KINGSLEY UGOCHUKWU NNAKWE

 UGWOKE DE MOVIE SCREEN PLAY (KINGSLEY) INTRODUCTION The context is all about the connection between royalty, destiny and humility. Some persons are designed to attain a certain goal or to reach a certain height in their lives but due to some personal problems their destinies may be thwarted and exchanged with some other persons whom where never meant for such destinies but because of their personal approach towards life and their lifestyle they might attain that position that the former was meant to enjoy. It is always said and known that Royalty begets or relate to Royalty, that is to say that people of royal blood often has some regular connection with other royal linage and this may come by either betroth or otherwise. But in most cases it is not always like that. Some may not be born with a royal blood but they have royal divination running in their destinies. This is the case of Prince Ugwoke, Ureh, Uteze, and Akaoma. PROMISE: is another vital aspect of life that one should never joke with. It is always easy for people to make promise but very hard for them to keep them. That was also the case of King Enyi Ibe. SCREEN PLAY (UGWUOKE) BY KINGSLEY NNAKWE MOVEMENT ONE MOVEMENT (1) - Amaeze’s compoundEXTERIOR: Day Extras: Ameze, little Umeadi and two boys that came to call Amaeze, Ojiug. CAMERA OPENED TO The two young men rushed to Amaeze’s compound and found him dozing on a hot afternoon. They startled him and told him to follow them immediately that something happened to Umeadi. At once he followed them to see Umeadi lying helplessly beside a bush, looks like he was beaten very seriously. He pleaded with them to help him carry the boy home. When they got home he did all he could and restored the boy back to life. When Umeadi regained consciousness he narrated to his uncle how he was beaten by two boys but he claimed he never did anything to them so his uncle Amaeze asked him to take him to their place so he will tell them that they will be reported to the igwe. When they got to their place. The two small boys were seating at the front of their house leaking oranges. When Amaeze arrived with Umeadi, he confronted the two boys as Umeadi confirmed they were the culprits. The boys narrated how they all had agreement to climb three different orange trees one after another to pluck , but when it was Umeadi’s turn to climb he started been smart ,so they decided not to give him from their own efforts and when he tried to confront them, they beat him and left him there. Amaeze now understood their own side of the story and so he left with Umeadi after pleading with the boys to forgive them for whatever he has done wrong. AMAEZE- “I promise you such thing will never happen again” (As they proceeded back home, Amaeze started telling a real life story that reflected the importance of keeping promises. He started with the one that happened in their village). MOVEMENT (2) Amaeze and Umeadi were walking straight down home while Amaeze continued to tell the story. EXTERIOR: DayEXTRAS: Amaeze and Umeadi CAMERA OPENED TO AMAEZE AS HE PROCEEDS AMAEZE: “I should have told you this story before now, at least you would have to think twice before disappointing or engaging in that agreement” UMEADI: “what is the story about?” AMAEZE:“it all happened in this village. Once lived a king igwe Eyi-Ibe the III, that is the late father to this our present king, Ugwuoke Eyi-Ibe the 1V. Igwe Eyi-Ibe III got married to his wife who consequently became the Queen of this village. They were such a happy couple and the king was really handling his subjects very well, he never was a wicked king, he was loved by the entire Umu-Omilli kingdom. The recent king Ugwuoke is humble and kind but his late father was more to what his son is .This is to tell you how a good king his father was. MOVEMENT (3) THE KING WITH THE QUEEN AND THE CABINETS EXTERIOR: DAYLOCATION: PALACE EXTRAS: IGWE EYI IBE, QUEEN, ICHIE AKUCHIE, ICHIE ENUMA, TWO OTHER ELDERS. CAMERA-OPENED TO THE KING GREETING HIS PEOPLE KING: “I can see your faces are really bright this morning and I must confess that I am truly happy to see this” (having an observatory gaze at them). ICHIE AKUCHIE: “Tell me Igwe, who will not wear such a smiling face having you as a king? You are so far the best king that has ever ruled in this kingdom, at least I and Ichie Enuma here had witnessed your late father the lived here on this same throne before you, though Enuma was still way much a child during the reign of your Father” ALL: (laughed) KING:“We should possibly make you the eldest in this entire community followed by Ichie Enuma” ICHIE ENUMA: (in laughter) but I was still not such a Teen, at least I can tell the story of Eyi-Ibe the II” (all lauged) KING:“I respect you my eldest of elders in this kingdom, at least whenever we need old stories we will always consult the long lived in this community” QUEEN ; “ Of course but what about Dada Unoruka I heard she is even older than Igwe Eyi- ibe the II and she is still alive, is she not supposed to be the eldest?” AKUCHIE: “Yes my Queen, she is but in the category of Women” QUEEN: “That is true” ENUMA: “That should tell you that our people never die young, we used to grow very old before we die. ALL: Nodded their heads in agreement. KING: (Took one Kola nut) “My prayer is that those who are young will live long enough to their old ages and those that are old like Ichie Enuma, Ichie Akuchie and Dada Unoruka shall live much more longer so that we will always gain wisdom from their experiences and advises” ALL: Iseeee… (And the king broke the kola-nut) KING:“Ngwanu oji abia nu” (To the Queen) “Lolo please get the bush meat that you specially prepared for them” QUEEN:“Yes my lord” ONE OF THE ELDERS: “My queen, always spoiling us with good food. KING:“Don’t forget the palm wine that was brought this morning. Camera Fades…. MOVEMENT (4) AMAEZE WITH UMEADI WALKING DOWN TO THE HOUSE AS HE CONTINUED THE STORY EXTERIOR –DAYEXTRAS: AMAEZE AND UMEADI CAMERA OPENS TO AMAEZE TELLING THE STORY. AMAEZE: “And so that shows what a good king he was during his reign. But despite his goodness as a king, one thing was missing; Igwe and Lolo did not have a child, not even one. This was unusual as the previous kings who ruled always had children even before they were crowned the Igwe. The marriage between Igwe – Eyi-Ibe the III and his Lolo was 5 years old but they are yet to have a child. They consulted so many chief priests both within and neighboring, consulted herbalists who consistently gave them medicines upon medicines. There was no type of concussions that this couple did not take but yet the story remains the same. At this point the whole issue was getting the palace more and more worried considering the fact that they have gotten to the 8th year of their marriage and sixth year of their reign in the kingdom and still there was no issue. Suggestions started coming from all angles towards the king, telling him to marry another wife who would at least give the palace a daughter talk more of a son as the queen is obviously not having one for the reasons best known to the gods. The queen herself also cued in that suggestion for her dear husband to have the feelings of a father. UMEADI: “so what did the king do, did he get married to another woman?” AMAEZE :“Hmmmm!!!”(Bent his head) Camera Fades…. MOVEMENT 5 THE KING ON HIS THRONE WITH HIS CABINET EXTERIOR: DAYEXTRAS: THE KING AND THE CABINET CHIEFS CAMERA OPENED TO THE ELDERS Akuchie:“ Igweeee….. You will live long” King:(raised his fan) “Ichie Akuchie” Akuchie: “My fellow elders I greet you all” Elders:“Ichie I ga di” (in Igbo) Akuchie: “I want to sincerely appreciate you for gathering on a day that is not our usual cabinet sitting which was actually my idea. Thank you my king for receiving us. Before inviting all of us to this impromptu meeting I had already highlighted all of you on the agenda of the meeting. mmmmm (clears his throat) our people will always say that “Awo adagba oso ehihie n’efu, ma oweghi ihe na chu ya, mara na onwere nke o na chu (interpret in English), it is also a common saying in our culture that “Okenye anaghi ano n’ulo ewu amuo n’ogbiri” (interpret in English) Elders: “it is true talk” Akuchie: “where I am trying to land with these proverbs is that we the elders have sat together, discussed and agreed in one voice under my chairmanship that we cannot sit and fold our alms and watch the essential member of the royal home yet to come for years now and all we do is come here dine with you and the Queen, solve other people’s problems but your own is left unsolved” King: “problem? Royal member? I do not understand ichie Akuchie” Akuchie: “even the goats and the lizards in the community are not ignorant of the wanted member of this peaceful royal home” King: “Ichie Akuchie, you said that your two parables are secured on a given point, but your point is still sounding much more like a parable and is too complicating for my understanding, please speak in a more understanding tone” Another elder: “Igweee…. You will continue to live long. What my fellow chief here is trying to say is that, it is high time we found a tangible solution to the situation facing this palace, facing you and the Queen. For more than seven years now, you have been married to Lolo and we are yet to hear the cry of a child from you. We understand that the two of you have been making tremendous efforts in this regard, we have seen uncountable medicine men and herbalists come in and go, we even witnessed one on our last meeting, and we commend you and your wife for that. But we now think that the progress of the palace is also the progress of the entire community, so that is why we have come up with a better suggestion. King:“What is your suggestion my Chiefs? Akuchie: “it is nowhere recorded that it is a taboo for a man or a king like you to marry more than one wife in this kingdom, even when the man or the king already has children from the first wife he can still proceed to marrying another wife, not to talk more of when the man is not having a child from his first wife. People marry more than one wife. Your late father the king married two more wives after having you as his first son from his first wife your mother. Your grandfather had two more wives even when that first wife had finished given birth to about four children. So what made our present king not to think towards that direction even when his own case is more pressing than that of his fathers’ situations? The palace is seriously in need of a child and a Son for that matter who will replace you after you have gone to join your ancestors, we have waited patiently for your wife to give you at least one child, but she has not been able to do that or don’t you know that if you die as a king without a son, that this throne will be taken from your immediate linage? Because there will be no one to succeed the kingship from you. So we all suggests that you get another wife for yourself or we will get one for you so that she will be able to give you children which we are very sure a male child will be among. It does not displace your first wife from her position as the chief wife of this palace. My fellow chiefs am I still on the right track? Enuma: Igweeee…… my fellow chiefs, ichie Akuchie, you will continue to live long for this type of wisdom which you exude. When you first told us of this, I said to myself that finally a solution has landed in this home. My king, all we need you to do is get a wife who will bear you a son and have an heir to the throne. It is very simple and clear. King: (clears his throats) “thank you very much my elders for showing such a selfless concern about my household, it shows that I have brothers among my chiefs and cabinet. I am very much grateful. Considering what you have said, I think it is a very nice and wonderful insight coming from your conclusion and I am really going to think about it, and as a king I will not flaw your efforts. This palace surely needs an heir to the throne and through the help of the gods we will surely have one. Thank you once again”. Elders: “Ehee” (in chorus) that is our king speaking, Igwe. You will continue to live longer than we have wished you” King:“even though the meeting was impromptu I also have impromptu kola for you all, because no one comes to the king’s palace and leaves just like that. Emmm (calls his guards) tell the queen to get the wine I kept for my chiefs” (the guard ran immediately). “ichie Odokpu, how is your wife doing, you did not attend the last meeting due to her illness, hope she is getting better now? Odokpu: “she is very alright igwe, she went to the market and she even sent her regards”. King: “oh, may the gods be praised. My chiefs here is kola and wine” Akuchie: “Oji eze ka di kwa eze n’aka”, King:“Ngwanu kanyi mee nu ya ka esi eme ya” Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 6 THE KING WITH HIS QUEEN EXTERIOR: Night/DayEXTRAS: THE KING AND QUEEN CAMERA OPENS TO THE QUEEN COMING TO THE PALACE QUEEN: (went to the palace, saw the king, stood for just a moment at the entrance with her gloomy face and proceeded to greet the king) “ my lord you shall live long” (sat on her sit without saying anything) King:(kept quiet for a moment after replying her greetings) “you know that whenever your face is like this, it used to turn my intestine upside-down. Tell me, what is bothering you?” Queen: “My lord, I have told you this before and I am still telling you again, yet you are asking me what the problem is? King:“the last thing I remembered you said to me was a call for my lunch which I honored. So what else did you tell me today that I never honored?” Queen: “my lord, you will live long. I have suggested severally that you get a second wife, since I am not having a child like every other married woman in this village. Can’t you see that you are no longer getting younger neither am I. get yourself a second wife or I would help you get one from the neighboring village, perhaps she might be the one that the gods have chosen to bless you with children since the gods have denied me even a single child at least to prove to the community that I am not barren, maybe our new wife will be blessed with children. At least I even need co-wives that will keep this palace busy. I may not have a child but I still want this linage to maintain the privilege given to us by the gods and this kingdom so that we will not lose having a child and also loose the throne on account of that” King: “My dear wife, I have told you also that you should stop telling yourself that you are not having a child, rather that you are yet to have one, and the gods did not deny you children, they will give you a child, I mean children when their time comes. They know the best time to give you a child. As for marrying a second wife, I am never going to buy such idea. What happiness can any other woman give to me that you have not given to me. Most times you made me forget that we are yet to have children. I will rather remain like this and hand over the throne to another linage than marrying another wife all in the name of having a child. The gods can still take the throne away from this linage even when I have children if I am not found worthy in their sight to continue ruling. What if the supposed wife did not give us child as you suggested, will you send her packing? My queen let us carry this burden together, I am very sure that the gods are not silent on us. They are watching, they will soon do something about us and our circumstance” Queen: “my lord, you still have to think about this, think about it very well”. King: “yes I am thinking about it, but for now let’s not talk about it again” Camera fades….. MOVEMENT 7 AT THE KINGS PALACE WITH THE ELDER EXTERIOR- DAYEXTRAS-KING, QUEEN, ELDERS, DIBIA, GUARDS CAMERA OPENED TO THE DIBIA IN HIS INCANTATIONS. DIBIA: (incantations, while everyone watches with keen)(raises his head) “the gods are patient and wise…very wise, no one can question them for whatever way and whatever thing they chose to do. They know how best to handle the situations of the palace”. KING: “9 years ………. 