Country Queen (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
- [peaceful music playing]
- [cows mooing]
[children screeching]
- [man in Kamba] Hello.
- [children greet]
[girl] Mwalimu.
[suspenseful music playing]
[chickens clucking]
[opening theme music playing]
[upbeat vocal music playing]
[Akisa] Raj, come and help me.
[Jay] Threatening contractors
is usually my thing. Are you okay?
Yes! Caterers, please.
They are on site,
they are already setting up.
You need to relax.
Akisa, I've never seen you
like this before a job.
Jay, this is not just any job.
If we impress people today, we will never
have to do a baby shower ever again.
I'm talking like
politician events, corporates
- Big budget.
- Exactly!
- Watos, one second.
- Okay.
[Akisa] Thanks!
What are you doing here?
[in Swahili] The boss sent me.
This is for you.
- [in English] Thank you.
- Enjoy your day.
You too.
[Jay] Mmm
Is that your mystery man?
Jay.
[Jay] Ah and there's a sudden mood change.
Jay, go figure out lighting, or something.
Okay.
Please let's be careful, thank you.
[crickets chirping softly]
Okay guys, it's ten minutes.
Let's get it together, it's make or break.
[Jay] Make sure the mango is on that table
so that when it turns
it gets to be okay. Alright?
Akisa, shoes please.
The flowers are not in the center
of the table, please sort it out.
[Jay] The flower guy is here.
He is waiting for our sign-off.
Guys! Bow ties, please!
Let's look presentable. Okay?
[suspenseful music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
Akisa.
[softly] Yes.
Good job.
Thank you.
Eh! Max Sibala.
Akisa, this guy is so handsome in person.
Uh, sorry? Jay, shoes please.
You are so lost, babe.
You know what you need?
Some liquid courage.
Some Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot, Cabernet
Jay, I'm working.
- Max.
- Nobody followed me. Have some faith.
Max, come on. Someone's gonna see us.
[kisses] Want me to pay them off?
Come on, the place looks great.
- Yeah?
- Yeah!
Not as great as you though.
Well, you do have an eye for style, huh?
Thank you. It's beautiful.
Though I do prefer it off than on you.
- Oh yeah?
- Yeah.
[Akisa chuckles]
[female voice] Akisa! Akisa!
[female voice] Akisa!
[crickets chirping]
- [in Swahili] Have you seen Mwalimu?
- No, I haven't.
Let me check back here.
Ah!
What is this? Kivui, is it you?
Kivui!
Akisa.
No, it's me. Esther.
Come.
Let's go inside.
[Kuvui coughs and retches]
Esther, he's your husband,
but some things should not be hidden.
He said he was just tired.
[heaving]
[water flowing]
[reporters overlapping in English]
Mrs. Sibala! What dress is that?
[female reporter]
Are you going to South Africa?
- Mrs. Sibala, pose for the camera!
- Are you still going into diamond mining?
[male reporter] Beautiful gown.
Who are you wearing?
Mrs. Sibala, I see you alone,
where is Mr. Sibala?
- [female reporter] Mrs. Sibala!
- Mrs. Sibala are you coming
[male reporter]
What kind of dress is that?
- Are you going into diamond mining?
- An exclusive, Mrs. Sibala!
[male reporter] Is there trouble
in paradise at your house?
Mrs. Sibala, an exclusive!
- Wait, isn't that dress
- [Akisa] Shh!
Such a lovely night
for a celebration, huh?
[crowd murmurs agreement]
Now, before we begin,
we must first acknowledge that, this event
would not have been possible
without the most hardworking
and amazing person I've ever met.
She, ladies and gentlemen,
deserves your applause.
Please, assist me in welcoming my wife,
Vivienne Sibala.
[cheers and applause]
Thank you.
We are not here
only to celebrate this award.
We are here to send a message.
Corruption has plagued this economy.
But with this award,
we set a new precedent.
A benchmark for how
business in this country
could and should be run.
[applause]
Raise your glasses.
- To clean business!
- [crowd] To clean business!
[airplane engine rumbling]
[man 1] Bote.
The route is getting dangerous.
Too many eyes.
[in Swahili] That's for the news.
- The Government is in our side.
- Okay. Make it fast.
[man 2 in Swahili] Max mentioned
this would be the amount.
