Restitution

an original screenplay by
Melvin Nzefili

Action/Drama

Melvin Nzefili
7th Avenue S Close, Block 2, Flat 2,
Festac Town, Lagos state, 10203
+234 802 398 4183
sipsomewine@yahoo.com

FADE IN:
INT. GYM - DAY
With awkward footwork, ONAH, grunts as she buries punches
and kicks onto the swinging punching bag hanging from the
ceiling. Beads of sweat splash off parts of her body with
every strike against it.

INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK

Onah's brother, OSUYA, hops at a corner of the ring. She
walks briskly towards him and pulls him by the arm. He glares
sharply at her then squints, noticing the worry in her eyes.
ONAH:
(nervously)
You can't be serious about going
through with this stupidity. Dad
won't approve of this.
He pulls his arm off her grip, bends to level his face with
hers.
OSUYA:
(sternly)
Dad's not here. Besides, it's on me
to end the doubts in people's minds
about us, planted by Ogume.
The gong SOUNDS. He looks at her as he bounces to the center
of the ring, speaking a little LOUDER.
OSUYA: (CONT'D)
REMEMBER, I'M DOING THIS FOR US.
He gets to the center, looks front and beholds OGUME.
maintains a frown, staring at him.

Ogume

OGUME:
This'll be your last fight.

INT. GYM - DAY - PRESENT TIME

Footsteps ECHO, Onah buries hook punches and kicks into the
swinging bag as she pants.

2.
INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK
The force from
drills a punch
Osuya cringes,
Ogume soars in

Ogume's fist shifts Osuya's jaw to a side, he

into his stomach, then a hook into his ribs.
holding onto his side, staggering backwards.
the air with a roundhouse kick.

Ogume barely lands as he receives a side kick to his stomach

from Osuya. Ogume staggers backwards and grunts.

INT. THE GYM - DAY - PRESENT DAY

Onah throws slap kicks to each side of the bag, shouting
with each hit. The echoing footsteps sound closer.

INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK

Osuya with a slap kick to Ogume's head, causes Ogume to turn
around, full circle, yelling and shaking his head. Osuya
throws another slap kick to his side. Ogume yells again
shaking his head and beating his chest.
Osuya jumps with a spinning kick to Ogume's head. Ogume
bangs down on the kick. Osuya crashes onto the canvas.
Ogume swiftly raises his leg, then drops an axe kick onto
his back.
Ogume leans over Osuya, as he lies, and begins punching
downwards continuously at him, yelling. Onah screams from
the corner. The REFEREE struggles to pull Ogume off Osuya.

INT. THE GYM - DAY - PRESENT DAY

Onah stands panting; stares in despair at the swinging bag.
The footsteps stop. Her name ECHOES as from a distance.

INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK

More referees rush in and pull Ogume off Osuya. Onah rushes
towards Osuya, lifts his head, as she CRIES and judders him.
Ogume LAUGHS as the referees pin him. Osuya speaks to Onah
almost incoherently.
OSUYA:
(deliriously)
I failed. It's on you now.

3.
Osuya's head falls to a side. Onah judders him shouting.
LATER
Onah looks up from her brother at Ogume standing over them
brandishing a trophy.
OGUME:
You can still try to prove me wrong,
if you dare, like your brother; win
it back, prove that you're an Etuweh.
Onah impulsively points at him and yells in anger.
ONAH:
I challenge you, you beast. That
trophy doesn't belong to you.
Ogume grins widely.

INT. THE GYM - DAY - PRESENT DAY

Onah stares in despair.
ONAH:
My God! What was I thinking?
She shudders, looks sharply to her side, from the distinct
SOUND of her name, and sees her friend, TEM, looking at her
in awe. She withdraws from the punching bag and sighs.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
Tem! What took you so long?
She strolls over to a bottle of water on a stool at the
corner, throws a towel lying on the stool on her shoulder,
as she snatches the bottle, uncovers it and drinks from it.
TEM:
I ran into your mom.
Onah rolls her eyes and sighs, shaking her head.
TEM: (O.S.) (CONT'D)
She REALLY wants me to talk you out
of your madness of going against
Ogume.
Onah puts down the bottle on the stool, closes up a bit on
Tem as she wipes her face with the towel on her shoulder.