9 years of marriage without children not even a single son, not even a female child. How best do they want to handle this situation? Look……… look at this palace, very empty and scanty, this palace is in need of children. I and my wife are not getting any younger. When will I have the child? Is it when I am old that I cannot even nurture him and guide him on how to become a good king after my reign? When exactly is that going to be? If I and my household have offended the gods, I am very much ready to appease them in any way they want it. This is becoming too much”. DIBIA: “Out of all the kings that have reigned after you, you seem to be the best that is pleasing to the gods. The entire kingdom is very much happy with you and so are the gods. Patience heals every trouble” ELDER:“wise one, what more patient do we have to exercise in this regard? Please do something for us”. DIBIA: (Rose from the ground) no man questions the gods, so mind how you ask mortal question to the immortal being” (He turned and left) Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 8 THE QUEEN VISITED OTHER DIBIA IN THE KINGDOM EXTERIOR: DAYEXTRAS: QUEEN, DIBIA, ONE MAIDEN AND ONE GUARD. CAMERA: OPEN TO THE DIBIA CHANTING AS THE QUEEN ENTERS AND THE ESCORTS WAITED BEHIND DIBIA :(still backing the queen) “Even before the mortal man thinks of making his decision, the gods had already known, so how does the mortal man thinks that her mission is not known?. A child, a child, a child. Not just a child but a male child. The queen needs a child so desperately that she is willing to get another wife for her dear husband all in the name of a child?” QUEEN: (seated) “my heart is so heavy great one, you already know my plight hence the revelations, my mission is naked as a purely naked woman, I can no longer hide them. Not just to the gods everyone in this kingdom can see clearly how my problem is bold-written on my face”(heart break) “I need to bear a child for my husband. I need to give him a son. Someone who will takeover his throne after him. One whom I will be proud to call my prince” DIBIA: “the gods are all ears” QUEEN: “But even if they do not want me to have a child for the king, let them at least compel my husband to get a second wife who will give him a child/children. I really want him to marry another woman for that sake”. DIBIA: (did some incantations) “the gods are wise my daughter. What the gods did not do for the king through you, do you think they will do it through another woman? It can only be the choice of the king to have a second wife not because of a child”. Queen: (dropped some items and rose to go on her way home. she passed by two ladies who greeted her and she responded unconscious. The two ladies continued looking at her until she had gone a distance and they initiated a conversation about her). MOVEMENT 9: THE TWO LADIES STARTED THEIR CONVERSATION BEHIND HER BACK Lady 1: “I really pity our queen, what a humble and generous woman” Lady 2: “since she is humble and generous why then do you pity her?” Lady1:“can’t you see with your two eyes?” Lady 2: “is it about her childless circumstance?” Lady1: “As if you do not know” Lady 2: “I heard, that everybody including the queen suggested to the king to get a second wife so that she can bare him an hare to the throne” Lady 1: “she must have been coming from the dibia considering the direction and time she is coming. I pray that the gods should grant her heart desires” Lady 2: “iseeee…. I also heard she attempted killing herself because of her condition” Lady 1: “why?” Lady 2: Are you asking me? Lady1: “yes because you are the one who heard” Lady 2: “Ehemmmm, and I also heard that the king is planning to visit the parents of the second wife in two market days” Lady1: (looked at her in shock) “what else have you not heard? Village news carrier” Lady2:“and I heard too that ………….” Lady 1: (Interrupted) “Is ok, enough of your news please lets go where we are going” (left her and went ahead). Lady 2: “But you should have waited to hear this one. Please wait for me. This my tongue. You will never keep quiet. Is it my fault? I will always say what I heard” (rushed after her) Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT 10 EXTERIOR-DAYEXTRAS-AMAEZE AND UMEADI UMEADI:“since the queen also suggested to her husband to marry another wife why then did he not marry a second wife”? AMAEZE: “To the king he is already to married two wives” Umeadi:“How? When?” Amaeze: “He said that since the day he assumed the throne as the king of this kingdom that was when she got married to the entire kingdom plus his wife the queen. So he does not want to get another wife and he really kept to that but that was a very risky decision he made. When the queen and the entire cabinet of the palace saw that the king was not reacting positively to their suggestions, they all left him to his fate” UMEADI: “He must be a very wise king” AMAEZE: “indeed he was, but something happen one night. For the first time the king acted fearlessly”. Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 11 THE KING CAME OUT IN THE MIDNIGHT EXTERIOR: NIGHT. EXTRAS: THE KING CAMERA OPENED TO THE KING STEPPING OUT OF HIS HUT IN DEPRESSED MOOD KING: (stood out for a while with the flash back of his conversations with the cabinet, the queen and the dibia) (He walked out into his compound knelt down and prayed in a loud voice) “I come before you all and I pray the prayers of a troubled and desperate king to any god that cares to listen. Hear my cry. Give me a child, an heir to my throne, someone who will become the Eyi-ibe the 4th and demand anything from me and you will have it even if it is my life. I have consulted all the gods and have taken uncountable risks just to have a child with my wife; we are yet to have one. Now you gods of the night, hear my cry, give me a child and come make your request, anything you can think of then watch me fulfill it for you. GODS: (appeared in the form of a little girl) “pray no more and weep no further for the gods of stinky wash have heard your plea. He is pleased with your brave request. He has promised to give you a child, a male child. By this time next season, the queen shall have a son. But do not forget to come out here again at this same hour when your child will clock his 25thfull moon of existence to ask of what the gods of stinky wash will demand from you…… remember, 25thfull moon” (the little girl disappeared and the king stood up to go inside in fear). QUEEN: (came out to know who the king was talking to) “my lord what are you doing out here alone at this time? Who were you talking with?” KING: “nobody I only came out to urinate” Queen: “but I was hearing your voice so I taught someone visited” KING: “maybe you were dreaming, nobody was here who will ever talk of going out this night? Let’s go inside I am alright” both of them went inside. Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 12 UMEADI AND AMAEZE EXTERIOR-DAY EXTRAS- UMEADI AND AMAEZE CAMERA OPENED TO AMAEZE AMAEZE: “just as the gods promised, the queen had a son the next season and that was how king Ugwuoke, eyi-ibe the 4th came to be. There was so much joy in the palace, the type of joy that was never experienced before. Igwe- eyi ibe the 4th continued to celebrate the birth of Ugwuoke in merriment with the entire village and cabinet for eight consecutive days. The queen had really proven to the entire kingdom that she is not barren”. Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT 13 KING AND HIS CHIEVES EXTERIOR-DAYEXTRAS-KING CHIEVES AND GUARDS CAMERA OPENED TO THE ELDERS LAUGHING ODOKPU: (stretched out his hands to give a hand shake to the king) “Ngwa leeya, leekwa ya. Nwerekwaya ozo. You are a man, a strong man, may our gods be praised” ENUMA: “Igweee… whosoever says the gods are not wise, is the most foolish man in this kingdom and beyond, even a mad man is more manageable than him. I thank the gods once more. Now that we have our royal son, everything is now balance” Another elder: “igwe…. The birth of this child has opened doors to more children into the family” ALL:“Iseeee…” KING:“thank you my chiefs and elders. The gods has really shown me mercies. I was almost loosing my mind at some point but they tapped my consciousness back with my son Ugwuoke. Look at how happy everyone is, go inside the hut and you will be amazed at how happy the queen is. And this is how she has been ever since our son came to us. I also thank you all my elders for standing by me and the royal home may the gods continue to bring peace and joy more than they have brought to me to your homes” All: “iseee…..” King: “and eeeemm, ichie Akuchie, I can see that your third wife is heavily pregnant and will give birth any moment from now. But this is highly commending you know. No matter how aged a man is it never affects him when it comes to handling a woman. Look at ichie Akuchie still expecting a child at his age. You are a very strong man” Akuchie: “Ah, what are you saying Igwe. I am still very strong enough to handle more wives if I have the time to marry again” All: (Laughed) King: “I pray she gives birth to a son so that my son will have who will be keeping him company” Another elder: “Or a female who will be married to the prince” King: “I hope that is not betrothing? (All laughed) Akuchie: “anyone that comes, the prince will find company in him or her. Ichie Enuma’s second wife is also pregnant, so, the prince will have a handful of playmates” All: “yes that is true” King: “my elders you are really not eating I have more food and more wine inside. So deal with this first let me order for more” All: “we trust you my king” (The dibia came in the midst of their conversations and demanded to see the king private and the king came outside to meet him) King: “wise one I hope there is no problem Dibia:“there can never be a problem so long as everyone does the right thing. I just came to felicitate with you and to tell you that the gods are actually happy with the encounter you had about a season ago in the middle of the night, you are indeed a great king. When things gets tough it is only the tough people that will survive it and you indeed survived. Your son is really a remarkable child because he is a son of covenant and he will bring so much joy to so many in this kingdom, his reign will be mightier than those that ever existed before him. Igwee you will continue to live long, I beg to take my leave now”. King:“thank you so much wise one, may the gods always be with you” (the dibia made his way while the king watched him as he leaves). Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT 14 UMEADI WITH AMAEZE WALKING ALONG EXTIRIOR: DAYEXTRS: UMEADI AND AMAEZE CAMERA: OPENED TO UMEADI Umeadi:“you mean that was how our present king came to exist?” Amaeze: “exactly” Umeadi:“his birth must be a mysterious one” Amaeze: “Indeed” Umeadi:“And nobody knew about it since then” Amaeze:“As at then, the birth of Ugwuoke brought so much immeasurable joy to the royal home. The gods really proved that Lolo – Eyi-ibe was still a woman though she never had any other issue since then but she was never bothered about it. igwe Eyi-ibe the II was not going to be the last king in his linage now that he has a possible hare”. Umeadi: “he must really be very lucky to be born into such a royal home” Amaeze:“you can say that a million times, his childhood moments were very fun and protective. Because he brought so much joy to the family his parents never allowed him to lack anything. His father the king would always call him in an informal manner “ Obianucho nwa” meaning a child that came when the family is in need of a child” Umeadi: “and that is what he was to them” Amaezi: “that was why he never lacked anything, both the necessary and the unnecessary. He was cared and loved by all both within and outside the royal home. He hardly comes outside and when he does, the villagers all looked at him with so much admiration as if he was an eagle that comes out in a while everybody would want to touch him here and there. People visit the palace just to see the prince. He had so much glory oozing around him. His father the king guarded him with so much jealously and the mother on the other hand never allowed him to get spoil as a child. He was not allowed to make so many friends as he already had Odiniruka who is the male child of Mmaolisa. Mmaolisa happened to be king Eyi-ibe’s step sister from the last wife of king eyi-ibe the 2nd, she gave birth to Odiniruka on pre-marital condition and she died while giving birth to him. He was born two years after Ugwuoke was born. The two children were so much attached to each other as they do things together. On some occasions, Ure and Uteze, the respective daughters of ichie Enuma and ichie Akuchie of the king’s cabinet would always visit. As you know royalty relates to royalty”. Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT 15 UGWUOKE WITH ODINIRUYKA WAS WITH LOLO EYI-IBE AS SHE WAS TELLING THEM STORIES OF THE TORTOISE. EXTERIOR-DAY EXTRAS: LOLO, LITTLE UGWUOKE, LITTLEODINIRUKA, KING (WHO CAME ON LATER) URE AND UTEZE WHO CAME AFTERWARDS. CAMERA: OPENED TO LOLO TELLING STORIES QUEEN: “and so that was how the tortoise continued to carry that cover on his back as if it has a hunched back. That is the end of my story” Ugwoke: “does it mean that anybody who deceives a fellow will always have a hunched back just as the tortoise?” Queen: “Not necessarily my son, consequences comes in different forms with respect to the person involved, another may experience worse consequence. Tortoise received such a lifetime punishment because he betrayed the animals that trusted him most, so they all joined hands and coursed his generation.” Odiniruka: “so even till tomorrow, tortoise will continue to suffer for his betrayal?” Queen: “Exactly Odii” King: “(walked in) “these tortoises have really suffered in the hands or story tellers” Queen: “any tales that the tortoise is not involving can never be a complete one” King: “you are correct; I hope you enjoyed the story” The boys: “very well, it is very interesting and it teaches a lot of good things” King: “hmmmm, I am glad to hear that (soon Uteze and Ure walked into play with prince)” Queen: “Ugwuoke, your friends are here” The girls: “my queen, my king (they bowed to greet) Queen: “How are your parents?” The girls:“They are fine” Queen: “I can see you are here to play, please do not go much far, stay around the palace and play, do you hear me?” The girls: “yes my queen” (they presented their gifts of beads to the prince which the king and queen appreciated) AMAEZE TELLS STORY ON THE BACKGROUND AS THE PRINCE’S TRANSFORMATION WAS VISUALISED Amaeze: “it continued that way and before the whole village could understand it, prince Ugwuoke had matured into a very handsome and more charming young man. His connection with Odiniruka grew stronger that one hardly sees the prince without his cousin brother Odiniruka. They bath together, played together, hunt, eat and do virtually everything together. Looking at him one would really affirm that he was jealously taken care of. He started gaining obvious admiration and became wishes of every young lady in the village. Every young lady wants to have prince Ugwuoke as a husband. The beauty, wisdom and elegance that prince Ugwuoke exudes made his father to always believe that his son will make a wonderful king after he passes to meet his ancestors. Camera fades…….. MOVEMENTT 16 PLAYFUL FRIENDS EXTRIO: DAYEXTRAS:UGWOKE, ODINIRUKA, UTEZE AND URE AND THE GUARDS LOCATION: PALACE CAMERA OPENED TO ALL OF THEM PLAYING 1. First play: BACKING RACE .The prince and Odiniruka challenged themselves in a race backing Ure and Uteze respectively in other to determine who reaches both ends before the other. . The ladies also did