KNOCKING ON HEAVEN'S DOOR

PLAY WRITTEN BY EMEKA ONWUKWE

CONCEPT BY OLU MAYOWA

STORY BY ENE OKWULU

CHARACTERS

NARRATOR

ZITE

M R. ANDERSON

M RS. ANDERSON

SEAN

GABRIELLE

M RS. FISHER

HANATU

POLICE OFFICER

M R. BEN

M R. CHRIS

DONALD

DONALD'S WIFE

PASTOR

ANGEL

DEM ON
 S CENE 1.
INT. BARE STAGE -
The stage is bare. A man dressed in impeccable tailored
suit walks into a part of the stage and climbs a riser. Spot
light falls on him. He exudes confidence as he speaks to
the audience.
NARRATOR
Good evening everyone. M y name is simply the narrator and am here to tell you a story
about something we seldom think about, heaven’s gate. M y story starts with a beautiful
girl named Zite.
We see the stage hands arranging the set.

NARRATOR
Zite was born to the Anderson’s family. A family that has done well for themselves in
terms of wealth. But Zite had a troubled mind. She had everything but the very answer to
the complex questions that bothered her soul. And so our story starts with Zite and her
father M r. Anderson.
By now the stage is set. We see ZITE seated with MR.
ANDERSON in a restaurant.

NARRATOR
She is having lunch with her ever busy father. M r. Anderson had this tradition of making
it up to his kids whenever he returned from his numerous business trips by taking each of
them out on dates and that day was Zite’s turn. Zite felt probably that her question will
be answered but she was mistaken. Now since our stage is set, I beg to leave temporarily
for you to watch and listen to Zite’s plight.

The Narrator walks out of the stage as light focus on Zite

and Mr. Anderson.

S CENE 2 - THE RES TAURANT

M R. ANDERSON and ZITE are seated. They are having
lunch.
ZITE

It’s so fulfilling having you around Dad.

MR. ANDERS ON
Same here dear.
ZITE
Dad I have been meaning to ask...

Mr. Anderson’s phone rings.

 2.

MR. ANDERS ON
Hold on dear.
Mr. Anderson picks the call.

MR. ANDERS ON
Hello? Yes it is true, the country is in recession. That is a good thing. I mean it is time for
the sharks to swallow the small fish. Yes, just keep me posted on recent developments
concerning the shares and the merchandize I am so ready to invest. Good one Benny you
are the man.
Mr. Anderson ends the call and then turns to Zite who is
by now looking at him with disgust in her eyes.

MR. ANDERS ON
You were saying...?
Mr. Anderson’s phone rings.

MR. ANDERS ON
I have to take this call dear. Hello, M r. Jefferson how are you? How is California? And
how are you guys dealing with Trump and M y lady Hilary? Well am a business man so
either ways I win. I will be in the states next week. Good, the deal has to be sealed.

Mr. Anderson ends the call and then looks at the impatient
Zite.

MR. ANDERS ON
So where were we?
Mr. Anderson’s phone rings again. Zite holds his hand as
he tries to pick the call.

ZITE
Dad, we are here to have lunch and talk, not for you to take your calls.

MR. ANDERS ON
Just this one call dear, please.
Zite nods. Mr. Anderson picks the call.

MR. ANDERS ON
Hello? What? Listen hold on, I will be with you in the next 30 minutes, we must not lose
that contract. Damn.
(M r. Anderson ends the call)
Honey I have to go now.
ZITE
No Dad you are not doing this to me again.
MR. ANDERS ON
Please, this is important.
 3.

ZITE
M ore important than listening to your daughter?
MR. ANDERS ON
I promise to make it up to you. Ok, I will buy you a new car. Name it. Name the type...
ZITE
How about you buy me what is life?
MR. ANDERS ON
What?
ZITE
Why was I born? Why am I your daughter? Is God really up there watching us?
MR. ANDERS ON
Now hold it right there young lady, you are going too far?
ZITE
Are the questions too expensive for you Dad? I mean you dine and wine with the big
shots in the whole world. Just last week you had a private dinner with M ark Zukerberg,
the other day you met with Warren Buffet, and oh did I forget to mention that your
mentor is Chris Gardner whom you play golf with even in your sleep and you also had to
meet with Will Smith simply because he acted as your mentor in the movie The Pursuit
of Happyness, come on Dad you have answers to everything in this world, small wonder
the church can’t do without you and mum so I ask again what is life?
Mr. Anderson takes a long pause and then bends to Zite.
MR. ANDERS ON
Life is you being who God wants you to be.
ZITE
Who does God want me to be?
MR. ANDERS ON
A good girl who listens to her father.
Mr. Anderson gives her a peck at the cheeks and talks
into the phone.

MR. ANDERS ON
Sam! Get the jet ready.
Mr. Anderson walks out of the stage. A soft song
resounds as Zite stands and walks out of the stage
completely broken.
The Narrator enters the stage as the stage hands start
striking the set as well as setting the next one.
NARRATOR
You’ve seen for yourselves. You’ve met Zite and his sleek father who though believes in
God is too busy making money while his daughter wallows in emptiness. What about
Zite’s mother? Our story takes us to the church where Zite’s mother popularly known as
M rs. A is busy carrying out the great commission.. Oh do they love her so much? See for
yourselves.
 4.

S CENE 2. THE CHURCH - DAY

The Narrator walks out of the stage as MRS. ANDERSON
whom we will be referring as Mrs. A walks unto the stage.

