SOUL MATES
(EPISODE 3)
‘CARI
MANKA’
UMORU
HARUNA
+234-08033214226
INT. SOULMATES’ HOUSE. DAY
BOLA and SANJAY(an Indian Malaysian)enter
the apartment eating and drinking at the same time.
BOLA
Welcome to
our humble home
SANJAY
Our?
BOLA
Yes! Our! I
share it with four of other boys.
SANJAY
O-la-laah! Five
men living together in one apartment! Is that not too polygamous?
BOLA
We are a
happy family here!
SANJAY
Anyway my
very good friend, I give you a few months from now you will think differently
and move out from here!
BOLA
I love my friends!
SANJAY
They would
come visiting you like ants pile on top of wet sugar boy! You‘ll be in money!
BOLA
I’ll be happy
my friend. I must confess you are God-sent. Imagine coming home with a whopping
200rms when I left home with nothing.
BOLA brandishes the money
BOLA(CONTD)
I appreciate!
SANJAY
I’ll teach
you how to ‘cari manka’-make a good living! The ‘Arena’ is a very good place to
start from, my very good friend.
BOLA
To think that I’ve been passing the
arena without knowing that such a treasure house lay in there!
SANJAY
You see my very good friend secrecy is the name
of the game at The Arena! There are several betting and games you can get
involved in to make a living!
BOLA
Is that so?
SANJAY
Sweating
and toiling and working hard, old school, are for the ancestors. Now you only
need to use what you have between your ears to make the life you want.
BOLA
I believe
you my friend, I believe you my God-sent.
SANJAY
Apart from
cards and lotto you can also bet on cock fight, bull fight. You can play mah jong,
dice. E games are there although that and soccer betting are still awaiting
government approval. People may call it gambling but we the practitioners call
it cari manka-making a living. My very good friend cari manka
BOLA
(in rising
high upscale spirit)
Cari manka, cari manka, cari mankaaaaaaah!!!
SANJAY
Hey take it easy. Secrecy is the rule of the
game! To much talk would draw the attention of the authority. That won’t be
good for business! Keep it here!
SANJAY
stabs BOLA at the chest with his index finger thrice
BOLA
(Softly and wide eyed)
Caari maankaaaah!
SANJAY
If you let people into what you‘re
doing they may talk you out of this source of immediate wealth.
BOLA
I believe you my friend, I believe
you. Imagine with just 100RMs I borrowed from you I was able to come home with
my very own 200RMs! Wao!
(BOLA shouts)
BOLA
(CONTD)
I am on!
SANJAY
Easy my very good friend,
take it easy. Don’t you see the excitement at The Arena. The music, dancing, the
lightings, the women spurring you on!
BOLA
That was life man!
SANJAY
You took the word from my
mouth.
BOLA
Really bro, at that moment I
forgot the hunger and lack that took me to The Arena in the first place.
SANJAY
Some say gambling is a risk,
don’t do it. Rubbish what is not a risk. Life itself is a risk. Show me a man
that does not take risk then I would show you a man determined to fail.
BOLA
We are business men who take
risk
SANJAY
Calculated risks My-very-good-friend.
That is the spirit.
LADIN enters
LADIN
Papa B, you are in high
spirit. Tell me the secret.
BOLA
The se-cret.
SANJAY
The secret is secret! My
very good friend!
SANJAY and BOLA laugh
Let me introduce you to
sanjay. My friend and very good business partner.
SANJAY
Sanjay hustler and can do
man. We run things, things don’t run us! Tell me whatever you want and ill
supply it. So long is on the surface of the earth!
BOLA
This is ladin a student and
one of my flat mates.
LADIN IS surprised and
embarrassed. LADIN gives SANJAY a handshake.
SANJAY
Please to meet you my very
good friend
SANJAY turns to BOLA
SANJAY(CONTD)
My very good friend time
must not be wasted let’s go and strategize further. The next step is crucial.
