wasn’t this bad
when I left the West Coast man.
95. SFX: HORNS BLARE IMPATIENTLY
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96. AREA: Look Montu, this hold up don dey plenty o! Make
you try your other side. Cut your hand go the other
side.
97. SFX: SOUND OF ENGINE RAISED AS MONTU
ATTEMPTS AREAS SUGGESTION.
98. ZULAI: Yeh! Where dis lorry wan pass?
99. BUGUGU: Hei, hei, hei! You dey craze? You no get sense?
Una don blind? Una no see am? I no get wahala, if
una jam am for Gogo Zulai. Plenty, plenty wahala
go dey fa!
100. MONTU: Hey monami. Stop shouting and move that
woman’s table back.
101. BUGUGU: This table, I no go anywhere.
102. SFX: DOOR OPENS AND SLAMS SHUT. WE HEAR
MONTU ALIGHT.
103. AREA: Bros, e be like you go climb dat dirty pass enter
garage o.
104. MONTU: Monami, see what you have all done. You dump so
much refuse, it takes half of my road and then you
take the other half with your illegal structure.
105. ZULAI: No be me dey pack dirty for road.
106. BUGUGU: You are just dey talk nonsense. Gogo Zulai e no dey
irresponsible. Na local council government get a
responsible.
107. SFX: PEOPLE RAISE AN ALARM AS A BUS
KNOCKS DOWN A MOTOR BIKE.
108. AREA: Chie! E don jam am.
109. MONTU: This is crazy man. How can you cut into another
lane with out checking for other vehicles first.
People don’t respect this road at all. They go on her
without understanding her basic rules.
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110. SFX: MOTORCYCLE CRASHING
111. ZULAI: Kai! Wayo Allah! See blood! But why dis motor
cycle man come drive like that now?
112. AREA: Na him fault? Na that yeye bus driver. Because hold
up dey for this side, he just cut lion land enter one
way without trafficating without nothing. If to say
motor dey come from the side, he for be trouble
wahala.
113. ZULAI: Even the motorcycle sef follows one way. Na dem
they do I am pass. Dem think say because dem
small, dem fit do anything for road. See am now.
114. MONTU: I say it before, I say it again. Government should
just take away half the drivers license on the road
today.
115. AREA: Aha! Montu, why dem for do that one?
116. MONTU: Cant you see? Manami, it is obvious they are not
framed to make a living on the road.
117. ZULAI: But if government do am, how dem go survive
now?
118. BUGUGU: Kai! Dem go dey punish shoe like me.
119. THEY ALL LAUGH
120. MONTU: People, good people. Listen tome please think the
road is a life line. She wants to feed our blood with
life. Not drink it. Now lady, you and some of the
people selling, you gonna have to help me. My
tomatoes are late already there are people waiting
for them.
121. AREA: We go just shift all this table back small, small
and…
122. MUSIC BRIDGE
SCENE 4: PHILO’S SHOP
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123. SFX: GENERAL MARKET AMBEIENCE. IT
FADES TOTEH BACKGROUND
124. PHILO: Now that you have read the letter, tell me where do
I get for, fifty thousand.
125. TITUS: Can’t you pay it piece meal?
126. PHILO: They say I have to clear it all at once, otherwise i
will have to wait till next Season to graduate.
127. TITUS: Oh, that sounds not good at all.
128. PHILO: I have been on this thing for too long…a part time
programme originally designed to take five years
eh. This is my eight-year. All because of all manner
of strike and internal university problem. And now
that I can finally graduate, no money to clear
tuition.
129. TITUS: (SIGHS) This is another of life’s irony don’t know
whether to say this good news or bad news.
130. PHILO: I am just tired.
131. TITUS: I am sorry Philo, but hold faith. God is in control.
132. MUSIC BRIDGE.
SCENE FIVE: RASHEEDS OFFICE
SFX: AMBIENCE OF A MOTOR PARK. WE HEAR CONDUCTORS,
PASSENGERS, CAR HORNS, ENGINES AND SOFT DRINKS SOUNDS.
133. RASHEED: Dende!
134. DENDE: The Shairman!
135. RAHEED: You go carry this election form go submit am for
council. Na union council office o. except you no
wan make I win this coming election.
136. DENDE: D Shair! D Shair!! Na you for ever Shairman. Na
you we go vote for. You stand gidigba! You stand
well well! Tell dem!