MRS . A
God is good.
CONGREGATION
All the time.
MRS . A
And all the time?
CONGREGATION
God is good.
MRS . A.
Now many of you may be wondering why am called M rs. A Well if you were wondering
today is your lucky day because am about to tell you. It isn’t because am M rs.
Anderson, it isn’t because am an attorney, it isn’t because my name is Ada, Amina, Aisha
or Abike. I am called M rs. A because the letter A is first among all the alphabets and thus
I am first in God’s eyes.
Loud cheer from the congregation.

MRS . A
I am called M rs. A because A stands for abundance, acceptance, anointing, atonement,
affluence.
The congregation stands and roars in heated applause.

MRS . A
Hold on, hold on don’t get me wrong. I know some of you may be saying this woman is
sounding too materialistic but I tell you this, if my saviour Jesus Christ came to this
world to suffer for my sins and healed me by his strips why should I surfer?
The congregation cheers.
MRS . A
I tell you one thing brothers and sisters, God has given us everything in abundance
because he said that he will supply our needs according to his riches in glory.

Loud cheer.

MRS . A
Know this though, the wealth I talk about is not of this world, so don’t get it twisted. If I
could enjoy the good things here on earth, what will it be like in heaven!
Loud cheers.
 5.

MRS . A
Oh, no eyes have seen, no ears have heard neither has it come to the conception of men
what God has in store for those who believe in Christ Jesus and love him, so if you are
here and you are not born again stand on your feet and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord
and personal savior so that all of us will be partakers in his heavenly kingdom which he
has gone to prepare for us all!
Several people stand and rush to her into the stage.
Curtain closes. The spot light falls on the Narrator.
NARRATOR
That was Zite’s mother. A devote Christian, doing her job faithfully, caring for fellow
Christians. You haven’t met Sean, Zite’s elder brother. I won’t tell you much about him.
You be the judge of his character.

S CENE 3 - ZITE’’S HOME

Curtain opens. We see SEAN and GABRIELLE seated on
a couch. They are flipping through Sean’s family album.
GABRIELLE
Wow, Sean is this you?
S EAN
Yeah.
GABRIELLE
You were such a handsome kid and you are still handsome.
S EAN
(Smiles)
Thank you.
Sean flips through the fages again. Gabrielle gasps.
Gabrielle bends to him and starts brushing her noses on
his ear.

S EAN
Hold on, Gabrielle, what are you doing?
GABRIELLE
I’m in the mood handsome and I wanna rock you right now.
She holds on to him. Sean pulls away from her.
S EAN
In the mood for what?
GABRIELLE
I can’t hold on any longer, I’ve been admiring you for so long now.
S EAN
What’s that supposed to mean?
GABRIELLE
You know what it means. Do you have any form of deformity or what? Are you
impotent?
 6.

S EAN
Gabrielle stop this. I still have more pictures to show you.
GABRIELLE
What blazing pictures?
She closes the photo album and throws it to the ground.
GABRIELLE
Look at me, am I not attractive enough? Huh? What sort of a man are you?
S EAN
The man who knows that fornication is sin.
GABRIELLE
Oh come on Sean, what old school are you from? Are you a virgin?
Sean swallows hard.
GABRIELLE
Oh, he is a virgin. This is going to be exciting. A guy as old as you a virgin? Come on
don’t be scared, let me teach you...
S EAN
If you are not going to stop this I will have to ask you to leave.
GABRIELLE
You are walking me out of your house?
S EAN
You leave me no choice.
GABRIELLE
What’s wrong with you Sean? Every man would give anything to have me.
S EAN
Well sorry to disappoint you, I am not every man. I am Sean Anderson, a child of God.
GABRIELLE
And I am Gabrielle Braxton, I want you right now...

Gabrielle pounces on Sean. Sean ducks and then runs

away from her.

S EAN
Gabrielle stop.
GABRIELLE
Hell hath no fury like a woman spurned.
S EAN
How can I do this great wickedness to God?
GABRIELLE
You are not Joseph.
S EAN
And you are not Shakespeare. Gabrielle please stop.
GABRIELLE
Ok, just give me a kiss.
 7.

S EAN
No, stop!
GABRIELLE
I will scream and tell people that you want to rape me.
S EAN
And oh, the door is not far away from me so I have to be Joseph and run!

Sean runs out of the sitting room chased by Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Sean please come. I love you.
S EAN
Get thee behind me Satan.
GABRIELLE
I will wait for you in your house.
S EAN
Then am on exile from my house.
They run out of the stage, just as the Narrator enters.
NARRATOR
And so I have introduced you to the Anderson’s family. I enjoin you to watch. I shall
return.
The Narrator walks out of the stage.

S CENE 4 - ZITE’S HOME

Zite enters the sitting room. She slumps on the couch
deep in thought. Sean tip toes inside looking around. He
has his back to Zite. Zite stands and then taps him at the
back. He turns.

S EAN
Gabrielle no.
ZITE
It’s me. Not Gabrielle.
S EAN
(Heaves)
Thank God. She didn’t return.
ZITE
What’s going on?
S EAN
Gabrielle.
ZITE
Elder Braxton’s daughter?
 8.

