GLITZ

(#1 sub-title ROOTS OF POWER)

Characters in this episode

OF THE TUTUOLA FAMILY

EZE/EZ/EASY (pronounced Eh-zay)

IDRIS/CHRIS Eze’s elder

SHOLA- Sister

EDNA- Mother

ANTON -(Shola’s Fiance)

LILLI - Cousin

AUNTY GRACE - Edna’s side.

AKIN (pronounced a-kin) or ACHING – Jacob’s brother

BERT Eddie’s partner in law.

EDDIE - Family lawyer

DRIVER

ELDER GUESTS OF TUTUOLA’S FAMILY

(see below for character background).

Roots of Power: Episode #1of Glitz introduces the main players of the drama including Eze by name.

This episode sets the scene on how the power in the Tutuola family is going to be now that the Baba, or Father has passed away. Following episodes will show how each of Jacob’s children deal with their inheritance in the midst of getting on with their own lives.

The style of the episodes will have a documentary or reality hand held camera feel. This will be because the main character Eze is an aspiring film maker, and sometimes the camera will show things from his Point of View.

Written by Lekan Ola.

Episode #1 sub-title ROOTS OF POWER

INT- A private reception room in a rented hall around the South East London Lambeth borough.

CUT TO - A TV close-up of a home video playing. In it we see Eze as a child of about ten, dressed in oversized Agbada, other children are in the video outside on the lawn of a two story chalky painted house. The date at the bottom of the video is sometime in the early nineties, and the location says AGEGE LAGOS.

Adult voices are heard talking excitedly in the foreground while the video is playing.

CUT TO – Close up of Eze holding a wand, and performing a spell on Shola, Idris, and friends. The video freezes on Eze. And our P.O.V camera zooms in.

V.O.: (sarcastically) Hmm that Eze.

CUT TO – A landscape frame shot of all the family and friends watching the video. In the background on the wall behind them is a wall sized black, and white profile picture of a smiling middle aged man. Under the picture says: BABA (Father) JACOB OLUSEGUN TUTUOLA – 1945 – 2006. R.I.P.

Idris is on the right side of the guests; Shola is in the centre with Anton. Next to them is other extended family. They are all finely dressed, and sipping from wine glasses.

LILI – Just as your brother be. (Dead silence, then accenting laughs). What, what did I say?

IDRIS - Oh (To everyone). Don’t y’all laugh at me now! Y’all know I aint had my correct-correct Brixton phaze cut back then. (Parting his hair. Camera zoom/close-up on him. Freeze frame)

CUT TO – TV. Idris is on screen as a kid, in the same garden as before. He is wearing a vest chasing a goat to the amusement of the elders sitting by the garden near a pool. Zoom in and freeze on Idris face in anticipation as the goat passes him by.

CUT TO AUNT GRACE – (Replying Idris) Aint had? Which one is aint had?

IDRIS- I didn’t have.

A GUEST- (To Idris) Is it you we are all laughing at? Isn’t it your brother?

SHOLA– Oh excuse Chris, when it comes to looks its always about him.

IDRIS- Oi! (To Shola) Whatcha on about? (Pause) Ah llleeeavve it.

(He turns to the mirror to his right at the corner of the room, looks at himself, then adjusts his tie) We all seemed a bit skinnier back then. (A scream is heard. And he turns around.) Goodness folks what is it?

CUT TO- SHOLA- (Exasperated, but amused) Turn it off quick. (Zoom in and freeze frame on her)

CUT TO-TV. Shola as a kid is sleeping. Someone from the camera’s P.O.V spills water on her, she wakes up shocked. Freeze frame)

CUT TO -GUESTS – Keep it on, keep it on. Don’t listen to her oh!

IDRIS (Catching on) Ah I see. (Turning to Shola’s partner) You don’t want your fiancée seeing how you used to look right?

Anton holding Shola takes a deep breath, and looks sidelong at her, while she covers her face.

IDRIS– (whispers) Bada-bing!

CUT TO - TV. Eze is doing summersaults over the grass to the amusement of guests wearing a yellow band around his eyes like a TEENAGE NINJA TURTLE.

CUT TO -ELDER GUEST: (Nodding head) Enh! That Eze! That spirit! Always the restless one. Yeah, watch your head (speaking to the TV) where is he going? (Eze is climbing walls, and balancing on the edge when he gets pulled down, and side kicked) Oh! (All laugh).

OLD MAN (Enters room): What is it? What is it?

LILLI: (In an rich English accent) It’s Mama Chris’s – I mean- Idris’s third child; the one they call EZ. (Eze on TV tries to get up, but falls back down. Nearly everyone starts to laugh at this)

OLD MAN: Eze? (looks round crowd) Why isn’t he here? (No one hears him) Ah, Okay, Okay, everyone (heads turn) everyone! (Voice slightly lower) It is a good thing to forget ourselves a bit. It is ok. Baba Tutuola – your father- would like to see you smiling today. (Silence from all. He looks up) I dearly hope he is here with us before he goes home. Now you his children that are present, there is somebody here to speak to you.