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137. RASHEED: Carry am go. And make you check dat printer.
138. SFX: TRUCK ARRIVES. SHOUTS OF MONTU. MONTU ENTERS
139. DENDE: Montu Montu! International driver! Importer and
exporter of Tomato and potato!
140. RASHEED: My friend will you leave this place, make you go
where I send you.
141. DENDE: Shair Sir!
142. DENDE EXITS
143. MONTU: Rasheed… bonjour mon ami…
144. RASHEED: Montu, what do you want? What is your problem?
145. MONTU: Problem? Cesa le’ problem. Me no get problem. It
is your rubbish refuse that block my trailer.
146. RASHEED: It is your father’s rubbish refuse!
147. MONTU: Hey, Mon Ami… qu'est que le problem?
148. RASHEED; I resemble Local Government Chairman? If rubbish
block your trailer, na me cause am?
149. MONTU: Hey, Rasheed, why fight? Me come tell you about
refuse everywhere, blocking everything. causing big
problem.
150. RASHEED: [FLARES UP] Get out of my office, get out! Get
out! I no get your time today.
151. MONTU: Mon Ami, you give me fight, I give you beaucoup
beaucoup fight.
152. RASHEED: Look, I will call the boys to bundle you out if you
don’t get out. Bastard of no fixed address
153. MONTU: Rasheed! You call me bastard? What is the wrong I
have done? Monami me come to tell you about the
refuse threatening to block the road and our gate
and you call me bastard. That is not good monami.
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154. RASHEED: Okay sorry Mr monami.what do you want me to
do? Pack the refuse to my house?
155. MONTU: Petition the councilman. Are you not the motor
chairman?
156. RASHEED: Oh! So you are now the one to teach me my job ah!
Or maybe you’re even interest in the job sef. if you
are Montu, don’t challenge me in my stead, meet
me on the election ground.
157. MONTU: Oh! Monami, me not interested in your office. It’s
your job me want you to do.
158. RASHEED: And have I not been doing it? Do you know how
many times I have writing letters to the local
government?
159. MONTU: And maybe the government has been giving you
money to clear therefore, who knows? I don’t know.
160. RASHEED: Are you trying to say I have been embezzling
money? Thai have been spending government
money for myself?
161. MONTU: What do I know Rasheed.
162. RASHEED: Montu, get out of my office (SHOUTS) GET OUT
NOW!
163. MONTU: (CHUCKLES) Okay, okay Monami.But tell your
wife that her tomatoes where delayed because of the
refuse (WALKING AWAY).
164. RASHEED: Will you leave this place? Homeless vagabond and
bastard. Beast of no nation.
165. MONTU: Chao! Monami, chao. Aruwa dechi!
166. RAASHEED: Will you leave this place? Homeless vagabond and
bastard. Beast of no nation.
167. MONTU: Chao Mon ami, Chao. Aruwa dechi!
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168. RASHEED: My friend, leave this place. Anything you say, same
to you too. You too chao! Bastard! Am I the local
government chairman? Everytime we contribute
money, dem go chop am. Now you come meet me.
If you like make your trailer fall for gutter, that is
your problem. This no identity fool is getting to
obig for this motor park. I will cut him to size
bastard. Chao!
SCENE 6: MAMA RISI’S BUKA. DAY
169. SFX: MARKET AMBIENCE. FADES AND IS
REPLACED BY THE AMBIENT OF A
BUKATERIA. SOUNDS OF PLATES AND
CUSTOMERS. BEGGAR BOYS ARE HEARD
IN THE BACKGROUND.
170. MAMA RISI: Cecilia come here… wey your second.
171. CECILIA: I think sey you send am ma
172. MAMA RISI: Since when? She never come?
173. CECILIA: No ma…
174. MAMA RISI: Hey! Where dis girl wey I send go buy groundnut
oil from Zulai. Customers go begin come now and
food don nearly finish.
175. SFX: JOHNNY ENTERS
176. MAMA RISI: Ah Johnny, no break my chair O! my chair never
offend you…
177. JOHNNY: Sorry.
178. MAMA RISI: Johnny wetin happen?
179. JOHNNY: Nothing! (beggars' chant fades)
180. MAMA RISI: If nothing happen, why you squeeze face like
person wey him wife born six girls without a boy?
181. JOHNNY: My problem dey too much. Mama Risi wetin, for
here I get problem, for work I get problem. I go
village sef problem pursue me reach there!
