[A Screenplay]
[MUSIC ON]
[SUPERIMPOSE ON BLACK]
“In Yorubaland, Orò, resides on an exalted plane, a god beyond the reach of mere mortals. To bridge the divine chasm between the heavens and the earth, Orò dispatches Majowu, his wife, a unique emissary who speaks the languages of both gods and humans. Majowu carries Orò’s sacred messages to the people, ensuring that his will and wisdom touch the mortal realm.”
[FADE IN]
[EXT. JOS CITY SCAPE – ESTABLISHING – DAY]
A panoramic view of the bustling city of Jos, Nigeria.
[FOCUS on a – TOWERING BUILDING]
Nondescript. Unremarkable. Inscrutable.
[HALLWAY]
MARYAM, 30s, walks briskly through the busy hallway. She is in a sharp suit.
People around her move purposefully.
Her phone BUZZES.
She glances at it:
[INSERT PHONE]
Message: “Reassignment: Sagamu.”
[EXT. SAGAMU – ESTABLISHING – DUSK]
A serene Yoruba town.
Children play, elders chitchat under trees. Young people go about their business.
Maryam’s car pulls and stops in front of a compound.
She steps out, garbed in a casual attire.
[EXT. GATE – COMPOUND – SAME TIME]
Maryam cross-checks the address on her phone with the one on the gate and gingerly steps in.
[INT. SITTING ROOM – BABA TUNDE’S COMPOUND – NIGHT]
BABA TUNDE, 70s, a dignified old man, sits surrounded by artefacts.
Maryam sits across from him, clearly out of place.
Baba Tunde regards her with curiosity.
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“You are far from home, my daughter.”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I am here to… rest.”
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Rest can be a stranger to some people.”
Maryam’s eyes dart to various objects, lingering on traditional masks and sculptures.
[EXT. ROAD – DAY]
Maryam walks through town, observing the daily life.
An OLD WOMAN, 60’s, stands by the roadside waiting
OLD WOMAN
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“My daughter, please help me place this on my head.”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Don’t worry, maami. I’ll get it for you.”
Maryam bends and carries the woman’s luggage.
[EXT. TOWN SQUARE – DAY]
The town is decorated for a festival.
[EXT. COMPOUND – SAME TIME]
Maryam watches from the gate. The atmosphere is festive. Baba Tunde approaches her.
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Tomorrow, the Oro will walk. Respect our traditions, and they will respect you.”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I will.”
[INT. DRUG STORE – EVENING]
Maryam lean on the counter, her face a picture of discomfort.
PHARMACIST
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Do you feel this way every time it comes?”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Not really. But, it’s worse this time around.”
PHARMACIST
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I will give you something for it.”
He searches behind him and drops two packets of drug tablets on the counter, bags them in waterproofs and hands them over to her.
She gives him her card, he inserts it in her POS and hands it to her to input her pin.
She does, payment received, she leaves.
[EXT. TOWN SQUARE – NIGHT]
The festival is in full swing. Drummers beat out a frantic rhythm. Dancers whirl..
Eerie SOUNDS of the sacred bull-roarers rent the air.
Several ORÒ masquerades appear, dancing as they do.
[EXT. ROAD – NIGHT]
Maryam walks briskly, hiding as she does. She sees several masquerades flogging women who are still out and hides.
One particular masquerade runs after a FAT WOMAN who is trying to outrun it, but the harder she tries, the faster it catches up to her, lashes her and continues to do so.
[HIDEOUT]
Maryam watches, her body tense.
A masquerade sees her hiding and approaches her.
It whips her and instinctively, she reacts, grabbing the whip and retaliating with brutal efficiency.
The crowd GASPS. Silence falls.
Other masquerades see this and retreats. Maryam stands her ground, breathing heavily.
[EXT. BABA TUNDE’S COMPOUND – NIGHT]
Chaos. The village is in uproar. Several masquerades charging with their bull-roarers, trying unsuccessfully to enter the compound.
Tenants and townspeople shout and argue with each other.
[INT. SITTING ROOM – BABA TUNDE’S COMPOUND – NIGHT]
Baba Tunde stands before Maryam.
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“You have brought a curse upon us.”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I did what was necessary.”
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“Did you?”
[EXT. ROAD DAY]
The town is quieter now. Life returns to normal, but the air of tension remains.
Maryam walks, stares of the town people following her. Up and down.
[EXT. BABA TUNDE’S COMPOUND – DAY]
Maryam and Baba Tunde sit facing each other.
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“The man behind the mask is gone. Some people think divine justice is upon him. These are indeed crazy times. What will you do now? Are you leaving?”
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I may not know many things, but I know I am staying.”
BABA TUNDE
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“You carry a heavy burden, child.”
Maryam looks at him, her eyes betraying a lifetime of secrets.
MARYAM
(Yoruba subtitled in English)
“I am used to it.”
[FLASHBACK. INT. UNDERGROUND BUNKER – NIGHT]
Maryam, in full tactical gear, leads a team through a dark bunker.
Flashlights cut through the darkness.
Muffled SHOUTS and GUNFIRE echo. A brief but intense firefight ensues.
[INT. BRIEFING ROOM – DAY]
Maryam sits before a projection of a map, marked with hot zones.
A SENIOR OFFICIAL, 50’s, addresses her.
SENIOR OFFICIAL
“This mission requires utmost discretion. Failure is not an option.”
[FADE TO WHITE]
THE END
Ogochukwu Umeadi
Ogochukwu Umeadi is a versatile Screenwriter, Production Designer, and Producer with a rich background in crafting impactful short films, feature films, and series. Known for blending bold storytelling with innovative production design, Ogochukwu has worked on acclaimed projects like "Wolves", "Blood and Rope", and "Mojisola" with the acclaimed Nigerian Director, Kenneth Gyang. His commitment to professional growth spans numerous prestigious workshops and masterclasses, including programs with AFTRS, Goethe Institut, and the U.S. Embassy. He was nominated as Best Production Designer by the National Film Institute's Class of 2019.
