Zaraya
by
Gaga Ekeh©*
Note: All dialog is in Its.ekiri
EXT. ENTRANCE TO PATH IN FOREST DAY
MUSCULAR MAN (MM) is sitting upon a rock by the entrance to the forest. He is grinning. Soon he begins to laugh, his shoulders heaving up and down uncontrollably. He manages to stop laughing.
MM
(grinning)
Alaiye!
We see who MM is smiling at. He is Traveling Mystic (TM), a thin, bony fellow, caramel chocolate skin. He has a glitter in his eyes. He is wearing a khaki robe embroidered with gold stripes from top to bottom. Underneath the robe is a pair of khaki trousers, with the same design. He is wearing leather slippers. He is very dignified, very refined.
TM
Egbon.
MM
(Pointing towards
the path to the forest)
Alaiye, you see that pass
there?
TM
Egbon, do you know that this
thing you have said, I have seen
it?
MM
Alaiye, the thing I have come to realize, having thought about it for a while, is that people who pass through this land have been beneficiaries of great hospitality. The people of this land feed and house strangers and help them in any way they can. But because our Father is too polite, he never asks for tax… but, Alaiye, it costs money to be hospitable. So, as a good citizen,
(MORE)
MM (CONTD)
I have taken it upon myself to collect tax for the Father.
TM
In fact, a Father should be proud of such a dutiful son.
MM
But, Alaiye, as I am looking at you, I am skeptical of what you can offer me. You have no goods, and though you are dressed richly, I do not know what you can offer me as tax before you pass.
TM
Egbon, allow me to tell you a secret. A man such as yourself should have been long dead before I arrived. But that you are alive is one of the mysteries for which I am ever grateful to the eternal Father. Where it not for the mysteries, I should have been too bored to walk amongst mortals. So I will make you a deal. I will spare your life and you will let me pass.
MM
Alaiye, your Language is tickling me. A man that speaks the way you do is a curious thing. Tell me, do you know what lies beyond that pass?
TM
Since you are the gatekeeper, I would expect that you should know what lies beyond your land.
MM
Alaiye, perhaps you are mocking me. As you can tell, I collect tax very rarely, for few ever head this way. And, in all the years that I have been employed in this position, no one has
(MORE)
MM (CONTD)
returned who has gone that way. They
say that the Families of Waga-Olodu live beyond that forest.
TM
But you do not know for sure?
LM
It is not my job. And I am not scared! I am not scared! All the talk about spirit-men who live in those parts, it does not scare me.
TM
Have you ever seen a spirit-man?
MM
Em… one day…
CUT TO: EXT. FOREST DAY
A teenage MM is hiding in the bushes as a man walks by. The man is athletic, about six-five, pitch-black with tribal marks on his cheeks. His eyes are intense and he effuses terror. He wields a sword about five feet long and he is focused on something. He passes by the bush where teenage MM is hiding in fear, stops for a second and sniffs the air, then continues his journey.
RETURN:
EXT. ENTRANCE TO PATH IN FOREST DAY
MM
But I was not scared! I just was not in the mood, that day… to, to collect tax.
TM
I see. If you come with me you will meet many spirit-men.
MM
You are trying to trick me, to see if I am scared. Is it not? Is it not? I am not scared! I tell you, I am not scared! I will come with you.
TM
Then your life will be spared.
TM heads towards the pass and MM jumps off the rock he is sitting on and follows, club in hand.
MM
Alaiye…
MM
Egbon…
MM
Why do they call them spirit-men?
TM
You will find out when you become one.
CREDITS
Scene is a metal-smelting plant. Sparks fly, hammers rise and fall, bright orange glow of metal shines. Swords are being molded. Shiny swords are being handed, one after the other after the other after the other, but we do not see to whom. Music continues. One gets the sense that these soldiers apparently are preparing for a great war.
End Credits
EXT. THE OLD MAN’S “OFFICE” DAY
Darkness.
OLD MAN (VOICE OVER)
I remember the day Olodumare made the decision to spread his light all over the world.
CUT TO:
Twelve priests emerge out of the darkness. They are dressed in Nubian garb. They are intense and are sitting in a semi-circle upon high chairs. Each is dressed in a different style, with different adornments. They are rich, maybe even “chic.” A tall, bronze lady, sparsely clothed with feathers and arm bands and a few patches of leather, walks to each of the priests and offers up a bowl. Each of the priests picks a small, round clove of leaves and bows to the lady. When they all have a clove, the lady bows and leaves the room. The priest in the middle, presumably the high-priest, raises his plant towards the roof and mumbles a prayer. Then he puts it in his mouth. Each of the priests follows suit, mumbling a prayer then eating the plant. Focus is on one particular priest, he is very dark-skinned, and his features are sculpturesque. He chews on his plant and one can tell it is bitter. Within a few seconds he begins to react. His breathing changes and soon his eyes begin to flutter. And then, for an almost subliminal mini-second, we see a translucent/almost-transparent “second body” leave his seat and then for another almost subliminal mini-second we see the entire room and we notice what we might believe to be translucent/almost-transparent “second bodies” zooming forth. They clash in the middle of the room and for another mini-second there is a glow and an almost invisible pyramid is seen.
OLD MAN (VOICE OVER)
We had conquered the world all the way down the Great River to the ocean at the end of the world and spread the light of Olodumare to the savages and spirit-people…
CUT TO:
A row of horsemen is seen by the ocean. They are led by the chief priest. The ankh is being held high and people of all colors and nations are bowing to it and pledging allegiance.
OLD MAN( VOICE OVER)
But there was one land that we could not approach. The land ruled by the Handsome One, the irredeemable son of Olodumare. It was peopled by demons, spirit-men and mighty angels of fire. The Orishas had decided that it was time to take back the world below from the evil spirit-men led by their king, the Handsome One. For, in all the earth, no one is more fearful than the king of the spirit-men.
CUT TO:
A pitch-black man, strikingly handsome, with a necklace of animal canine teeth, sitting on a high chair, looks up immediately as if something has caught his attention.
CUT TO:
Back to the priests. Their eyes are all now transfixed on something and they seem like statues.
YOUNG BOY
Baba, you were one of the Orishas?
EXT. THE OLD MAN’S “OFFICE” DAY
We see the young boy sitting down, cross-legged, in front of a gray-haired old man. The boy is about seven or eight years old and his eyes are intense. The old man is sitting on a mat under a tree. He is blind.
OLD MAN
Yes, I was one of the Orishas.
YOUNG BOY
And you lived in heaven?
OLD MAN
The land of the gods… yes… the place were stars live.
YOUNG BOY
Wow! It must have been something.
OLD MAN
(Smiling)
Yes, it was something
YOUNG BOY
So why did you leave? Where you the one that was supposed to spread Olodumare’s light in the world? To conquer the world below?
OLD MAN
Em…
CUT TO:
Return to the room of priests.
OLD MAN (VOICE OVER)
Olodumare decided that of all the Orishas, I was the only one who knew the secrets of the Gold Sword…
CUT TO:
The bronze woman again. It is dark and she is in an alleyway with someone. We see that it is the dark-skinned priest. They are kissing. Someone appears. He recognizes both people. There is a scuffle. The dark-skinned priest pulls out a knife and slays the person. The bronze woman is horrified. The priest looks around. He says something to the woman. She shakes her head. He speaks again, forcefully. She shakes her head again, refusing whatever he is saying, her hands against her cheeks in horror. The priest looks around, then makes his escape.
OLD MAN (VOICE OVER)
So, the Orishas sent me down to earth to build an army in order to reclaim the land below from the spirit-men and their king.
The priest is seen escaping Nubia with a mid-sized pouch full of gold coins.
OLD MAN (VOICE OVER)
So I journeyed down from heaven, upon a long chain, for many days until I found this land.
YOUNG BOY
Bah-bah, so have you built your army yet? And how can you lead an army if you cannot see into the world of humans?
OLD MAN
(Laughing)
One day you will see what I see. And then you will understand…
MAMA SANATU
Ma-jah! Ma-jah!
Middle-aged woman shows up.
MAMA SANATU
Bah, good evening. Ma-jah is late
for dinner again.
OLD MAN
Mama San-ah-tu, intellectual curiosity is the mark of the gifted. But since food is more important… Well…
MAMA SANATU
Bah, I do not mean to be rude. After all, if it was not for you, who in all the land would have food? Bah I only mean to ask if it is OK for Ma-Jah to join us for dinner.
OLD MAN
Of course it is. Ma-jah, run along now! Tomorrow I will tell you about the handsome one. And then I will finish telling you the secrets of how to make metals stronger for the army to come.
YOUNG MAN
Good night Bah-bah.
OLD MAN
Good night, my son. Good night Mama
San-ah-tu.
MAMA SANATU
Good night Bah.
MAMA SANATU takes YOUNG BOY by the hand and leads him away. He skips merrily, telling his mother stories of the land of the Gods where Bah came from.
INT. MA-JAH’S ROOM NIGHT
Two children are lying down on cushions across from each other. One is bigger than the other. The smaller one is MA-JAH. He is excitedly telling the older one, SANATU, about spirit-men.
