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Blood On The Altar
Blood On The Altar
ISBN
Published by
The Mount Zion Publications
The Mount Zion Faith Ministries Int’l
59, Ring Road, (Opp Dikat House)
G. P. O Box 38310,
Tel: 02-7513824, 08035241182
E-mail: mountzionfm@hotmail.com
Mikebamiloye@yahoo.com
Website:
Designed by
Mount Zion Publications
Printed by
blood on
the altar iii
Dedication
and
Contents
Introduction
2 Timothy 2:19
“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one
that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” KJV
Secondly, sins can not be concealed for ever; sooner or later the
wages of it will be paid for in this life and the eternal
consequences of it will await the sinner in the life beyond. So
this dramatic message presents a sacred maxim: It is futile
concealing an apparent sin. And yet another truth becomes glaring
in this drama: In an effort to conceal one sin, another one is usually
committed. This truth becomes so visible in the life of the
principal character of this story, who put forth a lot of struggles
blood on
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to bury his atrocities and in the process went deeper into more
detestable acts.
These sins are not only leading these great leaders to their
obvious catastrophic ending, but resulting in more terrible
consequence God's people are being led astray and lost souls in
need of genuine salvation are being turned back from the Way.
All these are evident in this dramatic piece.
He held on to his pride till the end, but what a great mistake he
made! His pride deprived him of a blessed confession of his sins;
it hindered him from being a good an enviable father to his
children and a trusted husband to his wife. Sadly, his ignoble
pride obstructed him from finishing his race gloriously.
This drama has been shot into a strong inspiring TV film Serial
by The Mount Zion Film Productions, Nigeria and shown on
blood on
the altar ix
MIKE BAMILOYE
President, Mount Zion Faith Ministries, Intl,
Nigeria.
blood on
x the altar
blood on
the altar xi
Characters
REV. HOSEA
REV. HOSEA'S WIFE
ELDER ROBERTS
MRS. ROBERTS
PASTOR WILSON
TUMI
DEBORAH
SOLOMON
WORKER I
WORKER II /
WORKER III ( Rev. Hosea's office staff)
REV. CHRIS ODIA
APOSTLE KEN MBASI
YOUNGMAN (Rev. Hosea's driver)
MR. CLEMENT OWESE
ELDER MAN (Clement's Pastor in Calabar)
ELDER MAN'S WIFE)
DANIELLA (Rev. Hosea's daughter)
DAVID (Rev. Hosea's son)
DOCTOR (in Scene 13)
THE STRANGER
blood on
xii the altar
MARY
YETUNDE
DOCTOR (in Scene 21)
WILLIAM (Clements's son)
WILSON'S WIFE
PASTOR ANJOLA
MRS. ANJOLA
MAN I
MAN II
ROLAND
LEAH
MALE STUDENT I
MALE STUDENT II
CECILIA (Receptionist at Rev. Hosea's office)
DOCTOR
NURSE (at Hospital Reception)
TAXI DRIVER
POLICE MAN
REV. ODIA
PASTOR DURO
ELDERLY MAN
BABA (The old Pastor)
REV. (DR) BILLY WILLAMS
ELDERLY MAN
DOCTOR
POLICE OFFICER I
POLICE OFFICER II
LADY JOURNALIST
CAMERAMAN
OTHER JOUNALISTS
blood on
the altar 1
PART ONE
Scene 1
(From the main door, a panicking woman with unkempt hair runs out to
the lawn. She looks troubled, frightened. Then a man hastens out of the
house to join the woman on the lawn).
THE VOICE: You lie! No-o-o-o! None of you! You can't do it!
Leave me alo-o-o-o-o-ne!!! (The man and the woman look
up in the direction of the window in fright and anxiety. Then a
car arrives, screeching to a halt. The man and the woman rush to
the car as the back door opens and a man in a suit steps out. He
looks calm. He carries a Bible. Another man alights from the
front seat).
REV. HOSEA: (To Elder Roberts) You were there for the first and
second evenings of the Crusade, but Pastor here told me
you couldn't make the service this evening, sir.
ELDER ROBERTS: All right, sir. (They all move out of the room
and close the door. Elder Roberts leads them down the stairs back
into the living room, the woman follows them. They sit down
quietly).
REV. HOSEA: Elder, how did all this start? I need to have some
information before going into prayer. This is a serious
case.
PASTOR: (Points in her direction boldly) You foul and filthy spirit,
shut up your mouth, in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ! (She shrinks instantly with a hissing voice. Elder
Roberts, frightened, steps back to the door where the Pastor and
Reverend are. Shortly, she calms down again, opens her eyes
and stares back at them. The pillow still clings to her chest and
Reverend Hosea remains speechless, his eyes riveted to those of
the young lady).
REV. HOSEA: (Takes two steps towards her and points at her) You
evil spirit in Deborah, I command you in the name...!
REV. HOSEA: (Steps forward toward her, stretches his hand to her
and speaks loudly) Shut up! You foul and filthy spirit, in
the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! (She shrinks again with
a howling voice as her head shakes and her eyes close. She calms
down again and remains motionless, her head hanging
sideways. Reverend Hosea moves quietly towards her and
cautiously lays his hand on her head. Instantly, she opens her
eyes, grabs his hand and gives the Reverend's face a hard slap.
He staggers to the wall and falls heavily on the ground.
Gathering his strength again, he springs to his feet in horror.
The others look on fearfully as the Deborah continues to glare
vengefully at Reverend Hosea).
think that gives you the guts to dabble in things you have
no power over?
PASTOR: (Still in shock) But the Lord has given all believers
power over demons and spirits of darkness. He is a
servant of God!
DEBORAH: Yeah. But you don't know this man. Who does he
think he is? He has a beautiful and faithful wife, yet he
still carries on with Tumi. About three times now, they
have done it right in his office and on two occasions he's
taken her along on his ministry trips and they were
lodged together in a hotel room! They had some other
secret meeting places, yet he preaches, souls get saved,
miracles occur… Doesn't he know the Lord is doing all
that to honour Himself? Ask him what he knows about
Tumi! (Pastor, Elder and his wife all stand confused and
stupefied as they look at Reverend Hosea. Then Reverend
Hosea smiles calmly, glances at them and turns back to the spirit).
REV. HOSEA: You filthy spirit, you are a liar and Satan is father
of all lies. You are saying all this to confuse us, distract us
and sow distrust amidst us, to avert us from passing
judgment on you! (He turns to Pastor and Elder Roberts)
Don't mind this lying spirit; I know nothing about what
he is saying…! I don't know anybody called Tumi.
Scene 2
(A few minutes later, in the living room of the house. The Pastor bends
over Rev. Hosea, wiping his bleeding mouth and nose with a dampened
face-towel. A small bowl of water is placed on a stool near his chair. Elder
Roberts sits, still in shock and apparently confused. Mrs. Roberts
continues to sob, quietly. The spirit in Deborah shrieks again from the
room)
PASTOR: While the Pharisees and the Chief Priests and the
worshippers in the Synagogue did not recognize Jesus as
the Messiah, the demons knew Him and acknowledged
His Lordship. (Rev. Hosea glances at Elder Roberts and his
wife, then takes a hard look at Pastor briefly).
Scene 3
(Next morning a car comes to pick up Rev. Hosea at the airport. It's a
Jeep. A young man sits in front beside the driver. The Reverend's face is a
little bit swollen. He is lost in thought).
THE DRIVER: Welcome back, sir. How was the crusade, sir?
Scene 4
THE WOMAN: Welcome. (Taking the coat from him) How did
the crusade go?
THE WOMAN: What's the matter? (She sits down, and then
notices something else). What happened to your face? It
seems a little bit swollen. (Moves towards him feeling his face
with her hands).
THE WOMAN: She kept asking if you were back from the
trip. She has called three times this morning. She said
you have an important message, which she couldn't tell
me.
REV. HOSEA: (Turns back, going to the room) All right, I've heard
you. We will do something about it. (He gets to the door,
opens it absentmindedly and goes in, slamming it behind him.
His wife stands looking on, confused. Then she stirs herself,
walks to the door and opens it. She sees him sitting, morose, on
the bed. More confused, she steps in and closes the door gently
behind her).
WIFE: Honey...
Scene 5
(The black jeep of Rev. Hosea is driven into a large parking space adjacent
to an office building. He gets out of the car, still in the same clothes he
travelled in. He walks briskly into the office, the driver carrying his
briefcase. Inside the office is a large open space for about five sets of office
tables and chairs. Three men and two ladies are sitting behind the
medium-sized aluminium tables. They are in lively conversation as Rev.
Hosea walks inside, each greeting him smilingly).
3RD WORKER: How was your trip, sir? (He continues to respond to
each of the greetings as he walks towards his office. Then he turns
back to one of the ladies who are standing greeting him and
smiling).
TUMI: I'm serious, sir. I got the result this morning, that's why
I was calling to check if you were back from your trip!
SOLOMON: All right, sir. (He goes out briskly. Tumi turns to him
again, lowering her voice).
REV. HOSEA: (Shaking their hands) True. I've not been around
for a few days. I was away at Kaduna.
REV. ODIA: Oh, yes, I was told. (Presenting the other man) This is
Apostle Ken Mbasi, from Believers Tabernacle, Harare,
Zimbabwe. He is also the President of the Zimbabwe
Council of Evangelical Ministers.
REV. HOSEA: (Shakes his hand) You are welcome, sir. (Turns to
Tumi) Yes, you can go and type the letter I told you
about. You can go.
TUMI: Yes, sir. (She turns and begins to go then at the door she turns
back and comes to the table again). Let me have the letter, sir.
I will need the address on the letter.
TUMI: The letter is in your breast pocket, sir. (He checks and
brings it out).
REV. HOSEA: Oh, sorry. You're right! Have the letter. (Tumi
takes the piece of paper and goes out of the office). I'm sorry for
the interruption, sirs.
Scene 6
(Later in the evening. Rev. Hosea sits at the dining table, eating quietly.
Half the rice on his wife's plate remains untouched. She has stopped eating
and is looking at her husband in confusion and concern. Rev. Hosea eats
on, apparently with a heavy heart. The whole place feels uncomfortably
quiet).