We're good.
[man 1] Pleasure doing business.
[chilling music playing]
[in English] Stop!
[in Swahili] Open it. Open it.
[in English] Shit!
[shouts] Stop the fucking plane!
[gun shot]
[crowd applauding]
[Vivienne] This has been
a difficult year for Eco Rock.
We've had our tumbles.
We've made a few mistakes.
But this award has changed that for us.
- We are now recognized
- Yes?
[in Swahili] We've been played.
[in English] What?
These Congolese assholes faked the gold.
Fuck!
Ali has something to do with it.
[Max] Do you have him?
- I have him.
- Bring him to Nairobi.
[applause]
[reporters overlapping] Mrs. Sibala.
Um What advice do you have
for the young African businesswomen?
My advice?
If you can't get a seat at the table,
create your own.
- [female in crowd] Wow!
- Mrs. Sibala is it true that
Care to comment
on last year's allegations of
land grabbing by your company,
at the coastal region?
Eco Rock's compensation plan is
above the required minimum.
If you look at the reports
But human rights groups are saying
that Eco Rock is pushing people away
In our push to transform communities,
we are often faced
with anti-development groups,
most of them outsiders.
We always expect some opposition.
[cheers and applause]
[male reporter] Mrs. Sibala. Is it true
that you're expanding in the dam
- Liars!
- [crowd gasps]
- Thieves. Land grabbers!
- [Akisa] Stop! Please!
- You have grabbed everything! Everything!
- Stop, please stop. Let go of him please.
It will be alright. We'll manage it.
[man yelling] Everything! Everything!
[reporters overlapping] Mrs. Sibala!
Mrs. Sibala care to comment?
- Mrs. Sibala.
- Mrs. Sibala! Anything?
Hey, at least we are trending on Twitter.
Jay, just go home.
[phone rings]
Hello, this is Akisa, event planner.
It's Aunty Salome.
It's your father, he is sick.
Who's that? Kwani, have you seen a ghost?
[Akisa] Oh God.
Hi, this is Akisa,
please leave me a message after the beep.
[slow jazz music playing]
Sorry.
It's just a stain.
[Vivienne] Let's wash off
the sins of the day.
Then make new ones.
[phone buzzes]
[phone continues buzzing]
You should pick up.
- It can wait.
- [phone buzzing]
Anything you want to tell me?
Maybe later.
[softly groans] No.
I picked you up,
cleaned you.
Turned you into a shiny piece of gold.
Now you lie to me.
Hm?
"A highly recommended
event planner," you said.
Instead, I get the architect of disaster.
Get rid of her.
[Akisa] Hi, please leave me a message
after the beep.
[beep]
I didn't say you could come in, Max.
[Max] We need to talk.
You made me look like a fool tonight.
[Max] She wasn't supposed to
wear that dress today.
[Akisa] And my event wasn't supposed to
put me on the blacklist, but hey.
[Max] I'd never let that happen.
Your business? Your business will be fine.
You know what
I I can't do this any more, Max.
This needs to end.
What do you mean?
I'm tired of being your spare.
You should probably go home to
Mrs. Sibala. Your wife?
I'm sure she is wondering
where her husband is.
I'm sorry about tonight.
And I'm sorry about the dress.
But you should stop saying hurtful things.
You know what, Max?
It's been a long night, I'm tired.
Give me a chance to fight for you.
Breakfast. Tomorrow. Sankara.
[sad music playing]
You're way too important to me.
I'm not leaving
until you say yes, to Sankara.
- [kiss]
- Okay.
Good.
[night chirping]
This is too much.
[in Swahili] Forget about it.
How can I forget it when it
involves your husband and his land?
Huh? They are trying to scare you.
How would you know?
Ever since that mining company came,
things have changed for the worse.
You don't have to stay.
Listen to me.
Today it's chicken.
Tomorrow it's you or your husband.
[in English] Mark my words.
[in Swahili] This drama
makes me crave tea. Do you want some?
You'll find me in the house.
- [tense music playing]
- [banging]
[man 1] Kyalo!
[male voice in Swahili] Open!
Get these things out of here.
Silas, you know I have
nothing to do with this.
Look here, do I look like I care?
These are your brother's things.
You will get rid of them.
What are you staring at?
You came here to what? Get back to work.
