Scene 12

(This scene opens with Fredrick's phone ringing. The kids are outside playing when Fredrick comes outside looking for his phone).

Fredrick: Hey kids, has anyone seen my phone?

Isaac: It's on the chair over there, and it was ringing.

Fredrick: Okay thanks son. (He picks up the phone and it starts to ring again. He groans and rolls his eyes. He sighs deeply before he picks the call). Hello mom, good afternoon.

Carol: Fredrick, for a moment there I thought you were just going to keep ignoring my calls.

Fredrick: I haven't been ignoring your calls mom, my phone wasn't close by.

Carol: So your phone hasn't been close by for you to call your mother.

Solomon: And father too.

Fredrick: No it's not like that, I've just been a bit busy lately and...

Carol: This is not a lately matter...

Fredrick: Yes mom I know what comes next and no I've not been too busy to call, I've just been too busy that it slipped my mind. At least cut me some slack, my business has been experiencing some major expansion and it is taking a lot of my time and also I have three kids I'm taking care off.

Carol: Freddy I had kids too and still called my mother every night before I went to bed.

Fredrick: Mom there is a difference between two and three. And the evidence of that difference is this stressed man speaking to you right now.

Carol: Yeah well no one forced you to have three.

Fredrick: Dad, help, please!

Solomon: Honey, I think we should move to the purpose of the call.

Carol: Fine. (Pauses). My dearest son Fredrick...

Fredrick: No.

Carol: I haven't even finished yet.

Solomon: She hasn't even finished yet.

Fredrick: I know where this going and no.

Carol: How could you possibly know?

Fredrick: Because I wasn't born yesterday and you are my mother, I know you. So no mom, I'm not going on any of those arranged dates you have for me. I'm not interested if she is from a fine home or American or Chinese or British.

Carol: What about Korean? Before you get angry she's from South Korea, no war there right? And I also have an African-American if just American isn't good for you.

Fredrick: Thank you for your kind consideration but I'm okay with none.

Solomon: I sense an "I'm too busy" coming.

Carol: It's Fredrick, one has already come. Too many have.

Solomon: Let the boy be Carol.

Carol: No I won't. Fredrick, it's been five years you need to move on, get a life. Move on, El would want that for you.

Fredrick: And who say's I've not moved on?

Carol: The side of your bed that remains empty without the presence and warmth of a woman.

Solomon: Touché

Fredrick: I sleep very loosely, there would be no space for her. And dad whose side are you on anyway?

Solomon: I'm on the side that doesn't remain empty without the presence and warmth of a woman.

Fredrick: Like I said I have moved on. In fact there is a woman in my home currently.

(Solomon and Carol laugh loudly).

Carol: My son trying to pull a fast one on me. Nice try.

Fredrick: I'm not kidding mom, there is a new woman in my house. You can ask the kids if you want.

Solomon: Like you said son, we also weren't born yesterday.

Carol: Exactly. (Laughs). He even said we should ask the kids. I'm sure he has told them to lie or something that's why he suggested them.

Fredrick: I won't do that, I won't ask my kids to do that. You know what, they are out here right now playing, I'll let you speak with them. Hey kids your grandma wants to speak with you guys.

(The kids come closer to Fredrick as he puts the phone on speaker). Mom you're on speaker.

All three of them: Hey grandma.

Solomon: Grandpa is here too.

All three of them: Hey grandpa. Good evening.

Carol: Evening my sweeties. Grandma wants to know if there is any new woman staying in the house currently.

All three of them: Yes.

Whitney: Her name is Anna and...

Fredrick: Thanks kids, you can go. Well there you have it mom, dad, I've moved on, I have a life, satisfied?

Carol: Not quite.

Fredrick: Mom you are not satisfied because you didn't arrange our date.

Carol: Why don't I believe you?

Fredrick: Why do I love you?

Solomon: (Laughs). Well played son, well we will be out of your way now. (Carol tries to interrupt). Yes we will. Later son and say hi to Anna for us.

Fredrick: Gladly. Bye mom, bye dad.

(The call ends and he shakes his head then mutters to himself. Anna comes out of the house).

Whitney: Anna!

(Whitney calls her name and runs to her causing others to turn and notice her).

Anna: Hey baby.

Fredrick: Going somewhere?