WIFE: Did you get the message Tumi wanted to give you?
WIFE: The lady must have a problem then. Why did she keep
ringing our place all morning?
REV. HOSEA: I wonder. (She stares blankly for a while and shakes
her head thoughtfully).
REV. HOSEA: She said the man has refused to take her back…
WIFE: They have been separated now for almost a year; her
only son is living with her mother. She has to go back to
her husband! (The phone rings in the living room area. She
gets up and goes to pick up the receiver. Rev. Hosea has stopped
eating, immersed in thought). Yes, hello. Who? Tumi…?
(Rev. Hosea turns in her direction instantly. He springs to his
feet, and heads towards the living room).
REV. HOSEA: Wait…! Let me speak with her. (She still has the
receiver by her ear, listening to what Tumi is saying). What is
she saying?
WIFE: (To Rev. Hosea. She sounds a bit confused). I can't really
grasp what she's saying. She said she has some problems
she'd like to discuss with you…
REV. HOSEA: Let me have the phone. (She gives the receiver to
him). Hello, Tumi. What is the problem? (At the other
end, Tumi is standing by a wooden cabinet in a medium-sized
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22 the altar
TUMI: You know what the problem is, Reverend! You told me
we would talk over this issue before you left the office
this afternoon. But you left without talking with me!
REV. HOSEA: (His wife is still standing nearby) Look here, Tumi.
It's time you found a solution to the problems between
you and your husband. You need to go back and
reconcile with him! You must live together with your
son and husband. It's important. (At the other end, Tumi
looks astonished at what the Reverend is saying).
REV. HOSEA: All right, good night. (He hangs up. Tumi stands
enraged).
REV. HOSEA: No. Just leave her to me. I'll handle the
situation.
blood on
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Scene 7
(It is late at night. All is quiet. Lights are off, except the few security lights
around the house whose rays are filtering inside. In the bedroom, the
Reverend's wife is fast asleep. For the last while Rev. Hosea has been
tossing restlessly on the bed. Now he is lying on his back, his eyes wide
open. He rises to a sitting position. )
Scene 8
(On the other end is Rev. Hosea in a secluded area of the house, speaking
in a subdued voice).
TUMI: Yes, I know, Reverend. Thanks for all the insults you
heaped on me yesterday evening…! I am trying to tell
you that we need to talk over this issue, you were telling
me to go back to my husband and settle with him. Are
you really aware of what has happened to me? Are you
really aware of the implications?
blood on
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REV. HOSEA: (Trying to calm her down) Listen, Tumi, I'm sorry
about all I said yesterday evening. My wife was around
and I was trying to cover up. We will talk this morning
when you come to the office.
TUMI: (Snappily) No! I'm not coming to the office today, sir.
I'm a bit weak. We need to talk! The pregnancy is two
months along…
Scene 9
(Rev. Hosea comes hurriedly out of the bedroom into the living room,
already dressed up in his suit, carrying his briefcase. He is adjusting his tie
when his wife, still in her night robe comes out of the room after him).
(He carries his briefcase and goes out of the living room. He walks briskly
to the car, enters and drives out of the compound. At the entrance on the
veranda stands his wife, watching as the car disappears out of sight).
28 blood on
the altar
Scene 10
(In Tumi's house. There is a knock on the living room door. The
knocking is repeated when Tumi answers from within).
TUMI: Hold on, I'm coming. (She comes out of the bedroom, still in
her flowing night robe, the shawl about her shoulders. She goes
to the door). Who is it?
A VOICE: (From outside) It's me. Open the door. (Coldly, she
opens the door and walks away from it in an apparent show of
annoyance. She goes to the long settee. Rev. Hosea walks in
quietly and closes the door).
TUMI: (Hotly) Excuse me, sir! What is it that you can't believe?
You can't believe that you are responsible for it or what?
REV. HOSEA: Come on, Tumi. Calm down. Just calm down!
TUMI: Well, I don't know. I have been waiting for your sugges-
tion. (He stands up quietly, in deep thought, walks to the
window, looks back at Tumi and shakes his head regretfully. He
comes back and sits down).
REV. HOSEA: No… I know he's not; I'm just trying to work
something out.
TUMI: I was getting ready for that response. I knew you would
say that! But I've never done that before. It's risky.
TUMI: I won't do it!! (She turns and walks away into the next room.
We hear the slamming of the door. Rev. Hosea stands transfixed,
in absolute confusion).
blood on
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Scene 11
(His black jeep arrives at the spacious parking space of the large office
building. He is just coming from Tumi's house. He alights from the car,
carrying his briefcase. He walks briskly, not showing any sign of
confusions or dejection. He enters the office wearing a faint smile as the
staff greet him. A young man runs to him to take his briefcase).
REV. HOSEA: (To the young man) You were late this morning.
(As he moves towards his office room, a staff member calls him).
called her to ask why she's not in the office yet… She said
she has informed you that she's not feeling well this
morning.
REV. HOSEA: Oh... yes, she just called me now to tell me she
has malaria. All right, thank you. (He goes into his office.
The young man follows him and places his briefcase on a stool
beside a long couch. He comes to the table, picks up the car key
and goes out, closing the door behind him. Rev. Hosea remains
on his feet behind his large table, lost in thought. Evidently in
confusion) Clement Owese from Calabar?… That's her
husband! (He picks his mobile phone and calls a number).
Tumi… Come on, answer me, and don't turn it off!
TUMI: (At the other end, now in casual wear. Responds with disinte-
rest) What is it?
REV. HOSEA: What!? What will you use all that for?
REV. HOSEA: All right, all right. I will bring the cheque to
your place this evening.
Scene 12
CLEMENT: (Wipes his eyes again) I learnt that the innocent boy
was left with his grandma in Lagos, while his mother
secured a secretarial job in a church office.
called her twice, but the phone was turned off. When I
called the office to ask after her again, I was told she
didn't come to work today, that she has malaria. You
see…? You see what I've caused…? (Sobbing).
Scene 13
(Same evening in Rev. Hosea's house. Two of his children, a boy and a
girl, are sitting at the dining table having their dinner. Rev. Hosea is also
at the table, but before him is just a glass of orange juice. His wife sits
directly opposite him, eating too. He seems absent-minded, sipping the
juice slowly. The woman glances at him thoughtfully, from time to time).
WIFE: Honey...
WIFE: You didn't eat this afternoon; you didn't have dinner
yesterday. Now you are just drinking juice and you have
not been yourself since you came back from Kaduna…
WIFE: I've been watching her since she came back from school.
She's been looking so downcast. Daniella, what's the
matter?
blood on
the altar 39
DANIELLA: Dad?
(His phone rings, he looks at the caller, then gets up immediately and
leaves the dining table. Still holding the mobile phone without switching
it on to receive the call, he makes straight for the bedroom. The phone is
ringing as he gets to the door. He presses it on as he opens the door, enters
and closes the door behind him). Yes, Tumi. How is it now? Where
are you? (She is sitting inside the consulting room of a private hospital.
A small travel bag lies beside her chair. The doctor is not in the room).
REV. HOSEA: All right. (She cuts the line as the doctor enters the
room and sits).
TUMI: Married.
TUMI: Yes.
blood on
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Scene 14
(Inside Rev. Hosea's office. He is busy writing a letter. The door opens
and a young man in a loose white kaftan enters. He is light in
complexion with an expressionless countenance. Rev. Hosea looks up,
surprised at the unannounced visitor. He draws up a chair and sits
calmly, crossing his legs. He fixes his gaze on Rev. Hosea who is staring
at him, astonished).
Scene 15
(Same night in the private clinic in Ibadan. The doctor has completed the
abortion. Tumi, lying on a stretcher, is rolled out of the operating room to
the passage. The doctor leaves her lying on the stretcher as he walks down
the passage removing his bloodstained gloves and apron).
blood on
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Scene 16
(Back in Rev. Hosea's house. Same night. The dining area is dimly lit
by the rays of light filtering through the windows from outside the house.
All is quiet, except for the various nocturnal sounds. He walks about the
dining room talking almost inaudibly to himself).
WIFE: Honey.
WIFE: Just now, and discovered you're not in bed again. You've
not been sleeping, have you?
WIFE: All right. (She walks back into the bedroom and closes the door.
Rev. Hosea stands mesmerized as he watches till his wife enters
the room).
blood on
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Scene 17
(It is almost mid-day. Tumi alights from the taxicab, carrying the small
travel bag she had taken to Ibadan. She looks very weak as she walks
beside the road. She is still in the clothes she wore the previous day.
Feebly she climbs over the concrete slab, evidently in pain as she limps
along a deserted byway).
blood on
the altar 47
Scene 18
(In Rev. Hosea's office. The mobile phone rings on his table, he checks the
caller and swiftly grabs it to receive the call).
TUMI: (With a faint voice) Just want to let you know I'm back
and it's done.
REV. HOSEA: Where are you now? Are you in the house?
the phone and continues sobbing. Rev. Hosea wipes his eyes as
he holds on to the phone, staring blankly with apparent guilt. A
knock on the door startles him. He quickly cleans up his face and
puts on a smile).
REV. HOSEA: Yes, come in. (Solomon, one of the staff members,
comes in). Yes, Solomon.
SOLOMON: Yes, sir. (Closes the door. Rev. Hosea adjusts himself as
the door is knocked once again and Solomon leads in a tall light-
complexion man).
REV. HOSEA: Oh, good afternoon, sir. Please, come and have
a seat. (He comes to the chair in front of the large table and sits
gently. Solomon leaves and shuts the door again). Welcome,
sir. I understand you are looking for Tumi.
REV. HOSEA: Oh yes, she told us about you. But how come
you have abandoned her for so long?
CLEMENT: How can I see her, sir? One of your staff told me
she has not been to the office for three days.
REV. HOSEA: Oh, yes. She called me yesterday to say she had
malaria and would need some rest.
REV. HOSEA: All right, let me check. (He presses the table bell.
Someone opens the door and peeps in. It is Solomon again).