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182. MAMA RISI: Take am easy Johnny. Wetin happen now?
183. SFX: BEGGAR’S CHANT FADES
184. MAMA RISI: Johnny, why you squeeze face like this?
185. JOHNNY: Problem dey too much. Na only me dey this life?
186. MAMA RISI: Wetin happen now?
187. JOHNNY: Na only me dey? You do this one, dem say you no
do am well. You do that one, dem say the thing no
good. Manager talk say I talk say bank people na
thief na him dem give me query. Eh, I talk
anything? You hear anything from my mouth? I no
just understand. To come add to the palava, dat
useless Friday, dat nonsense boy. Manager give me
money make I buy tyre. I give Friday make em buy
am. e carry the money chop. Hmn, and I go show
am. im think say I go call police. I no go call police
o. I go show am so tay im no go ever forget. Na me
an am go wear one trouser… I go show am sey
khaki no be leather!
188. MAMA RISI; Johnny take am easy. Make you no go take your
hand cause another problem for yourself. Nobody
wey no dey get problem. Na talk dem no dey talk
am nothing wey dey come from heaven wey no dey
touch ground o.
189. JOHHNY SIGHS. PAUSE.
190. JOHNNY: Na only me? My children dey give me problem. For
work, dem carry problem give me again. Na only
me?
191. MAMA RISI; Johnny, no kill yourself. Wetin you go chop?
SCENE 7: AHAMDU’S SHOP. DAY
192. SFX: GENERAL MARKET AMBIENCE. BEGGAR
BOYS CHANT FADES IN
193. BEGGAR BOYS: [CHANT] Give us money
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Make we take chop
Make we take wash
Make we give papa
Make we give mama
Make you give us money
Because of God
194. AHMADU: No money today. Ali, no money today. Tell your
friends. Unless una go take wetin I dey sell, herbs
195. SFX: EVERYBODY LAUGHS.
196. SHERI: [CUTS IN] Baba, let me give them some money.
197. AHMADU: Ehn, that na your wahala.
198. SFX: MONEY [COINS] DROPS INTO THE PLATE
199. BEGGAR BOYS: [CHANT] Thank you, thank you
God go bless you
Auntie Sheri, God go bless you
Auntie Sheri, God go bless you
200. SFX: CHANT FADES AS THEY GO
201. SHERI; Baba, I have Finnish cooking your food is ready.
202. AHMADU: Good! But I go chop later.
203. SHERI: Ok baba.
204. PAUSE
205. SHERI: Baba I have pounded the herbs for the sores. It is in
the black nylon on top o f the shelf.
206. AHMADU: Ah you do well. The person wey get that one go
soon come.
207. SHERI: And the medicine for stomach trouble finish this
morning.
208. AHMADU: So na the one wey remain wey Florence come buy
for mama dis morning. Dat means say I go mix
another one.
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209. SHERI: I have Baba.
210. AHMADU: Ah, good! Well done my daughter. Your head sharp
well well (CHUCKLES) you be my pickin now,
how your head no go sharp.
211. SHERI: Baba
212. AHMADU: Can I go now?
213. AHMADU: Where?
214. SHERI: I tell you say I wan go do my hair today.
215. AHMADU: Oh! (LAUGHS) So because you don finish all your
work, you wan to make me I sidon for there alone.
216. SHERI: But Baba, I have been sitting in the shop since
morning…Now that you are around, please just give
me this little time let me quickly go and do my hair.
217. AHMADU: Wetin you wan go do for that hair? Dis hair wey be
say na everytime you dey cover am.
218. SHERI: Baba, I’ ve been carrying this hair for almost a
mouth and it’s itching me already.
219. AHMADU: Alright.Just go. Make you no tey oh!
220. SHERI: Yes baba.
221. PAUSE SHERI DOES NOT MOVE
222. AHMADU: Ahah! Wetin you come dey wait for again?
223. SHERI: I need money to do my hair.
224. AHMADU: (HISSES AND SIGHS HEAVILY) If you no dey
care full sef…I fit cut the hair.
225. SHERI: Baba!
226. AHMADU: I no talk say I go cut am. I say if you no dey careful.
Just take, make your hair and buy some meat. Come
quick o.
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227. MUSIC BRIDGE.
