BADIS Season 1 Episode 1 Movie by Kingsley Akunemeihe

 ABOUT THE MOVIE

LOG LINE: Paris, a talented but reluctant 16-17 year old twin, is uprooted along with his sister Iris when his doctor father transfers their family from Port Harcourt to Imo State, forcing them to navigate a new life and an exclusive international school.

BACKGROUND: The Uzomas are a rich family. Dr. Goodluck was a doctor at Emmanuel Hospital in Port Harcourt before being transferred to F.M.C. Hospital in Imo State. This move forced the kids to change schools and cope with new friends, which Paris was against. The Uzomas registered their kids in BADIS (Boarding and Day International School) in Imo State.

Season 1 episode 1

SCENE ONE

SETTING: A wealthy compound in Imo State. The UZOMA HOUSE is a two-storey building painted brown. It is late evening.

TIME: 6:21 PM

(A car drives into the compound, carrying the UZOMA FAMILY. PARIS is visibly upset. He lackadaisically carries the family's luggage inside. MRS. MARY JANE UZOMA watches him, noting his unhappiness.)

(Later, after the bags are dropped.)

            MRS. UZOMA

 (Clears her throat, calling to her children) Paris and Iris.

(PARIS and IRIS approach her.)

            MRS. UZOMA: 

I know that you two don't like the idea of us relocating to here. I know, yes. I know how it feels to relocate from a place you have established almost a lot, to a new environment. It feels like you have lost everything: your friends, neighbours, your partners, and other things. But you can still make more friends added to the ones you have. So just cheer up, okay?

(IRIS speaks after her mother's plea.)

                     IRIS

 Mom, we have heard you, but on one condition.

(DR. GOODLUCK UZOMA enters. He has just finished paying the driver and briefly greeting the available neighbors.)

          DR. GOODLUCK 

Woh (Whoa), what did I miss in the conversation? And why is there a condition?

                     PARIS

Mom is trying to convince us that relocating to this house is the best and for our own best.

                       IRIS

So, I said we will only accept if only we will start a boarding that's my condition.

              DR. GOODLUCK

Boarding school is not a problem, but which one is good for you two? Your mum and I already thought of a school to put you guys.

                     IRIS

I have one in mind.

MRS. UZOMA (Interrupting) Dinner time!!

SCENE TWO

SETTING: The office of the Principal, PETER, at B.A.D.I.S. (Boarding and Day International School).

TIME: Morning, Wednesday, 14/2/25 (Valentine's Day).

(After breakfast, DR. GOODLUCK UZOMA, MRS. UZOMA, PARIS, and IRIS are present to register the kids.)

                    PETER

(The Principal) The School is a very good place for your kids.

          DR. GOODLUCK

I see. Because my daughter suggested I put them here, I don't even know about the school.

                   PETER

She must have heard a lot about the school. The school is a good place.

         DR. GOODLUCK

I can see. So, are we done with the registration?

                   PETER

Yes, you can go. They will resume the next day.

         DR. GOODLUCK

Alright, that's fine. (He shakes PETER's hand.) Nice meeting you.

(The UZOMAS leave.)

        NEXT DAY MORNING 

SCENE THREE

SETTING: The Uzoma dining table, or perhaps the living room, early the next morning.

TIME: Morning.

(PARIS and IRIS have already packed their things and food stuffs. While they are eating, DR. GOODLUCK is singing. After everything, MRS. MARY JANE gives them a word of advice.)

          MRS. MARY JANE

 Boarding School is not a piece of cake, my dears. In boarding school, a lot of things happen. Real lot of things. Bad things. I just hope you understand the bad things I mean, and good things too.

                     IRIS

 You are not going there to run after boys or the other way 'round. You are going there to learn and come back with something upstairs.

(She turns to PARIS.)

          MRS. MARY JANE 

And for you, Paris, the same words go too. I just want you two to make us proud. Is that a promise?