Yes, Solomon, does anyone know where Tumi lives?
REV. HOSEA: (To Clement) And how has your new life in
Christ Jesus been?
REV. HOSEA: I see. (The door opens again and a lady enters). Ah,
Mary, I understand you know Tumi's house.
MARY: Yes, sir. But I've been trying to call her number and it
didn't go through. Just to enquire about her
condition…
Scene 19
(Somewhere in the city, in the house of Tumi's friend where she is resting.
She is lying on the bed, restless, her face wincing with pain as she turns her
legs from side to side. She groans at intervals, holding her waist.
Someone opens the door from outside. She is a lady in skirt-suit with a
bag strapped over her shoulder. She also carries a nylon bag containing
some food items. She enters with a smile).
THE LADY: Hello… I'm back. (Shutting the door, she comes closer
to her). You called to say you'd like to stay with me till
Sunday. How are you feeling, Tumi?
Scene 20
Towards the evening in Rev. Hosea's house. Inside his bedroom, he stands
by the window looking at nothing in particular, just thinking. His phone
rings, he rushes towards it, looks at the caller's ID and calms down).
REV. HOSEA: All right, try and call me back if you happen to
get in touch with her.
REV. HOSEA: Bye. (He throws the handset back on the bed. He
places both hands on his head in sorrowful regret as he stands by
the window, staring out blankly. The bedroom door opens and
his wife peeps in looking worried).
blood on
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YETUNDE: She just started bleeding and had lost a great deal
of blood by the time we got her to the hospital.
Scene 21
(Inside a hospital ward, a room with two beds. Tumi lies on a bed
looking frail, groaning in pain, her face soaked in perspiration. Standing
beside her bed is Clement, who is looking extremely worried. Also
standing nearby is Mary, whose eyes are bathed in tears. Clement holds
her hand affectionately, watching her helplessly).
CLEMENT: Tumi… It's all my fault. The Lord will heal you!
I'm taking you back home… (A man in a doctor's coat and
blood on
56 the altar
DOCTOR: A lady brought her here and dashed out; her case is
critical. (Then the doctor looks at her and notices something
strange). What!? Excuse me. (He checks her eyes and her
wrist pulse, then, quickly he checks her heartbeat with his
stethoscope. He glances at those standing by and shakes his
head).
DOCTOR: She lost a lot of blood before she was brought here.
I was told she is a married woman.
DOCTOR: The procedure was badly done and she lost too
much blood before getting here.
WIFE: (To Yetunde) Did she tell you anything about who was
responsible for the pregnancy?
Scene 22
(In Rev. Hosea's office. He sits behind his large table, weighed down with
guilt, his eyes are wet with tears, and his countenance betrays his anguish.
He sighs heavily and bangs the table intermittently, his spirit
overwhelmed with remorse and confusion. There is a knock on the door.
He adjusts himself and wipes his face).
REV. HOSEA: Yes, come in. (The door opens and all the office staff
members enter. There are two ladies and three men, all looking
despondent). You are all aware of what happened to Tumi.
We lost her. The doctor said she had an abortion. (Some
of the staff express shock). It was very unfortunate.
Incidentally, she and her husband had separated for
almost a year but he came here to reconcile with her, and
then met with this unfortunate incident. It's a painful
thing indeed. (He pauses a while to wipe his perspiring face).
However, as a member of this ministry and one of the
office staff, I suggest we assume the responsibility of her
burial after contacting her people. (He wipes his face
again) God bless you, you can go. (Solemnly, the people
trudge out of the room and shut the door. He rises up weakly, goes
to the window, and looks out through the parted curtain at
nothing in particular. He walks pensively to the refrigerator,
60 blood on
the altar
opens it and brings out a bottle of water, pours some into a glass
and walks back to sit on his swivel chair. He slowly sips the
water, gazing at the blank wall before him, completely lost in
thought. The door opens slowly. Rev. Hosea looks in its
direction to see who's coming in. The strange man who appeared
to him in his dream some time ago enters again, still wearing his
long white kaftan. He comes in without expression, fixing his
gaze on Rev. Hosea as he pulls out the chair from under the table
and sits down, crossing his legs calmly. Rev. Hosea stares at him
with some astonishment. After a brief silence, the strange man
speaks again).
PART TWO
Scene 23
WOMAN: Are you really sure that evil spirit was telling the
truth?
Scene 24
(Elder Roberts' house. He sits quietly alone in the living room, looking
resentful. Pastor Wilson walks in, dressed for his journey).
ELDER ROBERTS: Yes, Pastor. Let's go. (He leads him to the
door of her room and quietly opens it. They peep inside and see
Deborah lying quietly on the bed, her face turned towards the
wall. As they step inside, she turns her face slowly towards them
and the deep frightening voice speaks again).
PASTOR: (Stepping out of the room) Yes. (They walk back to the
living room. Elder Roberts sits looking more confused and sad).
Scene 25
(A car zooms into the compound of Rev. Hosea's house and comes to a halt
in front of the porch. Mrs. Hosea comes through the door just in time to see
who the visitor is. The car door opens and Clement Owese steps out,
holding the hand of a young boy, about four years old).
CLEMENT: I would like to thank him for all his help. I shall
be leaving to go back home to Calabar with my son
tomorrow.
MRS HOSEA: Oh! Wait… let me call him! (She gets up and
gently places the boy on the chair).
MRS HOSEA: (Going up the stairs) Don't worry, I will wake him
up.
(In the bedroom, Rev. Hosea is lying on his back with his arm across his
face. Apparently, he is not sleeping but immersed in deep thought. His
wife enters the room). Dear…
CLEMENT: I'm sorry for waking you up from your rest, sir.
REV. HOSEA: Oh, no, Brother. It's alright. Sit down… sit
down… (Seeing the boy) Is this your son?
REV. HOSEA: Don't worry, go back and sit down, right? (The
boy goes to his seat, and sits quietly).
CLEMENT: Well, sir. I'm trying to. How I wish I knew the
man responsible for this pregnancy.
MRS HOSEA: The lady she stayed with said she didn't
disclose the name of any man. We tried so much to
question her friend, but she insisted she came back from
work and found her bleeding… Then she took her to
the hospital.
REV. HOSEA: Brother Clement, the Lord God will heal all
your wounds. But you must decide to get over this.
CLEMENT: Thank you, sir, for all your efforts. (He moves
towards the entrance door. Rev. Hosea and his wife follow him
out to his car. He opens the door, gently settles the boy in the front
blood on
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seat, and closes the door. He gets in the driver's seat, starts the
engine, waves to the Reverend and his wife and drives out of the
compound. Quietly, Rev. Hosea turns back and walks into the
house, depressed and guilty).
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72 the altar
Scene 26
Ah… It's mine. The letter is mine (She opens the envelope
and takes out the folded letter slowly, she unfolds it. Her eyes
express shock as she stares at the contents of the letter). Je-e-sus
Christ! (Then, she begins to read slowly).
blood on
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(She looks up with moist eyes, her mouth open in amazement). What!!!
(Then she bursts into tears) Oh, God! Oh….God!
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74 the altar
Scene 27
(Rev. Hosea's house. It's evening. It is relatively quiet. The children are
at the dining table eating their dinner. Someone presses the doorbell.
Mrs. Hosea descends the staircase).
MRS HOSEA: Hold on, I'm coming! (She goes to the door and
opens it. Two gentlemen are standing before her. It is Pastor
Wilson from Kaduna and another man. She looks at them
inquisitively). Good evening, gentlemen.
PASTORS: Thank you, ma. (She leads them to the living room
where they take their seats).
MRS HOSEA: (Sitting too) How can we help you? Do you want
to see the Reverend?
blood on 75
the altar
REV. HOSEA: (Shrinks back a bit but quickly adjusts himself) What!
Pastor Wilson? How come? (They shake hands). What
brought you to Lagos?
REV. HOSEA: Thank you very much. (They all sit. Mrs. Hosea
rises up).
MRS HOSEA: All right, then. Please, excuse me. (She goes
into the kitchen).
76 blood on
the altar
(Mrs. Hosea enters the living room again, carrying a tray of glasses and a
package of juice. She holds her handset with the other hand, answering a
phone call hurriedly).
REV. HOSEA: (Cutting her off as he takes the phone from her) Oh
yes, I know her…(He rises up, walking away as he responds to
the call) Yes, Yetunde. Good evening. How is it? (He
walks away to the back of the house). Yes, what is it?
(Back in the living room. Mrs. Hosea serves the drinks to her visitors and
sits down quietly afterwards).
REV. HOSEA: Oh, Pastor Wilson, sorry for leaving you alone. I
had a call… So then, when are you returning to
Kaduna?
REV. HOSEA: See you again next time. (They escort them out of
the living room)
blood on
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Scene 28
(Pastors Anjola and Wilson have just left Rev. Hosea's house. Pastor
Anjola drives while Pastor Wilson, who is apparently trying to conceal his
shock and anger, sits beside him).
Scene 29
(Later that evening, in Rev. Hosea's house. He comes out of the house
into the garden beside the house and sits pensively on a concrete block,
holding his mobile phone in his hand).
Scene 30
(Same time in Yetunde's house. Sorrowful, her eyes red with weeping
and her countenance expressing bitterness and anger, she paces about the
room, the letter in one hand and the diary in the other. Her mobile phone
lies on a stool beside the bed).
(On the other end is Rev. Hosea, still sitting on the concrete block in the
garden beside the house).
REV. HOSEA: Yetunde. You said you would call me back but
you didn't. I've been expecting your call. (Silence. She
82 blood on
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REV. HOSEA: You said you would call. What information did
you say you have?
R E V. H O S E A : H e l l o … ! H e l l o … ! Ye t u n d e … !
Yetunde…(Desperately, he begins to call the number again.
Yetunde sits downcast as the phone rings again. She picks it up
and responds).
Scene 31
(Nighttime inside Pastor Anjola's house. Pastor Wilson sits on the bed,
anguished).
Scene 32
REV. HOSEA: I'm sorry, Lord. Pull me out of this miry clay.
