Episode 27( Reprisal)
INT. BUHIGH PRISON
"Efe gently opens his eyes and notices the gun didn't make a sound."
SHAGBA
(Chuckles)
Very good.
(Signals Tom.)
"Tom walks to Efe and takes the gun from him."
EFE
(Turns to Shagba.)
Seems everything is a game to you.
SHAGBA
What is the essence of life without some excitement?
Although this wasn't a game, I just wanted to confirm your competence, not necessarily depopulate my prison by killing another inmate.
(Walks up to the Inmate kneeling opposite Efe.)
Get out.
"The inmate gets up and rushes out."
"They hear some noise from the ground."
TOM
(Turns to Shagba)
Seems your guest has arrived
(Turns to Efe.)
You are free to go.
SHAGBA
No, it's fine.
He is one of us now.
(Opens the ground door to the basement.)
JOAN
(Climbs into the cell.)
Hey baby.
SHAGBA
(Smiles)
My baby.
JOAN
The guard said we had three hours.
"Tom turns to Efe."
TOM
Come with me.
_____________________________________
EXT. CORRIDOR.
"Efe turns to Tom."
EFE
So, what next?
TOM
That it. You are one of us now.
I will relate the necessary details to you later.
EFE
(Smiles)
Finally.
TOM
For what it's worth, watch your back.
(Turns to leave.)
EFE
What's that supposed to mean?
TOM
(Turns to Efe.)
No one has made it to the Cartel this early. And I know Shagba; he picked you for a reason best known to him.
EFE
Really? I doubt this has anything to do with Shagba
I think you don't just have the balls to admit the truth.
TOM
(Chuckles)
There is only one truth here. You have done nothing worthy enough to be part of us. This is why you should be careful and be worried about what plans Shagba has for you.
Good luck, kid.
(Walks out of the scene.)
_____________________________________
INT. WINNER ACADEMY.
"Kome gets up to leave."
KOME
(Picks up her bag.)
Alright, guys, I will be heading to the library.
ISIO
Ehen, not so fast.
KOME
What is it, Madam?
ISIO
Bema's eyes were all over you when he was talking.
KOME
So???
ISIO
What exactly is going on between both of you?
KOME
Nothing you don't already know.
ISIO
That's a lie.
There is something both of you are keeping from us.
KOME
(Turns to Isio)
You are just being paranoid.
(Turns to Ngozi.)
See ya.
(Walks out of the scene.)
NGOZI
Take care
ISIO
I don't feel good about this.
NGOZI
Isio!
ISIO
What?
I know you noticed it, too.
NGOZI
Yeah, I did, but I don't think it's anything serious.
Just let them be. They will sort things out on their own.
ISIO
I thought so, too, but now I don't know what to think.
None of their quarrels have lasted this long.
NGOZI
Madam, calm down!
You are overthinking this thing.
ISIO
No, I'm not!
There is something they are both not telling us.
And it's serious!
NGOZI
Hmm, okay, oh.
If you say so.
So, what's the plan for our sleepover?
ISIO
Sleepover?
NGOZI
Yes, na, we all agreed last week that we will organize a sleepover this weekend.
ISIO
Oh, that's true. But I don't think I will be available.
NGOZI
Why?
ISIO
(Gets up)
Frank's birthday party is tomorrow; I can't miss such an awesome opportunity to grove and have fun.
NGOZI
Birthday party?
ISIO
Yeah, don't tell me he didn't invite you.
NGOZI
Oh, no, he did.
ISIO
Hope you are coming.
NGOZI
I don't know yet.
ISIO
Ahh, it's your boyfriend's party, remember other girls will be there, you should be there.
NGOZI
I don't know, Isio.
ISIO
Okay, oh.
But if you ask me shall, I think you should come, oh.
_____________________________________
INT. SCHOOL CORRIDOR.
"Dayo leans on the locker adjacent to Frank's locker."
DAYO
(Gazes at Faith, who is standing across the hall.)
Damn it.
See lap!
FRANK
(Chuckles)
You, too, like woman.