SCENE 8: FRIDAY’S SPOT
1. AMBIENCE OF MOVING TRAFFIC ,SOUND OF SCISSORS CLICKING
FADES INAND OUT. WE HEAR A PURE
WATER HAWKER. MUSIC FROM EASY
RECORDS SWOOPS IN. MAJOR IS ALONE
WITH EBENEZER.
2. EBENEZER: Major are you not going to close today?
3. MAJOR: My oga. Never come. I no fit close unless he come.
4. EBENEZER: But four o’clock don pass now.
5. MAJOR: I know where him go sef.
6. EBENEZER: The other boys go don choose now.
7. MAJOR: Abeg make you just wait for me, we dey the same
side. But Na you go choose o!
8. EBENEZER: Don’t worry, I go wait wan make we dey the same
side. But Na you go choose o.
9. MAJOR: (HISSES) Dem for don choose all the players
before we go reach there now.
10. SFX: A CAR SPEEDS PAST. IT OVIUOSLYRAN
OVER A POTHOLE
11. EBENEZER: Dust too much for here.
12. MAJOR: I no where that yeye man dey run go. He no say this
part of the road don chop oh!
13. EBENEZER: But e never tey when dem do this road.
14. MAJOR: Dem no do am well, well, now. Since harmattan
start just dey baf dust everyday. And na becos of
that place wey don chop reach ground.
15. SFX: A CAR APPROACHES
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16. MAJOR: Ye! Na oga Johnny dey come so. And my oga no
dey.
17. EBENEZER: Wetin una do am?
18. MAJOR: My oga collect money from…
19. SFX: CAR ARRIVES. DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.
20. JOHNNY: Small boy, wey your oga?
21. MAJOR: He don commot tey tey, I don dey wait for am.
22. JOHNNY: You don dey wait am or hin see say I dey come,
come go hide.
23. EBENEZER: True sir, e no dey here since. Na only major and me.
24. JOHNN: My friend shut up! Who ask you anything? Look
here, Major, or what is it they call you…
25. MAJOR: My name na Major.
26. JOHNNY: Even if ya papa na colonel I go count to three .If
you know tell me where Friday dey hide, I go begin
land you hot slaps.
27. MAJOR: Abeg, oga make you wait am small, hin go soon
come.
28. JOHNNY: Me Wait! So two of una wan play me wayo? No
worry, the bitter leaf way your oga suppose chop na
you go chop, lick mouth well well. You hear. One!
29. MAJOR: (QUAVERING VOICE) Oga I no know where my
oga de o! Na true I dey talk.
30. JOHNNY: Two!
31. SFX: KOLO APPROACHES. WE HEAR THE CLICK,
CLICK SOUND O FHIS TOOL BOX. HE
CHANTS TO IT.
32. BUGUGU: Bonanza, bonanza! Shine ya shoe bonanza! Shine
one leg, I shine the other leg for you.
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33. MAJOR: Oga abeg.
34. JOHNNY: You no go answer me now. You think say I get una
time?
35. MAJOR: True, true oga, me sef dey wait am.
36. JOHNNY: I go woz you oh!
37. BUGUGU: Na wetin? Why you begin massacre small boy wey
no even read ya belle?
38. JOHNNY: Craze man, no worry me o. This one concern you.
39. BUGUGU: Who dey craze? Na mi abu Na you? You wey no
know say vulcanizer no be the same as tyre seller.
Siddon there dey woz small picken. When Friday,
don carry ya tyre rent for area boy. (CHUCKLES)
Area boy wey no get motor sef.
40. JOHNNY: Bugugu, na true be dis thing wey you talk?
41. BUGUGU: Na me you go ask? Mumu?
42. MUSIC BRIGDE
SCENE 9: ROADSIDE
1. SFX: LIGHT TRAFFIC AMBIENCE. MARKET
AMBIENCE AFFS IN THEBACKGORUN. WE
HEAR CECILIAS FOOTSTEPS FALLS AS SHE
WALKS ON. WE HEAR ‘SSSS’ SOUND FORM
AFAR, SOME ONE APPROACHES,
RUNNING.IT IS AREA.
2. AREA: ‘SSSS’ Hey Cecelia! O baby!
3. SFX: CECELIA’S FOOFALLS HAVE STOPPES.
AREA REACHES HER.
4. CECILIA: (SNAPS) Na wetin?
5. AREA: O baby, wetin dey now?
6. CECELIA: Na you suppose answer that question.
19
7. AREA: Cece, Cecelia why you strong face like that. Yarn
me now.