Bola
I’m with you my friend, I
say, I’m with you!
BOLA and SANJAY walk out of
the flat still drinking. BOLA takes a last bite on the chicken he is eating he
gives the rest to LADIN waves him bye, leaves with SANJAY. LADIN wide mouthed
looks at the chicken and looks at BOLA.
FADE
OUT
Some days lays later
INT. SOULMATES APARTMENT.
DAY
BOLA and HASSAN are in the
house. BOLA is panicky and edgy. He looks at HASSAN with starry confused gaze. HASSAN
is packing his books and other stuffs into his back-pack preparing to go out.
BOLA solemnly sits clutching his bag tp his tummy
HASSAN
You are still seated aren’t
you going to the library again.
BOLA
You mean you cannot loan me
300RMs
HASSAN
I can only afford 100RMs
even that you have to follow me to the bank!
BOLA
We‘ll meet at school then.
HASSAN
Why can’ we go together
BOLA
I say don’t worry. Is it by
force?
HASSAN goes out. BOLA jumps
to his feet starts to ransack the room. Whichever money he picks and stuffs
into hi pouch. LADIN enters watches him silently. LADIN eventually jams the
door to announce his presence. BOLA startles.
BOLA(CONTD)
you scared me! What is the matter with you?
LADIN
I should be asking you that. What is the matter with
you? Why are you always on edge?
(with a higher pitch voice)
BOLA
Ransacking? Who is
ransacking the house?
LADIN
Come off it. I saw you. What
is in that pouch you always carry?
BOLA
Okay. Okay. I’m not denying
it, but trust me; I shall return it as soon as I’m balanced. I need some money
to invest in this week business.
LADIN
What business are you
donating to every week?
BOLA
I can’t tell you now! When
it is done I will let you know. I promise I‘ll replace all the money I scrounge
from the house soonest when I hammer. Don’t tell the others that I...
LADIN
If I’m not to tell them you
have to…
BOLA
Please, please, sanjay is
waiting for me. I must go now!
HASSAN rushes out.
LADIN
This guy is becoming weird.
Anyway! He is on his own.
LADIN settles down to read.
NUURUL enters.
NUURUL
So you are here!
LADIN
Yea!
NUURUL
What is the matter with papa
B? He brushed past me in haste as if he was going to save someone from the
guillotine.
LADIN
He is going on a business
trip.
NUURUL
What business? He was with
that his new friend –sanjay.
LADIN
My-very-good-friend. But
what kind of business could they be having together.
NUURUL
That is the heart of the
matter. Does papa B have money stashed up somewhere that he could deep hands
into for a tangible business?
LADIN
You never can tell may be
family from home is doling money to him to invest.
NUURUL
The guy is barely surviving!
I think the guy is either dealing in drugs or gambling!
LADIN
True. He is so secretive
about the nature of his business. I caught him…
NUURUL
Caught him, what?
LADIN
Never mind!
NUURUL
His business does not have a
face, a personality. No known goods or services. No known client.
LADIN
Only one partner who himself is suspect.
NUURUL
When his phone rings it is the suspect
LADIN laughs
NUURUL(CONTD)
Don’t laugh, this is serious. We have two extremes
here. He is either into drug dealing or into gambling. Either way he is a bomb
waiting to explode!
LADIN
I caught him ransacking the room this afternoon
NUURUL
I knew it! He is into gambling but how deep? The
deeper the messier!
INT.SOULMATES’
APARTMENT.NIGHT
CHINEDU, NUURUL, LADIN and HASSAN discuss bola
CHINEDU comes in from the kitchen with a bowl of snacks.
CHINEDU
Guys how about bros? He is so scarce this day.
LADIN
Even yesterday he merely dashed in didn’t come back
even in the night.
HASSAN
I guess he is very busy with Sanjay
CHINEDU,LADIN and NUURUL
‘My very good friend’
They all laugh.
