MYSTERIOUS TWINS (1)Okechukwu is sitting down, Chijekwu appears and laughs at him, he startled and runs away. (2)As he runs into the compound, he still appears laughing at him,“You cannot run away from meLet me be, leave me alone You must come with me. That is the agreement” I will not die (He runs away again. He continues laughing).

(3) At school as the students are studying, he appears again. He scampers and screams and runs away. The students are frightened and they run away.

(4) At home, he runs into the compound, the parents are ready to go out. They see him in his fury and inquire. As he tries to explain, he sees him again and screams and runs into the house. They fearfully run with him. (5)At the church as he is sweeping the compound, he appears again. “You must die. You must not leave, you are a betrayer”. (He screams and falls on the ground hysterically. He stand to run as the Rev. Father enters and asks him. He points him running away. The Rev. could not see anything. He bigns to chant the Holy Rosary).

(6)At home the parents inquire from him. You said you cannot tell us what you see that makes you scream and run.Mama, I cannot say it, I don’t just know. It just happens.Father – is anybody pursuing you? I can’t really tell, I just don’t know.

(7) The parents sit with the Rev. and him Mother – Father, I’m tired of this situation? Is God not seeing me. Doesn’t he have mercy on me to help me? Rev. – Madam, have faith in the Lord, he will deliver him in his time.Mother – Until when father, until when? Father – father, the whole thing is mysterious to me. I don’t understand this. Mother – Oh, my enemy since the birth of this child, it has been this torment. Rev. – it is aright madam, let God have His way in this situation (to Okechukwu) okay, what is it you see that makes you scream and run?

Okechukwu – I---I--- (He appears again. He sees him and screams and runs away. The parents became afraid and run too. Rev. hurries to the altar and prays).

(8) In his father’s computer office, he is working when he appears. He screams and runs away. The clients and clerk become nervous and run away.

(9A) At school, he is alone under a tree and gloomy. He seems carried away.

(10A) Rev. is sitting in the church reading his Bible. He startles as if he wakes from a trance and runs to the altar praying.

(9B) He stands and sleep walk out of the school premises.

(11A) At the front gate as he crosses the road, a car speeds towards him. He appears. Ill him. He must not survive it. (10B) + (11B) The car screeches to a stop in his front. He screams seeing the car, looking sideway, he see Chijekwu. He screams in panic and faints. The driver runs out and carries him to the hospital in his car.

(10B) Rev. – Whatever they have planned, let it be scattered with the blood of Jesus Christ.

(10C)He concludes his prayer and walks out.

(12)The car brings him to the hospital and the nurses take him to a ward.

(13) The parents hysterically rush into the hospital. A nurse attend to them and take them to the ward.

(14) They see him in the ward. The mother crying nervously. Madam, he doesn’t need the stress for now. His condition is still unstable. Father – Take us to the doctor. Better I can do that. Let’s go (they leave)

(15) Father – Doctor, what is the condition of my only son? Doctor – Sir, his aliment has eluded all medical test. There is no defined illness detected for now. But why he is unconscious is what we still don’t know.. Mother – So my son will die Doctor – We haven’t said so, we are still carrying out lots of test on him. Undoubtedly, we might get a clue. Father – Doctor, do anything to save my son. I will pay any amount. Doctor – Sir, we will try our best.

(16) The mother cries to the Rev.

(17A) He appears to him laughing at him in the hospital. He screams and scampers up.

(18) The nurses hear him scream. They hurry in.

(17B) He is panting furiously as they run in and enquire. He points at the wall but they could see nothing.

(18C) They explain to the doctor as he keeps screaming in panic and pointing at the wall at vain.

(19) The doctor sits with the parents Doctor – Sir, we have really tried all we could to no avail. The worst of all is that we have not found anything in the test carried out on him. Father – Dr. I can’t get you, what are you implying? Doctor – I am of a certainty that this is a spiritual problem and you have to fight this spiritually. It is beyond medical approach. Mother – (Cries) so my enemies have gotten me. Out nwa ji isi ugbo. Father – It is okay, MargaretDoctor – Take it easy madam, it shall be well.

