Pursuit of Happiness
FADE IN
Scene 1
INT. OYEWOLE'S FAMILY HOUSE - NIGHT
Soft music plays in the background. Simi's phone rings.
SIMI
(answers)
Hello, Mummy.
MUMMY
Hello, how are you, Simi? I'm fine. Mummy, why did you not call me?
SIMI
I don't have call card, Mum.
MUMMY
That's what you say every time. How is school? Ma woju obinrin oo, iwe ni no ran e loka.
SIMI
When are you guys coming home?
MUMMY
We are at the bus top now. We will be home soon. Yeeee aye mi ti baje, Oki mi, Efi oko mi sile, somebody help me, yeeee!
SIMI
Hello mummy, hello.
Simi's phone cuts off.
FADE OUT
Scene 2
EXT. HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT - NIGHT
Mummy sobs. Simi tries to comfort her.
MUMMY
(sobs)
I was just there standing with your sister at the BRT terminal when your dad's phone rang, (sobs).
SIMI
What happened, Mummy?
MUMMY
(sobs)
As he was about to pick it, 3 guys came from nowhere and dragged him to the center of the road (sobs) they robbed him, stabbed him and ran away.
SIMI
(tearfully)
Breaks down
MUMMY
(sobs)
And Your sister, she wanted to go there. I had to hold her back.
SIMI
Where is she.
CUT TO
DORCAS
(crying). Runs to hug him.
Brother SIMI.
SIMI
(hugs her)
It's okay, don't cry.
DORCAS
(crying)
We were there, somebody was calling him. They brought out a knife and stabbed him.
SIMI
(Crying)
Everything will be alright.
FADE OUT
Scene 3
EXT. HOSPITAL I.C.E WARD - DAY (1 MONTH LATER)
People cry and console the Oyewole's family.
SHALLOM
(screams)
Why, Daddy, don't go, daddy don’t go.
DORCAS
(crying)
My daddy, my daddy.
MUMMY
(rolls on the floor)
Daddy Dorcas (sobs), we did not say it would end this way, this is not the together forever you promised me. Please wake up.
CUT TO
OYEWOLE'S FAMILY HOUSE - DAY
Pastor reads a sermon.
PASTOR
Can we all stand up to sing a last song. For our brethren, our brother, our father, our husband, our son.
Till we meet again.
CROWD
(sings hymn song)
FADE OUT
Scene 4
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE (TWO YEARS LATER)
(Simi discuss with friends)
SIMI
Bro things just hard, I been even Dey reason my client make e run 1 or 2 for me the werey Dey ask for video call.
TOPE (SIMI’S FRIEND)
Bro I don tell you make you baff soap, na you no answer.
SIMI
Bobo rest, who Dey follow you baff soap.
Omo bro, blessing even text me. She talk say she wan breakup because I no send her gift on her birthday.
TOPE
Wahala for una wey get babe.
SIMI
She no even pick my call again.
WAHAB (SIMI’S FRIEND)
And I been get update oo, but you be holy boy, you no go fit run am.
SIMI
Which update be that bro, talk na which update see as you Dey do.
WAHAB
Na store update, e get one store wey Dey that “CHURCH STREET” me and some guys don Dey watch am for some time.
Around 10 Pm the security guy Dey go house, so around 12 Pm for Friday we go run visit the store before them go carry money go bank on Monday.
SIMI
(Panicks)
Bro you don Dey craze when you carry stealing join work wey you Dey do.
WAHAB
See as you Dey shout, you see why I no wan tell you.
SIMI
Omo I don Dey go house, we go see tomorrow.
CUT TO
INT. OYEWOLE'S FAMILY HOUSE - DAY
MUMMY
Welcome, how was work.
SIMI
Work is fine mummy, how did your day go ?.
MUMMY
Not too fine, the doctor gave me list of drugs to buy for my eyes, it is around N500,000, and he said (starts crying) it would be better to do eyes surgery it would cost N12 million, we don’t have that much money.
SIMI
(Breaks down and sobs quietly)
It is fine mummy, stop crying.
MUMMY
Baba simi, don’t sleep in heaven ooo.
CUT TO
EXT. CONSTRUCTION SITE - DAY
“SEYI VIBES” song plays in background
WAHAB
Simi wetin do you, you never talk anything since we don reach here.
SIMI
Awfar bro that level still Dey ground.
WAHAB
Which level.
SIMI
The store update na bro
WAHAB
Bro wetin make you change your mind, think am well oo, the update no be for who no get mind.
SIMI
Bro that one no concern you, if e still Dey available tell me.
WAHAB
E sure bro, boys don Dey active tomorrow we go hit the store.
SIMI
Oya na my bro, e go be.
FADE OUT
Scene 5
EXT. IN AMBUSH OPPOSITE STORE - NIGHT
(Cars passing by)
WAHAB
Bro, are you sure you are ready for this.
SIMI
(Anxious)
What if we get caught.
WAHAB
Shut up bro, see as men mount up, I already told them you are fit for the job don’t let me regret it.
SIMI
(Breaths deeply)
Let’s go.
CUT TO
INT. INSIDE STORE - NIGHT
Masked men enter store
1ST ROBBER
Every body lie down.
2ND ROBBER
If you love the sound of gun shot you fit stand up make I blow your head.
3RD ROBBER
Speaks to the cashier
Fine girl where is your manager.
CASHIER
Shaking
3RD ROBBER
Na wetin I no like be this, I look like criminal ?. Take me to your manager me and you don’t have business.
CUT TO
INT. MANAGERS OFFICE - NIGHT
Watching everything from CCTV camera, picks up phone.
MANAGER
Hello D.P.O, I’m calling from MAX STORE the SANGO BRANCH we are under attack, our store is being robbed now.
D.P.O
Talk slowly madam, When did they arrive.
MANAGER
About 5 minutes ago.
D.P.O
How many of them are there.
MANAGER
5 of them sir, they are 5 all with guns.
D.P.O
Ok, we’ll be there soon.
PHONE CUTS
DOOR OPENS
3RD ROBBER
Are you the manager
MANAGER
YES SIR
3RD ROBBER
Who this one dey tell sir, who is your father. Where is your vault.
MANAGER
Points Shakily.
3RD ROBBER
Where.
MANAGER
Downstairs in the warehouse.
3RD ROBBER
Oya lead the way.
ALL GOES DOWNSTAIRS
POLICE BARGES IN
D.P.O
Every body drop your guns. Drop it.
3RD ROBBER
Omo simi how POPO take hear, you no observe well bro.
POLICE OFFICER
Shut up, drop your guns.
D.P.O
Pick up the guns and arrest them.
FADE OUT
EXT. POLICE CUSTODY - DAY
MUMMY
Why did you do it ?
Why did you put me to shame, all my enemies will be happy they have successfully shamed me.
SIMI
mum I’m sorry, I did it (pause) because of your hospital bill, my school fees, the rent. I’m sorry.
MUMMY
Simi I am trying, I am working 3 jobs, it is because of you guys.
SIMI
I’m sorry (in tears).
LIGHTS FADE OUT