the same with the men. 2. SECOND PLAY: DANCE . The men played drum and sang for the ladies to do dance competition. . The ladies also did the same for the men. 3. AYO (NCHO) GAME . The men played Ayo games while the women watched (the prince won) . The ladies played while the men watched 4. EATING . They all sat down to eat roasted corn and Groundnut. Odiniruka was doing the roasting while the ladies and the prince were busy eating. . The ladies trying to please the prince by offering some pieces of corn and groundnuts to him. THEIR DISCUSSION: WHILE EATING Uteze: “Odiniru, this other one is burning” (pointing at the corn on fire) Odiniruka: “alright” Prince: “Ure, you said you will go to your farm next tomorrow?” Ure: “yes, but I will be going alone” Prince: “why don’t we go with you since you are going alone?” Ure: “no my prince, don’t worry I can go alone” Uteze: “I think that is a good idea, we will go with you. Is it not only weeding that you want to do? We will go with you” Ure: “that will be very nice” Uteze: “that means that the next day I will be going to the farm and all of you will come with me” Both (Ure and the Prince): “it is not a problem, we will all go” Odiniruka: (from the roasting fire)“you people do not even know why prince wants to go to the farm” Prince: “Odiniru!!!!” Uteze: “why?” Odiniruka: “don’t worry I will tell you” (brought some corn to them) “it is because of that mountain very close to your farm Ure. He likes climbing the mountain each time we come across that place. So if you think he is going there to help you, it’s a very big lie” Ure: “OK I see, so you were not intending to come and help me?” Prince: “don’t mind him; I am coming there to help you” Odiniruka: “hmmm! In your dreams. We shall see” Uteze: “whether you are coming because of the mountain or not, as long as you are around with us, it is the most important” Prince: “I like the mountain though. Standing there helps me to see everywhere in this village. I believe that is how the gods used to watch over us” (he gave some corn to the guards) Odiniruka: “so you are now the gods?” All:(laughed) Odiniruka: “I told you, I told you that is the reason why he is going to the farm with you, so don’t depend on his help” Prince: “ Odiniruka! Don’t worry I will soon get to you” Uteze: “this groundnut is very sweet” Ure:“it is still fresh. I will bring more from our house this evening” Uteze: “why don’t you prepare them so we can eat them when we get to the farm?” Prince: “that will be better” Ure: “I will do it that way then” Camera fades……… MOVEMENT 17 PINCE UGWUOKE ODINIRIKA EXTERIOR: DAY CAMERA OPENED TO ODINIRU WAITING OUTSIDE FOR THE PRINCE TO COME OUT. Odiniruka: (waiting patiently for the prince to come out though he did not tell the prince of his presence yet the prince came out and met him) Ugwuoke: “Odiniru, you are here already” Odiniru: “My prince, how do you know that I am here?” Ugwuoke: “Because there is no day you did not come here at this time of the day or early in the morning at the first crow, or in the evening for our strolling that is if you did not sleep in the palace” Odiniruka: “so this is how well you know me right?” Ugwuoke: “this is how we grew up together, if I could be with you for more than 20 years now what then is it about you that I should not know? You are my brother and you are my best friend” Odiniruka: “so you are saying that you can tell what my mood is Ugwuoke: “not just your mood but your foot steps” (both laughed) Odiniru: “On my way coming I saw eeeemmm…… Uteze, she asked of you, she said she is likely to come by this evening” Ugwuoke: “oh, ok” Odiniru: “ok? Is that all you are saying?” Ugwuoke : “what else do you want me to say?. This is not the first time you’re telling me that Uteze or Ure asks of me and either of them frequents this palace, so why are you sounding as if this is a new thing?” Odiniru: “nothing, just that you can cheat the body but you can never cheat the heart. It will always make its way through” Ugwuoke: “And what does that implies wise man?” Odiniru: “it implies that these two ladies are not asking of you or coming to this palace just to play with you or for sightseeing” they are simply taking cognizance of the fact that our dear prince is single and needs a soul mate, so both of them are trying out luck” Ugwuoke: “why don’t you leave hunting as a profession and go into match making for single people, I think you will make a good career out of that” Odiniru: “my prince, this is not about profession. This is about what everyone noticed, nobody in this palace is ignorant of the way Uteze and Ure frequent here as if this palace is another eke market square or the streams where they fetch water” Ugwuoke: “But these ladies have been my friends since childhood, I mean our friends, we all grew up together, I believe they are still holding on to that history, that is why they always come here and their mothers are very close to the Queen while their fathers of course you know they are chiefs in the palace” Odiniru: “yes, I never doubted you in that but, have you even asked yourself why are they so fond of you? That is just a symbol of likeness, I mean, emotional likeness” Ugwuoke: “please Odiniruka, whatever it is you are feeding your mind, I don’t wish to share in it, I don’t know what you are talking about and I don’t wish to know either, those ladies are just friends to me and if you like any of them you can go for them, you have my full support ok?” Odiniru: “I am telling you the truth. I use to see the way each of the ladies looks at you with so much admiration” Ugwuoke: “(goes out and looked up to the sky to determine the time) “do you know what the hour is? Odiniru: “I know what the hour is of course” Ugwuoke: “and you know what today is as well? Odiniru: “yes today is the day that we usually visit the Eze dibia for an impact” Ugwuoke: “may the gods have mercy on you for spending time discussing about ladies” Odiniru: “iseeee, but before we go, is there food in the house I am very much hungry” Ugwuoke: “yes, I was even waiting for you to come so we eat the yam that was prepared” Odiniru: “hmmm, I can’t wait. You know that’s my favorite” Ugwuoke: (ordered the maiden to get the food) “let’s eat fast we are almost behind schedule, you know the last time we came late that she almost did not attend to us” Odiniru: “but because you are royalty, she had no choice, the immunity is there” Ugwuoke: “cut off your sarcasm and let’s rush please” (they both ate together and left) Camera fades……… MOVEMENT: 18 ODINIRU AND THE PRINCE ON THEIR WAY TO THE EZE DIBIA EXTERIOR - DAYEXTRAS- ODINIRU, UGWUOKE, SOME LADIES, CAMERA OPENED TO UGWUOKE DISCUSSING WITH ODINIRUKA AS THEY ARE WALKING Ugwuoke: (As they walked together) “there is one thing that I discovered in this village though the notion has been there but I think its really obvious now” Odiniru: “And what could that be my prince?” Ugwuoke: “I notice that virtually all our young men does hunting a lot more than farming unlike our fathers who do more of farming than hunting” Odiniru: “I noticed it too, but I think it is still good considering the fact that we had very few hunters among our fathers, the only hunter I can even remember is Mazi ogbaka who is the famous hunter on this village” Ugwuoke: “And the late mazi Mbonu” Odiniruka: “yes that too. Hunting is a good business now. Our kingdom is blessed with wild forest and bushes. Ugwuoke: “well no doubt about that, it’s really helping though our ladies and women are doing great jobs in farming anyway” Odiniruka: “I suggest you should think about going to hunt one of these days with me, its fun and you will like it, I bet you” Ugwuoke: “No way, I am not considering hunting any moment from now, you too should try farming and you will never consider hunting again in your life” (Ladies passed and greeted them and they responded) Odiniru: “Me? Farming? think of something else” Ugwuoke: “well, either of them is good, anyone that one chooses is very good” (They continued talking as they walked along) MOVEMENT 19 ODINIRUKA AND UGWUOKE MET AKAOMA THE HUNTER’S DAUGHTER STILL ON THEIR WAY TO THE SHRINE EXTERIOR-DAYEXTRAS-UGWUOKE ODINIRUKA AND AKAOMA. CAMERA: OPENED TO AKAOMA GREETING THE PRINCE AND ODINIRUKA AS SHE WALKED CARRYING THE BUSH MEAT HER FATHER OGBAKA CUT. Akaoma:“greetings my prince, Odiniruka I greet you too” Odiniruka: “you are welcome” Ugwuoke: “hmm! I can see your hand is filled with the heaviness of this bush meat, this one is very big, and you cut it?” Akaoma: “my father did, he is still setting another trap, I’m sure you will meet him as you go up” Ugwuoke: “Oh I can see, this meat will definitely fill the pot even without adding soup by the time you are done cooking it” Akaoma:“you are funny my prince, it seems you like bush meat a lot” Ugwuoke: “who wouldn’t? That is why odiniruka here is very much close to me”. Akaoma:“in that case I will get you some of this when I’m done roasting it” Ugwuoke: “you don’t have to do that, I am only appreciating the huge nature of the meat”. Akaoma: “don’t tell me it’s a bad thing for someone to bring meat to the palace” Odiniruka: “it’s absolutely not. Anything is welcomed in the palace” Akaoma: “Alright then see you” (the prince dragged odiniruka ahead) Ugwuoke: “how could you accept such offer? Do you know that lady that much?” Odiniru: “That is the famous hunter’s daughter mazi Ogbaka, her name is Akaoma” Ugwuoke: “even at that, it is not enough reason for you to accept her offer; do you know if they want to sell it to make money?” Odiniru: “My prince, the lady is simply been generous to the prince and who am I to say no, please lets pray she remembers to bring the meat, or don’t you like bush meats again? Ugwuoke: “Please let us go” (they proceeded to the Dibia) Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT 20 UGWUOKE, ODINIRUKA AND EZE DIBIA EXT-DAYEXTRAS-UGWUOKE, ODINIRUKA AND EZE DIBIA LOCATION: SHRINE CAMERA OPENED TO THE DIBIA MAKING SOME HYMN OF INCANTATION AS THEY ENTERED. EZE DIBIA: (signing the hymn of incantation on a slight happy mood as they both entered). BOTH (Prince and Odiniruka): “greeting eze dibia” (they both said in chorus) ( went straight to the white powdered substance by the left and each made a circle of it around his neck, went to the bowel of water and washed their faces with it) (they went and sat down waiting for him to finish). Eze dibia: “things that are meant for those who are the eyes of the gods can never be revealed to any mortal no matter his greatness. “The gods will always be praise” Both:“the gods will always be praised” Ezebia: “like you will always be reminded, you shall never cross nor have any carnal affair with any woman until you are made the hare to the throne, you shall only do so with the woman you have chosen as your wife and that will be three market days to your feast as man and wife. As you keep this sacred obligation, you will live long to make a great king after your father” Both: “iseeee” Ezedibia: “ for your impact, you shall only get a lizard, cover its head with this red cloths, make your wishes, leave it like that and allow it to go through any direction” Ugwuoke: “thank you Ezedidia” Ezedibia: “do you have any questions?” Ugwuoke: “I only had a dream, and this is the second time I am having the same kind of dream. In that dream I always saw myself been lead to a tick bush in the middle of the night (a flash back of the dream) by a little boy and the child I never saw his face disappeared all of a sudden, I will be left there till I wake up” Ezedibia: “yes I know about your dream, the first time you had it, it was on a broad daylight you were sleepy outside, and this one you had it last night. Ugwuoke: “exactly Ezedibia” Ezedibia: “it is just to remind you that you are a child of covenant, do not trouble yourself about that my son, the gods are always with you.” Ugwuoke: “Thank you Ezedibia” Ezedibia: “you may leave now” (they went back to the bowel, washed their faces and neck again and proceeded home) Camera fades… MOVEMENT 21: GOING BACK HOME EXTERIOR-DAY EXTRAS- IKENGA, UGWUOKE AND ODINIRUKA. CAMERA: OPENED TO UGWUOKE AND ODINIRUKA DISCUSSING AS IKENGA WALKING IN HIS DRUNKEN STATE AND STARTED PRAISINGTHE PRINCE AS HE APPROACHED CLOSE. (They talk as they walk) Odiniruka: “I have never seen a priest that is dedicated to his gods as Ezedibia. That man is really something” Ugwuoke: “what else do you expect from a man whom even other priests consult both within this village and beyond. His connections with the gods are considered the ultimate” Odiniruka: “I even heard that people from as far as Odenigbo community come to consult him, we are really privileged o have him as our own” Ugwuoke: “yes, that reminds me, I have been wondering, this Odenigbo community I have heard a lot of stories about them but I have never been there”. Odiniruka: “you have never taught of going there if not now and besides, why do you want to go there my prince? Ugwuoke: “Nothing really, I have heard so much about the village. I will like to visit there someday.” Odiniruka: “Me too I will like to go there also, maybe we should make out time one of these days to go that is if Lolo will agree to that”. Ugwuoke: “yes we should, at least let’s move about to other places” Odiniruka: “I did not set my eyes on the queen today, she has been indoor till we left which is unlike her. I hope she is not sick? Ugwuoke: “yes, she is not, I think she is on impact or something, or maybe she is…………” (ikenga interrupted) Ikenga: (started hailing and praising the prince as he approaches them from a distant) Odiniruka: “this man again, someone will never be useful with his life but to go about drinking” Ugwuoke: “that is the life he chose, and he is happily living it” Ikenga: (continued praising the prince) Odiniruka: “I know that all these hailing the prince do not cross the boundaries of getting palm wine and cowries from him” Ikenga: “the cowries he is giving me is it your own?, or was I hailing you?, let me tell you, if not for people like me in this village palm wine wouldn’t have been useful. If someone like you drinks it, who knows, your head cannot carry it. palm wine is meant for strong men like me and the Prince, not people that might run mad after drinking it or set the whole village on fire” (referring to Odiniruka) Odiniruka: “Are you referring to me?” Ikenga: “Nooo, I am referring to that bird flying away” Ugwuoke: “its ok, ikenga I hope you are fine?” Ikenga: “my prince, I am finer now that I am seeing you, because I know what you can do” Ugwuoke: “ok. eemm, I don’t have enough money to buy you palm wine, but you can get to the palace, give this to any of the guards, they will know I sent you and they will give you whatever you ask” (gave him a shining object that looks like a paper) Ikenga: “chai, my prince you are full of generosity, I can’t wait for you to be a king. I don’t mean for the king to die now but you surely will make a good king in your own time and I will still be alive to see that come to pass. I will come later, in short I am going now before the elders will come and finish the palm wine” Odiniruka: “you have gotten what you want, you can go now. You can drink for the whole village” Ikenga: “let it be” (continued to praise the prince as he goes ahead of them)” Odiniruka: “(to the prince) “it is your excessive generosity towards this man that will make her never to stop drinking” Ugwuoke: “if he stops drinking what else can he do?, he cannot even feed himself, he is not even married, nothing borders him but palm wine and that is how life should be at times. You know that I cannot hide from buying palm wine if he asks me of it” Odiniruka: “so if you don’t give him palm wine he will die then” Ugwuoke: “I don’t mean that. Please can we change Ikenga’s topic and talk about something that matters most, you asked about my mother and I was telling you that………..” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT 22: AT THE PALACE EXTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS- UTEZE, THE QUEEN, PRINCE AND ODINIRU CAMERA: OPENED TO FAMILY FINISHED THE FOOD THAT UTEZE SERVED PRINCE UGWUOKE: “you really are a very good cook” ODINIRUKA:“you have a good character of cooking, I feel like eating this food again and again” Uteze: “thank you my prince” Queen: “what are you saying? Don’t you know her mother Akunna? When we were all young maidens in this kingdom, Akunna used to play the lead role in cooking whenever the village is doing one ceremony or the other. Her mother’s linage can cook very well so I am not surprised at what Uteze can do with food items” Uteze: “I’m highly honored my Queen” Queen: “Nnaa(to the prince) when you are done resting, see her off, and send my greetings to your mother Akunna, tell her that one of these days I shall come and see her” Uteze: “I will my queen” (the prince rose to see her off and they discussed as they walked) PRINCE AND UTEZE ON THEIR WAY Ugwuoke: “will you come to the egwu Ugo this night?” Uteze: “Yes I will, will you”? Ugwuoke: “yes I will be there” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT 23 AKOMA AND IKENGA MEET ON THE WAY EXTERIOR: DAYEXTRAS: AKAOMA AND IKENGA CAMERA: OPENED TO IKENGA WALKING AND SINGING HIS DRUNKARD SONG WHILE AKAOMA MET HIM ON THE WAY AS SHE WAS GOING TO THE PALACE WITH THE ROASTED MEAT. Ikenga: (seated at one place singing as he was too drunk and couldn’t walk again) One villager: (in a native voice as she passed by him) “Ikenga pity yourself. For how long will you continue to be like this, may our gods have mercy on you?” (And she left) Ikenga: (continued singing and did not say a word) Two other villagers: (discussing among themselves and did not even look at him as they are used to his life style) Ikenga: (continued to sing) Akaoma:(walked and saw him but couldn’t pass by him as she knew he was to drunk to go home) “even as you drink you can still singing very well, look at how melodiously your voice is eeee Nnayi Ikenga” Ikenna: “yes so that I can sing good songs for a beautiful sister like you. Don’t you known that palm wine and good songs appeases the gods, see how calm and serene the whole place is all because of the song” Akaoma: “ yes that is the truth, but Nnayi even if you want to drink must you drink to get yourself drunk to the extent of not been able to go home? Take a look at yourself, at least you should have taken the palm wine home then drink as much as you want and even if you are unable to walk you can lie down anywhere as long as you are at your place” Ikenga: “who told you I cannot walk home? I am only meditating here but since you have said it I will start going home (tried to stand up but couldn’t because he was really too drunk to do so) “Don’t you know that palm wine is best taken on the road or the place you bought them? If you try to take it home it might change from been wine to another thing” (still struggling to stand up) Akaoma: (decided to help him by backing him) “I know you cannot stand up. Next time I see you like this I will not carry you, it’s because you know I will always carry you home that is why you kept on disgracing yourself like this” Ikenga: “that is the essence of drinking; when you drink, you lie down on the road side then beautiful ladies will come and carry you home. What is that you are even carrying?” Akaoma:“it is a gift for the prince, I was supposed to have been there by now but you have prolonged my mission because I will have to take you home before going back to the palace, please do not spoil it for me?” Ikenga: “my good sister, always sharing gifts to people, may your kindhearted life style bring you good fortunes” Akaoma:“I see” Camera fades……… AT IKENGA’S PLACE Ikenga: “that is why you are called Akaoma meaning good hand that shares and accepts. Good thing will never seize to come your way” Akaoma: “Nnayi, we are at home now, I have to rush to the palace, I will come back and take care of things in the house” Ikenga: “emmm, tell the prince that I will come for drinks” Akaoma: “not me o Nnayi, you go and do it the way you used to tell him” Ikenga: “but you are my sister……..” Akaoma: “Nnayi see you later” Camera Fades… MOVEMENT 24: AT THE PALACEEXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: UGWOKE, ODINIRUKA, AKAOMA AND GUARDS CAMERA: OPENED TO ODINIRUKA AND UGWUOKE CHATTING AND LAUGHING (BOTH LAUGHING) Odiniruka: “that thing she did was so funny” Ugwuoke: “that was the reason I refused to come and dance when it was my own turn to dance because she might finish me the way she did to others”. Odiniruka: “I noticed it” Ugwuoke: “I guessed so though, but last night was really fun, I wish all our Egwu Ugo will always be like this (they were still discussing when Akaoma came into the compound) Akaoma: “greetings my prince, greeting Odiniru” Ugwuoke: “ oh you, welcome how are you doing?” Akaoma: “ I’m fine my prince, sorry I couldn’t come yesterday as promised, I had to roast the meat so that it will be easy for you to preserve it in case you did not finish it at once, I had to do it yesterday” Ugwuoke: (looked at Odiniruka in surprise and turned to her ) “ I was only joking, I did not mean for you to actually get me meat for real, I did not mean you should take it serious to this effect” Akaoma: “it is nothing my prince, I just want you to taste it, whether it is a joke or not and I will be glad to get more of this for you if you and the royal home will like it” (handed it over to the prince and the prince looked stunned so he was delaying to accept it) Odiniruka: (stretched out his hand and collected it) “thank you very much, I will keep it for him, may the gods bless you” Ugwuoke: “thank you so much, I mean I don’t know how to thank you the best, I really appreciate this” Ugwuoke: (to Odiniruka) “Odii, do you understand the meaning of this? Odiniruka: (less concerned) “I understand that somebody is appreciating the prince out of generosity” Ugwuoke: “I taught I was talking to somebody? Camera fades… MOVEMENT: 25 AT THE PALACEEXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: THE QUEEN, THE KING, UGWUOKE AND URE CAMERA OPENED TO THE FAMILY FEASTIVAL ON THE MEAT THAT AKAOMA BROUGHT Queen: “who do you said gave you this?” Ugwuoke: “her name is Akaoma, she is the daughter of mazi Ugoka” King: “oh, oh, oh, the great hunter’s daughter?, that girl can also hunt?, Ugwuoke: “she did, she even roasted them herself” Queen: “may the gods bless and pay her back” Everybody: “iseeee” Queen: “this meat is really good” URE ENTERED: Ure:(entered) “greetings your highness, greetings my queen, greetings my prince”. King: “my daughter you are welcome” Queen: “you met us right, come and join us” Ure: “thank you queen, I just finished eating” Prince: “so you are now rejecting our food?” Ure: “my prince don’t start” Prince: “I have started o,” (washed his hand and rose off the eating gathering) Washing of clothes The prince had his clothes washed by Ure and he was sitting beside her as she washed. Prince: “you were not at the last Egwu Ugo but your friend Uteze was there though I asked her she said you came back from the farm very late and so you were too tried to come” Ure: “that was so true plus I had to start cooking immediately we got back because my father did not eat anything since he got back from the cabinets’ meeting.” Prince: “you must be really stressed that day.” Ure: “you can say it again” Prince: “But why did you and your mother decided to stay that long on the farm or did you people not go on time?” Ure: “we did , but when we got there we discovered that all our akidi has ripped and most of them have started spoiling so mother insist we pluck them first before weeding, by the time we finished plucking, the day was still bright so we also decided to do some weeding which made us to stay long.” Prince: “which farm is that?” Ure: “that Akpaka land that our people farm” Prince: “you people farm in Akpaka this season? That place is very far” Ure: “yes but very fertile, you need to see the quantity of Akidi and cassava that we got from that place, I’m sure we will not finish then till the next season” Prince: “you don’t mean it, that’s good to hear, well that has justified the reason why you could go as far as Akpaka to farm, let me help you with those, (helped her with rinsing) thank you so much” Camera fades……… MOVEMENT 26: THE PLAY GROUNDEXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: PRINCE, ODINIRUKA, URE AND UTEZE AND THE QUEEN WHO PASSED BY THEM AS THEY GREETED HER. LOCATION: THE PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE PLAYING AYO GAME WITH ODINIRUKA, URE AND UTEZE. AFTER THAT THE ENTERED INTO HIDE AND SEEK AND MORE OTHER GAMES WHILE THE QUEEN PASSED THEM AND WAS CATCHED WITH THEIR PLAY, AFTER WHICH THE PRINCE AND ODINIRUKA SAW THEM OFF. MOVEMENT 30: AT UTEZE HOUSE.EXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: UTEZE AND URE.LOCATION: AT UTEZE’S HOUSE CAMERA: OPENED TO URE DISCUSSING WITH UTEZE AS SHE (UTEZE) WAS GATHERING SOME FIREWOOD THAT WAS SPREAD AROUND THE COMPOUND UNDER TH E SUN. URE: “I heard that a man came to Uzoego’s house asking for her hand in marriage” UTEZE: “is it the man from Obeleagu village or is there another man?” Ure: “Yes, the man from Obeleagu” Uteze: “then you are late with your own news because the news I heard is that her Igba-nkwu with the man is in three days” Ure: “tell me what I did not know, three days?, that is after next tomorrow the upper day (spoke in igbo)” Uteze: (In Igbo)“Say it loud, three days” Ure: “I noticed she has been shinning very well and becoming beautiful these days” Uteze: “Reason been that she is already pregnant for the man now” Ure: “pregnant? Uteze: “so you have not heard that one too? This girl you are so behind the time, I can see that I am really your future” Ure: “how will I hear it? Uzoego is not my close friend, but her mother kept that a secret because if she had told her mates my mother would have told me” is the man not a rich farmer?” Uteze: “don’t you know how Uzoego’s mother use to behave?. The young man is a very rich farmer and a hunter too, Uzoego’s mother does not want to tell anybody so that much people will not attend the Igbankwu and eat, she is very stingy to her blood, that woman, (In Igbo) fear her” Ure: “is she the one providing the ceremonial items? Is it not Ndiogo?” Uteze: “that is why I tell you not to mind her, she is very stingy. I will not go there if none of them invites me” Ure: “me too, but Uzoego did not try at all” Uteze: “at all o” Ure: “I will not do that to her if somebody like the prince Ugwuoke decides to ask for my hand in marriage. I……….” Uteze: (interrupted) “Prince Who?” Ure: “Ugwoke nu” Uteze: “My own Prince ugwoke? Ask for your hand in marriage? You? So this is what you have been dreaming of Okwaya? Ure: “what do you mean? But you know I am in love with him now” Uteze: “and I am what? “In enmity with him? You must be stupid” (AND BOTH OF THEM STARTED QUERRELING AND RAISING ABUSES ON EACH OTHER WHILE UTEZE COMMANDED URE TO LEAVE HER COMPOUND) Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 31 THE COUPLEEXTERIOR-DAY EXTRAS-PRINCE AND COUPLELOCATION: ON THE ROAD CAMERA: OPENED TO THE COUPLE QUARELLING AS THE MAN WAS SENDING THE WIFE PACKING MAN:“I have warned you several times about going to Nwanyimma’s house but you won’t listen, Nwayimma is no good influence to any home, she is a home breaker. Since you have decided not to listen to me, you better go back to your parent’s house so that you and Nwanyimma…… that witch in a human form will live together” WOMAN: “is it not your fault?, have you ever come back home anytime you are done with your palm wine sales?, you must make sure to branch at the village square and drink with those useless men and when it is night you will start coming home, don’t you know how lonely it is for me to stay at home all through the day Waiting for you?, so I had to go seek some company and wait till you come back” Man:“and the only place you deemed to go is Nwanyimma’s place? That witch that is never happy about a married home, if you have children would you have been staying idle? Woman:“if you had given me children will I not bear them for you?” Man:“oh! You still have mouth to talk? When you get to you father’s house you will tell them all these things” Woman:I am not going anywhere” (they continued to drag that on the road) They met IKENGA the drunk on his drunkenness and he tried to chastise their situation Man and wife:(continued their quarrel) Ikenga: (singing while approaching them) “so someone will still not have peace on the road again, you have carried your stupidity to the road, your houses is not enough. This is why I don’t want to get married; this is why I will never get married” (they tried to ignore him but he forced their attention on him) “heee!! Maduka and wife what is the problem?” (They ignored him and continued) “I said what the problem is?” Woman: “won’t you mind your business this stupid man” Ikenga: “me stupid? I was even trying to help you so that maduka will not make your life miserable by sending you packing, anyway it is even good self so that Maduka will have more time to produce more wine because since he got married to you, he has stopped giving me free wine and his wine is becoming expensive because of you but maybe when you go his price will come down to the normal and I will be having my fee wine. Maduka when she gets home do not waste much time so that her father will not confuse you to bring her back. I am waiting for you at home I hope you have some wine? Rubbish!! (Went home) THE COUPLE CONTINUED AND THEY WILL PRINCE ON THE ROAD Prince: “Greetings mazi Maduka” Maduka: “My prince I greet you,” Woman:“My prince” Prince: “what is the problem?” Both of them: (narrated their issue and decided to continue while the prince intervened and reconciled them both, then advised them to go home which they did) Prince: “Mazi Maduka, I think you are mostly the reason she is going out to meet Nwanyimma” Maduka:“My prince, are you saying she is right by going to meet that woman?” Prince: “I mean that she needs you around most times, don’t tell me that you spend all you day selling palm wine. Palm wine sellers I know comes back before noon, palm wine is not hard to sell and you produce the best palm wine in this entire village so you cannot tell me it is palm wine that is keeping you out till night. Please always make out time and come back home before she starts feeling your absence. (Turned to his wife) “and to you, even if you need a company, there are many other women you can go to, not the one that your husband detest so much, he has his reasons, so please it has not gotten to the extent of you sending her packing, you will not find peace by doing this, this will not solve your problem, so please Mazi Maduka, take her home and don’t quarrel like this again” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT (32) THE CABINET MEETING EXERIOR-Day EXTRAS-Igwe and the cabinet with the prince. Location-Palace Camera-open to the king sitting down while all the chiefs stood to greet Him Igwe:(signaled them to sit) “you are all welcome” All:I gwee…….” Igwe:“the reason I invited you all here is because of my son, prince ugwoke. You all know that our culture demands that once the king’s first son has reached 28th full moon while the king is still alive, the son should be made the hare to the throne” All: “that is true” Igwe:“My son here, prince Ugwoke will be 28th in less than 12 Afor market days from now, say 20 market days from now. And looking at him you will know that he is full-fledged to handle a throne and so will be made the hare to my throne as one who will succeed me after I have joined my ancestors, I don’t know if I am saying the right thing” Iche Onodugo: “igwe, you are always on the right track, ichie Enuma, was it up to two day that I discussed something like this with you?” Enuma:“yes it was?” Ichie Onodugo: “our prince here is a grown