S EAN
Yes. She wanted to...
ZITE
Wanted to what?
S EAN
Never mind.
ZITE
Am your sister you can tell me anything.
S EAN
I said never mind.
ZITE
Why doesn’t anyone want to talk to me?
SEAN
Am talking to you.
ZITE
No you are not. You are shoving me off just like Dad and mum.
Zite starts walking towards the bedroom.
SEAN
How was your date with Dad?
ZITE
Ask him when he returns from his infamous trips.
Zite walks into the bedroom just as Mrs. A enters.
SEAN
Welcome mum.
Mrs. A waves him off.
M RS. A
Why weren’t you in church today?
SEAN
I em...
M RS. A
You em what? I understand Zite was with her father but you, who were you with?
SEAN
The devil...
M RS. A
God forbid. How could you say such a thing? The devil in my house?
Mrs. A starts praying.
SEAN
M um it’s not what you think.
M RS. A
What do you know am thinking? You were supposed to be in church but you allowed
your mind to be the devil’s workshop. So what happened?
Sean looks around and then turns to her.
 9.

SEAN
I was with Gabrielle.
M RS. A
(Relaxes)
Ok, Elder Braxton’s daughter, she is a good girl...
SEAN
(Sarcasm)
Of course she is.
M RS. A
Did you people study the word of God together?
Mrs. A’s sees the photo album on the ground and picks it
up.
M RS. A
What’s this doing here?
Her phone rings. She picks the call.
M RS. A
Hello sister Lucy how are you? What? Ok I will be right there.
She ends the call.
M RS. A
(Gives him the photo album)
Keep this on the shelf it contains our family history. I have to go help out M rs. Fisher.
She is distressed.
SEAN
What happened?
M RS. A
Daughter is in police custody, I have to go help her bail her out.
Zite enters.
ZITE
Hanatu?
M RS. A
Yes. Zite, you are home?
ZITE
Yes mum.
M RS. A
Where is your father?
ZITE
Gone with the wind as usual.
M RS. A
Where to?
ZITE
I don’t know. M aybe Jamaica this time.
Mrs. A pulls out her phone and looks at it.
M RS. A
He is in Port Harcourt. Called me while I was in church but I couldn’t pick, am just
reading his message now.. Both of you must come for tomorrow’s church program.
 10.

ZITE
But mum...
M RS. A
No buts, and I don’t want any of your arguments Zite.
ZITE
M um I’ve got questions.
M RS. A
The questions can wait till I return. I have a girl to bail out from police custody.
Mrs. A hurries out. There is eye contact between Sean and
Zite. Zite makes to talk.
ZITE
Sean can we talk?
SEAN
I have to be in my room right now.
Sean exits. Zite falls to the ground in tears.
ZITE
Why am I alone in this world? Huh? Why? Why can’t someone talk to me?
(looks up)
God, I was made to know that you are up there looking at us. That you are in control of
every thing that happens to us, so why do you allow things to happen if you are up there
seeing everything. God, why can’t someone talk to me and pull me out of my depression?
Why can’t you just talk to me God. Speak to me. Lord I am waiting, why was I born?
Part of me ask, part of me cry, part of me want to question why? Why is there joy, why
is there pain why is there sunshine and the rain? If I ever needed to hear you now God, it
is now. Am falling apart.
Zite bends to the floor and weeps. Curtain closes. The
Narrator walks in.
NARRATOR
And so no one had Zite’s time. The questions in her mind lingered on. But there is one
question that may be running through our minds. What really happened to Zite? Why is
she asking these questions. Well unlike her questions that no one was ready to answer,
ours will be answered as the story unfolds. Now our story takes us further to the police
station where M rs. A was busy saving a soul from going to jail.
The Narrator walks out.
S CENE 5 - THE POLICE HOLDING ROOM
Mrs. A and MRS. FISHER walk into the stage which has
now been set for the next scene.
M RS. FISHER
That girl will kill me.
M RS. A
Calm down my sister. There is nothing difficult for God to do.
M RS. FISHER
You don’t know my daughter M rs. A, my daughter is way beyond redemption.
 11.

M RS. A
Don’t say that. God is faithful and just, there is nothing difficult for him to do.
M RS. FISHER
I really want to believe you.
A young girl is led into the holding room and made to sit
down. Mrs. Fisher hurries to her to slap her, Mrs. A
stops her.
M RS. FISHER
Leave me let me kill her.
M RS. A
If you wanted her dead, you won’t be here so control yourself.
M RS. FISHER
Ok, if you say so.
Mrs. A turns to the Police officer.
M RS. A
Can we have a word with her in private?
POLICE OFFICER
(Snaps)
You have 1 minute.
M RS. A
Listen to me officer, I am a lawyer, I know the law so be careful here.
POLICE OFFICER
Ok, madam but I go come soon oh.
The Police Officer walks out.
M RS. FISHER
(To the girl)
Look at you, just take a good look at yourself. Are you not ashamed?
The girl is HANATU, but calls herself The LYNX.
M RS. A
Hanatu, your mother is talking to you.
HANATU
M y name is not Hanatu.
Mrs. Fisher gives Mrs. A and I told you look.
M RS. FISHER
Ask her what she wants us to call her.
HANATU
I don’t need her to ask, I will tell her. I am the lynx?
M RS. A
Yeah.
HANATU
Lynx. You are a learned woman M rs. A surely you know what a Lynx is.
 12.