DAYO
Guy, the girl too set; just take a look at that ass, na!
Guy, I must chop this girl.
(Runs his eyes through Faith's body.)
FRANK
Why don't you invite her to the party?
DAYO
(Turns to Frank in excitement.)
That is a good idea.
Then I spike her drink during the party and pound on that ass slowly.
FRANK
Take it easy, bro. I don't think she's that type.
DAYO
(Turns to Frank)
What do you mean?
FRANK
That girl is not one of those random desperate cheap girls that you can get so easily.
That is not the kind of lady you want to rush.
DAYO
Abeg, leave that thing!
No girl can turn me down, bro.
FRANK
Guy, not that girl!
She is different from those loose cheeks, oh.
DAYO
How you take know?
FRANK
Guy, it's obvious. Girls like that take time.
DAYO
Not in my world, bro.
Watch and learn.
(Walks to where Faith is standing.)
DAYO
Hey, pretty girl.
FAITH
(Turns to Dayo.)
Hmm.
I'm not interested.
DAYO
What?
FAITH
I'm not interested in whatever you have to say.
(Brings out some books from her locker)
DAYO
Why?
FAITH
Because you have nothing to say, that would be beneficial to me.
DAYO
(Chuckles)
I see you like to play games.
FAITH
Honestly, I do, but you are not my type; I only play games with guys I find attractive.
DAYO
Look, I just want to get to know you.
FAITH
And what next?
You probably play me into sleeping with you.
DAYO
What?
FAITH
I know your type; you only stick around for a slice of the cake and move on to the next victim.
(Closes her locker)
DAYO
Watch your tongue.
You don't know me.
FAITH
Dayo is the name, right?
Yeah, I know you enough to want to stay away from your kind.
DAYO
What did you just say to me?
FAITH
Out of my way naughty boy.
(Walks out of the scene.)
"Frank laughs out loud."
FRANK
I warned you, bro.
(He shakes his head and walks out of the scene.)
_____________________________________
INT. UNKNOWN.
"Zino seats opposite Kate"
ZINO
(Gazes at Kate's swollen face)
You are stronger than I thought.
Just give me what I want, Kate.
KATE
(Spits out the blood in her mouth.)
I told you; I don't know where he is!
ZINO
No, no, think hard before you respond because your life depends on what you say next.
KATE
(Smiles)
My life?
One thing I loved about the legendary Zino is that she was straightforward and quick to get things done. If taking my life was an option, you would have put a bullet in my head already. You can't kill me because you know my father will come for you.
(Chuckles)
"Zino gets up and begins to punch Kate."
ZINO
Where is Von?
Answer me, bitch!
(Grabs Kate by the neck.)
"Zara walks in."
ZARA
Zino!
ZINO
(Turns to Zara)
What is it?
ZARA
That is enough!
"Zino reluctantly lets Kate go and walks out of the scene."
_____________________________________
"Zara turns to Zino."
ZARA
I don't think she will talk!
ZINO
Oh, no, she will!
ZARA
I don't think she knows where he is.
ZINO
I doubt that.
ZARA
We can't rely on your doubt right now.
We have to start thinking of other ways to find Von.
ZINO
I have an idea.
____________________________________
EXT. BUHIGH PRISON.
"Dante sits close to Efe."
DANTE
Now that you are in, what are your plans?
EFE
I steal the Prototype and get the hell out of this hell hole.
MOHAMMED
How do you intend to do that?
EFE
There is an underground bunker in Shagba's cell and a safe on the wall. I suspect one of them could be one of the places where he might be hiding the Prototype.
DANTE
I can understand a safe in the wall, but an underground bunker.
EFE
I saw it with my own eyes. I think it's how he sneaks contraband into the prison.
JUDE
Contrabands?
EFE
Yeah, like weapons, drugs, electrical gadgets and prostitutes.
That way, he wouldn't have to worry about prison laws and protocols.
DANTE
But why build a bunker in your cell when you claim to have the prison management at your fingertips?
