THE PREACHER'S WRATH

DIGITAL MESS

INT. BOUTIQUE - GWARIMPA - MORNING

Oreoluwa and Faith drops from a cab. Hand bags, handsets. They walk into a fashionable women boutique with a glass front.

A car pulls up on the adjacent road as well. In the driver's seat is Samedaybobby, the night influencer working with a hacker, in the passenger's seat is moses, older stalker and jerry, the tall stalker with cornrows at the back.

They all steady observe the boutique the young ladies just entered.

MOSES

This is a women only Boutique.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

I can see that.

MOSES

They probably have Cameras all over.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

Most def.

MOSES

And there's no movement that won't go unnoticed.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

Are you going to say What you really want or you will just keep pointing out the obvious.

MOSES

Man, I'm just checking properly what we're trying to do here. How best to go about it. So we don't end up regretting the move.

Silence. All eyes on the boutique door.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

A women's only boutique doesn't mean they don't welcome men. Men buy underwear for their women all the time. Dont they?

And we're not here to plant a bomb or rob the store. Why will they be prompted to check the Camera? All we're here to do is take photos.

You both go in. Jerry pretends to be shopping for his babe. You will sneak into the changing room and wait for them to come try on their clothes. Then get me some good shots.

MOSES

(Fidgety, shakes head)

I don't know boss.

Let's say I make it inside the changing room, I won't suddenly become invisible. What if there's nothing to hide behind or crawl into?

SAMEDAYBOBBY

There will probably be a wardrobe there or a curtain you can make use of. On a weekday like this, there won't be too many shoppers.

JERRY

(Eyes locked on his phone)

Some boutiques Usually have an Attendant inside their changing rooms.

MOSES

I swear down man.

Bobby shoots jerry a look. Jerry shrugs.

MOSES(CONT'D)

If I walk into an attendant, she's going to raise alarm immediately. And if I get caught, I will be tried for...What's it called?... Voyeurism. Prison time.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

(Deliberates)

I need those photos and I'm running out of time. If my hacker couldn't hijack her boyfriends w******p, this would have been a good opportunity for me.

MOSES

Baba, to say the truth. Its dumb and risky. Why not let the hacker try first. Or we Can wait til she goes somewhere else. Maybe a swimming pool.

JERRY

(Cuts in)

She doesn't know how to swim.

They both turn their heads to look at him

What? She said it on i********:.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

We are here already. The opportunity is now.

MOSES

(Shaking his head)

Baba. This is an opportunity for disaster.

JERRY

How do we even know they will even try on the clothes? What if they just buy and leave?

Moses glances at Samedaybobby.

CUT TO

INT. INSIDE THE BOUTIQUE

Oreoluwa holds a dress against herself in the mirror while Faith is checking through a rack.

OREOLUWA

This semester I'm not competing with anyone. Oreoluwa does not have the strength for "who wore it better"

FAITH

(Smiles)

That's nice. And what will oreoluwa be using her strength for?

OREOLUWA

Her CGPA please.

Faith laughs

OREOLUWA (CONT'D)

Nothing below 4.0. But I still have to slay a little bit. Can't be showing up in a jean I wore last semester.

FAITH

Agreed. We shouldn't be trying too hard at our big age. Let's leave the "stunting on them" for the freshers.

OREOLUWA

Abi o! What shall it profit a beautiful girl who dropped jaws throughout her years in the university, only for her to graduate with a 2.5

FAITH

The devil is a liar.

OREOLUWA

Unacceptable.

Faith glances towards the glass door and notices the car packed across the street. Takes some moment to figure what its doing there, she then resumes her shopping.

BACK TO THE CAR.

MOSES

(Staring at the boutique door)

Looks like her friend is suspicious. She keeps looking over here.

Samedaybobby staring at the boutique door acting invisible. His optimism flunctuates.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

This hacker better come through for me.

JERRY

He's good right?

SAMEDAYBOBBY

His ability is not the issue. The boyfriend slipping up and losing access to him is what I'm hoping for.

MOSES

He will find a Way. The digital way makes more sense. Its cleaner. No face. No place.

Samedaybobby watches as faith looks in their direction again.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

Alright then. Lets play it smart. lets go Digital.

He starts the engine and zoom off.

CUT TO

INT. CITY OF GRACE MINISTRIES - MORNING

It's a Sunday service. Voice of the City of grace choir fill the air. They perform with energy and joy. Rendering recorded songs, modified for their stage performance, while draped in their newly sown robe.

The congregation expresses joy mixed with praise worship emotions. Some on their feet, some on their knees while others dance around.

The choir's heavenly numbers always bring a different vibe to the church auditorium. The G.O, Pastor Gloria Akomolafe along with other pastors are deep in worship mode.

Mr Akomolafe and Oreoluwa stay elegant and sharp in their church shoes, singing and dancing at their section of the auditorium.

The instrumentalist, drummers, guitarist and pianist contributed another dimension across the hall. Generally making the choir ministration a segment of the service to look forward to.

After the ministration, the preacher steps up to deliver her sermon.

PREACHER

Is it just me or this is the best choir in Nigeria?

Joyful noise fills the hall

WOMAN IN THE AUDITORIUM

Best choir in Africa.

More screaming.

PREACHER

Oh! Wow—that's...

MAN IN THE AUDITORIUM

Best choir in the world.