M RS. A
I sure do know what a Lynx is. I know it’s a solitary animal from the cat family and what
is happening to you right now is not solitary. Now the charges against you and the
others can land you to jail.
Hanatu is silent.
M RS. FISHER
Ask her what she does.
M RS. A
(To Hanatu)
What do you do?
HANATU
She can tell you. Or are you ashamed to tell her mum?
M RS. FISHER
I feel like killing this girl.
M RS. A
What do you do Hanatu.
HANATU
M y name is not Hanatu.
M RS. A
What do you do?
HANATU
Am a stripper.
There’s silence in the holding room. Mrs. A stands in
shock and then looks at Mrs. Fisher.
M RS. A
Did I hear her right?
M RS. FISHER
You did.
M RS. A
Hold on, you actually...
HANATU
Yes I do. Do you know why they call me the Lynx? Because I look so innocent and
harmless but when I pounce I devour. I devour men who need masochistic pleasure. I
take, I grab, I knab, and I stab while I can.
M RS. A
Where you the one that stabbed the man in the hospital?
HANATU
No, the stab I mean is to stab the man real hard. Oh you ladies won’t understand
Mrs. A heaves and then looks at Mrs. Fisher.
M RS. A
This is serious but I will do my best for her. She will be bailed and if by God’s grace the
man that was stabbed survives, she has a good case.
 13.

M RS. FISHER
Thank you so much M rs. A.
M RS. A
That’s what God has called me to do. To help people in distress.
Hanatu laughs very loudly as the curtain closes. The
Narrator emerges.
NARRATOR
A good gesture by M rs. A wasn’t it? A woman dedicated to helping those in need of
support. A clear cut representation of a Christian woman who would stop at nothing to
help the needy. She was touched indeed by M rs. Fisher’s plight. I mean the agony of a
mother seeing her daughter turn herself into a rag for men’s pleasure. To M rs. A that was
the last thing that she wanted for her family, but who knew what was in store for her.
Let’s go back to Zite the center of our story.
S CENE 6 - ZITE’S HOME
Mrs. A enters and then falls on the couch in exasperation.
Zite enters quietly and gets to her.
ZITE
Welcome mum. How did it go?
M RS. A
M y dear it is just incredible. Hanatu has become a stripper.
ZITE
A stripper?
M RS. A
Yes. She calls herself The Lynx.
ZITE
Wow, but mum did she say why she became a stripper?
M RS. A
You know what Zite, I am not in the mood for your piercing questions.
ZITE
But mum...
M RS. A
I mean, am tired and I need to get some sleep.
ZITE
M um I really need to talk to you.
M RS. A
About Hanatu being a stripper?
ZITE
About...
M RS. A
Listen Zite, we will talk later. I need to rest please.
Mrs. A stands and walks out of the sitting room. Zite sits
perplexed. Mr. Anderson enters. Zite stands and hurries
to him. She hugs him tightly.
 14.

ZITE
Welcome Dad.
M R. ANDERSON
Zite how are you?
ZITE
Am not good.
M R. ANDERSON
Please let me just go in and rest ok? I know you still want to talk but we will talk later.
ZITE
Ok Dad.
M R. ANDERSON
Daughter I love you.
Zite nods. Mr. Anderson exits.
ZITE
(M utters to herself)
I hope so Dad. When will it be?
The curtain closes. The Narrator enters.
NARRATOR
Exactly the question that raced in her mind. When will she get answers to her questions?
Are you asking such questions too? If you are, this story is for you so don’t go any
where, sit and watch as your questions get answered.
The Narrator walks out just as the curtain opens.
S CENE 7 - ZITE’S HOME - MORNING DEVOTION
Everyone is seated in the sitting room except Zite.
M RS. A
Where is Zite?
SEAN
Probably sleeping.
M R. ANDERSON
Go and wake her up I have to fly to Dubai right away.
Zite enters.
ZITE
Am here.
She sits. Mr. Anderson makes to open the Bible but Mrs.
A beats him to it.
M RS. A
We will turn to the book of...
M R. ANDERSON
Sweet heart I’ve got this.
M RS. A
No, I am led to do it.
M R. ANDERSON
I know you dear, once you start I will be late.
M RS. A
So you want to gloss over the word of God?
 15.

M R. ANDERSON
I want to get work but I don’t want to do so without praying with my family.
M RS. A
This is not the way honey.
M R. ANDERSON
What other way dear? It is not every time that you preach. We are here to pray.
M RS. A
I have to preach if I have to because I do not want my children to end up being strippers!
Sean looks on in surprise.
SEAN
Hold on mum, where is that coming from?
M RS. A
Elder Fisher’s daughter has now become a stripper and has an attempted murder case
against her.
M R. ANDERSON
You have to give our kids some credit. There is no way any of them would become a
stripper, how could you think of that?
M RS. A
You can’t be too sure. This is why I have to preachto them.
SEAN
M um we can’t be strippers.
M RS. A
Say nothing Sean, you know nothing about the things of the spirit.
M R. ANDERSON
I was the one that converted you dear...
M RS. A
And my anointing has out grown yours so get used to it.
Zite stands.
M RS. A
And where are you going?
ZITE
To sleep, since we are not ready to pray.
M RS. A
Zite come back here.
Zite hesitates
M R. ANDERSON
Zite, you heard your mum, come back here.
Zite turns back and sits.
ZITE
Everyone ignores me. No one wants to listen to me.
M R. ANDERSON
Ok, talk, we are listening.
 16.