Hey, you! Get to work!
[muffled in English] It's Aunty Salome.
It's your father, he's sick!
Akisa!
You liar!
Liars! You grabbed everything!
You're all thieves!
Land grabbers! That's who you are!
- Akisa!
- [gasps]
[breathes heavily]
[moving music playing]
Hello?
- Let me in.
- I can't, Max. I'm not home.
We had an appointment.
This isn't about us, Max.
Okay, I have to go out of town
for a few days.
There's something I have to take care of.
We'll meet when I get back, okay?
Promise?
Yeah, I promise.
I'll see you when you get back.
I love you.
- Bye, Max.
- [beep]
[soothing music playing]
[female voice] Kyalo!
Kyalo!
Kyalo!
Kyalo!
Kyalo!
[screeches and laughs] Kyalo!
My patients are waiting.
I need to go, babe.
Yes, sure.
Okay. Bye. Kyalo. Come on.
[bike horn]
I'm coming!
You know, if you move closer to town,
I wouldn't have to be sneaking here.
Well, if you moved in here
you wouldn't have to.
So that I am the hottest scandal
in this village.
- To hell with them!
- No. Kyalo!
No, I have to go. [chuckles]
- [bike horn]
- [in Kamba] I'm coming!
[in English] I'll see you, yeah?
[in Swahili] Can't you hear me?
[in English] Joe. I need 500 words
on the new Finance Bill.
Get Fidel to do it,
I am working on something.
No, thank you!
This isn't Tinder, you can't
just swipe left on an assignment.
I'm still on Eco Rock.
I've seen your copy.
We have enough to go to print.
I think I have found a new angle.
[woman] Are you waiting
for a starting pistol?
What's the angle?
I've been looking over their records,
and their numbers are not matching up.
Go on.
I was at their Migori mine
last week, it's a small operation.
Their gold output is around
somewhere like one gram per ton,
two if I'm being generous.
But, if you look at their reports,
that particular mine's gold output
is estimated to be around
eight grams per ton.
The gold isn't coming from their mines.
Yep. They must be getting gold
from illegal mines,
like from Tanzania
or DRC and sell it as their own.
Gold laundering.
There's definitely something there.
Dig deeper.
That's the plan.
And Joe?
If this story is as big as you say it is,
you might just have
another front page on your hands.
[tribal drumming music playing]
[ominous music playing]
[coughs]
[in English] Am I a good father?
[Esther] There's no need to
keep thinking about things in the past.
[in Swahili] Come out of here.
It's too dusty.
[in English] Don't keep
the doctor waiting.
The doctor can wait.
What I need to do is,
- deal with this land issue.
- [Esther scoffs]
This thing will kill us.
[male voice in Swahili]
Now, it's like this,
we will all get a
lot of money if we unite.
[overlapping murmuring]
What kind of witchcraft is this?
You want to curse us?
[in Kamba] Is this witchcraft?
[in Swahili] I found this on my land.
All my chickens are dead.
Did I kill them?
[in English] Nonsense.
[in Swahili] We've brought this curse
upon ourselves.
Our forefathers died protecting this land.
And now you want to sell it?
Are your forefathers at this meeting?
Our lives will change if these people
find something in this land.
They will kick us out
and leave us with nothing.
Look at his face.
Three strands of hair on your chin
and you think you are a man?
Who gave you permission to speak
at this council?
This is your son,
and you are selling his birthright.
He has a right to speak.
[in Kamba] What you say cannot help us.
Mwalimu.
[in Swahili] You make a good point but
we have nothing to offer to our children.
Give us all jobs then.
Yes, give us jobs.
What kind of nonsense is this?
[in English] How dare you
worship the golden calf?
Exodus 32, verse 38:
"When the time comes,
I'll punish them for their sin."
[ominous music playing]
[male voice in Kamba]
Look at this mad man.
[indistinct murmuring]
[pleasant music playing]
[ominous music playing]
- [in English] Madam, we're in trouble!
- Talk.
I told you, you see, I warned you,
I know our mines are dry at the moment,
but this black market thing,
- we can't, we shouldn't
- You're rambling, Isaac.
The consignment,
it didn't arrive at the port.
Impossible. Max ensured its delivery.
And the guy in the ministry
isn't picking our calls.
