SCENE 1 – MORNING IN FRANK’S HOME
The sun rises over a beautiful compound. Birds chirp. Inside the house, the aroma of breakfast fills the air. FRANK AMADI, a successful businessman in his late 30s, stands by the dining table, adjusting his shirt. His briefcase is on the table. He checks his wrist watch impatiently, waiting for his wife, RITA ADAKU, to finish preparing breakfast. His mother, MRS. CHIKA, an elderly but energetic woman, enters from the hallway.)
FRANK
(smiles as he sees her approaching)
Nnem oma! Good morning, Mama!
MRS. CHIKA
Good morning, my son. (eyes him up and down) You seem all dressed up for work.
FRANK
Yes, Mama. I need to be at the shop early today. My international business partners are arriving.
MRS. CHIKA
(nods) I see... or dị mma nwam(speaking igbo language),(That's good, my son).
(A few moments later, ADAKU enters with a tray of tea and bread. She places it on the table beside Frank, then leans in to kiss him before turning to greet MRS. CHIKA.)
Rita ADAKU
Good morning, Mama!
(MRS. CHIKA ignores her, staring coldly. ADAKU hesitates, then continues.)
Rita ADAKU
Mama, will you like some tea?
MRS. CHIKA
(dramatically) No, I won't! No, Adaku, I won't oooooh!
FRANK
(laughs nervously) Mama, stop being dramatic. She's just offering you tea.
MRS. CHIKA
(crosses her arms) Tea?! Will you tell me if it was tea and bread I used to feed you when you were young? Is this what made you strong and big?!
(ADAKU stands frozen, sadness creeping into her eyes. MRS. CHIKA mutters under her breath and walks away. FRANK watches her go, then turns to his wife.)
FRANK
(softly) It's okay, my love. Don't mind her.
(He pulls ADAKU into a hug. She sniffles, tears forming in her eyes as she leans into his embrace.)
SCENE 2 – EVENING CHAOS
(FRANK drives into the compound after a long day at work. As he steps out of the car, he hears his mother's furious voice echoing from inside the house. He rushes in.)
MRS. CHIKA
(banging on the bedroom door) Adaku! Give me a grandchild ooo! Give my son a child oooo! Or let him take another wife! Release him from the charm you used to control him! Because I know—this is not my son! Six years of marriage, nothing to show for it!
(Inside the bedroom, ADAKU sits on the bed, sobbing. She clutches her chest, devastated. FRANK storms in, visibly upset.)
FRANK
Mama, what is going on?! Why are you shouting like this? You want to bring down the roof?
MRS. CHIKA
(glares at him) So this is how you greet your mother now?! With nonsense questions?!
FRANK
(sighs) Mama, I'm sorry, but we can't keep doing this every day. It is God that gives children, not man.
MRS. CHIKA
(gasps, clutching her chest) Ohhhhhh! I said it! This woman has charmed you! Can you hear yourself? (switches to Igbo) Hi na agukwa ahaole ie nno! (What kind of thing is this?!) Do you know your age?! Your mates have four, five children already! But this barren woman—
FRANK
(angrily) Mama, stop it! Don't call my wife barren!
(He turns to the bedroom door and knocks gently.)
FRANK
Kokoko! Baby, it's me. Please, open up.
(A few moments later, ADAKU opens the door, her eyes red and puffy. She looks at him with despair.)
Rita ADAKU
(whispers) Frank… please… listen to your mother. Take another wife. I beg you.
FRANK
(shocked) No, Rita! Never! You are not barren. The doctors said we are both fine, and I believe—at the right time—God will bless us with children.
Rita ADAKU
(wipes her tears, voice weak) I know you won't listen…
FRANK
(sighs and pulls her close) Stop, Rita. Please, just stop. I'm tired. I just want to eat and rest.
Rita ADAKU
(nods) It's okay. Go and freshen up while I serve your food.
(She forces a small smile as she turns toward the kitchen. FRANK watches her with love and concern, knowing that the battle is far from over.)
FADE OUT.
SCENE 3 – A HEARTBREAKING DECISION
(Inside the bedroom, RITA sits on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands. Tears streamed down her face. FRANK stands by the window, arms crossed, battling his emotions.)
RITA
(softly, almost whispering) Frank… marry Selena.
(FRANK turns sharply, his eyes wide in shock.)
FRANK
(stammering) Rita… What did you just say?
RITA
(forcing a bitter smile) You heard me. Marry Selena. Give your mother the grandchild she's been waiting for.
FRANK
(shakes his head, stepping toward her) No, Rita. I won't do that. I love you. I married you!
RITA
(tears falling) And what do I have to show for it? Six years… and nothing. Just do this for me, Frank. Please.
(FRANK hesitates, pain in his eyes. After a long silence, he exhales deeply, defeated.)