ZITE
Like I said I have questions that need to be...
Mr. Anderson’s phone rings, just as Mrs. A’s phone rings
too. Both of the pick their calls.
M R. ANDERSON M RS. A
What? Ok, I will be right there. I will be right there.
Both of them end the call.
M R. ANDERSON
I have to go now.
M RS. A
Same here. Hanatu’s court case hearing is this morning. I have to prep her for the trial,
and the man that was stabbed survived it so she has a chance of being set free.
M R. ANDERSON
That’s good. Am proud of you.
M RS. A
Don’t glorify me, glorify God.
M R. ANDERSON
Yeah, you are right.
They turn to their kids.
M R. ANDERSON
We trust both of you to pray together, we have to leave now.
SEAN
Don’t worry about it Dad, we will pray together.
Mr. And Mrs. Anderson exit.
SEAN
So sis let us...
Zite stands and walks out of the sitting room. Sean sits
mouth agape. Curtain closes. The Narrator enters.
NARRATOR
I ask you a question, would you blame Zite for not wanting to pray with her brother?
How would you feel if you were shut out by the only people in your life? When no one
talks to you or wants to listen to you? When it seems the whole would does not care if
you existed? Well we are here to find out. Our story goes on as Zite makes a strong
decision to pay a visit to someone. She decided to visit the Lynx!
The Narrator walks away as the curtain opens.
SCENE 8 - COYOTE’S HOM E
The door bell rings. Hanatu hurries and opens the door.
She is shocked to see Zite at the door way.
HANATU
What are you doing here Zite? Did your mother send you to counsel me?
ZITE
No. If there’s anyone that needs counseling it’s me.
HANATU
What an Irony, Zite the daughter of the great woman M rs. A coming to a sinner like me
for counseling. Interesting. Come right in.
 17.

Hanatu leads her in and offers her a seat.

HANATU
So what do you want me to counsel you about?
ZITE
It’s not what you have to counsel me about, it’s about what I want.
HANATU
What do yu want then?
ZITE
I want to be a stripper like you.
Dramatic pause Hanatu is angst stricken.
HANATU
What?
ZITE
Yes.
Hanatu laughs loudly.
HANATU
Do you know what you are saying?
ZITE
Yes I do.
HANATU
Why do you want to be a stripper like me?
ZITE
The same reason you became one.
HANATU
You have no idea.
ZITE
Yes I do.
HANATU
Oh your mother will kill you.
ZITE
I’ve been waiting for that day.
Hanatu takes a long look at her.
HANATU
Listen to me Zite, this is not a joke, once you are in you are in. No going back.
ZITE
So it’s like a cult?
Hanatu takes a cup of clean water in a tumbler.
HANATU
Right now your heart is like this, clean, clear, when you start it will be like this.
Hanatu pours in a wine into the water which changes it’s
color.
 18.

HANATU
And I tell you, nothing can make it clean again, so I need you to go home, think about it
profoundly then come back and give me your answer.
ZITE
I don’t need to go home and think about it, my mind’s made up.
HANATU
Ok. I love your boldness but first things first, you have to choose a name.
ZITE
I have a name, Zite.
Hanatu laughs.
HANATU
No, that names sucks. In our world we are like the cat family. I am called the Coyote, so
you choose a name.
Zite strikes a thinking pose.
ZITE
If you are the Lynx then I will be called The Coyote.
Curtain closes. The narrator enters.
NARRATOR
The stage is set for real drama in Zite’s life. She decided to live immoral life. Started going
to clubs to meet men’s pleasure. But why did she do this? Was it all about questions that
were not answered? We will find out.
S CENE 9 - A CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Mr. Anderson is seated with two of his colleagues. They
are obviously in a meeting.
M R. ANDERSON
Listen guys we have to make sure that this deal pulls through...
Mr. Anderson looks at their faces.
M R. ANDERSON
What’s going on? Why are you guys so quiet? I have been talking for over 5 minutes and
none of you has hissed for once. What is going on?
The two men look at each other.
M R. BEN
Chris tell him.
M R. CHRIS
Ben you tell him.
M R. ANDERSON
Hold on, what is this telling game about? Look don’t tell me we have lost this deal.
M R. CHRIS
Come on man should everything in life be about business?
M R. BEN
Do you even think about your family?
M R. ANDERSON
The last time I checked my family is better than any of yours so...
 19.

M R. BEN
Check again.
M R. ANDERSON
What do you mean by that? Ben your wife is not a born again. Your sons are almost
junkies, and you Chris your daughters change boy friends like cloths so who are you
people to ask me to check my family? Do you know the anointing my wife possess?
M R. BEN
Listen Anderson, this is not an arena of comparison, it is...
M R. ANDERSON
What is it? We are here to discuss business and not to talk about our families.
M R. CHRIS
Anderson we know we are the sinners here. We club and you don’t but I think our
activities have made us know that...
M R. ANDERSON
Know what?
M R. BEN
That your daughter is now...
M R. ANDERSON
M y daughter is now what?
M R. BEN/M R. CHRIS
A stripper!
Curtain closes. The Narrator walks in.
NARRATOR
I warned you. The stakes are high right now. The complication has heightened, just don’t
get edgy yet, there is more to come.
S CENE 10 - ZITE’S HOME
Mr. Anderson hurries in, pacing about in anger.
M R. ANDERSON
Where is she? Where is she!
Mrs. A emerges. She is in her night gown. Sean emerges
too.
M RS. A
Honey you are back? I thought you won’t be back till next week.
M R. ANDERSON
I had to return.
(To Sean)
Where is your sister?
SEAN
She is not home yet.
M R. ANDERSON
Where did she go to?
M RS. A
She’s on night shift.
M R. ANDERSON
Night shift? What job is she doing? Where is she working?
 20.