PARIS & IRIS (Together) Yes, MA.

(When DR. GOODLUCK returns, they all leave for school.)

NARRATIVE INTERLUDE: ONE MONTH LATER

(One month has passed since Paris and Iris started at BADIS.)

            SCENE FOUR

SETTING: BADIS (Boarding and Day International School). Various locations: dorms, common areas.

TIME: One month later.

(Iris has already acquired a "School Mother" named JENNIFER. Jennifer is a tall, dark girl in the Senior Class. She runs a business of adopting fine girls in school. When boys come for girls they will pay for the girl they want, and the amount of money paid will determine the time she will spend with them.)

(Some boys pay for girls because of Sex, spend time with them, or to flaunt with them. Out of all Jennifer's girls, IRIS is the best and most beautiful one. This has made Jen commit to always protecting her, because a lot of guys come for Iris.)

(While on the other hand, PARIS has a friend whom he plays with. JERY, an average-height guy, is the president of the Scripture Union in BADIS.)

SCENE FIVE

SETTING: A big hall at BADIS (Chapel Hall). All students are gathered.

TIME: The next day, Afternoon.

(MR. JUMBOSCO, the School's Registrar, is attempting to address the students. MRS. ANN, a teacher, stands beside him.)

MRS. ANN: Keep quiet! The Principal is here to address you.

(MR. PETER, the Principal, comes up on stage.)

MR. PETER: It looks as if your numbers have increased, or am I being deceived by my eyes?

(The STUDENTS smile and murmur.)

MR. PETER: (Smiles) So! As we may have it, the Senior WAEC is now over, and I am happy and proud of our Senior Students for their hard work in the exam last month. I know I spoke late and I apologize for that. I was not around since last month because of some personal runs, but now I am back.

(He smiles as the STUDENTS clap for him.)

MR. PETER: Thank you, thank

 you.

(MR. PETER steps down.)

MRS. ANN: So, that is all we have to say. Any question?

STUDENTS: No!

MRS. ANN: You can dismiss.

SCENE SIX

SETTING: The school grounds near the hostels.

TIME: Immediately following the assembly.

(Everybody heads back to their previous activities before they were cut short. IRIS follows JENNIFER, while PARIS heads to his hostel.)

(On his way to his room, PARIS hears a voice call his name. It sounds just like the way his mum calls him. Paris turns back to see who called him.)

(A girl approaches him.)

VERAH: Hi! I'm Verah by name. (She brings forth her hand for a handshake.)

PARIS: (Shakes her hand) I'm Paris, nice to meet you.

VERAH: I heard you are good in drawing all kinds of stuff.

PARIS: (Surprised) Who told you, if you don't mind telling me?

VERAH: Iris. Iris, your sister. She is the one who told me.

PARIS: I don't think I am that good.

VERAH: (Smiles) Never say a thing like that. I have not seen your artwork, but I believe Iris told me you can draw, so you are good.

PARIS: (Smiles)

VERAH: Can you show me some of your drawings?

PARIS: I don't...

(PARIS is cut short when LEROY calls him and makes some signal with his hands. PARIS understands the signal and runs off.)

PARIS: I got to go, bye.

VERAH: Bye.

SCENE SEVEN

SETTING: Inside the hostel lane.

TIME: Immediately following.

PARIS: Why did you distract my conversation?

JERY: The plan which I have now is far more better than that chitchat 

PARIS gives an angry face.)

JERY: Now look, this is what you will do. You see that office by the left? That’s the Director’s office.

PARIS: So?

JERY: She seized my phone and I want it back.

PARIS: Why not go to her office and take it?

JERY: Because it is not as easy as you think. If I go, she will suspect me, but with you she will not even know or suspect anything.

PARIS: So you want me to steal for you? Cool. (Shakes his head) That's impossible, how can I steal what does not belong to me? What was seized self for that matter !!

JERY: But it's mine.

PARIS: Then steal it for yourself.

JERY: I can't. That's why I am handing it over to you. Now imagine that the phone is yours. That's what I am trying to make you understand. Please I beg you, I will do anything you want me to do. Just help me.

PARIS: Thanks for a while. You will be my servant for two weeks. You will do anything I tell you. Agreed?

JERY: (Silent for some time) Alright, deal.

(PARIS leaves, heading back for his room.)

SCENE EIGHT

SETTING: Iris's Hostel Room.

TIME: Later that day.

(IRIS, JENNIFER, BEAUTY, GIFT, and SOPHIA live in the same room.)

GIFT: (Gets up and sits on the bed) I don't get why is it that we don't get boys the way we used to like last terms?

JENNIFER: Look, let me tell you. The way you package yourself is what attracts people to you.

JENNIFER: Just look at Iris. Why do you think boys pay high for her? That is because she packages herself well.

IRIS: (Smiles)

BEAUTY: Forget that thing. Only she knows what she is using to get these boys.

JENNIFER: You see you? Jealousy will kill you! Look, let me tell you, because you are answering Beauty, you now think you are Gold. No. Iris is very important to me than you are.

BEAUTY: Ah, ah, I see. So it has gotten to this, abi? I have always known that you never liked me, but it's not your fault, it's mine. I allowed you to be my School Mother.

SOPHIA: Come on now! Why the fight?

IRIS: Look, we are all equal in this game. And Beauty, point of correction. I am not using anything to get the boys. It's just a matter of package and their choice. That’s all.

SCENE NINE

SETTING: Outside the Director’s Office.

TIME: Early morning, around 5:39.

(PARIS has successfully broken into the Director's Office and taken the phone. After he has tucked the phone into his bag, he is on his way out of the room. He runs right into VERAH in the hallway.)

PARIS: Jesu! So Verah! What... what are you doing here at this hour?

VERAH: I should be asking you that. I am the one who sweeps the office every morning before everyone else. So, you, what are you doing here?

(PARIS tightens his hand to cover the phone, but VERAH has already seen it.)

VERAH: Oh my God, don't tell me you came to steal Miss Grace's phone.

PARIS: (Exhales) It's not her phone. It's Jery's phone. She seized it. So, Jery asked me to get it for him.

(FOOTSTEPS begin to come close to the office.)

PARIS: Look, people are coming. I have to and please don't tell anyone, please.

(PARIS leaves quickly while VERAH resumes her sweeping.)

SCENE TEN

SETTING: Jery’s Hostel Room.

TIME: Shortly after.

(PARIS enters and hands JERY the phone.)

PARIS: Here, this is the phone.

JERY: Cool, thanks. That’s it! I knew it. Thanks again.

PARIS: (In anger that Verah caught him) Never ask me to steal for you again in your life! (Points at JERY) This is a warning. 

(PARIS leaves and bangs the door behind him.)

SCENE ELEVEN

SETTING: In the dining hall during dinner.

TIME: Night.

(Everybody is gathered at the dinner table for food when MISS GRACE enters, accompanied by some few Prefects.)

MISS GRACE: Where is Verah?

(VERAH raises her hand.)

VERAH: Here I am, ma.

MISS GRACE: Come to my office now. (She turns to leave.)

SCENE TWELVE

SETTING: Miss Grace's Office.

TIME: Immediately following.

MISS GRACE: Verah, I kept a phone on this table and that phone was here as at yesterday. But all for me to come this morning and the phone is no longer here. You are the only one who came in and out of this office. Where is the phone?

VERAH: I don't know, ma'am, I have no idea.

MISS GRACE: That's impossible!

VERAH: Ma'am, when I came I did not see any phone. I can't lie to you, ma.

MISS GRACE: Shut up. Look, let me tell you, if I don't see that phone before the end of today, you will be expelled. So, if you know what is good for you, help yourself. Now go and pack your things.

(VERAH leaves, sad.)