EFE
Maybe he is just being careful, or there are still some top officials in the prison system who he can't or hasn't bought out.
JUDE
So, you are saying the bunker is his way of keeping those he hasn't buy out from finding out about the privileges he is getting from the part of the management on his side?
EFE
Exactly!
JUDE
Wow!
MOHAMMED
But wait a minute, did you say, prostitutes?
EFE
Yeah, I witness one myself.
I think it explains why the prison management left Shagba and the Cartel in charge of the conjugal room.
DANTE
So, what are your plans?
How do we access the bunker and the safe?
EFE
I don't know for now. I still need time to study how the safe works and how I can get into the bunker.
"One of the Guards walks in."
GUARD
Efe, you have a visitor!
EFE
A visitor?
GUARD
You heard me, right, son.
Come with me.
(Walks out)
"Efe follows behind him."
_________________________________
EXT. ENTRANCE TO THE VISITATION ROOM.
"Guard turns to Efe."
GUARD
Remember, you have five minutes.
It's not an official visitation day.
I only allowed this because your Cartel membership card came in today
EFE
Sure, I understand.
GUARD
Oh, one more thing, she's pretty
Girls like that won't wait around for guys like you.
(Opens the door for Efe to go in.)
"Efe walks into the room."
KEMI
Baby.
(Rush to Efe and hug him)
EFE
My love.
(Kisses her.)
I thought I was never going to see you again.
KEMI
I'm sorry I couldn't make it.
EFE
I understand Tunde was here.
KEMI
(Sits down.)
He was?
EFE
(Sits opposite Kemi.)
Yeah, threatened to kill me if I contacted you again.
KEMI
(Tears roll down her cheeks)
I'm sorry.
EFE
(Holds her hands.)
Hey, it's not your fault.
KEMI
Babe, what is happening?
You promised to explain all of this to me.
EFE
I know.
I want to tell you everything, but I can't. The less you know, the better.
KEMI
I don't understand. I deserve to know what exactly is going on.
Talk to me, babe!
EFE
(Holds her hands.)
Baby, relax. I will tell you when the time is right. For now, you just have to trust me.
KEMI
Trust you? I should be the one saying that to you!
You are the one who can't trust me enough to tell me what exactly is going on.
EFE
How can you say that babe?
You know I have always been an open book.
KEMI
Have you?
Because I don't understand you anymore.
EFE
You just have to trust me, babe!
Please trust me.
Can you do that for me?
KEMI
I don't know.
I just want to know exactly what is going on.
EFE
Okay, let's do It this way; I will tell you everything once I get out of here.
KEMI
When would that be?
EFE
Very soon, babe.
Sooner than you think.
KEMI
Promise?
EFE
I promise my love.
KEMI
(Sighs and holds Efe's hands)
How are you holding up?
EFE
I'm fine, baby.
KEMI
I'm sorry I couldn't come with the money.
EFE
It's fine, babe.
"The Guard walk in."
GUARD
Your time is up.
KEMI
I guess you have to go now.
EFE
Yeah...
(Gets up.)
KEMI
(Hugs, Efe.)
I love you.
EFE
I love you too, baby.
(Kisses her before turning to leave.)
KEMI
Is it true?
I just want to know if anything the press are saying about you is true.
EFE
(Turns around.)
Kemi!
KEMI
Look, I get it. You can't tell me what is going on, but I came here for answers. I can't leave with nothing.
You have to tell me something, please.
EFE
(Takes a deep breath)
Some are true, but I promise to explain everything once I'm out.
GUARD
Come on, son; it's time.
"Tears roll down Kome's cheeks as she watches the guard take Efe out of the room."
____________________________________
INT. WINNER ACADEMY.
"Kome hugs Mr. Daniel."
KOME
I missed you.
Mr. DANIEL
I missed you too.
I was so worried about you.
What happened?
KOME
(Sighs)
It's a long story. We went to my Granny's burial in Delta State.
Mr. DANIEL
Oh, how did it go?
KOME
It went well.
Just tiring and exhausting.