M RS. A
I don’t know. I didn’t ask.
M R. ANDERSON
Oh you didn’t ask huh?
M RS. A
What’s that supposed to mean?
M R. ANDERSON
So you have been too busy to know where your daughter works? What are you busy
with?
M RS. A
Oh am to be crucified for being busy? What about you?
M R. ANDERSON
Don’t even go there.
M RS. A
No we have to go there my sweet darling ever busy working class husband. If you want
to know what I have been busy doing I will tell you. I have been busy preaching the word
of God...
M R. ANDERSON
To who?
M RS. A
To the world...
M R. ANDERSON
Yes preaching to the world while your daughter has become a stripper!
Mrs. A absorbs the rude shock. She falls to the couch and
holds her heart.
M RS. A
What?
M R. ANDERSON
Yes. She is now a stripper in a nite club!
SEAN
How did you find out Dad?
Mr. Anderson turns away. Mrs. A stands and walks to
him.
M RS. A
Answer him. How did you find out? Have you started visiting clubs? I trusted you...
M R. ANDERSON
I visited no club! M y associates told me. They saw her. She even gave them a...oh this is
disgusting.
M RS. A
Which of your associates?
M R. ANDERSON
Ben and Chris.
 21.

SEAN
Oh my God.
M R. ANDERSON
Where is she? I will kill her.
Zite enters. She is dressed provocatively.
ZITE
Am here Dad.
Mr. Anderson hurries to her and makes to slap her. He
stops short.
ZITE
Do it Dad. Now I’ve got everyone’s attention.
Mr. Anderson turns away.
ZITE
I have been trying to get everyone’s attention but no one wanted to listen to me. Dad you
have been so busy making all the money in this whole wide world. You gave me
everything but your attention. M um, you have been saving the world but you refused to
save me, and you Sean, the good man, the faithful one, we used to be close but you cast
me away like our parents and so I was alone with no one to answer my questions.
M R. ANDERSON
Have your questions been answered now that you have chosen to put me to shame.
ZITE
Oh, now it’s about you Dad? What about me? What about my shame? Huh?
M R. ANDERSON
The fact that chose to become a stripper means you have no shame so this isn’t about
you!
ZITE
Oh it’s about me Dad. It has always been about me.
Mrs. A stands and walks to Zite with tears in her eyes.
M RS. A
Why did you do this child. Am sorry I had no time for you...
ZITE
It’s too late mum...
M RS. A
Answer me, why?
ZITE
Now you want me to answer your question. Ok I will. I was raped!
They all shudder in shock.
ZITE
Oh, you all shudder in shock. Wait till you hear the most shocking part. I was raped by
the youth leader in church.
ALL
What? KC?
 22.

M RS. A
It’s not possible. That young man is a good man.
ZITE
Oh is he? You believe he is a good man mum. You have no idea how many sick people are
in church!
SEAN
How did this happen?
ZITE
Remember the prayer meeting we were supposed to have after the youth week in his
house?
SEAN
Yes it was cancelled because we saw no reason to hold a meeting in his house.
ZITE
He sent you all the message that it was cancelled but didn’t send to me, and of course the
communication in this wonderful home is good because you would have told me or even
asked me where I was going that day. So I went to his house only to find out that there
was no one around but him. I wanted to leave, he apologized for not informing me about
the cancellation and then told me he had a message from God to me. I was ready to listen
and in my innocence he forced himself on me. He later begged for forgiveness and asked
that I tell no one. I was confused, I needed someone to talk to. To tell me why God
would allow such thing to happen to me but none of you had the time to talk to me. I sort
for a way to get everyone together, I wasn’t succeeding. I waited for an opportunity until
mum spoke about Hanatu and her infamous activities. That was my punch line, I had to
follow that path too and with what is happening right now, it has worked.
M R. ANDERSON
You did this to get our attention?
ZITE
Not exclusively. At first I thought it was all about getting your attention but now I know
better.
M RS. A
Zite listen to me, it is never too late to...
ZITE
It is mum. I love what I do now. It is fun seeing the pain in men’s face when I blackmail
them with their wives and girl friends. Those of them who are married and still visit the
club. And dad by the time you see your associates again, because I reckoned they told
you about me, all in my plan, they shall have lost their marriages.
M RS. A
Zite this is not you. You can’t go around breaking people’s marriages.
ZITE
Oh mum I have just begun. This is me waiting to explode all this while.
M R. ANDERSON
Zite I love you so much but you have a choice to make. Stop right now or cease to my
child.
Zite walks to him.
 23.