SANATU
But mother says that spirit-men do
not exist…
MA-JAH
They exist! Bah is creating an army
to kill all of them…
SANATU
Have you ever seen one?
MA-JAH
No… but I know what to say to any of them if they attack me…
SANATU
What is it?
MA-JAH
It is a secret… if I tell you, then
you will be initiated in our society…
SANATU
What society?
MA-JAH
Me and Bah-bah… And then you will
have to agree that I am your leader.
SANATU
Forget it!
MA-JAH
OK…
(starts whistling)
SANATU
Alright, tell me!
MA-JAH
Swear that I will be your leader!
SANATU
Are you Bah’s leader?
MA-JAH
He says that I am carrying the light of Olodumare… that I am the leader.
SANATU
(Pouting)
OK… You will be my leader.
MA-JAH
Here is the secret phrase:
“Oro Bah ni Bah-Bah to bi mi.”
CUT TO:
The man with canine necklace looks up again, as if something has caught his attention.
RETURN.
SANATU
Oro Bah ni Bah-Bah to bi mi…?
MA-JAH
Now you’re an insider.
SANATU
Hmmm… what does it mean?
MA-JAH
Bah says that when I have learned Language well I will understand it.
SANATU
I think it means…
MAMA SANATU
What is going on? Are you children
not asleep?
Silence. MAMA SANATU looks into the room. SANATU and MA-JAH lay still as if they are sleeping. MAMA SANATU leaves. SANATU and MA-JAH giggle.
SANATU and MA-JAH
(Whispered chants)
“Oro Bah ni Bah-Bah to bi mi…”
INT. BAH-SANATU’S LIVING ROOM NIGHT
MAMA SANATU sits in a decent sized room with a middle-aged BAH-SANATU. They are leaning against cushions made of cloth and feathers. The room is sparse and dimly lit by two torches in the corner. There are windows carved into the clay walls and the crickets can be heard.
MAMA SANATU
My Bah who the gods gave me, I am very uncomfortable with Bah-Bah’s interest in Ma-jah.
BAH-SANATU
San-ah-tu, there is nothing to be worried about…
MAMA SANATU
Bah, he is filling that boy’s head with nonsense! Nonsense! Talk of spirit-men and a land of gods…
BAH-SANATU
You do not believe these stories…?
MAMA SANATU
Bah, spirit-men are a myth!
BAH-SANATU
The river that the gods gave me! Don’t talk like this!
MAMA SANATU
Bah, the Olodu, he is a great man. He brought us metals, he brought us
(MORE)
MAMA SANATU (CONTD)
medicine, and forever he will be our Father. He is the Bah of all the Bahs, he is the Angel-Father of all the Angel-Fathers in this land. No one denies that. He is a man with a lot of knowledge… but there is no need for him to… to shroud his knowledge in mythical tales… this is just to give him an air… An air of mystery. In any direction, his name is known… but with all these tales the people think he is some sort of God… “Bah-Bah Olodu-odu-wah,” they call him. They say he understands the logic of logic.
BAH-SANATU
River of mine, let him fill our son’s head with rubbish. As long as he continues to educate him on metals and farming and medicine…
MAMA SANATU
Maybe you are right. But the old man is strange… I wonder where he really comes from… and please don’t talk about spirit-men and the land of the Gods…
BAH-SANATU
River that waters my seed, even if he came from the moon, does it matter? Whatever winds blew him to us, all those decades ago, we are indebted to. Look what he has done for us…
MAMA SANATU
I’m not arguing… I’m not arguing, Bah. I’m just…
BAH-SANATU
Just what?
MAMA SANATU
(Shrugging)
Let us go to sleep Bah. I do not want to talk about the Olodu anymore.
INT. NEGOTIATING ROOM DAY
Six men are seated in a room. Four on one side, two on the other. They are decked in elaborate garments. The four men, visitors, seem to be men of considerable importance. They are meticulous and detailed and gesticulate, painting slow pictures as they speak. But, of all things, they speak with their eyes, leaning forward, as they sit cross-legged, to make a point with their eyes, painting elaborate pictures with their hands. Flavored charcoal/incense is burning in the center of the room. Of the two men on one side, the hosts, one is clearly the LEADER. He listens carefully and does little talking. His ASSISTANT, a young man in his early thirties, does most of the negotiating.
ASSISTANT
Your Excellency, our Father is a man of integrity. He would not even know how to perform a fraud if he wanted to.
The four men across from them smile and nod quietly.
ASSISTANT
We have told you, in good faith, what our people can afford.
The CHIEF NEGOTIATOR of the four men on the other side, the visitors, clears his throat. He is also a young man. He looks exceedingly mischievous. He uses his hands too elaborately as he speaks.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
The Aromolarun family, in whose name I speak, has a reputation. But it is well-deserved. Maybe the deities raised them to be excellent warriors.
(Shrugs)
But they did not sit on their blessings and do nothing with them. If not for the Aromolaruns, where would we all be today? They have provided us with a modest island of peace in this world of mad and rabid men who will think nothing of it to suck the blood of your family. In fact, left to me, I should
(MORE)
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR (CONTD)
say that the Aromolaruns must be of a divine nature, to do so much good for so many people. Only the deities would ordain good people to be so relevant. But while we understand your circumstances, you must also understand ours. Perhaps we can think of a way in which to amicably settle this business so that you can tell your people, dissatisfied with the situation, that things have taken a turn for the better?
YOUNG GIRL, perhaps nine years old, runs into the room giggling. She is fair-skinned and her hair is straightened. She darts to the corner and hides behind a large pot. The LEADER of the two men on the one side tenses up.
LEADER
Get out of here before I…!
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR raises his hand and his host stops speaking.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
(Smiling)
Young lady, why are you hiding?
YOUNG GIRL
The lion is angry today.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
The lion?
YOUNG GIRL
Yes. He is angry today, I don’t know why.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
Hmm…
(Looks amusedly at the
rest of his team, then
back at YOUNG GIRL).
Why do you think he is angry?
YOUNG GIRL
Yesterday I tricked him and sometimes he is moody and cannot take a joke. So today he laid a trap for me so that he could eat me…
The visitors smile, except for the head of the delegation.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
But you escaped?
YOUNG GIRL
Just barely. I am too smart for the lion.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
I see. Young lady, what is your name?
YOUNG GIRL
Zaraya.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
Zaraya… this is a beautiful name… Tell me, where is this lion situated?
YOUNG GIRL
On the outskirts of the land, between the two hills, he lives in the trees at the bottom of one of the hills…
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
I see…
The head of the delegation of four men leans forward and whispers into the ears of CHIEF NEGOTIATOR. His face remains stern and expressionless. CHIEF NEGOTIATOR raises his eyebrow then nods.
CHIEF NEGOTIATOR
(Looking at the host
across from him)
His Excellency, Ambassador of the Aromolarun People, has been put in a benevolent mood by the-one-who-speaks-with-lions. He has decided to accept your terms.
ASSISTANT
(Eyebrow raised)
Er… er…. I think I speak for our Father as well as all the people in the land when I say that such generosity will forever be remembered by our people. We will conclude this transaction immediately.
All men in the room nod. YOUNG GIRL giggles and darts out of the room.
EXT. MAMA ZARAYA’S COMPOUND DAY
A dignified middle-aged woman, MAMA ZARAYA, is sitting in a courtyard surrounded by a mud wall. She is supervising a host of young women engaged in numerous tasks. Some are washing fabric. Others are cooking. Some are chopping wood. The LEADER storms into the compound. He is clearly upset…
LEADER
Where is that little toad?! I said where is she?!!
MAMA ZARAYA ignores him.
LEADER
Lucky brat! If you cannot handle that daughter of yours, then give her something to do! What does she think she is? Does she think she has two heads? I am warning you, you better take care of that daughter of yours or I’ll do so myself!
LEADER paces around for a while.
MAMA ZARAYA
Bah that the gods gave me, food will be ready in a while. Are we having any guests this evening?
LEADER looks at her absentmindedly as if he is confused.
LEADER
Er… oh… no, no. No guests today.
MAMA ZARAYA
Which of your wives will be joining you for dinner?
LEADER
Er… I don’t know. You decide… you decide…
LEADER is lost in thought as he walks back outside the compound. As he leaves, YOUNG GIRL emerges from behind the back of one of the women. The women in the compound chuckle. MAMA ZARAYA shakes her head.
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya, what did you do again?
All the women stop doing what they are doing in order to hear what YOUNG GIRL will say.
YOUNG GIRL
My daughter, does it matter what I did?
MAMA ZARAYA
I suppose it does not, old soul. I suppose it does not. You are the light of my life, old soul. I just wish you didn’t cause so much trouble.
YOUNG GIRL
I hope to cause so much trouble so that every time you are born you will remember my spirit.
All the women laugh.
YOUNG GIRL
My daughter, I am going to watch the sun set.
MAMA ZARAYA
Be careful and don’t cross your father’s path… you hear me?
YOUNG GIRL
If we meet, it will be because he crossed my path.
