AMA EBONY

We present a drama titled SAME OLD STORY, classified as AMA EBONY and coming at you on the WARD9ice franchise, curtesy of the dramatist. This drama would be published in series on SEB and updated weekly for your reading pleasure.

SET

University Campus Exterior

Parking Lot

Restaurant Exterior and Interior

Ama’s Room Exterior and Interior

Lawn Tennis Court – Campus

Highways

Lecture Teatre 

CHARACTERS

Ama Ebony

Toyin

Mallam Ahmed

Nautica 

OTHERS

Lecturer

Waitress

Lady Opponent

Anonymous Students

Anonymous Guests

First Classmate

Second Classmate

Third Classmate

Fourth Classmate

Two Guys

SAME OLD STORY

 

SYNOPSIS

TOYIN introduces her fiancé, Mallam Ahmed to Ama ebpony. Ahmed soon finds Ama very interesting and eventually proposes love to her. But she turns down his proposal completely.  Subsequently, Ahmed suddenly feels embarrassed, scared and confused. Soon the love between him and his fiancée becomes sour despite earlier agreement for marriage. He breaks up the relationship.

EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. DAY. Normal academic situations in progress. Students in groups, discussing, sauntering along for lectures, laughing at some jokes.

INT. LECTURE THEATRE. DAY. Anonymous students, Ama Ebony, Toyin receiving lectures. Virtually everyone here looks bored. Third, Fourth Classmates are dozing, Lecturer looks lustfully at Ama, First, and Second Classmates trace his focus to Ama who is suddenly abashed - 

EXT. CAMPUS PARKING LOT. DAY. Ama saunters sadly towards her packed sleek car and enters. Driving away, she’s unaware of two guys who bump into each other from their lustful stares.

EXT. CAMPUS STREETS. DAY. While Ama drives along in a car with ease she soliloquies –

AMA

(V/O)

I left the department immediately after my mid-day lecture. I just couldn’t wait to hear the JJC of a lecturer end his sermon.

EXT. RESTAURANT. DAY. Everyone in sight proclaims here a corporate eatry, Ama’s car is seen parked at the lot among a couple of other automobiles.

INT. RESTAURANT. Apart from the anonymous guests, Ama is seated at a table. She places her order with the waitress who soon goes about it. Enter Toyin and Mallam Ahmed. While she spots Ama, approaches and chat with her she tries not to introduce Ahmed who remains rooted to a spot, fidgeting and seemingly unnoticed.

TOYIN

Hi, Ama!

AMA

Hi!

TOYIN

The moment I sighted your car out there, I didn’t need anything else to confirm your presence.

AMA

A week basis for judgement, I should say. Anyway, I have just arrived. The stomach asks for the usual and sweetheart, I must obey that call of nature.

TOYIN

Speak for me too, dear. I’m really, really famished. Dat yeye lecturer just delayed us for one whole hour, dey stammer say him dey teach. Nonsense (laughter). But wait O, Ama … ebi like sey the bobo like you oooo ...

AMA

(acting) Before nko? Look! Me, I dey for am well – well. I no mind seventy percent of that him pay wey no even fit take am home (both laugh, suddenly, she ends the acting). But really, shouldn’t I have said ‘cut the crap’?

TOYIN

(disappointed) Hmmm … Ama! You’re so erratic!

 

INT. AMA’S ROOM – OFF CAMPUS. DAY. Everything in sight here indicates the accomplished riches and comfort of Ama, an undergraduate student from a rich home. Ama is lying on her bed, putting down words in her diary.

AMA

(V/O)

I was already in the restaurant when Toyin, my course mate walked in, accompanied by a fellow dolled up in agbada. Really, I didn’t need anyone to tell me Toyin had just found herself a new super man. (she pauses to make herself a cup of coffee and the continues scribbling in her diary) Toyin eventually introduced her latest bobo as Mallam Ahmed, a business tycoon and moves on to pick a table. (sips from her coffee) While we were busy with our lunch, I noticed on several occasions that Ahmed was sneaking looks at me from their table. He did it so carefully that Toyin did not even notice. But soon after, Toyin excused herself to my table. (stops writing and remains thoughtful for a flashback).

FLSH-BACK. INT. RESTAURANT. DAY. As before, but Ama is now cooling off from her meal. Toyin is seated opposite her at the same table, speaking …

TOYIN

(softly)

Tell me, Ama. How you see di bobo … I mean, Ahmed?

