drama nite 4 script

7/29/2019 Drama Nite 4 Script

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30 SECONDSThe Transforming Sacrifice

BY

Jerry C. Keme


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30 secondsThe Transforming Sacrifice

Casts

1) Steve2) Bella3) Bellas roommate, Shola4) Class mates5) Bar tender6) A few people in the bar (6)7) The Gate keeper8) Palace guards (5)9) Prison guards (2)10)Peasant girl, Bisi11)Village chiefs (4)12)King13)Princess Sade14)Tobi, Strongest warrior and heir to the throne15)Warriors from the neighbouring village (5)16)Pastor

Abstract

Steve, a medical student of OAU lives a wayward life. Even though he has a

girlfriend, Bella, who is a Christian and wishes him well, he still has difficulty changing

to be a better person. This experience changes his life completely.


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SCENE 1 (END OF CLASS)

(A small crowd of students are seen walking into the hall and out through several other

entrances indicating the end of their lecture for the day)

Steve: So this lecturer is really giving us a test next week. And he couldnt even give us thearea of concentration. I wonder where Ill start reading from.

Shola: Well, that should not be a problem, since he was giving us some signs when he was

flipping through some of the slides, I was able to take note of certain locations in the note that

he would set question on.....(Bella cuts in)

Bella: Wait Shola, if you remember well, this was the same thing that happened during the

first test; you said you had marked some places in the note that the questions will come out

from, after we had read the same thing that you read, it was the inverse that came

out.....(Steve and Bella laugh about it)

Shola: So Steve, you cannot support me? And you are laughing along with Bella.

Steve: Well, Shola, what do you expect (he places a hand on Bellas shoulder, and Bella

holds him in return, then Steve starts to sing with his very bad voice) You are the only one for

me, girl can you see....(Shola cuts him)

Shola: Its ok. I know you guys just fell in love, but then, at least give room for some other

people sometimes.

Bella: Shola, thats not possible, Steve is mine. Im not sharing with anybody and thatincludes you. (they all laugh, then Bella starts to cough terribly which causes them to stop

walking and give attention to her)

Steve: Bella, are you ok? Did something enter your throat? (His phone rings) Excuse me

please... (He moves away to pick it up while Bella and Shola talk behind him in audible

whispers) Hello....

Shola: Bella, you mean you havent told him yet?

Bella:Its not up to 3weeks since we started dating, Ill let him know pretty soon (she clears

her throat as Steve starts approaching)

Steve: Sorry girls; that was my friend inviting me over. Are you okay Bella, you seemed like

there was something wrong.

Bella: Im fine dear (She gives a smile trying to hide the after effects of her cough; then

clears her throat) just a small cough.

Steve: Ok, you should rest for awhile then. Youve been up and running for the whole day.

Shola: I agree with Steve, you guys get something to drink,besides, Im sure Bella needs it.(Talking to Bella) Ill see you when you get to the room.


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Bella: No problem, well see later. (Steve moves ahead of them, Shola whispers quickly to

Bella again)

Shola: You better tell him now.

Bella: I will, give me time. (Shola leaves)

(Bella and Steve climb stage, i.e. a canteen and order for drinks)

Steve: What are you having?

Bella: Just water will do pls.

Steve: Ok, (talking to the tender) A bottle of water for the lady, a bottle of beer and a pack of

cigarettes for me..... (Bella cuts in)

Bella: (Talking to the tender) Just make it one bottle of water and a bottle of coke please.

BarTender: Ok madam. (he gets the drinks)

Steve: What was the meaning of that?

Bella: Steve, we have talked about this over and over. You have to live a Christian life now.

You cannot continue like this u know...

Steve: (Steve cuts in) Bella please lets not start this argument again.

Bella: Oh yes we have to finish it. You fail to recognise the sacrifice Christ has made for you

and I.

Steve: (Sarcastically) A sacrifice? For me? Please tell me about it.

Bella: (Excited) Really? Im glad you want to hear this today. (She explains enthusiastically)

Several years ago, Christ payed the perfect sacrifice. He bore the burden of the people who

sinned and died for them.

Steve: (Steve tries to hold it in, but starts laughing uncontrollably) I remember this hilarious

story. Wait let me finish it; then he rose up from the dead like a ghost and ascended to the

heavens and lives there isnt it? (He starts laughing again) .

Bella: Steve, this is no joke. Im serious. You dont believe a person can make such a

sacrifice? That is the perfect sacrifice you know...

Steve: Bella, you have been deceived all these years. There is no such thing as a sacrifice, let

alone a perfect sacrifice. I mean, who does that? You die for the sake of somebody else?

Pathetic!!! Let every man that sins bear his own curse please. And for your Christianity

hocus pocus, I definitely do not subscribe to that school of thought.


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Bella: Steve that is just very selfish of you.

Steve: Call it whatever you like my dear. As far as I am concerned, I do good, mostly to my

friends, a few times to the people I know. I give to the poor whenever I want to get rid of

dirty money, or most times when I need to get change for large currencies, I meet the beggars

for that.

Bella: (Out of surprise) Steve!!!

Steve: Yes!!! Anything wrong with that? I dont believe in your Jesus Christ and let alone,

I dont believe in anything like a Sacrifice. Please, tell the sacrifice story to the poor, or to

the unrighteous. As for me, sacrifice is being selfish to oneself, and I cannot be selfish

especially to myself. Period!!!

Bella: (sigh) Well, I know I have tried to convince you ever since we have been together,

nevertheless, I wont stop praying for you. That reminds me!!! I got you a gift, somethingspecial. (With a sheepish smile on her face)

Steve: Hmmn, ok, lets see it. Ibelieve I should close my eyes as usual right? (She nods in

agreement then he closes his eyes)

{Bella brings out a small bible and holds it in front of him.

Bella: You can open your eyes now.

(Steve opens his eyes)

Steve: What is this? A bible? Bella you never seize to amaze me. So what am I meant to do

with this?

Bella: Steve please, dont reject it. Its the best gift I could get for you. You are the only

loved one of mine that lives like this. You still smoke, you drink, and you still wont agree to

become a Christian.

Steve: That does not mean I will take that book from you.

Bella: Please Steve!!! Even if you wont read it, just keep it with you. It has helped me at

times of need. I believe it will surely help you one day. You may never know. Please acceptthis bible, a gift from me to you. (Steve resists for awhile, then accepts)

Steve: Ok fine, Ill accept it. Still doesnt mean Ill read it though.

Bella: Well, just give it a try. First step is to keep it with you. Who knows what will happen

next.

Steve: (With a smile on his face) Ok, no worries, Ill try to read it. But this is where it will be

most of the time.(He places it in his back pocket)

Bella: (Sigh) Fine. (It crosses her mind that she has something to tell Steve) Steve there is

something that I want to discuss with you.


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(Steve looks at his wrist watch)

Steve: Wow!!! time really flies. Sorry Bella, I told you my friends called me over. I think I

have to leave now so I can make it back on time. Can we discuss later? You can tell me

whatever it is later in the evening. Come over to my hostel so we can talk ok?

Bella: (Sighs) Its ok. It can wait till then. Ill wait till you come back.

Steve: Ok, if Im not back when you come over, just call me. I should be on my way back by

then. Lets say between 7 and 8pm?

Bella: That should do. See you later.

(Steve is about leaving then she calls him back)

Bella: (With a smile on her face) Steve, are you not forgetting something?