The women chuckle again. YOUNG GIRL darts out of the compound, giggling. MAMA ZARAYA shakes her head. Seconds later a large woman enters the compound. She is holding a struggling YOUNG GIRL under one arm. YOUNG GIRL is laughing, attempting to extricate herself from the woman’s grasp.
LARGE WOMAN
Mother, why is Zaraya running? Has she done anything wrong?
MAMA ZARAYA
Has she ever done anything wrong?
The woman sits on a stool next to MAMA ZARAYA, still holding YOUNG GIRL, tickling her.
LARGE WOMAN
Whenever I see a young child running I am always suspicious.
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya does not know how to walk. She can only run.
LARGE WOMAN
This is how children are. Where are you running to Zaraya?
YOUNG GIRL
I am going to watch the sun set.
LARGE WOMAN
Is there a reason for this?
YOUNG GIRL
Have you never wondered where it goes?
LARGE WOMAN
It is not my place to wonder.
YOUNG GIRL
That is why the men always behave as if they are in charge, because they wonder about these things…
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya! How dare you speak that way to your aunty?!
LARGE WOMAN
(Tickling YOUNG GIRL
even more)
The girl speaks the truth
MAMA ZARAYA
In this land, the truth is only spoken with our eyes….
LARGE WOMAN
Zaraya is young… maybe she has a different way of speaking.
(Releases YOUNG GIRL)
YOUNG GIRL sits next to the two women, cross-legged, face in her palms.
LARGE WOMAN
I thought you were going to watch the sun set.
YOUNG GIRL
My daughter, the sun will set tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that… but how often do I get to hear your wonderful voice?
LARGE WOMAN
(Places her hand on
her heart)
This girl is blessed!
MAMA ZARAYA
Now you will stop asking me why I call her “old soul.”
LARGE WOMAN
Mother, I need to speak with you on matters of business
MAMA ZARAYA
Then speak…
LARGE WOMAN
Mother, our labor pool has increased tremendously over the last few years and we are capable of producing a lot more fabric than we are doing now. I have been thinking long and hard and I believe that it is time to expand our market. The only problem is security… If only we could somehow guarantee security, we can open up new markets… Mother, this thing is very important… Maybe even critical… Our economy needs new markets to support our growth…
MAMA ZARAYA
I hear what you are saying… The security situation… well…
YOUNG GIRL
You shouldn’t worry about security. It won’t be a problem. Go and tell your workers to begin to produce more fabric.
The two women look at YOUNG GIRL incredulously.
LARGE WOMAN
Zaraya, who told you this?
YOUNG GIRL
A lion.
Cut TO:
The entourage of four men and a host of soldiers are pulling camels and horses as they cross into a valley by two hills. A lion roars mightily and fiercely suddenly. The head of the delegation and CHIEF NEGOTIATOR turn slowly towards the trees where the roar came from. They stare for a second then turns back and the journey continues.
RETURN
LARGE WOMAN
Zaraya, a lion told you this?
YOUNG GIRL
My daughter, the ways of the animal world are strange.
LARGE WOMAN looks at MAMA ZARAYA. MAMA ZARAYA shrugs and smiles and shakes her head.
MAMA ZARAYA
You heard her. Security won’t be a problem.
LARGE WOMAN looks at MAMA ZARAYA curiously, then leans back on her stool and shakes her head, as one of the young women in the compound approaches and offers her a calabash of wine. She takes it, sips, spits, then takes a few gulps. YOUNG GIRL’s eyes glitter, as if she is watching something. Close-up into her pupils and we are in the forest by the valley. A lion yawns, then strolls away casually.
EXT. THE TOWN DAY
People are gathered in groups of two and three and four around individual soldiers with horses. They are observing them as if the soldiers are unusual exhibits. The soldiers are, by-and-large, tall and muscular. They seem as if they are lost in thought, sometimes signaling to each other. They take positions here and again around the area, near the stream, near the farms, near the mud houses, the large compounds and small compounds. The soldiers wield long, bronze swords. There is excitement in the air. LEADER appears, walking with an entourage. He greets each soldier and smiles, attempting to welcome them, but they respond almost arrogantly. As if he does not matter. But he does not seem to mind, although his aides take not of this rude behavior, whispering to each other. At the tail end of his entourage is his wife, MAMA ZARAYA, the people’s Mother, and the rest of his wives. She is very dignified as she walks and the young ones keep ensuring that she is taken care of. After a few greetings the LEADER’s aides are now openly disconcerted by the rude nature of these soldiers and are clearly agitated. When the LEADER gets to the stream he is about to turn around but something catches his eye. Immediately he storms towards the stream, his eyes ablaze. By the stream, YOUNG GIRL is attempting to wield a bronze sword that is almost longer than her. She is using two hands. Suddenly laughter is heard. Three soldiers, two of them tall women with tribal marks and short hair, muscular and fearful-looking, are amused by YOUNG GIRL’s attempts. The LEADER stops in his tracks when he realizes that YOUNG GIRL is in conversation with these soldiers. They do not notice him and neither does YOUNG GIRL. She puts the sword down and feigns exhaustion. The soldiers laugh even more. Then she begins to speak to them, as though lecturing. It cannot be heard what she is saying, but there is immediate conversation and the soldiers and YOUNG GIRL are talking. The LEADER turns around and storms back. His eyes meet MAMA ZARAYA’s eyes. The air between them is pregnant with information. The aides watch YOUNG GIRL for a little while, then turn around and follow the LEADER. MAMA ZARAYA whispers to one of the junior wives who stays behind to ensure that YOUNG GIRL is alright. The LEADER trods on home, refusing to greet any more soldiers along his path. He seems very upset.
EXT. THE OLD MAN’S “OFFICE” DAY
The gray-haired old blind man is sitting on a mat under a tree. People pass by and greet him with reverence. They don’t just bow, even though he presumably cannot see them. They actually lie down, saying “Father, please bless me.” The man raises his hand and blesses the people and then they continue walking by. People of all walks of life pass by. This is clearly a very busy town, perhaps almost a city. Rich men, poor men, idlers, tricksters, magicians, animal-trainers, they pass by this tree, and they are the portrait of the land. But they always bow down to the old man. MA-JAH shows up and sits next to the old man.
OLD MAN
Ma-Jah, how are you?
MA-JAH
How do you always know it is me?
OLD MAN
Your spirit sounds different.
MA-JAH
I didn’t know spirits make sounds…
OLD MAN
Do you want to hear them?
MA-JAH
Yes! Yes!
OLD MAN
But if I show you how to see into the land of spirits you may never be able to see into the world of mortals again.
MA-JAH
Will I become blind like you?
OLD MAN
Perhaps
MA-JAH
Will people bow down to me like you?
OLD MAN
Perhaps
MA-JAH
I don’t know… this is a tough decision.
OLD MAN
Take your time. I am not going anywhere.
MA-JAH sits and thinks for a while.
MA-JAH
Bah-bah
OLD MAN
Yes?
MA-JAH
I want to see into the world of spirits.
OLD MAN
Are you sure?
MA-JAH
Yes I’m sure.
OLD MAN
Alright, close your eyes.
MA-JAH closes his eyes
OLD MAN
What do you see?
MA-JAH
Nothing.
OLD MAN
Good.
MA-JAH
Is this the world of spirits?
OLD MAN
Your eyes are weak. Alright now I want you to do as I say…
MA-JAH
OK…
OLD MAN
Identify and extract the quietest sound you can extract from the environment
MA-JAH
The quietest sound?
OLD MAN
Yes, identify the quietest sound you can hear.
MA-JAH face scrounges up as he focuses. We watch him for almost a minute as we become sensitized to the sounds of the city. After a minute MA-JAH yelps and opens his eyes!
MA-JAH
Haah!
OLD MAN
What happened?
MA-JAH
(eyes wide)
The moment I identified the most silent sound I saw a mighty giant with seven heads and eighteen eye-balls in each head.
OLD MAN
(Laughing)
Welcome to the world of spirits….
MA-JAH
I don’t want to close my eyes again. I am scared of seeing the monster.
OLD MAN
(Still laughing)
The world of spirits is for the brave. Maybe there is more to see than monsters… if you are brave…
MA-JAH
Bah-bah, I don’t know if I am brave…
OLD MAN
I suppose history will decide….
MA-JAH
I suppose so.
They sit in silence for a while.
MA-JAH
Bah-bah is this what you do all day? Watch the world of spirits?
OLD MAN
No… I am practicing…
MA-JAH
Practicing for what?
OLD MAN
The day my soul will release itself…
MA-JAH
Why must you practice? Won’t it release itself if you don’t practice?
OLD MAN
(Chuckles)
I am practicing remaining awake when my soul departs.
MA-JAH
Why do you want to be awake?
OLD MAN
What is the point of being born into the world of one cannot remember all that one has learned from it. All the people around you, who continually bow to me, they are blind. You see? They do not know who they are. I will tell you a secret…
MA-JAH
You have told me many secrets, sir.
OLD MAN
Then I will tell you another one…
MA-JAH
I am listening sir.
OLD MAN
Know thyself.
CUT TO:
The dark-skinned priest is standing by a monument, a huge statue of him sitting at the entrance to a temple.