HASSAN
They are most probably on one business or another.
NUURUL
What business? That guy is into gambling.
HASSAN
Easy man we are talking about bros. He is our elder
here.
NUURUL
Explain his nocturnal movement, his evasive attitude,
his constant borrowing of money for his weekly ‘business projects’! Explain the
missing money in the house!
LADIN
He is into one shady business or another.
NUURUL
His melancholy and mood-swings. What about his
soliloquy? You want me to go on? Okay, at best he is into gambling and at worse
he is into drug peddling.
CHINEDU
Whichever way he is dangerous to be with.
LADIN
That his new friend sanjay, is a bad influence on
him.
NUURUL
Bros worships that man.
HASSAN
So what do we do about him!
NUURUL
Report him to the authority the earlier the better.
CHINEDU
What if he is not into drugs? We are not sure you
know.
LADIN
Alright then let’s send him out of the house. Sanjay
can harbor him.
NUURUL
Fine!
HASSAN
Easy guys! Any of us could be in his place. Hasn’t
it occurred to you that he could be in need of our help and support to bail him
out of the mess! And here we are crucifying him!
NUURUL
So what do we do?
HASSAN
Good! Let’s accost him, hear his explanation. I’m
sure he will have an explanation for his change of behavior and attitude.
NUURUL
He would not open up. He won’t say the truth you’ll
see.
BOLa comes in. the other
house mates look away.
BOLA
Hi, why the moody faces? Are you guys having a
United Nations conference?
No one answers him
Anyway..!
BOLA goes into the inner
room.
LADIN
You guys should question him now! It seems he is
dashing out again.
BOLA is out of the room
BOLA
Actually i came in to get this. I’m done. I know
I’ve pestered each and every one of you for money. Believe me I’ll pay all I
owe you. Can any of you loan me some money?
CHINEDU LADIN NUURUL
NO
BOLA
Take it easy men!
HASSAN
What is happening? Talk to us. This is not the papa
B we know.
BOLA
What do you mean?
HASSAN
Bros you’ve changed. Every time I look at you I see
a stranger in papa B body. What business are you into? Why do you borrow money
often? You are evasive when asked about your business you don’t even like to
stay in the house again. If there is a problem let us know before it is too
late.
BOLA
What do you mean? Why embarrassing me with silly
questions? Oh, because I borrow money from you! I tell you I have a business
I’m nurturing. I can’t give details now!
NUURUL
What business. Where are your clients? What goods or
services do you trade in?
BOLA
what do you mean
NUURUL
you are into either gambling or drug peddling. I know the signs!
BOLA looks at NUURUL hissed
BOLA
I don’t have your time!
BOLA storms out of the apartment.
NUURUL
I told you, he will be evasive he would not own up.
Let’s throw him out!
LADIN
This is a serious matter. We need to do something
fast before he implicates us.
Knock on the door. CHINEDU goes to open the door
supervisor comes in.
SUPERVISOR
Hello may I come in.
CHINEDU
Sure. Please enter!
NUURUL
Hello sir. Your guy just stepped out now!
SUPERVISOR
What is the problem with Bola
CHINEDU
That is the question we are trying to find answer
to.
SUPERVISOR
Bola has not been punctual at work. There is a limit
to which I can cover for him.
HASSAN
He didn’t tell us that he has resigned.
SUPERVISOR
He was my favorite until about two months ago
LADIN
That is when sanjay came into the picture.
SUPERVISOR
Too many complains about him. Lack of concentration
at work. Late coming. Using work time do calculations that have nothing to do
with work!
LADIN
You see… the earlier we caution him the better for
him.
NUURUL
Gambling has taken over his life!
SUPERVISOR
Well, pity I did not meet him.
HASSAN
He will change. We will caution him.
SUPERVISOR
Just warn him. Just warn him!
HASSAN
We will do that sir. He needs the job more than you
can imagine!
