The Simple Ones

SCENE ONE: THE WILLIAMS FAMILY
SETTING: SATURDAY MORNING — THE DINING ROOM

In a family of four—the father, mother, and their two boys—it was a beautiful Saturday morning. They were all seated at the dining table, eating together as one big and lovely family.

And, of course, the meal was super delicious. Ask me why?

Hmm… the mother of the house never cooks poor food. As virtuous that she is, her husband never takes her for granted. He is always grateful for the kind of woman she is—perfectly his and his alone.

She is everything described in Proverbs 31 of the Holy Bible. She ticks all the boxes.

MR. WILLIAMS clears his throat as he cleans his hands with a napkin after the meal.

MR. WILLIAMS:
Guys… (facing the two boys) we’ll be having an hour of Bible study today, so let me know what time will be convenient for you.

SAM:
Dad, anytime you tell us will be fine, right? (turning to his younger brother)

JOSH nods his head in agreement, his mouth still full of food.

SAM:
Mom, choose anytime for us.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Okay… let’s do 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., then.

Everyone agrees to meet later at 3 p.m. for the Bible study.

After leaving the dining room, JOSH washes the dishes while everyone goes off to do one or two things before 3 p.m.

SCENE TWO: THE BOYS’ ROOM
SAM:
Josh, let’s take a stroll around.

JOSH:
Why? For what?

SAM:
Chill… Just to get familiar with our new environment, that’s all. Why is your body always hot like that?

JOSH:
I don’t think I want to go out as I am. Mrs. Williams don fill me with her magical moi-moi. I just want to sleep. You know I couldn’t get enough sleep last night, before and after vigil.

SAM:
Okay naww, I’ll be back then. (Takes his phone and headset.)

JOSH:
Make sure you get back before 3 p.m.

SAM:
Sure. This is just 10 a.m. I’ll definitely be back, maximum, by 12 p.m.

JOSH:
Alright.

SAM:
(Just as he is about to leave.)

JOSH:
Sam!!!

Sam opens the door and turns around. He has already stepped outside.

SAM:
What is it? Why did you shout my name like that?

JOSH:
Sowwie, bro. I just wanted to tell you to bring me roasted plantain and groundnut when you’re coming back from your trip. Ohhh, sorry… your stroll. (Laughing.)

SAM:
You’re unserious. Get out…

JOSH:
You’re the one getting out. Sorry, going out.

Sam gets out of the room, hissing.

He takes his phone from his pocket, plays a song, puts on his headset, and walks away.

He walks through and around the area, smiling and nodding his head in admiration of the nature and the new faces.

SAM:
This place is not bad.

Just as he takes a few steps forward, he sees a beautiful house.

SAM:
Wow… I love what I’m seeing.

He walks towards the house and looks up because it is a two-storey building.

Just then, he notices someone watching him from the only open window at the top of the building.

As he positions his face to see the person, SHE immediately turns and walks away.

Just then, his phone rings.

He quickly takes his phone out of his pocket and answers the call.

SAM:
Hello?

JOSH:
Bro, where are you?

SAM:
I don’t even know this area, but I’ll be back shortly.

JOSH:
Seems you have no idea what the time is, right?

SAM:
What’s the time?

(He checks his phone.)

SAM:
What!!! It’s five minutes to 3 p.m.!

JOSH:
(Sighs.) Dad has been asking about you, and I told him you went on a stroll.

Sam immediately steps back and runs home.

SCENE THREE: THE LIVING ROOM
Sam enters the compound and stops running, breathing heavily from the run.

He gets inside.

FAMILY:
In Jesus’ mighty name, we’ve prayed.

SAM:
Ohhh… They’ve started.

He rushes to the bathroom in their room and washes his face.

SAM:
Dad’s gonna scold me today.

He cleans his face with a towel and heads to the sitting room.

As he gets there, his mom looks at him with a questioning expression.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Where are you coming from?

He rushes to sit beside his brother and starts opening his Bible.

SAM:
Which book?

He asks his brother, who ignores him.

MR. WILLIAMS:
The book of Proverbs.

MR. WILLIAMS:
Proverbs 7. Let’s begin from verse 1, and you should read it, Samson.

SAM:
(Looking up.) Okay, sir…

He begins to read.

SCENE FOUR: THE BOYS’ ROOM — NIGHT
After dinner, everyone retires to their rooms.

Just as Samson takes off his shirt, their mother enters.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Hey, guys…

JOSH:
Hi, Momma.