(Steve comes back, acts like he forgot something, then fiddles with her nose, they do a handshake and then he says goodbye)

Steve: I hope I got it right this time.

Bella: Well, you tried, just dont get it wrong again next time, else, Ill be the one to fiddle

with your nose.

(Steve laughs and says good bye)

Bella: (Talking to the bar tender) Can I have my balance please?

Bartender: Yes Madam. Here it is.

(Lights Fade)

...........................................................................

SCENE 2 (STEVE COMES HOME DRUNK)

(Steve comes on stage singing in his drunken state, while Bella waits for Him at his door)

Steve: (Singing a song by Bob Marley) I dont wanna wait in vain for your love. I dont

wanna wait in vain for your love.....From the very first time I placed my eyes on you

girl....(Runs into Bella)

Bella: (Complaining) Steve where have you been? Ive been waiting for hours now; I called

but you didnt pick up...(She perceives alcohol) please dont tell me you are drunk again?

Steve: What kind of question is that? When last did I get drunk if not the last time I got

drunk? Please excuse me (He shoves her to gain access to his door)


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Bella: Steve, this has to stop. How many times will you have me complain about the life live?

I can't take this anymore.... (Steve cuts in)

Steve: O Please!!! Do you think you have had any effect on my life ever since we have been

together? You are just pathetic you know....Please, when you are done, you can have your

leave, I need to sleep (Making attempts to take off his shoes)

Bella: Me? Pathetic? (She slaps him)..... O my God, Steve Im sorry, I dont know what came

over me.

Steve: (He returns the slap and she falls to the ground) How dare you?

(Bella starts crying then coughing)

Steve: (Gets worried) Are you alright? Im sorry, I didnt meant to do that. Please forgive me.

(Bella nods but still keeps coughing)

Steve: (Still worried) Are you sure you are fine, you are beginning to look pale.

(Bella, while coughing searches her bag for something but doesnt seem like its there)

Bella: I should go now please, I will come over first thing in the morning so we can talk.

(Bella starts leaving immediately)

Steve: Bella talk to me please, is there something wrong? Bella!!! Bella!!! (Bella leaves

stage)

(Bella goes over to her hostel, she knocks on the door; Her roommate Shola is also preparing

to go out.)

Shola: Who is it?

Bella: (Sobs) Shola please open up.

(Shola opens the door)

Shola: My good God!!! What happened to your face? Did someone slam the bathroom door

in your face?

Bella: (While sobbing, she walks right in and goes to the drawer to take some pills) Steve and

I had a small fight.

Shola: Fight?? Steve?? Haba, so he had to slam the bathroom door in your face?

Bella: I slapped him and he returned it.

(Shola starts to laugh but she tries to hide it)


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Shola: You mean you slapped Steve? (Sarcastically) Steve the bad boy whom you are

attempting to change? Wow!!! Well, at least we can see the repercussion of trying to fiddle

with the impossible, but haba, he slapped you in return? What kind of a Boyfriend will do

that? I trust myself, I would tear the house down.

Bella: Its not like that. He came home drunk, we argued a little and it just happened very

fast. We didnt even get the chance to discuss my medical condition.

Shola: (Sarcastically) And yet again, another day has gone by without you telling him. You

should leave this Steve of a guy before he finds out about your condition and eventually

dumps you. I dont want these fight tears to turn to break-up tears.

Bella: He was willing to listen when I was about to leave, but if I didnt leave then, I might

have slumped in his house. I forgot my pills here so I had to rush back to take them. (She

takes another dose of her pills)

Shola: Its understandable, try and break the news to him before its too late. I have to go out

now. Ill be back quite late so please dont lock the door.

Bella: Ok.

(Shola leaves then Bella goes on her knees and says a short prayer)

Bella: Dear Lord, please change Steve to become a better person. (While praying she sleeps

off)

(Steve, in his confused state, paces about his room for awhile, then lays down on his bed andsleeps off immediately. He twists and turns showing discomfort on the bed, then he starts

dreaming {*Dream Soundtrack})

(Lights Fade)

............................................................

SCENE 3 (THE DREAM)

(In an open field, Steve is sleeping on his bed. He sits up, yawns and spots a shabbily dressed

middle-aged man at a distance but doesnt acknowledge him directly)

Steve: All these people in my dreams are beginning to look real. I should consider smoking a

little less nowadays. (He lays down again)

(After a short while, he stands up and goes to ease himself. The man mimics him by doing the

same thing, Steve walks back to his bed and the man follows him there. They both lie down

on the bed side by side. Steve then realizes that he is not in his room and he is not alone. He

jumps up and screams, the man does the same thing)


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Both: Ahhhh!!!!!

Steve: Who are you? Where am I? Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming. (He slaps himself

continuously, the man mimics that also) Nightmare!!! Nightmare!!! Nightmare!!! Wake up

Steve, wake up!!!

Gatekeeper: (Starts laughing) Wow!!! You are indeed a funny one. Ive never been sent to a

person that slap himself and screams Nightmare!!! Nightmare!!! (He laughs hilariously).

Anyway, you referred to yourself as Steve. You can call me the Gatekeeper.

Steve: (Stunned) Seriously?? You are joking right? I am definitely dreaming. (Starts pacing) I

must look for a way out of here.

(The gatekeeper approaches him, but he backs up)

Gatekeeper: Hmmn, you are fast. You just got here and you are thinking of going back to

where you came from? Why do you think I was the first person you saw here? My job

description is that I explain to you why you are here.

Steve: (Stutters) Dont come closer!!! I know karate. I know Judo. Just stay away from me.

(He starts wondering away)

Gatekeeper: Alright, Ill stay away then. (Talking to the audience with a smile on his face)

Whenever they come here and act this way, which is not new to me actually, they definitely

dont last long before getting into trouble. Lets see how far Mr Steve goes.

(Just as Steve is about to leave the set, 2 palace guards approach him)

Guard1: (Talking to Guard 2) We have caught him today!!!

Guard2: Rush and catch him before he escapes.

(They pounce on him and start to beat him up mercilessly, tearing his clothes in the process)

Steve: Ah!! Please what have I done? Who are you?

Guard1: Shut up you spy!!!

Guard2: You thought we would never catch you?

Steve: Catch me? I just got here!!!

(Guard 1 slaps him)

Guard1: Liar!!!

(Guard 2 slaps him on the other cheek)

Guard2: Impostor!!! Explain yourself when you get to prison.


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(They take him off stage)

Gatekeeper: If only he waited to listen. Well, I hope he is quick enough. His time is counting

down already.

(Lights Fade)

[DAYS LEFT 30]

..............................................................

SCENE 4 (IN PRISON)

(The guards bring him inside and place him in chains.)

Guard2: I hope you sent a message to the king that we caught a spy from the neighbouring

village?

Guard1: Yes I did.

Guard2: Let him suffer here for awhile. Then well show him to the king.

Guard1: I agree with you. The people from the other village have tormented us enough.

Now that we have captured their spy, we will extract all the information we need from him.

Guard2: But dont you think we were too harsh on him? We havent even confirmed if he isfrom the neighbouring village.

Guard1: What do you mean? If he didnt come from the other village, what would he be

doing at the forbidden boundary? Villagers are not allowed there.

Guard2: You are right. Since he is not from our village, he is obviously from a village that

is not our village. The other village!!!