I'm sinking deeper each passing day. Ah…! If that lady
goes ahead with her threat, I'm finished… My home,
my family, my ministry… my testimony…my life…
Help me, Lord!
(The conversation between him and Yetunde flashes across his mind again
:) “I want you to make an open confession of this terrible sin….”
(His face lights up with fright again) No… that will be impossible! I
have gone too far…! (He remembers her words again) “I give you
just three days to do just that or on the fourth day I will do it for
you.”
(Shrinks backs in fear once more) No, that cannot happen! No,
never… Oh, my God! (There is a soft knock on the door, which
startles him to his feet) Yes, who is it? (A voice replies behind the door).
DANIELLA: I had a bad dream again. (He brings her to sit on the
bed).
REV. HOSEA: (Sitting beside her). Bad dream again? What did
you see? Tell me. (She sits there tongue-tied, looking confused
and frightened. The door opens and Mrs. Hosea, in her
nightgown walks in).
DANIELLA: (With trembling voice and tearful eyes) Some one was
chasing me with a cutlass. (Mrs. Hosea walks to the bed and
sits quietly beside Daniella. She also looks a bit confused and
frightened).
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88 the altar
DANIELLA: No.
REV. HOSEA: Then we should pray. Let's pray. (They all kneel
down beside the bed). Our Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you
for your protection…your covenant of peace over us
and your promise to be with us all the days of our lives.
We decree in the name of Jesus Christ, that all evil and
mishaps that the enemy has meant for us in this family
be diverted and nullified in the name of Jesus Christ!
ALL: Amen!
ALL: Amen!
ALL: Amen.
MRS. HOSEA: Come, let's go. Let me take you to bed. (She
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leads her out of the room and shuts the door again. Rev. Hosea
sits, empty of all feeling).
Scene 33
(Rev. Hosea's office. A lady in a skirt-suit and dark glasses, with a bag
strapped over her shoulder, walks briskly into the reception area of the
office and goes straight to the female staff at the reception desk. She is
Yetunde).
REV. HOSEA: Tell her to sit in the reception area till I'm
blood on
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through with this couple here. You know the right thing
to do, what's wrong with you?
CECILIA: I told her, sir. She said she has an appointment with
you. She is Miss Yetunde.
REV. HOSEA: (Shrinks back) Eh..? Yetunde? Oh, yes, it's true!
I need to see her. Please, let her come in.
CECILIA: Yes, sir. (To Yetunde) You can go up and see him, ma.
(Rev. Hosea momentarily loses his composure).
(They rise up and go out of the office. There is a knock on the door. Rev.
Hosea, seated, prepares himself).
REV. HOSEA: Yes, come inside. (The door opens and Yetunde
walks in, her eyes obscured behind black glasses. She is
expressionless as she stands before Rev. Hosea, who stares at her,
fidgeting).
YETUNDE: You said you needed to see me! So, here I come.
REV. HOSEA: (Calmly) Please, sit down. (Quietly, she pulls out a
chair and sits down, crossing her legs arrogantly. They remain
silent, each waiting for the other to speak).
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REV. HOSEA: Wait. (She sits back again). I want you to hear me
out.
REV. HOSEA: (Softly) You said she gave you her diary and a
confessional letter before she died.
YETUNDE: I've told you what to do. This is day one. I've
given you three days to make an open confession of this
evil or I will do it for you myself. My chief editor will be
most eager to publish such a lucrative story about a
popular preacher who kills his secretary by means of
abortion.
YETUNDE: Yes. (She brings out a small cassette recorder from her
handbag and shows Rev. Hosea).
REV. HOSEA: (Sweating with fear) You can't do that! You can't
take that recording out of this office! (He steps forward
towards her).
REV. HOSEA: Ah! (She puts on the dark glasses, opens the door
quietly and steps out, shutting the door behind her. Rev. Hosea
remains stunned, gazing at the door).
blood on
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Scene 34
(Back in Kaduna. It's Elder Roberts' house inside the room where
Deborah is locked. She lies on her back, her eyes closed, but she's not
asleep. The door opens and Mrs. Roberts, still looking pitiful with her
tear-swollen eyes, leads inside a young lady. The lady lets out a cry at the
sight of Deborah).
THE LADY: Ah. Deborah! (Instantly, she stirs on the bed, opens her
eyes and looks in the direction of the lady. Then, she begins to
mumble some words as tears trickle down her face).
LEAH: (To the woman) Mammy, let's pray. (She lifts up her hand
and points towards Deborah). “I stand upon the Rock of
Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ, and hide beneath the cross
of Calvary, operating under the power of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. I command you evil powers
in her to stop in the name of Jesus Christ! (Deborah begins
to let out a growling sound, vibrating all over as Leah intensifies
her prayers with command and authority. Suddenly Deborah's
face begins to contort and the deep clumsy voice begins again,
taunting Leah as her mother cringes by the door in fear).
DEBORAH: (The strange voice) No-o! Stop it! I can't leave her!
She broke the vows! She tried to back out! I will kill her!
I will squeeze her to death! I will starve her till she's skin
and bones! Hi-i-iis-sss…! (Then the force vibrates her
violently again and holds her to the bed, then there is stillness.
Leah and the mother look on fearfully. Then the woman bursts
into tears again, opens the door and goes out of the room. Leah
follows her quietly, becoming helpless).
blood on
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Scene 35
(Much later, in Elder Roberts' living room. He is seated with his wife,
Leah is still there, also seated. Pastor Wilson has since come. Elder
Roberts looks very worried, while his wife's eyes are red and swollen with
tears).
God… you got to the campus and lost your way… Eh,
Deborah?
Scene 36
WILSON: Please, can you help me? I'm looking for Roland. I
was told to come to this building to look for him.
MAN III: (Staring at him suspiciously) Who are you, man? Are
you a policeman or an SS man? You've come to arrest
somebody?
WILSON: No, not at all. I've come to beg for his forgiveness.
(He goes away. Man 1 brings out his mobile phone, presses a number).
MAN I: Hello … yeah, it's me, Bernard. Oh, boy! you have a
visitor … no, a Pastor … well, I don't know. He said he is
coming to ask you for forgiveness … He said his sister
offended you…
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Scene 37
(Inside a room in the hall. The room has a single bed, the wall is
decorated with a celebrity poster, a music deck sits on a small cabinet,
clothes hang loosely on a clothes rack. The table is strewn with books.
The room is quite untidy. A tall man in jeans and a sleeveless vest lies
propped up on his elbow, on the bed. He has a red bandanna round his
head, a matchstick hangs from his lips. He fondles a switchblade with one
hand, while his other hand holds a mobile phone set. A thin stream of
smoke rises from a small incense bowl, placed beside the bed, which makes
the room a little bit hazy. There is a quiet knock on the door. He stares at
the door without responding. The knocking sounds again, but he is just
gazing at the closed door. Later, he answers).
ROLAND: (Sternly) No, I prefer you don't stay long. So, don't
bother to sit. Get straight to the point of your visit.
WILSON: All right, then. I've come to ask you for forgiveness.
WILSON: (Coolly) Yes, you do, Roland. You know what I'm
talking about. She needs your forgiveness.
(Angrily, he stands up from the bed, holding the knife in his hand
menacingly).
(Pastor Wilson turns and walks towards the door, then he looks back at
Roland, whose eyes still blaze with anger).
ROLAND: What was she trying to back out from? What vow
did she break?
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the altar
ROLAND: (Hotly) Then why did you come to poke your nose
into things you know nothing about?
ROLAND: (Sits down slowly on the bed, still gazing at Pastor Wilson
with bewilderment). You know of the Alpha Grove and
White Handkerchief?
ROLAND: Once she broke the vow and tried to back out, she
wouldn't be in the right frame of mind to be able to
reveal what she saw there.
WILSON: All right, then. (He stands up and begins to walk to the
door)
ROLAND: I too need to know from you how you got to know
about those things! the Alpha Grove and the White
Handkerchief. It's important!
WILSON: No, not yet, but she is going to get well soon.
Roland, I know you too are caught in the web, somehow.
Help me so I can help you. You need to be free too. But
you need to open up. Whether you tell me now or you
don't tell me, I will still know all I want to know. If I leave
this place now and go back home, we are going to pray a
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the altar
(Roland is already overcome with tears, sobbing quietly, his head buried
in his arm).
108 blood on
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Scene 38
(Later that evening. Wilson is sitting on a stool near Roland who sits on
the edge of the bed, now looking sober and regretful. The room is quiet as
he talks to Pastor Wilson, who is listening with rapt attention).
ROLAND: The girls hook them for their money, their riches.
And they're drained before getting off the hook. Such
girls on campus are richer than the Vice Chancellor.
They cruise about in flashy cars and maintain exquisite
apartments.
WILSON: (Inquisitively) You are in the cult and you are not rich,
Roland.
WILSON: How?
WILSON: What?
blood on
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ROLAND: The boy died in his bed the third day. Newspapers
carried the news that a guy in third level Biochemistry
died a mysterious death … Some said the cultists killed
him, some said he was a drug addict who died of an
overdose … but only myself and Susan knew that he
died the third day after coming back from the cemetery
… But we didn't know what made Deborah insane and
what killed the boy!
ritual in the cemetery and once she goes crazy, she will
never be able to recover, or speak about what happened
till she dies. I'm even amazed she's still alive. She ought
to have died within two weeks of her return from the
ritual. That's the whole story. (He looks up at Pastor
Wilson, terrified). I've told you everything I made a vow
with her never to say … I don't know if I am going to die
too or go insane like Deborah.
WILSON: God sent me here to pray for you and show you the
way out of all this. Do you really want to be free?
WILSON: Look at me, come on. (He raises his tear- soaked eyes
slowly to look at Wilson). Fifteen years ago in the
University of Calabar, I belonged to the Black Axe, a
dangerous cult on campus. I was the leader. I led many
operations against other cults in and out of the campus.
I've killed people before … I've tasted human blood …
My life was almost ruined and I was facing an uncertain
future, until I met the Lord Jesus Christ. (Roland's eyes
light up as Pastor Wilson speaks).
WILSON: Then you will accept His Lordship over your life
and submit to Him completely?