ZITE
M y name is not Zite...
M RS. A
Oh my God, no, not you...this is not happening.
ZITE
I am the Coyote.
M R. ANDERSON
Get out of my sight.
SEAN
Dad...
M R. ANDERSON
Stay back Sean.
ZITE
Your sight means nothing to me. I don’t need you because you were never in my life.
Mr. Anderson slaps her.
M R. ANDERSON
Get out, you are no longer my daughter!
ZITE
I will put you to shame Dad that you will regret the day you gave birth to me.
M RS. A
Zite stop! You are destroying your life. God is watching.
ZITE
No God never cared so I don’t care.
M RS. A
I know I wasn't there for you. But please ask me whatever you want ask and I will
answer please.
M R. ANDERSON
She should get out of here.
M RS. A
No, I will not lose my daughter to the devil.
(To Zite)
Now ask child!
ZITE
How do you know that God exists?
M RS. A
I will answer you with a story. A child asked the same question to his father. His father
only told him that the question will be answered after he proves himself a man. He took
him to a thick forest and blind folded him. He told him that he would leave him there to
stay alone until sunrise, only then shall he have been proven himself a man and then his
question would be answered. He also told his son not to pull off the blind fold. The son
agreed and stayed in the forest afraid that he would be eaten by wild animals, but he
desperately wanted an answer to his question so he stayed put, afraid but assured that by
sunrise his question will be answered.
 24.

So when the heat of the sun touched his face, he was sure it was morning and removed his
blind fold and behold seated in front of him was his father. He had been with him all this
while without the child knowing, watching over him, making sure that he wasn’t killed by
wild animals, but the child never knew but believed and had faith that he would survive so
that his question will be answered. Child that is same with God. You don’t but believe in
faith.
Zite sits on the couch silently and the stands.
ZITE
You should have told me this story earlier. Am sorry, it means nothing to me now.
M RS. A
The gate of heaven and hell should mean something to you child.
ZITE
They don’t. They are fiction, just like the movies.
M R. ANDERSON
Get out of my house.
M RS. A
Honey please...
SEAN
Daddy...
M R. ANDERSON
I won’t say it again. The next time I say it I will be violent.
ZITE
I have already left the house Dad. None of my things are in my room. I just came to say
good bye.
Zite turns and starts walking away.
M RS. A
Honey don’t let her leave. Don’t let my baby leave.
Mr. Anderson hides his tears and then walks away.
M RS. A
Zite...
Zite stops on her tracks and turns to her.
ZITE
I told you mum, am Zite no more. I am the coyote!
The curtain closes. The Narrator walks in looking glum.
NARRATOR
And so the story goes. Zite became a thorn on men’s flesh. M en who wanted pleasure
especially those who are filled with deceit like married men, preachers who visit the club
and those who say they love their girl friends.
S CENE 11 - A ROOM
Curtain opens. We see a bed on which lies a man. The
man is DONALD. Zite enters.
DONALD
Oh come on. I have been dreaming of you the first time I saw you in the club.
 25.

ZITE
Really?
DONALD
Yes.
ZITE
And if I understand correctly you are a church man married to a lovely woman.
DONALD
Oh come on. Do you only eat one type of soup? Variety is the spice of life dear.
ZITE
And what does the Bible say about that?
DONALD
Forget about that and come give me my money’s worth.
ZITE
You want your money’s worth?
DONALD
Of course.
ZITE
Good you will have it.
Zite brings out a rope and makes to tie his hands.
DONALD
What are you doing?
ZITE
Giving you your money’s worth.
Zite ties him on the bed, pulls her phone and dials.
DONALD
What are you doing?
ZITE
Teaching you a lesson.
DONALD
What?
ZITE
In a short while your wife and pastor will be here.
DONALD
No! Come on untie me.
ZITE
Why? Oh you are so good in deceiving people. M asquerading as a good man, a child of
God while you come to people like me for pleasure. Today is your day of reckoning.
DONALD
No, don’t do this please. Tell me any amount you want and I will pay. Please.
ZITE
I don’t need your money. All I need is your shame. I have already sent them a text. They
will be here soon. Happy reunion!
 26.

Zite hurries out of the stage while Donald struggles to free

himself. A man and a woman enter.
M RS. DONALD
Oh Donald, so this is what you do eh?
PASTOR
Donald, you patronize prostitutes?
DONALD
I can explain.
M RS. DONALD
What do you have to explain? Huh? I will kill you.
Mrs. Donald runs to him while the Pastor Holds her
back. The curtain closes. The Narrator enters.
NARRATOR
Zite became vicious. Blackmailing as many people as possible. She was offered the grace
to change but she refused.
S CENE 12 - THE ROAD
Zite hurries along the road. A man runs to her. He is KC,
the youth leader.
KC
Zite hold on.
Zite turns and then grits her teeth.
ZITE
You’ve got some nerve to stop me here on the road after what you did to me.
KC
For real Zite I am sorry. I am changed. I was masquerading as a good man but now I have
repented and have answered the altar call.
ZITE
Get out of my sight.
KC
Zite I have heard all that you have been doing and I feel responsible...
ZITE
What do you want?
KC
Your forgiveness.
ZITE
I will never ever forgive you KC. Not in this life not even in heaven if there’s anything
like it.
KC
Well then, forgive yourself and accept Jesus as your Lord and personal savior.
ZITE
Say that to me again and watch what will happen to you.
KC
I went to the altar call because of your mum. She has been saving many lost souls,
drawing them back to God. She forgave me for what I did to you, yes don’t forgive me,
hate me, beat me but don’t destroy yourself. Give your life to...
 27.

Zite slaps him.