SAM:
Mom… (Frowning.)

MRS. WILLIAMS:
What is it, boy?

SAM:
Firstly, I’m not a boy. I’ve told you. And secondly, why did you enter the room without knocking?

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Firstly, you’re always my boy. And secondly, why should I knock?

SAM:
Really???? What if I was naked, Mom?

MRS. WILLIAMS:
So?

SAM:
Don’t even start tonight, because I know what you want to say next, and I’m tired of hearing it.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
I bathed and dressed you until you turned 15.

SAM:
Oh, she said it… Mom, it’s 14, not 15.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Tell me the difference.

JOSH:
One. (Laughing.)

SAM:
Thank you. A whole one year is the difference, Mom.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Whatever.

Well, I came to tell you to sleep early, so…

JOSH:
To wake early…

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Yeah. We have to leave home very early tomorrow morning. You know where we are now is far from church.

SAM:
Yeah. We will. Thank you.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Alright. Good night, my boys. (Laughing, expecting Sam’s reaction.)

She pauses.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Samson.

SAM:
Yes, Bby?

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Where did you go in the afternoon?

SAM:
I just went on a stroll.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Stroll? According to Joshua, you left this house almost immediately after we left the dining room, right?

SAM:
Yes.

Mom, seriously, I was surprised too when he called me and told me it was almost 3 p.m. I didn’t realize at all.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Really?

SAM:
I’m sorry, Ma.

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Alright. You two should have a great night.Love you too.

She closes the door behind her.

JOSH:
Sam, did you tell her you love her? (Murmuring to Sam.) She’ll come back for me now.

From outside the room:

MRS. WILLIAMS:
Joshua, I can hear you, okay?

JOSH:
Love you too, Mommy! (Laughing.)

SCENE FIVE: THE BOYS’ ROOM — LATER THAT NIGHT
A few minutes later…

SAM:
Guy. (Coming out of the bathroom.)

JOSH:
Yeah, what’s up?

SAM:
You don’t even ask me about my stroll.

JOSH:
What’s there to ask about other than giving me my roasted plantain and groundnut? (Laughing.)

SAM:
Will you be serious once in your life?

JOSH:
Okay, I’m all ears.

Sam sits on his bed.

SAM:
It was perfect. The atmosphere, the breeze, the nature, and the music from my headset… You can only imagine.

JOSH:
I can’t even imagine. (Laughing.)

SAM:
Hisses… (Climbing onto his bed properly.)

JOSH:
I’m serious now. Tell me about it.

SAM:
Okay… (Rolling his eyes.) This area is quite large, but beautiful. There are many natural things around here. I saw many new faces, even though all I could do was smile at them.

JOSH:
Hmmmm… so, no fine babes?

SAM:
You don’t have sense! (Throws a pillow at Josh.)

SAM:
And there was a building I saw. It’s so beautiful. So big and tall because it’s a two-storey building.

JOSH:
Stop it. It can’t be as beautiful as Mr. Williams’ house. (Laughing.)

Sam joins his brother in laughter.

JOSH:
Tell me more about the beautiful house. And I’m sure there’s more to it.

SAM:
Nothing much…

JOSH:
I knew it. Did you enter the house?

SAM:
What??? No. It’s a fenced house.

JOSH:
Ohhh… it’s fenced.

SAM:
But I noticed someone watching me from that house.

JOSH:
A girl was watching you?

SAM:
When did I mention a girl now?

JOSH:
Ohhh, it was a man?

SAM:
No.

JOSH:
Ahhh, I don’t understand.

SAM:
It was a young lady.

JOSH:
Ohhhh, it was a lady… I see. You two talked?

SAM:
Nooo… I didn’t even see her face.

JOSH:
Really???? But why?

SAM:
She turned as I was about to look in her direction.

JOSH:
Ohhhh, I see.

SAM:
But she’s very dark in complexion and has long hair.

JOSH:
Ohh, you saw her colour and hair… Interesting.

SAM:
Nah, you sabi. Good night.

JOSH:
Nice dream, but don’t dream about her sha.

SAM:
You’re unserious! (Throws the second pillow at his brother.)

JOSH:
Thank God, I get to sleep with four pillows tonight…

SAM:
Give me back my pillows before I bounce on you.

JOSH:
Hmm… sounds like a threat. (Turns to sleep.)

SAM:
Give me my pillows! (Getting up from his bed.)

To be continued…..