8. CECELIA: (HISSES) Starts to walk off area follows
9. AREA: Kai! O baby you tear today o! (Sings) Cecilia, I dey
for my knees, I dey begi you please talk me. Oh!
Baibe!
10. CECILIA: (HISSES) Abeg Area I know get your time .you don
chop belle full so tey you dey sing!
11. AREA: Okay, okay no say I don vex you…Come take this
money I get am here.
12. CECELIA: (STOPS) So you even sabi wetin you do, you come
dey follow me dey yarn dust, you come dey sing
sef.
13. AREA: Baibe! Coolu temper now. I tell you say the money
don ready. Oya take am.
14. CECELIA: Why you come dey slack before?
15. AREA: Oh! Baibe! Business slow small today. you no see
the kin go slow wey that dirty today cause? Abeg
no vex you hear?
16. CECELIA: Uhm! I don hear! No take sorry kill me.
17. AREA: Cece –Cecelia. Hard babe. The hardest babe.she
you know say na me and you for dis valentine.
18. CECCILIA: Eh? You and who?
19. AREA: Ah! Abeg Cecilia no miss yarn o!
20. CECILIA: So idon dey miss yarn now?
21. AREA: Know be like that baby.
22. FRIDAY BBREAKS INTO THE CONVERSATION, CALLING AREA.
23. AREA: Oh! Wetin dey worry tis guy sef?
20
24. FRIDAY: (STILL APPROACHING) Area, wait oh!
25. CECELIA: Na waka I dey so. Make una settle una self.
26. FRIDAY: (ARRIVES) AH! Area, I don find you tire today.
27. AREA: Why you come find me? Any body wey hear as you
dey talk now go think say I thief for your hand.
28. FRIDAY: Alrigth.No vex. Abeg wey the tyres wey I give you?
Come give me abeg. Your money don expires.
Abeg Abeg.
29. AREA: Bros cool down now! Cool temper abeg.
30. FRIDAY: Cool wetin? Abeg, I no get time for all this kind
nonsense. Person wey get am don dey find me with
police sef. Oya, make we go quick, quick carry am.
31. AREA: A beg cool down now? Look bros, where dem dey
far small…I go bring them to your shop tomorrow.
32. FRIDAY: Ehn? Wetin you talk?
33. AREA: Bros I say I go bring them for you tomorrow.
34. FRIDAY: Look Area, I no dey for this your tomorrow yarn.
You fit waka now and I no go see you till for
another two weeks. Abeg I go follow you now, now
no mind. See becos of you, I no gree reach my shop
since.
35. AREA: Okay, okay…We go follow reach there.
36. FRIDAY: Oya make we go.time don dey go.
37. AREA: But e get one small thing o!
38. FRIDAY: Wetin be dat?
39. AREA: Relax now. You go die because of one small thing?
40. FRIDAY: I say wetin be dat? No tell me say thief don pack am
go. Katakata go burst for here o!
41. AREA: This man coolu now?
21
42. FRIDAY: Oya tell me wetin happen.
43. AREA: The man wey live am, na travel him travel when
him come dey come, he go jam armed robber for
road. Dey don set nail for road, him no know. Na so
him march am. But him no gree stop. If na me sef I
no go stop.in short two tyres don condemn.
44. FRIDAY: Yeh!
45. MUSIC BRIDGE INSTRUMENTAL
46. SFX: GENERAL MARKET AMBIENCE COMES
UP AND FADES UNDER WEAVERS
CALLING FOR CUSTOMERS. WE HEAR A
CUSTOMER ASKING THE PRICE OF A
PARTICULAR WEAVE-ON. CUSTOMERS
DESCRIBING HAIRSTYLES THEY WANT.
47. FLORENCE: Sister, good afternoon.
48. TAMI: Ah Florence, how are you?
49. FLORENCE: Fine Sister. No customer today?
50. TAMI: Oh, I’ve done some hair today and I’m still
expecting some customers.
51. FLORENCE: Oh, that’s good. [PAUSE] Sister, we didn’t see you
at home last night. Hope no problem?
52. TAMI: Is this the first time am sleeping out? If it’s mama
who asked you to come and find out, go back and
tell her it’s none of her business. I can take care of
myself.
53. FLORENCE: Sorry Sister. [PAUSE] Where’s Mimi?
54. TAMI: She’s playing with other children outside. [PAUSE]
So how is school?
