The Soup

FADE IN:

1   INT. KITCHEN – DAY - SHOWS A BIG POT OF SOUP

AMARA (V.O.)

My mother said to close my eyes, and picture my life as a big empty pot of soup. I am the pot, and the fire burning underneath it represents the breath sustaining my existence. And like every pot that requires ingredients to make a soup, the people I come in contact with through my journey in life are the ingredients I need to make my soup. And by soup it could represent my ambition, friendships, love life, or for whatever cause it may be. Some are like onions they hurt my eyes but they give just that flavor, some are the spices I need to sauce things up, others like pepper, ginger, garlic, etcetera, the point is none are indispensable, and however sweet or sour they play their part in my life, I need them. 

CUT TO: 

2 INT. DRESSING ROOM – DAY

AMARA (26), looking beautiful yet exhausted, trying to take off the chef whites she had on, and then her phone rings...

AMARA

Hello!

(pauses and looks around to see if the other ladies in the room were looking at her)

AMARA

(into phone)

Oh hi there, stranger from the night.

(pauses)

Of course how could I forget? 

I just finished from the 

volunteering stuff I told 

you about.

-looks back again a few seconds and then continues...

AMARA

Well you could come pick me up 

at my place or I could just come 

by yours to save you the hustle.

(Pauses)

Alright then, 7:30 it is, bye.

(hangs up the phone with a smile and then turns back, but is startled by CANDY(25) her best friend, (a little crazy yet sensitive), looking over her shoulder.

AMARA

What are you doing!

Spying on me?

CANDY

Darling, I don’t have to spy on you

all I have to do is type in that little

password of yours and I get all the information

I want.

(astonished)

That’s impossible, 

you’re merely teasing.

CANDY

(laughs hysterically)

Okay then, whatever you say.

-strolls majestically ahead of AMARA towards the backdoor exit.

CANDY

So, I suppose you’ll 

need to borrow my Red Chanel 

clutch to match that red dress 

of yours, for the Chef pimenter 

restaurant?

-overwhelmed by CANDY’S response she places her right hand over her head and then the two women enter into a car waiting outside.

CUT TO: 

3 EXT. IN FRONT OF AMARA’S HOUSE–NIGHT

AMARA is all dressed up, standing outside her house waiting for her date, meanwhile CANDY sits by the front porch eating ice cream.

CANDY

It’s been over 30 minutes now and 

this happens to be my second refill

(lifting her ice cream bowl up)

AMARA

(sneeringly)

It’s not my fault you’re a glutton!

CANDY

(chuckles)

Well, they don’t close the 

gates till after midnight, 

so I guess we’ll see.

AMARA

(frustrated)

Dude! Would you shut up?

Are you the one with the date here

No! That’s what I thought.

My date, my wait!

CANDY

(sarcastic)

Sorry! You don’t need to be so salty.

Am just trying to keep you company

till you decide to come back inside.

 AMARA

(shakes her head and pulls away)

Unbelievable! They give it freedom, 

and it behaves like a savage.

CANDY

Savage or not, he’s not coming

And even if he did, you’ll have to be 

a fool to go with him after making

you wait this long.

AMARA

(looking relentless, her jaws up)

He’ll be here, you’ll see.

CANDY

Typical AMA, I thought 

I was the needy one

Good luck!

-CANDY stands to go inside the house.

After an hour, a white Benz pulls over AMARA’S house, AMARA is already dosed off by a palm tree. Then a light skin casually dressed male walks towards her and strokes her hair, he was DUKE (32), her date. 

AMARA

(wakes up)

You.

DUKE

I know, am so sorry. 

I can’t even begin

to make up a story 

to let you know

how sorry I am.

AMARA

You could try,

I mean, you have to.

DUKE

(squints)

Honestly?

AMARA

If you can!

DUKE

I forgot

(draws a little bit away from her)

AMARA

(disappointed)

You forgot, Wow!

Thank you for making 

me realize how forgettable I am. 

Come to think of it you called me 

so how the hell could you forget.

DUKE

I know it’s such a flimsy reason

but it’s the truth.

I went from having a board

meeting, to filling in for 

a colleague who called in sick 

for a contract proposal meeting 

he was supposed to attend to.

AMARA

(unyielding)

Such wonderful story, if only I cared

(stands and walks towards the door)

DUKE

(follows her and grabs her arm)

You have to AMA, 

am really repentant here.

AMARA

(agitated)

What do you want from me then?

It’s already what,

(pulls his hand up to check his watch)

past 12 in the morning. I don’t even know

why you came here anyway. 