Scene 39
wake up her husband. She enters the dark room, closes the door
and puts on the light. She is startled to see the man sitting up on
the bed, back against the wall, holding a pillow to his chest).
What! You are awake?
REV. HOSEA: (Pensively) Yes. (She comes to bed and sits, too).
MRS. HOSEA: But you have not been well, I can see it. You've
not been eating well most of the time, you've been
thinking. What's going on? (Silence, as she pauses, expecting
a response from him).
Scene 40
(During the day in Rev. Hosea's house. Mrs. Hosea is dressed for an
outing, enters the bedroom and goes to the dresser mirror, sits down, and
makes up her face. The door jerks opened abruptly, she looks back in its
direction as Tumi storms inside, enraged. Mrs. Hosea springs up in
surprise).
husband sits on the edge of the bed, near her, still wondering).
You were shouting in your sleep: “What are you doing
here? Get out of here!” Who were you talking to?
(Silence. She is still getting over the fright) Dear?
REV. HOSEA: Who was it? What did you see in your dream?
Who was frightening you?
Scene 41
(Very early in the morning, down in the living room of Rev. Hosea's
house. The clock on the wall shows 6.00 am. In his pyjamas, noticeably
anxious, he comes down the stairs into the living room and goes to a corner
to sit. He carries his Bible in his hand with his mobile phone).
REV. HOSEA: Yetunde, you're right. But I've gone too far to
fulfil the conditions you laid down. It is just too difficult
for me to begin making an open confession of all these
things.
YETUNDE: You will buy the entire story back with One
Million Naira. Then I will keep quiet. That's the deal!
YETUNDE: And your evil is much more than that! I give you
just today to think that over and call me back about your
decision. One million Naira. Don't forget! (She cuts the
line. Rev. Hosea stands transfixed in utter dismay).
Scene 42
(In the morning in Elder Roberts' house. Pastor Wilson and Elder
Roberts are seated while the mother, deeply sorrowful stands by the
window talking almost to herself).
WILSON: (To mother) Ma, you have to trust that the Lord will
take her out of that dungeon! (Back to Elder Roberts) We
really thank the Lord for giving me His favour with that
boy, and for bringing him to the foot of the cross. The
Lord who saved Roland will deliver Deborah.
WILSON: (To Elder Roberts) Those men have come. You don't
need to follow us into the room. The two men from the
Prayer Team and I will go into the room. You and
mammy stay here and be praying along with us. (Two
men walk in with their Bible in their hand). Welcome,
brethren.
WILSON: (To elder Roberts) Sir, the two men have been praying
along with me about this situation for three days. We
have been fasting together too. We believe the Lord will
give us victory!
WILSON: (To the men) Let's go into the room, the parents will
remain here in the living room. (The three men walk to the
door of the room. Pastor Wilson stretches his hand towards the
door). We are hidden in Christ Jesus, as we enter this
room in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus!
(He opens the door of the room and they enter, coming face to face with the
girl, who is sitting up as usual, the pillow clutched to her breast, eyeing the
strangers maliciously).
MAN I: Shall the prey be taken away from the mighty, or the
lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even
the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the
prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend
with him that contends with thee and I will save thy
children!
MAN II: And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own
flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood,
as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I, the
Lord, am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty
One of Jacob!
(As the word goes on, she begins to grunt very loud, holding her neck as if
being choked while her eyes are tight shut. The words continue. In the
living room, both the father and the mother are kneeling down by different
seats, praying silently).
124 blood on
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Scene 43
(In the afternoon in Rev' Hosea's office. He sits behind his table, restless,
nervous, looking at the closed door expectantly. Then there is a knock on
the door).
REV. HOSEA: (Adjusts himself quickly) Yes, come in. (The door
opens and Yetunde walks in, smartly dressed in skirt-suit and
neckerchief. She wears her glasses).
(She dips her hand into her bag and brings out the items: the
audiocassette, some sheets of paper and a diary).
YETUNDE: Settled.
(She rises up immediately and walks to the door. Rev. Hosea calls).
Scene 44
ALL: (In unison) You, violent man hiding in this vessel, this
vessel is delivered from your hand! Come out in Jesus'
name! (She makes a loud scream, rises up and falls back on the
bed. Then there is quiet. Pastor Wilson and the two other men
remain calm, looking at the still body. Later, she stirs slowly,
groaning faintly).
WILSON: Deborah…!
DEBORAH: Hm…!
MAN I: Hallelujah!
(In the living room, the father is already on his feet with the mother,
anxiously gazing at the doorway, as the door to the room opens and Pastor
Wilson leads out the feeble Deborah. Elder Roberts and his wife rush to
her excitedly, in disbelief).
Scene 45
(The Nurse leads him to a ward, where the doctor stands over the body of
the girl whose nostrils and mouth are bloody. Rev. Hosea is shocked).
REV. HOSEA: Ah! She did what!? Daniella! Ah! (With his back
against the wall, he breaks down in tears, sobbing inconsolably).
Ah! (Mrs. Hosea storms into the room panicking and sees her
husband sitting on the floor; she rushes to the bed and sees her
daughter).
(He bursts into tears afresh. The sorrowful cry of his wife inside
the ward can be heard from where he sits on the ground, by the
pillar. The Policeman stands beside the taxi driver, who wears a
very sad and confused countenance).
blood on
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PART THREE
Scene 46
REV. HOSEA: Ah. Reverend Odia… (He turns to the other man)
Pastor Duro, thank you.
REV. ODIA: When she is a bit more settled, please, pass on our
greetings to her.
(Upstairs, inside one of the rooms, Mrs Hosea, completely dejected and
sorrowful, sits on the bed with a pillow clutched to her chest . Her eyes are
red and swollen with prolonged crying. A woman sits with her on the
bed, placing her hand on Mrs. Hosea's shoulder as she speaks solemnly to
her. Another woman sits on a chair close by. Mrs. Hosea still sobs
quietly).
(She bursts into tears again. Mrs. Williams draws her to herself
compassionately again).
Scene 47
Scene 48
REV. HOSEA: Thanks for your visit, sir. You heard what has
happened to me? My daughter has died.
ELDERLY MAN: Can a man take fire in his bosom and his
clothes not be burned? Can one step onto hot coals and
his feet not be burned? So is he that goes into his
neighbour's wife; whoever touched her shall not be
innocent. But who so commits adultery with a woman
lacks understanding; he that does it destroys his own
soul. A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his
reproach shall not be wiped away.
YETUNDE: Afternoon.
YETUNDE: I've been trying to get to you for three days, but
each time my call went through you cut me off.
YETUNDE: Just wish to know from you. How did you feel
when your daughter died?
YETUNDE: (Softly) You felt sad, right? You feel you have lost
someone precious to you, eh?
REV. HOSEA: (Angrily) Look here, lady, I'm not in the mood
for all your trivialities…!
REV. HOSEA: I'm not trying to shut you up; I'm only trying to
tell you that I'm not in the mood for these conversations.
Scene 49
(In Pastor Wilson's house. His wife is in the kitchen, washing some
dishes while Pastor Wilson stands by the door. They are in thoughtful
conversation).
WILSON: (Feeling bad) No, I don't believe so. The Lord could
not have ordained it that an adulterous minister of the
Gospel, who made another man's wife pregnant and
forces her to have an abortion, be invited to come and
teach His workers how to serve Him and live holy lives
for Him. And in addition to that, lay hands on them for
empowerment. Empowerment to do what?
WIFE: I would advise you, honey, to stay out of this matter and
focus on your own work in the ministry.
WILSON: No, you are getting it all wrong, dear. If you say his
coming to our church is God- ordained, then it must
have been for a purpose. We prayed earnestly that God
blood on
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WIFE: Exactly, and God led us to invite him despite his secret
unholy life.
WILSON: The Lord could not have allowed me to know all this
and keep quiet. It's like being an accomplice. I should
be able to help somehow.
continues rinsing the dishes; his phone rings in the living room).
Excuse me. (He rushes out of the kitchen into the living room
and picks up the phone) Yes… this is Pastor Wilson. Oh…
Pastor Anjola. Thanks for…. what? What!!! When did
that happen? Three days ago? My God? (His wife rushes
inside).
Scene 50
(Elder Roberts' house. He is at the dining table with his wife, about to eat.
Deborah, dressed in a beautiful casual gown and her hair neatly woven
back, serves the food. The television is on with the volume lowered in the
living room. The atmosphere is peaceful. The sound of a car is heard
arriving in the compound. They all look towards the door to see who the
visitor is. Pastor Wilson hurries inside, looking a bit worried).
MOTHER: She is just breaking her fast. She has locked herself
up in her room since morning praying and reading the
Bible. (Elder Roberts rises up from his seat at the table, noticing
Pastor Wilson's unsettled countenance).
blood on
146 the altar
WILSON: (Sitting down calmly) I just heard some bad news now
about Reverend Hosea.
WILSON: No, I saw her when I was in his house that evening.
I wasn't told what actually happened. My friend said the
girl died about three days ago.
WILSON: Pray for Reverend Hosea and his family. And pray
for me too, that the Lord would grant me utterance and a
blood on
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DEBORAH: (At the dining table) Good night, sir. (He dashes out).
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Scene 51
(In Rev. Hosea's house. His wife lies on the couch in the living room; a
Bible lies opened on her lap. She is not particularly reading but thinking.
Rev. Hosea comes down the stairs into the living room looking displeased.
As he crosses to the dining area, his wife, who still lies with her arm across
her face, speaks).
(A car enters the compound and halts in front of the house, an elderly man
in a black suit and white clerical collar alights from the car, supporting his
steps with a walking stick. A young man, also in suit and white collar,
alighting from the front seat, carries a brief case and leads the elderly man of
God into the living room. As Rev. Hosea sees him, he springs to his feet).
Ah! Baba!
MRS HOSEA: (Kneeling beside her seat) Welcome, sir. (Rev. Hosea
goes briskly to him and greets him, slightly prostrating. The
elderly man signals to him to rise up).
REV. HOSEA: We are all right, sir. (The man sits down gently. The
young man also takes his seat nearby) Welcome, sir.
