Scene 22
Scene 22
(This scene opens with Loretta, Solomon and Carol walking into Anna's restaurant. Gbemisola sees them as she is and Anna are talking to a customer so nudges Anna on her shoulder).
Gbemisola: Heads up. (Anna looks up and sees them taking a table). She should I go and meet them?
Anna: Na, I'll handle it. (She walks up to them and when Carol sees her coming she taps Loretta and Solomon and they look up to see Anna). Good afternoon sir, good afternoon ma. Loretta.
Solomon: Good afternoon my dear. Please have a sit we would like to talk to you. (She takes her sit).
Carol: thank you. We came as soon as Loretta told us. Maybe if we were weeks earlier we would have resolved this and it wouldn't have taken this long.
Anna: There is nothing you could have done ma, he made his mind up.
Solomon: Maybe we could have talked him into reconsidering his decision. We know that interfering right now may not be what you want or what's best given it's been three weeks since the whole incident happened, but we just want to see things resolved and you two back together.
Carol: Yes.
Loretta: I know that he has not called since then to apologise but he is truly sorry, he can't say it that's why we are here, to plead on his behalf for your forgiveness.
Anna: (Smiles). With all due respect I only have two things to say. I didn't take that money and I don't like being insulted. (She stands up and pauses for a while). Not even for once did Fredrick give me the benefit of a doubt, the trust I expected from him. If he is sorry, he knows where to find me. Sorry please I would like to get back to work, the restaurant is kind of busy. If you want anything just ask, it's on the house. Thank you for coming, I'll get going now.
(They all nod and she flashes them a tight smile then leaves. They sigh and Loretta leans back then crosses her arms while Carol and Solomon look elsewhere as they hold hands).
Scene 22b
(This scene opens with Fredrick's living room being shown. Everywhere is calm and quiet. As days go by the staff are being shown in the kitchen taking different positions as they miss Anna, not saying a words but just looking sad. The kids are also shown as they are sulking in their rooms, then they are together in the kitchen with the staff and are all looking sad. The kids are also shown sitting on Anna's bed and the staff in Anna's room too. As they are in the kitchen and her room and in the living room, they have flashes of her and times they were in those places with her and some other memories of her. Tomike and Dayo are shown smiling as they shake hands. Fredrick too is shown remembering some memories with her as he also goes to the kitchen and walks round it, picks his phone number of times and scrolls to her number but never calls sometimes at work or at home. Pacing around in his study. Looking to the celling as he lays on his bed, being distracted at work. Anna is also shown thinking of him, remembering some moments together and also some moments with the staff and the kids. She looks at her phone for some seconds then looks away. Fredrick is then shown in her room, sitting on her bed, he also looks at his phone for some seconds then looks away. They are both shown as they lay on the bed. Fredrick with his back and Anna to her side).
Scene 22c
(2 months later. This scene opens with Isaac heading up to his room. As he is about to enter, he stops as he hears Tomike's and Dayo's laugh. He wants to go in and they laugh louder casusing him to stop again. He decides to go closer to Tomike's room and places his ear close to the door as it is ajar. He hears them mention Anna's name so he brings out his phone and starts recording their conversation. As he is recording the voices are in audible but he makes reactions at some point in time and widens his eyes and holds his mouth. As he is recording, Jennifer and Whitney are coming up too and as he hears their voice and their footsteps he waves his hand to them. When they see it he mouths to them to keep quiet and they mouth to him asking him what he is doing. He tells them to go into Jennifer's room that he will meet them there. They go in and seconds later when they finish talking about Anna, Isaac ends the recording and tip toes to Jennifer's room).
Jennifer: what was that all about?
Isaac: you are not going to believe what I heard.
Jennifer: What.
Isaac: wait let's go into the bathroom first. (They all enter the bathroom).
Jennifer: so?
Isaac: yes, you are not going to believe what I heard.
Whitney: you've said that before just tell us already.
Isaac: I'll give you guys to listen, probably for the first thirty seconds. (He gives them his phone, Whitney takes it). Use this please. (He gives them an ear-piece. Jennifer collects it and they put it on then listen. Some seconds in, their eyes widen as they look at each other than to Isaac and he nods his head. Thirty seconds later, he collects it from them and pauses the recording).
Whitney: they are evil.
Isaac: tell me something I don't know.
Jennifer: we need to take this to dad.
Isaac: I agree, this is pure evidence of Anna's innocence.
Whitney: but what will he do with it. Will he even care about it?
Jennifer: he has been grumpy, looking very affected by her absence this past months I think he will.
Isaac: alright it is settled then. Jenny lead the way.
Jennifer: why me?
Isaac: because you are the elder sister, the first born, why do we need to go there again.
(They start to leave the room to Fredrick's study as they keep arguing).
Jennifer: how is that relevant.
Isaac: we've been over this, that's what first borns do.
Jennifer: but you are a first born too.
Isaac: first born son, not child. That glorious title is yours, honour it.
Jennifer: well I'm honouring it by doing what first borns do, relax and send their younger ones on errands.
Whitney: (Isaac is about to say something when she cuts him short). Children, let's be civilized please, you are about to appear before your father.
Isaac and Jennifer: (They stop and look at her). Quiet. (They look back at each other then Isaac bows as he motions to the door for Jennifer to walk in. She sighs then rolls her eyes before she knocks on the door. Fredrick answers and tells them to come in then they go in).
Fredrick: yes?
Jennifer: (Isaac hits her slightly on her shoulder. She clears her throat then starts speaking). Um dad, we have something we would like you to see.
Fredrick: What is it?
Jennifer: uh... uh, it's about Anna...
Fredrick: I'm not interested.
Jennifer: dad if you would just...
Fredrick: I said I'm not interested Jennifer.
Isaac: but dad you...
Fredrick: I'm not interested. I said I'm not interested, how many times do you want me to say or in what language would you prefer it to be said in... (Pauses). Now leave, all of you, go I'm busy.
(They all leave and when they are a bit far away from the door they stand still and quiet before they start speaking).
Jennifer: at least we tried.
Isaac: don't feel bad Jenny, you weren't all that bad for trying.
Whitney: yeah, A for effort.
Jennifer: are you guys mocking me right now?
Isaac: no.
Whitney: how dare we.
Isaac: (Moves to place his hand over her shoulder). All we are saying is better luck next time. (Whitney nods her head and Jennifer rolls her eyes).
Jennifer: so what are we going to do now, dad needs to hear this. I really don't like seeing him like this, sad.
Isaac: yeah, he is sadder than usual. (They stay quiet for a while, thinking. Later on Jennifer saps her finger).
Jennifer: I got it, Aunt Lorry.
Isaac: I don't know about that, they haven't been speaking since the incident like Iron man and Captain America.
Whitney: nice plan, but the thing is will Aunty Lorry agree and would listen.
Jennifer: Aunty Lorry will because Anna is her friend and she would want to help. And as for dad... let's leave Aunty Lorry to figure that out, besides blood is thicker than water. (They nod their heads).
Isaac: let's go, Jenny you know the drill.
Jennifer: (Sighs as she opens her phone, searches for Loretta's number and calls her. Loretta picks up after a few rings). Hey Aunt Lorry it's Jenny, we want to ask you a favour, it's for Anna.
Scene closes.