Well I guess at least you 

woke me up to go inside

saving me from being robbed

or worse, raped!

DUKE

(exhausted)

I am deeply sorry

If you want me to say 

it a hundred times, I will

am sorry, am sorry, am sorry

am really sorry.

AMARA

(opens the door and turns back at him)

Call me tomorrow, perhaps 

by then I feel much merciful.

(pauses)

I hope you forget.

(shuts the door)

DUKE

(leans over the door)

 Goodnight!

DUKE returns to his car and gives a sigh of relief, his phone rings; he looks at his side mirror and then picks the call.

DUKE

(smiles)

Guy! I was just about to call you.

Phone- so how did it go?

DUKE

Mehn! That was a really close one

for real you know.

I guess that’s what happens

 when you have more than

one sugar pie 

(laughs).

Phone –What about Abby?

DUKE

(sneers)

What about her? 

I mean asides going over and 

beyond to make sure she drained my 

wallet for the night, I think 

I’ll be seeing her a little 

while from now.

Phone –I told you before, such games would

   take a toll on you sooner or later.

DUKE

(smirks)

Well I suppose we’ll have to 

wait to later then.

Phone –Typical DUKE, see me giving advice

to an unchanged man!

DUKE

(laughs)

Martin Luther, Whatever you say.

-he drives off. 

CUT TO: 

4 INT. LIVING ROOM – DAY

AMARA is sitting on the couch, constantly staring at her phone beside her, CANDY observing from behind walks in.

CANDY

No artist management today?

-AMARA ignores her

CANDY

He still hasn’t called?

AMARA

(whispers)

No.   

CANDY

Look, I know am no therapist

neither am I of any proper 

standard for you to know better. 

But in a case like this it’s not 

hard to tell you’re holding on to 

thin air.

AMARA

(stands)

You’re right, 

(pauses)

You’re not a proper standard

(walks out of the room).

CANDY

(talks in a louder tone)

Okay then! You know I’ll 

be here for you either ways.

CUT TO: 

5 EXT. MASSIVE BUILDING –DAY

AMARA pulls over outside a huge building, only to be met by BUDAA (29) the reggae artist she managed. Offensively charming, dark, tall, rough and troublesome looking man, standing right in front of her car in a pose for a fight. She initially hesitates but later slowly comes out of her car and walks towards him.

AMARA

(trying to avoid confrontation)

What’d I miss?

BUDAA

(sneers)

So you decide when you want 

to show up and am just supposed 

to be unheated about that situation?

(his hands folded and jaws high up).

AMARA

(confused)

What! Unnn..(stutters)

It’s not even like that.

BUDAA

Look! (draws her to the side, placing 

his hand over her shoulder)

I know you’re supposed to be some 

expert and graduate of some degree. 

But the point is, I don’t want you 

to get it twisted that you’re very

dispensable. That’s of course if you 

let me get on my cynical side.

AMARA

I understand.

-uncomfortable his hand was over her shoulders she frowns, as they both walk into the building.

BUDAA

Good! By the way you smell funny

(sniffing into her hair)

What’s that? Pride 

-AMARA, initially alarmed by his comment shoves but then after his last word is irately relieved.

CUT TO: 

6 EXT. A STAGE SET –DAY

BUDAA is on a stage testing the microphone, while AMARA sits at a corner going through her phone, then she gets a call from her mother, MAMA JU(69),fierce but loving.

AMARA

(tilts her head slightly down to 

avoid the stage noise)

Hey! Mama JU.

CUT TO:

INT. MAMA JU’S KITCHEN 

MAMA JU

(worried)

Hello darling! 

The networks been real terrible 

since yesterday I’ve been trying 

to reach out to you.

CUT TO:

AMARA

(smiles)

Oh yeah, I also did plan on 

coming over by the weekend, 

if that’s okay.

MAMA JU

(exhales)

Since when have my four walls

been a place of contemplation 

or need for approval before you 

visited? after all I did raise 

you and your sibling in it.

AMARA

(smiles)

I know, am only trying to be modest

and besides you need your privacy too.

MAMA JU

Indeed! Or you’re only trying to spare

me the disappointment when you decide

not to show up.

AMARA

I wouldn’t, I need the visit more

than to bail out last minute. I have

some things I want you to help clear off

my chest. I know you always have the right

words to soothe me, and plus (rolls her eyes)

CANDY has really been on my bad side 

for days now.

MAMA JU

(chuckles)

Funny you’ll say that, because she

said just the same thing about you, 

except in her words, you were making her 

crazy, like a mama bear trying to protect 

her cub.(laughs)

AMARA

I am not surprised, that’s her way of

playing good guy. She didn’t even give 

me the opportunity to talk to you first.

