MYSTERY MARY
VOICE (V.O.)
Two thousand years ago, the womb of a certain Mary produced a light that overcame the darkness in the world. But today, certain MARYs have risen to quench that light and bring back the darkness - one of them; Mystery Mary!
FADE OUT.
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EXT. RIVER - DAY
Random folks are established doing all sorts of stuffs in and out of the river: some swimming, some doing their laundry, some seated and smoking, and some just standing and watching. Suddenly, a merman emerges from the river, scaring to death everyone there. They take to their heels in flight. Slowly and steadily, the merman makes his way to shore, becoming visible as he proceeds from out of the river. His head is first in view as he makes for shore, and then his upper region, until he is in full view. He then stands firmly and scans his eyes all around with a horrific look on his face. It’s horror! He then takes a final stare at the camera.
FADE OUT.
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INT. MARY’S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Screen fades in with a date/time: “18th April 2017 - 9:47PM”. A cell phone screen follows with the Facebook profile of a guy named “Jezuzboi Jb”. A girl’s hand reaches out and grabs the phone. She hovers her thumb over the “Add Friend” option, contemplating tapping on it.
FADE TO:
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INT. JB’S APARTMENT (KITCHEN) - CONTINUOUS
Camera opens on JB gulping a glass of water while his sister, Pat, sort of trash- talks him. It’s nothing serious: just a usual brother-sister sarcastic moment. Both have white handkerchiefs (Holy Ghost) tied round their necks...an indication of their being in good terms with the Lord.
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PAT
(Doing Dishes)
Father Lord, may I never marry a man who only eats and never cooks! May I never marry a man who only stands to watch me do the dishes without as much as offering to help! May I never marry a man who I’ll have to remind him to pray every night before going to bed! And lastly, dear Lord, may I never marry a social media freak!
JB
(Done drinking, cuts in)
You forgot to add a man who foots your bills! Listens to your uninteresting tales about your time-out with your bad-mouthed friends! Fights for you when go about stepping on the wrong toes and trash-talking the wrong people! And of course, pampers you and puts you back to bed in the middle of the night after a nightmare.
(Mimics Pat mockingly)
Hold me! Hold me! I just saw monsters in my dream! So horrible! I can’t sleep anymore! I’m scared! I’m so scared! Hold me! Hold me pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase.
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Pat can’t stand it! She screams out loud...so loud it causes JB to cover both his ears with his hands and hurry out of the kitchen. As JB makes to leave the kitchen, Pat says her last to him.
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PAT
(Near tears)
Just leave me and go fiddle with your phone!
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Jb leaves to the sitting room. Just then, his cellphone is established on the sofa. A notification beep is heard. He throws his weight on the sofa, grabs the phone, checks the notification. He sees the friend request from Mary, jumps into thoughts briefly to determine whether or not he knows her. No success. He returns his attention to his cellphone. Two options are displayed: “Confirm” and “Delete.” Jb taps on “Confirm.” Just then, Pat walks in and grudgingly informs:
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PAT
It’s time for prayers.
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Jb turns off the phone, rises to join Pat. They kneel, hold hands, and commence prayer.
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PAT
In Jesus’ Name.
FADE TO:
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INT. MARY'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Camera opens on the girl’s cell phone screen again. A notification that reads “Jezuzboi Jb accepted your friend request” is seen. She taps on the message icon and leaves Jb a message “(Hi handsome).” The message is sent but doesn’t deliver. Jb’s phone is turned off. The girl’s hand is seen dropping off the phone, after which she walks away. Camera then captures her for the first time from behind, as she stands before the mirror adoring her stupefying beauty.
Camera moves in slowly towards her from behind until her face and front side become visible through the mirror. She’s such a beauty clothed in a mind blowing nightie and a black mantle (Evil Spirit) tied around her neck. She gives the image on the mirror an evil grin of seeming accomplishment--on the basis of having just fished out a new prey from the internet. Just then, the merman from the river becomes visible behind her from nowhere but is invisible to her.
