THE HANDLER
WRITTEN AND COMPOSED BY
OLUWASEUN WENDE
FOR HOMEVIDA SCRIPT WRITING COMPETITION, 2017.
EXT. FRONT OF LECTURE THEATER – DAY
Two girls (19&20) sit in front of the lecture hall alongside other students cluttered all around the hall. Another girl (19) is seen approaching the two sitting down.
HILLARY
(Taps the second girl)
Amy, look. Your friend is coming.
AMAKA
Is she not your friend also? Abi what is all these your talk about?
HILLARY
Well, I met her through you. And since then, Heaven knows it seemed like I stopped existing.
AMAKA
What are you talking about?
HILLARY
So, you’re trying to say you don’t know that since she became our friend, we are not……
Her conversation ceases as the new girl joins them.
MELISSA
Hey guys, sorry I’m late. After meeting with the WUMSA president, someone else stopped to talk to me.
HILLARY
Oh, poor you. So important that everyone wants to talk to you but they’re taking your time.
AMAKA
Ignore her, she’s in a bad mood. How was your meeting with the WUMSA president?
MELISSA
Hils, are you okay?
HILLARY
Of course I’m okay. Do I look like I’m sick to you?
MELISSA
Yeesh, was just asking. No need to be so hard about it.
AMAKA
Told you to ignore her. Now tell me how did your meeting with Segun go?
MELISSA
Well, I agreed to be his PA and I’ll write his speeches and letters. Would also help analyse his schedule and make sure he doesn’t crumble underneath all the stress and workload of an association President.
AMAKA
That’s nice. You’re really going places dear. So, tell me, won’t it be awkward working for him considering your history with him?
MELISSA
We are going to be adults about it and not freak out over the fact that he took my virginity cuz I was stupid enough to lose it.
HILLARY
Or that he dumped you afterwards.
AMAKA
Hillary! If you have nothing nice to say then don’t speak.
A tall guy (24) approaches them in quick strides
AMAKA (contd)
OMG! Act cool. Nicholas at 3 o’clock.
HILLARY
My Lord! My blouse is barely low cut. Oooooh why does my crush have to pass near me on a day I’m not looking seductive enough?
NICHOLAS
Good afternoon ladies
HILLARY
(Whispers to AMAKA)
He’s speaking to us?
AMAKA
(Whispers back)
It would seem so.
(In a louder voice)
Good afternoon Nicholas
HILLARY and MELISSA
Good afternoon
NICHOLAS
Melissa, you forgot the draft with me when you left a while ago.
Hands Melissa a book while Hillary strains her neck to see.
NICHOLAS (contd)
Here you go. I’ll call you later in the evening.
MELISSA
Thank you Nicholas. Should be done with the final draft by then.
NICHOLAS
That would be awesome. Later then.
MELISSA
Bye.
NICHOLAS
Bye ladies.
He walks off
HILLARY
I’m guessing Nicholas was the ‘Somebody’ that stopped you on the way then. To actually think I thought he came to speak to us. He didn’t even send a glance our way cuz he was too busy smiling at you.
MELISSA
He simply came to return the rough draft of the drama script. He’s the NFCS president after all.
HILLARY
And you’re in the choir. Not the drama group, why are you writing their script?
MELISSA
I joined the drama group. I thought I told you.
HILLARY
You thought. Of course you thought. Well, you thought wrong.
MELISSA
Why are you so angry with me lately? I didn’t join because of Nicholas. You can have him, he’s all yours. I joined because I wanted to be able to write nice scripts and see people act them.
AMAKA
It’s okay Mel. Hillary is just in a sour mood lately. That’s why she’s taking it out on you.
MELISSA
No problem. I just hate bearing the brunt of something that wasn’t my fault.
INT. OFF CAMPUS – NIGHT
A moderately furnished student apartment. MELISSA sits on her bed with a neighbor.
EGBE
You need to check out the hot gist on cavegist this evening about one pretender.
MELISSA
The site who’s handler is still unknown?
EGBE
Of course. But handler known or not, that blog sheds enough light on students’ lives.
MELISSA
Maybe. I’m not really a fan of gossip blogs.
EGBE
I’ve forgotten you are an efiko. It’s either academic or fictional stuffs you read.
MELISSA
That’s where you are wrong. I read basically anything I come across.
