BRANCHSTUFF LOVE SERIES: ADANNE

Scene 1

This scene is set in an eight-storey modern style office building in the present day city of Lagos, Nigeria. 

The CEO of GreenHill Housing is in a briefing with the team members and staff in his office 

Mr. Gabriel: Miss. Adanne, how are the advert placements going?

Adanne: Our business cards are all over the metro hub and we have successfully secured a slot in the central city billboard. In addition to that sir, our social media team is working tirelessly, ensuring that they upload regular content on the company website, with regular website maintenance of course.

Mr. Gabriel: What are the statistics for today between GreenHill Housing and her competitors Mr. Collin?

Collin: Sir, we have experienced a significant impact especially in the turnout of potential investors.

Mr. Gabriel: What do you think could be responsible for this improvement?

Collin: Sir, I believe that the techniques and strategies employed in advertisements was a major reason for the huge spike.

Mr. Gabriel: With that being said, I'm convinced that Miss. Adanne deserves some accolade in that regard. This positive turnout implies that she turned the heads of the advertisement team in the right direction.

(Team members and nearby staff all clap for Adanne with smiles on their faces. Mr. Gabriel continues...) You see, Inasmuch as I scold my subordinates when they flunk, I always make sure to commend them when they do a good
job, and today's applause goes to Miss. Adanne.Welldone!

Adanne: (Bows to Mr. Gabriel and everyone while beaming with smiles) Thank you sir, t..thank you sir. 

Collin: (Smiles with his tongue in his cheek) You deserve it

Miss. Adanne. I am happy to inform everyone that we have received six new investors between the space of yesterday and this morning.

(A huge applause comes from the team members and staff. Mr. Gabriel can't hide his joy)

Mr. Gabriel: I guess this calls for some celebration then. (Now laughing) Because at the end of the day, all work and no play makes jack a....

All: (In unison amidst cheers) Dull boy!

Mr. Gabriel: (Raising his hands in the air) Drinks on the house! It's on me! (His announcement attracts more applause and cheers from all present and they begin to show respect and appreciation... thank you sir here and there..)

 

Scene 2

In an average style two-bedroom apartment

Andy Grammer's song, 'A friend like you' is heard playing on the radio in the parlour. Mary, a petite woman in her late twenties is sitting on a couch, operating her phone, when suddenly, Adanne comes in.

Mary: Finally, the boss lady is here (laughs)

Adanne: (Squealing in excitement, with her two hands in the air) Today was simply wonderful! (She drops her bag and plunges into a couch lazily)

Mary: (Suddenly impatient) What happened, tell me all of it!

Adanne: (Sits up from the couch) You won't believe what happened today.

Mary: Gosh you're keeping me in too much suspense already! Tell me, what happened?

Adanne: You see that business card marketing strategy we discussed?

Mary: Yes. What about it?

Adanne:  Turns out I included it in my advertisement plan along with blog posts and email marketing. 

Mary: Okay?

Adanne: And guess what? It hit the jackpot! Can you believe that we had up to six new investors just between the space of yesterday and today?

Mary: (Standing up excitedly) What? I can't believe this.

Adanne: And wait for it... The CEO of GreenHill commended me himself!

Mary: What! For real? You mean, Mr. Gabriel? The man you always threw a tantrum about for not noticing you?

Adanne: (Smiling shyly) Yeah, it's him. I'm shocked myself, but kinda glad. 

Mary: You see! You are not invisible afterall. I told you, things will all work out nicely in the end.

Adanne: (Chuckles) What do you mean, it's not like this is the end.

Mary: Well, it isn't. But things are already changing nonetheless, aren't they?

Adanne: I guess.

Mary: Aha!

Adanne: But that's not even the most interesting part of my day.

Mary: (Taken aback) Oh! Now there's a sequel. Wasn't expecting that. So what's the most interesting part of your day, tell me.

Adanne: Mr. Gabriel who hardly ever gives any compliments bought drinks for everyone. You needed to see Collin's face. I could tell he was faking those smiles and congratulatory wishes.

Mary: Okay, now that's a dramatic sequel, Mr. Gabriel handing out compliments, and then there's Collin and his ego. But I must say, I was secretly expecting the most interesting part of your day to be me
(Now feigning annoyance)

Adanne: What's going on here? C'mon now, I'm not your husband girl! 

Mary: (Scuffs and folds hands across her chest)  Really?
Okay na, in that case, don't touch any food that I prepared in that kitchen o. You will find yourself what you'll eat, or better still go and meet Mr. Gabriel to cook for you.

Adanne: Okay, okay. No vex abeg! You were the most interesting part of my day. Afterall, who'd I tell all these concerns to if not you.

Mary: (Suddenly acting Cute) Awww.. thank you.

Adanne: Seriously?

Mary: Alright. Enough talking, let's get you something to eat.

Adanne: So sweet of you! I don't know what I'd do without you. You are simply the best! (smiling) Oya chop knuckle na (Extending her hands)

Mary: Abeg, Stop whining me!

(They both enter the kitchen)

 


P.S. Keep the comments flowing in and watch out for part 2 on Adanne.

CAVALIERNESS [Part2]

(Palliatives are now being distributed)

Candidate: This palliatives are being distributed on behalf of ADP Party to assist in combating the virus' spread. We urge you to protect yourselves and families. ADP cares.

(People rushing to collect bags of rice and masks. Unlike before there's orderliness and everyone's on a queue. A woman sights Chetah, and quickly runs to meet her. The Woman's name is Udo, she's Chetah's neighbor)

Woman: Ah..ah! Madam..You no go collect. Dem dey share better foodstuff oo..

Chetah: After wetin do last time? (Coughs)Never! You sef no dey shine your eye? dey careful oo..

Woman: As you see me so ehn? I no believe anything dem dey talk sha, but you see that rice, I must chop am. 

Chetah: You'd be damned if you take even a penny from these hooligans. First they earn your trust, and then what? They show you their true colours.(Coughs chronically)

Woman: Madam, dis your cough don tey oo...you no go buy drugs?

Chetah: I don buy before, but e be like say na fake Dem give me. (Chetah enters her house, and while closing the door she faints. Her neighbor calls for help and she's carried by some health personnel in the campaign arena)

.. THE PRESENT..

Chetah: And then I found myself here.

Doctor Sam: Hmmn..Miss. Chetah, that is one sad story. I am really sorry for your loss. Infact, your conclusions about the Nigerian government are justified indeed. Afterall, it's had traceable histories of bad reputation. From the likes of looting funds and formulating diseases, to the likes of mass killings. But the coronavirus virus is a pandemic, that is to say, a global problem that all countries of the world are facing. You can't possibly think the government is rigging that. Thousands of people are dying everyday from this virus, hence, we must take it seriously. (Chetah listens with a remorseful countenance)

 By moving about without facemasks and sanitisers, you have endangered the lives of others like yourself. It's okay to bear grudges and grievances against the government for their attitude towards citizens, but not at the detriment of your health.

 (Sam leaves the ward and is confronted by his friend Patrick)

Patrick: Oya updates! updates! So what's her story?

Sam: She's got a cavalier attitude towards herself and that's lethal. She'd rather die than be sensitised by government, that's the height of grievance. And it's what the government pushes it's citizens into feeling. But whatever the pain, don't give up on living.

Patrick:(gives a stare of realisation) oh! The same old story? She's not the only one with this unbelief problem. Individuals must protect themselves against coronavirus by adhering to stipulated safety measures. Many don't understand the seriousness (stares at the camera and points at it) "BUT YOU DO NOW!!!"