Anna: Just wanted to take a walk around.

Fredrick: Oh, okay. You look nice.

Anna: (Looks at her outfit then looks back at Fredrick).

Fredrick: I'm just saying.

Anna: (Smiles broadly). I didn't say anything. (They both laugh as Isaac looks between them). Thanks

Whitney: Anna I want to go out.

Isaac and Jennifer: Me too.

Anna: Great me three. Let's go and stand in front of the gate outside. (Fredrick laughs).

All three of them: Anna. (They start grumbling).

Jennifer: Dad you not helping our situation here as you are laughing.

Fredrick: Sorry dear, I'll stop. Anna please take them out.

Anna: (Pauses). Fine, where do you have in mind?

Whitney: Um, what about where you worked, your restaurant. (Isaac and Jennifer nod their heads in accordance with Whitney).

Anna: Okay, go change, two minutes people, two minutes.

(They run inside).

Fredrick: So can I come too?

Anna: I don't know, do you wanna?

Fredrick: Depends, is that an invitation?

Anna: Take it as you see it.

Fredrick: Okay then, invitation it is. So what's going to be on the menu?

Anna: It's a secret. You just have to come to find out.

Fredrick: Seems like I'll be taking you up on that invitation after all.

Anna: I guess you will. (Smiles slightly. Then Fredrick smiles back. As they are smiling, the kids come out and Whitney is shouting).

Whitney: Ready!

Anna: Okay let's go.

(As they are about to leave, Fredrick's phone rings and they stop. He picks it up).

Fredrick: Femo, hey what's up?... Oh that's true, thank God you called, cause I had forgotten... yeah, thanks man. (Ends the call). Sorry I can't go with you guys, forgot I had a meeting holding in the next thirty minutes.

Anna: It's no problem.

Fredrick: (Brings out his ATM card and hands it to Anna). Have a nice time out there. And you know the pin right?

Anna: Sure

(The kids look between them. Fredrick waves at them and they leave. As they are outside the gate, Anna makes them walk in front of her as she tries to stop a cab).

Isaac: So you know my dad's pin and you've only been here for two months, going to three. How?

Anna: Um last week he gave me his card to go get some things for me and the others.

Jennifer: Wait dad gave you his card freely with no limit to spending?

Anna: Yeah. He doesn't give you his card?

Jennifer: Never!

Isaac: He has never told us his pin, not any of his pins.

Whitney: Even his phone pin.

Anna: Really, that's easy. It's his birthday.

Jennifer: No way, we tried all the possible combinations. What is it? (They all bring out their phones and places their hands on their keypads. Anna looks at them and smiles).

Anna: Okay, 1001

All three of them: Oh, month before date. Thanks.

Jennifer: How could he possible tell you all this. You've been here for close to three months and we've been here since we were born.

Anna: We talk.

Isaac: You are asking how, look at her. She's a woman that's how.

(Jennifer and Whiney squint their eyes as they look at her, so does Anna as she looks at Isaac).

Jennifer and Whitney: Oh... uhm.

Isaac: A woman that can cook.

Anna: (Smiles). Isaac are you on drugs?

Isaac: No ma'am, too young. (They laugh).

Anna: Good answer, cause y'all got to end this right now before it starts.

Jennifer: Aren't we waiting for Chuks?

Anna: Chuks for what.

Isaac: We going public sis.

Jennifer: What, we are using public transport, no. (She cries).

Anna: Yes! (A cab stops and she opens the door for them to get in, Jennifer is hesitant). Mama enter na.

Jennifer: What if there are germs in the car?

Anna: Babe this is nija. People pick up HIV from the road side. There is disease everywhere.

(Still looking scared, Jennifer enters the car and Anna enters too and closes the door and chuckles then the driver leaves).

Scene 12b

(This scene opens with Anna and the kids arriving the restaurant. They get in and immediately Gbemisola sees her she drops the things in her hands).

Gbemisola: Anna baby!

Anna: Gbems the Gbems. Gbems, Gbems... (Gbemisola quickly goes to hug Anna). Ah, babe calm down na. You won break my bone.

Gbemisola: (Releases her from the hug). You are ungrateful you know ba. Extremely.

Anna: Ahah, how na...