RETURN
MA-JAH
Bah-bah why do I feel like I know you very well?
OLD MAN
Maybe it is because you know me very well.
MA-JAH
I don’t see how this can be the case. They say you are a thousand years old. I am just eight.
OLD MAN
Maybe you are a thousand years old too.
MA-JAH
Is this possible?
OLD MAN
All things are possible to them that believe.
MA-JAH
Hmm…
They sit in silence. MA-JAH closes his eyes again and attempts to isolate the quietest sound of his environment. Again after a minute he yelps.
OLD MAN
What did you see this time? A monster?
MA-JAH
No sir… I saw a circle…
OLD MAN
(eyebrow raised)
So why did you yelp?
MA-JAH
I don’t know. It was as shocking as seeing a monster, I suppose.
OLD MAN
(To himself)
The circle… can this be true?
MA-JAH
What does it mean, Bah-bah?
OLD MAN
Can you divide a circle?
MA-JAH
Yes sir.
OLD MAN
Into how many parts?
MA-JAH
well…
MA-JAH draws a circle in the sand. He cuts it into two. Then into four. Then into eight… he is about to speak… then something catches his attention and he cuts the circle into sixteen. A flash of light from the asterisk/star of the lines of division explodes briefly.
MA-JAH
Sixteen parts sir.
OLD MAN
Not eight?
MA-JAH
No, sixteen.
OLD MAN
Why did you not stop at eight?
MA-JAH
I don’t know sir… it didn’t seem… it didn’t seem complete.
OLD MAN
Ojogbon MA-JAH, well done
MA-JAH
Ojogbon?
OLD MAN
This is your destiny, the way of sixteen parts.
MA-JAH
This riddle, even for me, is too hard
OLD MAN
It is your way, my son. It is your way. Very clever. Very clever. I never thought I’d see the day. But you have surprised me…
MA-JAH
I have surprised you? But you always say that I am carrying the light of Olodumare. Should I surprise you?
OLD MAN
You are right. I should not be surprised, which is all the more reason I am surprised. You have just demonstrated to me, my son, that you have the cognitive capacity to store my wealth.
MA-JAH
I will store your wealth in my head?
OLD MAN
In a circle of sixteen parts.
MA-JAH
Wow…
OLD MAN
Yes, indeed, wow.
EXT. THE RIVER PATH DAY
A group of young men and women are walking along a wide path. There are bushes on either side, but far from the path. Between the path and bushes is grass. The young men are joking with each other and the women are carrying clay pots resting on cloth upon their heads. The young men are armed with swords, knives, spears and clubs. Things seem routine. They all walk and talk and jabber and then, suddenly, there is silence. In the distance, along the path, is a tall man. He is about six-nine and muscular. He is pitch-black with tribal marks on his face. He seems to be walking in pseudo-slow motion, sniffing the air as he walks. Holstered at his side is a very, very long sword. He is surveying the environment as he walks in his strange, slow-motion manner. The group of young men and women stand, transfixed, as this very fierce man approaches. Birds are screeching above him but the man does not seem to be aware. Tiny animals are running helter-skelter into the woods. The group is rooted in fear. They cannot move. Soon the man arrives in front of them. He does not seem to notice them, but he stops. He sniffs the air, walks to the side of the path and observes a leaf. He pulls the leaf, sniffs it, takes a bite, then spits. Suddenly he turns, his sword out, and sticks his sword into one of the women carrying a clay pot. She slumps to the ground. In something like slow motion, he swipes the air twice and sticks his sword into one of the men and then another of the women. They slump and fall. The rest of the group is still rooted in fear, unable to move. Then, again in a deliberate slow motion, he opens one of his palms and blows a white powder into the faces of the remaining members of the group. They begin to cough furiously. Except one… the powder misses one. They fall to the ground, retching. The soldier does not notice the one who is still standing rooted in fear. The soldier goes back to the side of the path and takes the leaf again and smells it. As though he is finally able to come to his senses, the surviving member of the group tears through the bush and runs furiously. The soldier turns around suddenly but does not seem to know what is happening. He walks in slow motion to the retching children and sticks his sword into one of them, as if to gauge the tautness of her flesh. Then he looks up into the sky and closes his eyes.
EXT. MAMA SANATU’S COMPOUND DAY
BAH-SANATU is administering water to a young man, the survivor from the group in the previous scene. They are in his compound and a group has gathered around the boy. He is shivering and some women are attempting to sponge him down. MAMA SANATU is standing by the door of the compound, her eyebrow raised. After a few minutes BAH-SANATU speaks.
BAH-SANATU
Alright, young man, try to calm down. Now… try to tell your story slowly…
A few women hush the growing crowd
YOUNG MAN
He… he made me feel… he made me feel worthless…
(begins to sob)
BAH-SANATU
Who? Who made you feel worthless? What on earth are you talking about?
YOUNG MAN
It was as if my entire being was irrelevant. As if it didn’t matter that I was alive. I have never felt more humiliated in my life sir… I… I…
(sobs even harder).
The people begin mumbling. A middle-aged man speaks.
MAN
I say we take a search party and go and find the rest of his group…
VOICE
Wait!
Everyone turns around. It is the gray-haired OLD MAN, Bah-bah the Olodu, led by MA-JAH. Space is cleared and OLD MAN sits on a stool.
OLD MAN
(To the young man)
Speak Language to me.
YOUNG MAN
Sir… sir, you believe me… you believe me…
OLD MAN
Yes, son, I believe you…
YOUNG MAN
I had never seen one of them before… but I knew it immediately…
OLD MAN
Tell me one very important thing, son…
YOUNG MAN
Yes sir?
OLD MAN
How many marks did he have on his face?
YOUNG MAN
Three on each cheek, sir.
OLD MAN
Vertical, diagonal or horizontal?
YOUNG MAN
Vertical, sir.
BAH-SANATU
Bah-bah, I don’t mean to interrupt. But we do not know what is going on.
OLD MAN
They are moving eastwards.
MAN
Bah-bah, who? Who are moving eastwards?
OLD MAN
The spirit-men.
CUT TO:
The smelting center from the credits. Swords are continually being handed out. Now we see who they are being handed to. Tall, pitch-black men, all moving in pseudo-slow motion.
RETURN
OLD MAN
Mother of MA-JAH, I need to speak with you alone.
MAMA SANATU
Yes Bah-bah.
OLD MAN is led inside the house followed by MAMA SANATU. Outside is near pandemonium as people begin to chatter excitedly, scared. Inside MAMA SANATU seems to be in shock.
OLD MAN
MAMA SANATU, tonight I will transfer the wealth of our nation to MA-JAH. He has just created a storage system that can handle it. At first light you will leave with MA-JAH in the direction I tell you. You must not go with any guards. They can smell danger. Trust me, when you leave, you and MA-JAH will be safer alone than with any guards. I will tell you where to go and what to say when you arrive. You will be in good hands. I will go and organize the people now. But remember, after I have transferred the knowledge, you must leave with MA-JAH.
MAMA SANATU
What about his brother?
OLD MAN
We need everyone else here, to keep the memory of the nation alive. This is the only thing we can do at this time. Don’t worry, I will teach them how. This is the only defense at this point. If they are this close at this time, there is little else we can do but find a holy space to keep the memory alive.
(MORE)
OLD MAN (CONTD)
But there is no defense, at this stage of our people, against the spirit-men. Be brave MAMA SANATU. Be brave.
MAMA SANATU
Bah-bah, I am so scared…
MA-JAH
Don’t fear, mother.
OLD MAN
I didn’t hear you come in, MA-JAH.
MA-JAH
I changed the sound of my spirit.
OLD MAN
(Smiling)
You are learning too fast.
MA-JAH
Mother we will be fine. The deities are on our side.
MAMA SANATU
I have no choice but to believe you now.
EXT. MYSTIC RIVER DAY
A river flowing. Singer sings “Azania, where are we flowing to, etc.” We see, from time to time, in the river, scenes of large masses of people moving, or one person, or two people, but the image is of constant motion in Ancient Africa due to war.
EXT. THE VASSAL TOWN DAY
A large courtyard. A regally garbed man is sitting on a high chair. Next to him are two seats upon which the LEADER and his wife, MAMA ZARAYA, the people’s Mother sit. At the entrance to the courtyard sacks of grain are being counted. Bales of cloth. Beans. Salt. It seems to be some sort of trade administration center. The LEADER leans over to MAMA ZARAYA and whispers. The regally garbed man seems to be the important person in the scene. He is busy attending to details of trade administration. He is the ADMINISTRATOR. Soldiers walk up to him and brief him. LEADER leans over to his left to speak with ADMINISTRATOR
LEADER
Sir, I am a bit concerned about this recent increase in allotments to your troops.
ADMINISTRATOR
My friend, these same troops who protect your people, who will feed them? The birds?
LEADER
Sir, all I am saying is that my people should only be responsible for payment to the troops that protect us. These constant increases in allotments are enough to pay for several armies… and even corrupt officials….
ADMINISTRATOR
Look, bah, if you have any serious concerns maybe you would like to take them up with King Aromolarun.