MAMA JU

I suppose she beat you to it.

But frankly speaking she did seem worried.

Saying something about you acting a bit

needy and fixated on fixing what’s 

already broken, she was quite the poet.

AMARA

(astonished)

She said that! What a loud mouth.

Like she knows any better.

MAMA JU

There is no crime in not knowing any better.

The strength is in realizing you don’t know 

any better, and being open enough to find 

help to know better.

AMARA

(slides back on the chair)

I hear you MAMA JU.

I’ll make sure to clear things up by

Friday and let you know about Saturday.

Meanwhile AMARA notices a couple of offensively dressed ladies usher into the set, she is perturbed as to their access into the building, let alone their business in the premises. She gives the guard at the entrance a questioning look and then stands to sort the situation out.

AMARA

MAMA JU, can I call you later?

I have to get back to work.

MAMA JU

Alright darling, take it easy

Bye.

AMARA

(races towards the ladies and stops them)

Hey ladies! What’s going on here?

The show doesn’t start till 10:30.

-BUDAA sees AMARA holding up the ladies and yells from the stage.

BUDAA

Hey! Hey AMA what’s going on down there?

AMARA

(her arms and legs wide open)

I have it all under control, you

just keep doing your thing.

BUDAA

Well, how am I supposed to do my thing? 

when you’re holding my accessories up.

AMARA

(frantically turns to him)

You knew about this?

BUDAA

(sighs)

You damn right I knew about it?

This is my show, case you forgot.

AMARA

(upset)

You don’t need these types 

of accessories BUDAA. 

You’re a sophisticated R&B 

reggae artiste not a

street thug.

BUDAA

(sneers)

Dude! What’d I tell you about 

getting on my dark side? 

Would you do the job you’re paid 

to and let these beautiful

(starts dancing),

sexy, wonderful, divinely 

blessed ladies do theirs.

AMARA

(furious)

But this is wrong. And mind you,

(starts to increase her tone)

It’s also my job to see you chase

proper standards as it best enhances

your artistry.

BUDAA

(walking towards her)

Bla bla bla bla! So many big words.

You know what your problem is?

Come closer (waves for her to come)

and let me hear you say what.

 - she starts regressing backwards.

BUDAA

Come on, say it!

AMARA

(reluctantly whispers)

What!

BUDAA

You’re too damn sensitive.

AMARA

(smiles contemptuously)

Really, really! Thank you very much.

Really thank you, I sure hope that 

helps boost your moral negligence, 

I mean don’t mind me, ride on sire.

BUDAA

Face it AMARA, You’re not upset because 

I brought these ladies here. Rather, you

find their confidence offending cause it’s 

an attribute you could never consciously 

or unconsciously possess. 

Not even as an act or role play.

AMARA

(angry)

I don’t need to listen to this

hogwash, in fact you are way out 

of line comparing me to your sluts!

(starts to walk away)

- The ladies echo their disapproval

BUDAA

(laughs, turning around to draw the others attention)

What did I say; she’s as soft as feather

Bye AMA! (waves through the air)

-The ladies join in the laughter while the men watched.

CUT TO: 

7 INT. LIVING ROOM –NIGHT

AMARA walks tiredly into the living room, CANDY is by her laptop acting oblivious like she hadn’t noticed AMARA walk in. AMARA slams her full body on the couch with her bag and half worn shoes falling freely. She takes one slighter look at CANDY who still remained inattentive. Soon CANDY decides to retreat from her little work station and then before she heads up the few stairs to her room, she utters a simple sentence.

CANDY

(quietly)

I left you some food 

in the microwave 

Goodnight.

-AMARA watches her go up the stairs, her phone rings and its DUKE; she doesn't take a second glance at it before she slams it back on the couch followed by a quiet sigh.

CUT TO:

8 EXT. FRONT PORCH – DAY

AMARA is sitting on a wooden chair sipping on tea looking at nothing exactly; meanwhile CANDY comes down the stairs in her night clothes looking around for AMARA. She goes into the kitchen to grab herself a coffee and notices the untouched food in the microwave. She's alarmed, looking upset she walks back into the living room (pauses) and then heads toward the entrance as she hears AMARA exchange greetings with a neighbor outside. She opens the door and suddenly bursts into a mixture of grumbling and exaggerated expression, something like a sanguine.

CANDY

(upset)

AMA! Please don't tell me were fighting, 

you know how much I hate fights, please

don’t be mad at me I was only looking out 

for you, as a best friend should.