BABA: Yes.
BABA: Did the Lord show either of you anything about this?
MRS HOSEA: Except the dream I had briefly after the female
staff member died. I saw her bursting into our bedroom
and sitting on our bed. I tried to drag her out, she
resisted. (There is a brief pause as the elderly man thinks for a
while, then turns to Mrs. Hosea).
BABA: Esther, please… excuse us. (She rises up quietly and goes
upstairs to her room. Baba turns to the young man who came
with him). Pastor, please… excuse us. (The young man also
leaves and goes outside. There is another brief silence as Baba
gazes at him for a while.) Reverend Hosea, listen to me
attentively.
BABA: Ah, no! You know! You are really aware of where
you've gone wrong! When I stepped into this house a
few minutes ago, I sensed in my spirit that things are
spiritually wrong in here, in addition to some dreams I
had about you a few weeks ago. Where have you missed
the mark?
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REV. HOSEA: I can't yet understand it, Baba. These are just
trials of faith.
BABA: Yes, at times there are trials of faith more terrible than
this; but the spiritual atmosphere around such trials
does not smell polluted. There is a presence of sin in
this house, son!
BABA: May I advise you, if you have sinned against the Lord to
come out before Him for His mercy? Don't cover up
your sin. When it explodes, you won't be able to hide it
then! (Rev. Hosea sits adamantly speechless, looking away from
Baba. Baba shakes his head sadly). I can feel it, son. You
have gone off the edge, you have over-stepped the
boundary. What did you do? (Silence. He still looks away
from the elderly man).
BABA: Let's pray before I go. (Rev Hosea kneels reverently before the
elderly man).
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Scene 52
(In Rev. Hosea's office. He sits writing when the intercom on his table
rings. He picks up the receiver).
WILSON: (Comes to the chair in front of the large table) Thank you,
sir. (He sits calmly). Sir, we heard what happened, sir.
Accept our condolences, sir.
REV. HOSEA: Oh, Pastor Wilson, is that the main reason why
you have come? You should have called me on the
phone to send your condolences.
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WILSON: Sir, I understand the other lady who died was one of
your staff.
WILSON: Sir, was she Tumi Owese? (Rev. Hosea looks at him for
a while before responding).
(In front of the office building, a white sports car enters the large parking
lot. As the front door opens, Yetunde steps out of the driver's seat, shuts the
door and locks it. It seems like a new car. She is smartly dressed in a
skirt-suit with a bag hanging over her shoulder and her black glasses
shielding her eyes. She walks into the reception area at the time Wilson is
descending the stairs to the reception lobby).
CECILIA: All right, sir. (She drops the receiver and turns to
Yetunde). He said he doesn't have an appointment with
you today. He is very busy just now.
(Inside Rev. Hosea's office. He is still on the phone when the door opens
abruptly and Yetunde strolls inside).
REV HOSEA: But I can't follow you to the parking lot to bless
it and I don't know how to celebrate it further.
REV HOSEA: (Displeased) How? I don't have time for all this.
How?
REV HOSEA: (A bit frightened) Isn't that what you made me pay
one million naira for? You have handed over the tape,
the write-ups and the diary.
REV HOSEA: Wait! (She pauses at the door) Ah! Yetunde, you
really want to finish me, don't you?
REV HOSEA: Wait! (She stops again) How much did you say I
should bring?
(As she comes down the stairs into the reception lobby, Pastor Wilson is
seen in discussion with the Receptionist, jotting down some notes in a
small notebook. Yetunde approaches the reception table again).
YETUNDE: (To Cecilia) Hey sister! thanks, I've seen him. Bye.
(Cecilia looks on with surprise as Yetunde goes to the parking lot
and opens the door of her car. Pastor Wilson hastens to her, as she
is about to get into the car).
YETUNDE: Then you should go and ask him why I'm angry
with him. You are one of his pastors, right? You are an
associate pastor under him…
WILSON: Rev. and Mrs. Hosea were there too at her deathbed.
WILSON: I'm sorry about your friend. I want to beg you once
again not to be angry with the Reverend.
(Yetunde takes the card, looks at it briefly and places it on the dashboard.
She pulls out of the parking lot, drives out to the main road and takes off.
Wilson comes back to where his Pastor friend parked his car. He opens the
door and gets in wearily).
WILSON: I am making progress. (He starts the car, pulls out and
drives off).
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Scene 53
(Evening in Rev. Hosea's house. The mournful silence still pervades the
compound. Mrs. Hosea, in loose casual gown and shawl draped over her
shoulders, sits on a curb at the edge of the flowerbed. She seems moody.
From the back of the house, David appears, coming towards her).
DAVID: Mum.
MRS HOSEA: Yes. What is it? (Comes to sit besides her calmly).
DAVID: I noticed that you have not been on good terms with
daddy recently. A few minutes ago, I heard you shouting
at him in your room.
DAVID: (Mournfully) Yes. (She pulls him to her and embraces him).
Sorry, eh…? Go inside, I'm coming. (He gets up quietly
and walks away towards the back entrance).
(Mrs. Hosea manages to control her emotions but caves in the moment her
son is out of sight. She continues sobbing quietly, wiping her eyes with the
shawl round her shoulders. Rev. Hosea appears from the same corner of
the house coming towards her. She calms down and wipes her eyes).
REV HOSEA: Why are you sitting down here alone? It's cold
out here. (No response) Honey, let's go inside. (He takes
her hand, attempting to pull her) Come on, let's go inside.
MRS HOSEA: (Looking away) It's hot inside. I'm all right here.
REV HOSEA: I've told you, she is Tumi's friend. You've seen
her before, haven't you? She was the one who took us to
the hospital where Tumi died. She was…
MRS. HOSEA: Her calling has been too frequent! Then, this
evening, I overheard you arguing about an amount. You
were saying you wouldn't be able to pay a certain
amount of money. Then I think she cut you off and you
were calling her back. It was suspicious why you should
pick up the phone in the living room and run outside to
answer the call. What's wrong with you?
Scene 54
YETUNDE: Hello…! why did you keep cutting off the line,
Reverend? You are trying my patience. Have you made
up your mind yet? (Rev. Hosea is now wearing a T-Shirt. He
is sitting on his bed).
REV. HOSEA: You heard me, lady. Go and do your worst! (He
cuts off).
REV. HOSEA: What's the matter with you, lady? I do not have
any money to give you tomorrow, so go and do your
worst. You heard me!
Scene 55
(Rev. Hosea's house later in the evening. He comes down the stairs into
the living room still in the loose t-shirt. He clutches his mobile phone in
his hand. Mrs. Hosea lies quietly on the long couch. He comes to her, sits
on the lower part of the couch and touches her leg apologetically).
REV. HOSEA: Dear, I'm sorry for what I did; I'm deeply sorry.
(His phone rings, he looks at the caller and switches it on)
Hello… who is this? (Clement is still in the living room. He
restively paces about the place. William is seen at the dining
table, eating).
REV. HOSEA: No. It's not true. I think the person only
wants to make you feel sad about the past incident. No…
not at all. The whole thing was astonishing to us all.
MRS. HOSEA: Ah. This lady has died. Why should her ghost
haunt this family endlessly?
REV. HOSEA: (Lowering his voice) Were you the one who called
Mr. Clement and told him that rubbish?
Scene 56
(In the morning, in Pastor Anjola's house. Inside the guest room, Pastor
Wilson is dressed up and is fixing his tie when Pastor Anjola steps into the
room).
WILSON: I've spoken out the warning the Lord sent me to give
him. I told you he threw me out of his office.
WILSON: Yes.
WILSON: Yes. Let's meet there. (She cuts off. Wilson turns to
Anjola with a smile) I think the Lord still has an
assignment for me. You'll be taking me there?
ANJOLA: Amen.
WILSON: Let your Spirit take up this work and have it your
way, Lord.
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ANJOLA: Amen.
WILSON: Tell your honey to keep the food till we come back.
It's important we are there before her.
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Scene 57
WILSON: Sorry about that. (Yetunde picks up her bag and places it
on her lap. She opens it and thrusts her hand inside the bag,
pretending to be searching for something, but presses on the
recording key and places the bag back on the table. Wilson smiles
faintly).
YETUNDE: What?
WILSON: Why?
WILSON: I've met your condition and told you all I know
about her. She was your close friend, right? You took
Reverend and Mrs. Hosea to the hospital where she
died; that would mean that you were with her before you
went to go and bring the Reverend. And probably, you
were the one who brought her to that hospital. And if
that is the case, she must have spoken with you before
she died. She died from abortion and she was part of the
staff in the ministry office of Reverend Hosea. She
aborted the pregnancy because… (He pauses as he looks
intently at her).
WILSON: You are so angry with him that you'll never have
respect for him again.
WILSON: I'm sorry for irritating you. I'm going. I've upset
you.
YETUNDE: No. Sit down. That's all right. Don't worry. Sit
down. (Calmly, Wilson sits back again).
WILSON: Thanks!
WILSON: All right. I will skip it. Why don't you want to tell
me why you are so embittered toward Reverend Hosea?
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YETUNDE: Why?
YETUNDE: (Furiously bangs the table again) I said stop it! What
sort of rubbish is this? Do you have to bring me here to
harass me? (Wilson grabs her handbag on the table, quickly
opens it and brings out the tiny tape recorder. He presses the
button fast and plays it back again. He raises it up to her as they
both begin to hear the recorded conversation. Yetunde becomes
softened and embarrassed. Instantly, he removes the audiotape
from the recorder while Yetunde stands speechless).
WILSON: (Showing her the tape) Is this what you wanted to do?
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WILSON: (Softly) Yes, I know. But you do not have the right
to make him pay for the wickedness he has committed.
You need Jesus to heal whatever wounds you might have
suffered.
WILSON: You quit Jesus? You quit heaven? You quit eternal
life? You quit the peace of Jesus that surpasses what man
or any earthly possession can give? Tell me, since you
quit Jesus, do you have peace and satisfaction? Since
you quit Jesus, what can you show for it except this car
and other material things you got through the filthy
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Scene 58
(Later in the day in Rev. Hosea's office. Pastor Anjola's car arrives in the
parking lot of the office building. Pastor Wilson and Yetunde alight from
the car and walk into the reception lobby of the office. Yetunde approaches
the lady).