Guard 1: You dunce!!! You are just noticing that....

(As they continue their conversation, a little girl comes on stage and attempts to walk towardsSteve)

Guard1: Hey you!!! (Talking to Guard 2) I thought I told you to get rid of this nuisance. Do

you realise she is insane?

Guard2: Peasant girl, get away from him!!!

Bisi: I am not insane. You mad guardsjust dont understand me.

Guard1: Who are you calling mad?


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(The guards attempt to catch her; she manages to dribble them, Guard 1 gets a hold of her but

she bites her way out of his arms and runs off stage)

Guard1: Ahh!!! She bit me.

Guard2: (Talking to Guard 1) Idiot!!! You cant hold on to a small girl. Go after her youdunce.

(They run off stage to search for the girl; She comes back on stage through the other

entrance; she creeps slowly to Steve to get a good look at his face)

Steve: (With a timid voice) Please dont harm me.

(He looks up and sees a girl)

Steve: Who are you?

(She sits and curls up at a distance)

Bisi: I hear you are a spy. You sure dont look like one. Spies are to have a mischievous look.

I dont see that on your face. Are you a spy?

Steve: No I am not.

Bisi: You dont seem like you are from around here. Where are you from?

Steve: I am from a world where people dont beat up strangers and accuse them of something

they know nothing about. I dont even know where I am or what Im doing here. Initially, Ithought I was dreaming, but after I received the beating of my life, it dawned on me.

(She laughs hysterically then stops abruptly)

Steve: Is that how you laugh?

Bisi: (Challenging him) Is there something wrong with my laughter? Do you think Im

insane?

Steve: I never said anything like that.

Bisi: Better!!! Some people say that I am insane, but they dont know that they are mad.

Steve: You dont sound insane to me. But then, you really need to work on your laughter.

(She laughs hysterically again and stops abruptly)

Bisi: My name is Bisi.

Steve: Bisi, do you mind telling me where I am.

Bisi: You are in a prison obviously.

Steve: No, I mean which village is this?


12/37

(The gatekeeper comes on stage)

Gatekeeper: You are in a village called Oni; popularly known for the tears of her people.

Steve: You!!! Gatekeeper or what do you call yourself. You stood there and watched those

guards beat me up but still you did nothing. I should put you through the same fate.

Gatekeeper: (Sarcastically) I tried to tell you to listen, but you resisted. I hope you learnt a

lesson. Mothers say Dont talk to strangers, but I say otherwise. Are you ready to listen

now?

Steve: Where am I? Why am I here? Who are all these people?

Gatekeeper: One question after the other please. I only know a few answers, those that I was

instructed to tell you. I am not all knowing you know.

Steve: Ok. Where am I?

Gatekeeper: I answered that question before. You are in a village called Oni; popularly

known for the tears of her people.

Steve: What am I doing here?

Gatekeeper: Well, from what I can tell, you are meant to be here, if not, you definitely

would not have lasted this long. But you surely dont have all the time to spend here. Your

essence of coming here, you will have to figure out yourself, but as always, the answer surely

lies in your hands.

Steve: What do you mean by I dont have all the time? And the answer lies in my hands? As

you can see, my hands are in chains at the moment, so definitely, the answers to my questions

lie with you.

Gatekeeper: Let me try and put this in a way that youll understand. I am as good as a

messenger. Garbage in-Garbage out as you say it in your world I suppose. All the information

I have given to you is all that I know concerning you Mr Steve.

Steve: And how come you know so much about my kind of people?

Gatekeeper: Lets just say you are not the first person I have been sent to. I am not new to

this job you know.

Steve: Well, if you cannot give me the answers I require, where can I get answers to my

questions?

(The Gatekeeper starts to leave stage)

Gatekeeper: As I once said, all the details you require upon arrival into Oni, I just delivered.

If there is any other information that you need to know, I will deliver them to you

accordingly, just the way I have just done. And please dont forget, the answer to your

questions lie with you.


13/37

Steve: Now you are leaving. What sort of messengers are these? You start giving a message,

and you dont pass information across?

(Bisi has been staring at Steve while he was talking to the Gatekeeper, she obviously couldnt

see the Gatekeeper)

Bisi: And people call me insane; here is someone that talks to himself for minutes, whereas

mine hasnt exceeded a few seconds. Some people are really mad.

Steve: Are you referring to me? Did you not see the person I was talking to?

Bisi: Hmmn, this situation is worse than I thought. Now he is seeing people. You must be

insane. Well, that makes the two of us. But definitely, I reference you. You are just

remarkable. I have never seen things before. Please teach me how you do it.

(The guards come on stage)

Guard1: Is that not the same girl?

Guard2: She still has the guts to come back here?

Bisi: (Talking to Steve) It is obvious that visiting time is over. I will visit again.

(She runs off stage while the guards pursue after her)

Guards: Come back here let us teach you a lesson.

(Lights Fade)

[DAYS LEFT 29]

..............................................................

SCENE 5 (THE KINGS PALACE)

(The guardsbring Steve to the kings palace. The chiefs, the heir to the throne Tobi, and

princess Sade, with her face covered, are also present. )

Guards: Your Highness.

Guard2: My King, this is the spy we caught trying to enter into our kingdom.

Guard1: He was caught wandering around the forbidden boundary....


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Guard2: Probably looking for a way to gain access to the village.

Tobi: Good work. Which one of you caught him? Lets prepare your reward immediately.

Guard1: (Dramatically) Well, the way it happened was like this. My partner was asleep

while I spotted a strange movement in the bushes. Immediately, I stood up, and landed on theforeign movement. So in that sense, I caught the stranger. My partner here could only assist

me take him to the prison since he was quite a heavy one.

Guard2: (Dramatically) I object your highness. It happened this way. My partner was not

there even. This foreign body in the bushes was running. My partner, when he saw this

strange movement thought it was a wild animal, so he took to his heels. I being a very

brave person had to go against all odds to grab the man. So then we began to fight...

Tobi: (Interrupts) Enough!!! It is obvious that both of you must have caught him out of luck.

(Tobi Faces Steve)

Tobi: You!!! Your people have attacked us enough. They have taken our farm produce, raped

our women, killed our fathers and enslaved our children. And if that is not enough, you

people have the guts to send a spy to this village?

Steve: I have no idea of what you are talking about. I am not from around here.....

(Tobi shuts him up with a smack on his face)

Tobi: Shut up!!!

King: Tobi that is enough. (Talking to Steve) Young man, what is your name.

Steve: My name is Steve.

King: Steve what? No other names?

Steve: Just Steve.

King: Alright Mr Just. It is obvious that you are a spy. You were caught wandering in the

forbidden boundary. Even if you claim not to be from around here, it is a taboo to be

wandering around there. That, you will also be punished for, nevertheless, you have no proof

that you not a spy. So for now, we will treat you like one. (Talking to the guards) Take him

back to the prison where he will be interrogated constantly until he reveals his true identity.

Tobi, please see to that personally.

(Tobi gives a scary smile to Steve)

King: (Talking to Tobi) Tobi, he is still a stranger so he must be treated that way. You must

make no attempts to kill him please. We just want to know his true identity.

Tobi: No problem my king. Who knows, we may just become best of friends. (Talking to theguards) Take him back till I get there. I have marriage arrangements to take care of.


