The Etuweh Legacy

[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.

OSUYA:
(sternly)
Dad's not here. Besides, someone
must set the record straight; and
put Ogume in his place.

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, stops abruptly before OGUME who
maintains a malicious glare.

OGUME:
This'll be your last fight.

INT. GYM - DAY - PRESENT TIME

Footsteps ECHO, Onah buries hook punches and kicks into the
swinging bag, panting.
 2.

INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK

Ogume barrages Osuya with multiple punches. Osuya blocks

them moving back then lands a slap kick to his stomach with
multiple knee strikes to the tummy. Ogume stops them grabs
him then slams him to the ground.

Ogume tries to punch, Osuya plants his foot on Ogume's chest

and throws him over head. Osuya rushes at him with a double
punch and a slap kick that Ogume hooks checks his leg then
bangs a bag-fist strike to Osuya's temple.

Osuya staggers backwards and then gets struck with with jump
turning hook punch to the head by Ogume. He falls to the
ground.

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 rushes at Ogume with a crescent kick, Ogume ducks down

but get hit by a reverse punch and then a series of slap
kick which he blocks, grabs Osuya, butts his head, grabs him
and slams him on the ground.

Osuya stops a downward punch at him, grabs Ogume's hand and

pulls himself up. He sweeps at Ogume's leg, misses, steps in
with a reverse slap kick, misses, rushes at Ogume who grabs
and hoists him up, tilts and slams him on the ground. Osuya
rolls and coughs on the ground.
Ogume stands then slams an elbow into his chest. He 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.
 3.

INT. THE RING - DAY - FLASHBACK

More referees rush in and pull Ogume off Osuya, ROARING as

they pin him. Onah rushes towards Osuya, lifts his head and
judders him as she CRIES.

OSUYA:
(deliriously)
I failed. It's on you now.

Osuya's head falls to a side. Onah judders him harder

SCREAMING.

LATER

She raises her head at Ogume waving a trophy before her.

OGUME:
Prove me wrong, if you dare like
your brother; win it back, prove
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 glares at her with contempt.

INT. THE GYM - DAY - PRESENT DAY

Onah stares in despair and mutters.

ONAH:
My God! What was I thinking?

Her name is CALLED, she shudders looking sharply to her side.

Her friend, TEM, stares 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, snatches it, throwing a towel lying on the stool on
her shoulder; she uncovers drinks from the bottle.

TEM:
I ran into your mom.

Onah rolls her eyes and sighs, shaking her head.

 4.

TEM: (O.S.) (CONT'D)

She REALLY wants me to talk you out
of your madness of going against
Ogume.

She puts the bottle back on the stool, closes up a bit on

Tem as she wipes her face with the towel.

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.

She slowly nods with a grin.

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 a series of drills. THE BONE CRACKER

claps hurriedly; speaking with an uptight face MOS.

B) She spars, does the suicides, falls helplessly on the

ground.

C) While sparring he knocks her out cold with a hook punch.

END MONTAGE
 5.

EXT. THE STREET PARK - DAY

Tem jugs beside Onah, she complains, he grins.

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 as he jogs to their side, all sweaty.
They all stop jogging.

ONAH:
(upset)
And let him get away with what isn't
his? Not an option.

Ossai scoffs, 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 looks away in despair. Ossai glares at her.

OSSAI: (CONT'D)
You want to die for a trophy, you
can't win back?
 6.

He scoffs as he jogs away. Onah places her hands on her head

in worry. Tem holds her shoulder firmly.

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 paces back and forth. Tem holds her still.

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) She jogs does pushups before crashing on the ground.

B) While on the horse stance, arms to the back with eyes

closed, she groans in pains from Su-Tech's back-hand strike
to her abdomen.

END MONTAGE

EXT. THE STREET PARK - DAY

Onah walks with Tem gesticulating.

ONAH:
I'm NEVER going back there. Instead
of training me, 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 stops, looks daggers at him, he pulls a face. She hisses,

then walks away impatiently. Tem hurries after her, grabs
her arm. She turns around to face him.

TEM: (CONT'D)
What?

ONAH:
My mom got through to you abi? All
these kill-and-go coaches...

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
not like the others who you feel are
no good for you. Why not try him
first before writing him off?

She stares at the distance frowning.

INT. ASUAI'S LIVING ROOM - DAY

TWO DAYS LATER

Onah, gets uncomfortable as ASUAI, who sits opposite her,

stares at her intently.

ASUAI:
Onah, you can't win.
 8.

She looks daggers at him.