AMA

Well, I can assure you he’s a nice guy. If he does anything to hurt you, it would not be deliberate. But then, I can’t confidently guarantee you his faithfulness.

AMA

(V/O)

The moment she asked me that question, I knew there was something special about her new relationship.

TOYIN

Ama, Ahmed loves me, I swear! He loves me truly. I have never come across a man who holds me close to his herat like Ahmed … showing me love and giving me attention in a special way …

AMA

But Toyin, you –

TOYIN

(desperately)

You see, my dear, Ahmed and I have been seeing each other secretly all these years but then I wasn’t too sure about him until last week when he finally asked if I’d marry him. Ama, I told him “yes” because I believe he loves me and I love him too. Besides, I’m really tired of the two timing thing. Ama, I want to settle down for once.

AMA

(V/O)

Suddenly, she had changed the subject, discussing me and not a word about herself.

 TOYIN

Ama! Na wa for you ooo… Imagine the scenes you create wherever you go …

 AMA

I beg your pardon?

TOYIN

Listen, dear. While you were leaving the department earlier today two guys staring lustfully at you actually bumped into each other and you know what?

AMA

They apologised and went their different ways, ofcourse.

TOYIN

Hmn … one would wish that was it. But no.  A hot quarrel ensued and then slaps and punches – God! You should have seen –

AMA

But sweetheart, how is that supposed to be my fault?

TOYIN

Your fault! Who says? No oooo! Ofcorse, it was their fault … all theirs. But it’s just that … well … I mean-

AMA

Oh, Toyin. Please, don’t start again …

TOYIN

I won’t. But I mean, you’re so beautiful …

 

BACK TO THE PRESENT. AMA’S ROOM. As before, but now Ama raises a glass of coffee to her lips, takes a sip, thoughtfully.

 

INT. AMA’S ROOM. DAY. Ama and Ahmed, seated, chatting over drinks.

AMA

So, how did you find my address?

AHMED

Oh! Toyin gabe it to me. She says, you’re best op priends. More like blood sisters, she claims.

AMA

(V/O)

That’s correct. But could she have given her fiancé my contact address – I had wondered. I had found it difficult to believe Ahmed.

AHMED

Ama Ebony … I lobe dat name.

AMA

Oh, thank you, Ahmed.

AHMED

Toyin says you’re a Nigerian. But I am apraid it is dippicult to beeleeb.

AMA

And why, if I may ask?

AHMED

Well, eberitin dare is about you … your great looks …

AMA

I guess that’s because I take good care of myself.

AHMED

Your accent –

AMA

I took lessons for.

AHMED

Your remarkable and exemplary attitude –

AMA

I am well cultured.

AHMED

But your name –

AMA

My parents named me so. I am an African … A Nigerian. I come from the east.

AHMED

Tell me sumtin, Ama. Why have you chosen to reside op campus?

AMA

Oh, it’s a long story.

AHMED

Oh, yes! I know, you’re rich and –

AMA

No, you’re wrong. Really, I’d have loved to be in the halls on campus. But with universities in this part of the world, undergraduates aren’t entitled to personal room. Some years back, I had shared a room in the halls but then, my room mates usually blame me for losing their boyfriends. They say, I snatch their boyfriends. (laughter)

 

AMA’S HOUSE – RESIDENTIAL STREET. DAY. Ama, seeing Ahmed off –

AHMED

But really, Ama did you eba snatch your friend’s boyfriends?

AMA

Absolute nonsense! I never did anything of such. Never ever can even imagine anything of a sort. The point is, I’m a very sociable person. I keep a lot of guys on a platonic level. When any of these guys suddenly pops the question and I turn him down, he feels so disappointed and embarrassed … So foxed and defeated that he conditions his mind to believing and accepting that his current lover is not good enough, at least any excuse to call it quits. You know, it’s all really a psychological thing but then, the ladies end up calling me “Husband Snatcher”. “Same Old Story” is what I call it.

AHMED

Hmn … Beleeb me, Ama. I hab neba had anything like dat beepo.

AMA

And I believe you. Sorry, Ahmed but I have to go back now. (shaking hands). Thanks for coming and my regards to Toyin. See ya!