15/37

(The guards take him away)

PrincessSade: Marriage arrangements? Father, you know we have not concluded this

matter. There is no way I will get married to a common warrior, especially one like him

(Making reference to Tobi).

King: Sade, now dont talk like that. Tobi is very strong, if not the strongest warrior we have

in the village at the moment. We may be in a period of war soon. The strength and continuity

of the throne is very important.

Tobi: Sade, please listen to your father. He speaks wisdom you know...

King: Tobi, even at that, the chiefs and I have still not concluded on what to do yet. So for

now, the idea of you getting married to the princess my daughter is still an idea. I hope that is

clear?

Tobi: Very clear my King. I will keep my hands off her.

King: Thats fine. Now excuse us both of you. There are pressing issues the chiefs and I have

to discuss. If we need you both, we will send any of the servants to call you.

TobiandSade: Your Highness. (They exit stage)

King: (Talking to the Chiefs) So where were we?

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 26]

..............................................................

SCENE 6 (IN PRISON)

(Steve is being tortured by Tobi and the other two guards; Steve is drenched in sweat and

blood)

Tobi: You must talk. Who sent you to us?

Guard1: Where is the entrance to your village?

Guard2: When are your people coming to attack us again?


16/37

Steve: How many times will I have to tell you this? I dont know anything that you are

talking about.

(Tobi gives him a punch on his face then he passes out)

Guard2: He has passed out again your highness.

Tobi: Pour some water on his face. He has to talk.

Guard1: But your highness, we have been going for 2 days now. He still has not told us

anything other than he is from a completely strange place and he doesnt know how he got

here. But he has a mission to accomplish here. It baffles me.

Tobi: Well, it is your duty not to believe. He is a spy. They are trained to hide information. It

is called espionage.

(The guards stupidly repeat after Tobi)

Guards: ESPIONAGE!!!

Tobi: Shut up and pour the water on his face.

(Guard 2 pours water on his face and Steve wakes up)

Tobi: Welcome back. How was your nap? I hope you are ready for another round of torture

because we are going to take it a little higher than before....

(Another guard rushes in to give Tobi a message; the guard whispers into Tobis ears)

Tobi: Now? But Im in the middle of something.

(The guard whispers again)

Tobi: Hmmn. Ok, Ill be there immediately.

(The guard leaves)

Tobi: Unfortunately for you Mr Steve, I have to be in an important meeting at the palace.

Before I get back, I assume you should have enough time to consider telling us thetruth....(Talking to the guards) Lets go. Well be back to continue.

Guard1: (As they leave stage) And I was really preparing for the next round. Well, till we

get back.

(Tobi and the guards leave stage and Steve is left alone on stage for awhile. Bisi then comes

creeping in as usual)

Bisi: (As she draws closer to Steve) You are bleeding!!!

(She rushes off stage and comes back in with a cloth and some water to clean his facewounds)


17/37

Bisi: Why dont you explain to them that you are not a spy?

Steve: How many times will I have to explain that to them? Especially Tobi. There is

something fishy about the way he acts.

Bisi: Please dont get into trouble with him. He is the strongest warrior in the village, and isexpected to get married to the princess soon.

Steve: Good for him, bad for the whole village. When that happens, I am sure everyone here

will be put under torture; even worse than I am going through.

Bisi: I got something for you. (She rushes off stage and comes back with some food)...I

figured you might not have eaten since you got here so I brought some food for you.

(Steve rushes the food like a hungry dog while she sits and curls up)

Steve: Thank you, I havent had anything to eat since I got here. But it baffles me. How comeyou are the only one that is nice to me? You go over your way to see me here, clean my

wounds and you bring me food. Why?

Bisi: Well, you are the only one that doesnt think Im insane.

Steve: That is true. One more question. Why do you sit like that all the time?

Bisi: Thats because I have a health condition.

Steve: A health condition? What kind?

Bisi: Well, its a popular one among some of the girls in this village. We dont have a name

for it, and there has been no way to treat it since its inception. It is one of the problems we

have here in the village.

Steve: Where I come from, I am a medical student. I should be able to help out.

(As they continue in their conversation, Tobi and the guards are heard coming back)

Bisi: They are back, I should leave immediately so I dont put you into further trouble.

Steve: I agree with you. Thank you for the food. I really appreciate it.

(Bisi carries the plates and leaves stage through one of the entrances while Tobi and the

guards come in through the other entrance)

Tobi: Where were we?

Guard1: We were teaching him a lesson.

Tobi: Ofcourse I know that you idiot!!! ... (Talking to Steve) I have a message for you Mr

Steve, from the King. He wanted to use this opportunity to invite you to our village festival

that comes up once in awhile. There will be dances, showcases and we will be offeringsacrifices to our ten gods.


18/37

Steve: Ten Gods? How pathetic of this village. You serve ten gods but are still afraid of your

neighbouring village. Very pathetic!!!

Guard2: I never thought of that. But come to think of it? That is true!!!

Tobi: (Smacks the guard on his head) Mr Steve, you have no right to talk about our gods.

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 24]

..............................................................

SCENE 7 (THE GATEKEEPER VISITS STEVE IN PRISON)

(As Steve sleeps in the prison, the Gatekeeper walks in)

Gatekeeper: Mr Steve? Hmmn, you are asleep. Illprobably have to come back.

Steve: I am not asleep actually. Ive not been able to sleep since I got here. That is one thing I

seem not to be able to understand.

Gatekeeper: Thats fine. You will get use to it. I came to find if youve gotten answers to

your questions.

Steve: Well, funny enough, Yes, even though I am still a bit confused, but Im sure I will pull

through.

Gatekeeper: You are becoming different from the way you were when you first arrived. And

Ive noticed that your spirit is also getting stronger and more positive. So tell me about your

findings.

(Steve explains)

Steve: I got to understand that some of the people in this village have some sort of ailment.

Although theyve not established what exactly the problem is, I feel Im to help them figure it

out and also, help find out a solution to the problem.

Gatekeeper: That sounds convincing enough.

Steve: (Pacing around) Absolutely. But my confusion is that if this is what I am expected to

do, how does this benefit me? If that is the reason I am here, why does it have to be me?

Gatekeeper: I can't answer these questions that you ask. But all I can say is that with thenature of the job I do, Ive gotten to understand that there are some tasks that are assigned to


19/37

certain people in life but few take it for granted because they feel the task is not meant for

them. Little do they know that life is all about helping others and sharing possessions with

them, for it is like an offering that pleases the creator. This we should do always even if it

may sometimes go against what we believe, or what we preach.

Steve: (Surprised) Where did you hear that?

Gatekeeper: Hear what?

Steve: What you just said. I have come across it before in a book Ive been reading.

Gatekeeper: What book is that?

(Steve brings out the bible given to him by Bella)

Steve: Its a bible given to me by a close friend. She said it might just save me one day, and

you said I should check beneath myself, and the answers may lie within. So I searched myselfand I found it with me. I dont know how it came along with me to this village; maybe when I

put it in my back pocket.

Gatekeeper: So what does it say?

(Steve opens to the book of Hebrews 13:16 and reads it)

Steve: The book of Hebrews, chapter 13 verse 16 But don't forget to help others and to share

your possessions with them. This too is like offering a sacrifice that pleases God .

Gatekeeper: A coincidence probably. I never knew a book as such existed, but if it has thatin it, then the words in it should be true. That friend of yours must really be a special one.

What is her name?

