Scripting is an ART with a moral consequence.

1. A Serial.
KHALI
Every disease has a cure.
Victor Prince Dickson
08036126128, 08157772250, bornproff@yahoo.com

2. SCENE ONE. EXT. PALACE. DAY.
Camera opens on the palace, we see a few persons making way for the obvious
emergence of the queen, two special guards of the queen springs out with their
head darting to the left and right clearing the way for the queen, in fright, those
outside scamper to safety. Just then, the praise singer emerges chanting praises
for the queen as she emerges in her confidence and glory, her flank is line with
her special forces. As the queen walks forward, she stops suddenly, as if in
premonition of danger, she looks around, her special forces immediately creating
a ring of protection around her. Everyone freezes in fear and anticipation, even
the praise singer finds word distant. In that very instant the cloud darkens a
fraction of a degree and the queen jerks her head upward towards the sun…an
arrow descends from the sun directly towards the queen, transfixed, she stares
fiercely at the arrow which is rapidly diving towards her heart…
Cut.
SCENE TWO. INT. SHRINE. DAY.
At the same moment, the calabash in the hand of the priestess falls and breaks
and the pieces clatter around. The priestess becomes still, closes her eyes and
begins to hum. She gradually begins to rock on her heels in silent rhythmical
movement, as the humming picks up; she gathers momentum also in rocking.
Suddenly she stops and walks towards the window of the shrine and stares hard
into the sky, following the dark patches as the glide the heavens.
Cut.
SCENE THREE. EXT. OPEN SPACE IN THE FOREST. EVENING.
An open field in the middle of the bush, a man is dressed in traditional priest
attire holding a horse tail in his right hand pointing towards the setting sun
suddenly he drops his hand and turns towards a young woman sitting on a mat.
The man in his 80s is spotting white beards; he is slim and somewhat short. He
smiles fondly at the young lady who is dressed as if ready to embark on a journey
with arrow and leather slings hanging by her side. In front of her is a guard of
calabash.

3. PRIEST
Time has bestowed upon you seasons of blessings
KHALI
[sighs]
But I fear still
PRIEST
[shakes his head and sits closer to the girl, both gazing at the setting sun]
No, don’t!
Find rest in the confidence of virtue, for virtue always subdues power
KHALI
[glancing at the priest]
Silent Horn, I beg of you, if you will, desist from placing so much rest on this little
frame of destiny. Are you forgetting that your entire clan including your wives and
children lay waste by this evil omen?
PRIEST
[bows his head sadly]
The furnace of anguish has since not diminished.
The day as fresh as the fruit of Ngalentashi’s Marshland.
The pain as true as the sun.
And the vision….
Shakes his head in anguish and begins to narrate how the village was sacked by
Queen Shagbo.
Cut to flash back.
SCENE FOUR. EXT. NIGHT.
A cluster of huts with yellow light seeping through the open doorways. A couple
of feets from where they are sitting, is what looks like a shrine made of raffia
mats, it has a small opening. In front of one of the huts, the priest (younger) is
sitting with a few others (men) around a small fire with gourds of drinks, sharing
meats and discussing in very light mood.
They are all laughing. Suddenly the priest stops and beckons on them to be silent.
They all keep quite holding their mouth with one hand while questioning the