55. FLORENCE: Fine Sister [PAUSE] Sister, mama needs money o.
56. TAMI: For what?
22
57. FLORENCE: She has just received a letter from the university
asking her to come and complete her project.
58. TAMI: [SIGHS DISMISSIVELY] Me I don’t have money
o. [PAUSE] How will she have after giving all her
savings to the church in the name of one sacrificial
offering or the other….me I don’t have money o.
[PAUSE]
59. FLORENCE; I have to go now Sister. I told mama I won’t be
long. She said I should give Mimi this chocolate
60. SFX; SLIGHT RUSTLING OF CHOCOLATE WRAPPER
61. TAMI: Tell her thank you.
62. FLORENCE: Okay Sister…Are you coming home tonight?
63. TAMI: I don’t know yet.
64. FLORENCE LEAVES. TAMI’S FRIEND ONE ARRIVES
65. FRIEND ONE: Tami! Tami!
66. TAMI: Hey, how you dey now?
67. FRIEND ONE: Body dey inside cloth.
68. TAMI: Ah ah, see your hair.
69. FRIEND ONE: Hmn, my sister, and it’s just one-week-old o.
70. TAMI: One week? See how old it looks. Who made it for
you?
71. FRIEND ONE: Did I not come to you? Did you have my time? You
didn’t have my time now.
72. SFX: FRIEND TWO ARRIVES
73. FRIEND 2: Where’s that Tami, the one and only of Montu, the
importer and exporter of tomato and potato.
74. FRIEND ONE: Wife be hairdresser, husband truck driver.
75. TAMI: Na una sabi. E dey una body.
23
76. FRIEND 1: Sit down there make you dey talk Montu Montu
Montu. You don know your sister Florence is under
threat.
77. TAMI: What kind of threat?
78. FRIEND 1: You don’t know that that boy Ejike has been trying
to get his hands on your sister.
79. FRIEND 2: No be small matter o.
80. SHERI ARRIVES
81. SHERI: Good afternoon Auntie Tami.
82. TAMI: How are you Sheri? You want to do your hair?
83. SHERI: [HESITATES] Yes….But if you’re busy i….
84. TAMMI: Oh no dear, come inside and let me start loosing it.
85. SHERI: Okay.
86. SFX: WOODEN STOOL SCRAPS THE GROUNDS.
87. TAMMI: Ehen,, my friend, you were saying…..About my
sister.
88. FRIEND 1: Abeg g, forget that one Tammi.We go jam later.
89. FRIEND 2: Wait make me sef follow body.
90. MONTU ARRIVES
91. MONTU: See why I like this town? In one small room
(COUNTING) 1,2,3, and …(STOPS) Mama mia!
Who is this one?
92. TAMMI: She is my sister’s friend.
93. MONTU: Florence? How come I never eh…(with a French
accent) eh See you before?
94. TAMMI: Hmm! This one, she never goes out.
24
95. MONTU: Oh! Mon Sheri! Beautiful name for a much pretty
face. And where do you live Mon Sheri?
96. TAMMI: Eh sheri, I think you should come but I think you
should come back later. I have a visitor s you can
see.
97. SHERI: Okay anti bye bye ( SHE EXITS)
98. MONTU: Good bye, pretty angel…
99. TAMMY: What are two still waiting? I think say una go tey
tey?
100. FRIEND 1: Na true you talk…
101. FRIEND 2: Make wey jam later
102. THEY EXIT.
103. MONTU: Hey, Tami Bebe, your friends, they leave because
of me?
104. TAMI DOESN’T ANSWER
105. MONTU: Mon Sheri, something wrong? Come talk to me
Bebe.
106. TAMI: Montu, what was that you were doing?
107. MANTO: What are you talking about Mon Sheri?
108. TAMMI: (RAISES HER VOICE) You know exactly what I
am talking about. Don’t even try to deny it.
109. MONTU: Deny what Mon Sheri?
110. TAMMI: Look Montu, I saw how you were going about with
her. (ALMOST SCREAMING) For goodness sake
she is just a small girl, Sixteen years old for that
matter when did you arrive?
111. MONTU: Bebe, I somebody for you forever…Me just admire
joli bebe…Joli bebe b elk e coke bottle…. Oh! mon
Sheri you I know say I love you beacuop, beucoup!
