When she was done she turned to Bandile and asked, “Well, how soon can you make these revisions?”
As afraid as Bandile was, it was Molly’s desire for a happy ever after for those who deserved it that pushed him over the edge.
“Fine,” he said, “You are right about the dialogue, a hangover from my days of writing for stage where people deliver soliloquies.”
Molly seemed pleased.
“But,” he added.
Molly frowned. Bandile’s entire body began to tremble. The ache. In his chest. It was back.
He cleared his throat and pushed on, no matter what consequences he would face. It was a matter of principle. “Life is unfair,” he said. “It doesn’t reward the just nor does it punish the wicked. History is littered with examples of evil men who prospered. The smart ones among them cleaned up their legacies before the end, donating their ill-gotten gains to charitable causes.”
He saw Molly’s face soften.
“I am not writing a fairy-tale. The story has to show that the belief in the fallacy of a moral universe bending towards justice is a myth. That karma is a pacifier people use to self-soothe as they cry themselves to sleep every night.”
Neither of them spoke for what seemed an eternity. Finally Molly let out a low grunt.
“Okay, fine,” she conceded, her tone plaintive. “You are the expert. But, don’t forget that it was me who finally got you to write. This story is mine. Don’t go turning it into another shallow script of spineless women who live at the mercy of violent, predatory men. You male writers get off on that nonsense.” She rolled her eyes.
Bandile smiled. “Hey,” he said. “Cheer up. At least your story ends in happily ever after for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the real femme fatale. The strong woman, enacting her justice and taking back what was stolen from her. Once you’re done with me and I cough up this script, you’ll have one of the most magnificent pieces of popular art ever made. A wonderful love story of tragic melodrama laced with intense suspense.”
A mournful look swept momentarily across the poltergeist’s face before she caught and locked it away again. Bandile, however, had seen it. She was a good actress. But whatever she felt in that moment seemed powerful enough to briefly overwhelm her talents.
“Yes,” she said, spinning around the room, “my script. My wonderful script.”
Bandile couldn’t help but admire how graceful she was. She had told him earlier that she was the genuine triple-threat – actor, singer, dancer. He had yet to hear her sing. But he had certainly seen the other two talents on display. He felt the sting of regret, a tiny needle that pierced his heart. If Molly had not been murdered for his success, he would have loved to see her in one of his productions.
He emerged from his daydream to find her glaring down with eyes as big and round as the black owl in his nightmares. They were full of murderous resentment. She’d heard his thoughts. His gaze fell to the floor pulled by the gravity of guilt.
The edges of her body began to haze and wobble, then the rest of her. And just like that, she was gone.
Bandile breathed a sigh of relief. There wasn’t a moment to lose. He had to move fast and quickly complete the project as his final day was coming.
Fade in
INT. – RESTAURANT, GOOD GRILL – NIGHT
[It is the night after and Lerumo and Dineo are sitting at a small round table in the dimly lit restaurant. It is a bit crowded, but there’s a cool and relaxed vibe. ]
Lerumo: You seem distracted. Try to relax for a minute and have fun.
Dineo: I’m just thinking. (She pauses and gives Lerumo a curious look.) Tell me, Lerumo …
Lerumo: Yes?
Dineo: How do you expect this night to end, exactly?
Lerumo: With me paying the bill and then taking you home.
Dineo: Is that it?
Lerumo: Yes. Or would that disappoint you?
Dineo: Not at all. I just want you to be honest about the target you are aiming for. Are you hitting on me?
Lerumo (he sips his drink): What if I am?
Dineo: It will not end well. You are in a relationship.
Lerumo: Yes. But I’m also attracted to you.
Dineo: Infatuation.
Lerumo: Deeper than that. (Lerumo slides his hand slowly across the table to touch Dineo’s.)
Dineo (folding her arms): What makes you think I won’t tell Ivey about this?