4. priest with the other hand. The priest stills them again and rises to his feet with
eyes scanning around them. Just then, he drops on his knees and listens to the
earth. Immediately he jumps up, his eyes portend danger. Just as he is about to
open his mouth and talk, silhouettes casted on the wall approaches them. Nadia
leading the snake girls rush at him and his friends with raised swords, the other
men are still immobile with shock but the priest with a surprising reflex darts into
the shrine. In that split second the swords descend on the men killing them
instantly as they drop to the ground. The other snake girls in ghostly silence rush
into the huts, cries and screams fill the air as they drag children and women from
the huts with other young men. By this time, Nadia and a few snake girls have
surrounded the shrine. They tear the raffia mats open and find a few traditional
objects lying around but the priest was nowhere. The snake girls break the
calabash and pots in anger searching for the priest. But Nadia standing still
watches closely, scrutinizing the floor with intense attention. Suddenly she shakes
her head and smiles. About this time we see all the snake girls dragging all those
that they have captured to the central spot near the fire. Just then, we see Queen
Shagbo (preferably in slow motion) negotiating the bend of one the huts walking
into shot with confident strut of power and dominance.
Cut to present day.
KHALI
[concern and guilt for opening fresh wounds]
My tongue should no doubt be tormented for mending such tragedy with salt
PRIEST
[raise head to look intently at Khali with a misty eyes]
Indeed your tongue runs wild little one, but it’s not because of my tragedy,
your tongue loses course because you look unto fear unceasingly.
I have no home or place to call mine,
not even a clan to wander on at the end of my days.
I now see in shadows, but you are different,
though not without some loses, but better off.
[cleans his eyes and sniffs]
You have hope, even if it is a captured one.
My cowardice removed me from my family,
there is no pride if you take same path.

5. Khali nods her head in understanding and draws in a deep breath. In a quick reflex
he suddenly stands up, changing his tone as he regains his composure as a true
teacher. The voice is now strong and commanding and he walks around her
PRIEST
No elephant however strong is stronger than the forest,
you have to build your own energy…
Cut.
MONTAGE SEQUENCE
The queen enters the shrine glaring at the priestess for answers. Still at the
window of the shrine, the priestess answers without turning.
PRIESTESS
This energy is different… it is not a common thread
QUEEN
What path then should I embrace?
PRIESTESS
[turns and smiles weakly]
Embrace more war, for the power of the crocodile is in the waters.
Advance your energy
Cut to the priest.
PRIEST
Not that kind of energy.
you may need to beat the grass to frighten the snakes.
Cut to the shrine.
QUEEN
Can my roof be licking?
PRIESTESS
No! My queen… the thought of an insider bears no fruit
worthy of your royal focus...

6. QUEEN
Then why stand there grasping the clouds,
make divination…
She notices the broken pot, she stops and drags here gaze from the broken pot to
the priestess who nods in resignation.
QUEEN
Is this my end then?
PRIESTESS
[laughs and shakes her head]
No… my queen no head is capable of habouring such thoughts.
Leave such brash thoughts to the winds.
Cuts to priest.
PRIEST
Use the winds and set sail.
But do not focus on the snake, because in focusing on the snake
you will miss the scorpion.
Cut to priestess.
QUEEN
[smiles]
Well, I thought to confirm your use, seeing that the times are rash.
See to it then that YOU find name to the energy which you speak of.
PRIESTESS
Yes my queen.
But do I fare less in your use?
QUEEN
[walks up to the priestess and removes her ring from her little finger and give it to
the priestess]
This is to remind you, that you fare more than less.

7. She turns and walks away. Fondly touching the ring the priestess smile and
mutters…
PRIESTESS
Thank you my queen! Thank you!
Cut to priest.
Against the sunset, both standing, the Priest gives Khali what looks like a valuable
which she collects and bows in appreciation and respect then the sun sets and
fades to black.
SCENE FIVE. INT. MERCHANT HUT. NIGHT.
The merchants hut (this is the official hut where merchants meet to discuss trade)
is guarded by a short fool who seems always to jerk his shoulder forward and
backward as he talks, at the same time pointing both of his fore-fingers forward
in rhythmical movements. Stammering and blinking forms part of his character…
He is the keeper of the Merchant Hut. His name is Kwusu.
Sitting in a square formation, with their backs to the wall, the merchants are
about to begin their 3 moon-count deliberation on trades matters. After
exchanging pleasantries, the current Head-Merchant whose tenure will be
rounding up in 6 moon’s time, clears his throat and addresses them.
NGWIKAN
It is indeed noble of the queen to grant us this special trade rights,
from now on needless will there be special claims from non merchants.
But like the terms of right suggests, our burden of compliance must be
mutual to the aspirations of the kingdom.
KAMGUL
Head-Merchant your words fall not from the path of our summons
yet my reservation bids me to be calm.
NGWIKAN
What reservation troubles your calm?