A knock sounds at the door
MELISSA (contd)
Yes? Who’s there?
AMAKA
It’s Amy.
MELISSA walks to the door and opens it.
AMAKA
Babe Whatsup ?
MELISSA
I dey. Where you dey come from at this time?
AMAKA
I go town. I no see bike on time. I con say make I crash for your side. I no fit go my house again, day don dark.
She drops her bag and joins EGBE on bed
AMAKA (contd)
Abeg, is there food? I’m very hungry.
MELISSA
Yes. I made beans if you want.
AMAKA
Beans to bed? No, I have a very delicate stomach. I’ll take beverages if you have them.
EGBE
You and this your abdomen sha.
AMAKA
There is nothing wrong with my abdomen.
MELISSA stands up and walks to the kitchen in the self-contain.
EGBE
But you just said your tummy is delicate.
AMAKA
I said no such thing. I said my stomach is, not my abdomen.
EGBE
No be the same thing we dey talk?
AMAKA
No be the same thing. The abdomen starts from the diaphragm separating it from the thorax and ends at the diaphragm separating it from the pelvic region. The stomach is one of the many organs you can find at the abdomen, so you see……
EGBE cuts her short.
EGBE
He don do. All of us can’t be medical students. Oya tell me, what is the second derivative of 4x^2?
AMAKA
Point taken.
Faces the kitchen to call MELISSA
MELISSA, where is the beverage now?
MELISSA
I’m warming water for you. You can’t be drinking cold something this night now.
AMAKA
Thank you jor.
MELISSA brings the mug with steam and gives it to AMAKA who downs it in one huge gulp with satisfaction.
AMAKA (contd)
By the way, I have something to show you. I saw it online when I was waiting for bike.
MELISSA
What is it?
AMAKA
You know this popular blog everyone visits lately? The one with the unknown handler.
MELISSA
Cave something or wetin Dem dey call am?
EGBE
It’s cavegist aunty.
MELISSA
Whatever abeg. What about it Amy?
AMAKA
Hmm. I don’t know how to say this.
MELISSA
Uh…. Open your mouth and try to let your tongue and larynx work with your epiglottis to produce a sound?
AMAKA
Quit it, sarcasm isn’t your strong suit. This is very serious and when you hear what I have to say, you won’t be smiling most definitely.
EGBE
If you no fit talk am, give her the phone make she read am now.
AMAKA
No, I’ll tell you myself. That way I can soften the blow.
MELISSA
Amy, say something now. You’re getting me very anxious here oh.
AMAKA
Here goes nothing, well, the handler published a post today and it was about you.
MELISSA
About me? That’s strange.
EGBE
Wait oh, na she be Liz the writer?
MELISSA
Yes, that’s my writing alias. I sign all my works like that.
EGBE
Uh-oh
MELISSA
What? What is it? Somebody tell me what’s going on. You’re freaking me out, right now.
AMAKA
Way to go Egbe. Freak her out before she hears what it is.
EGBE
As if you were doing a better job before.
MELISSA
Guys, guys. Please. Amy, tell me what it is.
AMAKA
Well, he or she might have written that you lost your virginity to Segun even though you very much knew he was still dating Louisa then. Then, it was also written that the two of you have been spotted together a lot lately and in compromising positions, at a restaurant, in a lecture theatre, in front of your house etc. All in all, they might have said you are not so innocent after all and nobody should believe the gentle look you like to parade around.
She is met by silence
AMAKA (contd)
Say something Mel. Please.
EGBE
You’re freaking me out here Melissa. Please say something.
MELISSA
Let me see the article myself.
AMAKA
I don’t think it’s such a good idea.
MELISSA
Then I’ll search for it myself.
She picks her phone and starts to scroll through the screen after a while.
MELISSA (contd)
Wow. This person must really hate me this much to publish all these lies.
AMAKA
Mel, calm down.
MELISSA
(Shouts)
Calm down? I can’t freaking do that. Somebody just ruined me on the most popular blog in Wexford University. I won’t be able to show my face in school or anywhere again.
AMAKA
You can and you will. Screw what they wrote. No one would believe that except those that don’t know you. Everyone knows you’re better than that.
EGBE
Where did he or she even get the stupid idea that you lost it to Segun?