FRANK
(low voice) If this is what you really want…
(RITA nods, holding back sobs. The decision is made.)
SCENE 4 – A MOTHER'S SECRET
(RITA arrives at her family home in the village. She rushes into her mother's hut, falling into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. MRS. SARAH strokes her daughter's hair, concerned.)
MRS. SARAH
(worried) What is it, my daughter? Why are you crying?
RITA
(choking on her words) Mama… Frank has married another woman!
(MRS. SARAH stiffens, her face unreadable. Then, she sighs deeply.)
MRS. SARAH
(calmly) Come inside and sit down.
(RITA wipes her tears, looking confused. As they sit, an eerie silence fills the room before MRS. SARAH finally speaks.)
MRS. SARAH
(solemnly) My daughter, there is something you must know.
(RITA watches her mother closely, fear creeping into her eyes.)
MRS. SARAH
(voice trembling) I joined a dark sisterhood—a group of witches. I did it for protection… after your father and brother died. I found out that it was the deity in your father's house that was eating every one up. So I have to gave up my soul… to keep you alive.
(RITA jumps to her feet, horrified.)
RITA
(screaming) Mama! No! How could you?!
MRS. SARAH
(eyes flashing) DO YOU THINK I WANTED THIS?! If I hadn't done it, you would be dead!
(RITA staggers back, realization dawning.)
RITA
(whispering) Mama… so you… you are the reason for my barrenness?
(MRS. SARAH clenches her fists but does not deny it. RITA breaks down, sobbing uncontrollably.)
RITA
(screaming) You ruined my life!
(MRS. SARAH watches her daughter cry, then softens. She steps closer, placing a hand on RITA's shoulder.)
MRS. SARAH
(gently) I will fix this. You will not lose your marriage. You will get the respect you deserve. Tonight, I will consult the dark sisters.
(RITA hesitates, torn between fear and desperation. Finally, she nods slowly.)
RITA
(whispering) Do it.
SCENE 5 – THE SECOND WIFE'S
HONEYMOON PHASE
(Nighttime at FRANK's house. He and his mother, MRS. CHIKA, sit at the dining table, finishing their meal. FRANK looks relaxed, smiling.)
MRS. CHIKA
(laughing) Don't you see, my son? This girl, Selena, is a GOOD wife! No, let me correct myself—she is the BEST wife!
(SELENA enters, interrupting them, carrying a small bucket of steaming water.)
SELENA
Mama, your hot water is ready.
MRS. CHIKA
(smiling) Ah, my wife, thank you, my dear! Let me go and take my bath.
(She exits, leaving FRANK and SELENA alone. FRANK turns to SELENA, his eyes filled with mischief.)
FRANK
(smirking) Come here… sit on my lap.
(SELENA giggles and obeys, wrapping her arms around his neck. They exchange flirtatious whispers and kisses as the camera fades to black.)
SCENE 6 – DARK POWER IS UNLEASHED
(Dimly lit room, eerie atmosphere. A group of cloaked woman sits in a circle. Madam Sarah stands before them, anxious.)
LEADER:
(calm, commanding) You have come with your troubles, Madam Sarah. What do you seek?
MADAM SARAH:
(bowing slightly) My daughter, Rita… She has been childless for too long. I seek a solution.
LEADER:
(chuckles darkly) Bring her to us. Tomorrow, give her this. (hands over a small bottle with dark red liquid) Let her drink, and she will be here. Her problem will be over.
MADAM SARAH:
(taking the bottle, relieved) Thank you, great one.
(She bows and exits.)
SCENE 7:
The Next Morning – Rita's Home
(Rita finishes washing her face. Madam Sarah emerges from her room, holding the bottle.)
RITA:
(cheerfully) Mama, good morning.
MADAM SARAH:
(smiling) Good morning, my dear. Come here….Oya Take this...Drink.
(She hands over the bottle. Rita stares at the dark, reddish liquid, hesitant.)
RITA:
(frowning) Mama, what is this?
MADAM SARAH:
(firmly) Drink it. You ask too many questions. Don't you want a solution to your childlessness?
RITA:
(sighs) I do…
MADAM SARAH:
Then drink.
(Rita closes her eyes and drinks. She winces, the taste bitter. Madam Sarah nods in satisfaction.)
MADAM SARAH:
Good. Now listen carefully. Make sure no oil touches your mouth today.
RITA:
(confused) Mama, how is that possible?
MADAM SARAH:
It is. Just avoid cooked food… You can eat snacks.
RITA:
(reluctantly) Okay, Mama.
SCENE 8: The Mysterious Realm ( Night )
(Darkness. Suddenly, Rita finds herself in a strange, eerie place. The air is thick, and the ground is covered in red and black cloth. Hooded figures encircle her.)