Lerumo (with a devilish grin): The fact that a cautious woman like you agreed to come out here tells me that you are curious about how far I would take it before you shut me down. Something tells me that you want to expose me to Ivey as a lying cheat. (mockingly) Look out, fellas! Detective Dineo is out to get justice for women by beating playas at their own game. But no worries, I’ll indulge you.
Dineo (confused): Excuse me?
Lerumo (with contempt in his voice): Save the act for your next play, Dineo. I know that you’re the mysterious Godmother. Two years ago, you and a bunch of bitter, man-hating singles started a movement dedicated to catching the unfaithful men and women of Eden University and putting their dirty laundry out for everyone to see.
Dineo (chuckles): You think I’m the infamous Godmother? That’s so … absurd.
Lerumo: Deny it all you want, but I have proof. I had my friend Kamo and his hacking crew find out as much as possible about the Pantz Down movement. I’ve been watching you for some time now. I found out that you put me on your hit list. (Dineo is squirming in her seat.) Not sure if Ivey put you up to this, or you made it a personal mission to expose me, but it does seem like what started out as a game for you became much more. You’re like an undercover cop who’s lost her identity in a case. You went in too deep and developed feelings for the person you set out to take down. And now that you sit there, compromised, I wonder if you’ll be able to tell the whole truth without implicating yourself. How will you spill the beans and still avoid tarnishing your precious integrity?
Dineo (recovering from the shock of being found out): Lucky for you, Ivey doesn’t know about what I am up to. I’m providing a pro bono service for my friend. But if I approach her without any proof, I’ll look like an envious man-hater and a bitter friend. It’s a pity for the investigation that you’ve discovered my intentions so soon, but it’s not over.
Lerumo: Of course. You won’t destroy me yet. You still like me.
Dineo: As nothing more than a case I need to crack. It’s strictly business.
Lerumo: So. What now?
Dineo: The game continues.
Lerumo: Please. It’s over. I know everything about you and your little organisation. I know how you were assigned to my ‘case’.
Dineo: Great work, Lerumo. But what’s the plan? Shut us down and become a legend for all playas to admire?
Lerumo: Don’t worry. I won’t put you out of business if you keep my name and those of the rest of my clique out of your little black book. And Ivey doesn’t have to know.
Dineo (conceding): Fine. I know when I am cornered. Anything else?
Lerumo (laughs): That will be all.
[The conversation between the two is turning around when they are interrupted by an attractive young woman, Bertha. She walks up to the table and stands next to Lerumo.]
Bertha: Hello, Lerumo.
Lerumo (a little unnerved): Hi.
Bertha (to Dineo): And you must be his lovely girlfriend …
Dineo: No, you’ve got the wrong girl. Lerumo and I are just friends.
Bertha: Really …? (To Lerumo) Then it won’t be awkward if I just apologise for la—
Lerumo: No need, Bertha. I understand. It’s all good.
Bertha: Oh, good. Because I would like to make it up to you tonight. My place. Same time?
Dineo (starting to get uncomfortable): I think I should go. Excuse me. [She leaves the table and walks away.]
Lerumo: Dineo. Dineo! (He gives Bertha a stern look.)
Lerumo
: And to what do I owe the disruption?
Bertha: Call it payback.
Lerumo: I didn’t know that we had beef.
Bertha: I know who sent you after me.
Lerumo: I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Bertha: Your friend, Jabulani. He told you to make me the subject of your little temptation test. To see if I am easy.
[Lerumo known what she is talking about, but he keeps a straight face, not wanting to give anything away.]
Bertha: Keep a straight face all you want, but I can read you very well. When you approached me yesterday I got the feeling you had been briefed about me. You tried to test your friend’s hypothesis. There were clues in your mannerisms. Your conversation openers, body language and general conduct were too familiar, and I connected the dots. I knew you were working with him.
Lerumo (he is flustered and struggles to speak): … Well. I must say that … You can—(just then, his phone rings. He glances at the screen before he answers.) Hello, Amanda. Fine, thank you. Please get to the point.