MELISSA
I did lose it to Segun but I had absolutely no idea that he was also dating Louisa at that time. It was me being stupid. As for being seen together with him lately, I’ve been working with him on the magazine for WUMSA. I’m the editor in chief.
EGBE
Well, someone must have spilled your secret to the handler before it was blown out of proportion and exaggerated upon.
MELISSA
But only you, Amy and HILLARY know about this. And of course Segun himself. Knowing Segun, he’s an association President and he doesn’t want it to be known that he played two girls at once, I doubt he’ll spill his secret to a blog handler.
EGBE
Well, someone has tattled. You have to be careful who you tell things to.
MELISSA
I can’t show my face in that school again.
AMAKA
Yes you will. With Hillary and I behind you.
MELISSA
I don’t doubt your support but I can’t be sure of Hillary’s own. With the way she’s been snapping at me lately, I’m not so sure she won’t be happy to see that write up about me.
AMAKA
Don’t say that. HILLARY is just being petty. Deep inside, you know she loves you and will dish out sass to anyone who dares to throw a jab at you.
MELISSA breaks down and starts to cry while AMAKA and EGBE console her.
EXT. INSIDE THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL- DAY
MELISSA stands under tree with a guy (24) as they converse.
MELISSA
I don’t know who told the handler about it Segun. You think because I want to pay you back for what you did to me, I’ll decide to disgrace myself like that? That article was about me, not you.
SEGUN
Well, I don’t know what to think. I thought you forgave me and we were past this.
MELISSA
And that is correct. Yes, I despise you but you’re vital for my writing being recognised, you think I’ll jeopardize that?
SEGUN
I really am sorry about what I did to you and what my inability to take responsibility made you do.
MELISSA
I don’t want to talk about that. My day is bad enough already. People have been throwing me scathing and mocking looks, here and there. The whispers are unending. Last thing I need right now is a trip down Memory Lane.
SEGUN.
I know. I’m still sorry though. Take care of yourself.
MELISSA
Thank you, I will.
She walks to AMAKA who is not too far from her, waiting for her to finish with Segun.
AMAKA
What was he apologising for so much? Just the fact that he slept with you?
MELISSA
Probably. I need to go and find a secluded spot to sit. If one more person looks at me like I’m sleeping with their dad, I will lose it.
AMAKA
You know that’s a very bad idea. When you are secluded and alone, bad thoughts start to pop up and you might be depressed.
MELISSA
I’m not sure I can get even more depressed than I already am.
AMAKA
All right then. I know what will cheer you up.
MELISSA
Oh Christ, please not another sing along.
AMAKA
Of course not. Though that would probably be a good idea to show these vultures that you are not affected by their glares.
MELISSA
But I am. Very seriously affected.
AMAKA
And they don’t need to know that. Give it three days, they’ll find a new interest and they’ll leave you alone.
MELISSA
And in that three days, I’m not leaving my house again. I knew it was a bad idea to come to School today.
AMAKA
You didn’t have a choice. You had histology practical. Now, about that cheering up, let’s walk to the fish rolls seller’s stand.
MELISSA
The thought of it rolls my stomach. Pun intended.
AMAKA
Not appreciated. Come on, let’s go.
They walk away
EXT. FISH ROLLS SELLER’S STAND- DAY
They are sitting on the bench near the stall while they eat the rolls.
MELISSA
Thanks Amy, you definitely know how to cheer me up.
AMAKA
Well, I wouldn’t be your best friend if I don’t know how to do that now, would I?
MELISSA
True. But all the same, thank you. People around here are hungry, they don’t have the time to send me a mocking look.
AMAKA
That’s exactly why I bought you here.
A girl (21) walks towards them.
AMAKA (contd)
Louisa at 12 o’clock, watch out.
MELISSA
Oh God, why is she looking at me in such an awful way? What am I going? ………… Hey, good afternoon Louisa
LOUISA
What’s good about the afternoon MELISSA? How could you? You’ll smile, greet and say nice things to me, yet you were eyeing and sleeping with my boyfriend.
MELISSA
Believe me Louisa, I didn’t know he was your boyfriend and it was a one-time thing that stopped after I discovered he had a girlfriend.
LOUISA
And I’m supposed to believe that?
AMAKA
It’s your choice.
