BABA MUFU’S SHOP, DAY
A small crowd cheering, laughing and mocking in a circle.
Harry leading the circle on with his bottle of beer with him....
HARRY
Smallie, na you I put money on, no
fall my hand...
In the middle of the circle is Bunmi, an eighteen year old
and Oga Charles, a potbellied man with his shirt on his shoulder playing draught. Oga Charles is tensed up, because Bunmi is obviously winning.
HARRY
Smallie finish am.
She lets a silly smile out at Oga Charles, takes her piece and used it to take what is left of Mr Charles’ game, leaving the crowd to run wild.
Harry immediately carried her on his shoulder as his winner,
with every one chanting her name.
CROWD
Smallie! Smallie! Smallie.
BUNMI’S HOUSE... EVENING
Uncle Mike is training with his punching bag at the corner of the sitting room. The sitting room is scanty, just a long couch and a TV on the wall with a center table to add a little colour to the gloominess of the room.
Bunmi enters gently, she tries to sneak in, seeing that
her uncle is distracted with his boxing training.
UNCLE MIKE
You are late.
He does not let her distract him however.
BUNMI
(She is obviously scared of
him)
I am sorry, I was busy.
UNCLE MIKE
Doing what exactly?
She did not respond. Uncle Mike irritated held his Punching bag.
UNCLE MIKE (cont’d)
What the hell were you busy doing? (he exclaimed)
BUNMI
Nothing.
Uncle Mike walking towards her, she is scared, shrinking in herself as he gets closer. He holds her face up.
UNCLE MIKE
Go to the room, pick up the
package, deliver it, and be back in
an hour. Can you do that.
BUNMI
(Mumbling softly)
Yes.
He gives her a good tap on her head and goes to continue his training. Bunmi leaves to the room.
CLUB. MX’S OFFICE, NIGHT.
Bunmi walks in, Mx is playing PS4 with a friend, he sees
Bunmi, and snaps his finger for his friend to leave.
He walks up to her takes the bag and heads to his table.
MX
How is my brother?
BUNMI
Boxing as usual, he is getting better
MX
Have a sit come on. Don’t be a
stranger.
She sat.
MX (cont’d)
You know you could work here if you
want.
BUNMI
(Giggles)
As what?
MX
You are a pretty good dancer.
BUNMI
I have to leave now uncle Max.
MX
Think about it.
BUNMI
You should check what’s in the bag.
MX
Nah, no worries, it’s my stuff from
my Ex-wife.
BUNMI
Then why was it with Uncle Mike.
MX
Good question, you need to leave
now.
BUNMI
You are all wired from mummy’s
part of the family.
MX
Your mom loves you, you know that.
BUNMI
Sure.
She prepared to leave.
MX
Hey
(Brings out bundle of money
from his drawer and threw
it at Bunmi)
it at Bunmi)
Get something good to wear.
She leaves, smiling. He opens the bag, and smells it giddy.
OUTSIDE THE CLUB, NIGHT
The song from the club still lingers in the air. Bunmi comes out. Harry is outside standing at the entrance, apparently he is a bouncer.
HARRY
Smallie.
BUNMI
Harry.
HARRY
Drop something for boys.
BUNMI
The bet you won on me isn’t enough.
HARRY
More money should be made. Go home,
it’s late.
The sound of a girl struggling with some guys in the not too far.
Harry and Bunmi looking listening, trying to know exactly what’s happening.
GUY ONE
Guy hurry, get it.
GIRL
Please... Help.
Bunmi already irritated by the guys bullying the young lady.
BUNMI
Hey, that’s enough.
HARRY
Hey Bunmi stay out of that, you
don’t want to mess with those guys.
They have guns.
Bunmi ignores Harry and goes towards them.
BUNMI
I said stop.
GUY ONE
Who the hell are you.
HARRY
Bunmi!
BUNMI
Why don’t you pick on someone your
size, instead messing around with
little girl.
GUY TWO
Oh chill, and that would be you.
BUNMI
No. Him
Bunmi points to Harry, Harry immediately looks away.
HARRY
(To himself)
This girl is going to have me
killed.
GUY ONE
Run along now.
They continued harassing her.
BUNMI
I said stop.
Bunmi tries to get in between the girl and them, one of them
in the middle of the struggle accidentally shoots Bunmi.
Everyone around the street took off. The girl scared, let’s
out a scream as Bunmi falls on her, struggling to catch her
breath.
HARRY
Nooooooo.
Harry running over furious.
GUY TWO
(Panicking)
What the hell man, why would you do
that.
GUY ONE
I slipped.
GUY TWO
(Dragging his friend)
Let’s get out here.
They take off before Harry gets there.
GIRL
You would be alright.
She pulls off her jacket and uses it to put pressure on the wound. Harry is shocked standing and looking.
GIRL
(To Harry. Shouting)
Get a cab.
He took off.
Bunmi’s vision is blurry, the voices echo the only thing she
can hear is her heart beat and her breath.
GIRL
Don’t give up on you.
You Made a Black Girl Blush: Written by Minna Davies
E-mail address: minnadavies@yahoo.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid Content