[From Lerumo’s ‘get lost’ look, Bertha can tell that their conversation is over. She blows him a kiss and walks away.]
Lerumo: Are you sure? (The caller answers him. He immediately grabs his keys from the table and gets on his feet.) Well, not right now. But we can meet tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Bye.
Fade out
Bandile was sitting on the bed leaning against a pile of pillows, waiting for Molly’s most recent comments.
“Well?” he asked. If he were a dog he’d be wagging his tail. He hated the feeling of dying for her approval of his work. Anyone’s approval. It’s a feeling that’s followed him his whole life. He saw it as a sign that he was not a true artist. True artists create for themselves. The very best create – then burn it to the ground, without allowing anyone else to experience it. Art for art’s sake.
“Looking good,” she said. She handed Bandile the laptop. Again the mournful look swept across her face. This time she was unable to act her way out of it. Or she chose not to.
“What’s wrong?”
“The end, Bandi … it is almost upon us,” she said. “The end for both of us. After I deal with you, I leave limbo.”
“Deal with me? But you already are.”
“It’s a process, Bandi, one that has to end in your death, otherwise I might never leave this place between the living and the dead.”
Bandile’s blood ran cold. “What do you mean? I did everything you asked, right? Didn’t we agree that I go free after this?”
“Everyone else involved in that ‘secret supper’ is dead – including the two others that were chosen with you earlier that day. I only spared you, for now, because you possess the talents I need to help me reach my dream.” Her face was devoid of emotion, as was her delivery of the words. She continued. “Thobejane was the hardest to get to. He used strong muti to keep the likes of me away. But nothing ever stops Molly Shabalala.”
“But,” he pleaded. “There’s still so much to do after this, Molly. Finishing the script is only the beginning. We have to get funding, find actors, produce the film, and market and distribute it. That all takes time.”
He paused for her answer. It was too long in coming, longer than he could wait. “You need me alive,” he squeaked, “to realise your dream.”
Molly’s expression had not changed. She seemed unmoved by his words. She stood up. “Time is running out. Hurry up.”
With that she vanished, but not before Bandile could shout out, “Please, Molly!”
If she heard him she ignored him. He was again alone in the room. The thought of meeting his end in a couple of days anguished him. He took a few deep breaths to compose himself. He decided he wouldn’t stop working on getting Molly to pardon him, but if he must go out it would be with a bang. A script for the ages.
Fade in
INT. – RESTAURANT, THE COFFEE CABIN – DAY
[Lerumo enters the coffee shop, phone pressed to his right ear. He looks a little distressed. He spots Amanda’s table and goes to join her.]
Lerumo (to Ivey, on the phone): Everything is going to be fine, babe. I promise. We are in this together. But I have to go for now. Talk later. Bye. (He hangs up the phone and turns his attention to Amanda.) Hello, Amanda.
Amanda: Lerumo.
Lerumo: How are you doing?
Amanda: Hanging in there. And you?
Lerumo: Oh, not too bad. Just got some trouble in paradise … I’m a little surprised that you wanted us to meet up again after our last agreement. Is everything alright?
Amanda: Yes. It’s just that …
Lerumo: Is Sinazo alright?
Amanda: My daughter’s fine. But she’s part of the reason I called you here today. We need to talk.
Lerumo: About what? Do you need more money?
Amanda: Oh no. I just need you to do me a favour.
Lerumo (shrugs): Well? What’s up?
Amanda: It’s my dad … I … I haven’t been completely honest with you about who I am.
Lerumo: What do you mean?
Amanda: You know I am from Swaziland, right? But what I didn’t tell you is that … I come from the royal Swazi clan. My father is the king’s adopted brother; that makes me the Maseko clan’s heiress.
Lerumo: Now that’s news you don’t hear often. Congrats, I guess.
Amanda: My father is the renowned politician Bheki Maseko. I am his youngest daughter.
Lerumo: I think I get it. You never needed the maintenance money. So then why are you making me pay so much just to take care of the kid?