(He draws back from the entrance, and enter two men; one black – Eddie, the other white – Bret holding a suitcase)

OLD MAN: Idris, Shola, you are already familiar with your fathers lawyer, Eddie; here also is his partner; em…(Forgetfully)

BRET: (Bows) My name in Bret. (Someone turns the TV volume down, then turns off the video, a clip of COUNTDOWN on C4 shows on TV before it fades to black).

EDDIE: (Prostrating slightly) My sympathies, my sympathies children. God bless your father, my good friend Jacob. God bless. (He reaches out to Idris, then goes over to give him a pat on the back. Whispers) God bless. (Louder)

And now I would like to speak privately to the children of the late Jacob Tutuola please. (The others scatter leaving the room Akin enters) Akin! Help them to some Champan, and Red Wine. An-ah where’s Mama Idris? Shola go into the other room when you find her give her this, (flowers) ill be there soon you hear? Good girl.

(Idris gives him a seat, he seats while the others stand including his partner) please be seated, (looks to Bret. Bret seats, and hands Eddie a suitcase) All. (When all are seated; Idris, Shola, and her fiancé Anton form a semi-circle around Eddie).

Your father (He addresses them all as one while opening a brief case, and pulling out thick sheets of papers) as you know like any good and able “Dad” wanted the best for you, even better than he had for himself. During his later months of suffering he made a few arrangements concerning his property, and its inheritors. Children what do you call it; a Will?

Your father, and I talked a lot about this, well he talked I listened and advised, as I am his good friend from youth. (Bret growing a bit impatient)

Anyway in the end he made a few decisions, which I shall now tell you. I tell you now only to spare you this news later, but as you are all here, -well- (Pause. Notes Eze’s absence) I would like that you all saw me face to face as I see you. (Akin Enters) Hope you don’t mind my partner here who will serve as an observer in this most private case. (Shola, Idris, and Anton are indifferent)

AKIN: (Standing parallel to Eddie, and Bret who are sitting) So, you were saying?

EDDIE: (he looks up to Akin) Oh yes!

(He proceeds, and starts to read) “I Jacob Olusegun Tutuola henceforth proclaim this Will of sound mind, and judgement (Zoom to Akin) of where and to whom my property will belong.

Firstly let me start with my most dear place of residence; 135 Roseworthy Cresent Woodscray Garden Woodgreen NW 1 9KT. Following my passing this property is to belong to my Dear wife; Edna.” He adds; “Children take good care of her my people, don’t let her live a long lonely life.” (As these words are spoken the camera cuts to Idris, then zooms in)

“All my vehicles including my Australian 1977 Holden Commodore will go to Idris. (Bret throws a car key to Idris who catches it instinctively). Save my Peugeot ‘99; let Eze have it.”

CUT. CLOSEUP TO AKIN, CUT TO SHOLA. ASLO CLOSEUP

“Half of my personal savings from shares, and trusts which comes to about 755,000 will also go to Edna to do as she wishes. A quarter of it will go to my brother, and the rest will be divided between my three children.” (Pause. Eddie brings out a golden Lexicon key which looks more like a pendant)

“The content of my Lexicon suitcase will go to my first brother AKIN. Last, but not least, my beloved restaurant THE GLITZ, which I also consider to be a child of mine, my fourth. The inheritor of my half of this restaurant will be none other than my daughter; Shola.”

CUT TO – (Anton grabbing his fiancé’s arm tightly in joy. Idris looses his tie, while Akin doesn’t move a muscle)

“This has been one of my most toughest decisions.” (Eddie pauses).

EDDIE: (Wipes forehead. Bret deflates!) Sigh! (Folds paper) There, there you have it. (To Akin) here’s the…key to the Lexicon Briefcase.

(Akin lets it drop. Leaves the room).

IDRIS: (Scratching his cheek) Would ya…would ya like to repeat that Sir?

EDDIE: In plain English your father would like his half of the restaurant to go to your sister.

IDRIS: (Starts up with clenched fist) How could he? (Bret comes in front of Eddie)

Let me see that for myself. No? I mean can’t you see, this is wrong? (Yells towards the entrance) Uncle Akin you can’t let this happen!

GUEST: (pops in) Ah-anh! What is it now?

IDRIS: Ask her (To Shola)

GUEST: Shola? What is it now?

AKIN: I’ve read your fathers Will. (Looks at Shola, turns to Idris. Looks at Bret, then gestures as he is getting up).

GUEST: Oh ma-sheo! (Approaches Idris, then pulls him to Shola placing hands on both their shoulders).

ANTON: (Tries to approach a calmer Idris) Idris! How long have I known you?

IDRIS: Leave it! You aint family.

ANTON: Listen brov… I know about laws, there are a few lawyers in my family, let me just tell you something.

IDRIS: I told ya leave it!

EDDIE: (Passing Idris) Idris! (Idris backs away) I-I on the other hand is one who has known your father for twenty-seven years.

IDRIS: (Prancing. To Eddie) To be honest uncle Eddie this could have waited. You see us all in here knowing we rarely get time these days. And on this day of all days you bring this on. I mean, what in the world. (Shola rises, as does Bret who has been observing all till now).