PREACHER

Okay see, that's the spirit.

Put your hands together once again for that wonderful ministration.

Heavy applause roars into the streets.

PREACHER

CGM choristers we celebrate you.

A very good morning to you all.

Sets her tablet and notepad on the podium.

PREACHER(CONT'D)

I believe we all had an awesome week. I can tell cos from where I'm standing, I'm looking at beautiful smiles, elegant dresses and wonderful hearts.

Ready to receive the message the almighty God has sent them this morning.

We are minutes beyond schedule so let's just get right on it.

The Lord has directed me to talk to us about the storms of life. That even has Christians, storms are inevitable. Not the kind of storms you see on weather reports. No no no.

The kind of storm that shakes your foundation. That makes you recall the part of yourself that have been long forgotten. So brace up for it will come. But you shall overcome.

CHURCH

AMEN!

PREACHER

Jesus told his disciples in john 16:33, In this world you shall have troubles. He didnt say might, he didn't say perhaps. He said will. So storms are inevitable.

It doesn't matter if you're a righteous person, or you're wicked. Whether you're prayerful or a doubting Thomas. It will come.

She looks through her tablet

PREACHER

And sometimes the storm is inside of you. Not just the unpalatable events happening around you.

It could be something you're dealing with personally, a memory, a regret, a past you once needed to survive. Those are a different kind of storm.

Some of you have been in storms before. You've felt the wind howl. You've felt the walls move. You've held your breath waiting for the calm.

What if I told you, that might just be a moment for God to remind you of who you are, or who you were. As the case may be.

I need you to hear me once again today. Brace up, for the storm will come. And when it does you will remember. You will remember the strength in your hands, the fire in your spirit and the truth in your bones.

You are not the victim of the storm, you are a child of the God who walks on water. And even the wind and the waves must obey him.

You will overcome.

CHURCH

AMEN!

PREACHER

Not because the storm is small but because your God is big.

Not because you're unafraid but because you're called.

And when the storm passes—And it will pass. You will stand, not as you were but as you are.

Can I get a big AMEN?

CHURCH

AMEN!

CUT TO

INT. AKOMOLAFE'S RESIDENCE - BEDROOM - MORNING

Oreoluwa is inside her bedroom. Dimly lit. She lies on her bed napping with her phone in hand.

She receives a w******p message from Chidi with the chat header : 💜chidi

The message alert tone wakes her.

ON SCREEN : w******p CHAT WITH CHIDI

CHIDI

Sugar girl, you awake? I'm missing you badly. 😉

OREOLUWA

Hmm...sweet.

CHIDI

You having a lovely day?

OREOLUWA

Early morning. I went for a run. Since its been dull

CHIDI

Tomorrow will be lit 🔥

Like the other day at the mall

OREOLUWA

The way you're chatting is different.

Have you been delivered from the spirit of voice notes?

CHIDI

I have issues recording. My network isn't cooperating with my phone speaker 😡

OREOLUWA

😂 Na wa.

CHIDI

I've been thinking about you all night and day

Ore smiles, gets up. Heads to the kitchen.

CHIDI(CONT'D)

I want you to make me a photo. An erotic one. For my eyes only.

OREOLUWA

(Pauses, mean mug)

Chidi have you lost your mind?

CHIDI

I just want to feel really good looking at you babe.

OREOLUWA

Have you forgotten who my mom is? Are you okay?

I'm not sending any picture.

She proceeds to the kitchen.

CHIDI

Ore its meeeee! You trust me abi?

Ore taps the w******p audio call button. Shows "Ringing"

INTERCUT TO

INT. BUILDING STAIRCASE - MORNING

On the other end, its not Chidi. Its samedaybobby. Hoodie, Mischievous. watching his phone ring.

Oreoluwa's phone cut to "unavailable"

ON SCREEN: CHAT(CONT'D)

OREOLUWA

Why didn't you pick up?

SAMEDAYBOBBY

I told you about my network.

You don't trust me? After all this time?

Ore grabs a soft drink from the fridge and head back.

OREOLUWA

This doesn't feel like you.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

Oya now..Just forget it. Sorry I asked.

It's just.... I've been feeling all alone lately. But no Wahala.

He watches oreoluwa's chat line reveal "typing...stop....typing"

Oreoluwa on her end had typed a paragraph. She wipes it all off.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

This will be the first and the last time I will ever ask you something like this.

Ore enters her room. Into her bed.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

I promise. Just one or two sexy pictures. Something private for your boo thang.

OREOLUWA

Last time?

You promise ba?

SAMEDAYBOBBY

Yessss. I promise my love for you will never stop.

Oreoluwa sits up on the bed. She takes a deep breath. Hangs the phone for a selfie above her head.

She hesitates.

Then removes a side of her bra.

CHAKAM!

Pulls the sheet to her body.

Another one.

CHAKAM!

She sends to him.

Samedaybobby receives the photo. Opens it. A diabolical smile crosses his face. He demonstrates a BINGO with his right hand.

He stands. A few more subtle display of excitement.

ON SCREEN: CHAT(CONT'D)

OREOLUWA

Are you there?

Bobby places a call to someone using another phone.

SAMEDAYBOBBY

The photos are in Sir.

RECEIVER

(Distorted voice)

Sharp! Wait for the next instruction.

Call ends.