LOUISA
Let me tell you something, you little parasites, I’ve been in this School before you, I have the fans and friends than you can ever think of having, so, I can make your little social life miserable if you don’t watch your back.
AMAKA
Yes Mumsy.
LOUISA
And stop being a little smart ass.
MELISSA stands up but AMAKA drags her down until she frees herself and remains standing.
MELISSA
Wait a minute, what do you think this is? High school musical? This is real life princess. I’ve had enough of cowering because people thought it’ll be funny to mess with my head today and I’ve conveniently gotten to the end of my tether. I did not have a continuous affair with your guy, ex, it was a one-time thing that ended after I realized he had a girlfriend. Even if I did have an affair, it’s over, deal with it.
LOUISA
I can see you are such a shameless thing. Mark my words MELISSA, karma is right on your tail.
MELISSA
Maybe you should check your behind First.
Louisa walks away with a long hiss while AMAKA high fives MELISSA.
AMAKA
Yass girl, didn’t know you had that sass in you. She was so speechless.
MELISSA
I was just tired of being the victim, though technically I am the victim of a deranged psycho that’ll eventually turn out to be a schizophrenic psychotic bipolar nonentity.
AMAKA
Ouch, remind me not to get on your bad side.
MELISSA
Will sure do.
AMAKA
By the way, you should enter this in your diary, it’s a significant event in your life. Pour your thoughts into the pages, I know it’s therapeutic.
MELISSA
Dr James AMAKA. World renowned therapist.
AMAKA
Nah. I’m more of an orthopedic surgeon.
MELISSA
Come on, let’s go home. There’s basically nothing to do here in School.
AMAKA
Right on with you Sister.
INT. MELISSA’S ROOM-DAY
MELISSA sits on her bed writing in a book when a knock sounds at the door. She leaves the book on the bed to usher EGBE, AMAKA and HILLARY In.
EGBE
Babe, how you dey?
MELISSA
I’m quite fine thanks for asking.
AMAKA
See who came to see you.
AMAKA nudges HILLARY forward
HILLARY
Hi Mel. How are you doing?
MELISSA
I’m okay. You?
HILLARY
I’m okay also.
MELISSA
Good
HILLARY
Yeah
AMAKA
Hey hey hey, wetin dey do una? Abeg stop all these your jilted lovers’ awkward reunion.
MELISSA
I’m sorry Amy, but what did you expect? Last conversation I had with her, she had some choice words to say to me because NICHOLAS came to speak to me.
AMAKA
And she is very sorry about that, isn’t she? Hils?
HILLARY
Of course I am. And quit hitting me like that.
MELISSA
Well, apology accepted.
HILLARY
No, you don’t understand, I shouldn’t have let jealousy and my own insecurities come up and make me bitter against my best friend.
MELISSA
Like I said, apology accepted. Really, there’s nothing to be sorry about. We had a tiff and now it’s over. It happens.
HILLARY hugs MELISSA
HILLARY
Thank you so much Mel. Couldn’t bare being at odds with you. I missed us.
EGBE
I swear my eyes don dey tear me up or how Dem dey talk am sef?
AMAKA
Your eyes are tearing up. Not tearing you up.
They all laugh as EGBE flips Amy off jovially.
AMAKA (contd)
It’s really good to hear you laugh again today Mel.
MELISSA
It feels good to laugh with wonderful friends like you. I’m not sure I would have survived this if not for your support.
EGBE
Haha what are friends for?
AMAKA
Which reminds me. MELISSA, bring your Anatomy manuals for me abeg.
HILLARY
Copyfish. She will never do assignments, na to dey copy up and down she sabi do well well.
AMAKA
Mind your business oh bonga fish before I vex and open your chapter now.
MELISSA walks into the small hall way that connects the kitchen and bathrooms to the main room.
MELISSA
(From the hallway)
The two of you are not well, I swear. She copies assignments, you copy tests, and the two of you copy exams.
She returns to the room with the booklets and passes them to Amy.
EGBE
Gbam! Matter don burst. And una go dey form serious medical students up and down. Hehehe.
AMAKA
He don do like that oh. MELISSA, we’ll like to be on our way now. It’s almost dusk.
HILLARY
That’s true. I can’t walk that our area at night.
MELISSA
That’s true. Let EGBE and I walk you guys to the junction.
