Episode 1. The Men who steal Good People
(Sub-Saharan Africa 1863)
Smoke swirls in the dark interior of an African hut. Three men crouch around a small fire. Their shadows loom.
Rheumy eyes reflect the flickering firelight. An ancient painted face. A melodic chant, followed by a final whisper. A plea. Then silence and waiting. The old Headman eases his head to the side. Wart hog teeth strung around his neck clatter. He sighs. Closes his eyes.
The other men remain impassive. Warriors without weapons to protect the tribe against an enemy of demons. Burdened with the fear of the strangers who destroy and scavenge.
The Headman opens his eyes.
He stares at the young boy with a baby goat on his shoulders. He recognizes the boy from the village. He is Chuma.
But wait. What else does he see?
Chuma’s rescue by a white man named Dr. David Livingstone? The scourge the demon warlord, Shetani? Or the kindness and magic of Umi, the Keeper of Time. Umi's daughter and Chuma’s love, Entika? Chuma's journey in a steamship across an ocean? The betrayal of the warrior of warriors Wakatani? The giant Susi? Queen Victoria? The Khoi-san twins and the Kalahari? Henry Morton Stanley? Or even….
We are getting ahead of ourselves. This is episode one and the demons are near. Chuma’s village will burn.
The final scene from the script for Episode 1 follows...