Gbemisola: Wait before I start laying out your other offences, let's start with this. Don't be rude and introduce me to this lovely people.

Anna: You like trouble. This is Jennifer, Isaac and Whitney. They are Lorry's brother's kids.

All three of them: Hey. (They wave).

Gbemisola: Hey, nice to meet you guys. I appreciate you for stressing my friend a little bit. (She offers them a seat).

Jennifer: We tried.

Gbemisola: Oh I know you did. Back to you, you don't abandon your friend for close to two months for these six cute eyes. And you are wondering why I'm squeezing your bones?

Anna: Calm down babe. Not like we have not been talking oh, it's just that you have not seen me for two months. Start to dey craze after five months. Oya go bring food for us make we chop.

Gbemisola: You are crazy, you are really ungrateful. See as I'm caring about you and you are behaving like this.

Anna: Go and bring food jor.

Gbemisola: I was going to but now I've changed my mind.

Anna: See this one o. Girl, I've worked here long enough to where what is and I didn't come all this way just to see your face, so I'll help myself and feed my stomach. If you'll excuse me.

Gbemisola: See this chicken, I was the one that let you enter this place. I should have thrown you out as you entered.

(As she is talking Anna enters the kitchen singing and the kids start laughing. Seconds later Anna comes out with two plates in her hand as she joins the rest of them on the table they are seated as they are chatting. Some plates are already on the table).

Anna: And the last plates have arrived.

Isaac: Um, it smells good.

Whitney: I bet it tastes better.

Gbemisola: I can't argue with that.

Anna: Dig in then. (They start to eat). So Gbems, angry or Jealous.

Gbemisola: Both. (They look at her).

Anna: Gbems. (She places her hand on her chest freighting hurt, the kids laugh).

Gbemisola: What? She's glowing, I'm not. And she is just a chicken who has refused to give me the recipe despite my constant begging.

(Anna laughs and the kids smile broadly).

Isaac: Are you guys always like this.

Anna and Gbemisola: All the time.

Whitney: Does Gbems stand for something or it's your actual name?

Gbemisola: It's short for Gbemisola. She just can't go a second without calling me Gbems.

Anna: You I can't Gbems. (She smiles and they laugh).

Jennifer: Um, this is really good Anna. So good.

(They continue eating as they talk. Anna and the kids are shown walking back home, just very close to the house).

Jennifer: You know that we could have just taken a cab straight to the door instead of dropping by the corner.

Anna: You know that we are just a few steps away from your gate.

Isaac: You know that she's just lazy.

Anna and Whitney: Correct.

Jennifer: No I'm not... okay maybe a little.

Anna: Are you enjoying yourself with this walk?

Jennifer: Definitely not.

Isaac: Lazy...

(Whitney and Jennifer were laughing and Anna chuckling when Jennifer called their attention to the people approaching them. A man in his early 40's and a woman in her late 30's).

Jennifer: Heads up people.

(The rest of them look up).

Whitney: Great.

Isaac: Super.

Anna: Who are they and why the faces?

Isaac: They are very annoying and our neighbours.

Whitney: Sadly.

Jennifer: The husband is always hitting on me and every female in that house.

Isaac: And is closely followed by his wife. Always hitting on dad.

Whitney: She needs money.

Chioma: The Williams family.

Jennifer: And that's why the faces.

(Chioma and her husband Emeka come to a halt in front of them).

Chioma: Evening to you all.

Emeka: Evening pretty.

Anna: I would say evening handsome but I'll be lying.

(The kids chuckle).

Chioma: So I'm guessing you must be the maid that we heard was hired. Was starting to think that I would never see you as you never come out, was thinking that you were trying to hide your ugly face.

Anna: Beauty stays hidden, only ugly people flaunt.

Chioma: (Frowns for some seconds then smiles again). Well this is my husband Emeka and I'm Chioma. As in Chioma Chukwuka.

Anna: Oh, then I'm Anna, Kendrick. And this is Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez A.K.A Jaylo and Isaac Newton. That would make you Emeka Ike. Well it's a pleasure meeting you both, do have a lovely evening.

(They walk away from them to the gate of the house as Chioma frowns and Emeka tries to hide his smile and suppress his laugh).

Jennifer: Now I'm enjoying this walk.

(The kids laugh lightly as they enter into the house).

Scene closes