LEADER sighs. Leans back on his seat and watches the goings on. There is a lot of activity. The town has apparently become a bustling trade center. There is some commotion. A young man is being dragged to in front of the seats. He is held up by soldiers.
ADMINISTRATOR
What is this?
SOLDIER 1
This man was caught stealing grain.
ADMINISTRATOR
Is this true?
MAMA ZARAYA
If he was stealing food, it must be because he does not have enough to eat.
ADMINISTRATOR
Maybe he is also ungrateful to His Majesty for protecting his family.
MAMA ZARAYA hisses and turns away. LEADER shifts uncomfortably in his seat.
ADMINISTRATOR
Young man, how do you plead?
PRISONER
Sir… It is not how they say it is…
ADMINISTRATOR
But you did steal grain?
PRISONER
Yes… I mean…
ADMINISTRATOR
Then it is how they say it is. You know that the punishment for theft is death?
LEADER
(Sitting up in shock)
When did this law come into effect?!
ADMINISTRATOR
Oh, I’m sorry I did not inform you. King Aromolarun decreed it two mornings ago. We just got word. Only a royal edict can reverse such a decree depending on the circumstance.
LEADER seems as though he is about to have a heart attack, but there is some slight commotion. A fair-skinned, stunningly beautiful lady enters the courtyard. She is between nineteen and twenty-two years old. She is dressed as a soldier, with a leather mini-skirt, leather sandals, and a leather breast cover with cleavage. But she is not as muscular. She is actually very feminine. People bow to her as she walks up the courtyard. There is a high seat adjacent to the main three. She sits and crosses her legs. All eyes are on her. She extends her right hand and a female soldier steps forward and places a clay pipe in it. She leans forward and lights it, then inhales deeply. She blows smoke into the air, then shakes her head so that her hair moves from side to side. She signals and the female soldier takes the pipe from her.
ADMINISTRATOR
Maybe the-one-who-speaks-with-lions has an opinion on this matter?
ZARAYA
And what did this wretch do?
PRISONER
Zaraya, you have known me since I was a child. We played together in the fields…
ZARAYA
(Turning to Administrator)
If you ask me, I say he should be flogged for insolence. Twenty strokes of the bamboo cane. Right here, right now.
ADMINISTRATOR
(Chuckling)
Well, this does seem to be more merciful than death.
The two soldiers who had brought the man in hold him up. A female soldier steps forward with a thin, long bamboo stick. She begins to flog him. With every stroke he screams in extreme pain. After the first ten strokes few can bear to keep looking, as blood droplets fly in the air. One of them lands on ZARAYA’S lips and she licks them. She seems to be perversely excited by the violence. After twenty strokes, the soldier doing the whipping is breathing heavily. ZARAYA waves her hand to dismiss the man. The soldiers drag him away. MAMA ZARAYA looks away in disgust. LEADER looks at ZARAYA who stares back defiantly at him.
ADMINISTRATOR
As you can see, my kindness knows no bounds. Let it be known in this land that, as a Royal Representative of His Divine Majesty, King Aromolarun the First, I extend my grace and
(MORE)
ADMINISTRATOR (CONTD)
benevolence to the people of this land. This is why we are so loved. Because we are kind and merciful.
ADMINISTRATOR glances at ZARAYA. She looks at him as if in disdain, then stares away. The counting of sacks of grain and trade activity picks up again. In the distance a lion roars. ZARAYA licks her lips again.
EXT. NIGHTTIME IN VASSAL TOWN NIGHT
There are torches everywhere. No one is outside except soldiers. Many are smoking clay pipes and drinking wine. Some of the male soldiers are attempting to fondle the female soldiers. One of the female soldiers happens upon a male soldier in an uncompromising position with a female soldier and appears upset. She brings out her sword and is about to do him in. The female with whom he is engaged pleads for his life. After a while, the aggressive female drags the other by the hand and takes her away. The male soldier is breathing heavily, his sword lying carelessly against a clay wall. ZARAYA appears. She heads into a compound guarded by two male soldiers. They bow. She ignores them. In the compound are many houses, decorated with dyes and paintings and lovely ornaments. She goes to the largest house, again guarded by four male soldiers. They bow and part so that she might pass.
INT. ADMINISTRATOR’S HOUSE NIGHT
Inside the house she goes straight to the master bedroom. A man is sleeping on a clay bed softened with feathers and raffia palms covered with kente-like fabric. She shakes him violently until he awakens. It is the ADMINISTRATOR.
ADMINISTRATOR
What in the hell has gotten into you, woman? Can’t you see I am sleeping?
ZARAYA
(Sits on the bed)
I am bored.
ADMINISTRATOR
And do you think I was made for your pleasure? What has you being bored got to do with me?
ZARAYA
You don’t seem to understand. Life is boring.
ADMINISTRATOR sits up. He reaches for ZARAYA’s breasts and she slaps his hand away. He hisses.
ZARAYA
Is this what you were dreaming of?
ZARAYA undoes her breast cover and shows ADMINISTRATOR her breasts. He gulps and swallows. She reties it.
ZARAYA
If you make my life interesting, then you can have them.
ADMINISTRATOR
Is this a promise?
ZARAYA
(Smiling mischievously)
You have my word.
ADMINISTRATOR
Alright, what do you want?
ZARAYA
The town of Kakanchan.
ADMINISTRATOR
What about it?
ZARAYA
It is outside the kingdom.
ADMINISTRATOR
King Aromolarun has not deemed it necessary to bring it into the family.
ZARAYA
How long are you going to wait before they start threatening the border cities? King Aromolarun has too much to worry about to wonder whether he has annexed Kakanchan. Do you think he even knows how much land he owns? If he did, would you be so rich?
ADMINISTRATOR
(Smiling)
You have a gift of speaking to my soul. What do you have in mind?…
ZARAYA
(Smiling)
well….
EXT. IN THE JUNGLE DAY
ZARAYA is sitting on a rock in the forest. Yards away a lion is watching her. She is smoking a pipe. She seems uninterested by the lion. The lion seems to be trying to get her attention. She ignores it. Eventually it roars, annoyed, then leaves. We notice, now, that yards away, also, is ZARAYA’s mother.
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya…
ZARAYA
(Irritated)
What is it?
MAMA ZARAYA
I have to speak to you.
ZARAYA
Am I holding your tongue?
MAMA ZARAYA shakes her head and walks to her daughter. She sits beside her on the rock and begins to twist her hair. They sit in silence for a while.
MAMA ZARAYA
I don’t know how you came out with straight hair. When you were born, I swear your father wondered if I had been cheating on him.
ZARAYA
Did you?
MAMA ZARAYA
Did I what?
ZARAYA
Cheat on him?
MAMA ZARAYA slaps Zarayah on the shoulder.
MAMA ZARAYA
How dare you!
ZARAYA
Ow! I was just asking a question.
Silence.
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya, you must leave
ZARAYA
Is this right?
MAMA ZARAYA
Your father…
ZARAYA
Let me guess… he is plotting to take back his land from Aromolarun. And I am presumably now one of them.
MAMA ZARAYA
Something like this… I think it will be unsafe for you here…
ZARAYA
Why are you telling me? Don’t you know that I will tell the Regent?
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya, would you choose power over family?
ZARAYA
Mother, do you know how I feel about that man?
MAMA ZARAYA
I do not understand why you hate him so. He is your father!
ZARAYA
You have never understood me. And I doubt you ever will.
(Stands up to leave)
MAMA ZARAYA
Zaraya…
ZARAYA
Mother…
MAMA ZARAYA
Nothing…
EXT. LEADER’S HOUSE NIGHT
Zaraya’s father is being led away by soldiers in the middle of the night. His wife watches as tears stream down her face. In a corner, ADMINISTRATOR is watching. His eye catches MAMA ZARAYA’S and there is nothing but pure hatred in her eyes. He nervously averts his eyes.
EXT. ADMINISTRATOR’S COURTYARD DAY
ADMINISTRATOR is making a speech in the courtyard. It is full of people.
ADMINISTRATOR
…and so, your leader has been chosen to represent you in the parliament of King Aromolarun. He is a great man.
The people applaud happily.
ADMINISTRATOR
And so, in the mean time, I will now be total administrator over this city, with able assistance from your Mother.
MAMA ZARAYA does not bother to look up, sitting on her high chair. The people applaud and cheer.
ADMINISTRATOR
And further good news. King Aromolarun has appointed your favorite daughter, Zaraya, to administer the city of Kakanchan, a job which she begun early this morning. It is a happy day for us all. To celebrate, every citizen will be given a sack of grain for no charge at all!
The people cheer. The people cheer heartily. The soldiers begin handing out sacks of grain. Close-up on MAMA ZARAYA. There are tears in her eyes. The people start singing a song. As they sing, camera pans wide and top. Massive columns of troops on horse-back, led by a fair-skinned lady, are converging on a city. They are met at the outskirts by a group of old men bearing gifts. The lady accepts the gifts and then the soldiers march, unhindered, into the city.