4.
TEM: (CONT'D)
I can't blame her, after what Ogume
did to Osuya she wouldn't want another
child of hers being his vict-ONAH:
--You said you've found me a coach.
Tem grins widely, holding up three fingers, wagging his hand.
TEM:
Actually, I found three of the best
in town.
(three beats)
Take your pick.
Onah grins widely as she nods slowly.
ONAH:
Who's the first?

INT. THE BONECRACKER'S DOJO - DAY

Onah stands before a sturdy man, dressed in a gi with his
arms folded and a smirk on his face.
TEM: (V.O.)
They call him THE BONE CRACKER.
He's the go-to-guy for toughness.
MONTAGE - TRAINING SESSIONS WITH THE BONE CRACKER
A) Onah struggles with some dumbbells and pushups. The Bone
Cracker claps hurriedly; speaking with an uptight face MOS.
B) She spars, in turns, with bigger and stronger men.
C) She does the suicides until she falls helplessly on the
ground. The Bone Cracker claps hurriedly, looking over her.
D) She spars with him, kicking and punching; he blocks, then
delivers a hook across her face. She faints and crashes onto
the ground.
END MONTAGE

EXT. THE STREET PARK - DAY

Tem stares at Onah, seated beside him on a bench, in amazement
chuckling as she stretches and winces.

5.
ONAH:
I asked for a coach not a panel
beater.
TEM:
(chuckles)
You need the best nau; Ogume is no
walk-over o.
They both JERK from suddenly hearing OSSAI's voice.
OSSAI:
Damn right, Ogume is no walk-over;
better quit while you can.
They both glare at him gloating at them, with folded arms,
dressed in his track suit; and sweaty.
ONAH:
(upset)
And let him get away with what isn't
his? Not an option.
Ossai sighs with content, tilting his head to a side while
fixing his gaze at her.
OSSAI:
You don't stand a chance; it's known
Ogume never backs out of a challenge,
but I can get him to let this one
go, so you can keep your pretty face.
Tem snaps at him.
TEM:
Like you want to pass, on cashing
out of this fight; 'Cause you're
obviously sure Ogume your cash cow
will win.
Ossai shifts his gaze to Tem, smirking.
OSSAI:
Osuya couldn't take Ogume, after six
months of preparation, is she the
one that'll do it in a month?
She rises, then looks away in despair. Ossai glares at her.
OSSAI: (CONT'D)
You want to die for a trophy, you
can't win back?
He grunts, then begins to jog along. Onah stares in worry.
Tem rises quickly, holds her shoulder firmly.

6.
ONAH:
Something deep drives Ogume, something
neither I nor Osuya has. Ossai's
right; Ogume'll kill me.
TEM:
Don't let Ossai get to you. He's
just out to kill your morale.
Onah keeps staring blankly.

Tem shakes her by the shoulder.

TEM: (CONT'D)
Don't give in to fear now. Remember
why you have to face Ogume.
Onah raises her head and fixes her gaze at him.
ONAH:
Who's the other guy you have for me?
Tem slowly begins to grin widely.

EXT. SUTECH'S DOJO - DAY

Onah jogs beside a young man MOS.
TEM: (V.O.)
They call him Su-Tech; short for
Super-Technical. He's good.
MONTAGE - TRAINING SESSIONS WITH SUTECH
A) Onah piggybacks another student and jogs.
B) After a number of pushups, she sprawls on the ground.
C) She assumes the horse stance until she gives up.
D) With arms behind her back and eyes closed, she groans in
pains from Su-Tech's back-hand strike to her abdomen.
END MONTAGE

EXT. THE STREET PARK - DAY

Onah is seated beside Tem on a bench, her head bowed down.
ONAH:
I'm NEVER going back there. Instead
of getting me to be stronger, they're
just beating me up.