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

ASUAI:
--I Don't need to.

ONAH:
Is it 'cause Ogume beat my brother,
who's stronger than me?

ASUAI:
Those are your words not mine. Bow
out of the fight.

Onah blurts out hurriedly.

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 leans closer to her, staring intently at her.

ASUAI:
You realize Ogume lacks empathy; and
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:
So you and your brother want to prove
him wrong to the world; hmm?

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

ASUAI:
Ah, resentment, eh? You're mad at
your brother as you are at Ogume!

He reclines on his seat.

ASUAI: (CONT'D)
Return when you have a real purpose.
 9.

EXT. ASUAI'S FRONTYARD - SAME TIME

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.

TEM:
How far? When does training start?

Onah looks worried. Tem sighs shaking his head, then hands
his tablet to her with his ear piece. She takes them and
plugs her ears. She stares in despair at the phone.

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 Su-
Tech... or forfeit your dad's trophy;
so Ogume won't maim you.

Onah shoots a sharp glance at Tem.

EXT. ASUAI'S FRONTYARD - DAY

ONE WEEK LATER

Asuai sweeps with a long broom, then suddenly turns around,

swiftly strikes with it, then stops it right beside Onah's
chin. she freezes, her hands up, startled.

ONAH:
Sir, the fight's in three weeks;
you've got to help me.

Asuai glares at her intensely; he puts down the broom.

ASUAI:
Go home Onah. You don't trust that I
can help you because you've heard
that I have a bad back.
 10.

He looks away from her then continues sweeping. She beckons

to him.

ONAH:
I don't know what else to do. I'm
lost.

Asuai stops sweeping, stares at her from sole to crown a

couple of times with furrowed brows. His brows relax with a
sigh as he glints away. She stares in anticipation.

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.

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.
 11.

ASUAI:
Everyone does. Your anger, concern
about status... 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:
How's Ogume hindered?

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.

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

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

DAY SIX

Onah while sparring Asuai spins with a back-hand strike which

he blocks suddenly, she cringes, groaning.

ONAH:
How do you do that? Ah, my wrist.
 12.

Asuai walks closer to her and takes her hand.

ASUAI:
The power is from inside not outside.
Free your heart, solve your problems.

He twists her wrist, her bone SNAPS back in place, she YELLS.

EXT. ASUAI'S DOJO - DAY

DAY TEN

Onah and Asuai stand still opposite each other. He smirks

then throws an object 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. Tem is beside her. Osuya

stares at them muttering incoherently. Tem whispers to Onah.

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.
 13.

Osuya mutters again indistinctly. 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.

ASUAI:
I see you've let go of your anger.
We're done here; your training is
complete.

ONAH:
The fight is in two days, I don't
feel physically strong enou--

ASUAI:
--strength isn't all you need;
remember, that.

Onah raises her brows.

ONAH:
Come to think of it; I do feel, kind
of lighter...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.

 14.

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. I'm
not fighting.

Ogume growls.

OGUME:
THAT, IS NOT, AN OPTION!

Onah waves down her hand at him and turns around. Ogume
rants.

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 in her eyes. Her Heart PUMPS. She turns
around gently, then narrowly dodges a couple of straight
punches from Ogume, sashaying and pushing a sideways palm
strike into Ogume's stomach. Ogume jerks backwards.

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

The Bell RINGS.

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 on his feet, rushes at
Onah, slapping the air continuously as Onah retreats, flows
with the third slap doing a turning reverse slap kick to
Ogume's temple. Ogume falls to the 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? He's too strong
for me.
 15.

Asuai wipes her worried face with a towel and pats her.

ASUAI:
Remember, you can't win with strength
alone. Attack his 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 turns around with a downward hammer-fist strike, Onah

stops it with a crossed block then pushes him backwards with
a lot of effort. Ogume charges at her, she steps to a side,
stops 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.

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.
 16.

INT. ONAH'S HOUSE - DAY

Onah places the trophy back on the shelf beside her father's
pictures 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 doesn't
move like someone with a bad back o.

Tem chuckles.
TEM:
That, my friend is a mystery. I'll
ask him next time I see him.

ONAH:
Did he hurt his back in a fight?

Tem shrugs his shoulders shaking his head. OLOKO, Onah's

mother walks in.

OLOKO:
Onah, let's go. We don't want to
keep Osuya waiting.

Onah gasps and beckons to Tem to follow. Tem pulls a face.

ONAH:
We're going to pick Osuya; he's
getting discharged today.
Tem smiles as he follows them out from behind.

END