ZITE
I will stab you if you keep talking to me about giving my life to who? You knew about
him yet you violated me. That is the problem with what you believe. Yes grace is there
and so you can do as you please and when you want you can ask for forgiveness. That
works for those who are caged but for me it doesn’t so get lost. Beat it. And the next time
we meet, I will kill you.
Zite hurries away. Curtain closes.
S CENE 13 - HANATU’S HOME
Zite, Hanatu, and Gabrielle can be seen seated and
celebrating.
HANATU
Listen Gabrielle this party is going to be the bomb.
GABRIELLE
Yeah. I pray so. Now Zite...
HANATU
No, she is the Coyote.
GABRIELLE
Alright Coyote, how is your brother Sean?
ZITE
You want to find out, go pay him a visit and finish what you started.
They all burst into fits of laughter.
ZITE
You need some lessons in seduction.
GABRIELLE
You can say that again. So tell me about this stripper thing. Sounds like fun.
HANATU
You’ve got no idea.
GABRIELLE
I really want to get the idea.
HANATU
So Gabrielle, are you ready to join the cat family?
GABRIELLE
Wetin I dey here dey do?
HANATU
Good, now you need to pick a name.
GABRIELLE
Tigress.
HANATU
That’s good. I’m the Lynx, she is Coyote and you are the tigress and together we will
rock the world of men.
Curtain closes. The Narrator walks in.
 28.

NARRATOR
Be patient, we are getting close to the climax of our story. I would just want you all to
look at the screen in front of you and watch what happened to Zite and her friends.
All eyes on the screens. We see Zite and the rest in a car.
They are singing and drinking. Hanatu is the one driving.
Hanatu turns to take a drink from Zite, only to ram into
an incoming vehicle. We see them on the ground with
blood all over them. The screen goes blank. All eyes on
the Narrator.
NARRATOR
Their car crashed into another vehicle and guess what? The rest survived except...
The audience makes a guess.
NARRATOR
Your guess is as good as mine. Zite couldn’t make it. She died in the car accident.
A dirge resounds.
NARRATOR
And you know what? The rest Hanatu and Gabrielle answered the altar call made by
M rs. A.
S CENE 14 - THE CHURCH
Curtain opens. Hanatu and Gabrielle are on their knees
as Mrs. A prays for them. Their arms are in cast.
M RS. A
Thank you father for these souls that have been won in your name. And Lord accept the
soul of my daughter. Let your will be done.
The Curtain closes. The Narrator is seen.
NARRATOR
A prayer in futility, she was already dead. Her intercession would have been effective if
she paid more attention to her daughter, but is she to blame? Was Zite a kid that didn’t
know right from wrong? That hadn’t read the Bible? We will find out.
S CENE 15 - HEAVEN’S GATE
Curtain opens. We are in on the stage which has several
bright light shinning every where. On the ground is Zite.
She stands instantly and looks ahead of her. An Angel in
white approaches her.
ZITE
Where am I?
ANGEL
You are at the threshold of heaven and hell.
(Pointing)
There is heaven’s gate and there is hell gate.
ZITE
Wait am dreaming right?
ANGEL
No you are not.
 29.

ZITE
Then why am I here?
ANGEL
You are dead Zite.
ZITE
Dead?
ANGEL
Yes.
ZITE
No I can’t be dead. Who are you?
ANGEL
Am an angel here to tell you your fate.
ZITE
So heaven and hell are real? Angel my fate is heaven right?
The Angel is silent.
ZITE
God is love right? Surely he can’t cast me into hell fire.
ANGEL
Zite God is love yes, and he is just too, that is why you can’t be allowed to pass to
heaven.
ZITE
Listen am sorry ok? I know I doubted the existence of God, yes and am sorry, I mean it
wasn’t my fault. God was there when KC raped.
ANGEL
God was there when his son Jesus Christ was tortured for your sin. Do you have any
idea what Jesus had to pass through because of you? Don’t you know that the more you
sinned his burden increased?
ZITE
Wait a minute, he still carries our burdens?
ANGEL
Yes, he said in the bible...
ZITE
(Recites)
Cast your burden upon the lord for he cares for you.
ANGEL
M y yoke is easy and my burden light. Your burden on him was lifted once you died and
it wasn’t his pleasure to have it lifted. He was ready to carry it for you. But now you
will carry it yourself.
ZITE
It was not my fault you know it. God knows it. I was raped, my mind was twisted, my
family couldn’t listen to me. They didn’t. M y mother a preacher did not care for me...
ANGEL
Did you listen to him?
 30.

ZITE
Who?
ANGEL
God? Did you listen when he spoke to you?
ZITE
When did he speak to me?
ANGEL
When you were crying and calling on him, the small still voice was resounding within you
but you failed to listen.
ZITE
It is not fair, he spoke to the people of old from heaven and they heard him.
ANGEL
Yes but after Jesus died for your sins, God resided in you. He spoke from within you but
you failed to listen to him.
ZITE
Am sorry.
ANGEL
Remember what you told your family? That it was too late for you to change? I will tell
you same. It is too late for you to say sorry for after death comes judgement.
ZITE
Ok, let me go back and tell my friends, tell them that God exists, there are so many
people who still don’t believe in God.
ANGEL
By your friends you mean Hanatu and Gabrielle?
ZITE
Yes. I remember, where are they? They were in the same car with me when the accident
occurred.
ANGEL
They survived. You were the only one that died.
ZITE
Take me back, let me preach to them.
ANGEL
You don’t need to. They have already repented. See.
The Angel points. Zite sees Hanatu and Gabrielle
preaching the word of God as they walk past.
ANGEL
Your mother converted them.
Zite falls to the ground.
ZITE
This is not fair. No one wanted to answer my questions.
ANGEL
You were not seeking for answers Zite. You were seeking for vengeance but you forgot
that vengeance is God’s.