Mr. DANIEL
Dooh...
KOME
What?
Mr. DANIEL
Is that not how you guys say it?
KOME
(Smiles)
Yes, it is
it's just weird hearing it from you.
Mr. DANIEL
Well, start getting used to it.
Gosh, I missed you.
KOME
Me too.
Are you okay?
Mr. DANIEL
Yeah, why do you ask?
KOME
You have been unusually quiet.
You didn't even kiss when I came in
(Lowers her head to the ground.)
Mr. DANIEL
Hey, I'm fine.
(Lifts her face to his eye level)
Okay?
KOME
I don't believe you.
Mr. DANIEL
(Pulls her closer to himself.)
My love, I'm fine.
(Attempts to kiss her.)
KOME
Don't pacify me.
(Holds his hands.)
Something is wrong, and you are going to tell me.
Mr. DANIEL
Fine, I will tell you.
KOME
Good, so what is it?
Mr. DANIEL
(Sighs)
It's about your friend, Bema.
KOME
What about him?
Mr. DANIEL
He knows we are seeing each other.
KOME
I know, but he is not going to be a problem.
Mr. DANIEL
You knew?
KOME
Yeah
Mr. DANIEL
And you didn't bother to tell me?
KOME
Babe, he is my friend; you have nothing to worry about.
Mr. DANIEL
I sincerely doubt that.
He approached me, and he warned me to stay away from you.
KOME
What?
Mr. DANIEL
You should have told me!
This could cost me my NYSC program here!
KOME
Babe, I'm sorry.
Mr. DANIEL
(Picks up his bag.)
I have to go.
KOME
I said I'm sorry, na
Mr. DANIEL
That is not the kind of thing you keep from me.
What were you thinking?
KOME
I'm sorry.
"Mr. Daniel sighs and walks out of the room."
__________________________________
EXT. WINNER ACADEMY.
"Kome rushes out."
KOME
Have you guys seen Bema?
NGOZI
No.
ISIO
Why are you looking for him?
"Kome ignores them and approaches Faith."
KOME
Where is Bema?
FAITH
(Turns to Kome.)
No idea.
(Turns away.)
KOME
I'm serious, where is he?
FAITH
(Turns to Kome)
I wasn't joking.
I don't know where he is.
"Kome turns to leave without saying a word."
PAM
Kome!
KOME
Look, I know you were sent here to protect me.
But I have to find someone before we leave.
PAM
You can do that later; we have to go now!
KOME
I must do this today; it can't wait till next week.
PAM
Don't make this difficult; get into the car now!
(Points at a black Audi parked opposite where she was standing.)
"Kome reluctantly walk towards the car."
ISIO
What is Kome doing?
NGOZI
What's that?
(Turns towards the Audi)
ISIO
Isn't that our new Math teacher?
NGOZI
Yeah, she is the one.
ISIO
Why is Kome entering her car?
(Watch Pam drive out of the compound.)
NGOZI
I don't know.
ISIO
Something isn't right.
NGOZI
You are doing it again
ISIO
What?
NGOZI
Overthinking things.
ISIO
No, I'm not.
Don't act like you didn't notice that she was acting weird all day.
NGOZI
She lost her Granny, for God's sake.
She's been in a different environment for a while.
ISIO
Hmm, all I know is that something is off.
NGOZI
Okay, let's assume you are right; Something like what?
What do you think could be wrong?
ISIO
I don't know; I feel like I am being left out of many events that have been going on in her life and that of Bema.
And it's not fair; we are friends and shouldn't keep things from each other.
NGOZI
(Takes a deep breath)
You are right, Isio, but I also think it's their secret to tell; we can't force people to share their feelings or experiences; as good friends, we should be patient with them. With time, I think they will come around.
ISIO
You always have something to say.
NGOZI
Really?
I have to go now, see ya.
(Walks out of the scene.)
___________________________________
INT. CODE9'S RESIDENCE, LAGOS.
"Code9 turns to Von."
CODE9
My decision is final; you will leave the country today.