Steve: Her name is Bella. We were kind of close. Very close, but I messed it up.

Gatekeeper: Well Steve, my advice is that you read more of that book since it gives you

direction, but this is the message I have for you today. Your time here is running out. You

had just thirty days to accomplish whatever it was that you were assigned to do here but you

have about twenty left. So you need to be quick.

Steve: Twenty days? That means I have spent ten days here already. How come?

(The Gatekeeper starts to leave stage)

Gatekeeper: The rules of this world dont conform to those of your world. Time flies here

you know, but only a few like us notice it. Accomplish your task here on time, then you can

return back to your world just the way you came.

Steve: And when if I can accomplish my task in time, how do I go back.

Gatekeeper: Leave that to me.


20/37

(The Gatekeeper leaves stage)

Steve: If only I listened to Bella when she said I should read this book, I would have known

what to do. Time is running out, I have to act quickly.

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 20]

..............................................................

SCENE 8 (THE VILLAGE FESTIVAL)

(Steve brought in by the two guards to the village gathering; the King, his chiefs, Tobi,

Princess Sade, a few guards and a few other villagers are present.)

{Traditional music and dancers perform a war dance with Tobi heading a group of warriors in

the dance also}

King: Thank you!!! I welcome you all to yet another festive night where we celebrate the

culture of our village. You just saw our famous war dance which was passed on by our fore

fathers. The next on our agenda is the monthly sacrifice to our gods. (the villagers cheer)

Tobi: Thank you!!! Our gods have provided us with water, food and shelter. Although theyhave not been able to protect us from our enemies, luckily we have caught one of them this

month (pointing at Steve) making this month a very special and memorable one. (the

villagers cheer)

Thank you!!! Guards, bring in the sacrifice.

(two guards go out of stage and bring carry Bisi in)

Steve: (He struggles) Bisi!!! No!!! You cant use her as a sacrifice. Are you out of your

mind?

Tobi: Quiet!!! As the tradition is in this village, we only sacrifice those of us that are struck

with one disease or the other. This girl is sick and will be used as our sacrifice this month.

(Villagers cheer)

Steve: You cant do that. She is not sick!!! Please take me as your sacrifice. Leave the little

girl alone.

(The villagers start to sing and rejoice as Tobi brings out a cutlass and proceeds towards

Bisi; Steve struggles but could not still break through the two guards holding him; Bisi is tied

from her head to her feet so Tobi lays her down on flat on the floor and slits her throat with


21/37

the knife; Tobi screams out of anguish, manages to break away from the guards and goes

straight to carry Bisis dead body)

Steve: (crying) Bisi!!! Bisi!!! Is this what you call a sacrifice? You use a little innocent girl as

a sacrifice to some dead gods and you all celebrate?

(Tobi is about to strike Steve)

Tobi: How dare you?

(The king stops him)

King: Tobi!!! Lets hear him.

Steve: (Still carrying Bisis body) Ive read about a God. One that supersedes every other

god. (He brings out the bible from his back pocket) I dont know him in person, but the book

says that he knows me. That he knows everyone here. That he created every one of us. (Thevillagers start laughing)

Steve: (He drops Bisis body) True!!! From what this book says, this God is true. I never

believed in him before, but now I do.

King: Mr Steve, do you realise that you are insulting our gods?

Tobi: (Getting furious) Your highness, please let me have his head.

King : Easy Tobi. Mr Steve, if this God you talk about is real and he exists, you claim you

have never seen him before. We see our gods every now and then when we go to our shrines.

How can you prove to us that this God exists?

Steve: I dont know how I will prove that because the book says that those that worship him

do so in spirit and in truth. (The villagers laugh)

Tobi: (Sarcastically) In spirit and in truth? Pathetic. (He drags Steve and pulls him away)

Steve: Wait!!! I will prove him. I will!!!

King: Lets hear him.

(Tobi leaves Steve and he goes on his knees in the middle of everyone; then he says a prayer.

The villagers murmur among themselves as he prays)

Steve: (Afraid) How do I go about this? Ive never done this before. Steve, you really are

losing your mind. (Then he pauses then prays in a loud voice) Father!!! This book says that

when we call you, you will not hesitate to answer. Please show these people that you are true.

Show them that you are real. Prove to them that you are not dead. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Father!!! Father!!! Father!!!

(There is silence for about five seconds)


22/37

Tobi: This is a waste of time. There is nothing.....

(An uproar of thunder is heard thrilling all of them with fire effects all over stage)

Steve: Thank you Father!!! Your highness, my God is alive.

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 15]

..............................................................

SCENE 9 (PRINCESS SADE VISITS STEVE IN PRISON)

(Princess Sade comes on stage; She meets the two guards)

Guards: (Surprised) Your Highness!!!

Guard1: Our princess, this is a surprise. How may we be of service?

Guard2: Are you to meet his highness Tobi here?

PrincessSade: Quiet both of you!!! Tobi must never know I came here. I want to see Steve

the prisoner. Where is he?

Guard2: (Points to where Steve is) He is over there your highness.

Guard1: But no one is allowed to see him without the permission of his highness Tobi.

PrincessSade: Would you like me to tell the King that you stopped me?

Guards: No your highness!!!

Guard1: Please feel free.

(Princess Sade approaches Steve)

Steve: Please stay away, I dont want to talk to anyone.

PrincessSade: My name is Sade. I am....

Steve: (Steve cuts in) I know who you are. You are the princess arent you? Ive seen you

sitting quietly beside the king in several occasions, with your face covered, showing no sign

of remorse over any of the occurrences that take place. You are all heartless.

PrincessSade: For my face being covered, it is tradition that nobody but the king and the

palace servants see the face of the princess; reason being you couldnt see the expression on


23/37

my face during the festival. And for the occurrences, I apologise on behalf of my father for

what happened.

Steve: Oh no please. Your father seems like a good king and a reasonable person. I dont

have any problems with him. Tobi is the major problem in this village. He takes decisions

like he is always in charge. My heart bleeds for you people whenever I see him act without

remorse.

PrincessSade: That is one of the reasons I am here. Tobi has been a menace in this village

but somehow, his strength has blinded that of the chiefs and the king. That is why the actions

he takes doesnt go challenged. Ive seen the strength in you and your God. Please, we need

your help in this village.

Steve: Helping the people in the village is not a problem. I am obliged to do that. But why

should I help you? I hear you are to get married to him.

PrincessSade: (Disgusted) Oh please!!! I detest him. His strength and muscles disgusts me.

By all means, there is no way I am getting married to that bloated rat.

Steve: Ok. Helping the people is no problem for me. So for what other reason are you here?

PrincessSade: Its about Bisi, the girl that was killed. You noticed her health condition and

claimed she was not sick.

Steve: Where I come from, I am a medical student. After studying Bisi for awhile, I realised

that her ailment was just a mere food allergy which is a result of the kind of food that you

people eat; It also seems like not everyone can be affected by this ailment so it has to be

genetic. Its symptoms develop with time, it has a cure,but I havent figured it out yet. But

why do you ask?

(Princess Sade shies away from the question)

Steve: (Surprised) Dont tell me!!! I cant believe it!!! You mean to tell me you have the

same health condition as Bisi?

PrincessSade: Please dont shout. I can explain.

Steve: (Angry) Explain what? That you are still alive and Bisi is dead?