(slightly sitting on the arm of AMARA'S chair)

AMARA

(insensitive)

I don’t care! Since you have a big mouth

Then I suggest you grow a gut with it. 

Cause you know I clearly can put up 

with whatever.

CANDY

AMA please don’t say that, you know

how much I hate my siblings, you're more 

like my sister than my friend.

(firmly embracing AMARA)

AMARA

(draws away)

Ok! Enough trying to choke me.

You’re back again with the same pattern 

you act all crazy for a minute and 

then later you're so sorry you did.

CANDY

(acts childlike)

Typical CANDY!

AMARA

(instructively)

And about what 

you said to MAMA JU,

totally out of line, 

you do not do that

ever again!

CANDY

(holds her lips together)

Absolutely out of line

never happen again.

-AMARA stands speechless.

CANDY

Can we play chess now?

If it'll make you feel better

I'll let you win

(smiles mischievously).

CUT TO:

9 INT.GROCERY STORE – LATER THAT DAY

AMARA and CANDY are at the grocery store getting some provisions from the shelves; CANDY was on the other aisle getting her own things. Just as she (AMARA) is about to take a wine bottle from the top shelf (struggling), a strange man from behind her takes it off before she could reach it. Surprised she turns back in a frenzied look, but later is relaxed as apparently she knew the strange man, her neighbor PEACE, dark, tall, goofy looking man smiling at her.

AMARA

(laughs)

Oh my goodness! Trust me, I was about

to go crazy lady on the aisle on you.

Where have you been?

PEACE

(smiles)

Well I think I ought to be the one

asking you that.

(putting the wine back on the shelf),

But since you asked, I'd say am where 

we left off.

CUT TO:

- FLASH SCENE

INT. PEACE'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Shows AMARA and PEACE rush into his living room as the two engage in a drunken state romance.

CUT BACK TO:

INT.GROCERY STORE – DAY

AMARA

(looks up at the wine he placed back on the shelf)

I actually wanted that.

PEACE

You should try this instead

more strong than that

(grabs her another wine).

- AMARA stares intensely at his every move, looking lost in wild imagination.

AMARA

(regains herself)

It’s not even like that

I tried to keep in touch.

PEACE

You don’t say! 

Seemed to me more like 

you’ve been running from me.

AMARA

(bluffs his statement)

Now why would I have to do that?

I’ve just been really caught up in

a lot of activities, that’s all.

PEACE

(nods profusely)

Okay, I hear you

I forgive you.

AMARA

(smiles)

Well, thank you!

See you around, neighbor

(starts to move away)

PEACE

(blocks her)

Not just yet!

Since we’re back being pals,

I should invite you to the little 

party am hosting at my house 8:30 Friday.

AMARA

(thinks for a minute)

Uhhmmmmm!

PEACE

(chuckles)

Come on, don’t play me with 

the whole ‘I have to check

my schedule to see’ drama.

It’s not like you have anything 

planned, I can tell.

AMARA

Excuse you! I’ll have you know

am a very occupied individual. 

And since you want to be a smart ass,

Yes! I do have to check my schedule.

- both laugh hysterically  

PEACE

So?

 

AMARA

(starts to walk away)

I’ll be there by 10.

-AMARA meets up with CANDY by the cashier; also she had been watching the pair all the while.

CUT TO:

10 INT.AMARA'S HOME – BEDROOM

AMARA is on her bed reading when she hears a voice calling from downstairs, at first she's reluctant but then the voice grew even louder, so she stands to check through the windows to see who it was. It was DUKE calling and yelling out her name, something like a ballad. She's elated but tries to hide it, it was clear she enjoyed the attention. CANDY walks in and sees her smiling from side to side as she looks down the window. CANDY is distraught, worried her friend was falling for the show.

CANDY 

Are you seriously taken by this?

AMARA

(pretending)

No!

CANDY

Good! So I guess I should call

the estate guards to take him off

our property.

AMARA

(frowns)

What! No, you don’t have to.

Just let him be, probably he'll

leave when he's tired.

CANDY

(disappointed)

Probably! Sounds to me like you

hope he doesn't. You're enjoying 

this aren't you?

AMARA

(walks back to the bed)

It’s not like he’s making 

a scene or nothing.

CANDY

If you’re not going to send him

away, I will

(walks out of the door)

AMARA

(races to meet her)

CANDY! Don’t.

The two ladies race each other down the stairs. DUKE hearing the loud matching of legs down the stairs starts to regress in fear, thinking the ladies were out to get him, he hides behind his car. The ladies make it outside and what seemed like a simple race after each other became a tussle as both ladies draw each other by the hair, shouting and cursing.