YETUNDE: Thank you. (She leads and Pastor Wilson follows her
up the stairs. Inside Rev. Hosea's office, he has been sitting and
waiting anxiously. There is a knock on the door).
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REV HOSEA: Yes, come in. (The door opens and Yetunde comes
in) What happened? I've been waiting for you all
morning. I was wondering what kept you and I thought
maybe… (He pauses).
YETUNDE: That is the cost of paying me off once and for all.
times) Sorry. You need water? (The door opens and Pastor
Wilson steps inside. Rev. Hosea is shocked. He attempts to
remove the bulky envelope from the table. Yetunde stops him).
WILSON: Reverend, may the Lord help you! I trust the Lord to
help you do the right thing.Tomorrow morning, I should
be back in Kaduna. I think I've completed my
assignment here.
PART FOUR
Scene 59
MRS HOSEA: No! (As the struggling continues, the phone falls on the
floor and breaks into pieces. Hosea gets infuriated and slaps her
heavily. She staggers back to the wall with a scream. She stares
at him in shock. He bends down to gather the pieces of the
phone). Ah! You slapped me…! You beat me...! An evil
has besieged you, you have suddenly become another
man…you've changed…You beat me…! you slapped
me…! (He finishes picking up the pieces and turns to go out of
the room not responding her. As he opens the door, his wife
speaks). I heard everything you said to that lady. I heard
all your conversation! (He stops short at the door and looks
back, his eyes burning with fury).
MRS HOSEA: (Wiping her tears) It is the same lady you have
been talking to all this while. Yetunde… Tumi's friend!
You don't want her to come to your office because
people are already getting suspicious of her presence.
MRS HOSEA: Don't you know many things are wrong with
our home? You've never beaten me in our twenty years
of marriage, until the matter of these ladies cropped up!
Don't you know many things are wrong with your
ministry now? Are you really all right? You beat me…!
You slapped me after the death of my daughter… Is
something not wrong with you? (Silently, he turns back,
opens the door and walks out of the room. Mrs. Hosea cleans her
bloody lip and wipes her wet eyes).
blood on
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Scene 60
MRS HOSEA: I've been trying to avoid asking this question for
a long time, partly because I'm afraid of what the answer
could be, and partly because I can't imagine myself
asking you such question…
REV. HOSEA: What is it? (She pauses a while, takes a deep breath
and looks intently at him).
REV. HOSEA: (Looks more confused) What are you saying? What
type of relationship?
MRS HOSEA: I'm sorry if I amaze you, but things are not
normal in this family. And you have probably noticed
that the ministry is affected.
REV. HOSEA: (Angrily) Dear, you amaze me! (He turns away,
lies down and covers himself with the bedclothes, turning his
back to her. She glances at him dejectedly and turns her eyes to
the blank wall before her, gazing at nothing. Then, she gets up
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from the bed, wraps her nightgown around her, grabs the pillow,
goes out of the room and slams the door. Rev. Hosea, who was
pretending to sleep, gets alarmed as he quietly rises and sits up,
looking frightened yet adamant. Downstairs in the living room,
she paces up and down, her countenance betraying her mounting
rage).
Scene 61
YETUNDE: No, I'm not doing it. I told him straight that I
wouldn't want to have blood money in my possession. I
told him I would pay the balance.
WILSON: Good.
WILSON: Just calm down. We need to pray for him, for the
Lord to be merciful to him. He needs our prayers now.
WILSON: Yes.
Scene 62
(Later in Pastor Wilson's house. He kneels beside his bed, his Bible and
notebook opened on the bed before him. He is praying, as he remains
quiet with his head lying on the bed and his arms spread).
Scene 63
(Morning in Rev. Hosea's house. A car speeds into the driveway and stops
at the front of the house; someone hastily alights from the car. It's Reverend
Odia. He looks upset as he hurries into the house. Just as he is stepping
into the living room, he sees David who comes in from the kitchen side).
REV. ODIA: Is your dad awake yet? I need to see him urgently.
REV. ODIA: All right. (He sits calmly. David rushes upstairs. In the
bedroom Mrs. Hosea stands by the window looking angry but
with a mocking smile on her lips. Hosea is restlessly searching
for something as he pulls out the drawer of the dressing table,
checking under the pillows and inside the bedside tables).
REV. HOSEA: Esther, I need the SIM card, for God's sake! I
know you took it.
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REV. HOSEA: Go and tell him I'm coming! (David turns back
immediately, goes out of the room and shuts the door).
MRS HOSEA: Very well, then. You must have taught me how
to lie and deceive.
MRS HOSEA: You are the head of this family, the Prophet of
the home, the Priest of the altar. When the pulpit is
corrupted, the pews get polluted. You started the lies
and deceit; perhaps it's rubbed off on me. Let me pass.
REV. HOSEA: (Pushes her back, she falls on the bed) Enough of this
nonsense! Give me the SIM card!
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MRS HOSEA: (Hotly) No! I'm not giving it to you! What are
you hiding anyway? Are you keeping something from
me?
REV. ODIA: Probably the mail I saw in my box was a copy, sir.
Have you checked your mailbox this morning? They
might have sent it there…
REV. ODIA: According to the letter, they said they have taken
care of all the publicity and planning and
accommodation for you and your wife, including your
three assistants. They said, however, the Lord led them
to cancel your invitation… That you shouldn't bother to
come again. I see the whole thing as lack of proper
planning. Didn't they pray before they sent a delegate
here all the way from Zimbabwe? It's all lack of proper
organization! (Mrs. Hosea walks into the living room).
REV. ODIA: She is O.K. I'm happy to see you smiling this
morning, ma. Thank God, He is already healing your
wounds!
REV. ODIA: I got their mail this morning saying they have
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REV. ODIA: No tangible reason other than that the Lord had
led them.
REV. ODIA: Why do you say that, ma? I see the whole thing as
a result of lack of proper planning and focus.
MRS HOSEA: No, I don't think so. Many times the Lord
leads in a way we can't understand.
REV. HOSEA: All right, that's all right. All things work for
good to them that are called according to His purpose.
Reverend Odia, thanks for coming. (They shake hands
and Rev. Odia rises to go as Rev. Hosea too stands to escort him
out).
MRS. HOSEA: God bless you! Greet mammy for me. (Rev.
Hosea escorts him out of the living room. Mrs. Hosea opens the
Bible and brings out the SIM card. She looks at it briefly and
puts it back in the Bible).
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Scene 64
(In Pastor Wilson's house. He sits on a chair beside the dining table
adjacent to the spacious living room. His diary is opened before him,
beside some other sheets of paper lying on the table. He looks a bit
worried. A tea cup and saucer are also on the table before him. He is
desperately trying to reach someone on his phone).
WILSON: I've been trying to get him on the phone for the past
two hours, without success. The call isn't going
through.
WILSON: But you need wisdom to know the right thing to say.
We should tell him the mind of God. How I wish I
were able to get him on the phone!
Scene 65
(Inside one of the rooms in Rev. Hosea's house. Mrs. Hosea sits near a
small stool, on which a phone handset is disassembled. She removes the
SIM card and puts it aside. Then, she opens the Bible and brings out the
other SIM card, inserts it in the slot and replaces the cover of the phone.
Then she begins to reset the phone).
blood on
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Scene 66
(Back in Pastor Wilson's house. He is still sitting at the table, trying the
phone number. He holds it to his ear. Suddenly he gets excited).
WILSON: Good. I've been trying to get you on the phone for
the past two hours, but I guess you switched it off.
Anyway, I would like to make my stand and conviction
known to you regarding all the past incidents. I believe
in the word of God as it is written in Ephesians 5:11-13,
that we should have no part in the works of darkness but
rather expose them. I don't want to be a partaker of your
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sin. Hello, sir. Are you hearing me? (She drags the stool
noisily and responds in a bass voice).
WILSON: What! Are you the person I've been talking to?
WILSON: No. Don't call him, Yetunde. Don't call the line.
WILSON: Don't call him now. If you do, you will be talking
directly to Mrs. Hosea herself.
YETUNDE: How?
WILSON: I just called him to tell him our conclusion. But you
won't believe me! I never knew I was speaking to his
wife! All the comments, observations and expression of
our position on his hidden sins… everything I said was
landing on Mrs. Hosea's ears. Don't call him yet!
WILSON: Yes.
Scene 67
(Downstairs, in the same room where Mrs. Hosea has been. She reclines
on the bed, her back resting against the headboard, supported by a pillow.
She has her phone in her hand, as she remains thoughtfully quiet. Then
she begins to press a phone number).
(It is Pastor Wilson in his living room. He has the phone as he sits on the
edge of a chair).
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MRS HOSEA: (Calmly) Why are you doing this to me? Why
are you avoiding talking with me?
MRS HOSEA: Was it God who told you to conceal the sins of
another man of God? Didn't the word of God instruct in
1 Timothy 5:20, to rebuke those that sin before all that
others also may fear? Didn't the Lord command in
Ephesians 5:11 that we take no part in the unfruitful
works of darkness, but instead to expose them?
MRS. HOSEA: Then why are you afraid to expose sin? What
do you preach in your church, Pastor Wilson?
MRS HOSEA: Then you have to let me help him. You have to
tell me everything about the evil you know he has done.
(Silence briefly, as Pastor Wilson stands up from where he is
sitting and walks around contemplatively).
MRS. HOSEA: You will have to…(The door opens suddenly and
Rev. Hosea peers in, looking nervous and staring at her
suspiciously. She speaks into the phone). It's all right, I will
call you back soon. (She switches off) What is it, dear?
REV HOSEA: You've still not given me my SIM card. I need it.
(Peacefully and calmly, she takes her Bible, opens it and brings
out the SIM card. She gives it to him). You made me miss a
lot of calls.
MRS HOSEA: (Smiles calmly) I'm sorry. (He looks at her again
suspiciously, looks at the SIM card and goes out of the room,
closing the door).