I'm afraid that if we don't hear
from him in the next few hours,
then the anti-corruption
will be knocking at our doors.
Get logistics on this. Kill any leaks.
[Max] Mobutu!
[in Swahili] Treating our guest well?
[Mobutu] He's okay.
How are you, Ali?
[Ali] Same as yesterday.
[Max] Eish! Mobutu.
I told you. Not so rough.
Ali.
I want my gold.
[Ali] These guys don't joke around.
[Mobutu] So we're the jokers?
[Max] Mobutu, relax.
Ali.
I thought we were friends?
Why test our friendship?
You don't understand.
Get him down.
- [in English] Where's my gold?
- I'm working on it.
Careful, Max. I'm not one to cry
over spilt husbands.
[in Swahili] It shouldn't be like that.
It shouldn't be like that.
It shouldn't be like that.
[Max in English]
I'll ask you one last time,
where is my gold?
[Ali in Swahili] I already told you
[screams]
[in English] Fuck! [screams]
[sobbing in Swahili] Man, man.
Man!
[phone rings]
How is my favorite Swiss?
Do you know
how much I hate waiting, my dear?
Where's my gold?
There was a slight hiccup.
This isn't like you, Vivienne.
I'm working on it.
I'm empty-handed.
And I look like an asshole.
We've been in this business
a long time, Roberto.
Just give me 24 hours.
Straightening this out
is coming with a cost,
and trust me,
it will not be out of my percentage.
I'll take the hit.
[clicking]
[ominous music playing]
Josiah.
Josiah.
Tony!
- [in Swahili] What's wrong?
- Where are you going?
[Silas] This isn't your mother's house.
Go back to work.
Josiah has found something.
Like what?
Come and show me.
What have you found? Give it to me.
I found something.
Tony, pull me out. Pull me!
Josiah. Josiah.
Pull him out.
Josiah, Josiah.
- [in Kamba] Are you okay? Huh?
- Mmm.
[in English] Who found this?
Uh, I we did.
Great performance.
But no impact!
I am not selling my land.
[in Kamba] Musa, tell him.
Mwalimu. Um
[in English] What Musa is trying to say
is that we will be fools
if we do not take these big opportunities.
Then get land and sell!
You know, I don't know why
you insist to stay in this dump!
This land?
Our mother is buried here.
You look like you're
just about to join her.
My ghost will guard the land.
Even if I do.
[Titus in Kamba] We will see.
[in English] Musa, let's go.
[coughing]
[thoughtful music playing]
[in English] Hello?
Are you okay? [breathing deeply]
You are late.
Lessons begin at 8:30,
not 8:31, not 8:32.
What do we learn from
Ken Saro-Wiwa's
"Africa Kills Her Sun"?
That the main character was killed.
Was his sacrifice worthwhile?
Uncle, it's me. It's Akisa.
Remember?
But
Are those all?
Yes, it's everything.
Don't leave anything behind.
Not a napkin, not a receipt. Understand?
[paper shredding]
- [Skype ringtone]
- What?
Mrs. Sibala, it's me, Erick
from Tsilanga exploration mine, phase one.
I know who you are.
We have a situation.
- What is it?
- It's like nothing I've seen before.
My time, Erick. You're wasting it.
We hit Eldorado.
I'm still running some tests
to find out the quality of the specimen,
but it's looking positive. Very positive.
How much?
- Open the attachment.
- [chime]
Okay. "X" is where we are.
Open the next document.
[breathes deeply]
Get back to shredding.
[shredding resumes]
You're mine.
[soft sinister chuckle]
- [peaceful music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]
[in Kamba] That perfume is familiar.
Is it the person I think it is?
Whose is it?
Help me understand.
Is she looking for a sponsor among
these boys who till the land here?
- I'm so confused.
- Ayee!
- These boys are useless.
- Kanini!
[Zipporah] Kanini! Come here!
Be quick.
[tuts]
Ai, Mommy!
- What is this that you are wearing?
- What?
Kanini!
[in Swahili] I will strip you
in the middle of the road!
- [in Kamba] Mom, it's the trend.
- What trend?
Kanini, you are so stupid!
You cow. Come here.
[nostalgic music playing]
[whispers] Akisa.
[in Swahili] Mom, didn't Akisa die?