man, well nurtured and exhibiting so much maturity in his life style, to me igwe you have my full support” Iche Akuchie:“Ndi beanyi kwenu” “ichie Onodugo you have spoken well, I second your support and I hope every other person here is in support, I know that Prince Ugwoke will make a good and wonderful king in his time” Igwe:“thank you all my chiefs and cabinet, prince Ugwoke you have heard them, they are in full support, I think what should be the next will be preparations and involving the Ezeabia to tell us finally how to go about it” Ichie Onodugo:“Ndi beanyi si an’ekwuekwu ana eme eme. I iche Onodugo will support that day with 30 tubers or yam” Everybody:(clapped for him and the king greeted him) Ichie Akuchie:“I am supporting Onodugo with 20 tubers of yam and two kegs of palm wine” All:(hailed him and it continued round) KING:“my heart is full of joy, you all have done everything. What more is left to buy? thank you all for your supports and may the gods replenish you all in abundance” All:“Iseeeee …….. He is our son”! Prince:(stood up and thanked them too) THE APPRECIATIONEXTERIOR: SAME DAY (While the meeting was still going on, Maduka and his wife came to appreciate the prince with some gifts for uniting them both) (All the chiefs were pleased at what they saw) Maduka:“my prince we want to sincerely thank you for not letting us separate that day, because truly it wouldn’t have solved the problem and we now live happily even more, so we brought you these few things as a sign or appreciation for your intervention” (a goat, 2 palm wine, a fowl and tubers of yam and other things) Prince: “I am happy you are back again as husband and wife, but you shouldn’t have brought all these” Wife:“you deserve more my Prince, I would have been roasting in my father’s house, thank you for saving me the shame” Iche Akuchie: “what else are we talking about; our prince is really proving that he can take care of this our community if handed over to him. May the gods of praised” Every body hailed him Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT (35) THE COMPETITIVE (LADIES) EXTRIOR-day EXTRAS-prince, Odiniruka, Ure, Uteze& Akaoma Location -Palace CAMERA OPENED TO UTEZE APPLYING BLACK STRIPS ON THE PRINCE TO BEAUTIFY HIM WHILE ODINIRUKA GISTS THEM ODINIRUKA:“Why are Mazi Ibe and Egbengwu in such enmity?” UTEZE: “My brother, I don’t know why they hate themselves so much. They fight and wound each other almost every day” Prince: “Is that why Egbengwu had to go as far as Ozara to build his Hut?” Uteze: “Yes, they are not good enough to be regarded as brothers let alone Twins” Odiniruka: “let the gods help them to reconcile” Uteze and prince: “I seeeeeee” Odiniruka: “hmmmm! Uteze you can really decorate someone, the prince is looking more handsome now. Maybe you will be the one to decorate him on his pronunciation ceremony as the hare to this throne”. (Ure walking in) Ure Walked in Uteze: “who else if not me? If I don’t decorate the man in my life, who will I than decorate? (Saying it loud so that Ure will hear it as she walks in) Odiniruka: (looked at the prince with a surprised eye) Uteze and ure: (gave themselves a very bad gaze) Ure: “my prince greetings” Prince: “you are welcome, I have been waiting to see you, hope you are alright”? Ure:“yes my prince I am very much ok” (giving a bad eye to uteze) Prince: “Uteze have been doing a nice work on me, don’t you see how I’m looking now?” Ure: “Yes my prince you look so fine but this one she applied here doesn’t really fit you my price, this one is not supposed to be here, this one also and this other one too, let me get something and clear it up” Prince: “but I think it’s good there, Odiniruka what do you think?” Odiniruka: “its fine I guess” Ure: “Nooo, let me show her how to do it” (about to clean) Uteze: “did you not hear them? The prince said it is fine there, Okacha mara” (in a hard voice) Ure: “but I only wanted to help……………………..” Uteze: “don’t help, thank you” Odiniruka: “you two should take it easy, on that day maybe Ure will dress the prince while Uteze will decorate him” Prince: “yes that will be very good, besides I don’t have any other best friends that can do it for me”. Ure: “yes my prince” (with a little smile) Prince: “Uteze” Uteze: “it is good” (no smile) AKOMA WALKED IN WITH MEAT AKAOMA: “Greetings my prince greetings Odiniruka, Ure and Uteze Ure and Uteze:(looked at her in surprises) Prince: “you are welcome, how is everybody at home?” Akaoma; “they are all fine, my mother sent her regards” Prince: “oh! You can have a sit” Akaoma:“No my prince, I’m still busy at home, I just took some moment of to get to this meant that I hunted this morning” Prince: “all these for me? Thank you so much, may the gods reward you more. Emmmmm…guards? Who is here? Come and take this and preserve it for me”. Akaoma: “I will be rushing home now” Prince: “why don’t you want to sit?” Akaoma: “no my prince maybe next time” Ure and uteze;(looking with amazement) Akaoma:(left) Camera fades…. MOVEMENT (36) SAME DAY AT AKAOMA HOUSE Exterior -Day Extras-Akaoma and her mother with her little brother Chikezie Location -Akaoma’s houses CAMERA: OPENED TO AKAOMA’S MOTHER EATING WITH HER SON WHILE AKAOMA CAME IN Akaoma:“Nnee” Mother:“Akaoma, you are back?” Akaoma:“Yes mother” Mother:“you are welcome, how is the prince?” Akaoma:“he is fine” Chikezie:“welcome sister” Akaoma:“thank you, I taught you ate with me few moments ago? How come you are eating again with mother?” Mother:“Nekwanu mu anya o (in laughter) can’t she eat with his mother again? Akaoma:“But he just finished eating with me before I went to the palace a moment” Mother:“eeehh!! Even if he likes let him eat more than a thousand times today. eating with her mother is special (speaks in igbo) please leave my son alone, Nnaa(in igbo) eat as many as you want, you are with your mother, and if this one is not enough for you I will get more for you Inugo?” Chikezie:“yes mother” Mother;“all these meat in the soup are yours, I still have more so eat” Akaoma:“chikezie Afo Nri” Mother;“Eeee, let it be (In Igbo), please we need some water, I need to sieve that cassava, its over due to sieve, it has fermented enough. It even smells (igbo)” Akaoma:“yes mother I will fetch water” Mother:“thank you Ezigbo Nwa”Camera fades…… MOVEMENT (37) UTEZE AND URE INTERROGATING ONE OF THE MAIDENS AT THE PALACE CONCERNING AKAOMA EXTRIOR -Day. EXTRAS-Uteze, Akaoma and one of the maidens LOCATION -AT A CORNNER BEHIND THE PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO UTEZE AND AKAOMA DRAGGING THE MAIDEN TO HET CONNER IN SECRETES Uteze: “is the palace paying Akaoma to bring meat to them? Maiden: “the way they usually appreciate her I think she is only bringing it to them without pay” Ure: “so she is been generous to the prince then?” Maiden:“I believe so” Ure: “and so how does she frequent here? Maiden: “This is the third time I am seeing her here” Both of them: “bringing meat?” Maiden:“Yes” Uteze: “So this girl is trying to attract the prince with her meat?” Ure: “she might be putting some spell on it to make the prince like her” Uteze: “it is alright, thank you very much you can go now before they notice your attention” (the maiden left) The both of them continued to discuss the issue as they proceed home. Camera fades… MOVEMENT (38) THE NIGHT ENCOUNTER EXTRIOR -night EXTRAS-the prince in the night mere CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE AND ODINIRUKA COMING BACK HOME TOGETHER Odiniruka: “I told you she was going to find out” Prince: “I never knew Uteze is that smart” Odiniruka: “now you know my prince, at least next time you will know how to treat her” The prince heard a noise Prince: “did you hear that?” Odiniruka: “hear what my prince?” Prince: “that noise?” Odiniruka: “what noise? What does it sound like?” Prince: “it sounds so strange” Odiniruka: “I can’t hear anything my prince” Prince: “are you sure?” Odiniruka: “I am serious I did not hear it” Prince:“OK” (The noise came again and this time the prince was so scared and he ran away). Odiniruka:“My prince wait” Camera fades….. MOVEMENT (39) ODINIRUKA AND PRINCE TALK ABOUT THE DREAM XTRIOR -DAY XTRAS-ODINIRUKA AND THE PRINCE LOCATION -PALACE BESIDE THE PRINCES HOT CAMERA: OPENED TO ODINIRUKA AND THE PINCE Odiniruka: “this is really strange, but it seems you are the only one that heard it since you said I did not hear a thing” The prince: “I have heard this experience before when I was coming back from egwu Ugo the other night? Odiniruka: “have you told anybody about this before?” Prince: “I wanted to tell my parents about it but I felt it was not important, but now it is beginning to scare me. It is making me to be afraid of the night.” Odiniruka: “This is serious?” Prince: “I need to tell the queen about this” Odiniruka: “No, I think we should go and see the Ezedibia first” Prince: “yes tomorrow is even our impact; we go there tomorrow” Odiniruka: “No my prince, I suggest we go this morning, now that the thing is still fresh let us go now, I believe he should have a solution to this, this is getting too much” Prince: “it alright let me get something from inside” Odiniruka: “I am waiting” Camera fades… MOVEMENT (40) MARRIAGE PROPOSAL UTEZE Extrior -Day Extras-Uteze, her mother and Father (ichie Akuchie) and her people That come to ask her and in marriage LOCATION -ICHE AKUCHIE COMPOUND CAMERA OPENED TO ICHE AKUCHIE GIVING THEN HANDSHAKES AS A SIGN OF WELCOME ICHIE AKUCHIE:“you all are welcome, my son you have done well by coming to this place, in my home to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage, what do you say your name is again?” Anedo:“my name is Anedo Ichie Akuchie: “that is good; I have known you kindred for a while now. I used to have a bosom friend from that place, Mazi ike, the name that was killed by a snake on his way to the farm” Anado: “yes, you know him?” Ichie akuchie: “like I told you, he was my bosom friend, so you people are welcome once again to my home” Both: “Thank you ichie?” Ichie akuchie: “As you said, you want to marry my daughter, and you know you are not getting married to me, so I will have to invite my wife to confirm what I have heard” (called out to Uteze and her mother) Both: “Nnanyi greetings, Ndi obia you are welcome” Mother: “Nnanyi you sent for me” Akuchie: “yes I actually sent for our daughter but you need to be here equally, uteze my daughter” Uteze: “papa Akuchie: “do you know this people? I mean have you seen this prince before?” Uteze: “no papa” Akuchie: “alright, these people here are the people from inyiagu kindred and they escorted their son by name Anado who says he is interested in you and wants to marry you so he is here asking for your hand in marriage” Uteze: “ok, you are all welcome, well papa, they did well by coming but I am not ready for marriage, In fact I am not interested” All: “surprised” Akuchie: “my daughter this young man is from good kindred and he is a rich farmer too, why don’t you think about it before giving them your final reply” Uteze: “papa, I don’t have to think about anything, I know what I want, I don’t want to marry him”. Mother: “emm!! Nnanyi, Ndi obia, you know this is her first time of seeing you and she was never ready to encounter you intentions, but don’t worry I will talk to her and you will hear from us, please let’s give her some time” (they went inside) Camera fades… MOVEMENT (41) LATER THAT DAY, AKUCHIE CALLED OUTHIS DAUGHTER AND WIFE Akuchie:“what do you mean you are not ready to get married?, are you not old enough?” Uteze:“Not that I am not ready to get married but I don’t wait to marry him, I am in love with someone else and he has agreed we are getting married” Mother:“Ok so who is the person?” Uteze: “Mama its prince ugwoke” Mother:(Expressed her happy mood) Akuchie:“you and prince ugwoke is going on and I do not know about it? For how long? Uteze: “for a very long time papa, we only kept it a secret” Akuchie:secret? It better be so because I don’t see any reason why you should reject that young man whom has made success at his age”. Mother:“Nnanyi the prince is better than anyone in this village; if it is the prince let her marry him. Go ahead my daughter, go ahead and marry prince, you have my full support” Camera fades… MVT 43: THE PROPOSALEXTRIOR:DAY EXTRAS: UTEZE AND PRINCELOCATION: THE PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO UTEZE SITTING NEXT TO THE PRINCE UTEZE: “my prince people can really be funny most times” PRINCE: “why did you say that?” Uteze: “a young man came to our house this morning with his people, and do you know what they came to do?” Prince: “No?” Uteze: “he came asking for my hand in marriage” Prince: “and what did you say?” Uteze: “Are you asking? I said No of course. I can’t possibly marry any other man” Prince: “are you married already?” Uteze: “won’t you be jealous if I marry another man and not you won’t you?” Prince: “well, it is not like I will………” uteze: “ the look on your face shows that you will be very jealous, but don’t be afraid, I will not marry any other man except my charming prince” Guard:(came in)“my prince, the queen requires your presence” Prince: (to Uteze)“I will be back” Uteze: “alright, I will be waiting for you here” Camera fades.. MVT 43) THE FIGHT EXtrior -Day EXtras-uteze, Akaoma and odiniruka Location -a little distance from the palace CAMERA: OPENED TO AKAOMA COMING OUT OF THE PALACE AFTER DELIVERING THE MEAT … UTEZE AND URE SAW HER FROM DISTANCE AND LAYED AMBUSH AKAOMA: (to one of the maidens) “please keep this for him, whenever he comes back give it to him, he will know it’s from me” MAIDEN:“alright I will” AKAOMA: “I will be going now” (patted ways) (as she was approaching out, Ure and Uteze come out and blocked her) Uteze: “so it is you who have been trying to confuse the prince by bringing meat okwa?” Akaoma:“I don’t understand” Ure: “what don’t you understand about what she said she said? so this is what do, stealing peoples’ men and gaining their attraction by dashing them meat. You that we know used to sell meat now dashing meat to the prince as Akaoma that you are” Akaoma:“it is not what you think, I was only bringing the meat because he said he likes bush meat I don’t have any intentions behind what I do” Uteze: “eeee, you are only giving him meat because he likes bush meat, who told you that he cannot buy bush meat from you if he needed to eat bush meat? ,nwada onye okike (miss shearer) Akaoma:“I don’t know what you ladies are up to but I have to be on my way, I need to get some meat to the market and it is getting late” Ure:[blocked her again] “listen let me tell you, the next time I see you around my prince again I will tell you that the prince belongs to someone else, in shot he is my husband to be so stay away” Uteze: “he is your what? Repeat it again, he is your what?” Ure: “my husband to be, you heard me right” Uteze: “you must be stupid; I can see that stupidity runs in your family” Ure: “Uteze you have started again, why are you insulting my family? (They got into fighting when the quarrel was too much and Akaoma left them and went her way) They continued to fight and as Odiniruka was coming back he saw them still fighting and tried to separate them with one other maiden who rushed out to see what was happening Camera fades… MOVEMENT [43] TALK ABOUT THE FIGHt EXERIOR -Day EXTRAS Ugwoke and OdinirukaLOCATION:palace CAMERA: OPENED ODINIRUKA DEMONSTRATING THE FIGHT TO THE PRINCE Odiniruka: “You couldn’t believe this because you were not around to watch this fight” Prince: “But why would they start fighting just like that? Did anything happen before they started fighting? (The maiden that witnesses the fight come around) Odiniruka:“Oh! May our gods be praised, she was here when the fight was going on, she even helped me to separate them” Prince:(to the maiden) is it true? Maiden:“my prince, I have never seen maidens fight like that in my life. the queen needs your attention” Prince: “tell her I will be with her shortly. Maiden:“Yes