PrincessSade: No not that. If Tobi finds out, he will strangle me personally. Ive been able

to keep it hidden for years now and the older I grow, the more visible it becomes. Thats why

Im mostly quiet in public gatherings; and moreover, the King doesnt even know about it.

Steve: Why should I help you? You ought to be dead by now.

PrincessSade: (On her knees) Please Steve. There is nobody I can turn to. You are the only

one that knows about it at the moment. If anybody else finds out, I may not see the light of

the next day.


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Steve: (Sigh) Alright. I will help. It may take awhile.

PrincessSade: Thank you Steve. I am grateful. I must leave now before they start asking

about my whereabouts in the palace. I got you some meat. Please accept them.

Steve: No thank you. I wont defile myself with the kings meat.

PrincessSade: Actually, I hunted these down myself. Just for you.

(Steve collects them)

Steve: (With a smile) Who allows a princess to go hunting?

PrincessSade: (She returns the smile) I have my ways. Dont forget, I am the princess.

(As Princess Sade leaves Stage, she turns back to give him another message; The Gatekeeper

comes on stage through the opposite entrance)

PrincessSade: Less I forget, I have news. The King, the chiefs and the whole village have

decided to serve your God. You being the only person that has been able to relate with Him,

they decided to let you out of the prison. Although they havent gotten a place for you to stay,

you are free to move around the village for now, but would have to come back to the prison

every night pending the provision of a place for you to stay.

Steve: Thats great news. Thank you for your generosity.

(Princess Sade leaves stage)

Gatekeeper: Steve!!!

Steve: (Surprised) When did get here?

Gatekeeper: Ive been here for awhile. I was listening to your conversation with the princess.

Steve: (Excited) The whole village has decided to serve my God. Isnt that wonderful?

Gatekeeper: Thats great news. But....

Steve: (Steve cuts in) And they have decided to let me out of here also.

Gatekeeper: (Not looking excited) Interesting news.

Steve: You dont seem like you are interested in this bit of news.

Gatekeeper: Oh yes I am interested. There is just a bit of a problem.

Steve: What could that be?

Gatekeeper: You are the problem Mr Steve. You seem to have forgotten that this is not your

home. You have become very comfortable here forgetting that you are not but a stranger

here.


25/37

Steve: (Remorseful) Wow!!! That slipped my mind.

Gatekeeper: Im surprised it did. Anyway, I just came to remind you that you have just six

days left.

Steve: (Surprised) Six days? Few days back you said I had twenty days left...

Gatekeeper: (Cuts in) And I also said that there is no rule as to how time flies in this world.

If there is any task you have to accomplish Mr Steve, please take note that your time here is

running out. And if you fail to make it back on time, there may be repercussions.

Steve: Repercussions? You never told me that there would be any consequences.

Gatekeeper: I never expected that you would be eager to stay here this long.

Steve: (Complaining) What do you mean? I never wanted to come here. I dont even know

how I got here in the first place.

Gatekeeper: But yet, you dont seem like you want to leave.

Steve: Of course I want to go back.

Gatekeeper: So what stops you from going back now?

(Steve pauses for a moment)

Steve: I feel I must accomplish that which I have not.

Gatekeeper: So you are willing to invest the rest ofyour time, sorry, sacrifice the rest of

your time.

(Steve quotes Hebrews 13:16)

Steve: But dont forget to help others and to share possessions with them. This too is like a

offering a sacrifice that pleases God. I have to help these people. I feel they need me.

Gatekeeper: Thats alright Mr Steve. Just ensure that you make it back to the forbidden

boundary on time or else....

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 5]

..............................................................


26/37

SCENE 10 (STEVE EAVEDROPS ON TOBIS CONVERSATION)

(Steve is taking a stroll and reading his bible in the bushes and hears some people arguing)

Steve: (Reading the beatitudes from Mathew 5) Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the

kingdom of heaven, blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted, blessed are

the...... (He hears some people talking and hides in the bushes so as to listen)

Tobi: So this is the plan. You have to go tomorrow. You people have wasted enough time

already.

Warrior1: What do you mean we have wasted enough time? We have been waiting to attack

your village, but you have been delaying us.

Tobi: And I explained that there were some complications that I had to handle. We just

finished our festival recently so the monthly harvest has just come in. That is why we had to

wait.

Warrior2: Ok, thats alright. So what is the percentage this time?

Warrior3: Is that an issue to discuss? It has always been seventy to thirty. We take seventy

percent of the spoils, and leave the remaining thirty percent to Tobi.

(Steve is surprised as he hears Tobis name)

Tobi: It cannot remain that way this month. Do you know how difficult it was for me to

prepare your way this time? Its sixty to forty or nothing.

Warrior3: You greedy bastard.

Warrior1: Thats enough!!! Sixty to forty it is. But the way had better been clear this time.

We dont want any complications.

Tobi: Trust me. All these years, I have not failed, so I can never fail.

Warrior1: (Jokingly) Fine. So what time tomorrow are we not to be expected?

(They all laugh)

Tobi: Be at the kings palace by noon. Then you can start raiding the village from there. Ive

assigned the village guards on a long term journey so just a few will be in the village

tomorrow. I leave the rest to you guys.

Warrior2: By the time we are done, there will be no rest to be left behind.


27/37

(They all laugh and leave stage; Steve comes out from behind the bushes)

Steve: (Afraid and also Surprised) That was a close one. So Tobi has been behind the attacks

on the village? I have to tell the king before Tobi gets back to the village.

(Steve runs off stage)

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 2]

..............................................................

SCENE 11 (STEVE RUNS TO ALERT THE KING)

(Steve runs to the palace panting heavily, the king and the chiefs are in a meeting; 3 of the

kings guards are behind him)

King: So my chiefs, I believe that is the best thing to do. We burn all the idols in the

village....

(Steve runs in)

Steve: (Panting heavily) My King!!! My King!!!

Chief1: How dare you rush into the palace when the king is in the middle of an important

meeting?

Steve: (Still panting) My chiefs please forgive my intrusion, but this is a very pressing

matter.

King: Its alright, he has apologised. (Talking to Steve) Calm down Steve, what is the

matter?

Steve: The warriors from the other village, they are coming.

(All the chiefs stand up and about to flee the palace)

Steve: Wait Im not finished; I overhead them talking in the bushes. They said they will be

here by noon tomorrow.

King: Are you sure of this?

Steve: If I were not sure my king, I wouldnt have rushed all the way down here to tell you

this.


28/37

King: (Talking to Chief 1) Where are all the village guards?

Chief1: They were all sent on a short mission by Tobi and are expected to be back in two

days time. But they might not have gone too far.

King: Good. (Pointing to one of the guards) You!!! Take all the chiefs and ensure you find asmany villagers as possible. Leave immediately!!!

(All the chiefs and the guard leave stage)

King: Good work Steve. Our whole village is indebted to you.

Steve: That is not all my King. There is someone from this village that is helping them out.

King: Someone from this village?

Steve: Yes my King. Tobi, the heir to your throne. He has been the one behind this all theseyears.

King: Quiet!!! Tobi has been a trust worthy warrior, more or less like a son to me.

Steve: Its the truth my king.

King: (Pauses for awhile) How can you prove this?

(Steve pauses to think for awhile)

Steve: Yes!!! The bushes where they were having their discussion was a muddy one. As you

can see your highness, my legs are covered in red mud. He should have the same on his feet,

even up to his thighs because they must have been sitting down.