EGBE
You go just dey order someone up and down. What if all I need is a little please?
MELISSA
When coming back, we’ll buy six pure bliss biscuits.
EGBE
Done.
The others laugh while MELISSA locks her door.
EXT. FRONT OF MELISSA’S ROOM-DAY
MELISSA and EGBE stand in front of MELISSA’S door as they stare at something on the screen of a phone.
MELISSA
You have got to be kidding me. That is not me. I mean it’s my face but that is not my body.
EGBE
Yeah, I know that. But not everyone does. This is very bad.
MELISSA
But what did I ever to this cave gist handler? Why is the person so determined to torment me?
EGBE
Calm down Mel. We are going to find out who this sadistic internet bully is and we are going to deal with him or her.
MELISSA
What am I going to do now? It was terrible last time, it’s going to be awful this time around.
EGBE
You’re going to do the same thing you did. Hold your head high and pretend they’re not getting to you. You can’t afford to miss School. Your part one MBBS exam is near.
AMAKA and HILLARY approach them from the gate of the compound.
EGBE (contd)
Thank God your friends are here. I can already see those tears threatening to fall down your cheeks.
AMAKA
I’m guessing she has seen what that bastard posted again.
EGBE
Yes, she has. Why is this person so determined to frustrate her? A photo shopped picture of her head on a slim person’s naked body. Now it’ll look like she takes nude pictures as a hobby.
HILLARY
The sadist even had the guts to tag her as a local porn star.
MELISSA
My education is over. I can’t go to School anymore. Which means no classes, that means I won’t make the required attendance cut off. That means I won’t sit for the exam, that means I’ll fail. That means I’m going to………
AMAKA
Jesus! Calm down MELISSA. It hasn’t gotten to that. You’re not going to fail because you’ll write that exam. You want to know why? Because you’ll go to School and not miss a single practical class. You already missed enough last month when you were on admission. You can’t risk missing more.
MELISSA
Now I’m Melissa the porn star. No longer the slut sleeping with people’s boyfriends. That’s quite the classy promotion, isn’t it?
HILLARY
You’ll be fine baby girl. You’re stronger than all these things.
MELISSA
(Sits on the ground)
But I’m not. I am just as human and weak as the next person. These things are getting to me.
EGBE
This is a strong kind of hate. Cyber bullying that shouldn’t be allowed to integrate into the school system.
AMAKA
So, you fit speak English like this?
EGBE
Quit it Amy, this is not the time for jokes.
AMAKA
I was just trying to lighten up everything. She needs us to be happy, so that it’ll rub on her. She’s already depressed enough for all of us. We don’t need to add to it.
MELISSA
I’m not sure anything can work right now. I’m too far gone to be cheered up right now.
HILLARY
No, it’s not. You will make it through this.
EGBE
While we will also need to hunt down this internet bully and hater. We will need to start by meeting with famous student bloggers to ask them questions.
HILLARY
Exactly. Hunting down this perpetrator is the only way to make sure this stupidity ends.
INT. EGBE’S ROOM- DAY
EGBE is seen packing things into a leather bag in a hurry when a knock sounds at the door. She opens the door to admit HILLARY in.
EGBE
Hey Hils, will you be accompanying me to the hospital today?
HILLARY
No, I can’t.
EGBE
Why are you this sad? MELISSA is going to be fine. We found her on time before the drug overdose could have done more serious damage to her.
HILLARY
I’m here because of that. I think I know who the blog handler is.
EGBE
How? Who? Where?
HILLARY
Come with me.
They rush out of the room together.
INT. AMAKA’S ROOM- DAY
AMAKA is seen typing away on her phone furiously before a knock sounds on her door. She opens the door to admit somber looking EGBE and HILLARY.
AMAKA
Hey guys what’s up?
EGBE
Wow! I’ve got to admit you had us all fooled. The cheer leading speeches, the smiles of encouragement, even making HILLARY seem like the bad egg whereas you were the bad egg.
AMAKA
(In a shaky voice)
What are you talking about?
EGBE
What are we talking about? You know what I’m talking about you little cyber troll. You have been the cave gist handler all these while. Making all those six posts about someone you called friend. Each one worse than the last. The final straw was this last one about why she and Segun really broke up. That she was pregnant and he ditched her and she had to abort it in a moment of indecision. Now you’ve broken her to an extent that she had to resort to drug overdose to take her own life because she couldn’t handle the shame and the pain anymore.