my prince “(went away) Prince: “but what exactly is the cause of the fight?, these ladies I know are best friends” Odiniruka: “How would I know my prince?” Prince:“didn’t you care to ask them?” Odiniruka: “I did not ask because the reasons was written all over their faces that day” Prince: “and what could that be?” Odiniruka: “even as you have asked me my prince, I think you should find out for yourself” Prince: “what do you mean? Odiniruka: “my prince, on all sincerity they are fighting because of you” Camera fades… MOVEMENT (45) THE TWO MOTHERS QUARRELING ABOUT THE FIGHT OF THEIR DAUGHTERS Xtrior-Day Xtras-Uteze and Ures’ respective mothers Location -Ure’s houses CAMERA OPENED Uteze’s mother saw how her daughter was badly wounded so she took her to Ure’s houses and when she met Ure’s mother who was also preparing to come and see her too, they both stated exchanging words and battling whose daughter will marry the prince. MOVEMENT (46) TALK ABOUT CHOOSING A WIFE BECAUSE OF THE PRONUNCIATION MVT (45) PROPOSAL TO URE XTRIOR-DAY Xtras-Ure and odiniruka Location:Road side CAMERA: OPENED TO URE COMING BACK FROM THE FARM WITH A BASKET … A CUTLASS AND HOE INSIDE, WHILE ODINIRUKA HID SOMEWHERE ON THE ROAD SIDE WAITING FOR HER TO COME BY. Ure: “Ah! odiniruka, you startled me” Odiniruka: “Sorry my princess, I did not mean to startle you” Ure: “what are you doing here?” Odiniruka: “waiting for you” Ure: “waiting for me?” Odiniruka “[nodded]” Ure: “is there a problem?” Odiniruka: “emmm, l knew you will pass through here because you always go to the farm ,but I was expecting you to carry some cassava as usual so I could help you, you know you are so hardworking” Ure: “oh that is very nice of you but today I only went to weed the farm, not harvesting” Odiniruka: “you weed the farm?” Ure: “yes” Odiniruka: “the whole farm?” Ure: “yes” Odiniruka: “all by yourself?” Ure: “yes it is not much for me” Odiniruka: “you are very strong and hardworking” Ure: “thank you” Odiniruka: “No wonder you were able to fight like a man the other day I was watching the both of you and I saw how you held your feet firmly to the ground, you really have stamina you can fight very well” Ure:“Don’t mind uteze, she thinks she can challenge me and go just like that, I gave her the beating of her life. Next time she will know who to challenge, she wants to contend the prince with me, the fight had not started” Odiniruka: “(Hailed her)” chai, agu nwa, nwa gbara ike ka Nwoke, I trust you that is why I so much like you” Ure: “Me, ure? Let her try it again” Odiniruka: “emmmm.Urem that is why I am here, you know I so much like you, I was wondering, since Uteze is madly in love with the prince and I am madly in love with you, maybe we should be closer and be lovers.okwanu ofu ifeaa. It is the same thing instead of your fighting over the price”. Ure: “what? What did you just say?” Odiniruka: “I said I love you and I will like you to love me too, I want to be you husband Ure: “shut up, you and that husband. Me Ure, wonders shall never end,so because you are related to the prince you now think you can talk to me? Ure you have suffered, is that why you offered to carry my basket?. Give me, thank you and please do not follow me home” Odiniruka; “Ure please, I will make a good husband to you” Ure: (did not respond, she continued walking without looking back) Odiniruka:“you think the prince marry you” (started mocking her on a little tone and walked away) Camera fades… MOVEMENT (46) “TAKING ABOUT CHOOSING A WIFE FOR THE PRINCE EXTERIOR -day EXTRAS-igwe, lolo and prince CAMERA OPENED Prince: “greetings father, my queen I greet you” (they welcomed him and he sat down) Prince: “you sent for me father” Igwe:“yes my son, have a sit (some quietness and he began), you know that in the next 12 market days you will be pronounced and celebrated as the hare to this throne which begins the preparation of you becoming a king someday, I hope you know” Prince: “yes Father” (in enthusiasm) Queen: “my son I am so proud of you” Prince: “thank you mother” Igwe:“you know it has always been our tradition that once a prince is about to be celebrated just as you, he will also be prepared to present a wife to-be whom he has been hiding or choose a wife in case he did not have one” Prince:“I don’t understand my king” Queen:“the day your father was made the hare was the day I was chosen as the next queen” Price:“so you are saying that, I will have to present a wife in less than one month?” Queen:“Yes my son … even if you don’t have, don’t stress yourself, on that day you will see beautiful virgins that you can choose from, like I told you that was how I became the queen”. Prince: “But what if the king is not ready or old enough to get married”. Igwe:“anytime a prince is to be pronounced like this, he is considered ready to get marry because if a prince is considered ready to rule his kingdom, that some person is equally ready to handle a family”. Queen:“your own is very easy, you have two ladies fighting around you like flies,I mean Ure and Uteze” Prince: “mother?” Queen: “yes?” Prince: “but I don’t have any emotional attraction for them”. Igwe:“those ladies I believe are good but if you don’t consider any of them a wife to you, you can do otherwise, but you must chose and present a wife that day” Prince:“(kept quite) “I will thick about it” Camera fades… MOVEMENT (47) ODINIRUKA SUGGESTED A WIFE FOR THE PRINCE EXTERIOR-day (that same day)EXTRAS-odiniruka and prince Location: palace CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE THINKING AND WORRIED WHILE ODINRU CAME AROUND Odiniruka: “what is bothering my prince this time?” Prince: “Sit down odiniru” Odiniruka:“you are so carried away that you did not even notice that I have seated down” Prince: “tell me odiniru, is it part of our tradition that I can have to choose or present a wife on the day of the pronunciation Odiniruka: “and who told you that?” Prince: “my father and mother” Odiniruka: “and so now will I be the one to know the tradition better than the queen and the king?, of course that is so true if they were the one that said it, is that what is bothering you like this?” Price: “but I am not ready to get married” Odiniruka: “my prince when will you consider yourself ready to get married is it when you have started walking like the elders?” Prince: “my father is not joining his ancestor now, he still has more years, let me even have more time to get ready for the throne before marrying” Odiniruka: “my prince, please stop saying this, I don’t see anything wrong with this, you should be making preparation to choose a wife for yourself, you are old enough to do that” Prince: “they even suggested Uteze and ure, both of them are very good but I don’t know whom to choose”. Odiniruka: “wonderful!! That is a very good suggestion, at least they are the ones you know very well and can give account of their lifestyles and attitudes instead of choosing someone you don’t know” Prince:“I am really not ready for this, I am not”. Odiniruka:“you have to be ready o, my prince you must be ready”. UTEZE ENTERED Uteze: “My prince how are you? You are not looking bright is everything alright?” Odiniruka: “Uteze you are welcome” Prince: “I’m fine, we were just discussing” Uteze: “its ok let me go greet the king and the queen (as she gave than a distance) Odiniruka: “my prince, I feel uteze will make good wife” Prince: “you think so?” Odiniruka: “I believe so; you should start considering presenting her on thatday as your wife” Prince: “but I don’t want her to know yet, I will give it to her as a surprise on that day please does not let her hear such” Odiniruka: “Trust me my prince” MOVEMENT (48) UTEZE ENCOUNTERED IKENGA EXTERIOR-day EXTRAS:uteze and ikengaLocation:on the road CAMERA: OPENED TO IKENGA AND UTEZE COMING FROM OPPOSITE ENDS AS IKENGA WAS IN THIS DRUNKENMOOD WHILE UTEZE PASSED WITHOUT GREETING Ikenga: (called her attention) “bia this girl I want to ask you a question” Uteze: “ehee what is it?” Ikenga: “please I need you to be honest, am I growing older or am I depreciating in life, I mean coming down to the small age, as in reducing a small boy again?” Uteze:“what sort of question is that?” Ikenga:“please answer me” Uteze:“is this where you drunken attitude has reached?, that you now go about asking people your age, of course you are good very much old, you are even getting old enough to give birth to someone my age (in hash tone) Ikenga:“I can give birth to someone your age, so I can be your father?” Uteze:“you can never be my father, a drunkard like you” Ikenga:“and yet you cannot open your mouth to greet a man who is old enough to be your father?” Uteze:“is that what all the question is all about? Greeting you does it make any sense to you? Even if I greet you will your drunken sense notice?, please go off my way let me go am late (went off) Ikenga:(continued to speak badly of her until she has gone a distance) Camera fades …… MOVEMENT (49) THE TOWN CRIER EXTERIOR-day EXTRAS-THE TOWN CRIER AND THE PEOPLE LISTENING Location:Around the whole village CAMERA: OPENED to the town criers announcing round to whole village to the hearing of everybody Town crier:“Everybody listen oo, the Igwe and his council has fixed the date for the pronunciation and cerebration of our prince, Ugwoke as the hare to the throne, it will take place in 9 market days from today, the king and his family is hereby inviting everybody to be pronunciation old and young, men and women, children and everybody” Camera fades……. MOVEMENT (50) AMAEZE AND UMEADI Umeadi:“so that day must have been a very wonderful day in this village, I wish I was born then” Amaeze:“That day was supposed to be a very remarkably day for prince Ugwoke and the supposed witnesses” Camera fades……. MVT 51: THE DREAMEREXTERIOR: DAY EXTRAS:URE AND HER MOTHER LOCATION: THEIR HOUSE CAMERA: OPENED TO URE RETURNING FROM THE STREAM WITH HAPPINESS Ure: singing as she is coming back from the stream- got to the compound “mother, mother, mother… please come” Mother: “Ure this one you are happy like this what happened? Did anybody give you gift?” Ure:“mama this is more than money, this is a gift of life” Mother: “a gift of life? Tell me what happened” Ure:“mama don’t tell me you did not hear it” Mother:“hear what?” Ure:“the town crier today” Mother: “yes what about the town crier?” Ure:“did you not hear what he said?” Mother:“of course I did hear him clearly, and what has that got to do with anything?” Ure:“if the prince is pronounced the hare to the throne, he will also present his wife or wife to be on that day” Mother:“yes?” Ure:“that means your daughter here will be the future queen of this community” Mother:“but that was not what the town crier said” Ure:“mama the prince is my man, and on that day I will be the one he will present as his future wife and also the queen” Mother:(excited)“is that so?” Ure:“yes mother” Mother:“this is good news, I will really be so happy to witness that” Ure: “yes, mother I have to go to the palace, I know the prince will be waiting for me at the palace, I will be back soon” Mother:“alright, greet the prince for me” Ure: “I will mama” Camera fades…….. MVT 52: THE SECOND DREAMEREXTERIOR: DAY EXTRAS:UTEZELOCATION: HER FATHER’S HOUSE CAMERA: OPENED TO HER SEATED ALONE THINKING ABOUT HER DREAM OF BECOMING THE WIFE OF THE PRINCE Uteze:(in her taught) “so it has finally happened, that I Uteze, daughter of Akuchie, will be the next queen of this community. I really cannot believe this. Anyways, what is there to believe or not to believe? It is simple and clear; the prince is in love with me and I am so in love with him, so that makes it all perfect. Uteze, your dream has finally come through. My prince I am so happy to hear this. What am I even doing here; I should be in the palace. These days I need to be staying in the place always because we have no much time to prepare. And this Ure is very cunning; if care is not taken she will take the prince away from me. Well she can only but dream. The prince is meant for me and that is final. Let me go and see how he is preparing, lets plan it together” (She rose and left) Camera fades….. MVT 53 ANOTHER FIGHTEXTERIOR: DAY EXTRAS: URE, UTEZE AND PRINCELOCATION: ON THE ROAD CAMERA: OPENED TO UTEZE WALKING ON THE ROAD WITH THE PRINCE Uteze:“so my prince, have you started making your plans?” Prince:“is it about the pronunciation?” Uteze:“yes” Prince:“well I will still have to discuss with the king my father on where and how to start the preparations” Uteze:“please do not hesitate to always send for me each time you need my help with anything regarding this pronunciation” Prince:“certainly, who else will I need her help if not you, you are very close to me” Uteze: (excited) “am I?” Prince:“yes you are” They continued to walk as they discussed Uteze:(sighted Ure from a distance and crossed her hands over the prince as if they were playing love on the road, the prince on the other hand did not mind) Ure:walked faster in anger seeing what was going on“my prince, how are you?” Prince:“I am fine” Ure:“I can see you are going out?” Prince:“yes, Uteze came to visit so I am seeing her off” Ure:crossed her own hands over the prince “in that case I will join you, how is the queen?” Prince:“she is at home with the king” Uteze: (removes Ure’s hand from the Prince’s) “so as I was saying my prince, what would you like me to wear on that day to look very beautiful for you” Prince:“well, I suggest you.…………” Ure:interrupted by removing uteze’s hand“my prince what did you eat today?” Prince:“I ate……” Uteze:interrupted“what is your own, eee Ure, what is it? Why don’t you want me to have a good time with my prince, why are you making him uncomfortable?” Ure:“I should be asking you that. Why are you disturbing the prince, making him to pay more attention to you? In fact why you are here, are you supposed to be here?” Uteze:“I have warned you to stay away from the prince, the prince is mine and mine forever” Ure: “you must be a dreamer, cheap girl like you, has the prince ever told you that he loves you or wants to marry you, has he?” Prince:“please you people should stop this, it is not right” Ure:“my prince wait let me finish this fool” (they started exchanging words and from there they started fighting…….. Camera fades……… AT THE PALACE EXTRAS: QUEEN, KING, URE, UTEZE THE PRINCE AND ODINIRUKA CAMERA OPENED TO THE QUEEN Queen:“so it has gotten to this? It has really gotten to this” Uteze:“my queen it is not my fault, it is this………..” Queen:“shut up I did not ask you. I taught you girls had good home training? Is this what they taught you at home? To fight over a man? Your childhood friend? I do not really believe this; I am ashamed of you both as women. Do you think you can win the heart of any man with a physical fight? That is the more reason the man will run as fast as he could before you will beat him up one day. The prince will certainly get married that is for sure, and if he marries any of you I will be really happy because both of you have good characters and I will be glad to have you as my daughter in-law, but it is left for the prince to choose. All you need to do is pray to the gods that he chose any of you because surely, he must choose from one of you. I do not want to ever hear that both of you tried this thing again else I will stop you both from coming to this palace, do I sound clearly to you?” Both of them:“yes my queen” Queen:“you may leave” Camera fades…… MVT 54 FATHER AND DAUGHTER EXTERIOR:DAYEXTRAS:ICHIE ENUMAAND URELOCATION: THEIR HOUSE CAMERA OPENED TO URE GATHERING FIREWOOD FOR COOKING WHEN HER FATHER COMES BACK FROM THE MEETING Ure:(saw her father)“papa you are welcome” Enuma:“thank you, where is your mother?” Ure:“she is not back yet” Enuma:“it’s alright; meanwhile, what is this I hear you doing in the palace, fighting with uteze over the prince?” URE:“father I did not fight over the prince, I was simply having a good time with the prince and Uteze suddenly started spoiling