(20) Father comes to see him at the hospital. Rev. – How is he today? Mother – (Crying) Father, he is not getting any better. My son is dying seriously. Rev. – What did the Doctor say? Father – He said that this is beyond medical approach. That we should rater follow it spiritually.

Rev. – (waving his hands) praise the Lord. This is to give him glory. May his grace see of through this battle.

(21A) Rev. is praying at the altar, he goes into trance.

(FLASH BACK) (1)

(1) Chijekwu is running furiously after Okechukwu with a machete You must die. You are an ingrate, you deserve to die Please, don’t kill me. Don’t kill meYou must die. You must die (pans with effect)

(2A) Okechukwu is on a tree nervous while Chijekwu is still raving with the machete.Why do you want to kill me. We have come a long way.You betrayed me. You deceived me and broke the promises we made.I am sorry, I saw a more pleasurable and palatable life. And you deceived me for it. You must die (He begins to cut the tree) Please let me live. (He begins to cry) you deceived me (He stops and look up at him) I trusted you.

(A) Okechukwu and Chijekwu are playing lovely on the road.

(B) They are ploying a portion of farmland.

(C)Mama – Chijekwu, where are you? Chi – I am here, mama Mama – Come o… (He comes to her) have you eaten? Chi – NO, I am waiting for Okechukwu to come back. Mama – But he is delaying (Okechukwu enters) Chi – Oh here he comes Oke – I hope all is fine Mama – your food is getting cold. Oke – (smiling) we can eat now. Let’s go. (D) The mother is advising them against any separation.

(E) They are playing and hunting.

(F)

As they are swimming in a river, a white cock falls in the river. Chi – (Startles) Oke, see this Oke – (looking back) what? Both – A white cock Oke – What does it mean? Chi – It must mean something. Let’s go home. This is mysterious. Oke – No, let’s take it home for interpretation. Chi – (Stunned) What? You don’t mean it. Oke – I mean it.

(G) At home they enter with it. Mama – Did you kill Ogazi? But this is not Ogazi.Oke – Yes, we saw it as we were bathing in the river.Chi – Mama, he said we should bring it back. Oke – Mama, it fell into the river like someone threw it at us but we saw nobody. But my spirit told me that there is more to it. Mama – It must be a sign for something. We will go to Ogbuoja to tell us more to this.

(H) They are sitting indifferently under a tree (The same tree Chijekwu is cutting. Oke – Shall we go? Chi – Go where? Oke – Ogbuoja said she has found favour with our goddess. Anyone who goes would receive bountiful favour in that world. Chi – It is not possible to go.

(I) Mama – So you have finally made up your mind to go, to leave me. Chi – Mama, we are only going for a mission. We are not going to stay too long. Oke – Yes mama, we have a plan. We will come back very soon. Mama – (Sobbing) so you are leaving me all alone in this place. No one to talk to (They console her). Oke – it’s okay mama, just be fine for us. Chi – Mama, promise us you will be fine.

(J) As they are set to go. Mama – And finally…Chi – mama don’t start again. We will soon be back. Oke – Mama we will not stay too long. Mama – Always remember me. Oke – We will mama. We shall not forget you, (They embrace and depart).

(2B) Chi – Why? Oke – (now weeping) I’m sorry… please forgive me, I’m sorry.

(21B) The Rev. startles up. Rev. – Jesus Christ, this is mysterious. It’s a spiritual affair. God interprete this to me (He hurries out).

(22) He enters his car and drives out.