She turns against the mirror to face the merman but looks back at the mirror to adore her back side. She smiles, bids the image on the mirror “good night,” makes for her bed, very unaware of the merman’s presence. She lies in her bed and closes her eyes to retire for the night. The merman walks to the edge of the bed, stands and stares at her most lustfully, with intense desire for her, evidenced on his face. He strips, gets all naked. He’s her spiritual husband.
FADE TO BLACK.
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT (ROOM) - DAYS LATER
Camera opens on Jb lying in bed and reacting to a message from Mary via Facebook messenger (PC). She just sent her number across after chatting him up for quite a while.
JB
(Surprised)
Wow! She’s sent her number already. That was fast!
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Puts a call across to her right away. His call goes through, and the screen splits to reveal the duo dialoguing. Mary converses gently and seductively all through...to Jb’s extreme delight.
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MARY
Hi handsome!
JB
Hello Mary. Nice to finally hear your voice after such a long chat.
MARY
Same here honey. I suppose you’re seated in front of your computer right now, bleeding out your thoughts, working on another blockbuster novel. Am I wrong?
JB
(Impressed/Amazed)
How come you know me so well and I know nothing about you? Are you sure we attended the same nursery school as you claim? Or you’ve been pulling my legs?
MARY
Of course not! You were the famous one! Everyone knew you. I, on the other hand, was one of those girls who could only come close to you in her dreams. You won’t know me. There was a huge gap between us, the kind between a giant and a dwarf.
JB
I doubt it. Fifteen years is such a long time. Your voice has probably changed so I can’t pick your identity from it. Perhaps if I set my eyes on you, I’ll be able to tell who you are, notwithstanding what you’ve metamorphosed into. Don’t you think?
MARY
Is there something you’re suggesting?
JB
Yes! I suggest we meet. I wanna see you in person. How about that?
MARY
(Silence for a little bit)
I’ll be in town in a couple of days. I’ll let you know when I come in.
JB
I look forward to it.
MARY
Alright then. See you soon.
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Both hang up. The screen then loses Jb and has only Mary on display. Mary is seen giving that evil grin of seeming accomplishment again...on the basis of following up on her new prey.
FADE OUT.
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT - DAYS LATER
Camera opens on Jb and Pat, each with their white mantle tied around their necks. There’s a tarry prayer to attend. But Jb doesn’t seem ready for it. Mary is coming into town to see him.
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PAT
Broda what’s up? Aren’t you coming for the tarry-prayer? It’s time.
JB
Oh no. I’ll skip this edition. I’ve got a visitor coming in today.
PAT
A visitor on a day like today? You should have scheduled it for another day nah.
JB
I know. But it wasn’t planned. She just got into town today. I can’t leave her hanging. Don’t worry. I’ll try and make it quick. Then I can join you there.
PAT
(Gives him a curious look)
Hmmm. Okay oo. Take care.
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Pat leaves. Jb closes the door and sits back in anticipation for Mary’s visit.
DISSOLVE TO:
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Jb is seated, lost in thoughts. The doorbell rings, knocks him out of reverie. He jumps up, gets the door, opens up, and there stands Mary with her black mantle tied around her neck. More so, she’s not alone. Camera then zooms in to capture an image behind her. It is the Merman.
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MARY
Hello handsome!
JB
Hi beautiful! You look gorgeous!
MARY
(Blushes)
Thanks dear.
JB
Please come in.
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Mary walks in, followed by the merman. As the merman makes entrance, he stares hatefully at the mantle on Jb’s neck. He tries to grab Jb but is prevented by the mantle. Jb and Mary sit. The merman retreats with much agitation, continues to stare at Jb more and more hatefully.
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MARY
So so so, finally, here I am. Do you recognize me?
JB
Definitely not!
MARY
I told you, didn’t I?
JB
You sure did! You’re so mysterious.
MARY
(Looks Jb in the eye mischievously)
You can say that again.
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The atmosphere gets tensed, as her countenance somewhat instills a little bit of fear in Jb. But he’s so filled with lust to act on that fear. Plus, she lightens the atmosphere quickly. Speaking seductively, Mary rubs on her laps gently, drawing up her short gown to reveal her bare skin.
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MARY
Anyway, I do not suppose you only brought me here to identify me, right baby?