SUPERVISOR
Just warn him! Just warn him!
SUPERVISOR goes out.
INT. SOULMATES’S HOUSE.DAY
The housemates are preparing for their weekend
activities: ironing, washing, relaxing etc. BOLA bounces into the room
BOLA
I would soon be in millions!
CHINEDU
Announcing the arrival of the almighty millionaire
HASSAN
Papa B! There is a problem
CHINEDU
Problems
HASSAN
You don’t stay in the house again. Your supervisor
came yesterday night. He complained about your attitude to work! What is your…?
BOLA
Save it. Enough of the insults. Let him fire me. I
will fire him ten times! Thank God for sanjay. I would soon be in millions.
When I get them I would go to the factory and show them what money can do!
CHINEDU
Bros, are you into drugs? Please don’t implicate us
we are honest immigrants here.
BOLA
What! You have the effrontery to call me a drug
dealer. Oh I see our living together has belittled me!
NUURUL
Don’t threaten the poor boy. Deals, deals, deals.
What deals? Faceless deals you’re into gambling! Or drug peddling.
BOLA
What if I am into gambling? Not all gambling is
illegal, mind you! Yes I gamble. Gambling is a game of chance, luck and skill.
What do you have against? We research plan and draw strategy to win our games
and betting. Just like it is done in other businesses.
HASSAN
We!
NUURUL
Confirmed! How far have you affected us? Probably
you started stealing from us to fuel your habit!
BOLA
LADIN! Well. Whatever I take or borrow from you I
shall repay you when I hit.
HASSAN
Bros B. gambling is not a business. It affects the
gambler and his relations negatively.
BOLA
Don’t give me that. Sanjay already warned me not to
let you know else you will dissuade me from this source of wealth! Gambling
gives me excitement joy and satisfaction unlimited. On a good day I can make
multiple of what I am paid at the factory. Damn I love gambling!
HASSAN
Shaking his head
There are no good days in gambling
BOLA
There are, my friend. Mine is just by the corner you
will see!
BOLA wants to storm out os the room. NUURUL blocks
his way
BOLA(CONTD)
Will you…?
HASSAN signals NUURUL to let him go. BOLA opens the
door on Jerolene wanting to knock at the door. JEROLENE turns her face away
from him keeps a straight face speechlessly walk pass BOLA. BOLA goes after
her.
BOLA
My sugar, my honey, my ‘roleen babe. I know you’re angry with me. I promise soon,
you will enjoy my warmth.
BOLA tries to hug jerolene from back. She wriggles
out of the embrace.
JEROLENE
There is something I have to tell you.
BOLA
I know. You are not happy I’ve not visited you for
some time now! I will make it up for you! I was having a hectic time but it is
over now!
JEROLENE
Is it really over?
BOLA
Yes of course. All my time is for you.
JEROLENE
Is your gambling over? Have you resigned from The
Arena?
BOLA looks at the house mates. They variously give
signs of ‘I don’t know’, ‘I don’t care’, ‘what’s my own’.
BOLA
Who told you about that?
JEROLENE
Oh, you think I won’t know. Isn’t it? Look I can
take anything. I can accept anything. I can share your joy and your sorrows.
Don’t insult my intelligence! I can’t share you with a person talk less of a
habit, an addiction, no I can’t. How would you cater for your family if you are
to expend the little income you make on gambling? A future with you looks
bleak!
BOLA
Don’t say that you’re breaking my heart.
JEROLENE
Your affection is already for your game. I want us
to forget this relationship.
BOLA is speechless. JEROLENE
gets up gives him a peck
JEROLENE(contd)
Bye
JEROLENE wave bye to the house mates goes out. BOLA
is still speechless. He silently gets up looks at the house mates they turn
away from him. He walks to the door there he collapses.
Fade out
INT. SOULMATES’ HOUSE. NIGHT
BOLA is receiving intravenous transfusion. NURSE
ASITA is assisting BOLA. All other housemates are on stand bye waiting for
instructions.
