May 5, 2028
Greetings!
I am Harry Agina, with the introduction of “In God’s Name” drama series on Afro-Scope.com. This is episode 10 of the series, written by Michael Shaibu and yours truly, Harry Agina.
In the last episode, we left Pastor K’s office as Kono’s father was leaving him, with a subtle threat, too. And Psychologist Mike was at home with his visiting friend. The subject of their conversation was the fear that their wives were too close to their wives for comfort. It’s time to see how those key plots pan out, on episode 10 of “In God’s Name.”
IN GOD’S NAME 10
- INT. PASTOR’S RECEPTION. DUSK.
THE PASTOR IS STILL SITTING THERE AND WATCHING THE DOOR, DISORIENTED, LISTENING TO THE SOUND OF THE OLDMAN’S FADING FOOTSTEPS. NOW HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AS IF TO CLEAR IT, THEN RISES TO HIS FEET AND BEGINS TO PACE, THINKING ALOUD…
PASTOR(Thinking aloud): What sort of man is this Kono guy? Why did he go and tell the whole world that… Well, why else but that he must have been excited?! I must not impute any bad motives to him; I think he was just excited. … Now, how do I handle this new angle?
HE STOPS PACING A BIT TO THINK IN SILENCE. THEN HE NODS TO HIMSELF AND BEGINS TO SEARCH HIS POCKETS…
PASTOR: Damn! Where did I put that silly phone?
AS IF ON CUE, THE PHONE BEGINS TO RING LOUDLY, FILTERING OUT TO HIM; AND HE RUSHES INTO HIS OFFICE…
- INT. PASTOR’S OFFICE. EVENING.
THE PHONE IS ON HIS DESK RINGING, SHOWING WIFEY CALLING… ON THE SCREEN. HE SNATCHES IT…
PASTOR: Honey, can I call you back in a bit? I need to make a call. It is quite urgent.
WIFEY (Filtered): But it is getting late. You promised you would-
PASTOR (Cuts in): And I will be back soon. But if I don’t make this call right now, there might be trouble.
WIFEY (Filtered): Oh, I see. Is there anything I can do to help?
PASTOR: For now, all you can do to help is cut the call and let me make this urgent call. Can you do that?
WIFEY (Hesitant, filtered): Well, okay. See you soon.
WITHOUT ACKNOWLEDGING, THE PASTOR CUTS THE CALL, RUSHES TO HIS DESK, PULLS OUT A DRAWER, AND BEGINS TO SEARCH IN IT FOR SOMETHING FRANTICALLY. HE FINDS A PIECE OF PAPER, PICKS IT, UNFOLDS IT, AND BEGINS TO DIAL A NUMBER FROM IT. NOW HE HOLDS THE PHONE TO HIS EAR…
ELDERLY MVO (Filtered): I am very busy right now.
PASTOR: Baba, please! Don’t turn me away! Please!
ELDERLY MVO (Filtered): Don’t make the gods vex with you. I am busy!
PASTOR: Baba, please forgive me. But please, don’t turn me away. I know I have erred by now coming back to-
ELDERLY MVO (Cuts in, through the phone): By the way, who is this?
PASTOR: It is Pastor K, Baba. You told me to always identify myself like that: Pastor K. I greet you, Baba. I greet all the gods too. I am on my knees right now.
HE QUICKLY GOES ON HIS KNEES PRONTO…
ELDERLY MVO (Through the phone): Pastor K.
PASTOR: Yes, Baba. I am on my knees! An issue is about to burst in my face. Please come to my aid, Baba.
THERE IS LONG SILENCE. THE PASTOR LOOKS AT THE SCREEN OF THE PHONE TO ASCERTAIN THE BABA HAS NOT CUT THE CALL…
PASTOR: Baba, please! I am on my knees begging you. On my knees begging the gods. Please.
ELDERLY MVO (Through the phone): Hmmm. Pastor K. Anyway, what is the matter?
PASTOR (Relieved): Oh, thank you Baba, for not turning me away. Like I said, an issue is about to burst in my face. I need to come and see you tonight unfailingly, Baba. I am only calling because you said I must always call before coming. Please, Baba.
THERE IS ANOTHER LONG SILENCE. AGAIN, THE PASTOR LOOKS AT THE PHONE SCREEN…
PASTOR: Baba, please! Please!!
ELDERLY MVO (Filtered): Hmmm. Very well. I am here. Come.