JB
(Falls flat for her seduction)
Definitely not! I’ve got lots of plans for you and me.
MARY
(Smiles seductively)
I just hope you don’t see me as moving too fast...or getting ahead of myself. But can we get started already? Been yearning for your electrifying touch for like eternity.
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She reaches for his hand and grabs it gently, rubbing it tenderly, as she gives him one hell of a seductive look. Jb is obviously filled with great lust for her. Suspenseful music intensifies.
FADE TO BLACK.
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT (ROOM) - MOMENTS LATER
Camera opens on the merman jubilating. Jb just committed sexual immorality, thus opening doors for harm to step in and ruin his life. Jb and Mary are seen in bed. He’s asleep. Mary sits up watching him, her black mantle on her neck. Jb’s mantle is now loosed from his neck. It’s on his chest. The merman lifts the mantle from Jb’s neck like it ‘s some sort of a disease. He casts it away and continues jubilating. Mary then gives an evil grin of total accomplishment.
DISSOLVE TO:
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EXT. JB'S APARTMENT (OUTSIDE) - THE NEX MORNING
Jb (with no mantle on his neck) is seen escorting Mary out of the apartment. It turns out Pat just returns from the tarry prayer. They meet at the gate. The atmosphere becomes tensed. Pat gets curious as to what possibly played out between Jb and Mary. Mary is obviously uninterested in everything. She’s done with her mission and just wants is to leave. But she keeps calm and maintains an indifferent disposition towards Pat. Jb makes an introduction.
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JB
(To Mary)
Welcome back.
(To Pat)
This is Mary, my visitor.
(To Mary)
Mary, this is my sister, Pat.
MARY
(Indifferently, with a wave)
Hi.
PAT
Hello Mary. Nice to meet you.
MARY
The pleasure is mine.
PAT
(Intercepts)
I need to see her off. I’ll be back in a Jiffy.
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Jb walks out of the gate with Mary. Pat is obviously unsettled on the inside.
FADE OUT.
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EXT. JB'S APARTMENT (OUTSIDE) - MOMENTS LATER
Jb returns from escorting Mary to meet Pat still out there waiting. He gets in, closes the gate and greets her again. But there seems to be a disconnect, as Pat suspects he had done wrongly.
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PAT
The atmosphere here is kind of strange. Did anything go wrong?
JB
What do you mean by the atmosphere is kind of strange? Is that why you’re still out here? Hehehe! Wonders shall never end! See oh! Everything is cool jor! Let’s go in.
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Jb tries to calm the atmosphere with some jokes, as he leads her in. Just then, the merman, who had waited behind to destroy him is seen approaching from the opposite direction furiously but invisible to them. He pulls out a knife. While Jb is still talking cheerfully, the merman stabs his belly and he bends over in reaction, obviously pained by the impact of it.
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PAT
What’s wrong? Are you okay?
JB
I don’t know. I just felt a sharp pain on my belly.
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Jb manages to rise. As he makes to proceed inside the merman strikes again. He reacts in like manner. Pat gets curious. Before she can further inquire to know what’s wrong, the merman strikes again randomly all over his body and he reacts accordingly. Pat perceives that things have gotten out of hand. She commences prayer immediately. Just then, the merman raises the knife to finish up Jb. At that point, Jb’s eyes open and he sees the merman from the camera’s perspective. The merman makes to stab Jb (the camera) with the knife. Jb screams (off screen) out loud. But the merman finally stabs him (the camera) on the face. Sudden silence follows.
FADE TO BLACK.
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Camera opens on a black screen with a date/time “18th April 2017 - 10:47PM”. Date and time then fades off while black screen remains. A voice is heard praying in unknown tongues. Black screen fades off, reveals the one praying. It’s Pat. Jb is bent over on the sofa, motionless and voiceless. Pat rounds up the prayer. She opens her eyes, realizes Jb had been sleeping. Pat wakes him twice but no response. She does so a third time and Jb sharply awakes with much tense and fearfully retreats from the sofa, sits on the floor, his back leaned on the wall (his white mantle on his neck). There’s amazement on Pat’s face. It’s been a dream: nightmare.
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PAT
Brother, why are you acting funny? Why are you acting like you just saw a ghost? You slept all through the prayer and you wake up to act this way? Are you okay?
JB
I had a dream, a vision, and what I saw is not good.
PAT
A dream? A vision? What did you see?
JB
(Tensed)
A merman! I saw a merman! There was a lady too. I lusted after the lady. I gave into her advances. We had our time. And the merman came after me! It destroyed me!
FADE OUT.
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INT. MARY'S APARTMENT - THE NEXT DAY
Camera opens on Mary awaking from sleep. She checks out her phone. Camera captures her cellphone screen, revealing the undelivered “Hi handsome” message she sent across to Jb.
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MARY
This guy still hasn’t seen my message? Is he out of data or something?
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Frustratingly, she throws the phone on the bed and proceeds to the bathroom to freshen up. Camera captures her cell phone screen again. Her undelivered message delivers right then.
CUT TO:
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INT. JB'S APARTMENT - CONTINUOUS
Camera opens on Jb getting the message from Mary. He frets and casts off the phone.
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JB
No weapon formed against me shall prosper!
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He picks up the phone again, deletes Mary from his “friends list”...after which he blocks her.
FADE TO BLACK.
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INT. MARY'S APARTMENT - MOMENTS LATER
Mary comes out of the bathroom, gets her phone to see if Jb has replied. She notices he’s blocked her. She snaps! Becomes furious! She can’t believe she got blocked by a guy like that.
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MARY
What? This guy blocked me?
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A call on her other phone intercepts. She gets it, walks off while talking after dropping the first phone on the bed. The merman, who had been with her all night is established. He gets the phone, opens a certain guy’s Facebook profile. He drops the phone, retreats to his position. Mary rounds up her call, gets back to the room. She picks her phone, notices the guy’s profile. She’s somewhat confused. However, she shakes off her confusion and gently scrolls through it.
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MARY
(Evil smile)
When one door closes, another one opens. And this one’s name is Gospel. Ha-ha!
(Taps on the “Add Friend” option)
Gosh! He has exceeded his friends limit. So I can’t even add him up!
(Browses through his profile)
Oh, his number is here. I’m calling him right away.
CUT TO:
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INT. DANCE STUDIO - CONTINUOUS
Gospel and two other guys are having a dance rehearsal. The dance moves are sensational. Soon enough, they wrap it up and a call comes into Gospel’s phone right then. He gets it.
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GOSPEL
Hello?
MARY (V.O.)
Hi handsome! How are you?
GOSPEL
I’m good. Do I know you?
MARY
Definitely not! But I know you like a pastor knows the gospel.
GOSPEL
Really? So what can I do for you?
MARY
A lot baby. Why don’t we meet and talk about what you can do for me?
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Gospel is shocked! He takes the phone off his ear, looks at it in amazement, and puts it back.
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MARY
6:00PM tomorrow is fine by me. What say you, handsome?
GOSPEL
Well, if you’re game, I’m game.
MARY
Great! See you then!
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Hangs up. Gospel gives that lustful smile of “I’m about to get laid for free.”
FADE TO BLACK.
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EXT. STREET - AFTERNOON
Camera opens on Mary walking down a lone street with the merman behind her. While on the move, a narrator draws things to a close with a narration of the reality of things thus far, as the dancing Gospel of a guy is now seen deserting his “dance ministry” and patronizing “football betting.” He’s obviously now visionless and is barely existing, not thanks to Mystery Mary.
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VOICE (V.O.)
For at the window of my house, I looked through my casement and saw a young man void of understanding passing through the street near her corner. He went the way to her house, in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtle of heart.
(Pause/Continue)
She caught and kissed him. With an impudent face, she said, “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning: let us solace ourselves with love, for I am home alone.” And at once, he went with her, like an ox going to the slaughter, and like a fool to the correction of the stocks.
(Pause/Continue)
Let not your heart consent to her ways. And do not stray to her paths. For she has cast down many. Indeed, all her victims are mighty men. By means of a loose woman, a man is brought down to a piece of bread. Then the adulteress hunts for the precious life. Beware of her! Be on guard, lookout for her, for Mystery Mary!
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FADE OUT.
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