(23) In their compound, Margaret is ready to go to the hospital Mother – father, this one you visited, I hope all is fine. Rev. – Mama Okechukwu, the Lord has given me a revelation about your son’s ailment.Mother – (Curious) What is it? Rev. – He has a spiritual relationship with a boy who looks exactly like him. I saw him chasing him with a machete seeking to kill him. Mother – God forbid. Rev. – This is a spiritual warfare. The Lord will still make a more and clearer revelation if we observe a fasting and prayer session. Where is your husband. Mother – he is at the hospital (The phone rings. She picks the call) Hello

(After listening, she begins to wail) My God O… I’m finished O… my enemies have succeeded O…

Rev. – (Curious) What is it mama Okechukwu? (He takes the phone from her) Hello, Rev. Father Echeganwa on the line. Oh papa Okechukwu… Jesus Christ … hold on, I’m on my way (To Margaret) mama Okechukwu, it is okay, get into the car and let’s go to the hospital and see things for ourselves. (He helps her into the car and they drive off).

(24) In the ward, he is pacing about the room. She hurries to Okechukwu. Mother – How is my son (weeping and shaking) Rev. – How is he? What did the doctor say? Father – The doctor confirmed him dead. But the mystery behind his slow thumping of the heart is still beyond his knowledge. (Margaret begins to wail. He holds her). Rev. – What the doctor says does not matter but what God says. (He begins to pray). Mother – So this is what Aguji has done to me (They are stunned) he promised to give me children that would last for me. But instead he gave me one that is putting me into sorrow and misery. Father – Margaret! What are you saying?

Mother – (Nodding her head) I should have known ( pans with effect).

(1) Margaret and her husband are having fairplay over their dinner

(2) She is sobbing in the living room. He enters from work. Father – (dropping his brief case) Margaret, why are you crying? Is anything the matter? Mother – (still weeping) Am I getting younger? Just look at me, all the women I married before are mothers. Some are even grand mothers. Yet, I don’t have a child of my own. Not even miscarriage. Father – (heaves a weary sigh) Margaret, I understand how you feel. I’m not getting any younger too. I don’t even have an heir to my empire Mother – God why are you doing this to me? Why?... Why…? Father – (consoling her) put yourself together, Margaret. God will still make a name for himself. Let us hope in him.

(3) In the night, Margaret is sitting up in thought he losses on the bed, yawns and suddenly opens his eyes and seeing Margaret thinking. Father – (sitting up) What is it again, Margaret? Why are you not sleeping. Mother – How can I sleep when there are no babies to warm my home? How sound can my sleep be with no joy of motherhood in my heart.? Father – (Willers) I have told you to stop thinking about this. You are building much on this. Let’s leave God to make a name for himself. He will remember us. Mother – Until when will he remember us? Until when? (holding him) I’m pleading that we adopt a child. Please let me have companions in this home. It is boring all alone. Father – Margaret! Father – You will bear me children from your womb. We are not adopting any child. I still have hope in the Lord (holding her into his arms) come on, let God make a name for himself in this. Let’s go back to bed.

(4) He is in his office gloomy over his files in though.

(5) Father, this one you are so delighted, what is going on? Mike – Orji, you don’t know how my heart gladdens today. I am a happy man today. Father – What is it? Let me share in your happiness. Mike - John, my son has been admitted into Nigerian bar association. Father – finally, I’m so happy for you. Mike – I’m so happy. I’m happy I made that boy. He has made me proud. You will not know what it takes to be a father.

Father – (shock in emotion) I’m happy for you. (sipping his beer carried away).

(5) At home, he drinks to stupor, Margaret enters. Mother – (surprised to see him) what is happening here? My husband, you are drunk. God! When have you started taking alcohol? Father – (muttering) Mother – You are adding to my sorrow (sobbing) how could you give into alcohol taking. She takes the bottle and cup away) You are not going to take this anymore. Father – (mutters in hawl).

(6) In a bar, he has taken many bottles of beer and is now drunk. As he tries to stand, he shoves the bottles down and they clatter and break. The waiter becomes stunned to anger.

(7) He comes back same night. Mother – (perplexed) oh, late and drunk again. Why are you doing this to me? (weeping) why adding this matrimonial crisis to my pain and sorrow? Father – (mutters, enters and falls on the sofa. She sits too weeping). Mother – God, why are you doing this to me?

(8) As he is set to go to work, he stares at the food on the dining table and walks out. Minutes later, Margaret comes in. She is stunned to see the food untouched. Through the window, she sees him drive of. She sits on the chair, glooming in tears.

