Screenplay / STUCK

EXT.SCHOOL BUILDING-AFTERNOON.

Black. Fade In. Music playing. In Focus JAY'S feet on the Ground. Opening Credits Roll simultaneously. A whiff of smoke is blown on the shoes. JAY - a man of the moment who always takes his time to indulge in his guilty pleasures - throws the cigarette stub and tramples it under foot and gets up. In first person view he heads toward the double doors of the building.

int.school building-afternoon

JAY walks in, busy students milling by past him. He says hello & hi to people he knows. He makes his way upstairs and spots MIKE - a good looking, fashionably dressed, 20 something young man - in the far corner, brooding over paper work and offering consultation to someone. He makes his way to the back just as the person leaves the table and stands in front of MIKE.

JAY

Hey, Mikey.

MIKE looks up and for the first time we see JAY a pleasant fellow to look at, also in his twenties. A hint of untidiness about him.

MIKE

Jay. You've crushed your record, you're only 30 minutes late.

JAY

I could've made it 20, had to stop for a breath of fresh air.

MIKE

Oh, you mean a dose of tuberculosis?

Jay smiles easily. He's accustomed the manner of exchange, he sits down opposite his friend.

JAY

Right. So, what's good? miss anything?

MIKE

No. Aside from your first 3 lectures you're just in time and oh, deadline for the paper's tomorrow.

JAY

About that. I haven't printed it out yet, blame the global economic meltdown, maybe you could help a brother out.

Jay takes out a flash drive without much ado and tosses it to Mike.

JAY (CONT'D)

Thanks man. You're a life saver.

Jay, absent mindedly, picks up an inflatable globe from the desk and starts tossing it.

MIKE

If I got a naira every time you pulled that stunt, I'd probably own a plasma. Dude put that down.

Jay turns to face Mike, taking his eyes off the globe.

JAY

What?

In that split second of distraction Jay loses his grip on the globe. It falls and rolls on the ground & both of them watch it. It rolls into the path of NANCY, a sophisticated looking girl. She picks it up and looks in the direction the globe came from.

JAY (CONT'D)

Well, if lucky be a lady.

MIKE

What's going to be your excuse for acting liking a three year old?

JAY

Me? bah I've got this covered.

NANCY reaches their desk, with A look of interested appraisal at MIKE and condescending boredom at Jay.

NANCY

(To Mike)

You dropped this?

MIKE

I'm really sorry about that. It came off its...

JAY

(cutting in)

Nancy, you look gorgeous.

NANCY

Thanks.

JAY (o.s)

So, I didn't see you in Broadcasting today?

Mike looks at Jay incredulously.

NANCY

Oh, really?

Mike returns his gaze to Nancy and realizes she's familiar & tries to salvage a potentially embarrassing situation

MIKE

(To Nancy)

I'm sorry you're the DOS aren't you.

Nancy beams a smile at the acknowledgement of her accomplishment.

NANCY

Yes. That's right.

MIKE

The extravaganza you put together with glo last week was good.

NANCY

Why Thank you...

MIKE

Mike. I'm Mike.

Just as Jay's about to pick up the pace of the dialogue Nancy's name is called and all three stop & stare. Through the main doors walks in SUSAN, 23, tall & alluring in every way imaginable. She sights Nancy half way down the passage and beckons her presence. Nancy turns and waves back excitedly preparing to join her friend.

NANCY

I'm sorry, but I have to leave. It was nice meeting you Mike...Jay, see you around..

Mike and Jay acknowledge with a nod as they stare in silence as Nancy collects her things and catches up with SUSAN. Both guys are mesmerized as both ladies exchange girlie pleasantries and walk out together.

SUSAN

Hey girlfriend, dish it all out. What's with the guys? Jay still on your case?

NANCY

You have no idea sweetheart. He thinks he's some modern day Don Juan. Any ways, I'm sorry I'm behind. Had to attend the EXCO meet. Did Idong bring you?

SUSAN

Sure, he's outside. I had to literally grovel before he agreed.

Both girls laugh it off & the guys still follow with their eyes, puzzling over what secrets the ladies share.

JAY

If God ever created ladies for us, then our missing ribs just walked out that door.

MIKE

You mean more like outta our lives.

Susan and Nancy walk outside and head for a parked Peugeot 307 Hatch Back. The Driver's door opens and IDONG, Nancy's Cousin in his late twenties steps out and waves at the them as they approach the car.

IDONG

So, this is your definition of I'm on my way.

All three laugh at the remark. They get in the car and Idong drives off. As the car leaves, Jay and Mike spot it while standing by the window. Mike's attention is fully reverted on Susan.

JAY

You know, if you stare long enough you'll develop a cataract.

MIKE

No harm ever came from looking did it?