King: Red mud? The only place where we can find red mud in this village is close to the

village borders where red laterite sand is gotten for building projects.

Steve: Yes my king. At the village border, that is where they were.

King: That is alright. (Talking to one of the guards) Where is Tobi?

Guard: It appears he just came in.

King: Tell him the king wants to see him immediately.

(The guard goes out and returns back with Tobi)

Tobi: Your highness, you sent for me.

King: Tobi where are you coming from at the moment?

Tobi: I went to the farm to get some harvest. I just came in.

King: Come closer please, let me see you.


29/37

(Tobi goes closer and the king investigates his legs)

King: (Talking to Steve) There is no red mud on his legs Mr Steve.

Tobi: Red mud? What is this all about?

Steve: Look properly my King. Check his thighs. He must have washed his legs just as he

came back.

(As the king is about to check, Tobi pulls away and complains)

Tobi: What is the meaning of this? Somebody had better start explaining to me what is going

on here.

King: Tobi, where are you coming from?

Tobi: (Furious) What kind of question is that? You had better be careful this old king. Yourtime on this throne will soon be over you know.

King: Oh!!! So that is what this is all about? (Talking to his two guards) Get him and hold

him down!!!

(The two guards pull out their cutlasses and attack Tobi. One misses him while the other

strikes Tobi on his back; Tobi ends up killing one of the guards and escapes; The other guard

attempts to pursue him but the king stops him)

King: Thats enough!!! Dont go after him. Only you cannot take him down and besides, I

need enough guards to defend the village tomorrow. (Talking to Steve) I apologise for not

believing you Mr Steve.

Steve: Its alright my king. I didnt expect you to believe me at the first instance but I had to

take my chances.

King: Now what do we do concerning the invaders coming in tomorrow?

(Steve pauses for a moment; the other guard that went out with the chiefs comes back in)

Guard: My king, wevebeen able to get the rest of the guards back

Steve: (With a smile on his face) Thats good news. Leave the rest to me.

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 1]

..............................................................


30/37

SCENE 12 (THE INVADERS VISIT THE VILLAGE)

(Three women run through stage screaming)

Women: They are coming!!! The invaders are coming!!! Leave the village for them and save

your life!!!

(As they exit stage, five masked warriors come in with cutlasses drawn; four of them carrying

large sacks each)

Warrior4: These people will not know what hit them today.

Warrior3: Or rather, who hit them.

(They all laugh)

Warrior1: Wait!!! This is strange. Tobi said that a few guards will be here, so far, we have

not even met any. My cutlass is hungry for some blood!!!

Warrior2: And you are complaining about that? Should you not be happy? Please lets get

what we came here for immediately before something gets wrong.

(Steve comes on stage)

Steve: And what is it that you came here for?

Warrior1: Who are you?

Warrior2: Get away from here you peasant, before we send you to an early grave.

(As Warrior 2 approaches Steve, one of the guards come on stage and kills the warrior; other

guards come on stage, there is a small fight on stage, all the warriors end up being killed; The

king, the chiefs and the villagers come on stage singing and celebrating; the guards carry

Steve up as they celebrate; then the Gatekeeper comes on stage)

Gatekeeper: Interesting Mr Steve. I see you have accomplished that which you set out to do.

Steve: Yes I did. It wasnt an easy task planning with all the guards on how best to ambush

the warriors from the other village, but we were able to succeed without any of the guards

harmed.

Gatekeeper: How were you able to achieve that?

Steve: Easy!!! I just motivated them with a story from judges in the bible, of how my God

used just three hundred men to deliver the Midianites to the Israelites. They loved the story

and decided to use a similar attack approach.

Gatekeeper: Interesting. So I believe you are ready to leave?


31/37

Steve: Leave?

Gatekeeper: Of course. This is your final day here.

(Celebration stops as two of the palace servants carry Princess Sade in on a stretcher without

her face covered)

King: Sade!!! What happened?

Servant: I dont know. She just slumped and didnt stand up. We saw her lying on the floor

so we rushed her here.

(Steve leaves the gatekeeper and rushes to Princess Sade and is surprised to see Bella)

Steve: Princess Sade!!! Bella? (She moves a little showing some sign of life).

King: Bella? Who is Bella?

Steve: (Still confused) Im sorry. I never saw her face before. But she looks exactly like

someone I know.

(Steve rushes back to the Gatekeeper)

Steve: I cant leave now. I have to save Bella, sorry, Sades life. If I leave now, she will die.

Gatekeeper: Mr Steve, if you dont leave now, you may not survive in your own world.

Steve: I dont understand.

Gatekeeper: (Sigh) I never expected I would explain this to you but it seems like Ill just

have to.

Steve: Explain what?

Gatekeeper: Listen. When a man dreams, he leaves his body and transcends to another

completely different realm. Since youve been able to stay here for thirty days, it means that

your dream has lasted for thirty seconds in your world. Presently, you are between life and

death at the moment. If you dont go back on time, your body may be without any inner

being.

Steve: But why?

Gatekeeper: Dont you understand? You cant dream ahead of the time allocated to your

dream. You dream with time. This is how it has always been, and this is how it will always

be. (He pauses for a moment) I know you have the ability to heal the princess but you can

only do that at a cost. You may have to forfeit your own world.

Steve: And not be able to return to my Bella?

Gatekeeper: Yes. You will not be able to return to everybody there if you decide to stayhere.


32/37

(Steve paces around in confusion)

Steve: (On his knees) Please help me gatekeeper. Please!!!

Gatekeeper: (Sigh) Time Mr Steve, is very important. This is the best I can do but you have

to make your decision now. The gate that leads between this world and your world willremain open but just till the end of the day. My advice is that you start doing whatever it is

that you have to do and finish on time before it is too late.

Steve: Thank you gatekeeper.

(Steve rushes to meet princess Sade)

King: Please save my daughter Steve. She is dying.

Steve: I will do my best my King. (Talking to the servant) How long has she been

unconscious?

Servant: Not for too long.

Steve: Ok, that is not long enough. She should make it. While I was taking a walk in the

bushes, I was able to identify some trees that are medicinal. They should do the trick.

King: Where are they located?

Steve: Towards the outskirt of the village. I will be able to make it in time. I know exactly

where they are. (Steve collects a cutlass from one of the guards)

King: Please hurry up. I cannot lose her.

(Steve runs off stage)

(Lights fade)

SCENE 13 (STEVE AND TOBI FACEOFF)

(Steve is running back with a tree branch in his hands; Still in the bushes, Tobi comes out of

nowhere and shoves him to a fall)

Tobi: (Furious)You!!! Steve or whatever you call yourself, you ruined my plans.

Steve: Tobi, you wicked and heartless thief. You conspire with foreigners to steal from your

village. How wicked of you.

Tobi: Which village? Those people are weak and too soft. If this last raid were to be

successful, I would have had enough money to plan a coup, bride the chiefs and the guards


33/37

and over throne the king. But if not for you and your damn God, I would have been

successful.

Steve: Too bad for you Tobi. You realise that your game is up. Give up fighting Tobi and

retire to your tent. I have to get back to save the princess, she is about dying.

Tobi: Over my dead body will you save that harlot who refused to marry me. I never even

loved her, I just needed her to get to the throne. She also deserves to die!!!

