BACK TO PRESENT
INT. INSIDE MARCOPOLO- LATE MORNING
Cece closes her laptop into frustration and sigh deeply. She looks around and for the first time since she entered the Marco Polo she notices the people around her. She sighs again and looks out the window
OBA-ABASS
Is your eyes spiralling?
She looks at Oba-Abass
CECE
Not exactly, I just hate travelling by road
Oba-Abass chuckles
OBA-ABASS
Well, you and my wife have something in common. She hates travelling of any kind, by road, by air, by water or by rail if there is any in Nigeria
CECE
Sitting in a vehicle of any kind for a long period of time just makes me useless
OBA-ABASS
That is not the reason why she hates travelling but you are busy working on laptop
CECE
I can’t concentrate because my mind keeps going to the past
OBA-ABASS
That is what travelling to a long distance place does, it gives you the chance to meditate on yourself. The opportunity to reflect on your life, what you did right and where you went wrong
CECE
That is your own aspect of long distance travelling
Oba-Abass chuckles and sigh deeply
OBA-ABASS
Yes and that was why I decided to travel by road and not by air. I needed to reflect on my miserable life, my achievements and failures
Cece looks solemn and suddenly the Marco Polo turned to the right goes into an untarred road which is surrounded by bushes. Cece looks at Oba-Abass in confusion.
CECE
Is the driver supposed to turn?
Oba-Abass stands up
OBA-ABASS
No, he is not
Oba-Abass walks to the front with Cece walking behind him. Femi is already standing close to the driver
OBA-ABASS
That is not the way, why are you turning?
The driver talks with his eyes on the road
DRIVER
We are going to be stopped at different check points, so I took this route because it is faster and we can avoid checkpoints
FEMI
I don’t mind the checkpoint if it means I will be safe
DRIVER
Madam say she won get to Zaria quick quick
FEMI
Madam is not the only passenger on this bus, why are you doing her bidding?
DRIVER
Madam pay for the empty seats, that is why I am doing what she wants
Femi looks around the Marco Polo, then he faces Cece in surprises
FEMI
You paid for the empty seats?
CECE
You didn’t think it was strange that there are only few passengers on this big bus?
FEMI
I didn’t notice, I had a lot on my mind
CECE
It seems everybody on this bus is here to mediate
Femi looks confused, Oba-Abass faces him
OBA-ABASS
Please ignore her
Then he turns to the driver
OBA-ABASS (CONT’D)
Is the road safe?
DRIVER
I have passed the road several times, it is safe. You can trust me on that
Cece rolls her eyes as she walks back to her seat with Oba-Abass behind her
CECE
Trust the words of an ordinary driver, I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning
OBA-ABASS
It must have cost you a fortune
She sits down as Oba-Abass sits on his seat too
CECE
If all goes well in Zaria, it will be worth it
Cece places her laptop back on her lap and then opens it to continue working. Few seconds later, she sighs heavily and looks at Oba-Abass smiling
CECE
It is nice to see you happy at my misery
OBA-ABASS
I am sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. It is just funny how you are forcing your body to work when it clearly don’t want to anymore (pause) you know what? I sense you are a workaholic, which mean you might not get this opportunity again in a very long time. How about you stop working like an hour, take in the scenery, breathe in fresh air, maybe even take a few pictures
CECE
You are right about my body
She closes her laptop
CECE (CONT’D)
My eyes are spiralling and if I should take in the scenery like you said, my mind will keep going back to the past, so I will do this
She stretches her hand
CECE (CONT’D)
I am Cece Badmus
Oba-Abass looks surprise
CECE
I just felt that maybe we should chat for like an hour before I go back to work
OBA-ABASS
No am not surprised about that, I am surprised and equally shocked that I am chatting with Cece Badmus, The Managing Partner of Badmus, Akintola and Tega
Cece smiles brightly
CECE
Oh, you have heard about me
OBA-ABASS
Yes, you sued my company like four years ago
CECE
Oh really, I must have whipped your ass
OBA-ABASS
Actually that was not how I remembered it, you got your ass whipped
CECE
Which company is that?
OBA-ABASS
William Conglomerate
The bright smile leave Cece’s face as she growls
CECE
Selma fucking Johnson!
OBA-ABASS
Yeah Selma Johnson. I was in court that day and I watched how she kicked your ass. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace
CECE
Perfect peace? I don’t know about that. That woman messed with me throughout my university days, as a professional lawyer, people always put her over me and even in her grave, she is still screwing with me
OBA-ABASS
Bad blood I see
CECE
Enough of me and Selma Johnson, why will a man who works for Clifford William be sad and miserable
OBA-ABASS
Because a man works for the Williams, he is not allowed to be sad?
CECE
I mean for a man like you to be at the court during one of the company’s case, that means you are at the top of the food chain, dining and wining with Clifford himself. Which means you must be living like a king. I will kill to have his account, why? Because he is an honourable man
Oba-Abass chuckles sadly
OBA-ABASS
Is he now?
0 Comments