JAY

Nope. But if you've been looking for more than 2 years, that qualifies as a mental condition.

MIKE

Shut up!

Both leave the window and return to the table.

JAY

Typical Mike, doesn't get the girl, blames it on the best friend.

MIKE

You realize that in pubic your mouth's a danger to both yourself and the society.

JAY

Yeah, and it'll still get you the deal of the season so you better behave.

MIKE

What?

JAY

Listen. You still have buyers right? Now, I got someone, who's desperate and has stuff to offload, brand new if I might add.

MIKE

So........?

JAY

I went to see him earlier on and that's why I was late. I gonna meet him by 4:30 then I'll get back to you. How long are you going to be here?

MIKE

Not much longer, say 5, then I'll be at HiTECH Pro.

JAY

Fine, when I'm done I'll meet you there. Cheers.

Jay lives Mike at the desk. When Jay's out of sight, Mike turns to the window in the direction the peugeot disappeared.

EXT. city streets - early evening

Establishing shot of the city. The roads are spotted with the light, lazy evening traffic of workers returning home and pedestrians walking leisurely in the timid evening heat. Form the lull, we spot the the blue peugeot making its way across town.

INT. peugeot 307 - seconds later

The Local Radio Station's spitting contemporary party beats. Idong concentrates on the road while keeping in tune with the idle banter of the girls through his driving mirror, as they touch up their make-up.

NANCY

If Cynthia's a no show we're done, you know?

SUSAN

uh huh, the more reason we be at her place on time.

IDONG

What's with Cynthia?

NANCY

Nothing much, we're just putting something together and she's the third spoke.

IDONG

So, when do I come get you?

NANCY

No, no we'll be fine. We might just sleep over. Right?

SUSAN

Uh huh...

The car arrives its destination. Susan and Nancy alight and say their goodbyes. Idong drives off and waves back at the girls. With the car a little way off the girls exchange mischievous glances as CYNTHIA joins them and they cross the road to enter a beautiful parked car.

EXT. the velvet room. late evening

An upbeat area of town where there's always a buzz. The Velvet room,a nice bar sits quietly with its customers cars parked out front. A middled aged man, STEVEN and his little son, JOJO, sit on one of the open air tables.

The Peugeot pulls up at the curb. Idong gets out of the car with a parcel under his arm. He heads towards the main doors. The man and his son get up to leave. Idong tosses the keys to the man and ruffles the boy's hair.

IDONG

Oga Steven thanks. Smallie what's up?

jojo

Uncle don't scatter my hair.

Steven

Any time ID.

Steven and Jojo make their way to the car and drive off while Idong enters the building.

int. the velvet room. later

Up Tempo music is playing. Costumers are just drinking beers, arguing the latest league tables and just taking in the evening vibe. Idong walks in amidst hails from acquaintances. Unaided he moves to the back private rooms. Psychedelic music plays inside, a first person view of the occupant appraises Idong as he enters.

occupant

What took you so long?

IDONG

I had to drop the ladies off. But there's the good stuff.

The occupant pours drinks for both of them. Idong slides the briefcase along the table to the occupant. The occupant flips open the case and the and the contents are revealed. He grunts in acknowledgement. And Shuts the briefcase.

int. hitec pro cyber cafe. late evening

Transition cut form the shutting of briefcase reveals Mike shutting a laptop bag. He's been having a web cam conference with a female friend. He looks under the table to remove a flash drive from the desktop. Underneath he see's JOJO mirroring his every action. He looks up and Jojo does exactly the same thing he does. Mike and Jojo have a very interesting exchange until, STEVEV, who's occupying the seat beside Mike calls Jojo to order.

STEVEN

I'm... I'm really sorry about that.

(To Jojo)

Come and sit here now!

IDONG

Its alright sir, there'd no problem. Hey little man, what's your name?

JOJO

I'm not little. My name's JOJO. Its so nice you say it twice. What's you're name?

(A content smile on his face)

MIKE

Mike, and someone's seen Madagascar 2 ehn?

JOJO

Who hasn't? and part one and the entire Shrek Trilogy. And noone's funnier than the 'donkey'

MIKE

Oh, so you're the donkey?

JOJO

(mildly irritated)

Of course not! donkey was a dumb animal, I'm a smart kid. Came 4th in my class last term.

MIKE

Really, if you're that smart why didn't you come 1st?

(beat)

Little Jojo considers this question for a while then his eyes sparkle with the best possible answer.

JOJO

Because I didn't want to and I'm still smarter than my 27 other class mates who were behind me. So, what about you, what position did you come?

MIKE

Well, at the university we don't get positions, only grades.

JOJO

That means you don't know how smart you are!

STEVEN

Joe, what have I told you about talking to your elders?

Mike laughs easily. He likes the kid, he's sharp a with big mouth.