(Tobi attacks Steve but he defends himself as they fight with cutlasses; Tobi, being stronger

than Steve overpowers him to the ground and points his cutlass at him)

Tobi: You are just too weak. I have never faced a weaker opponent.

Steve: (Panting) I am stronger than you in every way. You never noticed that there was

always something that you lacked.

Tobi: What might that be?

Steve: Brains. Your muscles over shadow them.

Tobi: How dare you?

(As Tobi attempts to strike Steve, Steve rolls over, picks up his cutlass and slits Tobis throat)

Steve: Good riddance to bad rubbish.

(Steve picks up the tree branch and continues running to save princess Sade)

SCENE 14 (STEVE COMES BACK)

(Princess Sade is still lying lifeless on the stretcher as Steve runs in with the tree branch.

Everyone is still gathered around her)

King: What took you so long?

Steve: Just a minor problem.

(Steve cuts out some leaves from the tree branch, grinds them in his hands and squeezes the

water into Princess Sades nose; Princess Sade sneezes)

Steve: Sade!!! Thank God you are alive. (He hugs her)

King: My daughter!!! (He also hugs her; Talking to Steve) Steve, thank you very much.

Steve: I am honoured my king.

PrincessSade: (She whispers with a frail voice) Steve, thank you.


34/37

Steve: All the thanks should go to my God. If not for the wisdom he has given to me, I would

not have known which of the herbs to pick up.

(Then it dawns on Steve that time is not on his side)

Steve: I must go now my King. Please ensure that she drinks this herb once every day. Shewill be in perfect shape within a week.

King: Thank you Mr Steve.

(As Steve leaves, Princess Sade call him back)

PrincessSade: Steve!!!

(Steve comes back to the princess)

Princess Sade: The person you called me, Bella, who is she?

Steve: I would explain but you wont understand. I should leave now. Time is not on my side.

Princess Sade: Ok. Safe journey...

(As Steve leaves stage, he goes back to meet her and bids her farewell the same way he did to

Bella in the bar; then he runs off stage)

(Lights fade)

[DAYS LEFT 0]

..............................................................

SCENE 15 (RUNNING BACK)

(Steve runs back to the forbidden boundary; as he approaches a big gate, the gatekeeper is

seen going through the gate and he closes the gate behind him)

Steve: (Shouting) Wait for me!!! Wait!!! Gatekeeper!!! Gatekeeper!!!

(Steve gets to the gate; it is shut so he bangs the gate continuously, still shouting)

Steve: (Crying) Please open the door. Take me home please!!! Take me home!!!


35/37

(Steve goes on his knees and prays)

Steve: (Crying) Father, please help me. I never believed in the sacrifice you made, or let

alone any form of sacrifice. If this is the way I have to learn, I accept it; but please, if Bella is

truly sick, as princess Sade is healed, let Bella be healed also.

(Still crying, Steve walks out of stage)

(Lights Fade)

SCENE 16 (STEVE COMES BACK)

(Steve is seen walking back to the palace; Princess Sade sees him and runs to him)

PrincessSade: (Running to hug him) Steve!!! I thought you were leaving.

Steve: I couldnt go back, so I decided to come and stay with you.

(The King comes on stage)

King: This is a surprise!!! Mr Steve!!! You are welcome again.

Steve: My king, it is good to see you.

King: The feeling is mutual.

Steve: Princess Sade, you are looking healthier than before.

PrincessSade: All thanks to you Steve!!! Father, please give him the news.

Steve: What news?

King: Well, just before you left, the chiefs and I had decided to make you the heir to my

throne. We changed the decision when you left but since you are back, we are definitely

going back to the previous arrangement.

Steve: But my king, I have no experience on leadership. How will I be able to rule your

people?

PrincessSade: (Smiling) Well, they put that into consideration and decided that since you

dont have full knowledge of how we live here, youll be given you a wife that to teach you

of our ways just before the king decides to hand over.

Steve: Interesting, and who will that person be?

(Princess Sade hugs him)

(Lights Fade)


36/37

(Gatekeeper comes in)

Gatekeeper: A not so happy end was it? Well, most of you may have expected Steve to

return back to Bella? But one way or the other, where his heart was, so was he. But dontforget, it was all a dream. Or was it?

SCENE 17 (BELLA WAKES UP FROM HER DREAM)

(Bella, in her sleep appears to be hugging someone, then she suddenly sits up from the bed to

find Shola sleeping beside her)

Bella: Steve!!!

(Shola wakes up in response to Bellas exclamation)

Shola: (Half asleep) Steve? Is he here all of a sudden?

Bella: (Confused) Im sorry. I was dreaming.

Shola: (Complaining) It doesnt mean u have to wake me up if you were dreaming about

Steve. (She yawns) So what was the dream about?

Bella: (Still confused) It was a strange dream; nevertheless, it didnt feel like I was dreaming

but at the same time, I know I was still sick in the dream, but now, I dont feel ill anymore.(She coughs to check herself but the coughs dont continue) The coughs have stopped.

Shola: Wow!!! That is interesting. Usually, when you wake up in the morning, the first thing

you do is cough severely and take your drugs. Are you sure you dont want to still take them?

Bella: I dont feel the urge to do so. I feel perfectly fine.

Shola: (Yawning and going back to bed) Well, Im happy for you. Who knows what might

have been sacrificed for your cough. (She sleeps off immediately)

Bella: (Confused) Sacrificed? Shola what do you mean by that?

(Shola doesnt respond because she is fast asleep already)

Bella: (Still confused) Sacrificed? Oh my God!!! Steve!!!

(She rushes out of the room and runs over to Steves place; She knocks on the door but the

door was left open)

Bella: Steve!!! Are you awake?

(Bella goes to his bed and tries to wake him up)


37/37

Bella: Steve!!! Its past eleven a.m. inthe morning. You dont over sleep. You know we need

to talk. Steve!!! (She makes attempts to wake him up but he doesnt respond.

Bella: (Crying) Steve!!! Please wake up!!! Please wake up Steve!!! Im sorry for what

happened yesterday. Come back Steve!!! Im sorry for everything. Please wake up Steve!!!

(Bella tries to wake him up but there is no response from him; she cries and leaves stage)

(Lights Fade)

SCENE 18 (BURIAL SCENE)

(*Burial Soundtrack, Bella, Shola and some other well wishers surround Steves coffin. A

pastor presides over the ceremony)

Pastor: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to lay to rest, a brother and a friend

(pauses). Steve had a good heart, he shared his love with his colleagues and loved ones. He

will be dearly missed. I have a deep urge in my spirit that he died for a good cause, but we

can only but pray that he spends the rest of eternity with our lord and saviour Jesus Christ,

who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. May his soul rest in perfect peace!!!

Crowd: Amen!!!

(They all depart leaving Bella and Bisi on stage, Bisi walks up to Bella as she stands infront

of the coffin)

Bisi: He was a good person. A very friendly one indeed.

Bella: Yes he was. Its unfortunate he had to die so early in life. I hope he is in a better place.

Bisi: Definitely he is!!!

Bella: Im sorry, but do I know you?

Bisi: Im sorry, forgive my manners. My name is Bisi.

Bella: Bisi? Steve never told me about you. Were you a friend of his?

Bisi: Yes we were good friends, but for a short while. Let me buy you a drink, Ill explain to

you how we met on our way. (They walk off stage)

It all started like a dream...

(Lights Fade)

THE END

drama nite 4 script

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