our quality time?” ENUMA:“and you started fighting because she was spoiling your quality time, quality time? What quality time? Listen, I am a titled man, an ichie of the igwe’s cabinet and it is a very prestigious title, adding to the fact that I am also an elder. Please I do not want anything that will push that to the dust not even you. Don’t you know that anything you do out there will affect this family? I did not bring you up to be such a stupid girl that fights in the village like a mad woman. Please I do not want my respect in this community to be flawed. I don’t care what you have with the prince, but please do not spoil my name by fighting, because if you do it next time you will be surprised at how I will handle it with you, do you hear me?” Ure:“but father I am in love with the P………” Enuma:“I said did you hear me?” Ure:“yes father” Enuma:“good, go and get me some water to drink” Camera fades……. MVT 55: CONSULTATION EXTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS: PRINCE AND EZEDIBIALOCATION: SHRINE CAMERA OPENED TO THE DIBIA EZEDIBIA: (doing some enchantments before the prince)“what is it that troubles the royal pride? Prince:“I have two maidens who are so much interested that I should marry them. The truth is that these ladies are the most important people in my life and I like them both. I really want my wife to come from either of them, I know them too well. But they are making things difficult for me by choosing themselves for me instead of allowing me to choose from them, and that is making my decision to be very hard for me. I do not know who to choose as my wife over the other because I do not want one to be angry over the other” Ezedibia:“do you want to marry them both because they are making it difficult for you to choose?” Prince:“great one, I cannot marry two wives, not even at the same time. My father did not marry two wives and I intend to do that as well” EZEDIBIA:“the prince should be more focused on preparing for the pronunciation not for the wife that he will marry” PRINCE:“but the wife that I will marry is also part of the pronunciation” Ezedibia:“whom the prince will marry should not bother him, the gods has already chosen amongst your friends whom you will marry. Your wife will come to you on that day and she is one of your friends. So do not worry yourself” Prince:“thank you ezedibia, thank you. I should be on my way now” he rose and left… Camera fades…… MVT 56: THE SPELL EXTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS: UTEZE AND ANOTHER DIBIALOCATION: SHRINECAMERA: OPENED TO THE DIBIA WITH UTEZE Dibia: “my daughter, what is it that you want me to do for you?” Uteze:“great one tomorrow is the prince’s pronunciation day, and he will also be choosing a wife that same day. I am supposed to be the one that he will choose because I am in love with him and he loves me to. But now, I have a rival, my best friend, who also wants the prince by every means. I do not want to take chances because she might also be doing everything to get the prince, but I want the prince to choose me as his wife tomorrow?” Dibia:“is that all you want. I mean is that your problem?” Uteze:“that is my problem great one” Dibia:(did some incantations)“what is the name of that your best friend that is also your rivalry?” Uteze:“Ure, her name is Ure” Dibia:(did some more incantations)“take this; put it in the water that you will use to bath on that day, it will make you to look very much attracting to the prince. Take this one, rub it on your palm and rub it on the face of Ure as if you are helping her to make up, with this she will look very ugly and detesting to the prince. Make sure you wash your hands very well after rubbing it on her face” Uteze:(collected the items from him)“thank you great one. Take this one. I will come back here and appreciate you when I finally become the wife of the prince” Dibia:“you may go” Camera fades…….. MOVEMENT (51) THE NIGHT TO THE CEREMONY EXTERIOR-NightEXTRAS-palace members Location:palace CAMERA: OPENED TO ODINIRUKA AND THE PRINCE DISCUSSING ABOUT HOW TOMORROW WILL BE THE GUARDS were standing in front of the questions hot, another with the king Odiniruka:“so you want me to be at your back when you are coming out?” Prince:“of course you have to stand by me. Do you want me to fall out of shyness?”(Both laughed) Odiniruka:“alright if you say so. I really cannot wait for tomorrow to come. My eyes are itching to witness the event” Prince:“hmmm. Itching eyes is a sign of eye problem. So be careful what you say” (they both laughed) From the queen’s hot: the queen started shouting “who is there? Somebody should come and help me” (she continued shouting while the guard and one maiden entered to find out what was happening Everybody’s attention focused to the hot including Odiniruka and the prince rushed to bring the queen out) From the palace: (the queen was above coming out with the help of her son when the guard from the throne started shouting after the king) “your highness what is the matter?” (And the king was taken down gradually and so the guard called everybody’s attention to come and help). Odiniruka:(wanted to go but the prince called him back to hold the queen while her rushes to the king). THERE was confusion and crying in the palace as the queen was laid down become she was bleeding through her woman and the king couldn’t talk again and he was also lying down Camera fades…. MOVEMENT (52) THE CHIEFS CAME EXTERIOR-The Next Morning EXTRAS-the chiefs, odiniruka, prince and other members LOCATION: palace CAMERA: OPENED TO THE CHIEF GOING INSIDE FROM THE KIN’S HOT TO THE QUEENS AND COMING OUT TO SET THE PRINCE WHO WAS HELD CLOSE BY ODINIRUKA ICHIE ODOKPU:(to the prince) “did you say this happened last night Prince:“yes, we were all awake ……. (Narrated due incident) Ichie Akuchie:“And they have been like that since then?” Prince:“they have been getting worse by the moment; they weren’t like this before now” ICHE ENUMA:(called out the chiefs at one corner and they discussed briefly) “we have to first of all invite the Ezedibia over this issue as they believed if is not ordinary before inviting the medicine people. -They came to the prince and told him what they discussed and promise him that they are going straight to the Ezedibia’s shrine to bring him there and they also consoled him. -UTEZE and Ure rushed one after another on hearing the news to console the prince even though they were not in good terms, each struggling to be more sympathetic than the others. Camera fades…… MOVEMENT (53) THE DIBAS AND HERBALIST EXTERIOR -Same day /dayEXTRAS -chiefs, dibia, herberlist others LOCATION -palace CAMERA: OPENED TO THE EZEDIBIA CALLING ON THE GODS TO ANSWER HIM THE KING AND THE QUEEN WRE LAID AT THE PALACE SIDE BY SIDE WITH THE CHIEFS SURROUNDING THEM AND THE PRINCE WITH ODINIRUKA STANDING AND WATCHING EZE DIBIA:(continued to do enchantments to call on the gods) -he rose up and said “I don’t know why the gods have really been silent on this issue, they are so quiet and cold as though I am not the one speaking and when they are silent like this, most times it shows they are very angry with the victims, something really happened in this palace that got the gods angry if that is so” ICHIE AKUCHIE: “Ezedibia, eye or the gods what possible could have been committed in this peaceful home that could get the gods angry? Please tell us” Ezedibia:“they are not saying this either, they are just quiet, but I can feel offensive deeds happened here, I just can’t fix my gaze to any, none is been revealed at this moment, but at the main let the medicine man continue to help while I go and come back” Prince:“are they still alive? Ezedibia“very much alive though they are almost as good as dead” sang in the presence of the prince and left. MOVEMENT (54) AMAEZE AND UMEADI AMAEZE:“Everybody was anticipating what could the palace have committed that the gods got so angry as far as leaving the palace with such tragedy?” UMEADI:“Maybe it was just the way the gods want the king to die so that prince will be the king, but did the king and the queen later died?” Amaeze:“well not at the moment not so fast, the condition was getting worse by the day, , the king was dying slowly, the queen was bleeding everyday”. Umeadi:“but what was the problem?” Amaezie:“who knows? Virtually all the dibias from within and neighboring villages were all invited including the herbalists, but none could proffer a solution to the problem” Umuadi”“so what the happened” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT (55) ODINIRUKA ALWAYS CAME TO CONSOLE UGWOKE, URE AND UTEZE CAME ALSO EXtrior -day EXtras -Odiniruka and the prince LOCATION:a tree behind the palace compound CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE LEANING ON THE TREE AND THINKING ALL BY HIMSELF WHEN ODINIRUKA COME AND LEAN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TREE ODINIRUKA:“I know this situation is a very hard one, I understand how it is for you, but I want you to know that all will be well very soon. I have this feeling that something is wrong somewhere, maybe the evil spirits are at work but we will see to the end of this, I assure you that the king and the queen will be well soon” PRINCE:“why is this happening now? Why is this happening now that the palace is about to celebrate their son? What have I done wrong? How have we offended the gods? Eeeh? Tell me. There was no warning, nothing and this just happened. Where will I start to understand this?” Odiniruka:“my prince, maybe this is a warning, the king and the queen are not dead yet, I think that this is a message that only the gods can deliver to us, let us wait for them, I’m sure they will talk to us very soon” (turned to him) “please my dear brother do not kill yourself over this, if you continue like this, you might even die before your parents”. Prince:“is it not better? What more is better than death in this situation?” Odiniruka:“stop saying this, come let us go and see how they are doing, lets go (he grabbed the prince and both them went to see the king and the queen) They came to where the medians were dressing the queen and cleaning the blood and he left with odiniruka. The medicine man Another medicine man came and applied some medicine on them and gave the prince some to be rubbing on them and also gave them instructions Prince: “will this work?” Medicine man: “if what is happening to them is caused by an evil spirit then this omah will certainly bring them back to life” Odiniruka: “will you still come again?” Medicine man:“Yes in four days, I will come and see how they are doing and also give them other drugs, but before then they will surely have some improvements”. MOVEMENT 57 THE CHIEFS GATHERED AGAIN EXTERIOR -DAY/THE NEXT DAYEXTRAS: THE CHIEFS, PRINCE AND THE DIBIA LOCATION: PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO THE CHIEFS COMING TO MEET THE PRINCE Ichie Akuchie: “my prince, how are you today?” Prince: “welcome ichie, welcome my elders, I am fine”(in a low tone) Ichie Akuchie: “how are the king and the queen?” Prince: “they are still there, no improvement at all” Ichie Enuma: “my son don’t worry, your father the King and Lolo will be fine, we have been consulting priests from all angles and they have all been assuring us that what is happening is only temporal but we will be consulting the gods on their behalf” Prince: “thank you ndi Ichie, I appreciate all your efforts, I am so grateful” THE DIBIA ENTERED: MAKING LOUD ENCHANTMENTS AS HE WAS ENTERING. EVERYBODY WAS JUST QUIET LOOKING AT HIM AS HE PROCEEDS TO WHERE THE KING WAS LYING AND THE QUEEN- HE LOOKED AT THEM AND STARTED. Eze Dibia: “the king is the cause of the calamities that has befallen the palace. He is the reason while all these things are happening to him and lolo” Prince: “what did he do exactly?” Ezedibia: “the gods have not said for sure but they are really angry with him, I mean very angry, if care is not taken and something is not done to appease the gods which the king alone can do, this might lead to a heavier calamity”. Ichie-Enuma: “Ezedibia, you can see that the king is almost lifeless and cannot do anything to save himself, is there nothing we can do on his behalf so that he can be saved?” Ezedibia: “like I said, it is only the king that can save himself and that of the queen because him alone knows how he offended the gods and he will equally know how to pacify the situation, this is the much I could grab from the gods, if there is any more solution to this situation. This is the much I could grab from the gods, if there is any other information I will come around” (he turned and left the gathering) Ichie Odokpu: (to the prince) “I believe that help is gradually coming to us, you have to be strong at this point, the gods will show us mercy, Ndichie let us go” (and they all left). Camera fades….. MOVEMENT 58 THE GOSSIP EXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: TWO LADIES GOSSIPING LOCATION: ONE OF THE LADIES COOKING, ONE WAS HELPING THE OTHER CAMERA OPENED Lady 1: “I really missed the prince at the last Egwu Ugo” Lady 2: “if you were the prince in that condition will you care about any Egwu Ugo?” Lady1: “yes it’s true, I hope the king and Lolo gets better, the prince is becoming the shadow of himself these days Lady 2: “who wouldn’t” I heard the Ezedibia came to reveal the cause of the situation” Lady 1: “are you sure?” Lady 2: “what do you mean am I sure? I told you he came” Lady 1: “what did he said is the cause?” Lady 2: “he said the king is the cause of the problem” Lady 1: “ how is he the cause?” Lady 2: “I heard he said that he committed a crime in the palace and the gods got mad at him? Lady 1: “crime? What crime?” Lady 2: “do I know, maybe he slept with another woman while searching for a son, I heard he really searched for a child for years” Lady 1: “tell me, who did he sleep with?” Lady 2: “me, he slept with me, please stop asking me that question, go and fine out yourself”. Lady 1: “but you are the one carrying the news” Lady 2: “And so..? Please I want to go before you ask me another question”. Lady 1: “please wait a little, I will soon be done?” Camera fades……. MOVEMENT 59 THE VISSION AT NIGHT EXTERIOR: NIGHTEXTRAS: THE PRINCE AND TWO GUARDSLOCATION: PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE LOOKING AFTER HIS PARENTS WITH THE GUARDS AT WATCH Prince: (To the guards) “you can go inside and rest, let me look after them, you need to rest, when I need your help to take them inside I will send for you, I am really grateful”. Guards: “yes my prince” (they left) The prince was still with his parents when the messenger appeared Messenger: “The flesh is always innocent until the mind comes in to poison it” Prince: (was startled at the hearing of the voice and seeing who was around) Messenger: “only the ear that refuses to listen follows the head to the grave” Prince: “Please don’t kill me” Messenger: “ I am not a scavenger that feasts on dead bodies neither do I delight pleasure in sending people to their graves, I am only here to send the last warning to the stubborn fly that is gradually following the corpse into the grave” Prince: “please what is the warning?” Messenger: “your father the king, this man lying down here is a very stubborn and careless man who cannot keep his promise. He made an expensive covenant years ago which was granted to him but he failed to keep his own side of the promise”. Prince: “I am very sorry on his behalf please, how can I solve the problem”? Messenger:“your father made a promise with you before you were even convinced why would he be a coward not to keep his promise?” Prince:“I am very sorry; please forgive them for my sake”. Messenger: “the gods are indeed merciful. Listen very carefully, the gods of the stinky wash is full of pardon, but will not hesitate to send your father, your mother including you to your graves if you do not appease him within the next 12 days”. Prince: “how do I appease them since my parents are lying