DAZE - 6

SCENE 5

INT. TAXI. BACK SEAT - CONTINOUS

Nuel starts to scratch the PIN foil on the card.

NUEL(CONT'D)

(Thinking aloud)

People still make calls outside? In 2016?

The taxi driver looks at him through his rearview mirror but says nothing.

SCENE 6

INT. PICK AND CHOOSE PRINT. SECRETARY OFFICE - DAY

GINA, 30, is the secretary in PICK AND CHOOSE PRINT. She is staring at her own business card like she'd never seen it before. She raises her head, looks at the person seated in front of her desk and shakes her head in utter impuissance.

GINA

Oh, I'm so, so sorry my dear. The company just filled the position I told Bridget about.

The person seated in front of her is Doris.

There are some indistinct chattering by a young lad and some female staff at the office entrance.

DORIS

(Frustratingly)

But I needed that job. My dad mustn't know I lost my job.

GINA

I'm so sorry, dear.

The young lad reaches Gina's desk.

GINA(CONT'D)

Good morning, Mr. Ogundele.

KUNLE OGUNDELE, 33, is in a corporate outfit and he's all smiles.

KUNLE

Hello, Gina. I've told you to stop referring to me as "Mr. Ogundele". It makes me feel old. Just call me Kunle.

GINA

Of course you know I couldn't do that, sir.

DORIS

(Noticing she had been ignored)

I think I should leave. Thank you.

She rises and walks out the door. Kunle flirtatiously stares at her as she leaves. Gina observes it and clears her throat to draw back Kunle's attention.

GINA

Like her?

KUNLE

Nah.

GINA

But you were checking her out.

KUNLE

Of course not.

GINA

Hmm, Oga Kunle.

KUNLE

Now that's more like it: "Oga Kunle". I think I like that better than "Mr. Ogundele".

(Reminiscently)

"Oga Kunle." That's better. Is your Oga in?

GINA

Yes. And as a matter of fact, he asked me to bring you upstairs personally today.

KUNLE

Really?

GINA

I'm not sure what you two have going on, but that was what he said.

KUNLE

Aiit. Let's go. After you.

They climb the stairs and walk through a number of offices. Kunle flirts with almost every lady he meets on the way. And then they finally arrive a large door with the inscription: NUEL AFAMAH MD/CEO. Gina gives the door a slight knock.

KUNLE(CONT'D)

knocking when I'm here?

GINA

Courtesy.

Nuel's voice bids them in from inside:

NUEL(O.S.)

Enter.

Gina opens the door and they walk in.

GINA

Here he is, sir. Just as you ordered.

NUEL

Give her the money.

KUNLE

What money?

NUEL

Give her my money.

KUNLE

What money?

NUEL

Give her the money, Kunle.

KUNLE

Is this how you welcome a friend?

NUEL

Look, Kunle, just give her my money.

KUNLE

What fucking money are you talking about?

GINA

(Uncomfortable with ongoing argument)

Er, sirs, I think I should excuse you two.

NUEL

No, Gina, you stay and collect my money from him.

KUNLE

This joke has lost its taste of fun, Nuel. And I think you need to stop it right now.

NUEL

You call a 3-1 defeat of Chelsea a joke? I want my 50k, man.

There is a relief of tension in the atmosphere.

KUNLE

I think something is wrong with you, Nuel. You call that a defeat when we were playing against even the referees.

NUEL

Which referee?

KUNLE

All of them. That penalty awarded to Man-U, was it deserved?

NUEL

Okay. Let's assume the penalty kick wasn't deserved. But it was awarded in the first half of the game. What were you guys doing throughout the second half? Your only goal came as a consolation. We still scored Chelsea two more goals in the second half.

KUNLE

The awarding of that penalty destabilized us.

GINA

I think I can go now, sir?

NUEL

Has he given you my 50k? You'd better collect it from him, or I'll remove it from your salary.

GINA

Ah! Oga...

KUNLE

Go your way jare, don't mind your oga.

GINA

Thank you, sir.

She leaves.

KUNLE

So it's because of our bet you asked her to bundle me upstairs. You're not serious, you know that?

NUEL

I won, Kunle. I won the bet. You owe me.

KUNLE

You and money.

NUEL

You and women. I wonder why you chose to marry when your eyes are still out there.

KUNLE

My wife is also complaining what on earth I'm doing with a single guy like you. She says you'll teach me "bad things".

NUEL

If only she knew who'd teach who "bad things".

They laugh it off.

KUNLE

But seriously, Nuel, what's stopping you from marrying? I know you're not gay. I know you own this company, in other words, you've got the money and every other thing it takes to start a family.

NUEL

Is marriage like buying something off the shelve? Of course not. I'm yet to find that girl I can connect with. A girl that from the moment I see her that connection will just be there. We need not work towards it at all. It'll just be there.

KUNLE

And you haven't found?

NUEL

You'll be the first to know when I do.

Nuel's mobile phone rings. He checks the caller ID.

  

NUEL(CONT'D)

It's my mechanic. Do you know I came to work in a taxi this morning?

He picks.

NUEL(CONT'D)

(Into phone)

Hello, Austin. How far?... Okay... Quick o.

He drops the call.

NUEL(CONT'D)

Says he's on his way.

KUNLE

Is there a problem with your car?

NUEL

Nothing serious. Just my brake pad.