AHMED

Bye-bye! (she walks back as he continues along, stealing looks at her carefully as he does so).

 

INTERIOR. AMA’S ROOM. NIGHT. Dressed in a night gown, Ama saunters to the reading table, takes a sit and picks up a biro and begins to to read silently from her diary –

AMA

(V/O)

But since that day Ahmed maintained regular visits to my place without Toyin’s knowledge. On each occasion he was so nice that I could not imagine anything else behind his kindness and generosity. (rises, saunters to the wall and leans on it as she continues to read silently from her diary). But this evening, he finally said it. He swore with everything under the sun that he loves me and would marry me. He was ready to grant me heaven … he did all he could to convince me but ofcourse, I turned everything down. Mallam Ahmed finally accepted his defeat.

 

EXTERIOR. CAMPUS PATH. DAY. Ama. Toyin, sauntering along, chatting –

TOYIN

Ama, what is it that you have with Nautica? He’s been asking after you everywhere?

AMA

Nautica?

TOYIN

Ofcourse! That poor rascal … that thief in Mech Engine. What on earth should you have with him?

AMA

My dear (hesitates, then changes the subject) … someone proposed love to me the other day and I couldn’t say it to his face that I didn’t love him. I couldn’t tell him that he was not my kind of guy. (Halts as she approaches her sleek car)

TOYIN

So what did you tell him then?

AMA

No! No! No! That’s all that I said to him. That wasn’t quite pleasant, was it?

TOYIN

But couldn’t you have simply have told him, I mean lie to him that you were engaged?

 

NAUTICA, rascally looking student approaches arrogantly, gives Ama a peck, Toyin is amazed. Ama, amazed too but tries to conceal her feelings

NAUTICA\

(to AmA)

 Hi!

AMA

Hi! (introducing) Toyin, please meet Nautica, a friend. Nautica, Toyin is my course mate and best friend.

NAUTICA

(extending a hand for a shake) Pleased to meet you, pretty thing …

TOYIN

(Pissed, ignores the hand shake)

Excuse me!

(Starts walking away disappointedly)

AMA

(calling out)

Hey, Sweet heart! What’s up?

TOYIN

(keeps walking away)

No qualms, Dear! Later! Okay?!

NAUTICA

What’s biting her?

AMA

(upset)

And what’s sharking you? (solemnly) Listen, Nautica! Don’;t you ever, ever give me a peck again or even think about it. Do you understand that, Mister?!

NAUTICA

I’m sorry, Angel!

AMA

I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. Okay?

NAUTICA

No sweat, Lady. Everything is cool!

AMA

Did you see my note?

NAUTICA

Sure. And the content read you wanted me to play boyfriend, just acting stuff like that eh?

AMA

Exactly! Now listen, I received a note from one Bobo yesterday. He would be at my place later today and I want you to come over by 4pm. Okay?

NAUTICA

Sure! But how do I get to your house, and ofcourse, my bucks?

AMA

My address was clearly stated in that written message.

NAUTICA

Oh! Yes! Yes! 

AMA

And you will get your money when the deal is done. Satisfied?

NAUTICA

Sure! Sure! (she opens car door and enters) Eh! Angel, just one more thing – Why am I your best man for this job … I mean, we have got guys that will suit your taste and class ?

AMA

Never underestimate yourself. Besides, you don’t know my taste, Nautica. Anyway, I just found out from the grapevine that you needed Ten Thousand naira to complete your class project. (starts the engine, closes the door).

NAUTICA

Hmn … that’s cool.  But Emm … can this boyfriend role become real?

AMA

Never even think about it. (car window rolls up and she drives away, he stares on with admiration. As the car disappears into the path, he walks away).

INTERIOR. AMA’S ROOM. DAY

Ama, Ahmed, discussing.

AHMED

… I didn’t know what to do, Ama?

AMA

Listen, Ahmed. I was really shocked when I found your note on my door yesterday. I thought we had settled this matter the other day?

AHMED

Yes. But …

AMA

I mean, you’ve asked my friend to marry you and she has agreed to do so. But now, you don’t want to marry her but me. Isn’t that quite ridiculous and irresponsible?

AHMED

Yes. But …

AMA

But what!? Can’t you see you’re trying to implicate me? I mean, Toyin is my best friend. Do you want her to think or believe that I’m snatching you away from her?