lifeless? I am ready to do anything for their sake” Messenger: “someone that is not of the royal blood and must be a lady is expected to bath with three days stored urine that is made up of yours; your father’s and your mother’s. She must bath with it and must use the blood that comes out of your mother to rub all over her body after the bath without cleaning. She will remain like that for another three days before she goes to the forest to wash off and only this can bring these mortals back to life. The accumulation of the urine must start as soon as possible and that (pointing at a pot and a cup that appeared) will be used to store up the urine while that will be used to collect the blood. Remember 12 days, just 12 days (He disappeared) Camera fades……… MOVEMENT 60 CONSULTING THE CABINENT XTRIOR: DAY/THE FOLLOWING MORNING XTRAS: THE CABINET PRINCE, ODINIRUKA, EZEDIBIA AND GUARDS CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE NARRATION THE STORY. Prince: “that was all that happened last night” Ichie Akuchie: “This is strange, nobody knew that the igwe made such covenant, we would have helped him to fulfill it, that promise should have been left three years ago” Ichie Odokpu: “The question now is what do we do?, how do we go about getting a lady who will willfully do this sacrifices for the sake of the king and lolo” Ichie Enuma: “I don’t think that should be the question, the question should be how to get the both of them urinating and how do we collect their urine since they could not stand up?” Ichie Akuchie: “where are the materials he gave to you?” Prince: “they are inside” The Ezedibia: (entered the palace and stood in their midst) “I hope you are not hesitating to do that which you were asked to do? (To the prince) Prince: “no Ezedibia” Ezedibia: “I shall return when the requirements are met” (turned and left) All the chiefs: (talking among themselves how he knew about what happened) Camera fades….. MOVEMENT 61 CONSULTING ODINIRUKA XTRIOR: DAYXTRAS: PRINCE AND ODINIRUKALOCATION: PALACE CAMERA OPENED TO THE PRINCE AND ODINIRUKA SEATED TOGETHER. ODINIRUKA: “have you made plans on the ladies that will do the sacrifice for you?” PRINCE: “who do I know?” Odiniruka: “what do you mean who do you know? Before now we have been searching for the solution to this problem and you are here asking me who do you know” Prince: “I’m just asking who will volunteer to do this for me?” Odiniruka: “I believe anybody can do it, yes we are not going to force anybody to do it but the person that will do it is not doing it for you alone but for the interest of the entire community”. Prince: “do you have anybody in mind?” Odiniruka: “I think you should ask Ure or Uteze to do it, I believe they should be happy to volunteer since it has to do with the palace” Prince: “Odiniruka, do you know what is involved?” Odiniruka: “of course I know my prince, but no reasonable lady will consider her interest over that of the dying king and queen, please call for them and tell them today o” Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 62 CONSULTING THE LADIES XTERIOR: DAYEXTRAS: PRINCE, ODINIRUKA AND THE LADIES LOCATION: PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO THE PRINCE PLEADING WITH THEM TO HELP Prince: “my friends, this is what I need from you, you are my best friends and you are the only ones I can rely on in this issue” Uteze:“my prince what you are asking is difficult but you are my prince and will do anything to save the situation” Ure: “we don’t have any choice my prince, the remedy to this problem lies in my hands so there is no way I will escape it but to do it, but I will think about it and give you a reply this evening, one of us must surely do it, that I promise you”. Prince: “oh thank you very much, I am relieved now, I don’t know how to thank you for this, may the gods protect you and bless you always. Odiniruka, the solution is here” Odiniruka: “thank you so much, may the gods answer your heart desires as you agreed to do this to save this royal home” Uteze: “I will be going now my prince, my mother will be waiting for me” Ure: “me too” Prince: “its alright, I will be waiting” (Meanwhile Akaoma overheard the conversation but couldn’t go further as she was afraid the two maidens will fight her this time so she turned back) Camera fades………. MOVEMENT 63 THE TAUGTHS EXTRIOR: DAYS EXTRAS: NTEZE, URE AND AKAOMA LOCATION: AT THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES THINKING ABOUT THE REQUEST CAMERA: OPENED SIMULATANEOUSLY AT THEIR TAUGHTS STARTING WITH UTEZE FIRST Uteze: “So I will be the one to bear the consequences of what the king brought upon himself?” Ure: “three strong adults urinating for 3 days and I will bath with the stored urine including publishing the queens blood, as a cream or what? Akaoma: “the king should have been more careful to keep his promise. Establishing a covenant with the spirit is a thing of life or death, why would he be so loose not to do his promise” Uteze:“I love the prince very much” Ure:“I am so much in love with the prince hoping that I will be the chosen one during his pronunciation” Uteze:“but I cannot do this simply because I am in love with him, what if the process is to take my life in exchange to his parents’, I will be a dead person and the prince will happily go married to Ure or some other person”. Ure: “this task is too hard, it is like a ritual which I may not come out alive” Akaoma:“this is going to be very hard; I really pity the poor prince” Uteze: “Mba! (No) I will not do it; Ure should do it and die so that I will marry the prince”. Ure: “I will never do that not in my life, they should look for someone else not me”. Camera fades….. MOVEMENT 64.. AT THE PALACE (THE WAITING) XTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS: PRINCE AND ODINIRUKALOCATION: PALACE CAMERA: OPENED TO ODINIRUKA COMING TO THE PALACE TO ASK IF ANY OF THE LADIES HAS TURNED UP ODINIRUKA:“you mean none of them has come?” PRINCE:“None of them has showed up, but I believe they will still come Odiniruka: “let’s hope” HE CONTINUE TO COME AND CHECK AT INTERVALS BUT NONE OF THEM SHOWED UP EVEN TILL THE NEXT DAY THE NEXT DAY ODINIRUKA: “My prince, they have not come yet?” PRINCE:“I have not seen any of them; I hope these ladies are not trying todisappoint me” Odiniruka: “This is strange, don’t worry if they don’t show up today I will come up with another plan” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT 64: AKAOMA AGREEING TO DO IT EXTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS: PRINCE UGWUOKE, ODINIRUKA AND AKAOMA LOCATION: PALACE CAMERA: OPEN TO THE PRINCE DISCUSSING WITH ODINIRUKA ON WAY FORWARD ODINIRUKA: “My prince since these ladies are not showing up, I suggest we go tell the chiefs maybe they will come up with something” Prince:“I will tell them tomorrow” Odiniruka: “tomorrow?” you have less than 9 days my prince let me go and invite them now” Prince:“now? No I have stressed them so much on this” Odiniruka: “what do you mean stress? Please this is a thing of life and death; I have to go right away” Akaoma: (came in) “I will do it” (the prince and Odiniruka looked at each other in surprise) Prince: “Do what?” AKAOMA ENTERED Akaoma: “I heard everything” (flashed back) Prince: “Oh! Thank you so much, I don’t know how to thank you, I am so grateful” Akaoma: “when do we start?” Prince:“The urination start tomorrow and in three days you will do the bathing” Akaoma: “I will come back in three days” The prince and Odiniruka were very much surprised at what happened Camera fades……… MOVEMENT 65 AKAOMA’S MOTHER REACTED EXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: AKAOMA AND HER MOTHERLOCATION: AKAOMA’S COMPOUND CAMERA: OPENED TO THE MOTHER REACTING TO HER DECISION Mother: “How can you agree to do such a thing? How could you? Why couldn’t you consult me before taking such decision? Is the king your father, is he?” Akaoma:“mother if I was not there to witness the conversation I wouldn’t have think of doing this, I saw how much this means to the prince, I pitied him the way he was begging the ladies and seeing the king and the Lolo lying down there I felt he was begging me to do that, I can’t help it but to volunteer” Mother:“he was asking Ure and Uteze not you Akaoma, not you, I told you that this your kindheartedness will kill you one day and I believe this is the time, my only daughter it will never happen, you must go at once and tell him you are not going to do it, do you hear me?” Akaoma:“Mother?” Father: “she is not going anywhere, Akaoma my daughter, are you really sure this is what to do?” Akaoma:“I feel I don’t have a choice but to do it” Father: “I am fully behind you and may the gods be with you and see you through” Mother: “Nnanyi”, Father: “don’t bother yourself woman, go and get me my food” Camera fades……… MOVEMENT 66 AKAOMA TOLD IKENGA EXTERIOR: DAYEXTRAS: AKAOMA AND IKENGA LOCATION: SOME WHERE ON THE ROAD CAMERA OPENED TO AKAOMA SEATED AT ONE PLACE AS IKENGA SINGS ALONG AS HE WAS STAGGARING AKAOMA:(thinking deeply about her decision) IKENGA: (singing as he approaches her and halted) “why is your face like a soared palm wine? You know I hate soared palm wine” Akaoma: “Ikenga sit down” Ikenga: “what is the problem?” Akaoma:“Ikenga sit down first” (he sat down) Ikenga: “the way you are telling me to sit down its like there is enough palm wine here” Akaoma: “I have volunteered to perform the ritual in favor of the king and queen” Ikenga: “I heard about it, the king is a very nice king and the prince has always been giving me palm wine each time I come to the palace, my daughter it is only a kindhearted person like you that can volunteer for such thing”. Akaoma:“you mean I should go ahead?” Ikenga: “even if you did not volunteer, I would have suggested that to you, go ahead my daughter” (continued to sing a victory song for her and she rose in bravery and left) Camera fades….. MOVEMENT 67 AKAOMA DID THE SACRIFICE EXTRIOR: NIGHT EXTRAS: MAIDENS AND AKAOMA WITH THE PRINCE, ODINIRUKA AND DIBIA (SOME CHIEFS) LOCATION: UNKNOWN PLACE CAMERA OPENED TO THE DIBIA GIVING OUT A WHITE GAMENT TO AKAOMA TO WEAR AFTER BATTING WITH THE URINE Stage 1:Akaoma went inside a bath room made of bamboo and there she took her bath with the urine, after which a cup of the queen’s blood was given to her which she rubbed immediately without cleaning the urine, she then wore the garment. EZEDIBIA: “from now hence forth you shall remain inside this cage never to come out after three days. A single maiden shall be giving you food once in a day and nobody else will come to visit you outside the maiden from today hence to the final day of washing not even your family members” (Everybody around manage to cope with the odor of the urine and they all went home as Ikenga continued to sing to her). THE NEXT MORNING (DAY 1) The maiden went and gave Akaoma her morning food and the only food for the day Akaoma:“thank you, please I know my mother will be very worried right now, please help me tell her that I am alright” Maiden:“I will, may the gods protect you” AT THE PALACE PRINCE: (to the maiden) “how is she doing?” MAIDEN: “she is coping; she looks very strong I know she will make it” Prince: “Ok you may leave” Odiniruka: “don’t worry my prince she will survive it, she will restore joy to this community again” Camera fades….. AT AKAOMA’S HOME MOTHER: (to the maiden as she visits) “is everything alright? is my daughter dead?” MAIDEN: “kept quiet for a while” Mother:“speak to me, how is my daughter?” Maiden: “Akaoma said I should tell you that she is fine, she knows you will be worried so she sent me” Mother: “(continued to lament as the maiden left her) Day 2: FOOD SERVED Akaoma: “where you able to see my mother?” Maiden:“yes she asked of you” Akaoma: “And?” Maiden: “I told her what you told me” Akaoma: “I am so grateful, may the gods of our land bless you” Maiden:“I have to go now” Camera fades…… MOVEMENT 68 FATHER AND DAUGHTER EXTRIOR: DAY EXTRAS: UTEZE, ICHIE AKUCHIE AND MOTHER LOCATION: ICHIE’S COMPOUND CAMERA: OPENED TO ICHIE ASKING HER DAUGHTER Ichie Akuchie: “ I taught you said you are in love with the prince?” Uteze:“yes I am papa” Ichie Akuchie: “but I barely see you go to the palace since the incident that happened to his parents or did you not know about it?” Uteze: “I do papa, I use to visit” Ichie Akuchie:“You use to visit? I also heard he first approached you to do the ritual, why did you reject it?” Uteze: “papa, how do you expect me Uteze to do that? I can’t kill myself because of the king” Ichie Akuchie: “who told you that the ritual will kill you?” Mother:“Nnayi what are you saying? How could you be advising our only child to take such risk all because she wants to marry the prince, Nnanyi I am surprised at you, my daughter is not going anywhere, thank gods she did not do it, inukwa!!” ICHIE AKUCHIE : “But Akaoma is still alive she is not dead yet” UTEZE: “you think she will come out of it alive? Before the ritual ends the king and the queen will come back to life but she will be dead by then, papa you will see” MOTHER: “my daughter please come and help me and carry the firewood at the farm, leave your father, sometimes I don’t understand the way he reasons at times” (They left) Day 3 Everybody gather to where Akaoma was caged- the Ezedibia did some incantations and asked her to come out. The maiden opened the door and she came out, The dibia, prince, odiniruka, Ichie Akuchie and two maidens lead Akaoma to the stream where she washed off and as she was washing off, news came from the palace that the king and the queen are alive and healthy again. The prince in enthusiasm hugged Akaoma passionately and they all proceeded to the palace. AT THE PALACE The prince welcomed the king back to live and the queen KING: “I was a fool not to remember the covenant I took with the gods of stinking wash, a covenant I took when I was in dead need of a child and they agreed to give me my son prince Ugwuoke whom has been the most wonderful child anyone would ever wish to have. My son I am very sorry to put you through all these. The gods have indeed been merciful to me, if not I would have been dead by now and it will be the worst royal death in the history of this community. I thank everybody for helping out in one way or the other. Thank you so much” PRINCE: “my king, my queen and mother, you are all welcome, I am happy to see you back to life again, all thanks to Odiniruka whom has been my back bone all these while, I don’t know what I would have done without you, you are my best brother. And to the lady that made this day what it is today, Akaoma she volunteered to perform the ritual even when I least think of her as an option but she came to me in the midst of my frustration and said to me “Ebezina, I will help you” may the gods bless the home that you came from. What else does the prince wants in a woman if not that which can sacrifice her life almost just to make her husband happy” (He turned to Akaoma) “ I do not see any other lady to call a wife except you, please do me the honour, this last honour and be my wife” AKOMA: (hugged the prince in shyness, and in surprise her parents were happy) KING:“this is going to a double celebration, for my son has found his wife” Camera fades…. MOVEMENT 67 UMEADI AND AMAEZE EXTRIOR: DAYEXTRAS: UMEADI AND AMAEZE CAMERA OPENED TO AMAEZE CONCLUDING HIS STORY. AMAEZE: “And that was how our present queen Akaoma became the wife of our Igwe, king Ugwuoke”, Umeadi: “had Akaoma not offered to sacrifice for the king and the queen the two would have just been dead in twelve days?” Amaeze: “Not just the two, the entire royal home including the prince, did you not hear what I told you about the messenger when It came the second time?” Umeadi: “now I have learn to keep my promise till the end, never to involve myself in expensive promises I may not keep” Amaeze: “if you like don’t keep it, next time you might not be this lucky” Umeadi: “thank you Nnanyi, this story is wonderful” End