(9) In the evening, as he is back, she opens the door to welcome him but he walks past her coldly without talking to her. She is dumbfounded. She enters the kitchen in sober mood.

(10) He comes to the dining table, staring at the food. Margaret enters and sits down. As she opens the plates to serve food, he stands and enters the bedroom. She breaks down sobbing.

(11) She enters the bedroom dejectedly and joins him on the bed. He turns and backs her. She tries to call for his attention but is afraid. She breaks down sobbing.

(12) She looks on as he prepares for work. He carries his brief case to go.

Mother – Why are you doing this to me? Why have you changed?Father – I deserve to be a father or don’t I? I can’t keep being sucked and dried up. Make children for me. Mother – (breaks down) you need to be my shoulder in this. You used to encourage me. You use to tell me to wait upon the Lord (weeps). Father – Give me children (He walks out) Mother – Oh God, I’m finished. I knew it would come to this. (cries on)

(13) She is glooming in tears and thought alone. (14) She is still glooming in the living room when Theresa, her friend enters and is surprised to see her so. Theresa – Margaret, why are you like this? Is Orji okey? Mother – Theresa, I’m finished, my home is going apart. Theresa – God forbid. What is the matter? Tell me. Mother – Orji is impatient over my childlessness. He is pulling the wall on me. Theresa – my God, very unlike him. Mother – There is nothing we have not done. There is nowhere mentioned that I have not gone. Yet, there is no result yielding from my efforts. I have faned as said by the men of God. Theresa – (hisses) forget this frustrated men of God. Have they helped themselves talk more of helping others. I have a place I will take you to. Mother – is there any place I have not been to on the surface of this earth? Theresa, please, if there is a place you know, take me there. Theresa – What are friends for if we can’t help one another in moments like this. I will take you there. Mother – can we go now? Theresa – Yes, if you are chanced now. I am ready. Mother – Just one minute (she rises and enters the room. Comes out dressed up and they hurry out).

(15) They are seated in the shrine before Aguji. He is divining. After the divination, he looks up at them. Aguji – I know why you are here. (they startled, Theresa nodges her in affirmation) you seek the fruit of the womb. Mother – (she nods curiously) Yes…yes, wise one Aguji – Be rest assured that you case is settled Mother – Thank you, wise one (He begins to divine again). Aguji – We shall observe a sacrifice of a white cock in the river to appeal to the river goddess to give you children. This will take place by 12noon tomorrow. After this, your problem is over. Mother – wise one, I’m ready to do anything. Aguji – God home and prepare for the ritual. (They thank him and leave).

(16) At the river after the sacrifice. Aguji – You are now free. You can go. Mother – What can I give wise one? Aguji – Just go, only come back, thank my God when he blesses you.

(24B) Rev. – You went this far. Mother – My son can’t die after all these efforts. Rev. – The gift of devil does not last and it is not peaceable. It will really take the grace and divine intervention of the Lord to salvage this situation. Father – father, please, let my son not die. Rev. – Only the Lord will save us. I will be in the church. (He goes out. She weeps more. He consoles her).

(1) Orji is relaxing indifferently when Margaret enters the living room. Mother – (dejectedly) I have something for you. Father – (negligently) I’m resting. Mother – from the doctor. The test is out (giving him a note) I’m pregnant. Father – (startles up in surprise). Mother – I’m three months gone (Tears flow in her eyes). Father - (slowly stands and holds her into his arms and wipes the tears away) I’m really sorry for all the sorrows I put you through. Mother – I’m happy I made you a father finally. Father – I’m happy for you. Thanks for making me a father. (They embrace).

(2) He shows her the car he bought for her. She is happy. He thanks her for becoming pregnant.

(3) They are plying outside in the compound.

(4) Six months later. Margaret is in labour. The nurses hurries her to the labour room. Orji is restlessly pacing about the reception.

(5) The doctor enters and tells him that his wife has delivered a set of twins. He rejoices greatly.

(6)

He is happily carrying babies in the ward. Margaret lies lively on the bed.