Amanda: She’s your responsibility too, Lerumo. That one night two years ago changed my life more than it affected yours. My father disowned me.
Lerumo: See, I told you to get rid of the problem before anyone noticed. But you just had to be all uptight about it.
Amanda: And I still don’t regret my decision. I don’t believe in abortions and that’s that.
Lerumo: And look where that got you.
Amanda: Look, I know you and your aunt wanted us to keep this child a secret because your kind doesn’t mix with the type of girl you thought I was.
Lerumo: And what type of girl is that?
Amanda: A commoner with no social status. Anyway, that’s your choice and I respect it. All I want is my life back. Which is why I called you here. A couple of days ago my family contacted me. They said that they’ll take me back along with my child on one condition. Lerumo: What?
Amanda: My family respects the ancient ways and always follows tradition. And as a child of the royal house, I really let them down.
Lerumo: Go on.
Amanda: So, to set things right you need to pay for damages.
Lerumo: Whoa! But isn’t that for people who want to marry each other someday?
Amanda: It is only a gesture of atonement. My father will accept it. It’s the only way he’ll take me back.
Lerumo: Amanda, only my aunt and I know about this. So how do you expect me to pay for damages when I won’t be able to send representatives to your house? It’s not like they take cheques now.
Amanda: Hire actors or something. I am really desperate here. Please.
Lerumo (pauses briefly to think): So, how much are we talking?
Amanda: I don’t know for sure. Negotiations might start at 80, 000 and escalate depending on the penalties my father will be listing.
[A waiter comes over to their table.]
Waiter: Hi. May I take your order?
Lerumo: We’re fine for now, thank you. (To Amanda) So if we do this, I will never hear from you again right?
Amanda: I promise.
Lerumo: Alright. Just give me a week to plan this properly. I’ll call you when everything is ready. (He looks at his watch.) I have to go now. But I’ll call you.
Amanda: Thanks for understanding. I appreciate it very much.
Lerumo: Thank me when all this is over. Shap.
[Lerumo leaves the table. He takes one of
his phones out of his pocket and punches in a number. It rings three times.]
Lerumo: It’s Lerumo. I need to talk to you. It’s urgent. Let’s meet at your favourite restaurant later.
Fade to:
EXT. – RESTAURANT, Gourmet Gardens – NIGHT (IT IS RAINING) [It’s four hours after his meeting with Amanda. As Lerumo enters the restaurant, a woman says (O.S.): You are late. I was beginning to think that you stood me up.]
INT. – RESTAURANT
[Lerumo sits down to join his aunt, Mantwa. He maintains composure, making sure that the waves of rising turmoil are well-hidden.]
Lerumo: Why would I do that to my favourite aunt?
[While Mantwa talks, Lerumo looks judiciously at the wine list.]
Mantwa: Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you are having second thoughts. [The waiter arrives. Lerumo hands over the list.]
Lerumo: Fonseca Vintage Port, please.
[Impressed with Lerumo’s choice, the waiter smiles and hurries away.]
Mantwa: You can drink your problems away later, Lerumo. Right now, I want you to tell me what’s going on.
Lerumo: It’s Ivey. I don’t think we can continue with the plan we initially agreed on.
Mantwa: Really? And who is going to stop us?
Lerumo (after a beat): This war has got to end. Fate has taken care of your enemy, he’s dying. So, leave the next generation out of this.
Mantwa: Why? Do you have a problem with the next phase of our plan?
Lerumo: I have come to my senses, Aunt Mantwa. Not long after you and Uncle put me up to this, I started thinking about how unfair it is to punish Ivey for the sins of her father. Yet for a long time, I carried out your orders without questioning the patriarch’s authority. Getting closer to Ivey. Gaining her trust. Deceiving her just to get sensitive information about her family. But now I think it’s time to stop. This has gone far enough. I’m tired and ashamed of being part of an elaborate scheme to destroy everything the Zwanes have worked for.
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