PASTOR (Overjoyed): Oh, thank you, Baba! May the gods-
A CLICK AND THE DISCONNECTION TONE CUT HIM OFF. HE RISES TO HIS FEET AND BEGINS TO SEARCH FOR HIS CAR KEYS…
- INT. KONO’S DINING. EVENING.
HIS FATHER SITS EATING. SELA COMES WITH A CUP AND A BOTTLE OF WATER AND BEGINS TO POUR…
FATHER (Holds up his hand): No, no, no; don’t pour yet. I usually don’t drink while I am eating.
SELA: Oh, that is nice, papa. That is what doctors now recommend. They say it helps digestion well.
FATHER (Chewing): It is no longer just what they say. I am a living testimonial. Also, see if you cold warm the water for me.
SELA SMILES, NODS, AND BEGINS TO GO AWAY WITH THE WATER. THE FRONT OPENS WITH A LITTLE SWINGING SOUND AND THEN SHUTS BACK…
FATHER: Is that him?
SELA: I think so, Papa. No one else has our spare keys.
KONO (Out of dight): Hello! Anybody home?
SELA: Welcome, honey! Of course, I am here. Papa is here too.
FATHER: Come directly to the dinning!
KONO COMES OVER TO THE DINING. THEY GREET…
KONO: Hey, I thought you didn’t eat the moment it is past 5 PM anymore?
FATHER (Chewing): Well, this is your wife’s fault. She refused to take No for an answer.
KONO BEGINS TO LAUGH…
KONO: But it looks like you are actually enjoying this, Dad.
FATHER (Swallows): Again, that’s your wife’s fault.
KONO BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER AGAIN. SELA WALKS OVER, HUGS KONO, AND JOINS IN THE LAUGHTER…
SELA: So…will you shower first?
FATHER (Chewing): Of course, not! I can’t wait for him to shower. I told you I am coming from your so-called pastor and have some hard reprimand for your husband!
KONO LOOKS AT SELA SHARPLY, FROWNING IN PUZZLEMENT. SELA SHUGS BACK…
FATHER (To Kono, still chewing): So sit your bottom there and get your dinner while I whip you with my voice. You might be too old to whip with a cane now. But you can never be too old to whip with my voice. After all, your grandpa still whips even me with his voice now and then. Sit.
KONO AND SELA LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND BOTH STIFFLE A LAUGH. KONO PULLS A CHAIR AND SITS. SELA GOES BACK INTO THE KITCHEN…
- INT. PASTOR’S DINNING. MIDNIGHT.
THE PASTOR SITS LOOKING AT HIS WRAPPED DINNER, CHECKING THE WALL CLOCK: 23:59. HE BEGINS TO UNWRAP THE DINNER. IT IS NOW COLD. IT IS EXACTLY MIDNIGHT WHEN HE FINISHES UNWRAPPING THE DINNER. HE THEN OPENS HIS BRIEFCASE, GETS OUT A CHARM, LICKS IT 3x, AND BEGINS TO WHISPER INCANTATIONS TO IT. JUST AS HE IS FINISHING, A DOOR OPEING FILTERS TO HIM. HE RUSHES THE INCANTATION, FINISHES, LICKS THE CHARM 3x AGAIN, PUTS IT BACK IN THE CASE, SHUTS THE CASE, PUTS IT AWAY, AND BEGINS TO EAT. HIS WIFEY WALKS IN, GREETS, AND GOES TO HUG HIM FROM BEHIND…
WIFEY: Why didn’t you wake me up so I can warm the food for you, Love? It must be cold by now.
PASTOR: Yes, it is cold. But it’s okay. It is my fault for coming late. So I will eat it like that.
WIFEY: So what happened? You said you would-
PASTOR (Cuts in): I know, I know, I know. But Kono, of course, you remember Kono?
WIFEY: Yes, of course, I do. What did he do?
PASTOR: Not him, actually. His father came and that was what delayed me.
WIFEY: Wow! That is good. His father finally came to join us too! Well, who would not, after learning what the lord has done for his son?
PASTOR: Well, not quite like that.
WIFEY (Puzzled): Really? Then quite like how is it?
THE PASTOR SHRUGS AND BEGINS TO THINK HOW TO PUT IT TO HIS WIFE. SHE GETS EVEN MORE PUZZLED BY THE PASTOR’S HESITATION…
LINK TO EPISODE 11:
AFROCULTURAL DRAMAS ON RELIGIONS AND CULTURE, “IN GOD’S NAME,” EPISODE 11