AHMED

But – but she doesn’t even know I come here …

AMA

Good gracious! Mallam Ahmed, you mean you don’t realise Toyin can walk in here anytime?

AHMED

But Ama, why is it that you can’t assept my frofosal? (on his knees) De oda dey, all you told me was No! No!! No!!! ‘No’, is not a reason, Ama. Please, is there sumtin you dislike about me which I should fix right away?

(SILENCE)

AMA

(softly, compassionate) Mallam Ahmed, I’m engaged.

AHMED

(doubtfully) 

Engaged? But Toyin says you’re still searching … Could she be wrong about that when she’s your best priend?

AMA

(V/O)

That’s the reason why I couldn’t tell him so the other day. I just knew Toyin would have told him somehow that I was unattached.

Knock on the door, Ahmed rises … enter Nautica in his usual manner. Ama winks at him without Amed noticing.

AMA

Hi!

NAUTICA

Hi! (gives her a hug, peck, moves over to have himself a glass of wine) Darling, I can see we have a guest in the house …

AMA

Yes, Dear. He’s Ahmed … mallam Ahmed. Toyin’s fiancé.

NAUTICA

Toyin’s fiancé … same Toyin we ran into a few hours ago on campus? Our own Toyin?

AMA

Certainly. (Introducing) Ahmed, please meet Nautica, my fiancé.

NAUTICA

(Hand-shakes)

 Nice to meet you, Ahmed. How you doing, man?

AHMED

(fidgeting) 

I – I – I’m fine. Emn … I hab to go now, Ama. Nice meeting you too, em – em – em –

NAUTICA

Nautica, bro. Just Nautica.

AHMED

Yes! Yes! (exits)

Nautica immediately finishes his drink, stretches his hand at Ama as if expecting something, Ama walks towards the table, sweeps up a bundle of naira notes, walks back and hands it to him sadly.

NAUTICA

(smiling)

 No need counting this bread, Angel. Just like you it looks intact. Good business, Ama. Very good business. (she shows him the door) Sure! Sure! See ya! (he exits, leaving the door ajar, Ama walks over to the door, shuts it gently, leans on it while as she remains thoughtful).

AMA

(V/O)

The following day, I was playing tennis on campus when Toyin walked over with anger written all over her. She told me Mallam Ahmed suddenly became unreasonable and slapped her for the first time and jilted her afterwards. But then she had discovered he had my residential address.

EXTERIOR. LAWN TENNIS COURT. DAY

Ama, in sports wears, holding a tennis racket, Toyin, standing face-to-face and warning Ama inbetween sobs, as Ama’s lady opponent, understanding the situation quietly walks away.

TOYIN

Listen, Ama! You’ve got to understand this – I don’t ever want to have you acquainted with my lovers again. I don’t ever want you to meet with them anymore … not today … not tomorrow … not ever! Do you understand that?

AMA

But Toyin, are you really blaming me for losing your superman?

TOYIN

And if I said ‘No!” why have people been seeing him come to your house and how did your address get into his hands? Oh! It dropped from the sky, eh? Tell me! You want to claim you know nothing about it? Gosh! Ama, I have always trusted you. How could you do this to me? How could you?

AMA

(V/O)

She couldn’t really blame me for Ahmed’s betrayal. She knew that Mallam Ahmed must have copied my address from her diary. (compassionately, pulls her nearer, wipes her tears, hugs her, silently sobbing also) Someday, somewhere, I will explain how it all happened. I’m sure then, she will understand me better.

EXTERIOR. HIGHWAYS. DAY

Ama drives along in her sleek car, still looking very sad, obviously heading home after the exercise.

AMA

(V/O)

Really, Ahmed had dumped Toyin because he probably could have believed I’d disclose his advances to Toyin. He must have made up his mind out of fear and guilt and confusion. Well, if he genuinely loved Toyin, it would have taken him more than fear or guilt or both to actually walk out on the relationship … It would have taken him only death to do so.

THE END

AMA EBONY IS A TELEVISION SERIES WRITTEN IN 1998 FOR THE WARD9ice FRANCHISE. THE STORY AND ITS CHARACTERS INCLUDING THE SETTING HAVE NO TRUE EXISTENCE OUTSIDE THE IMAGINATION OF THE WRITER. WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT EPISODE ON THIS BLOG.  DON'T MISS IT.