LEADER:
(booming voice) Welcome, Mrs. Rita Adaku.
RITA:
(fearful, looking around) Where… where am I?
LEADER:
(smirks) You are one of us now. We grant desires—money, power. Just name it.
RITA:
(voice trembling, hesitatedly) I only wish for children…. My own children.
LEADER:
(nods) As you wish. Step forward.
(Rita hesitates, then steps closer. The leader stretches out a hand toward her, eyes glowing.)
LEADER:
It is done.
A chilling wind sweeps through the shrine. RITA trembles as a strange energy flows into her body. She gasps, eyes glowing red.)
A sudden gust of wind sweeps through the chamber.)
Fade to black.
SCENE 9 – THE RISE OF RITA
(Nine months later. RITA is heavily pregnant. She gives birth to a baby girl. Meanwhile, SELENA, the second wife, has already given birth a few months earlier. FRANK is overjoyed. Even MRS. CHIKA, once RITA's enemy, apologizes for all her mistreatment.)
(But peace does not last long…)
(Tension rises between the two wives. RITA, rich and educated, demands respect. SELENA, young and seductive, keeps FRANK in her arms night after night. The house becomes a battlefield.)
SCENE 10 – THE FINAL STRAW
(One night, RITA wakes up and notices FRANK is missing. Suspicion fills her mind. She tiptoes toward SELENA's room… and hears sounds that make her blood boil.)
(Inside, FRANK and SELENA laugh and moan, lost in each other. RITA clenches her fists, fury burning through her veins.)
RITA
(whispering, furious) This girl is stealing my husband. She has bewitched him.
(She storms back to her room, pacing angrily.)
RITA
(determined) I must do something… before it is too late.
(The next day, at her office, she picks up her phone and dials her mother's number. After a few rings, MRS. SARAH answers.)
MRS. SARAH
(cheerfully) My beloved daughter! How are you?
RITA
(voice shaking) Mama, I'm fine! No am not. There is FIRE on the mountain!
MRS. SARAH
(chuckles) Ah! Which one is "I'm fine" and "I'm not fine"? Which one should I follow?
RITA
(frustrated) Mama, Frank now prefers Selena to me! She has taken my kitchen, my husband, my BED!
(MRS. SARAH's voice darkens.)
MRS. SARAH
(low voice) I see. The cooking problem is easy—hire a chef, learn his favorite dishes.
And whenever she's cooking, make sure you're there, watching. Learn from her.
But for the bedroom… (pauses) …you need a different kind of help.
RITA
(hesitant) Mama… what do you mean?
MRS. SARAH
(smirks) You need a therapist… and something more powerful.
RITA
(raising a brow) Mama a therapist for what?
(RITA swallows hard. Her mother always has a plan… but at what cost?)
MADAM SARAH
Yes! You really need a therapist to put you through, based on the bed issues…..whatever you are doing be fast about it. Be the boss in that house. Never let inferiority complex take over you.
RITA:
(touching her chest, confidently) Mama, me? Inferiority complex, Never.
MADAM SARAH
That's my daughter now apply this solution later we consult the dark chamber.
RITA: (nodding) Okay, I will do that. (smiles warmly) What am I without you, Mama?
MADAM SARAH
(smiling back) That's why I'm here, my dear.
(They exchange a heartfelt message as the scene fades to black.)
INT. SCENE 11 THERAPIST'S OFFICE – DAY
(Rita sits on a couch, looking tense. The THERAPIST, a middle-aged woman with glasses, sits across from her, holding a notepad.)
THERAPIST
So, Rita, let's talk about your marriage. When was the last time you and your husband were intimate?
RITA
(pauses, fidgets)
Uh… about two months ago.
THERAPIST
(shocked)
Oh, come on, madam! That's bad!
RITA
(offended, defensive)
Is it my fault? He never asks for it!
THERAPIST
(firm, yet gentle)
He doesn't have to ask, Rita. You should also make the move. If he's not initiating, then take charge. Wear something sexy at night, attract him, make sure he feels wanted. I know you're busy, but you must make time for him.
RITA
(thinking, hesitant)
I… I guess I can try.
THERAPIST
(leans forward)
And tell me, how do you both, you know, do it?
RITA
(confused)
Do it?
THERAPIST
I mean, what style do you use?
RITA
(shrugs, a little embarrassed)
I just… lay there and let him do his thing.
THERAPIST
(scoffs, shakes head)
Oh no, Rita! That's where you're going wrong. You don't just let him do all the work.
(Rita's eyebrows knit together in confusion.)
THERAPIST
(leans in, more animated)
Sometimes, you need to take control. Be on top, set the pace, whisper naughty things in his ear—spice it up!
RITA
(blushing, nodding slowly)
Okay… I'll try.
THERAPIST
(smiles, reassuring)
Good. That's the spirit.