VON
Try to understand me, Dad. I can't leave Vera and my daughter behind.
CODE9
Don't you get it?
Your life is at stake here; Zino will not rest till she puts a bullet in your head.
VON
I understand that, Dad. But I can't leave the country without them!
All I'm asking is for one or two more days so that we can all leave together.
CODE9
No! That will compromise our location.
VON
I don't have to bring them here.
I will get my boys to take them directly to the airport, where we can all leave the county together.
CODE9
It's too risky, Son!
VON
I know, but I'm asking you to trust me.
CODE9
All I have done is trust and believe in you; look where that has gotten us.
VON
I know I have disappointed you several times, but I'm asking you to trust me in this one.
"Code9 gazes at Von."
_________________________________
EXT. HIGHWAY.
"Kome turns to Pam."
KOME
So, it's Miss Pam, right?
PAM
(Turns the steering wheel to the left)
Yeah.
KOME
So, do you have a master's in Math's, or is it all a cover too?
PAM
(Smiles)
Apart from the reason why I am working at your school, everything I said is true.
KOME
Hmm, impressive.
So, did you work for the company like my sister did?
PAM
Not, really.
KOME
It's a simple yes or no answer.
PAM
It's complicated.
KOME
How do you know my sister?
PAM
I worked for her.
KOME
Are you friends?
PAM
You ask too many questions, Kome.
KOME
Well, I want to know who you are.
PAM
Who I am shouldn't concern you; my job is to keep you safe and not answer your questions.
__________________________________
INT. THE ASIKA'S RESISDENCE.
"Uche paces around his room."
CHETA
Relax, guy, it's not the end of the world.
UCHE
I should relax?
The sister of the man we killed is in my house. It's only a matter of time before she discovers her brother is missing.
ELLA
Uche, you have to calm down!
UCHE
Don't you guys get it?
I can't!
CHETA
She will not find out as long as we keep this within ourselves.
Abi, you won go tell her say na we kill her brother?
ELLA
(Turns to Cheta)
Keep your voice down!
Someone might hear us.
UCHE
(Sits down on a chair)
So, what do we do?
CHETA
Nothing!
We do absolutely nothing.
We stick to the same story; we came home from the hospital and didn't meet him.
And we haven't seen him since then.
UCHE
Okay!
CHETA
Yes bro, you too dey worry yourself!
Everywhere good, nor fear.
ELLA
(Gazes at Cheta's face.)
You still haven't told us how you got those bruises on your face.
CHETA
It's nothing
Don't worry about it, I'm fine.
UCHE
It doesn't look like nothing, bro.
"Ella's phone rings."
ELLA
(Gazes at her phone.)
I have to take this, guys.
(Walks out of the room.)
_________________________________
INT. UNKNOWN LOCATION
"Zara gazes at her watch."
ZARA
(Turns to Zino)
Are you sure she's coming?
ZINO
She is going to come.
"Ella drives into the scene."
ZINO
Speaking of the angel
ELLA
(Comes out of the car and walks towards Zino and Zara)
I'm here, so what is this about?
ZINO
I learnt you are a gifted hacker.
ELLA
If you are asking if I know my way around computers and software, then yes, I do.
ZINO
Good
(Gives her a piece of paper.)
ELLA
(Takes the paper from Zino)
What is this?
ZINO
I am going to call that number, and when I do, I want you to trace the call.
And if possible, hack your way into everything on her gargets.
Bank accounts, WhatsApp messages and email, any and everything we can get our hands on.
ELLA
Who is she?
And why do you want all of this?
ZINO
That is not something you should be worried about.
I want it before the end of today.
The question is, can you, do it?
ELLA
No, you should ask if I would commit a crime without knowing who this woman is and why you are after her.
ZINO
As I said, that is not your concern.
ELLA
Then, sorry, I'm not interested.
(Turns to leave)
ZINO
I will pay you Five million naira if you do it.
ELLA
(Turns to Zino)
This is not about money.
I want to know why I am going to this,
If at all, I am going to do it.