NURSE
Bola your blood pressure is too high. You are
anemic. You need a lot of rest and good food, vegetables to build up your blood
count.
LADIN
Thanks for coming. We all were scared when he
slumped!
NURSE
Not all slump or falls are fatal. His fall was a
result of exhaustion coupled with the fact that he has been in state if anxiety
for some time. What does he do for a living?
He shouldn’t expose himself too much stress.
CHINEDU
Student and part time factory hand.
NUURUL
Say the truth, Compulsive gambler.
NURSE
No wonder! Mr Bola how are you
BOLA raises his head to
affirm.
NURSE
Don’t worry there nothing to worry about anymore.
Why do you choose that line of life? Gambling has more disadvantages than advantages.
Adverse effects include; bankruptcy, heath problems, neglect or lost of
interest on things that matter (studies or work), problems relating to loved
ones, chronic health conditions, marital problems. With gambling comes other
anti social instinct such as, fraud, robbery, murder or even suicides.
NUURUL
May be he would now understand our concern!
NURSE
Gambling makes one lose touch with reality before
you realize it it is already too late to make amends.
HASSAN
Far from the belief that gambling is a low risk and
high gain endeavor it actually is a high risk and low gain endeavor.
BOLA
I agree with you all. At a point my friends appeared
as strangers to me. I have lost my love, Jerolene. Even when I wanted to leave
the act the urge to continue was too much.
NURSE
The high feeling and glamour associated with
gambling makes it difficult to leave the addiction. Oh yes it is an addiction!
Some addicts may even need a psychologist to take them through the process of
withdrawal. Just like in the case of drug addiction!
BOLA’s phone beeps. He picks
it.
BOLA
Sanjay
NUURUL snatches the phone
from BOLA
NUURUL
Mr Can Do Man. Don’t ever call this line again.
Vamoose. Don’t bother coming to see him.
BOLA
That was too harsh. You should have allowed me to
speak with him.
NUURUL
Wait until I smash his face then you will know what
is harsh.
NURSE
Who was that?
HOUSE MATES
My very good friend!
HASSAN
Papa B’s mentor.
NURSE
Oh, I see. Avoid him!
JEROLENE rushes into the
apartment.
JEROLENE
Oh my baby. I heard you are ill. So, I rushed to
know how you are.
BOLA
Does that mean I’m forgiven?
JEROLENE
If you’ll stop gambling of course you‘ll be forgiven
if not you’re on your own.
BOLA
I’ve decided. I’m stopping gambling thanks to people
that love me!
JEROLENE
That is good. But for how long can you hold on?
BOLA
I know it may be difficult. With friends and you by
my side, I’m determined to give it a try.
JEROLENE hugs BOLA
NURSE
That is good! The first battle has been won. Enough
don’t make me jealous.
SANJAY enters. He dresses expensively like a
socialite. NUURUL steps forward to challenge SANJAY. BOLA stops him.
BOLA
Let me do this!
They allow SANJAY to get to BOLA
SANJAY
My very good friend! I called to remind you of our
meeting this evening. Someone was saying some rubbish I don’t understand.
BOLA
Yes it was my true friend that spoke with you.
SANJAY
I just want to teach you how to ‘cari manka’, my
very good friend!
BOLA
Sorry Sanjay. All you teach is actually how to ‘curi
manka’ and gradually commit suicide. I’d rather stay with my real friends that
teach me how to be real and not how to avoid reality and responsibilities.
BOLA hugs the housemates. JEROLENE goes to pursue
SANJAY with a mop.
JEROLENE
So if you don’t mind scram we are having a family
reunion
JEROLENEs sweeps SANJAY out. She comes back to BOLA
they hug
CHINEDU
Good riddance to bad…
ALL HOUSE MATES
Cari manka
General laughter
FADE OUT
THE END
Umoru Haruna