EXT. KING AROMOLARUN’S PALACE DAY
A large courtyard. A row of dogs lines each side of a red carpet with Persian designs. The dogs are dressed in human clothes, seemingly, with gold bells around their necks. A large, black dog stands menacingly next to a throne upon which a tiny man sits with a walking stick. The man is also wearing a fez cap and a lovely, blue robe. Standing behind his chair is a row of six soldiers, dressed impressively. A MIDGET wearing something like an agbada is addressing the man, KING Aromolarun. At the other end of the red carpet is an entourage. Their heads are bowed and they do not look up at the KING.
MIDGET
In conclusion, Your Majesty, the Mumo-kpolo-kpolo family would urge you to consider their gift of their eldest daughter as a gesture of sincere appreciation for your benevolence. The light of the deities have clearly shone upon His Majesty, and his wisdom knows no bounds.
KING, with a scowl on his face, nods and rubs his dog’s head. The midget beckons a young lady with the entourage and she steps forward. KING twirls his hand, signaling that she be turned around so that he can inspect her. A soldier steps forward and turns the lady around. KING inspects her, then nods.
MIDGET
(To the entourage)
His Majesty graciously accepts your gift. You are dismissed.
The members of the entourage touch the ground with their heads then are led out of the courtyard.
MIDGET
And now, a final bit of business for the day, Your Excellency. Please accept to grant audience to Bu-lulu,
(MORE)
MIDGET(CONTD)
emissary of Her Excellency, Zaraya, administrator of His Majesty’s principalities of Kakancha and Kukawa.
A tall, skinny lady with pronounced cheekbones, wrapped in a translucent orange robe, adorned beautifully with ivory and brass, steps into the courtyard. She bows, then gets on her knees and sits in that position. The MIDGET, not even taller than the lady in that position, goes to her side in order to translate, apparently. KING’S face remains a scowl. MIDGET leans to listen to the kneeling lady, leans back, leans forward again to clarify, then nervously translates.
MIDGET
Er… Her Excellency, Zaraya, while grateful for the weekly salary increases that administrators in the Bah-ntu-tu belt receive, salary increases that allow the vastness of His Majesty’s business acumen to be witnessed and praised by content and well-fed citizens, as exemplified by Bah Nkozi’s vast granaries…
MIDGET pauses, as though unsure. He leans towards the lady and whispers. She speaks and he listens, he leans back, leans forward and clarifies, then clears his throat nervously.
MIDGET
Her Excellency… er… er… suggests strongly that His Majesty consider the implications of such ostentatious displays of affluence by the military administrators in the midst of restlessness of troops close to but not within the border principalities.
KING is sitting forward now. He seems stunned. He signals and a soldier comes to his side. He whispers to the soldier who leaves, returning shortly with a man dressed regally, with a dog by his side wearing lovely clothes. This man is KING’S eldest SON.
KING
(To SON)
Who is Zaraya and where is Kakancha and Kukawa?
SON
Father, I have never heard of Zaraya. And we do not own Kakancha and Kukawa.
KING almost seems as if he is about to have a heart attack.
SON
(To midget)
Ask her when we conquered Kakancha and Kukawa.
MIDGET leans and whispers to the lady, leans back, clarifies, then clears his throat nervously.
MIDGET
Based upon the discretion of the ever-increasingly powerful Military Administrator, Bah Nkozi, who now controls twelve principalities, whose wealth is rumored, amongst the troops, to be secure enough to guarantee the sorts of allotments that most principalities can only dream of, Her Excellency was given dominion over the principalities of Kakancha and Kukawa. But, having heard of His Majesty’s boundless wisdom, Her Excellency has considered it nothing but dutiful to brief His Majesty on the state of affairs.
KING leans back on his chair. A wry smile replaces his scowl.
KING
(To midget)
Ask what Zaraya wants.
MIDGET leans to the woman speaks, listens, leans back, clarifies, then clears his throat very nervously.
MIDGET
Er… er… Her Excellency, Zaraya, the-one-who-speaks-with-lions, is urging His Majesty to consider delaying the impending conquest of the three principalities that currently are the unadministered borderlands between our great people and the lands of those who have not heard the name of the King. To this end, Her Excellency has only mobilized one-hundred divisions of cavalry led troops, paid for with the gracious allotments of Bah Nkozi, ever loyal to the desires of His Majesty, in order to stabilize the western borders of the empire. Should His Majesty give the word, Her Excellency is prepared to clarify, for all neighboring empires, the wishes of His Majesty to preclude any pushes for his properties and lands.
KING signals to his son and whispers to him. Then KING speaks, during which everyone kneels down and bows to the ground, except the lady who represents Zaraya.
KING
Tell Zaraya that I have listened carefully to what she has said and that I have heard what she has said. Tell Zaraya that she should hold off on the… clarification until she receives word from me. Tell Zaraya that I have taken note of the state of business affairs and that such matters as the weekly salary increases for provincial administrators and the allotments to troops should continue without hint of interruption. Tell Zaraya that it is
important that there is no hint of disruption… no hint…
The young lady bows. Everyone stands up.
KING leans forward to speak again and everyone kneels again and bows.
KING
(To lady)
And you, you will be my guest for a few days.
The young lady, bows, touching her heart with her palm, then, ever-so-slightly, squeezes her left breast. KING’S eyebrow rises. Everyone stands up again. KING signals that business is concluded. MIDGET signals and two soldiers lead the young lady out of the courtyard.
KING
(Muttering to himself)
Zaraya… who speaks with lions…. Hmmm!
EXT. ZARAYA’S DEN DAY
It is an open patch of golden sand. As though it was a gate, a row of trees borders the large patch. A lion lazes quietly in front of the trees. SON from the previous scene is standing, watching the lion nervously. Twelve soldiers are on each of his sides, on horseback, also nervous. The lion roars, lying in front of the trees.
SON
So she really speaks with lions? Imagine such a thing!
After a minute SON raises his hand, signaling his troops to remain. Hand ready to draw his sword, he walks towards the trees guarded by the lion. The lion ignores him. He walks through the trees and emerges in the patch of golden sand. A colorful snake slithers past, into the surrounding bushes. Seated on a very high throne is Zaraya. She seems surreal. There are coal stripes around her eyes and red dyes on her cheeks. She is breathtakingly beautiful but also hellish looking in a sort of way. She is in the process of blowing smoke out of her nose and mouth. There are no soldiers around.
ZARAYA
You are the son of Aromolarun, are you not?
SON
And you are Zaraya.
ZARAYA
How did you find me?
SON
It was not easy. Even your people are beginning to think you are a myth. But Bu-lulu was gracious enough to give us directions.
ZARAYA
I see.
SON
Do… do you really live out here… in the wilderness?
ZARAYA
You may believe what you wish.
SON
You are the stuff of legend, Zaraya. But now we must conduct business.
ZARAYA
Tell me what name your mother gave you when you were born.
SON
I am Ju-jarawa.
ZARAYA
I will call you Jinja—the one who fears not the lion.
SON
So it will be, Her Excellency… now to business.
ZARAYA
Jinja, what business do I have with the King who leaves his seat of power in order to speak with a mere administrator.
SON
You speak in riddles.
ZARAYA
Jinja, you will find, when you return, that your father is ill. He will die soon. This is the affliction that befalls all foolish enough to fall under Bu-lulu’s spell. What will you do with your kingdom, Jinja, when your father’s enemies realize that he is dead?
SON
(sits down dejectedly)
Zaraya…
ZARAYA
Jinja, you will order your soldiers to return to the city and you will stay with me tonight here in the wilderness. We will sit around a fire and drink wine and we will discuss many things. I have many opinions that are worth your time, not the least of which involves the military administrators who will seek to tear this kingdom apart the moment there is word of your father’s death. Jinja, who fears not a lion, your bravery has saved your life… and your land.
SON
(shakes head)
Zaraya
ZARAYA takes a pull from her clay pipe and exhales more smoke from her nose and mouth. The lion roars menacingly and SON looks back. The lion is standing and appears to be considering attacking SON’S troops. SON goes back through the trees. He orders his troops to go back to the city and to return for him the same time the next day. The lion sits down and SON returns to the patch of golden sand. There are two women near where he was sitting. They have just started a fire. Then they go into the bushes and return with a creature that has been killed. ZARAYA watches them. They soon set up the meal and soon there are women warriors everywhere, bringing spices and wine. They are fierce. SON watches it all, seemingly amused, but from time to time he seems dejected. Close-up on ZARAYA’S face. She seems to no longer “be in the house.”
EXT. LAND OF THE SPIRIT MEN DAY
A man, TRAVELING MYSTIC (TM) with a khaki top over khaki trousers, both lined with gold stripes, walks briskly with his hands behind his back. He seems lost in thought. He is followed, half-running, by a mighty MUSCULAR MAN (MM) armed with a club. They are walking through a savannah grassland. Birds fly overhead, behind them is a forest they must have just emerged from.
MM
Alaiye…
TM
Egbon…
MM
Do you never get tired?
TM
For one as single-minded as I, being tired is a luxury I can scarcely afford.
MM
Egbon, if we sit down and rest now, then we will not have to rest later.
TM
You are a man of great reasoning, I see. Because you have impressed me in this regard, we will sit underneath this palm tree and rest a while.