STEVEN (cont'd)

I'm sorry about the boy. Um, do you know the name of the Bank PHB Branch?

MIKE

Oh, I'm sorry, I don't bank there. But why don't you call a staff and ask or wait until tomorrow?

STEVEN

No. No. It can't wait. Its an email from the Bank's headquarters, asking for details to upgrade costumers' account database. Returning the email within 24 hours of receipt earns you a bonus 20,000.

MIKE

Really?

Mike considers this piece of information for a while. The required info will include ATM card details & The idea of any bank offering its costumers a bonus of any kind for a simple database upgrade sound too bogus. He quickly realizes yahoo boys are up to their tricks.

MIKE (cont'd)

I'm sorry sir, but can I see the email? um, my cousin banks there so, maybe I can help out.

STEVEN

Sure.

Steven turns the screen for Mike to have a better view and he laps Jojo. Mike scans the email and spots its a hoax from experience. Steven and Jojo look on.

MIKE

Uh... I don't think this is correct.

STEVEN

How do you mean?

MIKE

I think its fraudsters. They send these emails a lot to random people. See here?

(indicating the email address)

Official Bank emails aren't registered to any regular domain names and they certainly don't update their database through emails, normally you do that on their website.

STEVEN

Jesus Christ!

JOJO

Daddy what's wrong?

STEVEN

Joe, your mischief just saved Dad his savings. We would have been duped.

JOJO

Uncle Mike how did you know?

(beat)

Mike considers Jojo's question briefly, wondering the best way to answer. Steven also looks at Mike expectantly.

MIKE

Well, uh, I know one or two guys in school that do this full time. They use the ATM pins to clear the costumers accounts.

STEVEN

Thank God. Joe, I hope mummy hasn't replied this email...

Steven quickly pulls out his cellphone and goes to a quiet area to make the call.

JOJO

So uncle you're smart?

MIKE

Well.......

Just then, the door opens and Jay walks in licking sweets. He spots Mike and heads to him in his usually loud manner.

JAY

O Boy, up to your old tricks again?

MIKE

Dude, why can't keep your mouth shut, huh?

JOJO

(turning from Jay to Mike)

What does he mean by that?

MIKE

Oh, nothing. He just very loud & you know what? you're smarter than he is.

JOJO

(excitedly)

Really?

Jay reaches scatters Jojo's hair and punches Mike in the shoulder.

JAY

Fine boy, what's up?

JOJO

Don't scatter my hair.

(he pulls out a comb)

JAY

Ah hah. Small hunk. next thing you know he'll start asking for a make-up artist.

MIKE

Which is more than I can say for you. At least the kid has the decency to keep his hair in one direction.

JAY

Punk.

JOJO

Uncle, can I ask you a question?

JAY

Ma man, shoot.

JOJO

OK. What's the 2nd furtherest planet from the sun?

JAY

Uh........ Hey bro help me out here

MIKE

I told you..

JOJO

Yes! Yes!

JAY

Told him what?

MIKE

You don't want to know.

Steven returns overwhelmed with relief. He deletes the email and gathers his things to leave.

STEVEN

Thank you so much Mike. I'm grateful.

MIKE

It's no problem sir. and by the way sir you have a very smart son here.

Jojo beams happily at the complement.

STEVEN

Thank you, but he can be stubborn. OK then, Goodnight.

JOJO

Uncle Mike Goodnight... Goodnight.

MIKE

Bye.

Mike gets up as Steven and Jojo leave.

JAY

So what was that about?

MIKE

Uh, just saved him from the evil clutches of yahoo boys' ATM scam.

JAY

Right, or you were just reeling him in for the big kill.

MIKE

Duh, how many times do I have to tell you the old me's dead and gone?

JAY

Uh huh, I'll believe that the day you stop using computers. You were really good and it was too easy.

(beat)

MIKE

Whatever...so?

JAY

Yes. Say hello to our little friends.

Jay reaches into his pocket, pulls out a magazine page with the pictures of a SONY handy cam and a SONY e-reader and slams it on the table.

MIKE

Dude, its a magazine page?

JAY

Pss...Its a magazine page with the handy cam and the sony e-reader. That's what we're buying

MIKE

These are pictures, hell anyone can carry a picture of a G-4 and say it for sale. You've got nothing.

JAY

Are you kidding me? I've seen these things and they're brand new. The guy's bound to be sketchy about giving them to me without any collateral.

MIKE

Fine, so why didn't he make it?

JAY

Long story. The thing is do you have a buyer?

Mike considers for a moment. Its a sweet deal and he could make a nice profit off it.

MIKE

Yeah, Sure.

JAY

Good. I gave him your number, so he'll call you and you'll set up the meet. Now, if you're done, let's get out of here.

MIKE

Psycho.

Mike clears his things and they both leave.
 

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