25
112. BBRIDGE MUSIC
SCENE 11: PATH WAY IN THE MARKET
SFX: UP MARKET AMBIENCE PEOPLE EXCHANGINF GREETINGS, BEGGERS
SINGING IN THE BACKGROUND. , IBRAHIM HAWKING HIS ORANGES AND
SHOUTING ‘BUY ORANGE’’. SHERI ON THE PATH.
113. IBRAHIM: Ah! Aunty Sheri, please buy my oranges sweet
well. Infact I have binta sugar orange.
114. SHERI: Kai! Ibrahim not today. I will buys some other time.
115. IBRAHIM: Please now? I go we sell am well well for you.
Infact I go put gyara for you.
116. SHERI: (sighs) Ok! Put am down make I see...
117. SFX: SOUND OF TRY ON THE
GROUND…HURRIED FOOTSTEPS
APPROACHING.
118. CECELIA: (HARSHLY) Commot this thing for road. Ah! Ah!
Foolish boy, dorti dey block road up and down the
place, you sef kukuma come carry your yeye, dry
oranges block road.
119. IBRAHIM: (MURMURING) My orange no dry oh! Na
harmattan .
120. CECELIA: Abeg comot that crooked tray form the road…. you
even am get mouth to answer me. Clear make I pass
bo! (HISSESE AND KICKS THE
TRAY,IBRAHIM BGEINS TO CRY)
121. SHERI: Haba Sister, please take it easy with him now….
122. IBRAHIM: (AMIDST TEARS) See my orange! You go pay
for am, I no go gree oh!
123. CECELIA: Hey! See this small boy hold my cloth oh! I go woz
you one dirty slap now o!
124. SHERI: Ibrahim, please let her go okay…It’s jus tone
orange I will pay for it. Don’t worry.
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125. CECELIA: (HISSES AND WALKS OFF) Nonsense! Agbero
go block road, uniform go block road, dorti go
block road, people wey dey sell go block road,
small rat like you sef go come block road. Na where
person go come pass sef?
126. SFX: UP MARKET AMBIENCE…. SHARPING OF
KNIVES FADES IN…WE HEAR BELLO
SINGING.
127. BELLO: Ah! Fine girl sheri, welcome.Kai yarinyamai kyau!
You wan buy meat? I give you better meat….
Ganda, cow meat, shake and even round about, all
dem dey.
128. SHERI: how much is this cow meat?
129. BELLO: 500 hundred
130. SHERI: Ah! Mallam Bello…E too much now. Sell am 300
hundred.
131. BELLO: (CHUCKLES) O! well, for that amount I go sell am
if only you go marry me.
132. SHERI: Haba mallam Bello, please sell am for me now.
133. BELLO: Ah! Sheri, you think say I dey joke? I remember the
time wey you dey small, wey your mother dey back
you come buy meat. See you now, you don fine
well, well.
134. SHERI: (ANGRY) Mallam Bello, I go go somewhere else
go buy the meat oh!
135. BELLO: Okay, tak am like that.
136. SHERI: (HISSES) I no buy the meat again sef
137. SHE WALKS AWAY
138. BELLO: ( ON TO OFF) Come back now,come take am like
that now (HISSES) Shegiya kawai, er iska!
27
139. SFX: UP MARKET AMBIENCE… CARRY LOADS
CALLING FOR CUSTOMERS, MUSIC FROM A
RADIO ( I.K DAIRO,OLD SCHOOL). SHERIS
FOOT FALLS. ARRIVES AR PHILO’S SHOP.
140. FLORENCE: Mummy I have finished arranging the wrappers on
the rack…Ah! Sheri, Sheri!
141. SHERI: GOOD EVENING MA!
142. PHILO: Good evening in my daughter how are you? And
how is your father?
143. SHERI: I am fine thank you ma. My father is well too.
144. PHILO: Good! Come inside now?
145. SHERI: No thank you ma. I was just passing by so I decide
to stop and greet Florence.
146. FLORENCE: Enh! Okay…mummy,please let me go and excort
Sheri
147. PHILO: Okay…But don’t be long oh! You know I am going
for prayer meeting today.
148. SHERI: Bye bye ma!
149. THEY LEAVE.
150. PHILO: Oh! Jehovah Jireh!I am trusting you to provide for
this my school (SHE SINGS) I don’t worry about
my school fees , favor is my name. Jehovah jire,
Favor is my name
151. MUSIC BRIDGE.
SCENE 12: AHMADUS SHOP
152. SFX: UPMARKET AMBIENCE, OKODA HORNS
BLARING…BEGGARS CHANTING…CHILD
CRYING. AHMADU AND RASHEED
DISCUSSING.