AMAKA
How was I supposed to know the crazy drama queen would want to commit suicide?
HILLARY
Crazy? Did you say crazy? If anyone is crazy or is a drama queen here, it’s you. What did she ever do to you?
AMAKA
What? Everything. She was so darn perfect, getting all the glory. All the love. All the guys. It was so obvious Nicholas is smitten with her. I did what I had to, so I could clip her wings.
Immediately she says wings, EGBE rushes towards her but is held back by HILLARY.
EGBE
Ooooooooooh HILLARY, leave me make I teach this wench a lesson.
HILLARY
That won’t make any difference right now. As for you AMAKA, where’s MELISSA’s diary? I saw you take it when we were in her house after that first scandal. I didn’t know why until this last one you posted. I knew there was no way anyone could have known that bit unless the person read her diary. Because I was actually the one that wrote that entry one night I found her crying and she told me all about it and that I should help her write it because she wouldn’t want to stain the pages with tears.
AMAKA
So, that was what gave me away?
EGBE
(With a sneer)
Wow genius, you figured that out. So smart.
HILLARY
Yes. Now give me the book so I can return it to the owner. We’ll deal with you after all these.
AMAKA
Good luck proving anything. You can’t link it to me.
HILLARY.
AMAKA. I’ve been your friend for years. I know how you think. Which was why all these was being recorded. Have a wonderful evening.
EGBE and HILLARY exit, leaving a stunned looking AMAKA alone in her room.
EXT. FRONT OF MELISSA’S HOUSE-DAY
MELISSA is locking her main door while there is a packed bag next to her on the ground. NICHOLAS is seen rushing towards her from the gate.
NICHOLAS
Oh God. MELISSA. It’s actually true. You’re leaving.
MELISSA
Yes NICHOLAS. It’s so good to see you outside the hospital. By the way, how did it go with Segun’s sanction for breach of presidential moral conduct?
NICHOLAS
He was able to prove they were just mere allegations. And when word got out that all those posts were the jealous ramblings of a crazy friend, his case became even more solid.
MELISSA
That’s wonderful.
NICHOLAS
Melissa, I……
MELISSA
What is it NICHOLAS?
NICHOLAS
Why are you leaving? I mean I get it, but really, why? We already started the anti-bullying and anti-hate internet campaign. The internet was the medium of the hate, the internet should be the way to stop it. Which was what we should have been doing instead of looking for the perpetrator.
MELISSA
Does it make any difference for me again? My parents thought it wise that I change environment. I will be starting sessions with a therapist at home while my transfer is being worked. I can’t stay here anymore if I want to recover fully. Trying to commit suicide is the highest point of depression I have ever reached.
NICHOLAS
Please don’t go. I think I’m in love with you. You’re all I’ve been able to think of for a long time. Making you the script writer was just an excuse to find a way to spend more time with you.
MELISSA
I think I really like you too. But, my parents’ words are final. For once, I actually agree with them. No matter how much it hurts to leave it’s for the best. Just continue the online anti-hate campaign and the No violence slogan. It would really help others before they end up like me.
NICHOLAS
I’m guessing your parents are the ones waiting in the SUV outside the gate.
MELISSA
Yes. Which is why I have to go now. I can’t keep them waiting any longer. They will come back for the rest of my stuff. I only packed the essentials.
NICHOLAS bends to pick up the duffel bag while he walks with her to the gate.
NICHOLAS
Get well soon Mel. The new campaign is in your honour. You were brave.
MELISSA
Myself? I took the coward’s way out. That doesn’t spell braveness.
NICHOLAS
Most people would not last that long you know? I’m just happy AMAKA is getting the just punishment the School can dish out to her.
MELISSA
The verdict isn’t out yet. She might not be expelled.
She collects her bag when they get to her parent’s car. She gets in the car while NICHOLAS greets her parents.
MELISSA (contd)
Take care of yourself Nick. We’ll see again soon.
NICHOLAS
How soon is soon?
MELISSA
(With a smile as the car reverses)
You’ll be surprised. Bye NICHOLAS.
NICHOLAS
(With a reluctant wave)
Bye MELISSA
ENDS