They sit underneath a palm tree. MM pants and seems grateful for the occasion of rest.
MM
Egbon…
TM
Alaiye…
MM
Are you not tired of me asking you so many questions?
TM
Like I told you once in history, for one as single-minded as I, getting tired is a luxury I cannot afford.
MM
But you look like you can afford many things, judging by your clothes. You must be a rich man. Why do you travel this dangerous world without an entourage?
TM
I carry my wealth in my head. If the dangerous ones can find a way to steal that, then they deserve it.
MM
How can you carry wealth in your head?
TM
Do you want me to show you?
MM
Will my head become heavy?
TM
If you have carried this same big head all your life, should it matter?
MM
I guess not… But…
TM
Yes?
MM
What will happen to me once I have wealth in my head?
TM
You will know what the kings of the earth know.
MM
Wow. I would like that very much.
TM
You have the curiosity of a child. I am sure no king will oppose my giving you wealth.
MM
These kings… are these the invisible people you have been muttering to all this time?
TM
They are not invisible.
MM
But I do not see them.
TM
This is because you do not see the truth.
MM
And you do?
TM
Yes.
MM
(Holds up three
fingers in front
of TM’s eyes)
OK, how many fingers am I holding up?
TM
Five
MM
I Knew it! I have been suspecting that you are blind, but I could not understand it. How is it that you know what is happening around you?
TM
(Smiling)
Do you want to see what I see?
MM
Will I become blind like you?
TM
This is the hope. If you are diligent.
MM
I don’t know… what if I need to see what is happening around me?
TM
Like, if you need to know how many fingers are being held up?
MM
You said five
TM
How many were you holding up?
MM
Three.
TM
Your appreciation of truth is faulty. But this will be remedied.
MM
How?
TM
There are seven steps to the land where the kings live, the kings who can see the truth.
MM
Someone said that the gods and kings live in heaven.
TM
Orun. The seventh heaven. You are correct.
MM
Is this where you see?
TM
Yes.
MM
How?
TM
Well, first I should inform you, as a matter of business, that I have been given permission by the kings to create earth.
MM
Alaiye, maybe your blindness has affected your reasoning, but there is earth all around us.
TM
This is an illusion, Orun-imi.
MM
Why do you call me that?
TM
Because you will be the first disciple of the seventh heaven.
MM
Aha.
TM
And we will create a world for you.
MM
In my head?
TM
Where else does reality exist?
MM
You are a strange man, Alaiye.
TM
Tell me, can you divide a circle?
MM
Of course!
TM
Into how many parts?
MM draws circle, then lines through it.
MM
Eight.
TM
Are you sure?
MM
Wait. I prefer sixteen.
TM
Why?
MM
Em… it is not reasonable… I cannot explain.
TM
And you should not, in case mortals are listening. Now, draw sixteen concentric circles, then divide them through the center into sixteen parts.
MM
But I thought you said there were only seven heavens. If I draw sixteen concentric circles does that not equate to sixteen heavens?
TM
You are wiser than I thought. In time you will understand.
MM draws sixteen concentric circles then divides them into sixteen.
TM
Every compartment of these is identified by the circle that bounds it and the line number. Choose one of these compartments.
MM
Any one?
TM
Yes.
MM
I have chosen.
TM
(Smiling)
Orun-imi, it seems to me that you will not exhibit fear in three minutes.
MM
But I am not exhibiting fear now.
TM
This is true.
MM
Some king you are. I could have predicted that without sixteen circles and lines.
TM
I would be surprised. Orun-imi, I am about to teach you lesson one. Store it in this compartment.
MM
In the third circle?
TM
As you wish. Lesson one is about animals. Organized animal systems thrive by eliminating all threats to their species and by dominating their environment in order to secure resources. The most astute of these have effective means by which they perpetuate their type. Of these, the ones you should now be concerned about are those that instinctively know all threats and are programmed to eliminate them. They do not feel threatened by members of their own type. This sort of intelligence is rare in animals, but to be understood. If you ever come across this species of animals, you must behave as though you do not see them, as if they do not exist and represent no threat to you, and thus you represent no threat to them… or if you do, you must act like one of them as closely as possible.
MM
Alaiye, are you an animal trainer… Alaiye! Alaiye!
TM
What is it, Orunmila?
MM
Do you see what I see?
TM
The chances of this are slim. I am looking elsewhere at this time.
MM stands up, his heart heaving up and down. He is about to reach for his club.
TM
(Sternly)
Remember lesson one!
MM stops. Then stands, nervously. We now see what he sees. A pitch-black soldier, wielding a five-foot sword, is walking in pseudo-slow motion, sniffing the air from time to time. He is about seven feet tall and is elegant in a scary sort of way. He walks towards the two men, sniffing the air. He does not notice TM but he stops directly in front of MM and looks at him. MM does nothing, his breathing still. The soldier sniffs the air, then walks on and away.
TM
(smiling)
Impressive. You controlled your fear. Could you have predicted this three minutes ago?
MM
Alaiye, who are you? Is that what I think it was?
TM
This is to say, a spirit-man?
MM
Alaiye, where are we?
TM
I am in the stars. You have just made it to the third heaven. I was going to teach you lesson two tomorrow, alas I see you will have to learn it now.
MM
Alaiye, Will I exhibit fear in three minutes?
TM
No.
MM
I am not comfortable with this prophesy.
TM
The kings of the earth are masters of will. They know they will not die and they are only proven wrong once. And even then, the astute ones evade mortality. You must assure yourself, at this very moment, that it is not your destiny to die. Once you have done this, you must assure yourself that because you are wise, you are a caretaker of the garden of this world. You must, thus, act with the requisite authority. If you falter, if you doubt, those with stronger wills will kill you. Soon you will understand the authority you wield as a child of the Most High. (Stands up). We must leave now.
TM starts walking briskly and MM follows. He does not carry his club. They walk for a few minutes and soon they begin to pass by spirit-men, these tall, elegant, pitch-black soldiers programmed to eliminate all threats. Life slowly begins to spring up as women are seen carrying great vases of water, babies wrapped around their backs. Young kids are around. This is the life of any other land, except that it is a climate of total caution. There is no playing, no laughter, no undue action. Everyone seems to be completely hypnotized. The spirit-men seem to be supervising the situation, not directly, but by their presence. They sniff the air, they do not speak, and they all seem to be searching for something. TM and MM walk through them until they get to the outskirts of a city. TM’s hands are behind his back. He stops for a second and seems to look at the city, inhaling deeply. Then he marches forward and MM follows. They arrive at the city center and everything is in perfect order. There is no singularity, no one walking alone who is not a spirit-man. Everyone is engaged in some activity or the other. There is no laughing, no noise, no talking. Things are silent except for the sounds of work. TM heads into the heart of the city followed by MM until he arrives at a large walled compound. He steps past two spirit-men into the compound. On a high chair sits a TURBANED MAN, pitch-black, his eyes glowing. He seems not to notice them. He seems to be lost in thought. He does not move at all. Standing next to him, with his hands behind his back, is a man in a khaki robe, KHAKI MAN, not dissimilar to the one TM is wearing, but it does not have gold stripes.
TM
I have journeyed from afar and yet I have ended up in the place I started. What does this all mean?
KHAKI MAN
Can I help you in some way, sir?
TM
(looking around)
We will have to make arrangements for my accommodation. I am unappeased by the aesthetics so far.
KHAKI MAN
You sound familiar, have we met before?
TM
If you should be humble enough to speak to me directly then I will not have to kill with the gold sword that I have underneath my tunic.
KHAKI MAN
A gold sword is the preserve of only one. You wish to tell me you are the one?
In a swift motion TM draws a gold sword out from underneath his Khaki and plunges it into the neck of TURBANED MAN He pulls it out and wipes the blades on the khaki of KHAKI MAN.
CUT TO:
A darkened room with the man with canine necklace. He looks up as if something has just caught his attention. RETURN:
TM turns to a shocked MM.
TM
(To MM)
He was being rude.
TM steps to KHAKI MAN and leans towards him.
TM
(Whispering to
KHAKI MAN)
I am the material expression of the divine will.
CUT TO:
Two kids are in a room, their voices echo:
“Oro-Bah ni Bah-bah to bi mi.”
RETURN:
KHAKI MAN gasps and seems to have awoken from a dream. TM indicates, with his index finger, that he should keep quiet. None of the spirit-men seems to know what is happening. TM leans forward to KHAKI MAN and speaks.
TM
You will awaken only the warriors. You will instruct them to maintain the status quo until destiny calls on them. They will know… you will know when to do this thing.
TM
(loudly)
Hey! You!
One of the spirit-men turns to him.
TM
Ensure that my accommodations and that of Araba Orunmila are taken care of, and quickly.
The spirit-man says nothing, turns around and leaves. Soon we see a group of spirit-men setting up accommodations fit for a king. Back to the courtyard.
TM
I will need specific ingredients for my evening bath.
KHAKI MAN
(Bowing slightly, a
tear running down his
face)
As you wish, Your Majesty.