153. AHMADU: (HUSHED TONES) Sow then did you say you
first noticed this problem?
28
154. RASHEED: Three months ago
155. AHMADU: (WORRIED) Three months ago? Why you no
come see me tey tey?
156. RASHEED: Ah! I think say dey thing dey play
157. AHMADU: You mean say for three months now you
never…(CLEARS HIS THROAT THREE
TIMES)
158. RASHEED: Even sef Fati don dey suspect me.
159. AHMADU: But how you sef come allow this thing?
160. RASHEED: Hmmm! Alhjaji Ahmadu. You know say before
before I been dey do long distance travel...and that
time man no be fire wood now…You know…You
know…
161. AHMADU: Okay, ni problem. I go mix some herbs for you
now. And within three days you will see a change,
if and only if you gree follow the instructions.
162. RASHEED: Ah! No wahala! Anything wey you talk I go do am.
163. SFX: MOVEMNETS AND SHUFFLINGS OF
NYLON BAGS.
164. AHMADU: Okay! Nahim be dis…. You go mix am with
Akamu for morning and for evening.
165. RASHEED: That is all?
166. AHMADU: Yes that is all
167. RASHEED: You mean say after three days I go fit…(CLEARS
HIS THROAT THREE TIMES)
168. AHMADU: Kwarai Rasheed! You go remove all the doubts
from Fati.
169. SFX: GIGLES OF YOUNG GIRLS AND FOOT
STEPS.
29
170. AHMADU: That must be Sheri….
171. RASHEED: Ah! Thank You Ahmadu…Make I begin dey go.
172. SHERI/FLORENCE ARRIVE.
173. SHERI/FLORENCE: Good evening sir!
174. RASHEED: Ah! Sheri, Florence how are you?
175. SHERI/FLORENCE: Fine sir!
176. AHMADU: Sheri I dey come.
177. AHMADU AND RASHEED EXIT…
178. SHERI: Hmm! Florence, you see that medicine wey My
father give Oga Rasheed…
179. FLORENCE: Eh! I see am dey try hide something.
180. SHERI: Why e no go hide am
181. FLORENCE: Ah! Na wetin him be?
182. SHERI: Ah! No be for mouth you go hear say oga Rasheed
in fit….
183. FLORENCE: (EXCITED) Hey! No fit do, Can not do what?
184. SHERI: Hey! Shshshshhshs! Ehe! I be one ask you
something
185. FLORENCE: (CURIOUSLY) Eh! What?
186. SHERI: Who is that nice man I saw in your sister’s shop?
187. FLORENCE: Which nice guy is that?
188. SHERI: I can’t remember his name…Ha! He is so sweet. e
get as he take call my name….(dreamy) He called
me mon Sheri.
189. FLORENCE: (SHOCKED) HEN! S-H-E-R-I!!!!!!!
190. MUSIC BRIDGE
30
SCNENE 13: TAMMYS SHOP
191. TAMMI: (SULKING) But Montu you came back since and you didn’t come to
see me…
192. MONTU: Tami, ceci le …au...au refuse dump. Refuse dump
block my lorry.
193. TAMI: Which refuse dump? Which refuse dump?
194. MONTU: Hey Tami, don’t be difficult. Come see, what I buy
for you. Mon Sheri, see what I buy for you. Pretty
dress eh?
195. TAMI: [GIGGLES] It’s fine Montu. [GIGGLES AGAIN]
196. MAMA MAJOR: I want you to wear it on Valentines Day, the day of
love. I take you to cool spot, to show you that I love
you beocuop beucoup
197. TAMI: (GIGLES EXCITEDLY) Oh! Thank you montu, I
love you too.
198. MAMA MAJOR: [OFF MIC, SHOUTING] Tami! Tami ooooooo!
199. TAMI: [ALARMED] Ah! Montu, please hold this dress,
I’m coming.
200. TAMI RUN OUT AND ALMOST RUNS INTO MAMA MAJOR CARRYING
MIMI WHO IS CRYING AND CALLING FOR
HER MUMMY, QUITE FRIGHTENED
201. MAMA MAJOR; Tami see Mimi O, I no know where she go cut her
leg o!
202. TAMI: [CREAMS IN FRIGHT] God o! Mimi! See
blood! I don die o! Mimi!