BRET: (In the centre of the room, to all) Now see here friends; this is a funeral, not a spectacle at a conference. (To Idris) My partner in law here (Eddie) has read your fathers will. I tried to persuade him otherwise, but now I see why he’s done it. This took a lot of balls on his part. It’s there in black, and white. If you weren’t all here you’ll probably believe otherwise. Now everyone’s a witness to everything. (Slows down) Besides you are all family. Baba Tutuola raised a fine family. I suggest you all calm down, finish your drinks, and refrain from saying anything you’ll later regret. (To Akin) See you at the car Ed. (All eyes follow him as he leaves the room.)

IDRIS: Enough of this! (Attempts to leave room. Suddenly the door at the back of the room creaks open. Camera on Idris’s face in surprise as he turns around. Enters Edna).

EDNA: (Enters) Eddie! Idris? What is happened? Why are you so gloomy now? What was all that noise – where’s Eze? (Everyone freezes in their position for a while. Then Edna makes way for Lilli who comes from behind her. Lilli then approaches the TV, and turns the Video on. It shows Eze still playing the NINJA. All heads turn to TV)

ANTON (Rises. Breaks the silence to Idris disappointment) Everybody! Let’s have a pledge to the future. (Edna takes his seat, and Anton first pours her some wine. Then moves to everyone else, and finishes with Shola). This pledge is to a shining future of hope.

Lilli walks around all with a bottle in hand to make sure all are drinking. She turns to her the picture of her uncle on the wall.

EDDIE: (Consoling Edna) To a shining future… cheers.

SHOLA: Cheers.

IDRIS: Mommy! (He hugs her while he eyes Anton. He leaves the room).

EDNA: But Idris? (As she calls him all the other guests enter the room and encircle her. Idris is definitely gone).

GUESTS (Enter. Yell) To a shining future of hope!

FADE TO BLACK – CUT TO- EXT. Idris signalling a taxi.

INT- Taxi.

DRIVER- Where to Big man?

IDRIS: (Lost in thought) I don’t know. Eh- you may as well take me to Woods Cray Garden NW I need to pick up something there.

DRIVER: All the way there? OK. (The route the driver is taking passes by the High St where THE GLITZ is based).

EXT. CUT TO IDRIS: Wait! Slow down! (Close-up to the window frame of the Taxi. Close up Idris. The window of the Taxi slowly slides up. The reflection on it says in gold; THE GLITZ).

CUT TO –Landscape view of THE GLITZ restaurant. The camera panning out.

FADE TO BLACK. (Credits)

V.O. DRIVER: Say big man what’s a finely dressed lad like you coming out, and taking a cab home?

V.O. IDRIS: It’s nothing. The next time I drive around here will probably be in a 1977 Holden Commodore. (Pause) What the heck happened to Eze?

The sound of the cab accelerates, and high street noises follow.

END of EPISODE #1 of Glitz (Roots of Power)

Further on:

Following the IQ CREATIONS brief for a setting where characters can come and go; I chose to have a restaurant. Entitled; THE GLITZ. It is a modern Nigerian restaurant with various Nigerian, and African dishes. They also have traditional continental food on their menu, such as chips, burgers, and the sort. Now that the children are getting involved the restaurant will go through some changes. Akin Jacob’s brother is a co-owner about 30 percent of the business he has plans for what he wants the restaurant to be, but will need to deal with Edna, and kids.

Background on the characters of THE GLITZ:

EZE/EZ/EASY (pronounced Eh-zay) - Main character in that most of the events concerning the family will revolve around his parts/presence. He is the third child of Jacob Tutuola, in his mid-twenties. He just came back from Bournemouth film school, where he has been for the past two years.

IDRIS/CHRIS - The eldest brother of the Jacob Tutuola. Early thirties. The most known of the children among extended family. His way of life differed from Jacob’s traditions. He left home early, but still pays his mother visits. He works in a city Personal Insurance firm.

SHOLA -The apple of Jacob’s eyes. His only girl. Late twenties. Highly educated, and showed so much interest in the future of the Glitz restaurant. She is engaged to Anton who is a mixed race.

EDNA - Jacobs wife. She doesn’t want much to do with the restaurant. Has a lot of friends in the Nigerian community.

ANTON - (Shola’s Fiance) Engaged to Shola. Slick, smart, and in his late twenties.

LILLI - The cousin of Shola, Idris, and Eze. Her mother is white. She is in her late teens, and is very fond of Eze.

AUNTY GRACE - Edna’s side.

AKIN - Jacob’s brother. In his late fifties. He shares half of the ownership of the Glitz club. He is knows just about everywhere in England. And gets a lot of discounted stock from outside London. He ways are shrewd, yet he is a devout Christian.

JACOB - The owner of Glitz. Came to London in the eighties with Akin, and his children. Has some business back in Nigeria, he is quite traditional, and was surrounded by his friends, and business partners. He is fond of his kids, but always kept his distance, and believes that everyone in life must struggle. He hates false ways.