ZINO
Because Five million is a lot of money, and you sincerely need it to care for your sick sister.
ELLA
Leave my personal life out of this!
Tell me who she is and why you are after her
Then maybe I would be able to help.
ZARA
(Turns to Zino)
Just tell her.
We are running out of time.
ZINO
Fine, she is the baby Mama of the man who framed Efe.
Getting to her is the only way I can think of to get to him.
ZARA
And we must act fast before it's too late.
ELLA
Is this going to help us clear Efe's name?
ZINO
Yes, and also get revenge for what the company did to him.
ELLA
Fine, I will help, but I need some really advanced tools to do this.
ZINO
That would not be a problem
The problem is if you can get it done on time.
ELLA
You need it before the end of the day, right?
ZINO
Yes.
ELLA
I will get you everything you need in an hour after you make that call.
__________________________________
INT. BUHIGH PRISON.
"Tom seats opposite Shagba."
SHAGBA
(Gazes at Tom)
I know that look.
What is the problem?
TOM
It's nothing.
SHAGBA
Nothing is never nothing, son.
What is it?
(Lights a stick of F8)
TOM
I just want to understand something.
What is your plan for Efe?
Because I know you brought him in for a purpose far from just being a member of the Cartel.
SHAGBA
(Chuckles)
You are right, son.
TOM
So, what is it?
Why bring in weakling into your Cartel?
SHAGBA
(Releases the piled-up smoke in his mouth.)
Because he is the missing puzzle in our system.
TOM
Missing Puzzle?
SHAGBA
Yes!
TOM
How?
I don't understand.
SHAGBA
Power is pointless if there is no certainty that you can keep it within your reach.
Efe is our certainty. The quality over quantity I have been searching for.
That boy may look more fragile than an ant, but what he got upstairs
(Points at his head)
Is a gold mine that we must exploit and use to our advantage.
TOM
The kid is obviously smarter than most of us here, but his loyalty is something we can't guarantee yet.
Therefore, I think he should be more of a threat than an asset to us.
SHAGBA
(Dip his burnt-off stick into the glass plate beside him.)
You might be right, but kids like him are rare; we can't leave him out there just because he hasn't earned our trust; someone out there might see what we see in him and get to him first.
TOM
Which can be a threat to our Cartel and your leadership.
SHAGBA
Now you get it.
(Get's up and turns to his safe)
I can't allow anyone to use him as a tool to destroy the empire I have built here.
___________________________________
INT. ROOM.
"One of the Guards takes the handcuffs off Big Shark's wrist."
GUARD
Remember what we talked about.
That kid isn't worth it; leave him alone.
BIG SHARK
(Turns to the Guard)
I never backed out of the worst situations of my life.
He is a piece of cake that must be dealt with.
GUARD
Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you.
The warden wouldn't be this gracious if you ended up in the darkroom again.
"Big Shark ignores the guard and walks out of the room."
_____________________________________
EXT.
"All eyes are on Big Shark as he walks out."
BIG SHARK
What are you all looking at?
(Grabs one of the Inmates walking past him.)
Where is Efe?
INMATE
I don't know.
I last saw him sitting on one of the Eastend benches with his friends.
"Big Shack pushes the inmate to the ground and walks towards the direction."
____________________________________
EXT. EASTEND
"Dante turns to Efe."
DANTE
What if it's all a trap?
EFE
What do you mean?
DANTE
I still find it hard to believe the Cartel pulled you into their circle just like that.
MOHAMMED
Me too.
Shagba's sudden interest in you is weird.
"Jude sights Big Shark coming."
JUDE
Guys, I think we have a problem.
DANTE
What is it?
JUDE
Look, Big Shark is out.
MOHAMMED
(Turns to Big Shark)
He's definitely not heading here for a hug.
EFE
He wouldn't do anything crazy in an open field.
There are guards everywhere.
DANTE
He is a member of the Cartel, and the Cartel has the guards in their pockets.
JUDE
In other words, he can hurt you and fucking get away with it.
"Big Shark walks faster towards Efe's direction."