Does she look dead to you?
Musila, you are still here?
Wake up!
[in English] You need another job.
[indistinct chatter]
[in Swahili] When I get a rich man,
I'm out of here.
Look what this sun has done to my skin.
Now you Are you planning
to propose to Anna in that shirt?
What's wrong with it?
[chuckles sarcastically] You're clueless.
Get a shirt from the back.
Please try to be romantic.
Something like a picnic.
[laughs] You!
Ahoy! Ahoy! Ahoy!
Everyone I have entered with in this bar
should be given a drink!
Give them a drink!
Give them a drink!
Sit down and have a drink!
- I will pay. Okay?
- Okay!
Drink as much as you want,
but don't cause any trouble.
What's your problem?
We've come from work. We have money!
- You!
- Give us beer. We will pay.
Can you buy a drink for my friend and I?
Silas.
[in English] Don't!
[waitress in Swahili]
Silas, don't start trouble.
I see you're buying drinks.
Did you rob a bank?
We don't rob banks.
We do manly work.
- We do manly work, isn't it?
- Yes!
We are men!
You wouldn't know anything about that.
- Manly work?
- Yes.
All you know is exploiting children.
Go and tell that to your girlfriend Anna.
Or should I take care of her for you?
Relax!
Leave him alone.
- Kyalo, stop it!
- Relax.
[whispers in English] It's not worth it.
[Vivienne] Care for a sip?
I only know where the gold is.
Still don't know who took it.
That is barely a reason to celebrate.
Don't be a damp towel, Max.
To the death of the old.
Here's to the new.
[birds chirping]
[car engine powers down]
[moving music playing]
[no audible dialogue]
Esther.
[sobbing softly]
[sighs and sniffs]
[whispers in Swahili]
Esther!
[in English] Your father's in the house.
[heaving]
[heaving and coughing]
Akisa!
Akisa!
[coughing]
Akisa! [coughing]
[in English] As a father,
I did what was best. [coughing]
You were a child. You needed a future.
The baby couldn't give you that.
That was my baby.
It was mine.
I know.
I failed you.
I failed you.
Go get his medicine.
[male voice in Swahili]
Josiah, take a break.
No, I have to get another.
Josiah.
Josiah!
Anna! Anna!
[in Swahili] Doctor! Doctor!
Wake up.
- [in English] What is it?
- [in Swahili] Another one.
[Anna in Kamba] Where is your mother?
I don't know.
[in Swahili] You don't have to
work in the mine.
[in English] Anna. Someone is here
to collect Mwalimu's medicine.
- Hi. I'm Anna.
- I'm Mwalimu's daughter.
It's nice to visit family, isn't it?
- My family is quite far away.
- Oh.
Anyway, let me get this for you.
Just wait here.
Yes.
[in Kamba] I'm okay. I want to go back.
- Excuse me
- No, no, no, no.
[groaning]
[Akisa] What's wrong with him?
He's one of the kids
hired to work at the mine.
[in English] They go there, they work,
they get hurt, and no one cares.
[in Swahili] You'll be alright.
You'll get better.
- [sighs]
- [Anna in English] What do they say?
[in Swahili] If it's
[sad music playing]
[laughter]
[female voice in English] You should wait,
you should never, ever do that again.
If you do, you've got to chase me.
- I will do that!
- [laughter]
You are so slow with your hand.
["Nita" by Njoki Karu playing]
As the sun ♪
Rises on the eastern sky ♪
As the sound ♪
Of dawn breaking, bursting light ♪
Nita ♪
Nita ♪
As the rain
Pours upon the aching earth ♪
As the ground cracks open
Like a breaking heart ♪
Nita ♪
Akisa.
[birds chirping]
You're back.
Akisa!
Just let it go.
[melancholy music playing]
[Salome] Akisa!
I hope you still like pilau.
I can't stay, Aunty.
[in Swahili] What is she saying?
[in English] Here is your medicine, Papa.
Just wanted to say bye.
You took everything away from me.
I hope one day
I'll be able to forgive you.
Papa?
[in Kamba ] Papa, are you okay?
Papa! Papa! Papa!
Are you okay? Are you okay, Papa?!
[in English] Papa, please, please!
Please, Papa!
Papa, Papa!
[howling and sobbing]
[sad vocal music playing]