7.
She raises her head and fixes a stern look at Tem.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
(panicky)
Tem, we're running out of time and
options; isn't there a coach that
can help me?
TEM:
(excited)
The third guy's different though.
Onah stares at him in anticipation.
TEM: (CONT'D)
Asuai.
Onah looks daggers at him. He pulls a face. She hisses,
jumps to her feet impatiently, walking out on him. Tem
hurries to his feet and after her, grabs her arm. She turns
around to face him.
TEM: (CONT'D)
What?
ONAH:
My mom got through to you abi?
these kill-and-go coaches...

All

Tem stares at her, confused.

ONAH: (CONT'D)
...now it's the one that can't help?
I thought we were best friends.
Tem sighs and shakes his head.
TEM:
I knew it'll get to this. Asuai is
unlike the other two, who believe in
gra-gra. Since the others are no
good for you, why not try him first
before writing him off?
He walks away while she stares at the distance frowning.

INT. ASUAI'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

TWO DAYS LATER
Onah, shyly looks to a side away from ASUAI, who sits opposite
glaring at her, while chewing some nuts.

8.
ASUAI:
Onah, you can't win.
Onah looks daggers at him.
Why?

ONAH:
You haven't even seen my ski--

ASUAI:
--I Don't need to.
Onah continues to glare at him.
ONAH:
Is it 'cause Ogume beat my brother,
who's stronger than me?
ASUAI:
Those are your words not mine.
(rising to his feet)
Bow out of the fight.
Onah stands quickly as Asuai turns to walk away.
ONAH:
My brother gambled away my dad's
trophy and lost it to Ogume. It's
my dad's legacy and I must win it
back.
Asuai stops, looks over his shoulder at her.
ASUAI:
You realize Ogume lacks empathy; and
he could kill you in an instant?
Onah makes a face, stares downwards, then up again.
ONAH:
Ogume wants people to believe like
he does, that we live in our father's
shadow, that we're nothing... it's
why Osuya got into that fight.
ASUAI:
He failed to prove Ogume wrong, now
you feel it's your turn to prove him
wrong. Am I right?
Onah frowns.

Asuai turns around to face her.

ONAH:
My brother and Ogume disrespected my
father's memory. They didn't need
to stake his legacy.

9.
ASUAI:
Ah! The source of the hint of
resentment. So you're mad at your
brother as you are at Ogume!
He turns around then walks away.
ASUAI: (CONT'D)
Return when you have a real purpose.

EXT. ASUAI'S HOUSE - SAMETIME

Tem is at a corner, focused on his tablet, his ears plugged.
He raises his head and sees Onah approaching. He unplugs his
ears and approaches her hurriedly, speaking with a mixture
of worry and curiosity.
How far?

TEM:
When does training start?

Onah stares at the ground. Tem wears a sad look. He hands

his tablet to her with his ear piece. She takes them, plugs
her ears. She stares in despair at the phone, frozen.
TEM: (CONT'D)
That's Ogume's fight from yesterday.
ON THE MONITOR OF TEM'S TABLET
Ogume carries a man overhead and slams him on the ground.
He sits on his chest, punching him multiple times. Turns
around, grabs his leg then breaks it. The crowd moans.
BACK TO ONAH
Onah cringes following the SOUND of bone cracking.
TEM: (O.S.) (CONT'D)
Get back with the Bone Cracker or SuTech... or forfeit your dad's trophy;
so Ogume won't maim you.
Onah shoots a sharp glance at Tem.

INT. ASUAI'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

ONE WEEK LATER
Onah barges into the house. Asuai, hesitates from drinking
the cup of water in his hand, looking sharply at her, raising
a brow. She walks hurriedly towards him.

10.
ONAH:
Look sir, the fight's in three weeks;
you've got to help me.
Asuai glares at her for a moment, puts down the cup, then
sighs.
ASUAI:
Go home Onah. You don't trust that
I can help you because you've heard
that I have a bad back.
ONAH:
I don't know what else to do.
lost.

I'm

Asuai picks his cup again and sips from it, then gives a big
sigh, he rises to his feet, walks a little closer to Onah
then stares into her eyes and then grunts.
ASUAI:
You're lost... I can work with that.

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

DAY ONE
From her combat stance, Onah lunges with a punch at Asuai
headlong. Asuai parries her arm gently, places his hand
under her chin, sweeps her feet, causing her to fall on her
face.
Grunting, she rushes to her feet, kicking violently at him,
he blocks then drives his palm into her tummy making her
bend over. She stands, raises her arms then suddenly cringes
in pain.
ASUAI:
Your anger is clouding your judgment.
ONAH:
The Bone Cracker told me that my
anger is the key to winning Ogume.
ASUAI:
It's the reason you couldn't keep up
with his training. SuTech's too.
DAY TWO
Onah lunges with a punch at Asuai aggressively; he parries
and then strikes her tummy with his knee. She coughs.

11.
ASUAI: (CONT'D)
You can't expect to beat Ogume in a
game of strength; he's stronger. You
must attack his weak points to win.
Onah spins around with a kick, Asuai stops it.
ONAH:
What weak points?

He has none.

She kicks, he stops her leg and sweeps the other off the
ground. She falls on her back, he pins her down.
ASUAI:
Everyone does. Your anger, concern
for other's opinion of you,
materialism... they're hindering
you; just as Ogume is hindered and
doesn't realize it yet.
He lets go of her. She squints as she rises to her feet.
ONAH:
And what are his problems?

EXT. OSSAI'S GYM - SAME TIME

Ogume punches and kicks the target mitts Ossai holds in front
of him ruthlessly.
ASUAI: (V.O.)
Both boys and girls bullied Ogume
when he was a child. For years, it
made him feel like a weakling. His
dad got him in a dojo, pushed him to
fight back and never back down. He
grew aggressive, and saw backing out
of anything as weakness. He wants
all to feel his wrath for feeling
cheated.
Ogume growls from punching at the bag.
OGUME:
This is a waste of time. She's no
match for me.
OSSAI:
Perhaps you shouldn't take chances
as she's Etuweh's daughter.

12.
OGUME:
(Firmly)
Odili Etuweh is the past; I'm the
present and the future.

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

DAY SIX
Onah attacks Asuai with a couple of sticks, he stands still
with his eyes closed as she strikes him continuously; he
doesn't flinch. She spins with a back-hand strike to his
jaw, recoils, crouches then groans.
ONAH:
How do you do that?

Ah, my wrist.

Asuai opens his eyes, walks closer to her and takes her hand.
ASUAI:
The power is from inside not outside.
Free your heart, solve your problem.
He twists her wrist, her bone SNAPS back in place, she YELLS.

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

DAY TEN
Onah and Asuai stand opposite each other, neither makes a
move. He smirks then throws a ball at her. She steps aside
gracefully, dodging it. Asuai sends a front kick, she blocks
it off. She delivers a reverse punch, Asuai blocks it.
Asuai slaps, Onah blocks, parries it down then pushes Asuai
backwards. Asuai smiles. Onah smiles with excitement.
ASUAI:
There's one more thing you must do.
Onah holds a gaze at him.

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

Onah stands beside Osuya's bed.
still unconscious.

Tem is beside her. Osuya is

13.
TEM:
Onah, let's go if you can't do it.
Asuai won't know unless you tell
him.
ONAH:
Oh Tem, be silent.
Onah takes a deep breath and exhales.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
I've been a slave to my resentment
of you dishonoring dad's memory.
Onah begins to smile broadly.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
I forgive you from the bottom of my
heart. So make sure you wake up and
witness how I undo your mistake.
Tem tilts his head to a side, exchanging glances between
Osuya and Onah.
TEM:
Does that really work? Man, I better
start hanging around Asuai more often.

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

FINAL DAY
Onah is seated opposite Asuai.
ONAH:
The fight is in two days, I don't
feel physically strong enou-ASUAI:
--strength isn't all you need;
remember, target weak points instead.
(gazing at her)
I see you've let go of your anger.
Your training is complete.
Onah raises her brows.
ONAH:
Really? Come to think of it; I do
feel, kind of lighter...
Asuai nods slowly.

14.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
...and I don't feel like fighting
Ogume anymore. I'm not afraid o, I
just don't-ASUAI:
--you're detached.
Onah holds her gaze at him.
ONAH:
Should I call off the fight?
Asuai stares at her.

He tries to talk but doesn't.

INT. THE RING - DAY

TOURNAMENT DAY
Ogume gets furious.
OGUME:
YOU DARE TO CHICKEN OUT? THERE'S NO
WAY YOU WILL LEAVE THIS RING WITHOUT
FIGHTING ME.
ONAH:
You're the champ, fine I agree.
not fighting.

I'm

Ogume growls.
OGUME:
THAT, IS NOT, AN OPTION!
Onah waves down her hand at him and turns around.
rants.

Ogume

OGUME: (CONT'D)
If you don't fight me, I'll go and
finish up your brother in the
hospital. Yes! I know where he is.
Onah pauses; terror
around gently, then
punches from Ogume,
strike into Ogume's

in her eyes. Her Heart PUMPS. She turns

narrowly dodges a couple of straight
sashaying and pushing a sideways palm
stomach. Ogume jerks backwards.

OGUME: (CONT'D)
That's more like it.
The Bell RINGS.

15.
Ogume throws a punch, Onah parries, he throws a front kick
she blocks and pushes it down, he lunges in the air with his
elbow stuck out, Onah releases a solid front kick to his
tummy, Ogume jerks backwards and falls on his back.
The crowd cheers. Ogume jumps back
Onah, slapping the air continuously
with the third slap doing a turning
Ogume's temple. Ogume falls to the

on his feet, rushes at

as Onah retreats, flows
reverse slap kick to
ground.

Onah stands and keeps looking, Ogume breathes as the referee

begins the countdown. Ogume jumps to his feet at the fifth
count. He lunges at her with a hook that throws her aside
despite her block. She falls to the ground.
Ogume rushes at her and begins to punch violently, she
protects her face with her arms and kicks continuously to
get him back. The bell rings. Onah hurries up and runs to
her side of the ring where Asuai is waiting.
ONAH:
How will this end?
for me.

He's too strong

Asuai wipes her worried face with a towel and pats her.
ASUAI:
Remember, you can't win with strength
alone. Attack the weak points.
The bell goes off again. Asuai nudges her back into the
ring. Ogume bounces into the ring, roaring. Onah walks
slowly to the center of the ring. Ogume throws a double
punch, Onah blocks but is thrown backwards.
Ogume
stops
a lot
stops

turns around with a downward hammer-fist strike, Onah

it with a crossed block then pushes him backwards with
of effort. Ogume charges at her, she steps to a side,
his shin; he trips but doesn't fall.

Onah attacks his side with multiple punches then a slap kick
to the stomach, takes it around and drops an axe-kick to the
back of his head. He staggers forward, turns around, throws
another hammer fist.
Onah throws a knuckle strike under his armpit, another to
his throat, then a reverse slap kick to his temple. Ogume
falls flat on the canvas. The crowd goes wild with cheers.
Tem jumps into the ring and lifts Onah up.
The referee counts from one to ten but Ogume remains on the
canvas. Tem puts Onah down and leaves the ring.

16.
REFEREE:
The winner by knockout; Onah "The
LadyBird" Etuweh.
The cheers continue.
Ossai walks over to Onah with the trophy in hand and hands
it to her.
OSSAI:
Impressive. You're really Etuweh's
daughter. Stop by my dojo sometime,
I could really use your talent.
ONAH:
No need. I already have a coach.
She looks at Asuai, then at Ossai again.
ONAH: (CONT'D)
And he doesn't need to use my talent.

INT. GYM - DAY

Onah places the trophy back on the shelf and glares at it.
TEM: (O.S.)
We did it, thanks to Asuai; and
remembering how you didn't want to
train with him before.
ONAH:
Abi? I won't judge too quickly next
time that's for sure. But I thought
he had a bad back; that man does
move like one with a bad back o.
Tem chuckles.
TEM:
Haba! He hurt his back long time
ago nau? Besides it wasn't that bad
as to leave him incapacitated.
ONAH:
People and their talk sha. Anyway,
did he injure his back in a fight?
TEM:
Ironically, he got it from missing a
step and falling off the roof.
Onah gasps. OLOKO, her mother rushes in.

17.
OLOKO:
(excited)
ONAH, LET'S GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THE
DOCTOR JUST CALLED. YOUR BROTHER
HAS OPENED HIS EYES.
Tem and Onah hurry out after her in excitement.
END