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Scene 68
(It is evening in Pastor Anjola's house. His wife and two children are in
the living room relaxing, watching a television program. The doorbell
rings).
WIFE: It's Brother Edward; they are back. I'm coming! Hold
on. (She walks to the door and opens it. She stiffens
momentarily) Pastor Wilson! (Pastor Anjola turns instantly
towards the entrance as Pastor Wilson enters gently with his
usual briefcase).
ANJOLA: Ah-a. You never called to say you were coming back.
WIFE: What happened? Welcome. (He sits tiredly after patting the
children playfully in greeting. The woman also comes to sit
down).
ANJOLA: What brought you back to Lagos? You said the case
was closed, or have you opened up another one?
WILSON: No. It's the same old case. The Lord sent me back.
He said it couldn't be closed until it is concluded. The
whole thing took a new turn this morning.
WILSON: I don't know. But first, I must see him and have
some words with him. Perhaps he will be humble
enough to approach the Lord for forgiveness and mercy.
Then, I must see his wife if necessary.
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ANJOLA: So you will eat now and rest. Tomorrow we set out
on the assignment.
WILSON: No. We set out this evening. I will eat and rest when
I come back.
WILSON: You just drive me down there, you can stay in the
car, I'll go inside. Don't forget we are in this work
together.
WIFE: (To Wilson) You can eat something while he goes inside
to put on his clothes.
WILSON: No, I just need water. I will eat when I come back.
(She springs up to her feet and dashes to the kitchen).
SCENE SIXTY-NINE
(Later in the evening in Rev. Hosea's house. Pastor Anjola's car arrives in
front of the house. Pastor Wilson alights from the car and shuts the door.
He bends down and peers in through the car window).
WILSON: (To Anjola) You can recline the seat and have a
snooze. When I come back I'll wake you up.
WILSON: No. He may not want a third party. If need be, I will
send for you.
ANJOLA: All right. (As Pastor Wilson is going into the house, Pastor
Anjola is seen reclining in the driver's seat to relax. Inside the
house Mrs. Hosea is sitting back on the couch, alone. The
television is on, but the volume is lowered. David is eating at the
dining table. The doorbell sounds).
MRS HOSEA: (To David) Go and see who's at the door. (He goes
to the door and opens it. Pastor Wilson steps inside with a Bible
in his hand. When Mrs. Hosea sees him, she sits up instantly).
Pastor Wilson!
WILSON: Yes, Reverend Mrs. (She gets up quickly and goes up the
stairs to the small passage that leads to the room. She opens the
door and sees Rev. Hosea lying quietly on the bed, half-asleep.
She taps his foot). Dear. Rise up… Dear…
REV. HOSEA: All right. Go. Go tell him I'm coming to see
him.
REV. HOSEA: (A bit harshly) Then, go and tell him I'm coming!
(She leaves him and goes out of the room. He remains sitting on
the edge of the bed quietly. Still wondering). Pastor Wilson.
What has he come to do at this time? I thought this was
all over… What's going on? (Down in the living room, Mrs.
Hosea is seated too, noticeably restless. Shortly, Rev. Hosea
comes down into the living room and Pastor Wilson rises
reverently to greet him). Pastor Wilson.
REV. HOSEA: Oh, no, never mind. (He comes to a chair). Please,
sit down. (They both sit) So, how's the ministry doing?
WILSON: (Turns to Mrs. Hosea) Can you please excuse us, ma?
(She looks at both of them hesitantly).
up his Bible and walks out of the living room. The moment he steps out,
he bursts into tears. Pastor Anjola notices him and comes out of the car).
Scene 70
(Later in the night, inside Rev. Hosea's bedroom. He sits on the bed, his
back against the headboard, a pillow clutched to his chest in sorrow. His
face is drenched in sweat and tears that stream down from his wearied eyes.
He sobs as he talks to his wife, as she stands by the wardrobe looking
helplessly at her husband).
MRS HOSEA: (Goes down slowly into a squat and bursts into tears
aloud) Oh, my God… my God… Ah…! (The bedroom
door opens and David peeps in, looking very scared as he sees
both parents in tears).
REV. HOSEA: (Ceases crying and briefly wipes his eyes). David,
don't be scared, your mum will explain everything to
you later. Go back to your room, right? (Slowly,
reluctantly, still very scared, he goes back and closes the door).
Dear… that is the evil I have done to my God. I have
despised His grace and scorned His favour. I have
dragged His precious name in the mud. I've sinned
against His Holy name.
MRS HOSEA: (Frantically) Stop it! Stop i-t! You shall not die!
Scene 71
(Same night in Pastor Anjola's house, inside the guest room where Pastor
Wilson is staying. Pastor Wilson, Pastor Anjola and his wife are all in
fervent prayer. Pastor Wilson kneels by the bed sobbing as he prays, while
Pastor Anjola and his wife pray fervently).
Scene 72
(In Rev. Hosea's House. They are still on the bed and it is running far
into the night. Mrs. Hosea is now sitting on the floor, crying incessantly.
Hosea still remains at the same spot on the bed, his eyes are red and
strained with incessant tears, which still flow down his face).
Scene 73
(It is afternoon, in Rev. Hosea's office. He sits behind his busy table. At
his right side he holds a long golden metal staff, which looks very much like
a sceptre. He wears white-laced material and a well-made cap sewn from
the same material. He sits calmly, but looks worried and frightened. His
left hand is holding a file on the table; his other hand holds the sceptre. He
is startled as the door opens and the elderly man in white enters. Rev.
Hosea gazes at him speechlessly with apprehension. The man walks
calmly to the front of his table, staring at him).
ELDERLY MAN: Are you sure you are not prepared to die
yet?
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ELDERLY MAN: You are talking about the visions you are yet
to fulfil, but even the ones you have accomplished have
already been destroyed. (He freezes in unbelief).
REV. HOSEA: Ah. Lord. Won't You forgive me? You are the
Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth.
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
transgression and sin…
MRS HOSEA: When you were in the room last night… I was
sitting on the floor… you know? Then… when you
were praying and crying, you just went unconscious
suddenly. You fainted, that's all. I shouted, I screamed,
I did all I could, but you wouldn't come round. I and the
security man, and David, brought you here.
MRS HOSEA: The doctor said you have high blood pressure.
MRS HOSEA: (Wipes her wet eyes) The doctor said he is still
going to run some other tests.
MRS HOSEA: He just left the room now. He's likely sitting in
the reception area. How are you feeling now?
Scene 74
(Pastor Anjola's house. Pastors Wilson, Anjola and his wife are all in the
living room looking deeply worried and dejected; the atmosphere is
solemn).
WILSON: All right, ma. I will be there shortly. (In the hospital,
Mrs. Hosea leaves the passage of the ward and enters the room
again. Hosea, in groans and eyes full of tears turns his head to
his wife).
REV. HOSEA: Yes. Call his number for me. I need to confess
to him too.
REV. HOSEA: (Calmly) Give it back to me. (He takes the phone)
Yes, this is Reverend Atilade Hosea.
REV. HOSEA: You have every right to be angry with me. But,
please, forgive me!
MRS HOSEA: (Crying) No-o. Why are you saying all that?
Dear, you've repented! No, I won't!
REV. HOSEA: Get him for me. I'm acting under instructions.
Let him begin to make a public announcement of all
those ministers of the altar who drag the name of the
Lord in the mud. Get him for me! (Crying, she begins to
search for the number in the phone).
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Scene 75
(Later on the same day in Calabar, inside the house of Clements's Pastor.
The elderly couple is at the dining table. The woman is serving food when
Clement bursts into the living room in anger. The couple get jolted as they
see him).
(Confused, they both leave the table to meet Clement in the living room
where he is standing).
CLEMENT: (Angrily) No! I will say it! I will tell the whole
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Scene 76
(Back in the hospital ward. Some men are now gathered around the bed
of Rev. Hosea. They are Pastors Wilson and Anjola; Rev. (Dr). Billy
Vincent, the President of the Pentecostal Ministers' Association and Rev.
Odia, the General Secretary of the Association. Mrs. Hosea is sitting on a
stool at a corner of the room, soaked in tears. The men are all sorrowful,
apart from Revs. Vincent and Odia, who are both astonished at the
happenings).
(Outside the ward, in the hospital compound, a police car arrives speedily
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and halts at the parking lot. Clement comes out of the car, followed by two
police officers. A male doctor meets them at the entrance).
(They follow the doctor inside the building and straight to the ward. The
men are still standing solemnly. Rev. Hosea lies on the bed still. His wife
is still where she is sobbing quietly. As the police officers enter the room, the
men look startled. Mrs. Hosea sees Clement and rises up instantly).
DOCTOR: We can't wake him up. We will have to wait for him
to wake up.
VINCENT: Doctor?
DOCTOR: And you were all here… you didn't know. I'm
sorry.
(The men remain shocked. The police officers stand confused. Outside
the ward, a bus of press crew has just arrived at the hospital compound.
Press men and ladies rush out of the bus with photo and video cameras. A
young lady and a cameraman move to a public area as the lady holds a
microphone for PTV television station, and positions herself before the
cameraman).
(All the journalists hurry to the police officers, who still look confused.
Clement also looks astounded, as he remains speechless, standing beside
the police car. The TV lady stands before the police officers).
(They move towards the car. The journalists all rush towards Clement,
who stands shocked by the car. At this time Rev. (Dr). Billy Vincent,
Rev. Odia and Pastor Anjola come out of the reception area. The press
men spot them, they rush to them, sticking up their microphones and
midget-recorders towards their mouths as they bombard them with
questions).
(The barrage of insensitive questions goes on and on and the men of God
are finding it difficult to respond. They are deeply sorrowful and
embarrassed as they try to answer some of the questions).
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Scene 77
(Vendors are blaring their horns to draw attention to the papers. In other
spots, pedestrians are converging to read the papers. Traffic is being held up
as cars are parked haphazardly, so that papers can be snatched up from
vendors who are having a field day selling their hot news. Other people
are going about their normal business).
THE END
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