(7) Dedication party is thrown to celebrate the birth of the child. Father – I’m happy that today I’m a father may the Lord be praised. Mother – Today, God has caused me to know the joy of motherhood. I return all glory to him.

(8) They are joyfully bathing and preparing the twins.

(9) 4 months later. Margaret is hysterical as the twins are seriously ill. Orji hurries in. Father – What is wrong with them? Mother – I can’t really tell. Their body temperatures are so heated up and they have been crying (sobbing). Father – Let’s hurry to the clinic (The carry them and hurry out).

(10) At the hospital after the doctor has examined them. Doctor – I don’t just get anything. There is nothing wrong with them. The whole lab test and examination have proved they are okay. But their body chemistry and system is proving otherwise. Father – I don’t understand you, doctor. What are you implying? Doctor – I’m saying that this is beyond medical approach. Mother – (whimpers and sobs) oh, what is wrong with my children. Doctor – I will be in my office. (he leaves Margaret weeping and Orji consoling her).

(11) Margaret rushes into the ward with the doctor. The doctor hurriedly examines the babies and heaves a disappointed sigh. Mother – (curious) Doctor, what is their condition? Doctor – Madam, I’m afraid you lost one of them (she wails aloud, Orji hurries in in hysteria). Father – What is going on? Doctor, what happened to my children? Doctor - sir, you lost one of them. Father – oh my God. What is happening to me? Doctor – You have to pull yourself together and hold your wife. I shall be in my office (he leaves, Orji holds Margaret).

(12) At home, Orji is holding Margaret in his arms while Theresa carries Okechukwu. They are sober and mournful.

(24C) Okechukwu coughs. They startles and curdle him. Father – call the doctor (she hurries out and in with the doctor) Doctor he just coughed. Mother – Doctor, my son is not dead (he examines him).Doctor – This is strange. I don’t understand anything here. Mother – must call father. Father must come and pray for my son (she hurries out).

(25A) Rev. is praying at the altar, he doses off in a trance.

(Pan with effect)

(1) Chijekwu is chasing Okechukwu with a machete. Okechukwu is panting effusively.

(2) Okechukwu exhaustedly falls on the ground and Chijekwu is about to cut him as he is screaming aloud.

(25B) Margaret runs in shattered. Mother – father …father… my son coughed. Rev. – (startled out from the trance) Jesus Christ! Mama Okechukwu, what is the matter? I hope all is fine? Mother – father, my son is alive. He coughed. Rev. – Really? You don’t mean it (excited). Mother – father you must pray for my son (she draws her as she hurries out of the church auditorium).

(24D) They hurries into the hospital ward just as the doctor is still checking Okechukwu up.Father – Father, you have to help me. Rev. – What is this whole situation all about? God, you need to come and make a name for yourself. (he begins to pray Chijekwu appears with the machete grawling furiously. Okechukwu’s spirit starts up and stands and runs away frightened. Chijekwu begins to pursue him). (fades with effect)

(1) He is pursuing him furiously and he runs speedily.

(2)

As he runs to a place, he sees a machete by the track road. He pricks it and stops and charges at him. They begin to fight with the machete.

(3) As they fight and run, they come to a place and an old man accosts them. Ogide – (curiously) Children, what are you doing? Do you want to kill yourselves. Oke – He wants to kill me. Chi – He betrayed me. He deceived me. Oke – I have asked him for forgiveness. Ogide – I don’t understand what you are saying. What are you talking about? (They begin to fight again. He separates them) respect yourselves here. We must go to the elders. Where are your mothers? Chi – We are brothers. Our mother is at home. Ogide – You are brothers! And you want to kill yourselves. Abomination. Now follow me (He grips them each in his hand and drags them on).

(4A) Ogide, mama, the twins and Okangba are seated. Okangba – Okwuoma, these are your children, Ogide brought them to me reporting that they were combating with machetes. Mama – (excited) my ancestors, Chijekwu is that so? Okechukwu is it to kill your brother that you came back today? Oke – It was him who was pursuing me with machete. Mama – Chijekwu, why? Chi – He betrayed me. He refused to come back with me as agreed. (fade with effect)

(1) Chijekwu and Okechukwu are under their usual tree.Chi – You insist we should go. Oke – Yes, please let’s go. Lets have pity on the woman. Chi – What about mama? Oke – We are not staying too long. We will come back soon. Chi – I don’t get you. Oke – We shall go like abiku. Coming and going children. Chi – That would be misery to them. It is better not to go at all. Oke – Please let’s go. I want to go and see if it is like there. I don’t mean to live there. I promise we shall be coming back very soon. Chi - Are you sure you won’t disappoint me? Oke – yes, I won’t. Chi – Okay, we shall be going.

(4B) Ogide – What do you mean? Mama – One day, they came back with a white cock in the river. I consulted Ogbuoja and he said that there are some couple who were in need of children.

Our goddess, haven been appealed to, promised to falom my one who goes. They accepted to go but to come back later. But Okechukwu refused to come back. Oke – I told him we need to change our minds. Chi – (furious) you are an ingrate

(fade with effect)

(1) Orji and Margaret are playing with the babies.

(2) The babies are in their docks. Their adult images appear on the walls discussing. Chi – Just like you promised, it is time for us to go. Oke – I know. But these are a wonderful set of people. You see? Chi – I see, but mama is most important to me. Oke – If you say so.

(3) They are crying furiously as their adult images are looking at them. Margaret enters. They vanished but the babies are still crying.

(4) They are crying in the sitting room. She is wailing there to no avail. Orji enters and joins …. It. They wonder …………………

(5) They go shopping. Orji buys teddies for them.

(6A) The teddies are laid beside them in their docks. They are crying. Their adult images are discussing. Chi – I see mama everyday lonely and crying.

(1) Okwuna is seen seated dejectedly in front of her hut.

(2) She is singing and crying as she is cooking.

(3) At the farm, she is crying as she is weeding.

(6B) Chi – She is desperate to see us Oke – I know, but I can’t just leave these people. They are too good to us. Don’t you see the teddies they bought for us. They are eager to make us happy.

Chi – you are provoking us. This is not what we agreed upon. Oke – I know but I am not going. Chi – You shall regret this (he vanishes with anger. His baby image begins to cry. Margaret runs in. The baby begins to vomit. She carries them and hurries out).

(4C) Chi – After that, I promise not to let him have any peace of mind. Mama – Okechukwu, you are a bad child. Ogide – Why did you have to betray your brother, little boy. Oke – I’m sorry mama, I couldn’t just punish them. They were too good. Chi – you must have your own measures Okangba – This is serious. I have not seen this kind of betrayal. What shall we do about this now. Ogide – I’m of the opinion that he do it the way they agreed to do it. He must come back. If he wants to go again, he could go on his own (they affirm). Oke – Please, let me go back. They love me so much. I pity them. Okangba – (After a little thought) but, come o… the goddess promised… Oke – (curiously) yea, and she has kept her promise. I am loved there. Ogide – If that’s the issue lets honour their fate for us. They own us. Mama – He must come back. Ogide – I’m not defying the wishes of the goddess because of you. I am out of this (he leaves). Okangba – Me too (he leaves). Mama – You see you. You are a bad child (they stare maliciously at him) let him go, Chijekwu. But I will not forgive him for bretraying you. Chi – I will never forgive you.

(24E) They are still praying. Okechukwu coughs. They hurry to him. Rev. continues praying. He stands from the bed and sits up. Oke – Mama, I won the battle. Rev. – Praise the Lord.Mother – I hope you defeated them woefully? Oke – Yes, mama.Rev. – I saw his freedom. The Lord has set you free. You are free indeed. Father – Come, my son (he hugs him) you shall tell us everything. Oke – Yes, dad (Reverend starts singing to God. They join him).

GOD CAN CHANGE HIS MIND FOR YOU BUT WHAT DECISION CAN YOU MAKE FOR HIM?

Lazzy Ezinwa E. C.