8. KAMGUL
[looks around the face and clears voice and sits forward]
One matter slows our progress still, single trade routes and multiple trade routes.
[they all nod in agreement]
An elephant which kills a rat is no hero, not at all.
Trade runs in our linage, what delays our right of exclusive profit?
BASCHIL
Especially when war run like river, fair it stands
if profit run like ocean for the sake of the river.
NGWIKAN
[agrees totally]
Treaty then is in order.
But to what extend and weight our decision must find.
KAVDIYA
[looking really disinterested]
I choose to derail thoughts in the present discussion,
my intensions worthy if considered.
NGWIKAN
[irritatingly]
Hold such thoughts in control until time gives you space.
KAVDIYA
[defiantly]
Such time never comes, when it is not now.
A house cannot be repaired when the owner is destroying it
Gusk clears his throat and rubs his nose; everyone quiets down and turns to him.
GUSK
If two wise men always agree, then there is no need for one of them.
KAMGUL
[suspiciously]
What meaning then, do your words seek?

9. GUSK
Justice and fairness.
What man will not find haste in an ailment?
Kavdiya, seeks cure to a matter to which we must find the cure together.
NGWIKAN
[in obvious frustration]
What ails you to the place of derailment?
Please reveal your intensions, Kavdiya.
KAVDIYA
[sarcastically]
To what need is profit when war denies us claim of it?
Of what good is weight and treaties in the face of a loooooong slavery?
To blood and death?
GUSK
[in agreement]
These words indeed have worthiness of intentions.
KAMGUL
[cuts in angrily]
Of what worthiness are such words
which lacks in merit of courage and merchandise?
Trade right is the evidence of power, that which may tame the tide of reign...
BASCHIL
No! No power of intent and purpose lay to our claim.
We are still puppets tied to the reigns.
NGWIKAN
[embarrassed]
Well, sometimes one may need to sell his mother to get power,
After which he buys her back
[smiles]

10. KAVDIYA
[irritated]
Such commerce with mother makes the merchant a dog.
By this time Ngwikan –the Head-Merchant is very angry, he jumps to attack
Kavdiya who also jumps up in readiness for a fight both reaching into their cloths
for weapons. Gusk intervenes and stops Kavdiya, while Kamgul tries to calm the
Head-Merchant who by now is angrily pacing his corner, muttering under his
breath, curses. Baschil sits still, he smiles and looks from one man to the other.
Suddenly the Head-Merchant stops pacing and turns to Kavdiya staring at him in
open hatred, Kavdiya response in kind, staring back and daring him.
Standing silently at the background watching the drama unfold is foolish Kwusu.
Cut.
SCENE SIX. EXT. BUSH CLEARING. DAY.
Nadia in the bush eating fruits, she’s heavily pregnant, relaxed in the serenity and
peace of the environment. Her sharp instinct detects a ruffling in the grasses
nearby. She stops and listens, looks around, everything seems okay. She resumes
the eating of her fruit then stops and carries herself up from the tree trunk she is
sitting on. Nadia becomes tensed, looks around, there is no weapon close by, as
she raises her head, she sees the first snake girl emerging from the bush. One
after the other they begin to emerge until there were six of them. With intensity
in her eyes, she prepares for defence. The snake girls look at each other, doubtful,
fully aware of her exploits. Immediately the first two snake girls dash toward her
with dexterity, she downs them and grabs their weapons writhing in pain. Holding
both swords she prepares to match them. The remaining snake girls very
cautiously move towards each other and cluster themselves and they begin to
whisper.... gradually the whisper gains echoes and expand through the bush.
Suddenly the child kicks and Nadia is forced to drop the swords and hold her
tummy. Then she turns and begins to run. Surprised, the snake girls go after her
in pursuit.

11. With heavy breathing and pains around the abdomen, Nadia arrives at a bush
clearing, she leans on a tree and tries to catch her breath. She then looks behind,
nobody was coming after her, she turns to continue her flight but before her are
two of the snake girls. They begin to circle her, closing in on her...
Fade to black.
Chogo