HOW I MET HIM
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*AFFAIR WITH THE DEVIL*
*SEASON: 1*
*WRITER: APPIAH DANIEL*
*CHARACTERS:*
Deborah Boateng
Xavier
Nora Anim
*EPISODE: 1*
*SCENE 1 - EXT. DEBORAH’S FOOD SHOP - DUSK*
_Small roadside shop. Sign: “Deborah’s Kitchen”. Smell of jollof + frying egg. DEBORAH wipes the counter. NORA scrubs bowls in a bucket._
*NORA*
Deb, why do you sweat like this? Will you close early today?
*DEBORAH*
Customers order a big portion. Jollof + two eggs. He’ll be here at 6pm sharp, like a clock.
*NORA*
Same Xavier man again? Ei, this guy does not get home? Every day jollof + egg?
*DEBORAH*
_small smile_ He likes what he likes. Consistent people are rare.
_NORA rolls eyes, but says nothing. Bell on door rings._
*SCENE 2 - INT. DEBORAH’S FOOD SHOP - CONTINUOUS*
_XAVIER enters. Calm. Handsome. Clothes are simple but clean. He doesn’t look at anyone except Deborah._
*XAVIER*
Evening, Deborah.
*DEBORAH*
Evening, Xavier. As usual?
*XAVIER*
Yes. Jollof and fried egg. Two eggs today.
_DEBORAH packs the food quickly. She’s practiced. She hands it to him._
*DEBORAH*
25 cedis.
_XAVIER pays exact change. No small talk. But his eyes stayed on her 1 second too long._
*XAVIER*
Thank you. As always.
_He turns to leave. DEBORAH watches him. NORA watches Deborah watching him._
*SCENE 3 - INT. DEBORAH’S FOOD SHOP - AFTER XAVIER LEAVES*
_Door closes. Silence for 2 seconds_
*NORA*
_low, serious_ Deb... where does that man sleep?
*DEBORAH*
What?
*NORA*
Months now. Every day at 6pm. No phone calls. No friends. He says “between places.”
Between which places, Deb? People have homes.
*DEBORAH*
Nora, stop. Maybe he’s private.
*NORA*
Private people don’t look at you like you’re the only food on the menu.
_DEBORAH frowns, but doesn’t answer. She looks at the door Xavier left through. Then she touches the counter where his money was. A tiny, confused smile._
*DEBORAH*
_quiet_ He’s just a customer, Nora.
*NORA*
_packing her bag_ Customers don’t make you forget to blink. Be careful, bestie.
_NORA exits. DEBORAH is alone. She stares at the empty doorway. The sound of traffic outside. She whispers to herself_
*DEBORAH*
Just a customer...
_She doesn’t sound convinced._
*FADE OUT.*
*END OF EPISODE 1*
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