July 4, 2022
Afro-Scope Presents:
DO NKEM AND TONYE CONSUMATE THE FIRST DEAL, OR NOT?
Greetings, folks!
I am Harry Agina. Here we go again with Michael Shaibu’s drama series on NBB’s AfroCultural TitBits. The subject of our premiere series is “Polygamy In Africa.” And the title of the series is “The Deal.” This is episode 2 of “The Deal.” In the premiere episode, we saw Mr. Waduku, fondly or affectionately called Duke, and his four wives—Tonye, Bimbo, Meimu, and Nkem—as he assigned them their ‘bedmatic-duties’ with him. And that’s when and how “The Deal” was struck between two of the wives, on what happens whenever one was either unable or undesirous of performing her ‘bedmatic’ duty on the night of her turn.
At the end of the episode, we saw the introduction of the first test of the deal between two wives, Nkem and Tonye. If you missed that episode, not to worry. You may wanno watch it first to catch up, before today’s episode.
And now, episode 2 of “The Deal”: “THE DEAL” EPISODE 2
- NKEM’S ROOM. NIGHT.
THE ROOM IS DARK AND NKEM IS SLEEPING.
TAPS ON THE DOOR, IT OPENS, THE LIGHT COMES, AND TONYE STANDS THERE WITH ANXIETY WRITTEN ON HER FACE. SHE TIPTOES TO TAP KNEM WHO WAKES UP PRONTO…
NKEM
(Sotto voce)
What is it, Tonye?
TONYE
(Sotto voce)
You need to go my room and wait for Duke, please?
NKEM
(Alarmed)
What? But you know my bags are packed. I have a midnight flight to London tonight and he usually wants it at 5:00 AM!
TONYE
A deal is a deal is a deal is a deal, Nkem! Flights can be postponed.
NKEM IS SHOCKED AND DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO SAY…
- WADUKU’S ROOM. NIGHT.
THE ROOM IS WELL LIT AND SOUNDS OF BATHING COMES OUT FROM THE OPEN BATHROOM DOOR.
THE ENTRANCE DOOR OPENS.
NKEM WALKS IN, SWITCES THE BRIGHT LIGHT OFF LEAVING THE DIM ON AND GOES INTO BED.
SOON THE SOUND OF BATHING STOPS AND WADUKU WALKS OUT OF THE BATHROOM WEARING BOXERS WHILE MOPPING HIS BOADY DRY WITH A SMALL TOWEL. HE SITS AT THE EDGE OF THE BED, DRIES HIS LEGS, THREW THE TOWEL ON A CHAIR, AND THREW THE COVER OFF A SMILING NKEM. HE IS SHOCKED THAT IT IS NKEM…
WADUKU
Nkem!
NKEM
Yes, Duke?
NKEM
Where is Sandra?
NKEM
You mean Tonye?
WADUKU
It does not matter. You know her name is Sandra too. The question is: why are you the one here? Where is she?
NKEM
She and I did a deal. She came to me to take her place.
WADUKU
And why is that?
NKEM
Does it matter, Duke? Come on!
NKEM BEGINS TO TOUCH HIS BACK CARESSINGLY.
HE HELD HER HAND TO STOP HER…
WADUKU
You had your turn yesterday. Besides, you have to travel by midnight.
NKEM
I know. But I called and postponed my flight.
WADUKU
(Piqued)
You what? Have any idea how much it cost me to get that appointment for you? And you just want to throw it all away just because of one stupid deal?
NKEM
I am sorry, Duke. But this deal is so that you do not have to go without-
WADUKU
(Cuts in angrily)
Don’t tell me that! Must she do the deal with you? How about Meimu and Bimbo?
NKEM
(Hurt)
Are you indirectly saying you prefer them to me, Duke?
WADUKU
Don’t digress. This is not a matter of preference. You have a flight to catch to go and keep an appointment I spend a lot of money to make for you. And you simply have to go!
NKEM
But I already called and postponed!
WADUKU
Well, call again and revoke the postponement. And if it requires paying any administrative fees for that, you will pay it from your own pocket! Now go and tell Sandra to come or do her deal with someone else!
NKEM GRUDGES FOR A WHILE, THEN GETS OUT OF BED AND GOES OUT…
- LOBBY. NIGHT.
WADULU’S HOME’S LOBBY ACCESSES ALL THE DOORS OF EVERYBODY. TONYE TOPTOES BRISKLY FROM WADUKU’S DOOR TO NKEM’S DOOR; WADUKU’S DOOR OPENS, NKEM COMES OUT, AND WALKS TO TONYE…
NKEM
He sent me out. I told you about my flight. He won’t let me postpone it. And why are you outside anyway?
TONYE
(Sotto voce)
I was there at the door. I heard everything. I just tiptoed here now in case he came out with you. Gosh, what do I do now?
NKEM
But what is the matter anyway? How long does your period last?
TONYE
It is not a period thing. I am just not in the mood. And I don’t want him to take offence that I am absent-minded during it.
NKEM
Then talk to Meimu or Bimbo.
TONYE
Or you talk to them? Because if I talk to them, I might not be able to change back the deal to you when you come back.
NKEM
Okay. I understand. Let me call the airline before it get too late. Excuse me.
NKEM OPENS HER DOOR AND GOES IN.
TONYE WALKS OFF TOWARDS THE SITTING ROOM…
- SITTING ROOM. NIGHT.
TONYE WALKS PAST THE SITTING ROOM TO A DOOR AND KNOCKS GENTLY.
THE DOOR OPENS AND BOMBO STANDS THERE…
BIMBO
Hey!
TONYE
Would you like to take my place with Duke tonight?
BIMBO
Why not? But it will cost you.
TONY
(Shocked)
What?!
BIMBO ONLY SHRUGS AND CONTINUES TO LOOK DEEP INTO TONYE’S EYES…
5. INT. SITTING ROOM. BIMBO’S DOOR
BIMBO STANDS THERE CONTINUES TO LOOK DEEP INTO TONYE’S EYES.
TONYE IS STILL SHOCKED…
BIMBO
Well…?
TONYE
Well, what? Are you really telling me have to pay you to sleep with your own husband?
BIMBO
Come on, Tonye! Be reasonable. I am doing you a favour here. And you know what they say about one good turn.
TONYE
And that is why I must actually pay you before you can sleep with your own husband?
BIMBO
Are you kidding me? Oh, oh, oh…you expected me to sleep with your husband for you for free?
TONYE
Sleep with my husband for me? Is he not your own husband anymore?
BIMBO
Realistically, when it is not my turn on the roster, he is as good as being not my husband!
TONYE
Jesus Holy Christ! I don’t believe-
BIMBO
(Cuts in)
Very well! Look, I am no longer interested. Get someone else.
SHE GOES BACK IN AND SLAMS HER DOOR ON TONYE’S FACE. TONYE STANDS STARING AT THE DOOR, PERPLEXED…
Fade out…
END
Written By Michael Shaibu
LINK TO EPISODE 3: