BEYOND THE SEA: A Dream Too Far

[OSINACHI]

BEYOND THE SEA
A Dream Too Far

LELELE PEPPLE an Ogoni young man who is engaged in fishing has been dreaming of traveling overseas for years. And he has decided to stowaway on one of the big ships returning to Europe from the nearby ports in Rivers State. But, his sister Ebiere and his girlfriend Boma want to hold him back from going on this ⌠suicidal■ journey. Because, they are afraid of the dangers and risks that such a precarious journey portend for LELELE.

They warn him of all these dangers and risks and the terrible reports they have heard of stowaways who were thrown overboard into the dark seas and drowned or were eaten by sharks. They mention the horrible things they have heard about the wicked racist white captains who hate blacks and never spared any of the stowaways they caught aboard their ships at sea. But, LELELE has made up his mind. So, he refuses to listen to them. He says only cowards and weaklings who are chicken-hearted have such fears. He is brave and fearless. And he mentions that he has heard of so many people who stowed away to England and America. In fact, the great Nkrumah of Ghana was one of those who stowed away overseas.

The canoe that will take him to the ship he wants to stowaway on is waiting and the canoe-man is becoming impatient. He does not want them to delay him any longer, except they are enemies of his progress. He wriggles out of their arms and enters the canoe. Ebiere and Boma weep as he leaves on the canoe waving back at them. But, they cannot wave back, because they don▓t want him to go. So, they cannot say goodbye to him or wish him farewell. They are distraught, in fear and trembling. They continue to scream and shout, appealing to him to change his mind and turn back until the canoe carrying him disappears out of their sight as it goes farther and farther into the deep waters of the Atlantic ocean beyond the horizon.

They return to their village in tears, lamenting over the uncertain fate of LELELE who has turned deaf ears to their cries and defied their pleas and warnings and embarked on his suicidal journey to stowaway overseas. It▓s already nightfall and there is nothing they can do now, but return home and pray for the safety and survival of the obstinate LELELE. But, they cannot sleep well throughout the night as they are having nightmares, disturbed by their fears over the fate of LELELE.

The cockcrows are still echoing in their ears after a sleepless night. And they are still rolling and turning on their bed, when they notice the appearance and presence of a figure standing over them. They shudder at first as if they are seeing an apparition. They wipe their faces with both their hands and wrappers to enable them see clearly as they look twice at the figure. ⌠Oh, God!■ They shout aloud and jump out of their bed on recognizing LELELE standing before their very eyes! What happened?
LELELE has changed his mind. Not to stowaway again!
They are too elated at the sight of LELELE and short of words as they jump up and hug him excitedly and happily.
God has answered their prayers.


THE SYNOPSIS OF A SHORT SCREENPLAY BY EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEL CHIMA.
APRIL 22, 2005.
NIGERIA LNG RA, BONNY ISLAND, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA.

N.B:
MAY I INVITE ANY PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER WHO IS INTERESSTED IN PRODUCCING THIS SCREENPLAY TO CONTACT ME SOONEST. THE BUDGET IS LOW. LESS THAN 60,000 EUROS. AND THE PROFIT MARGINS ARE GREAT. SO, INVESTORS WHO ARE KEEN ON INVESTING IN A SHORT FILM THAT HAS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES OF BECOMING AN INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING FILM WITH BIG DIVIDENDS FROM THE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION SHOULD ALSO CONTACT ME WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS.

THE LOCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST EXOTIC VIRGIN COASTS IN THE WORLD ON BONNY ISLAND IN NIGERIA. THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY AND NO MODERN WATER SUPPLY IN LELELE'S FISHING VILLAGE ON THE BANKS OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THE NATIVES ARE STILL PRIMITIVE, BUT THEY ARE FRIENDLY. AND THEY LIVE IN THE STATE OF NATURE. BUT NOT FAR AWAY IS THE NIGERIA LNG TOWN, RATED AS THE MOST MODERN TOWN IN WEST AFRICA WHERE EVERYTHING WORKS 24/7. NO POWER OUTAGES. SPOTLESSLY CLEAN STREETS, NATURE PARK, AWESOME BEACH, SWIMMING POOLS, GYMS, HELIPORT, AIRSTRIP, PERFECT LANDSCAPES AND AS BEAUTIFUL AS ANY PLACE IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. BUT NO SKYSCRAPPERS. "HAPPY HOUR" LIVE BANDS PLAYING EVERY FRIDAY AND BEAUTIFUL BLACK NATIVE MAIDENS WHO BELIEVE IN GOD, LOVE AND PEACE.
YOU ARE WELCOME TO VISIT US ANYTIME.