EXT. ZARAYA’S DEN DAY
Zaraya is sitting on her throne in the patch of golden sand. Suddenly there is a loud and pained roar. She is startled. Bu-lulu, who is standing by her side, draws her sword and walks towards the trees. She emerges on the other side to see that the lion has been slain. The one who slew the lion is a tall, pitch-black man, about six-nine. He does not seem to notice Bu-lulu. He is surveying the environment, sniffing the air. Bu-lulu seems rooted in shock. The man walks by her, in slow-motion like movement and giant strides and through the trees. Bu-lulu just stands there in shock. Zaraya gasps when he emerges on her side. He walks towards her, and sniffs the air, watches her for a long time. She gulps but does nothing. She makes no move. He turns away and walks towards the bushes, surveying the environment as if searching for defects. He soon enters the bushes and is gone. A deathly scream is heard in the bushes and Zaraya is startled again. She gets off her throne and blows a horn. Within a minute several soldiers arrive. She speaks to them urgently and they head into the bush. She follows. There is some commotion. Soon she arrives where the commotion is. Of the twelve soldiers that went in after the spirit-man, only one of them is alive. He is breathing heavily, with a deep gash across his chest. But the spirit-man is lying dead on the floor next to him. Zaraya stares seemingly confused. Bu-lulu shows up. Her face is ashen. They look at each other, and then they head out of the bushes with purpose. Soon they are walking, swords drawn, with a few warriors, male and female, behind them, some on horseback. They get to the outskirts of the city and they see a spirit-man standing by a tree. Zaraya draws her sword and walks to him. He seems not to notice as she approaches, and then, in a remarkable motion, lunges at her with the tip of his sword. She moves back just in time and they stare at each other. The spirit-man then ignores her, as if he does not want to be bothered as he surveys the palm tree. Zaraya steps backwards until she is with her group again. Suddenly, a caramel-skinned man, TRAVELING MYSTIC, wearing a lovely khaki robe with gold stripes, with his hands behind his back, accompanied by a svelte and somewhat distinguished looking MUSCULAR MAN in a white holy-man’s tunic, appear. They are engaged in deep and apparently philosophical conversation. They walk past Zaraya and her entourage, who are watching them, baffled and continue talking. By now the clouds have darkened, as if it is going to rain.
ZARAYA
Hey! Who are you and what do you want on my land?
TM
(Turning around)
I am unappeased by the aesthetics of this place. I will be sure to recommend changes shortly.
ZARAYA
What did you say?
TM
Your aesthetics do not do you justice. One as beautiful as yourself ought to be as intelligent as she is beautiful. Alas, your uncouth tongue and your poisonous attitude are only reflected
(MORE)
TM (CONTD)
in this incoherent expression of your administration. Rest assured that this will be remedied shortly.
A few spirit-men appear and approach TM. He points instructions to them and they disperse, sniffing the environment as they move and observing leaves and trees.
ZARAYA
Who… What… What is your name?
TM
(Turns around)
Your people will call me “Your Majesty.” But you may call me Shango.
A thunderclap streaks across the clouds and the darkness is illuminated by a terrific flash of lightning. Soon rain begins to fall and TM and MM continue their tour of this new property of theirs. Zaraya stands with her entourage, completely devoid of any sense of understanding. TM and MM, hands behind their backs, gesticulating from time to time, disappear in the distance.
EXT. MYSTIC RIVER DAY
Again we see the river flowing. But this time, instead of upheaval, we see construction, farming and stability scenes from time to time.
EXT SHANGO’S DOMINION DAY
Drumming. It is complex and beautiful. It is coming from every direction. People are running in pairs. Soon we see the pattern. The runners hear a specific drum, a different sound in sixteen directions, and then run to relay a message to another pair a mile away, until the message arrives at a central walled compound with lovely art etched into it. Sixteen priests listen to the messages and from time to time converse with each other. Sometimes three converse. Sometimes four. And then, at sunset, eight converse. And then sixteen. And then the sixteen choose a leader, who walks into an inner chamber and speaks to a man we see to be Orunmila, MM, sitting cross-legged in a trance. He is given the word and he nods.
We are taken through the town. It is highly organized. It is efficient. The drums sound everywhere. Children walk in white robes, hypnotized it seems, by the order around them. Husbands walk in front of a row of their wives, in perfect step. People greet each other by bowing and clasping their hands together. Soon we see Shango walking through town, he seems to be muttering to himself. Soon we realize he is speaking to “invisible people.” A young lad runs up to him, very unusual, breaking the order of things, and holds his trousers and smiles. A faint image of Bah Oduduwa (OLD MAN) with a host of kings and pharaohs appears around the boy. Shango says something to these men then leads the boy with him to the central compound. He takes him to meet Orunmila
SHANGO
A new universe is born. I trust that you can create earth.
ORUNMILA
The priests informed me earlier this evening.
SHANGO
Then it is set. We do not have much time.
A lady walks into the chambers. She is stunningly beautiful and dressed in lovely regal Yoruba garmentry. It is Zaraya.
ZARAYA
(To Shango)
I wish to have your baby.
SHANGO
Can this matter not wait?
ZARAYA
What is more important?
Shango inhales then exhales.
SHANGO
Will you kill me in the process?
ZARAYA
Maybe.
SHANGO
Orunmila what do you think?
ORUNMILA
I am elsewhere at this time, Your Majesty. Please ask me my opinion another day.
SHANGO
As you can see, Zaraya, my Araba has no opinion on this matter. But because I am fair, I will stroll with you through the city and tell you stories.
ZARAYA
(Smiling warmly)
I would love that very much, Your Eminence.
SHANGO
Orunmila, we have the required number of disciples. Please see to it that Zaraya’s boyfriend is fully privy to the fact that we have fallen in love.
He should be sure to amass a large army to attack us shortly. By this time, perhaps Zaraya would have killed me. If she has not, then perhaps she would have had my child. Either way, destiny is on its way to being fulfilled.
ORUNMILA
Your Majesty, in your walk with this witch, you will not exhibit fear in three minutes.
SHANGO
I am not comfortable with this prophesy.
ZARAYA
I love you too, Araba Orunmila.
ORUNMILA
Please go away, dear Queen, and only return to this room when two great armies clash on this land.
ZARAYA
If this is your wish, Fari.
SHANGO
Shall we?
ZARAYA
We shall.
CUT TO:
Canine-teeth necklace man is being mounted upon a horse. His army is ready to move. CUT to another location. King Aromolarun the Younger is listening to the midget. CUT to another location, Shango’s brother, KHAKI MAN, is walking through his city, whispering into the ears of male non-spirit-men. They awaken and then he uses his index finger to tell them to be quiet. They nod. CUT to the skies. The image of Oduduwa (OLD MAN) and many kings and pharaohs appears, barely. Thunder streaks across the skies.
INT. THE SEVENTH SON DAY
Darkness.
Female Voice
On the day that Olodumare granted us victory over the evil forces, your father stood on the mountain and controlled the elements.
We see Shango, in a rainstorm, with a mighty staff, his two hands in the air, his gold sword swinging loosely from his trousers. There is thunder and lightning and he is chanting incantations and stepping as though dancing and the wind is blowing mightily. We hear noise of battle but we do not see what is happening. Perhaps brief flashes of swords, screams, blood, etc., in the rain.
FEMALE VOICE
And so the spirit men came from the east and clashed with King Aromolarun the Younger’s advancing armies in the vast plains by the principalities of Kakancha and Kukawa.
Scenes of fighting flash, wind, swords, blood. Back to Shango on the mountaintop.
FEMALE VOICE
Shango called on the power of Olodumare that day and all the earth knew that Olodumare was King.
YOUNG BOY’S VOICE
But how about the king of the spirit-men?
We see Zaraya walking through a deserted city. Intermittently we see Shango controlling armies from the mountaintop. Back to Zaraya. She is pregnant and wielding a sword. She walks to Orunmila’s office. Suddenly, canine-teeth man emerges. Zaraya seems frozen in shock. Canine-teeth man approaches her, she seems under his spell. She closes her eyes, as if in ecstasy. She is dancing to the congas… well, not dancing, but being moved. But just as canine-teeth man gets to her, her father’s image appears. She opens her eyes wide and then plunges the sword into canine-teeth man, who seems confused. Then she pulls it out and plunges it again and again until he crumbles.
FEMALE VOICE
He was sent back to hell.
YOUNG BOY’S VOICE
And what about Alaafin Shango and Fari Araba Orunmila?
Darkness. Orunmila is seen in a trance, in the same office where ZARAYA has just slain the king of the spirit-men. Shango is seen as the winds and rains stop. He is exhausted and is leaning against a tree. There is no sound. Shango looks beat. Orunmila does not look alive or dead. Zaraya is weeping, stumbling out of the office, her mother is standing watching her. She drops the bloodied sword and stumbles into her mother’s hug. Darkness.
FEMALE VOICE
When it was ascertained that you, Oduduwa’s seventh son had been saved, they ascended to heaven…
Shango is seen walking with Oduduwa and Orunmila, in a bare, glowing world… they all have their hands behind their backs, discussing things, gesticulating from time to time.
END
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment